Alliance: The Silent War

This episode compared two men who led rebellions which either involved the US primarily or eventually involved the US (Punitive Expedition).

Crazy Horse had the following:
Henry repeating rifle (the model with the 15 round under barrel magazine loaded from the front)
Colt SAA with a 6.5"(?) barrel (*)
Some sort of war hammer thingummy (a stone head on a flexible wooden shaft)

Pancho Villa had the following:
Winchester repeating rifle (with 10 round magazine loading from the side of the receiver)(*)
Colt SAA 'Bisley' model (ex. http://i.imgur.com/0gm1q.jpg )
Bolo knife (think a quickly fashioned machete) (*)

(*) indicates 'edge'

The Henry rifle performed poorly against the more modern Winchester. Even though it had a higher magazine capacity and longer barrel, it jammed on the 10th shot, it was more unwieldy, and the action wasn't as smooth as the Winchester's. I was a bit surprised by the pistol test. Both used the same cartridge and the SAA the Crazy Horse team was using had a longer barrel, so I thought it would have a higher muzzle velocity. Turns out the shorter barreled Colt SAA 'Bisley' had a good 200-300 fps over the longer barreled SAA. Even though the Bisley didn't get the edge, Mack actually made very good points about it: 1) it was more ergonomically advanced (better grip and larger hammer) 2) it was easier to bring up to target, being shorter and lighter 3) most importantly it used the same .44-40 cartridge as the Winchester rifle Villa and his men used. The warhammer Crazy Horse had was interesting. It would flex with the swing and whip into the strike causing much more damage. However, since it was made of wood and stone, it broke after 5 strikes. The bolo knife was really only good for slashing but it had much more range and was infinitely more durable, being made of steel and all.

The 'X' factors were again quite important. Both men were in poor health. Crazy horse survived small pox and had tuberculosis, while Pancho Villa was quite an old man with advanced rheumatoid arthritis (this is why he specifically used a Bisley Colt, as the augmented hammer spur made it easier for him to cock). Villa was very well equipped in terms of supplies and medicine. Both were ranked about equal in terms of tactics.

Villa ended up winning in the end. VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

Next episode looks fantastic. The British Gurkhas vs. the French Foreign Legion (circa WWII). Haven't decided which I'm partial to yet.

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Head of Zombie Suit Manufacturing, Supplying Guns to the Mentally Stable, Lead Researcher for Weapons, Grand Requisitioner, and Master Keeper of the NZG Armoury.
Whatever happens, we have got
The Maxim gun, and they have not.

I will be honest, I though that Crazy Horse would definitely win the match. The points which where brought up about the weapons are very interesting.
In the end, I guess that it doesn't matter if the gun is 100% accurate. At the end of the day, it needs to be able to gave you that handling that will let you bring it towards your opponent faster that he can aim his gun at you.

Next week's episode looks amazing. I love both the Ghurkas and the FFL and I really want to see the DW team put the Famas(as well as the Khukri knife) to the test.

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When the going gets weird, the weird turns pro. -Hunter S. Thompson
Встань, Страх Преодолей

It seems like the weapons are having less and less of an impact on the actual results, which sort of takes away most of the allure of the show.

They won't be featuring the FAMAS for the FFL, it's WWII era so they're testing out a MAS36, which is an interesting rifle nonetheless - I wonder how it will measure up against the SMLE. Then again, apparently the SMLE is inaccurate, heavy, slow, and weak... so what the hell do I know.

_________________

Head of Zombie Suit Manufacturing, Supplying Guns to the Mentally Stable, Lead Researcher for Weapons, Grand Requisitioner, and Master Keeper of the NZG Armoury.
Whatever happens, we have got
The Maxim gun, and they have not.