Low-light training is often a forgotten factor in a person’s overall skillset. Compared to defensive encounters in broad daylight, the veil of darkness presents a world of opportunity for things to…

Handguns are primarily divided into two categories: revolvers and semi-automatics. Choosing between a revolver and a semi-auto is one of the biggest decisions new handgun owners face. Both platforms…

Originally published in November 2016. Updated May 2026. Back in 2009, I had the opportunity to test the then-new Ruger LCP: an ultra-compact, double-action, 6+1 capacity .380 ACP pistol designed for…

The most user-friendly pistols generally have good-to-excellent ergonomics, a smooth trigger and a rugged set of well-made iron sights that work with your eyes. Sights must be sturdy enough not to…

Hi-Point Firearms is an Ohio-based company that began manufacturing handguns and later carbines in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1990. The company built a reputation for producing affordable American-made…

Founded in 1939, Taurus has been offering affordable handguns for personal defense, target shooting and hunting for decades. After fulfilling a contract to supply Beretta-designed 9mm handguns to the…

If you became a gun owner after 1994, you may be unaware of how much the federal “assault weapons” ban changed the rifle market. The law restricted newly manufactured semi-automatic rifles and…

Many handguns on the used gun market are still capable of providing reliable performance for today’s concealed carrier or home defender, often at a much lower price than newer models. And if you…

Key Takeaway: Buying a suppressor involves working with a licensed dealer, submitting an ATF application and receiving a tax stamp. Wait times have improved significantly, often taking days to weeks.…

The search for more effective handgun self-defense ammunition has been ongoing for years. As more civilians carry firearms for personal protection, and law enforcement continues to seek the most…

I bought my first holster as a teenager. I found a leather scabbard and gun belt for my .22 revolver in a pawn shop for $15. Less than a decade later, I was carrying a Commander .45 in a Milt Sparks…

Originally published July 2017. Updated February 2026. We gun owners bandy about terms like fit, feel and ergonomics as if they’re critical factors in life-saving encounters. When you think about it,…