The latest addition to Merkel’s Helix line of rifles is the Merkel Helix Carbon. As its name implies, the new Helix Carbon features carbon fiber furniture which is what sets it apart from its siblings in the Helix family. Let’s take a closer look. Merkel @ [Read More…]
We saw already a few items from EDIC Caracal at IDEX back in February, and again the UAE based company plays at home in ADIHEX. In this hunting oriented event, the German subsidiary Merkel was part of the Caracal booth as well, with some high-end models. While Merkel [Read More…]
A couple of weeks ago we reported about the suppressed version of the Merkel Helix rifle. Recently the company has introduced another variation of their rifle called Helix Speedster. The main difference of the Speedster from other Helix rifles is its new stock which [Read More…]
Merkel has introduced a new version of their Helix rifle which is optimized for use with a suppressor. The rifle is called Helix Suppressor. Merkel has also collaborated with the Brugger & Thomet to make an over the barrel suppressor (a.k.a. reflex suppressor) for [Read More…]
Merkel announced a new bolt action rifle aimed at American hunters: the R15. The rifles will be available with either a synthetic stock or a walnut stock. Specifications magazine – detachable, 3 round (2 round in magnum calibers) 22″ barrel (24″ in [Read More…]
New for 2014 is the RX Helix Explorer from Merkel. Like the original RX Helix, the Explorer is a straight pull bolt design that is said to be extremely fast. The new Explorer is designed to be more resistant to the elements when outdoors with a synthetic stock and [Read More…]
Merkel’s answer to the new Blaser R8 is the Merkel RX.Helix. This takedown rifle makes use of a straight pull bolt action. Its name is derived from the bolt’s rotation system. The bolt is rotated in a helical motion at a 2:1 ratio (of forward motion to [Read More…]
From the press release … Steyr Arms announced the acquisition of Merkel USA today. Merkel USA is the U.S. importer and service center for Merkel’s side-by-side and over/under shotguns, fine double rifles, drillings, combination guns, K1 single-shot stalking [Read More…]
ADIHEX is an important regional show that each year gathers outdoor and firearm companies in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Playing on its own turf, CARACAL usually displays its wide catalog and finds the opportunity to reveal new models, such as UAE-inspired Merkel hunting rifles and [Read More…]
In the last 30 years, we witnessed how easy it is for a country to lose its firearms manufacturing capability: the UK, France, Portugal, and Spain are prime examples. And building such a capability from scratch is extremely difficult, and UAE and “Caracal” [Read More…]
Straight pull bolt action hunting rifles are extremely popular in Europe for multiple reasons. They are manual repeaters which makes them legal in most countries, and they are pretty much as reliable as a regular turn-bolt bolt action yet are much faster. These rifles [Read More…]
The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court has ruled against C.G. Haenel’s appeal against the courts earlier decision that Haenel had infringed on Heckler & Koch’s patents. A statement was released by the Ministry of Justice of North Rhine-Westphalia that [Read More…]
TFB had a chance to shoot the first B&T USW-P striker-fired pistol during a recent visit to the B&T headquarters in Switzerland. Military-inspired, this new striker-fired 9mm pistol is designed specifically for the civilian market. I had a chance to shoot [Read More…]
Welcome to TFB Podcast Roundup 41. By now, some of you will have already heard our recent podcast conducted with TFB Writer Vladimir Onokoy. Once again I’d like to thank Vlad for sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with all of us and also encourage all [Read More…]
As the last installment of our brief overview of ADIHEX 2021, we will have a quick look at some of the eye-catching luxury pieces. It’s no surprise to anyone that a show in the Arabian Peninsula offers the chance to see some rather fancy firearms matching wealthy [Read More…]
ADIHEX is always a good chance for the Emirati firearm manufacturer Caracal to show its products to the public, in their hometown of Abu Dhabi, UAE. This year, together with military firearms, polymer pistols, and Merkel hunting rifles, the company showcased a special [Read More…]
ADIHEX, the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, is an annual event, that of course skipped 2020, happening by September in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The show focuses on traditional outdoor activities of the region, including hunting. In the area dedicated [Read More…]
The German government has withdrawn their order for 120,000 Haenel MK556 rifles. Last month C.G. Haenel were awarded a major contract to replace the Bundeswehr’s G36 service rifle. The Haenel MK556 was selected over the Heckler & Koch HK416 and HK433. Heckler [Read More…]
One week after the German Ministry of Defence confirmed that the company C.G. Haenel and their MK556 Assault Rifle had been chosen we finally have an official statement from the company. The core message is that C.G. Haenel is a development specialist that have made [Read More…]
When shooters hear the name Steyr Arms, most probably think of the AUG right away. The iconic Austrian bullpup’s distinctive aesthetics are hard to forget, after nearly half a century it’s still in use by a host of military and police units around the globe, [Read More…]
Since the late 1990s, the Heckler & Koch G36 is the standard rifle of the German Bundeswehr. Already in the 2nd quarter of 2017 it was made official that the Bundeswehr were going to procure roughly 120 000 assault rifles with accessories, to replace the G36. In [Read More…]
![ADAR Ladoga and 2-15 Rifles [Arms & Hunting 2018] (660)](https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ADAR-Ladoga-and-2-15-Rifles-Arms-Hunting-2018-660-660x260.jpg)
ADAR is one of the relatively new Russian firearm brands. We’ve earlier reported about the AR-15 and new straight pull rifle made by this company. During the Arms & Hunting 2018 exhibition, we had a chance to take a closer look at these guns and talk to [Read More…]
We just reported about the Limited Edition Flat Dark Earth Aimpoint T-2. It was sold out almost immediately (still available!). Collectors and lovers of Orange better beware now, because there’s a new limited edition of the H-2 Micro introduced at IWA. As you can [Read More…]
Walking through the rooms of IWA, I was surprised by the number of European suppressors on display. Many of them seem to target the hunter more so than the tactical or recreational shooter. There are some really wild European suppressor designs and some that look [Read More…]
According to the Swedish online hunting magazine called Jakt & Jägare, Norway is to ban some semi-automatic hunting rifles. Before you read on, please note that the subject here is the new firearms legislation, not the politics behind it other than as an [Read More…]
Welcome back suppressor fans. Thanks for reading TFB’s Silencer Saturday, where it’s polite to hush your hosts. Last week we discussed the overly complex NFA transfer and approval process to own suppressors in the United States. After that discussion, two readers [Read More…]
The Enforce TAC 2018 and IWA Outdoor Classics show 2018 is coming to Nurnberg as usual. At IWA, in hall 1, booth 331, you can discover C.G.Haenel’s product pallet. One of the news will be a new AR10 style rifle called the CR308. This is to complement the CR223 [Read More…]
French firearms manufacturer Chapuis Armes has joined the small list of European companies who offer straight pull bolt action rifles. They’ve recently introduced a new rifle called ROLS. As the manufacturer states, the rifle was in development for 6 years. It is [Read More…]
In this episode of TFBTV, James reviews the gnarly and intimidating Chiappa Triple Threat, a three-barrel 12 gauge shotgun designed with close quarters combat in mind. James starts with birdshot, then works his way to 3″ BB and eventually 3″ 00 buck rounds, testing the effect of buckshot [Read More…]
From the press release … TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (Dec.19, 2013) — Steyr Arms has announced that it will be fully operational in its newly acquired 33,000 sq./ft. headquarters complex in Bessemer, Ala., after the holiday break. A wholly owned subsidiary of Steyr [Read More…]
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