Hands-On Product Reviews
Our hands-on reviews ensure the products we recommend in our Best Of lists are indeed the best of the best. We put products from every category to the test.
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
January 06, 2024
Bergara BMR Review: A Rimfire Wonder
Most of us probably started shooting on one of the many rimfire rifles that have been produced since the round’s 1887 introduction. Whether it be one of the countless versions of the Ruger 10/22, a bolt action Remington or Savage, or in my case a Browning Semi-Auto 22, the .22 LR has a storied history… Continue reading Bergara BMR Review: A Rimfire Wonder
December 11, 2023
Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm M2.0 Review: The Chuck Norris of Handguns?
Few brands resonate with American firearms heritage like Smith & Wesson, a cornerstone in American firearms culture for over 150 years. Renowned for pioneering numerous innovations in firearm design and function, today we delve into one of S&W’s newer pistols: the M&P M2.0 chambered in 10mm. There is quite a lineup of competition for the… Continue reading Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm M2.0 Review: The Chuck Norris of Handguns?
December 03, 2023
Springfield Hellcat Pro Review: 4,000 Rounds & One Year Later [Hands-On]
Building on a 25-year legacy of making polymer-framed striker-fired semi-automatic pistols, the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro is often overshadowed by some other micro compacts with more prominent name recognition but the Hellcat deserves an honest look by anyone seeking a dependable and capable handgun for personal defense. We’ve been evaluating our test gun for months… Continue reading Springfield Hellcat Pro Review: 4,000 Rounds & One Year Later [Hands-On]
November 29, 2023
The Ruger EC9s Reviewed: A Compact Powerhouse
Ruger is a well-known American firearm manufacturer — one of the largest gun manufacturers in the U.S. — and has a rich history of producing guns that Americans love. While the company has made nearly every kind of firearm there is, their handguns continue to be a top seller. Today we bring you a review… Continue reading The Ruger EC9s Reviewed: A Compact Powerhouse
October 22, 2023
TASER Pulse Review: Watt’s Up Doc
The evolution from primitive weapons to modern self-defense tools has been nothing short of remarkable. Long gone are the days of relying on stones or pointy sticks — since the invention of firearms, humans have always sought better and more effective ways to protect themselves. Enter the TASER Pulse, a less-than-lethal tool that promises safety… Continue reading TASER Pulse Review: Watt’s Up Doc
October 14, 2023
Review of the Ruger SFAR: A 7 Pound .308 That Carries Like a 5.56
Ruger recently debuted what they term the Small Frame Autoloading Rifle, or SFAR, which is nearly identical to a common 5.56-caliber M4 but carries the satisfying wallop of a .308-caliber AR-10. We’ve put one through its paces and have a full review of why you should– or should not– add one to your gun safe.
September 29, 2023
Q Fix Review: The New Era of Chassis Guns?
One of the fastest-growing categories of rifles today is the chassis gun, essentially a barreled bolt action rifle mated to an adjustable chassis. The difference between a stock and a chassis is that chassis are typically made from aluminum and other materials that provide a more rigid and modular platform for the rifle action to… Continue reading Q Fix Review: The New Era of Chassis Guns?
September 12, 2023
Stag Arms Stag 10 Review: Solid Contender or Overpriced AR?
The AR-15 is America’s favorite rifle, and since its initial release, it has been altered and redesigned in a million different ways. The development of the AR-10 platform has heralded even more revisions of the rifle. The AR-10 is a .308 chambered version of the rifle, and today we are going to take a look… Continue reading Stag Arms Stag 10 Review: Solid Contender or Overpriced AR?
September 05, 2023
CZ P-10 S Review: More Than Just Another Subcompact?
The CZ P-10 S is the 9mm subcompact offering in the popular P-10 lineup. It’s a scaled-down version of the P-10 C that’s similar in size to the Glock 26 but carries two more rounds. You may be wondering if it’s just another striker-fired polymer-framed subcompact gun. And the answer is yes, but with CZ… Continue reading CZ P-10 S Review: More Than Just Another Subcompact?
August 23, 2023
Shadow Systems DR920 Review: The Ultimate Glock Clone?
We live in an epoch where movies are constantly remade, conspiracies come true, and firearms patents have long expired. While the clone wars are still a few years off, the battle of clones is already upon us. The Glock clones. Glock has arguably designed some of the best pistols of the last century, many of… Continue reading Shadow Systems DR920 Review: The Ultimate Glock Clone?
August 17, 2023
SIG MPX Review: Understanding SIG’s Premier PCC
I am a fan of the SIG MPX pistol caliber carbine. Bottom line up front, it’s my main PPC competition gun and home defense rifle, so I like it a lot and I have a lot of confidence in it. However, I don’t recommend it to everyone because of its cost and nuances. I would… Continue reading SIG MPX Review: Understanding SIG’s Premier PCC
August 04, 2023
PSA’s Rock 5.7 Pistol Reviewed: The Budget 5.7 King?
There are some exciting new developments in the firearms market, it seems like there is a new product release every time you turn around. Polymer-framed pistols are one of the places where many companies are putting their focus, and with the recent court rulings, I would expect to see more. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) has… Continue reading PSA’s Rock 5.7 Pistol Reviewed: The Budget 5.7 King?
July 28, 2023
Glock 48 MOS Review: 1,000 Rounds Later, Still The ‘Just Right’ Glock?
The Glock 48 is a compact size, striker-fired, polymer framed concealed carry pistol. It’s a single-stack pistol that’s part of Glock’s Slimline lineup, which fits (size-wise) in between the single-stack and double-stack categories. If you’re familiar with Glocks, think of it as a skinny G19. It’s also very similar in size to Sig Sauer P365XL.… Continue reading Glock 48 MOS Review: 1,000 Rounds Later, Still The ‘Just Right’ Glock?
July 27, 2023
Springfield Prodigy Review: A 2011 Wunderkind or More of the Same?
Last fall, Springfield Armory announced the release of their new 1911 double-stack pistol, the Prodigy, in 5-inch and 4.25-inch versions. These pistols are squarely aimed at the 2011-style 9mm pistols used by competitive shooters and also found a market with people who traditionally carried a 1911 but wanted more capacity in a carry gun. The… Continue reading Springfield Prodigy Review: A 2011 Wunderkind or More of the Same?
July 21, 2023
Canik METE MC9 Review: A Turkish Micro-9 For The Masses
Polymer-framed pistols have been taking the handgun market by storm these past few decades, it’s a phenomenon I can get behind as I’ve been quite pleased with the results. One of the big names that have become quite popular is the Canik brand, a Turkish-made brand imported by Century Arms that has found its stride… Continue reading Canik METE MC9 Review: A Turkish Micro-9 For The Masses
July 17, 2023
Taurus TX22 Compact Review: The New Rimfire Champ?
Semi-automatic rimfire pistols have been a bit of a conundrum in the past, it seems every manufacturer has tried to make one that is both reliable and feature-filled. But there always seems to be a shortcoming or compromise. When I first put my hands on the Taurus TX22 years ago, I had a preconceived notion… Continue reading Taurus TX22 Compact Review: The New Rimfire Champ?
July 13, 2023
Taurus Judge Review: From The Courtroom to The Range
The Taurus Judge is a unique and versatile firearm that has gained a reputation for its ability to fire both .45 Colt and .410 shotshell rounds. With its rifled barrel and double-action trigger, the Judge is a popular choice for self-defense, hunting, and recreational shooting. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the… Continue reading Taurus Judge Review: From The Courtroom to The Range
July 07, 2023
Taurus 856 TORO Review: An Optics Ready Revolver To Rule Them All
There are many things I never thought I’d see in the firearms world, a bullpup AR15, an 8×57 M1 Garand, and a suppressed shotgun are a few that come to mind. But a red dot mounted on a small frame revolver is a bit more believable, and today we are looking at the first example… Continue reading Taurus 856 TORO Review: An Optics Ready Revolver To Rule Them All
July 03, 2023
Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor [Hands-On Review]
The Ruger Precision Rifle kicked off a huge demand for production-level chassis rifles for long-range shooting. These days, just about every bolt-action manufacturer has a chassis-style rifle designed for long-range shooting and events for PRS, at a reasonable price point that is approachable for those new to the sport. Of course, that was almost a… Continue reading Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor [Hands-On Review]
July 02, 2023
SIG Sauer P320 M17 Review: Hands-On with The Civvy M17
If it’s good enough for the US Military and multiple law enforcement agencies across the country and worldwide, it should be good enough for you, right? That’s what I figured when I got the opportunity to pick up a surplus SIG Sauer P320 M17 from the West Point Military Academy’s competition pistol team. The SIG… Continue reading SIG Sauer P320 M17 Review: Hands-On with The Civvy M17
July 02, 2023
SIG M400 Review: A Duty-Grade AR That Won’t Break the Bank
The SIG M400 is a popular AR-15 rifle (and one of our favorites) that is known for its accuracy, reliability, and value. It is a great choice for both beginners and experienced shooters. The SIG Sauer M400-SDI XSeries is one of the latest iterations of Sig’s line of AR-style rifles. Utilizing some advancements and upgrades… Continue reading SIG M400 Review: A Duty-Grade AR That Won’t Break the Bank
June 30, 2023
KelTec CP33 Reviewed: Space Toy or Real Competition Pistol [Video]
The CP33 has many features that make it versatile. Hunters and competitors like its high-capacity magazine. Its long Picatinny rail is great because it will allow a wide variety of sights. The generous grip will fit nearly anyone’s hand. However, its large size makes it an unlikely choice for concealed carry. Follow me to determine… Continue reading KelTec CP33 Reviewed: Space Toy or Real Competition Pistol [Video]
June 27, 2023
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
June 25, 2023
PSA Dagger Review: The Top Budget Glock Clone?
Manufacturing innovation has greatly advanced firearms technology and opened the door to an incredible array of new products for the shooting public. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) has long been known for offering economic firearms, and its freedom-over-profit business model has helped perhaps millions of Americans reach their second amendment goals. Today we will be visiting… Continue reading PSA Dagger Review: The Top Budget Glock Clone?
June 24, 2023
HK416 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 HK416 Review: A New Take on the Iconic HK416
June 18, 2023
Vortex Sonora Reviewed: Affordable Mid-Power Precision
Many a rifle whisper will spew forth the advice that one should “spend as much on the glass as the rifle” — but what if that’s not in the cards? I’m more of a “spend what you can realistically afford” kind of guy, which means certain brands aren’t really on the radar a lot of… Continue reading Vortex Sonora Reviewed: Affordable Mid-Power Precision
June 07, 2023
Tristar Viper G2 PRO Review: The Value Viper
Possibly the only thing Americans love more than their firearms is a good bargain. That’s where our subject today enters the conversation. Tristar is a manufacturer and importer of firearms, and its motto is; The Value Experts. Today we will be reviewing the Tristar Viper G2 PRO 12 gauge shotgun. While I love a good… Continue reading Tristar Viper G2 PRO Review: The Value Viper
June 03, 2023
Hands on with the Canik SFx Rival
One of the most underrated and primarily unknown polymer pistols available on the market today is the Canik SFx Rival. This full-size pistol is loaded with features out of the box that manufacturers like Glock and Smith & Wesson can’t beat, with a price point that’ll shock you. And the best part about the Canik… Continue reading Hands on with the Canik SFx Rival
May 31, 2023
A Brutally Honest Ruger LC9 Review
The Ruger LC9, which stands for Lightweight Compact 9mm, is exactly what the name describes—a small self defense pistol designed for concealed carry. Developed through Ruger’s Voice of the Customer program, the LC9 was named Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence’s Handgun of the Year in 2011. I purchased mine in 2011, shortly after it was… Continue reading A Brutally Honest Ruger LC9 Review
May 30, 2023
ATN ThOR 4 Thermal Riflescope Review [Real View Throughs]
ATN has been a big name in thermal and night vision optics for many years now, with a great many products that fit into the consumer price range they have enjoyed success in that market. For over twenty-five years ATN has been perfecting their products, and increasing the many product offerings with advancements in thermal… Continue reading ATN ThOR 4 Thermal Riflescope Review [Real View Throughs]
May 17, 2023
Browning Buck Mark Review: The Best Luger-Style .22LR Pistol?
The Browning Buck Mark has remained one of the most popular rimfire pistols for decades now, but how does this classic .22 hold up against the modern market? We wanted to find out for ourselves, so we brought one out to the range to see what was what. Overall, we wanted to find out how… Continue reading Browning Buck Mark Review: The Best Luger-Style .22LR Pistol?
May 07, 2023
A Long Term Review of the PSA PA-15
In today’s review, we’ll be diving deep into the world of affordable, American-made firearms as we explore the Palmetto State PA-15 rifle. Known for its balance of value and performance, the PA-15 has become a popular choice for those looking to enter the AR-15 market without breaking the bank — but does it really stand… Continue reading A Long Term Review of the PSA PA-15
March 27, 2023
FN 509 LS Edge Review: A Fantastic Modern Defensive Pistol
The market for polymer frame, striker-fired pistols has never been larger. That’s not a bad thing because it means we have options, options that allow us to choose the gun that’s just right for us. Today we are looking at a rather new option, the FN 509 LS Edge. The FN 509 LS Edge is… Continue reading FN 509 LS Edge Review: A Fantastic Modern Defensive Pistol
January 16, 2023
Ruger Wrangler Review
The Ruger Wrangler has quickly become one of Ruger’s most popular offerings and is a fan favorite among rimfire shooters on a budget. These kinds of inexpensive plinkers are fun to shoot, but with many brands that focus on fun can mean sub-standard quality and, uh, generous tolerances. That said, Ruger has a reputation for… Continue reading Ruger Wrangler Review
January 12, 2023
CZ Scorpion Reviewed: Feel The Sting
PCCs and subguns have exploded in recent years. PCCs being a pistol caliber carbine and subguns large format pistols with an SMG-like appearance, both styles offering short barreled rifle mobility but in the easy-to-control (and wallet-friendly) 9mm caliber. One of the guns that spearheaded this explosion of popularity is the CZ Scorpion. Scorpion pistols have… Continue reading CZ Scorpion Reviewed: Feel The Sting
January 06, 2023
FN 5.7 Review: The Future Is Now
The FN Five-seveN pistol helped usher in the 5.7x28mm round it is named after and, now in its third generation, has benefited from a series of upgrades that have brought it into the 2020s with ease. We look at this icon from the last days of the Cold War and weigh the new MK3 MRD… Continue reading FN 5.7 Review: The Future Is Now
January 03, 2023
A Long Term Walther PDP Review
Despite their pedigree and depth of experience, Walther Arms seems to be the true underdog of the firearms manufacturing industry, never reaching the ubiquity and prominence of the Glocks and S&Ws of the world. Founded in 1886 by Carl Walther and manufacturing firearms and air guns for over 100 years, the quality of Walther Arms… Continue reading A Long Term Walther PDP Review
December 14, 2022
Tyrant Designs Reviewed
Chicago-based Tyrant Designs’ custom AR-15 and aluminum handgun parts will be familiar to anyone who prefers a custom look to their firearms. They are the creators of the skeletonized aluminum AR-15 grip, which many companies have now begun to copy thanks to its light weight and flashy look. Tyrant Designs was made official in 2015,… Continue reading Tyrant Designs Reviewed
December 09, 2022
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.
November 10, 2022
KelTec SUB2000 Review: Know When to Fold ‘Em
The KelTec SUB 2000 is undoubtedly one of the most interesting PCCs ever built. Pistol caliber carbines have come and gone in popularity, but the SUB-2000 has remained popular and produced for over two decades. Why? It scores high in the basics of being a good gun. It’s reliable, easy to use, and accurate. Beyond… Continue reading KelTec SUB2000 Review: Know When to Fold ‘Em
November 07, 2022
HK VP9 Review
HK’s VP9 pistol is one of the most popular full-sized firearms on the market today. Its wide acceptance and popularity have given rise to several versions and variants, and you can now find an HK VP9 in a compact, tactical threaded barrel model, an optics-ready VP9, and even one dedicated to competition shooting. Heckler &… Continue reading HK VP9 Review
November 02, 2022
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
October 25, 2022
Remington 870 Review
The story of Remington is the story of American industry. Eliphalet Remington believed he could build a gun better than any he could buy. That’s precisely what he did, and at 23, he placed second in a shooting match and received enough orders to justify starting a company. While Remington has been operating since 1816,… Continue reading Remington 870 Review
October 23, 2022
Glock 19 Review: The Versatility King
The Glock 19 is the most popular carry handgun in America, but is it really all that it’s cracked up to be, or has it just become the “default” choice? The vanilla ice cream of the handgun world? Well, I’ve owned and carried the G19 for years, and honestly, I’m not sure. I’m a fan,… Continue reading Glock 19 Review: The Versatility King
October 01, 2022
Glock 17 Review
Glock is a household name that most Americans know, whether they’re pro or anti-gun, thanks to Hollywood and television featuring Glocks in thousands of productions. Glock’s catalog has expanded significantly over the years, but regardless of the Glock in hand, the platform has created some of the most reliable and popular handguns on the market… Continue reading Glock 17 Review
September 18, 2022
GForce GF2P Shotgun Review: A Budget-Friendly Home Defense Option
While it’s hyperbolic to say budget shotguns are a dime a dozen, there are a LOT of shotguns targeting the sub-$500 market, with GForce among their legions. These spartan scatterguns won’t set you back much money, they can fail to impress when push comes to shove. I love shotguns of all stripes but haven’t spent… Continue reading GForce GF2P Shotgun Review: A Budget-Friendly Home Defense Option
September 06, 2022
Guide to the Beretta 92
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 the Beretta 92
September 06, 2022
Century Arms WASR-M Review [Hands On]
If you think you’re seeing more and more AK 47 platform rifles around these days, your eyes do not deceive you. The AK has gone from a spooky Cold War-era relic fired into the air at random by guerillas in distant lands to an increasingly Americanized phenomenon. There are certainly more brands importing Turkish and… Continue reading Century Arms WASR-M Review [Hands On]
August 26, 2022
Magpul DAKA Review
Magpul has made a serious name amongst firearms fans due to the quality of its products and the innovative ways they solve everyday challenges. Their series of buttstocks are standard on hundreds if not thousands of AR builds, and their M-Lok rail system is an industry-standard. Magpul doesn’t stand still, and their DAKA gear is… Continue reading Magpul DAKA Review
August 16, 2022
Glock 22 Review
The Glock 22 (along with its siblings, the compact G23 and subcompact G27) are Glock’s .40 Auto pistols and have been incredibly popular with law enforcement across the US for decades. They offer up pistols chambered in the larger LE-focused cartridge while being identical in size to the 9mm G17, Glock 19, and G26 pistol… Continue reading Glock 22 Review
June 23, 2022
Maven Optics Review
Maven Outdoor Equipment Company is an American-based company founded in 2013 by Brendon Weaver, Mike Lilygren, and Cade Maestas. Their goal was to create an optics company that puts quality and performance first without the big box store markup. Maven prides itself on its mountain town roots, operating today from Lander, Wyoming. They design innovative products… Continue reading Maven Optics Review
March 25, 2022
Firearm Reviews
All our firearm reviews are here to give you everything you need to know about firearms, all in one place. Learn from our expert reviews, buy the best, and shoot better!
March 16, 2022
Monstrum Scope Review [Hands-On]
Some optical brands are household names — Leopold, Vortex, Bushnell, and Trijicon are all jump to mind when thinking of new glass. Monstrum is not one of those companies. They were founded in 2008 with one goal — make gun parts affordable to the typical person. They’ve done just that, and now Monstrum has expanded… Continue reading Monstrum Scope Review [Hands-On]
August 07, 2021
Glock 43 Review: The Top Carry Glock? [Hands-On]
Is the slimline Glock 43 the best striker-fired concealed carry firearm on the market today? We put this polymer frame single stack 9 under the microscope then melted it down on the range to help determine if this svelte subcompact is right for you.
July 25, 2021
In-Depth Review: Taurus G3C [Hands-On]
Is the subcompact Taurus G3C the best budget polymer handgun on the market today? We take this striker-fired polymer frame pistol through its paces and help you determine if this affordable pistol is right for you.
May 23, 2021
Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 Review [Hands-On]
If you’ve spent much time hunting for an AR of any sort, you’ve almost certainly come across Black Creek Georgia’s Daniel Defense. In the mix of ever-expanding AR brands, they’re among the most recognized (and most coveted) AR builders around. Daniel Defense was kind enough to send me their marquee DDM4 V7 to get my… Continue reading Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 Review [Hands-On]
May 14, 2021
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.
April 15, 2021
Canik TP9SFX Review: A Feature-Rich Turkish Competition Pistol [Hands-On]
Canik calls the TP9SFX “The Choice of Champions.” And with all the features packed into its price point, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment. If you’re entering the competitive shooting world, this gun is ready to take home the gold right out of the box.
March 06, 2021
The Glock 29 Reviewed [Hands-On]
The no-nonsense Glock 29, a pint-sized 10mm subcompact, is a handgun that trends towards the unique and offers a lot for the person with the will to master it.