Author: Bob Campbell

Bob Campbell’s primary qualification is a lifelong love of firearms, writing, and scholarship. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice but is an autodidact in matters important to his readers. Campbell considers unarmed skills the first line of defense and the handgun the last resort. (He gets it honest- his uncle Jerry Campbell is in the Boxer’s Hall of Fame.) Campbell has authored well over 6,000 articles columns and reviews and fourteen books for major publishers including Gun Digest, Skyhorse and Paladin Press. Campbell served as a peace officer and security professional and has made hundreds of arrests and been injured on the job more than once. He has written curriculum on the university level, served as a lead missionary, and is desperately in love with Joyce. He is training his grandchildren not to be snowflakes. At an age when many are thinking of retirement, Bob is working a 60-hour week and awaits being taken up in a whirlwind many years in the future. Published in Black Belt Magazine Combat Handguns Handloader Rifle Magazine Handguns Gun Digest Gun World Tactical World SWAT Magazine American Gunsmith Gun Tests Magazine Women and Guns The Journal Voice of American Law Enforcement Police Magazine Law Enforcement Technology The Firearms Instructor Tactical World Concealed Carry Magazine Concealed Carry Handguns Books published Holsters for Combat and Concealed Carry The 1911 Automatic Pistol The Handgun in Personal Defense The Illustrated Guide to Handgun Skills The Hunter and the Hunted The Gun Digest Book of Personal Defense The Gun Digest Book of the 1911 The Gun Digest Book of the 1911 second edition Dealing with the Great Ammunition Shortage Commando Gunsmithing The Ultimate Book of Gunfighting Preppers Guide to Rifles Preppers Guide to Shotguns The Accurate Handgun

Most Recent Posts

Cimarron 1911 handgun left side

Range Reports

Cimarron’s Wild Bunch 1911

There are many like it, but the Cimarron 1911 Wild Bunch stands alone. Check out why Bob Campbell recommends this particular model 1911 for Cowboy Action Shooting.

Two-toned SCCY CPX-2 with black handle and silver slide on white background.

Concealed Carry

Throwback Thursday—The SCCY CPX-2

The SCCY CPX 2, with the 9mm Luger, is lightweight, fires a powerful cartridge and is perfect for personal defense and concealed carry. This handgun is reliable, fits in the hand well, has controllable trigger action, features good sights and has good manufacturer support.

S&W SD 40 with laser

Range Reports

Range Report: Smith and Wesson SD40

Searching for a new reliable handgun within a tight budget isn’t as hard as you may think. Bob Campbell reviews the Smith & Wesson SD 40 .40 caliber pistol and proves its accuracy, concluding it makes a great gun for self-defense.

Hi Point Carbine right side

Firearms

Hi-Point’s Affordable .45 Caliber Carbine

The Hi-Point carbine we are discussing retails for less than $300. I was surprised at the low price and by the performance of this firearm. This is a budget or economy firearm. It isn’t a tack driver at 100 yards, but then few firearms firing a pistol caliber cartridge are. The Hi-Point carbine is a credible home defender, a good recreational shooter, and in a pinch, it will do for small game at modest range. Did we mention the price?

Springfield Range Officer Compact 1911 pistol left

Firearms

Range Report: Springfield Range Officer Compact 1911

A few years ago, Springfield Armory introduced a pistol that became a great success. The Range Officer is a first-class target pistol well worth its modest price, offering a match-grade barrel and accuracy potential that will win any match. Recently, Springfield has offered the concept in a downsized 1911. Does it live up to Springfield Armory 1911’s legacies? Read to find out in this range report.

Colt 1911 Commander with three different boxes of ammunition

Firearms

Range Report: The ‘1911 Commander’ Way

The Colt 1911 Government Model served law enforcement well for a long time. However, there was one complaint—it was too large and heavy for carrying comfortably. Even before World War II, Colt experimented with smaller handguns. With the maturity of aluminum technology, the smaller Commander-sized 1911 was possible. Today, the Colt Commander is built from steel and proves itself an excellent carry gun. Read our range report in this post.