Shawn Ryan Tests a Full Auto M249 and a 40mm Grenade Launcher
Shawn Ryan visits a shooting range to test several fully automatic and specialty weapons, including a Glock 44 in full auto, a Maxim 9 suppressed pistol, an M249 SAW in 5.56, and a BNT GL6 40mm grenade launcher. The video is casual and comedic in tone, with Shawn reacting to the weapons' recoil and performance. He credits Thompson Station Armory's Jonathan for supplying the weapons and ammunition.
Summary
In this shooting range video, Shawn Ryan returns to weapon testing content after a long absence, joined by at least one other person off-camera. The session features a progression of firearms, starting with lighter options and escalating to heavier, more exotic weapons.
The session opens with a Glock 44 in .22 caliber run in full auto, which Shawn describes as fun and surprisingly impressive. He then transitions to the Silencer Co Maxim 9, a 9mm integrally suppressed pistol, which he fires at targets at varying distances. He notes the weapon 'creeps up' on you with recoil and is 'pretty impractical' but still desirable.
The video's centerpiece is the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) in 5.56mm full auto, which Shawn fires with clear enthusiasm. He demonstrates a magazine ('nut sack') change and expresses satisfaction that the barrel did not fail under the automatic fire. He references his military background, noting comfort and familiarity with the platform.
The final and most dramatic weapon tested is the BNT GL6, a 40mm grenade launcher. Shawn notes he has not fired this specific variant before, though he qualified with the HK version during his military service, requiring a 100-yard run followed by hitting a silhouette target at 50 yards. He humorously introduces the GL6 as his 'home defense setup,' noting the manufacturer re-engineered the round to arm at 5 yards with a 10-yard kill radius. The results are visually dramatic.
Throughout the video, Shawn maintains a casual, humorous tone, joking about neighbors, Hollywood depictions of weapons, and his collection of 'impractical' firearms. He closes by thanking Jonathan from Thompson Station Armory for providing the weapons and ammunition.
Key Insights
- Shawn Ryan notes that the Maxim 9 suppressed pistol, while impressive, is 'pretty impractical' — yet he still wants one, stating that half his collection is impractical.
- Shawn Ryan mentions that in a previous career he did gun reviews for a living, referencing proprietary magazines he considered the best-engineered at the time.
- Shawn Ryan describes his military qualification standard for the 40mm grenade launcher: soldiers had to run 100 yards and then hit a silhouette-sized target at 50 yards.
- Shawn Ryan explains that the BNT GL6's manufacturer re-engineered the 40mm round to arm at just 5 yards with a 10-yard kill radius, compared to the standard 25-meter arming distance.
- Shawn Ryan jokes about introducing the 40mm grenade launcher as his 'home defense setup,' satirizing Hollywood tropes around exotic weapon ownership.
Topics
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