Reviews: Guns - My Gun Culture

Nighthawk Thunder Ranch Combat Special: Classy and Dangerous

By Tom McHale|2023-02-02T10:24:35-05:00February 2nd, 2023|

The whole point of mass production is to make something “good enough” for an affordable price. If you want a pistol that ranks among the very best, you’ll look for a gun built more like a Chiron.The folks at Nighthawk Custom coined the phrase, “One gun, one gunsmith” to capture their manufacturing philosophy. It means what it says.Nighthawk starts each 1911 pistol with 46 parts, machined from bar stock billet. They’re intentionally oversized to allow the gunsmith to hand-fit every one to each specific pistol. No parts bins here.

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The Air-Powered Fun Zone

By Tom McHale|2022-12-20T07:41:44-05:00December 20th, 2022|

We can’t always get to the range to shoot our fire and brimstone guns, and frontyard ranges tend to upset the neighbors — at least some neighbors. That’s where Air Power saves the day. Modern air pistols and rifles are technological marvels and offer realistic and accurate performance. Better yet, they can be safe for backyard, garage, or even indoor — if your spouse isn’t home — use. Or better yet, get her involved in the shooting! Here’s a few “must haves” and “wish I had thems” to get you going.

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A Holster Full of Boom: Springfield Armory XD-M 10mm

By Tom McHale|2022-11-13T15:16:54-05:00November 13th, 2022|

Reports of the demise of the 10mm cartridge have been greatly exaggerated. If new gun launches are any indicator of consumer demand (they are), then the 10mm is alive and kicking; thank you very much.Anyway, the 10mm has been coming on strong this past year. Considered mortally wounded after law enforcement everywhere moved to the .40 S&W and assumed to be dead and recycled into Shake Weights when law enforcement everywhere moved to the 9mm, it seems to be still kicking. Apparently, it’s the Michael Myers of calibers.

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Vantage Point: The French Do Something Right

By Tom McHale|2022-07-30T11:04:55-04:00July 30th, 2022|

French military jokes tend to write themselves, and somehow, French arms haven’t always enjoyed the satisfaction of a durable martial reputation. So, let’s go ahead and get this out of the way so we can proceed to the story at hand … Do you know why French tanks are designed with one forward and five reverse gears? In case they have to retreat straight ahead. Ba-da-bing! Now I’ve gotten it out of my system; it’s time to heap some well-deserved praise on a French arms maker.

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New! Springfield Armory .45 ACP Garrison 1911 Pistol Review

By Tom McHale|2021-11-15T09:02:10-05:00November 15th, 2021|

Over the past year or so, Springfield Armory has taken the concepts of economies of scale to new heights. Pistols in the Ronin family and the new SA-35 Hi-Power have proven to the market you can make a rock-solid pistol at a price friendly to most everyone. The latest entry in this race to provide top-notch firearms at affordable price points is the anchor of a new family of 1911 pistols — the Garrison. It’s a basic 1911 design with modern refinements to make it reliable with defensive ammo, accurate and comfortable to carry and shoot.

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New! Springfield’s Hi-Power SA 35, New Take on a Classic

By Tom McHale|2021-10-27T13:18:20-04:00October 26th, 2021|

Now you can have an iconic Hi-Power of your own, and one you’ll want to

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New Gun Review: Mossberg MC2sc Carry Pistol

By Tom McHale|2021-10-26T09:18:12-04:00October 26th, 2021|

Optics ready and big capacity in a small package. American Handgunner Editor tom McHale spends the day at Gunsite Shooting Academy reviewing Mossberg's newly released MC2sc compact handgun.

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Gun Review: Springfield Armory Ronin 1911 10mm [VIDEO]

By Tom McHale|2021-10-08T17:56:42-04:00October 8th, 2021|

10mm is in. You can't argue with the power downrange and when packaged in a classic 1911 pistol platform, the 10mm is surprisingly easy to control. Recoil is a bit more than a .45 ACP in a similar handgun, but not bad. American Handgunner magazine editor Tom McHale checks out the Springfield Armory 1911 Ronin 10mm with a range report.

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