Firearm ammunition has been a fundamental component of both the evolution of firearms and the progression of military, law enforcement, and civilian practices throughout history.
A Summary History of Firearm Ammunition
Firearms History
Today is Thursday, February 12, 2026 
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Updated Illustrated Enfield Book as Matchless as the Rifle
“‘The Matchless Enfield’ tells the story of the No. 4 sniper rifle and how it was developed and used,”…
John Snyder: The Fighter Who Helped Build Today’s Gun-Rights Movement
When you read David B. Kopel’s remarkable oral-history interview of John Snyder, you’re not just looking back at one man’s career—you’re looking at the blueprint for the modern gun-rights movement. Kopel’s work gives Snyder the deep, serious treatment he deserves,…
Help Solve a Real-Life Mystery: $50,000 Reward Offered to Find Col. Lutz’s Lost 1911 ~ VIDEO
Palmetto State Armory is calling on patriots, collectors, and history buffs alike to help solve a powerful mystery—and there’s a $50,000 reward on the table for the person who finds the missing piece.
American Gun Culture: Be Rich, Be Frank
Here is an inspiring hunting and gun-collecting story. It is a slice of the American gun culture you seldom see in the old media. Be Rich, Be Frank!
Bullpup Rifles, A Long Strange Trip It’s Been ~ VIDEO
The term Bullpup was first used to describe embellished target pistols, so I’m not sure how, nor when, it first came to describe this particular design for rifles.
Trump DOJ Seizes Ultra-Rare Springfield Armory Rifle Missing Since 1980s ~ VIDEO
One of the rarest U.S. military carbines ever made has come home — and the feds are making it clear that even decades-old thefts of historic guns won’t be left to collect dust.
U.S. Second Amendment: Means ALL Weapons & ZERO Infringements ~ VIDEO
Our Founders wrote the 2A in terms of their time which was well understood, even by those who could not read. “Everyone has the right to own, and all carry weapons, and this right is not to be infringed.”
From Maxim to Modern Warfare: The Evolution of Machineguns ~ VIDEO
By the time I was involved in active fighting in Vietnam in 1968, the “heavy” infantry machineguns of World War fame were all gone. My unit (USMC Infantry) was equipped with the open-bolt, gas-operated, belt-fed M60 machine guns.
Handgun Innovation: Browning Hi-Powers Pistols & Their Variants
Post-WWII, the Browning Hi-Power went on to be enormously popular, both in Western Europe and America, right up to the present day, when several companies now manufacture it.
The M1911 & .45 ACP Bullet: 1 Of The Most Iconic & Enduring Combinations In The World Of Firearms
The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge, one of the most iconic and enduring rounds in the world of firearms, has a history that stretches back over a century.
.32 ACP Bullet & the Rim Lock Issue
Despite being a ‘pocket’ caliber, the .32 ACP ammunition round faces technical challenges, notably ‘rim lock,’ a malfunction unique to some pistols chambered for it.
The “Come and Take It” Cannon Flag: A Symbol of American Defiance ~ VIDEOS
The “Come and Take It” cannon flag is a living symbol of defiance, a reminder of the struggle for self-determination and the right to bear arms—a cause that continues to inspire and unite individuals across the nation.
The Militia & the Army in American Constitutional Law ~ DEEP DIVE
A militia that is deeply rooted in the civilian population serves as a check on the professional military and aligns with the constitutional goal of a free, self-governing populace.
Rediscovering the Second Amendment: A Call to Arms for Common Defense ~ DEEP DIVE
Both sides miss the historical truth: the right to bear arms was always meant to be broader than just personal safety or state-run militias.
Evolution of Machine Guns: A Historical Perspective by David Kopel ~ VIDEO
There were fewer than 100,000 registered machine guns in 1986, today that number exceeds 700,000—highlighting the ongoing militarization of law enforcement….
From Red Coats to Camouflage: Fascinating Military Tidbits Across History
Today, Croatia enjoys a stellar reputation for manufacturing high-quality military weapons, like the VHS2, which is currently imported into the USA as the Springfield Armory Hellion Bullpup.
Oldest Firearm in U.S. Unearthed in Arizona: A 500-Year-Old Cannon Tied to Coronado’s Expedition
Archaeologists in Arizona have made a groundbreaking discovery—a 500-year-old bronze cannon, marking it as the oldest known firearm in the continental United States.
Cimarron Firearms Honors the Legendary Life of Phil Spangenberger ~ VIDEO
The passing of Phillip Howard Spangenberger was a blow to the cowboy action shooting & cowboy mounted shooting community, and the firearms media family.
19th Century Views on the 2nd Amendment: Perspectives from Legal & Educational Texts
Texts from the 19th century collectively reinforce the idea that the right to bear arms was widely understood as an individual right necessary for safeguarding against government overreach.
Dangers of Misrepresenting History: Malcolm Gladwell, Sir John Knight, & the 2nd Amendment
Gladwell’s narrative embellishes the facts, making it seem as if Knight’s case was a key driver of legal thought around the Second Amendment when, in reality, the case played a much smaller role in shaping English and American law
Antique Pistols Stolen from Australian Firearms Museum
Thieves broke into the famous Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum, in Lithgow, Australia, on August 25, 2024. It was a smash and grab.
The Winchester 1866 Short Rifle: the Gun That Helped Tame the Frontier
While Winchester rifles are often credited with ‘winning the West,’ identifying the specific models that played the most pivotal roles, such as the Winchester 1866 Short Rifle, remains a topic of ongoing debate
America: 10 Firearms That Shaped Our Nation ~ VIDEO
Hornady Manufacturing explores ten iconic firearms that not only left a mark on the battlefield but also on the national psyche, shaping the country’s narrative in profound ways.
History in a Handgun: William Tecumseh Sherman’s Smith & Wesson No. 2
Sometimes a handgun can impart the resonances of a bygone era, giving a hands-on impression of the past. In the NRA National Firearms Museum collection are many such historical pieces…
A Short Historical Recap: Arms Race, in Europe & the USA
Prussian soldiers annihilated muzzle-loader-equipped Danish during the 2nd Schleswig War. A frantic arms race was to continue well into the 21st Century.
Old-Timey Gun Ads Just Hit Different
Richmond Auctions’ upcoming sale on November 18 features more than 170 different lots filled with all kinds of these ads.
Maxim Silencers – Popular Tools in 20th Century Slaughterhouses
Maxim silencers kept animals coming up the line from becoming agitated and protected workers’ hearing. They were an effective industrial tool for decades of American history.
Earliest European Cannon Found Off Coast of Sweden
The earliest known example of a European cannon has been found off the coast of Sweden. Carbon dating has placed it between 1285 and 1399.
The Native American Trade Gun, the Most Important Gun In U.S. History?
The flintlock, smoothbore guns that were traded to Native Americans helped start the industry that lasted for a couple of centuries and led the expansion west to open new territory.