Hi-Lux Optics offers a full range of optics for firearms, including a large selection of reproduction scopes for vintage rifles in their Malcolm lineup. One of the most interesting is the USMC 8x Gen II which is a modern take on the classic Unertl target scope. [Read More…]
Recent news from the Department of Defense has shown that the 2nd Marine Law Enforcement Battalion, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina has been working with Marine Corps Systems Command in testing a new target system that the Marine Corps could possibly purchase [Read More…]
A warning against romanticism in military planning. In the early 1940s, the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) made a fateful decision that would affect the lives of tens of thousands of men over the next decade. Two years prior, the Army had just begun testing her newest [Read More…]
When the subject is the future of infantry, the conversation inevitably turns to one thing: Powered, armored exoskeletons. Since the publication of Heinlein’s Starship Troopers in 1959, the concept of an armored suit with enhanced mobility from an internal power [Read More…]
With the termination of the Interim Combat Service Rifle, the CSASS program on hold, and the XM25 CDTE dead and buried, many are wondering: When will the Army get its act together on small arms? Given the long history of Army program failures, though, maybe a better [Read More…]
In the comments section of my recent article Are We Gearing Up to Lose the Next War? Overmatch, Part 2: Bullets & Backbreakers, two of TFB’s readers shared documents that help us describe the problem of the modern soldier and Marine’s load. The first, [Read More…]
The United States Marine Corps has issued a new acquisition notice for up to 50,814 M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR), to be sole sourced from Heckler & Koch. The notice is technically not a solicitation in and of itself, but a pre-solicitation notice, intended to [Read More…]
Canadian technology company Mawashi has formally introduced their flagship product: A passive exoskeleton designed to help the soldier carry his heavy load. The exoskeleton is reportedly based on research into how the human body distributes weight, studying obese [Read More…]
In the rush to augment the infantry’s firepower with new advanced small arms technologies, we may be on the precipice of crippling their ability to fight wars. The push to equip the infantryman with more powerful rifles and machine guns risks reducing his mobility [Read More…]
In January of 2001, the US Army introduced a new slogan to replace the classic “Be All You Can Be” which young men had recruited under for over two decades. The branch’s new slogan was “An Army of One”, signalling a brand new take on a [Read More…]
The US Military is looking into lighter weight armor for the infantry. Both the Army and the Marine Corps are looking into reducing the weight of the personal protective equipment (PPE, read “helmet and body armor”) carried by the infantrymen of both [Read More…]
There are very few in the gun community that doesn’t know the name Mike Lamb. Mike has carved a career out for himself as a trainer and all around expert largely thanks to his time in the military as well as his continued training. The report from my friend David [Read More…]
Much of the recent discourse regarding the future of infantry combat has centered around the long engagement distances encountered during the Afghan campaign, and the rise of designated marksmen as key elements in the infantry squad. However, arguably more important [Read More…]
Let’s take a brief tangent. While my job is to write about firearms for you guys, I have many other interests; one of them is Medieval history. It’s a pretty cool thing to be interested in these days, as YouTube is practically bursting with awesome channels [Read More…]
The following article was written by a guest writer, Matt Koetting. We appreciate him sharing the information about the Marine Recon Challenge and photos of the 1911. Before the sun rises and the marine layer lifts on May 21st several two-man teams will embark on the [Read More…]
Christian Brown is a wounded Marine Veteran who lost his legs in Afghanistan. He still likes to shoot and he shot a 3Gun match with the help of a friend.
I was very skeptical when I first heard that Leupold was selected to supply the USMC with their Mark 8 1.1-8x24mm CQBSS scope for use on .50 BMG M2 and 40mm Mk19. machine guns. The CQBSS is an impressive scope but was designed for sniper or DM rifles, not heavy machine [Read More…]
The Machine Gun Platoon, Support Company, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division, based out of Chicopee, MA, has been participating in the Agile Spirit 2011 military exercise at the Vaziani Military Base, Republic of Georgia. Dvids reports … All gunners in [Read More…]
Military.com reports on the deployment of the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. Program officials maintain that the increased accuracy will compensate for the M27′s slower, sustained rate of fire. Unlike the M249, the new IAR doesn’t have a spare barrel that can [Read More…]
A couple of weeks ago at the NDIA Joint Armaments Conference Brigadier General Michael M. Brogan revealed that Marine Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) had been given the designation “M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle”. At the end of last year it was announced that [Read More…]
The Marine command has been slow to field the new and improved SOST ammunition. Marine Times reports … Marine Times reports “I got mine from a [military policeman] attached to the company, but I haven’t shot them yet,” said a lance corporal who serves as a [Read More…]
Firearms and Training has posted an essay written by a Marine who was badly wounded in combat, and only realized his mistake after taking tactical training courses. The reason for this belief of mine is fairly simple: When I was engaged in combat the day I was wounded, [Read More…]
Somebody at Marine HQ realized that if you buy a lot of M1911A1 frames, you are probably are going to need slides to go with them! The Marine Corps System Command (MCSC)intends to issue a solicitation number M67854-09-R-1146 for 1800 M45 .45 cal pistol slides. The [Read More…]
Daniel E. Watters, who is always vigilant, alerted me to the fact that the Marines are looking to procure M1911A1 frames. The frames are for the MEU(SOC) pistols that are used by Force Recon. Up till now they have been using surplus 1911 frames. I guess the supply of [Read More…]
The Colt IAR is Colt’s entry in the Marine IAR competition for a lightweight automatic rifle to replace the SAW in certain situations. It is an interesting weapon. Photos by SMGLee. Click to expand Under the barrel you can see a hefty heatsink. This is used to [Read More…]
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