What is the 6.8 SPC and what makes it exciting? Designed to essentially split the difference between the 5.56 and 7.62 NATO as an intermediate cartridge, the caliber is interesting, brings a lot to the table, and coupled with the right rifle for the round, is exceptionally capable. We look at the cartridge, break down… Continue reading The Best 6.8 SPC Rifles
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).
Gun Sales Still Booming
The latest NICS figures from the FBI say that last month a stout 2.3 million background checks were performed by the platform. Of course, those checks come from a lot of sources, but the National Shooting Sports Foundation sifted through the codes and found that over 1.1 million were likely for the retail sale of… Continue reading Gun Sales Still Booming
FN Herstal Announces New HiPer pistol
In what looks kind of like a disagreement between FN America and FN Herstal (i.e., Belgian FN), the latter debuted the new 15+1 capacity 9mm FN HiPer last week. The new gun is about the same size as the FN 509 Midsize which is made in the U.S. and is a little smaller than the… Continue reading FN Herstal Announces New HiPer pistol
CZ Goes Lefty for 457 Series
CZ-USA this week announced two new models of the CZ 457 bolt-action rimfire rifle oriented to left-hand users. The two new variants are a .22LR LH Varmint with a 20-inch heavy-profile barrel and an LH American model with a 24-inch light-profile barrel in either .22WMR or .22LR. Besides a 60-degree bolt and push-to-fire safety located… Continue reading CZ Goes Lefty for 457 Series
Big List of Gun Manufacturers & Online Gun Stores
Below we have compiled a list of firearm manufacturers (both American and international) as well all our recommended places to buy guns online. It is not all-encompassing, however, we’re covering major brands, categories (rifles, shotgun, handguns/pistols, etc.) and retailers we think are reputable and reliable. Click on the company name or logo and it will… Continue reading Big List of Gun Manufacturers & Online Gun Stores
From the NRAAM 2022 Show Floor
While the NRA has its well-deserved cross to bear when it comes to being a lightning rod both among anti-gun types and many gun enthusiasts on the other side of the aisle, the group’s politics and practices aside, its recent Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Houston, aka “The NRA Convention/Show” had a lot of new… Continue reading From the NRAAM 2022 Show Floor
New Ruger Marlin 1895 Trapper
Ruger, after picking up the Marlin Firearms subsidiary from bankrupt Remington Outdoors last year at bargain-basement prices, is busy bringing those lever guns back to the market. While the company skipped SHOT Show, they did roll out the stainless Model 1895, and this week, as Ruger says they will be at the huge NRA Show… Continue reading New Ruger Marlin 1895 Trapper
U.S. Grant’s Wheel Guns Worth $5 Million
As you may know, a set of Remington revolvers– serial numbers 1 and 2– presented to Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War heavyweight champion and 18th President, were recently rediscovered after falling off the grid for a couple of generations and went to auction. They were estimated to run between $1-$3 million but bidding soon… Continue reading U.S. Grant’s Wheel Guns Worth $5 Million
Beretta has a New Optics-Ready Full-Sized APX
Beretta has a lot of cool products that they just carry overseas or sell to LE/Mil channels including the AR-70/90 and the PM-12 SMG. So, when they have a big push to release a new gun and an updated edition of their Tactical Toblerone APX pistol rolls out, it is a kind of whom-whomp kind… Continue reading Beretta has a New Optics-Ready Full-Sized APX
The Best Bersa S. A. Handguns
The history of Bersa S.A. Founded in the mid-1950s by a trio of mechanical engineers – one of them formerly from Beretta – Bersa initially focused on producing parts for the now-defunct arms manufacturer Ballester–Molina. And eventually moved into producing handguns and other standard consumer firearms. The first Bersa 22 Long Rifle pistol was called… Continue reading The Best Bersa S. A. Handguns