We have a lot going on so you may want to either use the categories list in the left navigation bar to go to certain areas, use search in the upper right or look at the list below of posts from the newest to oldest. Click here for our dedicated data and analytics reports section.
| Please note that the search engine and AI companies are notoriously liberal. The search engines, such as Google, are returning AI-generated answer snippets that people read and never go to the page the AI-tool got the info from. So, please share our reports with your friends, colleague, on firearm boards you frequent, etc. Also, please consider helping donate to offset the costs of these reports because the traditional ad model is breaking down due to these tools answering questions without people ever visiting the source website. Click here for more info on helping to support the blog. |
Would you like to be notified by email when new reports publish? There is a small subscription form in the top of the left navigation bar.
- An Analysis of the Differences Between Economy and Professional Rifle Scopes August 25, 2025The price of a rifle scope is not an arbitrary figure but a direct reflection of a complex matrix of engineering decisions, material science, manufacturing precision, and rigorous quality control. To the uninitiated, the chasm between a $150 hobbyist optic and a $4,000 professional instrument appears inexplicable. However, a rifle scope is a system of ...
- An Analysis of the Evolution of Chinese Special Operations Forces August 24, 2025The modern Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are not a recent invention but the culmination of a long and evolutionary process rooted in the PLA’s foundational identity. The force’s origins as a guerrilla army instilled a deep-seated appreciation for the principles of infiltration, small-unit autonomy, and asymmetric tactics, which serve ...
- From Sword and Shield to Scalpel and Algorithm: The Evolution of Russian Special Designation Forces August 24, 2025The evolutionary trajectory of Russian special forces is a complex narrative defined by a persistent, foundational dichotomy. From their inception in the crucible of the Bolshevik Revolution, two distinct lineages of “special purpose” units emerged and developed in parallel: one rooted in the state’s internal security apparatus and the other in the military’s external intelligence ...
- Save Up to 80% on Premium Optics that are Demos, Used, Blemished, or Refurbished at EuroOptic August 23, 2025Yes, this is a blatant ad because I need to pay my monthly analytics tools bills and it’s an ongoing sale at EuroOptic that you can check at any time for some amazing deals on premium glass. Right now, EuroOptic is offering one of the best-kept secrets for savvy shooters: incredible savings of up to 80% ...
- Overmatch vs. Mass: A Comparative Analysis of U.S. and Russian Small Arms Adoption Lifecycles August 23, 2025This report provides an exhaustive comparative analysis of the small arms adoption lifecycles of the United States and the Russian Federation, examining the entire process from the identification of a military need to final field deployment. The analysis reveals two fundamentally divergent philosophies rooted in distinct strategic cultures, industrial models, and historical experiences. The United ...
- The 2025 U.S. Small Arms Optics Market: A Report on Manufacturing, Product Lines, and Market Sentiment August 23, 2025The United States consumer market for small arms optics represents a highly sophisticated and competitive landscape, defined by complex global supply chains, intense brand rivalries, and a discerning customer base whose demands shape the trajectory of product development and market positioning. The sector is characterized by a fundamental tension between established, legacy brands that emphasize ...
- 9mm Luger / 9x19mm NATO Self-Defense Ammunition: A Comprehensive Market and Performance Sentiment Analysis August 22, 2025The 9x19mm Parabellum self-defense ammunition market in the United States is a mature and highly competitive landscape dominated by a handful of established manufacturers. Brands such as Federal and Speer have achieved market supremacy through decades of proven performance and widespread adoption by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This institutional trust has translated ...
- Small Arms of the People’s Republic of China: A Technical and Strategic Assessment August 22, 2025The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People’s Republic of China is currently executing the most comprehensive and technologically ambitious small arms modernization program in its history. This transformation is centered on the system-wide adoption of the QBZ-191 modular weapon family, a development that signifies a profound strategic and doctrinal evolution. The prevailing trend is ...
- Convergence and Collision: A Comparative Analysis of U.S. and Chinese Military Philosophies in the 21st Century August 22, 2025The strategic competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China is the defining geopolitical dynamic of the 21st century, and at its core lies a fundamental divergence in military philosophy, doctrine, and strategic posture. This report provides a comparative analysis of these competing military worldviews. The United States continues to operate under ...
- Analysis of Top 10 Service Pistols in U.S. Law Enforcement: A Data-Driven Industry Report August 22, 2025This report provides a data-driven analysis of the top 10 semi-automatic pistols currently in service with United States law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. The modern law enforcement sidearm is a critical component of an officer’s equipment, and procurement decisions by agencies are influenced by a complex matrix of factors including ...
- The AK-200 Series: A Pragmatic Evolution of the Kalashnikov Platform August 21, 2025The Kalashnikov AK-200 series of assault rifles represents not a revolutionary leap in small arms design, but rather a critical and pragmatic evolution of one of the world’s most iconic firearm platforms. In the landscape of 21st-century warfare, the core principles of the original Kalashnikov design—unflinching reliability, simplicity of operation, and ease of mass production—remain ...
- Value & Performance in the Modern Optics Market: An Analytical Report on Overlooked Gems for the Discerning Firearms Buyer August 20, 2025This report provides an in-depth analysis of the contemporary firearms optics market, with a specific focus on identifying brands and product lines that deliver exceptional value across four distinct buyer profiles. The market is undergoing a significant transformation, as challenger brands leverage globalized manufacturing and rapid feature innovation to compete directly with established premium names. ...
- Forged in the Bloc: An Analysis of the Adoption and Evolution of the Bulgarian Kalashnikov August 19, 2025The Kalashnikov assault rifle, more commonly known as the AK-47, represents one of the most significant and prolific small arms designs of the 20th century. Its global proliferation is a testament to its rugged simplicity, reliability, and ease of manufacture. While its origins are Soviet, the story of the Kalashnikov is incomplete without examining the ...
- An Industry Post-Mortem: Strategic Lessons from 20 Defunct Small Arms Manufacturers August 18, 2025The global small arms industry, a sector defined by intense competition, cyclical market dynamics, and significant regulatory pressure, offers a fertile ground for studying corporate failure. This report conducts a detailed post-mortem analysis of 20 defunct firearms manufacturers to distill actionable strategic lessons for modern industry stakeholders. The findings reveal that while external shocks—such as ...
- Armscor of the Philippines: An Analytical History of a Global Arms Manufacturer August 17, 2025Armscor Global Defense, Inc. (AGDI) represents one of the most compelling and often underestimated success stories in the modern small arms industry. From its origins as a modest mercantile establishment in the early 20th-century Philippines, it has evolved into a transnational manufacturing powerhouse, recognized globally as the world’s largest producer of 1911-pattern pistols.1 The company’s ...
- Beneath the Brands: An In-Depth Analysis of the World’s Top 25 Firearms Optics Manufacturers August 17, 2025The modern consumer of firearms optics is presented with a seemingly vast and diverse marketplace. Dozens of brands, from household names with a century of history to agile newcomers, compete for market share across every price point. This proliferation of choice, however, is largely an illusion. Beneath the surface of distinct branding, marketing campaigns, and ...
- The U.S. Commercial 9mm Ammunition Market: A Comprehensive Performance and Sentiment Analysis August 17, 2025The 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge remains the undisputed leader in the U.S. commercial centerfire pistol ammunition market, a position solidified by its inherent balance of manageable recoil, sufficient terminal performance, high platform capacity, and cost-effectiveness.1 This report presents a comprehensive sentiment and performance analysis of the top 50 commercial loads available to the U.S. consumer. The ...
- WBP Poland: An Industry Analysis of a Modern Kalashnikov Powerhouse August 16, 2025Wytwórnia Broni Jacek Popiński (WBP), a privately-owned Polish firearms manufacturer, has rapidly established itself as a dominant force in the U.S. market for imported Kalashnikov-pattern rifles. Occupying a strategic position in the premium mid-tier segment, WBP has cultivated a formidable reputation for producing firearms that exhibit exceptional quality, fit, and finish, often exceeding the standards ...
- A Tale of Two Russian Arsenals: An Industry Analysis of Kalashnikov Concern and Molot-Oruzhie August 15, 2025This report provides an in-depth analysis of two of Russia’s most significant small arms manufacturers: JSC Kalashnikov Concern and Molot-Oruzhie OOO. While both are rooted in the Soviet arms production system and are globally recognized for their Kalashnikov-pattern firearms, they represent divergent models of the modern Russian defense industry. Kalashnikov Concern stands as the flagship of ...
- The Digital Armory: A Consumer’s Guide to the Top 50 U.S. Online Firearms Retailers August 14, 2025The market for firearms, ammunition, and accessories has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from the local gun store counter to the vast, complex digital marketplace. This evolution has empowered consumers with unprecedented choice and access to competitive pricing. However, it has also created a bewildering landscape of hundreds of online vendors, each vying for attention. ...