Reviews

Precision shooting at distance is an unforgiving discipline. Every variable compounds, and it’s easy to blame the wrong one(s). A rifle tilted even two or three degrees from true vertical will cause what shooters call cant error. Bullets don't simply fly sideways; they arc away from your point of aim in a predictable but punishing way. At 300 metres, this can put a round noticeably off to the side of the target. Spirit levels and bubble levels have been the traditional answer, but they demand that you look away from your optic, they have no feedback speed, and they give you no data to analyze later. Enter Shooters Global Pulse and Pulse Pro.

Every now and then, you see products that catch your interest. Today’s Photo of the Day features the Cyelee BULL X PRO, a large-window reflex optic designed for handgun use with an RMR footprint interface. The oversized viewing window, measuring roughly 34.5 × 26 mm, provides an expanded field of view compared to many compact pistol optics.

There is nothing more inherently Fudd-coded than a lever-action rifle. Lever guns bring to mind images of post-war deer camps, or classic ammunition advertisements of broadbrim-hatted shootists facing down grizzlies, or bagging a ram across a rocky canyon. Of course, the classic lever guns in those adverts are always open-sighted. No scopes for the frontier!

Barrett has begun shipping its America’s 250th Series limited edition rifles, a commemorative release tied to the upcoming U.S. Semiquincentennial. Production is capped at 500 rifles total, split evenly between two .50 BMG platforms: the Barrett Model 82A1 and the Barrett M107A1.

Element Optics has introduced the ETX Red Dot, a compact reflex sight designed for use across pistols, shotguns, and carbines. Built around the widely used RMR footprint, the ETX is positioned as a multi-purpose optic aimed at shooters looking for a single solution across multiple platforms. The first units have already hit European shores, with a price around $260, but the aim is set for the U.S. market, I’m sure.

It’s a year of anniversaries in the American shooting world, as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary and gun manufacturers put out commemorative edition rifles to go with that birthday. But in Newport, Rhode Island, local shooters are celebrating a big birthday of their own. The Newport Rifle Club is turning 150 years old in 2026.

Passing the qual and being ready to shoot are not the same thing. Most agencies have built their training calendar around one and called it the other.

Poland’s love for the PK series of machine guns cannot be overstated. It continues to serve today, even after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact nations and the USSR, with Western modernizations that may preserve the core reliability that made the original famous. It began when the PK entered Soviet service in 1961, and in the mid-1960s, Warsaw Pact armies began replacing older medium machine guns with new general-purpose machine guns. Poland initially received a license in 1966 for the PKS-mounted version, produced at the Hipolit Cegielski Mechanical Works in Poznań, and the rest of the PK family followed soon after. Poland received the license for the modified PKM/PKMS pattern in 1973. By this time, Poland had already developed an interest in the PK series of machine guns; the PKM furthered that interest.

Where better to see the CZ P13, the new standard sidearm selected by the German Army, than in Germany? Here at TFB, we have images from Enforce Tac 2026 for our Photo Of The Day. The designation “P13” applies to a military variant of the CZ P-10 C OR, a compact, striker-fired 9×19mm handgun.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at how to interact with police officers while carrying a concealed firearm. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I wanted to take a look at something I chat with close friends about often. In certain situations, there are certainly reasons to carry cool guns, but there are a few problems with carrying cool guns over practical firearms. Let's look at cool versus capable firearms. 

Everyone in my generation knows which watch went to the moon first. This article gives you the details of which knife will go to the Moon, so you can tell your grandchildren. In fact, I have the same model in my car for emergencies, so I feel a lot safer now. Benchmade Knife Company is set to play a role in upcoming lunar missions, as this knife has been selected for use by NASA astronauts during the Artemis program.

At first glance, this announcement from FALCO Holsters looked like a naturally timed April Fools’ post - but it wasn’t. The Slovakian leather holster maker just dropped its new CarryArt series, kicking things off with two eye-catching leather OWB holsters that look like they’d be a hit at any summer BBQ: the CX14 Pineapple and  CX15 Strawberry. Like other FALCO Holsters, the new CarryArt series is built from the same full-grain Italian leather FALCO is known for. Along with the craftsmanship, customers should also expect the same positive retention and smooth draw while getting a few extra style points out of their daily carry gear. The Pineapple design is said to bring a bold textured surface, while the Strawberry features distinctive seed-shaped cutouts in the outer layer. Both holsters are offered in a compact open-top, open-bottom profile that accommodates threaded barrels and delivers fast, natural presentation.

Wraithworks is set to introduce a new caliber option to its WARP platform, with upcoming .45 ACP models built around a radial delay operating system and compatibility with UMP-pattern magazines. Two configurations are expected: a compact Mini variant with a 5-inch barrel and an HBPDW-style brace system, and a larger pistol version featuring an 8-inch barrel.

On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we are joined once again by Matt and Dan from The Proving Grounds. The Proving Grounds is a series of firearms competition events that feature everything from precision long-range rifle shooting out to 700 yards, high-speed carbine engagements, close-quarters pistol work, in addition to demanding physical obstacles, weighted carries, and timed rucks, all under strict par times. Each series is unique and encompasses everything from the Proving Grounds Tactical Sniper matches, "Moons Out, Goons Out" night-vision shoots, Heavy Division challenges, Gas Gun Tactical courses, and regional competitions across the Southeast US. Today, Matt and Dan return to tell us about some of their recent conquests and future match plans for 2026.

After spending too much time in the safe, this Tikka T3x TAC A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor is back where it belongs - on the range. As winter gives way to spring, conditions are opening up for precision rifle training, and platforms like this are built to be used, not stored.

My local CMP-affiliated shooting club recently announced a full slate of bullseye pistol matches this summer. I have dabbled previously and plan on jumping in with both feet this year to work on my various distinguished pistol ranks. But that means I needed a good target revolver and ammo to go with it. So here is some info from my first go at loading .38 wadcutters for match use.

Česká zbrojovka has announced a new partnership with Ace Virtual Shooting to introduce a virtual reality controller modeled after the CZ Shadow 2, bringing competition-style pistol shooting into a digital training environment.

Canik has officially entered the suppressor market with the launch of its new VOID series, developed in collaboration with Otter Creek Labs. The move marks an expansion beyond Canik’s established handgun lineup into muzzle devices and system accessories.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives quietly published a new guidance document Tuesday morning titled Clarification of Terms Related to Firearms, Firearm Accessories, Firearm Components, Firearm-Adjacent Items, and Other Items Which May or May Not Be Firearms Depending on Circumstances and Configurations, and before you ask, yes, that's the actual title.

Swarovski Optik has announced updates across three of its core riflescope families, introducing the new dS 4-24x50 P, an updated Z6i lineup, and additional Z5i+ MRAD models. The expansion reflects continued development across digital, general-purpose, and long-range hunting optics.

Purpose-built for the SIG Sauer MCX platform, the Reptilia Puller Ambidextrous Charging Handle is a low-profile, high-strength upgrade engineered for consistent, reliable manipulation from either side. Compatible with the MCX Spear and MCX Rattler variants, it delivers positive engagement without adding unnecessary bulk or complexity.

So, you bought a 5.56 NATO rifle, which is probably some variant of the AR-15. You quickly learned it is loud, gassy, and hard to suppress. Now your rifle doesn’t want to cycle properly, you’re chucking fireballs down range like a wizard, and you don’t know where you went wrong with the suppressor you bought. A suppressor that's great on a 16" rifle might be miserable on an 11.5" SBR (short barreled rifle). While many suppressor manufacturers tout they have “do-all” suppressors, that is hardly the truth. There’s considerations that need to be accounted for: sound reduction vs. length/weight, dedicated 5.56 suppressors vs. multi-cal/.30 cal suppressors on a 5.56 host, and flow-through vs. traditional baffle designs. The best 5.56 suppressor for you might be the worst for your friend. Your use-case, the host firearm, and your end goals will all contribute to your decision. So, let us help you cut through the smoke of this decision-making process so you can hit your target. Let’s dive in on your future best 5.56 suppressor!

In search of the Ultimate Photo Of The Day, I headed to the Ukrainian company Fort’s booth at Enforce Tac 2026. The FORT-230 reminds me of the HK MP, as long as we can settle for 9x19mm. After the brief, I’m quite prepared for my own FORT-230.

Welcome back to TFB's Small Business Spotlight! In this series, we take a look at small firearm-related businesses. Today, we have a family-owned gun shop and manufacturer out of Cambridge, Maryland: REK Firearms.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 2 in United States v. Hemani, and the federal law banning gun ownership for marijuana users had a rough day. Justices on both sides pushed back hard on the government's position.

Caracal USA has been awarded a supply contract with multiple government agencies in Belize for its CAR814 A2 Patrol rifle, the company announced Thursday. The deal adds Belize to a growing list of Caribbean and Central American customers for the Idaho-based company.

If you missed how we got here: a three-judge Ninth Circuit panel struck down California's ammo restrictions in July 2025, applying the Bruen text-and-history test. California pushed for en banc review, got it, and the background check requirement stayed in effect during the appeal. TFB covered the en banc grant back in December.

Sturm Ruger & Company has announced a new 250th Anniversary Series of firearms, marking the United States semiquincentennial with a range of limited-production models. Each firearm in the series is marked “Made in the 250th Year of American Liberty,” echoing Ruger’s earlier Bicentennial commemorative releases from 1976. The lineup spans multiple product families, including the 10/22 rifle, LCP MAX pistol, Ruger American Gen II rifle, Mark IV 22/45 pistol, Super Wrangler revolver, and an AR-pattern lower receiver.

"Hybrid" means a blend of two (or more) things into one new whole. Hybrid cars combine gasoline and electric power. Hybrid animals like pizzly bears and ligers blend facets of the parent species into something new. Hybrid holsters take the best parts of leather and rigid retention portions, and combine them in a way that optimizes the best parts of both. This article will look at hybrid holsters, their pros and cons, and when you might consider adding one to your rotation.

Today’s Photo of the Day highlights the SSW40, a magazine-fed, shoulder-fired 40 mm grenade launcher designed to deliver increased firepower compared to traditional single-shot systems. Chambered for both 40 mm LV (low velocity) and the newer MV (medium velocity) ammunition family, the platform is intended to bridge the gap between standard underbarrel launchers and heavier crew-served systems.