If you’ve spent much time hunting for an AR of any sort, you’ve almost certainly come across Black Creek Georgia’s Daniel Defense. In the mix of ever-expanding AR brands, they’re among the most recognized (and most coveted) AR builders around. Daniel Defense was kind enough to send me their marquee DDM4 V7 to get my… Continue reading Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 Review [Hands-On]
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).
Gun Cleaning 101
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
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
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
Hunting Season Firearms You Should Own
Seasoned hunters usually have a list in their minds of the firearms they want to own. Ideally, the guns you own will give you a wide array of options to hunt both small and big game. It’s also helpful to have firearms that use common and inexpensive calibers, and having guns that aren’t chambered in… Continue reading Hunting Season Firearms You Should Own
Who invented the first gun? A brief history of firearms.
Weaponry and humans have a long history. Weapons were used as far back as 400,000 BC. Throughout human history, they have been used for hunting, for sport, and for both law enforcement and criminal activities. Weapons have created entertainment, envied collections, and self-defense strategies for as long as there has been written history. Weapons have… Continue reading Who invented the first gun? A brief history of firearms.