Guns & Gear

In June 2024, Izvestiya reported that a new experimental machine gun had been developed in Russia. This weapon is named the PKZ and was created in Perm at OOO Labi, the Design Bureau Perm Designers for Victory. The small company started out producing new ammunition cans for the PKM, which inspired him to kit for the PKM. The PKZ is a significantly shorter version of the PKM, though I could not find any specific barrel length. It was noted that this machine gun was developed for use in what is referred to as the Special Military Operation (SVO), which pertains to the Russo-Ukraine War.

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! This ongoing series is all about the rimfire firearm world and its many different types of guns, ammo, shooting sports, history, and more! We’re going to take a quick break from our ongoing series of ammunition tests to try out a brand new offering in the market from Bergara and I think a first for us here on Rimfire Report - The new Bergara BMR Carbon chambered in .17 HMR. I spent a lot of money on .17 HMR in the past, mainly for pest control, but the cartridge itself is pretty cool in and of itself. Today, we’ll get to see how the new lightweight BMR Carbon bolt-action rifle series from Bergara handles one of the rimfire industry's highest-velocity cartridges.

Continuing my machine gun series, I will briefly discuss the Chinese PKMs, the Type 80 and the CS/LM4 machine guns. First adopted by the Soviet Army in 1961, the PK general purpose machine gun was eventually improved and lightened to the PKM. Over half a century of fighting in arid deserts and tropical jungles has demonstrated its flawless performance, and it is chambered in the 130-year-old 7.62x54mm cartridge.

The FN Herstal FN Evolys machine gun was first introduced in 2021, with its patents traced back to 2017. In 2021, FN Herstal released a promotional video announcing a "New Chapter" for a revolutionary ultralight machine gun designed for modern warfare. This lightweight machine gun is available in two versions, chambered for 7.62x51mm and 5.56x45mm ammunition.

In 2021, the Turkish state-owned company Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE) introduced a new machine gun called the MMT, which stands for Modern Machine Gun. This development is not unique, as other NATO countries, such as Poland and Bulgaria, have previously produced their versions of the PKM chambered for the 7.62x51 NATO cartridge. These models include the UKM-2000/2013, MG-1M, and MG-M2. Some modifications made to these machine guns are simple. In contrast, others involve nearly redesigning the entire weapon to accommodate M-13 disintegrating links and a push-through feed system, resulting in a gun that closely resembles the PKM.

Welcome back to TFB’s Photo Of The Day! Each day, we showcase unique military and firearm-related images from around the world. Today's spotlight comes from the Balikatan 25 training exercise in the Philippines.

During World War II, the German Army introduced a new concept in universal or general-purpose machine guns. The MG 34 and the MG 42 were relatively lightweight guns that could be operated from bipods. They featured a quick-change barrel system and could use a soft mount on a tripod. After the war, as the dust settled, many nations, including the United States, examined German weapon technology. The U.S. was already very familiar with German weapons and was particularly interested in the designs and concepts aiming to replace its existing models, the M1919A4 and M1919A6.

I don’t know who runs Ruger’s social media, but I personally wouldn’t use a black and white photo (see at the bottom of this article) to illustrate the new model of the Mark IV 22/45 with a description mentioning its “bold color-matched details”. Luckily for this Photo Of The Day, there are multiple color images on Ruger’s homepage.

The Strike A2 Blast Shield is one of the newest clever add-ons for AR-15s or M4s, this time specifically for rifles sporting the classic A2 birdcage muzzle device. Built to tame the concussive muzzle blast that can make range time less fun, especially in tight spaces, it’s a quick, tool-free upgrade that draws on Strike’s experience with their Oppressor series, which we’ve featured on the blog previously. Perfect for training, competing, or for anyone with an A2-equipped rifle, including 9mm PCCs, it’s a budget-friendly way to cut noise without a suppressor. Strike Industries was kind enough to send along a copy for us to check out, and after testing it thoroughly, here’s how the A2 Blast Shield stacks up.

Welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! In this ongoing series, we’ve explored everything from obscure rimfire cartridges to the latest in modern firearms and ammunition. Today, we’re diving into a niche but intriguing offering from Aguila Ammunition: the Aguila Super Extra Short 29gr  .22 Short. Known for its compact size and high-velocity performance, this round is marketed as a go-to for pest control and small-game hunting with bolt-action rifles. But how does it stack up in 2025? We put this diminutive cartridge through our standard tests, this time using a Henry .22 Lever Action and at a much shorter distance. In addition, we’re back to using the  Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph, to see how consistent this ammo is out of a very common platform we already know it won’t cycle in. Let’s get into it.

The Russo-Ukraine War has unearthed another unique piece of history, particularly in the context of Soviet machine gun development. As reported by ANNA-NEWS on February 25, 2025, Russia has captured a Soviet experimental Nikitin machine gun from an arms depot belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Photo Of the Day and Bravo42 Photography gets our attention in this Call of Duty-inspired build, including a thermal optic, suppressor and weaponlight. You can look at the build details below:

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report. In our weekly dive into the world of .22 LR and all things rimfire we’ll be taking a look this week at a piece of rimfire history with an overview of a somewhat elusive import from Russia: the “Junior” Sport-Hunting .22 LR ammunition, manufactured by the Klimovsk Specialized Ammunition Plant (KSPZ) and packaged in a distinctive green box. This week’s edition of Rimfire Report is extremely special to me, as this is one of the rare times I get to test out ammo that you, the readers, have sent to me. This week’s Green Box of Russian rimfire ammo comes courtesy of TFB reader Randall B. Big thank you to Randall B for sending this sample of ammo in!

The AK market is still very much alive and thriving in 2025 and the guys over at Strike Industries and XLogic are all here for it with a new pair of muzzle devices specifically designed for AKs and AKM-patterned rifles. The new Strike/XLogic AK Widow Flash Hider and Ghost Muzzle Brake are designed for slightly different user groups, with the Widow capable of still allowing for the mounting of an AKM bayonet and improving flash suppression, and the Ghost Muzzle Brake redirects felt recoil and helps control muzzle flip with its 6 port brake system (probably loud!). Details on both new products are below and a full list of specifications and features is available on the Strike Industries Website.

There are many different types of steel targets; understanding which one is best for you will prevent you from wasting money on an expensive target you don’t use.

Brian Stocks, based in Oregon, produces modernized, 3D-printed short A2-style fixed stocks for AR-15 rifles—specifically in 7.25", 7.5", and 7.75" lengths. Each stock is built to order using high-end printers and heat-resistant, impact-tolerant high-end filament materials. The proprietary fixed version includes a unique mini A2 buffer tube with rear threads, while the adjustable versions ship with a custom-position carbine buffer tube (positions like 1, 3, and 5 are common), castle nut, end plate, and sling mount (A2 loop or QD flush cup). Fitment is carefully controlled—Brian personally matches each stock with one of three mil-spec tubes to ensure proper tension and lock-up with every custom order.

The PKM is one of the most enduring battlefield weapons of the modern era. Designed in the Soviet Union over 60 years ago, it’s still in service today in conflicts around the world. But why has no one replaced it? In this video, James Reeves goes beyond basic field tests and takes a deep dive into the PKM’s design, reliability, and legacy. With firsthand footage, interviews, and engineering studies from Poland, Vietnam, and Egypt, this is the most thoroughly researched breakdown of the PKM ever made. From Cold War trials to modern combat zones, here’s why the PKM refuses to die.

The 2025 International Defence Exhibition Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, highlights emerging warfighting technologies. Although warfare continues to evolve, some fundamentals remain unchanged: soldiers and firearms are essential for taking and securing objectives. Among the most important tools for infantry troops is the machine gun, which is second to the radio. Machine guns have dominated battlefields for over a century due to their ability to deliver a large amount of lead on target. This makes them indispensable for suppressing the enemy and supporting advancing troops. From the trenches of World War I to modern-day conflicts, the machine gun has impacted military history, evolving with advancements in technology and design.

Shooting gloves are an almost essential piece of range kit if you’re going to be setting up your own steel targets, or working in and around barriers in a dynamic shooting environment. Although most people typically have one type of shooting glove they prefer to always shoot with, I’ve had the opportunity over the years to try out a lot of different styles and types of shooting gloves and today I’d like to share a handful of what I consider to be the best gun gloves currently on offer in 2025.

If you dug a hole at your local park, what would you expect to find (besides unwanted, but well-deserved attention from your local police)? In the case of workers at Hastings Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, they found something a lot more exciting than a long-lost toy or even a time capsule. They hit a mother lode of vintage firepower.

Light machine guns and automatic rifles emerged shortly before the First World War to enhance the firepower of infantry units. By the end of World War II, these weapons were typically employed within a fire team or squad. In modern military structures, infantry units are formed with tactics centered around using light machine guns for suppressive fire. In the early 1970s, the Soviet Union recognized the need to enhance the firepower of infantry squads as they had previously moved from the RPD to the RPK. While the RPK light machine gun was in service, it functioned more like an automatic rifle, with limited effectiveness in providing high volumes of fire. In response to this need, the development of the 5.45 mm light machine gun program, known as "Poplin," was initiated in 1973 by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR.

In the world of AR-15s, there are almost limitless options for accessories and upgrades. With the market offering more options than ever before, now is a perfect time to explore what the best upgrades are when looking to elevate your current rifle to the next level. Let's look at some of the best AR-15 upgrades.

In my opinion, the single most important upgrade you can do to your otherwise working AR-15 is to improve the charging handle. There’s now a new option to consider, as Reptilia has released its latest accessory for the AR-15 platform: the Puller Charging Handle. It’s available exclusively through the company’s website, with a price of $99.95.

If you want a made-in-North-America rifle, something unique but also affordable, your wish can come true. This year, a long-established Mexican gunmaker is making inroads into the U.S. market with a new rimfire, the Mendoza RM-22.

At NRAAM 2025, BallisticAviation (Luke C.) joins Conor Donahue of ACE Virtual Shooting and Phil Strader of SIG at the SIG Sauer booth to check out the revolutionary Meta Quest-based VR firearms training platform. ACE combines cutting-edge virtual reality with SIG Sauer-licensed P320 X-Five Legion and P365 X-Macro Comp handgun replicas (as well as many other handgun models), priced at $199, offering realistic weight, balance, and trigger feel.

Luke C. ( BallisticAviation⁩) stopped by the MDT booth at NRAAM 2025 to check out some of their latest long-range shooting accessories, including the CRUSH IT Stage Timer and the Send IT GEN2 scope level.

Magpul showed off several new products at the NRA Annual Meetings last weekend in Atlanta, including a hooded front sight version of the MBUS Pro. Instead of the familiar winged design, this variant adds a protective cover around the front sight post.

The pint-sized GOAT-15 Gen3 pistol from Mountain Billy Gun Lab, also known as the GOAT-15 ATOM, is an ultra-light, compact .22 LR pistol designed for precision, portability, and versatility. Built on a scaled-down AR-15 platform (20% smaller than standard), it offers familiar ergonomics, making it ideal for training new shooters, recreational plinking, or small-game hunting.

Inforce is known for their WML and WMLx series of long gun lights that have a unique form factor, but their upcoming ARC series of lights will follow the industry trends more closely. These lights will have high candela ratings and a modular industry standard ecosystem of tail caps, heads, and mounts. Hop stopped by the Inforce booth at NRAAM 2025 to check them out.

BallisticAviation  (Luke C.) is with Hoplopfheil at NRAAM 2025 in Atlanta, GA, speaking with Dave from Hi-Point firearms about a first for the company: AR-15s. Hi-Point's new HP-15 AR-15s will come in both 10.5" pistol and 16" rifle configurations and will be chambered in .300 BLK as well as 5.56. Best of all, Hi-Point's new line of AR-15s already has new configurations in the works and will be sold in either configuration for less than $500.