Feature Articles

Smaller isn’t always better. You wouldn’t know it from the emphasis on single-stack pistols that is dominating the news lately. But what do you sacrifice? What if I were to tell you that you could have the capacity of a double-stack magazine and it would only be .25″ wider than your single stack? The XD Mod 2 .45 ACP, the latest concealed carry gun from Springfield-Armory, offers just that.

Are you a revolver fan, or a do you pack a pistol? Even if the answer to that question is easy, it may not be as simple to pick a winner in this head-to-head. The Colt Python vs. The Coonan Compact. Which one is a better delivery platform for the hard hitting .357 Magnum?

The bottom of the range box has standard bulls eye targets in a couple of different sizes. But the coolest part is the shelf on top that you can set things on and hang things off of. I was curious how well this part would hold up but it did great. The design is well thought out and the card board is thick and sturdy. We used the shelves to hang empty cans off of and to set plastic bottles and apples on. The tops of the shelves also have a slot in them that can hold clays.

In the realm of budget 1911s the American Classic stands out for the “extras” they come with. I am not talking about the other stuff in the box, I mean the stuff on the pistol its self. This is a solid commander sized 1911. Metro Arms offers a lot of bang for your buck on this pistol. There are a few fit and finish issues and the mold lines left on some parts does bother me some. But that is being a bit nit-picky. The American Classic Commander works and shoots like a champ, and that is what really matters, right?

The Savage M-11 Trophy Hunter XP is a ready-to-go hunting solution that helps simplify the learning curve. It comes preconfigured with a bore-sighted Nikon 3-9x optic with a ballistic drop compensation reticle. Take it out of the box, add ammo, and shoot. It couldn’t be easier.

I sometimes have a hard time finding meaningful differences between black rifles. This isn’t one of them. The LWRC Tricon MK6 is very different. Designed in coordination with former SEAL and renowned trainer Jeff Gonzales, the rifle is built for service. And right now,if you buy an LWRC, they’ll throw in an Aimpoint T1. This is a great deal.

This is one of the few articles in this series where I haven’t yet reviewed the product, but I plan to follow it up with a review in the future because I bought one. My intention in posting this today is to give the regular readers of this column a official heads up on a heavily discounted and apparently high quality product that may be a priority for you in your prepping supplies. For many years I have been looking at wood cook stoves. If you have never seen one (and I actually haven’t in person), these are not regular woodstoves. Wood cookstoves were popular in the US between the 1880s and 1930s. They look like a regular stove, with an oven and burners, but they run on wood and have no electric or gas components.

We’re beginning a new series here at GunsAmerica that examines the best options for home defense. But there’s a twist. In order to make our list, these guns and tools have to be reliable, capable, and (most importantly) affordable. There’s a lot to talk about–from gun design to caliber considerations–but these guns will get the job done without breaking the bank.

There’s a debate raging in Michigan that touches many of us. The root of the issue is this: a Catholic priest is catching hell for encouraging his congregation to take an active role in their own defense. And that role includes guns and training. I think he’s got a point. And I may be preaching to the choir, but I’m going to ask anyhow. Why wouldn’t you carry where you worship?