Matt is a British historian specialising in small arms development and military history. He has written several books and for a variety of publications in both the US and UK. He also runs Historical Firearms, a blog that explores the history, development and use of firearms. Matt is also co-founder of The Armourer’s Bench, a video series on historically significant small arms.
Here on TFB he covers product and current military small arms news.
GForce Arms have announced the addition of the LTAC357 to their Huckleberry line of lever actions which they launched earlier this year. The LTAC357 sports an aluminum forend with Picatinny rails and M-LOK slots combining new with the traditional Turkish walnut butt [Read More…]
Austria’s Steyr Arms have announced they have been awarded a contract to supply elements of the German armed forces with their GL 40. Steyr’s 40mm grenade launcher can be mounted under the barrel of a service rifle or it can be mounted on a Steyr-designed [Read More…]
Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern have announced the delivery of another initial batch of improved AK-12s. The AK-12 Model 2023 has a number of small but significant changes including the removal of the earlier AK-12’s two-round burst function, a new stock with [Read More…]
The Czech Republic’s President Petr Pavel visited CZ’s factory in Uhersky Brod. The president formerly served 39 years in the Czech army and was previously the Chief of the General Staff. He was shown around the factory by CZ’s CEO Jan Zajic who [Read More…]
Local news reports that the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s Army has placed an order for 25,000 new T112 service rifles. The first batch of T112 service rifles is due for delivery in 2025, formerly unveiled as the XT112 the rifle has been in development for several [Read More…]
The US government has announced the transfer of enough small arms to equip a brigade to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The weapons originate from the thousands of weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition that have been seized in recent years from Iranian shipments to [Read More…]
At SHOT Show 2024, Ohio Ordnance Works unveiled the REAPR lightweight medium machine gun. The REAPR or Recoil Enhanced Automatic Rifle is chambered in .338 Norma Magnum and can also be calibre converted to 7.62x51mm. Ohio Ordnance Works @ TFB: Ohio Ordnance Works [Read More…]
Smith & Wesson have announced the release of their new M&P 15 Sport III. The Sport III weighs 6.52 lbs, has a 16-inch barrel with a 1:8 twist rate and a 15-inch free-floated M-LOK handguard. The M&P 15 Sport III has an MSRP of $799. Smith & Wesson @ [Read More…]
In September 2023, Beretta unveiled their next generation combat rifle, the project is collectively termed the ‘New Assault Rifle Platform’ or NARP. Beretta were kind enough to speak to TFB and give us a detailed rundown of the rifle, the project and its [Read More…]
The CZ Bren 2, alongside a plethora of other Western rifles, has seen extensive use in Ukraine over the past two years. Rifle transferred from the Czech Republic as aid have equipped numerous elements of Ukraine’s armed forces including special operations units [Read More…]
Maxim Defense have introduced two new chamberings for their PDX-SD – .300BLK and 7.62x39mm. The PDX-SD has an integrated system with a short suppressor with an outer diameter of 2.25 inches and a length of 7.4 inches. The gun is 7.6 lbs total and has an overall [Read More…]
Swampfox Optics have announced a new edition to their range, the Tomahawk II LPVO. The Tomahawk II is a second focal plane low power variable optic which is available in 1-4×24 and 1-6×24. The Tomahawk II weighs in at just over 20 oz and is available in two [Read More…]
Savage Arms have announced the latest addition to their 110 series of precision rifles, the 110 Ultralite Elite. The new model has an HNT26 folding carbon fiber stock from MDT and a PROOF Research barrel. The Ultralite Elite is available in 6.5CM, 6.5PMC, .308 [Read More…]
Good news for California-ites who are fans of revolvers and pistol optics, Taurus’ optics ready revolvers are now approved for sale in California. Taurus 856 T.O.R.O. and 605 T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optics Ready Option) have been added to California’s Department of [Read More…]
The Colt CZ Group has announced a deal to acquire Czech ammunition manufacturer Sellier & Bellot. This marks Colt CZ Group’s latest acquisition and their continued expansion in the small arms sector. The deal is worth more than $350 million and sees Colt CZ [Read More…]
N8 Tactical have introduced their MultiFlex holster for compact and full-sized pistols. N8 Tactical say that the MultiFlex can be adjusted to fit over 275 pistols. The holsters have a number of adjustable retention points which ensure that the MultiFlex can integrate [Read More…]
The Haenel MK556, despite having been rejected by the Bundeswehr following a patent infringement, has recently been seen put to use training Ukrainian special forces operators. The 5.56x45mm short-stroke piston carbines were once poised to replace the German [Read More…]
Ever wanted a G3-pattern rifle with the familiar controls of an AR? Ever wished your AR-10 could feed from G3 mags? Well, 21st TEC have you covered with their TEC-GIII. The rifle is available in both 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester, weighs in at 8.5 lbs, has 20in [Read More…]
Swampfox have introduced a pair of new red dot optics: the Liberty II and Justice II. These second generation red dots are machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and have a matte hard anodizing finish. Both are powered by a CR1632 battery. The Justice II has a 30mm lens, 6 MOA [Read More…]
Earlier this year NIOA acquired Barrett Firearms and now they are looking to expand their reach in the US by taking up a tenancy at the US Army’s Picatinny Arsenal which is home to the Army’s Joint Centre of Excellence for ammunition and weapons. Here’s [Read More…]
The Danish National Police have selected the SIG Sauer P320 as the replacement for the HK USP Compact currently in service. The USP Compacts have been in service for 25 years, the new pistols will be procured through SIG Sauer’s Danish representatives CT [Read More…]
The Hungarian government and Beretta Holding have entered into an agreement to establish ammunition manufacturing in Hungary. The Hungarian armed forces are looking to locally produce both 7.62x51mm and 12.7mm (.50 BMG) ammunition for their armored vehicle fleet. The [Read More…]
Poland’s FB Radom have celebrated their 100,000 MSBS Grot coming off the production line. The Grot was developed in the mid-2000s and entered production in 2017, with it entering service with the Polish armed forces in 2018, first with the Polish Territorial [Read More…]
French arms manufacturer Verney-Carron, through its defense brand Lebel, has signed a framework contract with Ukrspecexport, a Ukrainian state-owned arms trading company, for a substantial number of small arms. The contract covers carbines, precision rifles and 40mm [Read More…]
Back in January, we got our first hands-on look at Desert Tech’s new Quattro-15 and QMAG-53 at SHOT Show 2023. Now, after a year of preparing production of their intriguing new system, Desert Tech have announced that the Quattro-15 AR lower receiver and QMAG-53 [Read More…]
SIG Sauer have announced that their ROMEO-M17 pistol red dot sight has been given a NATO Stock Number (NSN). NSN 1240-01-713-9795 was developed for the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System program, which adopted the SIG P320 as the M17. NATO Stock Numbers are [Read More…]
Colorado-based Swampfox Optics have announced the Sentinel II Micro Dot Sight. Available in red or green illumination, the Sentinel II has 10 brightness levels, shake awake initiation and a 20mm lens with a 3 MOA dot. Swampfox says the slimline Sentinel II has a [Read More…]
Japan has ordered more than 300 new Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles. This represents the latest in a series of procurements that will modernize Japan’s infantry weapons. Other recent procurements include the new Type 20 rifle and the HK SFP9. The older M2 Carl [Read More…]
In a massive deal Vista Outdoor, the parent company to over 40 well known brands, is to sell off its sporting products business in a $1.91 billion deal with Czechoslovak Group. Czechoslovak Group is a major Czech Republic-based holding company which already controls [Read More…]
In September, at the 2023 MSPO defense exhibition in Poland, FB Radom unveiled their newest pistol – the MPS. The MPS is a striker-fired, polymer-framed 9x19mm pistol. It has a removable fire control unit which can be removed from the weapon’s frame. This [Read More…]