Posts

Showing posts from March, 2021

High-End AR 15s: What Makes Them Different and Are They a Worthwhile Investment?

Image
The AR 15 is the most popular rifle platform in the U.S. by a considerable margin, with millions sold every year. The popularity is understandable, as they are accurate, reliable, and exceptionally modular. Hundreds of companies have responded to that demand, flooding the market with AR 15s. Those rifles range from entry-level no-frills workhorses to high-end masterpieces of firearms engineering like the Knights Armament Company’s (KAC) “SR 15” models. If you have ever wondered what distinguishes a high-end model from its counterparts and if one is worth investing in, you are not alone. LWRC   The High-End AR 15 Parts and Components Not surprisingly, high-end AR 15s tend to have more expensive parts and components. That may mean high-grade aluminum or carbon fiber components rather than polymer ones. It could be titanium firing pins instead of steel, a cold-forged chrome-lined barrel rather than a more traditional one, and so on. The High-End AR 15 Accuracy AR 15s benefi

4 Kel Tec Handguns You Should Consider Adding to Your Collection

Image
It is always exciting when one of the major gunmakers introduces a firearm or piece of firearm technology that is truly innovative and unique. Kel Tec seems to do so with every gun they release. And somehow, these almost experimental-seeming guns remain both tough and reliable. That truly impressive combination is represented by the following Kel Tec handguns, worthy additions to any collection. Kahr PM9   Maximum Concealment: Kel Tec PF9 Kel Tec’s effective use of lightweight polymers is one of their defining characteristics and it is never put to better use than with the Kel Tec PF9. Kel Tec convincingly asserts that the slim, ultralight PF9 is the flattest and lightest pistol chambered for 9mm that’s ever been mass-produced. The only 9mm pocket pistol that seems to approach the comfortable, effective concealability of the PF9 is the also phenomenal Kahr PM9 . Lord of Plinking: Kel Tec CP33 Imagine a group of adolescent rimfire fanatics are brought together in one room a

How to Evaluate Antique and Surplus Rifles When Buying Online

Image
Evaluating a firearm online can be tricky. Evaluating an antique rifle online can be even harder, as there are plenty of variables to consider on top of the usual evaluation. When searching for antique guns online , whether for sale or at auction, here are some factors to consider before clicking the buy or bid button. Does It Still Fire? One of the first questions to ask when looking at antique guns for sale is whether the firearm in question still fires. You will not be sure of this until the firearm is in your hands and you can take it to a qualified gunsmith, but you might learn whether it is a display-only firearm due to wear and tear, meant for collectors instead of shooters. Or, the firearm might have been purposefully deactivated. If you do not intend to take the firearm to the range or hunting, this may not matter to you. How Is the Furniture?  Next, most antique guns , particularly rifles, used wood for furniture. How has it held up? If the firearm is a century ol

A Few of the Highest Quality Handguns to Look for From Top European Gunmakers

Image
There are not many who would deny that the U.S. is a global leader in the production of high-quality handguns and firearms in general. It would be hard to argue otherwise with names like Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Colt, Browning, and many more to our national credit. Our European counterparts, however, are not exactly slacking when it comes to producing top-shelf handguns. So next time you are browsing through firearms for sale online, keep an eye out for the following accurate, reliable, and high-quality pistols from a few of Europe’s leading gunmakers. Glock 35 SIG Sauer – Switzerland and Germany Primary – P210 Standard The SIG P210 is perhaps the most accurate military pistol ever produced. It is certainly one of the few that has long been used unmodified for professional competitive shooting. An updated version of the pistol has been released as the SIG P210 Standard, a more ergonomic, lightweight incarnation of its legendary forebearer. Backup – P226, P230, P320 The

These Handguns Were Used by All Sides in World War II

Image
World War II (WWII) was an extremely complex conflict. It was also a time in which nobody had the luxury to browse online for a reliable CZ 75 SP 01 or Glock from the comfort of their home. Newly shifting borders and theaters of war resulted in a hodgepodge of officially issued, adopted, and captured handguns. However, some of those handguns proved to be so reliable and high-quality, both Allied and Axis powers used them whenever possible.   CZ 75 SP 01 Ruby M1914 Users: France, Germany, and more The Ruby M1914 is a very international handgun. Primarily produced in Spain for use in World War I (WWI) by the French military, they found their way to multiple belligerents in WWII’s European theater. Nicknamed “the trench-sweeper” in WWI and based on the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless, these reliable, intuitive little pistols were also high-capacity for the time, carrying 9+1. Colt M1911 Users: U.S.A., U.K., Canada, China, Germany, and more The famed handgun we know and love as t

Browning, Glock, Walther: Some of the Firearms From Famous Designers

Image
There are a number of names in firearms design that stand out from the rest. From John Browning to Carl Walther and his son Fritz, the firearms they designed are iconic and well-known, even for those who are not enthusiasts. When you are trying to buy guns online, any of these will serve you well at the range and can help you feel like you are shooting a piece of history. Here are some of the famous gun designers and some of their firearms. John Browning: The 1911 and the Winchester 1886 Considered one of the most prolific gun designers in history, John Moses Browning held over 100 firearms patents. He designed everything from single-shot rifles to shotguns, but two of his most famous are the 1911 and the Winchester 1894. The 1911 has been used in conflicts all over the world since it was released, and is still in use today, more than a century later. The most famous of the Browning rifles designed for Winchester, the Model 1894, is one of the most popular hunting rifles

Look for These 4 “Farm Guns” for Pest Control

Image
For farmers, ranchers, and members of a number of other occupations, pest control on their property is not just a matter of convenience. Their livelihood often depends on it. For decades, shotguns were considered the go-to “farm gun,” the all-purpose pest control and small game solution. Shotguns certainly still have their place as farm guns, but firearm innovation has provided a number of other options as well. So unless you are a tactical farmer, your pest control needs fulfilled by a tricked-out Benelli M4 , consider the following farm gun options. Benelli M4 Ruger American in 17 HMR The 17 HMR cartridge is made to order for longer-distance pest control. Created by the perpetual ammunition innovators at Hornady, 17 HMR was designed to be exceedingly far, fast, and flat. Hornady succeed, as 17 HMR features blazing velocity and flat trajectory. When it comes to a reasonable, reliable, and accurate vehicle for the cartridge, you cannot beat the Ruger American. Beretta A300 The Beretta

5 Tips for Gun Range Etiquette to Keep in Mind Before You Go

Image
Gun ranges are safe places to learn how to shoot and improve your skills. They provide an environment for meeting and interacting with fellow gun enthusiasts and show off your beautiful new AR 12 . That alone makes practicing appropriate gun range etiquette a must. Of course, good range etiquette also serves a far more important function—keeping you and everyone else safe. Before your first or next trip to the range, consider the following. AR 15 for Sale Bring and Wear Personal Protective Equipment Shooting guns or being in close proximity to guns being shot without hearing protection will permanently damage anyone’s hearing very quickly. Always bring earplugs or earmuffs to the gun range. And remember, the appropriate personal protective equipment for shooting also includes eye protection. Some ranges will not even allow you to shoot without safety glasses. Read the Gun Range’s Rules While gun ranges tend to feature some basic operational similarities, they are not identical. A gun r

How Do You Sell a Gun That You Do Not Want or Can Not Keep?

Image
Maybe someone gave you a gun as a gift, and it is not really something you are into. Maybe you inherited a gun collection from a relative’s estate. Whatever the situation, you have come into possession of a gun or several guns that you have no interest in owning and are wondering what to do. The good news is that guns tend to be relatively valuable, and there is a thriving market for them. Now the question is—how do you go about selling them? 50 Beowulf Can I Sell These Guns Without a License? The federal law regarding selling firearms to other people is pretty straightforward—you do not need a Federal Firearms License (FFL) to sell guns unless it is a business. The most crucial distinction is generally agreed to be whether or not you are buying firearms to resell for a profit. If you have been gifted or inherited guns, you should be free to sell them without a license. However, that applies to federal law. Make sure that your state law does not have additional conditions or restrictio

5 Reasons You Should Be Handloading Ammo

Image
Handing loading is something that can be calming and zen-like while also giving you a valuable resource: ammunition. There are plenty of reasons for loading your own ammo, whether you have a 243 rifle and want more ammo for hunting or you are trying to create the perfect round for use at competition. Here are some reasons you should be handloading ammo. Create Ammo to Your Specifications Whether it is for hunting or competition, creating your own ammo means you get to fine-tune the ammo to your specifications. That means you can have the perfect ammo suited for your rifle or handgun. If you are going hunting, you can tailor your ammo to the distance you expect to shoot and get the exact grain count you need. For competition, you can create the ideal round to increase your speed. You can vary velocities, reduce recoil, and more. Lower Costs Because you generally buy the components in bulk, the cost per round is typically lower. This means you get more for your money compared to factory

To Modify or Not: How to Know Whether You Should Modify Your Firearm

Image
So, you just bought a new HK P30L and are more than excited to take it apart and start customizing it to fit your needs. You have plans to replace the trigger, try out a new spring, or even add some custom graphics to make the gun genuinely unique to you. Hold on a sec, is that the best move? While there is nothing wrong with modifying a firearm, sometimes it could be better to leave it alone or keep modifications to a minimum. Does it make sense for you? Here are three things to consider. HK P30L   Is It a Critical Use Firearm? If your new Kahr PM9 or other handgun is meant for critical use, you might want to consider reliability and safety before modifying it. Replacing things like the trigger, springs, or barrel introduces new potential for malfunction. After all, the manufacturer has crafted all of these stock pieces to work seamlessly together, so if you replace one, you risk the chance of disrupting that mechanical harmony. While not always the case, if you value reliability

3 Excellent but Underrated Handguns From World War II

Image
So many of the sidearms used by belligerents on both sides of World War II (WWII) are now, if not household names, famous among gun enthusiasts and WWII history buffs. The Colt 1911, Browning Hi-Power, Webley revolver, Luger P08, and Walther P38 are just a few examples. However, the war also hosted a variety of excellent sidearms that have been given less publicity. In many cases, far less publicity than they deserve. If you happen to be browsing anywhere that features guns for sale , keep an eye out for these lesser-known diamonds. Guns for sale SACM 1935A The French SACM 1935A is chambered for the obsolete 765mm Longue cartridge, which is a major reason for its relative obscurity. This innovative, accurate, sturdy, and frankly elegant pistol, designed by Swiss-born Charles Petter, won French military trials to become the sidearm of the French military. Petter’s design thoroughly impressed Swiss arms-maker Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, now better known as SIG Sauer. It so i

The 4 Best Handguns for Competition Shooting

Image
If you have decided it is time to participate in shooting competitions, you will need handguns that are well-suited for the challenge. There might be certain features you are looking for, such as a longer slide, a lighter slide, better grips, tuned triggers, or other customizations. Finding competition-worthy guns can be challenging unless you know what to look for or which guns are competition-ready from the factory. Here are some of those guns for your consideration. Guns  Glock 35 The Glock 35 is built for competition with a longer slide. This gives it a longer distance between the front and rear sights, helping improve accuracy. Being a Glock, it is also perfect for modding, whether it is a slide that has accelerator cuts, a new trigger or connector, or milling for an optic. While the Glock 35 will work well for competition straight out of the box, you can improve it how you see fit to match what you need. The Glock 35 is chambered in 40 S&W, while the Glock 34 is the 9mm v

How to Safely Sell or Auction a Gun Online

Image
There is no better way to sell a gun than to do so online. Whether it is an unfired Glock 21 Gen 4 or your great-grandfather’s Colt 1911, there is likely to be an interested buyer online. The good news for those who have never sold a gun online before is—when done right, the process is likely to be a safe, simple, and profitable one. Knowing how to do it the right way is the key. Glock 21 Gen 4  Why Sell Online The local gun store is going to have to pay considerably less than they will sell it for, of course, to make a profit. That often means you get paid half of the gun’s value. By selling or auctioning a gun online, you are bypassing the middleman and pocketing the difference. Additionally, selling your gun online can get your listing in front of thousands of buyers across the country. Sell or Auction on a Forum Not Classifieds There are two primary routes to follow for online gun sales—classifieds or an online auction forum. Going through an online gun sales and auction sit

6 Vintage and Historical Handguns That Have Gained Cult Followings

Image
There are some obvious candidates for vintage and historical handguns with cult followings that may immediately come to mind. Those handguns include legends like the Colt 1911 or Single-Action Army (SAA), Browning Hi-Power, SIG P210, and so on. There is no question that those guns enjoy a following, and a fiercely loyal one. However, those followings are so large and established that they’re pretty much mainstream. This is dedicated to those guns, newer vintage and century-old plus antiques, with smaller but fanatical fan bases. FN Five seveN  FB Vis (Radom) 35 The FB Vis 35, largely known in the U.S. as a “Radom 35,” is a World War II-era Polish pistol chambered in 9mm. They were never produced in the U.S. and so can be quite difficult to find, but they’re of great interest to collectors. Looking like the offspring of a Browning Hi-Power and a Colt 1911, the FB Vis 35 had a reputation for being accurate and reliable, however some models were of lower quality. FN Five seveN The F

5 Benefits of Buying a Used Handgun

Image
Wanting to buy new things is completely understandable. New things are exciting, maybe they have new features, and often feel great to receive. However, when it comes to handguns, much of the fundamental technology has remained consistent for over a century. You can save a lot of money with very little downside by looking for used versions of the firearm you want to buy. While you should avoid buying used mattresses or helmets, there are a number of reasons buying a used Glock 19, CZ 75 , or another quality used handgun just makes good sense. CZ 75  There’s an Enormous Variety of Used Guns Available Dozens of gun companies have been producing thousands of reliable, high-quality pistols for decades; centuries if pre-modern firearms are included. Going for used guns, even guns that aren’t manufactured anymore, opens you up to a wide variety of options. To appreciate the dazzling variety of used handguns available, browse through an online firearms marketplace like GunBroker.com. Well

5 Interesting 22 LR Rifles for Your Collection

Image
Is your gun case or safe looking a little empty? Do you want a fun rifle for plinking at the range or a practice rifle to help you train up to larger calibers? Then a 22 LR rifle might be right for you. Here are some interesting rifles to add to your collection, be they part of history or an unusual firearm. Browning Rifles  Browning SA 22 If you are looking for Browning rifles in 22 LR, choose the SA 22. Designed by John Browning but manufactured by several companies over the past century, the SA 22 was the first semi-automatic 22 LR rifle made and is still available today. First made by FN Herstal from Browning’s patent in 1914, the fact that it is still in production is a testament to the quality of the SA 22. Interestingly, it ejects casings downward as it was designed to be friendly to left-handed shooters. Today, they are produced by Miroku of Japan. Henry Golden Boy When you want to feel like a cowboy but only want to use 22 LR, the Henry Golden Boy is perfect. A lever-ac

4 Questions to Help Choose the Best Shotgun for You

Image
When choosing a shotgun, there are a few things you need to factor in before making your decision. Are you just going to take trips to the range, or will you be hunting waterfowl? Which gauge is right for you? Will you need a side-by-side, over/under, semi-automatic, or pump-action shotgun? What are the differences between all of those? Whether you are getting your first shotgun or are looking to expand your collection, here are some questions you should ask yourself. Benelli M4  Which Type of Shotgun Is Right for You? The first question is which type of shotgun is right for you. The often cheapest and easiest to use is the single-shot shotgun, which, as the name implies, only holds a single shot, such as the Henry Single Shot Shotgun. Next is the pump-action shotgun, such as a Remington 870 Express, which holds more than one shot, but the slide must be racked, or "pumped," after each shot. Higher-end shotguns are usually auto-loading, or semi-automatic, where the shooter o

4 Tips for First Time Gun Buyers

Image
Buying a firearm for the first time can be intimidating. There are a whole lot of options and a whole lot of opinions floating around. The good news is that with some research and taking time to understand what your needs are, picking up your first gun can prove straightforward and painless. So whether you are looking for a simple, reliable 9mm revolver , a deer hunting rifle chambered in 243 Winchester, or a double-barrel fowling shotgun, good luck and good shooting. 9mm Revolver  Know What You Want It For It may seem odd to clarify this but it’s essential that you know as specifically as possible what you want to use the gun for. Do you want a gun to hunt with, one to shoot targets with, or for safety? Once you have a clear idea why you want a gun, figuring out which gun you want should be easier. Do Your Research Once you have determined specifically what your firearm will be for, the research begins. If you are in the market for a handgun, read up on the respective benefits o

What Is the Right AR 15 Caliber for You?

Image
The AR is an extremely tough, reliable, and modular platform. The AR 15 rifle can accept dozens of cartridges, often with no more than the change of an upper receiver and magazine. Different calibers feature a wide variety of ranges, power, and uses. Whether you’re buying your first AR or looking for a new cartridge to try with your AR 15 chambered for 22 LR or 50 Beowulf , read this guide. 50 Beowulf  How Do You Plan to Use It? The best way to find the right caliber chambering you should choose for an AR 15 is by determining what you plan to use it for. You should be certain about whether you plan to hunt, train, shoot long-distance, or plink around and have fun before you choose a caliber, and certainly before you buy an AR 15. Consider the Practical Stuff There are some impressive chamberings for the AR 15. There are massive cartridges; hyper-fast, long-distance cartridges; subsonic, suppressor-friendly cartridges; and more. Many of those sound, and would no doubt prove to be,