We certainly don’t choose the cream of the crop when looking for candidates for this column, but every now and then you find something interesting for the right price and people will inquire about carrying it as a woods or backup gun. So, on a visit to the local Cabela’s gun library, a trade came in that wasn’t exactly on our wish list: a single-action M1895 Nagant revolver made in 1902 in Imperial Russia. With a finish in about 80 percent condition and with no pitting, it looked quite a few steps up from the later Commie revolvers made after…
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The landscape of federal firearm restrictions has been profoundly reshaped by the nation’s highest court. Delivering the opinion for a unanimous bench, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch struck down a critical provision of the Gun Control Act of 1968, marking a monumental victory for cannabis consumers and the broader Second Amendment community. The ruling represents a stinging defeat for the federal government’s attempt to maintain categorical restrictions on a demographic that now encompasses tens of millions of Americans living in states where cannabis has been fully integrated into local commerce. “Whatever one thinks of these developments, the…
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Charred lodgepoles scratching a gunmetal sky reflected my mood. This morning the elk had won. No plan in mind, I climbed beyond where they’d scattered. Probing the slope’s crest from the sit with my binocular, I saw it. Among ranks of black boles with low-arcing limbs, a branch curved up. The lenses of my 7×35 Bausch & Lomb resolved it. Antler! A 4 o’clock tangle became the bull’s hump — all but hidden by the bead on my .32 Special. After the carbine spoke I scaled the scarp and found blood on hoof-gashed snow. The elk lay 50 yards on.…
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When it comes to carry guns, are red dots really that much better than iron sights? I hit the range to find out.Just 13 years ago, when I authored the book, Handgun Training for Personal Protection, I included a chapter on red dot sights, where I wrote, “The future is coming. When it gets here, we will all shoot better and faster.” In some ways, reflex-style red dot sights have come a long way in the past 13 years, and today, many believe a self-defense handgun without one is unsuitable … or even antiquated. I’ve spent a good part of…
Shooting sports are constantly evolving, mostly. While age-old classics like High Power, Trap, Skeet, and F-Class rarely (if ever) change, the world of action shooting sports is constantly on the move. USPSA, PCSL, PRS, 3-Gun, and 2-Gun are pushing a new frontier. The newest evolution comes from FAST, the Firearms Action Shooting Trials. Long stages, lots of shooting, harder-than-average targets, and a whole lot of fun. 2026 is the first year for FAST, and the Retro Rifle FAST match in Buckeye, Arizona, was the first full-size match held with more FAST matches coming later in the year. There are several…
The Brief: A 22-year-old man used a secondary firearm to defend himself during an armed robbery near downtown Des Moines. After a group ambushed the man in his vehicle and a 17-year-old suspect stole his primary handgun, the victim drew a backup weapon and critically wounded the teenager in a shootout. Des Moines Police and the Polk County Attorney’s Office determined the driver acted in lawful self-defense and released him without charges. While the injured suspect remains in critical condition, authorities continue to search for the remaining accomplices involved in the late-night confrontation near Pappajohn Sculpture Park. DES MOINES, IA…
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The Brief: Selecting a first concealed carry handgun requires balancing concealability with shootability. Beginners should prioritize reliable, 9mm compact or slim-line pistols that allow for a secure grip and manageable recoil. Smaller firearms are often harder to control, while oversized models can be difficult to carry consistently. Success depends on more than the firearm itself. A complete system includes a quality holster, a sturdy belt, and regular training. Choosing a well-fitting, proven handgun encourages the practice necessary for safe and effective use, ensuring the carrier develops confidence and responsible handling habits. Walk into any gun store and ask for the…
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Watch full video on YouTube
Watch Full Video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
