General Tips

How to Become a Better Shooter This Year, and Have Fun Doing It

By Tom McHale|2025-01-09T09:06:43-05:00January 9th, 2025|

While many law enforcement officers dread annual qualifications, some of the courses, especially the “old school” ones are a lot of fun. Better yet, they’re guaranteed to make you a better shooter. For example, the old Air Marshal qualification is tough to complete if you follow the rules, but if you do, you’ll be among the very best of gun owners out there.

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Buying a Suppressor – Easy Tips

By Tom McHale|2024-11-22T13:23:51-05:00November 22nd, 2024|

Yes, suppressors are perfectly legal. Yes, anyone who can legally buy a gun can also buy a suppressor—it just takes more paperwork and a donation to Uncle Same in the amount of $200. Alan explains the basics of suppressors and how to buy one with minimal pain and suffering.

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The Right Grips Can Make All the Difference

By Tom McHale|2024-11-15T11:59:15-05:00November 15th, 2024|

The right grips can make all the difference. Sometimes, original factory designs (primarily on older guns) are just… wrong. Other times, individual hand size and shape don’t quite mesh with the shape of your particular gun. Whatever the reason, customizing grips can make a big difference in how well you handle and shoot your handgun.

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Silence? Or Not So Much? Are Suppressors Really Hearing Safe?

By Tom McHale|2024-11-08T11:43:27-05:00November 8th, 2024|

The devil is always in the details. We hear about suppressors making shooting “hearing safe.” Is that true? Well, yes. And, no. It all depends. Here’s a brief look at some of the science behind silencing and suppression of firearms and what you need to know to be sure you’re not permanently destroying your hearing.

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At the Mercy of Reloading Component Shortages? Life As A Lead Scrounger

By Tom McHale|2024-11-08T11:45:58-05:00November 6th, 2024|

Out-of-control reloading component shortages, lasting years, are becoming a regular event thanks to pandering politicians and a hysterical media. So perhaps the time is not to start casting your own bullets. It’s fun, satisfying, and most importantly, puts you squarely in charge of your own destiny. Mike has some tips.

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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.

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Easy Kitchen DIY: How to Stipple the Grip On Your Polymer Pistol

By Tom McHale|2024-02-14T14:57:15-05:00February 16th, 2024|

Doing DIY work on a gun can, and should be, somewhat intimidating. You don’t want to be messing around with things that might impact safety or reliability unless you really know what you’re doing. But there are plenty of projects on the lower end of the risk spectrum. One example is customizing the grip surface on a polymer-framed gun. It’s mostly a cosmetic and “feel” customization that doesn’t impact any of the fire control elements, so if you’re careful, you can do a grip-stippling job right at home using inexpensive and readily available tools.

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What You Need to Know About Self-Defense Training [VIDEO]

By Tom McHale|2024-02-14T14:56:50-05:00February 15th, 2024|

American Handgunner Editor Tom McHale welcomes James Queisner to discuss the must-knows of self-defense training. James is an instructor at Gunsite Academy and has written a few of American Handgunner's "Make Ready" columns focusing on training issues.

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Self-Defense Scenario Training with W.O.F.T.’s Philip Toppino [VIDEO]

By Tom McHale|2024-02-14T14:56:01-05:00February 13th, 2024|

Everyone offers a self-defense training program, but how many self-defense training centers put you in the middle of everyday training scenarios and help you practice your response over and over until you get it right? American Handgunner's Tom McHale attended a program at W.O.F.T., and his eyes were opened.

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How to Shoot Tiny Groups

By Tom McHale|2023-10-27T09:36:17-04:00October 27th, 2023|

Accuracy. It’s the bane of the range. We read articles about the latest, greatest gob of lead flinger and how it will shoot .0027″ groups from a quarter mile using leftover ammo from the War of 1812. Then we get our hands on one, and, well, the results don’t quite live up to the expectations.

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IMPROVE YOUR SHOOTING!