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.

Dust covers are just little flaps that are fun to play with, right? While they are fun to open and close while you sit and watch your favorite episode of He-Man, dust covers play an essential role in maintaining your firearm. Most, however, are simply a tight-fitting piece of metal or plastic. Strike Industries has taken things one step further. They have added more capability to their previously released Ultimate Dust Cover by adding an “overmolded rubberized soft sealing lip”. By the power of Grayskull, this is the AR Overmolded Ultimate Dust Cover from Strike Industries.

Wearing a fully loaded plate carrier, helmet, battle belt, a rifle, and a pistol looks really cool. The problem is that that stuff gets heavy, and I’m rarely in the mood to carry it all. The other problem with all of that gear is that as a civilian, the chances of me ever using it for its intended purpose is slim. Something smaller and more concealable usually fits the bill for what I should be training with in order to be proficient with my gear. Chest rigs can be great for carrying no more than you need, and Strike Industries has entered the chest rig game with their Strike Gear Boogeyman Chest Rig and Strike Gear accessories.

There’s no way around how cool the CZ Scorpion EVO looks. True to their nature, the folks at Strike Industries wanted to make it cooler. To add comfort, capability, and a little bit of style, Strike has released an M-LOK and SI LINK compatible 6-inch handguard for the CZ Scorpion EVO.

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.

Swampfox Optics is a young company, having been founded less than three years ago on July 4th, 2018. In that short time, they have come to market with a wide variety of optics types. They offer several scope options, two prism models, pistol MRDS options, and some rifle-mounted red dots like the first-gen Liberator. They also sell some non-optic products, including branded pistol mag extensions and their Wolverine Glock slides. TFB has done several articles on Swampfox offerings, including:

The Canik TP9 has been enjoying wild success over the last year. The feature-rich pistol with a reasonable price tag has been surprising shooters left and right. Well, with success comes aftermarket support. Like Glocks and SIGs before it, Strike Industries has introduced a plus-five Canik TP9 EMP baseplate.

The color of the handgun is apparently a very important factor for the sales of firearms, and FDE (Flat Dark Earth) is still very much in fashion. In fact, it’s so important that FN America has chosen to offer the FN Five-seveN and the FN 503 in all-FDE. I have to say I really like FDE, but on a handgun – especially one designated for EDC carry – something black or darker would be my personal preference.

Owners of the Glock G43 and G43X pistols beware, there are new drop-in Faxon Match Series barrels available in various configurations and coating types. The barrels are machined by Faxon Firearms out of 416-R stainless steel and then given black Nitride or PVD surface coating. The Glock 43 is perhaps not the first handgun you think about suppressing, but it’s now possible with the optional ½-28 TPI threading.

Hawke Optics are adding new models to their Vantage line of scopes. With more than 100 variants to chose from, the latest additions are focused on hunting and recreational shooting. The new models are called Vantage 4-12×40 and Vantage 4-12×50 and they both use the 30/30 Duplex reticle. Both are based on one-inch mono-tube frames with 11-layer fully multi-coated lens.

Griffin Armament has a new line of scope rings called SPRM. The rings are made out of 6061 T6 aluminum and available for multiple heights for 30mm, 34mm and 35mm rifle scopes. There is also an AIS (Accessory Interface Suite) that will allow you to mount accessories on 5 sides as well as RTO (Rapid Transition Optic) accessory support, for your secondary optic.

Another Fueled Series from Ed Brown is here. It’s called the MP-F4 and as usual, it’s based on the polymer, striker-fired Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 in 9 mm. The philosophy behind the Fueled Series is to break down an S&W M&P in parts and put it back together with redesigned key components. With a black Nitride slide finish, the golden nitride barrel stands out quite a lot compared to previous versions that were mostly black.

IWI USA released today a new version of its popular Galil ACE, the GEN II. This latest configuration is reportedly born to bring to the successful model improvement based on collecting user feedback. Indeed it brings to the table a few new features that most users will definitely appreciate. Let’s see in a bit more detail.

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.

If you shoot suppressed, you like the quieter experience that a silencer provides. Hearing-safe shooting is the main benefit to a can, right? One issue that may arise is that most common ammo isn’t designed to perform at subsonic levels. This means that even though your suppressor will help in containing the rapidly expanding gases propelling your bullet – and thus the flash and sound this creates – if and when that projectile breaks the sound barrier in flight, it will make a popping noise that is actually a tiny sonic boom. The quietest suppressed shooting typically requires the use of subsonic ammo. 300 Blackout was designed primarily intending to do just this, although supersonic .300BLK options like Barnaul‘s 145-grain loads do exist.

In addition to their many excellent pistols and rifles, SIG Sauer produces a robust array of complimentary product offerings. From optics to ammo and more, SIG does quite a bit more than just guns. One of these supplemental lines is their own collection of suppressors. SIG cans come in a baker’s dozen versions, suited for a broad spectrum of calibers from rifles to handguns, and one rimfire silencer. The newest addition to this suppressor series is the MODX-45, of which we first got a glimpse at SHOT Show 2019. SIG’s 9mm version of this modular, 3D-printed design released late last year. On the heels of its 9mm little brother, this .45-caliber can is now ready. SIG announced its availability with the following April 29th press release.

North Carolina-based SIGHTRON have announced the addition of the SIII SS 36×45 ED to their line of competition rifle scopes. It has a precision-ground ED glass objective lens, 30mm tube diameter, an eye relief of 3.6in and a weight of 20.5 oz. MSRP for the SIII SS 36×45 ED is $1,249.99.

Here’s the presentation in GPO’s own words:

Of course we all know that SIG SAUER is renowned for producing a host of fine firearms, but that’s not all they do. They augment their pistol and rifle offerings with a host of complimentary products. Many of these are directly gun-related, like optics, ammo, and suppressors. SIG has also previously offered some folding knives, which you can use to compliment your handgun and round out your everyday carry. Currently available knife options include two models from Kershaw, and one with Hogue that’s Legion-member eligible only.

The AZ-P1 is made by ARMA ZEKA of the Czech Republic and is a locked-breech semi-automatic sport pistol with a single action/double action (SA/DA) trigger mechanism. The AZ-P1 appears to be a CZ clone and pistol meets the requirements of the IPSC and is approved in the Production category, which is quite important for sales. There’s also a Production/Carry Optics version called AZ-P1 Optics. That’s the one I’d go for.

It’s not every day that you see a new brand in optics, but Armament Technology Inc. (ATI) has released both a new brand and a new optic called the  SAI 6 1-6x24mm Riflescope. The brand name SAI Optics stands for S – Speed, A – Accuracy, I – Integrity. Some of the features include first focal plane reticle (FFP), a proprietary rapid aiming feature, VSOR rangefinder, 10 settings of illumination and a 5-year limited lifetime warranty.

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.

Last year Blaser Group announced the acquisition of  Liemke Thermal Optics. This means that Liemke joins brands like Mauser, J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Rigby, Minox as well as the Blaser Group Wetzlar GmbH. Liemke may not be so well known in the USA, but they have been active in the market for thermal imaging technology since 2008. Since 2014, they have been developing their own products and solutions. Their Keiler 13 Pro and Keiler 35 thermal monoculars are now available in the United States for the first time.

TNVC, or the Tactical Night Vision Company, has been an industry leader in the field of night vision and related shooting gear and accessories for about the last decade, as well as offering low-light/no-light training classes. They’ve come out with some excellent products of their own, like the Mohawk helmet attachment series and the PBM-A dual PVS-14 powered bridge mount. A few months ago, in January, they also put on vSHOTT, an all-online mini stand-in for the cancelled 2021 SHOT Show. They’re no stranger to collaborative product work, either, having previously partnered with companies like Steiner on the TOR-Mini laser, Unity Tactical on the TAPS dual pressure switch, L3 on the civilian version of the PEQ-15 IR laser/illuminator, and more.

Back in 2017, a new ammo brand called NovX came onto the scene. Their intended differentiators were supposed to be twofold: the use of Shell Shock NAS3 stainless steel/aluminum casings instead of standard brass, and the use of copper/polymer projectiles. NovX claimed that their designs, specs, and choice of these non-traditional materials had allowed them to create rounds that they characterized as having/being “…ballistically superior; reduced recoil, match-grade accuracy, devastating wound channels.” However, things went largely quiet after that initial release, and although some ammo appears to have been produced and sold since those early days, today NovX is not particularly widely used or known. The company may be looking to change that now, as they’ve recently ramped up media activity, and issued the following press release (their apparent first since December of 2017) regarding a new ammo offering.

According to Bergara, their new Premier Competition Rifle is their most accurate and highest-performing production class PRS style rifle that exists. All you need is to pair it with your optic, zero it and the rifle is competition-ready right out of the box. This rifle could be quite nice for the upcoming  Precision Rifle World Championships 2022. If you have used the Arca Swiss rail before, you know it’s great for easy and fast adjustments. Of course, you’ll find it on a rifle like this, focused on PRS-style shooting.

Those who have never used high-quality binoculars are missing out. Over ten years ago, I bought my own first pair. They took a substantial bite out of my pocket, but the optical quality still amazes me and I never regret the purchase. Mine also has an integrated laser rangefinder, just like the new Kahles HELIA 42 Rangefinder. This makes the product so much more versatile, as you can laser “common hunting targets” out to 1500 meters or just short of a mile.

If you shoot unsuppressed, you’ve got to wear hearing protection. Even with a suppressor, sometimes depending on the specific can and host, it can still be needed. Other than using silencers to protect your hearing, there are two basic types of ear pro, each with its own pros and cons: in-ear and over-ear.  You might prefer the fit, feel, and function of over-ear muff-style options. Muffs can be great but do come with some challenges. One of these, particularly during long range sessions, and especially outdoors in warmer temperatures, is sweat/heat retention. Thankfully, Noisefighters has come up with a solution: the new Heatsync ear pro covers.

NoDak Spud has recently developed a set of aftermarket iron sights for the popular Ruger American Ranch rifles. For the most part, new production bolt action rifle manufacturers seem to have forsaken iron sights in favor of the expectancy that users will add an optic of their choosing. The Ruger American Ranch rifles are quite affordable and reliable, yet don’t feature iron sights, until now.

Over the years, TFB has periodically reported on new linear compensator products that have been released. Some previous examples of these devices have included the model that is probably the most well-known take on the linear comp concept: the SureFire Warden, as well as others like the VG6 Precision CAGE device, Area 419’s Hellfire model, and the big-bore TROMIX linear comp, among a number of others. The whole idea behind a linear comp device, for those who haven’t used them and aren’t familiar with them, is essentially to divert muzzle blast forward, away from the shooter as well as anyone around him or her laterally. Particularly for rifles with shorter barrels, this can help turn what would otherwise be a harsh fire-breather into an easier beast to tame. One of the more recent takes on this linear comp idea came from a company called Kaw Valley Precision, or KVP for short. Last year they announced a modular linear comp, dubbed the MACH system.