Tom McHale - My Gun Culture

About Tom McHale

Tom is the Editor of American Handgunner Magazine and has published numerous books on shooting, concealed carry, reloading, and the United States Constitution. You can find print and ebook versions of his books at Amazon. Find Tom online at Parler, MeWe, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

No Matter Your Tactics, You Can Get Killed

By Tom McHale|2024-03-30T14:30:49-04:00March 30th, 2024|

Clint has a down-to-earth take here. Anything that involves tactics can get you killed. A quick and useful read on the difference between "fantasy" or "envisioned" encounters and those from the real world.

Silence? Or Not So Much? Is it Safe to Shoot Suppressed Without Hearing Protection?

By Tom McHale|2024-03-29T12:17:30-04:00March 29th, 2024|

Suppressors reduce the sounds levels of gunshots—a lot. Technically, most of them reduce the sound signature to a level most claim is “hearing safe” or at least below the point of causing instant hearing damage. So, what’s the bottom line? Is it safe to shoot suppressed without hearing protection? The answer is… it depends.

Carry Options: Day-by-Day Concealed Carry Choices

By Tom McHale|2024-03-28T14:34:21-04:00March 28th, 2024|

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. I’m talking about the carry guns that actually get daily “out-and-about” concealed carry use. Around here, we spend a lot of time talking about (and testing) a wide variety of guns and gear, so excepting the days spent doing formal evaluations of new carry guns and holster rigs, I thought it might be helpful to share the guns that have more recently occupied the lion’s share of my more discretionary carry time.

Drinking with the Dead

By Tom McHale|2024-03-28T14:34:11-04:00March 28th, 2024|

So, the lesson in this true story from the Old West is that if you give a bunch of rough men enough alcohol, they will do some really bizarre and arguably creepy things. Here’s the story of an armed robber resurrected to finish the drink he paid for. Yep, really.

Miracle Sight Adjuster: Sight Punch vs. Sight Drifter

By Tom McHale|2024-03-21T12:09:47-04:00March 21st, 2024|

I’ve always wanted to try one of these as it’s somewhat difficult, bordering on impossible for mere non-gunsmith mortals, to adjust a tight steel front or rear sight without making a mess of either the sight or the punch.

Apparatus Insignis: Remington’s Double Derringer, An Idea Too Good To Die

By Tom McHale|2024-03-21T09:49:43-04:00March 21st, 2024|

From a new regular column in American Handgunner, the Apparatus Insignis feature dives into the history, engineering, functions and obscura of interesting guns from the past and sometimes present.

The Joys of Ballistol

By Tom McHale|2024-03-20T09:12:55-04:00March 20th, 2024|

You experienced shooters and professional tinkerers out there likely already know many of the uses for this stuff, but for those youngsters reading this, here’s a valuable tip: Look for the green can.

Your Best Defense During Civil Unrest

By Tom McHale|2024-03-20T09:10:03-04:00March 20th, 2024|

I met Steve some years ago. He's one of those gray man guys you'd never give a asecond look, but he also has one of those backgrounds that make you stop and listen to what is has to say. You know, the guys in the background of event photos with Presidents and foreign dignitaries.

Trijicon RCR Red Dot

By Tom McHale|2024-03-20T08:56:20-04:00March 20th, 2024|

There are real benefits to a full-enclosed red dot sight where the emitter is not exposed to the world at large. Rain, snow and even lint easily make their way into the tiny nooks and crannies where the magic light exits the computer to be beamed onto the glass itself. An equally real first-world problem is the inside surface of the glass on traditional optics tends to collect dust and it’s tough to reach for proper cleaning.

A Non-Binary Look at Carrying with an Empty Chamber

By Tom McHale|2024-03-01T10:36:13-05:00March 1st, 2024|

If you carry concealed with an empty chamber, you will die a horrible death, and that Korean boy band with pink and blue hair, BTS, will sing your eulogy. #Fact.