Gun Basics A gun is a tool just like any other, and if you take care of it by keeping it clean, it will last you a long time. Cleaning a gun properly is essential, but proper lubrication is just as, if not more, necessary. A firearm is comparable to a car. Cars require regular… Continue reading Gun Cleaning 101
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).
Tavor TS12 Review
Curious about IWI’s space-age bullpup but don’t know where to start? We break down the TS12 – warts and all.
The Remington 870 Tactical — A Guide & Restrospective
The Remington 870 — the greatest selling pump-action shotgun in the history of firearms — is famous with sportsmen and has also been the gold standard for dependable and ultra-reliable tactical models for users both in and out of uniform.
The Glock 29 Reviewed [Hands-On]
The no-nonsense Glock 29, a pint-sized 10mm subcompact, is a handgun that trends towards the unique and offers a lot for the person with the will to master it.
Hollow Point vs FMJ: A Comparison
Gun Basics Full metal jacket (FMJ) and hollow point are two popular types of ammunition; with one better used for defensive situations and the other more of a practice round. Though seasoned shooters likely understand the difference between these types of bullets, it can be difficult to define the differences and best applications of both… Continue reading Hollow Point vs FMJ: A Comparison
Magazine vs. Clip: A Comparison
Magazine vs. Clip: how do they stack up? Have you ever been to the gun range and heard someone say that they’ll “load a clip” into their AR-15 or “put a clip” in their hunting rifle while scanning for deer? In both cases, the terminology is wrong – what they’re actually loading is a magazine.… Continue reading Magazine vs. Clip: A Comparison
Best Hunting Rangefinders: An Essential Tool For A Winning Hunt
The need for determining a target’s range is as old as warfare itself. Artillerymen manning cannons, ballistas, and other siege weapons had to define the distances to their targets, or risk injuring or killing friendly forces. This process of triangulating the distance to a specific point used basic trigonometry to determine the angles, and when… Continue reading Best Hunting Rangefinders: An Essential Tool For A Winning Hunt
Top AR-15 Build Kits For Your Next Project: From Basics to Ballistics
There is no more daunting goalpost in the gun community than assembling or otherwise building your own AR-15, but by keeping in mind some basic considerations and doing your homework, that goal can be easily attained This article is part of our ongoing Guide to Everything AR.
AR-10 vs. AR-15: A Comparison
Guide to Everything AR While the AR-10 and AR-15 started on different sides of the same coin, today that coin is growing thinner as they increasingly get on the same page on many fronts. With that being said, let us take a look at how these two rifles shake out when compared next to each… Continue reading AR-10 vs. AR-15: A Comparison
9mm vs. .380ACP: A Comparison
Headstamp-to-Headstamp is our series aimed at helping you grok everything ammo. One of the more important choices you’ll need to make when it comes to a concealed carry firearm is the caliber of your pistol. 9mm is the standard for service pistols but it certainly isn’t the only round in town. The .380ACP – often… Continue reading 9mm vs. .380ACP: A Comparison