Gun Reviews

Have a kid in your life that is ready to talk about real guns? I’m talking about AR-15s and AK-47s. Check out the Umarex Steel Force line. This is one of those rare gems that is fun and educational–though I will say that the fun part wins out when you switch it into six shot burst mode.

“Hey folks! Step right on up and see if you are up to the challenge. Hit the targets and win a prize! Everyone is a winner except the losers!” I wish there were still real shooting galleries at state fairs and carnivals. With a little work and this Henry Pump Action .22, you can make your own shooting gallery and let the fun begin.

There’s nothing wrong with a good AK-47. But rifle design has continued to evolve. So what would a truly modern AK look like? I’m not talking about an AK with some plastic quad rails–I’m talking about the Galil Ace. Well, the wait is over. They’re finally state-side. And they kick ass.

I’m on the hunt for a hard-hitting rifle capable of delivering excellent terminal ballistics at extended range. But it also has to be fast and versatile for close quarters work. Is there a gun out there that can do both? We’ve put the FN SCAR 17 to the test and are here with the results.

I have always been a fan of the .44 Magnum, not because it is the biggest boy on the block (it’s not), but because you can always get ammo for it, and it’s easy and cheap to reload. But probably the biggest strength of the .44 Mag is that you can get ammo at most any gun shop, and even at Walmarts that still carry ammo. To me that outweighs the little bit of extra power you can get with guns that are more powerful, and that have much more expensive and rare ammo. I think every gun accumulation should have a .44 Mag in it. And if you can afford one of the top name (and price) brands, you should consider them. But if you’re on a budget, I have found that this new generation of Taurus products are extremely high quality. The Model 444 Raging Bull 44 Mag .has been around for a generation at this point, and at a street price of under $700, I thought it was worth a new look and a range test. After a couple hundred rounds downrange, the gun did not disappoint. The Raging Bull is a handful, to hold and to shoot, but if you are in the market for a .44 Mag, I think you’d be surprised by this big Taurus stainless steel revolver.

Tired of anorexic plastic pistols? IWI (who makes the Tavor) is making a serious 9mm. This robust double-stack is built like a 1950s super model. How does the substantial 9mm perform on the range and what’s the appeal of an overbuilt pistol? Read our review.

What happens when an innovative AR maker takes on the task of modernizing the AK-47? The results, at least in Troy’s case, are almost perfect. Their new furniture gives you the option to add lights, lasers, grips, and optics as easily as you would on most other black rifles.

Looking for AK reliability and performance in something that isn’t an AK? Check out the PTR 32P, an H&K clone with serious potential. This over-sized pistol comes to life with the addition of an arm brace. The PTR 32P would make an ideal truck gun.

Want to round out that perfect AR-15? Check out Gemtech’s 5.56 suppressor and the bolt carrier they’ve built to go with it. Serious sound suppression from a can that’s easy to use.

Some pistols seem to simply exist. They’re fun on the range, but they lack defining purpose. And then there’s the Dan Wesson ECO. This is a compact single action that has every feature you could want on a single action meant for concealed carry. Check out our review.

When the import bans made the Saiga shotguns much more precious, many of us went looking for an alternative. Today, we’re kicking the tires on a Vepr 12–and we like what we see. Could this Russian import be even better than the Saigas? It is much easier to find, and priced right. But how does it handle the abuse?

Walther is best known for a gun they designed in the middle of the last century. But the new polymer pistols are geared for the American market. Walther’s making guns for daily carry, for competition, and concealed carry. We had the rare opportunity to shoot all of them recently and are here with a retrospective.

The Century PAP M92 might be the most AK you can buy for the money. The over-sized pistol is formidable right out of the box. But with a few modifications, this gun becomes a serious tool for close quarters work. Check out what we’ve done to the M92.

Sig Sauer is launching a new line of guns and gear that they call “Legion.” The Sig team describes the Legion series as gear that a Navy SEAL might carry when off duty. The best way to think of the Sig P229 Legion is to envision what a serious shooter might have a custom gunsmith do to their new P229 to make it the ideal carry gun.

Over and under shotguns have been around for quite some time and have changed relatively little over the decades. Cosmetically, the Benelli 828U looks like a slightly more space age take on the classic double, but the under the hood features are what stand out as the unique elements of this shotgun.

When I pulled this gun out of its unassuming box, I was predisposed to like it. Lever action rifles are fun–even more so when they’re chambered in .22 LR. But then I shot the gun. I don’t know what kind of magic Henry is using to produce these guns, but I like it! This may be the best range experience I’ve had this year.

The NAA Mini Revolver may look like a novelty to some. These things are tiny. But they shoot .22 magnums. So are they a useful tool for self defense?

The Ruger Precision Rifle may be the single biggest story of the summer for those who like rifles with long range capabilities. Ruger’s unique design is accurate, affordable, and capable of connecting at some impressive distances. And for those of you who like the flexibility and modularity of the AR platform, the RPR has even more to offer.

This Kimber Stainless II Classic Engraved 1911 may be the perfect mix of form and function. If you like a bit of decoration on you single actions, but don’t want to give up any of the functional aspects needed for carry, check out Kimber’s engraved pistols.

Everyone I know who owns a shotgun started out with a pump. Where do you go when you want something just a bit faster, or more responsive? Automatics have a reputation for being finicky–at best. But not the Benelli M4. This may be the most complete tactical shotgun in production today.

We got a sneak peak of the Taurus Curve last year, but didn’t get to give it the full attention it deserves. This isn’t a gun that shines on the range. It has to be carried in order to be appreciated. We’ve had The Curve in rotation some this summer, and are here with a follow-up on our initial review.

We here at GunsAmerica have a deep respect for the MP5. Today we’re test driving an MP5K from Zenith Firearms. Before you make assumptions about the quality of the imported H&K clones, you should check out this review. Zenith’s Z-5P is a contender.

While most of the gun industry is still worried about what they’ll debut at SHOT show in January, Walther is making news. They’ve got a new addition to the PPQ line. The PPQ M2 in .45 ACP. How will Walther’s first attempts with the most American of calibers stand up? Read our review.

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.