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 •

[SHOT 2026] RISE Triggers Rev 535 - Snap-In AR Trigger System

RISE Triggers rolled out something different at SHOT Show 2026 with the Rev 535  trigger, and the standout feature is how it installs. The company built a new Slide-and-Snap system that eliminates the usual trigger pin hassle and gets the whole thing locked in place in under 60 seconds on mi...

By Sam.S •

TFB Review: Wilde Custom Gear Chest Rig and Accessories

The market for tactical nylon gear is expansive. There are so many companies today producing bespoke high-end equipment for a wide variety of needs. It should be fair that, among the wild west of manufacturers all competing for your attention and mighty dollar, one of these companies has risen to...

By Toby M •

Top .380 Self-Defense Rounds?

A topic that consistently attracts significant interest is self-defense, and the two most common subtopics are home defense and concealed carry. Based on my personal experience and conversations with folks, concealed carry seems to be of the most interest. Why? You don’t go out in public with y...

By Beyond Seclusion •

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 •

M21 Sniper Rifle — A Short History

The renowned M14 service rifle has a complex history: it was the U.S. military’s shortest-lived service rifle yet one of the longest in service. While its time as a standard-issue rifle for G.I.s was brief, its power and performance have ensured its continued use as a sniper and Designated Mark...

By Cory Ross •
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