In 1915, a man named Herman Auerbach murdered his wife and children with a firearm fitted with one of Hiram Percy Maxim’s new silencers, and the New York papers ran with it: SILENT GUN KILLS A FAMILY OF FOUR. Maxim himself rushed to New York to demonstrate that a suppressed gunshot is still very much… Continue reading Suppressors Are “Deregulated”, So Why Does Buying One Still Depend on Your Zip Code?
Author: Michael Crites
Michael Crites has served as executive editor of AmericanFirearms.org since 2016 and previously held positions as associate editor and range correspondent dating back to 2000. He discovered his passion for precision shooting at age 12 during his first visit to his grandfather's shooting range, eventually earning an Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18.
During his studies at University of Wyoming, he earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years. He became the first UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Communications.
His diverse career has included roles as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001; editor-in-chief, Precision Shooter Quarterly; series editor, Modern Firearms Handbook collection; managing editor, National Shooting Sports Foundation Newsletter; editor, Competitive Shooter Magazine; operations director for Western Arms & Ammunition Co.; senior editor for the Shooter's Reference Annual (Cheyenne); content director for The Firearms Report, published by the American Shooting Coalition in Billings, MT; firearms correspondent for Hunting & Shooting, produced by Outdoor Sports Media Group in Jackson, WY; and publisher for Wyoming Shooting Sports Journal in Casper. He has contributed as a regular columnist for American Rifleman (NRA Publications), technical editor for Precision, a publication of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association (Phoenix, AZ); and as firearms specialist for the Gun Owner's Annual.
As a digital content creator, he has written more than 400 articles on AmericanFirearms.org, developed shooting technique coverage for the Brownells Shooting Blog (Montezuma, IA) and Federal Premium "Range Notes" platform (Anoka, MN), and served as lead content strategist for International Defensive Pistol Association (Berryville, AR). Beyond Tactical Firearms, his current endeavors include content development for the Wyoming State Rifle Association (Cheyenne, WY) and technical manual production for High Plains Publishing of Laramie, WY.
He has contributed to the 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Modern Sporting Rifles Guide and edited The Complete Guide to Tactical Shooting and Competitive Shooter's Reference Manual (Gun Digest Books).
Top AR-15 Build Kits For Your Next Project: From Basics to Ballistics
There is no more daunting goalpost in the gun community than assembling or otherwise building your own AR-15, but by keeping in mind some basic considerations and doing your homework, that goal can be easily attained This article is part of our ongoing Guide to Everything AR.
Best Pistol Lights: Compact Weapon Lights & Laser Light Combos Tested
A pistol light is only a tool; the question is what task you have in mind, what you want in one and what you’re willing to part with. Every one of the lights on this list fits someone very well. Maybe that’s you, maybe it isn’t. Not everyone is best served by a TLR-1 or… Continue reading Best Pistol Lights: Compact Weapon Lights & Laser Light Combos Tested
The Best .22LR Rifles for Any Shooter
Looking for the best .22LR rifle for your needs? Whether you’re a new shooter or an experienced range expert, there’s a .22LR rifle out there that’s perfect for you. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the top-rated .22LR rifles on the market, as well as the different types of .22LR rifles available, and… Continue reading The Best .22LR Rifles for Any Shooter
The Best 9mm Suppressors: Let’s Get Quiet
When you need to keep things quiet, be it for range etiquette, home defense needs, or tactical applications, suppressors are a must-have accessory. And there’s no better platform to suppress than 9mm firearms. Given that 9mm pistols are incredibly common these days — serving as everything from everyday carry sidearms to home defense weapons and… Continue reading The Best 9mm Suppressors: Let’s Get Quiet
Best Budget Gun Safes: Top Picks Under $500
To create this guide, we tested multiple long gun safes and gun cabinets, researched their security features, and interviewed gun safe experts who understand what actually stops thieves—and what doesn’t survive a house fire. A critical note upfront: many gun safes are not fireproof. Budget gun safes under $500 typically lack true fire-resistant insulation. Some… Continue reading Best Budget Gun Safes: Top Picks Under $500
The Best Gun Racks: More, Better Storage
Guns are ergonomic objects made to fit into human hands while we’re shooting them, which can make storing them a little tricky. The last thing I want to see is my guns getting scratched up or dented with use because I couldn’t find a good way to store them safely. Being a gun owner, I… Continue reading The Best Gun Racks: More, Better Storage
The Best SKS Scope Mounts, Tested by Variant (2026 Guide)
After more than 70 years in service, SKS rifles have been around the block. After replacing the Mosin Nagant the world over (and given the amount of time this rifle has been in the hands of recreational shooters) there’s an incredible number of aftermarket components available to help bring these rifles into the 21st century.… Continue reading The Best SKS Scope Mounts, Tested by Variant (2026 Guide)
Glock 44 Review: I Fired 1,000+ Rounds & Tested 9 Holsters On Glocks Rimfire Trainer
We tested the Glock 44 for accuracy, reliability, and G19 holster fit including trigger data, CCI Mini Mag groups, malfunction logs, and buying advice. Quick Summary: The G44 is a reliable, low-cost G19 trainer that, when using the right ammo, is the perfect low-cost training companion for double-stack Glock 9mm owners, new-shooter introduction, or budget… Continue reading Glock 44 Review: I Fired 1,000+ Rounds & Tested 9 Holsters On Glocks Rimfire Trainer
Taurus TX9 Review: Results From My Months-Long Test of All 3 Sizes
Taurus is no stranger to handguns, as they’ve been in the business for decades. While many of their handguns have likely been used by law enforcement and militaries, today we are looking at a ground-up-designed duty-grade pistol from Taurus. The Taurus TX9 is a 9mm pistol positioned to compete with the likes of Glock service… Continue reading Taurus TX9 Review: Results From My Months-Long Test of All 3 Sizes