So when Ian uses the FAL...is it then known as "The Left arm of the Free World"?

I liked the part where he pulled the trigger then the gun worked.

Many often forget that the G3/Cetme platform has been directly modified into belt fed variants and utilized for very odd circumstances... the G3 is the unsung hero of the small arms world.

Just revisited this one after the recent G36 mud test - I just realized, that there is an interesting trend of HK Military rifles to have a freak failure on the first round after application of the mud. After that, they usually run fairly reliable...

So a G3 rifle + mud = bolt-action rifle

I reckon if the G3 had a dust cover, be it modified or from the factory, I wouldn't be surprised if it went completely un-phased.

Heheheh! If I'd seen this video 35 years ago, when I was a conscript using the G3, I'd have shown it my sergent and said: 'Cleaning is overrated, it works just fine'. :D

In 1989 I was a conscript in the Bundeswehr. I was a medic. The G3 was the only weapon I was trained on. The G3 struck me as surprisingly large and unwieldy and, above all, very heavy. During practice shooting, we regularly had jams. I can't tell whether there were an unusually large number of them. Medical soldiers have weapons for self-defense, so even then I was amazed at such a large, heavy rifle.

The picture of the soldier in Afghanistan is a Norwegian with a Norwegian made G3. The AG3 made at Kongsberg Armory.

Every time I see a video about the G3 I end up liking it that little bit more.

Not bad, thats why i prefer the G3 to the G36, besides the caliber i have the feeling that it is more stable. A comrade of my dad had a G3 which was run over by an Unimog. It was still working and he was able to hit the target. Not his own, but he supported the neighbour.

When I had problems with my L1A1 SLR (Australian issue FN FAL), I ran it with the gas plug on its tightest setting. Nil further problems (except a killer recoil!) Very interesting tests, thanks so much for posting these.

This video shows that the design is so good that even if Century takes part in manufacturing the rifle, it can still work. I bet pure HK and even PTR rifles would do better. The ammo may be playing a part too.

I just bought a C308 yesterday and been looking at reviews but after seeing how you of all people do all this to it I’m happy with my purchase.

I have used the G3 (AK4) in Sweden during -35 C in winter and it works well👍🏻

Ha ha ha! 7:47 "Hey, it's California compliant now." Sad but true... ;-)

Thanks guys for the test of the G3 and the FAL. That was very interesting.I’m a little heartbroken that the FAL failed. When I joined the CAF in 1986, the FN C1 was the weapon I was issued with. It never really failed me….but I never got it that muddy. And that was a fair test for both rifles. Cheers 🍻

I like the ealyer mud tests better, one thing having Ian crawling around in mud was fun to watch but i allso think it gives a better image on how and where mud will get on a gun than simple dump a big load on mud on it. On a side note, after spending close to 8 years in the danish army i have still not manged to get this much mud on/in a gun ever, in the worst cases using water from a canteen or water stream will get most off it or even use your hands, i cant think of anyone there would use the rifle in that condition.

Interesting points on the difference between gas operation and roller-delayed.

To any of those interested in the c308 but have heard rumors of reliability and build quality it is literally hit or miss. I own a c308 and mine has run fantastically for over a year with four thousand rounds or so through it no problem. My friend shot it and fell in love so he picked himself up one and that thing struggled to stay running and had to be sent back twice in the past 6 months. I have in fact picked up a PTR 91 and I would definitely say it is a better built rifle and definitely worth the little extra. The c308 on my end has been a good gun however looking back I would simply go with the PTR for peace of mind and a better product.

Having shot and handled both rifles (owning one of the two) I've always preferred the G3/CETME to the FAL. I actually made my longest range shot ever using my G3 clone at 1200 yards on a metal gong. I will say I wasn't a fan of the way it crimped my brass.

Dropping a G3 in the mud turns it into a bolt action rifle, for approximately two magazines. Good to know!

I have Century Arms versions of both. My FAL started life off as a Rhodesian contract gun. In terms of accuracy and comfort of shooting I love the FAL, but I'm pretty ambivalent about the CETME. I guess if I were in some seriously soupy combat situations I'd now want the CETME but otherwise I'd feel better served by the FAL.

its allways a pleasure to see my old faithfull G3 doing great

I think they're a little harsh saying the G3 here failed. Its not done, it's merely bolt action. You might be in a bad spot but you're still shooting. Not to mention after a mag or so it would be back to working properly.

Sends the casings into orbit is an understatement that thing throws the casings as far as the bullet.

You guys should do a funny/mock 1980s m16 propaganda video comparing it to all these other guns..

The CETME takes so little credit it's sad, it's always about the G3

You should try mud testing the SCAR 17 or SCAR 16. It'd be interesting to see how a modern rifle runs that isn't as sealed as the AR-15 but is used by the special forces.

G3, C308, HK91, PTR 91....for the win!

You guys have changed gun design forever your contribution is every designer from now on will account for mud in their design

Used it in the Portuguese Army! Not the best, but realible! Mud? Sad? No problem! remove the mag, clear the problem and it runs like clockwork! lol If it had a dust cover in the rifle... In Portugal, the army is doing trials for a new rifle, but...its hard to find a reliable weapon system that works like the G3... the HK 416 is a possibility...

I like it when mud converts automatic or semi-automatic rifles into bolt-action ones.

Besser als ich erwartet habe. Bei uns waren die G3 öfter mal fest vom Sand im Übungsgelände. Nice Test!

Congratulations, you’ve successfully turned your g3 into a Mosin-Nagant

It hurts my heart to see such an expensive gun get wrecked in the mud like that.

nice german camo smock and feldmutze

Novel approach to applying an FDE finish. Perfect camouflage for the region.

very interesting, thank you guys. hope to see some more g3/ptr ... tests

Isn't it originally derived from the Sturmgewehr 45 (Gerät 06) prototype?

I used a fal in the Dutch army and fals are great rifles, when kept clean. I destroyed one fal by forcing it to operate, while it had dry sand. I had to recharge it every single shot. One other fal I destroyed by forcing it to run on full auto for 4 mags and then putting it in wet grass.

The C308 is a fine rifle for the money. For the price that brand-name PTRs are going for right now, it would be foolish to pick one of their rifles up. Thanks for the videos!

Very nice test, comparison and conclusions. However,if my memory serves me well, when you did the AUG test you were careful to put mud in the charging handle's slot and that was what killed it. You haven't done this test the same way.

Any chance of getting a mud test of a BAR?

I have the same gun...This video pleases me immensely

This series has blown my mine. Results were not at all what I expected. My world has been turn upside down.

I have had both in the past, DSA and HK 93 and sold them off. Now I can't afford to get my HK replaced but I do have 2 PTR 91's. They are just a superior design. The AR did better in the mud, however dont try to submerge a AR in water and try to fire it without draining it first. HK Wins!

Looking forward to the AR-15 mud test where it totally chokes.... oh wait.

It's a great battle rifle, i have served 9 months with this gun.

I miss my g3 :(

you guys need to add another stage to these mud tests. a soldier in the field has a canteen of water on him for the most part, if the weapon will not run then use the contents of the canteen to see if the quick wash will get it working again.field expedient weapon cleaning device haha.

"Now it's California compliant!" It's funny because this state is ridiculous. Great video!

Seeing this makes me feel solid about my ptr buy today

Great video I have a C308 and have to say it's a stout gun and well built.

I've got both the DS Arms FAL and the Century C308, both new. I paid less than half the price of the FAL for my C308 and I'd GTW with it any day over my FAL. It just so happens.

Looking to have a PTR 91 as a trunk gun and wanting to validate reliability and functionality. This video helps

do a top 5 of the best guns to pass the mud test

I'd like to see some type of ranking eventually. I'm starting to lose track of how well each one performed.

the 80s HK91 advertisement had a man with the rifle coming out of a body of water. No Compromise.

I'm curious how well a proper PTR-91 would do in the test in comparison to the C308, it'd definitely be easier to remove those magazines since it has a paddle release.

Most of the "malfunctions" seem to be due to the operator using cheap underpowered 7.62x51 that is made for gas system battle rifles. You can tell by the weak ejection pattern that the ammo is clearly underpowered for the G3 system as full powered .308/7.62x51 will throw the brass forward and far out several meters

Just picked up one of these today with classic wood furniture, cant wait to dunk it in a wheelbarrow of mud

Seems that a dust cover would be a much welcomed solution to this problem on the G3

I definitely want a CETME/G3 like that- when i move to a free state :( I would probably get black furniture, or green maybe, to be different. I find the mechanism interesting

Wow I was honestly expecting better on this....Very informative

IWI Tavor, Beretta 92fs, Sig p226, HKp7, or Kel Tec Sub2000. I wouldn't mind seeing how a few revolvers hold up to the mud tests as well.

Very informative and simple, thank you. Im just waitin till I'm back in Texas then I intend to pick one of these up, gonna make it my new hog rifle.

Good video indeed. This is why the portuguese marines refused to replace the HK91 G3 in use for decades to a new FN Scar as the army did. They just modernized the HK with a new scope and the with Sphur stock.

“Hey, it’s California compliant now” Comedy gold

THAT is the G3 robustness I remember firing 10K rounds with. To properly screw it: put mud in the rail opening on the left side where the charging handle runs.

Thanks guys

FNC & R700 would be neat to see get personal with the mud.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys think getting a little bit of mud out of the action by simply swyping your finger over the bolt (like you would propably if you didn't have to return fire immediatly) would make much of a difference? I guess reducing the amount of mud on the bolt would improve the chance of the gun cycling significantly since there is less material slowing the bolt down. Sure it would defeat the purpose and comparability of the test, but it would be interesting to see if such little action would return the rifle to a working order.

C-308 is seeming like a better and better deal. Affordable rifle, $3 mags, and very reliable.

after the K98 test I half expected this to be put into a box or something

8:20 "if I put another mag in this right now it's ready to run" but you can't because you can't remove the magazine sooo...

I gave you a thumbs up just because I thought about what it's like to clean this....

you took "outside voice" to the next level dude

has a cetme doesnt do the thing that they're known for _slap the bolt handle you heathen_

"It's California compliant now!" LMFAO

This makes me think that the dust cover on the G41 isn't as useless as it seems. Now I kind of wish a civilian version had gone into production.

It looks like most of the problems would be solved by first removing the mag, then open the action to clear it. Then either shake out the mag or put in another mag. It may be a little time consuming, but far less time consuming than having to motar that rifle between every shot.

Love your videos and mud tests! 😃👍

Could you guys test an sks? That would be cool!

I'm not surprised, the Portuguese army as been using the G3 since the 50/60.... With great results during the colonial war from 61 to 75. There were also some FAL's in service, but they got replaced by the G3. They did not resist the diversified climates of the colonies, they could not stand the dust or the mud, a simple "walk" in a rice field or the crossing of the crude swamps of Guinea condemned the FAL almost immediately. Interestingly and ironically, the Portuguese G3 will be replaced as a standard weapon by the Scar of FN, the same that manufactures the FAL, rather than the 416 of HK, the same that manufactures the G3 (the Portuguese G3 were nevertheless manufactured in Portugal under license ). Sorry my bad English ^^

I'm pretty familiar with Tucson mud, gives me a thought: what if you let the mud dry before firing? just for giggles.

5:00 that is an norwegian soldier before we adapted the HK 416

Ejects into orbit, lol. Interesting observation about the locking mechanisms.

I still got twitches seeing the trigger finger hitting a steel wall when the rifle is jammed. Had this felt a million times with blanks. But hey, you learn to make that thing work properly again in a minute by doing the quick cleaning I now have as muscle memory.

I also think the delayed blowback has tighter fit so the grit affects it a bit more

You found a bad g3. My dad used it in war and it is reliable asf. Mud, sand do not make this gun stop.

4 years ago Carl enjoyed a rifle that sat well on a wheel barrow. In 2020 he still points it out. Will it continue through 2024?! We shall see.

love this page y'all seem to do the right mud test everyone likes to paint some mud or dirt on the gun then wipe it off!!

Very nice these mud test videos. It would be great to see a how a G36 performes when quenched in mud.

Great video

I suppose that if G3 was more popular than FAL and G3’s variants 32 and 52 chambered in AK mag were adopted by many contries around the world, maybe even AK would stop being the most popular rifle in the world and maybe AK-107 and AEK-971 (also AN-94) could be massively adopted across the globe.

Made in Lizenz somewhere. The G3 is the best. No matter. It works

Karl you slapped the mag. You slapped the mag. If you were in the German or Turkish army , your drill sergeants were slapping you.

Jesus! I shit my pants when I saw him pushing the gun on the ground while his head is that near to the deadly end of the gun ... Shit, now I need a beer to calm down ;-)

3:21 As Karl pointed out there wasn't mud more towards the charging handle, could that be a issue or is it sealed enough?