CONCEALED CARRY

Break your daily life down into where you work, play and move about. By doing so you may be able to develop a plan for your training agenda.

Somewhere along the line during the past 40 years, the 9mm auto became “coin of the realm” in LE, military and, yes, civilian use. They’ve been...

Growing up I remember being told by multiple people to never dry fire a gun — for any reason. Fast forward a couple of decades and I see people saying for...

I never tire of enjoying being exposed to Springfield Armory’s offerings.

The original EMP may have “looked” like a scaled-down 1911, but inside is a lot of hidden engineering.

Here are some thoughts for the new gun carriers and maybe a thoughtful review for the old experienced gun toters.

Why the 1911 platform? One reason, frankly, is habituation. I got my first Colt .45 auto at age 12, still my most memorable Christmas present. The year was...

If you are going from a box-stock-Glock to an optic, the Swampfox Wolverine will be part of your dream build.

There are times when being able to sneak your gun out undetected can save your life. Here are some street-proven tricks.

The small revolver is tougher to shoot, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do well with it.

The late, great handgun authority Col. Jeff Cooper famously recommended “a pair and a spare” of Colt Government Model .45s tricked out the way he liked....

In 2005, Colt committed the unspeakable by discontinuing its iconic Python. For many, the decision portended the end of an era — indeed, the company’s...

I keep telling everyone I have the coolest job in the world, and I do

Have you ever been told by an instructor, friend or even just the guy or gal in the next shooting stall you should “shoot faster”? I am willing to bet...

A while back, I made reference to the little-known fact Harry Truman was something of a gun guy. I mentioned the Colt .45 ACP revolvers he brought home from...

Handgunners who favor blue steel and walnut like to ask, “If the company’s motto is ‘GLOCK Perfection,’ how come they’re in the fifth generation...

Recently in this column we’ve looked at shooting established drills to get a sense of how well we’re performing. By regularly shooting one or more of...

Train up the opposite side now so if you ever need the skill you have it before the fight begins.

I do not know all. I am a student. I have 26 years of focus in carrying a gun for a living. I have studied, tried, practiced and trained. I hope to give you...

When night sights started to become popular decades ago, their obvious purpose was to get good hits when there was enough light to identify a deadly threat...

When we think of the wild and woolly west, most of us envision cowboys, lawmen and outlaws packing full-frame Colt, Remington and Smith & Wesson revolvers.

If you aren’t prepared to counter a gungrab, you aren’t really prepared.

I don’t always carry a semiautomatic pistol with a double-stack magazine — but, about two-thirds of the time, I do. Meanwhile, American law enforcement...

If you’re like me, you’ve resisted any temptation to relegate the tried-and-true iron sights on your defensive handgun to “back-up” status by...

It was almost midnight, and I was watching a skinhead pin a girl in a short black dress up against the railing of a bridge. He wasn’t hitting or groping...

Good guns can be made better and I offer you two recent examples, each from a legendary American handgun brand.

Gun Max Oil gets on my gun and chases all other previous oils away from the metal surfaces of my gun and takes everything over to the point where I can’t...

Many to most Americans are fed up with being defenseless in the face of criminals who ignore the law. More than 19 million Americans hold a valid concealed...

Schema is one of the lightest, low profile, RDS-compatible products I would trust as an EDC.

Gunsite is much more than America’s oldest and largest privately owned firearms training academy. We help you prepare for life, long and short term. It...

Switching handgun systems — if you have a good reason — isn’t that hard.

Knowing how to use your knife in self-defense offers you an alternative use-of-force option to your firearm, and affords you the skills and confidence to...

It is for the pleasure of GUNS readers that I introduce my Astra Model 2000 “Cub.”

Flying with guns isn’t hard, but I didn’t want to pack an arsenal. I needed a single compact yet powerful handgun along with the carry gear to hide it....

Whether you carry a mouse gun for its convenience or because it’s the best you can do for now, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Many people discount less-lethal defense, assuming having a concealed carry license will solve everything. There are times and places where carrying a...

What was your first concealed carry gun? Tom McHale, Ashley McGee, and Nic Lenze discuss where they started, what they carry now, and how clueless husbands...

Are you as good with a handgun as you used to be? It makes sense to keep track.

Not only does this Taurus run like a champ and shoot like a house on fire, it packs 10-11-13 rounds of 9mm in a package I can almost hide behind my right...

Concealed carry of a firearm is the holy grail of gun ownership — but you don't have to stop there. You can carry a knife as a backup to our firearm as...

The civilian world should recognize A9T Mission Pant as the ultimate CCW upgrade.

Winter months in the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest and in the far Northeast are for concealed carry, and for that purpose, most people I know have more...

Smith & Wesson’s recent introduction of their Military & Police pistol in 10mm Auto is but the latest proof this caliber is undergoing a reasonably strong...

The Pistoleer is a faithful reproduction of a design more than a couple hundred years old. When we pull the trigger, this gun will go bang and large lead...

Depending on who you talk to, PPC stands for “Practical Police Course,” “Police Pistol Course” or “Police Pistol, Combat.” LAPD veteran,...

Since a vehicle gives you far greater flexibility about what you carry in it, it makes sense to carry more gun in your car than you do on your person.

A pocket cannon is a defensive handgun most people wouldn’t carry to start with because it is “too big.”

In my world, we have an old saying going something like, “It doesn’t matter how good of a shot you are, you can’t shoot until you get it out and you...

The Remington over-under, single-action Derringer has been seen in numerous Western movies and television shows. The little guns were popular in real life...

One of my biggest points in training is to teach students they should be able to use or fight with weapons other than their own. Probably one of the most...

While next weekend will see me attending the annual Gun Rights Policy Conference in Dallas (well, actually Irving), Texas, a live face-to-face event for the...

On the Fourth of July in 1925 a young cowboy decided to celebrate by firing his Colt .45 Single Action.

Introduced in 1955 and advertised as the Cadillac of revolvers, the Colt Python became something of a cult gun to my generation of handgunners.

If they built this knife any stronger, it would be described as a pocket hatchet.

What is the proper position of your gun if a threat is near?

I know times are tough for many of us, and the idea of a custom leather rig may seem out of reach, but I’m amazed how many professional cops buy...

I always enjoy supporting an American company offering high quality, fast service and sensible designs, so welcome to our friends at “We The People...

I see no negative aspects to having another or second gun for personal defense. Reasonable and responsible training is a requirement for all guns and this...

For a while, it was something of a secret among the cognoscenti that world champion Ernest Langdon, who shot and gunsmithed his way to fame with the DA...

It seems Springfield Armory (SA) has been taking refresher courses on cool, vintage, battle-proven pistols of late.

If you’re going to make a case for the 1950s as being the Golden Age of double-action revolvers, it’s going to be a fairly easy task because you’re...

My primary job is that of firearms and deadly force instructor so I habitually carry a handgun for work as well as normal personal protection. I also...

You’re a guy with a gun and you’re part of the scene. Do you know how to set yourself apart from the bad guys?

Why the Ruger LCRx in .327 Federal Magnum is the ideal EDC revolver.

Introduced in 1953 as the Military & Police Airweight, renamed the Model 12 in 1957, the lightweight version of Smith & Wesson’s super-popular six-shot...

A satellite communicator that allows the user to send and receive emails and texts anywhere in the world.

Keith desired an accurate, reliable sixgun capable of shooting heavy handloads accurately and the #5 fit the bill perfectly. Elmer set the stage for people...

Samuel Colt began things by offering the first successful revolver, the Paterson in 1836.

Sometime in 2017 Browning posted a message on their website causing the blood in the veins of shooters everywhere to chill a few degrees: “… the...

I have determined the Spyderco Shaman can handle a beating. If you’re an urban knife user, this is not your knife.

We in the gun fraternity constantly discuss what the best self-defense handguns may be. “Firepower!” “Stopping power!” “Shootability!”

The importance of redundancy: As Clint Smith put it so eloquently, “Two is one and one is none.”

Here's why some of the giants in the defensive-handgun business carry .44 Specials.

With strong input from pistol champion Phil Strader, the SIG P365 created a new genre of defensive handgun: small and light, polymer frame and striker...

One thing sixgunners agree on is the value of a good .357 Magnum revolver so it's no surprise it's the most popular of all the Magnums.

I was intrigued with the 10mm Auto when it came out in the early mid-’80s and bought one as soon as I saw it at Riley’s Gun Shop in Hooksett, NH.

The Swampfox Sentinel is a micro-reflex optic designed for slim, subcompact guns and target-rich environments.

If the pending currency collapse/alien invasion/zombie apocalypse does ever upend civilized society, I will indeed grab my favorite black rifle and...

STREAK ammunition from Ammo Inc. allows you to watch your rounds go downrange!

Tiger McKee is a world-recognized authority on defensive shooting. He earned his fame with two classic guns of his generation, the 1911 .45 pistol and the...

Local gun shops are great places to find Big Bore Belly Guns and two worth looking for are the out-of-production Smith & Wesson L-Frame .44 Specials

The original EMP may have “looked” like a scaled-down 1911, but inside is a lot of hidden engineering.

Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance — also known as “The 6Ps” — is a motto I’ve always tried to live by.

Along about 1950, Colt debuted the first American-made pistol in 9mm Luger. Colt figured the 1911 could be so chambered and lightened to boot. The result...

A Big Bore Belly Gun I yearned after for a long time was a Fitz Special. The last time I saw the late Col. Rex Applegate, I was accorded the rare privilege...

Imagine heading to the indoor range with your no-frills buddy. The gun is Taurus’ new G3 T.O.R.O., or Taurus Optic Ready Option. Wow! Who would have...

Mantis Laser Academy Training Kit is advanced, technology driven, training system that uses the shooter’s gun and equipment without modification.

In most states, it’s perfectly legal to build your own firearm for personal use, provided you’re legally eligible to own a gun and don’t plan to sell it.

Two drills can help you prepare for one of the worst situations you can find yourself in during a gunfight — a weapon malfunction.

The still-popular genre of the small-frame snub-nose .38 Special revolver was quantified in 1926 by Colt.

Today they are most often known as pocket revolvers or sometimes snub-guns. However, several eons ago in the pre-politically correct days when I was a...

It’s been almost one year since we covered the N8 Tactical holster and at the time, frankly I had my concerns about its longevity.

The Shield Plus is distinct from the M&P series’ signature hinged trigger, being more GLOCK-ish with a tabbed trigger. No one who handled it on this end...

Some tourniquets, such as the rachet type, are extremely effective while others such as rope, belts and scarves are nearly useless.

I never tire of enjoying being exposed to Springfield Armory’s offerings.

The “Military & Police” has been a Smith & Wesson trademark since 1899 and over the decades I’ve accumulated several, going back to the first...

This 10mm is the latest in Springfield’s successful series of well-made $849 1911 pistols. The fixed sights encompass a ledge-shaped rear to allow...

The PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine) is all the rage today. Its relatively mild sound signature is less damaging to the ears than pistol, rifle, or shotgun if...

An extended test on the Pelican 7100 flashlight, a compact USB rechargeable pocket torch.

It’s a balance of comfort, discreet concealability, adequate power and “shootability” at speed. A balance of current needs and abilities. Let’s look...

We have looked at 4" Smith & Wesson double-action sixguns and now we finish up with a look at some other revolvers worthy of the title of Perfect Packin’...

There’s never been a better time in American history to be a gun nerd. It would have been undeniably cool to stroll out of a hardware store in 1933 with a...

Martin Tuason, Armscor/Rock Island’s president, is a shooter and die-hard gun-guy. He’s not one of those company presidents who used to work for an...

Holosun’s HE407K has turned green, or rather its reticle has, setting a new standard for self-defensive pistol optics.

Thomas Wolfe titled his famous 1940 novel, You Can’t Go Home Again. I tell my students, when common sense is involved, there are times you can be wearing...

One debate you find in the electronic gun forums is the importance of reloading speed. I’ve spent years hearing “If you can’t do it with six, you...

The Springfield Armory Hellcat showed the world what we could expect from the next generation of concealed carry guns.

Since my youth watching TV westerns and films featuring Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea or Audie Murphy, I’ve been fascinated with...

Springfield Armory has been churning out butt-kicking guns since 1974. Their catalog launched with such staples as the M1A and 1911 and has steadily evolved...

Beretta came relatively late to the polymer striker-fired “service pistol” market, but their Apex in this format has drawn raves from most reviewers.

A federal lawsuit filed against the State of Illinois resembles a gun rights case on the surface, but underneath lurks a cause that could flame the...

We have to discuss the “cons.” There are physical hazards to open carry. Opponents of the concept say, “The openly carried gun will make you a target....

Phil Sharpe is the main person responsible for the .357 Magnum. To come up with the .357 Magnum case, he simply lengthened the standard .38 Special from...

In the time of the smallest good 9mms and the best pocket-size .380s ever, the smallest-frame short barrel double-action revolver still thrives — Smith &...

The fourth cartridge in this series is from Smith & Wesson, chambered in a swing-out cylinder double-action revolver — the .45 Auto Rim.

I’m a serious gun toter who has in recent years become a mobility-impaired person.

Roy Huntington turned loose on Ruger's .380 “Anniversary” LCP.

It’s human nature, I suppose. Someone finds the right automobile/political party/firearm for himself, invests his ego in the choice, and then decides to...

“Open Carry”—guns worn visibly in public, presumably loaded—has long been a hot-button topic in the world of the gun, and in the last few years, the...

I saw the two green points shining back at me in the beam of the headlamp I’d just turned on — but it wasn’t until I made out the dark bulk behind...

I’ve always been a fan of shorty shotguns. Not sure why, but when other people at the gun shows were looking at the Gold Cup 45s, I was looking at...

While I have long been fascinated with N-Frame Smith & Wesson revolvers, I came to the party only after seeing the movie “Dirty Harry.”

The simple fact is if carrying a handgun is a nuisance you will soon stop carrying one.

The origin of the .45 Colt goes back to the early 1870s. When the military called for tests to select a new sidearm, Colt produced the 1871-72 Open Top.

For us old farts, the “traditional” element of leather means a lot, all the way down to the smell of it. There are other options too.

We all get jaded when hearing the stereotypical new product sell-points of “Versatile” and “Comfortable.”

Special Assignments Editor Roy Huntington finds he can customize his holster to his firearm, multiple times with 1791 Gunleather's Ultra Custom Concealment...

From carrying too much to not enough, Host Brent T. Wheat and American Handgunner Editor Tom McHale discuss their views on the right — and wrong — ways...

GUNS Magazine's Brent Wheat remarks on his simply rugged good looks as well as the excellent craftsmanship of Simply Rugged Holsters.

… officially ends on the 12th of Never.

With different tools, this small pocket knife from Leatherman has Roy Huntington using it from cutting open packages to removing splinters.

Gun Cranks host Brent Wheat looks at the Hawg Holster and why it never lets go.

Let’s think outside the box here. Pocket revolvers are swell — you bet. Most are five- or six-shot and we’ve always thought of that as “enough.”...

Old wheelguns actually still have a lot to offer. Like any other firearm it’s all about knowing how to use them. Even if you’re not thinking about...

I can't say what the best gun and holster for concealed carry is for you. It depends on a lot of factors. But I will offer you this:

A 100-year-old 1908 Bayard goes mano a mano with a Kel-Tec P-3AT for the lightweight .380 ACP title. Can a 100-year-old design keep up with a modern one?

I first became acquainted with the new fluted bullet designs for defensive ammo in the latter part of 2015 with the introduction of ARX ammunition,

Two on two: We turned Mike Humphries and Roy Huntington loose on two new Ruger handguns. These were the SP101 5-shot .357 and the .380 “Anniversary” LCP.

My first concealed carry sixgun in 1956 was a then-brand new 2nd Generation 7-1/2" Colt Single Action .45. It was chosen very scientifically: It was what I had.

Along with the vast array of handgun models available for personal protection, there’s also been a flood of self-defense ammunition. One of the best...

Okay, the .38 Special may no longer be the dominant law enforcement sidearm it was back in the days when Colt and S&W were locked in mortal combat for 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.

For adults not yet old enough to carry a live weapon or those whose local ordinances restrict the right to self-defense with firearms, a Taser or...

Some years ago, an acquaintance of mine was interested in creating a secure, quickly accessible box or holster of some kind for carrying a handgun in his...

Here in the US of A, our preeminent “non-magnum” defensive handgun cartridges include the 9mm, .38 Special and .45 ACP. All feature +P versions in more...

“MTR DC IWB OWB” is code for MTR Custom Leather’s Dual Carry Inside the Waistband Outside the Waistband holster. Or, it could mean something to the...

its attractive appearance and sterling handling qualities is more than just another plastic pistol.

A waist-length jacket with no fewer than 30 pockets, including a soft Velcro-type holster that fits the front vest pockets, allowing a sort of “concealed...

Home carry. Wear a gun in the safety of your own home? Here’s why it’s a good idea.

When choosing gear, go with minimal carry for maximum effect.

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

What do you do when you’re the one in that situation, with a family to protect at home, and hopefully a license to carry concealed in public?

If you practice this well enough, you too may qualify to be a doctor of sorts—not of brain surgery—but perhaps a doctor of sight alignment and the...