I’ve always wanted a pair of matching “cowboy guns.” By matching, I mean a six-shooter and a classic lever-action rifle, chambered in the same caliber. Ideally, that caliber would be .45 Colt. Childhood dreams? Maybe. Or perhaps just because. When we decided to do some stories and videos on these classic guns, we quickly looked […]
What To Do When Police Arrive
Early one Sunday morning in November, 2018, police responding to reports of gunfire at Manny’s Blue Room Lounge in Robbins, Illinois shot and killed an armed security guard. As with most violent encounters, facts remain murky to this day. Not because of a conspiracy or cover-up, but because things happen fast in the heat of […]
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 […]
Real Avid Pistol Tool: New Product Test
The folks at Real Avid have a knack for stuffing a whole lot of useful gun tools into one implement that’ll fit in your front pocket. The Gun Tool, for example, which packs 18 of the most frequently used tools for rifles and shotguns in a little an ergonomically shaped multi-tool, has won gun industry […]
Savage AXIS II XP Rifle: Gun Review
Let’s get right to the point. If you need a hunting rifle that’s ready to go out of the box, check out the new Savage Axis II rifle. Offered in a variety of calibers, it includes a Bushnell Banner scope as part of the package. Obviously, there’s a lot more to understand about what’s under the […]
Range Test: Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie
Over the past couple of years, enthusiasm for long(er) range shooting has exploded. Sure, there are competitions that make it structured, but part of the reason for the boundless popularity is that it’s just fun. Hitting a target at long range requires 50 percent skill, 50 percent science, and 43 percent pure VooDoo. Oh, and […]
Best New Shorty Shotguns (Firearms) From SHOT Show 2019 – No Tax Stamp Required!
Let’s clear something up right off the bat. We’re not talking about shotguns in the purest, legal sense. We’re talking about firearms. That’s because firearms that ignite shot shells that aren’t designed to be shouldered aren’t considered “shotguns” by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). That’s why these firearms can have barrels […]
A Cowboy Rifle: Uberti’s 1873 Winchester
If a rifle can be nostalgic, it’s hard to argue against the Winchester 1873 lever-action rifle being crowned king of the sentimental hill. Often known as “the gun that won the west,” handling and beholding the 1873 Short Rifle conjures images of cowboys, campfires, cattle drives on horseback, and good guys saving the day. While […]
What You Need to Know About Sights
Most modern handguns and rifles ship with their factory sights set pretty close to perfect. However, everyone’s eyes are unique and different types of ammo can land in varying spots around the point of aim. Also, many AR platform rifles don’t ship with iron sights at all, letting the buyer add whatever type they want. […]
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 […]