AR-15

Reptilia would like you to meet their new Picker, a billet-machined, 7075-T6 aluminum ambidextrous safety designed to feel like a natural extension of your thumb, regardless of your dominant hand. Featuring a smooth 75/90° throw, MIL-SPEC compatibility, and precision anodizing to complement your favorite Reptilia accessories, the Picker ensures intuitive, single-handed operation for both left- and right-handed shooters.

Who doesn’t want a Personal Survival Weapon? The TROY Defender PSW is a compact carbine said to be designed for reliability and versatility in demanding situations. Measuring just 22 inches with the stock collapsed, it’s built for self-defense, predator control, or easy transport in tight spaces.

When it comes to mobile firepower, few tools have stood the test of time like the AR-15. In the wake of the Global War on Terror (GWOT), the concept of the “truck gun” evolved out of necessity. Military personnel and security contractors required weapons that offered both close-quarters agility and extended-range efficiency — a tall order for any firearm. The legendary AR-15 is the platform that has not only met these challenges but exceeded them. Eugene Stoner would be proud.

When it comes to the AR15 market, there are endless choices and out of every subcategory in the gun industry, the AR market is one of the most saturated. It’s hard to stand out, and when I review a particular firearm, it’s hard to see the differences between the various models on the market. The higher-end market is where you start to see some interesting variations where companies are trying different features to improve the weapon system as a whole.

I know what you’re thinking, not another AR-15 review, because that’s what I was (albeit very briefly) thinking as I sat down to write this, but my time with the new Springfield Armory Saint Victor 11.5” 5.56 Pistol has been positive enough to compel my hand, or hands in this case. As it was my first time shooting a Springfield AR, I set aside peer reviews from previous models and focused on my personal experience with this new pistol variant, one that I found very useful as a general setup for anyone looking for home defense or a great time at the range.

After five years of development and multiple live-fire prototypes, Spuhr has created a new patent-pending system that eliminates the play between AR-style upper and lower receivers. This long-standing issue has frustrated shooters looking for tighter lockup and improved consistency, especially in precision or professional use.

Luke C ( BallisticAviation) is at GunCon 2025 hosted by TheGunCollective, and in this video, he's speaking with the legendary Dave K from Hi-Point Firearms. Hi-Point made waves at SHOT 2025 by announcing their all-new AR-15 lineup with the announcement of the HP-15, which is set to be fully released in mid-July. In addition, sister company Inland Manufacturing has just unveiled their latest suppressor - the 5.7x28mm rated AM-22.

Steen Defense is a gun company based in Stockholm, Sweden. In case you haven’t heard of them before, is because they are a new company and this is the first time any magazine, newspaper or blog was allowed into their office. This article is an exclusive TFB interview, where I met with the founder André Steen to pick his brain about the background, the current state and the future of the company. We also got a first exclusive test fire of their latest prototype firearms.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do you have an AR lower lying around that’s just begging to be built? Do you want a better-than-mil-spec trigger, at a low price? If so, Axcess Triggers (a Timney company) may have you covered with their new line of three-piece AR Triggers.

Retro AR-15s are back—from clone builds to factory throwbacks like the Bushmaster M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine. I put over 1,000 rounds through this classic-style rifle at a Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle Course to find out if old-school cool is actually worth it in 2025. Spoiler: I didn’t love it. But not for the reasons you think.

When it comes to the AR-15 and AR pistol market, there are almost limitless options and variations to choose from. For beginner shooters getting into the sport, it can be almost impossible to figure out what you want or need when it comes to an AR pistol. Everything from barrel length, furniture, and rail choice starts to come into play when looking for the best option. Everyone will land on a specific model for one reason or another, but let’s look at some of the best AR pistols on the market based on what the TFB staff uses on a daily basis.

Luth-AR has added two new options to its lineup of complete AR-15 uppers: the A1 Slick Side Modern Retro Upper and the A1 C7 Modern Retro Upper. Both are designed to replicate the classic look of Vietnam-era rifles while incorporating modern materials and performance updates.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hera Arms showed off the newest version of the 15TH Subcompact at IWA 2025, bringing a hyper-compact AR-style rifle designed for CQB and personal defense. Featuring a super short barrel and M-LOK handguard, enhanced ergonomics, and a lightweight design, this rifle is built for ultra-maneuverability without sacrificing firepower. With its compact size and tactical features, could this be a great subcompact AR for 2025.

Looking at the comments on TFBTV and other places, there is certainly a wish from our readers to write more about, and review, European-made AR-platform rifles. I have shot a few, like HERA Arms, Schmeisser, Haenel, Oberland Arms and DAR. Heckler & Koch also of course, since I own one. But to get one to review properly is a lot easier said than done, even for one living in Europe. It has proven difficult to even get some images from some manufacturers, so they’re not making it simple for enthusiasts looking for more information.

B&T always packs a lot of goodies into its booth at SHOT Show, and 2025 was no exception. They had guns, silencers, and accessories on display. The sheer volume of items can be overwhelming, but we got some good pictures of several interesting ones.

Griffin Armament had several new products on display at SHOT Show 2025. The Optimus 6 silencer is designed for the 6mm ARC and is the first 3D-printed silencer from Griffin. They also showed off their new Mk2 PCC.

B&T's first AR-15 is here and as you'd imagine, it's top shelf. Featuring a titanium enhanced handguard (which is available for purchase separately), Geissele trigger, barrel, and charging handle, plus a bunch of additional, awesome features, this gun won't be cheap, but it's a top-end AR-15 with no expense spared in its construction.