Top Firearm Reviews

Gamo has some great air guns that offer smooth operation with phenomenal accuracy. Here are my top picks with hands-on reviews. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. Gamo air rifles also appear in our broader Best Air Rifles guide. Check it out to compare them against Umarex, Crosman and other models. But if you're considering buying a Gamo air rifle and want to know whether the brand is worth it or which model to buy, you're in the right place. I person

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. In addition to my own research, I included feedback from colleagues who tested these products in a variety of real-world situations. 1. T4E S&W M&P M2.0 - Most Powerful Paintball Gun HIGHLIGHT: Made to work just like the M&P M2.0 firearm. PURPOSE: I had an ar

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. In addition to my own research, I included feedback from colleagues who tested these products in a variety of real-world situations. 1. Feyachi - Best Tactical Vest Overall HIGHLIGHT: Quick release. RANGE PRACTICALITY: This vest will be unique on the range to keep stuff

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. I was sent a Gamo Varmint to review, and upon using it, I understood why it's remained such a popular air rifle for decades. It's really a well-made option for a decent price, and it's something you can rely on if you use it for what it's intended for. For a full comparison of a

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. In addition to my own research, I included feedback from colleagues who tested these products in a variety of real-world situations. 1. Vortex Optics - Best Bird Watching Binoculars Overall HIGHLIGHT: Rubber armor gives a secure, non-slip grip. MAGNIFICATION & VIEW: I ended up grabbing Vortex’s 1

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. In addition to my own research, I included feedback from colleagues who tested these products in a variety of real-world situations. 1. NOCO Boost HD - Best Heavy Duty Jump Starter HIGHLIGHT: Five pounds of full power cranking muscle. BUILT-IN JUMP START: I a

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. To cut to the chase, you can pay a large stack of dollars for the Trijicon RMR. If you have that large stack of dollars, good for you. For the rest of us, the Holosun 507C is going to do the same job for much less

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. I shoot professionally, and I needed electronic ear protectors just before a major international marksmanship competition when my last ones failed. I found the Peltor Sport Tac 500 on Amazon and decided to buy them after reading several reviews that sounded pretty good. Th

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. I had to do it with the Red Ryder lever-action BB gun. According to Hollywood, I should have shot my eye out, but fortunately I avoided that. The adult Red Ryder has no compass in the stock, so I may send it back as an incomplete offering. That's why it's not part of my m

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. In addition to my own research, I included feedback from colleagues who tested these products in a variety of real-world situations. 1. Jackery 200 - Best Portable Solar Panel for Emergencies HIGHLIGHT: This offers two kickstands for stable support. PORTABILITY: I’m

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 tru

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. 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 directly to students. Below is my detailed review. And if you're still struggling to make a decision and want to see how these

I tested several high-quality range earmuffs, and this pair from Sordin definitely stands out from the competition. Here's my hands-on review. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. If you need all day comfort for your ears, then look no further, friends, because these earmuffs from Sordin are unbeatable. Why should you trust me? I’m an NRA instructor, meaning I have extensive range time. I’ve tried a lot on the market, and these may be my new favorite. W

I tested this Glock 17 replica and I was very impressed. It's a solid BB gun that's powered by a CO2 cartridge, and it performs well in different environments. FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing. I'd like to open this review with a warning. Be careful with this air pistol in public. Unless I get this in my hands, I can't tell if it's a real one or not from across the room. For some of my needs, it's perfect. For instance, it is ideal for training when

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. PISTOL DESIGN: I am not sure what Umarex was going for with this .177 caliber air gun. The trigger guard is great for shooting with gloves on, and I use it to show the value of this d

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 case from Savior Equipment offers a full-length double rifle bag. Some makers build shorter rifle bags, and that is fine. I just like to find rifle cases that will fit my hunting rifles and some of my precision rifles. By the way, this case is also included in our Best

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. I’m pretty sensitive to sound and I like to close the filter caps, so it was inevitable that I was gonna go electric at some point. However, most of the recommended options were out of my price range. One day, an instructor at the range recommended these babies, and, man, I can’t believe

Venomous 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. An

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 to 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