Guns

Striker-fired pistols dominate today’s handgun market, but that does not automatically make them the best choice for every shooter. We put revolvers, single action, DA/SA, DAO, and striker-fired handgun actions under the microscope and on the range to see where each one shines.

Ruger’s new $749 Harrier ran flawlessly and delivered sub-MOA best groups with every load tested. The trigger needs help, but this affordable, mil-spec-compatible AR-15 shoots like it has something to prove.

The Colt Python 3 inch is already a gorgeous .357 Magnum, but two weaknesses kept it from perfection. Harrison Snake Sights and Hogue Monogrips changed that in a hurry.

The ScopeMate S28-TSC Max packs 4K recording, a genuinely useful touchscreen, and a removable 18650 battery into one rifle scope camera. It is one of the easiest systems I’ve used in the field, but the image quality leaves a catch that shooters spending $600 need to see.

The Browning X-Bolt Speed SR pairs a handy 20-inch suppressor-ready barrel with the hard-hitting 7mm PRC, then backs it up with repeatable sub-MOA accuracy at 100 and 300 yards.

KelTec completely reworked its original P50 concept with a drop-free 50-round magazine, machined receiver and smarter controls. We ran the KP50 hard, suppressed and unsuppressed, to see whether this 5.7x28mm oddball is genius or gimmick.

The Springfield Prodigy COA pairs double-stack 1911 performance with an Aimpoint optic that sits remarkably low and stayed locked on zero. After several hundred rounds, +P loads, mag dumps, quick-draw drills, and hits at 100 yards, the pistol finished with zero malfunctions.

Born from Cold War military requirements and carried into the civilian mainstream by the AR-15, the .223 Remington became America’s most popular centerfire cartridge for a reason. From low recoil and staggering rifle variety to its complicated relationship with 5.56 NATO, this little cartridge still has plenty to say.

The Chiappa Rhino 60 DS 10mm looks like a sci-fi prop, fires from the bottom chamber, and somehow makes full-power 10mm Auto feel far more civilized than it should. I ran it with defensive, hunting, and range ammo to see if the weird design is real engineering or just revolver theater.