Reviews

Forty years of waiting ends with this Wheelgun Wednesday, as the CNC Firearms x Colt's Manufacturing Company BOA collaboration is officially unveiled. Originally introduced in 1985 as a limited run, the BOA never had the chance to become common. Among serious collectors, it occupies a rare position in Colt's history, defined not by how many were made, but by how few.

Countless children worldwide have taken their first shots not with a .22LR rifle or a .410 shotgun, but an airgun, particularly a BB gun. But if state senators of New York have their way, they’re going to make BB guns (and other air rifles) sold in their jurisdiction lame and non-functioning through Senate Bill S9215.

Glock is bringing additional capacity to some existing pistols. In a social media post, we got our first official look at new 15-round magazines coming to the G44 .22 LR pistol and the slimline 9mm models. Let’s take a look at what we know.

Magpul has announced three new M-LOK accessories aimed at supporting hand control and consistent indexing: the M-LOK SVG Short Vertical Grip, the M-LOK Thumb Shelf, and the M-LOK Index Stop. All three are around the corner, for sale for almost nothing, and available for May 2026 delivery.

Wilson Combat has announced the return of the Sentinel, described as the smallest 1911 the company has ever produced, alongside two new Sentinel XL variants. The relaunch brings three total configurations to the lineup, all hand-fit in Berryville, Arkansas, and all carrying Wilson Combat's 1.5-inch-at-25-yards accuracy guarantee.

Magpul has updated its Enhanced Lever Gun (ELG) M-LOK Hand Guard to fit all modern Marlin lever-action rifles, including those produced by Ruger and Remington. The original ELG Hand Guard was compatible only with the Marlin 1895 in .45-70. The updated version extends that compatibility to the 1894 and 336 models across all current chamberings, achieved through a clamp swap to match the appropriate magazine tube diameter. MSRP is $79.95, available in Black, FDE, and ODG.

@BallisticAviation⁩ speaks with Jeremy from Bilson Arms about the company’s unique forward charging system. A pump‑style charging mechanism that moves the charging handle to the forend of the rifle and replaces the traditional rear handle on the AR platform. Jeremy walks us through how the system works, why Bilson designed it, and where it really shines in suppressed shooting. Jeremy also goes through some real‑world use cases that prove that his system has some merit beyond the casual hunting and shooting spaces.

In this TFBTV episode, @ballisticaviation speaks with Kaya, new CEO of Tisas Arms Corporation (Tisas USA) and the latest addition to the TFBTV team, as he walks us through how he went from firearms YouTuber and consultant to leading the company’s American expansion. Kaya explains how he’s repositioning Tisas in the U.S. market and what this means for shooters used to his no‑nonsense, data‑driven commentary you typically find in his YouTube videos. We also talk about his experience working with Turkish manufacturers and why he believes Tisas’ 1911, 2011, and Browning Hi-Power-style pistols, as well as upcoming new designs, can compete head‑on with established brands.

Alpha Foxtrot’s GOLIATH Romulus 10mm Double Stack 1911 is a serious, big‑bore take on the modern 1911/2011 platform, built around powerful 10mm Auto and designed for shooters who want maximum capacity, aggressive ergonomics, and competition‑ready performance in a single, more approachable package than your typical 2011 pistol. In this episode,  ⁨@BallisticAviation⁩  speaks with Andy from Alpha Foxtrot to discuss how the Romulus blends classic 1911 DNA with double‑stack reliability and what makes this 10mm Goliath stand out in a market exploding with new double-stack 1911 options.

​ ⁨@BallisticAviation⁩ stops by the Glock booth at NRAAM 2026 to speak to Glock Team Shooter Morgan about Glock’s newest factory magazine releases: the 20-round metal magazines for the Glock 43X/48 and the new, larger 15-round magazine for the Glock 44.

The people at the Firearms Policy Coalition are busy these days. Along with lawsuits over gun bans in national park facilities and new legal action against California’s sin tax on firearms, they’ve taken a step back and ranked the U.S. state-by-state for its gun laws in the new 2026 FPC State Freedom Index. The news isn’t good for shooters: Only two states, Kansas and New Hampshire, get top marks for firearms freedom from the Coalition.

Today's Photo of the Day spotlights the Glock 45 Hunter Edition, pictured in its A-CUT configuration, fitted with the factory-installed Aimpoint COA. Built on the trusted Glock 45 platform, this variant pairs a compact slide with a full-size frame, setting itself apart through a distinctive finish and tailored specification.

Tippmann Ordnance, the Fort Wayne, Indiana outfit best known for hand-cranked Gatling guns, has added something a little different to the lineup for 2026: the Pirate Pistol, now chambered in .380 Auto. I’m thinking this would be perfect for the “Slam Fire Division”, carrying a Pirate outfit, of course.

Taurus has given its 22TUC micro-compact a welcome suppressor-ready upgrade. The new 22TUC Threaded Barrel is chambered in .22 LR, carries the same tip-up barrel mechanism as the original, and adds a longer threaded barrel to the mix. It carries an MSRP of $449.99.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation says it will sue Maryland if Governor Wes Moore signs legislation that would ban an entire class of popular handguns, citing the Supreme Court's Heller decision as the basis for the challenge.

Glock's G45 Hunter Edition has been making the rounds in Europe since its debut at EnforceTac and IWA 2025, but American shooters have had no access to it through normal retail channels. I’ve done my fair share of marketing of “The Hulk” here on TFB, since I own one here in Europe. Now GlockStore has imported 198 examples of the Glock 45 Gen5 Hunter Edition, all with the OEM left-hand threaded barrel, giving U.S. buyers a rare window into a limited Glock built for the European market.

SIG Sauer has announced the M400-FORGE in two configurations: a rifle and a pistol. Both are built around the same cold hammer forged 5.56 NATO barrel, TriggerTech trigger, and ROMEO-MSR Gen II optic, with the primary differences coming down to barrel length, gas system, and brace versus stock.

Luke C ( @BallisticAviation⁩) stops by the Henry booth at NRAAM 2026 to speak with George to talk about the newly released .45‑70 Bear’s Leg lever‑action pistol and what it means for the lineup. Today, we’ll talk about how the Bear’s Leg fits into Henry’s lever‑gun ecosystem, its intended role at the range and beyond, and how it stacks up against the rest of the Henry catalog. George also gives us the lowdown on Henry’s updated rimfire offerings, with many updates and even new guns, making this a quick but solid product‑line check‑in for anyone who’s been keeping an eye on one of America’s most prolific lever-action manufacturers.

Today @BallisticAviation speaks with Chad from Murray State College in Oklahoma to talk about one of the most unique gunsmithing programs in the country. As one of the very few programs tied to a fully accredited college, Murray State allows students to pursue a career in firearms and gunsmithing while also earning a real bachelor’s degree. Today, Chad explains how the program is structured, what sets it apart from other gunsmithing schools, and why it’s considered some of the finest instruction in the nation for aspiring gunsmiths.

This question shows up at gun counters more than just about anything else. Someone grabs a box of ammo, notices it says .223 Remington, but their barrel is marked 5.56 NATO, and suddenly they are wondering if they made a mistake. I have watched this exact scenario play out dozens of times, and honestly, I get why people are confused. The cartridges look identical and asking the internet usually gets you either oversimplified garbage or a pressure spec lecture that nobody asked for.

Specialized equipment often reflects very specific mission requirements, and few examples are as niche as the modified Smith & Wesson Model 41 pistols issued for the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird pilot survival kits.

If you frequent the Rimfire Report, you’ll know that over the last few months, we’ve slowly been working our way through the UK’s ELEY .22LR ammunition catalog. This week, we’re back at it again with ELEY Club .22LR 40gr Round Nose. The ammo, as indicated by its name, is intended to be a “club level” ammunition, meaning that it should produce better consistency, performance, and accuracy downrange - provided the shooter can take advantage of it. So let's crack open a bright Orange sleeve of this fancy rimfire ammo and see what it's capable of, and how it measures up to its claims.

Kentucky residents aged 18 to 20 can now apply for a provisional concealed carry license after the state legislature overrode Governor Andy Beshear's veto of House Bill 312 on April 14.

If you have always wanted a 1903A3 rifle to use as a shooter, you may be in luck! The Civilian Marksmanship Program is now selling reclaimed 1903A3 Springfield bolt-action rifles. These guns use receivers salvaged from guns that were, at one time, non-fireable, but now are back in action.

Spring is upon us and that means more of us are venturing out to the gun range to hone our shooting skills. For many of us, that starts with rimfire rifles like those chambered in .22 Long Rifle. Yet, we don’t want youth and miniature versions of firearms to practice with, we want the real deal! So, Savage Arms is delivering to us new firearms with the Model 110 RF in a Magpul, Core Tactical, and Elite Precision offering.

At NRAAM 2026 in Houston, Texas, Hop stopped by to speak to Caleb Giddings about the brand new Taurus RPC pistol: Taurus’ latest entry into the pistol-caliber carbine market. Designed to offer a compact, affordable, and suppressor-ready platform, the RPC is entering the market at a time when it's never been easier to register or purchase an SBR outright. But that also begs the question: Does Taurus' new roller-delayed 9mm PCC bring anything refreshing to the table, or is this just another budget blaster? Today, Caleb will take you through a first-hand closer look at the RPC’s ergonomics, controls, recoil impulse, and overall shootability to see if it’s worth your time and your money.

We recently covered the Canadian military's adoption of a new carbine, the CMAR. That announcement was shortly followed by word that a Colt scope would round out the package: the CMAR 1-6. Colt's new line of civilian optics has now been released, so we can take a look at what they have to offer.

Welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals 182! 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.

@BallisticAviation stops by the Dead Air booth to speak to Mike Pappas about their two newest suppressors, the RXD 910Ti and the Nomad Ti OTB, that further round out an already extensive lineup. These cans are designed to serve very different roles; one built around optimized 9mm pistol use with 10mm capability, meanwhile, the Nomad Ti OTB (Over The Barrel) is focused on taming big‑boy rifle cartridges in an ultralight, shorter configuration that helps keep long guns balanced.

Ruger is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a new series of commemorative firearms, including the Magpul X LCP MAX .380 pistol and special editions of several of its other most popular Firearms. From the 10/22 to the Ruger American Rifle Gen II, Mark IV 22/45, and more, this new lineup marks the semiquincentennial with unique finishes, engraved details, and classic Ruger styling.