New Gun Releases

The Anderson Manufacturing Gen 2 AM-10 series of rifles is based on the AR-10 platform. Chambered in .308 Winchester, there are three complete rifle builds ready to ship or the receivers may be purchased individually to complement a rifle build project. All components are compatible with the most popular AR-10 uppers, lowers, and aftermarket parts and accessories.

Three Initial AM-10 Gen 2 Models

The AM-10 Gen 2 line has launched with the following models:

AM-10 Battle Rifle

The Battle Rifle configuration features a 16-inch barrel, Magpul MOE adjustable stock, Magpul K2 grip, Mid Length Gas System, and an A2 birdcage flash hider. The Battle Rifle is ideal for general use and home defense.

AM-10 Ranger

The Ranger features an 18-inch barrel, Magpul MOE adjustable stock, Magpul K2 grip, two-stage trigger, Mid Length Gas System, and a Knight Stalker flash hider. The Ranger is a multi-purpose option for long-range and home defense roles.

AM-10 Marksman XL

The Marksman XL features a 20-inch barrel, Magpul PRS Light adjustable stock, Magpul K2 grip, two-stage trigger, Rifle Length Gas System, and a Knight Stalker flash hider. The Marksman XL is perfect for hunting, home defense, or long-range precision shooting.

Common AM-10 Gen 2 Specifications

All three Anderson AM-10 Gen 2 Rifles share the following specs:

• Caliber: .308 Winchester
• Weight: 8 pounds
• Receivers made from 7075 T6 aluminum
• Type 3 Hard Anodized Finish
• 8620 Steel Bolt Carrier
• 9310 Steel Bolt
• Bolt, Bolt Carrier, and Barrel Finish: Nitride
• 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium Barrel
• Barrel Twist Rate: 1:10
• Government Profile Barrel
• 6 Position Buffer Tube
• Standard Charging handle

Additional Features

Anderson says the “exceptionally accurate” AM-10 Gen 2 Series is engineered to meet the diverse needs of budget-conscious shooters. Each AM-10 rifle comes with a 15-inch Magpul M-LOK handguard, DPMS high standard upper rail height for maximum platform capability, and is compatible with all AR-15 grips. The enhanced mag well flare makes for easier, more reliable magazine insertions. Finally, the improved contouring and tolerances ensure better handling, performance, and accuracy for a better shooting experience.

More Rifles to Come

Anderson promises to extend the AM-10 Gen 2 Line in the future. This looks like a well-thought-out addition to the crowded modern sporting rifle market. Good quality modular options for shooters on a budget can only be a good thing, making the AR-10 platform more accessible.

Maxim Defense has upgraded their suppressor line along with their ammunition line to include a .22lr suppressor and frangible ammo in 5.56mm and 9mm. This is a natural progression of their product line that already includes suppressors and other ammunition offerings.

Maxim Defense DRF:22 Suppressor

The Maxim Defense DRF suppressor is specifically designed to minimize the increase in cyclic rate and gas blowback of a suppressed weapon system. Primary design features include the significant reduction of sound signature, decreasing flash signature, reduction of recoil, and increasing accuracy.

The DRF:22 Suppressor sports the state-of-the-art MonoKore design that Maxim uses in their other suppressors, complete with the carbon-cutting tube cleaners in the design. The suppressor is a three-piece assembly made of military-grade materials and construction that can be disassembled using common tools.

Light-weight and ideal for pistols, the DRF:22 suppressor is rated for .22LR, .22MAG, and .17HMR loads. It adds only 5.4” to the end of the host weapon, all under 4 ounces. Maxim states that the DRF has no detectable first-round pop and drops sound levels to well below hearing safe levels with a specific reduction based on caliber, host weapon, and weather conditions. Maxim’s average measurement per MILSTD-1474D of 114 dB average with Gemtech subsonic ammunition and 123dB with CCI Minimag ammunition.

According to Maxim, the DRF:22 suppressor decreases flash and recoil and increases accuracy. The suppressor has an MSRP of $439.95.

DRF:22 Suppressor Specs

• Calibers: .22LR, .22MAG, .17HMR
• Color: Black
• Materials: 7075-T6 Aluminum and 6Al-4V Titanium
• Diameter: 1.0” [25.4mm] outer diameter
• Weight: 3.5 oz [99.2g]
• Length: 5.9” [149.9mm]
• Finish: Type III MIL-SPEC hard coat anodizing, DLC
• Thread Pitch: ½-28
• Direct thread, Rimfire suppressor

Maxim Ammunition Frangible Ammunition

Newly released for 2022, the Maxim Ammunition Frangible Ammo has been specifically designed with home defense and tactical training in mind. It is compatible for use with their newly released suppressors.

The Maxim frangible ammo is some of the most consistent and accurate in the industry, according to Maxim. Frangible ammo is said to reduce the chance of ricochet and over-penetration and supposedly reduced unintended injury in both training and in-the-field situations. Loaded at Red Mountain Arsenal, LLC, this ammunition is green compliant and safe for use in California.

Specs:

• Calibers: 9mm (9x19mm), 5.56x45mm
• Projectile Type: Frangible
• Projectile Weight: 9mm: 90gr, 5.56: 40gr
• Cartridge Overall Length: 9mm: 1.139”, 5.56: 2.24”
• Nominal Muzzle Velocity (MO): 9mm: 1308 ft/s, 5.56: 3380ft/s

Taurus, the manufacturer of handguns for defense, hunting, and sport shooting, has upgraded its offers to include the first factory custom variant of the G3 9mm defensive handgun. The G3 Tactical pistol comes ready for duty with design features that accept key user-installed aftermarket upgrades.

The Taurus G3 Tactical is a full-size polymer striker-fired pistol that visually sets itself apart from the standard Taurus G3 with its receiver in Magpul FDE and the slide complemented with an element-resistant Patriot Brown Cerakote finish. Offered in either 17- or 10-round magazine configurations, the Taurus G3 Tactical delivers the same ergonomic performance and reliable operation that has made the Taurus G3 handgun a reported leader in the personal defense handgun category.

Understanding that confidence in equipment equates to confident performance in the field, Taurus engineers equipped the G3 Tactical to allow the modern-day personal defense practitioner to build their firearm “their way.”

Optic-Ready Slide

The precision alloy steel slide features the innovative Taurus Optic Ready Option (T.O.R.O.), with interchangeable optic mounting plates to allow easy installation of the most common red dot optics on the market. Compatible mounting patterns include Docter, Venom, FastFire (plate 1), Trijicon RMR, Holosun 407c/507c (plate 2), C-More STS2 (plate 3), and Leupold Deltapoint Pro (plate 4).

Threaded Barrel

With the growing use of suppressors and aftermarket compensators, the Taurus G3 Tactical also comes with a factory-threaded 1/2×28 DLC-coated barrel. The Diamond-Like Coating’s reduced friction coefficient ensures smooth operation and increased durability. Installation of a custom muzzle device or suppressor is simple, and a thread protector is included for use when the barrel is run “bare.”

Backup Sighting Solution

To accommodate the use of a suppressor or optic, the Taurus G3 Tactical comes with tall co-witness open sights. These offer a clear sight picture when used in combination with most suppressors and aftermarket muzzle devices and provide the much-needed backup sighting solution for use with a red dot optic.

Pic Rail

Additional features of the Taurus G3 Tactical include a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail to mount a tactical light or laser and a loaded chamber indicator for visual verification if a cartridge is loaded in the chamber. The pistol also comes with a re-strike capability. In the event of a failure-to-fire condition, the shooter can pull the trigger again to re-strike the primer. The manual safety is eliminated to ensure a snag-free deployment and quick engagement in a stressful defense situation.

Trigger

Assisting in more accurate shot placement and trigger control is the G-Series trigger. This is a two-stage trigger system noted for its light uptake to “the wall” followed by a crisp break. The trigger is further enhanced by a short reset for faster target re-engagement.

A custom soft case is also included with the G3 Tactical for storage and protection while transporting to the range. MSRP for both the 17- and 10-round Taurus G3 Tactical models is $582.98.

Taurus G3 Tactical Specifications

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 17 or 10 rounds
• Magazines: 2×17 or 2×10
• Firing System: striker
• Action Type: SA w/re-strike
• Front Sight: fixed
• Rear Sight: drift adjustable
• Safety: striker block, trigger safety, visual loaded chamber indicator
• Frame Size: full size
• Grip Material: polymer
• Slide Material: alloy steel
• Slide Finish: Cerakote Patriot Brown
• Barrel Length: 4.5 in.
• Overall Length: 7.76 in.
• Overall Width: 1.20 in.
• Overall Height: 5.38 in.
• Included: custom soft case, threaded muzzle protector

FN’s popular line of tactical pistols includes the FN 509 Midsize Tactical pistol. The pistol is red-dot and suppressor ready with a capacity of 15 rounds. And, as a mid-sized handgun, it offers benefits that come with a full-sized slide and medium-sized frame.

Here’s what the company had to say about it:

FN America, LLC is pleased to introduce the FN 509 Midsize Tactical. Joining the ranks alongside FN’s other successful Tactical pistols like the FN 509 Tactical and Compact Tactical, the FN 509 Midsize Tactical is the ideal combination of FN’s full-size tactical slide. Equipped with the versatile Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System and midsize grip frame, the FN 509 Midsize Tactical is a perfectly balanced pistol that’s optics-ready, multi-role capable, and optimized for shootability.

“Building on the success of both the FN 509 Tactical and the FN 509 Midsize, our team combined the best features of both pistols into the FN 509 Midsize Tactical,” said Chris Cole, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC. “The 15-round grip frame with the optics-ready tactical slide assembly offers our customers another strong contender for concealed carry and personal protection in the FN 509 family.”

Weighing in at just under 30 ounces unloaded, the gun positions itself as an ideal option for concealed carry, home defense, and duty use. Its midsize frame, which enables users to get a full-hand purchase, plus the added mass of the 4.5-inch threaded barrel assembly and improved, duty-rated trigger provide unprecedented controllability and recoil management in a pistol that is easily concealed.

“FN is well known for setting the industry standard for tactical pistols starting with the FNX-45 Tactical. Features like a threaded barrel, suppressor-height night sights, extended capacity and most importantly, optics-ready,” said Chris Johnson, Senior Pistol Product Manager for FN America, LLC. “The FN 509 Midsize Tactical delivers all of those tactical features that FN customers expect in a package that is perfectly proportioned for everyday carry and much more.”

FN509 Midsize Tactical Pistol Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Operation: Double-action
• Mag Capacity: 10 or 15/24 round
• Weight: 27.9 oz.
• Barrel Length: 4.5″
• Overall Length: 7.9″
• Twist Rate: 1:10″ RH
• Height: 5.2″
• Width: 1.35″
• Trigger Pull: 4.5 – 6.7 lb
• Sight Radius: 5.8″

The Midsize Tactical frame features a 15-round standard magazine with an option to run the included 24-round FN 509 magazines, providing increased capacity while the 4.5-inch threaded barrel is cold hammer-forged and suppressor-ready with 1/2×28-inch thread pitch, all housed within a 4-inch slide. The slide is cut for FN’s patented Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System, compatible with more than ten miniature red dot optics. Three-dot Trijicon green Tritium night sights are suppressor-height to co-witness with any compatible optic.

The FN 509 Tactical pistol has fully ambidextrous controls including the slide stop lever and magazine release. The package ships with two interchangeable backstraps, magazines, a manual, a locking device, and a logoed soft pistol case.

Available in both matte black and FN-signature flat dark earth (FDE), the MSRP for the FN 509 Midsize Tactical pistol is $1,069.

If you’re interested in expanding your gun collection to include a revolver, you’re in luck. The 856 Executive Grade revolver, chambered in 38 Special +P, is designed as a high-end addition to the Taurus firearms line. The original 856 will remain available, but the Executive Grade variant promises to be popular due to its many features, both for use and aesthetics.

The Taurus 856 Executive Grade has a stainless steel frame with a hand-polished satin finish. Its overall height is 4.80 inches and overall length is 7.5 inches; it is possible to conceal this revolver if desired. The gun has a 6-round capacity and is chambered in 38 Special +P, so users have the option of using overpressure rounds. Each revolver ships in a Pelican hard case. These are double-action-only guns with concealed hammers.

Taurus made the following statement regarding their 856 Executive Grade revolver:

For years, the 856 has been the go-to favorite for revolver fans looking for a dependable EDC handgun, thanks to its small frame, smooth operation, and easy-to-conceal profile. The 856 Executive Grade takes that same winning performance and elevates it with several appearance and performance modifications applied in its own production room at the state-of-the-art Taurus manufacturing facility in Bainbridge, Georgia.

The 856 Executive Grade features all-stainless-steel construction with an exquisite hand-polished satin finish. The combination exceeds mere aesthetics. The stainless steel’s natural corrosion resistance combined with the silky finish delivers a more comfortable feel in the hand, easier clean up and maintenance, and a smoother draw through leather and clothing. Even the premium Altamont walnut grip provides improved function as well as form. The checkered panels and intelligently contoured profile ensure positive handgun retention and control in stressful conditions and comfortably manages .38 Special +P defense cartridges for fast sight picture reacquisition.

Loading those defense cartridges is quicker and more precise thanks to the 856 Executive Grade’s smooth and chamfered cylinder chambers. By slightly radiusing the chamber edge, cartridges slip easily into the cylinder by preventing the case mouths from “tripping” on the chamber edge. This is an especially welcome feature when manually reloading or when using a speed loader under duress.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Taurus
• Model: 856 Executive Grade
• Caliber: .38 Special +P
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Action Type: double action only
• Firing System: hammer, concealed
• Front Sight: serrated, removable
• Rear Sight: fixed
• Grip: Altamont walnut checkered
• Frame Size: small
• Barrel Length: 3.0 in.
• Overall Length: 7.5 in.
• Overall Height: 4.80 in.
• Overall Width: 1.41 in.
• Weight: 25 oz.
• Frame, Barrel, Cylinder Material: stainless steel
• Metal Finish: hand-polished satin
• Included: Pelican™ Vault hard case
• MSRP: $689.00

Revolvers the size of the Taurus 856 Executive Grade are a solid option for concealed carry purposes. If capacity is what’s stopping you, remember it’s possible to add a speedloader to your carry setup.

Do you carry a revolver for self-defense purposes? Tell us about it in the comments section below.