The US Army has announced the selection of a raft of anti-drone systems to combat the threat of small drones which are proliferating on battlefields around the world. The new Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) capabilities range from fixed systems to optics for small arms.

With India’s armed forces still awaiting a new service rifle, it seems that Indian Special Forces are forging on ahead. Indian media outlets have reported that India’s Para (Special Forces) unit have selected the 7.62x51mm FN SCAR-H along with a number of other weapons.

Precision rifle shooters, this one is for you. British Columbia-based Modular Driven Technologies, or MDT for short, has grown into a popular brand since its founding in 2009. Their long-gun chassis systems and other sniper rifle components are loved by many users of Remington actions, Savage, Howa, and more. One of their hit products, covered by TFB at SHOT Show 2020, is the XRS Chassis System, with a $499.95 MSRP. Now with a June 30th press release, MDT has announced new inlet options for the XRS. The release reads:

It appears that what many of us were predicting finally happened yesterday: GLOCK Gen4 guns are no longer being produced in favor of the Gen5 GLOCK pistols. Residents of California and other more restrictive states have nothing to fear: the Gen3 GLOCKs will continue to be manufactured to support those customers. In addition, the GLOCK Gen4 models chambered in .40S&W will begin a transition to Gen5 production later this year. A brief statement from GLOCK as well as the Gen5 differentiations can be found below.

Since opening its doors in 2010, Austin, Texas-based Silencer Shop has proven to be a key player in the recent explosion of the suppressor market. Their efforts and innovations have done as much or more to make suppressors accessible than anyone else in the game. This accessibility and increased demand can then, in turn, be credited in large part with the proliferation of more manufacturers producing a supply of cans of ever-increasing quality at all price points from affordable to extravagant. If you’d asked previous generations whether they thought silencers would reach current levels of popularity, it’s doubtful whether they would’ve believed it. Although things aren’t perfect, in all we still live in a pretty great time to shoot quietly. Continuing their work to bring suppressors to the people, Silencer Shop is preparing to co-host a demo event on July 18th at Texas Ordnance Depot in Hico, Texas. The “Summertime Silence” official event description reads:

Virtually any institution with a history spanning more than two centuries is almost certain to experience its fair share of ups and downs over those many years. America’s oldest gun maker, the Remington Arms Company, is no exception. Since its founding by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York in 1816, Remington has seen some of the highest highs and lowest lows. Highlights include producing some of the most seminal designs in firearms history, such as their Model 700 bolt-action rifles and 870 pump shotguns, as well as abysmal lows like the regrettable R51 pistol and previous bouts with bankruptcy. TFB reported on Remington’s Chapter 11 filing and restructuring measures in 2018. This time, the company’s financial woes appear to be coming with a different solution. According to Reuters, Remington is in the advanced stages of negotiation with the Navajo Nation for a potential buyout. The Reuters press release reads as follows.

In the 1890s, Arthur William Savage obtained patents for a repeating rifle and hammerless striker-fired mechanism, and then he founded Savage Arms in Utica, New York. More than a century later, today the company that still bears his name produces a host of rifles and shotguns for a variety of uses. They have recently announced some new additions to this lineup, with the expansion of their 110 Model series into 300 PRC territory.

Have you ever encountered a gun guy who wasn’t thoroughly acquainted with the aroma of Hoppe’s #9 gun cleaner? Such an anomaly would likely be difficult to find. Since Frank August Hoppe first mixed that famous nine-chemical concoction 117 years ago, the brand has become virtually ubiquitous in the realm of firearms cleaning. For many shooters, burnt powder and Hoppe’s #9 served as the fragrance of youth, and the venerable elixir is still going strong today.

On 23 June, the Spanish government announced that it had approved the production of 348 VCR 8×8 armored fighting vehicles, with the value of the order estimated to be around €2 billion or $2.24 billion. A formal contract signing is expected to take place in August.

The Indiana House recently voted 64-17 for Bill HB 1284 which helped expand Indiana’s stand-your-ground laws. Inside that bill was also legislation that removed all fees associated with the cost of Indiana Carry Licenses as well as removing court costs for justified use of force in certain circumstances. The Indiana Senate approved the bill by 37-7 and carried vehement support by the governor.

SIG’s MCX Virtus Patrol Rifle is a premium series of 5.56/300BLK gas piston firearms intended to compete in the higher end of the AR-heavy modern rifle/carbine market. Available in FDE or gray, it weighs in at just under 8 pounds with a full-length 16-inch barrel and comes with Sig’s Matchlite Duo trigger. Would you like an air-powered version for training, plinking, varmint hunting, or just plain fun? Now you can have one.

Who doesn’t enjoy shooting suppressed .22s? Terrifically quiet, smooth and easy-shooting, and far less expensive to blow through rounds than probably any other gun you own except a Daisy Red Ryder. Tons of people enjoy hushed plinking for fun, and many shooters also use .22 firearms for more purposed endeavors like small varmint hunting and rimfire competitions. TFB publishes the Rimfire Report which routinely hits on suppressed .22 fun, and Silencer Saturdays frequently delve into this baby bore as well. One potential issue with .22, however, is that it tends to run quite dirty. But now  CCI Ammunition has declared they have come up with a solution to this: Clean-22 Suppressor ammo.

At SHOT Show 2020, TFB reported on Sightmark’s forthcoming solar-powered red dots. With a new social media announcement, Sightmark has shared that the first batch of these sun-loving optics have arrived and will soon begin shipping to pre-order customers. On 22nd June they said, “Good news! The first batch of Element Mini Solar red dots have arrived! If you’ve been patiently waiting for your pre-order, they should be shipping out our door to you soon.”

The venerable 1911 – you’d be hard-pressed to find a shooter who isn’t at least broadly familiar with this classic design. Through 75 years of military service and countless variations on John Moses Browning’s original model, some have hated it and many have loved it. As it has aged, the 1911 has come to spark some division among gun tribes between its impassioned adherents and modernists who believe it has outlived usefulness in this day and age.

Italian gunmaker Pietta has partnered with Davidson’s to produce two new exclusive revolvers. Founded in 1963, Pietta specializes in historical weapons. The brace of brass-and-blued model 1873s will be available chambered in .357 Magnum and the classic . 45 Long Colt. Their recent press release introducing this pair of wheelguns reads as follows below with more details.

Walther Arms was founded in Germany in 1886. Since then, they have primarily produced handguns and today their lineup includes the PPQ or PolizeiPistole Quick Defence. Available since 2011, the PPQ comes in several variants and calibers including 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. The M2 version is characterized by a left- or right-hand reversible magazine thumb release at the bottom of the trigger guard, versus the standard ambidextrous mag release levers incorporated into the trigger guard of the standard PPQ. As of June 2020, Walther has announced that this model chambered in 9mm will be adopted as standard issue for the Brevard County, Florida Sheriff’s office – shortly following the same selection by York County, Pennsylvania. The press release reads:

To most shooters, Aimpoint is best known for optics like their rifle-mounted red dots such as the PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) or the Micro series, and their increasingly popular ACRO P-1 pistol sight. In March 2019, TFB reported that the US Department of Defense would be purchasing $24 million worth of Aimpoint FCS13RE sights for the 84mm “Carl Gustaf” recoilless rifle system. According to the Aimpoint product page, these Dynamic Universal Reflex Sights can also be used on additional heavy weapons like the Mk19 40mm grenade launcher. Now with a June 22, 2020 press release, Aimpoint has announced the award of an additional DoD contract for even more of their FCS13RE sights. The release reads:

SIG Sauer has just announced the M400 TREAD COIL, a new and enhanced version of their popular ready-out-of-the-box TREAD series of rifles. SIG Sauer describes the new rifle as “a new standard of performance and value in the AR market”. The new TREAD COIL comes with a ROMEO5 TREAD red dot optic, a Matchlite Duo trigger, and a lightweight performance 13” MLOK handguard. MSRP on the new rifle package is MSRP $1,099.99.

We have been closely following India’s tentative steps towards modernisation of her Army’s small arms and the replacement of the INSAS rifle. It seemed that with the selection of Kalashnikov Concern’s AK-203 that India had selected a rifle suited to its soldier’s needs but recent reports suggest that the progress toward beginning production of the new rifles may have stalled.

Earlier this month, TFB reported that American Outdoor Brands was preparing to spin-off from Smith & Wesson. That recent news makes Smith & Wesson‘s financials even more interesting than usual, and they have announced that current reports are in with a June 18th press release. Due to the volume of information, only a portion will be included below, with the full release available via the preceding link to Smith & Wesson’s investor relations page.

Poland’s  Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza and Jednostka Wojskowa GROM, both key elements of the Polish Special Forces, are seeking to procure new carbines. JW Formoza are seeking a new modular carbine while JW GROM are seeking an unspecified number of Heckler & Koch HK416 carbines. A tender notice was published by Poland’s state treasury on behalf of JW Formoza on the 12 June announcing the desire to procure an unspecified number of modular carbines. While a second tender from JW GROM was issued on the 16 June.

Probably best known in the US for their pistol night sights, Israel-based Meprolight makes a variety of aiming solutions for a spectrum of firearms. In addition to their brightly-colored three-dot handgun sights, they also produce various long-gun optics, a line of thermals, and even a self-illuminated reflex sight for 40mm grenade launchers. Now with a June 19th press release, Meprolight is adding a newcomer to their pistol sight collection: the MEPRO Adjustable Day/Night Sights. The press release reads as follows.

Patriot Ordnance Factory, or POF-USA, started in Frank DeSomma’s garage in 2002. Over the last eighteen years he has grown the company to become an industry leader in piston-driven ARs and more. Tragically, on the way home from his office yesterday, June 18th, 2020, the 57-year-old entrepreneur and former aerospace engineer died in a car accident. Today, POF-USA shared the following message via their social media outlets.

During January’s pre-SHOT Show frenzy, TFB reported on several new ammo options that would be coming out over the course of 2020. At SHOT, TFBTV went a little more in depth with Speer about their new additions. Now in a June 18th press release, Idaho-based ammo manufacturer Speer has announced that their Gold Dot G2 Carry Gun ammunition, specifically optimized for compact handguns, is heading to market. Your current options are 9mm, .40, and .45 +P. The release reads as follows.

Aftermarket accessories and upgrades for Taurus USA’s new G3c Compact 9x19mm pistol continue to be unveiled. TRUGLO have announced TRUGLO TRITIUM PRO sights in both orange and white for the new Taurus pistol.

The Polish government have announced their intention to procure a further 18,000 MSBS-5.56 rifles. Back in September 2019, the Polish Ministry of National Defense  signed contracts to officially begin the production of Poland’s next-generation MSBS “Grot” assault rifles and the VIS 100 pistol for the Polish Army.

The shooting sports are a wonderful way to bring people together. The camaraderie, the learning experiences, and the competitive aspects can forge great friendships over common interests and experiences. Moreover, defensive firearms use can be important for all kinds of people. The folks over at the second annual Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, led by US Army veteran and wounded warrior Trevor Baucom, know this firsthand. Since a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010 left him paralyzed from the waist down, Baucom has become an accomplished ambassador for adaptive shooting as well as building a solid competitive shooting career for himself. In a June 16th press release, he shared that other adaptive shooters can now register for the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit 2020, to be held this October at SIG Sauer’s Academy in New Hampshire. The press release reads as follows.

Russian state news service TASS has reported that 35,000 new 5.45x39mm AK-12s have been delivered to the Russian army. With deliveries continuing apace this indicates that Kalashnikov Group are on track to meet their target of delivering over 110,000 rifles by 2021.

In a June 15th press release, Davidson’s announced three new exclusive ARs thanks to two recent partnerships. Texas-based gunmaker Radical Firearms and Pennsylvanian accessory manufacturer Mission First Tactical (who themselves just came out with a line of cool drinkware) have come on board with Davidson’s, and the trio of companies wasted no time in birthing some collaborative 5.56/.223 based guns.

The US Army is forging ahead with the evaluation of the prototype Next Generation Squad Weapon rifles and automatic rifles and it has been confirmed that U.S. Special Operations Command is both involved in the program and watching its developments closely.