Best Pistol Red Dot Sights
For decades now we’ve accepted that red dots on rifles is the default standard for what you should do. It started with Delta Force in the 80s, but is now the gold standard for everyone. But what about pistol red dots? Optics on pistols have faced a steep uphill climb. Partly because the technology took ... Read more
5 Best Compact 9mm Pistols
Compact can sound like a bad thing in some cases For instance, ask anyone over 6-foot how they feel about compact cars. But what about a compact 9mm pistol? In lots of ways, compact is exactly what you need. The perfect middle ground that makes even Goldilocks smile. Be it a carry gun, a CCW, ... Read more
Best Single-Stack Subcompact 9mms [Concealed Carry]
Concealed carry options abound for most of the United States. Every state now has some form of concealed carry law on its books. The upside to all of this is that more and more people are getting their concealed carry permits than ever before, and most of them seem to be carrying some form of ... Read more
Best Concealed Carry Holsters [Hands-On Tested]
For most of us, getting into the world of concealed carry can be scary on many levels. With every step being important and with your life on the line. I get it, I’ve been there. With hundreds of holsters in the world, this step might be the most overwhelming — but I’ll make it easier ... Read more
Rock River Arms LAR-15 [Full 2021 Review]
The Modern Sporting Rifle seems to have a polarizing effect on shooters and non-shooters alike, at least in my experience. To an old-school rifle shooter, an AR-style rifle is anathema to his or her way of thinking…rifles are supposed to be wood and metal with no plastic. I am a fan of the MSR, or ... Read more
Best .380 ACP Pistols [Hands-On Reviewed]
Here’s a conversation from a gun shop about the .380 ACP pistol: “What’s that in your pocket?” “A .380 ACP pistol in a pocket holster.” “Don’t you know you might as well throw rocks as shoot somebody with a .380?” “Well, if it’s so ineffective, will you volunteer to hold the target at the far ... Read more
Best 9mm Ammo in 2021 [Self-Defense & Target]
Invented way back in 1901 by none other than the legendary Georg Luger, 9mm Parabellum (or 9x19mm, or 9mm, or 9mm Luger) is one of the most prolific cartridges in the world today. But what is the best 9mm ammo? From military special operation units to college shooting sports teams to millions of concealed carriers, ... Read more
![Hi-Point C9 Review [Unboxed and Shot]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTMzODoyNDg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMzgwIDI4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjM4MCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyODAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)
Hi-Point C9 Review [Unboxed and Shot]
Let’s take a look at the Hi-Point C9. So you want to get a pistol but you’re on a budget? You’ve narrowed your caliber choices down to the “big 3” pistol calibers: the 9mm, .45 ACP or the .40 S&W? You have exactly $200 to spend on a pistol and cannot find (or would rather ... Read more
Taurus G3c Review: The best budget 9mm?
I was minding my own business one day when I got a call from my media contact at Taurus back in June 2020. He said Taurus was coming out with something new, a new 9mm. It would ship with either three 10- or 12-round magazines and was based on the four-inch-barreled G3 full-size 9mm pistol ... Read more
Best 1911 Pistols For The Money
If you’ve never held a gun in your life, chances are you can still point to a picture of a 1911 and know that it is a 1911 pistol. That is how you know a gun is a real piece of history. From before WWI until the mid-1980s, the M1911 and M1911A1 served American G.I.’s ... Read more
Best Concealed Carry Insurance in 2021
There is a lot to cover when it comes to carrying a firearm for self-defense. One of the intimidating aspects of carrying is the possible legal ramifications you will face if you ever have to use your weapon. Even when it’s a good shot, there is a possibility you will face criminal charges related to ... Read more
ZPAP92: 7.62×39 AK Pistol Review
Chances are that if you are reading this article, you either already have at least one Kalashnikov rifle of your own or are considering it strongly. It’s estimated that there’s one AK for every 70 people on Earth and that alone says a lot about it. The Serbs are one of those that took inspiration ... Read more
Best Concealed Carry Guns [2021]
Are you looking for a new concealed carry gun? In this article, we’ll talk about the best concealed carry guns available in the market today. Choosing to carry a concealed weapon is a big decision and not one that should be taken lightly. On the one hand, it’s exercising a fundamental American and I would ... Read more
Ruger 10/22 Takedown Review: “One To Go, Please!”
The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most successful rimfire rifles ever made. Depending upon which source you trust, they have sold either five, seven, or eight million rifles since the model was introduced in 1964. (At any rate, that’s a bunch!). I have accounted for exactly two of those sold. My first 10/22 was ... Read more
[Exclusive Review] Heritage Barkeep .22 Revolver
Are you looking for an inexpensive .22 revolver to carry with you on your rambles into the hinterland? Does your tackle box need an inexpensive .22 in it? How about a gun to carry with you as you run your traplines? Do you need something to take with you when you check your fence rows ... Read more
Best AR-15s: A Complete Buyer’s Guide
Designed in the 1960s, the AR-15 is simultaneously a classic American rifle and a piece of cutting-edge technology that stays at the forefront of innovation and development. That’s pretty impressive for a design that is over 50 years old. If you’re just getting into the AR-15 platform then you’re in luck because we are truly ... Read more
[Review] DPMS LR-308: The AR, Back To Basics
“What – yet another black rifle review?” I hear you say. To that, I answer: “yessiree!” I like black rifles (or, to use a slightly more descriptive tag, the MSR, Modern Sporting Rifle). The MSR nowadays is to be found not only in law enforcement or military environments (in its select-fire guise). There are also ... Read more
Viridian Laser Sight – AR and Pistol: Review
Today, I’m going to review two Viridian laser products: one for your pistol and one for your AR. These days, it’s easy to buy a cheap laser to mount onto your pistol or rifle. This is because of the huge availability of Chinese imports and knock-offs online. It is tough for a bone-fide American company ... Read more
![[Review] Bear Creek Arsenal AR 7.62x39](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTU2NjoyNDc=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMzgwIDI4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjM4MCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyODAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)
[Review] Bear Creek Arsenal AR 7.62×39
I own a few AR-pattern rifles in various calibers and enjoy shooting them. I have guns in 9mm, .223/5.56, and now 7.62×39. So, I wouldn’t exactly call myself an AR expert but, as the saying goes, this ain’t my first rodeo where they are concerned. I know what works for me and what I like. ... Read more
Review: Rock River Arms 1911-A1
Let’s start this Rock River Arms 1911 review off with this statement: I like 1911s. I don’t know how many I’ve owned over the years. I tend to live for a good while in the no-1911-zone, but it is always followed by an urgent desire to own another one. I’ve owned 1911s made by Colt, ... Read more
[Review] Savage Axis II XP (vs. Mossberg Predator)
Those of you who read my reviews and articles know that I am by and large a handgun guy. I cut my shooting teeth on that type of firearm. I guess growing up in a state that did not allow “regular” rifle calibers for deer hunting (only pistol calibers were legal) until fairly recently may ... Read more
Best Shooting Chronographs
One thing that will help you shoot more accurately is if you know your ammunition’s velocity and other related data. Luckily, there’s a tool for that — a shooting chronograph. Not only can it measure the velocity of your shots but its data can also help you assess your reloading skills. No longer are chronographs ... Read more
12 Best .357 Magnum Revolvers
The .357 Magnum cartridge is the most popular all-around revolver cartridge out there. The .357 seems to be the go-to round for wheel gunners. You can also use it whether you carry a snubby for protection or a larger gun for target shooting, hunting and hiking. In addition, the cartridge is viable for most uses ... Read more
Ruger EC9s review – is it worth it? Read this first.
The Ruger EC9S is a close cousin of Ruger’s popular LC9S 9mm pistol. They do have a couple of differences, which you should know about. You may want to read my Ruger LC9S review – I owned the gun for a good while. The LC9S is popular and its MSRP is $529. However, today’s street price ... Read more
Best Concealed Carry Revolvers [2021 Update]
In this day and age of polymer-framed striker-fired semiautos, does the old-fashioned revolver even have a place? Many of you reading this may think not but I beg to differ. There’s something to be said for a carry weapon that just needs to be drawn (or shot through the pocket, hidden) and fired just by ... Read more
![Ruger LCP Max - Pocket-Sized 10-Round .380 [Review & Video]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTcxMTozMjg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMzgwIDI4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjM4MCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyODAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)
Ruger LCP Max – Pocket-Sized 10-Round .380 [Review & Video]
Let’s dive into the new Ruger LCP Max. First, pocket-sized pistols are all the rage these days. I have more than a few friends who don’t consider themselves well-armed unless they have a gun in their pocket. Some also need one on their belt. Heck, I’ll put myself in that category. There are several – ... Read more
Diamondback DB9 9mm Pistol, Gen 4 [Hands-on Review]
I wish I had a dollar for each 9mm carry gun I’ve owned. I could buy at least one grand steak dinner, for sure, with what I collected through the years. I’ve owned many “small 9s” and have some opinions based on my experiences. The hottest pistol sub-category in the business at this time is ... Read more
9mm Glock Models [Ultimate Guide]
For those of us who are into handguns and have not been living under a rock for the past 3 decades or so, the name Glock has come to be a household word in the shooting universe. People who may have never held a gun (let alone a Glock) recognize the name. It is estimated ... Read more
Best .45 ACP Ammo: Self-Defense & Target Practice
“The only reason I carry a .45 is because they don’t make a .46.” How many times have I heard that old chestnut? Technically, they now make a .46-plus – the .500 S&W Magnum (.500 bullet diameter) and the .480 Ruger (.475 bullet diameter), to name a couple – but they are heavy-duty revolver rounds ... Read more
Marlin 1895 .45/70 Hands-On Review ‘The Guide Gun’
The Marlin 1985 is an upscale, heavy-duty version of their excellent 336 lever rifle. The 336 and its cousins have probably accounted for enough deer over the years to fill a decent-sized football stadium. Reliable, accurate, and affordable, the 336 in caliber .30-30 is a staple in the deer woods each fall. Beef it up, ... Read more
