If you interpret “home defense” in the broadest sense, the objective is to protect your people and your home from threats of any kind. That would include not just home invasions but also simple burglary and even fire. While the concepts overlap a bit, we’re going to focus on the intruder scenario here. When thinking […]
Answering FAQs About Gun Ranges
To the new shooter, range rules and procedures can sometimes appear to be capricious and solely intended to take all the fun out of an outing. I can assure you that most any rule you encounter exists for good reason. Here are some of the most common FAQs about gun ranges. What Does a Range […]
When You’re Hot – How Case Hardening Works
There’s not much more classic than case-hardened receivers and parts. So, how do manufacturers and custom shops get that colorful finish? Here’s an explanation… Ever wondered how gunmakers and gunsmiths get that beautiful, mottled coloring you’ve seen on shotgun receivers and gun parts? Want to learn the ins and outs of this process? If so, […]
What to Expect Your First Time at an Outdoor Range
Everyone I’ve ever taken shooting at an outdoor range loved the adventure. If you’re new to shooting, though, going by yourself can be an intimidating experience fraught with worry and uncertainty. No problem! We’ll make sure we cover everything you need to know to have a fun, safe and non-nerve-wracking experience. Outdoor ranges fall into a few […]
Just the FAQs: Common Shooting Range Questions
There are more than 21,000 — and counting! — firearms laws on the books across the country. Add to that varying policies from ranges and clubs, and things get confusing pretty quickly. While we can’t provide definitive legal advice for every situation, we can touch on some of the most common shooting range questions. In […]
How to Survive Your First Gun Store Visit
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 […]