The Kalashnikov Saiga MK-17, the first ever civilian version of the rare balanced recoil AK-107, is set to go on sale in Europe next year. For years we have speculated on how well a balanced recoil system will work in the real world and so I cannot wait to get my hands [Read More…]
As I write this the elite Kenya Army troops are assaulting the Westfield shopping mall in Nairobi. According to the Kenyan government on Twitter (@InteriorKE) most of the hostages have been rescued and most of the mall is under government control. Many TFB readers [Read More…]
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kalashnikov factory and inspected the new AK-12, AS-1 and the latest version of the AK-74M. What is really interesting is that Kalashnikov appear to be making transparent magazines. Many thanks to Александр for [Read More…]
Last month Izhmash officially became known as Concern Kalashnikov (although in the West I am sure it will be simply branded as Kalashnikov). I just noticed that they have uploaded their new logo (pictured above). The colors of the logo are the same colors as the [Read More…]
The Russian government will adopt the 5.45mm and 7.62mm (not sure if that is 7.62x51mm, 7.62x54mm or 7.62x39mm) version of the Kalashnikov AK-12 rifle. Google translate says … Kalashnikovs new generation of caliber 5.45 and 7.62 millimeters, as well as a long [Read More…]
The Century Arms SB-47 is a “Stabilizing Brace” for AK pistols. It looks and functions almost exactly like the SIG SB15 Stabilizing Brace Pistol we reviewed a few weeks ago. Like the SIG SB15, the SB-47 is BATFE approved and requires no tax stamp, [Read More…]
A reader sent in these photos allegedly taken of a Syrian arms bazaar in the rebel controlled city of Deir ez-Zor. The photos show a 12 year old boy, with a 1911 pistol in a shoulder holster that is to big for him, manning a stall selling loose 7.62x39mm ammunition, [Read More…]
This article was written by Claymore. Hold onto your seats TFB readers you are about to see something that I’m 99.9% sure has NEVER been seen before. Like most people interested in firearms I was working under the incorrect impression that the first AK-47s came [Read More…]
Expect newly manufactured AK magazines to be in short supply in the near future. The Army is soliciting bids to purchase 592,825 7.62x39mm AK magazines. The U. S. Army Contracting Command – New Jersey, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, in support of the U.S. Army Research [Read More…]
A Russian gun designer has developed an ingenious conversion kit for the AKS-74U or AK-74M that allows it to be switched from a conventional layout to a bullpup configuration on demand. You could call it a “Semi-Bullpup” configuration. When the stock is [Read More…]
The photo of the captured Georgian Bushmaster M4 Carbine was apparently taken in the Central Armed Forces Museum, Moscow, Russia. A reader emailed us photos be took of the many interesting firearms on display at the museum … I hope to visit Russia myself one day. [Read More…]
Introduction: As a long-time Arsenal fan and owner, I was thrilled to discover that I would be reviewing the Arsenal SAM7SF, which Arsenal has ambitiously termed the “Game Changer.” Much of this excitement derived from the fact that this new AK-pattern [Read More…]
It deeply saddens me to write that Izhmash, which was founded over 200 years ago by Tsar Alexander I, has officially been renamed to Kalashnikov. The (Google Translated) press release is below … Based on the decision of GC “Rostekhnadzor” JSC [Read More…]
Damage Industries have updated their AK Modular Forearm Assembly design. The new Mark III version features a beveled front gas tube, a new relief cut design and all mounting hardware now use the same diameter hex wrench. The assembly is selling for $159.95. Made in USA [Read More…]
A reader emailed us a photo taken in an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit’s building at an Army base in Afghanistan. This rifle was proudly on display next to a selection of disarmed M18 Claymore clones. At the readers request I cropped the rest of the photo out, [Read More…]
When you go to an outdoor range and look down, you can’t help but notice that caked into the ground lays hundreds of cases of rusted steel cased 7.62×39, 5.56×45, and whatever else companies like Tula and Wolf sell in lieu of brass cases. First of all, I [Read More…]
Arsenal have announced they they will be unveiling a game changing firearm on August 7, 2013. The firearm will be a member of thier SAM series of guns (Bulgarian made, 7.62x39mm, milled receiver, black polymer furniture). After two years of collaboration, hard work, and [Read More…]
IWI’s Galil ACE rifle, a modern version of the Galil, has been making significant inroads in the South and Central American markets. This video from Vice shows soldiers patrolling with the Galil ACE (00:50 onwards). The rest of the documentary is also is [Read More…]
NBC published this photo of Osama Bin Laden’s AK that is housed in the CIA museum. The rifle is completely unremarkable. It is no different to the millions of other AKMS specimens in use all over the world and, at least to my eye, reveals nothing about its owner. [Read More…]
The ever-ingenious Destin at SmarterEveryDay built a underwater periscope so he could film an AK being fired underwater with a super-ultra-high-end high speed camera that is not waterproof (and probably costs a little less than $1,000,000 to buy outright). I [Read More…]
Allow me to begin with a disclaimer. I compiled the choices people submitted during the last article. I looked at the comments on both the TFB site and the Facebook page, which you should go to immediately and press “like” if you haven’t [Read More…]
My sister just returned from a vacation in Spain where she found this awesome AK-47 ice tray. It makes five AK-47 ice cubes, each of which is around 4″ in length. They look fragile but they are pretty solid and the silicone tray makes it easy to extract them. [Read More…]
For years, my friends and I have sent what must be thousands of emails to each other about a single issue: If you were going to be displaced or circumstances were altered to a degree that you would have to rely on only three weapons, which do you choose? [Read More…]
The Keymod system is a relatively new alternative rail attachment standard that allows for slimmer and lighter rails than the picatinny system. Strike Industries has just announced their new Keymod rail system for the AK. I believe that the TRAX-1 and TRAX-2 are [Read More…]
Colt posted a photo of Gov. Rick Perry shooting a Colt rifle during a visit to the factory. Whoever posted the photo failed to notice that the rifle being fired by the governor is a not-yet-announced Colt LE901 AR-15 chambered in 7.62x39mm! Many thanks to Mr Rob [Read More…]
These images were taken from a Chinese TV program about the Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU, 雪豹突击队) training program. The Snow Leopards are a special police unit officially known as 3rd Group, 13th Detachment, People’s Armed Police Beijing General [Read More…]
Arsenal is calling it quits on the 5.56 NATO chambered AK. The SLR-106 line of rifles and pistols broke new ground when introduced nearly a decade ago, and remain popular among AK aficionados and those who want the toughness of the Kalashnikov platform and ammunition [Read More…]
Strike Industries emailed us CAD drawings and renderings of a prototype AR-15 grip they are working on. The grip attempts to solve middle finger pain associated with intense and prolonged magazine reload drills. When reloading an AR-15 or AK the middle finger takes up [Read More…]
Magpul announced a slew of new products last week, and I had a chance to examine them firsthand at the NRA show in Houston, Texas. Probably the most notable were the MBUS Pro backup sights made of metal, not Magpul’s signature polymer. At first I wasn’t sure [Read More…]
The new Arsenal/K-VAR SAM7K-02 is a new addition to the company’s line of AK-pattern pistols. This model uses an original Bulgarian handguard made of polymer with a built in flashlight. The flashlight runs on two CR 123 batteries. MSRP is $1499. [Read More…]