The K-Var Armory

Smith and Wesson — Almost Heaven

Smith and Wesson revolvers have been a part of American history for more than 150 years. These remarkable handguns offer real utility in hunting, personal defense, and target shooting. One of my friends refers to his tuned J frame .38 as a ‘little piece of heaven.’ I feel much the same away concerning my modest battery of Smith and Wesson revolvers. [Read more…] about Smith and Wesson — Almost Heaven

Box Drills: Working the Square Range

Most of us have limited time and resources for training, but going to the range and firing at a man-sized target that is squared to us accomplishes little beyond basic skills. We need relatively challenging drills that polish our skills in a meaningful way. A combination of two hand, one hand, weak hand, and fast shooting at typical combat ranges is needed. If you are up for the challenge, box drills can be your next step to upgrading your combat shooting skills. [Read more…] about Box Drills: Working the Square Range

Gun Control Lawmakers Targeting Wrong People

Across the landscape this winter, lawmakers from Sarasota to San Francisco and Seattle are pressing for more gun control laws that opponents are uniformly labelling as extreme if not unconstitutional, and the proponents of these laws—uniformly Democrats—are getting a pass from the press when they offer the explanation that these new measures will reduce crime by keeping guns out of the wrong hands. [Read more…] about Gun Control Lawmakers Targeting Wrong People

House Schedules ‘Gun Violence’ (Gun Control) Hearing

The Democrats are on a mission to make gun control an issue in the 2020 election. Rightly, the Democrats have blamed the Republican majorities for not being able to hold hearings on what they term ‘gun violence’ since the Democrats lost the majority in both Houses nearly a decade ago. [Read more…] about House Schedules ‘Gun Violence’ (Gun Control) Hearing

Armed Good Guys: Homeowner Shoots Registered Sex Offender

News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make headlines like the lives of innocents being taken. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media does not cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it resulted in the loss of innocent life. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth. [Read more…] about Armed Good Guys: Homeowner Shoots Registered Sex Offender

SHOT Show 2019 New Products Recap

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) 41^st Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT), wrapped up its four-day run with many successes. While the pain of a lackluster introduction of new firearms was felt by many, the industry showed it was laying the groundwork for the next generation with a record number of new exhibitors the Suppliers Showcase and an innovative Pop-Up Preview that proved to be a hit with buyers. [Read more…] about SHOT Show 2019 New Products Recap

Armed Good Guys: Comedian Robbed at Gunpoint Changes Stance on Guns

Handguns: Choosing the Right Handgun Sights

I have noticed that discussions on combat handgun sights, combat shooting, and handguns are often hi-jacked by those with an embarrassing lack of experience. All they know is what they have read and much of that isn’t accurate. A shooter should study, true, but they should also gain practical experience and meet the instructor half way with this experience. [Read more…] about Handguns: Choosing the Right Handgun Sights

First Look: Taurus TX22

I stopped by the Taurus booth at the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to see what might be new. Taurus has been a leader in innovative products. I have had good luck with several Taurus revolvers and semi-auto pistols in the past, so I was hopeful for 2019. The Taurus TX22 is a new, mid size .22 Long Rifle target pistol that weight 17.3 ounces, and sports a 16-shot magazine. A 10-round version is also available for individuals living in jurisdictions mandating such nonsense. The Taurus TX22 pistol will invariably be compared to the new Kel-Tec CP33, so let’s get right to it. [Read more…] about First Look: Taurus TX22

Dems ‘Championing Gun Reform’ Fear Supreme Court

In the wake of last week’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, a piece in The Atlantic acknowledges what Second Amendment activists have known for a long time: Democrats are “championing…gun reform” in Congress and state legislatures all over the map. [Read more…] about Dems ‘Championing Gun Reform’ Fear Supreme Court

S&W Model 27 Classic — The First Magnum Revolver

When the .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1935, Smith and Wesson chambered the cartridge in a deluxe, large-frame revolver. The new handgun was in some ways a development of the .38-44—a heavy frame .38 Special. However, in other ways, the target-sighted magnum was unique. Either way, the revolver cost more than $65 at a time when a new Ford V 8 cost $810. The .38-44 cost about $35 dollars. Useful handguns were available for $20. The fit, finish, and accuracy of the new revolver was exceptional by any standard. The .357 Magnum was the first of many expensive, but custom grade, factory handguns. [Read more…] about S&W Model 27 Classic — The First Magnum Revolver

Review: Glock 48 9mm

One of the great revolutions in handgun manufacture is the polymer frame, striker-fired revolution. Glock led the way and still dominates the market. Arguably, Glock remains first with the most. I should note that I am not the greatest Glock fan, but I certainly am not a Glock basher. The Glock is, in my opinion, the baseline gun for personal defense and a great choice for many shooters. The Glock is as reliable as a handgun may be, easy enough to use well, and chambers popular cartridges. The Glock 48 follows this tradition. [Read more…] about Review: Glock 48 9mm

SHOT Show 2019 Day 3 Video

SHOT Show 2019 Day 2 Video

SHOT Show 2019 Day 1 Video

Gun Giveaway: Kahr Arms CT380 Basket Weave

Quality, performance, and fit are all top considerations when deciding where to spend your hard-earned greenbacks on a new pistol. However, when it to comes to Second Amendment supporters, there is a fourth element that is considered with every purchase and that is the people behind the product. It takes more than a manufacturer making a quality product, we want a manufacturer that is as passionate and true to the Second Amendment and the gun toting population as we are. [Read more…] about Gun Giveaway: Kahr Arms CT380 Basket Weave

SHOT Show 2019 Industry Range Day Video Tour

SHOT Show — New Products 2019

The SHOT Show (Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade) in January of each year not only signals the beginning of a new year, but a whole round of product launches to fill our dreams, wish lists, and for a lucky few, gear closets and gun safes. Firearm sales have been rather lackluster as of late, so it is not much of a surprise that manufacturers focused more on expanding existing lines to include new colors and calibers more than completely new introductions. However, that is not to say the industry did not put out some new must-have models! On the other hand, the optics and accessories categories are teeming with new offerings to give your old gear a new look.
We scoured the SHOT Show floor for some of the best new offerings and will bring you a new list each day, so stay tuned. [Read more…] about SHOT Show — New Products 2019

Illinois: Gov. Pritzker Signs Firearm Registration & Dealer Licensing Bill

Within 48 hours of being sworn in, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 337 into law. The bill was passed by the previous legislature, but Republican Governor Bruce Rauner refused to sign it into law. Senate President John Cullerton previously made the unprecedented move of placing a procedural hold on the bill in order to avoid the possibility of a veto under the previous Governor, Bruce Rauner, and then removed the hold to send the bill to a newly inaugurated governor. Cullerton’s political tricks means SB 337 will now establish a firearm registry and likely shut down local gun stores in Illinois with government red tape. [Read more…] about Illinois: Gov. Pritzker Signs Firearm Registration & Dealer Licensing Bill

The Range Bag

One of the inevitabilities, and greatest aspects of our sport, is the accumulation of gear and accessories. Somewhere, deep down inside each of us, is a little devilish voice convincing us to get more stuff. I’ll be the first to admit it; I indulge that little voice often and without apology. Mainly because I have put in the time to select the right range bag and devised a system for packing it. [Read more…] about The Range Bag