How-To

Handgun Basics 101: Get a Good Grip

By Suzanne Wiley   May 5, 2013

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When I first started shooting handguns, I had issues correctly gripping my handgun. A proper grip will help absorb recoil, provides shots that are more accurate and is safe. Your instinctive grip might be unsafe, especially on a semi-automatic pistol. Every time you pull the trigger to shoot a semi-auto, the slide moves back. If your thumbs are in the way, there is a possibility of the slide hitting them. You can solve many accuracy problems by correcting your grip.

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Camping & Survival

Easy to Make and Take Fire Starters

By Lisa Metheny   May 4, 2013

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All of the material needed to make these do-it-yourself fire starters can usually be found for FREE. We all like free and easy do-it-yourself projects and this one really comes in handy. Lightweight and easy to carry, long-burning fire starters are perfect for backpacking, camping or home use.

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Concealed Carry

Considerations for Concealed Carry Handguns

By CTD Rob   May 2, 2013

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If you ask ten gun store clerks about the best possible concealed carry handgun, you’ll probably get ten different answers. It is a confusing market with a myriad of players and they all claim to have the best of the best. A good place to start when thinking about carrying concealed is finding that perfect balance between handgun size and caliber. Deciding on a concealed carry handgun can be a daunting task. Know what to look for will make your buying choice easier.

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How-To

Are Mineral Supplements Worth the Money and Effort for Whitetails?

By CTD Blogger   April 30, 2013

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After a through and exhaustive search, I am here to declare once and for all that hunting whitetails is hard. While that may be surprising to some—the ones lucky enough to walk out their first time with a bow or gun and a shiny new hunter education card and wallop a monster—to many it is knowledge earned after exhaustive hours in the field.

And would you really want it to be easy? If everyone went out and shot a Booner their first day, how much fun would it be? (Although after 20-plus years, I think I should have earned at least one gimme.) After all, it is the allure of harvesting something rare and unique, a trophy like no other, that keeps our blood boiling and separates the hunters from those who merely hike with weapons in the whitetail woods.

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Consumer Information

First-Time Gun Buyer Questions

By CTD Rob   April 29, 2013

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Stop and ask yourself a few questions before buying your first firearm. There are plenty of choices out there. Let us help narrow the playing field.

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Archery

9 Good Reasons to Invest in Archery Equipment

By Lisa Metheny   April 27, 2013

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Movies such as Hunger Games proved to not only be entertaining, it was a bold reminder we need to start thinking about our daily must-haves for survival such as food and water. Also, what we might have to go through if those items do become scarce.

In the movie, one of main characters favorite pieces of equipment was a bow and arrow. If you are unfamiliar with archery equipment—or tackle as it is sometimes called—here is a quick overview of archery equipment.

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Range Reports

Range Report: Smith & Wesson M&P .22 Pistol

By Suzanne Wiley   April 26, 2013

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Looking almost identical to its bigger brothers and sisters, the S&W M&P .22 pistol is the perfect trainer if you own or plan to own one of S&W’s 9mm or .40 caliber M&Ps. Introduced in 2011, the .22 LR M&P is made by Walther in Germany. Though the rimfire M&P looks similar to the centerfire models, the two are functionally different. While the centerfire M&P is striker-fired, the rimfire models have an internal hammer. The slide is as smooth as butter and those who have issues with pulling back a slide on a semi-automatic pistol will be pleasantly surprised at the ease of cocking it. As a trainer, teaching a new shooter, a fun plinker or rimfire competition gun, the S&W M&P 22 rimfire pistol is excellent for its ergonomics, reliability and functionality.

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Camping & Survival

Survival Planning 101: Preparing for a Flood

By Lisa Metheny   April 21, 2013

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Floods are one of the most costly of all natural disasters. In the last 10 years, flooding cost the U.S. more than $2.9 million dollars in damage. Of all presidential-declared U.S. natural disasters, 90% involved flooding. It can and has happened in all 50 states. Flooding can happen in a matter of minutes as is the case with flash flooding. Or you may have several days of advance warning of a threat from a flood, such as the type caused by spring thaws. Although you may live in a low-risk area, emergency preparedness officials want you to remember this, if it rains where you live, even a minimal amount each year, than it has the potential to flood.

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Camping & Survival

Important Skills to Have After TEOTWAWKI

By Suzanne Wiley   April 20, 2013

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If a catastrophic world-wide event happened that wiped out a large portion of our population, infrastructure and destroyed many of our natural resources, what skills do you have that would be useful in rebuilding? What skills would you like to learn? You might have stockpiled food, water, ammunition and guns, but thinking beyond a few days of disaster can put you ahead of the game. Knowing a little bit about all those essential skills means you can not only provide for your family, but also be a good bartering tool. Any trade skill makes an excellent hobby—do you like to tinker with cars? Then you have some basic mechanic skills. Do you like to grow your own vegetables? Why don’t you expand that knowledge and raise some chickens?

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Safety and Training

Managing Recoil with the Correct Stance

By Suzanne Wiley   April 17, 2013

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Unfortunately, I have seen way too many pictures of women on the Internet shooting a gun incorrectly. You know the picture or the YouTube—the woman has a gun, she leans back to take the shot and the next thing you know the gun has recoiled back and hit her in the head or she has dropped it. A lot of people repost these pictures on their Facebook wall and hilarity ensues. However, most of the time this mishap is not the woman’s fault. The person who gives them the gun fails to give them any training. To manage recoil, get a good stance that provides proper balance and allows your entire frame to absorb the recoil.

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