By: Friedrich Seiltgen

Copyright ©2022

Tampa-based Serbu Firearms has been in the business of producing .50 BMG guns since 1995.  Serbu Firearms was founded by Mark Serbu, who earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1990.  Serbu went to work in the flight simulator industry and in 1995 began designing and building the Serbu BFG-50 part-time.  In 1999 Serbu left the simulator industry to concentrate on his dream of building rifles full-time.

As I was researching Mr. Serbu, I discovered he was a staunch 2nd amendment advocate who doesn’t bend a knee to the anti-gun mob.  You would think that’s a given for a firearms manufacturer, but you would be surprised.  In 2013 Serbu refused to sell his rifles to the NYPD after the N.Y. legislature passed the NY SAFE Act, aka more gun control.  Then to top it off, he created a parody of the Seinfeld soup Nazi with a t-shirt that said “No Serbu For You” using a picture Larry Thomas, the actor who played the role.  Thomas was not amused, and the picture was replaced with none other than Serbu himself!

The single-shot bolt action BFG-50 was his first design, followed by the semi-auto BFG-50A with a 10- round magazine, and his latest creation, the RN-50.  The RN-50 is a single-shot, break action, with a threaded breech — interesting, to say the least.  The rifle uses a lower that is compatible with some AR-15 parts, most pistol grips, and all AR-15 buttstocks.

To fire the RN-50, simply break open the rifle, unscrew the breech cap, insert the round, and screw the breech shut.  The breech is cannon style.  While this system is unique, the design increases accuracy as the breech cap applies “Absolute symmetrical support to the cartridge case.”

SPECIFICATIONS

Action Type: Break Action with threaded breech.

Caliber: .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun)

Magazine capacity: N/A

Sights: 0 MOA Picatinny rail for your choice of optics

Barrel Length: 29.5 inches, alloy steel, with 1:15 button rifling and the Serbu 8 port “Shark Brake.” Optional 18, 22, & 36 inch barrels available.

Overall Length: 48.5 inches

Weight: 17 pounds

MSRP: $1,599, Buttstock $130, Bipod $185

URL: www.serbu.com

Mark Serbu has another winner on his hands.  The RN-50 is a well-designed, quality manufactured, entry-level, .50 caliber rifle. If you are looking at a way to get into shooting a .50 BMG, the RN-50 will get you there at a great price point. Now go check it out!

That’s all for now folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article Ideas.  And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There”

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department.   He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms, First Aid, Active Shooter Response, and Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations in Florida.  His writing has appeared in RECOIL, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.  Contact him at [email protected]