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TheFirearmBlog.com – Managing Editor
OvertDefense.com – Managing Editor
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.
Reach Matt at: matt@thefirearmblog.com
China’s People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) has equipped elements of its special operations forces with the QTS-11 infantry integrated combat system. The system includes China’s QTS-11/ZH-05 integrated rifle and 20mm grenade launcher. The 76th [Read More…]
Solider Systems Daily have shared some exclusive photographs of the latest version of Heckler & Koch’s newest 5.56x45mm rifle. The HK433 was first unveiled back in February last year. The HK433 is still very much in development factoring in feedback from [Read More…]
Medwell Precision Rifles (MPR) a British company, has used the IWA Outdoor Classic International Trade Fair in Nuremberg, Germany to introduce their two new high performance precision rifles, the Vanquish and Wraith. MPR boasts that the Vanquish and Wraith rifles are [Read More…]
Heckler & Koch have introduced their new 5.56x45mm Gen 3 polymer magazine at the 2018 Enforce Tac law enforcement and defence trade fair at Nürnberg Messe, Germany. Soldier Systems Daily have the first photos of the new magazine, which is quite a departure from [Read More…]
Aimpoint has announced that they have won a large contract to supply sights to Berlin’s Police at the 2018 Enforce Tac coverage from the Nürnberg Messe. The Swedish company revealed that they will be supplying the Berliner Polizei with 3,800 Aimpoint CompM4 red [Read More…]
The Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Estimates Justification Book for the United States Marine Corps procurement gives us some insight into the Corps small arms aims for the next couple of years. The Marine Corps looks set to begin its transition to the M320 40mm under-barrel [Read More…]
The Department of Justice has announced it is seeking to reclassify rifles fitted with bump stocks as ‘machine guns’. This would see the wording of the National Firearms Act and Gun Control Act amended to include ‘bump stock type devices’. The [Read More…]
The US Army’s ‘Third Arm’ is designed to redistribute some of the weight soldiers carry in their arms and shoulders to their abdomen. This could make carrying heavy equipment and weapons over long distances much easier, lowering the short and [Read More…]
It has been reported that Pioneer Arms Corp are working on an AR-15. The Polish defence publication, Milmag, recently reported that Poland’s Pioneer Arms Corp have unveiled prototypes of what will be their next product line. First established back in 2003, [Read More…]
Heckler & Koch USA have been teasing the start of MR762A1 production at their Columbus, Georgia plant. Heckler & Koch USA opened their new 50,000 square foot factory early last year with the company investing nearly $30 million into a plan to expand within the [Read More…]
Smith & Wesson’s parent company, American Outdoor Brands Corporation, released its Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial Results on 1st March announcing a substantial fall in sales. The company expects ‘flattish’ revenues from the firearms sector [Read More…]
In a surprise move KRISS USA, best known for their Vector line of pistols, carbines and submachine guns, has announced the launch of a new premium import division, Edelweiss Arms. The new venture’s website is now live with listings for several hundred Swiss [Read More…]
Following up their recent release of their first defensive pistol, the Titan Operator 1911, Atlas Gunworks have unveiled what they claim is “the ultimate competition pistol”, the Nemesis. The Nemesis is what Atlas describe as a “full custom 2011 in fit [Read More…]
Late last year we reported that the US Marine Corps had begun fielding the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle as the M38, a designated marksman rifle. The M38 is essentially a standard M27 mounting a variable power Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T scope instead of a standard ACOG. [Read More…]
The US Army’s Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle (NGSAR) program is moving forward with a Prototype Opportunity Notice scheduled for publication later this week. The US Army Contracting Command has issued a draft Prototype Opportunity Notice (PON) for the [Read More…]
If you’re looking for something to give your AR a more traditional, classic look then Black Wood USA might have you covered. The Washington-based company offer premium wooden furniture for the AR-15. The veteran owned and operated custom parts maker offers a [Read More…]
Norway’s Svalbard Arctic Seed Vault, located deep inside the Arctic Circle, on the island of Spitsbergen maintains a high level of security. It is defended by armed guards equipped with 80 year old rifles. Built into the Norwegian island’s permafrost the [Read More…]
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army have all but abandoned the venerable Type 79 Submachine Gun in favour of the newer QCW-05 bullpup personal defence weapon. It seems, however, that the Type 79 remains popular with China’s SWAT teams. Photos of upgraded [Read More…]
In a show of patriotism Turkey’s state-owned small arms manufacturer MKEK (Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation) has delivered the next batch of new MPT-76 rifles to the Turkish Army ahead of schedule. With staff reportedly working overtime the next [Read More…]
West Virginia University have won the Great America Rifle Conference Championship for the 9th time since 1998. The GARC Championship involves both air rifle and small bore .22LR target rifle competitions, held over two days. The Championship was held over the weekend of [Read More…]
Following the news that Dick’s Sporting Goods would cease selling AR-15s and raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm, Walmart have also announced their decision to raise their minimum purchasing age to 21. Walmart stopped selling Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) [Read More…]
Today, we often talk about body armour in both military and civilian contexts. Advanced modern body armour is now capable of stopping powerful rounds but the use of armour in warfare dates back centuries. Overmatch is no new concept. This week I came across a great slow [Read More…]
ZEV Technologies has unveiled a new compensator for Glock pistols. Specifically designed for the Glock 19, the new ZEV PRO Compensator can be mounted on any Glock with a 1/2 x 28 threaded barrel. ZEV Tech explains that the Pro Compensator will ‘generally cycle [Read More…]
Georgia-based MasterPiece Arms (MPA) has introduced a new compact bolt action rifle, designed to be stored with a minimal footprint. The MUT or Micro Urban Tactical rifle has a number of features designed to reduce its overall length. The rifle is chambered in .308 and [Read More…]
Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier’s new commanding officer Brigadier General Anthony Potts has gotten to grips with one of PEO Soldier’s most interesting projects, Textron’s Cased Telescoped Light Machine Gun. The Cased Telescoped Light Machine [Read More…]
India’s ongoing troubles adopting a new service rifle are well documented but as a leading defence committee, chaired by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, announces a major procurement are India’s small arms woes coming to an end? Following numerous [Read More…]
We often wish old firearms could speak, share their stories and tell us what they’ve seen. Well a Smith & Wesson revolver, recently acquired by Britain’s National Army Museum, has a hell of a story. The National Army Museum in London, announced this week that a [Read More…]
The US Army Contracting Command is in search of private sector contractors to repair its M107 Long Range Sniper Rifles. A revised sources sought notice was posted earlier this month. The sources sought notice was originally posted over a year ago on 8th February 2017 [Read More…]
At an exhibition in Minsk held by the Belarusian Military-Industrial Committee, the Goskomvoenprom or GKVP, a new rifle was unveiled. The unnamed rifle appears to blend features from both the AR and AK platforms. According to Armyrecognition.com officials at the [Read More…]
The Civilian Marksmanship Program has received the first batch of surplus 1911 pistols. As directed by the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed back in November, the US Army has transfered a consignment of 8,000 pistols to the CMP. In an update [Read More…]
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