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
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).
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: Complete Range, Reliability, and Concealed Carry Notes
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: Complete Range, Reliability, and Concealed Carry Notes
Taurus TX9 Review: Testing the Full-Size, Compact, and Subcompact Duty Pistol
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: Testing the Full-Size, Compact, and Subcompact Duty Pistol
Unleash the Power of 6.5 Creedmoor: Top Rifle Picks
The 6.5 Creedmoor is a name that resonates with hunters and sharpshooters across the firearms community. If this is the first time you’ve heard about it, one might wonder if you’ve been on a time-traveling expedition to the past or perhaps have taken up residence in a secluded cave, subsisting on nature’s bounty. The cartridge’s… Continue reading Unleash the Power of 6.5 Creedmoor: Top Rifle Picks
Ruger Mark IV Review: The Complete Mk IV 22/45 Guide
Ruger kicked off its past 75 years with a humble little .22 LR semi-automatic pistol that Bill Ruger himself crafted in a garage workshop. Now in its fourth and cleanest iteration, the current Mark IV brings with it a one-button takedown process that revolutionizes its maintenance. All the complexity users had to overcome on past… Continue reading Ruger Mark IV Review: The Complete Mk IV 22/45 Guide
The Suppressor Tax Win Is Real — and Much Smaller Than Advertised
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law, and somewhere in the fine print of a sprawling reconciliation bill was a sentence the suppressor industry had been waiting ninety-one years to read: the $200 federal tax stamp on silencers, short-barreled rifles, and related NFA items was eliminated, effective January… Continue reading The Suppressor Tax Win Is Real — and Much Smaller Than Advertised