LMT Defense have confirmed their award of the contract for the Estonian Defence Forces new 5.56×45 and 7.62x51mm rifles. We have been closely following the Estonian rifle trials here at TFB and back in December 2018, we reported that Estonia’s military had chosen two of LMT’s rifles. The contracts have now been signed and production and deliveries will begin soon.

Back in April 2018, we reported that Germany’s Hesse state police were in search for a new 5.56x45mm rifle. German defence blog Strategie-Technik reports that Hessian state police have selected a variant of the Heckler & Koch HK416.

Back in June 2018, we reported on the US Air Force’s new survival/self-defence weapon – the GAU-5A. The GAU-5A is an upgrade to the M4 which allows it to be stowed in the survival kit of US Air Force fighter jets. The Aircrew Self Defense Weapons (ASDW) is fitted with a takedown system that allows the rifle’s barrel to be detached from the receiver and it is also fitted with a folding pistol grip.

Ruger has just released their new offerings for the new .350 Legend cartridge in the form of their semi-automatic AR-556 MPR and American bolt action rifles.  Winchester’s introduction of the .350 Legend cartridge this year created a stir amongst hunters that are limited to “straight-wall” cartridges.  In continuance of listening to the desires of customers, Ruger has given several options for those jumping into the .350 Legend.

For those who may not be up to speed with the progression of Springfield Armory’s quality within their SAINT series of AR-15s, the newest SAINT Victor iteration should provide you with a rifle that has familiar handling with many intangibles you may not notice. Springfield is not a company to rest on their laurels so while the original SAINT was received well within the firearms community the SAINT Victor ups the ante. The newest AR that was proudly on display at the NRA Annual Meetings in Indianapolis this past weekend was the SAINT Victor 308! The first .308 Winchester chambered AR produced by Springfield Armory.

Any time we get to use the term ‘New Battle Rifle’, surely somewhere an angel gets its wings. And while the comments section will most definitely overflow with fiery debates on the definition of Battle Rifle, the announcement of the new Springfield Armory Saint Victor AR-10 will please .308 lovers across the United States. With a $1,399 MSRP and a stout feature list, Springfield has made an affordable rifle that will get the attention of shooters who may have never considered owning an AR-10.

The Honey Badger is probably one of the most iconic firearms of the day. So much so that it has even infiltrated video games and can be found in Call of Duty. But what is it? It is the original 300 Blackout PDW (Personal Defense Weapon). Though in fairness, it was designed originally for a purely offensive role…

Today’s photo features Egyptian and French operators during joint naval exercise Cleopatra 2019. The stack is led by two French marines, both armed with the new Heckler & Koch HK416-FC while three members of the Egyptian Navy’s special forces are seen armed with new SIG Sauer SIG-516. From their patches, it looks like the Egyptians could be from Sa‘ka Forces. The SIG-516 is SIG’s variant of the M4, recently adopted by India and in service with Turkish and Pakistani special forces.

On April 8th, the US Army’s Contracting Command posted a Sources Sought notice seeking manufacturers able to compete 7.62x51mm  M110A1 rifles. The M110A1 was selected in early 2018 and is based on Heckler & Koch’s G28 rifle. It is currently unclear why the Army is seeking a manufacturer for the M110A1, but the notice is intended to “determine if there are potential sources capable of manufacturing new complete systems”.

In complete silence, the German company C.G. HAENEL GmbH have extended their product range with a rifle in 300 Blackout.

TFB’s First Firearm Series is dedicated to those that haven’t yet taken the plunge into firearm ownership, or for the particular firearm at hand. So, if you’re looking at getting your first AR15, I hope we can ease any confusion you may have. The current market for the AR15 pattern rifle has heavy aftermarket support and affordable price ranges on rifles and accessories alike.

Today Joel reviews the new Saint Victor rifle and pistol from Springfield Armory. A very solid value that you can take out of the box and perform with instantly. Proprietary parts that help it shoot smooth with less recoil! Enjoy.

Alexander Arms has introduced a NEW family of AR-15 pistols dubbed the Highlander Series with each pistol in a unique caliber and you get to choose your own special colored finish. These new offerings can be bought in 6.5 Grendel, .300 AAC Blackout or .50 Beowulf depending on the application you intend to use it for. Let’s take a look at each one and see their subtle differences.

The recent arrest of Brazil’s former President Michel Temer on corruption charges – for the record, he was released some days later- by DPF – Departamento de Polícia Federal (Federal Police Department), while being driven from his home in São Paulo, was a quick opportunity to see one of the weapons in the inventory of the local feds. The agent seen in the sole picture made public is holding a 5.56x45mm Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle fitted with an EOTech EXPS3 holographic red dot sight and its correspondent 3X magnifier. The “GPI” on the agent’s vest stands for Grupo de Pronta Intervenção (Quick Intervention Group), a crack unit created in 2009 to deal with very special situations on a nationwide basis.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has selected FN America to supply the FN 15 Patrol Carbine. There is some logic in that, as FN America produce the carbine in the same state.

I was recently contacted by Corey Wardrop, Knight’s Armament Company employee and a former TFB TV videographer, who said that he has a story that might be interesting for TFB readers. Of course, I was all ears and when I learned that Ash Hess, one of Corey’s colleagues at KAC, won a DMR match with an SBR, it was immediately clear for me that this is indeed a story that I need to tell to our readers. Corey kindly introduced me to Ash. We discussed the story and came to a conclusion that the best way to convey all its nuances is to have it told by Ash himself. So, below I’ll present you the interview with Ash Hess.

Good afternoon friends and thanks for joining us once again for TFB’s Silencer Saturday. We have a special treat for you today: a comprehensive test of five of the most popular Allen Engineering Suppressors available. The M4S, AEM2, AEM3 and AEM4 respectively are all designed around the profile of the M4 barrel. As a comparison, we’ll test the AEM5 (MK12 Silencer) on the 18” SPR platform it was specifically designed for the U.S. Military. The setup should be familiar since we metered the .223 AEM5 alongside the .224 Valkyrie AEM5 about six months ago right here on Silencer Saturday. I’ve shot my fair share of suppressors and still believe that the AEM5 is the quietest 5.56mm option available on today’s market.

Hot off the heels of double Yankee Hill Machine silencer reviews this past Saturday, we are right back at you today with some 300BLK subsonic goodness. The YHM ULTimate upper receiver (“top end”) was announced in mid-October 2018, and since the government “processing” of NFA items like suppressors is painfully slow, even if you bought one right away it would still be sitting in your dealer’s safe. However, thanks to Yankee Hill and Silencer Shop, we are lucky enough to be able to give you a preview of sorts into this suppressed upper receiver for your AR15.

Rock River Arms have introduced a range of three new .22LR AR-style carbines. The rifles represent their entry into the low-cost training and plinking AR market. Three models are now available, the Tactical Carbine, the Mid A4 and the NM A4 CMP Trainer for CMP National Match competitions.

The US Army has been testing its new precision rifles, the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle and the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle and the first feedback from troops is coming in. Last year TFB reported the adoption of the two new rifles, which are both based on Heckler & Koch’s 7.62x51mm HK417.

The “Edelweiss Raid 2019” is an international, military special competition for mountain fighters from 12 nations. The competition teams come from Austria, Germany, France, Bulgaria, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and the USA.

According to this report from the French Armed Forces, they seem very happy with their new Heckler & Koch HK416Fs in the deserts of Sahel. They have used the HK416 out to 600 meters, with good results.

Arriving in the mail for review today was SIG Sauer MCX Rattler Canebrake.  Thanks to SIG’s fantastic customer service team, I was able to get this gun promptly and I can’t thank them enough.  Now, let’s take a closer look at the newest addition to the MCX lineup.

It is March, and we all know what that means… you need to grab a green beer, pretend to be Irish (if you already are not), turn on some March Madness college basketball, and get those taxes filed. To most of us, if you actually get money back from your taxes it is not a “tax refund” it is only more “gun money.” Let’s be serious, here. So for the 5th installment of the Reader’s Choice voting, we are going to look at something we maybe already have and may not need, but would gladly spend a tax return on. We are looking for your feedback and votes on the Best AR-15 in a stock or factory configuration. So for the entire month of March, we are asking you… What is the Best AR-15?

The SIG MCX family keeps growing, and the MCX Rattler Canebrake is the newest addition.

It’s been a while since the US Marine Corps announced that they would be deploying the M27 IAR in a Designated Marksman Role, adapting it by mounting the Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T 2.5-8x36mm rather than an ACOG.

SIG Sauer have announced that Orlando Police Department have selected their SIG Sauer Virtus Patrol Rifle. The modular SIG Virtus weighs just under 8 lbs and is available in 5.56x45mm and .300 BLK with a 16-inch barrel and a choice of buttstocks.

Diplomats may argue, but I’ll begin by saying that I like the name “Diplomat” a lot better than the “ Ghetto Blaster“.

According to the local newspaper in Varnamo, Sweden, the Police held a press conference on the shootings and gang war there. The small town only populates about 20 000 people.

Earlier this month we reported that India had entered into a major contract with SIG Sauer for procurement of over 70,000 7.62x51mm rifles. SIG Sauer have now confirmed the agreement of a contract reportedly worth $72 million.