Writer and gear editor with articles published in major gun publications. A five year combat veteran of the US Marine Corps, Tim is also part of Point & Shoot Media Works, a producer of photography, video and web media for the firearms and shooting sport industry. Tim’s direct contact: Tyan.TFB -at- gmail.com
Last year, I previewed the prototype of the WOLF Optics (WPA) PSU 1x/4x variable zoom optical gunsight for TFB. That write-up is available here. WOLF Optics sent me the final production model of this optic after the Spring 2015 Big 3 East Event. The WOLF Optics PSU is [Read More…]
In my previous TFB reviews of Meopta optics, I state that the Czech-made Meopta is the best keep secret in the mid-to-high end Euro optics. Meopta had been making optics for military and sportsmen since 1933. While for most of its history, Meopta was behind the iron [Read More…]
In my previous two TFB articles on the latest development of the Chinese QBZ-95 family of bullpup rifles, I mentioned that there’s a flat-top model in the work as part of the QBZ 95-1 Plus. Recently, the information on that flat-top model was reveled on the Emei [Read More…]
Released at the SHOT Show 2015, Minox USA introduced their new tactical line of optics and among those is the new ZP8 1-8x24mm model. For those that have never heard of the brand, Minox is a very old German optic maker and it has recently acquired Optronica, [Read More…]
Black Hills Ammunition released an improved version of their famous 77 grain long range precision 5.56mm round. The new version features a green color polymer ballistic tip Sierra boat-tail projectile calls the Tipped MatchKing (TMK). It’s the first ballistic tip [Read More…]
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were one of the first militaries to understand the importance of an optic equipped rifle for every infantryman. The standard reflex sight of the IDF is the Meprolight M21, but a select few in each unit are issued a specialized reflex [Read More…]
I recently did a TFB write-up on the inner working of the Chinese QBZ-95 bullpup. That piece plus my RS Regulate AK optic mounts and the new QBZ-95 optic articles got translated into Chinese and posted in some Mainland website as soon as they were up on TFB. That [Read More…]
Magpul updated their MOE series of AR-15 furniture a few months ago. I have been using the new MOE SL furnitures on two of my AR-15 builds for a while now. This is a long term testing report of those. I have to say, the new MOE SL handguard, collapsible stock and [Read More…]
The Chinese QBZ-95 bullpup has been in service for two decades and due to its sheer production, over 1.65 million so far, it will be the most prolific bullpup ever built. I did a detailed write-up on the QBZ-95 for Guns & Ammo SIP in 2006. Since then, that [Read More…]
Rifle Dynamics (RD) is one of the top tier custom AK builder in the USA. They are local to me and I was invited for a factory visit. Unlike the popular AR-15 platform with its lego like modular construction, building an AK properly requires a lot of skills and [Read More…]
Recently, I was interviewed by my friend and gun author Robert Kay for his book on how to buy an AK. Bob asked me for a recommendation on an AK optic mount for one of his books chapters. Without hesitation, I said any of the RS Regulate’s AK-300 series of receiver [Read More…]
Introduced in late 2014, the Hi-Lux Optics MicroMax B-Dot is a mini red-dot sight that’s in the same category as the popular Aimpoint Micro T-1. Since, I have previously reviewed their optics (CMR 1-4x review) for TFB, Hi-Lux Optics asked me for some design [Read More…]
2015 marks the 20th year of service for the QBZ-95 family of bullpup rifles. The original production model is now superseded by the current QBZ 95-1 model in early 2011. Together, an estimated 1.65 million total units were produced under both models. The latest QBZ [Read More…]
ALG Defense is the sister company of Geissele Automatics, which is known for making match triggers for the AR-15/AR-10. Geissele manufactures the 2-stage trigger for the Mk. 11, Mk. 12, M110 and the HK416 in service with the US military. A few years back when USSOCOM [Read More…]
Last year, I was one of the lucky early testers of the Bravo Company Gunfighter Stock. Here’s my preview of the BCM Gunfighter stock. I can say that I am still very happy with it. The production unit that I received later has few added improvements, but the [Read More…]
The Taiwan Strait, an 180km-wide body of water that separates two sides that both claim to be the legitimate government of China. Mainland’s PRC government labels Taiwan as the renegade island province. While the ROC government in Taiwan often calls the mainland [Read More…]
Released shortly before SHOT 2015 is the BTO (Browe Tactical Optic) by Browe Inc. It’s the forged 7075-T6 aluminum housing version of the BCO (Browe Combat Optic), which has a titanium housing. The new aluminum version has a lower price point while keeping the [Read More…]
Meopta has big plan for the US market. That was what I have been told during my meeting with them at SHOT 2015. Meopta makes their optics in both their smaller US factory in the New York State and their main facility in the Czech Republic. New for 2015 is the HD [Read More…]
Minox is one of the oldest names in the optic business. At SHOT 2015, Minox USA introduced an entirely new tactical line of scopes, binoculars and spotting scopes. The Minox tactical scopes are built by Optronica in Germany. Optronica was the actual manufacturer of [Read More…]
Tenebraex bumper shell for the Trijicon RMR mini reflex sight. The Killflash ARD (anti reflection device) filter is embedded into the unit. I really like the integrated design. Tenebraex Killflash ARD filters for Trijicon ACOG without filter thread. The patented [Read More…]
For SHOT 2015, Aimpoint has two newish products: the Aimpoint Carbine Optic (ACO) and the Aimpoint Micro T2. Both features improvement comes from the full size Aimpoint CompM4 red-dot sight. The Micro T2 features an improved optical design. The 2nd front lens [Read More…]
While it’s not really an optic, I was very impressed by the new ALG 6-second Optic mount during the Media Day at the Range. The ALG mount is compatible with Aimpoint Micro T1/H1/T2 or any similar size mini red-dot sight that uses the same Aimpoint Micro mounting [Read More…]
New for 2015 from Vortex Optics is the Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm tactical scope. The 1-6x scopes have been available for few years now but those are usually cost $1400-$2500. The new Vortex Strike Eagle will be a departure from that with its budget minded $400 or under [Read More…]
The Electro-Optics division is the newest addition to the Sig Sauer family. I had a chance to talked the vice president of the new division during the Sig Sauer range day. The new Sig optics are developed by the same folks that also worked on the Mk6, Mk8 and VX-6 [Read More…]
Leupold release the LCO and D-EVO just before SHOT. The combination is very different than anything else on the market as the two optics are setup in a side-by-side configuration with one off-set to the right side. I call that in the Gangsta-style layout. In [Read More…]
Almost four years in the making, Hi-Lux displays their new PentaLux line of DMR and long range scopes at the SHOT Show. In Latin, penta means five, as in 5x magnification ratio of both models. Those will be available in 2-10x42mm and 4-20x50mm models. Hi-Lux is [Read More…]
During the Vietnam War, both the US Army and the US Marine Corps revived the use of sniper rifle. The US Army chosen the M14 based semi-automatic rifle match with a dedicated build Leatherwood ART scope with build-in range estimation mechanism. The USMC selected a [Read More…]
Ulf….what? Only Alexander Arms would name their semi-auto .338 Lapua Magnum rifle with an unpronounceable ancient Viking name. Ulfberht is a type of mythical Viking sword that were carried by few high ranking Viking elites and chieftains. The .338 Lapua Magnum [Read More…]
The Terra series of binoculars and rifle scopes is Zeiss’ recent entry into the mid-range optic market segment. Traditionally, Zeiss produces mostly high-end optics. The Terra line was created to expand Zeiss’ market share by offering affordable Zeiss [Read More…]
During a previous Big 3 Media Event last year, one of the event host, retired Sergeant First Class Dillard “CJ” Johnson told us the story of how he racked up 121 confirm snipping kills during his second combat tour in Iraq. Being an optic guy, I was interested in [Read More…]
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