Reviews

It wasn’t until my mid-to-late 20s that I began to take my hearing protection seriously. I ran heavy equipment for a living and loved shooting and hunting, so my ears were often under fire from dangerously loud noises. I began to notice a slight hearing decline, so I started wearing foam earplugs at work and ear pro while shooting and hunting. However, I found that shouldering my rifle and shotgun while wearing my old earmuffs didn’t allow me to get a good cheek weld on the stock. So, I began the search for the best shooting earbuds. Below are my top picks for 2025.

Lost? Today’s Photo of the Day highlights a new variant of the M&P 15-22 Sport finished in a Cerakote ODG Topographic pattern. Perhaps it will help you find your way home? The rifle is a familiar entry in the rimfire training category, but this version stands out with its polymer receivers, handguard, stock, and grip all coated in the same topo-style finish. The photos show how the pattern flows across the surfaces, giving the lightweight platform a distinctive look.

If you are interested in a Registered Magnum revolver, this is a fantastic auction to keep an eye on with a number of Registered as well as Non Registered Magnums with everything from 3” factory models to the longer 6 ½” variants and everything in between. Whether it's a matching set of snub nose magnums or a Registered Magnum that a Virginia ABC inspector carried with an extra set of Stag grips, there are some truly fantastic examples in this auction that would be a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a flagship piece for their collection. One of the models that made an impression is a factory Nickel Registered Magnum that was engraved by Cole Agee.

Werkz is a company dedicated to helping customers carry their pistol, with all that that entails. Their lineup includes five styles of holsters, magazine carriers that either attach to your holster or standalone carriers, as well as weapon-mounted and handheld flashlights. Werkz saw my review of the CZ P-09C Nocturne pistol and asked if I’d review the Werkz Bisect Kydex Holster system, which is optimized for Appendix Inside the Waistband carry (AIWB). Although the Bisect is set up for appendix carry, the piggybacked magazine carrier can be separated so that the pistol holster can be carried with a smaller profile, or in a different position in the waistband. To say that the Werkz Bisect is a full-featured holster would be an understatement! Let’s see why.

Big Horn Armory (BHA), renowned for crafting powerful big-bore firearms, is ramping up excitement for the holidays. Starting Friday, November 28, and running through Monday, December 1, 2025, shoppers can enjoy complimentary shipping on every purchase at   www.bighornarmory.com by entering the promo code BF25. This offer caters to backcountry hunters pursuing trophy game, discerning collectors seeking timeless craftsmanship, or AR fans who insist on top-tier performance.

Staccato & Max Michel @ TFB:

The weirdest PCC ever is finally coming to America! In a move that's sure to excite American enthusiasts of unconventional firearms, the bizarrely beautiful Pistollo 77° pistol-caliber carbine (PCC) that looks like it was dreamed up by an AI on a sci-fi binge is one step closer to U.S. shores. As detailed in TFB’s earlier deep dive back in June, this Czech-engineered oddity combines 9mm punch with a head-scratching 77° angled design that's equal parts futuristic art piece and practical shooter.

During the 1950s, the U.S. Army sought to boost infantry firepower with a weapon that offered greater range than a hand-thrown grenade but was far more portable than a mortar. This led to the development in the late 1950s of the low-velocity 40x46mm Springfield Armory M79, a single-shot, break-action first issued in 1961. The M79 proved effective and popular in early Vietnam, but its single-shot nature was a serious limitation. Every time the grenadier fired, he had to reload, leaving him unable to sustain fire in a firefight. Moreover, the grenadier was issued with only the M79 and a sidearm. In practice, this meant each grenadier could not act as a rifleman, and these drawbacks spurred the development of under-barrel grenade launcher systems for the new M16 rifle.

A cut above the rest, with the Aimpoint A-Cut? Winter has arrived, and so has my new Glock 45 Hunter Edition, so it has to be featured in our Photo Of The Day. I just wish the COA red dot could have been painted in OD Green as well. The Glock below is just a thin layer of ice away from a serious boating accident, but it made it.

Welcome back to TFB’s Small Business Spotlight! In this weekly article series, we talk about small firearm-related businesses. Today’s company is Recoil Rider, a manufacturer of concealed carry revolver grips from the Lone Star State.

Thanks to properties like high density and malleability, lead has been the go-to birdshot material since the beginning of time. However, lead is toxic and nowadays it is banned in many countries, including the USA, for hunting certain game species. Some of the most popular alternative materials for making non-toxic birdshot are steel, tungsten and bismuth. The raw material for making bismuth shot is apparently predominantly imported from China. With the latest economic and political developments, it has become challenging for ammo manufacturers to get this material and many are considering switching to other materials. Boss Shotshells came up with an interesting solution and has recently introduced a shotgun ammunition line called Boss Copper that is loaded with birdshot completely made of copper. Yes, all-copper, not copper-plated.

According to WOOX, the components are engineered with attention to ergonomics and durability. The parts are said to offer precision machining and are intended to provide a premium fit and feel for AK-pattern rifles.

Ever wondered how a subcompact pistol would handle with a brace? Or how you can mount a whopping 46 rounds onto a usable and reliable P365? Are you looking for an option directly from SIG? If so, you're in luck! Today, we're reviewing the P365-Flux direct from SIG.

German Precision Optics (GPO) has introduced its newest addition to the Passion APO line: the Passion APO 16–48×65mm spotting scope. Designed as a more compact alternative to the larger APO 20–60×85mm model, the new 65mm version aims to deliver high-end optical performance in a lighter and more portable package suited for hunters, birders, and general outdoor observation.

As a lifelong Alien franchise fanatic, I've spent too many nights engrossed in every frame of Ridley Scott's universe, from the xenomorph's first slimy emergence in the original to the pulse-pounding chaos of Aliens. But nothing quite prepared me for Alien: Earth, the 2025 FX/Hulu series that finally brought the nightmare back home—to a gritty, near-future Earth overrun by Weyland-Yutani's corporate sins. Premiering in March, the show reimagines the prequel era with a diverse ensemble navigating acid-blooded horrors on our own soil. What hooked me hardest, though, wasn't just the facehugger jump scares or the synthetic twists; it was the arsenal. The guns in Alien: Earth feel like a love letter to the franchise's militaristic roots, blending practical effects with high-tech props. In this piece, I'll walk you through the standout firearms that made me rewind the show to try and figure out what they were.

If you’re in for a more modern version of the Overfinch Heritage Field Edition, then we have found what you've been looking for. Today’s Photo of the Day features one of the rarest and most luxurious SUVs ever created: the Overfinch Holland & Holland Edition Range Rover SV. This is not just a luxury Range Rover – it’s a bespoke collaboration with legendary British gunmaker Holland & Holland, limited to just 25 examples.

The Russian VSS “Vintorez” has to be one of the coolest and most impossible-to-get guns out there. Pressed into service back in ‘87 when the USSR was on its last leg, VSS’s claim to fame largely lies in its design. The rifle featured an integral suppressor, special rounds built for punching through armor, and a closely related assault rifle variant dubbed the AS Val. Chances are, none of us will ever actually lay hands on a real Vintorez, but that’s where Raiders Arms comes in. “Penny,” the creator of the VSS-22 Chassis System, has whipped up a pretty awesome kit that lets you build your own lookalike version on any regular 10/22—no need to hunt down rare ammo. The kit’s up for pre-order, so in today’s edition of The Rimfire Report, we’ll take a closer look at this neat aftermarket body kit.

Ruger's venerable M77 Hawkeye series has a whole spate of new models. These new Hawkeye Hunters have 16.6-inch threaded barrels. Keep reading for all the details.

The West Virginia State Police has selected Shadow Systems as its exclusive service-pistol provider, marking another major law-enforcement contract for the Texas-based manufacturer. The agency, founded in 1919 and recognized as the fourth-oldest state police organization in the United States, will transition to the XR920 and CR920X pistol platforms following its evaluation process.

Birds beware! Beretta has announced the launch of the AX800 Suprema, a new semi-automatic shotgun developed specifically for waterfowl hunters. The model represents a ground-up engineering effort aimed at improving reliability, handling, and performance in the type of harsh, wet conditions typical of duck and goose seasons.

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday, brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new Victra-12 shotgun suppressor. Fall is in the air, the leaves are changing or falling depending on where you live, and Thanksgiving is in the very near future. And you know what that means: Black Friday deals are on the way! Here is a roundup of some of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday silencer sales that are public as of writing.

Shotgun has always been a discipline I have severely neglected over the years, but recently I have come to the realization that it was something I could no longer ignore. There are a plethora of tactical shotguns on the market from companies like Benelli or Mossberg, but one of the more recent additions has risen to popularity rapidly, the Beretta 1301. With its proprietary BLINK gas system and rugged reliability, it has quickly become a favourite among sporting and tactical enthusiasts alike. I was always a fan of the 1301, regarding it as the best tactical shotgun on the market and preferring it over, sa,y a Benelli M4, however, I have always had some gripes with some of the ergonomics of the platform, so when Mesa Tactical, one of the biggest names in shotgun furniture, offered to send me a 1301 makeover package, I jumped on it.

Photo Of The Day: We are looking at the CNC Firearms Faxon Exclusive AR-15 pistol, one of a sequentially numbered run limited to just 1 of 338 builds. Chambered in .338 ARC, this compact pistol is said to marry large-bore ballistics with a maneuverable footprint, a rare combination aimed equally at serious shooters and collectors. The images highlight the 12.5-inch Faxon Match Series Gunner Profile threaded barrel and MuzzLok muzzle device, the lightweight Faxon X-TRA Lite receiver set, and the 10-inch M-LOK handguard with full-length Picatinny for mounting optics and accessories.

At its core, the .358 Winchester is a very simple idea. The designers took a .308 Winchester cartridge and necked it up to handle a .358-caliber projectile. The increase in diameter allowed them to load heavier bullets than the parent cartridge. While you’ll see some rare loadings that push the .308’s projectiles past 200 grains, most are 180 or smaller. The .358 Winchester is commonly loaded with 200-grain projectiles, and can be loaded as heavy as 250 grains.

The Strike X-Logic Warpath compensator has two ports on each side and a single top port. This model also features a pin and weld hole at the bottom to allow increasing the legal barrel length to 16 inches when installed on 14.5-inch barrels. The thread pitch is 1/2x28. The overall length of this muzzle device is 2.06” and it weighs 2.5oz.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program has a large batch of surplus .22LR target rifles available for purchase now. Classic models like the Winchester 52 and Remington 40X are in stock for what may be the last time. Keep reading for all the details.

The Marlin 1894 Trapper has a new, unexpected chambering. For the first time, a Marlin lever action is available in the best MM, 10MM Auto cartridge! Incorporating a rimless cartridge into this style of action is an interesting development indeed.

AGM Global Vision has expanded its digital optics lineup with the introduction of the Spectrum 4K-Mini, a compact day/night scope designed for hunters who prioritise mobility without giving up image quality or key functionality. Within thermals and night vision, I hear a lot of voices complaining about the weight of the devices. These customers will be happy to see that the new Mini model is said to keep many of the same capabilities as the bigger units, while coming in at a notably lighter 16 ounces.

Traveling through Vietnam for a few months offers not only a chance to experience the country’s breathtaking landscapes, bustling cities, and culture, but also an opportunity to explore its complex wartime history preserved in museums across Vietnam. From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, countless exhibitions shed light on the Vietnam War and the equipment that defined it. Among the most striking displays are the XM177E1 and XM177E2 rifles, compact variations of the M16 used extensively by U.S. forces, especially Special Forces, during the conflict. Each museum visit reveals subtle differences between these carbines, their roles in combat, and the stories they carry as artifacts of a turbulent era.