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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Springfield Armory 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine
One of the hottest items on the firearms market today are semi-automatic, blowback-operated 9mm carbines commonly referred to as Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs). Those built on the AR-15 platform are…
Continue Reading →Best Shotguns for Home Defense
When it comes to protecting your home and loved ones, having the right tools at your disposal is crucial. Among the various options available, shotguns are often considered one of the most effective…
Continue Reading →9mm vs .22 for Self-Defense: Which is Better?
An ongoing debate in the firearms community is whether or not someone should use a .22 caliber pistol as a defensive weapon. Historically, firearms chambered in .22 caliber have been used for fun or…
Continue Reading →Small of Back Holsters: A Poor Choice
Small of back (SOB) holsters, also known as middle of back (MOB) holsters, have received significant attention over the years, but their practicality and safety remain subjects of debate. While they…
Continue Reading →The AR-15 vs. the Ruger Mini-14
When the ban on assault weapons sunset in 2004, many companies began offering AR-15 type rifles and M4 carbines. Colt held the patent on the AR-15 platform until 1977, but a popular alternative at…
Continue Reading →Tactical Folding Knife From Bear and Son: Rancor IX
Anytime I run across a USA-made tactical folding knife with unique features at a reasonable price it grabs my attention and makes me want to get the word out about it! Such is the case with the Bear…
Continue Reading →AR-15 for Home Defense
Without a doubt, the AR-15 platform is becoming increasingly popular. It’s now finding its way into the hands of people for use primarily as a home-defense option. And it can be an ideal tool for…
Continue Reading →Best .45 Pistols for Concealed Carry
I’ve been a fan of compact .45 Automatics for decades, ever since I traded my .380 Walther PPKS for a Star PD .45 from a fellow deputy. It was 1982, and I had just started in the Licking County…
Continue Reading →Arrowhead Tactical Shorts for Concealed Carry
When selecting athletic shorts, there are several key factors to consider. Material is crucial; look for lightweight and durable fabrics such as nylon or spandex that offer a good range of motion.…
Continue Reading →Snap Caps vs Dummy Rounds: What’s the Difference?
By now, you’ve likely heard of a variety of different training tools that can be useful for safe dry-fire and/or live-fire practice. One popular item is the snap cap or dummy round. These typically…
Continue Reading →Springfield Armory Model 2020 Classic .22 Rifle
Springfield Armory’s Model 2020 Classic Bolt Action .22 caliber rifle is one of the finest traditional .22 caliber bolt-action rifles I’ve handled in recent years and should be added to your personal…
Continue Reading →Gas Piston vs. Direct Impingement AR-15s
Up until 1964, most major military forces used semi-automatic and fully automatic rifles with piston-driven gas operating systems. These systems divert a small amount of hot powder gas to drive an…
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