This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Kalashnikov pattern rifles are dependable weapons that are well suited to defense of home and family in virtually any situation. While the sexier AR might be more popular and offer some advantages, the AK is still a solid choice and every bit as capable in practical terms.
M855A1 Review
May 31, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts M855A1 Review In recent years, the US Army has adopted a new type of ammunition for its 5.56x45mm rifles and machine guns, which has attracted significant criticism, both because of the procurement process, and because of questions about the round’s actual performance.
Sig Sauer V-Crown Defense Ammunition
May 30, 2015 By
The Sig Sauer V-Crown This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Sig-Sauer recently started selling ammunition branded V-Crown. It is billed as premium defense ammunition and appears at first glance to be similar to its competitors. It has a nickel plated brass case like other premium offerings and a copper jacketed, lead core, hollow […]
The Case for Copper Bullets
May 20, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Copper Bullets The very first firearms literally fired rocks. Not long after that, iron and lead projectiles came into use. Lead has the advantage of being plentiful (and therefore inexpensive) as well as being very dense and soft. The density allows a bullet to carry velocity downrange […]
How to Choose Home Defense Ammunition
May 11, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts If you are new to firearms or new to the defensive use of firearms, the staggering variety of home defense ammunition available to you may be overwhelming. There are boxes with eagles and bears and holograms and flags. Every one of them is imprinted with numbers and […]
Lehigh Controlled Fracturing Bullet Review
May 1, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts The Fracas Over Fracturing Lately, the Internet has been positively afire with fierce debate about the Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing Bullets. The camps are divided much like the ancient tribes of 9mm and .45 ACP. While this feud is relatively new, battle lines are drawn, the trenches […]
Is Newer Really Better with Bullets?
April 26, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts There have been some significant advances in bullet technology over the last three or four decades, especially in regards to handgun bullets. The research that led to these advances may have been spurred in large part by the concealed carry movement but it was also motivated by […]
Are Wheel Guns Still Relevant?
April 14, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts There was a time when the aphorism “Six for sure,” carried significant weight and automatic handguns were not nearly as dependable as revolvers. That time is long past, though. Modern automatic pistols are extremely reliable when loaded with quality ammunition.
What’s All the Ruckus about the Extreme Penetrator?
March 28, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts There has been a great deal of commotion over the Lehigh Defense series of Extreme Penetrator bullets in recent months. It is without doubt an intriguing design with a provocative name. The bullet might remind a person of a Philips head screw driver and it is CNC […]
AK Ammo Review #1
March 24, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts 7.62x39mm Defense AK Ammo Review: Sellier & Belot 123 gr soft point If you use an AK type rifle or other carbine chambered in 7.62x39mm for home defense, you will want to choose ammunition that does a good job of converting velocity into tissue destruction. FMJ will […]
What is the Remington Black Belt?
March 20, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts The “new” Remington Black Belt really isn’t all that new. To begin, it cosmetically appears to be little more than a Golden Saber with a steel band where the cannelure would be. It is also not so new in the sense that Remington has already “unveiled” it […]
M855 – Beyond the Hype
March 14, 2015 By
M855 – Much Ado About Nothing? This is a guest post by Andrew Betts The BATFE furiously backpedaled after initially indicating they had decided that M855 or SS109 type 62 gr FMJ 5.56mm ammunition met the definition of an armor piercing projectile. That such a decision would have been patently ridiculous apparently had no bearing […]
Old School Ammo
March 8, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Old School Ammo – Is it good enough for home defense? For decades, many law enforcement agencies issued the Federal 9BPLE load before it began to be displaced by newer projectiles such as Gold Dot and HST. It is currently available at many retail outlets and online […]
Can Clothing Stop a Bullet?
March 2, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts There is a rumor that the .30 carbine was so weak that it would literally bounce off the heavy winter coats worn by North Korean soldiers during the Korean War. Yes, it sounds ridiculous that a piece of ordinary clothing could stop a bullet but the rationale […]
How to Load a Shotgun
February 1, 2015 By
You would think it is relatively straight forward on how to load a shotgun. Most have a tube that you simply push the round into until the tube (magazine) is full. Like everything it is a lot harder when it’s dark, your adrenaline is pumping and someone is shooting back at you.
The Mighty .357 Magnum
January 31, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts The Mighty .357 Magnum Patton carried one. The numbers 3, 5, 7 alone are synonymous with power. Few cartridges are as universally recognized and respected as the .357 magnum. People might debate 9mm vs. 45 ACP but no one argues the power, versatility, and ability of the […]
Is Over Penetration a Myth?
January 26, 2015 By
Is the whole over penetration issue a non issue? We have had quite a few posts on this page about ballistics and how rounds behave. One issue you always hear about is over penetration. What we are talking about is a round going through a threat and striking an innocent.
What is Sectional Density?
January 7, 2015 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts What is sectional density and why should I care? Yawn. Those two words sound incredibly boring. Could we maybe talk about something more exciting like IPv6 subnetting or the subtleties of the EIC allowance in the 2014 tax year vice the 2013 tax year? Okay, it may […]
Gimmick Ammo
December 21, 2014 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Gimmick Ammo – Are You Buying Snake Oil? “It slices! It dices! It’ll bake you cookies and rub your feet! But wait, there’s more! Order in the next five minutes and…” Certain ammo companies promise the world. They claim that their Extreme nytrillium trocars forged in the […]
How Many Rounds for Concealed Carry?
December 16, 2014 By
This is a guest post by Scott Sylvester How many rounds for concealed carry? Carrying a handgun in a daily basis is one of the surest ways to guarantee your personal safety. A concealed firearm gives you a tremendous advantage in surprise and as a force multiplier when confronted with a threat of death or […]
.22lr for Home Defense
December 12, 2014 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Say you’ve got a loved one with arthritis, or maybe they are new to firearms and sensitive to recoil. So you decide that, at least in the meantime, they should rely on a .22lr firearm for defense. Your friend argues that .22lr for home defense is just […]
How Effective are Pistol Caliber Carbines?
December 8, 2014 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Pistol Caliber Carbine Effectiveness Does size really matter? Is longer better? No, not that. Get your mind out of the gutter and read the title again. We’re still talking about guns, here.
Best 10mm Loads for Home Defense
December 5, 2014 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts 10 mm auto is an extremely versatile cartridge that is quickly gaining in popularity. It offers the energy of .357 magnum in a rimless auto cartridge, which brings with it the benefits of faster reloads and higher capacity than you can get in a revolver.
The Problem With Short Barrel .38 Specials
November 30, 2014 By
This is a guest post by Andrew Betts Your Snubby Could Get You Killed Snub nosed revolvers are still wildly popular for concealed carry and for good reason. They are very compact and lightweight and they are reliable and safe. While they are difficult to master, they are exceedingly easy to operate.
