Shotguns are some of the most versatile and useful firearms ever created. They’re excellent weapons for hunting, general fun and target shooting, and of course, for home defense. It’s just too bad that there aren’t any shotgun silencers created to make them even better… right? Wrong! In fact, there are a handful of top-tier shotgun… Continue reading The Best Shotgun Suppressors
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 Ruger 10/22 Upgrades
There’s a reason the Ruger 10/22 has long been one of America’s favorite rimfire rifles. Its smooth action, consistent accuracy, and legendarily durable build mean even the stock OEM 10/22 will hold its own for decades. Of course, part of the fun of owning a gun is making it your own, and the 10/22 has… Continue reading The Best Ruger 10/22 Upgrades
FBI is buying a lot of suppressors
In the past couple of weeks, two big Utah-based suppressor companies– SilencerCo and HUXWRX Safety Co. (formerly OSS Suppressors) — have announced seven-figure deals to supply the Feds with cans. HUXWRX says their $4.9 million contract, to outfit the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, is for their new 3D-printed FLOW 556k suppressor, which they say, “finished… Continue reading FBI is buying a lot of suppressors
The Dicken Drill Emerges
No, it’s not a new line of power tools available at your local big box home improvement store, the Dicken Drill is now the most popular handgun drill in the country. In an ode to 22-year-old armed bystander Elisjsha Dicken who, clad in shorts and a T-shirt, earlier this month engaged and stopped an Indiana… Continue reading The Dicken Drill Emerges
Sig Sauer Has 2 New M400 Rifles
The New Hampshire-based small arms giant has turned its eyes to its direct impingement 5.56 NATO AR-15 beanstalk and shook out a pair of new M400 series rifles. This includes the M400 SDI X-SERIES and M400 Tread Predator 2.0. If the “X-SERIES” sound familiar, Sig uses that name for its optimized P320 pistols that include… Continue reading Sig Sauer Has 2 New M400 Rifles
The Best Bedside Gun Safes
A gun safe certainly isn’t the best place for your wife’s jewelry, stamp collection, or fine art pieces (a safe-deposit box would be a better choice). But if you want to be a responsible gun owner, safeguard your handgun from thieves and other uninvited guests, and keep easy access to your piece, a quality bedside… Continue reading The Best Bedside Gun Safes
The Best SKS Scope Mounts
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
Top Concealed Carry Pants: Stay Prepared and Comfortable
After diving deep into the world of EDC pants, we think 5.11 Tactical’s Defender Flex Jeans are the best concealed carry pants for most people. They use a 65% polyester/35% cotton blend that offers rip-stop to keep your pants in one piece, are water-resistant yet breathable, come in multiple inseam lengths, have rear-slanted side pockets… Continue reading Top Concealed Carry Pants: Stay Prepared and Comfortable
From Novice to Expert: 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 From Novice to Expert: The Best .22LR Rifles for Any Shooter
The Best 7.62×39 Rifles: AKs, ARs, And More
7.62×39 rifles are some of the most popular in the entire world. That’s because they’re the primary type of AK-47, itself arguably the most successful rifle in human history. These guns are close competitors with 5.56×45 NATO firearms, packing more of a punch up close in exchange for slightly less accuracy at a distance. Today,… Continue reading The Best 7.62×39 Rifles: AKs, ARs, And More