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Picture shows a woman holding a black AR-15 chambered for .458 SOCOM in front of steel target.

Firearms

Why I Love the AR-15: A Woman’s Perspective

It wasn’t that long ago when it felt like the AR-15 rifle was purchased exclusively by men. Sure, we would shoot our husband’s, boyfriend’s or guy friend’s, but up until about a year ago, not one woman shooter I know had purchased her own AR-15. Now I know plenty who researched, picked out and own their very own AR-15. Rough estimates put the AR-15 as the most commonly owned firearm and favorite rifle in America and I know why. I love the AR-15.

The Ruger SR1911 CMD .45 with a Two-Tone soft gray green treatment with brown grip against a log

Firearms

Ruger’s SR1911 CMD .45—The Right Gun at the Right Time

Advances in firearms are often slower and incremental in nature. Society changes but slowly and so do society’s tools. When the 1911 pistol was adopted for U.S. military use and then a generation later improved into the 1911A1, few could foresee the tremendous popularity of the type. The 1911 went from a fight-winning pistol to a handgun used in competition and which won every competition it entered. Read this article to learn how Ruger has made improvements on this standard.

ar-15 barrel twist

AR-15s

AR-15 Barrel Twist, Explained

AR-15 barrels vary greatly between manufacturers, and even models in some cases, and one of the most common variances is the ‘rate of twist.” Understanding how the rate of twist affects your results and how to find the best ammunition for your AR-15.

AR-15 Stripper Lower on Wood Floor

AR-15s

What You Need to Build an AR-15

Purchasing a factory AR-15/MSR certainly satisfies your need for instant gratification. Perhaps you are new to the black rifle world and intimidated by the seemingly never-ending array of choices on lowers, uppers and parts that buying stock just seems easier. However, building your own AR-15 rifle satisfies in the long term. To start, you will need a lower receiver. The lower receiver is the part of the gun that makes it a gun and comes with a serial number. For your first entry-lever AR-15 build, the Del-Ton stripped lower will handle hundreds of thousands of rounds.

A well-used Makarov, laying on it's side on a gray background.still in working order

Ammunition

The Makarov

The Makarov, among the best buys and most effective compact pistols on the market, is well made and powerful. In fact, it is considered one of the finest, small caliber pistols ever made. It outshoots more expensive handguns and never seems to break or malfunction.

Picture shows a black, pump-action shotgun.

Firearms

Like a Hot Knife Through Butter: Rock Island M5 Smooth As Silk Pump-Action Shotgun

With one look, experienced shotgunners will probably want to ask, “Just tell me. Is it a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 clone?” On the contrary, Rock Island Armory’s M5 pump-action shotgun is neither. The M5 is actually based on the underrated, now obsolete High Standard Manufacturing Flite-King pump-action shotguns. High Standard used to market its shotguns as the “world’s fastest firing pump-action shotguns.” They eject by gravity alone. Sounds crazy, but flip the M5 upside down, click the slide release and it does just that.

Firearms

A Beast of Steel—the Sarsilmaz K2-45 Pistol

Don’t be scared off when you read who makes the K2-45 .45 ACP pistol. Just because you are unfamiliar with the name, Sarsilmaz does not mean the company doesn’t make a good quality pistol. The only reason why you are unfamiliar with the name is because the Turkish manufacturer’s handguns have not been widely available in the United States for long. Based on CZ-75’s .45 ACP cousin, the CZ-97B, the K2-45 resembles a mix-match of the CZ with a SIG P220 slide. The alloy forged steel frame, slide and barrel make the K2-45 one helluva hefty beast.

The Old and the New: Colt Combat Commander Mark IV and the RIA Tactical II

Firearms

Art of the Gun: Old and New 1911s

Developed around the turn of the century by the famed John Moses Browning for Colt’s Manufacturing Company, this gun was adopted as the official sidearm of the United States Army in 1911. Since then it has been updated, changed, and rechambered to be the most ubiquitous and versatile handgun in all of the US.

If you buy only one gun, buy a Mossberg 500.

Firearms

Mossberg 500 Cruiser JIC Pump-Action Shotgun

Maybe you are brand new to the gun world, jonesing for a new gun, preparing for the apocalypse, want to start hunting, or need something for home protection. Perhaps you checked all the boxes above. Would you be surprised to hear that one gun will do all of that? One gun does truly rule most—the 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Even if you haven’t jumped on the shotgun bandwagon yet, let the Mossberg 500 JIC convince you. If you were to only purchase one gun, especially for a survival or emergency situation, the Mossberg 500 JIC is the smarter choice.

Slip on recoil pad added to rifle stock

Firearms

5 Lessons for Recoil

Shooting a rifle is different than shooting a shotgun. Having fired thousands of rounds from both, I have developed and learned several best practices that will help you enjoy the practice sessions that will ensure when your opportunity arrives you have the best chance of winning the match or harvesting the game.