The Colombian National Army has awarded Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. its largest international military contract for the purchase of MRAD sniper rifles and AM338 suppressors. Deliveries are set to begin in the summer of 2025. MRAD is short for Multi-Role Adaptive Design. Above you can see the Colombia Contract MRAD rifle in OD Green, paired with Leupold’s Mark 5HD optic and the AM338 suppressor. We all know OD Green rifles are the best, don’t we?

The Nevada Department of Public Safety – Highway Patrol Division has selected the KGM R556A2 suppressor for use across its law enforcement units. According to the press release, the decision came after extensive evaluation, and the suppressors are now being issued statewide.

I’ve been using red dots on my shotgun for years, and I recommend you look into it as well. I’m a big fan of gadgets and electro-optics, but there are a lot of benefits beyond the sheer interest in technology. It seems Vortex agrees, as their new Viper Shotgun Enclosed Micro Red Dot is designed for turkey hunters, offering a durable and straightforward optic. It mounts directly to various shotguns without the need for plates or adapters - just make sure your shotgun is compatible.

SVCh, the new sniper rifle that will replace the famous SVD started its life as a commercial hunting carbine in 2016, designed by Andrei Chukavin. The hunting carbine was chambered in the .308 Win. (7.62x51 mm) caliber. The project was shown to the Russian Military in 2018; they showed interest in it as a military weapon. The experimental design program called "Reaper" was opened to create a weapon in the domestic 7.62x54 mm caliber. In the early stages, the rifle was a short barrel one, what we would colloquially call a battle rifle.

Hopefully, you won’t like this exact color and setup too much, because the IMPACT was a limited edition and is now sold out. The basis is a Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro bolt-action rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, but only 40 units of the IMPACT were ever built. However, we can still admire these images, and find inspiration for new projects - that’s what TFB’s Photo Of The Day is for some of the time.

I attended the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah. TFB focuses more on guns and shooting than hunting, but this show is a chance to see some companies and products that were not at SHOT Show. It is also a consumer show, so unlike SHOT Show you can buy things, and I snagged some hard-to-find Swift A-Frame bullets while I was there!

Verney-Carron, a French firearms manufacturer based in Saint-Étienne, will be forced to file for bankruptcy, its parent company CYBERGUN says. The company was scheduled to file insolvency at a hearing on 12 February. To recapitalise CYBERGUN is now in search of an industrial partner who can help stabilise Verney-Carron. The company has two arms, Verney-Carron which specialises in production of sporting arms and Lebel, the company’s defense arm which produced a selection of AR-15, AR-10 and AR-9 pattern rifles.

The Bundeswehr launched its search for a new pistol in November 2024. The tender’s deadline was listed as 4 December, but its unknown what the timeline for the procurement process is although the contract duration is listed as 84 months (or 7 years).

Wilson Combat has introduced the QUELL P and QUELL P-S suppressors for 9mm semi-auto pistols. The QUELL P uses a 7-baffle system to reduce sound by 34dB, measuring 6.25 inches long and weighing 9.5 ounces. The QUELL P-S has a 4-baffle system, reducing sound by 25dB in a 4.875-inch, 8-ounce design. For those who do not yet have threaded barrels on their handguns, I can highly recommend that you get into business.

MDT Sporting Goods is expanding the ACC Premier GEN2 Chassis System line by introducing the Ruger American Short Action Right Hand version. In case you haven’t tried it yet, adding a chassis to your bolt-action rifle can significantly enhance its performance and modularity. In general, a quality chassis system improves stability and rigidity, leading to greater accuracy and consistency. I recommend that you take the time to bed your rifle once you fit a new chassis, especially if you think that accuracy is important.

I waffled for a while deciding the best way to test this beast of a pistol when Adam Scepaniak

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! In this ongoing series, we cover everything from some of the oldest examples of rimfire guns and ammo up to the latest releases that we’ve seen at places like SHOT Show 2025 and more. A few weeks ago we took a look at CCI’s Clean-22 Steel Challenge 40 grain ammunition. To sum that article up briefly, the ammo performed exceptionally well in the consistency and cleanliness departments. When it came to accuracy, however, I found the CCI Clean to be lacking and as I mentioned a few weeks ago - this is probably because the ammo isn’t intended to be a precise target ammunition. To further demonstrate this, I took my remaining CCI Clean-22 40gr out to the range along with my freshly cleaned SIG Sauer P322 COMP pistol, to see how well the ammo does out of a more practical Steel Challenge gun.

Welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals 125! In honor of Presidents' Day, we're celebrating the spirit of leadership and freedom with a slightly longer gathering of deals on guns, gear, ammunition, and accessories from top online retailers like Primary Arms, Natchez Shooters Supply, Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, and more. Whether you're in the market for new or used firearms, looking to stock up on ammo, or need essentials like flashlights, range bags, optics, bipods, and magazines, our special Presidents' Day lineup has something for you—all while helping you save a few dollars. Enjoy these historic deals and celebrate the legacy of American leadership!

Welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new YHM R45 Multi-Host Suppressor. This week we are looking at the Nielsen device. We have some slow-motion videos demonstrating how it works, and some background discussion to set the stage. Let’s dig into it.

The RPK-16 was first unveiled in 2016. It appeared to be a successor to the RPK-74, following the typical design trends in Russian firearms. "RPK" refers to Kalashnikov's hand-held machine gun, commonly categorized as a light machine gun. However, the RPK series, including the RPK-16, is more accurately classified as an automatic rifle.

Like other service rifles such as the French FAMAS, the Swedish Ak 5 C (Automatkarbin 5 Cesar) is up for retirement, but with a crisp image like this it’s hard not to add it to TFB’s Photo Of The Day. You can also see the FN MAG machine gun in the foreground, called Ksp 58 (in 7.62x51mm) by the Swedes, as well as the Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle. I think this is the M3 version of the Carl Gustaf, to be replaced by the M4. The grenade launcher is a powerful weapon and forms the foundation of the Swedish Armed Forces' anti-tank arsenal. There is a large selection of ammunition to choose from, but I wonder which grenade would be best suited for drones. Or if there’s one in development?

I’m sick and tired of bolt-action rifles, and we definitely don’t need more straight pulls. What we need is more pump-action rifles like the Remington 760 and Savage 170. Let’s explore the history of these practical, but forgotten rifles and why manufacturers need to bring them back.

Strike Industries has expanded its line of CZ Scorpion upgrades with the release of the SI Charging Handle for CZ Scorpions, designed to offer improved ergonomics, a more tactile feel, and a longer extension compared to the factory handle. Additionally, the new small- and large-size charging handles ($25.95) are UV reactive, so they’ll be the hit of any party. This enhanced charging handle ensures smoother operation while maintaining compatibility with rail-mounted accessories.

We’re back again with another roundup of fresh firearms-focused podcasts in TFB Podcast Roundup 165. Each week we’re bringing you a new set of podcasts from across the web that cover a wide variety of topics including gunsmithing, hunting, precision shooting, war stories, competition shooting, gun industry news, and much more. In addition, we’re also featuring the most recent episode of TFB’s own Behind The Gun Podcast which airs every week on Thursday mornings. If you’d like to check out the full episode list for TFB’s Behind The Gun Podcast, you can find it here on the TFB website or on your favorite podcast app. Sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to this week’s selection of gun podcasts.

At Jagd & Hund, Europe’s largest hunting trade show, Swarovski Optics expanded their Z8i line with a high-magnification rifle scope. The Z8i+ 5-40x56 is the first of its kind in the premium hunting segment, combining sharp optics with a wide field of view for precise target acquisition. Designed for long-range hunting, it delivers exceptional detail even at 40x magnification. This latest addition to the Z8i series—now totaling eight models—will be available at select retailers starting February 2025.

EOTECH has partnered with Tekto, a knife manufacturer known for crafting knives designed for demanding tasks, to create the limited-edition F1 Alpha EOTECH Edition. This knife combines durable materials with a functional design, reflecting the qualities both brands are known for.

VKTR Industries, renowned for its high-performance piston-driven AR-15 rifles and accessories, has successfully delivered their VK-1 rifles paired with HUXWRX Flow 556K suppressors to the Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Police Department. According to the press release, the selection was to enhance the capabilities of both patrol and tactical units, the VK-1 rifles and HUXWRX suppressors provide officers with superior reliability, durability, and sound suppression for mission-critical operations.

Previously I wrote about the gun culture of  Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the Philippines. While all those places are fascinating, they seem a bit too exotic for a US gun owner. In the conversation about gun laws, US politicians like to use examples of Australia, and the UK, but often ignore countries that are more similar to the USA and even closer to it geographically - the countries of South America. Today, Brazil is the biggest and most populated South American country, with over 212,000,000 citizens. Like the US, it has a notable problem with gangs and violent crime, and it consists of different states and has a diverse population. Brazil's size and demographics are pretty similar to those of the US. What can we learn from Brazil’s experience regarding gun laws? Apparently, a lot, because in recent years, Brazil's government unintentionally conducted one of the biggest social experiments related to gun laws in the history of mankind.

Photo Of The Day and we look at the MCX-Rattler LT puzzle. The new MCX builds on the original design with improved modularity and enhanced performance. It features fully ambidextrous controls, including a bolt catch and release, as well as an adjustable gas piston for reliable operation with or without a suppressor. Equipped with a SIG QD suppressor-ready flash hider and a flat-blade trigger for precise control, the LT offers versatility for various configurations. It comes with a cold hammer-forged barrel in 6" or 7.75" lengths and is fully compatible with all MCX barrels and handguards.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at some of the pros and cons of backup guns. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to talk about the major differences in carry options between urban/suburbs and more unpopulated rural areas. Although we are all a part of the gun community and have decided to carry a concealed firearm, the guns that are chosen by people who live in their areas are some of the most interesting conversations that I often have with other concealed carriers. Let’s take a closer look at carry guns of urban and rural Americans.

 Fiocchi has announced the expansion of the Hyperformance Hunt lineup, the company’s premier centerfire rifle hunting cartridges, with six new loadings, all featuring Barnes Tipped TSX (TTSX) Projectiles. The Hyperformance Hunt series demonstrates Fiocchi's pride and dedication to manufacturing ammunition that exceeds the expectations of today’s most demanding hunters and shooters, using the highest-quality components to achieve exceptional terminal ballistics while maintaining reliable and predictable performance in the field.

Looking at the comments on TFBTV and other places, there is certainly a wish from our readers to write more about, and review, European-made AR-platform rifles. I have shot a few, like HERA Arms, Schmeisser, Haenel, Oberland Arms and DAR. Heckler & Koch also of course, since I own one. But to get one to review properly is a lot easier said than done, even for one living in Europe. It has proven difficult to even get some images from some manufacturers, so they’re not making it simple for enthusiasts looking for more information.

Remember when the ATF made out like it was going to start classifying some firearms with pistol braces as regulated items under the National Firearms Act? And remember how they walked that back afterwards? And supposedly clarified the issue here? Well, if you take a careful look at a case working its way through the federal system, it looks like the ATF hasn’t quite given up on their ban plan yet.

This week for TFB’s Behind the Gun Podcast I’ve brought back on backcountry hunting legend and owner of Spartan Precision Equipment - Mr. Rob Gearing. Last time Rob and I talked about Spartan Precision Equipment’s forward-thinking, modular, and flexible bipods and tripods. This week I’ve brought Rob back on not just to talk bipods, but also to talk about one of his major passions - backcountry hunting. Backcountry hunting has been a topic I’ve been very interested in for a long time, I just never quite had the opportunity, training, or the time to engage in myself. Rob, on the other hand, has had decades of experience hunting across the globe in all sorts of environments and today he’s going to share some of his experience and wisdom with us in the hopes that more will take interest in the sport.

The earliest known example of the Soviet Union's development of a universal or general-purpose machine gun concept is the Degtyarev prototype in 1941. This was a tumultuous time for the Soviet Union as the war unfolded. As the conflict escalated, requirements shifted, and attention was diverted to other priorities. The Soviet Union needed a nudge to revisit this concept, which came in the form of the German MG34 and MG42 machine guns and the German military doctrine surrounding universal machine guns during the war.