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...]
Recent Articles
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...]
Why Are Glocks So Popular?
Like people, some guns are famous for certain attributes, while others are famous for being famous. I think the long-term fame of Glocks draws a bit from each of those realms, although I’m not sure if the Kardashians use them. The First Tactical … [Read More...]
CMMG Mk10 Banshee Pistol, Gets a 10mm Power Boost
There's a new Banshee in town and it's finally chambered in 10mm. If you're looking for a high-class 10mm pistol or short-barrel rifle, you need to check this out... Actually, anytime a company releases a new pistol caliber carbine, there’s an … [Read More...]
Should You Suppress a Home-Defense Gun?
Should you put a suppressor on a home-defense gun? That depends, there are a lot of factors to consider... With all that headache and waiting around just to get your hands on a firearms suppressor, should you ever consider using one on a home … [Read More...]
Parkland Father Uncovers What Media Failed To Look For
If you read nothing else today, read this article in its entirety. Seriously. The Parkland killer was, as we later learned, a seriously messed up person. He was violent and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office was pretty much on a first-name basis … [Read More...]
Water Filter Test Results | Best Choice for Backpacking, Survival & More
The folks at Wideners Reloading and Shooting Supply have produced an incredibly valuable reference page for water purification and filtration. If you spend time in the outdoors, it's a must read and bookmark resource. Our massive water filter test … [Read More...]
S&W Revolver Frame Sizes (Part I)
Mystified by the myriad of revolver frame types? N, J, K, L, E-I-E-I-O? Head over to the Tactical Professor for a simple explanation... #Smith&WessonSunday First in an ongoing series. This series owes much to the Standard Catalog of Smith & … [Read More...]
Massive Murder Rate in Mexico Yet Only 1% Legally Own a Gun and Rifles Are Banned
So, it appears that the murder rate in Mexico is 6 times that of the US, yet guns are largely banned with less than 1% of the population licensed to own a one. The largest rifle legal to buy is the simple .22 caliber. #Gunsense In 2018, Mexico’s … [Read More...]
Walther Begins Shipping ‘First Edition’ PPK/S Pistols -The Firearm Blog
I've got a 60's era InterArms Walther PPK/S that's a true classic. Glad to see this hit the market... A little while back Walther Arms announced that they were going to begin US-based production of the iconic PPK in .380. Well production is now … [Read More...]
Dry Fire With Laser Ammo
Love these types of training tools. A little time doing this at home translates to HUGE benefits on the next range visit --> Into the Fray, Episode 287: Dry-Fire With Laser Ammo – Now we can train anywhere, anytime, and still get instant … [Read More...]
The Real Deal About Appendix Carry
LET'S START THIS DISCUSSION with a pop quiz. Don't worry, it only represents 5 percent of your final grade. Will you shoot yourself in the (fill in the blank) if you carry in the appendix position? Is concealment easier in the appendix carry … [Read More...]
9mm Resurgence: Why the FBI & Police Went Back
A very interesting read on the reasons for the resurgence of the 9mm... Think today’s 9mm doesn’t possess sufficient terminal performance for use by the FBI, law enforcement and citizens for personal defense? Guess again. Read the rest: Shooting … [Read More...]
Blackhawk QuickMod Magazine Case Review
Have you ever wound your belt through holsters, magazine carriers, and belt loops, only to find when your finished that you find you missed a loop or placed a piece of gear in the wrong spot? If so, then you’ll understand why one of my favorite gear … [Read More...]
What Can You Expect from a Barrel Upgrade?
Service pistols shoot amazingly well considering that they’re produced by the trillions. OK, maybe millions, but they’re still mass production items made mostly by machines. If you have a pistol that’s hand-fitted, you’ll be paying a lot more than … [Read More...]