The AR-15 was designed in the 1950’s a time when tail fins were on Cadillacs, the Cold War was running hot, and the Soviet Union and the U.S. were in a race to be the first to reach the moon. As that’s roughly seven decades ago, it begs the question: Is the AR past its prime? As iconic as the carry handle on the original AR-15/M16 was, the change to a flattop receiver and Picatinny rail completely changed the nature of the AR, making it more easily optics-ready. Let’s dive in and decide. Matured and Refined? Historically, the military had always contracted for a rifle constructed of steel and wood. Old ways of thinking don’t change easily, but this modern combat rifle — circa the early 1960’s — was made of lightweight aluminum and plastics. Yes, plastic, which most people back then equated to cheap and flimsy. Starting at the muzzle end, the A2’s triangular A-frame front sight assembly is iconic. However, you could argue it’s antiquated compared to a more modern AR-15 with folding back-up sights. The reduction in weight was impressive, as was the ergonomics of the M16. A change in calibers from 7.62 NATO with the M14…

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! DALLAS — Everything is bigger in Texas, including the political stakes this November.Texas voters head to the polls Nov. 3 in an election that could reshape the state’s political landscape, with major battles for governor, U.S. Senate and seats in Congress and the state legislature. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa, while Republican Ken Paxton squares off against Democrat James Talarico for a U.S. Senate seat.At the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, voters told Fox News Digital that pocketbook pressures are shaping how they view the state’s future, with some predicting the reliably red Lone Star State will stay that way while others see an opening for Democrats this fall.REPUBLICANS JUST GOT A POWERFUL NEW PLAYBOOK FOR THE BATTLE FOR CONGRESS. HERE’S WHAT’S INSIDE “I think we’re going to struggle, but I think it will stay red,” Briana of Garland, told Fox News Digital.Mike and Cynthia, a couple from Houston, were more definitive.”Red. It’s going to stay red,” they said.Chris took that confidence a step further.”Hell will freeze over before Texas flips blue,” Chris told Fox News Digital.Patrick and Jennifer, of Dallas, shared that confidence.”Texas will always be a…

In today’s review, Randall Wilson takes a look at the Bulova MIL-SHIPS watch. This is a precision timepiece with its origins tied to the U.S. Navy’s UDT divers. The watch reviewed here is personally owned by the author. The Bulova MIL-SHIPS-W-2181, originally developed for U.S. Navy EOD and UDT divers in the late 1950’s, is a timepiece with a history as compelling as its design. There are times when a high-quality product is enhanced by a compelling history. In the watch world, this accounts for many memorable car racing, moonshot, and adventure timepieces. True, too, of military watches. The Bulova MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 diving wristwatch has a particularly interesting backstory. The Maker The Bulova Watch Company of New York City was founded in 1875 by Bohemian immigrant Joseph Bulova. Perhaps most famously known for the invention of the first electronic tuning-fork timekeeper, the Accutron, Bulova would be hailed as a technologically advanced company. Accutron, introduced in 1960, proved that an electric movement could replace a mechanical one and have exponentially better accuracy, so much so that Accutron clocks and watches were used in 46 NASA space missions during the 1960s. After decades of obscurity, this Archive Series reissue brings the legendary prototype…

Each NFL season has its own story and uniqueness. Discovering it is part of the fun, but it can also be a point of contention when you’re a sports bettor. You don’t have a ton of time to determine who is a good team and who is bad. You have to constantly evaluate and change your opinions on things. I’ve already changed my opinion on both of these teams – the Raiders and the Saints, and now they face each other in Week 3.The Las Vegas Raiders cost me some money last week, or maybe I should say the Chargers cost me money once again. After backing them in Week 1, I took the Chargers to beat them in Week 2 and cover the spread. The Raiders looked like a fairly well-oiled machine against Los Angeles, getting three touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins on 19-for-29 passing. Part of the key for the Raiders will be keeping Cousins upright, and he was only sacked twice. The other key to the Raiders’ success is getting Ashton Jeanty to effectively run the ball. What I liked about the Raiders game is that despite him not having a very good game, they stuck with…

British police on Sunday arrested five men near an air base used by U.S. forces on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses after a tip that three vans were heading to the military airfield, which has been used to strike Iran.U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do “big damage” and had been under investigation by British and U.S. authorities.British counter terrorism detectives leading the investigation said police received a call about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling towards RAF Fairford in the west of England in the early hours of Sunday.Five men were arrested by armed officers and later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Police said they believed the incident was now contained.POLICE WORKING TO UNDERSTAND CIRCUMSTANCES“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said in a statement. “As you would expect, we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.” Police said a 400-meter cordon was in place around the base as the bomb disposal unit investigated the vans. Local residents in 85 homes in a nearby village…

Born into poverty in the woods of West Virginia, Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager was a World War II aircraft mechanic, fighter pilot, double ace, military commander, and a test pilot who broke the sound barrier. His journey from Army private to USAF Brigadier General is an inspiration to all. Yeager began his Air Force career in September 1941 as a private in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as an aircraft mechanic. While he wanted to be a pilot, that career path was initially closed to him due to his age and lack of education, as the Air Corps required two years of college and a minimum age of 20. Chuck Yeager stands in front of the Bell X-1 named Glamorous Glennis. He named all his assigned aircraft in some variation of his wife’s name. Image: NARA After Pearl Harbor, however, the standards were revised due to the urgent need for pilots, and Yeager was accepted into the flight officer program. While Yeager had excellent eyesight and other attributes for flight training, his first few flights were memorable for another reason: Yeager vomiting in the cockpit. With time, the queasiness went away, and Yeager excelled at flying. He graduated from pilot…

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Anna Nicole Smith unknowingly transformed the life of the woman Hugh Hefner once called his “most sexy model.”Sandra Taylor, who made hearts race as a Playboy cover girl during the ’90s, is now the head sommelier at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. But long before then, her friendship with the 1993 Playmate of the Year changed the course of her life.Taylor recently appeared on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Kim Alexis’ podcast, “Unexpired,” where she reflected on her life and career.LARRY BIRKHEAD CELEBRATES DAUGHTER DANNIELYNN’S 20TH BIRTHDAY WITH RARE PHOTOS “I was friends with Anna Nicole Smith, and she was such a darling,” Taylor recalled to Fox News Digital. “We shared two makeup artists. One was in New York, one was in LA. And they introduced us very, very early on to her coming here from Texas, and we became friends. She needed a place to stay when she first came out here.” A visit to Smith on the set of “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” changed the course of Taylor’s career. After Smith’s makeup artist urged her to meet with Playboy during its 40th anniversary search, Smith…

Winter is coming for much of the United States, and in many regions that means bitterly cold temperatures and snow — lots of it. Do you have a winter emergency car kit? If so, when’s the last time you checked it and made sure everything was fresh and worked? For most of us living in areas that are frozen for a solid chunk of the year, having a winter car kit is old hat. We all know to have things like water, a blanket, or a flashlight. Some of you may have upped your game and keep additional items like a hat or pair of gloves. There are a few more items you may not have thought of, however, and while they don’t take up a great deal of room, they can make a huge difference if you find yourself stranded. If this looks like where you like to hang out, then you need some extra items in your car kit to ensure your safety. Here are some of the things you should consider having in your winter emergency car kit: Food (calorie dense), Water Physical Maps Batteries, Cell Phone Charger Tire Chains Cargo Straps Wool Socks and Additional Winter…

If you have ever been jolted awake by a car roaring down your street, you know how quickly the sound disappears. By the time someone calls the police, the driver could already be several blocks away. Now cities are turning to technology for help. We’ve repeatedly reported on Flock license plate readers popping up along roads and in parking lots. Another type of roadside camera is gaining ground, and this one listens. Noise cameras use microphones, cameras and software to pinpoint a loud vehicle. Some also capture its license plate. Depending on the program, that can lead to a warning, a review by an official or a citation.At least 10 U.S. jurisdictions have deployed or piloted noise-camera technology in recent years. More communities are preparing programs or looking at whether to follow. New York City has one of the most established enforcement programs, while places from Iowa to Hawaii have taken very different approaches. Here is where noise cameras are already showing up, who makes them and what this growing roadside technology could mean for drivers across the country.Missed CyberGuy LIVE? Watch the Get Better Healthcare With AI replayOur free CyberGuy LIVE class, Get Better Healthcare With AI , has…