Franklin Armory has been creating binary triggers for a while now. However, this is their first binary trigger specifically made for the Glock. Coming with an entire slide and trigger, this trigger will not interfere with hooded holsters and is very attractive in appearance. With the third/binary position being located on the slide it is easy to reach and manipulate no matter what configuration you are running your Glock in, i.e. with a brace or not. Note that there are three positions: semi, safe, and binary. That safe position allows users to cancel their second binary round, the round fired on the reset.
Franklin Armory’s first binary trigger is almost unnoticeable due to being mounted on their proprietary slide that resembles a Glock side. This resemblance allows standard Glock holsters to fit the firearm and not interfere with hoods.
The G-S173 Binary Trigger
Main Features
Fits Glock Model 17-Gen 3, and more models are slated to be released.
Selectable binary with a slide-mounted selector.
Release round is cancellable, simply pull the trigger for the first round, and if you don’t want the second round to fire switch the selector to safe as you are holding the trigger. When the trigger is released the second round will not fire.
Due to being mounted on the slide, there is nothing protruding from the back of the pistol as other Glock binary triggers do. This allows the pistol to still be used with a hooded holster.
The Kit includes a slide and a trigger.
When using a brace, the selector is still reachable due to being mounted on the rear side of the slide.
This trigger can be run with or without a brace due to being ergonomically friendly. The selector also features a safe option that can cancel the second round on a trigger press.
Coming Soon
This trigger was shown at last year’s SHOT Show, 2022. However, Franklin Armory has since made updates and re-released it this year. Due to this and as Franklin Armory has stated, it is slated to be available for purchase this year and a specific number on the price has not been set.
Steph Martz is a Veteran of the full time MNARNG force as a Small Arms Repairer and worked to bolster their marksmanship team. Mainly a technical writer and gunsmith within the Federal world she comes with many armorer classes under her belt such as KAC, Glock, every FN weapon in the book, and Small Arms Weapons Expert (SAWE). So, sorry to bore you with the knowledge that actually make firearms shoot. Currently heavily into the long range world she competes in National Rifle League Hunter and various Gas Gun Precision Series.
Entry-level 1911 lovers rejoice! Tisas, the name of the game in affordable 1911-style pistols announced the new Night Stalker 1911 over SHOT Show 2023.
The new Tisas Night Stalker 1911 is only available in a grey/black Cerakote, but other varieties are sure to follow. (Photo credit: tisas-usa.com)
The new Night Stalker takes a few modern 2011 nods, but is still a slim, all-steel single-stack 1911 based on the Colt 70 Series lock work. As Browning himself intended, the Night Stalker holds eight rounds of 45 ACP.
The Night Stalker is an all-forged pistol available in a dull grey Night Stalker Cerakote finish paired with stark, black aluminum grips. The skeletonized hammer, barrel, ambidextrous safety, magazine release, and slide stop are finished in black Cerakote; as are the extended beavertail, squared trigger, and grip safety.
The Night Stalker operates and disassembles like an old GI or Series 70 1911. All you need is a thumb and a little patience to take it down. (Photo credit: tisas-usa.com)
To take aim, the pistol comes with a luminescent tritium front sight and a black-serrated rear sight. The forged carbon steel slide has angular cocking serrations at the rear and is scalloped through toward the muzzle. The frame has a traditional rounded trigger guard but there is a Picatinny rail milled into the dustcover for all your light needs.
The Night Stalker is packaged with two magazines in a hard case. It has an MSRP of $749.99. At the time of this writing, this model will begin to ship during the second quarter of 2023.
Tisas Trabzon Silah Sanayi has been producing firearms in Turkey since 1993. In the United States, Tisas is known for their polymer PX9 pistol as well as a variety of 1911 and Browning Hi Power clones. In 2022, Tisas USA of Knoxville, Tennessee became the exclusive importer of Tisas products.
DuraMag, a well-known Florida-based manufacturer of magazines, has expanded its company to include a suppressor division. Yup, that’s right. DuraMag is getting into the suppressor game.
Since the division is relatively young, think of it starting LATE last year, there isn’t a whole lot of concrete info available for the division or its products. However, the company did show off one of its prototypes at SHOT Show 2023.
DuraMag Suppressor
DuraMag surprised SHOT visitors with a lightweight 3D-printed rifle suppressor prototype. More information should come by Spring 2023. (Photo credit: TFB)
Like many of the suppressors from SHOT, this one relies on additive manufacturing, which is a fancy phrase for 3D printing. The key to using this kind of manufacturing is that designers can get shapes that traditional manufacturing cannot.
Initial reporting on the suppressor line-up shows a monocore design made of very lightweight materials, like a titanium or combination with steel for some durability for the rifle suppressor. An interesting feature of the DuraMag suppressor is the user-operated venting on the front endcap. It is a two-piece design that can be opened or closed by removing the inner piece from the cap.
The suppressor is supposed to be launched in the Spring of 2023 and is expected to be around 6.5 inches in length. As stated before, there is no name yet, let alone pricing, so that info will be coming in the next few months as well.
20-Round Mag
Also from DuraMag at SHOT is a 20-round aluminum magazine in OD Green. Normally, a new magazine from a magazine manufacturer isn’t unheard of, but this is something that the military was asking for. DuraMag delivered on that request.
The US Government asked and DuraMag responded. The company now has a 20-rd aluminum OD Green AR magazine. According to the company, the high-strength magazine won’t flex like polymer and is durable no matter how long it sits in storage. (Photo credit: DuraMag)
The 20-round magazine is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum for a lightweight but durable magazine. It’s a special edition run with an orange follower. According to the company, the color becomes part of the metal and with its Progressive die tooling, Post Hole design, and fully robotic welding, the magazine will be consistent and reliable regardless of how long it’s been in storage. The magazine has an MSRP of $16.99.
Daniel Defense, no stranger to unveiling cool products, has officially launched its Soundguard suppressor family along with a folding stock adapter for the Pro series rifle chassis.
Soundguard Suppressor Line
The Soundguard suppressor line has a 5.56, 30 caliber, and a titanium 30 caliber suppressor. The new suppressor line is said to be a cutting-edge gas-flow dynamic system that eliminates over-gassing and directs the gas forward and away from the shooter’s face.
Daniel Defense launched its Soundguard suppressor line at SHOT Show 2023, including a stainless steel SG-556 and SG-30, and a titanium SG-30Ti suppressor. (Photo credit: Daniel Defense)
The Soundguard powered by KGM lowers impulse noise levels, helping protect against hearing loss. The suppressors have a patent-pending baffle stack and a proprietary coating on the internal components to reduce the firearm’s flash to almost zero.
The Soundguard suppressors will ship with a removable direct thread mount, meaning the suppressor can be used with other direct thread mounts or QD mounts on the market thanks to the HUB standard 1.375-24 UNS thread pitch of the mount. The steel Soundguard suppressors, the SG-556 and the SG-30, are full-auto rated and feature a stainless steel baffle stack and outer tube. The SG-30Ti is constructed from a titanium baffle stack and tube for a lighter package weighing just 15 ounces with the mount.
All of the Soundguard suppressors feature a patent-pending gas-flow pathing that stabilizes the rounds to ensure high accuracy with little POI shifts. The SG-556 and the SG-30 have a price tag of $750 while the SG-30Ti has a price tag of $1,000.
Folding Stock Adapter for Pro Chassis
Daniel Defense also expanded its Pro Chassis family of products and accessories to include an option for a Folding Stock Adapter. It was developed exclusively for the Delta 5 Pro and R700 PRO chassis systems. The adapter installs within minutes and allows the buttstock to fold in, making the rifle smaller for easier transport or storage.
Daniel Defense expanded its Pro Chassis accessories to include a folding stock adapter. This adapter makes it easier to store the rifle and installs on the rifle within minutes. (Photo credit: Daniel Defense)
The folding stock adapter was constructed with extremely tight tolerances from stainless steel to give the strongest possible lockup and eliminate any play that is usually present with folding stocks. The adapter has a no-button design to help minimize any impact from dirt or debris. Additionally, it allows for easy and direct access to the barrel without having to redo any adjustments.
The Daniel Defense Folding Stock Adapter for the Pro Chassis has a price tag of $199 and is available soon.
Meprolight is the latest optic company to join the rifle-mounted optic fray with their new Tru-Vision red dot. They sent me one to try a couple of weeks ago. Normally, I would run it through the paces, use it in a variety of environments, shove a ton of lead downrange using it as my aiming point, and then give you my overall thoughts in a full-on review. But I’m going to do something different this time: start with my first impressions and issue an after-action follow-up later. So read on today and stay tuned for later.
Early testing included shooting at 50, 100, and 200 yards.
The rifle red dot field is crowded. Many legacy brands such as Leupold, Vortex, and others jumped on the bandwagon long ago and have been steadily improving their offerings over the years. A case could be made that Meprolight has been playing from behind this whole time, with a very narrow red dot selection that didn’t really compete at the same level. Until now.
At least that’s my initial impression. I’ve shot with the other brands, so I have something to compare to Meprolight’s latest version, and I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far.
First, the specs, courtesy of Meprolight’s website:
Weight: < 285 gr.
Dimensions (L x W x H): < 73 x 56 x 68 mm
Display Window Dimensions:25 x 20 mm
Aiming point diameter: 2.0 MOA
Reticle Pattern: Dot
Reticle Color: Red
Click Size: 0.5 MOA (0.14 mRad)
Brightness levels: 12 Day + 4 Night + Automatic Adjustment
As I mentioned above, the optic came to me a couple of weeks ago, so I haven’t had much time to play with it. When it arrived, I did my usual unboxing ceremony to get first impressions of the customer presentation. I work in marketing at my day job, so I always pay attention to a product’s initial impression to the consumer.
What caught my attention the most about the Tru-Vision’s packaging wasn’t so much the box, although that was very nice and clean, but how Meprolight placed the optic on a tiny pedestal of Picatinny rail like it would soon be mounted on a rifle. It was also sheathed in a microfiber shroud that not only protected it during shipping but can prevent scratches moving forward. Not being a big fan of carrying extra stuff, however, I took the shroud off and tossed it back into the box, likely to never be seen again. But that’s just me. If you like that sort of thing, it’s a nice cover.
Mounting the Tru-Vision took all of five whole seconds, thanks to the Picatinny Rail Quick release (Mil-STD 1913). Knowing I would add a magnifier behind it, I mounted the red dot a bit forward of the chamber, a perfect distance for maximum eye relief both with and without the magnifier behind. Weighing in at less than 285 grams or around 10 ounces, the optic barely added any significant heft to the AR.
The Meprolight Tru-Vision plays well with any brand of magnifier. In this case, a Holosun 3x.
The optic came with a Lithium 123 battery already installed, so I held the up arrow button and the red dot lit up the window. Next, I fiddled with the up and down arrows, adjusting the dot brightness from impractically blinding down to barely visible. The buttons were easy to use and big enough to easily accommodate my fat digits. That’s when I noticed the pentagonal NV button. Yep, the Tru-Vision works with night vision. Alas, I don’t own any night vision gear, but it’s nice to know the function is built in. In addition to manual brightness settings, the optic also features an automatic brightness control system that enables clear visibility of the red dot in any lighting condition.
The full set-up: AR-15, Meprolight Tru-Vision, Holosun magnifier, and 30 rounds of .223.
The non-reflective window is gigantic by rifle optic standards at 25 x 20 mm, making aiming with both eyes open easy and clear. The window glass is smooth and even, with no parallax around the edges.
The advertised battery life is ridiculously good, with up to two years claimed on the full automatic setting, which includes sleep mode, auto shut off, and shake up/wake up when it’s time to shoot again.
Zeroing & Shooting
Since no optic is ever zeroed from the factory and I needed a long-distance outdoor range, I reached out to a friend who has a makeshift setup on his farm. When we got there, he had thoughtfully set up targets at 50, 100, and 200 yards. Since I don’t typically shoot my AR farther than that (yes, I know it can be done—I’ve done it—but it’s not common), I settled on zeroing to the 100-yard mark, a common range for an AR point-of-aim/point-of-impact crossing distance.
All seemed in order until I pulled the rifle out of the bag and noticed the Tru-Vision’s battery cover had unscrewed itself. Thankfully, it’s held on by a small tether, so I didn’t have to hunt for it, but it was a bit annoying to have to reseat the battery and screw it back on. This was all before I had fired a shot, so it made me wonder if it would back itself out under recoil. I got it all put back together, turned on the optic, and settled the rifle into the bag rest.
It took only a handful of shots to zero at 100 yards.
The view through the spotting scope revealed the first shot poked a hole in the target at the 7 o’clock position, about seven inches low and left. Each click on the Tru-Vision is .5 MOA, so I cranked it up and right three clicks each. Thanks to generous adjustment screws, moving the dot was super easy with the flathead screwdriver from my multi-tool. Each click was also tactile and audible, assuring me of the changes. Did my adjustment work? Well, the second shot landed on the 9 o’clock edge of the bullseye, close enough for my needs. It was zeroed in my book.
Next, I flipped the Holosun 3x magnifier up behind the Meprolight Tru-Vision to see if it needed any adjustment. My third and fourth shots struck 5 o’clock and 3 o’clock, respectively, showing no need for changes.
Yes, that’s a night vision compatibility button. Adjustments are easy with big screws and big buttons.
Satisfied the dot was as zeroed as I needed, I spent the next several minutes poking holes at 50 and 200 yards to see what sort of holdover was required. Much to my surprise, the shots went exactly where the dot was aimed at both distances. The normal holdovers didn’t seem to apply.
Initial Findings
My first impression of the Meprolight Tru-Vision is that it is an easy-to-use, solid rifle red dot that gives other contenders in the space a real run for the money. Speaking of money, it sells for $479.99.
A few things I haven’t tested yet but will for my full review are true battery life, ruggedness, how well it holds the zero, and whether it handles weather. Stay tuned for reports on those items and more in my later review.
One more thing: remember the battery cover issue from earlier? Apparently, it was a fluke, as it held tight the rest of the day.
A while back, we talked about the best boomsticks in film, and today, we are going to take a look at the best room brooms in film. Room brooms are what I’m calling submachine guns. Submachine guns are pistol-caliber weapons designed for close-range combat. They really came to be during World War 1 when warfare was constrained to trenches.
In these cases, the room broom was a trench broom. Over time they developed more into close-quarters combat weapons and have slipped into a bit of a niche these days. However, over the years, Hollywood has given us some seriously awesome movies featuring some seriously awesome room brooms, and we’ve gathered the top five.
1. Road to Perdition — The Thompson
The Thompson isn’t the first of the room brooms, but it’s pretty close. It’s certainly one of the OGs of the SMG design. It was used by Marines in the Banana Wars, gangsters at home, and by the military as a whole during World War 2. In “Road to Perdition,” we follow Tom Hanks as Michael Sullivan, a mobster’s enforcer, and his favorite long gun is the Thompson SMG.
The Thompson is a legendary SMG, and it serves our hero well. (Photo: Dreamworks Pictures)
Specifically the more expensive and fanciful M1921 Thompson. This gun is complete with the gangster grip, the cooling fins, and finely made wooden furniture. Sullivan wears a Cutt’s Compensator, and he tends to prefer the fifty-round drums over the stick magazines. He carries it in a very nice case as well.
He’s a master of the gun and mows down entire groups of bad guys when necessary. He doesn’t seem to aim much, and short controlled bursts aren’t his skill, but he makes music with room brooms.
2. The Dogs of War — The Uzi
“The Dogs of War” is a good film but an amazing novel. Read the novel and watch the film. In the film, Christopher Walken leads a mercenary group in an attempted coup in Africa. “The Dogs of War” is a manual for mercenaries, and it features a number of weapons, including a gas gun posing as an early multiple grenade launcher.
Uzis and Christopher Walken….what could be cooler? (Photo: United Artists)
That’s not the gun we are talking about, we are talking about room brooms, and Christopher Walken carries a full-sized Uzi. Walken’s Uzi also wears a Sionics suppressor which was a premier option for 1980 and would make the gun quite quiet if combined with subsonic 9mm ammo.
His Uzi also wears a Starlight scope which was high speed for the era. It was an early night vision optic, and a suppressed, optically enhanced Uzi would be quite high speed for the era. It would certainly work for commandos on an operation to take down sentries silently and launch their attack.
3. Big Trouble In Little China — TEC-9
Remember what Jack Burton always says…. Well, he says a lot of things. Arguably he’s the perfect example of talk is cheap, and that’s why you should do it often. I love Jack Burton and the film “Big Trouble in Little China.” It’s an over-the-top, crazy movie that would never get made today.
The TEC-9 fits our bumbling hero well. (Photo: 20th Century Fox)
Out loud mouth ‘hero’ is in a magical world of demons, monsters, and wizards wielding both his mouth and a TEC-9 at the same rate and volume. He often shoots, wildly missing, and proves himself largely ineffective. He might not be smart or good at much, but he tries, and we love him for it.
The same could be said about the TEC-9. This blowback-operated gun came from the mind of George Kellgren, who was an early adopter of polymer frames. They were notoriously hated by the anti-gun lobby and not super useful for much more than plinking. The gun is a handful, and as the owner of a semi-auto version, I will tell you to stay away.
4. Cobra — Jatimatic SMG
“Cobra” is such a weird movie that it leaves me asking more questions than the film has answers for. Who is the Zombie Squad? Why does he cut pizza with scissors? Why is his first name Marion? Why do the bad guys bang axes? I can’t answer you there, but I can say that “Cobra” likes room brooms, specifically the Jatimatic SMG.
This movie left me with a lot of questions…but I loved the SMG and laser sight. (Photo: Warner Bros.)
Throughout the film, the character of Cobra faces off with a cult of axe-wielding psychos. Their mistake was bringing axes to a Jatimatic fight. The Jatimatic is a Finnish SMG developed in the early 1980s. It’s an open bolt blowback operated SMG with an odd bolt guide that has it going up a seven-degree inclined plane. This supposedly reduced recoil and enhanced control.
As far as room brooms go, it’s pretty unique and not something you see every day. It stands out and looks cool, and looking cool is half the battle. Cobretti tossed a huge laser sight on the top from a little company called Laser Products Corp, which went on to be Surefire. Also, the shoulder rig Cobretti has for the Jatimatic is top-tier awesome.
5. Die Hard — MP5
Yippie kai yay, and you know the rest. Bruce Willis had a bad day in one of the best Christmas movies of all time. This movie is full of legendary weapons from the late 1980s and early 1990s. We got the Beretta 92, the HK P7M13, and of course, the MP5. Well, to be fair, it’s an HK 94 that was chopped and converted to full auto.
I think Die Hard is for sure the reason why the MP5 was ever so famous. (Photo: 20th Century Fox)
The end result is an MP5A3 wannabe with the collapsing stock and all. It does admittedly lack the lugs, But we can still love it. At this time period, the MP5 was the premier SMG, and in the hands of the high-tech terrorists led by Hans Gruber, it absolutely fits. Our hero commandeers one of these room brooms from a bad guy named Tony, and honestly, it’s the best Christmas gift he could have ever gotten.
Actually, McClane gets his hands on three different MP5s throughout the movie. One of the coolest scenes establishes McClane as the badass he is by writing, “Now I have a machine gun. Ho, ho, ho.”
Rooms Brooms For All
Submachine guns work well in movies. They are bigger than handguns but smaller than rifles. The stock is almost always optional, and the smaller a gun is, the easier it is to fit on camera with the hero present. Add in the easy availability of 9mm blanks and the crazy muzzle flash, and it makes sense that they pop up so often in films.
What’s your favorite appearance? Share with us below!
Fiocchi, a global leader in target, defense, and hunting ammunition, has expanded two of its families of ammunition, the Field Dynamics and Hyperformance Hunt series. The Field Dynamic added two Upland Steel rounds while the Hyperformance Hunt added a .223 Remington round.
Field Dynamics Upland Steel
With more hunters opting for lead alternative loads, Fiocchi has given hunters another option for shot loads. The Upland Steel shotshells are perfect for hunters going after upland birds or small game. According to Fiocchi, the components and engineering behind the new loads deliver the same high-quality and reliable performance that hunters expect from a Fiocchi load.
Fiocchi has expanded its Field Dynamics family of shotshells to include two 12-gauge options. These loads, one with #4 and one with #6, are designed for shotgun chambers of 2 3/4-inch. (Photo credit: Fiocchi)
The Field Dynamics Upland Steel shotshells are designed to be used in 12-gauge shotguns chambered for 2 ¾-inch and have either #4 or #6 steel shot. These rounds are available now with pricing around $18 per box of 25 shells.
Fiocchi Hyperformance Hunt in .223 Remington
The updated Hyperformance Hunt round was designed for a “lights out” performance when hunting varmints. According to Fiocchi, it has the same winning foundation as all the centerfire cartridges, like top-quality brass cases, reliable primers, and precision-manufactured bullets that deliver expected terminal performances. The feature that separates the .223 Remington Hyperformance Hunt load is the lead-free hollow point projectile.
Fiocchi expanded its Hyperformance Hunt line of ammunition to include a .223 Remington load. The bullet is designed to fragment on impact and it rarely exits the target, keeping pelts intact. (Photo credit: Fiocchi)
This projectile, the Barnes Varmint Grenade bullet, is designed to fragment quickly at impact similar to a frangible copper-tin hollow point. While it fragments, it delivers the impact energy on the target resulting in a stopping power terminal performance that leaves the hides or pelts of the animal undamaged. When used on larger game, the bullet rarely exits the target leaving the pelts intact.
The .223 Remington Hyperformance Hunt round joins other calibers for bigger game like .243 Win, .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win just to name a few. Pricing information wasn’t readily available, but more details should be out soon.
Fiocchi can be visited at SHOT Show 2023 at boot 11454 to see the updated loads in person.
The new hotness from IWI (Israel Weapon Industries) is the United States version of their popular Carmel rifle. The original Carmel is a weapons system made for combat overseas while the US version is a semi-automatic designed for public use here in the States. The IWI US Carmel is chambered in 5.56 NATO and has a bevy of features that are fantastic for tactical applications but also useful for range use and even hunting.
IWI launched a US version of their popular Carmel rifle. (Photo credit: IWI)
IWI’s US Carmel rifle is a semiautomatic, short-stroke, gas piston platform chambered in 5.56 NATO with a locking, rotating bolt system. This is a fully ambidextrous platform that is excellent for both right- and left-handed shooters and also those shooting mirror. Thanks to MLOK slots at the 3, 6 and 9 positions and a full-length Picatinny rail it’s easy to add optics and whatever aftermarket accessories the user desires.
The rifle is machined from durable steel and aviation-grade aluminum for superior longevity and resistance to use-related wear. Some parts are made using high-impact modified polymer designed to stand up to the elements and withstand the expected bumps and scrapes of serious use.
The rifle has a full-length Picatinny rail so it’s simple to mount an optic. (Photo credit: IWI)
Features of the IWI US Carmel rifle include:
5.56 NATO chambering.
Ambidextrous controls for versatility.
Two-position gas regulator to better suit suppressed use.
Cold hammer forged, free-floating barrel for greater accuracy.
Full-length Picatinny rail for the addition of optics.
M-LOK compatible slots for aftermarket accessories such as lights and lasers.
Corrosion resistant.
Compatible with any standard AR-15 magazine.
Fully adjustable side folding stock to fit the gun to the user.
Enlarged trigger guard for easy access even while wearing gloves.
Ships with Magpul PMAG Gen 3 30-round magazine.
Empty weight of 8 Lbs., 2 Oz.
1 in 7 twist rate.
16-inch barrel length, making the gun more maneuverable in close quarters.
Three attachment points for the addition of a sling.
Designed for tactical applications, range use, and hunting.
MSRP for the IWI US Carmel rifle is set at $1799.00.
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a long-time outdoor writer, official OGC (Original Gun Cognoscenti), and author of Handgun Hunting: a Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using the Right Firearms for Big and Small Game. Der Teufel Katze has written for a number of industry publications (print and online) and edited some of the others, so chances are you’ve seen or read her work before, somewhere. A woman of eclectic background and habits, Kat has been carrying concealed for over two decades, used to be a farrier, and worked for a long time in emergency veterinary medicine. She prefers big bores, enjoys K9 Search & Rescue, and has a Master’s Degree in Pitiless Snarkastic Delivery.
Hunters have new ammunition from renowned ammunition manufacturer Fiocchi to try out in the 2023 hunting seasons. There are two new loads being added to the Fiocchi family: KnockDown, designed for big game, and an expansion of Flyway, for waterfowl hunters. These loads are designed to give hunters successful seasons with superior results on target, and that means full freezers—which is always a welcome result.
Fiocchi KnockDown
Fiocchi’s new KnockDown line of centerfire rifle ammunition is designed for big game hunters. (Photo credit: Fiocchi)
Fiocchi KnockDown is made to take the company’s centerfire rifle line to the next level of performance. The new load design blends premium components and a precision-engineered monolithic bullet for decisive, effective shots on big game. KnockDown is meant to do exactly as its name suggests: drop big game ethically and quickly. It’s being produced in a variety of calibers, so it’s likely that your favorite is available.
This ammunition utilizes the company’s EnviroShield technology with an all-copper hollow point bullet. The round is designed to deliver impressive ballistics with the results being fantastic accuracy on target. The bullet is made for controlled expansion and devastating penetration, even in the toughest game animals—all with excellent energy transfer. Adding to that impact is Fiocchi’s proprietary powder which is made to burn cleaner and hotter that most. Every component of these rounds is made to deliver consistent results on game at high velocities. The fact that KnockDown is also designed to reduce barrel fouling is simply an added bonus.
Fiocchi KnockDown is available in the following calibers:
243 Win., 80 gr.
270 Win., 130 gr.
6.5 Creedmoor, 120 gr.
7mm-08, 140 gr.
7mm Rem. Mag., 160 gr.
308 Win., 150 gr.
.30-06 Sprg., 150 gr.
300 Win. Mag., 165 gr.
Fiocchi Flyway
Fiocchi Flyway is designed for waterfowl hunters. (Photo credit: Fiocchi)
The new Fiocchi Flyway load utilizes the all-new Speed sTEAL shotshells. The manufacturer states these shotshells deliver the dense patterns and terminal performance the existing line is known for, only it’s been fine-tuned. Speed sTEAL is made with early-season teal hunting in mind.
This shotshell is available in 2 3/4-inch 12-gauge. It features a blend of plated steel shot and carefully chosen powders and protective wads. This results in a reliable shotshell that’s accurate and effective on quick-moving, close-encounter teal. Plated steel shot is currently being made in #4 and #6 so hunters can choose according to their personal preferences.
Fiocchi Flyway SpeedsTEAL is available in the following loads:
12-ga., 2 3/4-inch, 1 1/8-oz. steel, 1415 fps, #4
12-ga., 2 3/4-inch, 1 1/8-oz. steel, 1415 fps, #6
MSRP for these products is not known at this time.
Rimfire firearms are always some of my favorites. These little guns have barely any recoil, cheap ammunition, and are a ton of fun. They are great training firearms, perfect for teaching younger or less experienced shooters. Plus, they can be used for small game hunting, competition, and so much more. They are very versatile firearms and tend to be quite popular. I combed the halls of SHOT Show 2023 to find the best new rimfires for training, fun, and even hunting.
Advantage Arms P365 and Hellcat Conversions
I can cheat a little in my own article, right? I hope so because my first pick isn’t a gun but a conversion kit for the Hellcat, Glock 43X, and Sig P365 handguns. Advantage Arms kits are nothing new. They’ve been making conversions for Glocks, 1911s, and Xds for years. What’s new is that these kits are aimed at converting the most popular carry guns to .22LR for training purposes.
The new conversions are aimed at the concealed carry market.
These kits work on the Colt Ace design from decades ago. It’s a unique setup that allows shooters to practice with their actual carry guns. These kits are designed for both the normal-sized Hellcat and P365 as well as the XL and pro models of their respective guns.
These guns allow you to use your actual slide and frame. You have to swap a few small internal parts, the barrel and magazine, and bam. You have a .22LR version of your carry gun. Shooters can use the same optics, lights, lasers, or whatever with your training platform. The Advantage Arms kits should be available later this year. I can’t wait to purchase one for my Sig P365.
Diamondback Sidekick Birdshead
The Diamondback Sidekick is all kinds of weird, and the Birdshead model takes that weirdness and shrinks it. The gun has the appearance of an old cowboy revolver. Rimfire cowboy guns are quite popular, and guns like the Heritage Manufacturing Rough Rider rule the market. The Diamondback Sidekick Birdshead looks like a cowboy gun but is far from one.
It’s a bizarre revolver, but a fun one. This is a nine-shot revolver that easily converts from 22 Magnum to .22LR. It features a double-action trigger mechanism and a swing-out cylinder. This allows for faster reloads and breaks the cowboy mold. Historically, double-action revolvers like the Colt Lightning existed in the old cowboy days, but swing cylinders weren’t around back then.
The Birdshead is odd but a lot of fun to shoot. There is hardly any recoil to the gun, and it’s quite accurate. At Range Day, I was pinging targets out to 25 yards easily and consistently. The double-action trigger is pretty dang sweet. This is a totally fun gun, and fun guns are my favorite.
Taurus TX 22 Compact
The Taurus TX 22 lineup has been quite popular. What started as a modern rimfire semi-auto pistol has evolved into an entire series of firearms. The latest is the TX 22 compact rimfire semi-auto pistol. The barrel is 3.6 inches long, and the gun itself is a hair under seven inches long overall. It holds ten rounds in a grip just long enough to fill my entire hand.
The TX 22 Compact was a blast at the range and is a modern rimfire pistol.
The slide features an optics cut, and Taurus is packaging the guns with Riton optics in some packages. The TX 22 is very light at only 16 ounces total and handles very nicely. At range day, the little gun proved to be a light-recoiling, reliable weapon that was quite accurate. The gun’s grip is quite ergonomic and fits the hand well. The TX 22 Compact reminds me of a little bulldog.
The TX 22 Compact could be a plinker, a steel challenge pistol, a training tool, or even a defensive pistol. Using .22LR for self-defense isn’t the best option, but if you cannot possibly handle anything bigger, then the TX 22 offers a lightweight, concealable weapon for that purpose.
Chiappa Little Badger TDX
The Chiappa Little Badger series were these minimalist, single-shot, folding rifles with an industrial edge to them that made them quite unique and rather handy as dedicated bug-out guns. I have owned one for years, and I’m excited to see the latest model, the Takedown Extreme. The TDX, for short, is a single-shot, 22LR rifle that has the same industrial appearance as the original Little Badger.
It’s a couple of tubes turned into a gun.
The TDX doesn’t just fold in half. It breaks down into two pieces to form an ultra-light, ultra-compact rifle that’s easily stowed and carried in a backpack, messenger bag, or whatever. Chiappa even includes a pill-shaped plastic cylinder to carry the TDX in. It’s as light and minimalist as a rifle can get and still fairly functional.
The sights are M1 Carbine style peep sights, and a quad rail outfits the rifle for adding a red dot, mini light, or whatever. Like the original Little Badger, a spare round holder allows you to pack a few extra rounds on the gun. This little rifle is also dang low and plenty of fun for the price.
JR-15
When it comes to young shooters, the .22LR is the way to go. The little noise and recoil make it a natural draw for shooters of all ages. Wee 1 Tactical designed the JR-15 with the Junior shooter in mind. This is a blowback rimfire rifle dressed up to look like an AR-15 but scaled down about 20% to better fit the smaller frame of younger shooters. The JR-15 mocks up an AR from top to bottom, well, mostly.
Look at how cute they are.
The rifle has an M-LOK rail, an optic rail, a detachable magazine, and a seven-position stock. It’s super tiny and absolutely adorable. The gun weighs about 2.5 pounds and is small all the way around. The gun feeds from magazines that look identical to AR mags but are scaled down to fit the JR-15. The little rifle does feature a slightly different safety that is impossible to accidentally swap to fire. It’s a smart move for a kid’s rifle.
The gun is a bit small for me but still fairly fun to shoot. It’s downright adorable. Wee 1 provides five and ten-round magazines as well as a one-round magazine. One round is great for new shooters and helps minimize safety issues. It’s a clever little rifle, and Wee 1 is also producing a mini AK in the near future.
Click, Click, Pow
Everyone needs a rimfire weapon. In fact, you might need several rimfire weapons. Rimfire handguns and rifles are a ton of fun and allow you to shoot and practice on a tight budget. SHOT 2023 showed us a wide variety of rimfire rifles, some designed for young shooters, others designed for training, and others designed as a bug-out rifles for hunting small game. These are varied and versatile guns that can fit a wide variety of roles.
These are my favorite new rimfires. What are yours? Let us know below.
