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Review: Kahr Arms Desert Eagle .50 AE

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

Gun Test: Smith and Wesson Model 69 .44 Magnum

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

Review: IWI Tavor X95 Bullpup

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

The Three-Caliber Glock Conversion

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

Baby Desert Eagle Review

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 Cartridge

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

Kahr: Innovative CCW Handguns

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

RMR on an AK? RS Regulate’s New AKMR

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

Gun Test: SIG P226 — The Definition of Reliability

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

Cocked and Locked: Reality Therapy

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

Federal Syntech: Next Generation Training Ammunition

Ammunition manufacturers have made great strides when it comes to hunting and self-defense ammunition. Training ammunition, however, has progressed little. Oh sure, your can buy steel case ammunition or remanufactured ammunition at a decent price, but I am talking about training ammunition that still maintains its price point, but offers a technological advantage. Federal recently finished a years long development of a new practice load, and the American Eagle Syntech is well worth your time and effort to obtain and use. [Read more…] about Federal Syntech: Next Generation Training Ammunition

Gun Test: Charter Arms Pitbull in .45 ACP

The newest model in the Charter Arms Pitbull series can share ammo with your .45 ACP without using moonclips! I’ve always liked large frame revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. I like the idea of being able to fire the same cartridge as my 1911 and other .45 ACP pistols, in a revolver. The problem I’ve had with these revolvers is an on-again, off-again relationship with moonclips. You need moonclips to quickly load and reload these big bore revolvers. The problem is clip bend or break.  [Read more…] about Gun Test: Charter Arms Pitbull in .45 ACP

A Case for the Modern Revolver

Contrary to what you may see in a lot of the popular firearms media these days, the revolver as a self-defense tool is not dead. In fact, there are quite a few options available these days for those seeking a revolver for home defense, concealed carry or recreational shooting. But why would you choose a revolver when there are so many semi-automatic pistols available these days? Well, let me explain why you should consider one. [Read more…] about A Case for the Modern Revolver

Choosing the Right Holster

When you choose a handgun and holster, you are investing in a concealed carry system. The holster is an important part of the system, at least as important as the handgun itself. I have seen too many unserviceable, sorry excuses for holsters in my classes, and the hell of it is many carry such holsters to defend their life! [Read more…] about Choosing the Right Holster

Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

A good quality, .22 caliber bolt-action rifle, such as the Zastava MP22, is among the best firearms available for all shooters and those who love the outdoors. It is suitable for training, recreational shooting, small game hunting, and general outdoors duty. The .22 caliber rifle is easy to use well, and practice is cheap. There is no harsh recoil to intimidate young shooters. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

Range Review: SIG P365 — The Smashing Little 9mm

I don’t mind carrying a small handgun that is efficient for its size. Some handguns are a wonder of downsizing. However, small 9mm handguns have a set of problems that isn’t easily addressed. This includes lower magazine capacity and lower hit probability. A short sight radius doesn’t make for good accuracy, but the SIG P365… [Read more…] about Range Review: SIG P365 — The Smashing Little 9mm

Mission First Tactical — New Accessories for 2018

Mission First Tactical is meeting consumer demand with a host of new products. Historically, MFT released of a small number of products each year. However, 2018 is MFT’s year to leap forward with new magazine options, holsters, muzzle brakes, and more. Let’s take a look at what MFT has brought to the market this year.
[Read more…] about Mission First Tactical — New Accessories for 2018

Range Test: SCCY CPX-2 — An Affordable 9mm

A few years ago, when SCCY introduced the CPX 9mm handgun, I found the piece to be reliable, well designed, and offered at a fair price. The early versions with a frame-mounted safety sometimes suffered from the safety moving to the on position during firing though. While SCCY has corrected the issue, and the shooters thumb contacting the safety may have caused some of it, I recommend the version without a safety. A pistol with a 10-pound double action only trigger may be carried without a manual safety. [Read more…] about Range Test: SCCY CPX-2 — An Affordable 9mm