Editorial

In 2019, the Russian news agency RG.RU released a photo of several new products from Kalashnikov Concern. The weapons were displayed during a visit by Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, where the diversification and reduction of the military-industrial complex were among the topics discussed. The image showed several different weapons, including the RPK-16, an early prototype of the RPL-20, the 12.7x108/12.7x99 SV-18 large-caliber sniper rifle, and a pair of SVCh sniper rifles in different flavors. In the center of the photo sat a unique-looking light machine gun that had not yet been publicly identified. To this day, its designation has not been officially released to the public, and details about the weapon and the program behind it remain behind closed doors.

For today’s Photo Of The Day, we have pictures of the new XM8 Carbine used by the members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. The XM8 is designed to improve maneuverability, especially in confined environments, while retaining the same 6.8×51mm ammunition and core operating system as the M7.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about cool versus capable carry guns. If you happen to miss that article, be sure to click the link here. This week, we’ll start a multiple-part series about various holsters on the market and what's best for you. We will go through what materials are available and what will be best for you based on your needs and what firearm you prefer to carry.

One of the longest-standing American gun control laws was kicked to the curb by the federal government back in January. Now, as of April 2, the United States Postal Service says it is working on updated guidelines for shipping handguns in the mail—something that’s been banned for nearly 100 years.

Looking to arm yourself with Ruger’s updated, budget-friendly bolt-action, but you’re left-handed? Good news—Ruger now says it’s offering left-handed versions of its Gen II American bolt-action rifles.

Colt's Manufacturing Company has been awarded a $40,863,564 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the production of M4 and M4A1 carbines under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The contract covers deliveries to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, North Macedonia, and Tunisia, with work scheduled to run through March 31, 2031.

In this episode of TFB Behind the Gun, I sit down with Riley Hart, Design Engineer at Heckler & Koch USA and the founder of Romeo Hotel Engineering. From designing the Thicc-Boi-12 shotgun suppressor for the Standard Manufacturing DP-12 to exploring radical concepts like his Gyro Brake, a gyroscopic style stabilizer intended to tame muzzle climb and recoil, Riley embodies the intersection of serious mechanical engineering and unapologetic gun nerd experimentation. We dive into how he balances OEM work at HK with running his own small shop design lab, what “unconventional firearms projects” really look like on the bench, and how his approach to suppression, stabilization, and platform-specific solutions challenges some of the industry’s stale assumptions. You can learn more about Riley’s work through his company’s website at Romeo Hotel Engineering – Unconventional Firearms Design ( https://www.romeohoteleng.com) and keep up with his projects and ideas on his social channels.

There is a moment every precision shooter knows: the stage timer beeps, and you have to make a barricade, a fence post, a window ledge, or whatever you fear the most, some kind of improvised field position your rock-solid shooting platform. In that moment, the difference between a hit and a miss often comes down to what is sitting between your rifle and that imperfect surface. That is where shooting bags earn their keep. In this review, we’ll take a look at a sticky bag from Armageddon Gear I’ve been using for 7 years - and something brand new I recently discovered!

Today’s Photo of the Day showcases a selection of Pro Tuning Taipan pistols, all developed in-house by the Frankonia Tuning Center in Germany. Each variant is built with a clear focus on precision shooting. While the images highlight a range of different configurations and visual styles, every model shares the same foundation, drawing from proven CZ-based designs.

Welcome back to another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday. This week, I want to look at the world of lightweight revolvers that are on the market and how they drastically differ from their full-metal variants. I recently bought the new Smith & Wesson Nightguard and although I'm not ready to release my full review yet, I have a standard 686+ that is almost identical except for weight. Shooting them side by side has been interesting to see the differences. When you look at other options like the airweights, there are two very different guns that you have the ability to choose from. Let's take a closer look at lightweight versus full-weight revolvers.

Heckler & Koch has announced the VP9CC, a new micro-compact pistol chambered in 9mm and manufactured at HK's factory in Oberndorf, Germany. The VP9CC is positioned as a smaller variant of the VP9 platform, retaining the ergonomic features and design language of the full-sized line rather than being developed as an entirely separate product.

Last month the Canadian Armed Forces announced they will be replacing thier C7 rifles and C8 carbines with variants of Colt Canada’s MRR. Up to 65,000 the new rifles, known as the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle (CMAR), are set to be procured over the next 5 years. Colt Optics has announced that they have been selected to provide a 1-6x LPVO.

Wilson Combat has expanded its X9 series with the eXperior Elite Commander Double Stack. This 9mm pistol blends the line’s familiar ergonomics with modern, high-capacity performance aimed at everyday carry and defensive use.

Springfield Armory has introduced a new compact variant of its SA-35 series, adding a 4-inch 9mm model to the lineup. The release builds on the established SA-35 platform, offering a shorter configuration while maintaining the core design and features that define the series. The SA-35 is a modern interpretation of the classic Browning Hi-Power, originally developed by John Moses Browning

In the late 1990s, the famous German company Heckler & Koch set out to build a new 5.56x45 NATO belt-fed light machine gun for the German Army that could challenge the FN Minimi/M249, which was widely used by many NATO nations. Somehow, they used the Minimi/M249, which was designed by Ernest Vervier at FN Herstal, as the basis for the HK design and improved it. The project first appeared under the designation MG43, which is a conventional, gas-operated design that incorporates all current trends in small-arms development. HK’s design incorporated improvements to withstand heavy use and adverse conditions, and one interesting feature was the weight; the initial MG43 weighed 14.10 lbs. (6.4 kg).

Some firearms are built to disappear into holsters and hard used. Others are built to be looked at first, and then fired. The Chiappa Rhino Elite 60DS sits somewhere in between. Limited to just 44 pieces, this 2026 Elite variant takes the already unconventional Rhino platform and pushes it into unfamiliar territory.

Welcome back to TFB's Small Business Spotlight! In this series, we take a look at small firearm-related businesses. Today, we have a luxury firearms dealer out of Park City, Utah: Bespoke Park City.

For a while there, it looked like American gun sales numbers were going to trend down, down down—but that trend has reversed, and in March of 2026, we saw sales of well over a million guns, and a year-over-year increase.

Want to shoot a suppressed rifle, but standard rifle loads are still packing too much velocity for your liking? Federal Subsonic target loads are now shipping across the U.S., helping shooters make the most of their new suppressors.

Volquartsen Firearms continues to build out its premium rimfire pistol lineup with two new visually distinctive variants: the Forest Camo Mamba-X with a 6-inch barrel and the American Flag Battleworn Mamba with a 4.5-inch barrel. Both models retain the performance-focused features of the Mamba series while introducing unique finishes aimed at shooters looking for something beyond standard configurations.

Q, LLC has announced a new suppressor called The Lefty, expanding its lineup with a model designed around reduced back pressure and improved shooter comfort. The Lefty is built using a design approach that allows gas to move forward through the suppressor rather than being redirected back toward the shooter. This reduces the amount of gas escaping through the ejection port, a common issue on suppressed semi-automatic rifles. While this characteristic benefits all users, it is especially relevant for left-handed shooters who are more exposed to gas and debris due to common rifle ejection patterns.

This is an air rifle review, and I know what you're thinking. Stick with me. If you've ever wanted to practice AR-15 manipulations in your backyard, run drills without burning through expensive ammunition, introduce your kids to shooting on a platform they'll immediately recognise, or simply train somewhere quieter than a range, the FX DRS Tactical deserves your full attention. I had mine for almost a year, and here’s my conclusion.

In my opinion, the Glock 45 is the best all-around Glock out there. For specific needs, there might be better solutions and models, but the G45 responds to a huge amount of requirements without compromise. The G45 offers a balance of size, capacity, reliability, and shootability that makes it equally suited for duty, training, and general use. In this Photo Of The Day, we’ll take a look at the differences between the Gen 5 and Gen 6, with images from Mr. Aspen.

After I first saw the Reticent 22 at SHOT 2026, I begged Rich to send over a test sample, and thankfully, he agreed! I mounted it on my threaded M&P 22X and P322 pistols right out of the box, then moved it over to a 10/22 and a few of my other 22LR review rifles, like the M&P FPC 22 we reviewed a few weeks ago. After several hundred rounds of mixed subsonic, bulk HV, and standard velocity ammo, I came away impressed with what this little titanium suppressor can deliver for the money.

The Second Amendment Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition and a private citizen are ready to take on one of the toughest opponents in the U.S.—Smokey the Bear. Well, sort of. These firearms rights groups have filed suit to challenge the ban on carrying firearms in the National Park Service’s federal facilities.

Lipsey's has introduced a new exclusive handgun package, pairing the Ruger RXM platform with a factory-installed Aimpoint COA red dot sight. The result is the Lipsey’s Exclusive Ruger RXM COA Edition, a ready-to-use optics-equipped pistol aimed at modern defensive and range applications.

Instead of relying on generic advice (which is generally very handy in a pinch in a broad variety of situations) that may collapse your effective range or create unseen trajectory issues, the AmmunitionToGo Zero Tool delivers a data-driven FREE recommendation based on your exact rifle details. Input barrel length, caliber, optic type, and height, plus vital zone size at ammunitiontogo.com/zero-tool, and receive the distance that maximizes point blank range for simple center-hold hits. Available at no cost, it helps remove the guesswork so shooters can verify at the range and gain real confidence in where their rounds actually land from muzzle to target and beyond.

Welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals 180! We’re back with more deals on guns, gear, ammunition, and accessories from some of our most frequented online retailers like Primary Arms, Natchez Shooters Supply, Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, and more. Whether you’re looking for deals on new or used guns, ammo to add to your reserves, or specific accessories like flashlights, range bags, optics, bipods, and magazines, each week we’ll have new sets of deals that might fulfill one of those needs and save you a few dollars.

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday, brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new Victra 20-gauge shotgun suppressor. This week we have a pretty mid article. More accurately, a mid-bore article. In the American rifle silencer market, most of the action is in the 556/762 space, or up in the .45-caliber range. But there is a range of .36-caliber silencers that can pair with midbore rifle rounds.

Precision shooting at distance is an unforgiving discipline. Every variable compounds, and it’s easy to blame the wrong one(s). A rifle tilted even two or three degrees from true vertical will cause what shooters call cant error. Bullets don't simply fly sideways; they arc away from your point of aim in a predictable but punishing way. At 300 metres, this can put a round noticeably off to the side of the target. Spirit levels and bubble levels have been the traditional answer, but they demand that you look away from your optic, they have no feedback speed, and they give you no data to analyze later. Enter Shooters Global Pulse and Pulse Pro.