Ian and Karl of Forgotten Weapons lore have recently announced a two gun competition open to the public, based in Arizona. Desert Brutality will take place in early February is based on the theme that Forgotten Weapons has always been known for, championing historic small arms. The focus of the match will be on creating a competition where it will be “physically, mentally and shooting challenging” while using historic small arms in a 2 gun match (rifle and sidearm). In this case, rifles allowed are pre-1970s configurations. They can be modern reproductions built today as long as their basic layouts, magazines, scopes, etc… match the weapons they are reproducing. There are five divisions that shooters will be scored against. They are Classic, Scout, Armored, Armored+P, and Sport. To read more about the specific divisions, check out the match rulebook created. The portion of their website has other sections about scoring and match rules as well. There will be random prizes as well, with the match being co-sponsored by Varusteleka.com, a surplus outfitter.

As we continue to inch closer and closer to SHOT Show one day at a time, Ruger is opening the floodgates on all of the new firearms they will be tantalizing us with, in 2018. They have announced a flurry of firearms so far, but they have even more pistols to show us.

Fime Group, the sole importer of Rex Zero 1 pistols, is officially announcing two new colors that will run you the same price as their base models. The two new colors are Olive Drab Green (OD Green) and Grey.

We will setup a dedicated email address for news and information intake related to the suppressor world, but for now, if there is something you’d like to see highlighted, drop me a line at Pete@thefirearmblog.com. Submissions are welcome from everyone – consumers, dealers, distributors and manufacturers. Space and content requirements may not allow for every submission to be included.

Robin Šebo was born in 1988 and has been a sport shooter since 2007. His hometown is Ostrava, Czech Republic.

In a matter of a few days in mid-December, 2017, IMBEL – Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil made two conflicting official announcements related to the company’s planning as far as pistol production is concerned, namely, the reduction from twelve to six models in the current products portfolio. According to a very brief note aired in the firm’s website ( www.imbel.gov.br), production of the following types would be discontinued as of that date, while sales would continue covering produced guns already in stock, only: .380 ACP MD1 N (single-stack, 9-rd), 9x19mm SC MD1 Xodó (double-stack, 12-rd), .40 S&W GC MD2 (double-stack, 16-rd), .40 S&W GC MD6 (double-stack, 16 rd), .40 S&W SC MD2 (double-stack, 16-rd), and .45 ACP M1911 A1 (single-stack, 7-rd).

As 2017 came to a close, Wilson Combat announced it had acquired the Chip McCormick Custom/Shooting Star Industries. Chip McCormick Custom is well known for manufacturing quality 1911-style magazines. After acquisition, the company will be known as CMC/Shooting Star Industries.

Let the rise of the Pistol Stabilizing Brace continue. Hot off the presses is the new 2018 CZ lineup, including two pistol versions of the Scorpion EVO. The Scorpion Micro Pistol features an MP5A3 Style brace from SB Tactical and a short handguard from HB Industries. The new pistol looks to be a compact PDW at a street price I would estimate to be $850 to $900.

A relative newcomer to the field of small arms, Turkish company Satek Arge has recently shown a working prototype of a rotating six-barrel machine gun design with variants in 4 different calibers (7.62x51mm, .50 BMG, 20x102mm, 25x137mm). The company was most recently exhibiting at a ground unmanned vehicle competition where it drew the attention of C4 Defense, a defense media outlet, being mounted on an unmanned wheeled vehicle. From the article-

UTS Defense, known for their commercial pump action 12 gauge shotguns in the United States has featured a promotional image on the Turkish website ( not the U.S. one though) that shows a 5.56x45mm AR15 derivative titled the UT512 and a 9x19mm version titled UT9S. The promotion had the simple title of “Coming Soon” at the top, probably in time for SHOT 2018. It would appear that both of these designs have the intent of Military or LE application due to neither of them being legal in Turkey for civilian use, and both would at least be classified as SBRs if imported in the United States. Apart from a few different features, both weapons share the same handguard design, charging handles, BUIS sights, pistol grips, and similar but different telescoping stocks and flash hiders. Both appear to have ambidextrous magazine releases, in addition to what most likely are ambidextrous safety selectors. The handguard is very Midwest Industries-esque with the two bolts at the rear, gas tube vents, 

With what appears to be a gadget straight out of Star Wars, a Ukrainian developmental agency by the name of Innovations Development Platform is looking for international partners and possibly investors to take part in the agencies Limpid Armor product. Using an already developed tech item from Microsoft, the HoloLens, Limpid Armor is taking it a step further and has worked through combining HoloLens with armored vehicles and video cameras surrounding the armored vehicle. The Microsoft HoloLens is  originally designed to be optimal for generated holographs through the user-worn headset. However, Innovations Development Platform realized the potential of hooking it up to a helmet and essentially replacing holographs with streaming video from the outside of an armored vehicle.

Since 2007, Iran has attempted numerous indigenous polymer framed, striker fired handgun designs such as a Walter P99 copy known as the M9-02, in addition to a simple attempt at a Glock copy known as the “Raa’d”. However, recent photographs have come to our attention that shows an increased Iranian interest in the Glock platform of handguns. IPAS 2016 had numerous Glock handguns on display, specifically the 17 and 19 models.

It was not even 2 years ago and Springfield Armory did not have a single AR-15 in their line-up of firearms. Now they have multiple rifles and a pistol to their name under the umbrella of the SAINT which spans from Keymod to M-LOK.

Of course, TFBTV got their hands on the Glock 19X before the press embargo date of January 2, and we got to run it through the wringer and compare it to the Gen 5 guns.  James give a brief overview and review of GLOCK’s newest pistol, the Glock 19X. The 19X will be released on January 22nd, 2018 with an MSRP of $749.  See below press release for more details, or watch James’ Review in the link above:

A recent promotional video released by the Chinese state television program CCTV highlights developments in the joint venture between  North China Industries and Chongqing Jianshe Industry Group to bring to market a Chinese copy of the SCAR. The 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm versions (NAR-556, and NAR-751) first started circulating in the public eye in November of 2016. There appears to have been a 7.62x39mm M43 version (NAR-739) that was also present at the same display booth of the other two calibers, but it doesn’t appear to have been photographed as much.

Glock has begun to slowly expand their line-up of Gen5 models that are being transitioned in from the Gen4 series. Right now, they have the G17 and G19 as well as the just announced G26 Gen5 and the G34 Gen5 Modular Optic System (MOS) pistols. An argument could be made for 5 total with the G19X, but that is a unique crossover that shares attributes from both the Gen5 and Gen4 series.

Glock’s newest, and likely to be most talked about firearm for 2018, is the model 19X. The Glock 19X is meant to be a crossover that will hopefully allow consumers to do so with confidence. The Glock 19X is a step into a new direction and quite possibly a new iteration of future pistols. This aberration of a Gen5  combines a G17 frame with a G19 slide assembly. This unique combination allows for the capacity of their full size G17 magazines, more dexterity and positive handling, and accuracy in a smaller package.

Ringing in the New Year in true polymer style, three new GLOCKs have just been officially announced with U.S. consumer availability starting on January 22 – the first day of the 2018 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The highlight of the release is the 19X – GLOCK’s version of the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS) submission featuring a G19 length slide on a G17 sized frame, all dressed up in field dark earth (FDE).

Michigan based Pratt & Miller Defense recently updated their Trackless Moving Targets- Infantry variant this year for I/ITSEC 2017. The company makes 4×4 vehicles (with targets mounted on them) that move autonomously on a training ground and react to fire. Right now it appears that the company has human-sized targets and full vehicle shaped ones but ideally as long as it can fit on the chassis, the vehicle could probably work with the target. The company is trying to create a solution for the infantry wherein it resembles a more realistic battlefield instead of stationary Ivan targets that mechanically drop down when hit.

Along with the recent defense deal that the United States is in with Ukraine over Javelin anti-tank missiles, is the news that the State Department just approved an export license for Barrett Firearms to sell M107A1s to Ukraine. The Ukranian military has had a constant issue sourcing effective anti-material rifles in the current conflict. Both because of the complexity of the political situation and finding potential buyers, but also because of the difficulty of manufacturing small arms in the country itself amid the economic conditions. Thus, we see such inventions as the DShK converted rifle/bipod mount, or pretty much anything else that can be improvised to sling lead at an opposing force.

Let me start off by saying that this subjective list of TFB’s ‘Top 5’ best guns from 2017 is not rooted in scientific study nor is it the result of massive data crunching of user polls. The below guns were picked by general popularity, page views, innovative designs and overall accessibility. Point being, there were a lot of awesome firearms released this year and these are only a few of them.

Ruger has taken their wildly popular centerfire rifle, the Ruger Precision Rifle or RPR, and adapted it for small-bore enthusiasts with the newly unveiled Ruger Precision Rimfire chambered in .22 Long Rifle. This iteration of its bigger brother touches on many of the features that draw shooters to the Precision rifle.

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Getting ready to crack their 100 million views milestone, TFBTV has come a long way in just under three years. The channel has added new hosts, debuted exclusive review guns, educated us with historical and scientific episodes, and entertained us with fan-supplied mailbag “gifts”, Jurassic pumpkins, and youth swimwear.

Although details are slim at the moment, information from multiple sources is revealing a variety of new Marlin lever action rifles set to be available to consumers soon. Heavy on the pistol calibers, Marlin is featuring the 1894CST, a threaded barrel carbine chambered in .38 Special/.357 Magnum. Long sought after by silencer lovers, lever gun hosts were sent to gunsmiths for barrel threading and, in many cases, magazine tube shortening.

As we continue our steady march towards the new year, let’s take a glance back over our shoulder at the most popular reviews at TFB for 2017. As with news articles, TFB is blessed with a talented staff that collectively has a broad base of firearms and gear knowledge. Matchstick Guns, Dive Shorts and a 9mm AK? You’re welcome world. You’re welcome.

Ruger has just announced the PC Carbine – a pistol caliber carbine chambered in 9mm. And to answer your most immediate question: YES, it takes GLOCK mags. As well as SR/Security-9 magazines with an included interchangeable magazine well. At an approximate street price in the mid $500 range, the PC Carbine appears to pack in a lot of features. Take down capability, a threaded barrel, reversible magazine release and charging handle and, once again, GLOCK mags. Add in a direct-machined optics rail and Ruger set projected to sell the PC Carbine by the container full.

Known for their support of the precision rifle community and manufacturing the ULTRA series of suppressors, Thunder Beast Arms Corporation (TBAC) is announcing a new 556 Take Down rifle silencer. Designed for the SOCOM SURG Program – (Suppressor Upper Reciever Group) the new Take Down is a user serviceable suppressor for short barreled rifles. TBAC’s new model is also part of a soon to be announced AR15 dedicated suppressed upper receiver.

Arsenal Firearms has changed the name of their company; thereby, setting back the release of their heavily anticipated Stryk B pistol. This announcement was made to customers, suppliers and business partners of Arsenal Firearms.

CZ USA appears to be investing in the silencer market for 2018. Following on the heels of the pre-release announcement of a reflex designed suppressed Scorpion carbine, CZ is teasing two integrally suppressed rimfire barrels. Specific to the CZ 455 platform, the new NFA additions to CZ USA popular rimfire rifles will be available in two lengths – 16.9” or 20.9” – and two chamberings – .22LR and .17 HMR.