Commentary
Buying a Machine Gun with a C&R License
I am often asked how a C&R license (Curio & Relic, also called a Type 03 Federal Firearms License; not to be confused with “Class 3”) affects the purchase of a machine gun. So, I […]
Video
Semiauto Rifles
Calico Liberty 100 Carbine on the PCC Evaluation Course
Before I even started filming this video, the Calico’s muzzle brake fell off…not an auspicious beginning! But we will push on without it, and see if the Calico can even finish the course without malfunctioning…and […]
Commentary
No, It Doesn’t Take Glock Mags…and Sometimes That’s Better
Sometimes it makes sense to use convenient existing magazines. Sometimes it doesn’t. Like all things in firearms design, magazine features are all compromises. Single feed vs double feed, polymer vs steel, and straight vs curved…one […]
Semiauto pistol
WW1 French Contract Colt 1911 for Tank Crewmen
France was in an interesting position during World War One of being a primary supplier of rifles and machine guns to its allies, but a major importer of handguns. In addition to a great many […]
Bolt Action Rifles
The Gras in Ethiopia: Carbines of Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu
Ethiopia is a fascinating and unique example of an African nation that was able to uphold its sovereignty through force of arms, and resist become a possession of any of the European powers during the […]
Semiauto pistol
Russian FN 1905 Vest Pocket Officer’s Pistol
In the years before World War One, the Imperial Nicholas Military Academy in Russia purchased several thousand handguns from FN for resale to its officer candidates and graduates. These were mostly FN 1900 and FN […]
Competition
AJ Ordnance “Thomas” at the Backup Gun Match
Today, I’m taking the AJ ordnance “Thomas” .45 to the Backup Gun Match to try it out on the clock. The Thomas was designed as a concealed carry pistol, with no external controls and a […]
Semiauto pistol
AJ Ordnance “Thomas” – A .45 Locked by Grip Alone
Designed by one Frank Thomas Jr. in the 1970s, this pistol was produced by the AJ Ordnance company of Covina California, and named after its creator. It was designed to be a concealed carry pistol […]
Accessories
Optics for Machine Guns: The Spuhr B.A.M.
I have been thinking about machine gun optics for a while, as I am on the waiting list for a Lage Max 11/15A1 5.56mm upper for my M11A1 (registered and legal) machine pistol. I am […]
Bolt Action Rifles
Elmech EM-992: Croatia’s First Domestic Sniper Rifle
There was a fair amount of small arms production in Croatia during the breakup of Yugoslavia, but most of it was not particularly high quality. After the government of Croatia had become established, it looked […]