Michael Crites

Licensed Concealed Carry Holder

Michael Crites has served as executive editor of AmericanFirearms.org since 2016 and previously held positions as associate editor and range correspondent dating back to 2000. He discovered his passion for precision shooting at age 12 during his first visit to his grandfather’s shooting range, eventually earning an Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18.

During his studies at University of Wyoming, he earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years. He became the first UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Communications.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Earned Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18
  • Earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years
  • First UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status
  • Served as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001

EXPERIENCE

His diverse career has included roles as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001; editor-in-chief, Precision Shooter Quarterly; series editor, Modern Firearms Handbook collection; managing editor, National Shooting Sports Foundation Newsletter; editor, Competitive Shooter Magazine; operations director for Western Arms & Ammunition Co.; senior editor for the Shooter’s Reference Annual (Cheyenne); content director for The Firearms Report, published by the American Shooting Coalition in Billings, MT; firearms correspondent for Hunting & Shooting, produced by Outdoor Sports Media Group in Jackson, WY; and publisher for Wyoming Shooting Sports Journal in Casper. He has contributed as a regular columnist for American Rifleman (NRA Publications), technical editor for Precision, a publication of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association (Phoenix, AZ); and as firearms specialist for the Gun Owner’s Annual.

As a digital content creator, he has written more than 400 articles on AmericanFirearms.org, developed shooting technique coverage for the Brownells Shooting Blog (Montezuma, IA) and Federal Premium “Range Notes” platform (Anoka, MN), and served as lead content strategist for International Defensive Pistol Association (Berryville, AR). Beyond Tactical Firearms, his current endeavors include content development for the Wyoming State Rifle Association (Cheyenne, WY) and technical manual production for High Plains Publishing of Laramie, WY.

He has contributed to the 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Modern Sporting Rifles Guide and edited The Complete Guide to Tactical Shooting and Competitive Shooter’s Reference Manual (Gun Digest Books).

FAVORITE QUOTE

“For nothing outside my reasoned choice can hinder or harm it — my reasoned choice above can do this to itself.” Epictetus, Discourses, 3.19.3-3

Michael Crites

October 19, 2025

PMAG Gen 2 vs Gen 3: A Comparison

Magpul has been behind some of the most reliable firearm products in the world for over a decade. Their polymer PMAG magazines have seen use and abuse in nearly every environment on Earth and will continue to do so for a while given the green light from Uncle Sam and militaries across the globe. A… Continue reading PMAG Gen 2 vs Gen 3: A Comparison

October 19, 2025

The Best Under Bed Gun Safes

Storing your guns safely is arguably the primary responsibility of any gun owner. However, you also want your guns to be relatively close at hand in case you need them for a self-defense situation or if you’re visited by an unwanted house guest while asleep in your bed. An under bed gun safe is an… Continue reading The Best Under Bed Gun Safes

October 19, 2025

The Best Beginner Hunting Rifles

A hunter is, ultimately, only as good as his or her rifle. Yet finding the best hunting rifle for your next expedition can be a trickier business than you might think. With so many rifles on the market these days, you’re almost inundated with too many choices – and way too many price points –… Continue reading The Best Beginner Hunting Rifles

October 19, 2025

The Best AR-15 Lower Parts Kits

The Russians have a saying – “a man is not a man until he has broken a horse, fathered a child, and built a house.” I’d add “and built an AR-15” to that list. It’s a bit of a right of passage for every firearm enthusiast — one day you’ll decide it’s time to build… Continue reading The Best AR-15 Lower Parts Kits

October 19, 2025

Best Gun Safe Dehumidifiers: Keep Your Firearms Rust-Free

Dehumidifiers are the perfect accessory for a gun safe. They regulate a safes internal humidity levels so your firearms will retain their cosmetic integrity and optimal functionality. Failing to control your gun safe’s humidity can result in rust or corrosion – which completely defeats the purpose of storing them to begin with. We’ve compiled a… Continue reading Best Gun Safe Dehumidifiers: Keep Your Firearms Rust-Free

October 19, 2025

Sig Sauer Has 2 New M400 Rifles

The New Hampshire-based small arms giant has turned its eyes to its direct impingement 5.56 NATO AR-15 beanstalk and shook out a pair of new M400 series rifles. This includes the M400 SDI X-SERIES and M400 Tread Predator 2.0. If the “X-SERIES” sound familiar, Sig uses that name for its optimized P320 pistols that include… Continue reading Sig Sauer Has 2 New M400 Rifles

October 19, 2025

The Dicken Drill Emerges

No, it’s not a new line of power tools available at your local big box home improvement store, the Dicken Drill is now the most popular handgun drill in the country. In an ode to 22-year-old armed bystander Elisjsha Dicken who, clad in shorts and a T-shirt, earlier this month engaged and stopped an Indiana… Continue reading The Dicken Drill Emerges

October 19, 2025

FBI is buying a lot of suppressors

In the past couple of weeks, two big Utah-based suppressor companies– SilencerCo and HUXWRX Safety Co. (formerly OSS Suppressors) — have announced seven-figure deals to supply the Feds with cans. HUXWRX says their $4.9 million contract, to outfit the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, is for their new 3D-printed FLOW 556k suppressor, which they say, “finished… Continue reading FBI is buying a lot of suppressors

October 19, 2025

The Best Ruger 10/22 Upgrades

There’s a reason the Ruger 10/22 has long been one of America’s favorite rimfire rifles. Its smooth action, consistent accuracy, and legendarily durable build mean even the stock OEM 10/22 will hold its own for decades. Of course, part of the fun of owning a gun is making it your own, and the 10/22 has… Continue reading The Best Ruger 10/22 Upgrades

October 19, 2025

The Best Shotgun Suppressors

Shotguns are some of the most versatile and useful firearms ever created. They’re excellent weapons for hunting, general fun and target shooting, and of course, for home defense. It’s just too bad that there aren’t any shotgun silencers created to make them even better… right? Wrong! In fact, there are a handful of top-tier shotgun… Continue reading The Best Shotgun Suppressors

October 19, 2025

Best Tactical Shotguns: Stay Ready

Picking the ideal tactical shotgun doesn’t have to be hard. Simply follow a few steps to cut through the bluster and propaganda to find something that really works. Let’s dive in!

October 19, 2025

Best Rangefinder Binoculars: Budget, Hunting, & More

To find the best rangefinder binoculars, we had a professional hunting guide spend over 20 hours field-testing 12 pairs against his own $2,600 Leica Geovids. After using our collection of test pairs in the mountains and forests of Eastern Oregon, then on a hunting trip in the heat of southern Mexico, he found that the… Continue reading Best Rangefinder Binoculars: Budget, Hunting, & More

October 19, 2025

Best AR-15 Foregrip Bipods

The grip area of your AR is critical for mobility, shot placement, and overall effectiveness with your weapon. Given the customizability of the AR platform, we’ve seen some real innovation in the world of combination grip/bipods (sometimes called “grip pods’ by the tacticool set) that give your rifle another layer of capability. Plus – for… Continue reading Best AR-15 Foregrip Bipods

October 19, 2025

The Best Gun Safes & Cabinets

Someone once said that with great power comes great responsibility. And as a proponent of the 2nd amendment, there are few responsibilities more significant than keeping your weapon out of the wrong hands. Striking a balance between security and availability can be a challenge, and navigating the array of features of American firearm safes can… Continue reading The Best Gun Safes & Cabinets

October 19, 2025

The Best Browning Guns

What are the best Browning firearms you can buy? John Browning is a pillar of American firearm design. He has made major contributions to the world of firearms – in military and civilian firearms, cartridges, and gun mechanisms. His contributions made such an impact that both shooters and firearms historians consider him a legend. Who… Continue reading The Best Browning Guns

October 19, 2025

The Best Pistol Cases

Part of being a safe and responsible gun owner is storing your firearms securely, especially pistols. You’ll also want a convenient and easy way to transport them and to keep them safe from the elements and from getting scratched and scuffed. Both of these problems can be handily solved with a high-quality pistol case. Today,… Continue reading The Best Pistol Cases

October 19, 2025

The Best Dry Fire Training Systems: Time to Train

Firearm training is the most critical aspect of owning a firearm, primarily for self-defense. If you are not confident in your gun handling skills, you endanger everyone around you, including yourself. However, going to the range and using live fire ammunition is expensive. Some ranges will not allow you to practice drawing from your holster… Continue reading The Best Dry Fire Training Systems: Time to Train

October 19, 2025

The Best Gun Racks: More, Better Storage

Guns are ergonomic objects made to fit into human hands while we’re shooting them, which can make storing them a little tricky. The last thing I want to see is my guns getting scratched up or dented with use because I couldn’t find a good way to store them safely. Being a gun owner, I… Continue reading The Best Gun Racks: More, Better Storage

October 19, 2025

The Best .300 Blackout Magazines

The .300 Blackout is one of the more interesting calibers in recent years, officially approved by SAAMI in 2011, and born out of a need for a specialized close-combat round for special operations units, the .300 AAC Blackout has become one of the most popular chamberings for the AR-15 platform – and for a good… Continue reading The Best .300 Blackout Magazines

October 19, 2025

Top .308 Rifles: Unleash Your Potential

When Uncle Sam went looking for a lighter .30-caliber round than the ‘Ought-Six they wanted similar ballistic performance in a smaller cartridge. The Army’s T65 cartridge eventually landed at 7.62x51mm length, the NATO standard for both the semi-auto rifle and machine guns in 1954. With the specs for the cartridge already commercially available, Winchester beat… Continue reading Top .308 Rifles: Unleash Your Potential

October 19, 2025

The Best .300 Blackout Uppers

Despite all of the lasers, tech accessories, and modern features, the AR platform is more than half a century old. Originally chambered in .308 as the AR10, Eugene Stoner made a rifle that was chambered for a round that was full of compromises, the 5.56 NATO. To be fair, we certainly like the 5.56mm: it’s… Continue reading The Best .300 Blackout Uppers

October 19, 2025

Best .308 Muzzle Brakes: Taming the Recoil

If you own or are in the process of outfitting a .308 rifle, pretty soon you’ll realize that the .308 is a more than capable round in terms of delivering consistent performance at long range. One consequence of this is that when a .308 bullet leaves the barrel, it does so in a real hurry… Continue reading Best .308 Muzzle Brakes: Taming the Recoil

October 19, 2025

The Best 7.62×39 Rifles: AKs, ARs, And More

7.62×39 rifles are some of the most popular in the entire world. That’s because they’re the primary type of AK-47, itself arguably the most successful rifle in human history. These guns are close competitors with 5.56×45 NATO firearms, packing more of a punch up close in exchange for slightly less accuracy at a distance. Today,… Continue reading The Best 7.62×39 Rifles: AKs, ARs, And More

October 19, 2025

From Novice to Expert: The Best .22LR Rifles for Any Shooter

Looking for the best .22LR rifle for your needs? Whether you’re a new shooter or an experienced range expert, there’s a .22LR rifle out there that’s perfect for you. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the top-rated .22LR rifles on the market, as well as the different types of .22LR rifles available, and… Continue reading From Novice to Expert: The Best .22LR Rifles for Any Shooter

October 19, 2025

Top Concealed Carry Pants: Stay Prepared and Comfortable

After diving deep into the world of EDC pants, we think 5.11 Tactical’s Defender Flex Jeans are the best concealed carry pants for most people. They use a 65% polyester/35% cotton blend that offers rip-stop to keep your pants in one piece, are water-resistant yet breathable, come in multiple inseam lengths, have rear-slanted side pockets… Continue reading Top Concealed Carry Pants: Stay Prepared and Comfortable

October 19, 2025

The Best SKS Scope Mounts

After more than 70 years in service, SKS rifles have been around the block. After replacing the Mosin Nagant the world over (and given the amount of time this rifle has been in the hands of recreational shooters) there’s an incredible number of aftermarket components available to help bring these rifles into the 21st century.… Continue reading The Best SKS Scope Mounts

October 19, 2025

The Best Bedside Gun Safes

A gun safe certainly isn’t the best place for your wife’s jewelry, stamp collection, or fine art pieces (a safe-deposit box would be a better choice). But if you want to be a responsible gun owner, safeguard your handgun from thieves and other uninvited guests, and keep easy access to your piece, a quality bedside… Continue reading The Best Bedside Gun Safes

Long range AR uppers

October 19, 2025

The Best Long Range AR-15 Uppers: Get Some Distance

Long the domain of bolt-action tack drivers, the AR-15 can be a solid long-range performer, so long as you’re using an upper made for hitting targets at range. Granted, you can shoot any gun at long range, but some are certainly better suited for it than others! There are many AR-15 variants, chamberings, and barrel… Continue reading The Best Long Range AR-15 Uppers: Get Some Distance

AR with a budget optic

October 19, 2025

The Best Budget AR-15 Scopes

Technology often has a fantastic trickle-down effect. Anti-lock brakes used to be fully optional – now they’re standard safety features. The same kinds of dynamics are at play in the world of AR-15 optics. You’d be surprised what you can get in an AR-15 scope under $100 – while these aren’t going to be as… Continue reading The Best Budget AR-15 Scopes

October 19, 2025

Magpul Stock Differences: MOE, STR, CTR, & SL Compared

Of all the aftermarket stocks available for purchase, Magpul is one of the most popular manufacturers. They also have a decidedly wide selection of firearm accessories, including magazines, grips, sights, and adjustable or fixed stocks for various guns. They are known for making some of the best AR-15 stocks anywhere, each with its own unique… Continue reading Magpul Stock Differences: MOE, STR, CTR, & SL Compared

October 19, 2025

The Colt 1911: The History & The Glory

While dozens of companies are busy making 1911-style pistols, only one name stands above all others as the inventor of the original– Colt. With over a century in the game they kicked off, Colt is still the GOAT when it comes to John Browning’s Government model. We turn back the clock to investigate how Colt… Continue reading The Colt 1911: The History & The Glory

October 19, 2025

Best Shooting Sticks: Elevate Your Hunting Game

While U.S. hunting participation has declined by almost half since the 50s, more than 11 million Americans participate in hunting activities today — taking more than 147 million trips annually — so hunting remains a very popular sport. While often not the first piece of kit that comes to mind when building out your bag,… Continue reading Best Shooting Sticks: Elevate Your Hunting Game

October 19, 2025

The Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers

The 6.5 Grendel has become one of the more popular choices for long-range shooters in the last several years. When compared to the 5.56mm, the larger round of the 6.5 adds long-range oomph where the 5.56 NATO can fail to impress. In this piece, we’re going to cover some of the best 6.5 Grendel upper… Continue reading The Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers

October 19, 2025

AR-15 vs. M4: A Comparison

Guide to Everything AR Both the AR-15 and the M4 are based on the Armalite Rifle design from Eugene Stoner in the 1950s. These rifles have, in their respective roles, served the United States well since the Vietnam War.  In service arenas, they are both select-fire, automatic combat rifles capable of fully automatic fire, but… Continue reading AR-15 vs. M4: A Comparison

October 19, 2025

The Best .224 Valkyrie Rifles

The .224 Valkyrie rifle is fairly new to the market, only introduced commercially a few years ago, but it has nonetheless proved appealing to many modern sporting rifle users and competitive shooters – and for good reason. Taking advantage of better ballistics with a flatter trajectory and less drift, the “Valk” is capable of delivering… Continue reading The Best .224 Valkyrie Rifles

October 19, 2025

Find Your Perfect Fit: The Best Shooting Gloves Tested

With a hobby like shooting, safety accessories abound. Of course, we recommend that eye and ear protection accompanies every shot you take (so that you can keep shooting for years to come) – but what about your hands? Putting all the tough guy pretense aside (some of us certainly take pride in our calluses &… Continue reading Find Your Perfect Fit: The Best Shooting Gloves Tested

Coyote on the move

October 19, 2025

The Best Coyote Hunting Scopes

Coyote hunting has become more and more of a necessity in both rural and urban areas due to their rapidly increasing population. With this rise in coyotes, there have been countless stories and documented incidents of predators attacking domestic animals and livestock. Coyotes are vicious and violent predators who hunt other animals of all sizes.… Continue reading The Best Coyote Hunting Scopes

October 19, 2025

Best .300 Win Mag Rifles: Big Power, Big Precision

The .300 Winchester Magnum is one of the most popular hunting cartridges ever developed and has remained a staple of American hunting culture ever since the 1960s. If you can find a great rifle to pair with these cartridges, you’ll have a capable hunting firearm that is versatile enough for any hunting expedition and will… Continue reading Best .300 Win Mag Rifles: Big Power, Big Precision

October 19, 2025

The Best Pump Action Shotguns

Let there be little doubt — the 12-gauge pump-action shotgun is probably the most recognizable firearm on the planet — both in terms of how it looks and that unforgettable sound of racking the slide. We love pump-action shotguns and decided it was high time to pull together a Best Of list for this classic… Continue reading The Best Pump Action Shotguns

October 19, 2025

The Best Concealed Carry Jackets

The Rothco Special Ops Soft Shell CCW jacket is the best concealed carry jacket for most people. It is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to use, and has a huge number of pockets. Most importantly, the internal carry pockets are easy to get into and make pocket carry a breeze.

Kimber 2K11 Review 040

October 12, 2025

Kimber 2K11 Review: The Double-Stack 1911 That (Almost) Changes Everything

Can a traditional 1911 manufacturer compete in the modern 2011 arena? We fired 847 rounds through Kimber’s 2K11 answer to find out. For thirty years, Kimber built beautiful single-stack 1911s that purists loved and competitors ignored. But with Staccato dominating the high-capacity 1911 market and polymer pistols eating everyone else’s lunch, even the most traditional… Continue reading Kimber 2K11 Review: The Double-Stack 1911 That (Almost) Changes Everything

Ruger RXM Review 11

September 23, 2025

Ruger RXM Review: The Modular 9mm Shaking Up the Glock Clone Market

The polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol market has been dominated by one name for over four decades: Glock. While the Austrian “plastic-fantastic” maker’s reliability and simplicity earned well-deserved respect, their reluctance to make serious innovations beyond incremental updates issued as “generations” has left the door wide open for American manufacturers to step up with something better.  Enter… Continue reading Ruger RXM Review: The Modular 9mm Shaking Up the Glock Clone Market

GX4 Profile Alt

September 06, 2025

Taurus GX4 Review: Complete Analysis After 2,500+ Rounds

Taurus and I have, well, let’s call it history. For years, the Brazilian gunmaker occupied a niche in my gun safe—affordable alternatives that worked but never felt finished. I say this because the triggers were mushy, the finishes wore quickly, and quality control sometimes felt more like quality suggestions. So, when the Taurus GX4 showed… Continue reading Taurus GX4 Review: Complete Analysis After 2,500+ Rounds

August 30, 2025

Top Handguns for Home Protection: Defend Your Domain

Perhaps the most common and effective means of home protection, given purpose-driven selection and the proper training in use, is a good defensive handgun. With that in mind, let us take a look at some of the better options out there.

Serious,Young,Bearded,Hiker,In,Cap,Setting,Fire,In,The

August 23, 2025

Top Survival Rifles: Backpacking & Emergency Preparedness Picks

The term “survival rifle” can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a rifle of last resort, others might see it as more of a backpacking or camping firearm designed to be easily carried into, and out of, the great outdoors. Almost everyone agrees that a rifle geared toward excelling in the elements… Continue reading Top Survival Rifles: Backpacking & Emergency Preparedness Picks

Shadow Systems MR920 with Gold Tyrant Designs Glock 19 Barrel Slide Back

August 03, 2025

Glock Barrel Upgrades: Precision Picks for Every Model

No matter if you are doing a new build from the ground up or are out to upgrade your Glock’s current barrel, you’ll need some guidance. Your Glock’s barrel is one of the most important components of the pistol, and there are lots of things to keep in mind before you add one to a… Continue reading Glock Barrel Upgrades: Precision Picks for Every Model

The famous Kalashnikov assault rifle with magazine and cartridges on an old, damaged board

August 01, 2025

AK-47 Rifle Shootout: Finding the Right Kalash for You

For generations, the AK-47 was the spooky gun in grainy TASS footage of May Day parades in Red Square, or seen firing into the air, pistol gripped by random guerillas in far off lands. However, today, Mikhail Kalashnikov’s most famous invention is becoming increasingly familiar to American gun owners, and the guns themselves are likewise… Continue reading AK-47 Rifle Shootout: Finding the Right Kalash for You

Micro 9s Cover

July 22, 2025

A Look At The World of Micro Compact 9mm Pistols

A category of handguns that didn’t even exist before 2018, the micro compact 9mm is exploding in popularity, with almost 20 models currently in production. Let’s look at what these guns are, why they are important, and how they stack up against each other.

FFP Rifle Scope Mounted on a Bolt Action Rifle

June 26, 2025

Best First Focal Plane Scopes: Top FFP Scopes

Are you a fan of long-range shooting? Are you constantly putting your targets out further and further? If so, then you need to start thinking about first focal plane (FFP) rife scopes. These scopes are fantastic optics for long-range rifle enthusiasts, and they’ve become far more popular in recent years. There are a lot of… Continue reading Best First Focal Plane Scopes: Top FFP Scopes

June 24, 2025

Best Truck Gun Rack: Overhead, Seat Back & Window Mounts

If you regularly travel with a firearm, you know the importance of keeping it secured. Not only to protect the gun, scope, and people inside the vehicle but also to obey local laws. Thankfully, many products can help to meet these requirements. However, some products are significantly better than others — and some designs simply… Continue reading Best Truck Gun Rack: Overhead, Seat Back & Window Mounts

June 22, 2025

Remington 870 Tactical Review: A Guide & Retrospective

The Remington 870 — the greatest selling pump-action shotgun in the history of firearms — is famous with sportsmen and has also been the gold standard for dependable and ultra-reliable tactical models for users both in and out of uniform.

June 22, 2025

Short and Mighty: The Best Bullpup Shotguns

Bullpup firearms, primarily rifles and shotguns, have emerged as transformative players in the gun industry. Distinct from traditional designs, they position the action, trigger, and chamber assemblies behind the trigger area. This simple reconfiguration leads to a significant reduction in overall size, while ensuring the barrel’s length and resulting velocity are unaltered. Essentially, they offer… Continue reading Short and Mighty: The Best Bullpup Shotguns

June 22, 2025

IWI Tavor TS12 Review

Curious about IWI’s space-age bullpup but don’t know where to start? We break down the TS12 – warts and all.

June 22, 2025

Glock 17 vs 19: A Comparison

The differences between the Glock 17 and Glock 19 are subtle but the two 9mm pistols certainly bring a different design philosophy to the user. Each Glock is engineered around specific strengths that play to its respective purpose. With that in mind, we dive into the debate over which gun is better for which kind… Continue reading Glock 17 vs 19: A Comparison

June 19, 2025

The Best 6.5 PRC Rifles

In the world of precision shooting, new cartridges continually promise to unlock previously unreachable long-range performance by pushing the limits of ballistic performance. This is especially true in the last several years. Among these, the 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) is slowly becoming a popular round for big game hunting in bolt action rifles. This… Continue reading The Best 6.5 PRC Rifles

June 17, 2025

Top AR-15 Build Kits For Your Next Project: From Basics to Ballistics

There is no more daunting goalpost in the gun community than assembling or otherwise building your own AR-15, but by keeping in mind some basic considerations and doing your homework, that goal can be easily attained This article is part of our ongoing Guide to Everything AR.  

June 17, 2025

Best Shooting Tripods: Hunting & Precision Game Changers

As a hunter and provider, there is no worse feeling than knowing you just made a poor shot on an animal due to a lack of stability. As hunters, we want to make the most ethical shot possible so the animal doesn’t suffer, and that begins with a stable shooting position. That’s why many hunters… Continue reading Best Shooting Tripods: Hunting & Precision Game Changers

AR uppers and handguards

June 16, 2025

Top AR-15 Upper Receivers: Build Your Perfect Rifle

Arguably one of the most vital elements of the AR-15 is picking the right upper receiver group. After all, your upper provides the lock-up between the bolt and barrel, leaving you with either an accurate and dependable firearm or something that offers little more than consistent frustration. If you want to build an AR for… Continue reading Top AR-15 Upper Receivers: Build Your Perfect Rifle

June 16, 2025

Top Bergara Rifles For Long Range & Hunting: What Makes Them Special?

Bergara first appeared on the scene in the U.S. in 2013 with small batches of outrageously accurate precision rifles and has gone on to be widely adopted by competitive shooters, law enforcement, and hunters. But who’s behind these fine rifles and which of these quality rifles are for you? We dive deep into the best… Continue reading Top Bergara Rifles For Long Range & Hunting: What Makes Them Special?

June 15, 2025

Hunting & Sport: Your Guide to the Best Over-Under Shotguns

There’s something undeniably classy about swinging an over-under shotgun onto a covey of quail or a crossing clay target. Maybe it’s the satisfying thunk of the action closing, the precision of selecting which barrel fires first, or simply the timeless elegance of a well-crafted double gun. Whatever draws you to over-unders, you’re looking at one… Continue reading Hunting & Sport: Your Guide to the Best Over-Under Shotguns

June 14, 2025

The Best .300 Blackout Barrels

.300 Blackout barrels are a popular choice among firearm enthusiasts for their versatility and performance. There is a variety of 300 Blackout barrels available in different lengths, flutes, and finishes, allowing for personalization of weapon length and performance. Selecting the perfect barrel chambered in .300 AAC Blackout can be a little tricky as one has… Continue reading The Best .300 Blackout Barrels

June 13, 2025

Best Laser Bore Sights: Get On Target Faster!

Sighting in a rifle is a skill — one that takes time to develop — and one that can be made much easier with a few tools. Boresighting is the process of aligning your sight with the axis of your gun’s bore. It’s a critical first step in sighting in your scope. It creates a… Continue reading Best Laser Bore Sights: Get On Target Faster!

June 12, 2025

Best Rimfire Scopes: Small Calibers, Big Performance

If you’ve been shooting your .22LR with iron sights and wondering whether a scope is worth the investment, let me save you some time: it absolutely is. After putting more than 17 different rimfire scopes through their paces over the past few months, I can tell you that the right optic will transform your shooting… Continue reading Best Rimfire Scopes: Small Calibers, Big Performance

June 11, 2025

The Best .30-06 Rifles: A Timeless Caliber for Modern Hunters

What is the .30-06 cartridge and what keeps it one of America’s most popular hunting and competition rounds? We examine this .30-caliber military classic, explain why it has endured for over a century, and provide a selection of great “Aught Six” rifles. There’s no shortage of quality rifled chambered in this classic cartridge, so we… Continue reading The Best .30-06 Rifles: A Timeless Caliber for Modern Hunters

June 11, 2025

Best Home Defense Shotguns in 2025: Tactical vs. Traditional Picks

The Terminator series, The Fast and The Furious franchise, John Wick. What’s at the center of these movies, other than overpaid actors and scenes that rely too heavily of CGI? Pistol grip shotguns. Hollywood features them for a reason; they are damned cool. Feature films make these shotguns look good, but are they the stars… Continue reading Best Home Defense Shotguns in 2025: Tactical vs. Traditional Picks

Lever Action Rifles -- Cover

June 10, 2025

Best Lever-Action Rifles: From Classic To Cutting-Edge

Few firearms capture the imagination quite like lever-action rifles. A Winchester 94 with a walnut stock and pistol grip was one of the iconic guns that helped win the American West. Over a century since the settling of the frontiers, these guns are still relevant, beautiful, and practical — and as of late, few types… Continue reading Best Lever-Action Rifles: From Classic To Cutting-Edge

Banish 45 Range Test (5)

June 10, 2025

The Best 9mm Suppressors: Let’s Get Quiet

When you need to keep things quiet, be it for range etiquette, home defense needs, or tactical applications, suppressors are a must-have accessory. And there’s no better platform to suppress than 9mm firearms. Given that 9mm pistols are incredibly common these days — serving as everything from everyday carry sidearms to home defense weapons and… Continue reading The Best 9mm Suppressors: Let’s Get Quiet

June 09, 2025

The Best 300 Blackout Rifles: These Dominated Our Range Tests

Born in the early 2010s when a few unnamed military special operators needed a specialized close-combat round, the .300 AAC Blackout is no passing fad — the BLK has become one of the most popular AR cartridges around. Whether you’re hunting hogs in thick brush, defending your home, or looking for the ultimate suppressed platform,… Continue reading The Best 300 Blackout Rifles: These Dominated Our Range Tests

June 06, 2025

The Best .45 ACP Pistols: Big Bore Choices That Still Deliver

What is it about the vaunted .45 ACP cartridge that keeps it as one of America’s most self-protection and competition rounds? We examine this classic round, break down why it has survived and thrived for generation after generation, and provide a selection of great handguns that are chambered for it.

June 06, 2025

Glock 19X Review: The Crossover Champ?

Glock’s first “crossover” design that borrowed from the lineage of two proven 9mm Glock pistols, the G19X has been around for just over a half-decade and is something of an overlooked gem. We’ve got the scoop on this Coyote-colored war horse.

June 06, 2025

Best Pocket Carry Guns: True Ultra-Compact Options

With over 19 million Americans holding concealed handgun permits and millions more carrying in constitutional carry states, the pocket pistol has emerged as one of the most popular concealed carry options. But what exactly qualifies as a “pocket pistol,” and when does it make sense to carry one?

June 05, 2025

The Best Single-Shot Shotguns

Our hunger for the latest and greatest in firearms innovation — replete with technical performance details and cutting-edge technology — is insatiable. And, while we love a kitted-out AR as much as the next guy, firearms — like any other tool — can be even more interesting when designed for specific purposes. If you’re looking… Continue reading The Best Single-Shot Shotguns

June 05, 2025

Best 9mm Ammo: Hollow Point, Range & Self-Defense Rounds

Possibly the most popular centerfire ammunition made today, and almost certainly one of the most prolific, landing on the right 9mm ammo load for home defense, plinking, or carry ammo can sometimes get a little overwhelming. We dive deep into the world of Herr Luger to point you in the right direction for the ever-popular… Continue reading Best 9mm Ammo: Hollow Point, Range & Self-Defense Rounds

June 01, 2025

Rimfire vs. Centerfire Ammo: A Comparison

For some people in the shooting community, choosing ammunition can be a little daunting. There are a lot of bullets out there – which makes for a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to teasing out the relative strengths of different calibers and ammunition types. At first glance, all ammunition might look pretty similar… Continue reading Rimfire vs. Centerfire Ammo: A Comparison

May 31, 2025

The Best Taurus Revolvers

Based in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil – Forjas Taurus is a manufacturing conglomerate founded in 1939. Originally focused on tool and die forging, the company now consists of a variety of divisions that specialize in metals manufacturing, plastics, body armors, helmets, and civil construction – as well as Taurus Armas, its firearm… Continue reading The Best Taurus Revolvers

May 30, 2025

The Best 10mm Pistols: Top Choices and Essential Buying Tips

The 10mm Auto isn’t for everyone, and that’s exactly why it’s perfect for some of us. While the shooting world has spent the last decade rehashing the same tired 9mm versus .45 ACP debates, the 10mm has quietly carved out a niche that no other semi-automatic cartridge can touch. It’s not the most popular handgun… Continue reading The Best 10mm Pistols: Top Choices and Essential Buying Tips

May 30, 2025

Budget-Friendly Gun Safes: Top Picks Under $500

To create this guide, we got our hands on a number of these long gun safes and spent hours researching and testing them and their security features. We also interviewed gun safe experts who know a shocking amount about how to break into (or otherwise destroy) a gun safe. Here’s our advice on everything from… Continue reading Budget-Friendly Gun Safes: Top Picks Under $500

May 28, 2025

The Best AR-12 Shotguns: Modern Firepower From Tactical to Sport

Bottom Line Up Front: The Typhoon Defense X12 is the best AR12 shotgun for most people. It pairs a familiar AR layout with a twin gas piston setup, helping with reliability and creating a smoother operation than other AR12s. It’s also got a surprisingly good trigger, giving you a reliable home defense or competition shotgun… Continue reading The Best AR-12 Shotguns: Modern Firepower From Tactical to Sport

May 28, 2025

Best Pistol Lights: Compact Weapon Lights & Laser Light Combos Tested

A pistol light is only a tool; the question is what task you have in mind, what you want in one and what you’re willing to part with. Every one of the lights on this list fits someone very well. Maybe that’s you, maybe it isn’t. Not everyone is best-served by a TLR-1 or Surefire… Continue reading Best Pistol Lights: Compact Weapon Lights & Laser Light Combos Tested

May 28, 2025

The Best Thermal Scope for Coyote Hunting

If you want to put down a lot of coyotes, chances are you’ll have to do it at night. To do that, you need the best thermal scope you can get. It is not uncommon to put shots on coyotes at over 100 yards, so a good thermal scope is a must if you want… Continue reading The Best Thermal Scope for Coyote Hunting

October 12, 2024

The Best .224 Valkyrie Uppers: Get Some Longer Distance Pew

The AR-15 platform in its standard caliber, the 5.56mm NATO, is an excellent rifle, but at 500 yards or so, the round’s limitations become pretty apparent. It was, after all, intended as a multi-role combat rifle and not a long-range tack driver. That’s why, in recent years, people have been going with bigger pills and,… Continue reading The Best .224 Valkyrie Uppers: Get Some Longer Distance Pew

October 12, 2024

9mm Revolver Evolution: The Best on the Market

For more than a century, wheel guns have been a staple in the world of concealed carry. Throughout this vast expanse of time, handheld firearms have seen tremendous innovation, leading many to gravitate towards the efficiency and convenience of semi-automatic firearms, especially in sought-after calibers like the .45 ACP and 9mm. However, it’s an oversimplification… Continue reading 9mm Revolver Evolution: The Best on the Market

October 11, 2024

Ultimate Guide to Smith & Wesson 9mm Models

Smith & Wesson is a legend for a reason– they have a special place both in past firearms history and today’s gun industry. One of only two publicly-traded firearms companies, Smith is a giant in the field and has so many 9mm pistol variants that it can be a little daunting to try and figure… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Smith & Wesson 9mm Models

Beretta Bobcat M21A Review - EDC Pocket Load Out

September 27, 2024

Beretta Bobcat Review: A Palm Full of 22 Caliber Prevention

The Beretta Model 21A, commonly just called the Bobcat, is an ultra-compact semi-auto pistol offered in .22LR and .25 ACP. With a single-stack magazine that gives the user 7-8 rounds, it is fun to shoot, can be dependable in operation with the right ammo, and is easy to load and operate with its “tip-up” barrel… Continue reading Beretta Bobcat Review: A Palm Full of 22 Caliber Prevention

September 27, 2024

Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870: A Comparison

When it comes to modern pump-action shotguns, two models immediately stand atop the heap– the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870, each accounting for tens of millions produced. We wade into the murky waters of which is the better gun by stacking them side-by-side.

September 27, 2024

Ultimate Guide to A Proper Recce Rifle Setup

This article is part of our Guide to Everything AR. In general, the Recce (pronounced: “Wreck-E”) Rifle has been something of the Bigfoot or Loch Ness Monster of the AR-15 world for the past quarter-century. However, going past the basic “enhanced carbine” concept — theorized originally by the country’s most elite special operations commandos — … Continue reading Ultimate Guide to A Proper Recce Rifle Setup

September 23, 2024

Guide to Beretta 92 Models Through The Years

Undoubtedly one of the most popular handguns ever made, the Beretta 92 has been around for a solid half-century and has no signs of going away any time soon. We detailed the 100-year history of Beretta’s pistols previously, but the 92 is a beast of its own. With that, how do you pick a good… Continue reading Guide to Beretta 92 Models Through The Years

September 22, 2024

5.56 vs 7.62: A Comparison

Headstamp-to-Headstamp is our series aimed at helping you grok everything ammo. It’s September of 1970. After a strongly worded letter from President Johnson and six weeks at Paris Island, a fresh recruit finds himself walking down a trail through a dense section of jungle, a newly minted Private in the Marine Corps. In his hands… Continue reading 5.56 vs 7.62: A Comparison

September 21, 2024

Sig P365 XMACRO Review: 18 Rounds Ready

The P365 XMACRO is a standout in the world of concealed carry firearms. With its impressive recoil control, high round capacity, and adaptability for a variety of shooters, it has quickly become a favorite among enthusiasts. All those attributes make the P365 XMACRO a top choice for anyone seeking a reliable and versatile concealed carry… Continue reading Sig P365 XMACRO Review: 18 Rounds Ready

Vortex Sonora on my HK 416 .22LR

September 21, 2024

HK 416 Review: A New Take on the Iconic HK416

The 5.56×45mm NATO HK416 A5 occupies a kind of iconic status in the world of guns. Its lineage, historical significance, and performance capabilities have made it the go-to rifle in various spheres of the shooting world, from military and law enforcement agencies as well as gun safes of private owners. Its standing is hard to… Continue reading HK 416 Review: A New Take on the Iconic HK416

FN 545 Tactical Review - Profile

February 25, 2024

Best Double Stack 45? Reviewing the FN 545

With a striker-fired answer to the 2011 game that keeps “The Lord’s caliber” at its center, the FN 545 series hits the market with an up to 19-shot capacity in .45 ACP and makes an excellent choice for a lot of users. I put it through the wringer over the past few months and have… Continue reading Best Double Stack 45? Reviewing the FN 545

Daniel Defense PCC American Firearms (1)

February 19, 2024

Lost in the Sauce: The New Daniel Defense PCC

Georgia’s Daniel Defense has long been a big name in factory SBRs and pistol-length ARs in 5.56 and .300 Blackout but plans to get into the pistol caliber carbine market later this year. The unimaginatively named Daniel Defense PCC was at SHOT Show last month but isn’t listed on the company’s site just yet as… Continue reading Lost in the Sauce: The New Daniel Defense PCC

Norma Rockettail

February 19, 2024

Is a .22 Ammo Revolution Underway?

Something is going on when it comes to .22 caliber ammunition. There is both a move to make current .22LR loads much better, delivering almost unheard-of performance out of guns that already exist, as well as introducing new cartridges to further break the mold.

Ohio Ordnance the Recoil Enhanced Automatic Precision Rifle (REAPR) 1300

February 10, 2024

5 Unsung Guns from SHOT Show

The folks that put on the “Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show” issued press creds to something like 2,000 members of the gun media from around the world. Here are the coolest tragically underreported guns from the event that deserve a second (or even first) look.

brx1 1300a

February 04, 2024

Beretta Brings Straight Pull Bolt Rifle to America

Beretta has brought an interesting rifle platform across the ocean and is now going full speed ahead with marketing it to Americans. The catch? It is straight-pull, made by robots, innovative, modular, and has a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee.

Ruger mini

January 27, 2024

10 Best Guns of SHOT Show 2024

We spent the week in Las Vegas and saw tons of new guns and products. Here are what we felt were the best.

SW 1854 b

January 23, 2024

Breaking: Smith & Wesson Now Makes Lever Action Rifles

On Monday, Smith & Wesson came off the bench that they have been sitting on for 170 years and introduced a lever action rifle. The new Model 1854– so named after the patent the company’s founders filed that year for what became the Volcanic series of lever guns— is a stainless “big loop” rifle that… Continue reading Breaking: Smith & Wesson Now Makes Lever Action Rifles

PSA Krink 1300

January 21, 2024

Top 5 Things We’re Excited About Headed into SHOT Show

Our inbox has been flooded with scores of press releases in the past few weeks and now, with the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas only a few days away, we’ve whittled it down to five that we found genuinely interesting. Moving past all the pressers that try to make it sound exciting that an… Continue reading Top 5 Things We’re Excited About Headed into SHOT Show

75th Anniversary MKIV

January 12, 2024

Back with a Bang: SIG Sauer, Ruger & Beretta’s Nostalgic 2024 Lineup

While 2024 looks to have a lot of new guns– and a couple of new gun makers– inbound, it seems like some of the big names are content to just throw out some fan service for the diehards. While some will surely find it exhilarating, others may be turned off by the lack of innovation… Continue reading Back with a Bang: SIG Sauer, Ruger & Beretta’s Nostalgic 2024 Lineup

Gaston Glock Memoriam

January 04, 2024

Herr Glock ist Tot. What now for GLOCK?

Glock pistols are not exciting, but they consistently work under just about any conditions. Probably the world’s most torture-tested handgun other than the Hi-Point C9, it has repeatedly proved itself to be indestructible except when found by a large breed dog with a proclivity for chewing on polymer. This means that something like 65 percent… Continue reading Herr Glock ist Tot. What now for GLOCK?