In the diverse world of self-defense sidearms, while the 9mm pistols have traditionally held the spotlight, the 10mm variant is carving out a distinctive niche for itself. But what makes the 10mm stand out, and is it the right choice for you? In particular, for those venturing into the wild or residing in the backcountry,… Continue reading Mastering the 10mm: Top Pistols and Essential Buying Tips
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).
Budget-Friendly Gun Safes: Top Picks Under $500
To create this guide, we got our hands on a number of these long gun safes and spent hours researching and testing them and their security features. We also interviewed gun safe experts who know a shocking amount about how to break into (or otherwise destroy) a gun safe. Here’s our advice on everything from… Continue reading Budget-Friendly Gun Safes: Top Picks Under $500
The Best AR-12 Shotguns: Modern Firepower From Tactical to Sport
Bottom Line Up Front: The Typhoon Defense X12 is the best AR12 shotgun for most people. It pairs a familiar AR layout with a twin gas piston setup, helping with reliability and creating a smoother operation than other AR12s. It’s also got a surprisingly good trigger, giving you a reliable home defense or competition shotgun… Continue reading The Best AR-12 Shotguns: Modern Firepower From Tactical to Sport
Best Pistol Lights: Compact Weapon Lights & Laser Light Combos Tested
A pistol light is only a tool; the question is what task you have in mind, what you want in one and what you’re willing to part with. Every one of the lights on this list fits someone very well. Maybe that’s you, maybe it isn’t. Not everyone is best-served by a TLR-1 or Surefire… Continue reading Best Pistol Lights: Compact Weapon Lights & Laser Light Combos Tested
The Best Thermal Scope for Coyote Hunting
If you want to put down a lot of coyotes, chances are you’ll have to do it at night. To do that, you need the best thermal scope you can get. It is not uncommon to put shots on coyotes at over 100 yards, so a good thermal scope is a must if you want… Continue reading The Best Thermal Scope for Coyote Hunting
The Best .224 Valkyrie Uppers: Get Some Longer Distance Pew
The AR-15 platform in its standard caliber, the 5.56mm NATO, is an excellent rifle, but at 500 yards or so, the round’s limitations become pretty apparent. It was, after all, intended as a multi-role combat rifle and not a long-range tack driver. That’s why, in recent years, people have been going with bigger pills and,… Continue reading The Best .224 Valkyrie Uppers: Get Some Longer Distance Pew
9mm Revolver Evolution: The Best on the Market
For more than a century, wheel guns have been a staple in the world of concealed carry. Throughout this vast expanse of time, handheld firearms have seen tremendous innovation, leading many to gravitate towards the efficiency and convenience of semi-automatic firearms, especially in sought-after calibers like the .45 ACP and 9mm. However, it’s an oversimplification… Continue reading 9mm Revolver Evolution: The Best on the Market
Ultimate Guide to Smith & Wesson 9mm Models
Smith & Wesson is a legend for a reason– they have a special place both in past firearms history and today’s gun industry. One of only two publicly-traded firearms companies, Smith is a giant in the field and has so many 9mm pistol variants that it can be a little daunting to try and figure… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Smith & Wesson 9mm Models
Beretta Bobcat Review: A Palm Full of 22 Caliber Prevention
The Beretta Model 21A, commonly just called the Bobcat, is an ultra-compact semi-auto pistol offered in .22LR and .25 ACP. With a single-stack magazine that gives the user 7-8 rounds, it is fun to shoot, can be dependable in operation with the right ammo, and is easy to load and operate with its “tip-up” barrel… Continue reading Beretta Bobcat Review: A Palm Full of 22 Caliber Prevention
Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870: A Comparison
When it comes to modern pump-action shotguns, two models immediately stand atop the heap– the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870, each accounting for tens of millions produced. We wade into the murky waters of which is the better gun by stacking them side-by-side.