Polymer-framed pistols with nearly indestructible finishes seem to be the universal standard for defensive and sporting handguns at the moment. But Springfield Armory’s Ronin line 1911 pistols with…

I recently reviewed Versacarry’s Trooper holster. I liked the Trooper enough that I requested another Versacarry model: the Compound, an outside-the-waistband, optics-compatible holster. My 9mm Springfield Armory SA-35 will pair with the Compound. It’s one of the guns I use to provide security at my church.

In the earliest days of concealed carry, it was easy to understand the materials from which firearms were made. A handgun was simply an iron tube into which powder and shot were packed, and this iron…

Ruger introduced its Mini-14 in 1972 and advertised it as “the smallest of powerful small arms.” With its 20-round magazine, it took the shooting world by storm for 32 years before the AR-15 became…

I have used Maglite flashlights longer than any other brand for good reason. Still American-made in Ontario, California, the 2 TL black plain bezel and 2 TM black crown bezel Mag-Tac handheld…

Versacarry is an American manufacturer of holsters and carry gear. They make their gear from the toughest natural material available: premium water buffalo leather. Versacarry has a large number of…

Over the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege to evaluate several newly introduced firearms. Few have excited me more than the reintroduction of the classic Colt Python .357 Magnum. It is available…

The AR-15 took its beginnings from the military M16 rifle. The goal at the M16’s creation was to be the lightest rifle available for battle. That first M16 — the M16A1 — met the military weight…

When considering purchasing an AR-15, one factor may be the length of the barrel. ArmaLite rifles (ARs) have three common barrel lengths: 16, 18 and 20 inches. Short-barrel rifles (SBRs) start at…

Hearing protection should never be ignored. Noise-induced hearing loss is a major problem faced by shooters. Too many shooters don’t think about the health of their hearing until it’s too late.…

The semi-automatic AR-15 (and the military’s fully automatic version, the M16) are, I estimate, the most ingenious rifles ever designed. The M16 is the longest-serving military rifle, having been on…

When the M16 first entered U.S. military service, it was promoted as a rifle that was so advanced it needed only minimal cleaning. As such, soldiers were often inadequately trained in its…