Reviews

Iowans 18 and older may now own and carry handguns, as Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on April 18, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18. The move follows decisions ruling against the federal handgun age limit in states such as New Orleans, Virginia, and Minnesota.

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.

If you heard rumors of internal problems at Watchtower Firearms over the past few months, well, you weren’t the only one who heard them, and those rumors were indeed correct. Watchtower filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in February, but if you liked their products, there’s good news—they’ve reorganized, and they are still in business.

The rimfire suppressor market just got more interesting as Dead Air and Ruger unveiled their latest collaboration: the RXD22Ti. This $499 titanium can marks Dead Air's first major rimfire update since the Mask HD that helped put them on the map years ago.

Gennady Nikolaevich Nikonov was a highly regarded weapons designer best known for his work on the short-lived AN-94 Abakan. Throughout his impressive career at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant, he contributed to developing several unique and innovative solutions. In 1977, he designed and completed an experimental light machine gun in 1978. This machine gun pushed the boundaries of practical application by demonstrating a fire rate that exceeded the capabilities of conventional operating systems.

Photo Of The Day from EnforceTac 2025, where we get a closer look at James Reeves and the TFBTV crew as they examine the H&K MR308A6 model. The G210 is a short-range sniper rifle chambered in the well-known and proven 7.62×51mm caliber. Up to 500 units are scheduled for delivery to the German Army’s special forces in 2025. It’s not often we get a behind-the-scenes of the TFBTV crew, but I was there and snapped a few photos.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at some of the common mistakes people make when they conceal a handgun. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I wanted to look at one of the most important aspects of carrying concealed, which is to avoid any conflict altogether. It may seem silly, but there are certainly situations that are better to avoid entirely, and cues to look for that may help keep you safe in the long run. Let’s take a closer look at the art of avoidance and how to stay safe out in public.

Ammunition Depot CEO Dan Wolgin has issued a reassuring message to shooters concerned about potential ammunition price increases, stating that recent tariffs and supply chain fears are largely overblown for the American ammunition market.

The new RXD30Ti suppressor from Dead Air isn't just another can – it's the first fruit of a partnership with Ruger that aims to shake up the suppressor market. Available in sleek Burnt Bronze or tactical Black Cerakote for $1,099, this ultralight titanium beast combines Dead Air's Triskelion and Nomad baffle systems into one package that won't weigh down your hunting rig.

The CZ Shadow 2 Carry is finally here, and yes—it’s real, it’s metal, and it’s carryable. But is it worth $1200? In this TFBTV review, James Reeves goes hands-on with CZ’s newest Shadow pistol, featuring a full range session, a breakdown of features, and an interview with CZ at IWA 2025. James compares the Shadow 2 Carry to top-tier rivals like the PX4 Storm LTT, BUL Armory SAS II UL, Glock’s new C.O.A. series, and the SIG P365 line. If you’ve ever wondered how much performance you really get for your money, this is the one to watch.

NRAAM 2025 is just around the corner and it seems like most companies have opted to announce their latest products ahead of time. In light of that, I’ve brought on Bryce from The Carry Handle Podcast to talk a bit about some of the new products we’ve already heard of and that Hop and I will be covering on TFBTV Showtime. Please let us know in the comments what you’re most looking forward to from this year’s NRA Show and be sure to stop by and say hi if you happen to see us!

In this article, I want to talk about some options for you 2-gun or 3-gun people who are looking for a good rifle to start competing with. There are countless options on the market today, which is fantastic, but it can become overwhelming when you want to purchase a rifle for competition. The main choices in the market are AR15 variants versus non-AR style rifles. Both have benefits in their way, so it's time to take a deeper dive into the world of rifles for competition.

Photo Of The Day, and we watch as some of the most modern personal firearms and soldiers meet firearms of the past. The 2025 Best Ranger Competition marks the 41st anniversary of this intense and demanding event, spotlighting some of the most elite soldiers in the world. The competition was first held in 1982, born from an idea by Dick Leandri to honor his close friend, Lieutenant General (Ret.) David E. Grange, Jr.

Want to buy a classic Smith & Wesson? Something way older than an original K-frame, even older than the Schofield. Why not a customized Model 1 ½, as ordered and owned by Horace Smith, aka the “Smith” in Smith & Wesson? Thanks to the Rock Island Auction Company, you will have your chance to do that next month.

IWI is getting in on the “other” firearm game with the new Mafteah. This semi-auto 12-gauge, 3-inch gun features a 14-inch smoothbore barrel and pistol grip, making it an “other” firearm under US law instead of a short barrel shotgun or any other weapon, either of which would be subject to NFA regulation. This new gun is named for the “ Key of Solomon” textbook of magic, which I had to look up because I had never heard of it.

The American military rifle experts at Fulton Armory just released a new version of the M21 sniper rifle. It complies with all applicable rules for CMP vintage sniper matches. Keep reading for all the details.

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.

Del-Ton, Inc. is probably one of the most well-known AR-15 brands from the recent past. A fairly budget-friendly firearms manufacturer based in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, it appears that Del-Ton will be closing its doors according to some recent news on X. Del-Ton issued a statement announcing that the company would be ceasing operations, and thanking their customers for their years of support. So what exactly happened to the highly beloved Del-Ton Inc. that caused them to close their doors?

In December 2010, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated the Tokar research and development program, followed by Tokar-2 in 2016, to create a 5.45mm light assault machine gun. This initiative was likely influenced by the capture of IWI Negev light machine guns from the Georgian Army during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. One of the primary requirements for the Tokar-2 was to integrate a dual or combined feed system that would utilize both a magazine and a belt. JSC "V.A. Degtyarev Plant" (ZID) developed the Kord 5.45 light machine gun.

In today’s Photo Of The Day, we’re taking a look at the new Baer 1911 “MAGA” pistol, chambered in God’s caliber - 10 mm. Les Baer Custom — great people, by the way, truly the best — has just announced this tremendous new 1911 pistol. And folks, this one is something very special. It’s a tribute — a beautiful, powerful tribute — to the President of the USA, Donald J. Trump. Not just the 45th, but also the 47th president of the United States.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program has yet another unique military sniper rifle up for auction. This Mark 13 Mod 3 was issued by the US Navy and is in completely authentic as-issued condition. It is not every day that you have the opportunity to bid on something like this!

Those crazy Floridians are at it again! This time, they added another millimeter and created the Sub-2000 in 10mm. This joins the recent addition to the lineup of a 5.7x28mm model.

CCI’s line of rimfire ammo continues to expand. The new Suppressor Max .22 LR ammo combines a segmented hollow point bullet with subsonic velocities. It is also designed to cycle in semiautomatic firearms, so those pesky squirrels can’t get away if you miss the initial shot.

Mossberg’s latest offering is a new semiautomatic “other” firearm, the 990 Aftershock. This 12-gauge gas-operated firearm offers a five-round magazine tube without any NFA tax stamp. It also includes a strap on the front end to make sure the support hand stays where it is supposed to be during firing.

In the world of firearms design, for every iconic success like the 1911 or AR-15, there are dozens of odd, awkward, and sometimes downright bizarre creations that made it past the prototype stage. Whether victims of poor engineering, questionable ergonomics, or simply being too ahead of their time, these firearms represent the road less traveled in gun development.

As if wearing a CBRN protective suit wasn’t enough, the French Special Forces GIGN combined this with some shooting drills with a Heckler & Koch MP5. It does look like it’s quite difficult to do any kind of precision aiming through the red dot, and there should be some difficulties shouldering the stock also. These kinds of special images are great for TFB’s Photo Of The Day.

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.

FALCO Holsters has one of the most extensive online catalogs of holster options available, whether you’re into Kydex or leather. Over the years, FALCO has grown from a small garage in rural Slovakia making leather falconry gloves to a state-of-the-art workshop that now provides holsters worldwide to civilians, military units, and law enforcement agencies. This month, they’ve announced a new expansion for their holster lineup to now include compatibility with even more lights and lasers than before.

Welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals! We’re back with more deals on guns, gear, ammunition, and accessories from some of our most frequented online retailers like EuroOptic, Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, and Optics Planet.

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday, brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new YHM R45 Multi-Host Suppressor. This week we are taking another look at the new silencers from BOE Suppression, particularly the Mod 1S. I got to put a few rounds through one and have some initial impressions to share.