Top Firearm Reviews

I'm a professional gunsmith, so I speak from experience when I say that these are the most powerful paintball guns on the market. They are perfect for training. FYI, Prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. 1. T4E S&W M&P M2.0 .43 Caliber - Most Powerful Paintball Gun HIGHLIGHT: Made to work just like the M7P 2.0 firearm. PURPOSE: I had an armed guard company contact me to help them review some paintball pistols, train some force-on-force, and build clearing dr

Whether you’re off to a paintball game, the shooting range, or a hunting trip, you need one of these tactical vests. They're all available on Amazon. FYI, Prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. 1. Feyachi - Tactical Bulletproof Vest HIGHLIGHT: Quick release. VALUE: Was I expecting much here? No. So I was pleasantly surprised. This vest's simple approach makes it perfect for an affordable and effective tac vest. It comes with several pouches and holsters, that

I ordered the Gamo Varmint .177 on Amazon and put it to several range tests. It's easy to cock and shoot, and very accurate and lightweight. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. For a full comparison of accuracy, build quality, and other features, see our Best Gamo Air Rifles guide. Gamo Varmint Air Rifle HIGHLIGHT: 4x magnification scope is included. INTRODUCTION: I was sent a Gamo Varmint Air Rifle to review, and I have found that I do like higher-en

I've rounded up the best binoculars for bird watching based on clarity, brightness, color rendition, eye relief and price. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. 1. Vortex Optics - Crossfire HD Binoculars for Bird Watching HIGHLIGHT: Rubber armor gives a secure, non-slip grip. MAGNIFICATION & VIEW: I ended up grabbing Vortex’s 12x50 full size binoculars for bird watching, and I knew I needed certain specs for my new hobby that would make it more enjoyabl

Looking for a heavy duty jump starter? Each of the following would pay for itself the first time you use it (as you wouldn’t be waiting around for a tow truck). FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. 1. NOCO Boost HD - 12V 2000A (up to 8.0L Gas or 6.0L Diesel) HIGHLIGHT: Five pounds of full power cranking muscle. BUILT-IN JUMP START: I am looking for a way to wire a permanently fixed jump pack to each of our cars. I want to have a jump start built in so

The Holosun 507C X2 has been successfully competing against commanding brands. It can really increase your accuracy and provide faster target acquisition. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Hi shooters. Today I’m reviewing the Holosun 507C. If you’re looking for other durable and affordable options, check out Gary Anderson’s budget red dots review. It’s a very insightful, hands-on guide. And for a reflex red dot designed for longer barrels, check out

The Peltor Tactical 500 is a smart ear protector that effectively prevents permanent damage to hearing. It's a great step up from cheaper options. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Electronic Hearing Protector HIGHLIGHT: Enhanced voice tracking and better speech clarity. PERSONAL BACKSTORY: I shoot professionally and I needed electronic ear protectors just before a major international marksmanship competition when my last o

There are a lot of good shotguns out there, but the Browning Citori 725 stands out. Here's why it’s one of my favorite over and under shotguns. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Being from Utah, I have to enjoy Browning guns, and I do, in fact, love these fine works of art. The Citori 725 is one of my favorite shotguns. Around here in Utah, most folks who have them use them almost exclusively for trap shooting. It's easier on my nerves to haul out th

Thinking back to the Red Ryder of my youth, I put it to the test and was pleasantly surprised by its power and accuracy. Here's my hands-on review. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. The Red Ryder isn’t part of my main review list. You can find more powerful options in my Best High Powered Pellet Guns article. Daisy Adult Red Ryder Rifle HIGHLIGHT: Throwback to my childhood nostalgia and high ammo capacity. BACKSTORY: I had to do it with the Red Ryd

Are you ready to harness the sun’s energy? My ranking of the best portable solar panels will surely help you make the switch to sustainable electricity. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. 1. Jackery 200 - 200W Portable Solar Panel for Explorer Power Stations HIGHLIGHT: This offers two kickstands for stable support. PORTABILITY: I’m in my early seventies and I’ve been an avid outdoorsman most of my life. Growing up, the only technology I brought with

The Remington 870 has proved itself as one of the most popular shotguns. Here's why I love it both as a home defense and a hunting weapon. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. I have never bought a brand-new Remington 870. There is no reason to buy a new one. 870s that are 30 years old and have been hunting ducks for that long still work just as well as the day they were made. I should take that back: the 870s that have been dropped in the lake or strea

I test and review firearm optics for a living, so you can trust me when I say that this Primary Arms red dot performs flawlessly. Here’s my hands-on review. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Hi Shooters. Gary here, and in this article, I’m reviewing one of my favorite reflex sights from Primary Arms. If you’re interested in comparing this optic to other, more affordable options, check out my best budget red dots review. And if you’re looking for a t

A friend of mine recommended these cheap muffs by Walker's. I put them to the test and was impressed with their performance. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Walker's - Razor Slim Electronic Muffs HIGHLIGHT: Walkie Talkie add-on for teaching classes on the range. RANGE TRAINING: I love these shooting muffs. I have an entire case of them, which I take to the range to teach classes. I use the accessory walkie-talkie radio on each headset to talk dire

I tested several high quality range earmuffs, and this pair from Sordin definitely stands out from the competition. Here's my hand-on review. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Sordin Supreme Pro-X - Ear Defenders with a Neckband Kit HIGHLIGHT: Military level ear protection. PERSONAL BACKSTORY: If you need all day comfort for your ears, then look no further, friends, cause these are unbeatable–the best option on the market. Who am I to tell you this?

After reviewing CCW applications for years, I tested this Glock 17 replica and I was very much impressed. It's an effective BB gun that's powered by a CO2 cartridge. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Umarex Glock 17 Blowback .177 Caliber HIGHLIGHT: An exact Glock replica. WARNING: Be careful with this one in public. Unless I get this in my fingers, I can't tell if it's a real one or not from across the room. For some of my needs, it's perfect. It is

I tested the Umarex SA10 pistol. It's not the best I've ever used, but it's pretty solid. It's great for dead beer cans at 20 feet. Here are my two cents. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Umarex SA10 Steel Air Pistol HIGHLIGHT: The blowback action is totally realistic. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS: I am not sure what Umarex was going for with this .177 Caliber air gun. The tiger guard is great for shooting with gloves on, and I use it to show the value of

I finally put this rifle bag to the test. I had an old one, and this American Classic model is definitely an upgrade. Here's my hands-on review. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. This soft case from Savior Equipment is also included in our Best Rifle Bags review, where you can see how it stacks up against other popular options. Savior Equipment - Tactical Rifle Bag - American Classic Series HIGHLIGHT: Holds two scoped rifles, two pistols, and everyth

I tested these Howard Leight Impact Sport earmuffs. Despite slight warmth on hot days, their performance outweighs everything else. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Impact Sport - Howard Leight by Honeywell HIGHLIGHT: Earcups are low profile and include an adjustable headband ensuring a tight, secure fit. PERSONAL BACKSTORY: There are technologies to help with that, but I’m pretty sensitive to sound and like to close the filter caps. It was inevita

Poisonous Spiders may be small, but they can be deadly. I wrote this quick guide to help hikers and hunters identify the most dangerous ones. There are a lot of dangerous animals that American hikers and hunters need to worry about. We all know of the obvious threats like mountain lions and bears, and we prepare so we can be safe if we end up encountering them. You should keep in mind, however, that there are also other animals to be wary of. Yes, I'm talking about spiders. A

While there are plenty of harmless snakes out there, there are also many that can be dangerous to humans. Knowing how to identify them is an important skill. If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, there’s a good chance that you’ve run into a snake or two. It’s always a bit spooky to see one, but they tend to be relatively calm unless you go out of your way to agitate them. With that being said, you still need to be careful around them. Some of them are kind of cute, sure

There are basic skills needed for wilderness survival. They're important to have in your back pocket whenever you go into the outdoors. Every year millions of Americans take to the wilderness. Some embark on epic adventures lasting days to weeks, while other folks just plan to head out for a day trip hiking, biking or swimming, or otherwise just enjoying the outdoors. While the great outdoors is exciting and can be good for the soul, it is also a place where disaster can happ

What is the difference between Glock 17 and 19? Each has unique strengths and weaknesses, and I hope my review will help you decide which is right for you. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Glocks have become iconic over time as a reliable and efficient weapon for personal protection. The Glock 17 and Glock 19 are among the most popular models, and for good reason, but anyone new to the subject of firearms might have a hard time deciding which suits

Identifying ducks and geese isn’t that hard. I wrote this quick guide of the 10 most common subspecies, and some tricks to help you put a name to them. Being able to identify what it is that is within your crosshairs is an important skill for big game and waterfowl hunters alike. The tricky part for waterfowl hunters, however, is that there is a large number of different ducks and geese that you might come across while out in the wilderness. But don’t despair yet. It’s actual

There are several different ways to start a fire without matches, and they are all good to know just in case. Here are my most useful methods. There are a lot of skills that you should be familiar with whenever you enter the wilderness, but few are as essential as knowing how to start a fire. A fire is more than just comfort; it’s something that can be the barrier between life and death. Emergency situations can get serious quickly when you’re far away from assistance, and be