The video opens on Memorial Day with a reminder to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending U.S. freedoms. Viewers are encouraged to enjoy time with family, grilling, and relaxing, while remembering that many service members rest in places like Arlington National Cemetery and others are still deployed. After this reflection, the host introduces a personal list of top five U.S. military firearms, noting that future changes to standard-issue weapons are coming. The ranking is presented as subjective, based on experience and historical impact, rather than a definitive or exhaustive catalog of every American service weapon.
The first firearm discussed is the Beretta M9, placed at number five. The pistol has a mixed reputation among service members, but the issued examples used in Marine Corps reserve service have been reliable. The M9 is chambered in 9mm and has been in U.S. service since the mid‑1980s, evolving from the Beretta 92FS into variants such as the M9, M9A1, M9A2, and M9A3. The M9A3 adds raised night sights, a threaded barrel suitable for suppressor use, a slimmer and more comfortable grip, and a Picatinny rail for accessories like the SureFire X300 weapon light. Magazine capacity has increased from 15 to 17 rounds. Other notable U.S. sidearms are mentioned, including the Colt 1873, the 1911, the SIG P226, and emerging Glock and SIG M17/M18 pistols, but the M9 is highlighted as the iconic modern U.S. military sidearm on this list.
At number four is the Benelli M4 combat shotgun, represented on the table by a Panzer M4 clone. The issued Benelli M4 features a two‑position collapsible stock, which aids transport and maneuvering in vehicles such as Humvees, especially compared to carrying a full‑length M16A4. The clone shown has a fixed stock but mimics the handling and operating characteristics of the original. The Benelli M4 uses a dual gas piston system that runs cleanly and contributes to reliability. Once the shooter adapts to the recoil and timing of a semi‑automatic shotgun, rapid strings of fire, including fast five‑round “mag dumps,” are manageable. The weight and gas system help tame recoil, making it comfortable and effective for close‑quarters roles. The shotgun’s performance and reliability in service lead to its inclusion on the list despite the host noting the stock is not the most ergonomic design.
The number three slot goes to the M1 Garand, chambered in .30‑06 and fed by an eight‑round en‑bloc clip. The rifle is associated with General George Patton’s description as the “greatest battle implement ever devised,” and its distinctive clip ejection sound is noted as part of its appeal. The M1 Garand served extensively in World War II, Korea, and into the early stages of the Vietnam War, and still appears in some regions and ceremonial roles. The discussion cautions against using modern high‑pressure .30‑06 loads in original rifles, recommending M2 Ball ammunition to avoid damaging the operating rod. The M14 is mentioned as an evolution of the Garand, using a short‑stroke piston system, detachable 20‑round magazines, and 7.62 NATO (.308) chambering. Although the M14 had a short tenure as the standard U.S. service rifle, it continues in limited and ceremonial use, including on Navy ships and color guards, illustrating the long legacy of the Garand‑M14 lineage.
The number two position is given to the Browning M2 .50 BMG machine gun, commonly called the Ma Deuce. The .50 BMG cartridge and belt‑fed design provide substantial firepower, and the weapon remains in service more than a century after its development began near the end of World War I. Design work on the M2 grew out of John Browning’s earlier .30‑caliber M1919, effectively scaling it up from .30 caliber to .50 caliber. The M2 officially entered service in 1933 and gained prominence during World War II, where it was mounted on aircraft wings, vehicles, and tripods. Examples include World War II “warbirds” such as the F4U Corsair, which carried six .50‑caliber guns, three in each wing. The gun uses a butterfly‑style trigger at the rear spade grips, allowing the operator to depress both paddles and fire sustained bursts. The M2 is heavy and not practical to carry far by hand, but its versatility in mounting options and the power of the .50 BMG cartridge explain its enduring role in U.S. forces.
The list culminates with Eugene Stoner’s M16 family, designed in the late 1950s and adopted in the mid‑1960s. The rifle replaced the heavier, wood‑stocked 7.62 NATO M14 with a lighter platform using aluminum, polymers, and the 5.56×45mm cartridge. Early reactions in the ranks often compared the new rifle unfavorably to the robust M14, but the reduced weight and smaller cartridge allowed soldiers and Marines to carry significantly more ammunition, an advantage in environments like the jungles of Vietnam. The 5.56 round is described as lightweight and fast, and the platform has undergone numerous iterations and improvements since its introduction. While the specific later variants are not detailed in this segment, the M16 is identified as the enduring U.S. service rifle design, reflecting Stoner’s lasting influence on American small arms.
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