Perhaps the most common and effective means of home protection, given purpose-driven selection and the proper training in use, is a good defensive handgun. With that in mind, let us take a look at some of the better options out there.
Tag: Handgun Reviews
The Best 9mm Pistols in 2026 — Tested, Ranked, and Ready to Buy
The 9mm pistol is the staple handgun for many Americans. These weapons are versatile, affordable, and easy to learn to use, but sifting through the mountain of 9mm pistol models, sizes, configurations, actions, brands, etc. has led more than one aspiring handgun owner to abandon their search altogether. No need to stress. Below, you’ll find… Continue reading The Best 9mm Pistols in 2026 — Tested, Ranked, and Ready to Buy
Glock 45 Gen 6 Review: Range-Tested and Ready for Duty
We put the Glock 45 Gen 6 through its paces with live fire, optics testing, and holster checks. Here’s what has actually changed — and whether it’s worth the upgrade.
Springfield Echelon 4.0FC Review: The Duty Pistol Aiming to Dethrone Glock
Springfield Armory has a reputation problem. For years, the XD series occupied an awkward middle ground in the striker-fired pistol market — functional enough to earn a loyal following, but never quite escaping the shadow of Glock’s dominance or achieving the tactical credibility of SIG’s P320. The guns worked, sure, but they were rarely anyone’s… Continue reading Springfield Echelon 4.0FC Review: The Duty Pistol Aiming to Dethrone Glock
Taurus 856 TORO Review: An Honest Look at the First Optic-Ready Carry Revolver
There are many things I never thought I’d see in the firearms world, a bullpup AR15, an 8×57 M1 Garand, and a suppressed shotgun are a few that come to mind. But a red dot mounted on a small frame revolver is a bit more believable, and today we are looking at the first example;… Continue reading Taurus 856 TORO Review: An Honest Look at the First Optic-Ready Carry Revolver
The Best Revolvers: Expert-Tested & Rated for Defense, Hunting & Plinking
Revolvers are a staple American firearm and arguably some the best self-defense weapons you can buy. Wheel guns tend to be small, simple to use, easy to conceal and work in any type of holster, either open carry or beneath your shirt. More than that, most of them are chambered for cartridges that are powerful… Continue reading The Best Revolvers: Expert-Tested & Rated for Defense, Hunting & Plinking
Ruger Wrangler Review: Is This $180 .22 Revolver Worth It in 2026?
The Ruger Wrangler has quickly become one of Ruger’s most popular offerings and is a fan favorite among rimfire shooters on a budget. These kinds of inexpensive plinkers are fun to shoot, but with many brands that focus on fun can mean sub-standard quality and, uh, generous tolerances. That said, Ruger has a reputation for… Continue reading Ruger Wrangler Review: Is This $180 .22 Revolver Worth It in 2026?
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.
TASER Pulse 2 Review: Watt’s Up Doc
The evolution from primitive weapons to modern self-defense tools has been nothing short of remarkable. Long gone are the days of relying on stones or pointy sticks — since the invention of firearms, humans have always sought better and more effective ways to protect themselves. Enter the TASER Pulse 2, a less-than-lethal tool that promises… Continue reading TASER Pulse 2 Review: Watt’s Up Doc
CZ Shadow 2 Carry Review: Competition Genetics Meet EDC Performance
The CZ Shadow 2 has dominated competition shooting since 2016, racking up national championships and filling holsters at USPSA matches across the world. But at 46.5 ounces with a manual safety and no firing pin block, the full-size Shadow 2 was always a competition gun first—everyday carry capability was theoretical at best. That changes with… Continue reading CZ Shadow 2 Carry Review: Competition Genetics Meet EDC Performance