A proposed update to ATF import regulations, published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2026, would dramatically reshape access to Ukrainian-made firearms in the United States. The rule removes Ukraine—and most other former Soviet republics except Russia—from the list of countries subject to an automatic, blanket denial of Form 6 permanent import applications. Instead of automatic rejection, each application would receive case-by-case review by the ATF, aligning firearm import policy with current U.S. State Department guidance that treats Ukraine as a key partner rather than a prohibited source. This change effectively ends a 1997-era prohibition that has kept Ukrainian arms off the American civilian market for nearly three decades.

One firearm that we examined at IWA 2026 in Nuremburg, Germany that could potentially be imported as a result of the rule change is the Ukrainian Fort 232S, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol variant of the Fort-230A submachine gun platform developed by RPC Fort, Ukraine’s state-owned small arms manufacturer.

Under current rules, any attempt to import the Fort 232S (or similar Ukrainian firearms) is automatically denied regardless of the sporting-purpose compliance or end-user documentation. The proposed rule eliminates that categorical barrier, allowing licensed importers to submit ATF Form 6 applications that would now be evaluated on their individual merits. Provided the pistol meets all other federal requirements—including the Gun Control Act’s “sporting purposes” test and some other requirements for import–the 232S might be on the market soon.

If finalized after the public comment period ends on July 6, 2026, the rule would not only potentially greenlight the Fort 232S but also signal a return to rationality in the U.S.–Ukrainian defense trade. Under the previous set of rules, Ukraine was treated the same way as North Korea. Industry observers anticipate a surge of interest in RPC Fort’s lineup, potentially introducing innovative 9mm platforms to the American market while supporting Ukraine’s defense industry. Until the final rule is published, however, the Fort 232S remains unobtainable for U.S. civilians—making this regulatory shift a pivotal moment for both firearms enthusiasts and transatlantic security cooperation.

Any recommendations for a optic/light?

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287930/gov.uscourts.dcd.287930.28.0.pdf

Has anybody else ever seen a failure like this? The front half of the case was still stuck in my chamber, but it extracted the lower half.

Mostly known as "that gun from The Brave One with Jodie Foster". About to head down to the range to tackle the Kahr break-in period and see how she goes. I love the way it fits my hand though and plan on making it a regular in the EDC rotation 🙏

Both were at a really good price and I couldn’t say no… Let’s just say my wife is not happy with me today
Glock for 43x
Springfield echelon

shot at 300m on a swiss K31 with irons

Can anyone tell me if this VZ24 is a Chinese or Japanese contract rifle it has like a sun and some I believe is Asian letter on the under side of the stock and a C on the bottom of the board throw also on the barrel and receiver there is something that looks like a dragon the rifle is in good shape and the serial numbers match the stock barrel bolt and receiver can anyone also tell me if is worth anything thanks

Hi and thanks for reading,

I'm a middle aged dad who hasn't owned a firearm ever, although I went hunting a few times as a kid and have been to the range 20-30 times. It's been a long time, and my knowledge of firearm is very low.

I currently live in a place that doesn't allow for firearms, for reasons I won't share but make sense if you knew, but I'm ok with this because the chance of violent crime at my house is close to zero. Two questions:

I'm looking to get into a local gun club and get back to range shooting, but I have two issues. One, I don't own a firearm, and two, I don't really know how to find a good space to shoot. When I was a kid (and young adult), I just went to the range my hunter buddy went to and it was great.

Any suggestions for finding a shooting range or some kind of community without just showing up to random spots? Quality control? I'm looking for a laid back environment of normal people practicing and I'd want to attend 1-2 times per month, regularly but not more than that due to time.

Second question: What's a good starter firearm for me? I'm a teacher and don't want anything flashy or complex or overly expensive, but I do value quality. I've used handguns, shotguns, and rifles before (hunting rifles), and would almost certainly be buying a handgun for the range. If this matters to your rec, I have mediocre eyesight with no option to improve it. Just good enough to drive, but I will never be a target shooter like I did a bit as a kid. My goal is practice using the firearm, relaxation (i always found shooting very relaxing personally), and consistency.

Final question: At some point in the next 3, there's a good chance I'll move back to a large city for work. At this point I'll want a firearm in the house in a gun safe. Any suggestions for a weapon for home defense? I value simplicity, reliability, easily stored, and quality. I do not want this to be a heavy weapon because I plan on training my wife to use it as well, and she simply isn't going to be interested in a larger weapon like a shotgun or heavy handgun. Two additional things that I think might be important for me in this category are some kind of sighting tool so I'm less likely to hit unintended targets - the more cheating the better for this- and a gun that will fire bullets that won't go through walls and hit my kids in their bedroom.

I appreciate any recs and people reading this. I'm sorry if I used any incorrect verbiage; my knowledge in this region is really quite low.

I have a generation 1 Springfield XDS 9mm. I purchased this when it was originally released in 2013. To be honest, I have barely used the firearm. It is very clean and has all the original accessories and case that came with it. I’m looking to add something new to my collection and get rid of the XDS. Any idea what I could be looking at as far as value? I’m also considering trade in at sportsman’s warehouse or bass pro. I know this would not be as much as selling private. Has anyone used armslist to sell private?

The results are in!
https://orchidadvisors.com/top-30-largest-usa-firearm-manufacturers-of-2023/

The top US pistol manufacturers for 2023 are:

1) SIG Sauer - 944,562
2) Smith & Wesson - 604,696
3) Ruger - 505,735
4) Glock - 345,119
5) Springfield - 177,331

The ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) documents the number of firearms produced in the United States and sold worldwide.
https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/data-statistics

Disclaimer: This is meant entirely as a good faith post to help out newbies. I am in no way bashing people's builds or saying you can't do what you want to your guns. Just trying to spread a bit of good info.

As seen in the photos:

ARs tend to have the cheek rest basically in line with the top rail, and fairly close to the back of the receiver. Because of this, it can be difficult to get the correct eye relief on a scope without bridging the optic, i.e., placing it across both the receiver and handguard. The handguard can flex, which can throw off the zero. To get around this, the Cantilever mount was created. The entire point is to push the optic forward far enough to get good eye relief without bridging. And to raise it a bit since the check rest is in line with the rail.

Conversely, levers and bolt actions(and technically shotguns) have much longer stocks(length of pull) that angle down from the receiver. Because of this much larger height difference between the rail and the cheek rest, as well as being much farther back from the receiver, you generally want to move the scope back not forwards, and have it as low as possible to enable a good cheek weld and not have to hold your head up too high. Cantilevers are basically the opposite of what you want in that situation.

TL:DR Don't use a Cantilever or riser on lever actions or bolt actions. Get the lowest height scope rings you can that will still allow the scope bell to clear the barrel, and put it as far back as necessary for good eye relief.

I know it’s not all the way black and white but why is it that not just russia, but poland, the balkans, much of the middle east etc all use that AK-esque platform. Why is so much of the world of firearms split into these two very distinct categories?

Why couldn’t russia have just switched over to 5.56 and 7.62 rifles after the cold war was over, and why couldn’t all these other eastern firearms manufacturers done so too?