The Day the (Pistol) Universe Changed

The landscape of the combat handgun in America was very different at the dawn of the 1980s. For starters, the U.S. was still largely revolver country, but it's the world of duty/service pistols that I'm looking at. Pistols hadn't changed much over the preceding few decades since World War II, although the experience of the war had changed how they were made. Read More

Built For Speed. Built For Accuracy.

Savage is taking innovation and accuracy to new heights with the all new Impulse KLYM. Built in the USA, every inch of the Impulse rifle encompasses breakthrough technology for repeat accuracy and enhanced safety. KLYM can achieve lighter weights for higher altitude hunts and longer treks for big game. Read More

Be Ready When You Need It Most

Designed with defense in mind, USA Ready Defense utilizes the highest grade of components that are required when it counts. Be ready when you need it most. USA Ready Defense is a select grade of personal defense ammunition offering the ideal combination of stopping power, penetration and reliable expansion. Read More

Glock G19 Slide Roundup

The Glock 19 has been an extremely popular gun since hitting the market shortly after its G17 big brother crossed onto American shores in the 1980s. With only three major differences between the two — shorter grip, shorter slide, and slightly smaller capacity (15 instead of 17) — the Glock 19 is almost identical to the earlier model. "Almost" is the operative word. Read More

Three-Dimensional Self-Defense

We all need something to shoot at when practicing our skills. Almost everyone begins, then continues, shooting traditional targets. Whether printed paper stapled or clamped to a target stand, or metal plates hung from a stand, our targets are generally flat and square to us as we attempt to hit our aiming point. The same "aim small, miss small" effort applies universally to our success in hitting what we're aiming at. Read More

Review: Stoeger STR-9MC Pistol

Stoeger is a name that should be familiar to most gun owners. While most people associate that name with well-built, value-priced shotguns, the fact is, Stoeger has also made some rather nice handguns. The Stoeger Cougar 8000 had a rotating-barrel action which reduced felt recoil and offered you a high-quality pistol for an entry-level price. Now, with the introduction of the new STR-9 line, Stoeger is continuing that legacy of producing handguns that punch above their price point. Read More

Review: Tisas PX9 Gen3 O-R Carry

The Tisas PX9 Gen3 Optics-Ready Carry is a 15-round, compact polymer-frame, striker-fired 9mm pistol with a 3.5-inch barrel designed for concealed carry, based on the duty-sized Tisas PX9 Gen3 pistol. In turn, third-generation PX9 handguns are based on the second-generation Tisas PX9 Zigana, which has some design elements that evoke the Springfield XD. Original Ziganas are one of Tisas' oldest product lines, encompassing both metal and polymer framed pistols with Browning delayed blowback actions. Read More

When You Can't See The Red Dot

There are many dangers we face in many different forms. The self-defense world has changed dramatically throughout the last 10 years, with those changes leading to huge advancements in equipment. One of the most notable is the miniaturizing of pistol-mounted optics, or micro-red-dot sights (MRDS). Read More

The Bad Idea Fairy

While covering vaguely relevant and semi-practical riflery topics each month, I sometimes fail to maintain the serious demeanor that bona fide gun-scribes exude from every pore. Invariably, the magnetic force of satire draws me across the centerline and into trouble while poking fun at people and things around the firearm world, including myself. Read More

Army Tests New Firearms in Extreme Weather Conditions

Soldiers at the Cold Regions Test Center in Fort Greely, AK, where temperatures dipped to 35 degrees below zero in February, tested the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) XM7 rifle and XM250 automatic rifle. The guns were evaluated in various mission-oriented tasks, under conditions our armed forces could encounter in the Arctic. Read More

Review: Cool Fire Trainer

Ask just about any defensive-pistol instructor, and they'll tell you that the key to success on the range is dry-fire practice at home. Pressing the trigger is the last thing that happens before the gun goes "BANG!" As a result, any movement of your pistol that happens as you press the trigger is going to throw your sights off-target and your shot as well. Read More

Just Do It Safely

There was a time when a person learned safe gun handling from a parent or other older family member. Sometimes that worked just fine, and sometimes it didn't. I was lucky: My Uncle Taylor was the "gun guy" in our family and he was stern task master when it came to safe gun handling. He didn't much care if I hit the target as long as I did it in a safe, responsible manner. "And, for goodness sakes, try not to shoot yourself. Read More

I Carry: Smith & Wesson SD9 2.0 Pistol in a N8 Tactical Holster

New for 2024 is the Smith & Wesson SD9 2.0, the company's updated and upgraded entry-level striker-fired, polymer-frame pistol. Building on some of the excellent M2.0 upgrades to its M&P line of handguns, Smith & Wesson applied the same sort of useful changes to the SD9. There's now a flat-face, bladed-safety trigger that replaces the hinged version found on the original SD9, slide serrations are more prominent to assist in administrative manipulations, and the grip texture is slightly more aggressive as well. Read More

First Look: Fix It Sticks AR Kit

Fix It Sticks has just launched a new, comprehensive toolkit built to work with the AR-15 family of firearms. The new Fix It Sticks AR Armorer's Toolkit is specifically outfitted with AR-15 related tools and bits to best maintain or repair any AR-15 pattern firearm, be it a rifle, pistol or carbine. Read More

First Look: XS Sights R3D 2.0 Tritium Night Sights for 1911 Pistols

XS Sights is now offering its popular R3D 2.0 Tritium Night Sights for Colt, Kimber, and Springfield Armory 1911-style pistols. The new second-generation R3D 2.0 self-defense sights are designed for improved speed and accuracy in any light. To accomplish this goal, they are brighter, stronger and easier to install than the original R3D models. Read More