What To Look For in a Firearms Trainer

When you're choosing a firearm instructor, you are choosing someone to teach you how to potentially save your life and the lives of those close to you. So, choosing the cheapest one available makes as much sense as choosing the cheapest skydiving instructor. The minimum amount of training needed to teach concealed carry in many states is instructor certifications in NRA Basic Pistol or a similar class. Read More

Galleryofguns.com – Find YOUR Next Firearm

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Review: Marlin Dark Lever Action Rifle

Long before we enjoyed our modern sporting rifles and polymer-frame handguns, there was one gun that reigned supreme: the lever gun. They have been the heart of America since the mid-1800s. The first lever-actions to hit the market were Henrys and Winchesters, and as the cliché goes, the rest is history. The lever gun's impact on American history cannot be understated, and it continues to be a popular firearm today. Read More

Controlling Shotgun Recoil

I believe a big reason why more people aren't better shotgun shooters is because these guns kick hard, and therefore are not much fun to practice with. Consider that the average 12-gauge recoils roughly 10 times harder than a typical AR-15—which is no doubt one reason why ARs are so popular. If recoil becomes a detriment to practicing, know that some shotguns inherently transmit recoil less than others and that there are multiple things you can do to tame that mule. Here are some of my favorite recoil-reducing tips... Read More

Fighting Iron: Rank Has Its Privilege

We've had a United States Army since the Revolutionary War, and generals to run that army for just as long. The responsibility asked of a handful of Soldiers who make it to General's rank is massive. It is recognized by salary, insignia, privilege and, as of 1944, the opportunity to be issued a special pistol. The nature of that pistol has not always been ideal as a combat handgun, but has always been a handsome badge of rank. Read More

Pocket Holster Roundup

Pocket carry might not be the best option for carrying a concealed handgun, but sometimes it's your only option. In those instances, you need a quality holster to protect the trigger as it rattles around inside your pocket. It's important to keep the gun in a holster to protect the trigger from being pulled when it's not supposed to be pulled. Read More

Safety Alert Announced for certain Smith & Wesson Response Rifles

Smith & Wesson has announced a safety alert for all Response rifles manufactured before Feb. 12, 2024. The company has identified a condition in which an out-of-battery discharge may occur on certain Response rifles if the bolt fails to fully close and the trigger is pulled. Read More

Review: Girsan MCP35 PI LW Match

When it comes to the evolution of handguns, it stands to reason that size is a key element in the evolutionary chain, with a service- or duty-size pistol residing at one end of the spectrum. As we move away from the needs of military and law- enforcement personnel, the full-size service pistol, while still beneficial for utilitarian use by civilians, may be a bit excessive for those who wish to carry it concealed for personal protection or self-defense. Read More

Lessons Unlearned

This is going to be another in an intermittent series of columns examining the various topics on which I've changed my mind over the last 20 years or so as a result of being hip-deep in the defensive-pistol world. This particular column is going to be all about triggering people by discussing what I've learned about triggers over that time—and why what I thought I knew about triggers before then was wrong, possibly even counterproductive. Read More

That Old Familiar Feeling

As a young man, I used to wonder why so many gunmen still preferred to carry the Colt single-action revolver. Frank Hamer, General George Patton and a whole bunch of lesser-known shootists relied on the old Colt for years after, in my humble opinion, better guns were available. Read More

I Carry: Glock Gunsite Service Pistol in a Bianchi Holster

When it was announced that a new Gunsite Service Pistol was in the works, there were two surprises. The first was that it was a striker-fired, polymer-frame 9 mm Glock rather than a .45 ACP 1911. The second came in the form of a mounted red-dot optic on the top of the slide. While some might be surprised to see this somewhat untraditional—for Gunsite—arrangement, it's not the least bit unusual. Read More

First Look: Hornady Mobilis Gun Safes

Hornady Security, a division of the well-known bullet and ammunition manufacturer, is bolstering its safe and security product catalog with the new modular Mobilis safe line. These residential security containers have a high-quality construction and a modular design that allows gun owners to move and build the safe virtually anywhere. Read More

First Look: Bond Arms Stinger Fireball

The new Stinger Fireball pistol from Bond Arms addresses the issue of the weight of a firearm, which is often a major concern for conceal-carry applications, especially when transitioning to a smaller caliber while maintaining the original frame/receiver dimensions. Typically, the additional space is filled with excess material, contributing to the overall heavy feel of the firearm. Read More

First Look: Springfield Armory Garrison 4.25 1911

Springfield Armory is adding a new model to its family of 1911 pistols, the Garrison 4.25 chambered in either .45 ACP or 9mm. Featuring forged materials and heirloom-quality construction, the 4.25-inch barreled Garrison 1911 combines modern construction with a heritage spanning back more than a century. Read More