Welcome everyone to the 94th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

Good morning everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday series brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM Turbo 5.56 and YHM Resonator R2 rifle suppressors. Last week we sat down with the AMTAC Mantis and discussed the pros and cons of over-the-barrel reflex style suppressors. This week we take a look one of the most frequently asked questions when a shooter is shopping for an AR-15 suppressor – is a 5.56mm can quieter than a 7.62mm can? But the bigger issue is why James Reeves got it wrong.

Back in December, I had the chance to let you guys know about Smith & Wesson’s newest addition to their M&P15-22 line of firearms being the M&P15-22 Pistol. This pistol technically existed previously before being discontinued. The difference is that the older version had no pistol brace and the new one has an  SB Tactical SBA3 Adjustable Arm Brace. Recently I purchased my own M&P15-22 Pistol and I am excited to give you all my review of it. Let’s dive into the rabbit hole!

Last year, Brownells dropped their new Gen 2 version of the BRN-180 upper receiver onto the market. They came out with both shorter barrel variants as well as an option for .300 Blackout. Every time I saw the new BRN-180 Gen 2 upper, it piqued my curiosity and after a while, I decided to pick up one and put it through its paces. I’ve had the BRN-180 for a couple months now and put a decent amount of ammo through it, even with this crazy ammo crunch. Let’s dive deeper into Brownells BRN-180 Gen 2 Upper Receiver.

6.5 Grendel has been a popular hunting caliber since its introduction but hog hunters looking to assemble a 6.5 Grendel AR rifle have often found that there are feeding issues when using modified AR-15 magazines. However, a large complaint by AR shooters using 6.5 Grendel, has been the odd magazine capacities that 6.5 Grendel magazines tend to be made in (usually 5, 10, and 25 rounds).  DuraMag has just introduced their 20 Round 6.5 Grendel DURAMAG SS magazines. The new magazines claim to solve feeding issues from longer length 6.5 Grendel loads while also providing users with a more leisurely experience with the simplicity of a 20-round mag, eliminating half-empty boxes of ammo.

ZRO Delta adds a new rifle to their Ready Series of AR-15 models, the 17.76 LVOA. Unlike other packages of the series, this rifle only has a limited number of selected accessories. Indeed it is intended to be a solid base for the user to customize at will.

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! This ongoing series is all about the rimfire firearm world and its ammunition, trends, and history. Last week we talked a little bit about attempting to save money on plinking and hunting 22LR ammunition by trying to use nail blanks and 22 caliber pellets. This week we’ll be talking about rimfire replacement firearms stepping in to take the role of your full-sized firearms to hopefully remove a bit of the sting out of the cost of frequent training.

Smith & Wesson has produced ARs for many years now. Their M&P 15 series has expanded to dozens of models, ranging from .22 rimfire plinkers, to standard .223 AR-15s, to large-frame camo-coated .308 versions, and more. Most of their offerings live more on the budget-friendly end of the price range as well, which has helped them become hugely popular with customers. S&W has sold a ton of these rifles over the years. Now they’re adding a new option to the list, offered exclusively to the military veterans, law enforcement personnel and other first responders who qualify for S&W’s “America’s Guardians” program. This newest M&P15 is an SBR, and thus will require a $200 tax stamp from the ATF on top of the purchase price. Davidson’s, who will be distributing many of these mil/LEO program guns to retailers and end users, issued the following announcement about the new item.

Type-A is a high-quality manufacturer of custom-built firearms and firearm parts. Type-A (BGD Defense) is proud to announce their latest addition to their rifle lineup. The CQBR Block II Resto-Mod Rifle aims to blend the classic quad rail look with modernized parts to create a unique blend of the old and the new. The CQBR Block II Resto-Mod has several options available for muzzle devices and a few other accessories to tune the rifle to your preferences.

Good morning everyone and welcome back to another edition of TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM  Resonator and Resonator K line of rifle suppressors. Last week we got some time behind the Gemtech Integra .22LR suppressed upper, a super-quiet, integrally suppressed option for plinking and training. This week we check in with a couple of old friends – the Q Honey Badger 300BLK PDW and Thunder Chicken suppressor. This is a light, very quiet combination that will make even the most surly of shooters smile. Does it hold up after a few years of industry advancements? Let’s take a look.

At the end of a long press release about the news that Sweden is buying 200 tracked vehicles ( BAE Systems/Hagglunds 410) someone hid this little gem about Sweden and Finland collaborating on a service rifle (machine-translated and edited):

Triggers for AR15 rifles: a simple yet so complex subject with as many opinions as there are people. Luth-AR now has a new single-stage drop-in trigger which is said to give a crisp, clean trigger break at around 3.5 lb. The drop-in functionality is something I really appreciate when building a rifle, as it saves me a lot of time and frustration. So far, I had no complaints or difference in feel between a drop-in trigger or one I installed all the parts in manually. The price for their new Modular Trigger Assembly is $149.95, which seems very competitive.

This is the April 2021 Edition of TFBTV Mailroom, where James announces a HUGE father’s day giveaway for 5.11, a HUGE announcement from Glock, and a HUGE, HUUUUUUUUUGE PEN-15 update. Oh and he opens mail. Check it.

The HK416 A7 is still not up on the HK website, I can only find the A5 version. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. For those who have been around TFB for a few years, may remember that we reported about it back in 2017 in “ HK416 A7 to be called G95 by the German Special Forces” article. We also had our hands on it at the Heckler & Koch booth at EnforceTac 2018. I assume I’m not the only one longing for the next trade show?

Nothing to do? Each day you are welcome to TFB’s selection of photo highlights. We call this Photo Of The Day and above we see a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to the 369th Chemical Company, 455th Chemical Brigade, 76th Operational Response Command. He’s firing at pop-up targets with his M4 service rifle at a range on Camp Williams, Utah.

Griffin Armament is best known for their silencers. They’ve been putting out quality cans since their founding in 2006, and many of their models have enjoyed significant success. From their versatile Bushwacker 46, the user-configurable Optimus, their 30SD-K model, the modular Resistance 22 rimfire can, to their new GP-N A2-mountable can, and many more, Griffin usually has at least one suppressor, if not multiple options, capable of filling virtually any role for which you might need a can.

ZEV Technologies specializes in high-end aftermarket accessories and products for Glock handguns and AR-15 rifles. The company has just introduced three new products – the ZMD Muzzle Device for AR-15s, V2 Pro Comp for Gen 5 Glocks, and the ZEV Extended mag release for the SIG Sauer P365 and P320 pistols.

Good afternoon everyone and thanks for tuning in for another addition of Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM R9 suppressor. Last week we went all apocalyptic prepper on you by testing out an oil filter suppressor and mount adapter – not great, not terrible. This week we get an in-depth look at the new Griffin Armament GP-N (GP-NATO) A2 birdcage mount suppressor. Is it worth returning to your retro roots? Let’s take a look.

Welcome everyone to the 89th edition of Hot Gat or Fudd Crap, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

Luth-AR has a new buttstock available at a competitive price. The MBA-5 is a lightweight, adjustable carbine buttstock that uses a paddle-style adjustment lever. The stock is compatible with either mil-spec or commercial carbine buffer tubes. As you can see in the pictures, there’s also an integrated Picatinny rail if you want to attach a monopod or other accessories such as a bag rider. This is quite nice if you intend to use your rifle for long-range shooting. The MSRP is just $49.95 and it’s available in either Black or Flat Dark Earth colors.

I have lived a few years in France, but unfortunately, my French is too weak (without red wine) to make professional translations. My understanding is that this is a memorial from the First World War and that the soldiers are paying their respects to the people and soldiers who did not make it. They have not forgotten.

Though not common today, the 5.45x39mm AR-15 was popular for a time. There are still a fair number of these guns in circulation but they are something of a novelty today.

Good afternoon and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by our friends at Yankee Hill Machine. Full auto rated suppressors have been an industry selling point for years, but those ratings come with their own caveats. The overwhelming majority of suppressors sold to consumers in the U.S. will never see any fully automatic rates of fire, let alone at the brutal SOCOM/MILSTD testing protocols. But, if you own a transferable machine gun, that full auto rated stamp of approval is pretty important. Silencer Saturday is finally ready to offer you a limited amount of select fire observations along with our suppressor reviews. Don’t expect full load out and burn down type displays – my ammo budget is about as long as James’ inseam.

Since SIG SAUER launched their TREAD series in 2018, TFB has brought you news coverage and reviews on this AR lineup. From their original 16″ 5.56 M400 model, to the 11.5″ pistol variant, to the 7.62 upsize in the 716i model, to the enhanced Coil version, the TREAD lineup has typically been well received. In general, they have been assessed as offering good value and performance for the price point, for those who can’t/don’t want to shell out bigger bucks and just need a straightforward AR on the more wallet-friendly end of the cost spectrum. SIG is now further expanding the lineup to include a specialized variant optimized for hunting predator animals. Meet the new SIG SAUER TREAD Predator, announced with the following March 29th press release.

Machine gun overwatch.

KE Arms has been going at it hard with improvements and modifications to their polymer KP-15 lower receivers. They’ve recently identified a gunsmith who they’ve certified to shorten the overall length of pull on the KP-15 and now they have introduced a KP-15 Trap Door Buttplate for the stock lowers.

Dark Storm Industries (DSI) has introduced a new family of rifles called DS-25 Typhoon that has been in development for six years. Although these rifles are chambered in .308 Winchester, they are not quite AR-10 pattern guns but rather a hybrid of the AR-10 and AR-15 utilizing as many AR-15 parts as possible to decrease the overall weight. The result is a .308 rifle that weighs 6 lbs 11 oz in the configuration with a 16″ barrel.

The ZEV Technologies Core Duty Rifle is the second LE and Military focused product from ZEV.  The first product was the O.Z-9 Combat Pistol released just over a year ago. Right now the Core Duty Rifle is offered with a 16’’ barrel length, but they will soon add 10’’ models and also accept requests from agencies and units to suit special needs.

Built around the legendary HK416 platform, the Heckler & Koch MR556A1 is the newest variant available to the commercial market.  This newest model carries over tried and true features like HK’s short-stroke gas piston system with some new refinements like an M-LOK rail.  Built using a combination of both German and American parts I was curious to see how this new variant performed. H&K was kind enough to send over this review MR556A1 with an EOTech VUDU 1-6 in their new mount.