Storing handguns in a pistol safe is a best practice for any gun owner who owns a handgun, and gun owners have a universal responsibility to prevent our firearms from causing injury or harm. A critical piece of this puzzle is ensuring our guns are safely stored when not in use. The meaning of “safely… Continue reading Top Handgun Safes: Portable, Multi Gun & Quick Access Picks
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).
Best Ankle Holsters: Add CCW Versatility
An ankle carry holster lets you carry a gun or backup weapon on your lower leg while keeping your upper torso unencumbered from larger, bulkier holsters. These holsters are designed to make it nearly impossible for people to detect (or print) your firearm, are small, stable, and do their job without jostling or discomfort. We… Continue reading Best Ankle Holsters: Add CCW Versatility
More on the Henry Homesteader 9mm PCC
With styling similar to the Prohibition-classic Winchester Model 1907, Henry’s Homesteader 9mm carbine was a sleeper hit at SHOT Show, where it soft-launched last month. Officially shipping now, we got to admit this new blowback-action PCC is interesting and Henry uses an innovative magazine well that has adapters to make it work with Glock, SIG… Continue reading More on the Henry Homesteader 9mm PCC
Pythons in the News
Besides the new 3-inch Colt Python quietly released late last year by the now-CZ-owned gunmaker ($1499 MSRP, available in stainless only) but finally shipping this month, Lipsey’s also has a very upscale version that features premier-grade engravings by Tyler Gun Works and elkhorn stag grips. The ask on the TGW model is $2,400. In other… Continue reading Pythons in the News
Dirty Harry, by Way of Germany
Arkansas-based Nighthawk Customs, the importer of fine Korth wheel guns from Germany, has a new and very classic take on the large-framed .44 Magnum six-shooter. As an ode to that gruff fictional San Francisco police inspector, the all-new Korth Callahan model rocks a full 7.5-inch 416R barrel with a vented top rib and carries over-sized… Continue reading Dirty Harry, by Way of Germany
Fiocchi Stepping up U.S.-loaded 5.7 Ammo, including Subsonics
Making effective use of its new Ozark, Missouri facility, Fiocchi USA has been diving into the growing niche that is the 5.7x28mm ammo market and is giving consumers what they want. Besides two personal defense loads debuted at SHOT Show in the caliber (35-grain Hyperformance jacketed frangible and the Hyperformance 40-grain hollow point cartridges) the… Continue reading Fiocchi Stepping up U.S.-loaded 5.7 Ammo, including Subsonics
Mauser Celebrates 125th Anniversary of the Model 98
No matter whether you call it the Gewehr 98, G98, M98, or just the Model 98, Mauser’s iconic bolt-action rifle design was introduced a century and a quarter ago. With something like 10 million copies of the full-sized rifle and its smaller Karabiner 98 carbine cranked out around the world over the years, this firearms… Continue reading Mauser Celebrates 125th Anniversary of the Model 98
CMP Scores Tons of Surplus Military Ammo
Back in 2005, the Civilian Marksmanship Program brought smiles to M1 Garand and M1903 Springfield owners nationwide when they scored a deal to bring in 25 million rounds of military surplus .30-06 ball ammo from Greece, where it had been stockpiled since the 1970s. It took CMP over a decade to sell it all, which… Continue reading CMP Scores Tons of Surplus Military Ammo
Top Survival Rifles: Backpacking & Emergency Preparedness Picks
The term “survival rifle” can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a rifle of last resort, others might see it as more of a backpacking or camping firearm designed to be easily carried into, and out of, the great outdoors. Almost everyone agrees that a rifle geared toward excelling in the elements… Continue reading Top Survival Rifles: Backpacking & Emergency Preparedness Picks
Judge rules Marijuana User Gun Ban Unconstitutional
While most states recognize some form of legal recreational or medical marijuana use, it remains unlawful at the federal level and a specific bar to legal gun possession. The ATF’s current Form 4473, used on every over-the-counter gun transfer, even pointedly states that “The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless… Continue reading Judge rules Marijuana User Gun Ban Unconstitutional