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

The New Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP: Budget Beast at $699!

Coming out of Vortex's bag of surprises for 2026 is the new Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP riflescope. This new addition to Vortex's extremely popular budget line of LPVOs boasts a lot of the same features you’ll find on more expensive optics, but won’t come with the typica...

By Luke C.

Testing Hollywood: Michael Mann’s Collateral

Movies and the real-world application of firearms have had a troubled relationship. We go to the movies to escape and to dream, so naturally, some of those flights of fancy wind up being applied to how guns are used in movies, and the hero of the movie winds up shooting 30 or so rounds from Read ...

By Kevin Creighton

[SHOT 2026] Black Rain Ordnance Freedom Fighter AK - American-Made

Black Rain Ordnance brought their Freedom Fighter AK  to SHOT Show 2026, marking the company's first production AK after shelving a prototype back in 2013. Built entirely in Neosho, Missouri, this isn't your typical import or parts-kit build. Black Rain went all-in on American manu...

By Sam.S

[SHOT 2026] Caldwell Rock 2 Rests & XLA Bipods - Range Gear Refresh

Caldwell used SHOT Show 2026 to roll out updates across their range gear lineup, and the Rock 2 rear rest series is the anchor of it. The Rock 2 is a redesign of one of the most popular benchtop rear rests in the shooting sports category, and it's coming in three flavors this year to cover e...

By Sam.S
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