Find only the best gun and gear reviews here. This section is devoted to exploring the uses, specifications, features and performances of the latest firearms, ammunition, parts and accessories to hit the market.
One of the most interesting handguns to come along in some time is the Model 69 .44 Magnum. This is a 5-shot .44 Magnum revolver built on the L frame chassis. It features square butt grips and a 4-inch barrel. However, Smith & Wesson has gone one better for personal defense shooters with the Model 69 Combat Magnum.
The Uberti is well made of good material and probably stronger than the first Generation Colt. The Bisley revolver is handsomely finished. The grips fit the grip frame well. The barrel is what is sometimes called the Gunfighter length, cut off at the end of the ejector for 4 ¾-inch length.
A couple of decades ago, Colt needed a price beater. The company was losing market share to Springfield’s GI and Mil Spec pistols, not to mention the imports. Initially, the 1991A1 featured cheap plastic grips and a matte finish. However, the grips did not support the plunger tube and were soon replaced by superior rubber stocks. Today’s 1991A1 pistols feature a blue finish, nice wooden grips, and all of the features of a top-performing modern 1911.
The Single Action Army has a storied history. Originally called the Top Strap revolver, the Peacemaker in civilian sales (and the Model P internally at Colt) and later the Frontier Six Shooter when chambered for the .44-40 cartridge, the Colt SAA was the most rugged, reliable and powerful cartridge revolver of the day.
The Colt Gold Cup is a legendary handgun, even an icon, and well worth its price. If set up for defense loads it is as capable as any 1911 and more so than most. If you are looking for one of the most accurate handguns in the world, and a pistol steeped in history, this is the one.
I don’t mind finding coal in my stocking—well coal black actually although flat dark earth magazines are not bad either. Of course finding AR mags in your stocking is like finding batteries. I wonder what the long, narrow box marked “Adult Signature Required” could be for the fourth day of Christmas?
Recently, the author wrote about his new love affair with the .243 caliber rifle. Since rediscovering this diminutive, yet lethal caliber, he’s set up several guns with the right optic. For his latest long-range varmint gun, I chose a Riton Mod5 4-16×50 wide field of view scope. If you’ve done any serious varminting, you know that an extra 20 or 30 feet of vision at distance can really help you get on target quickly.
About 18 months ago, I decided it was high time for me to try my hand at 3 Gun. Life was good; I carved out some range time and found a friend to attend with me. He had some experience running matches, so he helped me kit up and learn some practice drills. We had a great time, even if he consistently smoked my stage times.
If there is one weapon that is on nearly every tactical shooter’s bucket list, it is the MP5, For most, spending quality trigger time with a MP5 was out of the question—until now. Zenith makes the MP5 delayed roller lock experience attainable. Don’t call the Zenith MKE Z-5RS a clone, knock-off, or wannabe MP5. The Zenith is a licensed version of the iconic Heckler & Koch MP5. Zenith Firearm in Afton, Virginia, imports a number of H&K-licensed delayed roller lock action models from MKE (Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation) of Turkey.
The .41 Magnum is a useful, powerful, accurate, and well-balanced cartridge. Perhaps, it is one of the best revolver cartridges ever designed. Yet, it seems to be almost on its last leg, and far down the list in popularity compared to the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum. This is understandable in some ways, but the cartridge is just too good to die.