
Mike
151 posts
Mike has been a shooter, bullet caster and reloader for over 40 years. Never one to be satisfied with the status quo, he is often found at his reloading bench concocting yet another load. With a target range in his backyard and after 40 years of shooting, his knowledge of firearms and reloading is fairly extensive. He is married, with four sons and daughters-law and 9-and-counting grandkids.
Mossberg MC1sc Review: Handgun of the Year?
1920. That was the year, a hundred years ago, that O. F. Mossberg & Sons produced their first pistol. It was a four-barreled .22 semiautomatic whose firing pin rotated with each trigger pull. It used a latch to keep the action locked. When opened, you used the piece of bent sheet metal provided with the ... Read more
Ruger SR1911 Commander Hands-On Review
Ruger is the largest firearms manufacturer in the United States. Bill Ruger and Alexander Sturm established the corporation in 1949. From 2009 to 2012, the corporation dominated the market for handguns, and they were second only to Remington in the rifle industry. However, with Remington out of the picture, that will likely change. Still, looking ... Read more
Taurus 905 [Hands-On Review]: A Great 9mm Snubby
Considering the question, “Why would one desire a 9mm revolver?”, it’s noteworthy that 9mm is currently the most prominent caliber for concealed carry. Hence, it stands to reason why it’s an attractive option. This is where our Taurus 905 review comes into play. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone who carries a concealed firearm opts ... Read more
Taurus Raging Hunter Review: Ultimate Guide
It weighs 55 ounces. And yet, this is still about half a pound less than a Raging Bull. The Taurus Raging Hunter was also American Hunter Magazine’s 2019 Hunting Handgun of the Year. It has all the qualities that hunting revolver aficionados look for in a pistol, including a modern design, solid construction, and a ... Read more
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield M2.0 .45 ACP: Hands-On Review
I owned a Shield once in 9mm. I even reviewed an older (1.0) 9mm Shield. So, why another Shield review? Well, this one is a 2.0 and is in my favorite caliber — the .45 ACP. That makes it worth the effort, in my opinion, as they are, in essence, different guns. Hopefully, you will ... Read more
Taurus TX22 Review: A Great Idea Executed Well
A .22 LR pistol can be a very useful firearm, and the Taurus TX22 is one great pistol to own. Introduced at the SHOT show in January of 2019, this gun was designed to fulfill three main purposes: to be an inexpensive-yet-feature-laden plinker, to be a gun you could compete with and to be a ... Read more
Best Budget 1911s [2025]: Everything Around $500
I am a retired public school music teacher. I also have an affinity for a good 1911 — I’ve owned several. However, when you combine these two facts, it well defines the type of 1911s I’ve been able to own — the budget variety. I got really good at selecting 1911s that cost a modest ... Read more
Taurus PT1911 Review: A Great Way To Own A Legend
I am a 1911 fan — not exactly a junkie, but I’ve owned several over the years. The 1911 is a high-priced, high-complexity firearm that fires a huge, powerful caliber bullet. Taurus firearms are well recognized as being among the most reasonably priced in the industry, and their 1911 model is no exception. Here, we’ll ... Read more
Glock 23: The Compact .40 S&W
Deer-legal in my state. Huh? The Glock 23 is deer-legal in my state. The .40 S&W shot through a minimum-4-inch barrel is considered deer medicine where I live. Add in the ability to shoot the .40 from a carbine, and the joy increases with each additional foot-pound of energy you gain with that longer barrel. ... Read more
SIG Sauer Emperor Scorpion 1911: Hands-On Review
The emperor scorpion is the largest, nastiest scorpion out there, from what I read. Living in a non-desert area, I have no real-world experience with scorpions. But I bet many of you readers in desert areas have plenty of experience with the critters. Sig Sauer named their carry 1911 after the emperor scorpion to give ... Read more
CAA Micro-RONI Shoulder Stock Review
The CAA USA (also known as CAA Gear Up) Micro-RONI is a folding shoulder stock for several different popular pistols. It is shown here with a Glock 19X riding in it, with a SIG Romeo red-dot sight up top. Some shoulder stock models are even adjustable, with several positions available. I am one to leave ... Read more
Ruger PC 9mm Carbine: Complete Review
Last time, we looked at a Hi-Point model 995 9mm carbine. This time, we’ll look at the Ruger version of the 9mm carbine (also available in .40 S&W). There are 20 different models listed on Ruger’s website, Ruger PC 9mm Carbine counting the various distributor guns and stock finishes available. Now, let’s look at where ... Read more
Tipton & Real Avid Gun Cleaning Supplies
There is one eternal truth of sorts about shooting all kinds of guns. This truth is: I get to clean a lot of guns. Many guns. Short guns, long guns, light guns, heavy guns. Doesn’t matter. They’re all dirty after firing even a very few rounds. Here, we’ll review Tipton & Real Avid Gun Cleaning ... Read more
Best .40 S&W Ammo: Self Defense & Target Practice
Many gun owners choose to own a gun in .40 S&W because of its power. This caliber is perfect for both self-defense and target practice. To get the most out of your rounds, you need to use the best .40 S&W ammo. Lucky for you, we’ve reviewed some of the best options on the market. ... Read more
SAR K2P 9mm Gun Review
If you’re a gun collector or enthusiast, then you know there’s nothing quite like the feeling of getting your hands on a brand new firearm. And if that new firearm is a SAR K2P pistol, well, then you’re in for an extra special treat. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at some of ... Read more
Ruger SP101 Review: One Fun Handful Of A .357
The Ruger SP101 is a two-and-a-half-inch barrel on a .357 Magnum revolver. If you have read many of my small-revolver reviews, you will notice that I have reviewed more than a few small revolvers that were in .357 Magnum. Here are a few of them for you to peruse. This list of reviews also includes ... Read more
H&K P30L: Hands-On Gun Review
We’ll look at the H&K P30L .40 S&W (L means longer barrel, more in specifications below). The gun I used for this review belonged to my brother. He brought it to my backyard range to wring it out. It is in .40 S&W but is also available in 9mm caliber. Heckler & Koch makes some ... Read more
Best .45 ACP Pistols [Excluding 1911s]
“I won’t carry anything in a pistol caliber that doesn’t start with a four.” This is the philosophy of many old-time (and some newer) shooters who grew up with the .45 ACP being the King of the Hill in effective pistol cartridges. To them, the .45 ACP is the only round to carry or shoot ... Read more
Springfield XDM Compact .45 ACP: Hands-On Review
Springfield Armory is well-known for its broad line of 1911 pistols, but their XD brand of striker-fired pistols has acquired huge traction. I recently purchased a brand-new XDM with a 3.8-inch barrel chambered in.45 ACP, which I used for this review. We have provided this review for those who are thinking about purchasing an XDM ... Read more
Ruger LC9S Hands-On Review: 9mm Budget Carry Gun
The Ruger LC9S, a single-stack, striker-fired pocketable 9mm that has sold like hotcakes is a popular gun. It’s small, thin, light, reliable, and cheap. What’s not to like? We’ll examine it in some detail to see if we can determine the answer to that question. Ruger LC9s Variations The LC9S is one of a few ... Read more
Glock 43 Review: Ultimate Concealed Carry Gun
Glock guns. Love them or really not like them (don’t like the h*** word — too much of that in the world today). The shooting world is bifurcated when it comes to this company’s guns. Some shooters will buy only Glocks. Others would not buy one if it were the only gun in the store. ... Read more
Taurus 85 Ultralite Hands-On Review
I have always had an attraction to snub-nosed revolvers. I’ve owned a few, including a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog back in the late ’70s when David Berkowitz used that gun for nefarious purposes in New York. The large-ish Bulldog stretched the definition of a snubby, but technically it fit. It had quite a reputation ... Read more
9 Best .357 Magnum Revolvers
If you’re planning to buy a .357 revolver, you’re in luck. We have compiled the best .357 Magnum revolvers in the market and provided you with a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed purchasing decision. The .357 Magnum cartridge is the most popular go-to round for wheel gunners. You can also use it ... Read more
Ruger SR22: Versatile 22LR Pistol [Hands-On Review]
The Ruger company is a long-time provider of excellent guns to security agencies, police, and other law enforcement agencies as well as citizens. I’m one of those long-time owners of Ruger firearms. Ruger is a name to be reckoned with in American gun production. Ever since 1949, they’ve introduced model after model of innovative, well-built, ... Read more
Heritage Rough Rider Revolver: Hands-On Review
The Heritage Rough Rider revolver has the same classic design and precise action as its big-bore cousins but it’s chambered in either 22 LR or 22 WMR. So is this a good revolver to add to your collection? Heritage Rough Rider Revolver Pros & Cons The Heritage Manufacturing Inc. Heritage Manufacturing has been making rugged, ... Read more
ArmaLite AR-50: Hands-On Review
If you are looking for a rifle that offers unparalleled reliability, accuracy, and functionality, check out the ArmaLite AR-50. When it comes to long-range combat, nothing beats this rifle. Its bolt-action mechanism is engineered to provide the highest levels of accuracy and dependability. The Armalite AR-50 is a single-shot bolt-action rifle with a 30-inch chrome ... Read more
Gamo Swarm Fusion 10X Gen 2: Hands-On Review
The second generation GAMO Swarm Fusion is an amazing upgrade of an already largely innovative break barrel airgun. The GAMO Swarm Fusion 10x Gen2 is GAMO’s way of letting consumers know they were listening. The company largely fixed many complaints people have had with the previous generation while keeping the features that put this airgun ... Read more
Best .44 Magnum Revolvers: Ultimate Guide
The .44 Magnum is a powerful round you can use for hunting. If you’re looking for a handy revolver you can bring with you during hunting excursions, here’s our list of the best .44 Magnum revolvers on the market. Cutting to the Chase For those of you who want to read about guns, here they ... Read more
Ruger American Predator Hands-On Review: Best Budget Rifle?
The Ruger American Predator is a rifle made for varmint and predator hunting. But it’s not only for predators as many hunters also use it for deer hunting and large game. It’s a popular rifle known for its reliability and affordable price. But is the Ruger Predator the gun for you? Let’s find out in ... Read more
Best Shooting Chronographs
One thing that will help you shoot more accurately is if you know your ammunition’s velocity and other related data. Luckily, there’s a tool for that — a shooting chronograph! Not only can it measure the velocity of your shots but its data can also help you assess your reloading skills. No longer are chronographs ... Read more