Muzzle Control
Controlling exactly where your firearm is pointed at all times is a rule that typically ranks as number one or two on most gun safety lists. It’s an important practice for obvious reasons and it should absolutely never be underestimated. [Read more…] about Muzzle Control
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Shotgun Myths
As firearms go, shotguns gather more than their fair share of misconceptions about how they operate and perform. Think that they’re a hit-anything-that-moves miracle weapon – then think again. [Read more…] about Shotgun Myths
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Turkey Time
Don’t break out the cranberry sauce just yet. Wild turkeys are a lot harder to hunt than you might think, especially for beginners. [Read more…] about Turkey Time
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Follow-Through for Shooting
One of the most important aspects of shooting effectively happens after you pull the trigger and the gun goes BANG! Follow-through is the final step in the firing process and the one that helps to integrate the other fundamentals in the taking a great shot. [Read more…] about Follow-Through for Shooting
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Proper Stock Fit For Better Performance
Inconsistent accuracy? Sore shoulder? If so, you may want to take a look at how your weapon actually fits. [Read more…] about Proper Stock Fit For Better Performance
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Size Matters!
Shooting a gun that really fits well can make all the difference in the world. As a general rule though, off-the-shelf firearm models are manufactured for the ‘average’ shooter (for good reason), and you may end up with a less-than-ideal experience if you get a bad match. [Read more…] about Size Matters!
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Review: Charles Daly Honcho Shotgun
The American-designed, pump-action shotgun is the most recommended home defense shotgun. It isn’t always made in America, but it defends the turf well. Recently, a new type of shotgun has been offered for home defense. While the Charles Daly Honcho is a different bird and requires attention to detail, the 14-inch barrel pump-action shotgun just may be a viable home defense shotgun for some and the ideal piece for a few. [Read more…] about Review: Charles Daly Honcho Shotgun
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Chose the Handgun Over a Rifle or Shotgun for Defense!
On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was driving on Interstate 95 in Massachusetts, listening as the attacks unfolded on the radio, heading toward Boston to teach a three-hour seminar. When I got to the office where the class was being held, it was only the sobbing receptionist that broke the deafening silence to greeted me. We decided to press on with the training program. During the class breaks, we watched the towers burn on television. To describe it as surreal would be an understatement. When I got home early that afternoon—already wearing my handgun, as normal—I took a rifle, and shotgun out of the quick-action safe and put one on each side of the house. [Read more…] about Chose the Handgun Over a Rifle or Shotgun for Defense!
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Dissident Arms Review: Red Oktober 2019
Red Oktober is an AK47 shooting competition hosted by Rifle Dynamics in Las Vegas, NV. This year, it was held at Pro Gun Club just outside Las Vegas where I had the pleasure of running into Mike Whitesides and Lan Nguyen of Dissident Arms. Before going into the details of our encounter, I should explain that I am a sales rep at MSR Distribution in Las Vegas and Dissident Arms (DA) is one of the top dealers that I supply firearms to. So, I already had a relationship with Mike and Lan before meeting up with them out at Red Oktober. However, this was an impromptu meeting that happened on the last day of the shooting competition. [Read more…] about Dissident Arms Review: Red Oktober 2019
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Gun Test: Remington 870 DM
The Remington 870 DM is a detachable magazine, pump-action shotgun that is garnering a great deal of interest and both positive and negative comments. It isn’t the first detachable magazine shotgun, as the AK types have been in use for some time, and there are detachable aftermarket kits for modifying existing shotguns. However, this is a production pump-action shotgun from Big Green. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Remington 870 DM
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Review: Taylor’s & Co. “Wyatt Earp”
Wyatt Earp famously avenged his brother Morgan’s murder by killing Frank Stillwell at point blank range with two shots from a sawed-off side-by-side shotgun (SxS) followed by four pistol shots. Taylor’s Wyatt Earp model, built by Pedersoli, proves such guns still have a place in our modern polymer world of high-capacity arms. [Read more…] about Review: Taylor’s & Co. “Wyatt Earp”
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Gun Test: Mossberg’s Retro Shotgun
A number of years ago Mossberg offered a short barrel, pump-action shotgun known as the Persuader. The piece is back as a highly finished retrograde shotgun. In my opinion the new Mossberg is better finished and tighter than the original. Retro guns are popular and this one has the look and feel of an older shotgun—the quality appearance. And it isn’t all about looks. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Mossberg’s Retro Shotgun
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Review: Mossberg 590 12-gauge Shotgun
Nothing says hello quite like a pump-action shotgun. Reliable, easy to manage, and delivering a heavy payload, the 12-gauge shotgun is a problem solver. There are many good shotguns and many cheap ones as well. I long ago got over the allure of owning many firearms and instead enjoy owning a few very good firearms that always work. [Read more…] about Review: Mossberg 590 12-gauge Shotgun
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Shotguns: The Defensive Firearm
Not long ago, the conversation turned to shotguns at the gun shop. While even the folks that are not the ones we call “gunny” know the merits of shotguns for home defense, there are many opinions on the proper load and the best shotgun. The shotgun is primarily a projectile launcher and it is best to use what you are comfortable and familiar with. I have checked my notes before writing this article and I have a good recollection of incidents that have occurred in the past 40 years. [Read more…] about Shotguns: The Defensive Firearm
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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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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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Everyone Needs a Mossberg Shotgun
The world of the shotgun changed when the BATFE confirmed the 590 Shockwave does not fall under NFA restrictions and requires no tax stamp. The Shockwave comes equipped with a 14-inch heavy-walled barrel that has a 5+1 capacity. New options include a 20 gauge version with a flat dark earth Cerakote finish and a 12 gauge JIC (Just In Case) model that comes with a water-resistant storage carry tube. [Read more…] about Everyone Needs a Mossberg Shotgun
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Review: Mossberg JIC II 12 Gauge Shotgun, Just in Case
When you think of the ultimate survival gun, you should think of the versatility, durability, and power of a proven 12-gauge shotgun. The reason for this versatility and diversity is the variety of 12-gauge shotshells available that range from wild to mild. Available shotshells run the gamut from sabot slugs capable of downing any North American game accurately, fletched long-range defensive rounds, door breaching rounds, signal flares, heavy goose or turkey loads, light recoiling clays loads, to the standard variety of buckshot, BB, pellets, and many more. [Read more…] about Review: Mossberg JIC II 12 Gauge Shotgun, Just in Case
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SHTF Guns — Have You Thought Through Your Choices?
The SHTF gun means many things to many people. Having actually taken incoming fire and proven I cannot stop a bullet, I have a different idea than the casually interested. Planning for an apocalyptic nightmare seems a popular pastime—especially for cinematic writers. Just the same there are times when the need may be real. [Read more…] about SHTF Guns — Have You Thought Through Your Choices?
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Review: Stoeger Coach Gun — Side-by-Side Home Defense
Unlike some of the other old guys, I do not have a double barrel shotgun tradition. I grew up using my grandfather’s Winchester Model 12 pump action or Remington 11-87 automatic. My first shotgun was a Mossberg 500. It was only later in life that I picked up a double barrel here and there. While I enjoyed firing them, I have clung to my pump-action shotguns. Recently, I tested a well made, reliable, and fast-handling double-barrel shotgun that just may be among the best firearms I have yet tested for personal defense. I purchased the Stoeger Coach Gun on a lark and found a credible shotgun. It is simple to operate and offers high hit potential. [Read more…] about Review: Stoeger Coach Gun — Side-by-Side Home Defense
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