Happy Independence Day! This July 4th, we’re back with even more deals on guns, gear, ammunition, and accessories from some of our most frequented online retailers like 5.11 Tactical, Primary Arms, Natchez Shooters Supply, Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, and more. Whether you’re looking for deals on new or used guns, ammo to add to your reserves, or specific accessories like flashlights, range bags, optics, bipods, and magazines, each week we’ll have new sets of deals that might fulfill one of those needs and save you a few dollars while you’re ringing in the 4th with the sound of freedom.

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday, brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new Victra 20-gauge shotgun suppressor. This week, we are checking in on some interesting lawsuit updates. And I am taking some editorial liberty to talk about the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The equipment design and procurement failures that produce poor fit for female officers, why body armor, duty belts, and holsters built around a male body type create real safety and performance gaps, and what agencies and officers can do about it.

Not every range has a roof or a traditional backstop. Aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), a sailor assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group runs live-fire drills with an M4 carbine on the ship's flight deck while underway in the Caribbean Sea, February, 2026. The open-air range is as operational as it gets.

Welcome to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we looked at some of the tough realities when it comes to carrying concealed. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I want to take a deeper dive into what is actually necessary versus what is useful. So many people say the magwell or two-tone coloring on their handgun is an absolute must and then proceed to explain why it's completely necessary when, in reality, most times it's just what they wanted or it can be slightly useful. I decided to take a look at the three top items to see if they're really must-change items to carry safer or if it's just something you want. Let's take a closer look at useful vs necessary concealment items.

Headstamp Publishing has launched pre-orders their latest book "The Real Schmeissers: From the M.P. 18.I to the M.P. 41," a 678-page book covering the complete history of Hugo Schmeisser's submachine gun designs from World War I through World War II.

Luke C. speaks to Ian at GunCon 2026 to check out the o"ST"-14 Groza kit from the boys over at Stuff & Things Inc (STINC), a drop-in bullpup conversion that turns a PSA Krink (AK-74U pattern pistol) into a reasonably obtainable version of the Russian OTs-14 Groza. STINC says their conversion kit has compatibility with the 300 BLK, 7.62x39, and 5.56 Krink variants, with some fitting work potentially needed on other AK platforms.

Luke C ( @BallisticAviation) sits down with Mark from @dsainc at GunCon 2026 to talk about the FAL and why the company is putting all its focus there. DSArms is stepping back from its AR-10 offerings to dedicate itself fully to the platform it's built its reputation on for decades. Mark gets into what's driving the change and why DSArms sees its future tied to the FAL rather than spreading resources across multiple rifle platforms. The conversation moves into what makes the FAL such an enduring design, from its battle-proven 7.62x51mm chambering to its adjustable gas system and decades of combat history earning it the nickname "the right arm of the free world." Luke and Mark talk through how DSArms is keeping that legacy alive in the 21st century, with modern furniture, optic compatibility, and continued manufacturing of the SA58 line right here in the US.

We’ve been following the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program here at TFB from the very beginning and we recently reported that the US Army had received the first batch of the new and improved version of the NGSW-Rifle - the XM8. The XM8 Carbine is a shorter and lighter variant of the M7 rifle and it looks set to supplant the longer weapon.

In this episode of the TFB Behind the Gun podcast, Scott Ergas of Petersen's Hunting joins the conversation to relive their recent weekend at the NRL Hunter Leupold Relentless Rifleman match. Today, Scott and I speak to the practical realities of North American hunting in the modern age, from a lifetime of field skills and heavily tested gear to the mindset that defines success at a match or on a hunt. Scott shares his thoughts on how precision rifle competitions like NRL Hunter sharpen hunters while building a bridge to the next generation and also shares some personal stories of hunting with his daughter and fond memories from his own childhood. Please give Scott a warm welcome to the show!

I first heard about Brownell’s Action Hero Experience the same way most attendees did: through their YouTube channel. I decided to check it out since it was only a few hours away, and I’ve never been to a 2 Gun shooting competition before. The event coordinators were gracious enough to offer me a spot on one of the squads when I arrived, but I decided I wanted to observe from an outside perspective. (Also, I’ve never competed before, and I didn’t want to embarrass TFB.)

The La Paz Sand Dunes on the northern coast of Luzon made for an unusual battlefield on May 4, 2026, but the mission was unmistakable. In the first image, Pfc. Griffin Clemen of 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, works the M240B during the Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise North (CLLFX-N) as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026. In the second, his battalion mate Pfc. Brian Shultz takes cover behind an M250 in the dunes alongside Philippine forces during the same drill.

When you think of true deep concealment handguns, a few companies go a bit deeper than anyone else. North American Arms is one of the stealthiest of those companies, making hideout guns that can be stowed away in a spot that you wouldn’t normally think of—and this limited-edition revolver, made to celebrate America’s birthday bash this weekend, is the perfect example. Although considering the blinged-out look of the belt-buckle holster and the handgun inside, maybe the point isn’t to hide it at all, but to show it off?

XS Sight Systems has released a new line of fiber optic sights designed specifically for Smith & Wesson revolvers. The Fort Worth, Texas-based manufacturer now offers sight options for J, K, and L frame models, with both fixed and adjustable rear sight configurations.

B.E. Meyers & Co. continues its longstanding support of US military night fighting capabilities with a significant new contract award. The Redmond, Washington-based company has been selected to deliver thousands of its advanced DAGIR-V1 laser systems to the US Army’s PM Soldier Lethality. This order underscores the growing emphasis on enhanced small arms fire control and lethality during low-light operations. Built around advanced VCSEL technology, the DAGIR series delivers compact, rugged performance that integrates aiming and illumination functions for modern weapon platforms.

Luke C ( @BallisticAviation) catches up with Dave from @samsonmfg at GunCon 2026 to check out their new modernized Mini-14 chassis. Built almost entirely from aluminum, this is a significant step up from Samson's existing wood and steel folding stock options, bringing a more modern, tactical platform to the Mini-14 and a more precise lockup. The chassis features a fully adjustable folding stock and is compatible with Samson's Hannibal rail for those wanting to add a modern top rail for optics. It's currently drop-in compatible with Mini-14 rifles from 2008 and newer. Dave walks Luke through the design choices behind the chassis and what Mini-14 owners can expect when it comes to fit, adjustability, and overall handling compared to the factory stock. And of course, the price.