MISCELLANEOUS GEAR

Brothers, Boxes and Zombie...

Opening day of deer hunting season a few years ago found me down in a canyon near the home of a longtime pal, leveling the crosshairs on a nice mule deer buck.

PHLster Enigma: World’s...

Two years in the making, the new PHLster Enigma is neither a belt nor a belly band, but a concealment chassis composed of a winged faceplate, adjustable belt and leg garter designed for appendix...

McMillan Introduces Z-10...

New for 2021, McMillan has introduced a new iteration of the Z-10 — the Z-10 Bag Rider — based on their popular A-10 tactical stock with a swept butt profile to easily accommodate rear bags...

Strike Industries Takes AR...

The AR15 is the most modular firearm in the world. Specializing in high-quality, innovative parts Strike Industries has taken AR modularity to the next level with the AR Modular Bolt Catch and AR...

CCW Breakaways

I love playing with firearms, but I hate carrying them and have tried most every conceivable carry option.

FX Pocket Chronograph

I’ve been using a nifty little, and I do mean little, device from the folks at FX Airguns to measure velocity of various air rifles and handguns.

Wilderness Tactical ...

Wilderness Tactical Products makes my favorite ankle holster and they also make what is arguably the most well-reasoned weapon sling on the market.

How To Train A Mule

Although this is all about me, others are involved. Mom and Dad are biologists. Mom is a wildlife biologist, Dad is a general something-or-other biologist.

CrossBreed SuperTuck Holster

I wasn’t prepared to like the CrossBreed SuperTuck Holster. From the start it looks stiff, ungainly and is — frankly — a huge piece of leather

Prepping For Apartment...

Thanks to some of the sensationalistic “reality” shows aired in recent years, the word “prepper” often conjures up visions of eccentric...

Otis 3 Gun Ripcord Trio

People who use firearms a lot, especially in competition, need to keep their guns running. To do that, they need to be effectively cleaned — easily and...

New Products May 2020 Issue

TriStar Arms introduces its new line of Trinity Over/Under Shotguns. The shotguns have CNC-machined aluminum or steel receivers hand detailed with old-world...

Mantis X10 Training System

“I can help 94 percent of shooters improve in 20 minutes.” Sounds pretty presumptuous and smacks of those Get-Rich-Quick or Lose-50-pounds-in-two-weeks...

Crossbreed ARK Resister bag

Need to protect your delicate missile components, critical documents or prize-winning beef jerky?

New Products April 2020 Issue

The Bond Arms Grizzly is a single-action, double-barrel pistol chambered for .45 Colt and 2.5" .410 shells.

MantisX

I’ve used plenty of electronic training and marksmanship systems over the years and they’re great.

Powder River Precision XD...

The Springfield Armory XD pistol is a great piece of engineering but like most polymer pistols, often suffers from a slightly spongy trigger release.

SHOT Show Sights: Show Day 2

A daily photo dump of the best sights from the range and show floor of the 2020 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

SHOT Show Sights: Range Day

A daily photo dump of the best sights from the range and show floor of the 2020 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

XS Sights DXT Night Sights

The day I realized my aging eyes couldn’t clearly see the front sight on a pistol was eye-opening (pun intended).

New Products March 2020 Issue

The Recon Tactical is Wilson Combat’s vision of “a practical AR for rigorous tactical training, hardcore hunting or all-purpose field applications.”

Mystery Ranch Coulee 25...

I must admit I have a pack problem. Whereas some people horde shoes, cash or, God forbid, Hummel figurines, I have entirely too many packs on hand.

SilencerCo Omega 36M...

While the ill-fated Hearing Protection Act, which would have taken sound suppressors out from under regulation of the National Firearms Act, didn’t become...

MTM Case-Gard Patch Catcher

Years ago I tested a device similar to the Patch Catcher and it took more time and effort to use than actually cleaning the gun.

Real Avid Smart Drive 90...

I recently received a set of Real Avid gun tool products and greeted it with a figurative yawn. Shortly thereafter my lack of enthusiasm became embarrassing...

New Products February 2020...

Springfield Armory Hellcat Holsters from CrossBreed have been made available to coincide with the launch of the new 9mm pistol. IWB holsters for the Hellcat...

Lyman Electronic Digital ...

When you’re a firearms journalist, one of the standard tools of the trade is a trigger pull gauge.

Percussion Revolver 101

Shooting pre-cartridge black powder revolvers is solidly ensconced in worldwide shooting culture.

The .32 Winchester Special

The first John M. Browning-designed Winchester arrived as the Model 1886. Browning then basically reduced the size of the action to come up with the Model 1892

Hard To Pin Down

If there is a firearm using metallic cartridges that operates without a firing pin, I’m completely unaware of it. In fact, the firing pin is the most...

Howard Leight Impact Pro...

I’m from the generation who used to think “hearing protection” was a couple of .38 casings stuck in your ear canal.

New Products January 2020...

The Guardian features a metal reinforced mouth, adjustable retention and a low cut front. Offered with black or white thread, this OWB holster hides...

CMC Remington 700 Drop-In...

New from CMC Triggers are two adjustable Ultra Precision drop-in triggers for the popular Remington 700 platform, one with a flat bow and the other...

EOTech XPS2 Green

It’s not cool to admit, but darn it, I like EOTech holographic weapon sights (HWS). I like them because I’ve used them for years on my police patrol...

GUNS 2019 Gift Guide

Yep, it’s time to start thinking about all the good little boys and girls in your life and what they’d like to see on Christmas morning so here are 10...

The ABDO Concealed Carry...

Phasmids are insects designed to look like something they are not. The walking stick bug is the archetypal example. Such camouflage is an effective survival...

Ravin R26 Crossbow

It would be difficult not to see the rise in popularity of crossbows today. From television advertisements on outdoor channels to magazine ads, crossbows...

Side-Charged ARs

I have long been a user and fan of the “side-charge” AR-platform upper receiver configuration when I can use it. Short course: a side-charge upper fits...

Peacemaker Specialists...

After 50 years of buying Colt Single Action Army revolvers in many calibers and all generations, I had never actually had one custom-made to my specs.

Pyramex Amp BT

If you’re a card-carrying member of shooting’s “Senior Division,” and still have a large percentage of your hearing left, congratulations! If...

Ruger 10/22 Air Rifle by...

It’s hard to argue with overwhelming numbers — the Ruger 10/22 rimfire ranks as one of the most popular rifles of all time. How pervasive is this plinker?

Real Avid AR15 Armorer’s...

Gun owners like to tinker, and for many, that interest builds until the time comes when they simply have to start putting together their own rifles.

Magpump AR15 Pro Magazine...

I love to shoot, but I hate loading magazines. At the end of a long day turning ammo into noise, my thumbs are sore and coated with greasy carbon fouling....

Cimarron’s Colt...

Charles Richards was an assistant factory superintendent at Colt and was awarded three major patents for breech loading firearms, including the Richards...

Majority of gun owners...

A recent Rasmussen survey confirmed what gun owners have known for a long time: A majority of armed citizens (58%) feel safer because they have a firearm in...

Army Buddies

We’ve been everywhere together. We’ve trudged through fetid jungles, shivered in snow caves, crouched within powerful war machines, and even flung...

What Every Precision...

Some years ago in a nowhere corner of South Dakota, I was on a prairie dog shoot and the notion of going prone on unfamiliar grass was no small...

Air Ordnance SMG-22

One of my first automatic weapons was an M16. Don’t hate me for it, but back in 1987 I bought the stripped transferable full-auto receiver for $600

World War II Snipers

Since my pre-teens I’ve been an avid student of World War II. About a thousand times in my reading I’ve encountered something like this, “Sadly so and...

Savage Arms 125th Celebration

For shooters, two things stand out about 1894. Winchester introduced the Model 1894 lever-action rifle and Arthur Savage founded the Savage

Easy Firing Pin Fix

During my decades of “hobby gunsmithing” — as I like to call it — I’ve lost count of the number of broken firing pins I’ve fixed, replaced,...

For Shotgunners: MTM...

Being a metallic cartridge reloader, I’ve been using MTM cartridge boxes for years because those thin cardboard factory boxes don’t last very long in my...

Oregon Trail Defense...

You’ve all seen images of polymer-framed pistols with aftermarket stippling on the grip surface. There’s an outfit based in Baker City, Oregon, with a...

Hang On!

Innovation and good ideas abound in every aspect of today's gun industry and AR-15 magazines are no exception. Check out HexMag's AR-15 magazines and their...

Streamlight ’em Up

On pretty much any outdoor excursion I generally have enough lights available to equip not only myself but also my hunting partner, with a spare or two...

Firebird Pyrotechnic Targets

Reactive targets have been around for a while. Typically, they require a spot of mixing along with a high-velocity rifle to ensure dramatic detonation. Once...

Multi-Plier Multipliers

I've carried my share of multi-pliers over the years. Virtually every brand. They're great tools — force mutlipliers providing useful leverage or cutting...

Carry that J-Frame Inside...

For decades, Smith & Wesson’s ubiquitous J-frame revolver has served law enforcement and civilians as a backup gun or primary concealed carry gun.

A Basic Pouch with...

Rothco's Concealed Carry Pouch has been in my possession for years. It’s just a basic zippered pouch. Measuring 9.5" x 6.5" x 1.5” and made from 600D...

TangoDown Magazine...

Now here's a handy tool... TangoDown® Inc. announces the latest addition to the lineup – the TD Magazine Floorplate Removal Tool for GLOCK®...

Rifle Gear 101

After weeks of research, you bought your first rifle. Along with scope, bases and rings and ammunition, it took a fairly serious financial outlay but...

Spot X Satellite Messenger

If you’ve spent any time in wild places, away from the ever-present cellular phone networks, you’ve had moments when you sorely wanted to communicate...

Hiding your MSR in plain...

Over the years when I’ve been asked why so many people quietly keep firearms close at hand, my response — especially to fellow scribes — has been...

Behind the Scenes at...

Editors tend to spend a fair amount of time at a desk, hovering over a keyboard, wrangling text, photos, and videos. But every now and again we get out to...

Apologies to Gaston Glock

Behold, my unfailing Glock 19. Carried for years, shot regularly, field stripped and detail stripped countless times, and hand stippled by yours truly —...

Magnetic Gun Mount by Allen

Working from my home office, my desk is midway between two exterior doors, each about five yards away. I’m not anticipating a break-in but I would be...

Faxon Firearms Pistol Barrels

A gun has become a standard when you can build one entirely from parts manufactured by someone other than the original manufacturer—for example, Ruger’s...

DB Suppressor Foam

Everything in the universe can be distilled down to Physics. Airplanes flying, submarines diving, or shouting in pain when you drop something heavy on your...

A Whole Shot-Load

The annual SHOT Show is a chance to see what’s what, and the 2018 edition was no exception. I’ll dispense with the usual scene-setting blather and get...

Matchbox Parts

Depending on configuration, there’s around 100 individual parts in an AR15 rifle. Clearly, most aren’t big but all matter. Not all have to be perfect...

Skeeter-ize Your Smith

Skeeter Skelton was born in 1928, served in the Marine Corps and joined the Amarillo Police Department in 1949. In 1951 he joined the Border Patrol and...

Grace USA Tools: Still...

It's been proven time and time again: I’m no gunsmith. In fact, I’ve probably hammered and punched and disassembled too many guns and gun sub-parts...

Brownells Reduced Power...

If you have a fetish for DA revolver shooting, you’ll eventually run across an “out-of-print, price-is-right” Smith you simply can’t live without.

Now Hear This!

One of the nicest perks of this business has been the opportunity to meet writers whose work I’d long admired. It was a thrill to meet veteran writers —...

Safe Holstering

When I started teaching cops in 1972, they weren’t actually bad at quick draw. But Lord! Some of them looked like Barney Fife when they went to re-holster.

Screws ’n Screwdrivers

We all know how buggering up a screw head on a prize gun detracts from its value and appeal. The key to turning screws without marring their appearance...

Carry Rigs That Work

The 17th Law of Nature states when you decide to start carrying a handgun, you’re going to collect more holsters than caviar appetizers served in the...

Magnetic Gun Mount by Allen

Working from my home office, my desk is midway between two exterior doors, each about five yards away. I’m not anticipating a break-in but I would be...

UpLULA Magazine Loader

Loading magazines is one of the challenges new shooters always encounter — especially people with hand-strength or pain issues. For years I taught people...

Matchbox Parts

Depending on configuration, there’s around 100 individual parts in an AR15 rifle. Clearly, most aren’t big but all matter. Not all have to be perfect...

Apologies to Gaston Glock

Behold, my unfailing Glock 19. Carried for years, shot regularly, field stripped and detail stripped countless times, and hand stippled by yours truly —...

Faxon Firearms Pistol Barrels

A gun has become a standard when you can build one entirely from parts manufactured by someone other than the original manufacturer—for example, Ruger’s...

Brownells Reduced Power...

If you have a fetish for DA revolver shooting, you’ll eventually run across an “out-of-print, price-is-right” Smith you simply can’t live without.

Active Shooter Response Kit

As you can probably tell from my “Trunk Gun” feature (page 53), I like to be prepared for the worst possible situation. While nobody likes getting...

Peltor Sport Tactical 500

“How’s your hearing?” “Of course I have power steering! I love it …!” When a group of grizzled shooters, hunters, cops or military men get...

High-Tech Airgun Training

“You can train at home with airguns” is one of those pithy comments passed along like the eggplant soufflé at a family reunion dinner but it’s true.

Stock Options?

When I get several questions on the same topic, I commence thinking: time to spool up a collective answer and share it here. I’ve based many a column on...

Rock Your Roller Lock!

Few guns have had the near-universal acceptance enjoyed by HK’s roller-lock family of weapons. From the iconic 9mm MP5 SMG to the .308 G3 battle rifle,...

Radetec Mag Counter Keeps...

When you need to know the number of rounds you’ve fired out of a sidearm — whether you are competing for a prize or trying to stay alive — it helps...

Too Much of a Good Thing...

An innovator in the laser field, Crimson Trace is perhaps best known for its Lasergrips that unobtrusively integrate a laser aiming module into a pistol’s...

Galco's WalkAbout 2.0...

Revolvers will never go away; therefore, we'll continue to see innovation in revolver holstering systems. I use a Galco Walkabout when I'm carrying a...

CrossBreed Holsters: The...

When CrossBreed Holsters recently announced it expanded its line of popular concealment holsters to add The Reckoning series, a lot of people paid attention.

Big Blast Target Caps

There’s a floating island of garbage in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas. Why? Well, where once our drinking water came from a tap, nowadays it comes...

New Products January 2019

Walker’s introduces the EXCEL Series Muffs with advance hearing protection and digital sound management. Two models are available: the XCEL 100 and XCEL...

The Silent Legion Direct...

I finally found it. After a lifetime of searching I’ve stumbled upon a sound suppressor that’s as effective as the fake ones they use in the movies. The...

Plano’s All Weather...

Back in the days when I was senior editor of a now-defunct outdoors publication, one brand name seemingly synonymous with hunting and fishing was Plano, and...

Pachmayr’s New Aluminum...

Pacymayr is a brand upon which people rely when they are shopping for recoil pads or replacement grips for handguns, and they cover all the bases in those...

Best Rest

Rejoice AR shooters! After years of making-do with a jumble of makeshift rests for an AR fed from a 30-round magazine, I found nirvana while walking the...

Essentail Inventory

Walk into a pro gunsmith’s shop and you’ll be overwhelmed with the assembly of tools and machinery. To work on a wide range of firearms efficiently...

Blackhawk! ISP

In terms of CCW holsters, whether or not it’s indeed a “Kydex World” can be a source of interminable argument. What’s beyond debate, however, is the...

New Products December 2018...

Versacarry’s newest holster is an upgraded version of the company’s original Element Holster. The new Element with Mag Pouch offers comfortable,...

New Products November 2018...

The Hoffner Hand Hawk is easy to carry in its Kydex sheath — with the handle downward from the belt, or with the handle up under the armpit for...

New Products October 2018...

N82 Tactical has released four new holster options for the SIG SAUER P365. Models are now offered in the Professional Series and Pro Tandem series featuring...