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 •

The MK12 SPR: The Multi-Tool of the AR World

The AR-15 has become the most prolific modern rifle in America—and for good reason. Its modularity, accuracy, ergonomics, and proven track record make it a top choice for self-defense, competition, and professional use. But among all the possible configurations, there’s endless debate...

By Toby M •

POTD: Next Stop Brussels–Schuman - Belgian Paratroopers Go Underground

Photo Of The Day, and we go full Special Forces. The story takes us underground, where the 22nd Assault Company of Belgium’s 3 Para transformed Brussels–Schuman  metro station into a Close Quarters Battle training environment. Far removed from open terrain, this setting emphasize...

By Eric B •

The Soviet “Silent” AKS-74UB

The AKS-74UB is one of the rarer Kalashnikov variants, a suppressed short carbine designed for missions requiring minimal noise and visual signature. Derived from the AKS-74U developed by Mikhail T. Kalashnikov in the 1970s, the AKS-74UB was created by a team of engineers at the Research Institut...

By Lynndon Schooler •

M1 Garand vs. M1941 Johnson Rifle Debate

Even positive changes can be hard to accept. Long before the M1 Garand rifle was in widespread service in the US military, it had its share of detractors. A number of these objectors simply disagreed with the Army’s decision to adopt a semi-automatic rifle at all. They argued that the...

By Tom Laemlein •

M65 Atomic Cannon — America’s Atomic Annie

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union raced to develop weapons that could tip the balance of power. Among the most audacious creations of this era was the M65 Atomic Cannon, an enormous artillery piece capable of firing a nuclear shell. Nicknamed “Atomic Annie,” this wea...

By Eugene Nielsen •

PP-2000 - The Kremlin's PDW

Founded in 1927 after the Russian Civil War, KBP Instrument Design Bureau has since earned numerous state honors, and its factory has accumulated a long list of proven designs, including small arms and a broad portfolio of air-defense systems. Today, as a joint-stock company, KBP, one of Russia&r...

By Lynndon Schooler •

POTD: US Soldiers At German Schützenschnur Qualification

In today’s Photo of the Day, Spc. Isaac Buxton of the 1st Armored Division, Task Force Iron, is seen firing a German Army HK G36 service rifle during the Schützenschnur qualification at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania. The event took place in August 2025 and offered U.S. Soldi...

By Eric B •
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