Texas-based Staccato just announced the new CS pistol, a 16+1 capacity 9mm single-action 2011-style pistol. While they already have a similar “carry” sized 16+1 round 2011 on the market– the Staccato C2– that pistol runs a more Commander Sized 3.9-inch bull barrel, which sets up the CS to be a more compact gun as it… Continue reading New From Staccato: An Officer-Sized 2011
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).
So, FN Found 400 FALs in a Warehouse
The true-blue 7.62 NATO FN FAL battle rifle was in production in Belgium from 1953 (when it was born) until 1988 when it was replaced by the smaller and easier-to-handle 5.56 caliber FNC. While it was (and is still) made under license around the world, just something like one out of every seven FALs produced… Continue reading So, FN Found 400 FALs in a Warehouse
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro, now in FDE
Springfield has evidently been calling in requests for new colors to the folks over at HS Product in Croatia because we have been reporting on a slew of fresh Hellcats in Robin’s Egg and Burnt Bronze. Now, they have added a Flat Dark Earth Hellcat Pro to the list as well. Of course, they already… Continue reading Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro, now in FDE
Dan Wesson Heirloom 2022 1911 (and CZ Lions)
Showing they are still making at least some pistols, CZ-owned Dan Wesson is marketing a new “Heirloom” series 1911 pistol. The Heirloom 2022 is a full-size Government Issue in .45 ACP and uses all-steel components for the frame, slide, and parts. Running a standard 5-inch barrel, beavertail grip safety, and a commander-style hammer, it sports… Continue reading Dan Wesson Heirloom 2022 1911 (and CZ Lions)
Anderson Liger, we mean Kiger, Pistols
The “poverty pony” has made a name for itself by making black rifles easily obtainable, selling something like 1.3 million AR lowers in the past few years alone. They are now moving into the Glock clone market with a new Gen 3 G19ish 9mm that has a lot of decent features. The Kiger 9c has… Continue reading Anderson Liger, we mean Kiger, Pistols
Springfield Hellcat, now in many colors
Springfield is bringing a ton of new SKUs online in the coming days and weeks featuring the 11+1 round capacity Hellcat/Hellcat OSP and 15+1 round Hellcat Pro pistols in Burnt Bronze and Robin’s Egg Blue Cerakote patterns. The asking price, depending on the model, runs from $635-$677. Word is, an FDE Hellcat Pro is also… Continue reading Springfield Hellcat, now in many colors
Magpul MBUS 3, finally
Magpul last week announced their newest series of backup folding sights, the third generation following up on their original MBUS and second gen MBUS Pro series. The MBUS 3 comes in a smaller form than the original MBUS, sitting just under a 1/2 inch tall when folded and under 1.4 inches wide, with aesthetics and… Continue reading Magpul MBUS 3, finally
And out of nowhere came 7mm PRC
Hornady just coughed up another new high-performance hunting cartridge– the 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge. Calling it the “first truly modern 7mm magnum” the new round brings heavy, low-drag bullets and a co-designed chamber concurrently. It uses a long, heavy-for-caliber high-BC bullet that uses magnum speed propellants for consistent velocity, rather than cranking up the speed… Continue reading And out of nowhere came 7mm PRC
Savage Arms Impulse Mountain Hunter
Savage delivered probably the first practical American-made straight-pull bolt action rifle to the market two years ago and has followed it up with a slew of variants including Big Game, Hog Hunter, and Predator models. The newest is an ultralight series of mountain guns, all under 7.5 pounds. Available in nine calibers from .270 to… Continue reading Savage Arms Impulse Mountain Hunter
Sig Intros New All-Metal P320 Combat Tactical
With similar styling to the old two-toned P226 Combat of a few years back, Sig Sauer announced a new Alloy XSeries Grip P320 model, the AXG Combat Tactical. Including all the goodies such as an extended magwell, a 4.6-inch extended threaded barrel, and XRAY3 suppressor-height night sights, the new hot rod is two-toned FDE and… Continue reading Sig Intros New All-Metal P320 Combat Tactical