SHOT Show 2019 New Products Recap
The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) 41st 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Choosing a Trunk or Truck Gun
Lots of people in the gun community have a trunk or truck gun. For most people, it is some type of beater rifle or shotgun. The theory is, “Why beat up a good gun by bouncing it around in the trunk?” Just throw a beater in there and forget about it. I am not a fan of that technique. [Read more…] about Choosing a Trunk or Truck Gun
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Snubnose Magnum Revolvers — Pocket Power
With the growing abundance of concealed carry permits, as Americans exercise their rights and commons sense, and with a political climate that currently nurtures such progress, armed citizens are flexing their political muscles and choosing to be responsible for their own safety. [Read more…] about Snubnose Magnum Revolvers — Pocket Power
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Review: Otis 7.62/5.56 MPSR Cleaning System
If you have a .308/7.62 caliber rifle and need a comprehensive, compact, packable cleaning kit for the field, then the Otis 7.62mm MPSR Cleaning System is an obvious choice. However, there is more to the Otis cleaning kit than just size. [Read more…] about Review: Otis 7.62/5.56 MPSR Cleaning System
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Gun Test: Walther Creed 9mm Pistol
The face of Walther is far more than just a legacy of James Bond’s Walther PPK but a company offering real innovation. The company has leapt into cutting edge designs, which some gun buyers get right away, such as the fabulous little PPS M1 and M2. Other designs are a bit tougher to understand for the seasoned shooter… that is until they handle them. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Walther Creed 9mm Pistol
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The Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC)
The concept of the pistol caliber carbine, or PCC, is nothing new. In fact, early muzzleloading pistols often used the same caliber as their longer smoke-pole counterparts. The lever-action rifles used on the range by cowboys often chambered the same cartridge as their sixguns. Being able to share ammunition between the guns simply made logistical sense, and at the time, the power factor between the pistol and long gun was negligible. [Read more…] about The Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC)
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Review: Smith and Wesson M&P10 .308 Rifle
For some of us, the watchword is ‘sometimes you need a .308.’ The .223/5.56mm platform is a wonderful close-quarters combat system and may be accurate at extended range. However, the punch needed for some chores just isn’t there. There are shooters who hunt medium-sized game, use a rifle for defense, or like long-range shooting and are limited by the .223 Remington cartridge. Most of us feel that jumping over the 6.8 or the .300 Blackout straight to a .308, such as the S&W M&P10, makes sense. [Read more…] about Review: Smith and Wesson M&P10 .308 Rifle
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Top AR Pistol Braces
AR pistols have been around for a long time. They have been great range toys and a fun way to turn money into noise, if you didn’t mind the spray and pray method of shooting. Let’s face it, not all of us have or can use both hands well. Some of us use a cane, have had a stroke or tangled with an IED to the detriment of our hands. [Read more…] about Top AR Pistol Braces
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Python: Colt’s Best Revolver
At times, the gun companies listen—especially when bread and butter and prestige are on the line. Otherwise, the competition will come in and steal that bread and butter. Kimber saw the need for a factory 1911 with good features and shook up the market. Everyone else had to catch up. American companies did not listen to the police call for double action only automatics. They had the cop market sewn up for 100 years. Glock came along and dominated that market. [Read more…] about Python: Colt’s Best Revolver
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Glock G43X: Rumor or Truth?
We all know how much value there is in a good rumor, and personally, I would not put to much stock in them. On the other hand, there has been more than a bit of watercooler talk among gun writers that Glock is going to introduce the Glock G43X at the 2019 SHOT Show in late January. [Read more…] about Glock G43X: Rumor or Truth?
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The 5.56 AK Revolution
Reasons such as ammo availability and ammo consistency for those moving over from the AR platform to the AK has shooters eyeballing the Arsenal SLR106 series rifles like never before. According to recent discussions with K-Var, 5.56 AK’s are selling at nearly 40 times the rate that they were selling at this same time last year. After going to events like Red Oktober and seeing so many shooters walking around with 5.56 AK’s, that is very easy to believe. [Read more…] about The 5.56 AK Revolution
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Ammunition Testing: Taking Up The Task
A few years ago, a friend at a facility I worked with was given the task of working up a test protocol for bulletproof vests. His combination of skills was well suited to the job. However, on a personal level, his passionate excitement, combined with painstaking scientific method, proved to be a winning combination. His assignment coincided with the failures of several vests in police service, and he was determined to produce the best ammunition possible. [Read more…] about Ammunition Testing: Taking Up The Task
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FIME’s Premium Fire Control Group Will Enhance Your AK
Did you know that FIME Group, the same company that brought you some of the best Russian AK’s and the Rex pistols, has been making one of the best aftermarket accessories for your AK? The FIME FCG is “Made in the USA” and available for nearly all AK/RPK variant rifles and shotguns. Given the FIME FCG’s design and functionality it both extends the life of your firearm while making it safer to operate (no more accidental second shots or faulty safety selector issues). [Read more…] about FIME’s Premium Fire Control Group Will Enhance Your AK
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