.223 Remington: History, Ballistics, and Ammo Recommendations

If you’re interested in firearms in the slightest or even walked into a gun store once before, you’ve likely seen or heard about the .223 Remington. This once-revolutionary round has now become a staple in any firearm collection, and for good reason. It’s an incredibly effective choice for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense applications. Background […]

.44 Magnum: History, Performance, and Ammo Selection

You don’t have to be Dirty Harry to see the value in having a big-bore magnum by your side. The .44 Remington Magnum is highly regarded as a hard-hitting and accurate round that provides phenomenal stopping power. It’s no surprise that there’s a large number of manufacturers producing .44 Magnum ammo in a variety of […]

.30-30 Winchester Ammo — Performance and Top Loads

Emerging just at the end of the Wild West era, the .30-30 Winchester skyrocketed in popularity, quickly becoming one of the most popular hunting rounds in North America. The new smokeless powder offered higher velocities and a flatter trajectory than traditional black powder rounds. Like many other designs by John Moses Browning, the .30-30 revolutionized […]

Review: .45 Long Colt — History and Ammo Recommendations

The .45 Long Colt is a versatile cartridge that played a key role in transitioning the firearms industry into the modern era. The round is a proven fight stopper, with extensive use by soldiers, hunters, and sport shooters across the country. Due to its impressive history, there’s a wide variety of loads from numerous manufacturers […]

5.56 NATO Ammo — Performance and Top Brands

In the United States, the 5.56 NATO and AR-15 have become synonymous with freedom. The round has become increasingly popular — in fact, it’s now the most popular centerfire rifle cartridge in the country. The 5.56x45mm NATO is classified as an intermediate rifle caliber, meaning it falls between a handgun cartridge and a full-size rifle […]

.300 AAC Blackout: History, Ballistics, and Ammo Selection

Designed for superior suppressed performance, the .300 Blackout provides shooters with a larger, heavier .30-caliber projectile in a compact package compatible with a standard-size AR-15 rifle. This addressed many of the limitations of the 5.56 NATO in close-quarters combat. The cartridge functions with standard AR-15 magazines and bolts, and it only requires a barrel swap […]

Review: 9mm Luger Ammo — Brands and Performance

With billions of rounds produced annually, the 9mm is the world’s most popular centerfire handgun caliber. Whether you call it 9x19mm, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm NATO, or 9mm Luger, this one cartridge seemingly does it all and deserves a place in any gun safe. From casual plinking and training, to serious competition use and self-defense, this […]

.308 Winchester Ammo Review — Brands and Performance

The .308 Winchester is a staple cartridge for any rifle shooter and certainly deserves a place in any firearm collection. From self-defense to hunting, and even long-range shooting, the .308 Winchester provides dependable performance. With a large assortment of .308 ammo available from several different manufacturers, there are numerous ways to tailor this round to […]

Complete Review: 6.5 Creedmoor Ammunition — Performance and Top Brands

The 6.5 Creedmoor has become quite a popular option for long-range shooters and hunters alike. Now that the cartridge is nearing 20 years since its inception, it’s time to take a closer look. With many rifles now offered in the renowned 6.5 CM, and a large variety of ammunition and brands available, there are now […]

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 Magnum Legend: Ruger Super Redhawk

The Ruger Super Redhawk is a well-made, precise, and reliable gun. It’s well worth adding one to your collection if you’re a hunter. And if you don’t hunt, maybe it’s time you started.

Mission First Tactical Translucent EXD 30 Polymer Magazines: Do They Complete the Mission?

Mission First Tactical Translucent EXD 30 Polymer Magazines offer the perfect blend of functionality, durability, and aesthetics. The no-tilt follower ensures reliable feeding, while the translucent design allows for quick round count identification. Maintenance is made easy with a baseplate that’s simple to remove, and the rugged polymer construction stands up to the rigors of hard use.

TP9 SF: The Unsung Hero of the Canik Brand

Turkish gun maker Canik has become known in recent years for affordable, reliable, and stylish pistols. Want a dramatic cerakote design that looks custom but comes right out of the box? They have it. Want a threaded barrel and/or integral compensator but only have $550 to spend? They’ve got you covered. Their TP9 and Mete series pistols, primarily striker-fired guns in 9mm chambering, have exploded in popularity. But it’s one of their earlier models that makes my day: the TP9 SF.

The New Beretta Px4 Storm G-SD: A Range Review

The Beretta Px4 Storm is something of a sleeper gun. It is neither obscure nor ubiquitous, but it is a well-appointed and high-quality pistol designed to bridge the gap between lighter polymer-framed pistols and the traditional and trusted double-action hammer-fired handguns that had made Beretta into a worldwide entity. Since coming onto the scene in […]

The Glock 19 Gen 3 vs. Gen 5 Comparison: Are They Really Any Different?

Is one generation of the Glock 19 drastically superior to the other? I would say no. However, the Gen 5 does have some attractive features that the Gen 3 does not. If I were restricted to using a Gen 3 Glock 19, would I feel disadvantaged? Not at all. While there might be more accurate pistols out there, the Glock's attributes, taken as a whole, make it a superior pistol.

New 5,300 Lumen Streamlight PROTAC HL 6: Flashlight Review

After using the HL 6 for a while, I can say this is one of the better duty lights I’ve used so far. It’s light, super bright, and the perfect size for daily use. The Streamlight PROTAC HL 6 is easy to use and built to last for years. If you need a new light, I recommend checking this one out. It’s perfect for any dark occasion.

AXIL XCOR PRO Electronic Ear Plugs: One Year Later

Whether you’re hitting the range for a quick session or spending the entire day in a noisy environment, the AXIL XCOR PRO earplugs are an excellent investment. Use them for shooting, mowing, working in the shop, tuning out the spouse, or whatever you need ear protection for. I've been using mine for more than a year, and they have proven to hold up great over time.

Bushmaster ACR Platform Review: A Fun Battle Gun

Am I sold on the Bushmaster ACR? Well, it's a nice rifle, but I'll hang onto my AR-15, thank you very much. I guess I'm just an old dinosaur who resists change. On the other hand, the Stoner-designed AR-15 has been getting it done since the 1960s, so there's nothing wrong with that. That said, the ACR will no doubt appeal to the younger generation.

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.

Fifty-Dollar Optics: ATI Duo Sight vs Truglo Tru-Brite

While neither optic would be my first choice for a battle gun, they both provide reliable, budget-friendly options for those who don't want to break the bank on optics. If you want a low-cost optic that you'd find on an entry-level AR, I think either one of these optics would work just fine.

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.

NcSTAR Steel Target Stand: A Range Review

All in all, the NcSTAR target stand is an extremely useful piece of range gear, and I'm glad to have it. I'll store it in my vehicle so it's always there for range trips. I like it because it's built very sturdily. It's simple to assemble or disassemble, so it can be stored compactly. Seeing how simple it is to use, I'd say that's another huge bonus. As this is written, the NcSTAR target stand sells for $39.99. Considering what the buyer gets for that price, I'd say this is a good deal, and I wouldn't mind picking up a couple more of them in the future.

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.