self-defense lifestyle

Best AR-15 Manufacturers and Brands [2019]

April 9, 2019 By Josh 7 Comments

Who makes the best AR-15s?

Why the AR-15?

I think we can both agree that the AR-15 is an essential firearm for just about any gun enthusiast. I’m a firm believer that every gun owner needs to own at least one of them. They are the perfect weapon for home-defense, regardless of what any snowflake says. And, the AR-15 is also one of the best survival tools you could ever hope to have. After all, everyone has one, they’re easy to fix, and ammo is literally everywhere.

But, there are tons of companies out there making these rifles, and finding out which is the best AR-15 manufacturer isn’t an easy task unless you’ve been around for a bit. What I’ve tried to do in this updated list is add a few manufacturers, and break it down into different categories, like best budget AR-15, and even a category for the best AR-15 lower receiver, if you choose to build your own from the ground up.

Before we get started, let’s take a moment to discuss what “mil-spec” means. You’ll hear that word tossed around a lot, and it’s essential to know what it means before you go out and buy something.

While you may have heard, “just as long as it’s a mil-spec AR-15 you’ll be fine,” that is not always the case. There are some AR-15 makers that are just better than others. Think about it like this …

If your mechanic told you not to worry about your racecar (a 1988 Toyota corolla) because the ONLY modifications it needs to keep up with high-end cars are four tires, would you listen? No? Why not? Because anyone with half a brain can figure out that a 1988 Toyota is not a Lamborghini just because they both require four tires to get around.

As it applies to rifles, just because something is mil-spec, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s high quality. First of all, when a company wins a military contract, it’s usually because the military needs to have the cheapest possible stuff built.

Another thing to remember is that just because a company says something is within spec, doesn’t mean that it actually is. We see this from time to time with some of the lower-grade manufacturers.

Manufacturer or Assembly Line?

Some of the companies on this list are not actually manufacturers, but assembly companies who buy parts from other AR 15 brands. Please note that in most cases, I will not make the distinction here, because there isn’t anything technically wrong with either method, unless you’re using garbage parts–which nobody on this list does.

Another part that goes into it, are the accessories put onto the AR-15 pattern rifle. Which trigger, handguard, stock, etc., does the rifle come with? A lot of the time this has a direct relationship with quality, so you’ll want to keep that in mind, too.

So, who are the top AR-15 manufacturers of 2018? Here they are broken down in alphabetical order in each category.

Top tier AR-15 manufacturers:

Bravo Company —

I’m a big supporter of just about any veteran owned company out there. When you take a group of veterans who opened up a firearms company, it gets even better because they understand more than anyone the importance of having a rifle that doesn’t fail. That’s BCM’s main goal with their rifles, to the point of using high-quality parts, pressure testing, and magnetic particle testing them. Doesn’t get much better than BCM. They are easily one of the top AR-15 manufacturers right now.

Daniel Defense —

Daniel Defense is one of the best AR-15 manufacturers, and they are one of the few companies who make most of their own parts. Chances are good that you don’t need me to tell you about them, so what I will do is offer up my opinion about the founder, Marty Daniel. He’s actually an inspiration to me because after failing through so many things, he never gave up and is now one of the leading AR-15 manufacturers in the United States.

FN Herstal —

FN is proven in battle, and for plinking. They are also one of those trend setting companies who also tend to make history. While these rifles may not appear on the short list of many “best AR-15 brands” articles out there, they’re on mine, and for good reason. Every time I’ve ever had one, it never malfunctioned on me. That, to me, is most important. Please note that FN also makes some of the best budget AR-15s, as well.

HK —

Heckler & Koch needs no introduction. Coming into play way back in 1949, and most famous for making weapons such as the MP5, MP7, and UMP, many people don’t realize that there are also AR-15s in their product line, as well. They are not cheap, but, then again, they are built like a tank as many of their firearms are.

LaRue —

Texas based LaRue Tactical has a great warranty in place for their high quality firearms and components. It says this: If you ain’t happy, then we ain’t happy. In other words, if your LaRue *anything* breaks, send it back and they’ll take care of it. LaRue isn’t only one of the best AR-15 manufacturers in the country, they are a premier manufacturer who makes most parts in house to make sure the highest quality is achieved. What really sets them apart, is that each rifle has been guaranteed to shoot 1 MOA before it leaves their shop, and you even get the target that shows what the rifle is capable of.

LMT —

Lewis Machine & Tool has been making ARs since I was born, which was 1980. They’ve got more than experience on their side, however, because they are also supplying firearms to military units around the globe. In fact, a couple years back they beat out several other AR-15 brands to win a contract to supply the entire New Zealand Army with rifles. If I remember correctly, that was a history making deal that even President Trump would be proud of.

LWRC —

LWRC is one of the best AR 15 manufacturers, and an award winner at that. They use high-quality components, check them for cracks, cold-hammer forge their own barrels that are not like most of the others on this list. Their barrels are NiCorr treated, making them more durable in the long run, than most of the others available today.

Noveske —

Noveske is one of the premier AR-15 manufacturers in the country. Today, even though some gaps have closed up a bit, they are still one of the top AR15 brands in the game. A couple things that set them apart from most today, is the quality of the barrel and the attention to detail during the assembly process. They spend more time on each rifle, than most other companies. This ensures that, if you can afford one and don’t build a rifle yourself, you rest assured knowing that you get the highest quality possible.

POF —

POF is a recent entrant to the best AR-15 manufacturer list, and was suggested to me by multiple people, including a very good friend of mine. So after handling them a bit more, I’ve decided that I agreed and they deserved to be on this list. They offer a wide range of rifles for you to choose from, including both direct impingement, gas piston, and bolt-action AR-style rifles.

Rock River —

Rarely is a rifle made to such tight and consistent tolerances. Rock River started out originally by making 1911s out of a garage, realized that there was a gap to be filled in the AR-15 market, and the rest is history. Today, they work out of a 50,000 SF facility designed to do one thing: bring you the highest quality AR-15s they possibly can.

Best Budget AR-15s

Sig Sauer —

Sig Sauer is a top quality firearms manufacturer overall, in many categories, in addition to being one of the AR-15 brands I’ve got here. As you likely know, Sig just won the military contract to replace Beretta as the sidearm of choice for the US military. Sig also makes great rifles, and is one of the top AR 15 manufacturers in the country. Their reputation stands for itself and requires no other introduction.

Colt —

If you’re in the market for an affordable (but still expensive) rifle that gets you close to owning an M4, then Colt is the right choice for you. Colt has a long history in developing firearms and, well, making firearms history. The company has numerous firsts under their belt, and while many claim that their quality control isn’t what it once was, they are still one of the top AR 15 manufacturers. As a benefit, if you’re looking to get into shooting for cheaper, an LE 6920 or 6940 is readily available at a price below many of the other rifles on this list.

Ruger —

Sometimes you just want a rifle from a manufacturer you know and trust that’s not going to break the bank. Not that any of the other companies on this best AR15 manufacturer list are not trustworthy. If that were the case, they wouldn’t be here. But, as far as affordable rifles go, I wanted to provide another example, and Ruger is a solid company with a great entry level rifle. The barrel is cold hammer forged, parts are properly attached and staked, and, as a bonus, you get Ruger’s fantastic customer service.

Smith & Wesson M&P15 —

Smith & Wesson offers up a great budget AR-15 for those of us looking for a rifle to get into, just testing the waters. Or, for those of us who are stacking rifles and burying them in the ground “just in case.” Either way, the S&W M&P 15 isn’t something you can go wrong with.

Best Left Handed AR-15:

Stag 15L —

Yes, this is a thing and while we were told in the Marines to just learn how to use the other side, there is an option in the civilian market for lefty AR-15 rifles. Joe recently had the chance to take a Stag 15L Tactical for a test run and he was my SSGT while in the Marines. I therefore trust his opinion and he says he liked this rifle so much he had to buy it. That’s good enough for me. You can buy them direct from their website.

Best AR-15 Lower Receivers:

Aero Precision —

For those times when you just want to build your own AR-15, because screw the man, you really cannot go wrong with Aero Precision. I’m getting ready to start collecting parts to build another one, and I’m going to be using an Aero Precision upper and lower. For the price, this is one of the best companies out there. Aero Precision is usually the lowest I’d go, with lower receivers starting in the $90 range, and often times found cheaper than that with sales.

Seekins Precision —

Stepping it up a bit in price from the previous entrant, is Seekins Precision. There isn’t a whole lot that can be said, other than I’m a firm believer in the mantra: you get what you pay for. Seekins ain’t cheap, but if you believe that paying more for something renders a better finished product (that’s also sexy as hell) then you can’t go wrong here. Then again, one of their lowers retails for over $250, and I’ve built entire rifles for $400 before, so there’s also that.

Spikes Tactical —

I like to think of Spikes Tactical as the in between point of the above two, with lower receivers coming in at $125. Their themed ones in the priceless designs like their “snowflake” lower receiver are fantastic, always good for a laugh, and of course great at starting a conversation. Either way, if you’re building a rifle, Spikes Tactical is a good place to start.

Conclusion —

Who do you think the Top AR-15 manufacturer is? Let me know in the comments below. Want to find out what I think are the best 22 cal pistols?

Muzzle Brake VS Compensator VS Flash Hider: What’s the Difference?

April 7, 2019 By Josh 3 Comments

I think we’ve all done it at one time or another. Done what? Said one thing while meaning something entirely different. I know I do it from time to time, but that’s mostly because my gift for written communication far outweighs my capabilities of verbal comm. In fact, I miss-speak all the time on all topics, and if you ever meet my wife and ask her, she’d be happy to verify that for you.

I know I’m not alone, and I hear plenty of people using the wrong terms on things all the time. One thing I hear a lot, is when folks use the term muzzle brake when the actual device is a flash hider or the other way around. It’s not always easy to tell one from the next, but I hope to be able to help you out with that in this article explaining the differences between a muzzle brake vs compensator vs flash hider.

And, hopefully, by the time you’re done reading this little tutorial on muzzle devices, you’ll have a better understanding of what you’re looking for when it comes time to buy your next firearm, or modify the one you’ve already got.

Let’s start with the flash hider:

The first time I ever heard the term “flash hider” or, flash suppressor, I was in Marine basic training, and the Drill Instructor was referring to the thing at the end of the barrel that looks a lot like a birdcage (in some cases an open, pronged device like the one pictured below). In fact, some folks even call it a “birdcage” and if you ever hear that term, they’re referring to the flash hider attached to the threaded barrel of their AR-15. (as a side note, this muzzle device is also part compensator, but we’ll get to what that is in a moment)

This muzzle device is exactly what it sounds like: Something designed to hide the flash of your rifle. What happens is, that while modern day firearms and ammunition are designed to burn as much of the gunpowder as possible, as quickly as possible, it doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes, powder is still burning as the bullet leaves the barrel.

And, usually, the shorter the barrel, the more powder you’ll have leftover to burn.

Whenever that happens, it can create a ball of flame bursting from the muzzle that everyone, including your enemy, can see. To further complicate things, it can make for a hell of a difficult time to fire at night, temporarily limiting a Marine’s night vision. And, as you can imagine, firefights don’t stop just because it’s night.

Flash suppressor — Here is a 3-pronged flash suppressor on my buddy’s old Valmet M76.

A flash hider is designed in a way that helps to disperse the direction of the flash so it’s harder for the enemy to see where your muzzle is, as well as not blind the operator as much.

A word about flash hiders and California:

I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention California’s “assault weapon” laws. So, my limited capacity brain has a hard time understanding this idiocy, but I’ll do my best to explain what makes a plane-Jane, ordinary firearm an “assault weapon” in the eyes of California legislators with nothing more than the addition of useful accessories.

If your AR-15 rifle, or any rifle for that matter, has the ability to accept a detachable magazine, adding a flash hider to it makes it jump out of your hands and start assaulting people. Seriously, your AR-15 turns into an assault rifle if it has a magazine and a flash suppressor.

Idiots.

Don’t worry, though, the stupidity doesn’t just stop there. You can’t have a pistol grip, a forward vertical grip, a grenade launcher (the nerve!), or a thumbhole stock. The lawmakers in California have noted after much scientific debate that the addition of these items to your AR-15 pattern rifle causes it to lose its freaking mind and start killing stuff. Seriously.

It is for this reason why some rifle manufacturers are building what is known as “featureless AR15” rifles from the factory, in an attempt to limit the amount of people these nasty little AR-15s assault.

Let’s talk Compensator:

We spoke briefly about the compensator and how a birdcage flash hider is also sort of what we can also call a “comp.” This muzzle device gets its name from the word compensate, which can be defined as: to offset; counterbalance; be equivalent to (dictionary.com).

Without boring you too much on the physics of how firearms work, I’ll just say that when you fire a shot off it causes the front of the gun to rise. This is also known as muzzle rise or muzzle flip, depending on who you are talking to, and both terms are fine to use.

The issue with muzzle rise, which is the term I use when describing it, is that it causes your front sight to rise above the target you fired upon, forcing you to reacquire said target to deliver a follow up shot. All firearms experience muzzle rise to some degree, but as far as rifles go with a moderately powered cartridge, an AR-15’s muzzle rise isn’t that bad.

Speaking of that iconic rifle, Have you ever wondered who the best AR-15 manufacturers are?

A compensator, in an effort to help balance or offset the muzzle flip of your gun and allowing you to return to target quicker, has holes or slots cut only into the upper half of the device, and not the bottom, helping the escaping gases force the muzzle to stay down instead of moving upward.

Because an AR-15 has minimal muzzle flip, the birdcage that many of them come with is more than sufficient to help a shooter stay on target. When we start talking about a 308 rifle, and bigger, or even some high-speed competition handguns, compensators start to become a necessary addition.

Remember, its main job is to help the shooter stay on target, or reacquire it quicker.

Another note about California:

If a muzzle device is a compensator, and not also a flash hider, it is likely fine for use in California. However, if the muzzle device is also a flash hider (suppressor), it’s better to not piss off the commies, or they’ll come for you and your guns. Sometimes it’s just better to follow the law, turn it into a featureless AR15, and live to fight another day.

Time to Muzzle Brake:

Finally we get to the muzzle brake VS compensator part. A lot of muzzle devices are brakes and compensators, but not always. We learned that a comp is designed to help keep the muzzle on target. A brake, on the other hand, is designed to reduce the amount of recoil you feel when you fire a shot off.

A muzzle brake has slots or holes cut in a manner that force the gases to move in such a way that it helps to reduce felt recoil. Again, I won’t bore you with the physics, but when you fire a shot off a tremendous amount of gas and the associated pressure force the gun to move backward into your shoulder.

With a properly designed muzzle brake attached to the barrel, it disperses the gasses in a way that pushes them in the opposite direction a bit to help minimize recoil as much as it possibly can. As with the compensator, an AR-15 doesn’t necessarily need a muzzle brake because there isn’t a lot of associated felt recoil with the 5.56 NATO rifle cartridge.

When you move into a 308 rifle or larger, like AR-10 platforms and definitely rifles chambered in .338 Lapua or .50 cal, it becomes a necessity to have a good muzzle brake. Why do I say it like that? Because they’re not all made the same and those big-ass cartridges produce more recoil than the average shooter wants to feel on a repeated basis. Make sure you read up on, and do plenty of research on a brake before you make the purchase because some of them don’t work, or barely do at all.

I also want to say, here, that because the muzzle brake forces gasses out the side, the muzzle blast can be atrocious. You may not even notice it, but people shooting in the lane next to you at the range may, so keep that in mind.

sniper rifle — Muzzle brake on the end of this rifle

Combination Muzzle Devices/Hybrids:

These are muzzle devices that are designed to do more than one job. For example, if you remember the A2 Birdcage is a flash suppressor and a compensator. Its slots are cut in a fashion to help breakup the flash, but are also only on the top-half of the device, causing it to compensate for muzzle rise, as well. Furthermore, many muzzle brakes are also compensators by design.

The above pictured VDI Jet Comp is a compensator and muzzle brake in one.

How to buy:

You may be tempted to just go out and buy yourself a muzzle device. While it is likely fine if you’re in the market for something to just attach to the barrel of your AR-15, any A2 flash suppressor should suffice. Here’s a birdcage for under 8$. However, if you’re looking for a muzzle brake or compensator for your powerful, long distance rifle, you should not just go buy the first thing you see.

This is a great all around buy, if you need it. And, it looks great:

As with when you purchased your rifle, your optic, etc., you likely did a fair amount of research, watching and reading reviews, and just checking out to make sure you weren’t getting ripped off. Well, I’m here to tell you that not all muzzle devices are created equal. Here are a couple pointers to help you on your way:

Any Joe Schmo with some metalworking experience can fabricate a threaded piece of metal, drill some holes in it, and called it a muzzle brake. Know what you’re getting beforehand.
A muzzle device that is expensive does not mean that it works properly.
Just because the compensator is fancy looking, doesn’t mean it woks properly. Make sure you conduct some research, to find out which devices work best for the money you’re planning to spend.

Conclusion:

Not all muzzle devices are of high quality, nor may you need a specific one for your current setup. An AR-15, for example, won’t likely need a muzzle brake on it because the recoil is generally manageable. Then again, if you have some physical ailment preventing you from effective marksmanship, throw a brake on it. For an AR-15, the A2 birdcage is likely all that’s needed, which is a cheap enough accessory that your rifle should have come from the factory with.

Unless, of course, you need to get yourself a featureless ar15, or build one yourself, because you can’t stick certain AR-15 accessories on your rifle or it’ll transform into a crazed death machine “assault weapon thingamajiger” that spews 8 million rounds per second with lightning-fast accuracy and deadly shark-like precision.

I hope this answered your question of muzzle brake vs compensator, and if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer you. Have you ever read our USCCA Review? Check it out, next.

Stock up on bulk AR-15 ammo:

17 Most Fun Guns To Own and Shoot

March 25, 2019 By Josh Leave a Comment

m1 garand — Credit: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/foghorn/gun-review-us-rifle-caliber-30-m1-m1-garand/

I know you’ve heard of the whole bucket list thing, right? In case you haven’t, a bucket list is filled with things you want to do before you die. What follows here is a combination of my gun bucket list, as well as firearms that I’d suggest for someone else’s. I have fired a lot of what’s on here, already, but I’d be lying if I said I’ve fired all of them.

So, here is a list of the guns you absolutely, positively, without a doubt need to shoot before you die.

1) Any belt-fed machine guns:

As a Marine, I’ve had my fair share of trigger time behind belt-fed machine guns. It’s some of the most fun I’ve ever had, and if I had to pick my most favorite of all time, I’d have to say that it is the Mk19, belt-fed grenade launcher. There’s just something about being able to shoot bursts of grenades down range, actually following them down to their target with nothing more than the eyeballs inside your head. Oh, and of course, you get to then witness an impact. It’s effing awesome.

I’ve also had the pleasure of firing the M2, both stationary and from a truck mount, M249 SAW, and I was issued an M240 Golf. (Admittedly, I’m not an 03 machine gunner, but had a b-billet.)

2) Anything chambered in .454 Casull or bigger:

One thing that really lets you know if you’re still alive or not, is hanging on to a large caliber revolver. There isn’t really a whole lot more I can say about this, other than if you’re not that experienced, you should start small and work your way up. If you’ve never had you hands on a .44 magnum before, start there, and then go to a BFR. And no, BFR does not stand for Big eFFing Revolver. It means, Big Frame Revolver.

3) Coonan Classic:

I’ve mentioned this before, and it’s still on my list (my buy list). There’s just something about shooting a full-load .357 Magnum cartridge out of a semi-automatic 1911. I can honestly say that you don’t get it until you shoot it. Once you do, you’ll wonder why you waited for so long.

Seriously, every time I brought the Coonan Classic .357 to the range it sparked a conversation. “What the hell are you shooting?” Of course, they don’t usually ask until they witness the nuclear-like, two foot ball of flame erupting from the muzzle as if it were a volcano.

Ah, memories. I miss that gun …

4) Browning Automatic Rifle:

Good luck trying to find an original BAR (pronounced B. A. R., and not the building you walk into to get loaded with friends late at night.). This one is actually on my own personal bucket list. I haven’t had a chance to shoot one yet, and it’s on my short list of guns to operate at some point. One way to think about the BAR, is as the Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW, of WWII. Chambered in the heart stopping .30-06 with a box magazine, this is one of America’s war-winning guns. And, of course, genius gun designer John Moses Browning built it.

5) MP5:

I’m not talking about one of the knock offs you can get, or even one of the modern HK SP5Ks that, in my humble opinion, cost way too much money. I’m talking about a gun with a giggle switch on it, to raise up those goose bumples. I mean, this is one of the most iconic guns of modern times, still used by some special forces units from different countries, and is in almost every action packed shooter movie ever made, when there was need for a compact, machine gun pistol.

The one pictured below, is a semi-auto version I had done a review on for a different publication. I own rights to this photo, which is why I’m using it, instead of a full-auto version.

MP5s are chambered in 9mm. If you wanna see my top 20 best 9mm handguns, give that link a push.

6) Mini Gun:

This is another one on my own personal bucket list. A mini gun is sort of like a cross between a gatling gun and a modern day machine gun. There is really no way I can explain it, because my words won’t do its beauty justice. Instead, just watch this video:

7) M1 Garand:

I’m not exactly a history buff. But, I do come from the frame of mind that history should never be forgotten. I also feel as though history’s tools, in this case an M1 Garand chambered in the venerable 30-06 should be preserved for all generations. This rifle was described as some, to be the reason why we won WWII.

8) Tommy Gun:

The Tommy Gun is one of those American icons from the gangster era. Whenever you see one, or even hear its name mentioned, where does your mind drift? For some reason, I see Dick Tracy with his in that 90s movie. The Thompson Sub Machine Gun is a representative of times gone by. Also, I’m not talking about one of those semi-auto only guns, like the one I have pictured below from SHOT Show.

9) Lever Action .45-70:

You haven’t lived until you’ve caused some internal shoulder bleeding (in the form of a bruise) from the brass butt of a Henry, Lever Action rifle chambered in .45-70. Big, slow projectiles are where it’s at if you need one rifle to take a majority of big game for dinner. Bullet weights start in the 325 grain area, and go up to 540. Of course, the major player and most popular is the 405 grain projectile, which was the original weight offered.

10) Brown Bess:

Flintlock muskets were an evolutionary step to where we’re at right now in the gun industry. The Brown Bess is a great example of something from firearms history. There are many different variations, and I don’t have specific one for this list, because there are Short Land Pattern, Mortimer Models, India Patterns, etc. If you can get one, and it’s safe to fire, go for it. This, by the way, is another one on my own personal bucket list.

Credit: http://www.militaryheritage.com/musket1.htm

11) FN P90:

Keep in mind, that I’m not talking about the semi-automatic version. On my bucket list is a P90 with a giggle switch. I’m going to see if I can weasel my way into the FN facility at some point this summer, and if they actually let me in, I plan to adamantly suggest they let me have my way with a P90.

12) Colt Python:

I suppose this list wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t have at least one of Colt’s famous snake guns on it. Iconic in every way, chambered in the very capable .357 Magnum self-defense cartridge, and made even more popular by Rick Grimes himself, in the Walking Dead comics and TV Show. I don’t think I need to say much else about it.

13) Colt Single Action Army:

Here’s another one on my bucket list. I do have to admit that my time shooting old, single action only revolvers is limited. I have a buddy who owns a few Colt SAAs, but talking him into allowing me to shoot them proves harder to be than it should.

Credit: http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/colt-saa.htm

14) A Reach Out And Touch Someone, Rifle:

Sometimes, you just need to share a round with ISIS. Okay, I stole that from a t-shirt company. Still, anything chambered in .300 Win Mag or bigger should get the job done. Oh, and I’m talking about going the distance here, like Hercules had to do in that Disney movie. (Hey, I have 3 little kids, Disney is an obsession in my house). The point, is that I’m talking distances past one mile. These are distances where taking the rotation of the earth starts to become reality, just so you can hit your target.

15) Unica 6:

Ever wonder what would happen if a revolver got together with a semi-auto pistol and had a baby? Well, the Unica 6 would be your answer. This revolver is unlike most others on the market. Instead of by conventional means, like manipulating the trigger or pulling back the hammer to spin the cylinder, on the Mateba Autorevolver, the cylinder is recoil operated (and is technically a slide). To make it even stranger, the barrel is on the bottom, dropping the bore axis and, thus, the amount of felt recoil. Caliber choices afford you the .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and the giggle-worthy .454 Cassull.

16) SIG P210 (original):

Not to be confused with what gun maker Sig Sauer was building as their Legend. Though, that pistol in its own right could also make a longer version of this list. The original P210 was first built back in 1949 for the Swiss Army, and is known to be one of the most accurate pistols of its generation. It’s about as rare as a unicorn, so chances of either of us actually finding an original P210 to shoot are slim.

17) M14:

The M14 is similar to the rifle it replaced, the M1 Garand seen above, but with some key differences. Some of the bigger changes were a box magazine, it was chambered in 7.62X51, and had the ability to go full-auto. The M14 didn’t see as much service as it’s predecessor, but that doesn’t necessarily make it inferior. Here’s a video of some people I don’t know having some fun:

What did I miss? What would you add to my gun bucket list? Let me know in the comments below.

Stock up on ammo here:

Also, if you’re in the market for a new AR-15, make sure you check out our top 12 best AR-15 list, first.

Top 20 Best 9mm Handguns

November 9, 2018 By Josh 9 Comments

One of the questions I get asked most often, usually by folks new to the gun world, is: what is the best 9mm pistol to own? I’m going to attempt to answer that question in just a moment, but remember that what’s best for me, may not be what’s good for you. So, take what I say here with a grain of salt.

As always, if you have anything you’d like to add, please make sure you do in the comments section, at the bottom of this ridiculously long “best 9mm handgun” article (seriously, it’s over 3,500 words and took me several days to write) (usually around midnight after my day-job).

Before we get to the actual list, let’s go over some “housekeeping” issues just so you know where I’m coming from.

Why 9mm?

First, why is this all about the best 9mm handguns instead of .40 S&W, .45ACP, .357 Mag, etc.? Well, one thing we have to understand, is that the people who want to know the answer to this, won’t choose a hand-cannon as their first gun, and quite a few of the people asking me these questions are newer to the game without a lot of firearms handling experience.

My own research has shown that newer shooters generally start with 9mm, and move on from there, as they see fit. Will I do other calibers at some point? Most likely, because those same people will eventually ask other questions concerning other calibers. But for right now, we’ll stick with the best 9mm.

Requirements:

It doesn’t matter what action the gun has, what materials make it up, who makes it (you may find a few surprises here), or if it’s hammer or striker-fired to be included on this list. Meaning that there is a section for the best concealed carry revolvers, as well as other semi-autos.

To be considered as one of the top 9mm handguns, it needs to be reliable. If a gun hasn’t proven itself to be reliable, it is not listed here. Granted, no guns are perfect, and firearm can malfunction. But, what I’m talking about are continuous failures.

Furthermore, only being able to shoot certain kinds of ammo, or requiring to be cleaned after every single range session, are a means for disqualification from this list.

The best 9mm handguns need to be safe. Now, don’t confuse this term with a mechanical safety device. Some of the guns on this list have those, while some do not. Still, others, utilize the use of a passive safety or a lengthy trigger pull. But, having an actual safety device is not a prerequisite for inclusion. What is necessary, however, is that the gun only goes bang when you want it to.

In other words, while any gun can drop-fire, or shoot off a round when dropped from a high-enough position, it should not be a common problem with any of these guns.

Finally, I’ve categorized these top 9mm handguns based on type of gun: Full size, revolver, compact, etc., and are not listed in any particular order. Now, without any further ado, let’s get talking about which guns are on this best 9mm handgun list …

Best 9mm Pistol – Full Size:

This is going to be the longest category filled with a multitude of different types of guns, striker, hammer, DA/SA, etc. The main reason why, is because nearly everyone is in this game. Sure, some gun manufacturers only make sub-compacts (like SCCY, for example) but most of them do make a full-size service pistol, and this is a great place for someone new to this world to start because a big, recoil absorbing gun can boost confidence and is easier to learn on, than a much smaller gun is. For the sake of simplicity, the best 9mm handguns in this section have a barrel size of 4 inches and up, even though some gun makers would consider that to be “compact” in size. Here are the best full size 9mm handguns —

HK VP9 —

The HK VP9 is one of the most ergonomically correct pistols on the market right now. It also just happens to be reliable, accurate, and pleasant to shoot. It comes with many of the features you’d come to expect from a modern-day pistol, like a polymer frame, comfortable grips, an accessory rail, a trigger safety that won’t allow the gun to fire unless pressed, and HK’s charging supports on either side of the slide’s rear serrations. It is not, however, an inexpensive gun, and is easily one of the most expensive guns listed on this best 9mm handgun article, at $719. In my opinion, though, it’s worth every penny. These guys have them in stock, currently starting at about $585.

Barrel Length: 4.09″

Overall Length: 7.34″

Capacity: 10 or 15

Weight: 25.56 ounces (empty)

MSRP: $719

Glock 19 —

The Glock 19 doesn’t need any introduction. It’s one of the most popular handguns in the world, and is renown for its reliability in nearly every circumstance. While Glock was not technically the first one to make a gun of this type (that award goes to the HK Vp70), they perfected their own design with the G17, and eventually with the G19. The G19 is a 9mm, striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol that is known to be uber reliable and accurate. The Glock 19 is one of the most-chosen guns for both on and off-duty police officers, and it’s easy to see why: it’s one of the best 9mm pistols available, even if not the most aesthetically pleasing. These guys have Gen 5s in stock for $559.99.

Barrel Length: 4.01″

Overall Length: 7.28″

Capacity: 15

Weight: 23.65 ounces (empty)

MSRP: ~$600

FN-FNX-9 —

Rarely is a major gun manufacturer standing outside of the spotlight as often as FN is. What do I mean? Well, personally speaking, when most other gun enthusiasts talk about SIG, Glock and HK, my mind drifts to FN. I’m talking about a company that’s been around since the before John Moses Browning invented the famous M1911 with many years of making military weapons. The FNX series, available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP is one of the best full-size handguns on the market. It’s a hammer-fired DA/SA pistol with a safety/decocker, in a reliable package all at an MSRP of $699. These guys have them in stock starting at $580.00.

Barrel Length: 4″

Overall Length: 7.4″

Capacity: 10 or 17 rounds

Weight: 21.9 ounces

MSRP: $699

CZ 75 —

The CZ 75 is not only one of the most versatile and copied pistols ever made, it also hasn’t changed much since its inception back in 1975. When I say it’s versatile, I mean that it’s configured to be carried cocked and locked like you would carry a 1911, or you can carry it in DA/SA with a long, first trigger pull as your safety. I don’t personally own a CZ 75, yet, but all of my friends who do swear they’ll never sell it. It’s a great-shooting gun, and while large, is quite concealable with the right setup. Some would argue this is the best 9mm pistol of all time, and while I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, it deserves to be here. These guys currently have the compact in stock starting at a decent price.

Barrel Length: 4.6 inches

Overall Length: 8.1 inches

Capacity: 10 or 16

Weight: 2.2 pounds

MSRP: $612

M&P9 —

Smith & Wesson’s M&P series is one of the most popular polymer pistols (say that 5 times fast) on the market. They just released the new 2.0, and so far I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. Personally speaking, I only have limited trigger time behind the 2.0, but this striker-fired pistol is getting great reviews, and I’ve got nothing bad to say about the first model. Overall, it’s a great mid-priced 9mm pistol that gets the job done. These guys currently have the M&P in stock for about $380.

Barrel Length: 4.25″

Overall Length: 7.4″

Capacity: 17+1

Weight: 24.7 Ounces

MSRP: $599

Sig Sauer P320 —

Here is another one that needs no introduction. The P320 was just chosen to be the military’s sidearm of choice until it’s time to replace, yet again. I’m not even sure where to start because the P320 is so modular that you can literally have a compact 9mm pistol one day, and a full-size .45 ACP the next. Some folks don’t see the positive in this, and if you’re one of them that’s fine. But for people who live in a state where it’s a PITA to own multiple guns, having one modular one with different options may be the way to go. There is no doubt that this is one of the best 9mm handguns out there, right now. These guys currently have them in stock starting at $450 depending on the model you want.

Barrel Length: Have it your way

Overall Length: Depends

Capacity: Depends

Weight: Depends

MSRP: Starts at $679

S&W SD9 —

No bells … no whistles … Nope, sometimes you’re broke but need a solid shooter to defend yourself with. If that’s the case, then the polymer-framed, striker-fired SD9 from Smith-Wesson is a great option. The MSRP is right at $389, and the magazines are 16 rounders. This is not a perfect pistol, but it works whenever needed, and is cheap. The trigger is far from the best on the market, but you’ll be able to pick one up for a lot less than the advertised MSRP. That’s a good price for a good gun from a decent gun manufacturer with 16 (+1) potential bad-guy stoppers. This would easily be one of the best 9mm handguns if I had an “inexpensive” category, which I don’t so I’ll stick it here.

Barrel Length: 4″

Overall Length: 7.2

Capacity: 16+1

Weight: 22.3 ounces

MSRP: $389

Best 9mm pistol – single stack:

As the name implies, these are 9mm pistols with a single stack magazine. The ones that fit in here are are not necessarily a pocket nine or a micro-compact, though one of them does have the option to utilize a 3.3″ barrel. I also did not include 9mm 1911s in this section, either, even though they’re technically single stack 9mm pistols. You can find the best 1911 section below. So, what are these good for? Well, if you are unlucky enough to live in a state where there is a magazine capacity ban, a single stack gun makes sense because it carries fewer rounds. Or, if you are just in the market for a super thin gun that conceals excellent, this is a great way to go. Either way, here are the best single stack 9mm pistols —

Kahr CT9 —

The thing with Kahr’s pistols, is that even the “value priced” guns don’t feel cheap. The MSRP on the CT9 is right around the $450 mark, but can be found for much cheaper than that out at your neighborhood FFL dealer. The CT9 is a single-stack, polymer-framed pistol that can be carried concealed and has an excellent trigger. I say excellent because the trigger pull is smooth without any grit or false breaks. I’ve had plenty of time with Kahr’s pistols, and can say that, while they don’t always favor steel-cased ammo, I have never had an issue with brass or even aluminum ammunition.

Barrel Length: 3.965″

Overall Length: 6.5

Capacity: 8+1

Weight: 18.5

MSRP: $449.99

Springfield XDs —

Springfield Armory did just get caught doing something stupid, and that cannot be disputed. Whether it was purposeful or an accident isn’t the point, and this isn’t a politics article. Rather, this is a best 9mm pistol article, and the XDs is a great single stack pistol. Many people call this a pocket pistol or a micro, but I don’t. Available in both 3.3 or 4 inch barrel variants, the passive grip and trigger safeties help ensure the gun doesn’t go bang when it isn’t supposed to. Of course, there is no replacement for a competent, safe shooter, and passive safeties like these have been known to fail from time to time. I do want to say, here, that the grip on Springfield Armory’s XDs is an acquired taste, and isn’t my favorite to shoot. Still, this is a great gun that I would trust my life to.

Barrel Length: 3.3″ or 4″

Overall Length: 7″

Capacity: 7 or 8

Weight: 25 or 26 ounces, depending on mag

MSRP: $599

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers in 9mm:

You didn’t think I’d only have semi-auto pistols on this best 9mm handgun list did you? Feast your eyes on the beautiful simplicity of the revolver, complete with its long trigger pull as a safety feature. There aren’t a lot of 9mm revolvers out there in the world, but those on this list, are of exceptional quality, and deserve to be here. Keep in mind that, while revolvers work well I prefer mine to not require anything extra to work (like moon-clips). There is one on this best 9mm handgun list that does not require moon-clips to function, and you have to wonder: what’s taking everyone else so long to figure out how to make it work? Either way, here are the best concealed carry revolvers chambered in 9mm. Here are the best concealed carry revolvers in 9mm —

S&W Performance Center 986 —

The Performance Center 986 is one of my absolute favorite revolvers. It has a 2.5 inch barrel and a capacity of seven rounds. For a revolver, that ain’t bad. The 986 conceals well, but isn’t cheap. Of course, they can be found cheaper than the $1,129 price tag, but finding one in your local gun shop won’t be an easy task. This isn’t a Glock or an M&P, and you’d likely need to have your FFL dealer special order it for you. Overall, a revolver in SA/DA is a good option for concealed carry, and if aesthetics were graded, this one would get an A+. Of course, it does require a moon clip, which is an issue for me, so I’d stick with one of the rimmed revolvers, like a PC 686 (very similar) that’ll throw .357 or .38SPC down range.

Barrel Length: 2.5″

Overall Length: 7.5″

Capacity: 7

Weight: 31.7 ounces

MSRP: $1,129.00

Ruger LCR —

Much more affordable than the previous 9mm revolver, is the LCR chambered in nine. This snub-nosed revolver has a barrel length of under 2 inches and only weighs 17.2 ounces making it great for pocket carry or deep concealment like a backup on your ankle. Then again, I know plenty of people who carry a Ruger LCR as their every day carry piece. Whatever floats your boat. In this case, floating your boat is a snub-nosed double action revolver with an internal hammer. Keep in mind, also, that smaller snub-nose revolvers can be a handful to hold onto, if you’re not used to shooting, yet. You know what? Scratch that. I’ve been shooting for years and my snubs are still a handful for me whenever a short grip is installed. Opting for a longer one, where your pinky-finger isn’t held out to dry will help tame the revolver that much more.

Barrel Length: 1.87″

Overall Length: 6.5″

Capacity: 5

Weight: 17.2 ounces

MSRP: $669.99

Charter Arms Pitbull —

The Charter Arms Pitbull is an interesting take on the 9mm revolver. While most revolvers that are designed to shoot semi-auto rounds utilize a moon-clip to work properly, the Pitbull does not require anything extra. Thus firming up its reliability as it removes a part that is so easily breakable or bendable. A bent or broken clip can cripple the use of a 9mm revolver. It holds 5-rounds of ammo, down from 6 after a recent (two or so years ago) redesign. Overall, the Charter Arms Pitbull is a reliable offering from a company that doesn’t get the respect it deserves at an MSRP of $502.00. The ability to chamber rimless cartridges alone is enough to get this revolver on my top 9mm handgun list. Everything else is just icing.

Barrel Length: 2.2″

Overall Length:

Capacity: 5

Weight: 22 ounces

MSRP: $502.00

Best Sub-Compact and Pocket Pistols:

I kind of lumped these two best 9mm pistol categories together to save on space because I can tell already that this article is going to be epic (in size, anyway). These are smaller guns with lower capacity, but make up for that fact by offering up excellent concealability. I generally put guns in this section with a barrel length starting at about 3″ and going up to about 3.5 inches. Here are the best small 9mm handguns —

Sig Sauer P365 —

The Sig Sauer P365 is the latest entry to this top 9mm pistol article that I’ve put together, and has caused me to republish this old piece to push back to the front. I’ve got a considerable amount of time with one of these, and some of my counterparts over at concealedcarry.com have 4,000+ rounds through theirs without failure. Sig really hit a home-run here, no matter what your thoughts of them are as a company. Capacity is unmatched in a very concealable package. I know these guns have been hard to get in some areas, if that’s you, these guys have them in stock as of this writing for $499.

Here are the best P365 holsters out there.

Barrel Length: 3.1″

Overall Length: 5.8″

Capacity: 10+1 (or 12+1)

Weight: 17.8 ounces

MSRP: $599.99

Ruger LC9s —

Small enough to fit in your pocket, carry for deep concealment, or use as a backup gun with a decent price point is the Ruger LC9s. This pistol is sort of an upgraded, striker-fired version of their LC9. Instead of a trigger pull so long you could run to China and back before it breaks, the LC9s has a great, smooth trigger that lends itself to great target practice. For a tiny gun chambered in 9mm with 7+1 rounds, that ain’t bad. These guys currently have them at one of the best prices I’ve ever seen at $259.

Barrel Length: 3.12″

Overall Length: 6″

Capacity: 7+1

Weight: 17.2 ounces

MSRP: $479.99

Sig Sauer P938 —

Disclaimer: I have a Sig Sauer P938 that I’m experiencing issues with right now. If you didn’t know, I’m the managing editor for ConcealedCarry.Com, and the review will be getting published over there at some point in the coming months. However, I do believe that this is just one of those lemon issues, specific to only a few of these guns. Still, I’d feel remiss if I didn’t at least mention that I do have a 938 that experiences malfunctions. When it works, it’s a great gun that’s a blast to shoot. Starting in the $800.00 range depending upon your options, this pocket nine is a breeze to shoot, and is aesthetically pleasing. The Sig 938 is a micro compact, hammer-fired, SAO that’ll make 1911 lovers feel at home in a smaller package. These guys have plenty in stock starting at $679 depending on your options.

Check out the best SIG P938 holsters.

Barrel Length: 3″

Overall Length: 5.9″

Capacity: 6+1

Weight: 16 Ounces

MSRP: ~ $800.00

Walther PPSM2 —

If you’re in the market for a small conceal carry gun with arguably one of the best triggers on the market, look no further than Walther’s PPSM2. While Walther has been the brunt of a lot of jokes as of late with recent recalls, to my knowledge there aren’t many issues concerning the PPSM2, and I’ve personally not had any issues when firing them. As a an added bonus, I find the PPSM2 to be ergonomically pleasing over many of the other guns on this list of this size. Overall, this is a great option, and, for the price, you really cannot do much better.

Barrel Length: 3.18″

Overall Length: 6.3″

Capacity: 6 or 7 +1

Weight: 21.1 Onces

MSRP: $469.99

SCCY CPX-2 —

I’m about to turn a lot of people off, but hear me out. Just because a gun is inexpensive, doesn’t mean it isn’t reliable. Seriously, I just listed an $800 Sig with reliability issues. Many of the stories you’ve read on SCCY and the problems they face are unfounded. All of SCCY’s pistols are double action only, and come with a 9-pound trigger pull. I do also want to say that, while there are two 9mm models, I only mentioned the CPX-2, which does not have a mechanical safety. With a trigger pull like the SCCY has, I don’t see a need for a mechanical thumb safety. But, to each their own. Either way, don’t let the simple fact that you can pick one of these up for dirt cheap fool you, because they go bang when they’re supposed to. These guys have them in stock for a little over $200, depending on your chosen mode.

Barrel Length: 3.1″

Overall Length: 5.7″

Capacity: 10+1

Weight: 15 Ounces

MSRP: $314

Best 9mm pistol – compact:

For those of us who want more ammo in a small-enough to conceal package, are guns that come in at the compact size. These guns generally have a barrel length in the 3.4-4″ range, and usually hold anywhere from eight to 17 rounds with an extended magazine. Here are the best compact 9mm pistols —

FNS9-c

Stay tuned for a handgun review on this one. FN sent me an FNS9-C in FDE two months ago, and I’m knee deep in it right now. I’ve got enough jacketed lead through it right now to confirm that this is a fantastic pistol, so much so, that I’m going to be buying one when I’m done with the review. It’s easy to conceal and comes with one 12-round magazine and one 17-round mag. I don’t want to say too much about it now, except that it is one of the best 9mm compact pistols on the market, right now, even if I can’t find a holster to save my life. Stay tuned for my review. These guys have them in stock in different variations at $499.

Barrel Length: 3.6″

Overall Length: 6.7″

Capacity: 12+1 or 17+1

Weight: 23.4 Ounces

MSRP: $599.00

Glock 26 —

The G26 has a barrel length of just 3.4 inches, and a capacity of 10 rounds. Then again, Glock’s magazines are interchangeable and I know plenty of Glock owners who carry a G26 with the 10-round magazine while concealing it, with a G17 mag for backup. There isn’t a lot that needs to be said here, it’s a Glock–certainly not the best-looking guns around, but definitely one of the best and most reliable. These guys have a G4 Glock 26 in stock for $499.

Barrel Length: 3.4″

Overall Length: 6.41″

Capacity: 10+1

Weight: 21.7 ounces

MSRP:

Best 9mm 1911:

I know what you’re thinking, 9mm 1911s shouldn’t even be a thing. Well, they are, and some people love them. In fact, I own one from Springfield Armory that I’m going to stick on this list even though it’s bound to piss half of my readers off after the stunt they just pulled. But, it’s one of the best shooting 9mm 1911s I’ve ever seen, and I cannot deny that fact.

Springfield Armory EMP 4 —

As the name implies, the Springfield Armory EMP4 is a 1911 with a 4″ barrel. I feel confident in saying that this is likely one of the best 9mm 1911s I’ve ever fired. Its smooth, short, crisp trigger pull is exactly what you’d expect from a 1911 in the $1,200 price range. I own one of these, well, it’s my wife’s, and it’s a great confidence builder for her because the recoil is low, the pistol is accurate, and the single stack 9mm magazine carries 10 rounds of hollow points. It has an aluminum frame, steel slide, cocobolo grips, fiber optic sights, and the list goes on. It does require a tool for take down, which can be a pain when in the field, but a simple paper clip will do the trick, and I’ve even used one to make sure. As an added bonus, this gun isn’t bloodthirsty for gun oil, like just about every other 1911 I’ve ever fired.

Barrel Length: 4″

Overall Length: 7.5″

Capacity: 10 rounds

Weight: 31 ounces

MSRP: $1179

Conclusion:

That about does it this time around. Which firearms would you liked to have seen included on my top 9mm handgun list? Please let me know in the comments below. One thing that many people don’t think about is holster availability.

Make sure you check out our USCCA Review, next.

7 Most Common Places For Crime

October 11, 2018 By Craig Campbell Leave a Comment

The common human response to crime is usually something along the lines of: “I can’t believe that happened in this town.” Or, “why me?”

We see it all the time on the news. A journalist interviews a witness or local after any serious crime, and the answer is usually the same, or something very similar to what is typed above.

Of course, those of us who carry a self-defense tool, like a gun, don’t usually share that response. In fact, the main reason why most of us carry a gun is because we know that crime does happen and we want to be ready for it when it does.

More often than not, it usually happens when we are least expecting it. And that, my friends, is the main reason for being prepared and ready to defend yourself with your gun of choice.

Wherever you are, from your house to the grocery store, you need to be aware of your environment, able to recognize anything out of the ordinary. You also need to know where you should (or not) go, when you leave the house.

While crime can happen just about anywhere, there are some places more prone to it than others. I’ve attempted to compile a list of the most common places for crime based on some research I’ve conducted over the years, and patterns I’ve seen in defensive gun uses.

The following is by no means an exhaustive list and you should remain alert all the time –

Gas Stations:

Okay, so you can’t avoid a gas station unless you ride a bike to get around. Nothing wrong with that if you do, but chances are good that this isn’t the case. Many different types of crime come in the form of gas station robberies.

One type of robbery happens inside the store part of the station, where a convict holds up the people working at the register. This is common for many other convenience stores, as well, so I guess I’m going to lump them in here.

To combat this, I limit the amount of time spent in these places as much as possible. I almost always pay at the pump, unless I need something from inside. If that’s the case, I move as quickly as possible, paying attention to as much as I can, while I shop and pay.

Another form of robbery, happens when mindless folks are pumping their gas, or go into the store. Some people tend to leave their cars unlocked with their backs turned, and never even see it coming. This type of robbery is usually non-confrontational unless the victim happens to turn around at the right moment.

To combat this, remove your keys from the ignition and lock the door behind you when it’s your turn at the pump.

Then again, sometimes something like what happens this next video breaks out:

Jewelry Stores:

There is something about shiny stuff that makes criminals want to steal it. Now, I’m not talking about the jewelry stores inside a large mall. Criminals usually target jewelry stores that are a small, stand alone buildings or in a strip mall.

The main reason for this, is because it’s hard to rob a store in a mall, and make a getaway on foot. Everyone sees the criminal and there are that many more instances that can go wrong for the robber.

Then again, as we’ll see in a few minutes, criminals aren’t the smartest bunch, and you can’t rule anything out. The nice young gentlemen in this next video picked the wrong shop:

The thing to remember, however, is that a key ingredient to *most* robberies is access to a quick getaway, and that’s hard in a mall. When you’re buying your sweetie something precious, try to pay attention to your surroundings or just avoid jewelry stores in strip malls altogether.

Pizza Shops:

I’m not sure what it is, but people love to rob pizzerias and pizza delivery drivers. At the last site I managed, my good friend and freelance gun writer, Eve, spoke about pizza places getting robbed in great detail.

First, if you deliver pizza for a living, I cannot tell you that you should carry a gun while you work if your employer tells you that you cannot.

What I can do, however, is tell you that they wouldn’t be able to stop me from carrying my gun at work if I delivered pizza for a living. I value my life to much to be killed for some tip money. That decision, however, is up to you.

Here is a video of a robbery taking place in a Pizza Hut, of all places:

Now, if you find yourself in a Pizza Hut that is being robbed, there are some things you should know. Always know your surroundings. When you walk into any food establishment, take your surroundings in. Look for anything out of the ordinary and make a mental note of it.

When you sit, request to be sat as close to the corner or wall as possible so you can monitor anyone who may be looking to rob the place. Whenever we go out to eat, my wife knows that I have to take the seat that looks upon the entrance and most of the floor to see if anyone begins to hurt people. Then, I can act appropriately.

Gun Shops:

You’d think that going into a business that sells guns would be a red flag to a robber that, gee, I don’t know, the people who work there might have guns. Oh, and so might the people inside who don’t work there …

Then again, criminals aren’t the smartest bunch of people.

When people are desperate enough, though, they tend to do some stupid crap. Always remember that a desperate person is willing to do whatever they must to survive, to include, apparently, robbing a gun shop as well as making sure nobody is left to talk about it.

Most gun shops have an open floor plan so the people behind the counter can see what’s going on and act appropriately.

I know it’s hard when you’re drooling on the glass counter, but the main thing is trying to remain in a state of awareness that points out when something is wrong.

Banks:

There is actually a bank in my town that has been robbed at least three times that I can think of, maybe even more than that during the time I’ve lived here, and it’s only been 6 years. It’s not the only bank in town, but the others are literally right across the street from the police station, or one block away.

Remember that anywhere large amounts of money are stored can be enticing to criminals looking for the easy way out. Whenever you enter a bank, it’s a good idea to get a feel for what’s going on inside by glancing around. If people look uptight, or are rigid there might be something out of the ordinary taking place. If everything seems fine, take a mental note of those in the bank, and if anyone comes inside.

Whatever you do, though, try not to be like this guy if you ever find yourself staring down the barrel of a gun:

Your head should remain on a swivel. In fact, when I’m in a bank, I never face front. I always face to the side keeping my peripheral vision on the door and on the clerk in front of me. That way, I can still carry a conversation while keeping an eye on everyone who comes in.

The second a ski-mask wearing individual pulls a Tec-9 out of a trench coat I’ll be aware of it, and better able to put him down.

Then again, I rarely find myself in a bank, these days. Instead, all of my transactions take place at the ATM outside the building. Again, peripheral vision is key, and so is the little mirror in the upper corner of the machine, itself.

Your Home:

We all feel safe in our homes, but this should not be. In any area of the world, your house can be broken into whether you’re there or not. Your doors should remain locked, even if you’re inside, and you should carry a gun in your home.

The main reason for this, is because if a burglar comes into your home you have to assume that since he broke in, he is also willing to make sure there are no witnesses to turn him in. When someone breaks in, your life is on the line.

I carry at least a small handgun in my pocket that is designed to help me get to a bigger, more powerful gun. But, I can fight back instantly, even while wearing my sweatpants. And, if I need more than the five or six shots loaded into my gun, there’s an even bigger issue at hand, anyway.

It’s also important to note that whether you’re home or not, many break-ins occur during the day, as we can see from the following video:

Your Car:

This one is tricky, because when most people think about a car-involved crime, they think of a break-in or car jacking. However, if you haven’t noticed, people are nuts.

I mean, look at these idiots:

To make matters worse, most people (except me) cannot even drive causing them to be road ragers. I think most of us have been on the receiving end of some road rage at least once in our lives. I know I’ve been numerous times.

In fact, just the other day after dropping my kids off at school some nut-job slowed way down and prevented me from passing him. Each time I tried to go around him he maniacally swerved to prevent it, but would let others pass without pause.

He eventually turned, but that’s a recipe for disaster. I don’t even know what I did wrong, because I drive like Miss Daisy.

If matters took a turn for the worse, and he approached me at the stop light instead of glaring at me in the rear view mirror, it would not have ended well.

Conclusion:

The problem, is that people are unpredictable and are capable of doing any despicable thing at any time. I’ve witnessed a road rage encounter before in the quaint little town of East Orange, NJ where two men were about to duke it out with fists when one of them pulled a gun causing the other to (smartly) flee.

I’ve heard of break-ins where people are home, gas stations, jewelry stores, banks, gun stores, pizzerias, etc., all getting robbed with a weapon (either perceived like a finger in a jacket pocket, or real like a gun or knife).

Your state of mind, abilities, and access to your own weapon will determine the outcome if you ever need to defend yourself with your gun. It’s important to remain in a constant state of awareness so you can combat crime as it begins to happen. Otherwise, you won’t stand a chance.

Do you have anything to add to this list of most common places for crime? Have you witnessed crime anywhere? Let us know in the comment section, below.

Why Speaking To Anyone After Defensive Gun Use Is A Bad Idea

September 15, 2018 By Craig Campbell Leave a Comment

It’s never a good idea to speak your mind freely to the press after you’ve been involved in any kind of shooting, even if it’s a defensive gun use that is likely to be justifiable in a court of law.

Of course, we cannot determine what is or is not justifiable, here, on our little blog. What we can do, however, is speculate on the outcome and learn from what happened in an effort to never make the same mistakes, ourselves.

Over a year ago, Mr. Bowers of Peoria, AZ, was the victim of arson. He pulled his revolver, shot the suspect, and could have created a huge mess for himself with his loose lips.

The only thing you should ever do after a defensive gun use, is call the police, and then your lawyer. (please note that I’ve included the video interview at the bottom of this article)

Now, I’m not an attorney so nothing I say here should be taken as legal advice, but I do know some firearms-specific attorneys who all agree on something:

Under no circumstances should you ever speak to the media or the police about what happened, no matter what anyone tells you.

The main reason for this is because you’re likely a mess of emotions after you pull the trigger and you may or may not be able to recall the events of a critical incident right after it happens.

The only words that are ever acceptable to say to the police, is a description of the perp who got away. That’s it.

Don’t ever tell them why you pulled your gun out, how many times you fired, or anything else for that matter because it all goes on record.

Read what I’m about to say next very, very carefully: If you say the wrong thing, even by accident, you may incriminate yourself later on down the line and not even realize it.

Many people don’t realize this, but most police departments require a specified amount of time to pass before they allow a cop who has discharged his weapon to make any statements.

The main reason for this is because recalling events right after is a hard thing to do. No matter what they tell you, you don’t have to say anything until you’ve spoken to your lawyer.

In fact, once you ask to speak to your lawyer, they have to stop asking you questions. You have rights as an American citizen. If you ever need to use your weapon in self-defense, make sure you use them.

Anyway, back to the Peoria man with the big mouth …

There are two main issues with how he handled his DGU, the first one was going on camera with the media about his defensive gun use, where he describes in detail exactly what happens. Here’s a small paraphrasing of what he said:

He was at home when he walked in on someone setting his house on fire. He had his .357 Magnum revolver and he shot him once in the house.

The wounded arsonist got up and ran away.

However, where the Peoria man went wrong, is where he said, on camera, that he thinks he unloaded the gun on the arsonist as he ran away across the field.

That’s bad juju for a couple reasons.

First, he’s not sure if he unloaded it. Did you catch that? He “thought” he unloaded it. He was unsure, unable to recall the events, and should have kept his mouth shut. (again, check it out in the interview at the bottom)

Second, in order for the defensive use of a gun to be considered “defensive” your life should be in imminent danger (please learn the laws in your state, and don’t take what I’m saying as Gospel, because I can’t know all laws in all states).

This means that, yes, during the time when his house was in the process of being lit and he shot the first round off, he was likely to be justified in a court of law.

Where he may have ran into a jam, are the five shots that he unloaded at the arsonist after he fled the scene.

Life was no longer in danger, and instead of shooting at the bad guy five more times in an open field where other people may have been, there are other things he could have been doing.

Then again, if he just kept his mouth shut, like he should have done to begin with, you and I wouldn’t even be having this discussion right now because we never would have known that he emptied his entire cylinder on a fleeing man.

Did you catch that part? He shot at a man who was running away. Not only did he do that, but the .357 Magnum is not a joke of a self-defense round. In fact, the maximum effective range of a .357 Magnum while hunting a deer is considered by many to be 100-150 yards.

What was on the other side of that field?

See where I’m going with this?

If you take away nothing else from this article, I hope it is these two very important things:

First and foremost, your life needs to be in danger for you to use deadly force, and always know what your target is and what’s around it.

Second, for the sake of your freedom, keep your mouth shut or you could incriminate yourself, even if you were in the right, just by saying something you should not have with a foggy brain. It doesn’t matter if it is the police or the media. It’s all on record, and can be submitted in court as a statement. Don’t do it.

Do you agree with what I said here? If not, what would you add? Remember, the point of this website is to teach others, so don’t hold back. Let us know in the comments below.

Our top picks for 22 rifles

Here is a link to the source article and video.

The 4 Basic Firearms Safety Rules

August 24, 2018 By Craig Campbell Leave a Comment

The necessity to be safe while “gun training” cannot be overemphasized …

There are rules. The rules must be followed or people could get hurt. Really, that’s how it is with all aspects of life from the job you have, to raising your children, to driving down the road.

Take, for example, the simple stop sign. If you choose to not follow the rule, or law, while driving and blow through the stop sign, you may have an accident. Of course, accidents aren’t guaranteed to happen, but the rules are put in place to prevent a collision from happening.

Another example, can be found when working on cars. I was a mechanic for a good part of my life. I knew that there was a rule in place that stated: If a car is up in the air, there must be jack stands underneath it to prevent it from falling.

You don’t understand its importance until a jack twists under the weight of a car. Once that happens, you realize why those rules are there. Thankfully, I wasn’t under the car when it came crashing down on the driveway below.

There are rules, or people get hurt. The wonderful world of self-defense is no different. And, in fact, the four rules of firearm safety may even be more important than all the others.

Guns can be used in self-defense, to kill animals for food, for target practice, and to fight wars. Guns can be used to kill.

Granted, this isn’t always the case. But, I can say that I carry a concealed firearm because I’d rather my attacker die than have my kids lose their daddy.

You’ve likely heard the saying that the firearm is the great equalizer of force. A tiny, old lady can successfully defend herself against a much bigger, younger opponent if equipped to do so.

Before we move on to the main point, let’s look at this in a bit more depth …

The gun by itself does not kill because it, alone, isn’t capable of taking any action. The person operating it is the sole deciding factor of whether or not these weapons will fire a round, whether done purposefully or “accidentally.”

Having said all of that, a firearm is nothing more than a tool, much in the same way a hammer or screwdriver is. In the wrong hands, a gun can be used to harm decent, hard-working people. Yet, so can a hammer, screwdriver, knife, car, truck or anything else you can think of.

On the flip side of the coin, in the right hands, a gun can be used in self-defense to save life much in the same way a hammer or screwdriver can.

As a side note, at some point in the near future, we’ll be starting an “opportunistic weapon” series, where we’ll look at how to use other household items in self-defense when a gun is not available to you. Moving on …

Any tool can be used as a weapon to ensure your survival when your life is placed on the line. The gun is nothing more than a tool that makes your job of living and making it home to your family, easier.

Because guns are tools, they are not inherently evil. Using a firearm to hunt is easier than using a speer. Just as it is easier to defend yourself with one, as opposed to a stick.

Because they are an object, they can be used properly, or improperly. They can be used for good, or for evil.

They can also be mismanaged by well-intentioned people. This is one of the reasons why there are rules, and why I’d like you to share this article with everyone you know.

What are the 4 basic rules for firearms safety?

It’s unfair to have an article about the basic rules of firearms safety without mentioning the man who championed them and made them what they are today.

Colonel Jeff Cooper played a huge role in developing much of the firearms training materials, like the 4 basic rules of firearms safety and the varying conditions of carried weapons (which will likely be covered in another article.)

One of the things drilled into me at basic training, and every time I went to the range after that in the Marines, were Jeff Cooper’s rules. I want to take a moment to discuss them with you now, and it is my sincere hope that you share this with all of your friends either as a refresher course, or to teach them for the first time.

It’s that important.

Rule #1)

Treat every gun like it is loaded:

Here’s the deal. If everyone always treated the gun they had in their hands like it had a live cartridge in the chamber, never assuming that it was unloaded, negligent discharges would drop dramatically.

Taking it a step further than that, whenever you do anything with your gun, you should always clear it to make sure it is unloaded. Several deaths happen each year because a firearm was negligently discharged when someone began to clean it, assuming it wasn’t loaded.

Never assume.

Taking it yet another step further, I always clear a gun before I hand it to someone else because I’m never sure how much gun training the other person has. Will they treat the weapon like it’s loaded?

A friend’s kid pointed a loaded .22 mag revolver at me once when he handed it to me and I about lost my mind.

I pulled the gun from his hands, emptied the cylinder, and gave him a lesson right there on the spot. The person you’re handing the gun to will likely be grateful that you are ensuring their safety by clearing it for them first.

In fact, whenever I hand someone a firearm, I do so with the action open, so they can have piece of mind that nothing is in there.

Rule #2)

Never point your gun at something you’re not willing to kill/destroy:

This is simple, but I see people violating it all the time. If I had a dollar for every time I’d been to a gun store and have been muzzled (someone pointed a gun at me, sighting it in), I’d have a lot of money.

Think about it like this. Guns make killing animals and self-defense easier, right? So, why would you ever want to point something designed to shoot metal projectiles at 1,000 feet per second at something you didn’t, in fact, want to shoot?

Let that sink in for just a moment, and then remember it next time you go “try on” a gun at your local shop …

Rule #3)

Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire:

Until your sights are on your intended target, and you want to shoot, your trigger finger (and all other fingers, for that matter) should be off the trigger.

This should be common sense, but it isn’t. Going a step further than the obviousness of this rule, keep EVERYTHING away from your trigger. There have been numerous “accidents” where clothing snagged a trigger, or where a damaged holster tugged on it just enough to send a round through the pipe.

Therefore, let me plug something that I do on a regular basis: check your gear for defects. If you begin to notice that your holster has a hole in it, or the leather is wearing a lot more than you’d like, get a new one.

Your life, or that of someone else, is a lot more important than the $50 you’d spend on a new holster.

Rule #4)

Know your target and what’s around it:

I’ve heard it worded like this once, and it really hits the point home — once that bullet leaves the barrel, you own it. This means that if you let a stray shot out and it hits someone else, that person could get injured and hold you responsible.

Of course, that’s only one aspect. You could also kill someone you didn’t intend to hurt, and that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Taking this a step further, bullets can and often do travel through things like walls, and even other people. You need to know what your target’s surroundings are before you pull the trigger.

Here is an example of a shooting competition where the shooter thought the range was clear, and wasn’t:

Guns are tools designed to make a job easier. Whether it is self-defense, hunting, target practice, or anything else you use your gun for, following the basic firearms safety rules will ensure everyone remains safe.

Did I leave anything out? Do you have anything to add? If so, make sure you leave a comment below, to share with everyone. Have you caught up on our SHOT Show coverage yet? If not, you can find all of our videos on the YouTube channel.

JM4 Tactical Holster Review: Quick Click and Carry

August 15, 2018 By Josh Leave a Comment

Concealed Carry Holster Review, JM4 QCC

Generally speaking, I won’t do a holster evaluation unless it’s something really different that you just don’t see everyday.

For example, I don’t usually do Kydex holster reviews because everyone and their uncle can get some equipment, make one, and, sadly, many of them are nearly identical to each other.

This, of course, isn’t always the case. There are some that stand out.

What I always try to do, however, is find the best concealed carry holsters that just also happen to be different from the others out there, and bring them to you for a review.

JM4 Tactical concealed carry holster — I can walk in my front door, and literally stick my gun upside down (or right side up) on my steel door. It stays put.

This next one is actually something I saw in a Facebook ad one time, thought it was a great concept, and reached out to the dude in charge, Chad.

I first got my hands on the JM4 Tactical leather holster in about October of last year. I like to put holsters through a rugged test to make sure they hold up, so I used and abused it, and can say that I’m happy with what I’ve found.

JM4 QCC Holster — Inside view after a few months of drawing and re-holstering.

The main thing that makes this holster different, is that it utilizes a couple of dual-purpose magnets in its design. When I say dual-purpose, I mean that they are meant to do a couple of things.

Concealed Carry holster — The round spots are the uber strong magnets. Careful, if they catch each other with your finger in the way, it smarts!

First, the magnets are placed in a manner so that they’re attracted to each other, and that’s what keeps your holster from moving out of place. Second, the magnets are used in the retention of the gun, making sure it doesn’t fall out.

Let’s break it down even more, shall we?

The internet is filled with people showing videos on drawing and re-holstering their concealed carry gun with this JM4 Tactical QCC (Quick Click and Carry) concealed carry holster. Instead, I’ll include one of those videos at the bottom, while I show you things about it that some other people skip. Mainly, how it works … in detail.

Position:

First, let’s discuss how the magnets work to keep the gun in your pants.

JM4 Tactical holster — Stick the holster in your pants, with the one side of the magnet-flap lifted out. Once in the position you want, close the flap, until it reaches your pants.

You stick the holster down your trousers, and then flip the flappy magnet part over your belt. You can adjust it for cant and height, and, even though it can move, it’s slight enough that you don’t really notice.

JM4 QCC — Here I have the magnets wrapped around a standard 1-subject notebook and flipped it upside down to show it won’t move.

Oh, and just so you’re aware, every single time I flipped this gun/holster combo upside down, it was with a full mag inserted.

full magazine — Full magazine for this demonstration. Well, I took a round out to show someone what I carry.

Retention:

There are a few things that a holster needs to be able to do, in order for it to be considered “good” in the eyes of most concealed gun carriers. Keeping your gun positioned in your waistline is one of them. The other, is keeping your gun secured in the holster itself.

I ran each of the above tests, again, but this time I removed the gun more than half way.

Remember above when I said that the magnets were used to keep the gun in place? Let me show you what I mean.

The following picture shows the full-size Springfield Armory XD9 pulled halfway out, on purpose by me. It stayed put and did not move. Again, the magnets are strong.

JM4 concealed carry holster — Here is the loaded gun hanging on the 1 subject notebook again. This time, I pulled the gun out more than halfway and let it sit there.

This time, I figured I’d stick it on a piece of paper. Same result until the paper ripped:

JM4 QCC concealed carry holster — Gun purposely removed halfway out of the holster. It did not fall out.

Some folks like to keep a gun by the door for easy access. We won’t discuss if that’s a good tactic or not right now, but you can’t get any closer to your front door than on it, like in the below picture.

concealed carry holster dock — Here it is upside down on my front door again, only pulled halfway out.

Construction:

Now that we’ve gotten the basics out of the way, how does this holster hold up under pressure?

The leather is of high quality, and is thick. It seems as though a lot of use would be required to wear a hole in it, which is great.

As you likely know, negligent discharges tend to happen in worn out holsters, and, as a side note, it’s always a good idea to thoroughly and regularly check your gear out for damage. A damaged holster is not something to mess around with.

The primary concern for me, because I’ve had issues with other holsters of this type from other manufacturers, is the stitching. However, this holster stood up to all my tests, and the only thing I don’t like is that I struggle to get a combat grip on the gun from the draw (more on this in a bit).

Here is another shot, up close. A portion of it is double stitched, which gives extra peace of mind that it won’t fall apart.

JM4 Tactical — Here is another up close shot of the holster, and its logo.

A word about the magnet’s leather.

The leather that covers the magnets itself may end up being an issue at some point, simply because it is so thin. I can see the need to have thin material here, because it could hurt the effectiveness of the magnets, and thus, the retention of the holster itself.

Here is the other magnet, up close:

concealed carry magnet — Up close shot of the flap magnet.

Ease Of Use:

A few paragraphs ago I mentioned that I have a hard time getting a full-combat grip on the draw. This is huge for effective self-defense with a handgun.

Without a solid grip, the shooter could end up inadvertently causing an operator malfunction with a limp-wrist or loose grip. Just so we’re clear, a full combat grip is one that has the web of your hand as high up on the grip as possible.

The work around for this, is to simply practice drawing from it more. And, from what I can tell, most people don’t have this problem, and may be unique to me and my gorilla-sized hands.

Comfort:

I can say that, as far as a holster meant to be worn in the appendix position, which is usually uncomfortable for me, it is fairly comfortable. In fact, I’m wearing it right now in the 1 o’clock position with a full-size pistol as I sit in my office typing this up.

Conclusion:

It’s my opinion that the JM4 Tactical QCC is the best concealed carry holster of this type, and one of the top concealed carry holsters available on the market right now. I’m not usually a fan of non gun-specific gun holsters, but this one does its job well.

Overall, this one has my stamp of approval. It is competitively priced starting in the $70.00 range and going up from there depending on the color and type of leather you choose.

I also want to give a word of caution to any of you who may wear pacemakers or other devices keeping you alive that could be hurt by a strong magnet. These magnets are very strong, so keep that in mind.

A few minutes ago I said that I first saw this on a Facebook ad. I also told you that I’d show you a video. Here is the original video I saw on Facebook that got me to look into this holster for you:

Have you tried one of these before? If you have, please let me know what you thought about it in the comments below. If not, check this concealed carry holster out, here.

Honorable Soldier: A Poem For Our Fallen Heroes

May 23, 2018 By Josh Leave a Comment

Honorable Soldier, here we stand;
We honor your sacrifice, across the land.
We wave our flags, both high and low;
We honor your sacrifice, to the world we’ll show.

Brave men and women, fearless inside;
We honor your sacrifice, with teary eyes.
Fallen you are, but never truly gone;
We honor your sacrifice, for to you America belongs.

Soldiers stand for Freedom, it is what you do;
We honor your sacrifice, because it has value.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines;
We honor your sacrifice, when you died in fatigues.

Your fight in that war, is long since over;
We honor your sacrifice, kneeling on a bed of clover.
Your wounds have closed up, you’ve been laid to rest;
We honor your sacrifice, and the medals pinned upon your chest.

(Oh and we told your mom, you’ve done your best)

It’s time to go home now, your duty is done;
We honor your sacrifice, you may put down your gun.
Until Valhalla my friends, when we will meet again;
I honor your sacrifice, on this bloodstained land.

~ CPL Joshua Gillem, USMC

This is an updated version of an older poem I wrote. I made several changes to make it better. Please feel free to share it to honor the sacrifice of our fallen brethren.

Charter Arms Review: 38 Special Revolver

April 30, 2018 By Josh 1 Comment

My travel gun. Charter Arms Off Duty, .38 SPL.

To travel without having the ability to defend yourself against an attack is not a smart idea. No matter where I go, I try to pack a firearm with me, just in case I’m ever presented with the need for self-protection.

I have a firearm dedicated to travel, and I thought it would be prudent to do a follow up to Todd’s article on how to fly with a gun, to just go over what I looked for in my dedicated travel gun. This article is part Charter Arms Off Duty Gun Review, and part information on what you may want to look for in your dedicated travel gun.

Full body shot of the gun, on top of my Sticky Holster

My Travel Gun from Charter Arms:

My travel gun is nothing more than a 5-shot, snub nose .38 Special revolver. To be more precise, it’s a Charter Arms Off-Duty. It’s perfect for what I need it for, but I do also carry it around town, from time to time, and even in my house whenever I need an lightweight handgun.

Charter Arms .38 — This older photo shows it needing a good cleaning.

It’s main purpose right now, however, is as my travel gun. I’ve been traveling for work a lot lately, and it serves this purpose well. There are a few reasons why it’s a good gun for me to travel with. First, it was a cheap handgun. If I remember correctly, I walked out of my FFL, gun in hand after taxes and transfer, for $325. For a brand new, fully functioning self-defense weapon, that ain’t bad.

This is important because, while the last thing I could ever want to happen is to have my gun stolen by TSA, having a $300 gun stolen won’t hurt as much as having a $700 gun stolen. Seems like a no-brainer to me, and the Charter Arms Off Duty fits the bill well, for this “cheap gun” requirement.

Sight view of the Charter Arms Off Duty. Snag Free.

However, I do want to say here, that it’s always important to do as much to prevent theft, as possible, by using a high quality case and following the directions of your airline.

Second, it’s a small and easily concealable pocket revolver, with a long double action only trigger. I have a Sticky Holster that allows me to drop it right in my pocket, tucked out of the way. This is perfect for those states that allow me to conceal a firearm, but not carry one out in the open, or even have brandishing laws.

Please note that my revolver is filthy in all of the photos, because pocket carry is dirty. You may not realize it, but your pockets are filled with lint, and it tends to stick to guns. Clean your pocket pistol or revolver often, to make sure it functions properly if and when you need it to save your life.

I’d like to point out that proper training to make sure you can draw from the pocket holster with your gun, is all important. If you don’t train with it, drawing it from the holster, don’t carry that way. Why? Because drawing from a pocket holster is a different kind of animal and takes a lot of practice to become proficient.

charter arms cylinder — Cylinder Release

Third, the Charter Arms snub has a capacity of just 5 shots. While this is less than ideal in many situations, it keeps me from breaking the law in any of the less gun-friendly states I’m traveling through, if I’m driving, or my destination is a state that doesn’t allow higher capacity weapons.

Charter Arms 5 shot snub — Loaded cylinder

For example, I live in Pennsylvania, and we are surrounded by the blue sea. Literally, we are surrounded by NJ, MD, DE, NY, and if I want to go anywhere, the only gun-friendly state is Ohio. I rarely go that way. Therefore, to make sure I don’t go to jail, I want to make sure I’ve got as much on my side as possible, to include a small capacity firearm, like the Charter Arms 38 in all these photos.

hollow point in gun — Business side of the loaded cylinder.

At the Range:

To say that the Charter Arms Off Duty is a handful is less than an understatement. At only 12 oz, this aluminum framed revolver doesn’t do a lot to mitigate felt recoil. And, when +P cartridges are involved, it gets to be even more fun to hang onto.

This is me trying to show you how small the gun is, and that this setup doesn’t have room for my pinky finger

Still, for what the Charter Arms Off Duty is, a pocket revolver or backup gun, it’s a fantastic option as my go to travel self-defense weapon. I am combat accurate with it up to 10 yards, the maximum distance I’d ever consider shooting with a firearm with a two inch barrel.

Please note that mine is configured with the short grip, and there is an option to put an extended grip on this 38 revolver, so you can get your pinky finger on it to tame it more. Of course, if I were to do this, I’d lose some concealability, and may not be able to pocket it anymore. As with all things in the self-defense lifestyle we live, there are gives and takes.

Downsides:

The main downside to this self-defense gun, are also some of it’s positives. It’s small and sleek. When I say sleek, I mean that the trigger guard is small, and tends to beat the snot out of my trigger finger whenever I shoot it. In fact, on numerous occasions my finger pops off the trigger and smacks the guard. After numerous shots it chews my knuckle up.

I do want to point out that this isn’t the only revolver I have a problem with, and is one of the reasons I’m looking forward to Colt’s new Cobra. The trigger guard is nice and big, which is perfect for my fat fingers.

charter arms trigger — Here is the small trigger guard that my finger has a hard time getting into.

After training with it on several different occasions, I have been able to modify my shooting so it doesn’t happen as much. My fingers are quite a bit bigger than the average shooter, and that, coupled with the overall small size of the trigger guard are a recipe for chewed up fingers.

Carrying Charter Arms Off-Duty:

She may not be the sexiest, but she still gets the job done!

The overall small stature of the Charter Arms Off Duty pocket revolver makes it an excellent choice for concealed carry or even as a backup gun. As an added benefit, the internal hammer helps prevent any snags on the draw. Which is perfect for me, because I tend to pocket carry this revolver whenever I wear it.

Conclusion:

The Charter Arms Off-Duty is an excellent choice for concealed carry, and I tend to use mine as my travel gun because it’s small, affordable, and easily concealed on my person. It goes bang every time, and fits the bill for exactly what I need. It’s not all puppies and rainbows because my finger snaps off the trigger when I shoot causing it to bleed, but I’d much rather have the a bleeding finger than be in a ditch somewhere, dead.

Do you own any of these no frills revolvers? Let me know in the comments below.

self-defense lifestyle

Why the AR-15?

Top tier AR-15 manufacturers:

Bravo Company —

Daniel Defense —

FN Herstal —

HK —

LaRue —

LMT —

LWRC —

Noveske —

POF —

Rock River —

Best Budget AR-15s

Sig Sauer —

Colt —

Ruger —

Smith & Wesson M&P15 —

Best Left Handed AR-15:

Stag 15L —

Best AR-15 Lower Receivers:

Aero Precision —

Seekins Precision —

Spikes Tactical —

Conclusion —

Let’s start with the flash hider:

A word about flash hiders and California:

Let’s talk Compensator:

Speaking of that iconic rifle, Have you ever wondered who the best AR-15 manufacturers are?

Another note about California:

Time to Muzzle Brake:

Combination Muzzle Devices/Hybrids:

How to buy:

Conclusion:

1) Any belt-fed machine guns:

2) Anything chambered in .454 Casull or bigger:

3) Coonan Classic:

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4) Browning Automatic Rifle:

5) MP5:

6) Mini Gun:

7) M1 Garand:

8) Tommy Gun:

9) Lever Action .45-70:

10) Brown Bess:

11) FN P90:

12) Colt Python:

13) Colt Single Action Army:

14) A Reach Out And Touch Someone, Rifle:

15) Unica 6:

16) SIG P210 (original):

17) M14:

Why 9mm?

Requirements:

Best 9mm Pistol – Full Size:

HK VP9 —

Glock 19 —

FN-FNX-9 —

CZ 75 —

M&P9 —

Sig Sauer P320 —

S&W SD9 —

Best 9mm pistol – single stack:

Kahr CT9 —

Springfield XDs —

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers in 9mm:

S&W Performance Center 986 —

Ruger LCR —

Charter Arms Pitbull —

Best Sub-Compact and Pocket Pistols:

Sig Sauer P365 —

Ruger LC9s —

Sig Sauer P938 —

Walther PPSM2 —

SCCY CPX-2 —

Best 9mm pistol – compact:

FNS9-c

Glock 26 —

Best 9mm 1911:

Springfield Armory EMP 4 —