The nifty thing about firearms is that they’re designed to last a long, long time with reasonable maintenance. I’m not even an antique aficionado but I regularly shoot pistols and rifles in my small collection that were manufactured in 1936, 1944 and … [Read More...]
Recent Articles
2019 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Gun Person in Your Life
It’s that time again to fill your favorite gun person’s gear bag with new stuff. Of course, there’s no reason you can’t use the holidays as an excuse to buy coveted items for yourself while you’re at it.Here are a few of my favorite ideas this year. … [Read More...]
Best Handgun Sights by Type – We Range Test Express, Post & Notch, and Red Dots
One of the easiest things to personalize on a handgun is the sight system. There are a zillion sighting options on the market, each promising to be the ideal solution, so how do you decide? You’ll find post and notch solutions, fiber optics, u-notch, … [Read More...]
Is the .40 Dead?
The .40 died before it was born. That’s a rotten way to start a fulfilling life, but there you have it. Thanks to a shortsighted, bean-counting corporate management team way back in 1978, the .40 B&S, the predecessor to what we now know as the … [Read More...]
America’s 1st Freedom | AR-15 Part 3: Why it is America’s Rifle
Is there anything more patently patriotic than an Air Force flyover? Think about it. Whether at a big game or Fourth of July celebration, seeing jets scream across the sky in tight formation just gives me goosebumps. So, I guess it’s apropos that … [Read More...]
AR-15 Part 2: Reasons for Home Defense
As the saying goes, if you’re in a fair fight with an attacker, then you need to reconsider your tactics. Read the rest: AR-15 Part 2: Reasons for Home Defense … [Read More...]
AR-15 Part 1: Myths Dispelled
According to a recent Facebook post by Mark Twain, reports about the AR-15 are greatly exaggerated. It’s true. Anyone who doesn’t own one likely holds plenty of views on the topic that are mythical. Let’s explore a few of the more egregious myths … [Read More...]
How to Install or Change Your AR Handguard – Featuring the Brownells Wrenchman
Installing a spiffy new handguard for your AR-15 used to be a somewhat complicated process, requiring special tools that almost no casual shooters have. No more. The folks at Brownells have released the new Wrenchman series of AR handguards. What’s … [Read More...]
Concealed Carry: Traditional IWB, “Hippendix”, or Appendix?
I’ve been using the Federal Air Marshal qualification course of fire as a fun and challenging training aid. This routine isn’t easy—only a small percentage of concealed carriers will pass it without serious practice. What makes it a great training … [Read More...]
Too Much Gun for Home Defense?
According to the media, no one could possibly need something like a “weapon of war” as a home defense firearm. Then again, it was television and movie people who came up with that whole idea of shooting the gun out of the bad guy’s hand. If you’re … [Read More...]
Which One’s the BB Gun?
I live under the ruthless and oppressive iron fist of a neighborhood association. For some reason, they get all torqued up when I practice things like rapid fire and shooting on the move in the backyard. Oh, and setting up a plate rack in the … [Read More...]
The Sound of Silencers
Think that fancy new suppressor you bought will “silence” your gun? Think again. There’s more to it than just that. But let’s start at the beginning. There are two components to gunshot noise: muzzle blast and sonic booms. We usually think of muzzle … [Read More...]
Federal Syntech Defense: Ammo Test
Federal Syntech ammunition, launched a couple of years ago, turned a few heads with its bright red polymer jackets. But those bright colors are not some marketing gimmick. In fact, there are good reasons for discarding copper jackets in favor of … [Read More...]
How to Prepare for Your First Trip to a Gun Shop
My first trip to a gun shop was a bit like my first visit to Wild Birds Unlimited. In both cases, I had no idea what I was talking about, little concept of what I wanted (much less needed) and was convinced that everyone in the store would spot me as … [Read More...]
How To Perfect Your Handgun Skills
As any good handgun skills instructor or coach already knows, a required component of improvement is an accurate and immediate feedback loop. If you don’t know exactly what you’re doing wrong, it’s awfully hard to get better. If you don’t have a way … [Read More...]
Concealed Carry Tips: What’s Hurting Your Holster Draw?
I’ve been learning how to draw. No, not with colored pencils or finger paints—I suck at that. I’ve been learning how to draw, or more accurately, relearning how to draw from legitimate concealment. I’ve been eating some portions of humble pie while … [Read More...]
Top 5 Worst Self-Defense Guns
If you buy essential oils on the lower rungs of the quality ladder, the worst thing that can happen is that you’ll be out a few bucks and feel a bit slimy. Oh, and your friends will think you weird for investing in magic oil in the first place. If … [Read More...]
My Caliber Crisis: Do I Need a 10mm?
I’m having another caliber crisis. Over the years, I’ve ventured into cartridge odysseys that include unusual chamberings like .357 Sig and 300 Blackout. More recently, I’m kind of developing a thing for 10mm. I’ve been testing out a Springfield … [Read More...]
First Gear: Dryfiremag
One of the handiest new gun products I've seen in years... There are few money-back guarantees in life, but I’ll give you one. If you dry-fire practice just 10 minutes a day, a few times a week, your shooting will improve by leaps and bounds. Read … [Read More...]
At Least Politicians Are Telling Us What They Really Think
Here's what the 2020 front-runners really think about guns... The good thing about social media is it allows people to air their opinions publicly and immediately with no filter. The bad thing about social media is that it allows people to air … [Read More...]
Sig Sauer’s P320 XCompact Carry Pistol
I’ve been searching for the perfect carry pistol for 15 years. I started large with a Beretta 92FS full-size. Then I suffered through the miniscule uber-compact stage. Now I’ve figured out that the confidence I gain from shooting a larger pistol with … [Read More...]
Authors Weigh In: Top Firearms YouTube Channels
I have a low tolerance level for videos because I can't easily skim to find the relevant content. That, and people like to make 12-minute videos with one minute's worth of content. There are a couple of good channels out there though... We asked a … [Read More...]
6 Things You Learn Buying Holsters By The Ton
Buying a quality holster is equally important to buying a quality firearm. Even still, you have to be careful... The other day I gathered up all the holsters I’ve bought over the years. I didn’t fully appreciate the size of the pile until I later … [Read More...]
Where Should You Sit?
Here's an interesting mental exercise on the best place to sit in a coffee shop. This layout is a tough one - on purpose I suspect... Take a look at the photo above. If you were visiting a coffee shop, which seat would you pick? I’ve seen this … [Read More...]
Florida Handicap Parking Spot Case Update
Stand your ground laws don't allow you to be stupid... Anyone who carries a firearm for personal protection should take note of the verdict in a dispute over a handicap parking spot that led to a shooting in Clearwater, Florida, on July 19, … [Read More...]