Guns & Gear

I previously covered the M60 to the M60E6, but now we turn to a lesser-known stepping stone: the M60E1. Developed as a prototype, the M60E1 represented an early attempt to correct many of the shortcomings of the original M60, which entered service in 1957, saw heavy use in Vietnam, and remained in U.S. military arsenals until its gradual retirement in the 1990s.

This is Firebird Electro-Optics’ first appearance here at TFB, and while their new flashlights are small in size, they manage to shine a lot of light. The company claims to have spent over two years of research and development, and is now releasing their LEP Mini series. They are built around advanced Laser Excited Phosphor (LEP) technology, said to deliver a focused, high-intensity beam exceeding 106,000+ candela. All variants maintain tight beam geometry with minimal spill, ensuring precise target illumination and superior photonic efficiency.

K-Var Corp has announced that the SAM7R-62 rifle is now available at a listed price of $1,499.99. The SAM7R-62 is built on a milled receiver machined from a hot-die-hammer-forged steel billet, a construction method intended to enhance durability and accuracy. Chambered in 7.62×39mm, the rifle combines traditional AK design with modern manufacturing processes.

Throughout the years, Turkish firearms have fascinated me in the same way that LADA vehicles from Russia do - they’re typically simple, have straightforward engineering, and best of all, they’re incredibly affordable. Unfortunately, that price drop usually comes at the cost of long-term durability - just take a look at any one of our Turkish shotgun burn downs. However, occasionally, a Turkish firearm like the BRG9 Elite will surprise me with its level of reliability and durability, and thus, I like to try out what the manufacturers in Turkey are up to with their latest offerings. Today, we’re going to test out another example of that with the recently released TriStar Arms (KRAL Arms) KR-22 semi-auto rimfire rifle.

Palmetto State Armory is back in the news with a new and logical next step in the evolution of its Soviet Arms Krink series of firearms, chambering the new "Krinkov" in classic 7.62x39. Whatever your thoughts may be when it comes to PSA, there is no doubt that they are taking feedback seriously and developing firearms that the gun community wants to see hit the market. More than that, PSA is known for taking on the mission of spreading 2A cheer at a price that won’t take you to the cleaners or a family law practice, and the 7.62x39 Krink is no exception.

The Vietnam War drew in weapons from across the globe, as socialist nations rallied to support their revolutionary ally in the fight for reunification. Among the most significant contributions were the Kalashnikov-based rifles supplied by the Soviet Union and its allies. While traveling across Vietnam, I encountered many of these rifles on display, each representing a unique chapter of the war and international military aid. Here, I'll cover the AKs I could see and give a little overview of the Kalashnikov variants that found their way to the battlefields of Southeast Asia.

Most of you here will already know who TANDEMKROSS is, but today on TFB’s Behind The Gun Podcast, you’ll get a small peek behind the curtain at one of my favorite rimfire aftermarket parts manufacturers in the United States. Based in the small town of Weare, New Hampshire, TANDEMKROSS designs, manufactures, and ships all of its parts from its ever-growing facility. Today, they offer more than 250 individual parts for popular platforms like the Ruger PC Carbine, Ruger MK IV, Smith & Wesson Victory, and, of course, the Browning Buckmark series. What’s impressive is that in just the decade or so they’ve been in business, they’ve not only managed to carve a nice niche for themselves in the aftermarket space, but they’re also branching into manufacturing complete “10/22” style firearms completely made in their New Hampshire facility. Tune in to today’s episode to learn about all that and more from Alex Whiteside of TANDEMKROSS.

Wheelgun Wednesday: NEW Colt Revolvers with Enhanced Hogue Overmolded Rubber Grips

While in Serbia, I had the opportunity to visit the Old Gun Foundry Museum in Kragujevac, a must-see for anyone interested in the country's industrial and military history. The museum highlights the pivotal role of the Zastava Arms factory, a historic manufacturer of firearms and military equipment in the region. Its exhibits feature a diverse collection of weapons produced over the years, offering a look at the development of Serbian small arms and industry.

If you’re one of those guys who likes to have a cigar with your friends after a solid range day, then you might be interested to hear of a new product that kind of blends the shooting part in with the smoking part - the new Ready Rack cigar tube. Designed to mount directly to M-LOK or KeyMod rails and made from aerospace-grade aluminum with a mil-spec anodized finish, this durable, waterproof holder fits one cigar up to 6.25 inches long and 50 ring gauge, providing a unique blend of utility and style. Whether you’re out for a hunt, on a long-range shooting session, or just want your cigar handy on the go, the Ready Rack brings a little bit of classic temptation to the modern battlefield.

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! This week, we’re checking out Smith & Wesson's newest rimfire firearm, and an extension of their popular and well-renowned K-Frame revolver series - the Model 617 Mountain Gun. I first got my hands on a Model 617 a few months back at a media event, but now I’ve been able to take out the 617 for a proper range session, and I wanted to give you guys my first impressions on this new, beefy, rimfire wheel gun.

What we can do is assemble the clearest picture available: the OTs-142 appears to be a compact, squad-level belt-fed support weapon in the same family of experiments that produced the OTs-124 and OTs-128 (the Alatau-family projects which I covered earlier), where designers at TsKIB SOO and related Tula bureaus have been rethinking how to deliver automatic fire with modern ergonomics and unusual feed arrangements.

I like to keep at least one “back to basics” rifle in my collection, and this might be another perfect fit. Arsenal, Inc. has expanded the SAM7K family with a short-barrel rifle variant, the SAM7K-28, pairing the proven 7.62×39mm SAM7K action with a purpose-built precision-machined aluminum buttstock. The new stock attaches via a 1913 Picatinny interface and was engineered and manufactured in-house to deliver the rigidity, fit and ergonomics required of a compact Short Barreled Rifle (SBR).

When it comes to precision gas guns chambered in 5.56 that blend boutique craftsmanship with practicality and affordability, the Munitionworks Mod J SPR continues to impress me even after 2 years of faithful yet abusive service in my hands. Building on my earlier impressions and 2 years of faithful service, this Part II review focuses on real-world use throughout the years and roughly 5,000 rounds, both at my regular range sessions, as well as my favorite training facility - Thunder Ranch. In addition to that, I’ve also recently been able to take some extended range testing at Leupold’s private range in the Oregon desert, where we got a good chance to test out some new ammo and push the rifle to its limits in terms of practical accuracy.  

CZ adds a camo-clad member to the 457 family with the new 457 Hunter Veil, a lightweight rimfire built for small-game work and precise range sessions. The rifle blends dependable CZ mechanics with a modern Veil® Big Sky polymer stock finished in a soft-touch coating that both hides the shooter and provides a secure, weather-resistant grip designed for real field use.

Integrally suppressed firearms are an almost sub-niche within the niche that is firearm suppressors. Angstadt Arms is one of the few names in town that is actively producing not just one, but several different types of integrally suppressed firearms and standalone barrels, and today, they’re introducing the new Vanquish AR-22, which should be the perfect addition to any dedicated CMMG 22LR upper.

Hold Up Displays, well known for their modular firearm storage systems, has unveiled their boldest design yet: the Patriot Wall. Arriving in time for Veterans Day, the 12-foot expandable slatwall system integrates an American flag pattern, giving owners who are proud of their collection a way to organize their arsenal while proudly displaying national colors.

Walker’s has released its new Suppressor Earbuds, available in two versions: a standard model and a Bluetooth® 5.3 Low Energy (LE) version. Both provide electronic hearing protection that reduces harmful noise while enhancing ambient sounds. The Bluetooth model also allows audio streaming from phones, tablets, and other devices.

I am sure that by the time this Photo Of The Day goes online, all of the Daniel Defense RIPTIDEs will have been sold, despite the price of $4,499. Built on the compact and fast-handling DD4 PDW P chambered in 300 Blackout, this gun features an exclusive Sandoflauge Cerakote finish, evoking a striking coastal-inspired aesthetic.

When ounces matter and performance defines survival, gear must strike the right balance between lightweight efficiency and uncompromising durability. The new Exitus Lab Light Assault Belt, developed in Turku, Finland, aims to set a new benchmark for this category by reducing weight and maximizing accessibility without sacrificing the strength needed for duty purposes.

Welcome back to TFB’s Small Business Spotlight! In this weekly article series, we talk about small firearm-related businesses. Today's company is Lit Low Ready LLC from Granbury, Texas. They've designed a tilting weapon light mount and forward grip combination accessory.

Spartan Blades has introduced two new special editions of the award-winning Spartan-Harsey Folder, each paying tribute to America’s long gunners - the snipers whose precision and discipline have shaped modern warfare. These knives are designed not only as tools but as symbols of service, heritage, and the quiet professionalism of those who have stood the watch.

Photo Of The Day: SIG Shorts, in collaboration with Montana Knife Company, releases a limited-edition package featuring a SIG Custom Works 1911X and an MKC Wargoat knife, both with a Damascus pattern Cerakote finish. The 1911X includes an optics-ready slide, a single-action trigger, XRAY3 day/night sights, and G10 grips.

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! In this ongoing series, we’ve been spending a lot of range sessions testing out various loads of rimfire ammunition, ranging from run-of-the-mill bulk ammo to more obscure and specialized rimfire loads like 22 rat shot, 17HMR, and today, some underloved Remington 22WMR. This 40-grain load, like most other 22WMR offerings, is meant to be a more potent and potentially ethical varmint and small game hunting round. Today, we’ll use the Henry .22 Magnum Express rifle to test out this relatively affordable 22 Magnum offering from Remington.

Wandering through the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi, I stumbled upon what looked like an RPK, only to find it was a TUL-1. Vietnam’s own, manufactured RPK. A weapon born out of necessity, ingenuity, and a fair bit of parts-bin creativity.

Reptilia has launched its new Reptilia Handguard, designed for AR-platform rifles. CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and finished with MIL-STD Type III hardcoat anodizing, the handguard is built for durability and performance. It features a proprietary barrel nut and turnbuckle system for secure attachment and consistent alignment, avoiding flex or shift during use. The design uses full-length M-LOK slots and anti-rotation tabs to support accessories like lasers, thermals, and optics, with a low-profile structure that maintains strength without added bulk.

Welcome back to TFB’s Small Business Spotlight! In this weekly article series, we talk about small firearm-related businesses. This edition’s company is Hold Up Displays, a manufacturer of gun storage and display products.

Recently, fellow TFB writer Lynndon Schooler and I had the opportunity to visit the Zastava factory in Kragujevac to see their latest weapons and explore their vast collection of historical firearms.

Hello and welcome back to The Rimfire Report! Last time we talked about the Henry Golden Boy Rifle, and a lot of you reached out to say that it and its base model, the H001 lever-action rifle, are some of your favorites on the market. This week, I want to explore a logical extension of the rimfire Golden Boy family - the Golden Boy Revolver. Today, we’re going to check out what the glistening revolver has to offer, how it operates on the range, and, of course, a couple of my thoughts on its overall value to potential customers.

These days, when you roam around a defense expo, it is really difficult to find anything new and different. At the end of the day, weapons that use the same caliber and roughly the same barrel length will have very similar capabilities, regardless of cosmetic features, a country of origin or marketing claims about “increased lethality”.