Minnesota Firearm News

In a historic break from tradition, the German military has selected a foreign-made sidearm for the first time in decades. Česká zbrojovka (CZ) will now supply the Bundeswehr with the CZ P-10 C OR, redesignated as the P13, replacing the long-serving Heckler & Koch P8. The move ends Germany’s uninterrupted legacy of domestically manufactured service pistols and marks the adoption of its first striker-fired handgun—signaling a major shift in European military small-arms procure

As we progress in the world of firearms, we often see examples like the Night Sight that were not successful in their time.  However, they end up enjoying a second life in another era or with a different manufacturer.  Many of the guns and accessories we enjoy today had humble beginnings.  Often, the original inventors would not live to see the success of their designs.  When we do run across them though, it is nice to spend a moment remembering those who put a lot on the lin

Every town seems to have a small antique store. Inside is a museum of wonders that ties us to our past. In the firearm industry this is also true. Most gun stores have a selection of historical firearms on hand. To borrow from Rick Harrison, from History Channel’s “Pawn Stars”, “You just never know what will walk through that door”. To that point recently at 2 If By Sea Tactical had a FEG Mod P37 Pistol from 1941 come through our shop.

Today, the Astra 400 is highly prized by collectors and firearm enthusiasts for its historical significance and mechanical reliability. It remains a symbol of Spanish engineering and a testament to the evolution of military handguns during the early 20th century.

Military history is a fascinating part of world history and becomes a lens through which we see the world today.  The firearms that shape that world are truly fascinating and can tell a story of that time in history.  We are fortunate enough to get some examples of these pieces through our shop and get to take a deep dive into their background.

In pop culture we see the C96 Bolo pop up quite a bit. Perhaps most famously as Han Solo’s laser pistol in Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope (1977). The prop department took real firearms and modified them to give a more futuristic look to them. This has resulted in many Bolo pistols being historically damaged as people have copied the Han Solo look with them.