Guns & Gear

The fact that Heckler & Koch is celebrating 75 years may have escaped some, but their HK 75th Anniversary Limited Edition Knife is now available for everyone. In short, it features a hand-forged Damascus steel blade from Böker, with each knife individually engraved and numbered from 1 to 75. Only 75 of these knives will ever be made (I wonder where they got that number from?).

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! In this ongoing series, we cover anything and everything rimfire, including ammo, history, and, of course, new guns. While it may be “new” for the reorienting USA division of Heckler & Koch, today’s rifle has garnered a lot of recent interest from the wider community, so I secured a T&E copy for a full review here on TFB. Today, we’ll start at the beginning and take a closer look at this “new” rifle, its brief history so far, and what the rifle has to offer just on the surface. In subsequent articles, we’ll also test it for reliability, accuracy, and all that other good stuff. For now, let's take a look at the HK G36 22LR rifle’s humble beginnings - from the German airgun company Umarex.

The .338 Norma Magnum has been a prominent topic for bridging capability gaps in military applications for over a decade. Domestic and international defense contractors actively seek to enhance overmatch and increase lethality while reducing the weight to get a larger caliber in the fight. One notable company in this arena is FK BRNO, a Czech defense firm specializing in designing and manufacturing firearms. FK BRNO recently developed the BKS .338 medium machine gun, unveiled at the Eurosatory 2024 defense exhibition. It was an unexpected development since this was the company's first machine gun design.

Every gun enthusiast likely has their own vision of the perfect "gun room." For me, it’s always been about recreating the feel of a true armory, which is why I’m thrilled to welcome today’s guest, Tom Kubiniec from SecurIt Tactical. SecurIt goes beyond basic gun storage, offering innovative organization solutions for everyone from your weekend warrior to full-time gun shop owners and armorers as well. With a military background and experience designing armories for various units in the U.S. Military, SecurIt delivers everything from traditional gun safes to cutting-edge, lightweight, quick-access options that are simple to set up, highly secure, and ready when you need them most. Today, Tom will highlight some of the standout features of SecurIt’s product line and shed light on some of the ways he’s helping to improve the industry as a whole through education, modern manufacturing techniques, and smart security features that don’t hinder authorized access.

Anyone who has built their own AR-15 will have inevitably come across the all-important task of choosing what barrel twist rate they’ll be using. When I built my first AR-15, I relied entirely on a diagram I found on 4chan’s weapons board, /k/, which mapped twist rates to bullet weights. The extremely rudimentary chart clearly identified what common barrel twist rates worked best with what bullet weights, but beyond that, it offered no scientific explanation or reasoning behind it.

Strike Industries has just dropped a practical new accessory for anyone still running a standard A2 birdcage flash hider—the A2 Blast Shield. Designed as a drop-in solution to reduce side concussion and redirect muzzle blast forward, this blast shield is geared toward both professional and civilian shooters looking to enhance comfort without replacing legacy muzzle devices. This product is clearly in high demand: Strike Industries has sold out of the first batch, and a second is on its way now.

This is the CW Gunwerks and JMac Customs Signature Series - 14.5" IMR Limited Edition Rifle, perfect for our Photo Of The Day. CW Gunwerks, based in Miami, Florida, builds each rifle with careful attention to detail. Partnering with JMac Customs, which designs and manufactures most of the components, the two companies focus on quality and precision.

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! This ongoing series is all about the world of rimfire and its many interesting guns, history, ammo, and more. In this continuing series where I test as many .22LR offerings as I can get my hands on, we’ve covered everything from CCI’s Standard Velocity to European budget picks like S&B Club. This week, I’m taking a look at a classic American staple—Federal Lightning 40-grain 22LR, marketed as an affordable, all-purpose round for plinking and small game. I dug up a roughly 30-year-old box of the stuff when doing some spring cleaning in the shop and thought I’d run it through our series of tests to see how it’s held up over all these years.

Photo Of The Day and we take a look at what’s going on in Russia. In January 2025, Kalashnikov Concern delivered the first batch of the upgraded Model 2023 AK-12 rifles to a customer, fulfilling scheduled government contracts. As the standard-issue service rifle of the Russian Armed Forces, the AK-12 is said to see widespread adoption, with annual production volumes remaining consistently high to meet ongoing military demand.

While it sees less frequent use than the trigger, magazine release, or bolt catch/release (hopefully), the AR-15 charging handle ranks among the most deliberately chosen and commonly upgraded components selected by owners for their rifles. While the standard mil-spec configuration satisfies all basic and necessary functional requirements, it frequently lacks the refinements necessary or preferred by those in more specific situations, such as:

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! In this ongoing series all about rimfire firearms, ammo and history, we’ve been covering a lot of different types of 22LR ammo. I thought we’d take a break from that this week to check out a recent Gunbroker auction of an extremely rare rimfire firearm that was sent over to me by fellow writer Sam S. This week, we’re talking about a gun that’s a bit of a curveball: the Daisy 2202 .22 LR rifle, a bolt-action with a 19-inch octagonal barrel from a company most well known for producing BB guns. The Daisy Manufacturing Company traded pellets for rimfire rounds in the case of the model 2202 and model 2012 22LR bolt-action rifles, so let’s unpack this BB-to-rimfire detour and see what the 2202’s all about and where you might be able to find one of these rare rifles today.

Heckler & Koch USA has released a new rifle that everyone should be able to afford without a sweat. With an MSRP of just $679, and chambered in one of the cheapest calibers available, the new G36 .22LR offers an affordable way to experience the iconic HK design, making it perfect for budget-conscious shooters, trainers, and plinkers alike.

The North Korean Type 73 has drawn attention for its role in the Russian so-called Special Military Operation (SVO), which refers to the Russo-Ukrainian War. This conflict is complex and has evolved significantly over time. The deployment of ground forces from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) into the SVO has raised several questions, especially since this involvement was first noted in November 2024.

I was recently involved in a test of more than ten AR15s for hunting, including a number of brands from both Europe and the USA. To fire guns with free ammo and let others know what you think about them is always great fun, and this occasion was no exception. The testing involved both shooting in an indoor cinema and outdoors. The good thing with the cinema was that due to the low light, it was difficult to see what kind of brand and rifle I was using, to avoid any bias to a particular brand.

In my series on the weapons of the South Caucasus, I have previously discussed the background of the region's territorial disputes. In this section, I will focus specifically on the AK-103. This firearm was designed in 1994, which is noteworthy because it was the same year the First Nagorno-Karabakh War ended with a ceasefire agreement.

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! This ongoing series is all about one of my favorite subjects - anything and everything rimfire! While doing some early spring cleaning in my garage, I came across some old boxes of Federal Classic 40 grain high velocity 22LR. Seeing the box reminded me that I had not seen Federal “Classic” on the shelves for quite some time, and as it turns out, it doesn’t exist anymore. Since we’ve already tested out some other types of Federal high-velocity ammunition, I thought it might be cool to check what 50 rounds of the classic stuff will do in our regular series of tests.

Photo Of The Day - I have a few more hobbies, but I’d probably be just alright if it was limited to knives and firearms only. The Crewman made by Toor Knives is the newest addition to their Frontline Series, and it’s available from $295. This may sound expensive for a knife, but I kind of like it and I would for sure choose the Omaha Tan (pictured) over Bomber Black.

It’s the details that often make or break the project, and that includes your AR-15 build. We all know the trigger, grip, and stock can make or break your build, but a good sling is usually an afterthought until you get to the range and realize you hate the one you bought. Maybe that’s you now, but hopefully, you’re researching ahead of time. For this article, I’ve talked with several AR-15 enthusiasts and former military and law enforcement members and tested some of the best AR-15 slings.

Guess what happened 250 years ago? A United States Marine Corps veteran will tell you—back in 1775, the USMC was founded. Now, Henry Repeating Arms is honoring those two-and-a-half centuries of service around the world with the Spirit of the Corps Tribute Edition rifle.

At the IDEX 2025, Zastava Arms from Serbia presented their version of modernized PKM called M84M. There are a few key improvements: the M84M machine gun has a Picatinny rail on the receiver cover and elevated iron sights. The rear sight is attached to the rail. M84M also has a new stock that resembles FN MAG.

Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection of tools, but when it comes to gunsmithing, I never started with a dedicated set. Instead, I picked up tools piecemeal—a wrench here, a punch there—usually driven by the immediate needs of a project. Too often, I resorted to makeshift methods or ill-suited tools that got the job done but left me frustrated, realizing later that the right tool could have saved me a lot of hassle from the start. Reflecting on these past missed purchases, today we’ll explore some of the best AR-15 tools you can buy in 2025 for your at-home gun bench, whether that’s the dining room table, the kitchen counter, or a proper workshop setup.

Ventum Gear is bringing German precision to tactical EDC with their latest lineup of fanny packs, pouches, and soft goods, unveiled at IWA 2025. The updated Burrito® Pouch offers a laser-cut MOLLE panel, concealed back pocket, and fully velour-lined interior for custom loadouts. Also debuting is the Tacpull® zipper pull system for easier gear access and the Operator Watch Band®, built for rugged smartwatch use. Ventum Gear continues to deliver functional, modular, and durable gear for both tactical professionals and EDC enthusiasts.

Welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! In this ongoing series, we’ve explored a wide range of topics, from the history of ancient rimfire firearms to reviews of modern guns and ammunition. Today, we’re diving back into ammunition testing with a cartridge that’s earned a strong reputation among varmint hunters: CCI’s Stinger 32-grain Copper Plated Hollow Point.

I’ve had buyer's remorse when purchasing a new gun, so in this article, I strive to help you avoid that awful feeling by providing you with the best beginner AR-15s on the market. I love building AR-15s, but my first wasn’t a build-your-own project, and I’m glad I purchased a complete gun because I didn’t know what I wanted until I’d taken it to the range several times. This is why all the ARs below are functioning firearms out of the box; you won’t have to order a lower from one company and an upper from another or install any parts (but you’ll get there one day!). I gathered input from other AR-15 experts, checked reviews, and tested several beginner ARs to compile this list. Let’s start with my top pick.

At events like IDEX, we often focus on the new, shiny firearms that governments are considering, while the essential non-shooting equipment tends to get overlooked. One critical aspect many ignore is tracking the number of rounds fired from a weapon. Keeping an accurate round count of a firearm is vital for several reasons, especially concerning performance, maintenance, and overall service life. Each gun has a defined lifespan corresponding to the number of rounds it can fire before it wears out. Armorers and maintainers can better understand their weapon's condition and anticipate any required maintenance by maintaining a precise record of how many rounds have been fired.

At IWA 2025, we got the inside scoop from Czech Small Arms on their .22LR Skorpion—and it's more modular than you'd think. Not only can you swap out the AR-style stock for the classic wire stock, but you can also change barrel lengths and even calibers, with options in .380, .32 ACP, and 9mm Makarov. Threaded barrel, suppressor-ready models? Yep, they’ve got those too. Check out what makes this Skorpion lineup a must-see.

Gestamen has developed the G224 light machine gun to modernize the Hungarian Defense Forces' squad automatic weapon lineup, offering a domestic alternative to legacy designs like the M249 SAW and FN Minimi. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, the G224 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed LMG with a quick-detach barrel featuring trapezoidal cooling fins for better heat dissipation. The G224 also includes a STANAG magazine well, allowing compatibility with standard AR-15 magazines for added versatility in the field. Built with a monolithic forged receiver and a side-folding, telescopic stock, this LMG is designed for durability, adaptability, and modern battlefield effectiveness. With the Hungarian military set to field this weapon in the coming years, could the G224 be a worthy successor to the M249 SAW and FN Minimi in NATO arsenals? 

At IWA 2025, German company Corelock introduced the DH24 tactical rifle sling, designed to improve accuracy and weapon control in dynamic shooting situations. This sling functions like a vertical foregrip, allowing the shooter to lock the rifle into their shoulder using the support arm, increasing stability and reducing muzzle rise by up to 70%.

This is a continuation of my machine gun series. In 2008, NATO supported Georgia's bid to join the alliance and created a commission to oversee the accession process. Georgia must fulfill several requirements, including modernizing its army and standardizing Western weapons and ammunition. In 2017, the Georgian Ministry of Defense started replacing the Soviet-made PKM general-purpose machine guns with the M240B 7.62x51mm medium machine gun.

WBP is releasing a new version of the Jack AK-47, now featuring Ukrainian KPYK parts for a modernized, lightweight tactical upgrade. Shown at IWA 2025, this updated Jack retains its Polish craftsmanship but now comes with KPYK handguards and stocks, known for their rugged, lightweight construction and enhanced modularity. With these upgrades, the WBP Jack is now optimized for tactical applications while maintaining AK reliability. Could this be the best modernized AK variant yet?