I remember the first time I walked into a Wild Birds Unlimited store. I was just like those characters on the TV show “Naked and Afraid,” although I was slightly less naked and much more afraid. Realizing that I might be exposed as a poseur who didn’t even know the difference between a pied-billed grebe […]
What Is Rifle Headspace and Why Is It Important?
I wrote this piece on headspace for Shooting Sports Retailer magazine but whether you sell guns to earn a living or not, the information about headspace is handy… Rifle headspace is one of those topics that, in reality, is not nearly as mysterious as it seems. When customers buy a used firearm, especially a military […]
Slide Release vs. Racking: Pros and Cons
Semi-automatic pistols have a neat little lever on the side that both locks the slide open and allows it to close. This feature has both administrative and “tactical” (for lack of a better word) purposes. Administratively, it’s handy for showing an empty gun and field stripping for cleaning and maintenance. Tactically, the lever is one […]
Coolest Shooting Ranges in the United States
There’s a lot to see and do in this great country. You might enjoy checking out the Beer Can House in Houston, Texas. Or maybe you’d care to see the 55-foot tall Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, Minnesota. No? How about Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Museum in San Antonio? If you’re more into shooting […]
How to Run a Single-Action Revolver [VIDEO]
Single-Action revolvers like the classic Colt SAA have a few tricks and quirks to them. It’s important to know how they operate, not just so you can load and unload them properly, but for safety reasons, too. Often called “six shooters,” these revolvers were more frequently “five shooters.” That’s not because they didn’t have room […]
What You Need to Know About Recoil
For some reason not readily discernible, we gunnies will argue endlessly about the ways in which guns and ammunition can violate the laws of physics. You know what I mean. We’ve all heard the yarns about the .45 that knocked an enemy combatant 6 feet off the ground and out of their shoes back in […]
Should You Use Your Pistol’s Slide Lock Lever or Rack the Slide?
When loading a fresh magazine or changing to a new one, there are two ways to “recharge” a semi-automatic pistol. You can push down on the slide lock lever using your firing or support hand thumb, or you can go through a partial slide racking motion. Some on the internet will insist that choosing the […]
What You Need to Know About Driving with Firearms
Suppose you’re planning a road trip and intend to transport a firearm in your vehicle. You’re a law-abiding citizen, and of course, there’s this thing called the Second Amendment that should cover you, right? Well, not exactly. In part, because the Founders of the United States believed that most laws should be made locally, states […]
How to Make the Most From One Box of Ammo
There’s nothing wrong with going to the range to plink away at targets while having some fun. However, if you want to improve your shooting skills, it’s important to add some structure to the routine. With one box of ammo and a little discipline, you can exercise a variety of key skills and track your […]
How to Use a Tourniquet
While you might think that tourniquet preparation and use is simply another “tacti-cool” trend, it’s a proven lifesaver for all sorts of common scenarios. While the odds of you needing to use one to treat a gunshot wound are very low, the chances of you being a “first responder” to a serious car or another […]