Brandon H. shared this harrowing experience with us. Disclosure: Brandon and TFB are in no way trying to discredit Zev Tech and their products. This is just one documented instance but it is an important one. For those running a similar trigger, please check them and make sure they are safe.

In this industry more than many others, customer service often comes second. With the breakneck pace to develop and release new products, firearms companies often put non-revenue generating customer service at the bottom of the list for funding and support. There are notable exceptions to this, which have well-deserved stellar reputations, but most of the time its rather hum-drum – especially with the larger companies like Remington, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, etc.

Okay Industries, known for making OK products (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist…), has announced the release of their latest offering, their SureFeed AR-15 magazines in Desert Tan. The new color expands the SureFeed line of magazines, which were and are still standard-issue for many Government forces. The SureFeed line is Okay’s civilian offerings which “…are manufactured to the same exacting standards as all Okay Industries magazines which meet or exceed U.S. Military Specifications.

Hackett Equipment is now selling and shipping the Mini. The Mini is a smaller version of the company’s original range bag that I talked about in a previous article ( here.) In addition to simply being a smaller carry system, the new Hackett Equipment Mini also has some other differences.

In a rare break with rigid tradition and military bearing, a recent video series has been released in which Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wade discusses suppressor usage within the Marine infantry, in order to dispel some myths that troops might have when it comes to the practical application of mounted suppressors on their weapon systems. In particular, he focuses on the supposed loss of velocity when it comes to 5.56x45mm rifles and associated cans by shooting them through a chronograph. He also showed just how hot a suppressor could get after several magazines of rounds through it. Gunner Wade did this by completing the iconic Youtube bacon cooking by wrapping the suppressor with raw bacon.

Designed to help on-the-wing shotgun hunters and sporting clay shooters, the SHOTKAM is a video camera with a feature set not yet available from other weapon-mounted camera makers. Most impressively, if it works as designed, is the reticle alignment system that attempts to show shooters how far the target should be lead. Intertia activation, high video quality, a barrel mount system and built in wifi also top the list of features.

When you are shopping for a holster, there are so many options that it can make you head spin. I know that I have a giant box of unused holsters just like many other gun owners searching for the right one. The Hazmat Holster Works NV 3 isn’t one of those that lives in the box. Instead, it gets regular use with my concealed carry Glock 19.

In preparation for the 29th South East Asia (SEA) Games being held in Kuala Lumpur, Royal Malaysian Police held Exercise Rimau 2017, a public counter-terror exercise designed to prepare law enforcement for worst case scenarios that could take place during the SEA games. Some of the situations appear to have been a VIP armed escort out of a hostile environment, an NBC or bomb attack, and assaulting an enemy hardpoint. Three Malay LE units in particular were pointed out by a TFB reader that were training in the event, the General Operation Force, VAT 69 (69 Commando), and Unit Tindak Khas (UTK). A mixture of small arms were in use, mostly various AR variants and some handguns. We’ll try to outline of the tactics, techniques, and procedures in use throughout the exercise, in addition to the small arms. Earlier we reported on Sultan Muhammad V of Malaysia being into competition shooting. The question begs to be asked if his shooting hobby allows a larger budget to be set aside for Malay Military/LE forces to be better armed than their counterparts in neighboring Indonesia or Thailand.

If you are a reloader, there are likely two problems you encounter in your brass preparation. More specifically, when you use a dry tumbler.

If you are one of those shooters that looks at the Lead Sled and wishes it looked a lot more like some dangerous bug that was recently discovered in the rain forest? Well, Caldwell has been listening and is introducing the Stinger shooting rest for those shooters that feel a need for a shooting rest that looks like it was ripped from a sci-fi action flick.

Australian technology company Kord Defense has been awarded an 18-month, $2.25 million United States Marine Corps developmental contract for development and production of a Rifle Accessory Control Unit (RACU), which would attach to existing M4 Carbines and M27 IARs and allow control the rifle’s accessories from one grip. ZDNet reports:

There are few things better than splatter targets at the range. While high-magnification spotting scopes can help with shot identification at shorter ranges, trying to group a rifle at extended range can be a bit of a chore unless there is some help. Yes, modern electronic cameras and wi-fi equipped tables are quickly becoming the norm – its an expensive norm. The splatter targets are thus the perfect low-cost solution.

There was the Tactical Sack, AKA the Tac-Sac, and now there are the Gunsticles which take the whole firearms mounted scrotum to a whole new level – now with more swing. The new take on the old joke adds a ball ring to ensure the jokes on the shooter.

Target designator and illuminator division Steiner eOptics of Steiner has introduced their latest DBAL, the DBAL-A4 v2 at SOFIC 2017. In this improved Picatinny mounted package, the company has added a visible white light capability (500 lumens), a modified IR illuminator to allow for a flood option for closer range, and a spot option for longer range, they’ve also brought the unit into a much lighter and more compact package than the previous DBAL A3 and Mk.4 flashlight combined. The unit has an option for green or red lasers as well. It runs on two CR123A batteries.

With all this talk about the ATF’s pistol brace opinion reversal, I got to thinking, has the arm brace become the gun equivalent of the vape?

Buying a holster for a friend or a family member is akin to picking out a special sweater as a Christmas present – everyone has their own tastes, body styles and requirements. It’s best to buy a gift card and write a meaningful note rather than risk getting them something that will never leave the bottom drawer. Along those same lines, you won’t hear me suggest a style of holster in this review (hey, if you want to triple-mag appendix carry, that’s on you). However, without spoiling the rest of the article, I can fully recommend the Kydex holsters made by DSG Arms, no matter what style makes you feel like John Wick.

If you remember Spielberg’s masterpiece Jaws, Robert Shaw played Quint the seasoned shark hunter. He used a Greener Whaling harpoon gun in the movie.

Let me be up front, there is no looming ban and we don’t cover political issues anyhow.

Just before the NRA Annual Meeting, SB Tactical released the amazing reversal letter from the ATF about shouldering “Stabilizing Braces”. The community rejoiced. All across social media, gun groups were overjoyed. However, some were a little too eager and jumping to the wrong conclusions.

Those who have seen me shoot know that I am not a personal user of the “Chris Costa” C-Clamp grip. For my body structure, it just doesn’t feel comfortable. Instead, I (like many other shooters I watch and know) opt for a similar, albeit modified grip there the support hand thumb rests alongside the rifle forearm. Strictly ergonomically speaking, this is inferior for weapons control – with the thumb over the handguard, I have nearly 360 degree grip versus about 270 and with the weapon wanting to rise vertically, the thumb-over grip has the tiny advantage.

The one-of-a-kind LiNQ flashlight/laser system from Crimson Trace is now available for your AK-47 or similar firearms. This new offering will fit any stamped receiver AK-47, but no milled receivers. It also will interestingly enough fit the Springfield Armory M1A Socom 16 CQB. You will also need a section of Picatinny rail (at least 2 3/4″ in length) to accommodate the flashlight/laser unit near the front of the rifle.

When people head to the range simple paper targets just do not cut it anymore. We need something more interactive. More exciting. More reactive. Champion Traps & Targets understands this like many shooting sports companies and is adjusting accordingly. Their line of Visicolor targets has some new additions to hopefully get people headed to the range.

Magpul has been knocking it out of the park with their recent products. To top them off they came up with some really great commercials.

Leupold surprised lots of people in the shooting sports industry when they introduced their 1st thermal optic last October. Now they have an improved model with more functionality. The LTO Quest integrates a flashlight, thermal imager, and camera all into one unit.

Billed as the carry company for the “Modern Man” the Steadfast Carry Company has been working on products for the modern active lifestyle. Starting off with various interesting key hooks/brass knuckles, the Steadfast Carry Company has expanded into their first EDC wear, the “EDC Type 1601”.

In recent news Simeon D. Mokhiber was convicted for weapons charges but it wasn’t the weapon that was the problem. It was three magazines that are not NY SAFE Act legal.

TacProGear ( TPG) announced a new line of armor plates in its Black line. The Black line is the company’s premier line of tactical gear that is all made and designed in the United States.

KE Arms, producer of the DMR Trigger, has licensed the manufacturing and distribution rights for the patent pending Sear Link Technology trigger system from M&M Manufacturing. Before this release, the SLT-1 was tested with tens of thousands of rounds in traditional 5.56 AR platforms, .308 AR platforms, 9mm AR pattern blow back carbines, and the SIG MPX.

Years of living in a state that does not allow the civilian ownership of silencers introduced me to the world of suppressed precision airguns. And if you thought the accessory market in the “powder burner” realm was stacked deep with must-haves, the airgun options are a close second. Case in point, in the woods, at the range or out hunting, you don’t want to be digging in your pocket for pellets. What you need is a Wilkins leather ammo pouch.

Wisconsin-based firearms accessory manufacturer Midwest Industries just rolled out a new product that should grab the attention of H&K MP5 and clone owners looking to mount lights, vertical foregrips and other accessories. The new forends will fit full size MP5s ano the compact PDW MP5K and SP89. Each model features several M-LOK attachment points as well as all the tools for easy installation.