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General

Editor’s Pick: The Best Thing I Saw at SHOT Show 2018

Allow me a moment, and please stick with story to the end—it starts a little slow, but you will not be disappointed if you make it to the end. Seldom do I write in first person or blatantly allow my personal biases to dictate content, but this is an exception. SHOT Show 2018 was full of the normal hustle and bustle. New handguns, shotguns, rifles, and optics were everywhere—certainly as far as the eye could see. There was no shortage of new clothing options, accessories, ammunition, magazines—all the toys and gear we crave. Yet, the best thing I saw at the 2018 SHOT Show was not on the show floor. In fact, it was not even at the show. My top pick for 2018 was a harmonica.

General

Operation Safe Store — Preventing Firearm Theft

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the launch of Operation Secure Store (OSS), a comprehensive joint initiative to help Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL) make well-informed security-related decisions to deter and prevent thefts.

General

Study to Expose Illegal Online Gun Sales Backfires

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., as well as Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii commissioned a Government Accountability Office report to look into how online private dealers might be selling guns to people not allowed to have them. The results were not what they likely expected as almost no one took the bait, refusing to sell or buy illegally. Read the full story here.

Bob Campbell aiming the Springfield EMP pistol

General

Range Report: Springfield Armory EMP 9mm

Before I begin singing the praises of the Springfield EMP 1911, I should say that I have never felt the 9mm 1911 made a lot of sense. It was like putting a six cylinder engine in a Corvette. The 10mm 1911 is like a 454 Chevelle by comparison. However, the Springfield EMP is not an average 1911 9mm.

target with bullet holes in the bulls eye

General

Light Loads For Personal Defense

Some of the more popular defensive handguns including, the snub nose .38 and the compact 9mm, have more recoil than some are willing to master. Others, such as the .357 Magnums, are a bear to fire in lightweight handguns. Load selection is critical. A heavy-bullet load at +P pressure isn’t a good choice for a lightweight handgun. Rather, a functional load with decent ballistics is best.

General

Federal Court: Involuntary Commitment Not a Disqualifier for 2A Rights

On February 16, 2016, Alton C. Franklin filed suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He contended that a prohibition against his ability to acquire or possess firearms because of a brief involuntary commitment in 2002, was unconstitutional. With a partial summary judgment in his favor, and a re-submission in January of 2017, Mr Franklin prevailed. The law was not struck as unconstitutional, directly. Rather, the Pennsylvania law was ruled to be insufficient to meet the Constitutional requirements of the Federal law.

Firearms

My Favorite Handguns — A Rotating List

I have been shooting since I was nine years old. My grandfather taught me firearm safety and the .22 rifle.…Read More >

Walther P22 with slide locked open and two boxes of ammunition

Gear, Parts and Accessories

Top 5 Last Minute Gifts

Just because its zero hour, does not mean you have to show up empty handed. Here’s five last minute gift ideas that require nothing more than an internet-connected device and are sure to bring a smile to your shooter’s face.

General

H.R. 38: The Truth About Concealed Carry Reciprocity

The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, H.R. 38 was one of the first bills introduced in the 2017 legislative session. This week, it was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 231 to 198. Not everyone sees H.R. 38, and it associated FixNICS language as a positive. However, it is unclear how much of the dissent is a result of being uninformed or being a victim of disinformation. In this article, Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation separates what H.R. 38 will do and what it won’t.

Bob Campbell cycling the bolt of the Ruger American rifle

Firearms

Range Report: Ruger American — Ruger’s Go Anywhere Do Anything Rifle

Ruger’s recently released 7.62x39mm American is a smart choice. The 7.62x39mm cartridge is the most popular and well distributed, mid-range caliber in the world. Ammunition is plentiful and inexpensive. Modern loadings, such as the Hornady SST, offer good game taking ability. Handloads put the 7.62x39mm right at .30-30 WCF power. In short, the new Ruger American should prove to be a capable, go anywhere, do anything rifle.