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Revolvers are often times not at the top of someone’s list for a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon). In the early 2000s, CCW gun manufacturers started making .380s, then 9mms, and later, .40 and .45s. The revolver, the sidearm for police for over a century, got no love. That is until the Ruger LCR (Lightweight Compact Revolver) was released in 2009. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Ruger LCR .357 Magnum
What is not to love about the Uber Tech Extrema Ratio knives? The designs are both impressively simple and elegant, complete with the top tier of cobalt steel that delivers an aggressive, extremely long-lasting edge. Initially, the feel is somewhat out of the ordinary. However, once you put one in your hand, the odd design makes sense. The new Extrema Ratio Scout carries through an Italian design legacy which combines style and function in well executed simple elegance. The Extrema Ratio Nightmare Karambit folder is a perfect example of how Extrema can take an idea to a different level. [Read more…] about Review: Extrema Ratio Nightmare Karambit Folder
The primary goal of marksmanship is being able to hit what we are aiming at. Your purpose may be simple target shooting, hunting, or personal defense. Whatever the goal, a great deal of practice is needed. For most of American history, rifle marksmanship has been an essential skill, and it remains so today. [Read more…] about The Skill of Rifle Marksmanship
Finding the right holster can feel like a retelling of the classic story of Goldilocks’ and the Three Bears. This holster is too bulky while that holster doesn’t cover the trigger guard. For most gun owners, finding the right holster can result in a box of holsters sitting in a corner that don’t fit their needs. My Goldilocks’ gun is my Ruger LCP, and I have purchased several different types of holsters trying to find the holster. My most recent purchase, a Galco Ankle Lite holster, seems to be the current winner. It offers a high level of comfortable concealment at a reasonable price. Of the various holsters I’ve purchased for this particular gun, this is the best option for on-body carry for the Ruger LCP. [Read more…] about Review: Galco Ankle Lite Ankle Holster
For general-purpose use such as hunting and home defense, there is the TruGlo Red Dot. This value option is easy to use well, great for beginners, effective for home defense, and affordable. I own more than one and keep one mounted on my home defense shotgun. [Read more…] about TruGlo Red Dot Sights: Affordable Quality
For most of my shooting life, I have relied upon a handful of firearms including the Colt 1911, Smith and Wesson Magnum revolvers, and the Remington 870 shotgun. Occasionally, I have purchased cheaper firearms and regretted it. Recently, I came across the Model 870 Express Tactical Magpul and have never looked back. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Model 870 Express Tactical Magpul
Springfield launched the Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP) over a decade ago, so it is far from the latest “fad” handgun to have caught the market’s eye. The intent was to offer a subcompact 9mm in a 1911 configuration. It was the perfect blend of caliber and the 1911 platform in a concealable package—thanks to the 3-inch barrel. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Springfield Armory EMP 4
The first manufacturer of red dot sights was Aimpoint. Today, Aimpoint remains at the top of the heap. Aimpoint’s red dots are proven in harsh conditions and combat the world over. They have been the mainstay for police agencies and professionals that appreciate a quality optic, and should be a top choice for you as well. [Read more…] about Tactical Red Dot Review: Aimpoint H2 and T2
No matter how great the history or performance of the firearm, there is room for improvement. I do not carry a 1913 Colt. I carry the most modern 1911. Those who favor a truly reliable and capable AK rifle, choose the Arsenal. Any rifle will do to hang on the wall, but for those who keep the rifle on hand for extensive shooting or emergency use, the Arsenal is a favorite. Now the bar has been raised with the introduction of the FCG AK Trigger. [Read more…] about Video: Install and Evaluation of the FIME Group FCG AK Trigger
I think the first time I saw the Desert Eagle .50 AE, like many, was in a movie in the early 1990s. It was the favorite handgun of Arnold Schwarzenegger and many others. As of the writing of this article, the Desert Eagle has been in over 500 movies. Developed in the United States, but refined by Israeli Military Industry, it was first introduced in the 1980s. At the time, the design of the Mark I was revolutionary. [Read more…] about Review: Kahr Arms Desert Eagle .50 AE
As a long time user of Smith and Wesson revolvers, I am excited to see the things the company is doing these days. One of the most interesting handguns to come along in some time is the Model 69 .44 Magnum. This is a 5-shot .44 Magnum revolver built on the L frame chassis. It features a square butt grip and four-inch barrel. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Smith and Wesson Model 69 .44 Magnum
At the 2013 SHOT Show, I first met the team at IWI US (Israel Weapons Industries). Even though its parent company in Israel has been around since the 1930s, the only gun I had shot of its was the UZI and an early U.S. import of the Galil 5.56. At SHOT Show 2013, I first put my hands on its unique rifle, the Tavor. The Tavor is categorized as a bullpup rifle (the fire control group is located “way” behind the trigger). Needless to say, being a fan of the AR and AK, I was intrigued by the Tavor. I bought three of them to test and see if they could live up to the hype. [Read more…] about Review: IWI Tavor X95 Bullpup
A few years ago, it was fashionable to see stories in the gun books concerning caliber conversions from one caliber to the other. I think the king of these conversions is the 1911. I have fired the 1911 in .22, .30 Luger, 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm, .400 Cor Bon, .41 Avenger, .45 ACP, .44 Magnum as a single shot, .45 Super, and the .460 Rowland. Some conversion options are a stunt and not worth the effort. However, if you enjoy such things, they are a pleasant diversion. [Read more…] about The Three-Caliber Glock Conversion
The Baby Eagle was originally introduced in the 1990s and imported into the United States. I remember seeing the Baby Eagle not long after at area gun shows. At the time, it was being imported from Israel under the name UZI Eagle or Jericho. The allure of the Made in Israel branding on the frame was intriguing to me. Today, the Baby Eagle is part of Magnum Research, which is a division of Kahr Firearms Group. KFG was kind enough to send me its new Baby Desert Eagle III 9mm in the full-size polymer frame to try out. [Read more…] about Baby Desert Eagle Review
The 7mm Remington Magnum or .284 caliber rifle cartridge has proud origins. The 7x57mm Mauser cartridge is a mild mannered loading with modest recoil and excellent accuracy. It is quite a game taker at moderate range. A great advantage was that the 7mm cartridge, even at modest velocity, shot flat and featured excellent penetration. [Read more…] about The 7mm Remington Magnum Cartridge
In the early 2000s, more states started allowing citizens to carry concealed handguns. At that time, most gun manufacturers were still focused on full-size handguns, which were not the most ideal for CCW. The guns that were available for CCW at that time were typically chambered in less powerful rounds, with a .380 being the beefiest round you could get. Kahr saw the need and developed a very innovative line of handguns. [Read more…] about Kahr: Innovative CCW Handguns
Most serious long-range shooters have a regular collection of products and tools at home to clean and repair their rifles and accessories. Novices, hunters, and plinkers need the same. Since you can’t tote your gun room into the field, the question becomes, “What should I carry along when hunting or competing?”
[Read more…] about Shooting Tip: Clean and Repair on the Go
RS Regulate has been manufacturing two-piece AK optics mounting solutions for AK pattern rifles for a number of years. Its first-gen mounts combined an upper mount dovetailed into a lower mount. This was a solution that could be used to put the optic directly over-bore—something not all mounts can do when it comes to AK side rails with variable thicknesses—but offered limited adjustability front-to-back as well as limited which optics that could be used. [Read more…] about RMR on an AK? RS Regulate’s New AKMR
Choosing a handgun for self-defense is a helluva decision, almost too important for an individual to make. While it is a personal decision at the end of the day, it really needs a committee to vet the decision and narrow the choices, similar to the military choosing a new service weapon. Of course, you could skip all of the hoopla and look to service weapons. The SIG P226 for instance was a favorite of the U.S. Navy SEALs for many years. [Read more…] about Gun Test: SIG P226 — The Definition of Reliability
On my first night as a peace officer, the training officer I was assigned to asked, if I was prepared for a war. I was carrying a cocked and locked, hammer to the rear, safety on, Colt Combat Commander .45 in a Safariland holster. Two spare magazines were on the left front. I may have been a little ahead of the times. [Read more…] about Cocked and Locked: Reality Therapy