
Matt
17 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.
Ruger GP100 Match Champion Review: Performance and Precision
For wheelgun fans looking for something rugged, accurate, and competition-ready out of the box, the Ruger GP100 Match Champion promises to deliver. The GP100 has been in Ruger’s catalog since its introduction in 1985 as a replacement for the venerable Service, Security, and Speed Six models. The previous generation Ruger revolvers had established a strong ... Read more
Mossberg Shockwave Review: Legal Sawed-Off or Home Defense Powerhouse?
At first glance, the Mossberg Shockwave looks like a sawed-off shotgun that would require an NFA (National Firearms Act) tax stamp to legally own. In reality, it is 100% legal to own—from a federal standpoint—and is a devastating close-quarters weapon. The Mossberg Shockwave 12-gauge uses an innovative design to classify it as a firearm ... Read more
Holosun 407K X2: Concealed Carry Perfection [2025]
Red dots on concealed carry guns have rapidly transitioned from a niche to a mainstream feature. The Holosun 407K X2 sets the standard for budget-friendly, durable, and compact pistol red dots. In this pistol red dot review, we’ll cover specifications, glass quality, battery life, carry viability, and the pros and cons. What is the Holosun ... Read more
Hidden Hybrid Holsters Appendix Holster Review: Comfortable EDC for Your Red Dot Pistol.
If you’re looking for an appendix concealed carry holster that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for concealment, hybrid holsters like the Hidden Hybrid Appendix IWB holster are worth considering. The Hidden Hybrid holster I have for review is an optic-cut appendix strong side concealed carry holster with a single belt clip. In this review, I’ll cover the ... Read more
Streamlight TLR-7X Review: The Best Compact Weapon Light for Your EDC Pistol?
The Streamlight TLR-7 series has long set the standard for compact pistol lights; the updated TLR-7X raises the bar. The original TLR-7 pistol light was one of the first compact pistol lights on the market. The size was perfect for compact pistols like the Glock 19. The TLR-7 did not protrude past the barrel of ... Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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