Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner and a lifelong firearms enthusiast. Now that his days of working a 240B like Charlie Parker on the sax are over he's a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is probably most likely the world's Okayest firearm instructor. He is a simplicisist when it comes to talking about himself in the 3rd person and a self-professed tactical hipster. Hit him up on Instagram, @travis.l.pike, with story ideas.

Savage Axis 2 in .270: A Perfect Hunting Rifle

I like the rifle and its ergonomics, price point, and performance. I don’t like the optic, though. I would purchase the Savage Axis 2 without the optic. Save a little extra money and buy your own optic. If you do that, the price savings and the 75-dollar rebate should allow you to get a better optic than the Bushnell Banner 3-9X. The Savage Axis 2 is a mix of clearly budget decisions, like the action, with some surprisingly nice features, like the stock. For the price point, I think you are getting a solid rifle that deserves a better optic.

The Cimmarron 1887 Terminator: The Cowboy Shotgun Rides Again

The Cimarron 1887 Terminator is a fun gun for me. It's an experience your typical pump gun doesn't deliver. Cimarron has made owning an 1887 affordable and provided a reliable, fun-to-shoot shotgun.

The Swampfox Warhorse LPVO: The Best Beginner LPVO

The Swampfox Warhorse, Justice, and Hostile Engagement setup delivers an excellent LPVO setup. It's a bit hefty at two pounds altogether, but very capable. If you're like me and are curious about LPVOs, it's a great way to dip your toe into the world. You're getting a high-quality setup that won't completely drain your wallet. The Warhorse might not satisfy optics snobs, but for the everyday user, it's a fantastic value and a very capable option.

The Glock 17: The Gun That Started It All

My contrarian nature makes it hard to admit, but there is a reason why Glock is so well-represented among people who use guns for a living. It's not just because it's cheap; it's because it's a solid, well-made, and reliable service pistol. The Glock 17 was the firstborn and still one of the most popular pistols in the world. If you want a gun that works, then Glock is for you. Now, if they'd only release the MOS3 guns to the average Joe…

The Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Generations: Decoding the Classics

Depending on the model, these varied-generation guns can fetch a pretty penny, but many still offer good value. Third-generation .45, 9mm, and .40 S&W guns can often be had for a great price and are competent weapons.

The KE Arms KP-9: Poly Power

I've been using and shooting the KP-9 for several months now. It's been perfect and reliable with all types of ammo. I had concerns, especially about the takedown pins. They've yet to fail me. The pins holding the trigger in haven't failed or seemingly wallowed out the receiver. It might be polymer, but it's tough, and this might be the only real way to produce an entirely polymer frame lower receiver.

The SilencerCo Velos LBP 556K: Keep It Quiet and Short

The SilencerCo Velos LBP 556K has hit the market hard and delivered a suppressor perfectly designed for home defense. The LBP 556K is a shorter, lighter sequel to the LBP, released only a few years ago. SilencerCo's original LBP series received a lot of love, but some folks thought it was just a hair too long for home defense, especially on 16-inch rifles. SilencerCo responded by trimming the length of the can from 5.98 inches to 4.76 inches. The weight dropped down to 12.4 ounces, but the LBP 556K maintains a high level of durability compared to the original LBP.

The Cobra FS 380: Will It Hold Up?

In my opinion, the Cobra FS 380 absolutely sucks. It's a terrible gun with no redeemable features. It's not worth $60. Am I disappointed? Of course. But am I surprised? Not really. The Cobra FS 380 is a great example of how you get what you pay for.

What’s The Effective Range of Buckshot?

If you asked someone to list the downsides of shotguns, you'd very quickly get to the limited range issue. Shotguns have limited range, especially when firing shot. Slugs can extend the range but still can't reach the same range as 5.56. Shotguns lack range, but how far can they remain effective? Specifically, how far can they remain effective with buckshot? That's what I set out to figure out today.

The Ultimate Guide to Mounting a Rifle Scope

Got an optic that needs to be mounted? Well, you've come to the right place! Today, we'll go over mounting an optic in detail and explain how you can get your variable magnified optic up and running. Lots of modern optics, especially red dots, and prism sights, come with integral mounting systems that make it very easy to mount your optic to your gun. When it comes to variable magnified optics, you'll need a little bit of know-how and a few tools to be a pro.

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