In a move that is both shocking and unsurprising at the same time, the video hosting powerhouse YouTube has terminated Brownells’ channel citing violations of their “community guidelines”. In the professional business of gunsmithing, tools, parts supply, accessories and more recently firearms sales, Brownells has been a pillar of the shooting community for nearly 100 years. While countless old-fashion catalog sales companies died off with the ecommerce revolution, Brownells adapted, embracing online sales and customers with an easy to navigate website and strong social media presence.

While this may be news to some of you, SIG enthusiasts have noticed some recent buzz about perceived firing pin issues with the SIG P365 on social media. The P365 is, of course, SIG’s newest subcompact that crams 10+1 rounds of 9mm into a chassis the size of a single stack pistol – and with an excellent trigger to boot. I was impressed with my copy; I purchased one for myself after my evaluation.  See the TFBTV review of the 365 here and  the SHOT Show interview with SIG about the 365 here.

On June 1, the DEA issued a Brand Name Only solicitation for one hundred (100) Glock 26s. The DEA must have confidence in the new Gen 5 models, because that’s specifically what they are asking for. (Want more info on the Gen 5 Glock 26? See this  Video and Article.) The full solicitation is in block-quote below, or you can see the original source here. The drug enforcement agents want standard triggers, Ameriglo nightsights, extended slide stops and mag catches (that’s the “ANS,” “ESS,” and “EMC” in the solicitation) and 6 (“high capacity”?) mags per gun. I have a Gen 5 Glock 26 with the Ameriglos myself and I think this makes an excellent choice as a back-up or deep concealment gun for agents.

Pistol Stabilizing Brace fans have the option to add the device of their choice after purchase, but the Lynx is also SBR-ready for those willing to undergo the NFA application process. Additional models and options are of being evaluated for possible import by AOA and headed to Atlantic Arms in the future.

The AA-12 – Originally designed in the 1980’s (with an M16A1 handguard no less), the Atchisson Assault-12 has been tried out by a few military/LE customers.  It has been seen mostly on film, as no semiautomatic variant ever existed for sale.  However, TFB’s own version of Nostradamus, Nathaniel F. noted changes to this situation back in 2016 with this excellent article on the work of Mr. Boje Cornils to make a semiautomatic version.  The hard work of Mr. Cornils has finally come to fruition, per the press release below from Sol Invictus Arms.

GLOCK America has just announced that it has won the contract to supply the Military Police of São Paulo, Brazil with 5,000 G22 pistols. In a first for Brazilian law enforcement, the agencies solicited contenders from international sources. Tests included a 10,000 round endurance test without cleaning or lubrication, parts interchangeability, precision and drop testing.

The giant firearms and accessories conglomerate Remington Outdoor Company has just announced that it has successfully implemented a reorganization plan that brings it out of Chapter 11. The company announced on March 26, 2018 that it had filed for bankruptcy due in part to a “trump slump” firearms market. As it emerges from bankruptcy, Remington’s previous $775M in debt is converted to equity and the company can resume “normal course of business”. All shares of Remington’s prior common stock were cancelled and new common stock issued.

The US Army’s PEO Soldier – Project Manager Soldier Weapons has issued an Request for Information (RFI) to obtain industry feedback on possible submissions to Sub Compact Weapons (SCW) evaluations. The specification details offered by the Project Manager Soldier Weapons (PMSW) are scant and extremely broad. Describing potential SCWs as being select fire weapons, chambered in 9x19mm and having MIL-STD 1913 rail (Picatinny Rail) space.

Springfield Armory just announced, roughly around midnight, a NEW 1911 TRP 10mm RMR! This pistol chambers the stout 10mm cartridge with the added benefit of a reflex optic such as the Trijicon RMR.

To get TFB readers and gun consumers up to speed, Acusport Corporation is a distributor of firearms and related accessories within the US. They are one of a handful of distributors who assist manufacturers in getting their products to retailers and eventually to you, the consumer.

On Thursday, April 26, the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA), with support from the National Rifle Association, filed an important lawsuit in the U.S.District Court for the Southern District of California challenging the state’s new restrictions on the sale and transfer of ammunition. These restrictions, enacted in 2016 as part of a series of bills and Proposition 63, require all ammunition sales and transfers to be conducted via face-to-face transactions at California licensed firearm dealers or licensed ammunition vendors. And beginning July 1, 2019, all ammunition purchasers will be required to pass a background check before taking delivery of any ammunition.

As we gear up for the NRA Show in Dallas, Texas from May 4th – 6th we get some completely unexpected news. Springfield Armory has announced 2 new NFA firearms for consumers to build off of their increasingly popular SAINT line of modern sporting rifles. These are short-barreled rifle (SBR) derivatives of what are likely the 2 most popular rifles in that line-up. We now have the SAINT Edge SBR and the SAINT M-LOK Free-Float Handguard SBR.

Many shooters are aware that the B&T GHM9 was initially not feeding hollow points – as designed, it met the EU need of using strictly FMJ. However, B&T listened to the American market and user requests to resolve the issue have been met with a new update. The ability to feed hollow-points was particularly important to me: I purchased a GHM9 for my wife to use as a home defense platform. To deliver the proper ballistics and kinetic energy on target hollow points were a necessity.

Slide Fire Solutions and it’s president Jeremiah Cottle, owner of the only approved patent for bump stocks, announced on Tuesday that it would cease production. A notice on the Slide Fire website reads:

It is with deep sadness that we report R. Lee Ermey has passed away this morning, Sunday April 15th, 2018. He passed away due to complications from pneumonia which is very unexpected for most individuals within the firearm industry. It was R. Lee Ermey‘s tenured manager and long-time friend, Bill Rogin, who broke the news to the world via his Twitter.

Late last week, Kel-Tec Weapons issued a voluntary recall of specific Sub-2000 rifles manufactured during their 2017 production run.

Exactly  two months ago we reported the release of Smith & Wesson’s latest M&P offering: the Shield EZ. The new pistol features an easy to rack slide for customers who are older or who may have disabilities. The Shield EZ is also available in two versions, one of which includes a manual thumb safety. Today, S&W is issuing a consumer advisory: the thumb safety can be switched to the ‘On’ position when using limited types of ammunition.

April Fools Day Post: thanks for playing this year!

In what should not be a shock to most anyone paying attention, iconic firearms manufacturer Remington announced a bankruptcy filing on Sunday, passing control to lenders – a move that will wipe away most of the companies debt. We hesitated in bringing you the story earlier since we have covered Remington’s financial troubles numerous times in just the last few months. However, ultimately the court filing in Delaware is a significant event that requires a notification to our readers,

Financial giant Citibank announced today that the company would place restrictions on gun sales by their clients. Specifically, they will require businesses to limit gun sales only to individuals over the age of 21 and require a criminal background check. Currently federal law restricts the sale of rifles and shotguns by anyone under the age of 18 and handguns by anyone under the age of 21. In addition, businesses engaged in the sale of firearms are required to have buyers to complete an ATF 4473 Firearms Transaction Record that contains a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) questionnaire.

The US Marine Corps is set to replace its M9s with 35,000 Modular Handgun System pistols, budgeting over $6 million for the procurement. Since the US army’s  adoption of the XM17/18 in January 2017, there has been much speculation around if and when the other services would follow. It seems the Marine Corps will be the first.

During my trip to Germany last week, I took a special trip up to Hamburg, Germany to visit Zib Militaria. Zib is a surplus dealer in some rare gun parts. Heiko, the owner, has acquired some rare machine gun parts as well as stock piled a bunch of HK goodies. Among them are piles of HK 416 and 417 parts along with guns minus the barrels and bolts. This is due to the laws regarding firearm components in Germany. While I was there, I learned that Brownells has bought a majority these components and is planning to import them for sale in the US.

The Department of Justice has announced it is seeking to reclassify rifles fitted with bump stocks as ‘machine guns’. This would see the wording of the National Firearms Act and Gun Control Act amended to include ‘bump stock type devices’.

Following the news that  Dick’s Sporting Goods would cease selling AR-15s and raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm, Walmart have also announced their decision to raise their minimum purchasing age to 21.

Dick’s Sporting Goods, a major firearms dealer with 675 stores in the U.S., has decided to end the sale of Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) – often incorrectly referred to as ‘assault rifles’ – as well as “high capacity” ammunition magazines in all of its retail outlets. The retail giant will also stop selling firearms of any type to individuals under the age of 21. Currently, federal regulations allow for the sale of rifles and shotguns to buyers over the age of 18, whereas the minimum age to purchase a handgun is 21.

Earlier today, news began to trickle through online forums and social media platforms that retail giant Optics Planet had stopped selling magazines with a capacity over 10 rounds. With the internet being, well, the internet, we decided to have a look for ourselves. A cursory search of Optics Planet’s site revealed a couple of noteworthy concerns:

Electronics manufacturing giant Samsung is apparently set to break into the defense and consumer level weapons industry with a new take on firearms design. Normally focused on their mobile phone and flat screen display product lines, the South Korean conglomerate seems to be developing handheld armament that diverges from typical modern-day design. Apparently not based on the deflaguration powders inside of metal cartridges meant to push a projectile down and out of a barrel, the new Samsung design may incorporate a different type of energy generator as a means of lethality. Of course, with only a few leaked images of the redesign, we are mostly left with conjecture rather than definitive conclusions.

Last week we reported that Remington was seeking financing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On Monday the iconic gunmaker announced a financing deal had been agreed with its creditors. A Restructuring Support Agreement has been announced that will reduce approximately $700 million worth of Remington Outdoor Company’s consolidated outstanding debt.

A key part of the capability brought to the table by the US Army’s new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle is its chambering for the 7.62mm round. Specifically, this chambering allows the SDMR to fire the (also brand new) XM1158 Advanced Armor Piercing (ADVAP) round, designed to give the squad the capability to defeat advanced ceramic armors at combat ranges. There may be juuuuust one little problem, though: Cost. The US Army’s Ammunition Budget Justification for Fiscal Year 2019 was released this month; in it was procurement information on the XM1158 ADVAP, and a bit of a shocking sticker price to boot:

With nearly $1 billion in debt and credit agencies warning that their capital structure is “unsustainable”, firearms and ammunition manufacturing giant Remington is looking for financing to fund business operations during bankruptcy proceedings. An exclusive report from the news agency Reuters also states that Remington’s sales dropped 27% in the first nine months of 2017 resulting in a $28M operating loss.