Firearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2021

Jonathan Ferguson, a weapons expert and Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, breaks down some of his favorite weapons from the past year, including the rare Viper Mark 1, Rising Storm 2: Vietnam’s AK, and a handful of weapons from Escape From Tarkov.
In the latest video in the Firearm Expert Reacts series, Jonathan Ferguson--a weapons expert and Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries--breaks down some of his favorite firearms that he’s seen across 2021.
If you're interested in seeing more of Jonathan's work, you can check out more from the Royal Armouries right here. - / royalarmouries
If you would like to support the Royal Armouries, you can make a charitable donation to the museum here. - royalarmouries.org/support-us...
And if you would like to become a member of the Royal Armouries, you can get a membership here. - royalarmouries.org/support-us...
You can either purchase Jonathan's book here. - www.headstamppublishing.com/b...
Or at the Royal Armouries shop here. - shop.royalarmouries.org/colle...
You can subscribe to the Armax Journal that Jonathan Associate Edited here. - www.armaxjournal.org/

[@Lopez1988chile]

GameSpot did a great job picking Jonathan for this series. Obviously he is an expert in firearms but his knowledge of pop culture, his style, wit, humor and charm just makes him perfect to engage with a gaming community. It seems like he's a really cool guy and I hope to see this series keep going with him because I look forward to watch more of these videos in the future.

[@McGregor43]

The fact Jonathan plays and understands games himself also makes him much more enjoyable to listen to. You never get any boomer moments from him when he talks about games, unlike a lot of other subject matter experts.

[@squillz8310]

@@McGregor43 agreed! Even if he does talk about a game he hasn't played, the charm and wit that OP mentioned makes up for that lack of game experience. Love him to death lol

[@Ballisticbob517]

He is literally the savior of the channel. If you compare view count between Jonathan vs non Jonathan videos it's pretty laughable

[@sban8377]

@@McGregor43 Exactly! It's important to be adept at both virtual and real to draw the best comparison between the two. Factors like gameplay balance wouldn't make sense to someone who's just a weapons expert but never played games. It's the same thing in the case of driving simulators. The best comparisons are drawn by race drivers who both race in real as well as on simulations like iRacing, etc.

[@franciscoguinledebarros4429]

He quickly rose to be Gaming's Gun Jesus (Ian is still gun Jesus, but Jonathan is basically THE name where both cultures overlap)

[@Sebastiantynkky]

Finally Jonathan doesn't have to suffer.

[@tonypeppermint5329]

Yay!

[@joe125ful]

Lol he need to watch Borderlands 3 weapons:)

[@titaniumwo1f390]

@@joe125ful 2 then follow with 3.

[@caprise-music6722]

Haha

[@maotisjan]

The good sir deserves some break

[@AyCe]

"You need to fill the depression with powder" same mate

[@mrglock568]

Works every time irl, unlike in the game.

[@dylanparr6880]

That's the spirit, champ. 😤😬

[@SerotoninCrunch]

lol I needed this laugh today, thanks mate

[@Minnevan]

Snort the pain away

[@RiKSh4w]

I love hearing the increase in the quality of mic that Jonathon uses over time.

[@jonathanferguson1211]

Oddly, it's the exact same mic from the very beginning!

[@jonathanferguson1211]

@@userise222 The audio is recorded locally via OBS, and has been since the first few episodes, so I've no idea what's going on :)

[@sgt.eclair]

@@jonathanferguson1211 The Machine Spirit must be pleased with your contributions

[@jonathanferguson1211]

@@sgt.eclair Or possibly the Elders of the Internet.

[@redbasher636]

@@jonathanferguson1211 More than likely they just edited the audio in post as time went on to try and make you sound better, Johnathan. Also thank you for making my Saturdays bearable at work with these videos.

[@shakie6074]

Unbelievable you guys have been only making these vids for around a year. Easily one of my favorite series on the whole site and I cannot wait to see what 2022 brings. Much love to Jonathan and the entire staff!

[@jonathanferguson1211]

Thank you! Yes, it's crazy - we filmed the first season of Loadout before the pandemic hit, and Expert Reacts might not even exist if it wasn't for The Event :)

[@shakie6074]

@@jonathanferguson1211 well heck, might be one of the few good byproducts of “the event”… because I know I, and thousands of others have really enjoyed it. cheers my friends 🍻 🤘

[@ThunderbirdAnthares]

​@@jonathanferguson1211 these videos are easily one of the "i see i click" content on youtube for me, thank you for your work and the work of everyone involved, i enjoy them very much and i suffer internally with you on some of the horrible mangled guns :D merry christmas :-)

[@jonathanferguson1211]

@@ThunderbirdAnthares Haha, thank you :)

[@TheLacunae]

@@jonathanferguson1211 I want to thank you. You've helped me to look closer and become more interested in firearms in games. It's improved my enjoyment of games, and my knowledge of firearms in general.

[@USAirsoft]

Definitely my favorite series on the GameSpot channel!

[@hideoschwartz8970]

Probably the only reason to subscribe to GameSpot…

[@maineithsauls5421]

second comment

[@zeallust8542]

@@Blama_ whats his channel called?

[@ral_soArdylan]

⬆️⬆️Thanks for commenting 🎊 you are among our shortlisted winners 🎁🎁🎉🎉 claim your PC⬆️⬆️.

[@jamiepeter3567]

No, thank YOU for producing this content for us to watch for free, thanks especially Mr Ferguson for being such a good sport and leaning into the banter to keep us both entertained AND educated. You’re so lucky down in the south, having that firearms museum. The closest we get is the small collection in the local regimental museum, which is cool but limited

[@Vilamus]

Erm....the main Royal Armouries is in Leeds. The down south one is Fort Nelson. Unless you are really up north in GB xD

[@jonathanferguson1211]

Guessing you live in Scotland? Have you visited the War Museum at Edinburgh Castle? I was Assistant Curator of Military History for NMS for 3 1/2 years :) Thank you for the kind words.

[@nokachi3339]

Just come to America friend, go actually shoot these guns

[@TheSundayShooter]

@@nokachi3339 Range time and rentals were already overpriced before the crises of 2020, not worth it

[@jamiepeter3567]

@@nokachi3339 actually I’d rather go visit the Jamestown settlement or Colonial Williamsburg if I came back to the states, loved them when I was on holiday as a kid!

[@BlueMatter_]

I'd love to see Johnathan be able to interact with some of these games, rather than just watching. Would spice up things every other episode or whatever :)

[@MansMan42069]

Experts Play like they did with Martial Artists and fighting games.

[@TheSundayShooter]

The man has barely enough time reacting to computer game models and animations

[@cpuwizard9225]

IDK why Gamespot couldn't just send him a decently spec'd laptop with a company steam account and just queue up the games he'll be checking out ahead of time from corporate. Technically, the hardware and software could be written off on the taxes if I'm not mistaken.

[@Cheesepuff8]

@@cpuwizard9225 Cause it would take ages and maybe not be possible for him to see all the right guns But from what he says in his vids he has played some of them like I think Fallout, COD, Battlefront

[@arda213]

Next please: What weapons Jonathan would choose if he was to develop a video game. You can even make it a series like what he would choose for a western game, a zombie game, a modern warfare game, a ww2 game, a Cyberpunk/futuristic game etc.

[@Cpt_Katsuragi]

That is a great idea.

[@Guilherme_Sena]

That is a great idea.

[@LipColt]

Considering EA/DICE called Ian McCollum from Forgotten Weapons to help them out with Battlefield 1's roster of experimental, prototypes and actual service weapons, I'd like to see something similar with Johnathan too.

[@Mr_T_Badger]

@@LipColt wait, so we might have Ian to blame for the proliferation of the Helreigal in BF1? 😋 That is pretty cool actually.

[@LipColt]

@@Mr_T_Badger yes. Check the Special Thanks section of BF1 credits. Ian's name is there.

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

I came here originally for Jonathan, I'm still here for Jonathan. He just seems like a great guy, I like his book, he appears to really enjoy his work and this series.

[@ral_soArdylan]

⬆️⬆️Thanks for commenting 🎊 you are among our shortlisted winners 🎁🎁🎉🎉 claim your PC⬆️⬆️.

[@shukshinite]

Recap so far: Johnathan reacts to accurate depiction of guns in tarkov Johnathan reacts to guns in popular games like bf2024, far cry 6, etc.. Johnathan needs a emotional support StG44 in vanguard

[@ek8710]

>2042 >Popular game Pick one

[@PHoMi126]

@@ek8710 It's notoriuosly popular

[@da99436]

@@ek8710 ah yes, of course, game called bf 2042 made by an indie company that nobody has heard about, truly an underrated masterpiece.

[@tentrix8505]

Thanks, God.

[@ek8710]

@@da99436 the 3 month old game that has less players than an 8 year old previous installation of the series, where people struggle to find populated servers?

[@CasualKillZz]

Watching this series over the past year has been incredible, so much so I’m going to college for museum studies! Thanks for helping realize a passion of mine Jonathan 👍🏻

[@jonathanferguson1211]

Wow, that's incredibly rewarding to hear, thank you so much for commenting! Best of luck with the course.

[@ral_soArdylan]

⬆️⬆️Thanks for commenting 🎊 you are among our shortlisted winners 🎁🎁🎉🎉 claim your PC⬆️⬆️.

[@kitsune_jones]

It took us a year to realize it but the best Christmas present we could've gotten was Gamestop finding and working with Jonathan. What an absolute lad. Thanks for the almost year's worth of entertaining and educational content, guys.

[@mr.kittee9046]

Jonathan has to be one of my favorite people. Cheery, humorous, and knows how to do his job.

[@ral_soArdylan]

⬆️⬆️Thanks for commenting 🎊 you are among our shortlisted winners 🎁🎁🎉🎉 claim your PC⬆️⬆️.

[@alongz96ify]

Now, can we have the HATED weapons versions?

[@michalsnaiberg2734]

It would just be a rerun of the CoD Vanguard episodes really

[@tentrix8505]

It’s just him frowning and squinting with displeasure for 10 minutes

[@buttertool6211]

Here's to another year full of firearms, both blessed and cursed firearms

[@mniakan3544]

We’re more on the cursed side of things but yeah

[@olavrell]

Could we get another look at Hunt: Showdown, given the changes to certain reload animations, additional weapons added and plenty of those not covered in the first video, would be fun.

[@RiKSh4w]

Not to mention alternate ammo. Would love to hear insights on that.

[@olavrell]

@@RiKSh4w True

[@Mr_Fancypants]

Hunt showdown is so underrated, i want more people to play it

[@onji5213]

@@Mr_Fancypants It's slowly getting more attention. More content creators start covering. In last 30 day it had an 11% playercount increase. And you can see they increased budget for things like trailers so I think the game is growing more and more. Especially after Tarkov making high risk shooters more popular.

[@Mr_Fancypants]

@@onji5213 neat!

[@ReprobiCrucesignati]

*squad mate gets killed by an enemy using the kolibri* Squad: We shall never speak of this

[@polskagurom12345]

I love videos with Jonathan. Matter fact, I only subscribed to watch him preaching lol

[@HendarsChannel]

haha same xD

[@chrisiooo]

Hes probably the sole reason GameSpot is still alive

[@polskagurom12345]

@@chrisiooo kinda

[@miggssamonte5292]

Merry Christmas Happy Holidays and happy new year everyone!

[@ColdestDay]

I only came across this series this week but have binged the entire collection. I immediately watched this when I saw it. I love the passion and knowledge yet also he can accept when changes are made for gameplay. Just a fascinating watch!

[@TheChadPad]

Would love to see this guy out on the range demonstrating these historic firearms

[@Slake2]

I doubt he shoots guns.

[@absentmindedshirokuma8539]

@@Slake2 he does, however not every gun in museum can be demonstrated due to how rare most of them.

[@TheChadPad]

@@Slake2 oh I don’t!

[@MyKelvin89]

Someone that well versed in guns definitely shoots them

[@Khrrck]

Check out Ian from Forgotten Weapons. They're friends and have quite a similar vibe, although I don't think Ian plays games.

[@gh0st3x72]

Is it odd that a almost found this nostalgic to watch?

[@_LazyTiger]

I've really loved following this series over the year. Thanks for making my Saturday mornings more enjoyable!

[@toaolisi761]

I subscribed to the Royal Armouries channel because of this series. I just couldn't get enough of Jonathan and his expert knowledge.

[@Sturmjager]

You should do more Hunt: Showdown videos. A lot of guns there are pretty rare in video games like the vetterli and berthier.

[@lucvdk1155]

This is honestly the best show i have ever watched on youtube since episode 1 came to my recommended. Thank you so much GameSpot and Jonathan for dragging me trough if i had a bad day.

[@spethmanjones2997]

I’ve had such a good time watching Jonathan’s videos over this past year. I’d love to buy this guy a pint and let him know how much we appreciate what he does!

[@Torenhire]

Johnathan honestly seems like just an all-around swell guy. I am pretty sure I could listen to him talk about basically anything, whether I have any prior investment in the topic or not. This has been one of the most enjoyable series. I've absolutely learned a lot and appreciate his ability to be critical but not insulting! Game devs consult this man for your video game firearms! Ha!

[@thcollegestudent]

I hope we get to see more of Jonathan in 2022, these video have been really fun to watch

[@I_Komang_Ari_Putra]

Thanks for your service this year Jonathan 👍👍 Merry Christmas 🎅

[@paecmaker]

I like that apart from a few weapons, all of these come from the games who are more tactical than your standard fps. It really shows the thought and care they take in creating their armaments.

[@rexone4863]

Jonathan has served us well this year. Thanks for the videos guys!

[@tacticalteager7920]

Love this series! Being a gun enthusiast and other this is great. It's educational as well. Hopefully it will encourage developers to strive for accuracy in games.

[@thenecrolept]

This guy is 100% of the reason I'm subbed to you guys. Keep him coming on, and keep up the quality content!

[@ryleighs9575]

Merry Christmas Jonathan AND GameSpot staff! Thanks for a year so far of great content with this series :)

[@Mr_T_Badger]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Johnathan, Dave, the staff of the Royal Armories, and the staff of Gamespot. Thanks to all of you for making my 2020 a better year with all these lovely videos. Yes, I know most of you are probably sitting down to supper but it’s not even 1500 hrs here in Canada right now. ❤️

[@jekizjenkins7690]

Amazing series, happy to see it will continue next year

[@CarmineProspectus]

Love this show. Looking forward to another year with Jonathan’s awesome expertise.

[@h1tsc4n40]

Haha! This series just gives and keeps on giving. Merry christmas to Johnatan, the Gamespot crew and Royal Armouries!

[@vonvard9765]

Said this in the last video, but Jonathan is a national treasure. Merry Christmas everyone x

[@romanf9672]

One of my favourite shows of 2021. Thank you guys

[@julesgro8526]

I look forward to see more of Jonathan next year! Have a good one until then and happy new year :)

[@piggosalternateaccount4917]

Brilliant and big thank you to everyone involved

[@JoeySher]

Thank you for making this series! Hope it continues.

[@sleepyeet]

This series is amazing I'm definitely sticking around for sure

[@Bazztoner]

I'm in love with this series and loadout, please keep 'em coming!

[@Liam.Lacoste]

Thank you for the series! I can't get enough.

[@rainiernqc]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to GameSpot, Jonathan and Royal Armouries.

[@johnbibby5033]

Really love this content, it is always a must-watch, long may it continue

[@Always_Cruising]

Just found these videos beginning of this month and it's really wanted time fly by during long days.

[@xGamermonkeyx]

TY Jonathan for such a fun year of interesting videos! Can't wait for next year and more fun stuff ahead, and please, PLEASE do a Killzone series video in the new year!

[@venmosh4822]

Very cool video! Thank you Jonathan Ferguson, Firearms & Artillery Expert at The Royal Armouries Museum & Thank you Gamespot. Merry Holidays to you all!

[@amiraliahmadkhan6904]

First of all thank you gamespot, royal armouries and most of all Jonathan for the amazing work that you guys do and I hope that this year will bring good fortune and happiness for you all and I have an request if it isn't too much to ask can Jonathan react to the weapons of the devil may cry series I really want to see his opinion on some of it's guns

[@crktritual]

Merry Christmas, Jonathan. It has been an honor, and privilege to watch your videos.

[@GameplayRunner]

Iam so hyped for 2022 with Gamespot Jonathan. Thx for 2021 !!! Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@n16161]

I lived in Leeds city centre for about half of 2018, and I loved visiting Royal Armouries! Beautiful downtown canal area and a very cool museum.

[@davidcopperfield3536]

Jonathan Ferguson is my hero, I've loved every second watching him

[@deanospimoniful]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Jonathan, Royal Armouries, Gamespot, and Viewers.

[@tidmouthmilk12]

Been seeing this series popping up in my recommended a lot, finally got around to actually watching it a couple months back and have found it really interesting. Something I'd be interested in seeing next year would be the Half-Life series (and maybe Black Mesa)

[@tom_fitz]

Jonathan is the MAN. Iconic.

[@Bird_Dog00]

Thanks to anyone involved in maing this series of videos. They are entertaining and informative. Great stuff for everyone who's nerding about firearms. The ONLY criticism I have sofar is that Mr. Ferguson didn't cover the Vetterli in the Hunt: Showdown episode. ;-)

[@Klynch-09]

The series I always look forward to every week!

[@bossninjacat5958]

11:42 "I've grabbed an AK not because none of you have seen an AK before... you have" that got me 🤣

[@sfjp1]

What a great collaboration this has been, keep it going chaps. Also be good to see you link with The Tank Museum Bovington.

[@robert3859]

Thank you for the videos, Jonathan!

[@a10thunderboltii25]

You guys should totally do ready or not!

[@NineteenEighty8]

BEST KZbin SERIES EVER! Jonathon is a LEGEND in my book and that's coming from an US Army Airborne veteran. Thank you GameSpot!

[@Roach_Dogg_JR]

I love how carefully he handles the guns, like when he was demonstrating the SAA Colt he wouldn't let the hammer fly forwards on its own and dry fire when he was pressing the trigger.

[@noodle9621]

this is the video I needed for Christmas day

[@BallisticAero]

Never knew what gamespot was till I saw clips of Mr. Jonathan Ferguson. Really awesome idea to do this whole series

[@Comeechawaylama]

Merry Christmas Jonathan and Dave!

[@NanoFromNichijou]

honey wake up new jonathan ferguson

[@swagnut9864]

Merry Christmas all! Happy holidays! Much love from the States

[@scruffiestofnerfherders7397]

I love that in one segment he is wearing a Steel Panther "Death to all but Metal" shirt

[@tonypeppermint5329]

Such a great time with Johnathan.

[@fatherdex8174]

Let Johnathan know that I at the very least will be visiting the royal armories next time I'm in the UK. I hope a bunch of others have been inspired to do the same by this absolute unit of knowledge and presentation.

[@Baby_Beers]

Honestly can’t stop watching this guy he’s great, funny and actually has played video games I hope he does every video game eventually

[@kraja15]

Man... It's wild to think that a whole year went by... ...without a single KF2 episode.

[@austintaylor9896]

Thanks for making my Saturday’s a bit more enjoyable, y’all.

[@AdogFrom]

These series of videos just keep impressing me.

[@frankstameyears7594]

Fantastic year of content Johnathan and Gamespot, great stuff

[@ufcfan1985]

A Johnathon holiday special! Epic! It’s like a greatest hits!

[@ecrogue4496]

I really need to get over the pond and check out your armory. Seriously a life goal for myself.

[@gonzo86]

Merry Christmas Jonathan!

[@DannyArcher1983]

love your work Jonathan Ferguson

[@Bigcat726]

The more of these videos the entertaining it is Everytime

[@Gunbudder]

6:41 I think they are showing that the character shoots mainly by holding the trigger down and just releasing the hammer to fire instantly. This is technically faster than to set the hammer, then pull the trigger. Its also massively unsafe, as its how Baldwin killed his DP while filming Rust. Keeping the trigger held down is also how you would "fan shoot" from the hip by just slapping the hammer back, and its how cowboy trick shooters can shoot so insanely fast

[@luissantiago5163]

Oh lovely! Happy holidays! Cheers

[@yilmazb12391]

cant get enough of this show ! keep it up

[@vyl-za]

Merry Christmas, John

[@ReezeGoingSenseless]

Happy New Year, Gun Guy!

[@boaz6346]

one of the best parts is jonathan just casually pulling out guns

[@187Blondie]

Everytime i watch Jonathan it makes me wanna get the train to Leeds so i can go the Museum, havent been fir years! Definitely going in 2022

[@LadyTylerBioRodriguez]

Best addition to the channel in years.

[@theFutureSoundWaves]

I like this guy, such a nice person. Thanks for the review!

[@ErwinPommel]

Woo! Nice Christmas present!

[@jamespaul6315]

This is a great series

[@Leon-fo9mj]

I'm seriously jealous of this dude's job..just be amazing working with history like that everyday..great input of obviously a knowledgeable guy

[@minkyneets4768]

Been waiting for this