ROAM R-10 Magnesium Alloy AR-10 Upper Receivers
Back at SHOT Show 2020, North Dakota-based Roam has introduced a family of lightweight AR-10 pattern rifles called R-10. Shortly after the introduction, in May 2020, these rifles became available for purchase. What sets R-10 rifles apart is the Roam magnesium alloy used in making the receivers that allows significantly reducing the overall weight of these rifles. The lightest of Roam R-10 line of rifles is the R-10 Red River Ultralight which weighs in at 5.48 lbs with a 16″ pencil barrel and titanium BCG. The company has recently announced that the upper receivers used in the R-10 rifles are now available separately.
New AR-15/AR-10 Professional Armorer's Wrench From Midwest Industries
Midwest Industries Inc. recently launched a new armorer’s wrench designed to work with AR-15’s and its bigger brother, AR-10 & SR25 rifles. The new Professional Armorer’s Wrench incorporates two 1/2 inch drive sockets for attaching a torque wrench, A2 sized slots for working on muzzle devices and a “combat bottle opener” for good measure. One unique feature Midwest Industries included directly on their Armorer’s Wrench are common torque specifications for fastening barrel nuts, castle nuts and flash hiders.
MFT Releases the React M-LOK Compact Foregrip
Mission First Tactical (MFT) has been in the AR-15 aftermarket accessory market for some time now with things like magazines, stocks, rails, grips, and muzzle devices available for users to adapt their rifles to their needs. A foregrip is an almost essential accessory for accurate off-hand shooting and MFT has just released their React M-LOK Compact foregrip for rifles. Taking up significantly less space than a traditional vertical foregrip, the React provides you with a lower profile vertical foregrip that also allows for the use of multiple shooting styles.
SIG SAUER Announces New TREAD Predator Rifle
Since SIG SAUER launched their TREAD series in 2018, TFB has brought you news coverage and reviews on this AR lineup. From their original 16″ 5.56 M400 model, to the 11.5″ pistol variant, to the 7.62 upsize in the 716i model, to the enhanced Coil version, the TREAD lineup has typically been well received. In general, they have been assessed as offering good value and performance for the price point, for those who can’t/don’t want to shell out bigger bucks and just need a straightforward AR on the more wallet-friendly end of the cost spectrum. SIG is now further expanding the lineup to include a specialized variant optimized for hunting predator animals. Meet the new SIG SAUER TREAD Predator, announced with the following March 29th press release.
POTD: Ghost Builds with Hera Arms
Today’s Photo Of The Day takes a deeper look at various configurations of the HERA Arms CQR Stock and CQR Front grip and other furniture made by this company. Hopefully, they can be used as inspiration for your next build. Above you can see the perfect combination for anyone Arming The Space Force, don’t you think?
US Gifts M4 Carbines to Macedonia
The US Ambassador to Macedonia, Kate Byrnes, took part in a presentation ceremony to hand over 1,200 M4 Carbines to the North Macedonian Army. The carbines will be issued to the Macedonian Army’s light infantry element which is preparing for upcoming NATO evaluations at the beginning of 2022. North Macedonia joined NATO in March 2020 becoming the 30th member state.
Dark Storm Industries DS-25 Typhoon Lightweight .308 Win Rifles
Dark Storm Industries (DSI) has introduced a new family of rifles called DS-25 Typhoon that has been in development for six years. Although these rifles are chambered in .308 Winchester, they are not quite AR-10 pattern guns but rather a hybrid of the AR-10 and AR-15 utilizing as many AR-15 parts as possible to decrease the overall weight. The result is a .308 rifle that weighs 6 lbs 11 oz in the configuration with a 16″ barrel.
Red Arrow Weapons Introduces RAW15 .223/5.56 Rifle
Virginia-based Red Arrow Weapons have introduced their new RAW15. Red Arrow Weapons was set up by hunter and outdoorsman Kip Campbell, the host of the multi-network Red Arrow TV show. The new RAW15 has a free floating 16” chrome moly, hard-coated barrel, a CMC trigger, Magpul furniture and weighs in at 6lbs 9oz.
Shorten Your KP-15 Lower with Echo Nine Three Custom
I recently received one of two of my KP-15’s and one of the first things I noticed is that the new polymer lower is far and away one of the most (if not the most) sturdy polymer lowers I’ve ever encountered. Many of you who have seen them in person will note however that the length of the fixed stock is more towards the long side (nearly identical to an A2 stock). However, if you’re looking to have your KP-15 lower shortened, Echo Nine Three Custom is the only gunsmith currently authorized by KE Arms to shorten the KP-15 buttstocks.
HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Doesn't Matter, It's A Trap!
Welcome everyone to the 84th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only have Fudd appeal? Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.
POTD: M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle in Gabon
Photo Of The Day – We’re actually on a mission to find the “new” M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (and the M38 MDR) in various places around the world. We’ll even follow it into space if it ever goes there!
TFB Review: Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch Complete Upper Receiver
It’s become quite difficult in the last couple of months to find in-stock firearms parts and sometimes even accessories. One company that I have noticed that has kept up with the high demand is Bear Creek Arsenal. Bear Creek makes everything from stripped firearms components all the way up to completed rifles for almost every AR caliber imaginable. Bear Creek sent me out one of their 16-inch 5.56 upper receivers to put it through some testing and evaluation so today we’ll look into how well this upper receiver did in a few “average joe” tests.
[IDEX 2021] EMTAN Israel Small Arms Industry
IDEX has always been an important event for the defense industry players across the globe. Few countries never attended, and one of these was Israel. In 2021, thanks to the Abraham Accords, this has changed. Here we’ll see a few products of EMTAN, short for EMTAN Karmiel Ltd, a name not so familiar for most readers, yet OEM of thousands of commonly available components.
ODIN Works DIVERGE Extended AR-15 Charging Handle
ODIN Works has introduced a new AR-15 charging handle called Diverge. According to the company, the overall shape, extended latch and the material this charging handle is machined from (7075 aluminum), increase its grip area by 500% and make it 65% wider and 140% stronger than a standard AR-15 charging handle. Let’s see what other features the ODIN Works Diverge charging handle packs.
NEW Daniel Defense DD5 308 Short Barrel Rifle
In this episode of TFBTV‘s “lost” chapter of #GunFest2021 coverage, James Reeves speaks with Matt Hurt of Daniel Defense to get an exclusive look at the new DD5 308 SBR AR-10. This rifle has a number of proprietary features that should set it apart from its competition. Matt and James go over the specs on today’s episode of TFBTV.
Short Barrel Soft Point Showdown: Hornady Black HD SBR Review
SBR’s and PSB stabilized AR Pistols are handy for sure. Their shorter OAL makes them a great candidate for a lightweight and compact defensive firearm, especially as a suppressor host. Short barrels chambered in 5.56 have one major…shortcoming. The velocity and resultant lethality loss due to the reduction of barrel length. Hornady has some relatively new ammunition to remedy this shortcoming, however: Hornady Black HD SBR 75gr.
Updated Schmeisser S60 Windowed Magazine from American Tactical
American Tactical has just added a window version of their popular Schmeisser S60 magazine. The S60 windowed magazine retains the same great glass-reinforced construction and high capacity but with the added visual round indicator via the windowed portion of the magazine. Full details from ATI below.
POTD: Heckler & Koch MR223 versus C.G. Haenel CR223
If you’re a regular reader of this wonderful blog you’re surely aware that the C.G. Haenel MK556 won the German Army tender to replace G36. Then there were “some issues” and it didn’t, the Bundeswehr withdrew their order. After this Haenel had an investigation due to patent infringement allegations.
Aero Precision Relocates to New Lakewood Washington Facility
Aero Precision has made plans to move to a brand new facility located in Lakewood, Washington. According to their recent announcement the new facility and move are to accommodate the increased amount of business the company has received over recent years. The company was originally founded in 1994, near Gig Harbor, Washington as a manufacturer of mostly aerospace industry parts but has since transitioned to the firearms which most of us are familiar with today.
POTD: Springfield Saint with Aimpoint CompM5
Today in our Photo Of The Day article we are looking at the Springfield Saint with the Aimpoint Comp M5. A great combination for a fun day at the range, and the CompM5 is Night Vision compatible so it should work at night as well.
[SHOT 2021] USAC AR-15 Lower Receiver with Built-in Receiver Tensioning System
In the new products section of the SHOT Show On Demand, the virtual version of the world’s largest arms exhibition, I came across this rather interesting AR-15 lower receiver made by the U.S. Arms Company (USAC). What makes the USAC M-4 CLS UTAW lower receiver unique is the built-in mechanism that allows applying tension and tightening the upper and lower receivers against each other.
SILENCER SATURDAY #161: Innovative Arms GRUNT Mini Vs. YHM Turbo K
Good evening quiet friends and welcome back to another edition of TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM R9 multi-caliber suppressor. Last week we brought out the Innovative Arms DECEPTION 7.62 for a bit of a show and tell. This week we are going smaller with the Innovative Arms GRUNT Mini rifle suppressor. How does it stack up? Let’s find out.
[TFB GUNFEST] LMT's Estonian Reference Rifle Available to US Civilians
LMT Defense is bringing a civilian copy of the Estonian contract rifles to the US market for civilian purchase as the Estonian Reference Rifle.
[TFB GUNFEST] NEW Aero "Breach" AR-15 Charging Handle
In this episode of TFBTV, James Reeves speaks with Jeff Carson of Aero Precision about their new Breach charging handle, a charging handle that will be compatible with AR-15s. The breach will be fully ambidextrous and heavy-duty. It will be available in a small and large latch version. James used the Breach for a Thunder Ranch course with Aero’s new EPC carbine last summer and had a great overall experience with the prototype. Check today’s video for full details.
[TFB GUNFEST] The Breach Charging Handle from Aero Precision
New for 2021 from Aero Precision is a product that was teased as a prototype back in 2020 – the Breach charging handle. The Breach takes a hard look at conventionally accepted charging handles and incorporates some unique and clever design decisions in order to make for a more effective, durable, and user-friendly charging handle for today’s shooter.
[TFB GUNFEST] The Haenel CR223 is Coming to the US as the B&T-15!
Yes, it’s true: B&T will be importing the Haenel CR-223 as the B&T-15. The CR-223 is a semi-automatic gas-operated 5.56×45mm NATO carbine designed by C.G. Haenel in Germany. It’s basically the semi-auto version of the MK556. The CR-223/MK-556 has been in use by law enforcement agencies and German military units since 2017. Now, B&T will be importing this fine piece of German military technology for the American public.
[TFB GUNFEST] Haenel Bundeswehr Trials Rifle Imported As B&T 15 In Pistol Form
For readers that are familiar with the German Army rifle trials, and the Haenel piston operated rifle submission, a pistol version of that rifle is being imported by B&T. Haenel’s pistol version, dubbed the B&T 15 for the importation, should be available by mid-2021. The B&T 15 will feature 100 percent German-made parts and will have quite a few features over a standard AR-15 patterned rifle or pistol.
Angstadt Arms Releases Limited Edition Arctic Blue UDP-9 Pistols
One of the most popular firearms to come from Angstadt Arms is their 9mm UDP-9 AR pistol. The pistol comes equipped with all the features that make the AR-15 so easily customizable. Coating your AR, however, takes a certain degree of skill and patience not held by many of us. Angstadt Arms went ahead and saved you the hassle by introducing a limited edition Arctic Blue UDP-9, coated by Red5Worx.