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).

SHOT Show 2022: Best New Products (Other Than Guns)

SHOT Show is far more than new guns. In fact, the majority of the more than 2,300 exhibitors across 13.9 miles of aisles aren’t firearm makers. We combed those halls for some of the best new products for 2022 that don’t go bang.

The Best AK Pistols: Compact Power for The Kalash Enthusiast

The AK platform is, arguably, more popular than ever. The original (and nearly indestructible) rifle as developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, the AK, has been the firearm of choice for militaries, revolutionaries, and guerillas across the globe for generations. The pistol variant has been shortened down and modernized, giving us the AK-47 pistol — a fun… Continue reading The Best AK Pistols: Compact Power for The Kalash Enthusiast

SHOT Show 2022: New Guns

While a hugely different show than in past years, the 43rd annual had no shortage of new guns. We spent a few hours wandering the cavernous halls of the Venetian Convention Center to answer one simple question — what are the best new guns we can expect to see in 2022?

New Springfield Armory Hellion Bullpup

Springfield Armory has been importing guns for decades. Back in the 1980s and 90s, they brought in rebranded CZ-75s, semi-auto FALs, and HK G3s from Europe. Notably, like 30 minutes after a Croatian company named HS Produkt introduced a polymer-framed striker-fired pistol with a grip safety called the HS-2000, Springer locked up the U.S. import… Continue reading New Springfield Armory Hellion Bullpup

Top Sig P320 Upgrades: Mods to Maximize Performance

The Sig Sauer P320 is a striker-fired handgun platform that was designed from the ground up to be customizable and modular. It was developed to compete in the MX17 Modular Handgun System trials, which it won. After winning the competition the P320 received the designations M17 and M18 and was adopted by the United States… Continue reading Top Sig P320 Upgrades: Mods to Maximize Performance

Top Aftermarket SKS Stocks: Modernize Your SKS In Style

Determining what to upgrade on a rifle can be daunting. Optics, triggers, rails, & accessories galore all call at your wallet. A good aftermarket stock will not only give you a huge array of configuration options for your favorite Russian firearm but can also make shooting this particular assault weapon even more fun. Many folks… Continue reading Top Aftermarket SKS Stocks: Modernize Your SKS In Style

Choosing Your Red Dot Magnifier: A Buyer’s Guide for Clearer Shots

Personally, I like to put red dot sights on most of my short-range rifles. Iron sights are incredible, but most of the time, it is just so much easier to use an excellent red dot. You get a clear sight picture, and your target acquisition is much better. Although if you want to shoot medium-range… Continue reading Choosing Your Red Dot Magnifier: A Buyer’s Guide for Clearer Shots

Sig, SA, and Beretta Pull Out of SHOT Show 2022

The biggest firearms industry event in the world, the NSSF’s annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, is going to be missing some of the larger names. With a surge in COVID cases nationwide, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, and Beretta have all pulled out of the upcoming Las Vegas event, set for Jan. 18-21. The… Continue reading Sig, SA, and Beretta Pull Out of SHOT Show 2022