“folding”

Like many successful firearm designs, the story of the military-inspired SIG Sauer 556 is fraught with trial and error, and was nearly a century in the making.

Auto-Ordnance's AOM160 is an updated version of the venerable M1A1 Carbine. Aftermarket accessories, like the Ultimak Picatinny rail on the tested model, are readily available.

Maybe it was time for someone to take a look at the AR carbine as a whole, rather than just one aspect of it. Enter the genre-redefining Para USA Tactical Target Rifle (TTR), an AR-pattern rifle chambered for 5.56 NATO that offers shooters an intriguing solution to not only the gas-system issue, but also the folding-stock conundrum.

It was a different world when the Remington 870 first rolled off the assembly line, but the gun still has attitude.

In keeping with the current trend of things black and battle-ready, Remington Premier Tactical knives are designed for civilian, law enforcement and military operators who want a knife that can handle more than just routine outdoor chores.The Zulu is one of three knives in the line that also includes the Echo and Tango.

An improvement over folding knives, the COP Tool is manufactured from ultra-tough D2, bead-blasted steel with a hardness rating of 59-60. Its 1 3/4-inch, chisel-tipped blade is an ideal shape for scraping inspection stickers from windshields and year tabs from license plates.

Folding knives get the nod over fixed-blade models for daily use, simply because they are more convenient to carry. Thanks to improved locking mechanisms, better materials used in construction and innovative design, today's crop of folders are tough enough for serious duty while being easier to take with you than a Blackberry.

A spring-loaded glass punch and an edged hook knife, along with LED light to illuminate the work area, make the Benchmade ERT-1 an effective tool for extrication from a vehicle, should the need arise. Its compact size and light weight enable carrying on your person for immediate access, and its color makes it easy to find, even in a cluttered glovebox.

"Top Shot" winner Iain Harrison returned to his roots to build an L1A1 from a mix of FAL parts.