In more Turkish polymer pistol news, Florida’s SAR USA– the folks that have been bringing Sarsilmaz pistols across the Atlantic for a generation– has a new compact 9mm with lots of goodies and a (kinda) budget price. The new SAR9 Compact X is a very Glock 19-sized polymer-framed striker-fired pistol with a 4-inch barrel. Using… Continue reading New SAR9 Compact X
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).
Springfield Armory adds 9mm variants to the Garrison Series
Springfield intro’d their new Garrison line of forged-frame 1911s last year in .45ACP and is doubling down this year with two 9+1 shot 9mm pistols in the same series. They have a lot of features for the ~$800 asking price including a match grade barrel with a fully supported ramp, skeletonized hammer, extended beavertail grip… Continue reading Springfield Armory adds 9mm variants to the Garrison Series
Sig Sauer grabs the big, messy NGSW enchilada
In news that really should be a surprise to no one, Sig Sauer came out on top at the end of the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon program. The important points… NGSW is meant to replace the 5.56-caliber M4 and M249 in front-line use. Sig beat second-place competitor True Velocity/Lone Star/Beretta for the contract. Over… Continue reading Sig Sauer grabs the big, messy NGSW enchilada
The Best Backup Iron Sights (BUIS)
For most of us, our rifles are only as effective as our optics. But if your optics are powered by batteries, as are all red dot and other electrical sights, then those batteries will eventually run dry (often at the worst time) leaving you without any sights whatsoever. Backup iron sights, or BUIS, are a… Continue reading The Best Backup Iron Sights (BUIS)
Unleash the Power of 6.5 Creedmoor: Top Rifle Picks
The 6.5 Creedmoor is a name that resonates with hunters and sharpshooters across the firearms community. If this is the first time you’ve heard about it, one might wonder if you’ve been on a time-traveling expedition to the past or perhaps have taken up residence in a secluded cave, subsisting on nature’s bounty. The cartridge’s… Continue reading Unleash the Power of 6.5 Creedmoor: Top Rifle Picks
Norma sets up operations in Savannah
Formed in Sweden in 1902, Norma is a well-known European ammo maker that in recent years has been acquired by Beretta along with RUAG and others. During the great ammo shortage in the past couple of years, Norma has shipped over 400 containers of ammunition from RUAG Ammotec factories in Europe to the U.S. and,… Continue reading Norma sets up operations in Savannah
CZ still making .40 S&W competition guns
While many of the big-name pistol makers have quietly exited the .40 S&W market– for instance, Sig hasn’t cataloged a new .40-caliber pistol for the past two years– CZ is showing they are firmly stuck in 2002 with the new TS 2. A competition-centered double stack familiar to IPSC, USPSA, 3-Gun, and Steel Challenge shooters,… Continue reading CZ still making .40 S&W competition guns
B&T’s new SPC9 is an SPC Model for the Masses
Switzerland’s B&T has been marketing a neat little 9mm SBR style gun dubbed the SPC— the Special Purpose Carbine– in Europe for a minute. The fortune cookie-length story behind it is that it was developed for a police tender and designed to be familiar to both MP5 and AR users, having two different charging handles–… Continue reading B&T’s new SPC9 is an SPC Model for the Masses
Federal goes retro on shotshells
Minnesota-based Federal ammo, part of the huge Vista Outdoor empire, is celebrating 100 years in business by changing the packaging on its Top Gun 12 gauge No.8 shot target loads. For this year, the loads will be shipped in one of four different Monark and Hi-Power branded 25-shell boxes. They are priced at $10.99 a… Continue reading Federal goes retro on shotshells
The Best Sniper & Precision Rifles
What is the best precision rifle? Sniper and precision rifles are mostly enjoyed by target shooting enthusiasts and hunters. While you can’t get the top-of-the-line rifles utilized by special forces in the military, there are plenty of civilian rifles that are ideal for these purposes. Let’s break down some of the best sniper and precision… Continue reading The Best Sniper & Precision Rifles