In the decades since the release of the original Star Wars movie and subsequent episodes, “researchers” have extensively analyzed the weaponry carried by both Empire and Rebellion characters alike. And while the technical discussions have delved into the [Read More…]
Every time I lament cleaning guns after a range trip, I think about the regiment that black powder shooters have to undergo to avoid corrosion. Specifically, how I am able to use cotton patches and my choice of CLP rather than a bucket of hot water and dish soap. I own [Read More…]
In the first two parts of this article on a new long range infantry rifle paradigm, we painted a picture of what sort of weapons would be needed to maximize the infantry’s long-range capability, in theory allowing them to achieve “overmatch” versus [Read More…]
In my comments section recently, I was asked to shed some light on the velocity penalty created by moving from 20″ long rifle barrels as in the M16 to 14.5″ long carbine barrels as in the M4 Carbine. Our readers’ wish is my command, and so here we are. [Read More…]
To be honest, I can’t stand traditional Black Friday sales tactics. A mad rush of people fighting over stuff they probably don’t need or want is the last place I want to be a day after Thanksgiving. In fact If I never set foot in a mall again, I’ll be [Read More…]
Honey badger doesn’t give a crap, it gets right back up like nothing happened. Dormant for two years after Remington’s announcement that it would come to market, the Honey Badger has appeared again, but not with Remington. Pictures “Honey Badger [Read More…]
Probably the most obvious element of ammunition design is the choice of caliber, or more specifically the choice of bore and bullet diameter. These two dimensions are of course closely linked in conventional ammunition systems (they can be decoupled with sabots, but [Read More…]
The perfect gift for the person who has everything? The RWS Special Edition is most likely one of the world’s most exclusive (and expensive) choices in terms of ammunition. This exclusive series is available in eight classic hunting calibers. All components, from [Read More…]
At this point, we’ve talked about 25 different intermediate and full power calibers as part of a series comparing different types of modern small arms ammunition. However, one subject not yet thoroughly covered is rounds for personal defense weapons (PDWs). These [Read More…]
Tactical Solutions based in Boise, ID opened its doors in 2002 with one primary product: the Pac-Lite barrel and upper assembly for the Ruger MKI and MKII line of rimfire pistols. Created as a answer to a non-existant upgrade industry for the popular .22LR pistols, the [Read More…]
Russian company, Lobaev Arms, has developed a fully suppressed sniper rifle called the DVL Lobaev 10 Saboteur. The rifle is designed for short ranges (0 – 650 yards) but optimized for the lowest possible sound signature. To achieve this they also designed [Read More…]
In a previous post about the sometimes ambiguous meaning of the word “caliber”, we discussed how the word had mutated through the centuries, picking up different definitions and connotations along the way. In that article, I wrote: So “caliber” has gone [Read More…]
One of the most satisfying firearm projects I have completed to date is the conversion of a standard Ruger 77/357 into a suppressed short barreled rifle (SBR). The whole setup came together using a combination of woodworking, metalworking, refinishing, gunsmithing and [Read More…]
Guns of the Special Forces is a recent publication by Pen & Sword Press written by Leigh Neville, an Australian defense and military author. The book is inspired by Guns of the Elite written by George Markham, an in-depth look at the history and then current [Read More…]
One of the problems of small arms ammunition is that of swept volume. That is, the most ballistically efficient projectiles are the longest and thinnest ones, which cut through the air more easily than squatter, fatter projectiles. Yet, the best projectiles from a [Read More…]
Earlier this week, Business Insider released an article written by Christian Lowe entitled “6 weapons the US military should bring back from the dead“ with a very self-evident, but interesting premise. However, the weapons (all firearms, oddly) that the [Read More…]
If you remember from a few months back, TFB helped to clarify a business relationship between Tracking Point and Dead Air Armament – apparently someone jumped the gun on advertising the Dead Air silencers before a deal between the two companies could [Read More…]
I love these cutaway pictures, one of my favorites is that picture we posted back in 2014 from the UK of that Webley Mark IV .38/200 revolver with the barrel obstruction that was cut in half. Well when I stumbled upon this awesome new post from Fog Ammunition with high [Read More…]
The 6x35mm TSWG, also commonly called the 6x35mm KAC, is a round shrouded in mystery. Apparently designed by Knight’s Armament Company for the interagency counterterrorist program cryptically named the “Technical Support Working Group” alongside the [Read More…]
At this point we’ve looked at the data for seven intermediate calibers currently on the market, each of which is – one way or another – influencing the discussion around the question of what next generation military rifle caliber will be. Those rounds [Read More…]
Like the .300 AAC Blackout that we discussed earlier, the 7.62×40 Wilson Tactical was intended to be a medium-performance .30 caliber cartridge that would function in standard AR-15 type rifles with minimal modifications, such as a barrel change. Also like the .300 [Read More…]
Previously, courtesy of The Wound Channel we got our first looks at the stellar ballistics of the 7.62mm M80A1 EPR round, which proved to combine excellent fragmentation with good armor penetration and barrier blind characteristics, while being extremely consistent. [Read More…]
What if there was a caliber that was suitable for everything from coyote to brown bear, kicked less than your whitetail gun, fit in a micro-length (2.25″/58mm) action, and cost a quarter a round to shoot? That would be a pretty awesome caliber, wouldn’t [Read More…]
At the 2016 National Rifle Association Annual Meeting, Blackhawk! was present showing off their new products, including the new suppressor line we reported on earlier this week. Blackhawk! was also showing off their new improved GI triggers, which we’ll cover [Read More…]
Wilson Combat continues its rapid expansion away from its 1911 roots, this time with another entry into the suppressor market. The new “Whisper” suppressor series is oriented for those who detest the weight on the front of their gun. Using “corrosion [Read More…]
Switzerland, a country with gun laws that would make a lot of (but far from all) Americans jealous. What a great country to get represented by this Blitz SBR! In summary, their gun laws can be described as less restrictive than most other European countries. On the [Read More…]
“Caliber”. It can mean a lot of different things, but when we use it, what does it really mean, and what’s its significance? Title image: From left to right are the 7.65 Parabellum, 7.63 Mauser, .300 Blackout, 7.62×45 Czech, .30 Remington, 7.62 [Read More…]
My friends over in the suppressor forum of AR15.com came across a curious ‘new’ product within the pages of Tracking Point’s commercial website this week. The ‘Hush-S’ and ‘Hush-L’ suppressors are listed as being [Read More…]
Welcome to the third installment of our ballistic gel testing series. The current series is sponsored by Clark Armory who provided the testing medium and rounds. Technical Details of Gorilla Silverback in .45ACP The Gorilla Silverback (both variations) are following the [Read More…]
Range Estimation, unknown distance, you name it, and this is one of the many skills that is necessary for most any professional Infantryman in the world. All of their weapon systems depend on not only knowing the range to an enemy target, but much more importantly, [Read More…]
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