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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Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Rifle with Side Folding Stock
Over the years, I’ve owned several models of the original blued-steel and hardwood stocks Ruger Mini-14s. The Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Rifle with Side-Folding Stock always intrigued me, but…
Continue Reading →Springfield Armory Kuna Review: A Modern PCC with HK Roots
Springfield Armory’s new Kuna pistol is a compact 9mm powerhouse that blends retro inspiration with cutting-edge features. This Springfield Kuna review takes a close look at the design, performance…
Continue Reading →Taurus 850 Review: Affordable & Dependable .38 Snubnose
As a revolver enthusiast, few things are more satisfying than the debut of a new revolver like the Taurus 850, tailored for concealed carry, outdoor use such as camping or hiking, or home defense.…
Continue Reading →Is the .32 ACP Still a Good Self-Defense Round?
The 7.65mm Browning cartridge — later known as the .32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) — is a semi-rimmed pistol round developed by John Moses Browning for the FN M1900. Colt Firearms later adopted the .32 ACP for its iconic M1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol, a compact sidearm ideal for personal protection.
Continue Reading →Smith & Wesson Model 36 Classic: Retro Snub-Nosed Review
The blued steel Smith & Wesson Model 36, chambered in .38 Special, debuted in 1950 at the International Association of Chiefs of Police convention. It made such an impression that attendees voted to…
Continue Reading →Why I Carry a Manual Safety Pistol for Self-Defense
Let me begin with a disclaimer: I have long been a fan of striker-fired pistols, particularly the Glock series equipped with a trigger-safety lever, also known as a “drop safety.” During my time as a…
Continue Reading →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…
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