Article first appeared at NRA-ILA. Earlier this year, we reported on how President Obama’s much-ballyhooed executive clemency program was releasing felons who had been convicted of using firearms in drug trafficking crimes. We noted then the jarring inconsistency of this program with Obama’s executive gun control measures, which targeted hobbyists …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. A selection of 20th Century U.S. military revolvers includes (counter-clockwise from top l.): a S&W Victory Model, serial No. “V3” that belonged to Maj. Gen. Julian S. Hatcher (V1 was presented to Harry S Truman); U.S.N. Capt. J.H. Wesson’s S&W M1917 engraved with his …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. While some German makers have devoted themselves to more modern, technologically advanced shotguns, Merkel still makes traditional Teutonic over-unders, side-by-sides and drillings. But making old-school guns the old-school way costs craftsmen time, and therefore, money. When importer Steyr Arms asked for an “entry-level” gun, …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. Weatherby has a long and rich history of innovation. A dedicated hunter and amateur ballistician, Roy Weatherby discovered in the 1940s that pushing lighter bullets to hyper velocities would result in effective game kills. He developed his legendary Mark V rifle to contain his …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. A practical personal protection plan should include a handgun, but that handgun should, without question, be one you’re comfortable with. As you become more experienced you’ll have the opportunity to further evaluate the situation and trade-up as your comfort and skill levels increase. For …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. While one or two firearm makers have historically offered a 1911 chambered in the 9 mm cartridge, it now seems that almost all major and many custom 1911 builders have some type of 9 mm pistol in the lineup. One such manufacturer is Sturm, …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. It has just been announced that Glock 19s will replace Colt M45A1 .45 ACPs in the hands of elite Marines. Special operations troops of the U.S. Marine Corps, in particular the Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC), unlike the rest of the U.S. …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. SIG Sauer made headlines in recent years by expanding into shooting-related product markets including optics, suppressors and ammunition. Regarding the latter, American Rifleman hosted the SIG crew for a day at the range, and Joe Kurtenbach talked with Bud Fini, SIG’s executive vice president …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. There is no doubt that KRISS USA is up to some interesting things. For example, the Vector Gen II CRB is a pistol-caliber carbine in the company’s line that is built around KRISS’ rather unique operating system. As a non-NFA firearm, this 16” carbine …

Article first appeared at American Rifleman. We have had the .40 S&W cartridge since 1990, roughly a quarter century of active service. Much of that service was in law enforcement, but many civilian handgunners have also cheerfully climbed aboard the medium-bore bandwagon. When it’s evaluated on the basis of actual …