
Matt
12 posts
Matt is a former US Marine, avid shooter and outdoorsman. He has over 20 years of firearms experience with everything from machine guns and grenade launchers to handguns and hunting rifles. When he's not testing guns you'll find him in the woods hunting, camping, or mountain biking.
Holosun ARO Review: Best Budget red dot [2025]
When it comes to performance per dollar, Holosun red dots sights have set the standard. In the budget red dot category, very few companies can match the performance and build quality that Holosun brings to the market. I recently posted my review of the Holosun 403r. The 403R is an excellent budget red dot sight, ... Read more
June 12, 2025
Springfield Armory Echelon Review: The Best New Duty Pistol of 2025?
Introduction The Echelon is Springfield Armory’s bold entry into the full-size, optics-ready, 9 mm handgun market — and it’s already turning heads. Deftly avoiding being just another polymer, striker-fired, copycat pistol, the Springfield Armory Echelon is packed with innovation including a modular chassis, superb build quality, and their patented Variable Interface System (VIS) which makes ... Read more
June 11, 2025
Skallywag Tactical D2 Dagger Review – Purpose-Built for Close-Quarters Self-Defense
In close-quarters or worst-case scenarios, your last line of defense must be fast, intuitive, and effective – that’s precisely what the Skallywag Tactical D2 Dagger provides. Skallywag Tactical is a veteran-owned business that specializes in self-defense and adventure-specific knives and tools. The team at Skallywag Tactical comprises former military and law enforcement personnel. They translate ... Read more
June 11, 2025
Trijicon ACOG TA02 Review: Battery-Powered Precision in a Battle-Proven Scope
The ACOG scope has been a staple of military and law enforcement for decades. With the introduction of the TA02, Trijicon brings the ACOG into the age of battery-powered technology. The TA02 ACOG builds upon the combat-proven legacy of the TA31 4-power ACOG sight, introducing battery-powered illumination. In this review, we’ll discuss the performance, build ... Read more
June 8, 2025
John Wick 4 Guns – Full Breakdown of the John Wick Chapter 4 Weapons
John Wick Chapter 4 – The New Standard for Action Movies The John Wick franchise of action movies is a global sensation with gross box office earnings in excess of $1 billion. By far, Chapter 4 is the biggest earner and is definitely an action-movie-lover’s dream—think non-stop mayhem, including gun fights with thousands of rounds ... Read more
June 6, 2025
What is the Hearing Protection Act? Will the Hearing Protection Act Pass?
It’s been almost 10 years since the first iteration of the Hearing Protection Act was introduced to the US Congress. Unfortunately, it has taken this long for the Hearing Protection Act to gain traction, but it may be signed into law in the near future. The legislative process is a rapidly evolving and fluid process, ... Read more
June 2, 2025
Single Action vs Double Action: What’s the Difference and Which Is Better?
What is the Difference Between Double Action and Single Action handguns? Double-action handgun mechanisms perform two separate actions when the trigger is pulled. When pulling the trigger of a double-action pistol, the hammer is cocked and then released with a single trigger pull. No manual cocking of the hammer is required. The sole purpose of ... Read more
June 6, 2025
Glock 45 Review – The Best 9mm Crossover Pistol for Duty & Concealed Carry?
I have a long history with Glocks. Fifteen years ago, on my 21st birthday, I walked into my local gun shop and bought a Gen 3 Glock 19 and a bunch of mags. I shot and carried that gun regularly for about ten years. I’ve shot many other handguns since then, but I never found ... Read more
June 13, 2025
What is a Striker Fired Pistol?
When it comes to semi-automatics it seems that almost every manufacturer is making some form of striker fired pistol. This raises some questions. Why are striker fired pistols dominating the handgun market? What are striker fired pistols? And what are the pros and cons of using one? Today we’ll answer these questions and provide some ... Read more
May 28, 2025
How Much Does an AR-15 Cost in 2025? Price Breakdown by Build, Brand & Purpose
Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned enthusiast, one of the most common questions is: How much is an AR-15? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. With so many different builds, configurations, and brands in 2025, AR-15 prices can range dramatically, from budget-friendly entry models to custom builds rivalling high-end ... Read more
May 28, 2025
Holosun 403R Review: The Best Budget Red Dot in 2025?
Over the last few years, Holosun has become a significant player in the red dot sight market. I recently set up one of my BCM AR-15s with a red dot sight. I did not want to spend Aimpoint or Eotech money, so I went with the Holosun 403r. I’ve owned the Holosun 403r for about ... Read more
May 28, 2025
Tisas 1911 B45 Review [2025]: Affordable Quality in a Classic Design
Since 2022, Tisas 1911s have disrupted the 1911 market in a big way. With excellent build quality and an affordable price, they might be the best 1911 for the money in 2025. I’ve been a 1911 fan for many years. No other handgun has the same combination of shootability and historical significance. Despite the design ... Read more
June 8, 2025