Steve Collins
Steve Collins is a firearms and tactics instructor with over 25 years of teaching military, security and civilian personnel.  He spent 17 years on active duty with the US Army and served during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He has been head of Personal Security Details for field grade and General Officers during his time overseas.  He was also a shooter/instructor with the US Army Marksmanship Unit, competing in action pistol matches and training deploying military personnel in the combat use of the rifle and pistol.  While assigned to the Basic Officers Leaders Course at Fort Benning, GA, he was the primary instructor for Advanced Rifle Marksmanship, and was responsible for training over 400 newly commissioned lieutenants during his time there. He holds instructor certifications from the US Army and the National Rifle Association, and has conducted training classes in Alabama, Illinois, Washington, and Missouri. Steve began shooting in rifle competition when he was 12 years old, competition pistol at 15, and has won numerous awards since. When he's not shooting or writing, Steve spends his time chasing chickens, annoying his wife of 25 years, and playing with his grandkids on their compound in SW Missouri.

Home Defense Alternatives to the AR-15

Insights
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Steve Collins

Not all places or people are friendly to the AR-15. Regardless, there are plenty of gun alternatives for defending your home beyond the most popular — and regulated — semi-auto rifles in America today.

Shooting the Winchester Model 62A

Firearm Reviews
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Steve Collins

I’m pretty sure everyone remembers their first gun, or at least the first one they ever shot. For me, it was a Ruger Blackhawk .357 Magnum, when I was about five years old, shooting at a stump across a dried-up pond. For most, it was some sort of .22 caliber pistol or rifle. I don’t […]

A Short History of the 1911

Firearms History
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Steve Collins

The 1911 pistol has been pronounced dead many times, but it shows no sign of slowing down. More models come to market every year, and the basic design still dominates in action pistol competition. The future will see more high-capacity 9mm 1911s with red dots, but the original, the 5-inch barreled Government Model .45ACP, will never disappear completely.

Shooting the Smith & Wesson Model 12 .38 Special

Firearm Reviews
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Steve Collins

With the resurgence of interest in snubby revolvers, the Model 12 is a worthy option. It is an outstanding revolver in its own right.

Colt Lightweight Commander .45 ACP

Firearm Reviews
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Steve Collins

The Colt Lightweight Commander .45 ACP is a handsome firearm, and eminently suitable for personal protection. It is the epitome of the easy-to-carry, easy-to-shoot, powerful fighting handgun. Were you to choose to carry one, you would be in very good company. 

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