USCCA Firearms & Self-Defense Blog
Guns & Gear
Read no-holds-barred reviews of both personal- and home-defense firearms and stay up-to-date on the latest concealed carry gear offerings on the market. Discover everything you need to know to select the best, tried-and-true self-defense gear — from holsters, knives and ammunition to flashlights, first-aid kits and alternate weapons.
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Girsan 2311 Brat Review: A Budget-Friendly 2011 Pistol
The iconic 1911-style pistol design may be more than a century old, but it’s far from obsolete. In fact, with modern upgrades in capacity, ergonomics and carry readiness, it continues to thrive,…
Continue Reading →Best Concealed Carry Guns for Summer: Top 13 Picks
When the weather heats up, staying cool and armed becomes a balancing act. Summer often brings challenges for concealed carriers — less fabric, tighter clothing and fewer layers mean fewer places to…
Continue Reading →How to Choose Your First Gun: Best Handguns and Rifles
Choosing your first gun — whether for self-defense, hunting or sport shooting — is a big decision. With countless models available, finding the best first gun can feel overwhelming. This…
Continue Reading →Liberty .380 Civil Defense Review: Fast, Light & Effective
Sometimes very surprising things happen when you test ammunition to evaluate its ability to deliver energy into what may be a threatening human or animal target. Occasionally, performance falls short…
Continue Reading →S&W Model 10 Classic (No Internal Lock) Review
When I saw the first image of the new Smith & Wesson Model 10 Classic .38 Special revolver — built on the iconic K-frame and featuring no internal lock — I knew I had to own one. The Model 10 was…
Continue Reading →Urban Carry Hyperion Review: OWB Leather Holster for Lasers
Finding the right holster can be a challenge, especially when your handgun features rail-mounted accessories like a laser or weapon light. In this review, I return to a lingering problem: securing a…
Continue Reading →Byrna TCR Review: Is This Non-Lethal Gun Worth It?
The Byrna gun lineup has quickly become the gold standard in non-lethal self-defense weapons for private citizens. Byrna’s timing couldn’t have been better — civil unrest is rising, and police…
Continue Reading →Smith & Wesson 1854 .357 Magnum: Lever-Action Review
When I heard that Smith & Wesson was introducing its own American-made lever-action rifle, I received the news with enthusiasm. That was because another high-quality, top-tier firearms manufacturer…
Continue Reading →Ruger MAX-9 ReadyDot Review: CCW Excellence
American firearms manufacturer Ruger has a history of manufacturing many innovative and iconic handguns that withstand the test of time. The latest addition to the Ruger Max-9 lineup, Model 3515, is…
Continue Reading →Thyrm CLENS: Simple, Effective Lens Protection for Your Tactical Lights
If you frequently shoot a firearm with a weapon light attached, you’ve likely encountered a frustrating issue: carbon buildup from the muzzle blast that gradually clouds the lens. This carbon buildup…
Continue Reading →Steps in Cleaning Your 1911
In a world of polymer-framed pistols, there’s something enduring about the steel, precision and history of the 1911. A well-made 1911 is a thing of beauty and a reliable carry gun, but owning one…
Continue Reading →Streamlight Sidewinder X Review: A Rugged, High-Output Tactical Light
When companies design products for military use that can also be adapted for civilian use, civilians often come out ahead. The biggest advantage is that gear designed for military use is incredibly…
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