In this video by my friend Ivan, he looks at carbine barrels from 13.7″ to 16″ to determine the best barrel length. Specifically, he examines what is gained or lost by deviating from the non-NFA 16″ barrel length.
Learn more at kitbadger.com/13-7-to-16-the-best-barrel-length.
MURFREESBORO, TN — Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. is proud to announce that the Marine Corps Systems Command has achieved Fully Operational Capability (FOC) for the MRAD® MK 22 Mod 0 Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) a year ahead of schedule.
A U.S. Marine fires a MK 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle during a new equipment training range on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. (Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild)
The MK 22 represents the culmination of Barrett’s dedication to innovation and collaboration with the Department of Defense. Originally developed through a Special Operations Command contract, the MK 22 transitioned to the Marine Corps via the “Special Operations Forces (SOF) to service” process, with contracting led by the U.S. Army. This seamless interservice cooperation enabled the Marine Corps to achieve FOC a full year ahead of schedule, delivering critical capability enhancements to warfighters sooner.
“The MK 22 isn’t just another rifle; it’s a modular, mission-adaptable system that empowers the warfighter with unmatched precision and flexibility,” said Bryan James, CEO of Barrett. “We’re honored to contribute to this pivotal modernization effort for the U.S. Military and Marine Corps, and to support our nation’s elite forces.”
The MK 22 offers unparalleled versatility, with caliber conversion kits allowing for seamless transitions between 7.62mm, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum. This adaptability enhances the ability to engage targets with precision at extended ranges. Paired with the state-of-the-art M317 Precision Day Optic – a variable power optic providing a 7-35x magnification – the MK 22 delivers a significant leap forward in capability over legacy sniper systems.
Barrett designed the MK 22 to be a complete system, providing soldiers with an integrated solution tailored for operational efficiency. Each rifle kit includes three barrels, a hard and soft carrying case, 15 magazines, a cleaning and tool kit, a sound suppressor, optic with scope mount, and mission-specific components such as a scout sniper tripod kit and anti-reflection device.
“The MK 22 consolidates what was previously two rifles into a single platform, lightening the Marine’s load while improving logistical efficiency,” Mr. James said. “The ability to conduct caliber conversions in the field ensures that Marines are equipped for any mission, anytime, anywhere.”
Another key advantage of the MK 22 is its sustainability. Maintenance is streamlined, with most repairs now performed at the organizational level. In the rare event of a barrel failure, the rifle can quickly be reconfigured to a different caliber, ensuring continuous operational readiness – an improvement that was unattainable with previous systems.
“At Barrett Firearms, we are committed to equipping our armed forces with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing battlefield,” Mr. James said. “The MK 22 Mod 0 Advanced Sniper Rifle exemplifies our dedication to precision, innovation, and mission success. As the Marine Corps ushers in this new era of sniper capabilities, Barrett stands ready to support their efforts and the future fight.”
The 10th Mountain Division (LI) hosted Summit Strike 2024, Nov. 19-21, with the intent to seamlessly integrate fires; intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR); and multi-domain operations (MDO) assets by partnering with other countries, military branches, and multiple industry partners to defeat adversaries, while showcasing Fort Drum as the premier training and force development hub in the Northeast.
“It is our sacred obligation to fight and win our nation’s wars,” said Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander. “Summit Strike provides the 10th Mountain Division the opportunity to hone the skills our warfighters need to accomplish this. Through this multi-domain training exercise, we are able to learn, refine requirements, and develop innovative solutions to fight a near-peer enemy with successive iterations of live, multi-domain training.”
“This type of training, partnered with facility improvements, deepening institutional knowledge from our deployments, and ever-strengthening partnerships in the region, positions the division to continue leading transformation initiatives to build warfighting readiness,” he added.
The exercise involved live-fire training, with emitters simulating enemy artillery and weapon systems placed throughout the Fort Drum training area. The Joint Air Ground Integration Center (JAGIC), then coordinated attacks on these targets using various weapon systems, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), AH-64 Apache helicopters, A-10 Warthogs, and Mobile-Low, Slow, Small-Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat Systems (M-LIDS).
Summit Strike ’24 validated the division’s ability to integrate surface-to-surface, rotary-wing, and fixed-wing weapon systems, enhancing its lethality. The exercise also incorporated emerging military electronic systems technology to build resilient kill webs.
“Here, in these types of exercises, replicating real-world, large-scale combat operations, we are coordinating, synchronizing, and employing effects both lethal and non-lethal,” said Maj. Mark Smerka, 10th Mountain Division Artillery operations officer.
Owners of an 80-year-old legacy, born in the battle of Riva Ridge in Italy, the 10th Mountain Division remains at the forefront of modern warfare. The division is dedicated to adapting to the ever-evolving battlefield, embracing innovation, and staying ahead of potential threats, in line with the unit’s history as they face the future of warfighting.
“The future fight that we’re looking at in a near-peer environment is going to be bigger, faster, require more assets and more technology than we’ve been using in the past,” said Maj. Sean Thomas, 10th Mountain Division JAGIC chief. “We’re embracing a lot of that in this exercise, testing it out and getting comfortable using it.”
The exercise involved more than 400 service members from Fort Drum, with additional support from both U.S. and international military members. By fostering these partnerships within the Army and Department of Defense, Summit Strike ’24 provided MDO training on Fort Drum and allowed for the development of shared systems to enhance warfighting capabilities.
“We won’t fight alone in any future operation, whether that’s multi-branch or multi-nation,” said Capt. Maddie Crimmins, commander of C Battery, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, located at Fort Liberty, N.C. “Here we are executing multi-platform as well as multi-domain.”
Summit Strike ’24 provided a demonstration of the division’s ability to coordinate and execute an MDO live-fire exercise. The exercise highlighted the unique training opportunities offered by Fort Drum in a low-threat environment for Soldiers to train for MDO threats in a contested environment.
“Summit Strike is really the first of its kind where you have a division creating an MDO environment at home station to make sure we are trained proficiently so that we can win the Army’s future wars,” said Capt. Sean Thorpe, 10th Mountain Division cyberspace and electromagnetic activities officer in charge.
Summit Strike ’24 solidified Fort Drum’s position as the premier training and force development hub in the Northeast, showcasing its ability to integrate emerging technology and systems into range operations. The exercise also highlighted the division’s commitment to partnering with industry to enhance MDO training capabilities at Fort Drum.
“We learned that the 10th Mountain Division is able to conduct multi-domain operations, especially here at home station,” said Maj. Michael Spickard 10th Mountain Division assistant chief of fires, and lead planner for Summit Strike ’24. “We are more prepared in the future to make this exercise grow for Summit Strike ’25.”
By PFC Alyssa Norton, 27th Public Affairs Detachment
Lithuania and Rheinmetall are beginning construction of a modern production plant for 155mm artillery ammunition. The necessary contracts, including a land lease agreement and a supply contract for the procurement of 155mm ammunition, were signed at a ceremony held on 29 November 2024. The Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ms Ingrida Šimonyt?, the Lithuanian Minister for the Economy and Innovation, Ms Aušrin? Armonaite, and the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence, Mr Laurynas Kas?i?nas, attended the event.
With the start of construction in Baisogala, Lithuania is taking a further step towards strengthening its defence sector. A state-of-the-art production facility, including a shell manufacturing and load assembly pack, is being built in the municipality on an area of around 340 hectares. The facility will begin operations from mid-2026 and, once completed, will be able to produce tens of thousands of 155mm calibre artillery shells per year. 180 million euros are invested directly in Lithuania. Around 150 jobs will be created locally. Local companies and the local economy will be integrated into the value chain.
“From day one, the dialogue between the Lithuanian Government and Rheinmetall has been based on a mutual understanding of this project’s necessity and urgency. I am very pleased that today, this cooperation has enabled the beginning of construction of the artillery ammunition production plant. Our defence needs, the importance of the shortest possible supply chains, and strong allied partnership between Lithuania and Germany underscore the need to maintain the momentum as we continue to work in the same spirit of cooperation,” says Ingrida Šimonyt?, Prime Minister of Lithuania.
“We at Rheinmetall are very grateful for the trust Lithuania has placed in us. It is and remains our aspiration at Rheinmetall to be one of the pillars of national and international security provision. This long-term partnership with Lithuania confirms this once again,” says Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG.
“In light of the growing security challenges, we must move beyond words and take concrete steps to strengthen our nation’s defence capabilities. By fostering large-scale investment projects and enabling local production of weaponry, we not only address national security needs but also reduce our dependence on arms procured from international markets. I have no doubt that Lithuania is moving in the right direction, and it is promising to see global leaders like Rheinmetall choosing to be part of this progress,” says Aušrin? Armonait?, the Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
“The establishment of the German defense industry company Rheinmetall’s ammunition factory in Lithuania is not only significant in the context of the defense industry‘s development but will also address the needs of our armed forces. It was quite a complex process, but I am pleased and grateful to my colleagues that, through joint efforts, we managed to reach an agreement on this historic and important project for our national security,” notes Laurynas Kas?i?nas, the Minister of Defence.
As recently as June 2024, Rheinmetall and the Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation Armonaite signed an agreement regulating the establishment of the German defence company Rheinmetall in Lithuania. The project was granted the status of ‘state significance’. As a result, the Lithuanian Centre of Excellence for Ammunition will benefit from special investment and business conditions to speed up the construction of the plant.
PROVIDENCE, RI – A former United States Navy Petty Officer First Class who served for more than 20 years in the Navy has been sentenced to eighteen months in federal prison for orchestrating a conspiracy that stole more than $850,000 worth of military gear earmarked for fellow Navy members and then sold the goods to high bidders from more than fifty countries, including China and Russia, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Richard Allen, 53, of Citrus Heights, CA, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to eighteen months of incarceration to be followed by three years of federal supervised release. Allen pleaded guilty on August 29, 2024, to conspiracy and six counts of money laundering.
“Sworn to serve his country, Richard Allen instead chose to serve his own shameless greed at the expense of the taxpayer and his fellow men and women in uniform,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. “Today’s reckoning is a testament to the tenacity of our law enforcement partners and it should serve as a warning: stealing from the United States is a path to prison, not profit.”
“Mr. Allen betrayed his oath to the Navy and defrauded the American taxpayer by initiating and perpetuating an illegal scheme to steal and sell U.S. Government property to unauthorized buyers for his and his co-conspirators’ private financial benefit,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Wiest of the NCIS Northeast Field Office. “NCIS remains committed to rooting out criminality within the ranks that threatens warfighter capabilities and readiness.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General, is fully committed to protecting the integrity of the DoD supply chain,” said Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Profiting from the sale of stolen DoD property betrays the public’s trust and negatively impacts our military members. Today’s sentencing demonstrates DCIS’ ongoing commitment to working with its law enforcement partners to hold individuals who harm the DoD accountable.”
“Allen was driven by greed to not only steal and attempt to profit from his crime, but to endanger the very national security he was sworn to uphold. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for this egregious betrayal,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
Court documents detail that, while stationed at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex, in Williamsburg, VA, Allen used his familiarity with the base – a base responsible for supplying ships in the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet with military gear – and unfettered access to warehouses to devise and execute a scheme to steal and sell $856,433 worth of Navy gear and supplies, including working uniforms, winter gear, flame retardant shirts and pants, soft body armor, goggles, infrared flag patches, Navy SEAL Trident insignia, and Small Arms Protective Insert plates. Allen and his co-conspirators stored the items in various locations, including in Rhode Island.
Allen and others identified bulk-sale domestic and international customers for the stolen goods and arranged for delivery either in person or via commercial shipping. Payment for the stolen goods was frequently made and received via PayPal, including dozens of payments made from an account in China. The proceeds were transferred to co-conspirators bank accounts, including Allen’s, in increments of less than $10,000, in an effort to avoid bank reporting requirements.
As part of the scheme, the stolen goods were delivered to paying customers in China, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Vietnam, Ukraine, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Greece, the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Turkey, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Brazil, Philippines, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Uruguay, Chile, Estonia, Malta, Lithuania, Bermuda, and Canada, and conspirators assisted him in also distributing to Argentina, Luxembourg, Latvia, Belarus, Denmark, and Martinique.
Allen continued to direct the conspiracy and to receive payments after he retired from the U.S. Navy.
“Richard Allen decided to steal from the United States Navy and selfishly profit from selling the goods globally. Today, he was held accountable for his actions,” said Special Agent in Charge James Guanci, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office. “The Office of Export Enforcement will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who commit export-related crimes.”
“Americans – especially the men and women who have served in uniform – deserve public employees who do their jobs honestly and with integrity,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Richard Allen failed to do both when he selfishly took advantage of his position with the Navy to commit fraud, cheating both his fellow officers and taxpayers. This sentence holds him accountable for his crimes and sends a message loud and clear that this is not the way to go about boosting your bank account.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matter was investigated by Naval Criminal Investigative Service-Northeast Field Office; Defense Criminal Investigative Service-Northeast Field Office; Homeland Security Investigations; Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement-Boston Field Office; and the FBI.
US Department of Justice
The Ice Raider TACTSLED: Tactical Adaptive Cold Terrain SLED is Winter Warfare’s snow pulk sled design made in Idaho.
The Ice Raider snow sled is made from nearly indestructible 1/16″ UHMW industrial plastic. Available in two sizes, the large bed dimensions are 60″ L x 20″ W. During testing they pulled nearly 500 lbs on it. The sled rolls up making it ideal for getting it on a bird with you or putting it in the back seat.
The Kaldr name is their in-house brand and is the old Norse name for cold. Available from WinterWarfare.com a Veteran Owned company.
www.winterwarfare.com/shop/Tactical-Snow-Sled-TACTSLED-Ice-Raider
A few months ago, Blue Force Gear did a limited-edition run of their Vickers Sling in the iconic Chocolate Chip camouflage pattern. It was so popular that they’ve decided to bring it back.
The “chocolate chip” camouflage pattern, officially known as the “Six-Color Desert pattern” or “Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) pattern,” was developed by the United States military in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was designed specifically for desert environments.
As with any limited-edition item that Blue Force Gear launches, they will only be available while supplies last, so you need to act fast!
Check them out in the link below:
Gear Up for the Holidays with FirstSpear
This Christmas season, we’re delivering tactical-grade specials daily, starting December 5th. From the field to everyday life, these sought-after designs and innovations are crafted for those who rely on uncompromising performance and precision in everything they do.
Daily Drops: New, products are available daily through the holiday.
First Access: Be among the first to discover each drop as it’srevealed, then stay on for the latest new gear throughout 2025.
Built for the Elite: Trusted by the best, FirstSpear gear isn’t just another purchase—it’s a commitment to quality.
Don’t miss your shot. Whether you’re still in the fight, transitioning to civilian life, or just someone who values gear that holds up, this is your season to secure what you need.
Stay Alert.
The countdown is on.
Subscribe to the FirstSpear newsletter today and get ready for a steady stream of serious deals this Christmas. Act fast—time and inventory wait for no one.
