NIJ threat levels, the three ways armor gets worn on patrol, what each platform does well and where it falls short, and the fit and long-term wear considerations that differ depending on which system you're in.
The AK-100 series was developed during one of the hardest periods in modern Russian history, in the years after the Soviet Union collapsed and the country was dealing with a deep economic crisis. In that environment in the early 1990s, Izhmash made the ambitious decision to create a new family of...
This is a fascinating Photo Of The Day (POTD) set showcasing some of the U.S. Army's current small arms family, with the XM8 Carbine, the M7 rifle, the M250 and the M4A1. It’s not often we get to see studio-quality images, but here’s the new XM8 Carbine in a perfect side-view. He...
Virginians did not wait to find out whether Governor Abigail Spanberger would sign a ban on the sale of popular semi-automatic rifles before heading to their local gun stores. Newly released industry data shows Virginia ranked fourth among all states for overall firearm sales-related background c...
Taking up a handgun for personal defense is indeed a life-changing experience that warrants a great deal of forethought and preparation. You not only have to select the best possible handgun and related gear to fit your lifestyle, but also become proficient in its use and knowledgeable of the law...
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Belgian flintlock artillery musketoon manufactured in the early 1800s and reconverted to flintlock. The reconversion indicates this was originally converted to percussion during the 1840s-1850s, then later restored back to flintlock configur...
Three killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego. What the attack — and the Center's security investments — tell us about preparation and the limits of skill.
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Merrimack Arms Southerner derringer manufactured 1866-1869 with double struck “SOUTHERNER” marking. Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing Company operated in Newburyport, Massachusetts during a brief window after the Civil War. The...
Admittedly, the Echelon had a steep hill to climb. At its launch in mid-2023, the then-new Echelon faced a packed market of duty-style, polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm pistols. To say there was a plethora of choices would be a remarkable understatement. As a result, the Echelon had to bring som...
Springfield Armory just dropped the Echelon Alpha 4.0C, and I got hands on with one ahead of the launch. The short version is that this is the most affordable entry into the Echelon ecosystem to date. MSRP is $599. The standard Echelon 4.0C currently runs $720. That gap is the entire reason this ...