In this week’s gun news, CZ rolls Red & Blue, FN goes TAC3, Springfield Armory brings in more optics-cut XDs, Supreme Court set to hear major 2A case.
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).
News Brief – 10/25
In this week’s gun news, Who is Aviator Arms? Beretta goes bolt-gun, Mossberg has a few new tricks, Springfield Armory goes Hi-Power.
News Brief – 10/18
In this week’s gun news, Al Capone’s guns prove surprisingly valuable, BFR celebrates 20 years, HK goes 200K, SAAMI drops the data, SilencerCo debuts a new do-all suppressor.
In-Depth Review: M&P Shield 2.0 Compact [Hands-On]
Is Smith & Wesson’s second-generation M&P Compact one of the best polymer-framed handguns on the market today? I put this striker-fired pistol through its paces and help you determine if this affordable 9mm is right for you.
News Brief – 10/11
In this week’s gun news, more optics-ready carry guns from Beretta and S&W, Dugan needs our help, NICS numbers bad but also not bad, Sig wants you to build an M17.
News Brief – 10/5
In this week’s gun news, Beretta pushes 500, Nosler goes 21st Century, Sig Sauer gets spookier, S&W heads to the Volunteer State, Springfield Armory offers an EDC 10mm.
News Brief – 9/27
In this week’s gun news Beretta adds optics to the 92X Performance, Walt Berger heads to the benchrest in the sky, ATF asks for more time to work brace comments, Weatherby’s Backcountry goes 2nd Gen.
News Brief – 9/21
In this week’s gun news Beretta delivers updates to all the things, SiCo telling great gun stories, and Sig Sauer makes NextGen cans available to the masses.
News Brief – 9/13
In this week’s gun news AAC making a comeback, CZ gets competition ready, Army gets the last M9 from Beretta, no ATF director any time soon, Trailblazer folds a carbine.
News Brief – 9/5
In this week’s gun news CZ goes subcompact, FN goes 22, HK does the MP5 in 22 (two ways), Mossberg doubles down on Jerry M, and the SCAR now goes both ways.