Insights

The Practical Differences in Revolver Barrel Length

How does barrel length affect the performance of a .38 revolver? I've put three Smith & Wesson classics to the test and their differences are noticeable.

Training and Carrying a Gun With a Disability

A disability can present additional challenges in self-defense. Here are some things to think about when choosing gear, what to look for in training, and considerations for instructors.

Meaningful Alternatives to Gun Bans

Education is everything. You need to know your gun and how to use it, but it helps to know other skills, too, like how to unpack the motivations of those who want to enact gun bans, limit our rights, and change our laws.

Guns We Miss: The Iconic 3.5″ Barrel Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum

There are certain guns whose shape and configuration just imprint on us and become iconic. The Luger pistol and the Mauser C96, the 1911, and the Colt Single Action Army. Sometimes it’s the shape of the barrel that makes the difference, a classic example being the much-copied vent-ribbed and under-lugged Colt Python. But the only […]

Guns of The Quick and the Dead

The Quick and the Dead is a fantastic gunfighter movie that doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. It's full of stars such as Gene Hackman, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sharon Stone, with an excellent storyline that truly delivers throughout the show, and with cool guns, too. We've chosen our top five favorite firearms of the Quick and the Dead to share with you.

What If Jeff Cooper Could Have Had Today’s 9mm Ammo?: A Hypothetical

For a very, very long time up until recent years, the 9mm Parabellum (9mm Luger, 9x19) was seen as a weak sister with feeble “stopping power” and the .45 ACP was seen as a benchmark of adequate defensive handgun potency. No one man was as responsible for that perception as Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC (ret.). But what if he'd been exposed to modern 9mm ammo?

Guns We Miss: The Third Generation S&W Autos

From the late 1980s to the end of the 20th Century, we had the Third Generation S&W semiautomatic pistols. To appreciate them, we have to understand what preceded them.

Milsurp Condition: What Does That Mean?

Purchasing military surplus mags, parts, ammo, and gear will almost always save us some of our precious greenbacks. And these days, every dollar counts. But there's an inherent risk when purchasing milsurp gear as not all military surplus guns and gear are created equal. Don't expect to get factory-new quality when it comes to military surplus gear; you'll be sorely disappointed.

Hunting With The AR-15: Good or Bad?

Hunting with an AR-15 can be a great option if you understand the limitations of the gun. Let's talk about the pros and cons, and how the AR compares to a bolt action for hunting.

The MP-40 ‘Schmeisser’ Is a Pop Culture Icon

The German-made MP-40, often called the Schmeisser by the allies, was used throughout World War II and it is arguably a movie star in its own right.