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.
The Canadian government has confirmed that shipments of ‘lethal’ military aid will be shipped to Ukraine as the crisis with Russia continues. The military aid will take the form of small arms and ammunition and will follow earlier non-lethal equipment which [Read More…]
SIG Sauer have announced the release of the latest entry in their relaunched P210 line, the P210 Carry. We first saw the P210 Carry back in 2020 at SHOT Show, so it’s exciting to see it come to market at last. The pistols are hammer-fired with an alloy frame and [Read More…]
SilencerCo have announced the Gas Defeating Charging Handle, with the aim of reducing the amount of gas which blows back into the shooter’s face when firing a suppressed AR-15. The new ambidextrous charging handle incorporates a gas seal to prevent gas from [Read More…]
FN America have announced a $50 million contract with the US Army to provide M240L GPMGs and titanium receivers. The new award is in line with the June 2021 contract worth $92 million to produce M240 series general purpose machine guns. The titanium receiver is the [Read More…]
During SHOT 2022 we reported that True Velocity and Beretta USA were to partner production of TV’s NGSW weapon and development of the rifle for international and commercial sale! True Velocity have taken another step toward commercial sales of the 6.8mm bullpup. [Read More…]
CrossBreed have announced that they have expanded their range of holsters to cater for Springfield Armory’s SA-35. The Hi-Power has come back in a big way in 2022 with Springfield Armory announcing the SA-35, EAA introducing the P35 and FN America announcing the [Read More…]
Back in August 2021 we reported that Los Angeles Police Department had selected the FN 509 MRD-LE as its new LAPD duty pistol. FN America were awarded a contract to equip the entire department over the next five years. FN America have now announced that the first batch [Read More…]
FN America have ussed a safety bulletin for FN 502 Tactical .22LR owners to check that their manual safeties are installed properly. The bulletin comes after “a very limited number of… pistols in the field” were found to potentially have [Read More…]
We’ve know for a while that Beretta was partnered with General Dynamics on their NGSW submission – the bullpup RM277. Well GD have divested to True Velocity and Lone Star Future Weapons but Beretta have confirmed their continuing involvement in the project. [Read More…]
Back in 2018 we reported that FN would be ceasing production of the iconic Browning Hi-Power. But now its back, ‘reborn’. FN America claim improvements to the pistol’s ergonomics, fire control design, accuracy and an increased magazine capacity of [Read More…]
Maxim Defense have announced the launch of a new 7.62×51mm AR, the MD:11. Maxim Defense describe the MD:11 as an update of the original Stoner AR-10 design. It will be available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308Win/7.62×51mm. This marks a move into a new area for Maxim [Read More…]
SIG Sauer have announced the expansion of their Equinox Elite Series for the P220, P226, and P229 Classic Line pistols. The new pistols offer the two-tone Equinox slide treatment, a black anodized alloy frame, X-RAY 3 Day/Night Sights and black G10 grip. SIG Sauer [Read More…]
Crimson Trace have launched additions to their Laserguard line for the Ruger MAX-9. The new Laserguards are available in green and red lasers, the sights have 4-hour battery lives from their 1/3N lithium batteries and have an activation switch on the front strap of the [Read More…]
For more than 30 years the Ruger Mini-14 was the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s service rifle. The unlikely choice saw service from the early 1980s onwards replacing the FN FAL-derived L1A1. Formed in 1965 the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) is a territorial line infantry [Read More…]
Vortex Optics’ submission to the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons – Fire Control procurement program has been selected and is set to become the XM157 NGSW-FC. The optic will equip the winning submission from the US Army’s Next Generation [Read More…]
Winchester has been awarded a contract to prepare to produce the ammunition for the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons. The type of the new 6.8mm ammunition manufactured at the Winchester-run Lake City Army Ammunition Plant depends on the winner of the [Read More…]
Viridian have introduced a new addition to their E Series Red Laser Sight range for the brand new Savage Arms Stance pistol. The sight has a 6-hour battery life, black body and a range of up to 25 yards in daylight. Available now with an MSRP of $132.00. [Read More…]
Ruger have announced the addition of three new models to their Wrangler line of .22LR single-action revolvers. The new models feature a 3.75″ cold hammer-forged barrel and a Birdshead grip frame. They are available in three Cerakote colors – black, silver [Read More…]
In a move which the company described as ‘exciting’ the optics manufacturer EOTECH has acquired Intevac Inc’s Photonics business (Photonics), a “technology leader in cutting edge digital sensor systems”. Photonics are perhaps best known for [Read More…]
On December 22, the US Navy reported that two days earlier it had intercepted a fishing vessel attempting to smuggle weapons through the Arabian Sea. On board, Coast Guard and Navy personnel found 226,600 rounds of ammunition and 1,400 AK-pattern assault rifles. While [Read More…]
EAA recently made waves with their MC P35 Hi-Power clone but it isn’t the only classic pistol design they have available. The MC BX, a Beretta 92/M9 clone is also available. The Girsan Regard MC BX is available in black and Flat Dark Earth finishes with G10 grips [Read More…]
SDS Imports began importing the PX-9 Gen 2 back in July and have now announced that Gen 3 is available. The new PX-9 Gen 3 pistols are available in black, OD Green and Flat Dark Earth finishes in duty and tactical pistol models. The non-threaded duty models have [Read More…]
Remington Ammunition has reintroduced the classic Peters Premier Blue paper shotgun shell line. The 12 gauge shells are available in shot sizes 7.5 and 8 and at muzzle velocities of 1145, 1200 and 1290. The Peters Paper Shotshells have an MSRP of $19.99 for a box of 25 [Read More…]
Michigan-based optics manufacturer EOTech have announced that they will be expanding their facilities with a planned move to new locations in Traverse City and Plymouth. The move comes as the company looks to keep up with an increase in demand. The expansion comes a [Read More…]
Springfield Armory continue to expand their optic-ready range with the .45 ACP XD-M Elite 3.8” Compact OSP. Hot on the heels of the New XD-S Mod.2 OSP Variants announced last month, the 45 ACP XD-M Elite 3.8” Compact OSP offers 10+1 capacity, a 3.8″ [Read More…]
Davidson’s have announced an an exclusive limited run of Henry rifles to support the Cody Firearms Museum. There will be just 300 of the .44-40 New Original Henry rifles available, with the first rifle auctioned off. The rifle’s engraving is inspired by the [Read More…]
Thales has announced the introduction of their latest day/night sight, weighing 530g or 18.7oz, the XTRAIM combines a reflex red dot sight with thermal imaging technology. The sight can be mounted on rifles and light machine guns. It was developed a Thales’ [Read More…]
CZ-USA have announced the introduction of the Shadow 2 Orange Competition Pistol. It features new aluminum grip panels with an orange finish and the pistol’s trigger, hammer, and sear are hand-fitted, while the barrel has a new bushing. Adding to the orange [Read More…]
Wyoming-based Weatherby have announced the introduction of the Mark V Hunter, their latest bolt action hunting rifle. The latest edition to their Mark V line of rifles, the Hunter is available in over a dozen calibres and its polymer stock features a flat-bottomed [Read More…]
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s trade association, has revealed FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) data indicating that NICS processed 687,788 background checks during the week leading up to and including [Read More…]