Colt's Unicorn MG: The CMG-3
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2015
- / forgottenweapons
In the mid/late 1960s, Colt was manufacturing AR-15 rifles and wanted to supply light machine guns to go with them - so they developed the CMG-2 ("Colt's Machine Gun"). The CMG-2 competed against the Stoner 63 in trials for the Navy SEALs (among others), and narrowly lost out. It was a very well designed and thought-out weapon, but not quite as good as the Stoner.
A few years later in the early/mid 70s, Colt brought the design back in response to a request for a belt-fed 7.62mm machine gun for special operations units. Something with the firepower of the M60 was desired, but in a lighter package. Colt took their CMG-2, scaled it up to 7.62mm NATO caliber, and redesignated it the CMG-3. A total of 5 guns were made, and they went into military testing.
Unfortunately for Colt, the design wasn't quite as simple to scale up as they had hoped. The CMG-3 was determined to have a service lifespan of about 35,000 rounds - a third of what was required. Around that point, the receivers would fracture at the front trunnion. By the time Colt had worked out a new design to strengthen the guns without adding too much weight, the contract opportunity had passed, and the improved version was never made.
Of the five guns originally made, I believe only two still exist. This one is serial number 1, and I was privileged to get permission of the consigner to test-fire it on camera. In my opinion, it is a fantastic gun. At only about 18 pounds it is remarkably light for a 7.62mm beltfed, and quite simple to shoot from the shoulder. As with the SMG-2, it's internals are a parade of clever elements.
Serial number 001? Holy crap. That's not just a CMG-3, that's THE CMG-3.
@@JinKee the last shot he shot where 35001... so now it's just junk...
joke
it's pretty fucking cool gun
+julemanden uden gaver
We have to develop a better way to resurrect those lost designs. 😔😔😔😔
You didn’t hear him say they only made 5? Makes less impressive, though much more rare.
No this is THE scp-001.
Was gonna make same same comment. Shooting a 001 numbered rifle, I have the wrong job.
I get the feeling that Ian has reached that exalted peak of credibility where random owners of mythical firearms are willing to let him shoot and film their magic guns.
+Andrew Suryali I really hope so! His explanations and deconstructions of the guns make it really worth while. The whole history background he does makes me feel like he is a truly nice host for any weapon. The whole historical aspect is what drew me in but the fact that he can make any gun interesting (in the limitations of common knowledge but even further sometimes) is what makes me stay. Hes not afraid to say that he is unsure of certain model designs or mechanisms but at least he covers them. Some would rather skip over them to keep their image of all knowledgeable folk. I guess what I really like is his really hands on, no extrapolating approach, to his explanations. Even on guns I know about, his approach always fascinate me and most importantly make me understand how they work but also the historical reason for their existence. Sometimes I can almost feel like I am right there with him dissembling or even firing the guns. TLDR: Awesome historical info and practical info ratio makes him an awesome historical knowledgeable source but mostly a good narrator that can truly draw you into the history of a gun.
+Andrew Suryali I agree, his approach to the history(which I am a huge fan of, naval ships, tanks and infantry weapons included) and his knowledgeability are truly bringing him to that exalted peak. Everest Ho!
Andrew Suryali also, if he films the shooting the sale prices go up significantly so it's in the seller's best interest to let him. He notes in his videos on final sale prices that he may have doubled the sale price in some cases
Soon gun owners will come from all corners of the world to get their firearms blessed by Gun Jesus.
Obviously gun Jesus will be exalted.
The more you fired, the more that picnic table fell apart.
RIP table
I like how he doesn't even notice lmao
Have you seen him fire the .950 JDJ? That is a bench destroyer, right there.
"Kind of have to be careful the brass doesn't go zinging into your groin which kind of upsets your accuracy" - Ian
Words to live by.
Just a little bit
@@teethpaste8568 I could see where that would be an issue...
We should make t shirts of this quote and send it to him
thank you consigner dude!
+j0nthegreat Yes, very respectable man for allowing us to see this lovely piece work!
+j0nthegreat Considering just how badly the weapon takes the stress of being fired (35k rounds to failure is NOT a lot), the consinger was being exceptionally generous in letting it be fired!
Ye
To the consigner, thank you for the rare peak of the insides of your unicorn and for allowing Ian a chance to fire it!
Guns like this make me sad when I think about all the work and love that goes into so many firearms, aircraft, and other such equipment over the years to make these fine, mechanically effective machines, only to have it be rejected. It makes sense of course, but this is a beautiful weapon and it's a shame it didn't work out.
It is an interesting occurrence. It's as though what is practical will outlast that which is sophisticated and refined.
To kill people
@@tgrimshaw no no, just "eliminate"
@@DaClean Expediency is overpowered
I bet your really good at breakups
That is one of the weirdest drum i have ever seen. Ty for the video.
+Lazarus LongNL
Imagine having to carry several of those drums in teh field..Cant imagine they fit well into a bag.
the drum looks wierd , bulky, worst combination for infantry in the field
+Luthfian Picket
Yeh! Not saying its not effective though.
They should have adopted a regular ammo-belt for the field and used the drum onboard a Navy ship or on military veichles or something. That way they could have pushed back the front grip to a better position with the drum out of the way.
+Fredrik Häll I am just speculating, but it appears you could just lay a belt over the top of the feed shoot and go for hasty reloads. If this is the case, a load out might consist of one magazine and one or more extra belts.
+Fredrik Häll you wouldn't you'd probably just carry the ammo without it and have one of those on the gun which you would dispose of when done with it. Or not carry any at all and just patrol with a 30-50 round belt on the gun.
How does a 1 of 5 super limited production, prototype gun that was made for military contract make it to the civilian market? I wonder how much Colt spent in R&D on this gun.
The initial transfer from Colt was likely to someone who worked on it.
"They don't them? Really? Write out an invoice. I'm taking this one home."
Pope Facto hahaha the good ol days when you could just own a GD machine gun!
The same way people walk away with all the damn IT equipment... “I think Tony used it last”
There's this thing invented long long ago called money
Pre 1985 you could buy a new machine gun after 85 the registry was closed.
What I get from this (and I've looked at the CMG-2 a lot in the literature available) is that this thing has one of the major faults of the M-60. Interchangeable barrels with a non-adjustable front sight. The other thing is, could you imagine carrying a basic combat load for this thing (approx. 100-120 rds. per belt). There you are having to return fire and after 100 rds. you have to dig that weird shaped belt carrier out of whatever kind of web gear you'd have to tote it in. Then you get to change out to the next one. Which seems to take an...eternity. Interesting, but left by the wayside for good reason. THANKS for bringing this out to show us and then actually firing it on camera.
The fact that you can fire it from the shoulder and keep it so tame is really impressive and further illustrates the great design put into it. Colt was really in its glory days back then. Awesome video.
For such a rare gun, you seem to know your way around it like you were born with the thing. Another great video.
BTW what charms do you wear when hunting leprechauns and Unicorns cuz seriously I don't know how you manage to track these down and come across them with such frequency,
+Thepnastyone He's in cohorts with the bullet fairy...but seriously he just goes and fondles the stocks at the auction companies. I think on a good batch, you'd have trouble flicking a toothpick and not having it land on an unique piece.
Good question. From what i have seen for lepracahns colored marshmallows work well. Unicorns are tricky as there isn't much documentation. I imagine that sugar cubes or apples blessed by the pope could possibly work.
All of these comments Win !!! i learned alot and laughed my ass off too WIN WIN FUCKING WIN !!!!
+glockfan112 I tought unicorns are well documented: virgins
+Thepnastyone I wouldn't worry about it
5:30 I love how Ian grins as he say he has permission to shoot the CMG-3
Just wanted to commend you On the way you deliver these videos Ian. I'm in no way into guns but your descriptions and procedures lend themselves to a wider audience then just gun enthusiasts. The videos are technical and informative enough for me to watch with interest from a mechanical and historical perspective cheers!
"Upsets your accuracy..." LOL!
Truly a forgotten weapon. What an amazing opportunity! Thank you for bringing this content!
I love how obvious it is that Ian takes great pleasure in documenting old firearms, it definitely shows in the quality of his videos.
Love your videos Ian, you go the mile by giving us the history of the firearm and breaking it down. It’s always a pleasure to watch your videos
Whoever the Cosigner is, I personally thank you and think it's flipping cool to let Ian use it. I wish more people with rare-unobtanium thought like you. BZ man!
Ian, One of many of your cool video's that puts others to shame! Keep it up and I hope your Patreon works out (I'm in!!)
PS...anyone notice at about 24:30 the bipod leg get caught in a crack on the picnic table and starts taking 5" long splinters out of it??? hahahah...
Jay
No permission was given
@Jay Co-signer is your dad putting his name on the loan for your first car in case you can’t make the payments, the bank can come after him for the money. Consigner is a person who has a unicorn or other valuable property and does not want to deal with the hassle of selling/marketing/shipping it themselves, thus has has an auction house, pawn shop, or other party sell it for them, the benefit is that the auction house will usually get more for the item than if the owner tried to sell it on their own. The bad news is selling by consignment means the auction house gets a 20-30% cut, plus you pay taxes, federal and possibly state.
@@770youngbd and how do you know that?
@@770youngbd The dumb things people say to gain attention.
Letting Ian shoot the gun is awfully good advertising if the video shows before the sale. Showing a one-off unicorn like the CMG-3 functions can't hurt the price. Ian's video might bring in a new buyer as well.
Thank you Ian for all of your great videos! And special thanks to the owner of this piece!
I know that this is an older video, but I still wanted to let the consignee (whomever he or she may have been) that allowing Ian to actually go out to the range and put some rounds through this beautiful beast was veeery much appreciated. It may be a footnote in firearm history, but it sure is one hell of a footnote!
Ian, thank you for another great video. You are doing great job in showing (and thus preserving knowledge of) obscure guns.
Fantastic video. Missed this one first time around. Your technique to the camera great. Information on the gun given brilliantly. Cannot praise this video enough.Thank you Ian.
Its videos like this that I love to see. Guns that are rare and not mentioned anywhere fully explained and disassembled. Keep up the awesome work.
Someone needs to put together a supercut of Ian saying "If you're right handed..."
Is he right handed then? He kept that quiet :-)
1080p and 60fps, I really appreciate the time and effort put into these videos! Nothing better than a crisp clear video without stutter ;)
Ian, I just love your video's and how you take the time end effort to tear these down and show us how these awesome weapons work. Thanks!
Gotta ask, do these auction houses discourage you from giving your educated estimate on a hammer price? It seems to me that the most interesting and rarest firearms are the ones that folks are most curious about regarding price. This has all the contributing factors that make this sort of a holy grail of sorts- major name brand (colt), prototype/extremely limited units produced, single digit survivors (in this case 2) and finally, full auto plus belt fed. I can't now nor will I ever probably be able to afford such a specimen, so I thank you, James D Julia auction house and the consigner for making this video possible!!
+M85FSLUVR Neither of them has said anything either way to me. You can see the estimated prices by checking the auction house catalog page, linked in the video description.
+M85FSLUVR I have a feeling this would exceed the price of all the cars i have bought in my lifetime.... combined.... plus a few house payments. Considering some full auto's go for 100k, and this is truly as rare as palm trees on the north pole, I'd hazard quite a bit.
+Forgotten Weapons I checked it, and didn't see a price listed. Could you explain where?
+135th Darksword Rigth at the end of the description; 150,000-250,000 in this case.
Forgotten Weapons ahh thanks
That firing pin design is cool :)
Im glad the consigner let you show it in action!
I really enjoy seeing you shoot some of these weapons. Another great video Ian !
Great looking MG. Like you said, too bad it didn't get put in use. Thanks for another interesting and entertaining video.
Damn man that's one of the koolest guns you've checked out. Love the vids on the ones we never new even existed!! A whole series on ones people never ever heard of would be kool!
Ian - Kudos on another excellent documentary brief. I remember reading of these in Ezells 1977 edition of small arms of the world. Its nice tha t like Ezell you are keeping the history alive for future generations.
Wonderful video, truly glad you put the time into these videos. That being said, that drum would be a nightmare under nods lol
I love how many cool little design features this gun has,truly unique and evolutionary
you broke the table
Wow. I bet you had sweaty palms getting to fire that Ian. Awesome video man. Awesome.
History and machines...two great things that go great together!!
I'm not that much into guns, I mostly visit for the history and mechanics, but congratulations on getting to shoot what's basically a one of a kind. Keep up the good work!
My family just doesn't get why I'm into guns. I keep trying to explain to them how each gun is like an extremely reliable and useful machine and is even watchlike, has amazing amounts of backstory and history behind it (history major here), and shoots stuff; what's not to like?
+farmerboy916 +RogerWilco
I come from a country with a gun culture (at least in recent history) mostly related to hunting, where ownership is not widely regarded as a right. Other than shooting blackpowder rifes with my uncle I had little contact with them (not that I didn't see them, we had hunting rifles in the house) growing up. In the last few years I did get to shoot some highly restricted handguns with another uncle, which was quite fun.
My interest is mainly historical, and the fascinating, clever, and just plain neat engineering that goes into their design. I really appreciate that Ian's channel is about so much more than simply firing the weapons, but telling their story.
***** Arguments? You amuse me, troll. Read first, you are ineffective at even comprehension.
+RogerWilco Glad to see I'm not the only one that just comes to these videos because he is interested in the engineering and history aspects of these guns (Rather than actually wanting to shoot them) It's always interesting to see a precision piece of mechanical engineering and the amount of things that need to take place using just the energy of a single bullet/cartridge.
What a beautifully made and very clever piece of kit .
Another great video Ian. Keep it up!
Excellent vid Ian!! What an awesome weapon!
A big plus for this design, if captured, the enemy would never figure out how to work it.
I really like the way you present these weapons. No gung ho made in the US therefore must be the best, just a simple balanced, pleasant report on each. Thank you for all your work.
Amazing find. Thank you very much for sharing this with all of us.
One cool gun. I. Need one
What impresses me more than anything is that this weapon looks quite happy to be fired Southpaw! That's rare enough to be noteworthy!
Although, as soon as you said the mag fitting was "a little bit tricky", alarm bells went off. "A little bit tricky" under combat pressure is as good as "completely impossible".
Otherwise, a cool design. More lefty-friendly LMGs, please!
do you live at the james Djulia auction house?
+toby Hogan James D Julia and Rock Island Auction have joint custody over him.
RiflemanOfTheNorth and both keep trying to win him over with new weapons to play with.
toby Hogan The only sure-fire way to win over a child, really.
+toby Hogan No, but I spend a while there before each auction to do video.
@@DerBluePython love your choice of the word "surefire". Was it intentional?
That was one of your best videos ever man, for a colt fanboy that was epic! And people said colt had no good designs of their own....
You broke the picnic table! How many people can say they came to Maine and smashed up an old picnic table with the bipod of a CMG-3? :)
In Maine, our picnic tables cannot be destroyed by anything less
1, ONE person can!
@@stefanmolnapor910 Ah ah ah ah!
@@ZGryphon 😅😂 I was hoping someone would get a smile from that!
What an absolutely brilliant piece of design!
Awesome video, awesome commentary as always
Oh forgotten weapons you always find a way to keep me right here waiting..
That action sounds so good.
That guns is awesome, NEVER heard of it until now...It's yet another gun that just deserves another chance at production...But I'm sure the blueprints are long lost...Pretty damn sexy for an old gun.
Just carefully dismantle the gun, making sure to record every step
Always great videos
Love seeing the guts. That's a cool chunk of history, like most of your vids. Keep them coming, I'm gonna catch up. Thanks. :)
What was the original price Colt wanted for these things? Ians last comment sure sounds valid. Buy both Stoner and Colt,tinker with at leisure. Re engineer or remanufacture as needed. Full auto offhand accurately in 7.62 NATO? Try that with an FAL or M14.
That's one sexy gun Ian, thanks for the awesome vid !
Great upload, thanks Ian.
I loved the sights, I wish we saw these on more guns
thank you¡!¡. So very much for making this video as well as many others. Documenting these guns is important to everyone but to gunsmiths it is vital. We all know innovation comes from studying what didn't work as well as what did. What this gun offers on that level creates a deeper connection in our imagination and that's where innovation comes from. So again, thank you for the video but more importantly, thank you for what they will do to the world of firearms design. #pretty serious comment for your comment section.
When you were shooting it all I could really see is the bipod breaking up that picnic table xD
Even while drunk I could understand your explanation of the action.
That is, frankly, amazing; and I would appreciate a similarly army-proof explanation of how things work on future videos.
Damn the way that gun wiggles around so damned much when firing on the slowmo! :x
Very interesting, beautiful Colt, it makes me wonder what could have been, thank you.
These videos rule man, thanks a ton!
Thanks for your video and explaining about the gun's mechanism.
I watch a lot of your videos, and I'm getting better at understanding how the guns work, I like to study these things😁 ... thaks again.
you sir are a genius I'm very happy you chose this line life's work. There is so much information you provide. It's really cool. I am very interested in.
great review of a wonderful machine-gun. thanks.
I think this legitimately may be one of the coolest looking guns I’ve ever seen. Far nice.
I'm glad the owners are letting you shoot these rare guns now. It's good to have footage of them operating.
Nice detailed review. Thanks!
I love your videos they're very educating
The cosigner/owner is to be commended because this is almost literally a one of a kind weapon and allowing it to be fired is awesome! Thank you sir, if you happen to read this.
you are one lucky fella! Great work.
I can definitely see alt the potential failure points. Love your show!
"Featuring hot brass to the groin action"
24:30 - picnic table digger.
Awesome video Ian... Thank you :)
Very nice thanks for sharing.
I mean...this is without a doubt the absolute best disassembly on any firearm ever.
Colt Gun Room production, serial number 001, holy shit how is this not in the national firearms museum?
100000 rounds seems like a lot until you do the math. Figure the military keeps the gun for 20 years (I don't know if this is even close to right) and 650 rpm firing rate 100000 rounds only adds up to just under 8 mins of firing per year.
It's at least 100,000 rounds before the failure of a part. It's not at least 100,000 rounds before it has to be thrown away "lock, stock and barrel". You seem to suggest it could be thrown away after 2.6 hours of use. I would suggest that, in practice, the part would be replaced after failure, eg, the receiver mentioned, if possible. It's just a test to show reliability, ie, not having to fix it a lot. Correct me if I'm wrong, or am I missing some point?
@@BernardB2000 Small parts breakage like firing pins or extractors are reasonable things to replace during the life span of a firearm. Having the *receiver* fail at 35,000 rounds (4:45) is *not* reasonable. The 100,000 round count number was the expected durability requirement for a belt fed MG. AR-15 and AKM receivers last way longer than 35k. This is simply not acceptable for a belt-fed machinegun. Not saying it was an insurmountable issue, but it was a legitimate one to disqualify the firearm.
I know this is 4 years out of date but....
When I did my GPMG cadre in 2008, we had 4 guns put down about 40000 rounds in a week of range time. All 4 were 1960's production so probably millions of rounds over their lifetimes.
Ok the rpm is balls to the wall, as in shits breaking very soon. The barrel will not keep up with that fire rate. M60 it woukd weld the barrel to the gun while accuracy plummets.
Same issue politicians have. It says bagilion rounds per minute. Its a killing machine!!! No thats the theoretical potential if its parts were out of unobtanium. Not to mention reload time and all that other stuff. Not even factoring in cost of ammo, ease of supply, and so on.
Your a lucky guy. I'm new to the channel and wondered if you have a video on the stoner 63!
+ratride1 Not yet...
It's amazing how wobbly it all looks in slow motion.
Thank you to the owner of this fine firearm for giving everyone the opportunity to see it fire.
very good review thank you.
You are not a spaz, Ian. You do terrific videos. Job well done, sir.
I saw one at a gun show near Philadelphia today. Was very surprised.
It's beautiful sir
It amazes me the amount of engineering involved in making a very different firearm. the smallest of details.
what a truly well-engineered and machined weapon system. Id love to see a modernized version of the gun addressing its operational life issues. So rare to see so many good engineering solutions all in one fantastic package. Id love to have shot it. What a firearm it is.
I’m pretty sure a fair number of Ian’s subscribers would pay money for some of his groin brass
I had low expectations especially when I saw that drum, but now I'm incredibly sad these weren't made. Impressive MG
Great video...amazing gun! I want to see the "Big, guillotine-like ejector"...did I miss it, or is it not shown in the video? Thanks!
+markserbu check out 8:50 on, that's where the clearest view of the ejector is, but he never removes it from the gun. Likely because he didn't want to risk damage on a 200 grand gun and/or the owner wouldn't allow disassembly beyond field stripping.
I love this channel.
That bolt charge is crazy! This gun seems way ahead of it's time.
Sweet works
So informative. Thanks.