Handgun Reviews

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

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?

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]

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

The decision on what makes for the best concealed carry gun is multifaceted and often totally individual. While many turn to the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact for its reliability and affordability, it’s crucial to understand the breadth of options available. The concealed-carry handgun landscape is vast, with choices spanning various sizes, styles, calibers,… Continue reading Best Concealed Carry Guns of 2023: All Calibers & Carry Styles

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

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?

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?

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.

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?

In short: The Glock 43 is an unbelievably concealable pistol but may be too small or lean on features for some. The Glock 48 ups the features and size, but isn’t as concealable nor as shootable as the G43. The Glock 43X, which shares a frame with the G48 but with a shorter slide, is… Continue reading Glock 48 vs. Glock 43: A Comparison

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?

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?

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

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?

The Taurus Judge, most people know about it and love it but many don’t know the importance of this revolver. Before the Taurus Judge nearly every firearm had one intended purpose. A shotgun was for hunting and shooting clays, a rifle was for hunting or defense, and pistols were mainly designed and used for self-defense… Continue reading Taurus Judge Review: From The Courtroom to The Range

The best handgun for a woman is one she can shoot accurately, handle comfortably, and, if she wishes, conceal easily. No single choice will satisfy all these factors for all women. As with men, finding the right pistol is a process. And as we look for “the one,” it helps to have a jumping-off point.… Continue reading Top Handguns for Women in 2023

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

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

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]

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

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?

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

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

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?

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

In the diverse world of self-defense sidearms, while the 9mm pistols have traditionally held the spotlight, the 10mm variant is carving out a distinctive niche for itself. But what makes the 10mm stand out, and is it the right choice for you? In particular, for those venturing into the wild or residing in the backcountry,… Continue reading Mastering the 10mm: Top Pistols and Essential Buying Tips

The 9mm pistol is the staple handgun for many Americans. These weapons are versatile, affordable, and easy to learn to use, but sifting through the mountain of 9mm pistol models, sizes, configurations, actions, brands, etc. has led more than one aspiring handgun owner to abandon their search altogether. No need to stress. Below, you’ll find… Continue reading Our Favorite 9mm Pistols of 2023: The Best 9mms for Any Scenario

The story of Canik pistols mirrors the age-old tale of the underdog. When the TP9 was first introduced to the market, the price tag coupled with the then-unknown brand name meant that for many people the words “quality” and “Canik” couldn’t co-exist. Years after being first introduced to the US market, Canik has become one… Continue reading Best Canik Pistols: Carry, Competition, & Home Defense Picks

According to research by the Crime Prevention Research Center, over 19 million Americans in 2020 have concealed handgun permits – allowing them to carry a gun for personal defense. Of course, this factor doesn’t include adults who carry without a permit in the 15 states that do not require one. One of the more popular… Continue reading The Best Pocket Pistols in 2023

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 in 2023

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

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

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

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

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.

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

With a magazine capacity that dwarfs everything else out there in its class in addition to a flat-faced trigger, integrated compensator, and unmatched modularity, Sig Sauer’s new P365-XMACRO may not be a total “game changer” but is sure to reset how the game is played.

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

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

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

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

The history of Bersa S.A. Founded in the mid-1950s by a trio of mechanical engineers – one of them formerly from Beretta – Bersa initially focused on producing parts for the now-defunct arms manufacturer Ballester–Molina.  And eventually moved into producing handguns and other standard consumer firearms.  The first Bersa 22 Long Rifle pistol was called… Continue reading The Best Bersa S. A. Handguns

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.

The .357 Magnum is an American classic and has been a popular round since its introduction nearly 90 years ago. It’s a powerful round that doesn’t quite stray into “oh God my wrist” levels of recoil like some of its magnum brethren, but it still has a legacy of reliably handling a variety of game… Continue reading The Best .357 Magnum Guns

The AR-15 platform, originally designed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s, has undergone numerous transformations over the decades, adapting to the ever-evolving needs of firearm enthusiasts and professionals alike. Among the most popular transformations was the emergence of the AR pistol variant, which capitalized on the platform’s versatility and inherent adaptability. While the AR-15… Continue reading The Best AR Pistols in 2023

The S&W M&P9 M2.0 Subcompact is the best subcompact 9mm pistol for most people. Beyond its easy-to-use, concealable design, the M&P line has an incredible number of options, calibers, and models — making it hard to beat when it comes to ensuring you can find the right pistol for you.

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 Revolver Evolution: The Best 9mm Revolvers on the Market

In the annals of firearm history, the humble .22LR once occupied a niche corner, primarily reserved for Bullseye-style competition shooting and military handgun marksmanship training. However, its evolution tells a story of adaptability and innovation. Did you know that during the early 20th century, .22LR firearms were often used in shooting galleries at fairs and… Continue reading Best .22LR Pistols of 2023: Find Your New Favorite Plinker

Chances are, if you’re a gun owner looking for a new pistol – be it self-defense or something new for time at the shooting range – you’ve likely come across one (or a half dozen) of the ubiquitous Austrian wonders Gaston Glock made famous. Glock pistols are consistently top sellers in the civilian market charts… Continue reading Best Glocks: Rated and Ranked for 2023

The most classic and timeless of American firearms, the 1911 has sleek lines that are instantly recognizable and a fan base that has spanned centuries. However, is this gun still a great choice for defense, competition, and collectors? We cover a selection of the best 1911 builders so you can make a fully informed choice… Continue reading The Best Custom 1911 Builders of 2023

Patented on Valentine’s Day in 1911 by firearms genius John Browning, the M1911 has been in continual production and use for well over a century – and for good reason – it’s an instantly recognizable classic that has improved on Browning’s original design time and time again.

Revolvers are a staple American firearm and arguably some the best self-defense weapons you can buy. Wheel guns tend to be small, simple to use, easy to conceal and work in any type of holster, either open carry or beneath your shirt. More than that, most of them are chambered for cartridges that are powerful… Continue reading The Best Revolvers

The POF Revolution is the best .308 pistol for most people. While expensive, Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF) has done a bit of a magic trick in scaling a .308 pistol down to 5.56 proportions. By using all the same parts as the 5.56 Revolution counterpart, the .308 variant is lighter than other semi-auto .308 pistols… Continue reading Comprehensive Guide to .308 Pistols: History, Features, & Top Picks

What are the best Ruger firearms you can buy? Sturm Ruger & Company, generally known as Ruger Firearms or just Ruger, is one name in American firearms that everyone should know. Founded by Bill Ruger and Alexander Sturm in 1949 (both gun designers by trade) the focused on inexpensive handgun geared toward target shooting before… Continue reading The Best Ruger Handguns

The AK platform is, arguably, more popular than ever. The original (and nearly indestructible) rifle as developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, the AK, has been the firearm of choice for militaries, revolutionaries, and guerillas across the globe for generations. The pistol variant has been shortened down and modernized, giving us the AK-47 pistol — a fun… Continue reading The Best AK Pistols in 2023

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 Pistols

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.

Is Smith & Wesson’s second-generation M&P Compact one of the best polymer-framed handguns on the market today? I put this striker-fired pistol through its paces and help you determine if this affordable 9mm is right for you.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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