Let there be little doubt — the 12-gauge pump-action shotgun is probably the most recognizable firearm on the planet — both in terms of how it looks and that unforgettable sound of racking the slide. We love pump-action shotguns and decided it was high time to pull together a Best Of list for this classic… Continue reading The Best Pump Action Shotguns
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).
Best .300 Win Mag Rifles: Big Power, Big Precision
The .300 Winchester Magnum is one of the most popular hunting cartridges ever developed and has remained a staple of American hunting culture ever since the 1960s. If you can find a great rifle to pair with these cartridges, you’ll have a capable hunting firearm that is versatile enough for any hunting expedition and will… Continue reading Best .300 Win Mag Rifles: Big Power, Big Precision
The Best Coyote Hunting Scopes
Coyote hunting has become more and more of a necessity in both rural and urban areas due to their rapidly increasing population. With this rise in coyotes, there have been countless stories and documented incidents of predators attacking domestic animals and livestock. Coyotes are vicious and violent predators who hunt other animals of all sizes.… Continue reading The Best Coyote Hunting Scopes
Find Your Perfect Fit: The Best Shooting Gloves Tested
With a hobby like shooting, safety accessories abound. Of course, we recommend that eye and ear protection accompanies every shot you take (so that you can keep shooting for years to come) – but what about your hands? Putting all the tough guy pretense aside (some of us certainly take pride in our calluses &… Continue reading Find Your Perfect Fit: The Best Shooting Gloves Tested
The Best .224 Valkyrie Rifles
The .224 Valkyrie rifle is fairly new to the market, only introduced commercially a few years ago, but it has nonetheless proved appealing to many modern sporting rifle users and competitive shooters – and for good reason. Taking advantage of better ballistics with a flatter trajectory and less drift, the “Valk” is capable of delivering… Continue reading The Best .224 Valkyrie Rifles
AR-15 vs. M4: A Comparison
Guide to Everything AR Both the AR-15 and the M4 are based on the Armalite Rifle design from Eugene Stoner in the 1950s. These rifles have, in their respective roles, served the United States well since the Vietnam War. In service arenas, they are both select-fire, automatic combat rifles capable of fully automatic fire, but… Continue reading AR-15 vs. M4: A Comparison
The Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers
The 6.5 Grendel has become one of the more popular choices for long-range shooters in the last several years. When compared to the 5.56mm, the larger round of the 6.5 adds long-range oomph where the 5.56 NATO can fail to impress. In this piece, we’re going to cover some of the best 6.5 Grendel upper… Continue reading The Best 6.5 Grendel Uppers
Best Shooting Sticks: Elevate Your Hunting Game
While U.S. hunting participation has declined by almost half since the 50s, more than 11 million Americans participate in hunting activities today — taking more than 147 million trips annually — so hunting remains a very popular sport. While often not the first piece of kit that comes to mind when building out your bag,… Continue reading Best Shooting Sticks: Elevate Your Hunting Game
The Colt 1911: The History & The Glory
While dozens of companies are busy making 1911-style pistols, only one name stands above all others as the inventor of the original– Colt. With over a century in the game they kicked off, Colt is still the GOAT when it comes to John Browning’s Government model. We turn back the clock to investigate how Colt… Continue reading The Colt 1911: The History & The Glory
Magpul Stock Differences: MOE, STR, CTR, & SL Compared
Of all the aftermarket stocks available for purchase, Magpul is one of the most popular manufacturers. They also have a decidedly wide selection of firearm accessories, including magazines, grips, sights, and adjustable or fixed stocks for various guns. They are known for making some of the best AR-15 stocks anywhere, each with its own unique… Continue reading Magpul Stock Differences: MOE, STR, CTR, & SL Compared