Reviews

Batteries are the bane of almost every optics existence, and that’s why most of us probably carry around a zip-loc bag full of random batteries of varying charge states - some of them are likely empty as well. Although I haven’t quite committed to purchasing my own 3D printer just yet, I did have an idea that I wanted to pass on to my good friend “Hammy” from Hammy3DPrints. Excited about my idea (having a small compact box that has all the basic batteries in it), I called him right away, only to find out that he previously had a version of this battery box - it just needed a few touch-ups. A few days later, I had a fresh print show up, and today I’m going to tell you why the Range Bag Battery Case from Hammy3DPrints is the best damn thing he’s ever made.

Perched on a windswept ridge at Sellmark Ranch, Freestone County, Texas, this Alamo Precision Rifles custom 7mm PRC is pure long-range poetry. Built on an Accuracy Solutions Baby Orca chassis in stealthy black, it wears a threaded barrel with a Kovix Timberline 6" titanium suppressor that keeps it whisper-quiet and perfectly balanced. An Accu-Tac bipod locks it rock-solid on the shooting table, while Hornady’s precision ammo waits in the magazine, ready to reach out past a mile with authority.

Yeah, I know. Another Red Ryder article during the holidays. You've seen a dozen of these this month alone, every gun blog and magazine trotting out the same "You'll shoot your eye out" references like clockwork. But here's the thing, there's an angle nobody talks about, and it's way more interesting than just rehashing movie trivia.

Rheinmetall has secured what it describes as the largest order for laser-light modules in its history, with the Bundeswehr placing a definitive call-off for the LLM-VarioRay in support of Germany’s new assault rifle program. The order follows approval by the German Bundestag’s Budget Committee in December, 2025, and is executed under a framework agreement originally concluded in June 2021.

Anti-drone warfare devices are undoubtedly one of the most important assets in modern warfare in general and particularly in the Russo-Ukrainian war. One of the self-defense tools against kamikaze drones is net launchers. Earlier, we took a look at the Russian Setkomet anti-drone net launching muzzle attachment. Well, the other side of the conflict is working with the net thrower concept as well, and a Ukrainian company called Ptashka Drones has recently introduced a single-shot net-launching handgun system.

Badger Ordnance has released its long-anticipated Condition One Charging Handle (C1CH), bringing the company’s well-known Condition One design philosophy to one of the most heavily used control surfaces on the AR-15 platform. Known for its precision machining and duty-focused components, Badger Ordnance approached the charging handle with the same emphasis on strength, ergonomics, and real-world performance that has defined its optics mounts and accessories.

Zaffiri Precision, a manufacturer of aftermarket slides, barrels, and components for Glock and SIG Sauer pistols, is set to present a refreshed product lineup at SHOT Show 2026. The company will also introduce three complete pistols for the first time. Beginning in January 2026, Zaffiri Precision is moving away from its long-running à la carte, build-your-own slide approach and placing greater emphasis on pre-configured complete uppers. These uppers are said to be extensively tested and are intended to function as direct bolt-on upgrades for compatible pistols.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at some of the easiest gifts for people who concealed carry. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to look at the idea of having different knives when it comes to self-defense. There are a few different ways of thinking when it comes to knives and concealed handguns.

Merry Christmas from all of us at TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast! As we wrap up our fifth year, we’re incredibly grateful to have you as both listeners and direct supporters. In this special year-end episode, I’m joined by TFB Editor in Chief Josh Centers and longtime TFB writer Rusty S. for a lively, no‑BS conversation about what matters most as 2025 comes to a close. We dive into TFB’s annual Christmas movie debate — the hunt for the one true “Gun Guy Christmas Movie” and discuss the possible implications of the new Gun Rights Office at the Department of Justice. We also share our personal Christmas wishes for the gun world: what we’d like to see change, what we hope to accomplish in our own work, and where we think the industry should be headed. Finally, we give you a sneak peek at what we’re most excited to cover from SHOT Show 2026, just around the corner. Thanks as always for tuning in, for supporting independent gun media, and for being part of this community. From all of us here at The Firearm Blog, Merry Christmas, and stay safe out there!

Laser training is a safe alternative to live fire practice when you don’t have the time or money to get out to the range as often as you need to keep your skills in peak form. The TitanX is an inert laser training pistol with a realistic Glock feel, auto-resetting trigger, and ability to provide instant accuracy, draw, and dynamic shooting feedback.

Have you ever seen Santa with a Machine Gun before? Well, in this Photo Of Day from Latvia, that’s what you get. With only days left until Christmas Eve, the Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade shares scenes from its seasonal “Miracles Happen!” series.

Welcome back to another week of Wheelgun Wednesday on TFB as we revisit a common culprit in Colt. They have announced new matte blued offerings of their coveted Python revolver series that will be available for a short time as a limited production run.

Weatherby continues to expand its modern bolt-action lineup with the Model 307 Alpine MDT SB, a compact, purpose-built rifle that puts portability and efficiency front and center. Built on Weatherby’s newest bolt-action platform, the Model 307, the Alpine MDT SB is designed to complement the company’s legacy Mark V and Vanguard rifles while embracing the modularity and suppressor-ready trends of today’s hunting and precision markets.

On December 17, MKE, the largest Turkish state-owned firearms manufacturer, announced that their MMT machine gun completed NATO qualification tests and was cleared for serial production. Previously, our fellow TFB writer Lynndon Schooler, wrote a detailed article about this machine gun.

CrossBreed Holsters has announced the release of its new LightGuard Holster, expanding the company’s concealed-carry lineup to better support pistols equipped with weapon-mounted lights. Built on CrossBreed’s established MultiFlex platform, the LightGuard is designed to provide consistent retention, adaptability, and everyday comfort for both carry and range use.

C&H Precision (CHPWS) has announced an expansion of its pistol optics lineup, adding green-reticle variants across several of its most popular models. The new options are now available for the COMP, COMP Max, EDC, and DUTY XL optics, along with all Direct Mount Optics designed for select SIG SAUER, HK, GLOCK, CZ, Walther, Taurus, and Smith & Wesson pistols.

The iconic 1911 pistol chambered in .45 ACP is the gold standard for 1911 enthusiasts dedicated to John Browning's original design. However, .45 ACP is not the only cartridge available on today's market, and it may not be the best choice for your specific needs. 9mm, .40 S&W, and .22 LR are among the other cartridges available. As you continue reading our complete guide to 1911 calibers and cartridges, you’ll discover several common and uncommon 1911 calibers and which is right for your situation.

Photo Of The Day, and we’re not going scientific by any means. On one side, a Glock 19 wearing a simple, yet effective compensator. The comp vents gas upward, killing muzzle rise and letting the Shield red dot settle instantly for doubles faster than most shooters can pull the Timney trigger. It’s loud, but effective. Concealable, at least until you pull the trigger.

Welcome back to TFB’s Small Business Spotlight! In this weekly column, we take a look at small firearm-related businesses. While most companies featured in this series are usually new to the industry and/or our readers, today’s company, M+M Industries, is actually one that many of you are probably familiar with, as they’ve been in the business for quite some time and we have several articles on their products.

TriStar Arms is offering shooters more ways to customize its popular KR22 .22 LR rifle without changing its proven performance. The new Flat Dark Earth and Olive Drab Green finishes join the original synthetic black model, bringing modern, outdoors-inspired looks to the versatile semi-automatic rimfire.

Samson Manufacturing has announced the latest addition to its growing line of rifle furniture with the introduction of the SAS-K (Samson Adjustable Stock - K), a compact variant of its existing SAS folding stock system. The new model answers long-standing customer requests for a shorter, more compact adjustable stock without sacrificing durability or functionality.

With the United States approaching its 250th anniversary in 2026, Henry Repeating Arms has unveiled a highly exclusive commemorative firearm: The Spirit of ’76 Semiquincentennial Edition. Limited to just 250 examples, the rifle is intended as a collector-grade tribute to the nation’s founding and the historical events that defined it. I wonder if any of them will ever be used and fired?

Christmas movies and gun-heavy action seem like they would go together like strawberries and mustard, but there is a long tradition of Christmas-themed action movies. From Bruce Willis crawling through air ducts to Mel Gibson's suicidal cop finding his will to live, some of the most memorable holiday films feature serious firepower alongside the tinsel and eggnog.

When it comes to new products in the gun community, there are some innovative companies that offer quality gear at an affordable price. The initial reviews come out glowing, but what about years of abuse? What happens to those products years after they are unboxed and used on a daily basis? I have a unique job where I use rifle cases almost every day. I picked up a Multicam Black Savior Bag roughly 7 and a half years ago, which has happened a lot with that bag traveling tens of thousands of miles, usually loaded to the gills with gear. I also bought a new one to see some differences and improvements. Let's take a closer look at the Savior Equipment Urban Warfare Bag after 7 years.

Ever since my Concamo Ghosthood Confusion Camouflage System review, I’ve admired the simplicity of the system and respected the amazing efficiency of the camouflage. Regardless of whether the U.S. Marines read our review or not, they’re now evaluating the system. During the evaluation, it seems a few Marines went missing.

A few weeks ago, we took a look at the relatively new Smith & Wesson 617 Mountain Gun. The rimfire variant of the Mountain Gun series is a higher-quality addition to the current lineup of .22LR revolvers, and I have been looking for a perfect excuse to take another look at the “kit gun” concept and mash it up with the scoped revolver concept popularized by guys like Bill Wilson and J.D. Jones. The Mountain Gun is actually perfectly suited for this since it’s built on the same K-Frame that the Model 10 (.38 Spl) and Model 13 (.357 Mag) are. Today, I’ll show you guys what I’ve gathered to help push the reliability of the short-range .22LR 617 Mountain gun into a slightly more useful role as a longer-range small-game hunting gun, complete with a Burris 2x20 Handgun Scope, and a fitting leather chest holster from Falco Holsters.

Springfield Armory has announced that the Henderson Police Department (HPD) in Henderson, Nevada, has officially adopted the Echelon 9mm pistol as its new duty handgun. Following an extensive evaluation process, HPD selected both the full-size Echelon 4.5F and the compact Echelon 4.0C for service across multiple divisions.

Smith & Wesson has added a new chambering to its Model 1854 lever-action rifle line with the introduction of the .360 Buckhammer variant. The rifle combines traditional lever-action ergonomics with contemporary tactical features intended to broaden its utility across hunting and field applications.

SIGHTRON has announced that its long-anticipated S6 10–60x56 ED Field Target riflescope is now shipping. The optic is intended for airgun and small-caliber field target shooters as well as benchrest competitors, with a design focused on high-resolution glass, precise parallax control, and repeatable adjustments. The S6 uses a 15-lens optical system built from Japanese optical-grade glass.