Like a lot of kids, my first “gun” was a BB gun—the Daisy Red Ryder to be exact. Dad cut the wood stock down a couple of inches so it would fit my 5-year-old frame, and I was out the door and on the hunt. I shot a lot of birds with it. None died. When the sun was just right I could even see the BB fly through the air and impact them right before they flew away, mildly annoyed. If only I had a PCP rifle that shot arrows, like the Air Javelin Pro from Umarex. The Umarex Air Javelin Pro A few years ago, we moved to Phoenix and got a house with a pool. The birds pooped all over the spillover, and ..read more

Known for its high-quality AK-47s, Meridian Defense Corp offers the PMC rifle with custom options. As a result, you can build your rifle with the features you want most when ordering. With options to select the color, muzzle device, and gas system, you can be sure that you get the AK-47 you want, how you want it. The Meridian Defense PMC Rifle Building on a stamped receiver, the PMC rifle is built for performance and adaptability in a lightweight platform. Featuring a 9.7-inch SLR rail system and gas tube, the PMC offers M-Lok accessory attachment options. Additionally, a Picatinny rail runni ..read more

“Decoration Day” was originally designated as America’s day of remembrance to commemorate both the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. The name was later changed to “Memorial Day” when the honor was expanded to all Americans who have died while in the armed forces of the United States. It is one day when we Americans honor the more than 1 million soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coasties, and airmen and women who gave their lives defending this country. On this day, we should stop and thank the warriors who are no longer with us but live on with the daily freedoms we enjoy. We ..read more

Italian gun maker Beretta will soon celebrate its 500th anniversary. The world’s oldest firearms manufacturer was founded in 1526. That’s less than 40 years after the Italian explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus “discovered” America. And nearly three centuries before the Remington Arms Company started producing firearms in the United States. This leads us to Henry Repeating Arms and its milestone anniversary. Henry Repeating Arms Celebrates 25 Years Italian, Brooklyn-born Anthony Imperato, will mark the more modest but still notable silver anniversary of his firearms firm this year. It ..read more

The AR-15 remains America’s Rifle, with good reason. The modularity and aftermarket component cottage industry converge to create build options limited only by the builder’s imagination. At the recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, we caught up with RISE Armament for a first look at several small parts components the company offers for component upgrade and DIY builds. You’ve no doubt heard about their triggers. But if you’re in the game to upgrade or build your next AR, RISE components offer great utility and value. RISE Armament Small Parts for AR-15 Builds RISE AR-15 Magazine Release Button ..read more

At the 2022 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous event I got to go hands-on with a whole mess of suppressors and firearms I never thought I would have the opportunity to ever touch, let alone shoot. Among those suppressors was a .45-caliber can from Silencer Central called the Banish 45. Let me start by saying I really am not a huge fan of shooting suppressed pistols unless they are .22s. I have always had the misconception that they would add way too much weight to the pistol. Previous experience always sent me some splash back in my face and never really gave me enough advantages to outweigh the pers ..read more

Recently, my cousin and I were sitting in an Italian restaurant having lunch. It was warm outside, so I was surprised to see they had the front door open with the air conditioning on. As we were enjoying our lunch, I noticed several young males hanging around outside the front entrance. They were all wearing hooded jersey sweatshirts, which I thought was odd because it was so warm out. These are the kinds of things you notice when you practice situational awareness. Safety Through Situational Awareness My Aunt had recently been admitted to a nearby nursing home. So, I was engrossed in convers ..read more

Affordable, feature-driven optic choices continue to grow, with more companies offering primary optics for duty, defense or sport. The Sightron S-TAC line adds another option with the launch of the 1-4.5×24 SR1 Service Riflescope. Sightron S-TAC 1.4-5×24 SR1 Riflescope The new S-TAC offering brings a low-range variable-power optic aimed at competition shooters, designed specifically for Civilian Marksmanship Program Service Rifle and NRA High Power competition. “We couldn’t be more pleased to offer this high-performance riflescope to the competitive sport shooter,” said, Mack Matsumoto, Presi ..read more

Springfield Armory keeps outdoing itself with its SAINT Victor line, and now the 5.56 carbine takes another leap. Featuring the same great upgrades and enhancements as the rest of the line, the latest model adds stow-and-go capabilities. The addition of the Law Tactical Folder folding stock adapter now allows easier transport of the carbine. The Springfield SAINT Victor 5.56 with Law Tactical Folder The SAINT Victor builds on an upper and lower receiver constructed of Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum. The upper and lower receiver are coupled via the Accu-Tite Tension System, which removes play between ..read more

The 5.7x28mm continues its ascendency in popularity, with multiple launches recently. Next up: the Ruger LC Charger in 5.7x28mm. Taking the popular and well-executed LC Carbine as its base, the LC Charger packages the 5.7x28mm into a 10.3-inch large-format pistol loaded with most shooters are going to love. Ruger LC Charger in 5.7x28mm The LC Charger comes with a threaded barrel in the compact overall length, so it accommodates suppressors and other muzzle devices. The pistol features an ambidextrous 1911-style manual safety and reversible magazine release. An aluminum M-LOK free-floated hand ..read more