The MBA GyroJet pistols are unique and one of the most unconventional firearms ever produced. The guns were developed in the 1960s by Robert Mainhardt and Art Biehl through their joint company MB Associates.
The GyroJet pistol fires small rockets or “microjets” that utilize rocket propulsion to fire its rounds rather ... Read more
The Manurhin MR73 series of revolvers was developed specifically for the requirements of the French Gendarmerie and special service units of the French Police and Military. With a history and tradition of fine gun making behind them, the Manurhin series of Revolvers is truly world-class.
The Manurhin MR73 is one of ... Read more
At the time of its invention more than 80 years ago, the PPK inspired an entirely new category in the firearm industry: the concealed carry pistol. To fill the need for performance in a concealable package, Walther revolutionized the industry with a pistol that was designed to bring undercover officers ... Read more
The American made AR-15 rifle is a pillar of the gun industry, it is one of the most popular rifles for consumers and lodged into American culture as a symbol of freedom and prestige. The AR-15 was developed in the late 1950s as a civilian weapon by Eugene Stoner. Revolutionary ... Read more
ArmaLite produced a variety of cutting-edge firearms during the late 1950s and early 60s. Many are still in use to this day, including the military M-16, its M4 sibling currently fielded by American troops and the commercial AR-15.
However, in some ways, ArmaLite’s lesser-known AR-18/180 was ahead of its time. The ... Read more
Thanks to its loyal following among target shooters, the AR-15 is a pillar of the gun industry, one of the most popular rifles for consumers and lodged into American culture. The AR-15 was developed in the late 1950s as a civilian weapon by Eugene Stoner. Revolutionary for its lightweight, easy ... Read more
By James Martineau,
Among the panoply of firearms manufacturers behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War Era was Zastava. Zastava Arms is known as a Serbian arms manufacturer that supplied arms to the Yugoslav government during the Cold War. Today, Zastava makes rifles for not only military and Law Enforcement ... Read more
The Robinson Armament M96 Expeditionary Semi-Automatic Rifle uses a variety of modular components, it can be configured as an assault rifle, carbine, top-fed light machine gun, belt-fed rifle that is a reproduction of the Stoner 63 rifle designed by Eugene Stoner in the early 1960s. Original Stoner rifles saw very ... Read more
The Fusil Automatique Léger or commonly known as the FAL, produced initially by manufacturer FN, is a battle rifle that many NATO countries adopted during the Cold War. The FAL has been described as the “Right Arm of the Free World,” and has been adopted by more than 90 nations ... Read more
The AK-47, infamous as the preferred rifle of American adversaries, is considered the “bad guy” gun across pop culture and perhaps one of the most widespread rifles throughout the world. Carried by American enemies and allies alike since 1947, it is the standard infantry weapon for militaries in more than ... Read more
When Germany fell into economic depression after World War I its military searched to replace the infamous, relatively fragile and expensive to manufacture Luger with a more modern and easy to manufacture pistol. It found its solution in what would eventually become the Walther P.38. The P.38 was a cutting ... Read more
By James Martineau,
Born from the ashes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, firearms manufacturing in the Czech Republic has established a standard of excellence few other nations can match. While notably led by Česká Zbrojovka, other manufacturers such as Czech Small Arms, Laugo Arms and FK BRNO have made outstanding firearms in ... Read more
By James Martineau,
The interwar period in the Soviet Union saw the rapid modernization of the Soviet military’s small arms. The Nagant 1895 and the Mosin-Nagant M91/30 were quickly becoming obsolete as military firearms. A new rifle and sidearm were necessary to bring the Red Army in line with its European ... Read more
By James Martineau,
In the 1950s the debate over the caliber that should be used in NATO was settled with the selection of the 7.62x51mm round. Italy, eager to catch up with other NATO nations, developed the BM59, a worthy battle rifle of the Cold War era. This rifle began production ... Read more
By James Martineau,
With the fall of the Third Reich in 1945, Czechoslovakia found itself under the influence of the Soviet Union. The Czech state firearms manufacture, Česká Zbrojovka (CZ) found itself being regulated by the Soviet Union. Much like the standardization of rounds in NATO, the Soviet Union standardized its ... Read more
By James Martineau,
When one thinks of semi-automatic sidearms used by the Soviet Union and its allies, the Tokarev TT-33most often comes to mind. This pistol was developed to accept the 7.62x25mm cartridge based on the German Mauser round. Czechoslovakia, as part of the Warsaw Pact was obliged to develop the ... Read more
By James Martinreau,
The experiences of the Vietnam War had a profound effect on the transition of the standard rifle cartridge in NATO from 7.62x51mm to 5.56x45mm. It was found that the M14 was too cumbersome and had unmanageable recoil when fired in the full auto mode. This combined ... Read more
