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.

The Walther P99: An Underrated Legend

The Walther P99 was a striker-fired polymer frame pistol with a double-stacked magazine and a DA/SA action. DA/SA polymer frame pistols are rare; most simply copy the Walther P99. The Walther P99 was produced from 1997 to 2023 in 9mm and .40 S&W. The gun recently went out with a bang, and a final edition was released with a special case, color, and collector's coin.

The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol: Tactical Shotgun Perfection?

The Italians, known for their dominance in the market with the Beretta 1301 and the Benelli M4, are now facing competition from companies like Mossberg. While the M4 and 1301 are high-end options, Beretta has smartly tapped into the more affordable market with the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol, offering a high-quality semi-auto tactical shotgun at a price that won't break the bank. But is it worth the hype? Let's take a look.

The Lorcin L9: Garbage Pale Guns

The reason why American-made guns like the L9 sold so well is that gun prices used to be higher relative to everyday pay. These days, companies like Taurus are producing solid little guns at price points. The imports from Turkey aren't fantastic, but they function better than pot metal guns. Sometimes, it's nice to see how far the firearm industry has come, and the L9 is a great reminder of that.

A History Of The Colt Submachine Gun

SMGs are on the way out. It’s sad, but they just don’t function like a short carbine with a proper rifle round. As a PCC fan, I still love the little guys and the PCC/Subguns they inspire. If you’re looking for an AR-type PCC, it’s tough to go wrong with a Colt clone. Are you a Colt SMG fan?

The 50/200 Zero: Is It Magic?

The 50/200 yard zero represents a very easy and measured zero that gives you a nice flight trajectory to the target. I tend to stick with it even after my history of being in the Marine Corps and using the 36/300 for years. I find it quick, accurate, and easy to use.

Derringers and the History of Deep Concealment

Derringers have long been a part of the American concealed carry market, and they don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. These micro-sized guns are still produced well over a century after their advent. That's a testimonial to their stay power and an inherent enjoyment of the design.

The Kahr CW9: An Underrated Concealed Carry Option

My Kahr CW9 came with two magazines, a small plastic box, and a manual. According to the manual, the gun should have a 200-round break-in period. In the modern era, it seems odd that break-in periods still exist for guns. Luckily, mine was used, and someone must've already gone through that break-in period. My gun ran like a well-made watch and I didn't run into any malfunctions to speak of.

The Other .30 Carbine Firearms

The .30 Carbine doesn’t get much love these days. It’s faded away for calibers like .223 and .350 Legend. The price of ammo has steadily risen, and it’s certainly not a cheap caliber. I was pleasantly surprised by all the .30 Carbine rifles out there. In fact, I found so many that I didn’t even include the variety of handguns that chambered the round. Those handguns and the light rifle program as a whole are a different discussion for a different day.

The Rossi Brawler: A Modern Pirate Pistol

Between .410 and .45 Colt, the Rossi Brawler could be a stellar survival gun. The powerful .45 Colt could take deer and even bear with the right load. It wouldn't be my first choice, but it's a choice. The ability to use .410 makes it solid for killing small game at close range, like squirrels and rabbits. It could still be used for that role, but you must have specialized .410 on hand.

The Bizarre and Fascinating Cobray DS 410: A Fun Review

Let me know if anyone wants to revive the DS 410 and make it a usable design that can handle lots of shooting. I have plenty of ideas for creating a modern version that could be a handy survival firearm or even a very handy gun for nearly any situation. The DS 410 is a good idea, but the bones just don't hold up.

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