Gun Reviews

When we first saw the DP-12 at SHOT Show, we were leery. Bullpup shotguns always seem to get our hopes up, then dash them to pieces with faltering reliability. They’re rarely anything more than range toys. But we’ve been beating up the DP-12 now for a few weeks, and we’re converts. Read our review.

Looking for a historical shooting iron that evokes America’s fighting past? Check out Auto Ordnance’s version of the A1. The gun is a fair representation of the WWII era 1911s, and is a great at the range.

When I first came across this little gun I immediately thought of a Colt Vest Pocket without the grip safety. That is how the back half of the pistol looks. After closer inspection I noticed it had a fixed barrel. That is not something the old Colts have. But a Walther PPK does. I have come to the conclusion that this little Galesi could be the product from a marriage between a PPK and a Vest Pocket. Those are some pretty good genes from both sides of the family.

Tired of all of the kerfuffle about the diminutive GLOCK 43? Had your fill of all of the hype about single-stack stopping power? Want a polymer pistol capable of stopping a Grizzly? Check out the GLOCK 40. This beast is big, capacity is not an issue, and it shoots the 10mm, which–when loaded right–is impressive. So how does the G40 handle?

There’s something timeless about the revolver, as proven by the popularity of the snub-nosed Smiths. This 642 is ideal for pocket carry, and is incredibly accurate. Could it be that the best option for concealed carry is a wheel-gun and not a shrunken 9mm?

Finding a 7.62×39 AR platform rifle is easy these days. Finding one that works flawlessly isn’t. So we approached the CMMG Mutant with more than a bit of skepticism. After our first 500 rounds, our skepticism is fading. The Mutant is performing like a champ. And we have one of the new pistols, too, which may explain why I don’t have any eyebrows.

The GunsAmerica crew spends a lot of time sweating over the groups we shoot with modern rifles. But there’s more to guns. Sometimes building a working piece of history has its own appeal. Terril Hebert built this left-handed Fusil de Chasse and has this perspective on the old muzzleloader.

The opinion of the editorial team here at GunsAmerica is unanimous: the new H&K guns are rock stars. The VP9 set itself apart as a compact design that offered full-sized control. And now, for those who want more intense ballistic performance, there is a .40 S&W model. How does the compact design handle the increased energy? Read our review…

LWRC’s new long range ass-kicker is the R.E.P.R. The Rapid Engagement Precision Rifle. This 7.62 x 51 is capable of long range hits and the speed needed for rapid engagement. Is this the one-gun solution for the ultimate and fully functional battle rifle? Read our review….

What’s wrong with the Remington 870? The list isn’t very long. Yet there are ways that the classic pump shotgun can be improved. And Nighthawk has worked out a laundry list of upgrades that cover every inch of the gun. What goes in looks pretty familiar to just about everyone, but the shotgun that comes out the other end is nothing short of perfect.

Looking for a way to upgrade your GLOCK? Lone Wolf has options. You can swap out individual pieces, or buy an assembled slide. And now, if you pick up an assembled Timberwolf lower, you can assemble a complete firearm made by Lone Wolf. This compact model is like the GLOCK 19 perfected.

Ruger is excited to introduce the Ruger American Rimfire® rifle with wood stock.

This old Smith Model 30 is made on the J frame and is marked 30-1 on the crane. It dates from about 1970 and shows a bit of wear here and there from its 45 year or so life. This Smith belongs to Jon Hodoway and was his grandmothers revolver. He said she kept it in the towel drawer in her kitchen for defense against 2, 4 and no legged varmints.

The new Precision Stock model of the M1A “Loaded” from Springfield Armory builds the Archangel adjustable comb and adjustable length of pull stock into a factory rifle. This is a true scoped M1A platform, rivaling our own tests of the original Pro-Mag Archangel, as well as other higher priced aftermarket sniper stocks. As the only truly Mil-Spec .308 semi-auto in current production, the M1A is as classic a rifle as you can get. This latest article in the M1A series asks the question, is this the best factory original M1A ever?

Looking for an ideal way to blow through a brick of .22 LR? Now that they’re actually brick of rimfire rounds sitting around on store shelves, you might as well. And the Mossberg Blaze-47 is a great way to do it. This rimfire has the nostalgia of the old AK, but and is almost as cheap to run as a 7.62×39.

This isn’t your average revolver. The Smith & Wesson 647 Varminter is a complete long-range package. What kind of accuracy can you expect from a rimfire handgun? You just might be surprised. Read our review of this unique wheel-gun.

When sanctions shut down the import of many AK-47s, many of us began to get a bit twitchy. While the supply of AKs didn’t dry up as some gun-control nuts would have liked, Century ramped up plans for this rifle: the RAS-47. This 7.62 x 39 is made in America and a fine example of the entry level AK. Read our review.

SIG’s P320 platform is a frontrunner in the upcoming modular handgun trials. The new .45 ACP version is a full-sized pistol that performs like the rest of the P320 line, which is winning people over. But this P320 has a couple of surprises. How will the .45 ACP version stand up to the modularity standards that define the upcoming tests? Read our review.

So why would we or you want to do something like this? Well, contrary to what a lot of people think stainless does not mean rustless. Stainless steel will, can, and does rust. Now it is not as prone to corrosion as regular steel, but it will happen. Coating a stainless gun might be the equivalent of putting on two condoms, but sometimes its better to be have a little extra protection. See what WMD can do.

Black Aces Tactical’s take on the pump scattergun is pushing the limits. The DT has an 8.5″ barrel, and a folding stock. There are very few functional guns in this class that are more ergonomic and effective. Yet this 12 gauge beast is not a shotgun, and it is not an AOW, and it is not a short barreled shotgun. It is a firearm, and perfectly legal–and functionally perfect. Read our review.

So what do you get out of a mid priced 1911 that you don’t from a budget pistol? Mostly fit and finish. I also expect some upgraded features, like checkering on the mainspring housing, nice grips and good sights. That is what this Dan Wesson Heritage delivers. And it looks good, too. Read our review

Let’s assume you have some rimfire rounds on hand–and I know some of you do–what should you do with them? For those of you with an M9, I’d suggest this conversion kit. If you have the ammo, it makes training with the Beretta practical and economical.

Since the centennial of the 1911, the market has been flooded with new twists on the classic Browning design. But not all 1911s are created equal. But there are some that depart from the old traditions and still manage to feel completely purposeful in their design. The Springfield Armory TRP is one of those guns, and it can hold its own against a lot of custom single actions. Looking for a 1911 to carry everyday? Here it is.

Some 9mm ARs feel a bit half baked, like the gun can’t decide if it wants to be a carbine or an AR pistol. Others cobble together parts to make the mags fit. Not this one. Stag’s new 9T is a full on rifle. There’s nothing about this gun that’s a compromise, and it may change the way you think about the pistol caliber concept.

Shhh! At the request of Springfield Armory, we’re going to keep quiet for a little while. I picked up a package yesterday from the folks in Geneseo, and in the box were too shiny new pistols. I mean really new, like not even on the shelves yet. And they’ve made some really big changes.

Those discerning single action aficionados amongst us already know the Nighthawk name. Their 1911s aren’t dressed up in elaborate finishes. They don’t have exotic grips. These are hard working guns meant to be carried, and shot. I recently had the chance to put the 9mm T4 through its paces, and the compact carry gun has changed the way I think about single actions. I’m a skeptic, but I’d carry this gun–no question about it.

We’ve covered do-it-yourself lowers, but are here today with a new installment. This 80% lower is cut from an aluminum billet. And you can finish it off with a few simple tools. No milling machine needed. The jigs and instructions from 80% Arms make finishing their lower surprisingly easy. Check out or review of the process.

I grew up with the MAC 10, but the gun was rarely portrayed in a favorable light. It was the emblem of the war-on-drugs. Now, though, the old open bolt automatic seems like an antique. Or it did until Masterpiece Arms updated their defender line. This take on the old classic is completely updated, and my new favorite large-framed 9mm.

The recent dominance of the bullpup shotgun has made the pistol grip scatter-gun seem old fashioned. But there’s still a place for the reliability of a pump shotgun. But operating a shotgun without a stock is a challange. So how practical are these cinematic beasts?