Is this British .50 cal a match for the Barrett? With firearms and weaponry expert Jonathan Ferguson

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Interesting update on this thanks to a viewer (thanks Ben!) - the MoD have advertised a support contract for the AS50 - so not only did it get purchased for UK military service, it's STILL in service...

[@Vahloksavjul]

Ah fantastic! I couldn’t find any information on it online. So I assume that means it’s in operation with SF based on the fact we heard nothing about it after 2012?

[@connormatthews522]

Very easy to forget how large these rifles are after seeing them used so easily and with such mobility in games

[@derekp2674]

I've not played any recent state of the art games, but in Black Hawk Down and in Far Cry 2 the only penalty for wielding an anti-materiel rifle is limited magazine capacity.

[@zulubeatz1]

I agree. Coincidence is i have just armed one of my ai marksmen in Arma 3 with one of these and he shoots it like it aint no big thing lol. He took down a Helicopter gunship with it mind. It looks a lot bigger here.

[@thatdudeinasuit5422]

Yeah I wish games would begin to take into account how big some of these guns are. I mean in Enlisted I can have a squad full of dudes blasting away with PTRDs unsupported while standing! Then running from cover to cover with them like they're holding a PPSH!

[@zulubeatz1]

@@thatdudeinasuit5422 yeah same in Arma 3. This AS50 makes a nice thump and at least he is crouching. Not sure what the heck he is shooting at though. The best trick is to also give them a decent pistol or an mp7 then they use that more than often. It is something war game ai designers need to sort out. These things are huge and heavy and fired prone.

[@digitaal_boog]

Ah yes, the CoD .50. Weighs 3kg and will kill from the ankles up

[@ravensoulmetal8466]

Awesome video, as a CNC machinist I made a few parts for the original prototype. We produced the same parts in steel and titanium.

[@brendasg155]

Make me one. I have cash.

[@ravensoulmetal8466]

@@brendasg155 only if you don't tell anyone, oh wait 🤣.

[@hazzardalsohazzard2624]

How different is a gun made using titanium instead of steel?

[@ravensoulmetal8466]

@@hazzardalsohazzard2624 it's down to weight mostly, Titanium is lighter.

[@ryodtjdkgdkyjgditdjtdjtdtstid]

Brother please tell the thickness of steel receiver , i make drawings and designs of rifles as my hobby

[@iancassidy1150]

Ya man here spends as much time being respectful to other disciplines and workers as he does being an expert in his own field. Lovely to see people caring about how they say things 😊

[@billywoods9192]

I like the notion of a .50 cal rifle with iron sights. "It's not for shooting far, mate. It's about shooting hard."

[@estherstreet4582]

when you want to shoot a car 2 miles away but you don't care *which* car

[@azynkron]

5.56 is a bit weak if you have some sort of armour and cover.. but 6.5 or 7.62 will definitely end you. Don't need a .50 for that. In the army we experimented with shooting at trees and the 7.62 went straight through about 50cm wood at about 100m. Hence, if you were using that tree for cover, you would have a very strong emotional experience.

[@paulclarke4776]

You don't need to be precise when all you want is a hole in a wall??!? 😅😅

[@geodkyt]

​@@estherstreet4582or, more realistically, when you want to shoot up, say, a radar transmitter, at 800m, but you don't really care much where on the transmitter you hit, so long as you break it.

[@Omnihil777]

+1 for the new Ferguson Fashion Line, today: Cobweb Shirt! IMO that just rocks.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Why thank you :)

[@stevenhoman2253]

I always found the story of 'Accuracy International's' beginnings fascinating. I am sure this will be a very interesting gun in its own right.

[@arghjayem]

3 blokes in a shed! Classic British company start up story! 😂

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

You cannot get anymore British if you tried. A shed and a couple of blokes who heard that sniper teams in our Armed Forces were having trouble with the solution available at the time. They, just like Barnes-Wallace put their practical experience into action to produce a world-beating solution.

[@Documentary81]

​@@arghjayemand it all started here in Portsmouth

[@iDEATH]

As soon as I saw Jonathan with a sword I was wondering if Easton would wind up reviewing it, then he was mentioned. Nice. I always love it when channels that cater to my interests collide in some way!

[@thatdudeinasuit5422]

One main reason muzzle breaks used to be so popular on tanks was so that the gun didn't need to recoil as far within the turret therefore allowing for a larger gun to be used within a smaller turret space. The guns needed these days capable of penetrating modern armour are so big however that a muzzle break would likely damage exterior features of the tank (optics etc.) or create other significant risks of collateral damage while firing (supporting troops, nearby buildings etc.) and as a result more advances have gone into recoil mechanisms in the tank/gun mount and chassis/turret design to support larger guns.

[@EcchiRevenge]

That's a lot less of an issue than discarding sabot possibly being interfered with by muzzle brake(there are workarounds for machineguns but they are of more special, probably less strong, design).

[@CaptainGrief66]

Muzzle brakes are used on vehicle mounted cannons when the platform itself isn't heavy enough to ensure complete stability when firing or to allow for quick dispersion of muzzle gasses for a clean sight picture and thus easier follow up shots, on MBTs specifically they aren't present because the dispersion of the gasses would interfere with optical equipment (especially Thermal Imaging and Night Vision) or most importantly can cause a potential catastrophic occurrence where the Sabot of the kinetic rounds may get stuck in the port holes and obstruct the barrel

[@jackdransfield2230]

There’s one real reason. The fins on a sabot would rip the muzzle break off or vice-versa.

[@thatdudeinasuit5422]

@@jackdransfield2230 you understand that a sabot is sub-calibre? The sabot coming out of a 120mm APFSDS shot isn't 120mm wide even with the fins the rod itself is only 25mm wide on the most recent version of the M829 and the fins aren't even that long. literally if the fins of the sabot were in any way endangering the muzzle break then the shot literally would not fit inside the chamber.

[@jackdransfield2230]

@@thatdudeinasuit5422 Fair enough. Do try your best to be less condescending in future. I’m still quite sure the petals would cause problems.

[@cedhome7945]

I am so used to Mr Mac doing gun reviews that listening to a native English speaker seems almost a guilty pleasure .yes those of us In the UK can shoot it you can negotiate the beauracrtic hoops and paperwork!

[@vinchazz]

Can we have a tour of this room set ? It seems to house so many weapons and it will be fun to see what other weapons you guys currently house with Jonathan style commentary.

[@danslater1542]

I was just thinking that too!

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Jonathan and team, It was really interesting to see that taken apart. Arguably the action design is more directly descended from the MAS-44 than the FAL. But perhaps both of those might be considered as descendants of the BAR.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Thanks Derek. Why do you say MAS-44 rather than FAL, out of interest?

[@d33b33]

The elephant in the room is the stationary barrel AS50) vs the reciprocating barrel (Barrett). On paper, the AS50 is the more accurate. Unfortunately, only the Barrett has field reports up to an actual mile. There are no such reports available on the AS50 to compare.

[@derekp2674]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries The MAS 44 predates the FAL and uses direct impingement. But the top cover on the AS50 is reminiscent of a FAL. The FAL also hinges apart for disassembly which the AS50 does not. But I do agree that the bolt and buffer in the AS50 are similar to the FAL.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

@@derekp2674 It was the bolt and carrier that I was saying was FAL-inspired - partly due to the sand cuts on the carrier, and in large part the fact that AI are British and more likely to reference British service weapons than (relatively) obscure French self-loaders. I am aware of the MAS series but must admit I didn't think of them at the time - hence mentioning the Ljungmann instead.

[@derekp2674]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries I was mostly aided by Ian's book, particularly pages 432 - 433 and thereabouts. There is also a useful disassembly video from TFB TV on KZbin. Wikipedia says the French invented direct impingement around 1900 with the Rossignol ENT rifles.

[@jakeb.7997]

American here…..I love the Barrett but…..something about this rifle is just so much more intimidating than the Barrett. Good job Brits :3

[@peterclarke7240]

Agreed. Never thought any infantry-level rifle would make the Barratt look wimpy, but this thing has definitely been eating it's spinach.

[@luked2767]

It's sad that the millitary small arms Industry is almost non existent apart from the private Company Accuracy International that was started by 2 avid shooters in a shed, the US screwed NATO over by instead of adopting the .280 (7mm) British intermediate round the US forced the 7.62x51 (.308) that's pretty much a .30 06 that's shorter than was quickly dropped for 5?56 and now the US is going to 6.8mm sig, I'm almost sure if 7mm British was adopted it would still be in use today, 7.62NATO is a good MG cartridge but maybe 8mm Mauser steel case in s MG42 type system would have been better, .338L is a great king range sniper cartridge and .59bmg is a great snti-materisk round, the SA80 was just bad even the A3, they can't even make more as Endfeild is finished, not much if nlany millitary smmonid made in the UK mostly just 12g borshot and .22LR but the lead ban it could restrict it anymoren A big problem is that semi auto snd handguns are banned for civilian use

[@ianmangham4570]

My pleasure 🇬🇧

[@timt5381]

​@@luked2767 just FYI, guns aren't banned in the UK you just have to prove you have a genuine reason to own them, and that you aren't a danger to the public. Just meet a few cops, don't be crazy, and be a member of a shooting range, that's it. I've shot semi auto and a few rifle calibres in the UK with their owners at a range, they are available after a couple of hoops are jumped through.

[@luked2767]

​@@timt5381 I'm from the UK, I had a SC then an FAC, I'm not in the UK anymore so I transferred the ones with sentimental value. A lot of places to shoot clays and rifle ranges closed during COVID. I took some pretty good advice when applying for my FAC and that was to apply for as many calibers as you think you will or may ever need as it's a nightmare to add them. A SC is not so hard to get just a reason, background check and a safe, even though you can own a semi with a tube fixed to 2 rounds (on many you can put 1 in the chamber , 1 in the lift and 2 in the tube) but most clay places realy don't like anyone coming with anything but a break barrel. As for an FAC that's a whole other beast 2 safes a year with a range, alot of paperwork, a home security system that notifys the police if someone breaks in... Due to the round limit many will also invest alot in reloading supplies, taking trays of cleaned, sized, primed and powdered cases with the bullets separately then seating them at the range is a hassle. As for semis that's strictly .22lr and while a suped up Ruger 10/22 or something like a s&w 15 .22 can be fun, after you shoot semi-center is looses it's charm. "Lever actions" or what I like to call quarter automatics have been banned, the best one I ever shot was a converted CZ57 so when you shot it the bolt would lock back and another trigger pull would send the bolt into battery with a cartridge and then you could fire. I have seen a revolving rifles and long barreled revolvers or .22lr semi pistols with a big metal rod coming out of the frame so they are classed as rifles. As for pistols cap and ball can be fun, but I have shot a converted .357 revolver (I think it was a smith) but the cylinders had all been converted to cap and ball but they just used modern primers, smokeless powder and cast or FMJ .357 sized bullets the guy had 3 spare cylinders and they where quick to change out. Pretty sure those conversions are banned but I could be wrong. They only limited air rifles to 12FT/Lb to stop US imports that at the time used to be more powerful than British made air rifles. Now air rifles are a lot better and some are semi-auto even those are banned apart from copper BB guns with unrifled barrels. A decent PCP air rifle setup in the UK can cost much more than an AR15 setup in the US. I have even been told that they have banned lead pellets, shot and bullets now and while it may make it a little more expensive for pellets and shotgun cartridges, all copper .308 bullets would cost a fortune. I don't see how they could ban someone from casting but even with casting, a gas check and powder coating or paper patching you can't get full velocitys with many calibers. During the Olympics they had to change the law for a while just to allow .22lr olympic pistols as I think team GB would have to use air pistols or go to Jersey , Guernsey or France. I have heard of the police attempting to confiscate legally owned guns from people that had something small like an adult autism diagnosis........ Even when I was living in the UK you could buy realy nice used shotguns and rifles for a very low price as so many people gave up on their SC or FAC. A guy not far from where I was living was raided by armed police for shooting gulls on his own land (apparently seagulls are an protected species 😂) But that's not why they got him. I have known alot of die hard shooters give up from pressure , COVID was the perfect excuse to disarm people. Meanwhile some parts of the UK have the living standard of a 3rd world country, gangs in London don't seem to have a huge problem getting illigal guns. I'm pretty sure in the news someone did a drive by shooting with a Martini Henry rifle..... Forming the brass and relaoding such a caliber is not an easy or quick feat, anyone can buy an antique rifle but that's insanity. Anyway I'm sure it will not be fun for anyone once gangs learn the "Japanese style" I can just see it, guys with 6 of them just using and dropping them as if it was an early 1800s naval boarding party. (I'm sure half will blow up in their face)

[@gunnerroo6514]

As always Johnathan blows my mind with his vast amounts of knowledge. It's a shame this rifle didn't get as big as the Barrett because it was and still is a rather slick looking rifle. If I had to guess it's the weight that made it unappealing but honestly I have no idea. Thank you Jonathan for making another video on a personal childhood favorite.

[@EvilXero359]

It's probably because that the Barrett .50 cal came out 10-15 years before the AS50

[@Neur0nauT]

It was seemingly a chonker in comparison to the Barrett, but It think it was aptly designed for more static fire position than the lighter and more mobile M82 platform. It is well known that the recoil was much less due to its heftier break. If you thought of the AS50 is a Draught-horse, and a M85 is a Warmblood. Both still get the job done!

[@whitefox8376]

it's because size doesn't matter.

[@manz7860]

Thing looks ridiculous

[@colbunkmust]

It didn't get as big as the Barrett because they didn't sell it on the commercial market. If the only sales you can garner are military contracts, the cost per unit is going to remain high and noncompetitive outside of the UK. The only .50 that AI sells to civvis is bolt action. Maybe they knew it wasn't going to be as competitive as the Barrett in the US, or they weren't allowed to sell auto-loaders to the civilian market even outside of the UK.

[@i-_-am-_-g1467]

Jonathan is a legend, always wondered why he never put videos on his own channel!

[@alltat]

Too much work marketing a new channel and get subscribers over there too. Why bother with all that when you're already getting paid to do this?

[@i-_-am-_-g1467]

@@alltat well that's a completely moot point when he already has a channel with thousands of subs, some of which are from the biggest gun channels, there is literally no "marketing" needed so that doesn't matter, he would absolutely do better putting videos on his already grown channel as nobody watches gamespot or whatever the fuck it's called for games they go there for him. If he stopped doing that segment for that awful channel he'd be much bigger than he is and wouldn't be at the whim of some dogshit company nobody cared about until he came along.

[@alex_n8863]

Might be that he works for the Royal Armouries, these guns are not his own, but owned by the UK government. I imagine there are many restrictions in his contract!? 😉

[@theltlexay]

Fired one of these in the Aus Army, the concussion from the muzzle brake hit much harder than the recoil

[@michaelmacdonell4834]

PARDON? (grins cheekily)

[@jonpettet7085]

had a chat with jonathan some years ago about a ww2 german bomber shot down in may of 41,massive help from him.cheers

[@d33b33]

That MTC scope that Johnathan put on it for looks has only 10-11cm eye relief distance (it's mounted too far forward in this vid). That's a bit close to the eye for a .50BMG, hence the disclaimer, I suspect. Fascinating shoulder cannon, this beauty. 👍

[@shockwave6213]

While I agree this scope is a bit small for a rifle this size, the 4 inch eye relief is plenty for a 50 cal using a good braced shooting form. And the position on it seems alright for someone who likes to shoot with a head forward cheek weld.

[@SIXGHz]

Jonathan Ferguson is a bone fide legendary badass

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

You are too kind :)

[@lukewoodside9420]

15:06 It has to be satisfying when you are considered to be so expert in your field that someone changes a Wikipedia page because you said something offhand. Also imagine Jonathan applying for a firearms licence. Firearms Officer: "You must do a course on firearm safety and a class on your particular firearm". Jonathan: "I wrote the course".

[@kebabsvein1]

I loved the AS-50 in MW3 back in the day. It’s something different to use compared to the usual m82 Barrett. Some really chunky components!

[@ap4702]

I knew I recognised it from mw3. That AS50 rang a bell.

[@EvilXero359]

That and when you first unlock it and if the scope was left alone you'd get the lowest possible zoom whereas just about all the other SWSs have the default medium strength scope

[@dave_724]

It would be great to get Ian from forgotten weapons and you on screen would you ever do in depth videos of how the rifles function such as strip down

[@The_Tool_Scoop]

Fascinating content and really well explained. I did have a brief stint working for the RA a few years ago but unfortunately not at this location.

[@Redswipe]

I remember dying an awful lot to scumbag snipers using this thing back in the old DayZ mod lol

[@chocobloco214]

Core memory unlocked thank you 😅

[@jacksmith3537]

AS50 fucking thermal 😂

[@garethh6962]

In a computer game anyone who used one of these in real life would not have put DayZ..

[@Dutch4609]

@@chocobloco214 more like trauma😅

[@theonlytnargmatt]

Anyone in Cherno?

[@JakeBurgessOutdoors]

This rifle got me into shooting after using it in DayZ now I have my own Accuracy international AT on order I have come full circle

[@connormatthews522]

Come to find myself looking forward to these videos JF, on form as usual mate

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Thank you!

[@untrust2033]

Really nice having a more in depth look at these weapons

[@ThomasRonnberg]

Jeeez last time i saw an image of this rifle must be 15 years ago. Totally forgot this existed.

[@squaddie67]

Any chance of a look at the Accuracy International bolt action .50? The AW50 is a lovely bit of kit, used in EOD for deflagration purposes using APHCI ammunition.

[@wiggawithattitude]

Yes indeed. This is how I used it. Never in anger unfortunately, but the course was good

[@michaelhill6451]

5:33 I would add that even if the vents aren't swept backwards, it is a surprising fact that a large amount of recoil is from the momentum of the propellant gases. These gases have a velocity up to 1.5 times the bullet velocity. So say you have 45 grains of powder and a 150 grain bullet, the propellent gases have up to 45% as much momentum as the bullet (~31% of the total recoil). By redirecting the gases out the side, you avoid the momentum of the propellant gases from adding to the recoil impulse. By directing the gas backwards you can reduce the perceived recoil even more. This is actually one reason that suppressors reduce felt recoil (over the reduction from adding weight to the gun). They reduce the exit velocity of the propellant gases.

[@DavidAJones11]

Hi Jonathan - at 3:07 does the 'A' not stand for 'Arctic'? It went 'Arctic Warfare', 'AWM' (Arctic Warfare Magnum), 'AW50' (Arctic Warfare, .50 Calibre), ..., 'AS50', so I assumed AS50 would stand for 'Arctic Warfare, Semi Automatic'?

[@Stevenwave-]

Not necessarily. I'm just going off what I can see online: Originally, there was the AI PM (Precision Marksman). This was picked as the new sniper for the Brits, as the L96A1. Later, the Swedes wanted a new sniper, and AI introduced the PM Arctic Warfare. This was an upgraded variant tailored to cold conditions. It has various changes, such as more room for cute little mittens to keep your fingies warm while you crack some headshots. So I assume they really only label a model/variant as an AW if it's got these cold fighting elements. The various AWs seem to all be based on the same overall platform too sfar as I can tell, or at least the same overall style, being bolt-action. Whereas the AS50 is different in a lot of ways. I'd guess they went with the "AS50" name so it sounds similar to their other offerings.

[@theflyingfool]

My only criticism is the very busy background that makes it somewhat visually difficult to separate the weapon from all it's cousins.

[@jjforcebreaker]

In the looks department- for sure. Thanks for another great video!

[@tobiashagstrom4168]

What, are you saying this looks better than the Barret? IDK what it is, but brits don't make things pretty man. I feel like their designs designs are often awkwardly bulbous, like the weird height of this gun, yet with an attempt at streamlining, removing any kind of geometric balance or order to the silhuette, yet they somehow still manage to make the design look sort of noisy and cluttered, often with really dull dark colors. Am I wrong? Even the Russians seem to be better at it, at least there's a kind of edgy funkiness to their aesthetic. (BTW, full disclosure, I'm Swedish, and what few guns we have tend to be fairly ugly as well, shame on us.)

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

@@tobiashagstrom4168 I think the various muzzleloaders from 'Bess' to Pattern 1853, the Snider, Martini, Lee series, and the EM2 are all pretty streamlined in design terms. Heck, even the original SA80 design was, before it became super boxy and ugly :) Even the Sten is pretty utilitarian and not bulky. Ditto the Sterling - a classic and slick design in my book. Obviously the SLR is Belgian and the Bren Czech so they don't count :)

[@tobiashagstrom4168]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Realizing I'm debating guns with Jonathan Ferguson is a bit intimidating. Well, the Sten works, because it's so obviously scrounged together that there's a charm to it, though someone manged to make the cursed viper out of it, so I'm not sure I can forgive it. The Sterling SMG is fine, I'll give you that. Now obviously, I respect form following function, but from a purely artistic aesthetic standpoint, I'm bothered by designs that are geometrically and chromatically cluttered, or that have conflicting geometry. Mixing of soft and hard shapes, right and obtuse angles, it's not easy on the eyes. Take the AS50, it has straight lines going from the stock forward, giving the rear 1/4 a really blocky feel, but then at the mag, it's sort of like the line "breaks", and it sort of shifts into this kind of tapered overall shape, yet with various parts along the way preventing it from really looking sleek. I think to make a design look distinct and satisfying, you gotta commit to clear, clean shapes, such as having a "step" from there receiver to the barrel, or have more clear transitional elements, rather than this jumbled taper of overlapping stuff. I think it's something similar to how good cartoon characters are designed, you want distinct silhouettes, you want colors and contrasts that direct and anchor your attention in the right way, etc. Again, these are just my take on these sort of abstract aesthetic principles, but I still feel that most guns work better in these regard than something like this AS50, or the SA80. It could be that your view on this kind of thing changes the more you learn, the more you know about the function of an object, there more you appreciate how the form follows that function, and helps you appreciate that form, so it could be I'm not immersed enough in gun functionality to appreciate them in that way to the same extent you are, I think more in general artistic principles as I understand them. As for older wood furniture rifles and such generally look pretty good, because the strong contrast between the wood and metal elements help section the object up, and makes it less noisy, and they're usually simpler anyway, and tend to have a very uncomplicated sleek shape, hard to go wrong there.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

@@tobiashagstrom4168 You're right about the SA80 and AS50, I just don't think you can say the same of most British designs. Take a look at the Martini, for example.

[@tobiashagstrom4168]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Again, sure, the Martini Henry is good, but older, simpler wood-furniture guns are pretty much always gonna look decent.

[@castform57]

I like Jonathan's use of enormous to describe parts of these massive guns.

[@CatsAreRubbish]

The AS50 was my favourite rifle by far in Arma 2. My longest multiplayer kill with it was 2,100m (plus change).

[@Alx_Flameniro]

as a fan if not the biggest fan of AS50 from a game called CrossFire, I really appreciate that you review this gun, even though not the first version of it which is the gun I love. I never play any other games that has the AS50, but I love it ever since the game released this beauty. I even called it "Fat Wive" on daily basis

[@magecraft2]

I am sure I read about the use of a Boys AT rifle used for antimateriel role in WW2 funny how cycles revolve in so many things :)

[@MartinWillett]

Anything designed to penetrate inter-war tanks would be effective as an anti-materiel rifle against large unarmoured targets. An ideal anti-materiel rifle would use a heavier calibre bullet at not quite so high a velocity. Also semi-automatic is superior. You can still kill a Frenchman at 150 yards with a longbow. "Obsolete" is a relative concept. You could seriously mess up military or civilian airfields with a Boys from deep cover.

[@Stevenwave-]

I just did a quick goog and seems it goes back even further. The Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr is the first anti-tank rifle, so technically that's the first anti-materiel. The Brits fielded the Mk IV tank, with plating the Germans couldn't get through with the rifle firing armour piercing ammo they had been using. So Mauser whipped these up as an answer. So this idea is officially a century old now.

[@bigblocklawyer]

A round developed by an American over 110 years ago is still as viable as ever.

[@Timesend]

Insane bit of kit 🔥 I love her

[@BenBallard13]

Accuracy International rifles are beautiful. I love their AW50 platforms (Arctic Warfare). They have oversized trigger guards that are also swingable, so they can be fired wearing cold weather gloves. They also have spiral drilled bolts so that the ice/snow can be knocked out easily and the bolt won't freeze in the breach.

[@MrAndyBark]

Absolutely love these videos. Is there any chance we could get to see Johnathan fire the rifles on a range?

[@josephgarvin3998]

Minus the optic and the magazine, it suddenly looks remarkably like some kind of Star Wars heavy rifle - might be worth recommending if Disney/Lucasfilm come round for suggestions again!

[@samholdsworth420]

Why did you mention Disney 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@greycatturtle7132]

Lmao yes

[@justandy333]

So I'm a manual machinist and currently learning CNC machining. The thing that gets me about all of these rifles and just guns in general is the complexity of the parts. In principle the rifle is a very simple concept, but you get down to the knitty gritty as Jon is here, you begin to understand just how complex these systems are. Each part has to be machined to a very high tolerance and each piece is very intricate requiring many processes (not just machining) to make them. Then they all have to be quality checked and only then can they be assembled and ready for testing. No wonder why guns cost so much to make, especially low quantity orders or prototypes when mass production techniques are not used. This video makes all this quite apparent.

[@henryattfield8979]

My dad was part of the military testers for the British 50 cal and fired it in Ireland

[@Chris-mn7yy]

This guy has the best job in the world.

[@TMFShooting]

Thanks Jonathan , Brilliant Video

[@Futureshucks]

Even if you never fire it at the enemy, you could probably secure it to a jet and then drop it on the enemy.

[@Tomeh27]

08:22 What a glorious sound!

[@JimBrodie]

This was my favourite bit of kit in Farcry 2. An oft overlooked machine, like the Pauza Specialties rifles.

[@pixythegunner]

How about anything about Bren and L4?

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

We did cover the belt-fed attempt - kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5O2Y6iabsqBmdU But I'm sure another Bren will crop up in due course.

[@smiffy5075]

Love your videos Jonathan!

[@michaelhall6696]

Great video Jonathan!

[@Lonewolfmike]

I remember this from Future Weapons.

[@zwenkwiel816]

Why are there so many rails on there? Like what would you mount to this rifle other than an optic and a bipod or something?

[@u_t2347]

Some would say being a Top Gear presenter is a dream job but for me this would be. Not too fussed on firing them. Going through the history an how it works is what I like about them.

[@Stevenwave-]

Tonight: We give a gun guy, a sword.

[@VirusesX01]

Small heads up: at 16:59 onwards, sound only comes out of the left side of headphone Still, great video!

[@cuteshadow]

Jonathan and Matt, those guys make my knees weak ...

[@TheFirstCurse1]

Who's Matt?

[@gabrieloak9852]

Amazing looking sword. If only it was made here. I would have loved to have one.

[@rogersmith8339]

Good old Malcolm really started something and really new what he was doing, RIP Malcolm.

[@Bosscheesemo]

8:08 You can tell he loves racking that thing 👍

[@taffylad5349]

I shot 10 rounds of .50 cal at Adrenaline Mountain Las Vegas. Which at $200 for 10 shots it was simply awesome, what a rush squeezing of those rounds at targets 200yrds away. Surprised at how low the recoil actually is, though my shoulder did ache a bit the day after.

[@XBullitt16X]

Accuracy International made a 50 cal ? I had no idea. Oh boy, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.

[@Alx_Flameniro]

you never search for AW50 or AX50??? Yes, they did.

[@aileronsintowind6835]

Still remember the SF lads weapon testing this on Salisbury AT range .. we were doing javelin fire drills and weapon skills test when they turned up with the new model and started smashing the living hell out of AT targets down range.

[@samchapple6363]

Edged weapons look cool

[@commanderpotato5244]

Hey Jonathan! I’ve been a fan ever since watching you on game spot long time ago. I have a question, what’s your favorite fire arm in the armory?

[@awsomewolfman124]

Well, considering he's said his favorite gun is the MP5 I'd assume one of those?

[@k-mc94]

@@awsomewolfman124 Could be a close call with his emotional support STG

[@derekp2674]

@@k-mc94 If Jonathan uses an STG for emotional support, what might he favour for fire support?

[@supremeghost7950]

The EM2. He published a book about british firearms and it seemed like he really likes that rifle, because his video about the EM2 was very detailed and you could hear his excitement when he can talk about it.

[@DominusRexDK]

Toto on a sword he says...... 😅 I hear the drums echoing tonight But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation She's coming in, 12:30 flight The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation I stopped an old man along the way Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies He turned to me as if to say "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you" It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do I bless the rains down in Africa I bless the rains down in Africa (I bless the rain) I bless the rains down in Africa I bless the rains down in Africa I bless the rains down in Africa (Gonna take the time) Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)

[@cosmo9882]

Awesome, thank you

[@LORDIRONFANGWEREWOLF]

was there a bolt action model too?

[@anhondacivic6541]

There was the AW50 but that was based on the artic warfare series of rifles rather than the AS-50

[@Mighty_Dork]

Jonathan is just a sweetheart

[@jaminstrat]

If I remember correctly the British tv show “ultimate force” had an episode which involved an aw50 in it.

[@Sean--]

Johnathan, so you ever think you will be able to make a video with Ian from forgotten weapons,

[@jedijonnie2810]

My Jon what a big one

[@JamesPond93]

i would love a garand thumb and jonathan colab :)

[@murkyseb]

Very interesting

[@Frank_Quantaine]

Fascinating as always, Jon. On a sidenote, any chance we'll see another collaboration between you and Ian any time soon? It's been too long since we've seen you two shoot the shit. (unless I missed one)

[@TheHorzabora]

That is a seriously science fiction rifle. Seriously. Beautiful looking, I trust it performs as good as it looks ;-)

[@DGneoseeker1]

My preciousssss. I remember finding one of those in DayZ.

[@samholdsworth420]

8:35 Jonathan wasn't wrong, the thing looks not quite right without a scope 🤔

[@yeongvinsheng7639]

As50 only appeared sporadically since its debut on Shot show 2005, and vanished not long after. Worse still, Accuracy International acted as if it never existed. A shame of what could been an alternative to the M82/M107.😢

[@regentofregrets644]

Never expected seeing a hand and a half great sword in a video

[@nerd1000ify]

Do you have a Hispano cannon? I'd love to see a teardown of one and some commentary on its hybrid gas operated/blowback operating system.

[@MikeS10]

very cool vid and what a big gun sheesh. also cool dealio with the swords 😎

[@Not_Liam19]

I remember 15 years back when I was 10 and catterick barracks did an opening day and they had an m82a1 there. At the time it was monsterous compared to me, it would be interesting to handle one again

[@matthewblairrains6032]

I'm curious as to why the bullet casing seems to be painted?

[@Oldtanktapper]

Probably to indicate it’s a dummy training round and not live.

[@kc9602]

Yeah. What's known in the UK as a 'drill round'. Used in training, weighs the same as a live round, to simulate weight and handling.

[@kumarj4693]

It all comes down to the rounds in the end. Everything on the gun can be modded to match spec. The American rounds have more kick than the NATO when it comes down to .50 BMG rounds. They apparently go longer and put more damage.

[@michaelguerin56]

Thank you. Nice video but … tipping breech block in a breech block carrier, as per FN FAL, SLR L1A1, etc.!

[@MrDDiRusso]

SERBU BFG-50A is also direct gas impingement system and it is considerably lighter than either the Barrett or the AS50.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Yes, an interesting design as always from Mr Serbu!

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

I was wondering if maybe this was inspired by it or what. Idk when exactly they each started work on their guns but he mentioned 2005 I think on here and I've seen 2002 listed online for at least the design of the BFG50A so not sure

[@WolfHeathen]

This rifle without the rail attachment system reminds me of the SPT32 Grad from Cyberpunk 2077.

[@Manco65]

The M82 Barrett suffers from the fact that the original model had relatively loose tolerances to allow for function. There is, or was, an "accurizing" kit that tightened up the barrel travel a little bit. Same general principal of a tighter barrel bushing on a 1911. And yep don't screw around and fire one sans muzzle brake. I got involved testing prototype .50BMG rifles and felt like a crash test dummy when firing some without one or with a true recoil pad. 2" of stacked corrugated cardboard is only good for 1 shot, if that.🙄 This AS50 ought to be more inherently accurate than the the M82 because of it's none reciprocating barrel. It's a shame it didn't go much further in use.

[@J1mston]

I’ll definitely have a look at the swords. I have one already, a replica Viking sword but want a 2 gander next. I wonder if they’re on display in the gift shop in Leeds, it’s been a while since I visited so I could see before I buy if I went again. Just got to try and work around the train strikes because I hate driving in Leeds.

[@marcusgault9909]

Malcolm Cooper was quite some shooting guy.

[@jean-yvesmead3972]

Aw, MAS-49 is all grown up.

[@derekp2674]

Yes that bolt and carrier look very MAS-49 to me too. But let's try and keep this secret, because "The French copy no-one and no-one copies the French".

[@Pelmedeeznuts]

shhh! don't let Gun Jesus find out your comment!

[@certs743]

Interesting video. As a civilian I find myself scratching my head as to what kind of rail system attachment would be remotely useful on a long rand rifle. The usual sights, optics and lights seem kind of pointless since you are not going to be using it in close quarters.

[@rickymherbert2899]

Showing your age there Jonathan using the Harrier as a comparison thingy. 🙃

[@withershin]

I was on a tour of the citadel in Quebec, Quebec and went down into the walls with a small group years ago. We came into a room and two Canadian Forces guys were testing this rifle with some crazy electronic scope I've never seen before. We never had any clue what the rifle was but knew it was a .50 from the magazine. 18 years later or so I now know what they were testing (circa 2005) as the rifle but still have never seen that scope set-up ever again anywhere not anything close. The spotter just turned to our tour group leader and said, "umm you have to leave now and you didn't see this".

[@malevolentia28]

I've never clicked this fast on a YT video lmao

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

Even the name of the company "Accuracy International" is cool.

[@COSMOKRAT_616]

The AS50 is the british answer to the barret 50 like Johnathan is the british answer to Ian from forgotten weapons lol

[@malcolmtaylor518]

The cover on your demonstration table needs to be white so the rifle details stand out more. Thanks for the video.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

You're not wrong, but white gets dirty very easily and quickly :)

[@malcolmtaylor518]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Thanks for the reply. Enjoying the videos.

[@marklelohe3754]

Excellent video. Please could you clarify: You said that the rifle was developed by A.I. for the U.S. Navy, presumably for SEALS. Did the rifle go into production? It was trialled by MOD obviously, since that is a trials rifle. What was the outcome? Was it exported to any other countries or does the USN own the design and tooling?