News and announcements

A Firearms News review examines Century Arms’ MKE-built AP53, a compact 5.56x45mm pistol derived from the HK53 design. The review highlights its roller-delayed action, compact dimensions, classic controls and strong range performance, while noting its weight and lack of last-round bolt hold-open.

A 1526 Venetian payment record provides the earliest documented evidence of Beretta’s firearm business. Five centuries later, the family-owned group spans firearms, ammunition and related companies across 50 countries.

The majority of new M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifles produced for the United States during the Second World War came from companies better known for silverware, sporting goods and office machinery than firearms. A consortium of six manufacturers, supported by IBM, produced nearly 190,000 BARs for the war effort.

Germany entered World War II with a reliable but increasingly outdated five-shot bolt-action rifle. David Fortier’s account explains why efforts to replace the Karabiner 98k with self-loading rifles and the StG 44 failed to deliver enough weapons before the war ended.