Hands-On Product Reviews

Our hands-on reviews ensure the products we recommend in our Best Of lists are indeed the best of the best. We put products from every category to the test.

Canik SFx Rival Review (21)

June 03, 2023

Hands on with the Canik SFx Rival

One of the most underrated and primarily unknown polymer pistols available on the market today is the Canik SFx Rival. This full-size pistol is loaded with features out of the box that manufacturers like Glock and Smith & Wesson can’t beat, with a price point that’ll shock you. And the best part about the Canik… Continue reading Hands on with the Canik SFx Rival

Ruger LC9 Review - Range Time

May 31, 2023

A Brutally Honest Ruger LC9 Review

The Ruger LC9, which stands for Lightweight Compact 9mm, is exactly what the name describes—a small self defense pistol designed for concealed carry. Developed through Ruger’s Voice of the Customer program, the LC9 was named Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence’s Handgun of the Year in 2011. I purchased mine in 2011, shortly after it was… Continue reading A Brutally Honest Ruger LC9 Review

ATN THoR 4 Review - Mirror Shot

May 30, 2023

ATN ThOR 4 Thermal Riflescope Review [Real View Throughs]

ATN has been a big name in thermal and night vision optics for many years now, with a great many products that fit into the consumer price range they have enjoyed success in that market. For over twenty-five years ATN has been perfecting their products, and increasing the many product offerings with advancements in thermal… Continue reading ATN ThOR 4 Thermal Riflescope Review [Real View Throughs]

Browning Buck Mark Review Profile Alt

May 17, 2023

Browning Buck Mark Review: The Best Luger-Style .22LR Pistol?

The Browning Buck Mark has remained one of the most popular rimfire pistols for decades now, but how does this classic .22 hold up against the modern market? We wanted to find out for ourselves, so we brought one out to the range to see what was what. Overall, we wanted to find out how… Continue reading Browning Buck Mark Review: The Best Luger-Style .22LR Pistol?

Palmetto State PA-15 (4)

May 07, 2023

A Long Term Review of the PSA PA-15

In today’s review, we’ll be diving deep into the world of affordable, American-made firearms as we explore the Palmetto State PA-15 rifle. Known for its balance of value and performance, the PA-15 has become a popular choice for those looking to enter the AR-15 market without breaking the bank — but does it really stand… Continue reading A Long Term Review of the PSA PA-15

FN 509 LS Edge (11)

March 27, 2023

FN 509 LS Edge Review: A Fantastic Modern Defensive Pistol

The market for polymer frame, striker-fired pistols has never been larger. That’s not a bad thing because it means we have options, options that allow us to choose the gun that’s just right for us. Today we are looking at a rather new option, the FN 509 LS Edge. The FN 509 LS Edge is… Continue reading FN 509 LS Edge Review: A Fantastic Modern Defensive Pistol

January 16, 2023

Ruger Wrangler Review

The Ruger Wrangler has quickly become one of Ruger’s most popular offerings and is a fan favorite among rimfire shooters on a budget. These kinds of inexpensive plinkers are fun to shoot, but with many brands that focus on fun can mean sub-standard quality and, uh, generous tolerances. That said, Ruger has a reputation for… Continue reading Ruger Wrangler Review

January 12, 2023

CZ Scorpion Reviewed

PCCs and subguns have exploded in recent years. PCCs being a pistol caliber carbine and subguns large format pistols with an SMG-like appearance, both styles offering short barreled rifle mobility but in the easy-to-control (and wallet-friendly) 9mm caliber. One of the guns that spearheaded this explosion of popularity is the CZ Scorpion. Scorpion pistols have… Continue reading CZ Scorpion Reviewed

FN 5.7 Review

January 06, 2023

FN 5.7 Review: The Future Is Now

The FN Five-seveN pistol helped usher in the 5.7x28mm round it is named after and, now in its third generation, has benefited from a series of upgrades that have brought it into the 2020s with ease. We look at this icon from the last days of the Cold War and weigh the new MK3 MRD… Continue reading FN 5.7 Review: The Future Is Now

January 03, 2023

Walther PDP Review

Despite their pedigree and depth of experience, Walther Arms seems to be the true underdog of the firearms manufacturing industry, never reaching the ubiquity and prominence of the Glocks and S&Ws of the world. Founded in 1886 by Carl Walther and manufacturing firearms and air guns for over 100 years, the quality of Walther Arms… Continue reading Walther PDP Review

December 14, 2022

Tyrant Designs Reviewed

Chicago-based Tyrant Designs’ custom AR-15 and aluminum handgun parts will be familiar to anyone who prefers a custom look to their firearms. They are the creators of the skeletonized aluminum AR-15 grip, which many companies have now begun to copy thanks to its light weight and flashy look. Tyrant Designs was made official in 2015,… Continue reading Tyrant Designs Reviewed

December 09, 2022

Glock 19X Review

Glock’s first “crossover” design that borrowed from the lineage of two proven 9mm Glock pistols, the G19X has been around for just over a half-decade and is something of an overlooked gem. We’ve got the scoop on this Coyote-colored war horse.

November 10, 2022

KelTec SUB2000 Review

The Kel Tec SUB 2000 is undoubtedly one of the most interesting PCCs ever built. Pistol caliber carbines have come and gone in popularity, but the SUB-2000 has remained popular and produced for over two decades. Why? It scores high in the basics of being a good gun. It’s reliable, easy to use, and accurate.… Continue reading KelTec SUB2000 Review

November 07, 2022

HK VP9 Review

HK’s VP9 pistol is one of the most popular full-sized firearms on the market today. Its wide acceptance and popularity have given rise to several versions and variants, and you can now find an HK VP9 in a compact, tactical threaded barrel model, an optics-ready VP9, and even one dedicated to competition shooting. Heckler &… Continue reading HK VP9 Review

November 02, 2022

Sig Sauer XMacro Review

With a magazine capacity that dwarfs everything else out there in its class in addition to a flat-faced trigger, integrated compensator, and unmatched modularity, Sig Sauer’s new P365 XMacro may not be a total “game changer” but is sure to reset how the game is played.

The classic Rem 870

October 25, 2022

Remington 870 Review

The story of Remington is the story of American industry. Eliphalet Remington believed he could build a gun better than any he could buy. That’s precisely what he did, and at 23, he placed second in a shooting match and received enough orders to justify starting a company. While Remington has been operating since 1816,… Continue reading Remington 870 Review

October 23, 2022

Glock 19 Review

The Glock 19 is the most popular carry handgun in America, but is it really all that it’s cracked up to be, or has it just become the “default” choice? The vanilla ice cream of the handgun world? Well, I’ve owned and carried the G19 for years, and honestly, I’m not sure. I’m a fan,… Continue reading Glock 19 Review

October 01, 2022

Glock 17 Review

Glock is a household name that most Americans know, whether they’re pro or anti-gun, thanks to Hollywood and television featuring Glocks in thousands of productions. Glock’s catalog has expanded significantly over the years, but regardless of the Glock in hand, the platform has created some of the most reliable and popular handguns on the market… Continue reading Glock 17 Review

September 18, 2022

GForce GF2P Review

While it’s hyperbolic to say budget shotguns are a dime a dozen, there are a LOT of shotguns targeting the sub-$500 market, with GForce among their legions. These spartan scatterguns won’t set you back much money, they can fail to impress when push comes to shove. I love shotguns of all stripes but haven’t spent… Continue reading GForce GF2P Review

September 06, 2022

Guide to the Beretta 92

Undoubtedly one of the most popular handguns ever made, the Beretta 92 has been around for a solid half-century and has no signs of going away any time soon. We detailed the 100-year history of Beretta’s pistols previously, but the 92 is a beast of its own. With that, how do you pick a good… Continue reading Guide to the Beretta 92

September 06, 2022

Century Arms WASR-M Review [Hands On]

If you think you’re seeing more and more AK 47 platform rifles around these days, your eyes do not deceive you. The AK has gone from a spooky Cold War-era relic fired into the air at random by guerillas in distant lands to an increasingly Americanized phenomenon. There are certainly more brands importing Turkish and… Continue reading Century Arms WASR-M Review [Hands On]

September 01, 2022

Nexbelt Review

Nexbelt is a newer company, just seven years in at this point, but the Rancho Cucamonga upstart is taking the belt industry by storm. While Nexbelt didn’t invent the ratchet system, they re-engineered it and improved upon existing tech. They design and build all their tools and molds, so what you see in the final… Continue reading Nexbelt Review

August 26, 2022

Magpul DAKA Review

Magpul has made a serious name amongst firearms fans due to the quality of its products and the innovative ways they solve everyday challenges. Their series of buttstocks are standard on hundreds if not thousands of AR builds, and their M-Lok rail system is an industry-standard. Magpul doesn’t stand still, and their DAKA gear is… Continue reading Magpul DAKA Review

August 16, 2022

Glock 22 Review

The Glock 22 (along with its siblings, the compact G23 and subcompact G27) are Glock’s .40 Auto pistols and have been incredibly popular with law enforcement across the US for decades. They offer up pistols chambered in the larger LE-focused cartridge while being identical in size to the 9mm G17, Glock 19, and G26 pistol… Continue reading Glock 22 Review

June 23, 2022

Maven Optics Review

Maven Outdoor Equipment Company is an American-based company founded in 2013 by Brendon Weaver, Mike Lilygren, and Cade Maestas. Their goal was to create an optics company that puts quality and performance first without the big box store markup. Maven prides itself on its mountain town roots, operating today from Lander, Wyoming. They design innovative products… Continue reading Maven Optics Review

March 25, 2022

Firearm Reviews

All our firearm reviews are here to give you everything you need to know about firearms, all in one place. Learn from our expert reviews, buy the best, and shoot better!

March 16, 2022

Monstrum Scope Review [Hands-On]

Some optical brands are household names — Leopold, Vortex, Bushnell, and Trijicon are all jump to mind when thinking of new glass. Monstrum is not one of those companies. They were founded in 2008 with one goal — make gun parts affordable to the typical person. They’ve done just that, and now Monstrum has expanded… Continue reading Monstrum Scope Review [Hands-On]

February 22, 2022

Magpul Stock Comparison

Guide to Everything AR Of all the aftermarket stocks available for purchase, Magpul is one of the most popular manufacturers. They also have a decidedly wide selection of firearm accessories, including magazines, grips, sights, adjustable and fixed stocks for various guns. They are known for making some of the best AR-15 stocks anywhere, each with… Continue reading Magpul Stock Comparison

August 07, 2021

In-Depth Review: Glock 43 [Hands-On]

Is the slimline Glock 43 the best striker-fired carry gun on the market today? We put this polymer frame single stack 9 under the microscope then melted it down on the range to help determine if this svelte subcompact is right for you.

July 25, 2021

In-Depth Review: Taurus G3C [Hands-On]

Is the subcompact Taurus G3C the best budget polymer handgun on the market today? We take this striker-fired polymer frame pistol through its paces and help you determine if this affordable pistol is right for you.

May 23, 2021

Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 Review [Hands-On]

If you’ve spent much time hunting for an AR of any sort, you’ve almost certainly come across Black Creek Georgia’s Daniel Defense. In the mix of ever-expanding AR brands, they’re among the most recognized (and most coveted) AR builders around. Daniel Defense was kind enough to send me their marquee DDM4 V7 to get my… Continue reading Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 Review [Hands-On]

May 14, 2021

Tavor TS12 Review

Curious about IWI’s space-age bullpup but don’t know where to start? We break down the TS12 – warts and all.

April 15, 2021

Canik TP9SFX Review [Hands-On]

Canik calls the TP9SFX “The Choice of Champions.” And with all the features packed into its price point, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment. If you’re entering the competitive shooting world, this gun is ready to take home the gold right out of the box.

April 14, 2021

The Chiappa Rhino: A Review

A Review of the Oddball Italian Stallion Rarely encountered in the wild, Chiappa Rhino revolvers are very different and a little weird, but these Italian stallions have a solid pedigree and a lot of hidden traits that make them phenomenally comfortable guns to shoot. The Best of the Chiappa Rhino Models Browsing Chiappa’s catalogs for… Continue reading The Chiappa Rhino: A Review

April 08, 2021

The KelTec CP33: A Review

The KelTec CP33: A Review The .22 target pistol market is an exciting segment of the firearms world. Often costing thousands of dollars, many of the designs meant for competition are custom-fit .22LR pistols that look like something out of a science-fiction show set in the not-too-distant future. KelTec CP33 Pistol A .22LR competition pistol… Continue reading The KelTec CP33: A Review

March 06, 2021

The Glock 29 Reviewed [Hands-On]

The no-nonsense Glock 29, a pint-sized 10mm subcompact, is a handgun that trends towards the unique and offers a lot for the person with the will to master it.