Vektor Mini-SS: South Africa's Answer to the FN Minimi

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Forgotten Weapons

Forgotten Weapons

Жыл бұрын

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While under international embargo and at war in the late 1970s, South Africa needed a new 7.62mm GPMG. The answer was Vektor's SS77, a design which would replace the FN MAG in South African service in the 1980s. The gun had really substantial problems for many years, and took a lot of work to revise and improve until it was finally fit for service. However, that work did result in a really excellent gun. With the US adoption of the FN Minimi as a Squad Automatic Weapon, interest developed in a 5.56mm version of the SS77.
Named the Mini-SS, this was initially envisioned as a conversion of the SS77, but that never actually came to pass. Instead, the Mini-SS was built from the ground up as a 5.56mm SAW, with a number of changes to reduce its weight (like a simple fixed polymer stock, fixed gas port, and the removal of tripod attachment points). Coming into service in the early 1990s, the Mini-SS has developed an excellent reputation.
Mechanically, both of the Vektor designs are unusual for the use of an asymmetric side-tilting bolt (like the ZH-29 and only a few other production guns). It is a very simply gun to disassemble, and has a lot of quite clever design features.
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Пікірлер: 365
@possumpatrol45
@possumpatrol45 Жыл бұрын
An upside of the arms embargo is that it led to all sorts of interesting designs that might not have been developed otherwise.
@coreymerrill3257
@coreymerrill3257 Жыл бұрын
Oh you just want lisa in your room.
@possumpatrol45
@possumpatrol45 Жыл бұрын
@@coreymerrill3257 You're tearing me apart, Lisa!
@theowlfromduolingo7982
@theowlfromduolingo7982 Жыл бұрын
This somewhat shows that humans will always find a way to build guns and weapons in general if they want/need to
@greycatturtle7132
@greycatturtle7132 Жыл бұрын
Ye
@conorjohn490
@conorjohn490 Жыл бұрын
These are the types of designs that prove that if you're creative enough with a K'Nex set, you too can design a gun. (Note: knowledge of metallurgy, explosive engineering, manufacturing, and parts sourcing not included)
@Erden99
@Erden99 Жыл бұрын
Now if only we could maintain a powerplant to this kind of standard...
@ripvanwinkle2002
@ripvanwinkle2002 Жыл бұрын
hire the same kind of people to run your power plants that made this gun.. oh wait..
@ibubezi7685
@ibubezi7685 Жыл бұрын
@@ripvanwinkle2002 The CEO comes close, but that is probably only to scapegoat him, after 25 years of mismanagement and corruption - and now active sabotage.
@jameshodgson3656
@jameshodgson3656 Жыл бұрын
Now don't be racist, that power plant was a victim of socioeconomic factors
@mindsharping
@mindsharping 8 ай бұрын
Ah, a powder burning power station! Very innovative.
@luckystriker7489
@luckystriker7489 Жыл бұрын
I volunteered to operate an SS during basic training in 1991 at Oudtshoorn Infantry School. It was far lighter than a belt-fed Bren and equally reliable as long as you kept the bursts short. One of our bodybuilder corporals could even shoot it Rambo-style, but the barrel drooped faster than our R4 rifles at the same rate of fire. Nice to carry, less nice in a firefight
@user-qh1wq9hz1k
@user-qh1wq9hz1k 11 ай бұрын
Belt fed bren...?
@Unruly6ixx
@Unruly6ixx 10 ай бұрын
So it’s trash if it’s not nice in a firefight ? Ps I’m not a machine gunner a rifle man
@TheBodieClan
@TheBodieClan 7 ай бұрын
A belt fed Bren…????? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 2:04
@IamtherealDodger67
@IamtherealDodger67 4 ай бұрын
Pretty sure he actually meant the FN-MAG, which is still in service alongside the SS77
@edwardhawkey5714
@edwardhawkey5714 Ай бұрын
@@IamtherealDodger67 I think he did mean FN MAG, still one of the top GPMG;s currently used.
@pguth98
@pguth98 Жыл бұрын
I have never seen a bolt that locks quite like that. Really ingenious. Really cool how the locking surface is a separate part, so it can be hardened differently & replaced when it wears out. Reminds me of the XM5's steel inserts.
@easy_eight2810
@easy_eight2810 Жыл бұрын
I don't know how Ian got me hooked on firearm design history years ago as a Vietnamese who has never held a gun in his life. Tomorrow I'll get to visit my first Defence EXPO and there will definitely be more unique designs like the SVT-380 :D
@boocomban
@boocomban Жыл бұрын
it literally a Galil ACE with minimal handguard and remove left side charging handle with more traditional Ak right side charging handle
@Stevarooni
@Stevarooni Жыл бұрын
Such a long history, and as most of history there are weird twists and turns that are fascinating. 👍
@boocomban
@boocomban Жыл бұрын
@@Stevarooni it is just Z111 want to simplify the manufacturing process on Galil Ace as well as reducing parts on the final products for various reasons. First, Vietnam is not the only manufacturer that IWI sold their galil ace production line for. It would make no sense for Vietnam to try to make galil ace to compete on the export market as they are not that well known in the industry. So making galil ace serve no purpose on the export market as it not only compete with IWI united states as well as it violate the contract they signed with IWI. So by making SVT, it can be use to export as a lower cost version of galil ace. Another reason is Vietnam has been use AK since 1960s. And their doctrine has been used with logistics and the simplicity of AK. By making SVT more like AK, it reduced the amount of parts to more like original of AK but still keep it up with modern requirements. SVT reduced 10-13 parts compare with original galil ace and on the same time it interchange some parts with AK/STL-1 that they made, hence reduce the logistics burden of fielding various weapon type.
@M8Military
@M8Military Жыл бұрын
Lots of places u can shoot legally in Vietnam. You can even shoot a cow for a few hundred US dollars
@ianfurqueron5850
@ianfurqueron5850 Жыл бұрын
Similar here. While I've had an interest in guns since I was a child (my father was a professional military historian), following this channel and InRangeTV has multiplied that interest by a large order of magnitude.
@thejackal5099
@thejackal5099 Жыл бұрын
Awesome. I thought this was one of the guns you missed on your South Africa trip and never gonna get to.
@stuartdodman9817
@stuartdodman9817 Жыл бұрын
What an impressive design, simple, light, no unnecessary features and solid metal, not stamped. I want one!
@rudivanaarde8952
@rudivanaarde8952 Жыл бұрын
As a South African, I don't get to see a lot of our weapons discussed. Appreciate the video's that do. Thanks a lot.
@monado550
@monado550 Жыл бұрын
Gotta love south african arms manufacturers, all the guns you presented on this channel look gorgeous, feature cool engineering tricks and are simple in design
@raytheron
@raytheron Жыл бұрын
South Africa used the FN MAG LMG for many years, but they were getting a bit long in the tooth. When I was in the SADF in the early 70s we used the MAG extensively, and it served well in the Bush War. I also trained on the South African 7.62 conversion of the Bren.
@paleoph6168
@paleoph6168 Жыл бұрын
Finally, a quality KZfaq video on the Vektor Mini-SS, and not only that, it's from none other than Forgotten Weapons! Thank you Ian! Also @2:56 and 9:10 The bipod also has a wire cutter just like the Galil ARM and Vektor R4.
@annconlon4468
@annconlon4468 Жыл бұрын
I've been fascinated with the SS-77 after reading about it in Handgunner magazine back in the 90's. Great to see Ian finally cover a variant of this gun. 🤗🤗
@joshsquatch7474
@joshsquatch7474 Жыл бұрын
I'm not positive but I think he has an older video on the original GPMG version
@paleoph6168
@paleoph6168 9 ай бұрын
​@@joshsquatch7474Ian just posted it!
@joshsquatch7474
@joshsquatch7474 9 ай бұрын
@@paleoph6168 lol yes he did
@Getpojke
@Getpojke Жыл бұрын
Lovely clean, uncluttered exterior with cleverly simplified interiors. Especially clever for being designed in-house by a relatively small country. But I suppose that necessity is the mother of invention.
@matthiuskoenig3378
@matthiuskoenig3378 Жыл бұрын
'n Boer maak 'n plan
@caritstumnce6068
@caritstumnce6068 Жыл бұрын
I'm genuinely happy to see this thing make it onto the channel. Haven't really seen it at military expo events in the country and I started to think it didn't get further than a prototype. Thanks a ton for making a vid on it. I'm just amazed it's in a US facility and not at Denel like all the other SA guns. Really curious how it got there🤣
@jirpy10
@jirpy10 Жыл бұрын
It is used by a few South American countries, and Saudi Arabia etc.
@ScottKenny1978
@ScottKenny1978 Жыл бұрын
I'm sure the US Embassy "acquired" a few.
@londonjolly9174
@londonjolly9174 Жыл бұрын
A wonderful mash of parts/shapes from the M240, Galil, and FAL, what a cool LMG!
@Holycow94WoW
@Holycow94WoW Жыл бұрын
First thing I thought was “Galil LMG”. I mean the handguard, stock and sights scream Galil
@parasitic1344
@parasitic1344 Жыл бұрын
“Full auto or nothing” and “pull trigger, sear drops” are probably my favorite firearms design features.
@bruceinoz8002
@bruceinoz8002 Жыл бұрын
As was eventually discovered with the M-60, the lack of a "trip" lever to hold the sear clear during firing, caused nasty wear issues. Unsurprisingly, some of the OLDER MGs have that trip lever . More "design" by committee with teh M-60? I replaced quite a few chewed-up M-60 op-rods and sears in my "time". NOTHING is "soldier-proof', however.
@parasitic1344
@parasitic1344 Жыл бұрын
@@bruceinoz8002 “wear issues”? No sir, that is just the gun suggesting you ride the lightning like a man!
@jamesbridges7750
@jamesbridges7750 Жыл бұрын
With that amount of bolt tilt parallel to the extractor claw you can see why they had trouble.The amount of moment on the claw would make the heat treat and cam surface tolerances a nightmare.
@Mis73rRand0m
@Mis73rRand0m Жыл бұрын
I bet it more or less was pinned with a pivot like most extractors, but now has a slot for its' pin so that it can pull away from the bolt face more. Didn't see enough detail to confirm, but that's what I would do...
@AlexLee-dc2vb
@AlexLee-dc2vb Жыл бұрын
Oh hell yes, I've been wanting the SS-77 ever since your first trip to South Africa. This scratches that itch. Thank you Ian
@patriotenfield3276
@patriotenfield3276 Жыл бұрын
Thank You Mr Ian . This is the first and only Video on Vektor SS77 GPLMG.
@williamflowers9435
@williamflowers9435 Жыл бұрын
When I got the notification for this video, I assumed it was from your trip to South Africa 🇿🇦 and you’d kept it in reserve. Wouldn’t have expected one of these to make to the U.S.
@jon1801
@jon1801 Жыл бұрын
What an excellent and useful design. My experience of all South African produced weaponry has been positive. Sometimes the "political" situation a country finds itself in, can inspire some amazing innovations and products.
@gavinhammond1778
@gavinhammond1778 Жыл бұрын
What a slick little rig. Thanks for the content.
@blaisechalmers1464
@blaisechalmers1464 Жыл бұрын
I've been waiting for Ian to do a video on what I deem my countries greatest invention in terms of firearms. The SS is so underrated and I'm glad it's finally getting the proper recognition it deserves. It's up there with the likes of the PKM and FN Mag, and it is one of my top 5 favourite machine guns, including the previously mentioned two. It's a pity most of your South African viewers have to watch this during loadshedding. Keep it up Ian🔥🇿🇦
@sagamerdog6544
@sagamerdog6544 Жыл бұрын
plenty of time to watch the vid with stage six
@peterconnan5631
@peterconnan5631 Жыл бұрын
Jip, thank goodness for batteries.
@ginger0208
@ginger0208 Жыл бұрын
Gotta download videos in preparation for stage 6🤣
@SamGray
@SamGray Жыл бұрын
I'm dying laughing at the "Read Manual Before Use" mark.
@vvr881
@vvr881 Жыл бұрын
That mark is definitely not South African. 🤣
@edwardhawkey5714
@edwardhawkey5714 Ай бұрын
@@vvr881 had to be put on because like every military on the planet, yes incl, the US, we had some very very dumb servicemen. Well, its lost on those that cant read, in todays military, which by the way is an absolute joke.
@alanlarsen3525
@alanlarsen3525 Жыл бұрын
I really hope we get to see you shoot this one looks pretty neat.
@victuff9765
@victuff9765 Жыл бұрын
I like how they used a Galil/R4 bipod! Like how many motorcar manufacturers use their parts bins to eliminate the 'reinventing the wheel' scenario 👍
@channelmachinebroke9638
@channelmachinebroke9638 Жыл бұрын
I never knew about this gun before but know I think it's pretty cool. Thanks Ian!
@SuperBommer1
@SuperBommer1 Жыл бұрын
The worse problem with the SS77 was you literally had to dump oil over it to keep it working
@Mis73rRand0m
@Mis73rRand0m Жыл бұрын
I bet that giant lug and "tilting" bolt cause lots of friction. Noticed the nice grease layer on this gun and was wondering.
@mazambane286
@mazambane286 Жыл бұрын
Or talcum power. Which does not collect dust and dirt.
@luckystriker7489
@luckystriker7489 Жыл бұрын
True, I remember having to oil my SS often during basics and special weapons. Although the Bren required less maintenance, the SS was easier to carry and jump out of a Buffel with.
@mazambane286
@mazambane286 Жыл бұрын
@@luckystriker7489 Which units were issued them? I was in the SAP and we stuck with the FN MAG. The Armory guys told me once that the SS77 will never see service or be mass produced while we still have plenty of serviceable MAG's.
@luckystriker7489
@luckystriker7489 Жыл бұрын
@@mazambane286 I was issued an SS during my junior leader course (one pip lieutenant) at infantry school in Oudtshoorn. We were sometimes given experimental stuff like helmets with built-in comms, etc.
@simonnormand2813
@simonnormand2813 Жыл бұрын
The FN Mag is the standard by which other designs are rated by the guys who use them. The Bren was the second favourite, however they are both heavier than this neat design. I had ‘retired’ out in 88/89; so I never got too meet it. But we had heard of it, and knew of some of the previous versions testing problems. Reliability was a big factor for the old SADF
@JamesLaserpimpWalsh
@JamesLaserpimpWalsh Жыл бұрын
Very light gun, for what it does. Even if you carry two spare barrels. Cheers Ian.
@alexandermarinin7036
@alexandermarinin7036 Жыл бұрын
8,3 kg Mini-SS: I'm light 7,5 kg PKM: okay 👍
@Kurochana
@Kurochana Жыл бұрын
To be fair it do be incredibly light for something that runs the FN Mag system.
@alexandermarinin7036
@alexandermarinin7036 Жыл бұрын
@@Kurochana it's rather due MG-42-style feeding mechanism. Top cover with all that stuff attached is pretty heavy
@ShortT-RexLikeArms
@ShortT-RexLikeArms Жыл бұрын
@@alexandermarinin7036 Plus it also requires a longer bolt carrier, since the roller need to extend beyond the feed tray.
@craigevans6156
@craigevans6156 Жыл бұрын
I love the “Read Manual Before Use” marking! Was this to be sold in the USA? 😂😂😂
@ripvanwinkle2002
@ripvanwinkle2002 Жыл бұрын
HIlarious quick question though if the USA is so stupid why are they so much better than your country at quite literally everything?
@craigevans6156
@craigevans6156 Жыл бұрын
@@ripvanwinkle2002 So how do you know where I am from?
@khan_of_tartaria
@khan_of_tartaria Жыл бұрын
"Front towards enemy" energy
@ripvanwinkle2002
@ripvanwinkle2002 Жыл бұрын
@@khan_of_tartaria haha russians thought it was funny too when they copied the claymore.. didnt add it to the first run. guess what it says in RUSSIAN on the front of russian claymore knock offs these days? its not stupid if it works
@craigevans6156
@craigevans6156 Жыл бұрын
@@mattrobson3603 😂😂😂😂😂
@andrewthurlow3726
@andrewthurlow3726 Жыл бұрын
Hey Ian, I'm from SA and would love to see one of these bad boys in action. Please get one to the range for us.
@comiketiger
@comiketiger Жыл бұрын
Cool design. Thanks for sharing Ian. God bless all here.
@mhmt1453
@mhmt1453 Жыл бұрын
18 pounds would be great for the guy lugging it around! When I was in the Army, we still had the M-60, and they didn’t call it the “Pig” for nothing! This thing is like a whole M-16 lighter, and if it operates as easily as you say (and field strips as easily), our guys would’ve appreciated it.
@jessicasimp4459
@jessicasimp4459 Жыл бұрын
See, we are more likely on the journey to see the FN Minimi’s special episode that’s coming on Christmas.
@michaelripley9507
@michaelripley9507 Жыл бұрын
With the release of "the merchant of doom" released from prison, I'll be placing my order for one with the paratrooper stock and a bayonet lug soon.
@triggered_tomato
@triggered_tomato 8 ай бұрын
As always,super informative and well presented.
@bartekt6690
@bartekt6690 Жыл бұрын
Nice, I was waiting for SS-77 or miniSS for long time. There is black hole in the internet about those guns. Great Job Ian, as always.
@shroomer6413
@shroomer6413 Жыл бұрын
My dad used those back in the Angola border war. Thanks for making this video.
@fishsmell3939
@fishsmell3939 Жыл бұрын
Your dad's racist
@TheKitMurkit
@TheKitMurkit Жыл бұрын
Cool
@KieferSmokerland
@KieferSmokerland Жыл бұрын
No he didn't. SADF were still fielding FN Mags during the boarder war. This gun wasn't even invented yet. (Source: I'm an ex SADF infantry conscript)
@fishsmell3939
@fishsmell3939 Жыл бұрын
@@KieferSmokerland he was special forces. Behind enemy lines with the most advanced technology and technical training. Strictly stalk and destroy missions of vips. They say not all of him made it back from the war.
@vvr881
@vvr881 Жыл бұрын
@@fishsmell3939 no I think u maybe got it wrong there. He would've used Soviet weapon systems. U can be very proud of your father🤙
@lairdcummings9092
@lairdcummings9092 Жыл бұрын
Dang. This is a very well-thought, user-friendly weapon.
@phsycresconquest6636
@phsycresconquest6636 Жыл бұрын
It’s a little sad þat þe arms industry in ZA has been nearly completely killed off due to political and economical factors
@adf8315
@adf8315 Жыл бұрын
IQ factor to be honest!
@andrewallason4530
@andrewallason4530 Жыл бұрын
I don’t know if it has ever been done, but I think this would be a good design for what I call a “semi-open bolt” concept. My concept is an open-bolt system where the sear engagement is about 5mm (1/4inch) from the closed bolt position with a small spring between the bolt and bolt-carrier. This means that the round is fully in the chamber and the bolt is locked, as in a closed-bolt weapon, but the bolt carrier is caught by the sear, with the firing pin retracted. When the trigger is pulled, the sear disengages, the bolt carrier slams forward the last tiny bit, with the firing pin projecting. The benefits I perceive are the simplicity of an open bolt system, minimal travel of the bolt carrier when the trigger is pulled, reducing the effects of throwing off the point of aim, zero risk of the bolt accidentally being moved by inertia and chambering and firing a round if the weapon is dropped, along with the many open bolt benefits. The main issue I see would be the risk of cooking-off the chambered round.
@andrewallason4530
@andrewallason4530 Жыл бұрын
Yup, i looked it up and the semi-auto mode of the 42 works in this manner. Thanks for the reminder, Socom.
@KaDaJxClonE
@KaDaJxClonE Жыл бұрын
Had that been simplified and lightened a bit more, I bet the US and UK would've adopted it to replace the M60.
@bobhill3941
@bobhill3941 Жыл бұрын
I think they would have.
@ripvanwinkle2002
@ripvanwinkle2002 Жыл бұрын
no its not better than a MAG/M240 not even close..
@sinner2512
@sinner2512 Жыл бұрын
UK only has about a couple dozen M60 that came free with some Chinooks.
@victuff9765
@victuff9765 Жыл бұрын
@Sinner 251 surprisingly the UK MoD have had several hundred M60's in inventory over the years! Unsurprisingly they were not fielded, but as you say came with other 'systems' most of them being 'gifted' to various 'friendlys' 😉
@ScottKenny1978
@ScottKenny1978 Жыл бұрын
Not likely, a 5.56 gun is rarely a good replacement for a 7.62 gun. The Minimi is tolerable for use in the squad, since there's a pair of M240s in the platoon.
@LUR1FAX
@LUR1FAX Жыл бұрын
To me the front of the gun visually reminds me a bit of the PKM.
@amphibiousone7972
@amphibiousone7972 Жыл бұрын
Great history lesson...Thanks Ian Boss 💪
@jasongarland3165
@jasongarland3165 Жыл бұрын
Its interesting to see weapons developed after all the "greats" like the MAG and FAL. With the Mini-SS, you see elements of the MAG, FAL, Galil, AR-180, and R4 all rolled up into the one package. The South Africans are certainly an industrious lot!
@jy2592
@jy2592 Жыл бұрын
have been waiting for this one for a long time
@glockparaastra
@glockparaastra Жыл бұрын
Cheers from South Africa 🇿🇦
@patriotenfield3276
@patriotenfield3276 Жыл бұрын
This is the standard LMG for Colombian Military and now supplemented by more advanced IMI Negev.
@shimmyshimmyko-ko-bop594
@shimmyshimmyko-ko-bop594 Жыл бұрын
It's like an FAL bolt/carrier turned on its side. Even the locking shoulder looks exactly like an FAL locking shoulder. Considering the extensive use of the FAL in SA, I wonder how much that drove development of the system.
@clownworld4655
@clownworld4655 Жыл бұрын
The sights and bipod definitely look like they were taken straight from a Galil
@biddinge8898
@biddinge8898 Жыл бұрын
How cool would it be to make a movie based in South Africa with all of the crazy guns that came out of Africa. Basically all of them were crazy.
@jirpy10
@jirpy10 Жыл бұрын
Chappie and District 9 did some of that.
@barryparker4066
@barryparker4066 Жыл бұрын
Hello Ian I live one town over from Hooksett. Wellcome to N.H!
@ekscalybur
@ekscalybur Жыл бұрын
A belt fed on Friday, dare I hope for Saturday?
@1Babu8
@1Babu8 Жыл бұрын
Definitely being considered for the next Star Wars Miniseries.
@tehyeh
@tehyeh Жыл бұрын
Ian scratched the hand guard with the end of the barrel muzzle device :(
@roachbaitfnv2591
@roachbaitfnv2591 Жыл бұрын
Now that the Merchant of Death is back in business, this firearm will probably be even more popular...🤔
@petesheppard1709
@petesheppard1709 Жыл бұрын
Hopefully a shooting vid tomorrow... Also, the handguard looks straight from a Galil.
@saiberunato
@saiberunato Жыл бұрын
The thumbnail for this grabbed my attention. Now please do a video on big brother SS-77. Also how about another rare, obscure South African gun, the Truvelo Raptor. Thank you.
@tacticalmanatee
@tacticalmanatee Жыл бұрын
I'm kind of surprised no one has made a dedicated belt-fed modernized version of the Stoner 63, since it managed to be both insanely lightweight and also very low recoil.
@ScottKenny1978
@ScottKenny1978 Жыл бұрын
That's the Knights LAMG. 12lb 5.56 belt fed.
@matthiuskoenig3378
@matthiuskoenig3378 Жыл бұрын
The kac lamg weights 11.4ib, and the lac stoner lmg (stoner 96) weighs 10ib.bith belt fed.
@ScottKenny1978
@ScottKenny1978 Жыл бұрын
@@matthiuskoenig3378 granted, but I bet the LAMG is significantly more durable.
@cosmicderringer1824
@cosmicderringer1824 Жыл бұрын
This looks like a total beast
@johnfraser8116
@johnfraser8116 Жыл бұрын
Very interesting. Big thanks! Open-ended flash hiders bother me. Don't they catch on things and would a ring around the end hurt the flash hiding effect?
@fjallaxd7355
@fjallaxd7355 Жыл бұрын
This seems far better than I would expect out of South Africa.
@Sam_the_Spinosaurus
@Sam_the_Spinosaurus Жыл бұрын
it looks like if someone tried to draw the M240B from memory
@calvingreene90
@calvingreene90 Жыл бұрын
When designing new equipment making it resemble equipment the customer already likes is not a bad idea.
@bulukacarlos4751
@bulukacarlos4751 Жыл бұрын
The for-end is the same as the R4/Galil. Greetings from Argentine Patagonia.
@pineapplesalad6494
@pineapplesalad6494 Жыл бұрын
8.25kg seems pretty heavy for 5.56 SAW, considering the PKM weighs about 9kg and comes in 7.62x54r
@Jurflip2
@Jurflip2 Жыл бұрын
Yep. No stampings; all traditional machining. Makes for a heavy gun.
@pineapplesalad6494
@pineapplesalad6494 Жыл бұрын
@@Jurflip2 That was one of the complaints with the Finnish KvKK 62. It was just too heavy for the intermediate cartridge and offered no real advantage compared to PKM. Of course the PKM didn't exist when KvKK was designed, but it was very quicky obsoleted. Mini-SS is much newer than PKM and still doesn't seem to have any tangible benefit.
@Sajuuk
@Sajuuk Жыл бұрын
Most South African guns are heavy because they're built for reliability and abuse, and so they're generally over-engineered, quality pieces.
@XtreeM_FaiL
@XtreeM_FaiL Жыл бұрын
@@pineapplesalad6494 But the PK did. Well... kind of.
@kiwigrunt330
@kiwigrunt330 Жыл бұрын
The 5.56 is heavy because it uses the 7.62 as a basis. The 7.62 is fairly light for a GPMG at 9.6 kg.
@MegaAdeny
@MegaAdeny Жыл бұрын
"It's like the entirety of the SS all in one package! Buy the Mini-SS Portable Firing Squad Simulator now!"
@errantstar
@errantstar Жыл бұрын
I really hope Ian gets a chance to compare the PKM and the polish NATO conversion/Adaption of the PKM side by side.
@dksdg
@dksdg Жыл бұрын
Very clever design
@frankbrowning328
@frankbrowning328 Жыл бұрын
Love the "Read manual before use" HA HA HA HA!!!! Looks like a scale model of a full sized gun
@ilhamshobri461
@ilhamshobri461 Жыл бұрын
thats looks like a very unique PKM
@notNajimi
@notNajimi 6 ай бұрын
Aesthetically, it’s like the love child of a PK and a Minimi
@raics101
@raics101 Жыл бұрын
Funny how often 'this is one of the few guns that use' goes with 'this isn't a very good gun'.
@germanredneck4414
@germanredneck4414 Жыл бұрын
what a beauty
@jensenwilliam5434
@jensenwilliam5434 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your videos
@vaclavholek4497
@vaclavholek4497 Жыл бұрын
With the side tilting bolt (ZH-29) and the Bren (ZB-26) type firing pin system, this gun owes as much of it's lineage to Belgium as it does to Czechoslovakia.
@loupiscanis9449
@loupiscanis9449 Жыл бұрын
Thank you , Ian . 🐺
@SafetyProMalta
@SafetyProMalta Жыл бұрын
SA arms industry colloborated with many companies and countries during the era.
@BBHexKey
@BBHexKey Жыл бұрын
Here's a question, when you have a tilting bolt like that, how do they compensate for the case head spacing? Is the bolt cut to where it's fully flush against the case head when in-battery and did they put just enough play into the extractor cut to compensate for the bolt rotation so it doesn't damage the cases on extraction?
@vikingdrift
@vikingdrift Жыл бұрын
Looks like the face of the bolt is angled, so it's actually square to the barrel when locked. The firing pin will hit on a slight angle but that won't matter
@BBHexKey
@BBHexKey Жыл бұрын
@@vikingdrift gotcha. I wonder if that was causing some of the reliability issues on the 7.62 variant.
@BaronEvola123
@BaronEvola123 Жыл бұрын
SA always comes up with the coolest, practical gear on the cheap. No multi year, costly process. Effective and quick.
@9mmthroatpunch211
@9mmthroatpunch211 Жыл бұрын
The no selector vektor go rata-tata-tat-tat-tat....
@tidusyukimura8679
@tidusyukimura8679 Жыл бұрын
Knew this machine gun from conflict global storm lmao.
@Gkucuk1215
@Gkucuk1215 Жыл бұрын
Very cool machine Gun
@paranoiia8
@paranoiia8 Жыл бұрын
I wonder why they didnt add holes to bolt guide on top cover, make few groves on cover it self from inside, round a bit gas piston tube and maybe use slightly thinner feed ramp if they wanted to reduce weight that much. Just removing some material from top cover and maybe in few spots on body it self would lighten it nicely without making it flimsy and its really not hard as those are flat surfaces that you can just slap on milling machine for few few minutes.
@RUBIZEN
@RUBIZEN Жыл бұрын
I remember that Peter G. Kokalis said that in his opinion this was the best 5.56 Squad Automatic.
@lardomcfarty9866
@lardomcfarty9866 Жыл бұрын
Who is that?
@belushipumpkin
@belushipumpkin Жыл бұрын
Hey Gun Jesus, I think you forgot about the Ruger MP9 and the Japanese Type 94. Speaking of Ruger and Nambus, maybe how the famous Ruger Mark was based on Nambu action.
@danieljob3184
@danieljob3184 Жыл бұрын
If you want to see the minimi in action, watch Seal Team. Sonny (the boxy Texan) usually loads out with one.
@kiwigrunt330
@kiwigrunt330 Жыл бұрын
I can't remember where I got this info, but I think the solution to the early problems with the SS77 was to drop the cyclic rate down a bit. I have asked some of my SA Reserve friends how well this gun is liked (compared against the FN MAG), but none have any experience with it.
@ginger0208
@ginger0208 Жыл бұрын
Not many units carry the SS77, most still carry the MAG, but that's just because there are more parts available for the MAG. I know the SS77 is preferred in DRC deployments, but the MAG and PKM are preferred by troops deployed in Mozambique. Just depends on environment, but during training cycles the preferred training LMG for paratrooper forces would be the SS77 and 77mini.
@kiwigrunt330
@kiwigrunt330 Жыл бұрын
@@ginger0208 Thank you for that rundown. I imagined the parabat would be keen on the mini. From what you wrote, it seems that the SS77 is now regarded as sufficiently reliable in some environments, but not so much in others. Would that be correct? Or is it just personal/unit preference?
@ginger0208
@ginger0208 Жыл бұрын
@@kiwigrunt330 personal preference really, but the SS77 fairs better in jungle conditions a bit more than the MAG does. Not by much though. Just easier to keep clean, lighter and a tad more reliable. At the end of the day the SS77 is more reserved for the parabats who are always deployed in DRC, MAG infantry and PKM for SASF.
@edwardd9702
@edwardd9702 Жыл бұрын
There's a Ukrainian guy , valgear, who reviews the weapons he's used. Out of MAG58, MG3, PKM, his pick is the PKM set up with a red dot.
@samsmith3786
@samsmith3786 Жыл бұрын
Ha I was just thinking this gun looked like if a gallil and an fn mini had a baby
@fastfreddy19641
@fastfreddy19641 Жыл бұрын
That gun just looks right. Nice.
@jamesgilbert124
@jamesgilbert124 Жыл бұрын
"Read manual before use" I will not and you cannot make me.
@Podbyrin_9.2mm
@Podbyrin_9.2mm Жыл бұрын
If you have the gas piston, what’s that famas-style lever delayed stuff? Isn’t it redundant?
@carlinglin7289
@carlinglin7289 Жыл бұрын
Looks like a very simple, solid design. Any idea how it compares to the M249 for reliability?
@evilscience3164
@evilscience3164 Жыл бұрын
Pretty sweet, on my list to Santa.
@herknorth8691
@herknorth8691 Жыл бұрын
What's the advantage of nested dual springs?
@psychobeam99
@psychobeam99 Жыл бұрын
"Mom can we have 240?" "We have 240 at home" 240 at home
@patriotenfield3276
@patriotenfield3276 Жыл бұрын
It's actually an FN MAG giving in to PKM and the results after 9months
@psychobeam99
@psychobeam99 Жыл бұрын
@@patriotenfield3276 Lmao. I see it.
@patriotenfield3276
@patriotenfield3276 Жыл бұрын
Finally Mr Ian . THANKS . Next recommendation is ALFA M44 Machine Gun.
@KuruGDI
@KuruGDI Жыл бұрын
The Mini-SS? Can it deliver the _double wumms_ ? And does it sound like german folk music when you shoot it? You know... I'm asking... for a friend.
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