Shooting the ZB-26: A Jewel of an Interwar Light Machine Gun

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
  • Today we have a chance to do some shooting with a ZB-26, a German-occupation 8mm light machine gun made at Brno in Czechoslovakia. The ZB-26 does not get nearly as much attention as LMGs made by the better known powers during the war, but it is an excellent weapon. In addition to being adopted by the Czech military, the gun was sold to about 2 dozen other countries and used in significant numbers by the Waffen SS.
    As one would expect form its reputation, the ZB was smooth, reliable, and very controllable. For all the reasons discussed in yesterday’s history and disassembly video, it is a top notch firearm.
    Today we have a chance to do some shooting with a ZB-26, a German-occupation 8mm light machine gun made at Brno in Czechoslovakia. The ZB-26 does not get nearly as much attention as LMGs made by the better known powers during the war, but it is an excellent weapon. In addition to being adopted by the Czech military, the gun was sold to about 2 dozen other countries and used in significant numbers by the Waffen SS.
    As one would expect form its reputation, the ZB was smooth, reliable, and very controllable. For all the reasons discussed in yesterday’s history and disassembly video, it is a top notch firearm.
    / forgottenweapons
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ความคิดเห็น • 471

  • @fuzzydunlop7928
    @fuzzydunlop7928 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1597

    1) Quick-change barrel? Czech!
    2) Versatile carry-handle? Czech!
    3) Relatively light-weight? Czech!
    4) Reliable and rugged? Czech!
    5) Reasonably priced? Czech!

    • @quarthinos
      @quarthinos 6 ปีที่แล้ว +148

      Easily fired from the hip so you can pretend to be Rambo? Czech!

    • @HappisakVideos
      @HappisakVideos 6 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      You sir, win the internet! :D

    • @johncmousley
      @johncmousley 6 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Czech! Czech! and Czech!

    • @LoneWolf051
      @LoneWolf051 6 ปีที่แล้ว +38

      ZB 26 vs BAR......Czech Mate

    • @19Koty96
      @19Koty96 6 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      actually... a belt fed ZB 26 was actually made. Vz.52 (later vz.52/57) (1952, modified in '57). Both belt and box fed. Later it became vz.59 universal machinegun. The later is still in use.
      www.valka.cz/html_images/12_2005/image1137481398.JPG

  • @rchou17
    @rchou17 4 ปีที่แล้ว +201

    My father used this machine gun in WWII in China! He mentioned this reliable gun many times.

    • @thomastheawesome4822
      @thomastheawesome4822 2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      I'm part of a Chinese reenacting group and we have about 6 of these things, they really are excellent guns!

    • @Pyrochemik007
      @Pyrochemik007 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      China never bought them. They visited the factory and stole the design, then produced them themselves and never paid a dime.

    • @Pyrochemik007
      @Pyrochemik007 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@rchou17 Ian said it himself - the weapon is simple. And they visited the factory with their experts in gunmaking. Obtaining samples was easy.
      And honestly, china never canges. They used the same technique 2 years back and were caught red handed and entire delegation got kicked out of the country.

    • @fritzhopper5145
      @fritzhopper5145 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Cool ... My grandpa only fired a rpk. This gun is very rare in Chinese Shooting Fields. I only seen one. It's beautiful weapon.

    • @goodlyantics.5243
      @goodlyantics.5243 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Roger, was your father part of the nationalist army, or communist army? Either way, that’s really cool.

  • @jugantic4021
    @jugantic4021 6 ปีที่แล้ว +96

    My late grandfather was carrying newer versions of the ZB-26, known as M-37, while he was in the Yugoslav Partisans. For him this was the best MG in the world. When I asked him about German MG, he always said that they were good but Zbrojovka is Zbrojovka.

    • @danieleyre8913
      @danieleyre8913 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Pretty sure that the ZB26 was also heavily issued in the Nazi Wehrmacht.

    • @jugantic4021
      @jugantic4021 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@danieleyre8913 Actualy Zbrojovka machine, and submachine, guns were mostly used by Waffen SS.

    • @danieleyre8913
      @danieleyre8913 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jugantic4021 That is not true at all. It was the general issue machine gun of luftwaffe soldiers (including fallschirmjager), and was also issued to many army infantry units and garrison units.
      It’s just that it was the most common MG among Waffen SS units early in the war (and those units saw much combat). As was the Steyr-Solothurn SMG.

    • @abbcc5996
      @abbcc5996 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      mg42 simply doesnt fit into the partizan modus operandi like the zb26 does (how are they even gonna lug all that 8mm around for the mg42). but i bet if he was ever ambushed by a camouflaged german unit he would have been praying to the communist gods that they had the zb26 instead of the mg42

    • @mrwhips3623
      @mrwhips3623 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Was your grandfather Serbian?

  • @Cascademenace
    @Cascademenace 6 ปีที่แล้ว +202

    Sometimes in super slow motion full-auto guns can be seen flexing and jumping around. This one looks much more stable.

    • @dbaider9467
      @dbaider9467 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Great observation, almost rock solid. Amazing workmanship. I think the barrel is stepped on the ZB26?

    • @wierdalien1
      @wierdalien1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@dbaider9467 that doesnt make sense

    • @magisterrleth3129
      @magisterrleth3129 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Not always a bad thing, so long as the barrel harmonics are properly engineered. I.E, the end of the barrel is in the right position as each round leaves the barrel.

  • @nicholaswong9932
    @nicholaswong9932 6 ปีที่แล้ว +76

    Czech weapons are great. It's important to note that this was THE main Chinese machine gun during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, and the gunners were trained to be highly accurate.

    • @Pyrochemik007
      @Pyrochemik007 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      China never bought them, they stole the design. All those 200 000 mentioned by Ian were in 26 different armies.

    • @alangordon3283
      @alangordon3283 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Was anyone ever trained to be inaccurate 🤷‍♂️

  • @jimmyrustler8983
    @jimmyrustler8983 6 ปีที่แล้ว +168

    The Czechs know their shit when it comes to their military gear, I have a Czech winter coat that's about the best item I've ever worn, coincidentally bought from Varusteleka.

    • @Tunkkis
      @Tunkkis 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I think my friend just got the same one. It's thick and heavy but warm as hell.

    • @jimmyrustler8983
      @jimmyrustler8983 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Zach B. Nice that you can pull the liner out too, fits really well in the old British army cold weather parka and the M65, too.
      If you can find milsurp Czech boots, they're a great pair of budget hunting/hiking boots, provided you soften the leather first.

    • @capmadman6486
      @capmadman6486 6 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      I have a Czech potato sack bag it is nice

    • @Milannove
      @Milannove 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      yes the VZ85 camos and other stuff are really good. i was in the testing group for this suits in the 1984(1982-1984 in CSLA). I have it still home :) here by us are this things really cheap and popular for hunters, campers.... But i still think that the VZ 60 camos are better

    • @acido4309
      @acido4309 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@jimmyrustler8983 Czech vz60 military boots are maybe the best u can bought

  • @FroxyCz
    @FroxyCz 6 ปีที่แล้ว +157

    Do you know that there is a quite popular way of teaching the fire selector positions to the recruits? Full auto is forward ( all rounds towards the enemy) safe is down ( no rounds to the groun) and semi is towards yourself (one for you if you are desperate/surrounded) :D
    BTW: The same thing applies to the vz. 58. :D

  • @donmoccachino3867
    @donmoccachino3867 6 ปีที่แล้ว +73

    The amount of people praising has to make a Czech person proud. Jesus christ do people like our guns alot.

    • @donnkelley6823
      @donnkelley6823 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Laird Cummings,
      EXACTLY

    • @YouCaughtCzars
      @YouCaughtCzars 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I own two Czech guns, and they have never once had an issue or malfunction. I love them.

    • @donmoccachino3867
      @donmoccachino3867 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well, thanks then, atleast something czech people can be proud of :D

    • @donmoccachino3867
      @donmoccachino3867 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Women? Not really actually. So with music, recently it turned into complete shit. But the folk songs and alot of old songs are nice. And beer is something our country profits on the most sooo, sadly everyone here is drunk and the crimes are incredibly high thanks to that sadly. But for tourists, the beer truly is amazing.

    • @donmoccachino3867
      @donmoccachino3867 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yep. However, ofcourse thered be some genuinely great women. Every country has atleast one great woman in it that youd love to meet. However, its usually just a saying that goes for our country, and not as much truth. But yeh, thats Czech in nutshell basically.

  • @mrfisher1072
    @mrfisher1072 6 ปีที่แล้ว +424

    The Czechs never get any love when ever people talk about 20th century firearms you always hear oh the Germans oh the British and several other major players of the time.

    • @Papperlapappmaul
      @Papperlapappmaul 6 ปีที่แล้ว +58

      I think the Belgians would have been a better example than the Brits when it comes to 20th century firearms and their reputation. But you're absolutely right about Czech firearms. Most of their guns were just excellent and continue to be.
      Every time someone calls the Vz. 58 an AK-variant, or straight out an AK-47, my blood starts to boil.

    • @LordDigz12
      @LordDigz12 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Germans, czechs, swiss, belgians and John Browning. honorable mention some Italians and the nordic peoples(Swedes and Finns)

    • @GwyndowsXP
      @GwyndowsXP 6 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      The country also produces the most beautiful women. I was having a hard time keeping my cool when I spent summer in Prague (Praha)

    • @19Koty96
      @19Koty96 6 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      the most insulting is when they praise Brits for the BREN :')

    • @dunxy
      @dunxy 6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      They are pretty highly regarded here down under! Probably more bunnies killed with Czech .22's than any other single country of origin rifle here down under!
      I have much love for the old Brno's since shooting a mate Model 5, still to date the nicest .22 i have ever shot, and that saying something considering I own a pristine pre ww2 Mauser .22! Mauser is worth more than a mint Brno, but it is not a better firearm. Im talking pre CZ stuff here, proper pre 67 Brno's, these are the pinnacle, the later stuff while very good, even excellent, is just not up to the level of the old.
      Ive got a Brno k98 on hold actually, id say arsenal refurbished after the war and stored for Czech army use but never used by the looks of it!

  • @badweetabix
    @badweetabix 5 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    Ian. Ian. Ian. You failed to mention one of the key features of the ZB-26 that makes it stands out from all the others - the ZB-26 locks OPEN after the last round is fired and all the shooter has to do after loading a new mag is to pull the trigger without ever having to take his hand off the trigger/pistol grip to continue firing it unlike all the other open bolt MG's which requires that the bolt be pull back to cock the MG before they can continue firing.

    • @OmikronCZ
      @OmikronCZ 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      You're right, but Ian very nicely demonstrated this feature at th-cam.com/video/7BxgB1zoqKQ/w-d-xo.html when he got out of ammo.

  • @UnintentionalSubmarine
    @UnintentionalSubmarine 6 ปีที่แล้ว +113

    The recoil looks extremely manageable. The slow-mo really shows the stability and light recoil. Colour me very impressed.
    Have been waiting for videos about this one for a long time now, and I must say it lived up to my hopes.

    • @simonp347
      @simonp347 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Jonas Drøjdahl I had the privilege to shoot quite a few rounds with a zb26. They really are mild shooters, especially under the context of full power rifle rounds

    • @UnintentionalSubmarine
      @UnintentionalSubmarine 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Must say you are a lucky guy.

    • @polygondwanaland8390
      @polygondwanaland8390 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Jonas Drøjdahl The slow mo showed how rigid and well put together it is. Nothing flexing or rattling even under automatic fire.

  • @silverbolbo
    @silverbolbo 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My dad did the national army in the '80 in Romania and this was one of his favourite gun , he told me the recoil was quite strong first time when he used it.

  • @kubamakovsky
    @kubamakovsky 6 ปีที่แล้ว +346

    Ah I always told everyone we Czechs make fantastic firearms but people never believe me because "Oh but youre not a big and relevant nation."
    Thanks for proving them wrong, great video as always! :)

    • @ILikeTheThingsIDo
      @ILikeTheThingsIDo 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Zach B, aren't the two fairly similar in price?

    • @alanpassat6759
      @alanpassat6759 6 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      The Bohemian Monarchist You forgot to mention fantastic beer, beautiful women, Tatra cars and trucks and Franz Kafka.....all universally appreciated Czech exports. Personally I always had a penchant for Skoda 120s and obscure 2 stroke CZ motorbikes. Czechoslovakia has enriched my life in many ways.

    • @19Koty96
      @19Koty96 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Worse than that. Our allies pointed their guns on us.

    • @dunxy
      @dunxy 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Its okay, you Czechs are well known and well respected by the vast majority of shooters here down under!
      As i mentioned previous reply to another comment. A friends Brno Model 5 is the nicest .22 Ive ever had the pleasure of shooting, I like it more than my pre ww2 Mauser and brand new Lithgow LA101, both very good rifles in their own right!
      Thanks for the lovely firearms :)

    • @bubbamike4743
      @bubbamike4743 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Isn't the Scorpion Czech?

  • @liltigris4335
    @liltigris4335 5 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Personally I got a lot of love for ZB-26. In WW II when my country fought Japan, lack of artillery and automatic weapons, the reliable ZB-26 became the very few automatic fire power for my countrymen to form a decent fire line.

    • @Hellston20a
      @Hellston20a 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The ZB26 would get a hell lot of love in China. It's extremely iconic for being depicted as the Chinese armies' standard LMG in countless war dramas. This is a relatively accurate portrayal, as Chinese studios are known for atrocities like giving soldiers Stens and Grease guns in dramas set in 1937-1940.

    • @siyuanzuo3750
      @siyuanzuo3750 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      歪把子

    • @Pyrochemik007
      @Pyrochemik007 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Shame that china stole design of these guns and never paid a dime to the factory.

    • @TiocfaidhArLa34
      @TiocfaidhArLa34 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Hellston20a taiwanese. he is talking about the KMT not the communist party of china.

    • @Hellston20a
      @Hellston20a ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TiocfaidhArLa34 You're gatekeeping the wrong history bruh. The DPP/Tsai Ing-Wen administration, that is championing Taiwan independence, wants to detach from the legacy of KMT and the KMT's ambition to retake mainland China in order to focus on Taiwan's unique local culture.

  • @constantincalota2646
    @constantincalota2646 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    When you look how vibrates the barrel, even if it's so sturdy built, you can imagine how poweful is the 7.92 x 57 Mauser ammo. I never thaught that a very strong barrel, reinforced with cooling ribs can still move and vibrate, as seen in slow motion. Anyway, the Z B-26/30 is indeed built to manage very well this full power ammo. Thumbs up for czech builders!

  • @TheBaconman888
    @TheBaconman888 6 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    I was curious about projectile development in firearms through the ages. If you could do a video discussing this, that would be great. Things that really interested me were development of jacketed bullets, and of armored piercing projectiles. Maybe even cases, such as brass or steel case development. Maybe even a section on primers, and powder used in military arms, such as cordite.

    • @jimmyrustler8983
      @jimmyrustler8983 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      TheBaconman888 I believe the Germans developed the first AP rounds for their standard infantry rifles, called K rounds. Apparently they were pretty effective at stopping light armor targets at range, albeit probably not so good for the service life of the rifle.

    • @Quetzocoatl22
      @Quetzocoatl22 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Or you could just, you know, do your own research.

  • @wierdalien1
    @wierdalien1 6 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    The ejected cases really leave the gun in a hurry.

  • @johnwilliams9240
    @johnwilliams9240 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I learned the LMG on a course but no firing. Our instructors where two elderly Cpls who way back had been Guardsmen in the Guards Armored Devision, left they service then rejoined years later and where doing time for pension. They loved the old Bren .303 and taught us sprogs just what a good weapon is, provided you loaded the magazine with the rimmed round in the correct manner, good instructors Guardsmen.
    On my first operational unit we where issued with a new 7.62 LMG, brand new conversion and I was nominated to be no1 gunner. We took the gun down to Tregantal Ranges, near Plymouth And after a long cleaning loads of thick heavy grease I got to fire it. Several malfunctions in first couple of magazines, then by third mag it performed perfectly and never missed a beat in the many mags that I and others put through it.
    I later took the gun on a shoot for Low Level air Defence, at the Royal Artillery’s range at Manobier in South Wales, never failed to perform as required. Marvelous gun.
    John

  • @jansenart0
    @jansenart0 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ian: Okay, that was a great video on an amazing LMG!
    JDJ: Whenever you're ready to move to the range, let us know.
    Ian: .,... YES PLS

  • @LineManRT71
    @LineManRT71 6 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I always find the no sound shooting intros weird, they always make me check my volume.

  • @Mongo63a
    @Mongo63a 7 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    The ZB26 was adopted by the Czechs when they were using light ball 8mm Maser. My transferable gun has an issue firing the heavier ball rounds from some countries. Luckily the Rommy surplus is light ball so it works great and I bought a bunch cheap. The Zb30 fixed the issue with gas adjustment so the gun could be tuned to the load. Might want to mention to shooters to keep your hands well clear of the bottom. I have torn up many shooting benches with the ejected brass from the cases. Also if the buffer at the front of the trigger guard is perished, you can have issues with the rounds spinning back into the action. Ian, have you found any good book sources of information on the ZB26/30 other than "The Bren Gun Saga"? I have a book in Czech on BRNO that mentions it briefly but finding good that is not a rehash of Ian Hogg's books is hard.

    • @Trevor_Leach
      @Trevor_Leach 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mongo63a how did you comment this 2 weeks ago?

    • @Tunkkis
      @Tunkkis 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Trevor Leach Patreon?

    • @Mongo63a
      @Mongo63a 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Current theory seems to be I am a time traveler.

    • @Mongo63a
      @Mongo63a 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Have you not watched the time travel documentaries? Every one knows you must go nude or it doesn't work.

    • @davidwebber4603
      @davidwebber4603 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Trevor_Leach p

  • @koreaball7054
    @koreaball7054 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    2:53 talking from hes heart I like that

  • @HerrMann441
    @HerrMann441 6 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    Coffee and gun Jesus in the morning? Count me in.

  • @dbaider9467
    @dbaider9467 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The ZB26 is an AWESOME piece of machinery. A really sweet shooter.

  • @OGAR35
    @OGAR35 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This MG is such a pleasure to shoot! And the Czech Tk vz. 38 heavy MG is also great.

  • @dunxy
    @dunxy 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This has to be one the nicest looking (build quality wise) LMG's from the time period, hardly surprising considering the factory it came from! No chance of owning something like this here in Aus, id almost move just to own this firearm! I hope you buy it Ian, its deserving of a good home!

  • @jasonkane7231
    @jasonkane7231 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I expected more noise and recoil, looks surprisingly stable :O

  • @RaDeus87
    @RaDeus87 6 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Naw... no shooting using the carry handle :(

  • @TheAlmostbob
    @TheAlmostbob 6 ปีที่แล้ว +62

    I sense a future bid on it in Ian's future...

    • @ramjb
      @ramjb 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      He's already made these videos out of it. I'm sure whatever Ian bids on will be part of future content for this channel, so between that and the price, which I expect to be pretty high for such an historically significant gun in such a good state (not to mention fully automatic and transferrable, which will both bring the price up even more), I don't think he'll be bidding on this one at all.

    • @willcaputo1
      @willcaputo1 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      If this didn't have the German "appropriation marks" he might be within his means to bid.
      It would be great to have a comparison/timeline of this, the FM 24/29, type 96 and 99, the BREN, and the Vickers-Berthier Light Machine Guns.

  • @QuellicheilMarza
    @QuellicheilMarza 6 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    How did I get here? Oh, I clicked without thinking, expecting an older video

  • @lucianene7741
    @lucianene7741 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I like the Art-Deco aesthetics of it. This is certainly one of the best-looking weapons ever.

  • @SNOUPS4
    @SNOUPS4 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    It's not even wobbling!

  • @LeonTalksALot
    @LeonTalksALot ปีที่แล้ว

    The report of the gun through those mountains sounds AWESOME!

  • @Er_Lolers
    @Er_Lolers 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Here in Spain a model like the one you are shooting it's called FAO ( Fusil Automatico Oviedo ) which stands for Oviedo's automatic rifle. As you said ian, this lmg was shelled all over the world, and in Spain as you said , we bought some, but we also produced them on the oviedo's weapons factory, so i'm not sure becouse i'm not a expert on markings, but maybe what you got there in your hands it's a FAO rifle, inside on what the world of the zb26 is. Hope you read this little tip if you didn't knew it. Thanks a lot, I love your videos and your work here.
    A cordial greeting from your fan

  • @danfinn8816
    @danfinn8816 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a beautiful place to shoot, even the wooden deck looks nice

  • @sainterasmus4545
    @sainterasmus4545 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I never ever knew about this gun untill now. I was watching the new documentary on Netflix "World War 2 From the Frontlines", and there was a few clips of Germans using a machine gun that looked like a Bren or the French thing, but I never even knew the Germans had a top-fed LMG in world war 2. Turns out it's this thing, and they knicked them from the Czechs.

  • @89tonstar
    @89tonstar 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I remember seeing videos from the Vietnam War of both French soldiers using this weapon and NVA and VC soldiers. I remember seeing it featured on we were soldiers with the NVA at the beginning ambushing the frenchb

  • @bartekt6690
    @bartekt6690 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    hi IAN
    as always fantastic movie, I have seen it maybe 10 times already and for sure will do it again after some time,
    I hope one day you will present ZB-53 / MG-37 (t) - there is almost none movies or web pages where you can find some more info about it.
    BR
    Bartek

  • @theyggdrasiltree4567
    @theyggdrasiltree4567 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    As someone who didn't really know about the ZB, that has a much higher rate of fire than I was expected, and for it to stay such a flat shooter with that is very impressive to me.

  • @aceroadholder2185
    @aceroadholder2185 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    That top load magazine is the cat's pajamas. With an assistant gunner to swap magazines and barrels, if you were pinned down by the ZB-26 you'd swear that it was belt fed.

  • @hesnotbad9045
    @hesnotbad9045 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    “You’ll never have any trouble getting 8mm Mauser” oh the naivety. The pain

  • @Omnihil777
    @Omnihil777 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Plus: it's one of the rare guns that let the cases dance beautifully. *bounce*

  • @stephenbond1990
    @stephenbond1990 6 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    How come this can be accessed from james d julia but not your own page, is this a pre-upload?

    • @elitearbor
      @elitearbor 6 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      It's meant to be the video after the initial ZB26 video, which was just publicly listed today. This is tomorrow's video, but of course there's no reason it shouldn't help boost the auction interest in the meantime.

  • @bunkstagner298
    @bunkstagner298 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    and looks super cool with that finned barrel.

  • @LunarSovereign
    @LunarSovereign 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    I can't get over 1:33, how smoothly and quickly you shouldered that gun, that's a sign of a fucking natural.

  • @skoky76
    @skoky76 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am czech , but only recently I have learned that Bren name is actually derived from the city of Brno ( where the factory was) and brits gave name to their MG to honor origin of their Bren MG. CZ names their newest assault rifles Bren as well to link it to their old tradition of gun production. Just an interesting historical note...

    • @vine01
      @vine01 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      to my knowledge BREN is compound of Brno Enfield, both arms manufacturers

    • @Leopard-2A6..
      @Leopard-2A6.. 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@vine01Brno is a City

    • @vine01
      @vine01 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Leopard-2A6.. :) this eagle needs no lessons in flying ;)

  • @jirikajzar3247
    @jirikajzar3247 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think upgraded version ZB 30 is even better. It has some things added such as the gas regulator (Bren prototype inherited it). They also tried to add third leg to stock, heavy barrel and high capacity magazines. Czechoslovak army however havent adopted it since it wasnt 100% parts compatible with already adopted ZB 26 but those 30 and even 47 round magazines would be so cool. Also there was a prototype of belt fed one.

  • @vittorio8429
    @vittorio8429 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    During WW2 ZB26 helped Chinese army so much against Jappanese ,that it has become the standard image of LMG,and chinese people's spiritual symbol of resisting ,for generations.
    I just wanna tell you - friends from The Czechslovakia, that how much i love this gun.

  • @kevinoliver3083
    @kevinoliver3083 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm jealous.
    I trained on the 7.62mm Bren and fired .303 versions, and loved both, but I never had a chance to shoot granddad.

  • @AMouldyCake
    @AMouldyCake 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I do love mg fire. Just something about the ratatatat

  • @Deathunter761
    @Deathunter761 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love the long piston. I guess it's unnecessary heavy but I feel like it's a really low pressure low stress system.

  • @SuperRip7
    @SuperRip7 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really like the wood panels.

  • @MrBandholm
    @MrBandholm 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Looks like a dream of a gun... great condition, and a really smooth operating gun!
    Whomever gets it, will be very lucky!

  • @cormoran814
    @cormoran814 ปีที่แล้ว

    Zb is briliant.

  • @vulpsturm
    @vulpsturm 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The gas regulator adjustment is a ring behind the flash hider.

  • @ianmacfarlane1241
    @ianmacfarlane1241 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "Embarrassingly I've never shot a ZB-26" - how can Ian even look at himself in the mirror? 😄
    I'm sure Ian could add it to his collection when his Vickers goes.

  • @user-tk6kc5lf6x
    @user-tk6kc5lf6x 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    頑丈で口径が大きく持ち運びが便利な軽機関銃ですね。
    日本軍も中国大陸で鹵獲して1部の部隊で使用してましたね。

  • @jackiezhou8810
    @jackiezhou8810 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    ZB26 is very popular in China,we are very respect it.It helps us a lot to against Japanese,ZB26 is a wonderful gun.

    • @saiien2
      @saiien2 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      ZH-29 rifle and i believe even vz. 24 rifle (Czech version of Mauser) was exported to China aswell to fight the Japanese. By the way even japanese were affected by Czech weapons. They copied it and made their own weapons from it.

  • @DiggingForFacts
    @DiggingForFacts 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    I got the chance to rent one of these in Las Vegas. I don't think they had to take it out often because it suffered from a feeding issues. Was still quite awesome though. Lovely piece of kit

  • @beast0339
    @beast0339 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    These things were used well into the 2000s in some places, looking at this video, you can understand why

  • @awrsdgasdad4306
    @awrsdgasdad4306 6 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    Ah, the memories from Hidden and Dangerous 2 multiplayer, where i mowed down the whole enemy team with this gun over and over again

    • @HouseholdDog
      @HouseholdDog 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was trying to remember the name of that game. Thanks.

    • @dbaider9467
      @dbaider9467 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      My favorite weapon in HD2. WITH YOU THERE! :) Miss the multiplayer quite a bit. COD never matched it. Good Maps and Good Memories. And that game was Czech too!

    • @vine01
      @vine01 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dbaider9467 well you know, once in a while true artist shines through. Dan Vavra Mafia, H&D, Kingdom Come Deliverance.

    • @MrMajsterixx
      @MrMajsterixx 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      well the creator of that game is czech so no wonder

  • @randywatson8347
    @randywatson8347 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Unexpected shootingvid of this nice mg. Looks like the recoil is deadstraight no rise.

  • @Lindeman08
    @Lindeman08 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Damn that looks so smooth. And the magazine change seems really quick and simple aswell.

  • @connorc4309
    @connorc4309 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Forgive me, I am new to understanding the mechanics of an open bolt machine gun. At 3:48, why does he not have to pull the charging handle/ bolt back? Wouldn't the bolt have fallen forward on an empty chamber when the magazine went empty and stayed there? or if the magazine holds the bolt open when empty, wouldn't the bolt have fallen when the magazine was removed since it was not locked back from when he was last on the trigger?

  • @jacobmartinez5939
    @jacobmartinez5939 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i dont get the comments here. if anybody has done any research on firearms, they'd realize that the Czechs made a damn fine weapon.

  • @LuminaryCursorem
    @LuminaryCursorem 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Geez, it really throws those casings hard.

  • @TheRogueWolf
    @TheRogueWolf 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    That is an amazingly solid gun. Almost no flex to it at all.

  • @SubZero_NH3
    @SubZero_NH3 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love that over the top fluting on the barrel

  • @nathansmith5229
    @nathansmith5229 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    one thing i never realized was with the open bolt. when the the last round fired the bolt is open. you put the next mag in and pull the trigger. no cycling the charging handle no bolt catch release. change mag,pull trigger.

  • @davidgreen40
    @davidgreen40 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Never shot one before? Well you czeched that box on the bucket list!

  • @bobkowalski7655
    @bobkowalski7655 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I hope they will start producing it again.

  • @theweirdsnail3806
    @theweirdsnail3806 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Where do you even get one of these. Where did you get yours?

  • @timonurcikan8196
    @timonurcikan8196 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Czechoslovakian quality 👍

  • @kieranfitzgerald2030
    @kieranfitzgerald2030 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The way I found out about this LMG was when I was watching a documentary about Japanese WW2 guns and their designers, they mentioned that allot of Japanese Machine guns (especially the Type 97 LMG) copied features of the ZB 26, eg. The distinctive cooling fin barrel design.

    • @kevinoliver3083
      @kevinoliver3083 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The only thing the Type 96 and Type 99 LMGs got from the ZB26 was the top mounted magazine. The rest of the guns' designs, including the cooling fins, was derived from the Hotchkiss.
      The Type 97 tank machine gun was based on the ZB26.

  • @POTUSJimmyCarter
    @POTUSJimmyCarter 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    It's interesting how aggressively this thing throws the spent cases forward.

  • @niviera7807
    @niviera7807 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    "Embarassingly, i've never actually shot a ZB-26 before."
    Embarassingly, i've never actually shot a weapon before.

  • @petesampson4273
    @petesampson4273 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've never owned a Czech firearm but I have a couple RC models and several motors of Czech manufacture. Their designs are modern and efficient and their workmanship stands up to anyone else in the world. The really amazing part is that they pull it off at a price point closer to the Chinese, who actually make a lot of good stuff but have no quality control whatsoever, than the Germans. Their motors in particular are so good that I no longer pine for the German equivalents that cost two to ten times as much. One of these days, assuming I live long enough to get a few bucks ahead, I will be getting a Czech electric sailplane in the 3meter wingspan range. The one I lust after in particular will cost less than a third as much as an American equivalent even after the shipping charge!

    • @jakubslavojmusilek5184
      @jakubslavojmusilek5184 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      We don't really have a choice but to work for low prices, even if the quality is there, most of the western countries think of anything east from German border as Russia. That's what being occupied by Nazis and then communists for 50 does to your country, even if you have almost 2k years of culture similar with western countries. Oh well.

    • @petesampson4273
      @petesampson4273 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi, Jakub. A history teacher of mine used to say that Czechoslovakia and Poland suffer from "crappy location". Rest assured though, I gladly pay more for quality and do my small part to contribute to your economy.
      Cheers!

    • @jakubslavojmusilek5184
      @jakubslavojmusilek5184 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@petesampson4273 well, the location could not be better. Middle of the Europe, natural borders from mountains, beautiful countryside full of rivers, healthy fields and crapton of natural resources. It's all in the damage that extremist regimes did to the country and its peoples mentality. If you look at first republic period (before ww2 and after ww1, getting independence from austro-hungary), we were one of the richest and moat developed countries in the world. And before ww2 we were willing to defend our borders against nazis, but munich agreement happened and our "allies" sold us. Been 80 years couple of days ago. And after ww2 we were too valuable for soviets not to occupy and pillage us. They assasinated/executed any opposition. In 1968 we were starting to break our shackles, but warsaw pact armies invaded us and began full-out armed occupation. After that, rest of surviving intelectual elite emigrated. Things like this write into peoples mentality, sadly. And the lack of interest in history of feneral population of western countries just piles the dirt on the grave of what once was a proud and rich nation. My father works in bussiness and he keeps telling me stories, how western companies are surprised we actually are not a third world country. But cheers.

    • @petesampson4273
      @petesampson4273 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Very interesting, Jakub. I have not studied Czech history much. I think what my teacher meant was that it's difficult for a country to be surrounded by greedy empires.

    • @Leopard-2A6..
      @Leopard-2A6.. 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@jakubslavojmusilek5184were still Slavic so we're more similar to the east

  • @Japanfucker
    @Japanfucker 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    I feel high when I hear the shooting sound. Dadadada!

  • @chrischiampo8106
    @chrischiampo8106 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sweet Smooth Shooter Thanks Ian 😎

  • @elblitzb
    @elblitzb 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thats a extremly underrated gun ..

  • @sparatus5967
    @sparatus5967 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    That's one beautiful machine gun.

  • @dannyray3853
    @dannyray3853 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Highlight of my day was getting the notification for this video! I remember yesterday you saying that you had never fired one so that's pretty exciting!

  • @morriganmhor5078
    @morriganmhor5078 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    In fact, bren LMG is in Brno-Enfield or a bit modified ZB 26. And British military wasn´t exactly "little".

  • @kencrane6420
    @kencrane6420 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    "You'll never have any trouble getting 8mm Mauser" Ian McCollum 2017. 2021 says "Hold my beer"...

  • @piatpotatopeon8305
    @piatpotatopeon8305 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This looks like something Dengar would carry into battle.

  • @GeneralSmiles
    @GeneralSmiles 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    pls make a video about ZB 37

  • @joe6167
    @joe6167 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good to know that it is possible to shoot it left-handed!

  • @dannybruce2027
    @dannybruce2027 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    At 3:52 of the video you did a mag change and started shooting again without cycling the bolt handle. Does the bolt remain back and the gun not fire with an open bolt and empty magazine? Or did you just proactively change the magazine and not attempt to fire again?

    • @connorc4309
      @connorc4309 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was wondering the same thing. I'm new to understanding the mechanics of these

    • @GymVideos1
      @GymVideos1 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      It appeared he pulled the trigger, it was basically on safe with an empty mag so the bolt did not move forward.
      Then when he inserted the magazine the trigger was active again. Very nice design for war it would seem.

  • @IRemain28
    @IRemain28 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    3:45 What keeps the bolt from going forward on empty chamber when magazine is empty? does it just catch on the follower? seems like usually open bolt guns let you know you need to reload when the bolt slams forward but there is no bang... then you have to charge the gun and reload to continue shooting. Here you pulled trigger and nothing happened then reloaded and never charged the gun and simply pulled trigger again.. definitely seems like a good feature, just wondering how this is accomplished?

    • @connorc4309
      @connorc4309 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      wondering the same thing

  • @otakarknoflik8478
    @otakarknoflik8478 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video! Looks like you got a new subscriber from Czechia right now!

  • @mysss29
    @mysss29 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    (The specific-to-this-video part of the description is there twice.) Thanks, as always! Great footage.

  • @thendnjedi1388
    @thendnjedi1388 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    If I could own a light machine gun it would be this one

  • @ArtyTheta
    @ArtyTheta 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Double the description, double the fun!

  • @Battle5car115
    @Battle5car115 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Remember picking this up in call of duty: big red one.
    The mission where, in the beginning you take over " Ma deuce " on the half-track

    • @maxpaxe5677
      @maxpaxe5677 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think that was the bren

    • @Battle5car115
      @Battle5car115 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      In the game it was called the chateraullt fm

    • @Battle5car115
      @Battle5car115 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Chattelerault fm 29/24

  • @sskuk1095
    @sskuk1095 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Czechs, Swiss and Austrians are small but have a reputation for outstanding quality firearms.

    • @Leopard-2A6..
      @Leopard-2A6.. 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      We Czechs are mainly know for being alcoholics and porn addicts

  • @matthayward7889
    @matthayward7889 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant!

  • @lukas54cz71
    @lukas54cz71 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ať žije a vzkvétá Československo!

  • @The_Crozius
    @The_Crozius 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My main concern with a gun that is for suppressive fire is a twenty round mag no matter how well the gun operates. BAR included. Being ok with twenty rounds before a reload with an LMG doesn't make any sense to me.

  • @christhesmith
    @christhesmith 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Take that Trex decking!!

  • @steeltalon2356
    @steeltalon2356 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    So early this video is still monitized by TH-cam.