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Smith and Wesson M&P Shield .45 with slide locked

Firearms

Smith and Wesson’s Big Bore .45 ACP Shield

The Smith and Wesson Military and Police Shield is among the most popular carry guns in America. Light but reliable and accurate this slim line single column magazine pistol has much to recommend. In fact, many believe Smith and Wesson’s .45 ACP Shield is the answer to their personal defense needs. The author certainly agrees. Will you?

SIG Sauer and Glock pistols

Concealed Carry

Cheap Life Insurance — The Rumorings of Ol’ Bob

There have always been more cheap guns than good guns in my opinion, and the same is true today. Likewise, there have always been very few inexpensive but good guns. Sometimes when looking over the choices in handguns the heavy hitter may say, ‘What is your life worth?’ This is true enough, but many of us cannot afford an expensive firearm despite our best intentions. Read the full story for the pros and cons of picking your self-defense handgun.

Smith & Wesson M&P10 right

Firearms

Range Report: Smith & Wesson M&P10 .308 Rifle

The .223/5.56mm platform is a wonderful close-quarters combat system and may be accurate at extended range. However, the punch needed for some chores just isn’t there. When you feel the need for more power, you reach for Smith and Wesson’s M&P .308.

S&W SD 40 with laser

Range Reports

Range Report: Smith and Wesson SD40

Searching for a new reliable handgun within a tight budget isn’t as hard as you may think. Bob Campbell reviews the Smith & Wesson SD 40 .40 caliber pistol and proves its accuracy, concluding it makes a great gun for self-defense.

Smith & Wesson M&P 22C pistol

Reviews

S&W M&P 22c

Are you a fan of the Smith & Wesson M&P series of handguns? Guest blogger and pistol instructor, Lori Winstead finds the M&P 22c (Compact) an excellent training gun. Find out why it is one of her new favorites in this gun review.

Black Noveske-built Gen III AR-15 rifle with many upgrades

Firearms

The Best AR-15s for All Budgets

Many readers and customers ask us “what is the best AR-15?” Ask 5, 10, 20 people and you will get that many different answers. There really are no true criteria for defining what “the best” truly means. However, here at Cheaper Than Dirt! we are shooters and we are shooters who shoot a lot and love the AR-15. In this article, I highlight what we think are some of the best AR-15s on the market for all budgets.

Ammunition

The Birth of the .44 Mag. Cartridge

Ever heard of the Smith & Wesson NT-430? Maybe not by that name, but the easiest description would probably be to use a famous movie quote, “Go ahead, make my day.” Yep, the NT-430—later dubbed the Model 29—was famous long before Inspector Callahan wielded it in back in ’71. However, “Dirty Harry” ensured it would always have a place in firearm history, but he wasn’t the only champion of the Model 29 and the .44 Mag.

Kahr Sights

Concealed Carry

Considerations for Concealed Carry Handguns

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.

Range Reports

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

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.