Franchi’s new MULE (short for Momentum Utility Lite Elite) isn’t chasing trends (it’s just chasing acronyms). It’s built to be a practical, do‑everything rifle that makes sense in states with semi‑auto restrictions, works as a defensive long gun, and still feels at home riding in a truck or hunting across the back forty. It’s a modern interpretation of an old idea: one rifle that earns its keep. Built for Utility, Not the Safe The MULE is compact and purposeful. A 16.25‑inch, suppressor‑ready barrel keeps the rifle short and maneuverable while still offering practical ballistic performance in .223 Remington and .308…

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that “In just a few days, the world will move to a more dangerous state, compared to what we had so far.” Peskov is referring to a key nuclear reduction treaty between Russia and the United States that expires on February 5th. Peskov added that if the U.S. rejects the extension, “it would be very bad for the safety of the world, for strategic security,” he added. The New START treaty, which limits the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals, will expire on Thursday. Peskov reiterated Russia’s offer to extend the deal for another year during…

When you hear the phrase “national park,” I generally imagine towering mountains, pristine lakes, and stunning landscapes, all with miles of hiking trails. A downtown block with paved walking paths and views of skyscrapers doesn’t come to mind. And yet, that’s precisely what comprises America’s smallest (and, in my opinion, most absurd) national park: Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Mo. I’ve lived in St. Louis for nearly a decade, and the fact that the Arch is a national park has always struck me as strange and somewhat ridiculous. The area is small and unimpressive, and isn’t naturally beautiful…

In recent years, gun control advocates have begun targeting gun sellers as well as gun buyers, imposing state licensing mandates that come with a number of costly security and reporting mandates. In New Mexico, lawmakers have paired a ban on semi-automatic long guns with a “gun dealer accountability” measure, while Virginia Democrats have introduced standalone legislation that, among other things, requires FFLs to film and record “video footage inside and outside buildings where firearms are stored.”  A similar provision took effect in California in 2024, requiring all gun store owners to record both video and…

At SHOT Show 2026, Henry Repeating Arms showed that even a classic can evolve without losing the plot. Henry’s rimfire lineup still revolves around the H1 .22 lever action, the company’s original bread-and-butter rifle. But instead of reinventing it, Henry took a modular approach: build new parts, mix and match configurations, and see what shooters actually gravitate toward. Waiting on pricing to be published on the Henry Repeating Arms website. The standout is the X Model .22, which borrows heavily from Henry’s centerfire X Model playbook and applies it to rimfire for the first time. Available in .22 LR and…

Earlier this year, I tested the new Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 scope with a Ruger American Predator 18″ .308 rifle and premium ammunition, including the Barnes 130 grain TTSX. This past deer season put that setup to the test, and it delivered admirably. What started as careful preparation and range work culminated in a successful harvest of a mature 8-point buck, proving just how well modern solid-copper bullet technology performs when it matters most. A Quick Recap of the Rifle Setup For those who might have missed the initial review, here’s the rifle setup I was testing: Ruger American Predator…