Most Recent Posts

Ammunition

Fiocchi .22 LR — Plinking and Beyond

One of the best uses for the .22 LR is training youngsters to shoot. The cartridge offers a mild report, is inexpensive, and is plentiful at present, and its accuracy with the right load is excellent. Any ammunition may be used for this pastime or for training. Most often, the most inexpensive ammunition is used. This is OK as far as it goes. However, when you are firing at targets and attempting to shoot to the best of your ability, you will value accuracy more.

Firearms

Review: Uberti Bisley — Blue Steel and Case Hardened

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.

Traditions Bill Tilghman revolver and Fiocchi ammunition

Firearms

Review: Traditions Bill Tilghman Revolver

Hand engraving is expensive. Few shooters in the old west era carried engraved firearms, but some did. During the gangster era Frank Hamer—the man who killed Bonnie and Clyde—carried Old Lucky, an engraved SAA .45. Bill Cody and a very few well-heeled shooters carried such revolvers. Today however, while you are not likely to be a famous gunman, you can own a fine, engraved revolver for traditions such as the Bill Tilghman Single Action Army.

General

Range Report: Beretta APX 9mm Compact

The Beretta APX is Beretta’s entry into the polymer-frame striker-fired field, and they added a modular design for good measure. The APX is going against stiff competition. While Beretta has brand loyalty, the piece must stand on its own merit.

Bob Campbell defending the home with a shotgun

Gear, Parts and Accessories

Review: XS DXT Shotgun Sights

By adapting modern tritium technology to the classic Express sight, XS sights has been able to offer a truly unique system for making fast hits on a dangerous threat. XS DTX sight is not a set up for target shooting or long range. This is a set of sights that will give you every advantage, night or day, in a dangerous situation where your shotgun is the solution.

Snubnose revolver with pocket knife, and speedloaders

General

Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .38 — Not Another J Frame

The Bodyguard is a concealed-hammer double-action-only .38 Special snubnose, which is obvious. However, the Bodyguard differs from other J frames in that the cylinder rotates in a different direction—to the right. This is the same as the now defunct Colt Detective Special. Further, if you open the cylinder by pressing the lever on the top of the backstrap, you are enjoying a different manual of arms.

Ammunition

Is the .22 LR Suitable for Defense?

Most victims meet the perpetrator, at least in part, through some action of their own. Some students want to qualify for NRA courses or concealed carry with .22 pistols. That’s ok for beginners as the .22 is the most excellent training cartridge we have. However, using the .22 Long Rifle cartridge for defense requires quite a stretch, but there is some merit and history to consider.

Firearms

Review: Taylors and Company Cattlebrand Revolver — Single Action Army

Lawmen such as Lone Wolf Gonzullas, Tom Threepersons, and Frank Hamer carried the SAA long into the previous century. Today, we have first quality revolvers (and plenty of cheap competitors) that will serve well. These revolvers are affordable, and in my opinion, also among the most useful, smooth handling, and accurate SAA types ever manufactured.

Man shooting the Ruger American Rimfire rifle

Firearms

Review: Ruger American Rimfire

The introduction of a new bolt-action .22 is a continuation of the classic American .22 caliber sporter. Despite the introduction of modern self-loading rifles, the Ruger American Rimfire has its place, primarily because the Ruger American Rimfire is the stablemate to the world’s most popular .22 caliber rifle, the Ruger 10/22. The Ruger American Rimfire rifle is similar to the Ruger American centerfire rifles introduced a few years ago.

Smith and Wesson Shield .380 with magazine

Firearms

Range Report: Smith and Wesson’s Easy Shooting M&P Shield .380 ACP

Over the years, I have seen many people struggle with the handgun. Some older folks, and others with limited hand strength, have a difficult time with the revolver. While revolvers are simple enough to handle, the long double-action trigger press challenges some shooters. The Smith and Wesson M&P .380 pistol is the answer they have been looking for.