The UZI submachine gun was born following WWII, and was one of the first automatic weapons to feature a telescopic bolt design that allowed for a shorter model thanks to the pistol-grip location of the magazine. Officially deemed standard issue by the IDF special forces in 1956, the UZI has enjoyed a legacy lent to everyone from frontline infantry assault...
Invented by John T. Thompson in 1918, the American-made Thompson submachine gun has since become synonymous with the legendary gangster life. Alternately called "The Annihilator", "Chicago Typewriter", "Chicago Organ Grinder", and "Trench Sweeper", among other nicknames, the Tommy gun evokes an era that is decades behind us--but always just around the corner. The American Prohibition saw the rise of criminal...
One of the most universally recognized firearms, the shotgun has become a mainstay in gun ownership and pop culture alike, with a history as rich as it is deadly. Predated by its ancestral blunderbuss, the shotgun rose to popularity among cavalry troops right up until its gradual replacement in the 19th century by updated rifled firearms. That certainly hasn't displaced...
Few firearm names are as instantly recognizable as the Glock, and that name carries a legacy and enduring responsibility in equal parts. A series of polymer-framed, locked-breach semi-automatic pistols, the Glock was initially produced for and by the Austrian military, and would later become a police staple thanks to its famed dependability and safety standards. This "plastic gun" may have...
The deceptively lightweight AR-15 is an heir to the Colt AR-15 and, according to the New York Times, among the "most beloved and most vilified rifles." Conversely called "America's rifle" by the rifle association, the AR-15 has earned its place among firearm collectors and users alike, the AR-15's complicated history has not deterred tattoo enthusiasts from honoring it on the...
The M1911 handgun is a state of semi-automatic art, serving as the official standard-issue firearm for the Armed Forces beginning in 1911 and throughout the proceeding decades. A witness to both World Wars, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the magazine-fed and recoil operated .45 firearm enjoys a near-royal status amongst its companions, as well as a popular...
There are certain iconic images that instantly transport us to a particular time and place, evoking sensations that are driven by equal parts nostalgia and excitement. The retro ray gun is one such item, an instant shout-out to the camp and fervor that continues to be our obsession with space and extraterrestrial life. For those of us who still look...
To add some bombastic firepower to your ink repertoire, nothing can surpass the deadly sophistication of an AK-47 tattoo. These impactful pieces are incredibly expressive and vitally stirring. The Russian Kalashnikov is perhaps the most iconic weapon in history, and it adds tremendous sway to any man’s tattoo arsenal. These semi-automatic guns carry a legendary reputation that transcends art styles,...
A pistol tattoo will blast away your style foes like a snazzy sharpshooter of fashion. For murderously handsome gentlemen, this deadly insignia will usher an unabashedly brazen attitude alongside seriously killer swagger. Nothing is manlier than a gun tattoo, and your choice of pistol or revolver ink will say a lot about who you are as a male. These fatally...
When it comes to personal protection and defense, you can almost guarantee both with a gun in your hands. From revolvers to rifles, AK47s and vintage firearms, each features a different style yet all serve the same purpose. Take a trip back to the AD 1000 and you'll discover the first true gun technology emerging out of China. As a...
