Kentucky Ballistics' RN-50 Blow-up: First Look

This video tests the kinetic impact force of various rifle calibers using a specialized punching machine equipped with ceramic plates. Lighter, high-velocity rounds like 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm registered minimal force, while heavier, slower projectiles such as .50 Beowulf and .338 Lapua demonstrated significantly higher impact. The .50 BMG round completely destroyed the testing apparatus, showcasing its extreme power.

This video tests the terminal ballistics of custom clay bullets across various calibers, including .40 S&W, 12 Gauge slugs and buckshot, .300 BLK, and .50 BMG. The results show that while clay bullets can create impact marks and penetrate light materials, they tend to fragment or vaporize upon significant impact, especially at higher velocities or with larger calibers. The .300 BLK and .50 BMG rounds fragmented almost instantly due to extreme forces.

This video tests the safety of bullpup rifles during catastrophic failure. A Kel-Tec RFB in .308 Winchester was subjected to a specially loaded round exceeding 300,000 PSI. While the rifle experienced a massive explosion, destroying the lower receiver and magazine, slow-motion analysis showed the heavy metal upper receiver largely shielded the ballistic dummy's face from direct debris, indicating the bullpup design can offer protection in extreme failure scenarios.

This video tests ten popular deer rifle calibers using ballistic gel to evaluate terminal performance. The .308 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum demonstrated excellent penetration and expansion, while the 6.5 Creedmoor fragmented significantly. The .300 Winchester Magnum over-penetrated, and the .243 Winchester showed the weakest performance.

This video tests the ballistic penetration of various firearms calibers through a 2500-gallon water tank. Results show that even powerful rounds like .50 BMG and 5.56 NATO fragment or deform significantly upon entering the water, failing to reach a target 6.5 feet away. Smaller calibers like .22 LR and 9mm are stopped with minimal deformation. Approximately 6.5 feet of water provides substantial protection against most common firearms.

This review tests the novelty 'Lighter Pistol,' a single-shot .22 Colibri firearm disguised as a Zippo lighter. Despite its unique design, testing revealed extremely low power, with .22 Colibri rounds penetrating only 3 inches in ballistics gel and failing to penetrate a dummy head. Comparisons with a NAA .22 Short revolver highlighted the Lighter Pistol's ineffectiveness as a self-defense tool.

Mark Serbu details the complex process of converting a CNC lathe into a 12-barrel blank-firing machine gun. The project highlights the critical role of a lathe's C Axis for precise rotational control and the application of PID control theory to overcome initial firing failures. Modifications were made to ensure the device fires blanks only, avoiding legal issues.

This video demonstrates how to rifle a barrel in a home shop using basic tools, bypassing expensive CNC equipment. It covers material preparation, precise drilling and reaming, and the critical process of pushing a rifling button. While a DIY approach is shown to be possible, the video highlights the significant difference in quality and precision achievable with professional CNC machining.

Mark Serbu, designer of the RN-50, addresses a catastrophic failure experienced by Kentucky Ballistics. He reassures customers about the RN-50's safety, attributing the incident to counterfeit or over-pressured ammunition. Serbu highlights the rarity of such events and emphasizes industry transparency, noting that his company has produced approximately 1,400 RN-50s since 2016 with hundreds of thousands of rounds fired without issue.

Mark Serbu details his unique .22 LR NFA AOW 'Butt-Master' pen gun, designed over 20 years ago. He explains its simple striker-fired mechanism, the cocking cutout, and the breech loading process. Serbu highlights the firearm's specific ban by name in Canada, despite only one existing and remaining in his possession. The video also showcases a custom suppressor and concludes with a demonstration of the Olight PL-3 Valkyrie weapon light.