The RPK: The Soviet Choice of Commonality Over Capability

In the mid-1950s, the Soviet high command accepted a compromise that would shape frontline infantry small arms for decades: prioritizing platform commonality over dedicated squad-level suppressive fire capability. That decision, formalized with the 1959 adoption of an AK-derived automatic rifle, ...

By Lynndon Schooler •

The RPD - Soviet Union’s First Squad Automatic Weapon

In the years after World War II, the Soviet military asked a simple question: how could an infantry squad bring a higher volume of automatic fire without surrendering mobility? A lesson they learned from the Eastern Front, where volume of fire was king. The answer, in part, was the RPD; this ligh...

By Lynndon Schooler •

Choosing Your First Hunting Rifle

If you are new to gun ownership or simply new to the pastime of hunting, it can feel like a daunting task to choose your first hunting rifle. You don’t want to buy the wrong thing, invest money in something that isn’t practical, or be taken advantage of by the guy behind the gun counter. Read...

By Adam Scepaniak •

A Summary History of Firearm Ammunition

Firearm ammunition has been a fundamental component of both the evolution of firearms and the progression of military, law enforcement, and civilian practices throughout history.

By Alan Chwick •

Springfield’s 10-8 Performance Master Class 1911

To readers of The Armory Life and many 1911 afficionados, Hilton Yam is going to be a familiar name. In the company of the many great gunsmiths and competitors who have built their professions around the construction or use of 1911 pistols, Yam offers a very unique perspective...

By Joe Kurtenbach •
« Newer Posts