TFB Review: Tyrant Designs Concept One and MOD v2 Grip Upgrades
Since buying entire guns has gone out of style for the time being most of us have had to find new ways to keep ourselves occupied in our favorite hobby. I’ve been recently taking a bit of time to try new accessories and upgrades on a few of my AR-15 pistols as well as some of my pistol caliber carbines that I use for competitions and Tyrant Designs has been a huge help in this endeavor. Tyrant Designs was kind enough to send me out their new Concept One pistol grip and MOD v2 ForeGrip for testing and review and today I’ll be sharing my results on how these grip upgrades worked out on two of my rigs.
Knights Armament Teases New Variant of SR15 Rifle
On December 10th, Knights Armament Co released a teaser video on their YouTube channel showcasing yet another variant of their SR15 rifle. The new rifle supposedly dubbed the SR15.5 looks to be in development and my hunch is that we should expect to hear more about the rifle and its improvements over the standard SR15 sometime early next year when the SHOT Show would normally happen.
C.G. Haenel Raided During Investigation into Bundeswehr Rifle Debacle
We have been following the development of the Bundeswehr’s ongoing efforts to procure a rifle for some time, now it has emerged that C.G. Haenel’s headquarters in Suhl have been visited by investigators on the orders of the Dusseldorf Regional Court. Investigators have reportedly moved to secure evidence for the patent infringement case between Haenel and Heckler & Koch.
SCOTTLOCK – A Robust and Portable AR-15 Rifle Retention System
Rifle retention systems are nothing new in the world of firearms. Law enforcement agencies across the country use them in one form or another. However, for the average Joe, rifle retention systems would inevitably become a costly modification to your personal vehicle, and what’s more, is that once these modifications are made they can’t easily be transferred. The SCOTTLOCK portable rifle retention system promises to be a robust yet portable way to secure your AR-15 rifle within your vehicle.
BOOK REVIEW: Vickers Guide AR-15 Vol.1 2nd Edition
While the late R. Blake Stevens‘ Black Rifle may still be considered the bible when it comes to the origins and history of the AR-15, the new second edition of ‘AR-15 (Volume 1)‘ from Vickers Guide is an accessible, aesthetically pleasing way into the history of one of the world’s most famous firearms.
Brrrrr! Aero Precision – Arctic Tundra Builder Sets Now Available
You can spend some good money getting your rifle or pistol coated. Well, Aero went ahead and did it for you! These are the Aero Precision Arctic Tundra Cerkote Builder Sets. These snowy sets are a limited run, and come in a multitude of packages, but sadly they appear to be sold out already.
Now Is The Time: Load Up On AR-15 DURAMAG Magazines
There are many critical parts of the AR-15 platform; the fire control group, the bolt, the gas key, the gas tube/block, to list a few, all need to be well-built and reliable. Often overlooked or otherwise taken for granted is the AR-15 magazine – a box with a spring that literally feeds your rifle or carbine with ammo. Without a magazine, Stoner’s little machine becomes a clunky, single shot, auto-ejecting firearm. Call it good planning, cheap insurance or being well outfitted, but stocking up on quality magazines should be a priority. Let’s take a look at the mag lineup from DURAMAG magazines.
More Than Just AKs – Rifle Dynamics AR15 Lowers
Picture it! SHOT Show 2019. There I was, staring at the display of AK variant rifles at the Rifle Dynamics open house, when I noticed that there wasn’t a single AR-15. RD is known to make some of the highest quality AKs on the market, but why stop there? Well, it appears they didn’t. Welcome the Rifle Dynamics AR15 lowers, stripped and ready for your next build.
New KP-15 Polymer Lower Receiver For AR-15 Rifles From KE Arms
For those of you following the “ What Would Stoner Do” (WWSD) series on the InRangeTV YouTube channel, you know that a monolithic polymer AR-15 Lower receiver is in the works. This polymer lower is being produced by KE Arms, and they’ve dubbed the new AR component as the KP-15. It features an A1 length stock and will come in four different configurations in regards to the internal parts. The KP-15 has been in development for some time, but for those eagerly waiting, the product seems nearer at hand as Brownells has now listed it for sale on their website, and KE Arms states that they’re planning to fill Brownells’ order first. KE Arms’ product description can be found below:
Strike Industries Embraces OD – The Strike O.D. Green AR Bundle
I came up into my love of guns in a time when we FDE’d all the things. I still find it tempting, but times have changed. In recent years, we’ve all noticed the increasing nods to the past. Looking ever so slightly into our history, O.D. green has come roaring back. While most older camo patterns on guns can feel more retro than functional, olive drab does the perfect dance of both. Strike Industries seems to agree. They recently announced the Strike O.D. Green AR Bundle. For $385.95, you get 11 pieces of O.D. green furniture for your newest AR-15 build. So, what’s included?
POTD: Toni Systems' AR15 Aiming System
Is this kind of aiming system for the AR15 like putting Pineapple on a pizza? With over 650 comments on their Facebook post, Toni Systems sure got a lot of feedback to work with. This is the topic for TFB’s rather unusual Photo Of The Day, and we look forward to any feedback our readers can give in our comments section below.
NSSF: About 20 Million Modern Sporting Rifles (AR-15s) In Circulation
Relax, 2020 isn’t all doom and gloom. The NSSF has just announced that nearly 20 million Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) are in circulation in the United States. The term MSR refers to AR-15 style guns that commonly get mislabeled as assault rifles by the media and politicians. This data along with the ATF Firearms Commerce in the United States showing over 430M firearms in the hands of the citizenry seems to state that Americans enjoy the individual liberties that allow them to buy, own and use guns. On top of that, the violent crime rate continues to fall to record low levels.
Geissele ICON Rifle November – Teufel Hunden
It’s October, and it’s time for the fourth Geissele ICON rifle. This one is red metallic and inspired by the World War II memoir of the United States Marine Eugene Sledge, based on the notes he kept tucked away in a pocket-sized Bible which he carried with him during battles at Peleliu and Okinawa.
New(dy) Mags – Geissele Springs Into The AR-15 Magazine Game
Geissele Automatics, initially known for their heavenly triggers and sturdy rail systems for the AR-15 platform, has steadily diversified their retail offerings into optics mounts, optics and even complete rifles. And I’m a fan – all my guns sport G triggers and most use a Geissele rail system. So when the North Wales, Pennsylvania manufacturer sneakily added AR-15 magazines to their line up, I was very interested to learn more and hopefully get a shot at owning a few. Geissele magazines!
New AR PDW 9mm Buffer Released by Strike Industries
If you can appreciate specific products built to fit specific needs, Strike Industries has something for you. There are plenty of one size fits most parts out there, but parts made specifically for your weapon system and/or caliber can make a world of difference. SI just released their AR PDW 9mm buffer, which, as you can imagine, is made specifically for use with their PDW Stock/Stabilizer or pistol length receiver extensions on 9mm direct blowback AR’s.
Strike Industries AR Modular Bolt Catch (MBC)
Bolt catch, shmolt catch. That’s what I thought before I knew anything about customizing AR-15’s (not that my knowledge is currently vast). However, as my shooting progressed, I began to understand the advantage that small alterations can give a shooter. Parts as small as a bolt catch can make a huge difference when it’s time to go to work on some cardboard attackers. So, what if you want to try different options, but don’t want to dip into your savings account? Once again, Strike Industries comes to the rescue of us poors, with the AR Modular Bolt Catch (MBC).
SILENCER SATURDAY #150: .223/5.56 Cans -Three AR15 Suppressors
Good afternoon shooters and welcome to a post election November 2020. This is the 150th edition of TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM Turbo K rifle suppressor. Last week, for a special Halloween edition, we went through five strange and spooky suppressor and firearm combinations. This week we’ll go through three top rated AR15 suppressors, each of which have different intended roles and host requirements. Which one is right for you? Probably all of them. Let’s take a look.
ODIN Tactical Rifle (OTR15) – The First Complete Rifle by ODIN Works
ODIN Works is well known for making all kinds of firearm parts and accessories with a primary focus on the AR-15 platform. However, they never had a complete AR-pattern rifle in their catalog. Well, they’ve just fixed that by introducing the ODIN Tactical Rifle (OTR15) – a complete AR made by ODIN Works. Let’s see what features they offer in the OTR15 rifle.
Strike Industries AR Overmolded Enhanced Pistol Grip (OMPG)
Strike Industries have released a new series of AR-15 grips called AR Overmolded Enhanced Pistol Grip (OMPG). These grips may look familiar to you as their appearance is pretty much identical to SI Enhanced Pistol Grips. The difference, as implied by the name, is in the overmolded rubber design of the OMPG grips as opposed to the plain polymer construction of the Enhanced Pistol Grips. Let’s see what other features are included in the design of these new grips.
Cobalt Kinetics Launches BAMF Pro Series Rifles
As you may remember, Cobalt Kinetics is now under a new ownership. They just released a BAMF Pro Series rifles available in three different lengths, depending on local laws and your preference. The BAMF Pro Series is available in a pistol (6.5″ barrel) version or mid-length (12.3″ barrel) and finally as a rifle in 16″. All pictures in this article are of the 6.5″ version.
TFB Review: Franklin Armory BFSIII M4 Rifle
Many of you are somewhat familiar with the Franklin Armory Binary Trigger. It is a clever use of predetermined evaluations by the ATF of what constitutes a “semi-auto” trigger. For those not familiar with a Binary Trigger, it simply allows the shooter to fire a projectile on the pull and release of the trigger. ATF has determined long ago that release triggers are legal and since the Binary Trigger requires two independent manipulations it is also legal. Well, Franklin Armory has bundled their BFSIII binary trigger into an entry-level AR-15 rifle and offers the BFSIII M4 for those who are budget minded.
SOLGW Announces Distribution Expansion with Crow Shooting Supply
Sons of Liberty Gun Works is better known in the firearms community as SOLGW, for short. Since establishing operations in San Antonio, Texas in 2014, they have quickly grown to become a highly sought-after and well-regarded source of AR-15 components and complete firearms. Bearing the self-assigned descriptor, “A superior manufacture of high quality, hard-use, direct impingement freedom tools,” SOLGW offers a wide range of ARs. You can opt for a basic “Legacy” M4-style 16″ version at a $949 MSRP, to a Sage Dynamics 12.5″ special edition for $1400, to an upgraded “Super Loaded Pro Rifle Package” for $2549 that even includes an optic and weaponlight – and many more models.
POTD: Suppressed Noveske Rifle with Pulsar Thermal Sight
Happy Halloween everyone! This is TFB’s Photo Of The Day and it’s time to show off Noveske Rifleworks‘ take on the Honey Badger. Cerakoted in a mysterious pattern by Mister B at Pablo Cerakote you can see the Noveske with and without a suppressor in these images. The sight is a Pulsar Thermion XP50 which is a thermal sight. TFB reviewed it in one of our Friday Night Lights articles. Have you ever tried a thermal sight? Here’s a sample of what it looks like in White Hot mode.
German Short Range Sniper Rifle (G26) Tender Cancelled
There is so much going on in Germany and their attempts to renew the small arms for their Army at the moment. If you think it’s confusing, you have our sympathies and full understanding. First, it was announced that the Haenel MK556 had won the tender to replace the G36, and within less than a month, the €250 Million order was withdrawn. Until we know what happens next we can only guess, but it seems that the Heckler & Koch G36 is going to be around for a while longer.
The Geissele ICON Rifle – "The Overmountain Rifle"
October, and it’s time for the third Geissele ICON rifle. It’s a green metallic build that honors The Battle of Kings Mountain, which took place on October 7, 1780, in North Carolina USA. Below you can find a close-up of the selector switch. To read more about Major Ferguson and what happened during the battle check here.
S.W.O.R.D. Defense Announces Piston Upper Receiver Group
S.W.O.R.D. Defense, located in Sparks, Nevada, USA, is “a veteran owned and staffed warfighter solution focused company”. They have just released a new piston upper receiver called PURG-E, especially developed for M855A1 ammunition.
New B&T SPC9 – The Best Of All Worlds?
The Swiss company B&T has developed a new family of modular and hybrid semi-automatic carbines. Their name is SPC9 and they are chambered in 9×19 mm. To best describe it, you could say that it combines a B&T APC9 with a Heckler & Koch MP5 and an AR15. On top of that, various models also accepts either Glock or SIG magazines.
How to Shoot an AR-15 Better in 4 Steps ft. S.W.A.T. Vet Bill Blowers
In this episode of TFBTV, James Reeves brings you to the Battle of the Bills, an invitation-only Surefire training event, where a 25-year S.W.A.T. professional, Bill Blowers of Tap Rack Tactical, showed trainees the ropes on how to become a better, more skilled AR-15 shooter. Grab your AR, a half-case of ammo, a bunch of mags, and in an afternoon of running through these 4 steps and 2 drills, you will become a better tactical AR-15 operator.
Strike Industries AR Modular Magazine Release (MMR)
There are dozens of AR magazine releases of all shapes and materials available on the market. However, if Strike Industries release their version of any, even the simplest firearm part, it is almost guaranteed that there is something innovative and extra cool about their offering. The new AR Modular Magazine Release is no exception. Its modularity is in the possibility to change the mag release buttons without disassembling the mag catch mechanism itself.
Wilson Combat PPE Carbine Available Exclusively from Davidson's
Most people know Wilson Combat for their high-end handguns, particularly 1911s. Bill Wilson and his team in Berryville, Arkansas have been putting out highly regarded custom firearms for decades, and today they offer an impressive menu of guns with equally impressive price tags. Even with the hefty cash outlay involved, many shooters assert that these guns are some of the best around and well worth the cost. Wilson Combat does get outside the 1911 world from time to time, and recently released a collaboration with SIG Sauer in the form of a high-end custom variant of the P320. Another non-1911 foray extends to the long gun game, with some AR-15 and PCC offerings. Firearms distributor Davidson’s, known for their exclusive versions of many manufacturer’s guns, offers some Wilson exclusives as well. Now they’ve announced an exclusive model of Wilson Combat’s 5.56 AR, dubbed the PPE, with the following press release.