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
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).
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
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
Aero Precision moves into bolt rifle waters with Solus
While everyone knows Washington-based Aero as a go-to for their AR15/AR10 needs, the company is branching out into a whole new series of bolt-action rifles. Dubbed the Solus, they will use a Remington 700 footprint, carry a sub-MOA guarantee, and be sold as a short action complete rifle system (MSRP $1,600-$1,900), receiver bolt face ($899)… Continue reading Aero Precision moves into bolt rifle waters with Solus
SAAMI Approves 360 Buckhammer, 400 Legend, & 7mm PRC
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, better known as SAAMI, just announced they have accepted three new rifle cartridges for industry standardization. The new trio as detailed by the group: 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge – The 7mm PRC was introduced by Hornady Manufacturing Co. with a 180-grain bullet traveling at a velocity of 2,950… Continue reading SAAMI Approves 360 Buckhammer, 400 Legend, & 7mm PRC
New: Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey Shotgun in 2 Flavors
While the Italian firearms icon debuted several minor tweaks to their shotgun line at SHOT Show last month– as well as the brand new A300 Patrol series of tactical 12 gauges– they kept one under wraps to announce last week at the 2023 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Running a… Continue reading New: Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey Shotgun in 2 Flavors
Ruger Intros New American Rifle in 7PRC
Ruger waited until after SHOT Show to announce they have a new model of their Ruger American Rifle chambered for the popular new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge. Dressed in GO Wild camo on a synthetic stock, the newest 7mm PRC in Ruger’s lineup runs a 24-inch cold hammer-forged barrel that uses 5-groove 5R rifling with… Continue reading Ruger Intros New American Rifle in 7PRC
Big Horn Drops Braces from their 5.56 Pistols
In light of the recent ATF brace ruling– which is set to be published any day– Big Horn Armory has recently removed the stabilizing pistol brace from its AR500 Pistol to comply. Further, they have dropped the prices of their AR pistols by 10 percent for at least the next little while. You can expect… Continue reading Big Horn Drops Braces from their 5.56 Pistols
SHOT Show News: S&W Debuts a 5.7mm Pistol (M&P 5.7 Anyone?)
Brett Curry, the guy who has designed most of Smith & Wesson’s M&P pistol series innovations in the past 15 years or so, in 2021 filed a patent on behalf of S&W for a gas operated rotary barrel action and pistol. It turns out, on the eve of SHOT Show, that the patent was for… Continue reading SHOT Show News: S&W Debuts a 5.7mm Pistol (M&P 5.7 Anyone?)
Beretta announces 80X Cheetah, A300 Patrol Shotgun
Beretta has, true to rumor, released a more budget-minded “tactical” autoloading shotgun than their famed (but $1,500) Model 1301 Tac. The new gun is the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol, which retails for $1,099. A gray 3-inch magnum 12 gauge on a proven action with an 7+1-shot extended magazine tube secured by a custom barrel clamp… Continue reading Beretta announces 80X Cheetah, A300 Patrol Shotgun