Really excited to share this one with you guys. I've been down with tonsillitis for the last week or so and today was the first day I've really had my voice back, so I cracked on and finished some overdubs that were needed to finish the episode off. So if I sound a bit croaky in places you know why! I've written up a full accompanying blog with some extra contemporary images and diagrams and some person opinions of the F1 from troops. Check that out here: armourersbench.com/2018/01/27/f1-submachine-gun/ Thanks for watching! - Matt

I fired this gun back in the 80's in the Army Reserve. Great little weapon and fun to shoot. Bog simple in operation.

I trained with the F1 and SLR L1A1 and the AR as well in the 80s

That was the first time I've seen the details of this SMG and it certainly has it's share of interesting features. Thanks Matt!

F1 used to pull right and high as you fired so used to aim left and low to watch rounds hit the ground and walk the rounds to the target. Standard rounds scatter in a pattern when firing so it was unusual. A light robust weapon good for jungle terrain due to shortness of barrel. Good up front of the section to get enemy head down in a contact. SLR 7.62 rimless NATO round did the rest.

Shot quite a few rounds through this at Pucka! Was heaps of fun.that was in the mid 80's.

Used the F1 extensively back in the day. Was issued it when performing payroll security when we were paid in cash. Simple design, easy to maintain, fire and clean. Good weapon for it's purpose.

Australian MP's were also issued this SMG which was replaced by the short barreled F88 rifle. I'm pretty sure the buttplate was also interchangeable with the L1A1 as was the pistol grip.

Thanks for posting. I've been waiting for Forgotten Weapons to do a special on this weapon as Ian McCullum has done 2 on the Owen gun. You beat him to the punch. I carried the weapon for a couple of years as an RAAC Trooper and although it was universally considered useless (range wise) it was effective at short range nonetheless and I have used it effectively against SMR pop up targets on sneaker ranges and put holes in figure 11 targets on 25m ranges. It was easy to keep clean and being spray painted black in killrust type paint was fairly rust resistant in the rain, unlike a worn SLR which would glow orange 3 hrs after rain (LOL). One point you didn't mention, is that in addition to using the L1A1 fire selector and pistol grip (modified) it also used the L1A1 buttplate. Anyway, great vid. Cheers from Australia. I will say that in a couple of thousand rounds shooting it, I can't remember a single misfeed or stoppage, possibly due to our SOP of putting only 30 rounds in the 34 round magazine. It was a struggle to get 30 in.

Thank you for covering this! Absolutely brilliant topics regularly on this channel! Very much appreciated! Fascinating to see the front sight location. It certainly wouldn't snag on anything there. I remember a fellow who'd served with one saying that they were taught to centre it on the belly to point shoot it. I think he said (it was quite a while ago) they were trained to clear a dud round or stoppage by pointing the muzzle up with the bolt pulled back and hitting the ground with it as there was no extractor.

9mm jellybean dispenser

Very interesting, brought back lots of memories! Unfortunately the sound died at 2:50 to where it was barely audible. I had to turn my volume to maximum on speakers, computer and KZfaq... and then at 4:14 sound came back with a vengeance!! Other than this, it was a great video, thank you!

Well presented.

All of the overdubs seemed very quiet compared to the rest of it. I don't know if you can turn up the volume there, but it would be helpful. This is true on other videos as well.

Weirdly, by adopting the F1, the Australian Army adopted a weapon that was more vulnerable to jamming.

Really enjoy these videos but at 01:02, what was the point in cutting the footage of the magazine insertion?

That thing is beautifully ugly. Thanks for yet another highly interesting video!

The Armourer's Bench Great video! Keep up the good work! Can you do a video on the BSA 28P rifle?

The charging handle is also reminiscent of the SLR

Did the Sterling have the roller followers in the mag? I carried this gun during the mid 80's, pretty whacky little gobang.

Whats the story of the short little AR18 rifle under the M1 carbine?

Sorry. Just read your blog which mentioned the SLR butt plate. My bad.

Luvley gun mate! Where do you live, as I am curious how you can legally own this gun-John in Texas

Good vid! However, a few points... A: the bayonet (L1A1 or L1A2) was NOT a sword bayonet. B: The SLR and F1 was replaced by the F88 not "F1" C: having carried and fired the F1 many times it's a shit gun well worth replacing. D: The F1 was used in Vietnam but not a lot... it was usually replaced by the M16 when the Owens went out of service. Good vid, though.

I want them both.

The owen gun was still used untill 1966

the section sig hated carrying this club...switched to a 16 much better going to ground with...BFA non existant

But why the mag on top ?!

That has to be the most breakable rear sight I've ever seen in my life.

I was very happy to see this. My F1 replica: i.imgur.com/zvWXj8t.jpg

The magazine goes on top because Australia is upside down.

F1 would never be used by Imperial Storm Troopers. Just would not happen.

It’s not a charging handle, it’s a cocking handle? God, wokes with their terminology?