Musings On Home Defense Guns

By

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March 18, 2026

Here are a few things you should consider when choosing or building home defense guns.

When things go bump in the night, there are of course some things to consider before you start bumping back. The gun community has been a mixed bag of sorts lately with products and technology coming out at a blistering rate thanks to changes in legislature and the expansion of the broader consumer base. There are more gun owners on a much wider spectrum of diversity than ever before, and this has inadvertently led to less tribal knowledge, less general understanding of technology and a “too many cooks in the kitchen” situation with the spread of information.

Something I’ve paid a great deal of attention to in the past few years has been the growing number of so-called experts who are little more than entertainers in tactical kit. Somehow, each of these guys is former special forces, a SEAL team member, SWAT sniper … whatever. I know and work closely with all of the aforementioned characters, and most things being promoted by entertainers are just straight-up fictional, and in many cases, simply there to encourage people to buy their snake oil.

Self-defense isn’t a cookie-cutter thing, and a lot of what is being marketed to you are gimmicks. So, let’s break it down a little bit: Here are the major considerations you must address before building out a gun for your home defense needs.

The Terrain

Your home and property are a form of terrain, just like being in the woods. You have elevations, blind spots, hiding places, areas to protect and others to flee. You might think you know your home very well, but problems arise when you must think of your place as a dynamic environment that can get you killed.

Think about this: It’s dark and you’ve had a late night, watching movies with the wife. She’s doing something or other in the house, but you’re having a drink before bed and wander into the garage for a minute … and suddenly you hear a window break and she starts screaming. Where are the kids? Is this a prank? Where is your gun? You also don’t know exactly where your wife is. Is she in the bathroom down the hall or in the master bedroom? Could she be downstairs?

Your home has now become a three-dimensional space with an unknown threat. Now, you need to navigate this to keep everyone safe. It could be a bear depending on what part of the country in which you reside, or maybe a guy obsessed with your teen daughter. Predator or pervert, you’ve got to make some fast decisions.

Knowing your terrain and how to navigate in an environment where your kids will likely be awake now, confusion abounds and dangers are unknown. What you do next will be important. Locating your family members is critical—bullets don’t care who is behind that thin sheet of drywall. Homes are very easy to shoot through. You can’t just start shooting until you are line of sight with a threat, and that can be difficult in any structure.

Knowing your layout, location of weapons and the locations of your family members are very critical to keeping everyone safe. Once a gun is in play, your structure is no longer safe for anyone; it’s the fact of firing in a home. Even if they are directly behind you, the danger of incoming fire is present as well. You need to find places you can defend that also don’t endanger your loved ones, which can be difficult in most homes.

So, with all this front of mind, are you building out a home gun because you like it … or because you’ve done the homework and it’s suited to your specific home terrain?

Caliber and Size

It’s my belief that any self-defense pistol set up for use in the home should be able to be operated at least by the adults in the household, and the older children should have general knowledge and training with it as well. In general, this means that whatever pistol I set up should feature ambidextrous controls. For instance, many members of my family are left-handed, whereas I am right-handed. Any gun used for defense should at least be able to be trained on with the weak hand. Many pistols out there today are effectively ambidextrous; this set of features is no longer difficult to find.

There is a prevailing belief that “nightstand” pistols can be larger and more powerful, but I don’t agree with this. Being easy to handle and fire is much better than greater power. If your wife has a hard time operating a semi-automatic pistol, but has an easy time with a revolver, a revolver should be what you train and practice with. If you’re incapacitated or shot, the last thing you want is your wife unable to chamber a round or manipulate all the controls.

Home Defense Guns 2011 revolver — Despite being a reliable self-defense tool for generations, the fashion in pistols has swung away from the humble “snub-nose” revolver to guns like the Staccato. In a long survey of self-defense trainers, most won’t even teach the pocket revolver, and some don’t even want them in classes.

Suppressors on pistols in the home … well, I’m not convinced it’s a smart move. As suppressors are gaining popularity, they have definitely found their way onto home defense pistols, but it’s not all roses. I am not a big fan of them from the perspective that they tend to add a lot of forward weight, are harder to point and handle, and can adversely affect reliability. As a generality, they are going to basically double the length of your pistol, and suppressors, while reducing noise, can interfere with lights and optics. If you want to do this, you need to spend a lot more time practicing and training with your setup … in the dark.

Onboard Technology

Take note: Smoothly operating technology is something that is more important than the most advanced technology. If you are equipping your pistol with a red-dot, light and all the bells and whistles, it better not be too complicated to use if you are incapacitated. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a regular 1911 and a flashlight; you’ve been coerced into believing that all of the stuff needs to be in one place.

Home Defense Guns suppressed 1911 — To mount a flashlight or to not mount a flashlight, that is the question. There are benefits to having a light on your gun, but there are also many tactical advantages to having a handheld—namely you won’t have to have your gun pointing at every place you need to scan, like places that may contain friendlies.

The shooting industry, unfortunately, does a good job gaslighting people into buying more products because that’s what instructors in the military use, but you’re not going to have the support of those people or that military industrial complex when something bad happens at your house. If it’s too complicated for all of your family members to use, don’t use it. If your wife has a hard time using a pistol-mounted red-dot, don’t use it.

I don’t have the answer for what’s best for you. But I can tell you that overdoing it is a recipe for disaster, considering that there is a steeper proficiency curve the more items you add onto your pistol.

Safety Features and Storage

A big part of owning a gun is being safe about it. Just like racing to put all of the possible accessories onto your gun is something of a fool’s errand, if you can’t master the basics, getting all that equipment and then simply leaving it in a drawer unattended is a pretty bad option—even if it’s just from an investment standpoint.

As mentioned, complicated features can lead to liabilities, but complicated storage can lead to inaccessibility. There is a pretty wide margin between leaving a loaded pistol out in the open and leaving it empty in a safe. Today, there are quite a few options for safe storage, and our community has been slowly embracing them, among these are keypad and biometric options that allow quick access but remain secure. These are not exactly gun safes and should not take their place, but they do keep unwanted users from gaining immediate access. I strongly recommend looking into options from Hornady.

Additionally, there’s a bit of a debate about manual safeties and their advantages … and disadvantages. Most striker-fired pistols don’t have an easily verifiable way to show if the pistol is loaded or empty. Guns that have both striker fire mechanisms and manual safeties are not as common as those that have exposed hammers, such as a 1911. It’s very easy to, even from a distance, see if the 1911 is ready to fire.

Home Defense Guns pistols — Pistol lights vary quite a bit in size and length. Note that some of these stick out past the muzzle, thus increasing length. The size of light you use doesn’t matter so much in a drawer, but it will if you carry.

Manual safeties are definitely a bonus for safety in the home; however, they are one more thing to keep in mind under stress. You will find that there are a variety of schools of thought that go into this, and at the end of the day you’re going to have to figure out what’s best for you and your family.

The Big Question

Home defense rifles are not a new concept, but their expanding popularity in recent years has led to a lot of disinformation. A big one I hear is that 5.56 NATO is not “good at penetration” and is pretty safe to use in a standard residential structure. I’ve even heard from experts that it’s safer to use than high-mass pistol rounds, such as 9mm or .45 ACP. This is simply not true.

A 5.56 NATO bullet can and will penetrate walls. It’s an absolutely serious, lethal, high-penetration cartridge (as always, bullet dependent) that can very easily do damage several rooms over.

The same concepts apply to shotguns: Shotguns are some of the worst offenders for multi-wall penetration. Despite the fact that they have been the quintessential home defense firearm for generations, it’s the fact that they have been around so commonly that led to this, not out of any real purposeful design. If a shotgun is what you have, again, training and situational awareness are paramount.

Any rifle cartridge you use is going to be considerably more powerful than your home materials can withstand—7.62×39, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, you name it. A while ago on these pages, I wrote about a concept that I dubbed Schrodinger’s bullet, where we basically ask a bullet to kill a bad guy, but not cause excessive penetration in walls or create liability for nearby individuals. We are asking too much of bullets if that’s the case. There is no such bullet that will simply stop in a bad guy that can’t first make it through clothing to his vital organs.

Your home defense setup can and will kill your family members or neighbors by accident. Expect any home defense setup to go through walls—period.

Watch Your Weight

Many shooters have become obsessed with taking up every bit of real estate on a long-gun these days. I tend to trick out my field rifles. I simply like good-looking guns. However, I would be lying if I told you that these were ideal setups for home defense.

The rifle featured in this article is a PWS chambered in 6ARC and features an 18-inch barrel, a suppressor, a thermal optic from Armasight and a day optic package from Vortex. This rifle, loaded, weighs 16 pounds and is a rifle I used for hunting and usually off of a tripod. Despite the fact that it looks like a useful setup, it’s not easy to move around the home with. The optics on this rifle alone account for several pounds, and the suppressor adds weight and length to the front of the rifle.

It used to be taught that you wanted a compact package that you could operate off of either shoulder, and it would be light and handy. Most of my friends’ home defense rifles are so encrusted in gear that they’re approaching boat-anchor territory. The overly commercialized industry and gear-junkie instructors would have you preparing to invade Afghanistan again with what is commonly being pushed.

On the other hand, a bone-stock M16 A1 weighs less than half of this despite being “outdated.” In our day and age, iron sights are often completely overlooked for more complicated optics. However, in doing shoot houses and other training exercises, there is no real difference in speed between dots and irons inside close quarters. But I did notice LPVO optics are decidedly slower, yet do offer advantages the second you enter open areas. Weight as a consideration needs to be addressed: The more you add to a rifle, the harder it will be to operate by family members.

Less clutter and more function are exactly where you should start.

Home Defense Guns rifles — An AR with a suppressor can be quite long and unwieldy. Since ARs are usually compared to others of their kind, the author threw in a new CMP M1 rifle to show the scale. Adding frontal length and weight dramatically influences maneuverability. In fact, the M1 isn’t the heaviest rifle in this photo.

Slings and Things

There is debate around accessories like slings on rifles and shotguns for the home. I’ve heard both camps, and I can see all the sides. One says yes to slings because you can have a gun handy if moving kids or an injured person. On the other hand, they are easy to catch on things, grab onto and can generally snag easily while moving.

This is one you’re going to have to determine for yourself, but my middle ground is to have a sling that is tightly secured to the gun but easily deployed. Likewise, it would be a good idea to attach a tourniquet to the stock as well.

Lights and lasers are a mixed bag. A good defensive carbine is benefited by a light, although it does give your position away and can wash out optics in closed spaces. I’m not a big fan of lasers, as visible day lasers are not as fast or easy to use as you might expect, and infrared lasers require you to cut your power and put on your NVDs. I know some guys who do, but it’s a lot to go through when you’re already in an emergency and seconds count.

Preparing for Reality

If you’re a student of history or are the victim of your upper-level management handing out copies to promote sales strategy and synergy in the office, Sun Tsu’s The Art of War talks about the need to prepare accordingly for conflict, not about every kind of sword or spear. While the book could more easily be summed up as a collection of common-sense anecdotes repackaged for sheepdog guys to start PowerPoint presentations, there is a shocking lack of basic common sense in home defense instruction and training.

We’ve been looking at the wrong things in the wrong ways, and it’s a shame. You should be building a gun for your own exact reality, not warfare or team exercises despite how cool they look. Traumatic injury training is lacking virtually everywhere. Common sense says you have a weapon that causes harm, yet we don’t emphasize that angle.

Take a minute and look at your terrain, your rooms, and your strong and weak points. Think about whether you’d have to carry a child or if you get stabbed. Where are your medical supplies? Do your kids know how to stop bleeding? What if your toddler is shot? Grim, right? That’s reality, and adding more accessories to your gun isn’t going to teach your wife to pack a gunshot wound with underwear.

Building a gun is the last thing you need to worry about in defending yourself—surviving is. Your guns should be simple, reliable and not just for you. You might be the one who needs defending in the end.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Home Defense

Self-Defense: Understanding Castle Doctrine
The Night’s Watch: Choosing The Best Shotgun For Home Defense
Tips To Perfect Your Home Defense Strategy
Comprehensive Home Defense: Firearms & Beyond

Carry Gear: 5.11 LVC12 Backpack

By

Adam Borisenko

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March 17, 2026

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Looking for a backpack loaded with tactical features but without the tactical look? That’s exactly what 5.11’s LVC12 offers.

We’ve all seen the gray man memes online. Maybe you even know someone who dresses that way in real life. They think they’re blending in, but in reality, they’re sticking out. Wraparound sunglasses, tactical pants and cop boots are the fashion equivalent of putting a Glock bumper sticker on your truck. You’re just announcing to the world that you have a gun. There are better ways to add functional capability to your wardrobe without the tactical aesthetic, and as far as backpacks are concerned, 5.11 offers exactly that with its LVC12.

The 5.11 LVC12 isn’t covered in MOLLE webbing or Velcro for your coolguy patches, and it’s not offered in camo patterns or overly tactical colors. It’s designed to be truly camouflaged in an urban environment. Frankly, it looks boring and generic, but that’s exactly what you want. My LVC12, which is pictured in this article, is in Dark Earth. That’s frankly the most tactical color it comes in, but it’s offered in plenty of other shades too, like blue and red, to look as unassuming as possible.

511 LVC12 Backpack peacoat — The LVC12 in Peacock blue.

Despite its pedestrian appearance, the 5.11 LVC12 is anything but. This bag is loaded with features that make it easy to stay armed and protected in public.

For example, it has an ambidextrous quick-access CCW pocket for carrying a handgun. The pocket even has Velcro lining and a strap inside for securing your holster to facilitate a rapid draw.

The bag’s rear compartment is also sized to accommodate either a laptop or a large SAPI plate and features a strap to hold everything in place. Hidden inside that compartment is access to another thinner pouch designed to hold a soft body armor panel. Whether you want to run two layers of armor or just one or the other, the LVC12 can keep you well-protected in a pinch.

For carrying something a bit more substantial than a handgun, the main compartment is easily large enough to accommodate a smaller PCC like an MP5K or a very short AR. The main compartment can open 270 degrees and also features Velcro lining for organizational straps to keep a gun or any other gear secure.

511 LVC12 Backpack main pocket mp5 — The LVC12 just barely zips closed on my AP5SD, and that’s only with the suppressor removed. A smaller PCC would be more ideal.

Other more general features of the bag include two large and stretchy water bottle/gear pockets, a fleece-lined top pocket, a hidden zippered front pocket and an internal mesh pocket in the main compartment. For comfortable carry, it also has a padded back panel and an adjustable chest strap. For additional storage space, the LVC12 also features straps for attaching a 5.11 LV6 waist pack to the outside.

If you’re looking to be well armed and armored while blending in, the 5.11 LVC12 is worth checking out. It has an MSRP of $160.

More CCW Gear

Arrowhead Tactical Apparel Carrier Sweatpants And Shorts Review
The Pros & Cons Of Fanny Pack Carry
The Peacemaker CCW Jacket
Arrowhead Tactical Apparel’s Rose Carrier Line

The Bruen Decision And Modern Court Battles

By

Alex Ooley

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March 16, 2026

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**We look at the Bruen Decision and why America’s historical gun culture still matters in modern court cases.**

For decades, courts treated the Second Amendment differently from every other constitutional right. Judges weighed individual liberty against government interests, balancing policy preferences rather than examining history.

That era is over, as confirmed in the Bruen opinion.

Today, courts are being asked a simpler, but far more uncomfortable, question: Is a modern gun law consistent with the historical tradition of firearm regulation in the United States?

Answering that question requires confronting a reality many would prefer to ignore: American gun culture is not an accident of modernity. It is deeply rooted in law, practice and expectation.

When History Became Decisive

Modern Second Amendment litigation now turns on historical grounding. Courts increasingly demand evidence that contemporary restrictions resemble those accepted at the time of the founding.

This shift has exposed a serious problem for gun control advocates. Many popular regulatory ideas, like broad public carry bans, categorical disarmament of non-violent citizens and restrictions based on weapon capacity or technology, have little historical precedent.

The record of early America is not one of widespread disarmament. It is one of widespread armament.

What the History Shows

Colonial and early American laws repeatedly assumed that peaceable citizens would be armed. Governments mandated ownership, encouraged carry and punished neglect, not possession.

There is no tradition of banning arms based on their effectiveness. Repeating firearms existed before the Bill of Rights, and no laws restricted their capacity. There is no tradition of prohibiting carry across vast categories of public life. In fact, many public spaces explicitly required arms.

Perhaps most importantly, there is no historical tradition of disarming citizens solely because they were disfavored, unpopular or had committed minor, nonviolent offenses. Disarmament, when it occurred, was temporary and tied to demonstrated dangerousness, not status.

Dangerousness Vs. Disfavor

This distinction now sits at the center of modern legal debates.

Historically, communities acted to restrain individuals who posed credible threats of violence. But those actions were narrow, targeted and rooted in specific conduct. They were not blanket prohibitions applied to broad classes of people, as with, for instance, 18 USC 922 (g)(1), which makes it unlawful for anyone “who has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year” to possess a firearm or ammunition.

Modern laws often invert this principle, imposing lifetime bans based on labels rather than behavior. Courts are increasingly skeptical of that approach, and history gives them reason to be.

Analogues, Not Excuses

A critical misunderstanding has emerged in the wake of Bruen: the belief that courts must find an exact historical twin for every modern gun regulation. That is not the standard. History does not operate with carbon copies, and the Supreme Court has been clear that what matters are analogues, laws that reflect the same underlying principle, not merely the same outward form.

But this clarification cuts both ways. While governments need not identify a regulation identical in wording or scope, they must still demonstrate a genuine historical tradition that justifies the modern burden imposed on the right. That requirement has proven difficult because many contemporary gun laws are not modest evolutions of historical practices, but categorical innovations.

For example, founding-era regulations aimed at preserving public order were typically narrow and individualized. Surety laws required a specific showing that a particular person posed a credible threat, and even then, they rarely imposed outright disarmament. Instead, they required financial assurances tied to future conduct. Likewise, “going armed” statutes punished the misuse of arms in a threatening manner, not their peaceful possession or carriage.

By contrast, many modern statutes operate in reverse. They presume dangerousness from status alone, impose lifetime prohibitions untethered from conduct, and apply broadly without individualized findings. The historical record provides little support for that approach. Indeed, the absence of sweeping disarmament laws in a far more violent and unstable era speaks volumes.

This is why history has become such a powerful constraint in modern litigation. It does not merely inform constitutional interpretation; it limits it. Legislatures may pursue public safety, but they must do so within the boundaries of traditions that treated arms as normal instruments of lawful citizenship, not privileges to be revoked by default.

The Marketing Myth Fails Under Scrutiny

Claims that American gun culture was manufactured by 19th-century advertising also fare poorly in court. Judges are not persuaded by sociological theories when faced with statutes that required firearms centuries earlier.

History shows demand preceding industry, not the reverse. That matters legally, because rights do not arise from marketing campaigns. They arise from our nature, longstanding practice and recognition.

Why This Matters Beyond the Courtroom

These legal battles are not abstractions. They shape how millions of Americans live, train and defend themselves.

But they also reveal something deeper: the erosion of historical literacy has consequences. When courts and communities forget what early America actually looked like, policy debates drift into fiction.

The renewed emphasis on history is not a threat to liberty. It is its safeguard.

Conclusion: History Has Entered the Record

For years, history was treated as an inconvenience in Second Amendment cases. Today, it is evidence.

And the evidence is clear. American gun culture was neither marginal nor manufactured. It was foundational. Courts are now rediscovering what early Americans already knew: an armed citizenry was not a problem to be solved, but a solution to be preserved.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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Top Affordable Precision Rifles — Bolt-Action Edition

By

Elwood Shelton

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March 14, 2026

3

Precision rifles can cost you an arm and a leg, but there are top-notch and highly accurate options that will still leave you with money for ammunition.

What are some affordable precision rifles that won’t put you in the poorhouse?

Savage AXIS II Precision
Tikka T3x Ultimate Precision Rifle (UPR)
Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range
Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Target
Savage 110 Precision
Tikka T3x Tactical Compact Rifle
Howa Carbon Elevate
Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical
Bergara B-14 HMR

Truth be told, with a little time, effort and modest investment, a shooter can transform most appropriately chambered modern rifles into precision rifles. But not everyone has an overabundance of those factors.

Luckily, the surging interest in placing a projectile dead on target a country mile away has washed the market with a host of precision rifles. Of course, a gander at some of these fine-tuned instruments can give some shooters second thoughts about their desires for going long. Given the high tolerances the guns require and special material typically called into action, these precision rifles can cost a small fortune.

But take heart; there are precision rifle options for the shooter willing to search that won’t break the bank. And that’s what we’re looking at with the 16 affordable precision rifles listed below, at least when it comes to bolt-actions.

Read Also: Savage Arms’ Accuracy-Enhancing AccuFit System

Of course, this talk of affordability is relative. These rifles can be purchased for $1,600 (even if their MSRPs are officially larger) or less, which is expensive when compared to the average entry-level model. But when measured against the overall precision rifle market, they’re downright steals in some cases. For the marksman dying to really reach out while still putting dinner on the table, these rifles more than fit the bill.
Editor’s Note: Some models on this list may have been discontinued by their manufacturers, but at the time of writing can still be found from distributors and on the secondhand market.

Top Affordable Precision Rifles

Savage AXIS II Precision

MSRP: $1,220

Envisioned as a starting-point for burgeoning hunters, the AXIS II now shoots for the same in the long-range game. Savage’s tried-and-true entry-level rifle has finally been decked out in a precision rifle configuration, none too soon for many shooters. For years now, budget marksmen have turned to the barreled action as the foundation of D.I.Y entry-level long-range builds.

Surprising no one, Savage turned to Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) for Axis II Precision’s chassis. The Canadian company’s catalog runs the full gamut, but in recent years has cooked up several budget stocks for partnership with gunmakers. In the case of the AXIS II, MDT customized the chassis specifically for the action, ensuring excellent metal-to-metal bedding for a rock-solid mate-up. Willowy at the fore-end, the chassis proper is beefy thanks to a polymer skin. Additionally, the buttstock is fully adjustable—length of pull (LOP) and cheek rise—the former, however, not on the fly. Spacers are the name of the game for LOP, so you’ll have to tailor that at home.

Customization in-house is also off the table. To keep the AXIS II Precision’s price down Savage kept barrel length a uniform 22-inches no matter the caliber. For the most part, this shouldn’t prove an issue, given available chamberings—.243 Winchester, .223 Remington, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor—all perform respectfully out of this length bore. Other notables on the rifle include adjustable AccuTrigger, M-Lok compatibility, ACIS magazine compatibility, threaded muzzle and 20 MOA rail. For shooters cutting their teeth on precision shooting, Savage has made a deal difficult to refuse.

Tikka T3x Ultimate Precision Rifle (UPR)

MSRP: $1,500

Tikka has the uncanny ability to knock it out of the park each time it steps up to the plate. So again is the case, as the talented Finnish company deals out another home run with the T3x Ultimate Precision Rifle (UPR).

Rethinking the lightweight precision stock, Tikka improved the bedding to create a seamless mate up, thus a platform solid as concrete footings. In particular, there is an extra layer of carbon fiber-fiberglass composite, improving the rigidity of this key interface, thus improving the rifle’s accuracy potential. In short, the action isn’t moving a tittle. The stock is also long several other desirable features, including a rough and grippy finish, fully-adjustable buttstock and an excellently designed pistol grip. It’s the perfect platform for the T3x action and Tikka’s top-notch barrels, which in and of themselves always seem to over-deliver.

Some of the UPR’s finer points include a threaded muzzle (5/8×24 thread), choice between a single-stage and set trigger, removable box magazine-fed, 20 MOA or 0 MOA rail option and QD sling attachment points. Caliber choice includes long-range favorites .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester and you have the alternative between 20- and 24-inch barrels for each chambering. The T3x UPR runs on the spendier side of affordable precision rifles, but there’s no arguing it’s worth every penny.

Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range

MSRP: Starting at $1,430

Technically, we’re behind the curve on Browning’s tact driver. The X-Bolt Max Long Range (MLR) hit the scene in 2019, the gunmaker’s attempt at a truly dedicated precision rifle. Wildly succeeding, Browning went the whole hog in 2020, pumping up the line with every conceivable caliber you might wish to pitch a country mile.

In all, the MLR comes in 11 calibers, including long-range stalwarts 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester. As well as a host of belted and short magnums. In either case, Browning delivers a proven platform to launch them from.

The solid action with three-lug fat bolt is mated—in all calibers—with a 26-inch fluted heavy sporter barrel topped with proprietary muzzle brake. This is then bedded in Winchester Composite Max stock that, while light, provides the stiffness required for repeatable accuracy. Fully adjustable for length of pull (through spacers) and cheek rise, the rifle is also customizable to individual shooter’s frames.

The chops to go the distance, it feels like Browning’s aim was a precision hunting rifle with the MLR. At a hair over 8 pounds, the rifle is less burdensome in the field and might be perfect for long shots during big-country hunts. At the same tick, lacking a bull barrel and some of the recoil-eating heft of a dedicated long-range rifle, it might not be the first choice when it comes to a match gun.

Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range 26 w/Gray Specs Fixed Max w/Adjustable

$1,082.02 $1,011.85

BattleHawk Armory $1,011.85 Guns.com $1,032.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Target

MSRP: $1,619

Granted, it has Mack Truck looks and heft, the Hawkeye Long-Range Target nevertheless is a hair-splitter. Of course, all that weight – 11-pounds of it line – is there for a reason.

Originally chambered in .300 Win. Mag (now also available in 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC), the rifle was designed to soak up the brute cartridge’s ample recoil. That, and it provides a shooting foundation second only to a concrete anchor lock.

Zero In On Long-Range Rifles And Shooting

The core of the system is a highly functional competition-style stock, which adds weight and control to the rifle. In addition to comb-height and length-of-pull adjustments, the laminate component also provides the rigidity required to produce tight groups consistently. It’s also decked out with a flush-fit M-LOK lower rail and QD points, so adding your choice of bi-pod and sling system is easy as pie.

As to the action, it’s Ruger’s tried-and-true Mauser-style controlled feed, reducing the worry of double feeding when you’re glued to your scope. Ruger then mates this with a 26-inch heavy contour barrel, providing superior harmonics and heat dispersion. Topping it off, the company’s Hybrid Muzzle Brake. A bonus, Ruger outfits the precision rifle with a 20 MOA Picatinny rail, with increased elevation capabilities over the integral mounts machined directly into the receiver.

Savage 110 Precision

MSRP: $1,850

Built around the legendary Savage 110 action, the 110 Precision features an MDT LSS XL chassis, an AccuTrigger and a threaded heavy barrel. The barrels are either 20 or 24 inches in length depending on caliber, and the rifle is available in .308 Winchester, .300 Win. Mag., 300 PRC, .338 Lapua and 6.5 Creedmoor.

The aluminum frame helps keep this rifle very rigid, allowing it to fend off creep even when firing the more brutish calibers. It’s also very adjustable right out of the box, allowing a shooter to tailor it to their exact preferences. The comb heigh, length of pull and trigger can all be adjusted, and the 5/8×24 threaded muzzle allows for the attachment of a suppressor or brake as well. It ships with a BA muzzle brake and one AICS-pattern magazine (either 5- or 10-round depending on caliber).

At 10 to 11 pounds, it’s not the lightest rifle out there, even with the skeletonized stock and fluted barrel. Of course, this also means that the 110 Precision should have no problem eating recoil, and for a bench rifle that’s not a bad thing. Once you add a scope to this setup, you should have everything you need to shoot a country mile.

Tikka T3x Tactical Compact Rifle

Finnish precision rifle, the Takka T3x Tactical Compact

MSRP: $1,150

Featuring Tikka’s rock-solid, single-piece T3 action, this little Finnish gem is accurate and adaptable.

Broached, instead of drilled from bar stock, the action is silky smooth, particularly with the aid of its oversized bolt handle. And it’s stiff as overstretched sheets, thanks to the enclosed action design. Conveniently, Tikka has widened the ejection port on the T3 action, now making it possible to feed one round at a time — a difficulty on older models.

Howa Carbon Elevate

MSRP: $1,639

If you want your precision bolt-action rifle to be as light as possible, the Howa Carbon Elevate is a top contender. Starting at only 4 pounds, 10 ounces, this model is packed to the brim with carbon fiber components.

It features a Stocky’s super lightweight carbon fiber stock with a Limbsaver buttpad and ACCUBLOCK lug bed, as well as a 24-inch heavy carbon fiber threaded barrel. The ability to mount a brake or compensator is extra appreciated for a rifle that’s this lightweight.

Howa’s tagline for the rifle, “Carbon on Carbon,” couldn’t be more appropriate. The generous use of carbon fiber isn’t cheap, but it still isn’t the most expensive rifle on this list. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of a chassis rifle, if weight savings are what you’re after, the Carbon Elevate has it in spades. Howa offers the Carbon Elevate chambered for .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Grendel.

Howa M1500 Carbon Elevate ARC Bolt Gray/Black

$1,299.99

Guns.com $1,299.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical

MSRP: $1,085

There’s no doubt that the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical is the company’s most capable chassis rifle to date, offering a suite of features at a price point that enables many new shooters to get their feet wet in the long-range shooting game.

Sporting a 22-inch (.308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor) or 24-inch (6.5 PRC) medium threaded (5/8”-24 TPI) bull barrel with a target crown, it’s ready to accept a suppressor or compensator right out of the box. An adjustable LBA trigger, with no creep and a very crisp break, helps you extract the most accuracy out of the Patriot as you can.

The setup is finished off with an MDT chassis system, featuring aluminum V-block bedding, M-LOK slots, sling swivels and compatibility with AICS-style magazines. The chassis is a bit heavy at 8 pounds, so it may not be the best mountain rifle, but the extra weight will help absorb recoil when shooting at the range.

Mossberg Patriot .308 Bolt

$1,085.00 $785.21

BattleHawk Armory $785.21

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Bergara B-14 HMR

Spanish precision rifle B-14 HMR - precision rifles

MSRP: $1,170

Precision rifles can get pretty specialized pretty quickly, pigeonholing their application. For those shooting for a something that can equally knock the stuffing out of the 10-ring and a whitetail, look no further than Bergara. The Spanish company’s B-14 HMR (Hunting & Match Rifle) is about as tightly built a precision rifle as one could expect, without going custom.

Bergara Rifles Bergara B-14 HMR .300 PRC 26 Black/Brown Speckled Adj HMR Mi

$1,249.99 $1,149.99

BattleHawk Armory $1,149.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

More On Precision Rifle Shooting

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Practical Precision: A Return To The Fighting Rifleman

First Look: Girsan Witness2311 CMX & CMXX

By

Adam Borisenko

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March 13, 2026

0

EAA Corp has just launched two new Witness2311 models, the CMX and the CMXX.

If you’re a fan of double-stack 9mm 1911s, EAA Corp has just brought two more options to the market for you to consider—the CMX and the CMXX. EAA also says that the CMXX will be available in 10mm Auto and .45 ACP later this spring, so it may be worth holding out if you want something with a bigger bore.

The Witness2311 CMX and CMXX are essentially the same gun, except the CMXX features an integrated compensator. Otherwise, both pistols have 4.25-inch bull barrels, tuned triggers, full-length accessory rails and optics-ready slides (RMSc footprint). They also feature lightening-cut slides, ambidextrous thumb safeties and auto firing pin-block safeties. That last detail also means that they were able to delete the grip safety. They have a capacity of 17 rounds with their standard flush-fit magazines and sport low-profile magwells.

Chase Duffey, Director of Sales at EAA Corp, said this about the new models:

Based on the feedback we received, we’re now producing our entire Witness2311 line with the CMX and CMXX aggressive grip texturing instead of the traditional checkering … And while we’re stepping away from tradition, we also removed the grip safety and replaced it with an Auto Firing Pin-Block safety. That change allowed us to deliver a much slimmer pistol with a smaller magwell. These are exciting improvements that people are going to appreciate the moment they pick one up.

The Girsan Witness2311 CMX has an MSRP of $1,000 and the CMXX has an MSRP of $1,150. Both are shipping now.

For more information, visit eaacorp.com.

Girsan 395060 Witness2311 CMX

$889.99

Guns.com $889.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

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Stress Response: The Science Behind A Home Defense Encounter

By

Kristopher Hasenauer

-

March 12, 2026

2

A closer look at what stress does to your mind and body during and after a lethal force incident.

Imagine you wake at 2 in the morning to the sound of breaking glass. Your heart races. In a split second your brain goes into overdrive: you worry about your family, defending your home, and the safety of the people you love. You jump out of bed, grab your weapon, and move through a house you know like the back of your hand. In the living room you see the silhouette of a figure who is too large to be one of your loved ones. You turn on your weapon light. A pistol is raised toward you and a shot rings out—it misses to the left. You raise your weapon, present, engage, fire three shots, and the intruder drops to the ground. You move forward cautiously, weapon trained on the body, check for a pulse, confirm they are dead, take a breath and then the adrenaline dump hits: Your hands start to shake. You call 911 and let the system do its work.

That entire scenario—the way your brain and body respond—is what we will explore. Today, we look at the science behind a home-defense encounter involving the use of deadly force. We will break down how your body and mind will react and the neuroscience of extreme stress responses. This information can help civilians and first responders prepare for and recover from these intense events.

Primal Neural Mechanisms: Fight, Flight or Freeze

A home-defense gunfight activates primal neural mechanisms in the human body. These mechanisms affect perception, decision-making, memory and behavior and are often beyond conscious control. Most people prepare for the physical aspects of home defense: training at the range, choosing an appropriate weapon and caliber for a home environment, and understanding layout and construction hazards. Today, we want to prepare for the neurological and psychological stress responses and understand what happens beyond our technical training.

The 2 a.m. breaking glass is the stimulus that engages the brain’s emergency operating system: the fight, flight, or freeze response. The amygdala—the brain’s fear and threat center—can be “hijacked.” When it takes over, the brain favors rapid threat detection and reflexive response over slow, rational processing. The amygdala drives reactionary decision-making and triggers chemical changes by activating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. For simplification, think of the HPA axis like a thermostat: When it senses danger, the hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline, which speeds up the body’s reactionary processes.

stress response 3 — When your mind perceives a threat, it initiates a biological response meant to help keep you alive.

These neurochemical changes activate the sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate rises, pupils dilate, and blood vessels shift to push blood to core organs and muscles. This suite of neurological and biological events prepares your body for a fight.

Time Perception and Sensory Distortions

Startled awake, your fight-or-flight response begins and your brain changes how it processes sensory input. You move down the hall toward the threat, but it may feel like the longest walk of your life. Ambient sounds can seem muffled by rushing blood. Tunnel vision can narrow your visual field, and you may feel detached, as if you are watching yourself rather than acting.

During extreme stress, time perception and sensory distortions are common. A phenomenon called tachypsychia alters time perception—moments can feel stretched. Auditory exclusion (reduced ability to hear) and tunnel vision (loss of peripheral awareness) are neuroprotective physiological responses to threat. You may also experience depersonalization or dissociation because of the adrenaline surge. Understanding these neurophysiological changes can help you maintain composure and an effective protective posture. Mental rehearsal and stress-inoculation training are key to managing these responses.

stress response 5 — Training in high-stress scenarios can help you cope when the amygdala decides to take over.

Fine Versus Gross Motor Skills

As you approach the room, adrenaline courses through your body. Your heart pounds, your hands feel heavy or numb, and small fine-motor tasks become difficult. When you break the threshold and see a silhouette in the window light, you raise the weapon and aim.

Adrenaline impairs fine motor control (manipulating small objects or performing precise tasks) while gross motor skills (large, forceful movements) dominate. This has important training implications. Under stress people do not perform above their training level; they revert to the highest level at which they have been trained. Practice must include weapon manipulation under stress, target acquisition and a stress-fire routine. Shooting for sport and shooting to survive are different skills. Being accurate at the range does not guarantee competence under life-and-death stress. Design your training and home-defense plans with those differences in mind.

Threat Perception, Bias and Decision-Making Under Stress

You have a backlit silhouette in your sights. Your heart races, your hands tremble and thoughts—or the absence of them—move through your brain at lightning speed. You flip on the weapon light and see an unknown person holding a knife. You fire two rounds. The body hits the floor.

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for analytic thinking, impulse control and moral reasoning. Under extreme stress, the prefrontal cortex can be bypassed by faster, threat-driven circuits. Heuristics—mental shortcuts used for pattern recognition and rapid judgments—can be influenced by prior experience, training or trauma and may produce bias. Those rapid judgments can mean the difference between a life-saving action and a tragic mistake. Purposeful training that conditions decision-making under stress is essential to mitigate the risks of snap judgments.

The brain also uses rapid decision cycles such as the OODA loop—Observe, Orient, Decide, Act—to speed up responses. Conditioning, scenario-based planning, and realistic training are necessities for anyone who intends to use a firearm for personal defense.

Post-Incident Effects: Memory, Guilt and PTSD

After the event, your ears may ring and you may smell cordite. You turn on the lights, see the body, check for a pulse and confront a surge of emotion and physiological reaction.

In the aftermath of a shooting, the brain often shows acute stress responses. Memories may be fragmented, distorted or incomplete. Sometimes false or confabulated memories appear as protective mechanisms. This is one reason eyewitness testimony can be unreliable. Survivors may experience moral injury or survivor’s guilt after taking a life, even when the action was legally and ethically justified. Without appropriate therapeutic measures, acute stress reactions can evolve into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

stress response 1 — Situations like these are chaotic and overwhelm the senses. The ensuing trauma makes post-incident care a top priority.

Returning to baseline takes time. Neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) and hormones (cortisol) must rebalance. Sleep and mood are affected. Memory consolidation and emotional regulation can be impaired. It is imperative to connect with appropriate professionals, allow yourself to rest and process the event, and engage in corrective therapies as needed. Training and mental rehearsal can prepare you to act, but post-incident care is just as important for long-term recovery.

Conclusion

A home-invasion gunfight is not only a physical event—it is a neurobiological upheaval. Preparation, training and mental rehearsals will make you and your family safer. Responsible firearms ownership includes legal knowledge and range practice, but it also requires cognitive and psychological preparation both before and after an incident. Develop a plan that includes pre-incident training and post-incident care for yourself and your family. This is not just a legal issue; it is a psychological and physiological one as well.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Home Defense

Self-Defense: Understanding Castle Doctrine
The Night’s Watch: Choosing The Best Shotgun For Home Defense
Tips To Perfect Your Home Defense Strategy
Comprehensive Home Defense: Firearms & Beyond

First Look: Smith & Wesson Equalizer Carry Comp

By

Adam Borisenko

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March 11, 2026

0

Smith & Wesson has just added the Equalizer to its Carry Comp series.

Integrated compensators on pistols are so hot right now, and for good reason. They make it much easier to make good hits, especially when shooting small, micro-compact pistols like the Smith & Wesson Equalizer. That’s why it’s great news that the company has just made a Performance Center Carry Comp version of it.

The Equalizer is Smith & Wesson’s most user-friendly, easy-to-use 9mm carry pistol, and now it’s even easier to shoot well thanks to its Performance Center and Carry Comp upgrades. As a Carry Comp pistol, the new Equalizer features a PowerPort at the 12 o’clock position on its muzzle. This forces gas up and the pistol down during firing to help keep the muzzle flat for quick, accurate follow-up shots. That should be further aided by the upgraded Performance Center single-action flat-face trigger.

Other features of the Equalizer Carry Comp include its optics-ready slide, Ameriglo Trooper front night sight, blacked-out U-notch rear sight, enhanced aggressive serrations, manual ambi thumb safety and an accessory rail. It also features the same EZ Technology as the standard model to so it can have a very easy-to-rack slide.

The Equalizer Carry Comp ships with a 10-, 13- and 15-round magazine, or two 10-round magazines for restricted states. The MSRP is $650 for both versions.

For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

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AS Designs Super Safety MP5 Lower Review: Making Haste

By

Adam Borisenko

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March 10, 2026

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I hit the range with AS Designs’ ARC-Fire Super Safety MP5 lower to see just how fast a semi-auto can go.

If you haven’t heard of the Super Safety by now, you’ve been living under a rock. The clever little gadget is capable of massively increasing a gun’s fire rate while still meeting the legal definition of semi-automatic, i.e., one round fired per pull of the trigger. More on that later.

All you need to know is that they’re federally legal at the time of writing and, if you own an MP5, there’s not a single better upgrade you could get for it than AS Designs’ Super Safety MP5 lower.

AS Designs Super Safety MP5 Lower

You may be asking yourself, why do you need a whole new MP5 lower? Aren’t Super Safeties just triggers? They are triggers, but they’re AR-pattern triggers, meaning to run in an MP5 you’ll need a redesigned lower to accommodate one.

While this is an added expense, the upside is that it also massively improves the ergonomics and trigger feel of the MP5.

I only got on board the MP5 train relatively recently, but I absolutely love the platform now. My AP5SD quickly became my favorite gun to shoot. Right off the bat, though, I felt it was lacking in certain departments. AS Designs’ MP5 lower fixes all of them.

Firstly, it’s compatible with standard AR grips and therefore provides familiar AR ergonomics. Secondly, because it now uses an AR trigger, even if you were only using it in standard semi-auto mode, it would still be a major improvement over the original notoriously long and mushy MP5 trigger. AS Designs’ MP5 lower can even accept a ton of great aftermarket trigger options, but I found the mil-spec trigger in mine to be more than adequate.

as designs mp5 lower — The AS Designs MP5 lower and Slip Trip, everything you need to make your MP5 Super Safe.

Finally, the MP5 was simply born to go fast, and like most PCCs, it feels absolutely neutered when limited to standard semi-auto fire. Thankfully, the increased fire rate of the Super Safety semi-auto mode remedies that.

To reiterate how Super Safeties work, each shot fired requires its own independent trigger press. The trigger is just being forcefully reset at such a high speed that you don’t consciously notice that it’s happening when firing. Slow-motion camera footage reveals the truth, but when you’re behind the gun, it feels like the real deal.

as designs mp5 lower internal — Yes, I really need to clean it.

ARC-Fire

I’ve been referring to the AS Designs trigger in my AP5SD as a Super Safety, but technically, the version I’ve been testing is the company’s ARC-Fire model. The difference? Instead of a 3-position push-button safety, it uses a standard 3-position AR selector. Not only is that an improvement over the original Super Safety design, but also a big upgrade over the MP5’s original stiff and hard-to-reach selector.

Buying the ARC-Fire version of the MP5 lower is $100 more than the standard Super Safety version, but I think it’s well worth it.

Is This Legal?

Yes, at the time of writing, Super Safeties and other similar fire rate-enhancing products that forcefully reset the trigger between each shot are legal. I can’t spell it out as clearly as AS Designs does, so here’s the company’s answer to the question straight from their website:

Are the Super Safety and ARC-Fire legal?

According to current legislation and federal court, yes. This requires a single action of the trigger for each shot fired, then the BCG forces it into safety which resets the trigger moving it forward, then the BCG moves it back out of safety as it chambers the next round, then the trigger may be activated again. A key step in this process is that the disconnector engages the hammer during the cycle, it does not defeat the disconnector, prevent it from engaging, or replace it. The recent federal court settlement between the ATF and RBT has defined that forced reset triggers are NOT machineguns (National Association for Gun Rights, Inc. v. Garland (4:23-cv-00830)).

However, if you live in a state with laws against forced reset triggers or “rapid trigger activators”, you can’t possess the Super Safety or ARC-Fire (look up your own laws please, but it should be CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OR, and RI that have laws against them). Also, please respect any ranges that you visit that may have rules against these.

Installing The Super Safety MP5 Lower

Thankfully, getting your MP5 set up with AS Designs’ Super Safety or ARC-Fire system is even simpler than doing so with an AR-15. The AR install isn’t too hard either; it’s basically just a trigger and selector swap, but it is more time-consuming than this.

Since the Super Safety MP5 lower comes fully assembled, all you have to do is remove your standard lower and replace it with AS Designs’. Since the upper is the serialized portion of an MP5, this poses no legal issues and the new lower can ship straight to your door.

The only other part of the process is installing a component called the Slip Trip on the rear of your bolt carrier group. Once on, the carrier is reinstalled into the upper and the lower can be reattached while ensuring the reset lever is between the back of the carrier and the Slip Trip. It’s a bit hard to convey through words and photos, but there are videos online you can easily find that will show you exactly what to do. All in all, it’s a very quick, easy and completely reversible process that requires no permanent modifications to your gun.

mp5 super safety trip slip installed — The Slip Trip installed on the bolt carrier.

It’s also worth noting that the lower is available for what I think is every 9mm MP5 clone available on the U.S. market, but you’ll need to make sure to order the right variant for your model. I was testing the AP5 version on an AP5SD, and they mated up perfectly.

At The Range Knee-Deep In Brass

Boy oh boy, this baby is fun. Words can’t do it justice.

The three-position ARC-Fire selector works as fast and smoothly as it does on an AR, the trigger in standard semi-auto is just as nice as an AR’s, and as for Super Safety/ARC-Fire mode? Let’s just say that everyone that I’ve brought to the range to try it was grinning ear to ear after emptying their first mag. A full 30-round mag dump only takes a couple of seconds, by the way, but sometimes that’s all it takes to leave someone satisfied.

As for handling? That’s more up to the MP5 design itself, but it was built for this kind of fire rate and is legendary for its low recoil and excellent controllability, so no surprise the AP5SD felt the same when switched to ARC-Fire mode.

Its reliability was impeccable as well. In nearly 1,500 rounds of shooting in ARC-Fire, I only had two stoppages caused by the trigger failing to reset. That’s a damn good track record. The vast majority of that shooting was done with HSL 147-grain subsonics, but some various supersonic loads were thrown in the mix as well.

The only bug I ran into was at around the 1,000-round mark when I noticed the ambi selector switch had started to work itself loose. AS Designs almost certainly uses thread locker to install these parts at the factory, but after a lot of rattling, mine still started to back itself out. Thankfully, I caught it before it got lost and was able to simply reinstall it using more thread locker and elbow grease, and it stayed put just fine for the next 500 or so rounds since. That said, this is definitely something you’ll want to periodically check after shooting.

as designs mp5 super safety loose selector — Here you can see the ambi selector dangling down due to coming loose.

I keep emphasizing how much fun the ARC-Fire MP5 is, and while that’s true, I have to point out its practical benefits as well.

We all know that guns chambered for intermediate cartridges like AR-15s are really more useful 90 percent of the time in true semi-auto mode, and that’s how militaries train soldiers to use their rifles in most situations. That said, if there’s any class of gun that can practically benefit from an increased fire rate, it’s pistol-caliber carbines. This setup proved that with how easy it was to put controlled bursts of relatively tight groups on target.

If you’re thinking about getting your first Super Safety, I’d recommend doing it for a PCC before something like an AR-15. That said, MP5 clones aren’t your only option, as AS Designs has models that fit AR-9s, MPXs, Kunas and more.

Parting Shot

AS Designs’ MP5 Super Safety lower took my favorite gun and instantly made it about 10 times cooler. Not a lot of accessories on the market can do that. We’re living in a pretty amazing time when these are currently legal, now we just have to hope it stays that way. While these devices in no way meet the NFA’s definition of a machine gun, and a federal court ruling agrees with that, you never know what constitutional infringements the future may hold.

There’s a bunch of different options on the market, but AS Designs’ MP5 solution has left me incredibly impressed. If you buy one, just get ready to buy a shitload more ammo. You’re gonna need it.

Pros

Incredibly Fun
Very Reliable
Improves Ergos & Controls
Easy Install

Cons

Expensive
You’re Going To Burn A Lot More Ammo

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Hardware Talk: Geissele AK-X Trigger

By

Patrick Sweeney

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March 9, 2026

0

Improving your Kalashnikov’s trigger with the Geissele AK-X.

One thing AK shooters and admirers will never stop talking about is durability.

Well, duh. The AK-47 was designed to be used by peasants; simple and strong were built-in.

So was the crappy trigger.

If you want to keep the peasants from accidentally shooting each other while assaulting the fascist positions on the Eastern Front (did the Soviets call it the Western Front?), you give them a trigger with a lot of travel.

A lot.

That runs counter to the way we in the West viewed rifles—something you use by aiming and pressing off a shot.

What to do?

Just ask Bill Geissele. He can solve the problem.

Geissele AK-X Trigger 4 — The Geissele AK-X comes complete. And because it’s a packet trigger, assembly is simply a detail strip and then replacing the AK trigger parts with a packet.

What Geissele did was take the packet system that has proven so popular in the AR-15 world and built it for the AK-47. (And the AK-74 as well, just in case you were wondering.)

It’s an entirely self-contained set of parts, and since the locations of the hammer and sear are controlled by the packet, the dimensions of your AK receiver don’t enter into it. As long as your receiver is in spec enough to reinsert the pins, the packet will work. (If your receiver is so out of spec that you can’t make the packet go in, your problems are bigger than just a crappy trigger, and Geissele can’t solve that one for you.)

What the Geissele-X gives you is a two-stage trigger for your AK. It’s clean, crisp, relatively light … and it works like a champ.

Is it something you need? That depends. What other triggers do you use? If you shoot an AK, a Glock and a shotgun with a classic trigger, then no. (Sorry, Bill, I’ll explain.) The Glock and the shotgun will have spongy, gritty, crappy triggers. Changing your AK to a Geissele will mean you have to adjust your trigger press from one to the next.

If, on the other hand, your pistol and shotgun have good, clean, crisp triggers, then the AK is the laggard, and you definitely have to upgrade it.

That said, Geissele makes great stuff, and prices it accordingly. The AK-X has a list price of $350. A while back when we were still buying AKs for that much, it would have been more than odd to spend that much on a trigger.

Now, a basic AK made here in the USA runs you a grand. Anything better than vanilla-plain runs more. And you still get the 1947 peasant trooper AK trigger. Why not move into the 21st century and take advantage of Geissele engineering?

I have a new AK in 5.56 NATO on the rack for testing (no commie cartridges here), and the AK-X is perfect for it. Since all my other triggers are nice—not crappy—the Geissele will be perfect.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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First Look: Upgraded Ruger 10/22 Models

By

Adam Borisenko

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March 6, 2026

0

Ruger has just announced 10 new upgraded models of the venerable 10/22.

Ruger just announced 10 new 10/22 models that feature upgrades that were previously only seen on specific models, but now they’re available on a wider selection of classic 10/22 variants.

All of the upgraded 10/22 variants feature a BX-Trigger with a crisp, light 2.5- 3-pound break, minimal overtravel and a positive reset. They all also sport an easy-to-use match bolt release. All versions except for the two takedown models also feature an integrated rear cleaning port in their receivers for easier access when cleaning.

The upgraded 10/22 variants are available with black polymer furniture, different metal finish options, a wood stock, a Magpul MOE X-22 stock or a Black Hogue OverMolded stock. There are also two takedown variants, models with threaded barrels and two options that come pre-fitted with an optics rail.

MSRPs for the new 10/22s range between $340 and $530, depending on the model.

For more information, visit ruger.com.

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Instinctive Shooting For Tactical Defense

By

Abe Elias

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March 5, 2026

0

There’s not always time to use sights when it comes to self-defense. Here we look at how instinctive shooting can massively improve your defensive shotgun skills.

For years now, I have been saying that anyone wanting to up their tactical shotgun game should be training in clay sports, such as skeet, trap and sporting clays. However, unfortunately, a lot of tactical shotgun courses have people training on static targets … but shotguns excel at hitting moving targets and are perfect for learning instinctive shooting.

Instinctive shooting teaches a shooter to break free from sights and optics. That’s right: Say goodbye to red-dots, ghost rings and rifle sights.

Many might find not using sights hard to believe, but ask yourself this: If a clay shooter can hit a target 4 inches in diameter moving upward of 42 miles an hour at more than 37 yards away, how hard would it be to hit a man-sized target?

If instinctive shooting made you faster and allowed you to be more aware of your surroundings, would it not be worth trying? First, let’s look at how to learn instinctive shooting. Then, let’s look at the benefits and, lastly, some of the drawbacks.

What Is Instinctive Shooting?

Instinctive shooting is the process of getting your firearm to shoot where you are looking. The two main drivers behind this are muscle memory and focus. To get your shotgun to shoot where you’re looking, you must first master the process. Through extensive practicing, you will build the muscle memory needed to start down the path of instinctive shooting.

Learning to Shoot Instinctively

There are three main areas we must master to become proficient instinctive shooters, each of which are about building the basic foundations of a set of muscle memories for shooting. Once we have mastered these three areas, they will combine seamlessly into our instinctive shooting routine.

Our three foundational skills: gun mount, stance and vision control (awareness).

1. Where Is Your Gun?

If you want your gun to shoot where you are looking, you must know where your gun is pointing. To master this, a consistent gun mount is key, meaning your gun must be in the same place every time. You should be so accustomed to your gun that you can feel almost down to a fraction of an inch whether it’s mounted correctly.

instinctive shooting mounted position — Gun up, as we can see, is your regular mounted position. It’s key your stance is balanced so that your core it free to move.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have shouldered my shotgun, felt it was off and decided to shoot at a flying target anyway, only to miss the target. Keep in mind that I’m shooting at a much smaller target than a person. On larger targets, you can still hit with a bit of variance based on how you mount the shotgun, but don’t get too crazy. Here is where shooting clay sports helps, because that discipline isn’t about putting the gun up and emptying it—clays are about multiple stations and mounting the shotgun multiple times, which helps create that muscle memory.

shotgun gun down — The gun, in the down position, is just alongside your chest; eyes open with a soft focus to take in as much of the periphery as possible. Don’t tuck the butt of the gun under your arm. If you need to rest the stock on something, let it be your bicep until you are ready to bring the gun up.

Also, shooting flying targets makes repetition less monotonous. To speed up the progress, you can just practice at home by putting the gun up and pointing at a Post-it on the wall. A good training technique is the rule of 21 times, for 21 days, to start.

instinctive shooting shotgun gun up gun down — (Left) We can see the gun in the down position opens up your field of vision. You don’t even have the gun in your way and aren’t likely to get locked into tunnel vision. (Right) The gun mounted after the shooter has spotted a potential threat. In the process of mounting the gun, the shooter merges their direct focus and movement.

2. Proper Stance

Our second foundational skill is stance. Imagine making your body and gun into a tank’s turret. At the point your gun is mounted, you have four points of contact and full control of the muzzle. Yet, what good would a turret be if it could not move freely?

instinctive shooting stance — Keep your stance stable and balanced, and your core will be able to move freely. You can see with a closer stance that you can easily pivot by just sliding your back foot a few inches. The stance in the left frame opens your arch up to the right.

Each person has a bit of variation on how they stand, but the goals are always the same: You want to stand in a way that you’re stable and well balanced, and at the same time your core has enough mobility so that you can pivot to acquire targets. A smooth-moving core creates greater accuracy. You should never be throwing your arms, as it will break your mounting position.

shotgun swing arc — Notice the arch your body can comfortably swing across. With instinctive shooting, it is important to stay relaxed, allowing your body movement to be smooth. Smooth motion equals accuracy and speed.

Practice these together, mount and stance, by mounting the gun and moving it horizontally and vertically. Taking the time to practice at home will reinforce your live-fire sessions and speed up mastering the shotgun.

Remember: You want to move using your core and your legs, not your arms.

3. Where Your Eyes Are Looking

The goal of instinctive shooting is to get the gun to shoot where your eyes are looking. Part of that is acquiring the target with your eyes.

Often, when shooters use sights/optics on a firearm they will get tunnel vision. By using a technique called “soft focus,” you can prevent getting tunnel vision. Soft focus allows you to survey a large area by simply using your eyes, which uses the techniques of not using a detailed focus and instead using a wide focused peripheral gaze.

Once a potential target is detected, you switch to an intense detail focus and assess the target: Is the target a threat or not a threat? All the while, you are merging your muscle memory to mount your shotgun to the point your eyes are looking.

Said another way, you do not look down the sights: The barrel will always be in your peripheral vision, but don’t use it to aim, which is called the sight picture. As you build repetition with that sight picture by shooting clays, every time you hit a clay you should replay the hit in your mind, getting used to what the picture looked like.

Due to the size of the target and speeds, it will take a bit. Once you start hitting them, larger and slower targets will seem like child’s play.

After you have these three foundational skills down, you just need to practice while coordinating them together until they become second nature.

The Art of the Gun Down

Imagine increasing your field of vision with the goal of a faster reaction time. If you need to take in a greater field of vision, gun down is a tool to keep in your arsenal.

shotgun butt gun down — Here we are looking at the location of the shotgun butt in the gun down position. The butt should be pressed against you side of your chest, so the path to bringing the gun up is consistent. Don’t put it under your arm and don’t press it hard into your side.

Gun down is simply starting from a low position, with the butt of your shotgun no lower than the side of your chest. With the shotgun down, you can now move your head freely while using a soft focus to look for threats, which will avoid tunnel vision.

shotgun cheek weld — The first thing to take notice of is the cheek weld. A properly placed cheek weld is key to being able to be set free of your sights. That cheek weld is what aligns you with the barrel. Secondly, the grip on the fore end is firm, but it is not a death grip. If the front grip is too tight that will cause the rest of your grip to be too tense.

If a threat is spotted, transition to focusing on the threat. Muscle memory will take over, and you will mount the gun while focusing on the threat. As your eyes focus on the threat, your gun will come up to its established mounting point. Once you get a solid cheek weld, you will be on target. If you need to engage multiple targets, you can simply move your core to bring them into your sight picture.

Benefits of Foundational Skills

The first benefit is faster target acquisition. If you have mastered the basics, your muscle memory will be established, and your reflexes can take over. Moving instinctively is not only fast, but it can remove the conscious reactions to distractions and fear. Your body is on autopilot; therefore, your actions will come effortlessly, leaving little space for distraction.

The same can apply to fear. With instinctive shooting, you have set a series of actions into motion that can be hard to stop (one of the downsides I will go into). So, even in the confusion of gun fire, you will fall back on this training, and your muscle memory will take over.

As I have referred to before, static targets don’t prepare you for a variety of target scenarios. Clay targets present you with unpredictable target presentations. The angle, speed and range of the target can change. You learn to quickly adapt to these changes, which I believe better parallels actual defensive situations.

Practice Makes Perfect

Clay sporting rounds can offer anywhere from 25 to 100 shots. In trap or skeet, a round consists of 25 targets. And no one says you must shoot just one round, either. When I shoot trap to build my endurance for competition, I shoot no less than four rounds, which is 100 targets. If I catch a hot streak, I will end up shooting until I miss a target.

In sporting clays, you can shoot 50 or a hundred targets. By practicing these sports, you’re going to become much more familiar with your firearm. The best sport out of the three to learn loading cycling and dealing with any malfunction is sporting clays. Sporting clays presents two different targets at each station. Each set can be shot calling for one after another or in true pairs, meaning one call starts the pair sequence forcing to shoot both targets without a break between.

You need not be a hunter to reap the benefits and skills gained from this type of practice.

The Cons of Instinctive Shooting

Instinctive shooting can be so embedded in your shooting routine that you have to remember to slow yourself down. You know the old saying, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail?” The saying is not an exact match for this problem, but if your body is tuned to instinctive shooting, you have to be careful that everything doesn’t become a target.

Sometimes, people don’t realize how powerful instinctive shooting is. You can respond to stimulus before you even realize it. Sure, everyone wants to be the fastest gun in the West, but we must also be moral and responsible for our actions. That is why instinctive shooting is only part of your arsenal of shooting tools.

Shooters Can’t Live on Instinctive Shooting Alone

If you want to improve your tactical shooting, you need to practice tactical shooting. Instinctive shooting, as I have said, is only one part of it. Keep doing tactical drills. Practice shooting from around cover and in different body positions. Clays don’t give you the experience of moving with a gun at the ready.

Techniques like pieing around corners or entering a room still need to be practiced. Most importantly, use your tactical shotgun as much as possible. Every shotgun fits differently. Every shotgun can shoot to a different point of aim … even if they are the same model. Tactical shotguns are more flat shooting, whereas shotguns made for certain clay sports can shoot high. Different ammo patterns differently out of each gun.

Practice with your gun.

The Flow

Many people in sports refer to flow as “the zone.” In psychology, it’s called “the flow.” The term the flow was first used by a psychologist named Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow is what takes over when instinctive shooting takes place. Many misunderstand the flow as the state you must be in. To be in a state of flow for long periods of time is difficult. For this discipline, the flow is a state that you are looking to enter for that brief moment during which you are actually shooting at a target.

The flow is the culmination of your subconscious brain being trained in shooting so well it pushes your conscious mind aside and says, “I got this.” Some might understand it using the example of drawing your pistol from the holster. If you consciously think about it, you might fumble or struggle with the action. If you have practiced your draw enough, you will be able to draw the pistol from your holster and shoot fast and accurately on muscle memory alone. You don’t have to walk around all day being in a state of flow—just at the moment you need it.

The Rule Of 21

The rule of 21 is what I follow to get a good start of committing something to muscle memory. Doing something 21 times each day for 21 days will commit that action to muscle memory. Here’s how:

For the first week, mount your shotgun; if it’s off, make a correction. Practice mounting 21 times. For the second week, you mount your shotgun 21 times; each time you put it up correctly you get to count it. When you make a mistake, don’t count it; instead, repeat that time. During the third week, if you make a mistake you have to start counting to 21 all over again.

So, let’s say you have successfully put your gun up 18 times and on your 19th attempt you screw up. Well, you’re now back to zero. Do this and you will have this action committed to memory when your shotgun is in the right place. We can still make mistakes, but running this drill will cut down the frequency.

Practice Attire

As a reminder, clothing matters. I shoot year-round. At times, there have been snow squalls and down-pouring rain. As the seasons change, so does my clothing. In the wintertime, I get used to shooting with thick layers on. In the summer, I am down to a T-shirt. Believe it or not, my shooting takes a hit each season change until I am used to the clothing. Therefore, practice shooting or at least mounting your shotgun in all seasons so you get used to the feel. We don’t have the ability to choose when and under what conditions trouble finds us, but we can prepare ourselves to adapt.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Shooting Skills

Video: Target Transition Training With The Dot Drill
The Shot Timer And Defensive Handgun Training
Gun Digest’s 10 Best Shooting Drills And Firearms Training Posts
MantisX: Simple And Effective Training
Video: Is A Full-Sized Pistol The Best Training Option?

First Look: Smith & Wesson Model 940-3

By

Adam Borisenko

-

March 4, 2026

0

Smith & Wesson has just announced the Model 940-3, a J-Frame snubby in 9mm.

The latest carry revolver from Smith & Wesson is the Model 940-3. Chambered for 9mm Luger and fed via moon clip, this stainless steel snub-nose features a 2.17-inch barrel, a svelte weight of 23 ounces and a width of just 1.3 inches thanks to its 5-shot fluted cylinder. Better yet, it’s built on a no-lock frame.

The Model 940-3 also has a concealed hammer to provide a snag-free draw, but that means it’s double-action-only as well. Other features include its Tritium XS front night sight, U-notch dovetail rear sight and Hogue Over-Molded Rubber Bantam grip with finger grooves and texturing for a comfortable yet secure hold.

Each Smith & Wesson Model 940-3 comes with 3 full moon clips and it has an MSRP of $900.

For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

More On Revolvers

.357 Magnum Revolver: Controllable Concealed Carry Options
Best Concealed Carry Revolvers For Personal Defense
Fighting Revolver Project: Smith & Wesson Model 586
Rolling With A .45 ACP Revolver

Ammo Brief: 9mm Luger

By

Gun Digest Editors

-

March 4, 2026

0

A look at the prolific 9mm Luger cartridge, a worldwide favorite that’s been with us since 1902.

The 9mm Luger, or 9mm Parabellum, was introduced in 1902 with the Luger automatic pistol. It was adopted first by the German Navy in 1904 and then by the German Army in 1908. Since that time, it has been adopted by the military of practically every non-communist power.

book — This is an excerpt from Cartridge’s Of The World, available now at GunDigestStore.com.

The 9mm Luger has become the world’s most popular and widely used military handgun and submachine gun cartridge. In 1985, the 9mm Luger was adopted as the official military cartridge by U.S. Armed Forces, along with the Beretta Model 92-F (M-9) 15-shot semi-auto pistol.

General Comments

Although the 9mm Luger delivers good performance for police, military or sporting use, it was not popular in the United States until years after its inception. The principal reason was that no American-made arms were chambered for it initially. In 1954, Smith & Wesson brought out its Model 39 semi-automatic in this chambering, and Colt chambered its lightweight Commander for the 9mm Luger in 1951. This plus the influx of military pistols chambered for the 9mm greatly increased both popularity and acceptance in this country. Currently, the 9mm Luger is the most widely used cartridge in the United States, though a principal complaint has always been that the 9mm Luger lacks stopping power as a defensive cartridge.

However, the only automatic pistol cartridge with proven stopping power is the .45 Automatic. For hunting use, the 9mm Luger is adequate for most small game, if hollow-point bullets are used. Modern, premium, jacketed hollow-point loads can dramatically improve performance. A variety of 9mm loadings are offered by every major U.S. ammunition maker.

The term “stopping power,” as referred to in the above text, is really nothing more than words used to describe something that gun writers have never been able to quantify like they do with velocity and group size. Since the 1980s, when the 9mm became a very popular cartridge for use by law enforcement officers, those who have conducted research into the ability of a handgun cartridge to actually “stop” a bad guy have learned a great deal.

Additionally, modern bullet engineering, combined with the moderately high velocities obtainable with a 9mm Luger, 9mm Luger +P and 9mm Luger +P+ loads has changed not only the outlook on but the performance of the 9mm Luger. Extensive tests in 10 percent ordnance gelatin have shown that many defensive loads for the 9mm expand to a wider diameter and penetrate as deeply as many .45 Auto loads—and they do this with a higher impact velocity, which translates to more tissue destruction.

9mm Luger Loading Data and Factory Ballistics

Bullet (grains/type)	Powder	Grains	Velocity	Energy	Source
100	Unique	5.1	1,150	294	Hornady
115	Herco	6.0	1,200	368	Speer
115	Bullseye	4.8	1,250	399	Speer, Hornady, Sierra
115	231	5.2	1,150	338	Speer, Hornady, Sierra
124/125	Unique	5.5	1,150	364	Speer, Sierra
124/125	700X	4.3	1,150	364	Speer, Sierra
80 TAC-XP JHP	FL	FL	1,560	433	DoubleTap Factory Load
115 FMJ	FL	FL	1,160	345	Factory load
124 JHP	FL	FL	1,300	465	Buffalo Bore Factory Load
124 FMJ	ML	ML	1,299	465	Military load, U.S.
124 FMJ	FL	FL	1,120	345	Factory load
147 JHP	FL	FL	975	310	Factory load

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest’s Cartridge’s Of The World.

Raise Your Ammo IQ

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Four Great .223 Remington Loads

Best .22 Magnum Pistol: What’s Available In Semi-Auto?

By

Elwood Shelton

-

March 4, 2026

9

The .22 Magnum pistol is a rare bird, but we pick four top options in the caliber to satiate even the most finicky rimfire fan.

A semi-automatic .22 Magnum pistol … cue crickets chirping.

Popular as the souped-up rimfire cartridge has proven over the past 60 odd years it’s never really conquered the pistol market. Revolvers, those chamber in what’s properly known as the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR), shooters have them coming out their ears. But pistols tread on hen’s teeth territory.

What’s the deal? There’s a couple of things at play stacking the deck against the widespread production of .22 Magnum pistols.

More than anything, the cartridge poses a tricky proposition. Rimmed cartridges are notoriously finicky in box magazines. Load them incorrectly—that is, hitch a rim behind another rim—and you’re managing a failure to feed. Jam-o-matics aren’t a load of fun, even if they deliver more punch to their destination.

If that isn’t enough, the .22 Magnum is a high-pressure cartridge that doesn’t play nice with straight blowback systems. Instead a delayed blowback operation is required to function properly. The task is tall in a pistol, requiring elegant engineering. This leads to the next big issue—cost.

Inherently, given a delayed blowback operation is more mechanically complex than a straight blowback, it cost more to engineer, manufacture and QC. Faced with this, the suits crunching numbers at gun companies have a simple refrain: Screw it, make a .22 LR pistol! If they’re ambitious, maybe they’ll roll the dice on a .22 Magnum revolver. Grimace if you must, but their calculus isn’t skewed.

Get More .22 Magnum Info:

.22 Magnum: What’s The Use?
.22 Magnum Revolver: 5 Excellent Options For The Hunt
Best .22 Magnum Rifle Options To Put Pests On Ice
Top .22 Magnum Ammo Options For All Applications

Plus guns chambered for standard-bearer .22 LR not only cost less up front, but also in the long run. Savvy shoppers (in normal times) pay a dime or less per trigger pull of .22 LR; for .22 Magnum, they’re ponying up nearer to a quarter per pop. That adds up—particularly for plinking and pleasure shooting. Given these factors, it’s almost a wasteland when it comes to .22 Magnum pistols … almost.

There are some notable exceptions, so we picked out four semi-autos that have what it takes to scratch the magnum-rimfire itch. But, be warned, the world isn’t exactly awash in options. So, as your mother most likely told you on more than one occasion, beggars can’t be choosers.

How I Chose The Best .22 Magnum Pistols

This was an easy task overall, because pickings are slim in the .22 Magnum pistol market. But I still did my due diligence and put each pistol through its paces honing in on each gun’s accuracy, ergonomics, price and overall reliability. The last one is an important point, because this class of pistol has a rough track record. After many rounds down range, some hard running of each gun, I came up with these as the top picks in .22 Magnum pistols.

Best .22 Magnum Pistol Options

Editor’s Pick: Walther WMP
1911-Style Option: Rock Island Armory XT
Budget Option: Kel-Tec PMR-30
Best Reliability: Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum

Specs Comparison Of The Best .22 Magnum Pistols

Model	Bbl Length (in.)	OAL (in.)	Weight (oz.)	Capacity	MSRP
Walther WMP	4.5	8.2	27.8	15	$549
Rock Island XT 22 Magnum	5	8.54	40	14	$599
Kel-Tec PMR30	4.3	7.9	14	30	$510
Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum	4.35	8.4	22	30	$649

Walther WMP

Pros:

Ready for a modern pistol red dot and weapon light out of the box
Ambidextrous
Closest ergonomics to a standard centerfire full-size pistol

Cons:

Relatively new, so has little real-world use and is yet to establish a reputation.

Walther WMP
Caliber: .22 Magnum
Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
Overall Length: 8.2 inches
Weight: 27.8 ounces
Magazine: 15-round
MSRP: $549
waltherarms.com

Released in 2022, the WMP or Walther Magnum Pistol came as a bit of a surprise. It’s certainly on the more “tactical” side of handguns due to its inclusion of features like an optics-ready slide, and that isn’t typical of .22 Magnum pistols.

The WMP is a full-size, polymer-framed handgun with a 4.5-inch barrel and 15-round magazine capacity. It has a typical accessory rail on the underside and an optics-cut slide on top. The front sight is also fiber optic. The pistol is fully ambidextrous as well, in part thanks to its unique Quad release mechanism that features both a traditional button mag release and a Walther-style paddle release on each side.

These features combine to make the WMP a very versatile pistol, just like the cartridge it fires. With its optics-ready slide, it could be used in competition, for pest control or just for having a blast at the range. Regardless of your reason for wanting one, we believe that the new WMP will soon establish itself as one of the best .22 Magnum pistol designs on the market.

Overall, I found the pistol a pleasure to shoot and very accurate out to 15 yards. The Walther fit my hand perfectly, even if I do find the grip a bit unappealing to the eye. And all but for a few rounds at the beginning that failed to eject, I found the WMP very reliable.

Read our complete Walther WMP review.

Walther WMP 22 WMR

$399.00

MidwayUSA $399.00 Guns.com $427.49 The Real Grit $464.35 GritrSports $488.99 BattleHawk Armory $499.00 Palmetto State Armory $535.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Rock Island Armory XT 22 Magnum

Pros:

Traditional 1911 feel and look
Decent single-action trigger

Cons:

Must buy the XT Pro variant if you want to mount an optic, and it has an MSRP $150 higher than the standard model

Rock Island XT 22 Magnum Specs
Caliber: .22 Magnum
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.54 inches
Weight: 40 ounces
Magazine: 14 Rounds
MSRP: $599
armscor.com

With a fraction of the fanfare it deserved, Rock Island launched its XT line a few years ago. Yet, the pistol deserves credit, it delivers on all accounts—affordability, dependability and, above all, accuracy.

No surprise from the Filipino company that made its bones with economical 1911s, its .22 Magnum pistol cuts the same figure and has the same feel. The similarities stop there, but it’s still great news for anyone who loves the grip angle or aesthetics of the 1911. The XT is a top-ejector affair, somewhat reminiscent of a Beretta 92, with a unique two-piece barrel design that’s part of the pistol’s delayed blowback operation. It sounds complicated, but honestly is a fairly straightforward system that pays dividends. Not only does it run like a top, but it makes for a trimmer, more manageable gun.

I found the XT has a real sporty feel to it, so it’s easy for to imagine it would do well in a competitive setting. I think the flat-top Pro model would make an interesting option for this with its full-length Picatinny rail on top of the slide. Certainly, the pistol’s configuration lends it to self-defense, though, I don’t believe the caliber should be anyone’s first choice. And even though it’s light, the XT is too large to make it a backup option.

Rock Island Armory Armscor XT 22 1911 22 WMR Magazine 51996

$515.99

GritrSports $515.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Kel-Tec PMR-30

Pros:

Very high capacity
Most affordable (can be found new for about $350 at time of writing)
Lightweight

Cons:

Some users report reliability issues when the mag is loaded by hand rather than with a speed loader

Kel-Tec PMR-30 Specs
Caliber: .22 Magnum
Barrel Length: 4.3 inches
Overall Length: 7.9 inches
Weight: 14 ounces
Magazine: 30-round
MSRP: $510
keltecweapons.com

When the Kel-Tec labs unleashed this Frankenstein’s monster around a decade ago, it was met with—to be honest—furrowed brows. (Mine included.) What exactly was the angle of the plasticity, futuristic-looking .22 Magnum pistol?

Not easily categorized, the new-wave heater nonetheless shouldered its way into the market, if for no other reason than sheer, unadulterated firepower. There aren’t many problems that can’t be solved with 30 rounds on tap.

Yes, for those unfamiliar with the PMR-30, that’s its hook—capacity. Which, when you put your mind to it, makes this fairly difficult to classify pistol quite useful for many applications. Backwoods insurance policy, rucksack’s best friend, inconspicuous truck gun—in essence, Jack-of-all-trades. Perhaps its most agreed-upon role is as a bug-out bag pistol.

Next to firepower, the PMR-30’s light weight is its greatest asset. Even fully juiced, it doesn’t weigh much more than a centerfire duty pistol. And for all its idiosyncrasies, the pistol is easy and comfortable to run, even delightful. It fit my hand well, boasted a snappy trigger and, thanks to Hi-Viz sights, is relatively quick on target. I like this gun and think it offers a lot for someone in the market for something a bit different, but functional.

Kel-Tec PMR-30 22 WMR

$369.99 $351.49

Guns.com $351.49 BattleHawk Armory $375.96 GritrSports $414.99 Palmetto State Armory $431.99 MidwayUSA $429.99 The Real Grit $491.95

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum

Pros:

Potentially most reliable option with correct ammo due to TEMPO system
Very high capacity
Optics-ready

Cons:

Ammo sensitive
A bit pricey
Relatively new, so has little real-world use and is yet to establish a reputation.

S&W M&P 22 Magnum Specs
Caliber: .22 Magnum
Barrel Length: 4.35 inches
Overall Length: 8.4 inches
Weight: 22 ounces
Magazine: 30-round
MSRP: $649
smith-wesson.com

Featuring the same TEMPO barrel system that debuted in Smith & Wesson’s M&P 5.7, the M&P 22 Magnum has a lot of advantages over .22 Mag. pistols with more traditional operating systems. That’s because the TEMPO system doesn’t allow for the barrel to cam open until after the bullet passes the gas port, increasing both reliability and accuracy. The only downside here is that the system only works well with certain types of ammo, but Smith & Wesson has already done extensive testing so you won’t need to guess. Use one of the several officially-recommended loads and you shouldn’t have any issues.

Besides the M&P 22 Magnum’s potential for great reliability, it has some excellent features as well. I, like anyone, love its 30-round magazine capacity. Kel-Tec had that market cornered for years, but now if you want a deluxe version of the PMR-30 you have the M&P to consider too. The pistol also comes ready to direct-mount RMSc-footprint optics and features a fiber optic front sight, a flat-faced trigger, a Picatinny rail and a thumb safety.

Of these, I appreciated the ability to mount an optic, which take the pistol a whole new level. As for the TEMPO system, working off S&W’s cheat sheet and shooting CCI Maxi-Mag, the pistol ran flawlessly for me. The only hitch I really found in the .22 Mag is its price tag, which runs a bit more than what many would like to drop on this class of pistol.

Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson M&P

$365.99

GritrSports $365.99 MidwayUSA $399.99 Shooters Choice $459.99 The Real Grit $599.00 Palmetto State Armory $599.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

.22 Magnum Pistol FAQ

What is a .22 Magnum pistol good for?

.22 Magnum pistols primarily shine on the ranch, in the woods and on the range. By that, we mean that .22 Magnum is an ideal round for pest control around one’s property, small game/varmint hunting and plinking. A .22 Mag. pistol could be used for self-defense, but for most people, there are a lot of better options available.

Is .22 Magnum more powerful than .22 LR?

Yes. Due to its larger case capacity, .22 Magnum rounds are loaded with more powder which results in higher velocities than what .22 LR is capable of producing. For our more in depth comparison of these two rounds, read .22 WMR Vs .22 LR: Application Defines This Rimfire Rumble.

Can you use .22 Magnum for self-defense?

You can, but we generally don’t recommend it. There are much better self-defense cartridges out there that offer more power and better reliability, but these come at the cost of greater recoil. For individuals with hand strength issues or other handicaps, a .22 Magnum pistol with a large magazine loaded with the right ammo may be the best option.

Editor’s Note: Adam Borisenko contributed to this article.

The Un-United States: How CCW Laws Vary

By

Richard A. Mann

-

March 3, 2026

0

We examine just how vastly CCW laws can vary between states in the U.S and how to navigate that while traveling.

Constitutional carry exists in some states, like my home state of West Virginia. If I’m traveling south, most of those states also have permitless carry, too … but Virginia and North Carolina do not. If I travel north, things change because few of those states have permitless carry and some have no reciprocity with West Virginia.

If you’re traveling with a self-defense handgun, it’s important for you to know the law in every state you will pass through.

Possession/Ownership

First, I need to qualify everything you’re about to read by saying I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on the television, on the internet or in gun magazines. But I am a former police officer, special agent and a gun owner who has traveled into and through many states with a handgun. I still qualify my advice as something you can trust but that you should verify, because laws change. What I can tell you with certainty is that most of the law associated with firearms transport is black and white, but like with most everything else, some gray exists.

The first consideration when it comes to traveling with a handgun is whether you can legally possess a handgun in the state you’re traveling to or through. You must understand that possession and ownership are not the same thing.

For instance, you must be 21 to purchase a handgun in West Virginia, but you can obtain a concealed carry permit for a handgun at age 18. Regarding possession—in general—to legally possess a handgun you cannot answer “no” to any of the disqualifying questions on the ATF Form 4473 that you complete when you purchase a firearm. However, in some states, these prohibitions are extended and can include other disqualifiers and even magazine bans.

The point is, meeting the Federal requirements for possession might not be enough in some states. Do your research.

CCW Laws holster — If you have a concealed carry permit with reciprocity or are only traveling in Constitutional Carry states, you can carry normally while traveling by automobile.

Traveling by Highway

If you’re traveling through a state that forbids handgun/high-capacity magazine ownership, you should/might still be legal if you lock your unloaded handgun in a case and secure it in an inaccessible location. This practice is protected through a provision of the Firearm Owner’s Protection Act (FOPA) 18 United States Code 926A, which is intended to protect firearms owners when traveling throughout the United States with firearms.

carry gun lockable case wilson combat — Packing a handgun in a lockable case without ammo and storing it in a locked inaccessible location in your car should allow you to travel through states with the protections under FOPA – 18 USC 926A.

However, I say might because this regulation is somewhat subject to interpretation. First, because, for FOPA protections to apply, you must be engaging in a lawful purpose, and you cannot extend your stay in the state where the firearm/magazine is illegal by staying overnight.

Essentially, the protection applies while moving, and if you only stop for food, fuel and a brief rest. If you were engaged in an accident, become too ill to travel, or if your vehicle breaks down, a problem could arise. I’ve heard multiple horror stories related to citizens who believed they were protected by FOPA in states with stringent firearm laws. Even though you’re not in violation of federal law, you could still be arrested, charged and convicted of violating state law. This is exactly why I do not travel to New York, with or without a handgun.

Traveling by Air

One way to circumvent highway travel concerns with a handgun is to travel by air because you cannot violate the anti-gun laws of a state while airborne. So, how do you legally fly with a handgun?

You must declare a firearm at check in, and make sure it’s inside a locked container that will travel as checked luggage. You must meet the container/case requirements of the airline, and you might be required to show that it’s unloaded. This can create some anxiety at the check-in desk, so make sure you communicate effectively with the gate agent.

carry gun lockable case hi-power — If they are lockable, the hard-sided box some handguns come in are sufficient for air travel.

I suggest you avoid TSA locks, because they’re not required and provide minimal security. Also, check in advance with the airline for any additional requirements.

But air travel is not a foolproof way to avoid issues. If you’re traveling from and to a state where handgun possession is legal, but you have a layover or you’re diverted to a state where handgun possession is not legal, you might have a problem if the layover requires you to reclaim your luggage. Technically, you should still be afforded the protections under FOPA 18 USC 926A, but don’t count on it. Make sure your itinerary does not include those states, because air travel is unpredictable.

Carry Permit

Currently, more states have Constitutional carry than not. This is a good and bad thing for gun owners. It’s good because it eliminates a restriction on your Second Amendment right and worries about traveling through some states. It’s bad because it has led to many gun owners not securing a concealed carry permit—that with state reciprocity can prevent them from running afoul with the law for merely traveling with a handgun. I specifically acquired my carry permit in West Virginia so I could legally carry in Virginia—I only live nine miles from the border.

ccw laws traffic stop 1 — If you are traveling by automobile in a state with carry permit reciprocity, be sure to have your carry permit and driver’s license with you.

With carry permit reciprocity for a state you’ll be traveling through, you can alleviate some traveling concerns, but that state might also have a magazine capacity restriction. And, as I said at the outset, laws change. As of this writing, legislation is in play in Virginia that would make possession of a magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds illegal, and it would also eliminate carry reciprocity with West Virginia.

The bottom line is that, if you have any doubt about the legality of traveling with a handgun, contact the State Attorney General’s office in your state and in any state you’re traveling too. While the adage that “forgiveness might be easier to obtain than permission” might work with your wife when you buy a new gun, don’t count on it to keep you out of jail if you violate state gun laws.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More Knowledge For The Armed Citizen

Carry Law: What Is A Righteous Shooting?
Concealed Carry and the Right to Remain Silent
Tips For Communicating With Police After Shootings
Concealed Carry: After the Shooting
Q&A: Massad Ayoob On Self-Defense

New Guns And Gear March 2026

By

Adam Borisenko

-

March 2, 2026

0

Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.

The New Guns And Gear:

Springfield SA-35 Polished Blued Finish
Rise Armament Rev 535 Trigger
Falco Leather Wallet Pocket Holster
KelTec PR-3AT
Ruger Harrier Rifles
Lyman Sonicore Suppressors
Ambient Arms Suppressors

Springfield SA-35 Polished Blued Finish

Springfield’s SA-35 is an excellent take on the iconic Browning Hi-Power, but if there was one aspect of the original version worth complaining about, it was its matte blue finish. Thankfully, that’s no longer a problem as the company has just launched a version featuring an absolutely gorgeous polished blue finish. The cherry on top of this aesthetic upgrade is a set of darker checkered walnut grips to complement the deep bluing. It’s otherwise the same old reliable SA-35, even down to its price tag.
MSRP: $800

Rise Armament Rev 535 Trigger

Everyone enjoys an upgraded trigger in their AR, but few enjoy the installation process of hammering pins. With Rise Armament’s new Rev 535, improving your rifle’s bang switch has literally never been easier. The company’s calling it a “slide-and-snap AR trigger”, as it features built-in spring-loaded pins and requires no tools to install. You simply depress the pins by hand, drop it into your receiver and basically wiggle it into place until the pins lock into their respective holes. At SHOT, we saw people do it in literal seconds. Once installed, the single-stage Rev 535 trigger provides a crisp 3- to 3.5-pound break, and the blade face is rapidly interchangeable too, letting you swap between flat and curved on the fly (both are included). It even comes in different colors.
MSRP: $280

Falco Leather Wallet Pocket Holster

Pocket carry isn’t the best way to tote around a handgun, but sometimes convenience trumps factors like draw speed. For times when you need to quickly throw some defense in your pocket before heading out the door, Falco’s new leather wallet pocket holster looks like a very nice option. It’s designed to create the outline of a wallet while stowed, so even if someone looks below your belt, they’ll be none the wiser that you’re packing. The holsters are available in a huge variety of different pistol makes and model fitments and are handmade with full-grain Italian leather.
MSRP: $80

KelTec PR-3AT

If nothing else, KelTec sure keeps things interesting. Case in point, the new PR-3AT. This .380 ACP pocket pistol is tiny, super lightweight and fed via stripper clip like the company’s previous PR-5.7 design. Its lack of a removable magazine combined with its rotary barrel system and polymer frame results in a weight of less than 10 ounces when unloaded. Capacity is 10+1 for the short-gripped variant and 13+1 for the version with a longer grip. The larger model is available with a factory-installed Viridian RFX1 green dot sight, too. As far as deep concealment pistols and backup guns go, this might be the best new option on the market.
MSRP: $400

Ruger Harrier Rifles

Ruger has completely overhauled its AR-15 offerings with the Harrier line. Featuring two models, both chambered for 5.56 NATO, the company says the new rifles are being manufactured with a major focus on improved fit, function and features. Made in Ruger’s newly acquired factory in Hebron, Kentucky, the two Harrier variants are very similar but differ in a few key ways. Namely, Model 28600 has a mid-length gas system, a Magpul stock and grip, and an M-Lok handguard with a full-length STANAG top rail, while Model 28601 features a carbine-length gas system, an A2 grip, M4-style carbine stock and a lighter handguard with no full-length top rail. Both models utilize the same 16.1-inch nitrided barrel with a 1:8 twist and ship with A2 flash hiders.
MSRP: Model 28600 $750; Model 28601 $700

Lyman Sonicore Suppressors

Lyman entering the suppressor game wasn’t an expected move, but a welcome one. With the tax stamp fee for suppressors now being $0, what the market was in dire need of was a line of cans that prioritized value, and that’s exactly what Lyman’s new Sonicore line is giving us. Featuring 10 different models, all are priced below $300. Available models currently include the Skarv 22, Valor 9, Rekkr Direct Thread (.223 and .30), Rekkr Overbarrel (.223 and .30), Paradox Direct Thread (.223 and .30) and Paradox Overbarrel (.223 and .30). The .22 and 9mm Sonicore suppressors are made entirely of 6026-T9 aluminum, making them incredibly lightweight, while the .223 and .30-caliber models utilize a mix of 303 stainless steel for durability and 6026-T9 aluminum to help keep them lightweight as well.
MSRP: $200 to $300, model dependent

Ambient Arms Suppressors

We don’t throw this term around lightly, but Ambient Arms’ new EXO suppressors may really be a game changer. The company calls the heart of the new cans the Ambient Intake System, and it results in significantly cooler operating temperatures by using intake ports and “strategic low-pressure zones” that draw cool air inside during firing. Ambient Arms says the new system didn’t require any compromise with other aspects of the EXO suppressors either, as they still do a great job of reducing report, muzzle flash and even back pressure. Ambient Arms’ lineup currently includes two sizes of 5.56 EXO models and the Stratos .22 that’s rated from .22 LR up to 5.7x28mm.
MSRP: EXO 5.56, $1,350 // EXO 5.56i Mini, $1,400 // Stratos .22, $500

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Get More Guns And Gear:

New Guns And Gear February 2026
New Guns And Gear January 2026
New Guns And Gear December 2025
New Guns And Gear November 2025
New Guns And Gear October 2025

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