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).

Sig goes after the Lawyer that went after them

Sig Sauer this month filed a lawsuit in a New Hampshire federal court against an attorney and his law firm over what the company says are “false and defamatory statements about, and animations of, the P320 model pistol.” The lawyer has represented police officers who experienced claimed “unexpected discharges” of their P320s without the trigger… Continue reading Sig goes after the Lawyer that went after them

New! Sig P320 Spectre Comp

Sig Sauer has (wait for it) announced a new model of the P320, the Spectre Comp. As the name would point to, it adds the Spectre treatment (stippled LXG Tungsten X-Series grip module, a Blackout Cerakoted optics-ready slide with a titanium nitride gold barrel and flat skeleton trigger, and X-RAY 3 day/night sights) with an… Continue reading New! Sig P320 Spectre Comp

Ammo Makers Pony Up for Ukraine

On Feb. 28, Ammo Inc., with a factory in Wisconsin, responded to Ukraine’s President Zelensky’s apparent plea for ammunition (“I need ammo, not a ride…”) by donating 1 million rounds of non-specified “high-performance” ammunition to the country’s armed forces. Richard Childress, the NASCAR guy, is on the board of Ammo, Inc, and spoke to local… Continue reading Ammo Makers Pony Up for Ukraine

Top Glocks: Which Model Reigns Supreme?

Chances are, if you’re a gun owner looking for a new pistol – be it self-defense or something new for time at the shooting range – you’ve likely come across one (or a half dozen) of the ubiquitous Austrian wonders Gaston Glock made famous. Glock pistols are consistently top sellers in the civilian market charts… Continue reading Top Glocks: Which Model Reigns Supreme?

Hunting & Sport: Your Guide to the Best Over-Under Shotguns

The CZ Drake is the best over/under shotgun for most people. It’s a reasonably-priced break-action shotgun with solid walnut furniture, but it won’t set you back as much as some much more expensive options, which has made them very popular with hunters and sport shooters. CZ is also a brand known for producing solid, reliable firearms —… Continue reading Hunting & Sport: Your Guide to the Best Over-Under Shotguns

The Best .300 Blackout Barrel

.300 Blackout barrels are a popular choice among firearm enthusiasts for their versatility and performance. There is a variety of 300 Blackout barrels available in different lengths, flutes, and finishes, allowing for personalization while maintaining high performance. Selecting the perfect barrel chambered in .300 AAC Blackout can be a little tricky as one has to… Continue reading The Best .300 Blackout Barrel

Kimber Issues R7 Mako Firing Pin Safety Block Recall

One of their most interesting new handguns in years, Kimber last week announced a “quality issue involving the firing pin safety block of certain Kimber R7 model handguns.” It appears the serial numbers involved were shipped from January 10, 2022, through February 14, 2022. The problem? “Firearms assembled with the subject firing pin safety block… Continue reading Kimber Issues R7 Mako Firing Pin Safety Block Recall

Texas sues over local Silencers

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the ATF last week trying to halt the agency’s enforcement of federal regulations regarding suppressors made in the Lone Star State.  This came about after state lawmakers passed House Bill 957, which pulls the Texas card by exempting suppressors made in the state from federal regs… Continue reading Texas sues over local Silencers