American Handgunner Magazine

12/05/2023

For a modest investment, the 4Patriots Patriot Power Sidekick solar generator will give you enough backup power to charge computers, cell phones, radios, lights and much, much more.

12/04/2023

Why suggest penalizing law-abiding citizens in and outside of Maine for the acts of a madman? Because too many people want to believe “something” is being done to prevent such mayhem...

Something horrible happened in Maine last month, and many people are still talking about it, because even at this late date, there remain a fair number of questions about mass killer Robert Card and details which began emerging within days of his despicable act.

12/02/2023

How many times have you thought, “Boy, if this thing could talk,” while picking up a gun to admire it? Here’s a tale where we know not only the history of the gun but several relevant, interlocking stories within the story.

How many times have you thought, “Boy, if this thing could talk,” while picking up a gun to admire it? Here’s a tale where we know not only the history of the gun, but several relevant, interlocking stories within the story.

12/01/2023

The Cranks are back! This time, for a multi-part series on emergency preparedness. Let’s kick things off by talking about food. How much land does one person need to produce enough food to survive year-round? Is canning food underrated? How much backstock should the average person keep in case of emergency? We dive into these questions and more.

The Cranks are back! This time, for a multi-part series on emergency preparedness. Let's kick things off by talking about food. How much land does one person n

11/30/2023

Bangalore is the capital and largest city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Despite sporting a population of 11 million (about twice the population of Arizona) people and being the 27th-largest city in the world, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has been there. This sprawling metropolis lends its name to one of the simplest yet most audacious weapons mankind has ever devised.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? For most of us, that might be a daunting project at work, a particularly onerous scholastic pursuit, or perhaps some self-inflicted physical challenge.

11/30/2023

Check out the latest new guns and the gear to carry and outfit them.

Guns and the gear to carry and outfit them. Check out 2024’s latest.

11/29/2023

Herter’s revolvers were based on the C**t single action — as were most other SA revolvers of the time — and priced lower than a R***r or C**t.

Readers in my age group likely remember when the Herter’s Company had a thriving mail order sporting goods business, selling everything from fi****ms and ammunition, reloading equipment and fishing tackle to camping supplies.

11/27/2023

Agonize no more. There’s a new crop of double-stack “1911” pistols on the market: Staccato, Springfield Armory and now, EAA Girsan. The new Witness2311 family offers double-stack configurations in 9mm, .45 ACP and 10mm.

There’s a new crop of double-stack “1911” pistols on the market. The EAA Witness2311 family offers double-stack configurations in 9mm, .45 ACP and 10mm.

11/26/2023

The name of U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez, who holds court in San Diego, ought to be cast in bronze and/or carved in stone in recognition of the fact that this is a rare jurist who understands the Constitution and the importance of digging into the history of gun regulation.

11/25/2023

"Take care you don’t shoot yourself in the crotch!” One guy Dr. Dabbs met wishes he had heeded that warning.

As a young man, I admit to having harbored a fairly stylized mental image of criminals. My vision of the typical run-of-the-mill burglar was a scruffy-looking middle-aged white man sporting a few days’ worth of stubble and wearing a black beret, a striped shirt and a mask.

11/24/2023

We scoured the internet so you don’t have to and compiled all the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on guns, gear and ammo in one place.

11/22/2023

The Rock Island Armory GI Standard .45 is a close but not quite perfect rendition of the original 1911A1 service pistol at a very sweet price.

John Moses Browning’s inimitable 1911 pistol armed America’s warriors through four major wars. For 74 years every American who wore Read the full article...

11/22/2023

We have a dozen or more custom sixgunsmiths plying their trade today who are every bit as good and probably even better than their predecessors. At the top of this list is Hamilton Bowen.

I first met Hamilton in the mid-1980s when he was just getting started. At a Shootist Holiday I experienced two of his first custom sixguns. They were not only a first for me, I would bet they were the first examples built by anyone.

11/22/2023

HOT TAKE: You actually learn more from dry practice than you do slinging lead downrange.

Every once in awhile you see shooters who are squared away. When they draw their pistol, it’s clean and effortless and they manipulate it efficiently. It seems like they can hit anything. Well, the only thing separating you from them is practice. And you don’t have to go to the range or spend mo...

11/21/2023

J. Michael Plaxco died recently, too young, a few months short of his 70th birthday. During a seminar in 1985, he repeated what he then considered the four basic requirements for learning to shoot. It’s a tribute to his teaching that Dave Anderson remembers them clearly after nearly 40 years.

The best money I ever spent learning to shoot was on instruction from top shooters such as Plaxco and Rob Leatham. I’d encourage anyone who really wants to become a good shooter to do the same.

11/20/2023

Normally, you might not think of a 10mm pistol as a gun for target shooting. However, the EAA Polymer Witness P Match provides the accuracy needed for any target.

It always warms my shooting spirit to see things turn out the way they are supposed to. The good news is the 10mm has seen a real rejuvenation of interest and now just off the top of my head I can name six manufacturers producing semi-automatic 10mm pistols not the least of which is Tanfoglio whose....

11/20/2023

Paraphrasing Jeff Cooper in his "Principles of Personal Defense" book and in discussing his Color Code: Pre-planning or pre-thought of crisis behavior actions allows one to be in control.

In my prior life as a Jail Deputy, Patrol Deputy, SWAT guy, SWAT Commander, Fi****ms Instructor, candidate for Sheriff, Sheriff, husband, and dad, I experienced stress just as you do. Some manage it better than others

11/19/2023

It takes a special kind of guy to climb into fake Roman armor he made in his workshop and parade around in public with a massive DIY medieval siege engine. Specifically, it takes the really nerdy sort.

I bought my first putt-putt BB gun at age seven. I went hunting not because I liked deer meat, but because I just enjoyed walking through the woods carrying a gun with my dad. I bought my first AR-15 in the 10th grade, and my favorite spud gun will pass for a 57mm recoilless rifle in dim light.

11/18/2023

The Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX has become Tom's favorite device for accurately measuring the velocity of bullet projectiles for two reasons — reliability and convenience.

The Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX is a self-contained ballistics lab that weighs next to nothing.

11/18/2023

Here is a simple perspective of what Clint Smith thinks you should do with 100 rounds at the range.

Here is a simple perspective of what I think you should do with 100 rounds at the range.

11/17/2023

James Gillett (1856-1937) is one of the few gunfighters of the Old West who left an account of his adventures in his own words.

Situation: Early in your life, you find yourself set against the most dangerous and vicious criminals of your place and time.Lessons: You will be proud of stopping murderous violence. You will regret not being present when you might have been able to do so. And you’ll find ways to do things differ...

11/17/2023

Vaughn is a common name amongst Dabbs' clan. Its wartime origins are tragically fascinating.

Seen the news lately? Not since 1865 have Americans held each other in such unfettered contempt. Vigorous disagreement morphs into abject hatred. Politi-cians weaponize ideas, and neighborhoods burn. Ours is a most dangerous time. However, it is not without precedent.

11/17/2023

With this line up of Lee slugs, you can pretty much cover all your .45 caliber needs.

Lee Precision proves affordable molds can have good designs, allowing you to load excellent custom handloads, especially if you love .45 caliber like Tank.

11/16/2023

If you haven’t meandered over to the Spartan Blades website lately you will be delightfully surprised. Call it “sticker shock in reverse.”

Last time we checked in with the folks at Spartan Blades, they had formed Pineland Cutlery, Inc. with plans to expand their line by infusing more affordable cutlery alongside their already established upscale fare. That was two years ago, so we thought we'd contact Spartan co-founder Curtis Iovito f...

11/16/2023

Dave recently brought his Kimber Compact Custom .45-caliber pistol out of mothballs and in the process tested two new handloading recipes using plated bullets and different propellants.

Sometimes it is good to shift gears, even when it comes to packing a defensive sidearm, so when I decided about six weeks ago to pull my Kimber Compact Custom out of mothballs — it was never meant to be a safe queen — and set aside my Commander for a while, it felt like the right thing to do.

11/15/2023

Tank rode more than 1,800 miles in 27 hours with Doc Barranti from Pittsburgh to Bart Skelton's hidden hacienda, where he had to opportunity to lay his hands on Skeeter's guns.

It’s been over 10 years since I first laid my hands on Skeeter’s guns. I was fortunate indeed. I rode more than 1,800 miles in 27 hours with mi amigo, Doc Barranti, from Pittsburgh. Doc was gaining much-deserved attention from gun writers for his classic leather holsters, with Bart Skelton being...

11/15/2023

Every conceivable shooting or hunting application can be handled with today’s top-shelf, big-bore handgun ammo.

Every conceivable shooting or hunting application can be handled with today’s top-shelf, big-bore handgun ammo. If the Big Tent guys don’t provide a particular bullet or load, the smaller boutique shops probably will. Here are some great sources of quality ammunition for demanding handgunners.

11/15/2023

If you’re going to carry a 1911 concealed, you’ve got to accommodate the weight and hide the grip. Enter three holster models from Vedder.

I think 1911 Government models get a bad rap. Sure, few would argue about their proven ability in fights, at least as far as pistols go, but there are lots of folks who consider carrying one concealed out of the realm of possibility.

11/14/2023

The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP system is one of the smoothest-running presses in the industry.

I’m considering buying presses for each of my sons. All three enjoy shooting, but have distinct personalities. My eldest, Zeke, shoots three gun. He has great attention to detail and is mechanically inclined. My middle son Kai never can make up his mind about what kind of shooting he likes — he ...

11/13/2023

Make your off-the-rack service pistol a tack driver.

Today’s production pistols are an amazing value when you think about it. With rare exception, for several hundred bucks you’ll get a handgun guaranteed to be reliable and accurate. Modern computer-controlled machinery produces parts with tight tolerances we could only dream of just a few decades...

11/13/2023

Massad Ayoob recently attended one of World IPSC champ Rob Leatham's classes. A third of the students were working street cops, a third were cops who write and a were third gun-writers. Let’s share some of the drills Leatham put them through in the one-day course.

Learning from world champion competitive shooter, Rob Leatham.

11/13/2023

Night vision technology has rapidly evolved over the past decades.

The Armasight BNVD-40 Gen 3 Pinnacle Night Vision Goggle merges cutting-edge technology with an ergonomic design that caters to both professionals and enthusiasts operating in low-light environments.

11/12/2023

With a multi-fit concept available in several sizes in black or brown, the Sidecar DCH can accommodate a wide range of popular handguns for right-hand carry.

A versatile holster ideal for both IWB or OWB carry, the Sidecar DCH features a pair of removable, reinforced steel clips for optimal security and comfort.

11/12/2023

Do you see a resemblance?

I recently received a most fascinating email from an alert reader. Paraphrased, it read, “Have an observation for Dr. Will Dabbs: You, sir, bear a strong resemblance to President Grover Cleveland's wife, Frances … Keep up the great writing and thanks.”

11/11/2023

The MPs likely would have shot him dead had he been seen taking the photograph.

Early in the morning of 6 August 1945, my friend needed to go over the Enola Gay’s engines one last time. He made his way out in the darkness, serviced each of the big radials in sequence, and then moved away from the big bomber.

11/11/2023

Beware, there’s a new gun writer in town, and he/she/it/they/them is kinda dangerous...

If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ve probably heard some of the fuss about artificial intelligence (AI). As a long-suffering tech industry guy, while there is truth to computers getting smarter, a lot is being blown out of proportion.

11/10/2023

The Streamlight SpeedLocker is a portable storage container with a secure, non-electronic keypad locking system that provides fast, one-handed, direct access to valuable items at home or on the go without the need for batteries or a power source.

The all-new Streamlight SpeedLocker is a portable storage container with a secure, non-electronic keypad locking system that provides fast, one-handed, direct access to valuable items at home or on the go without the need for batteries or a power source.

11/10/2023

Squirrels can be most challenging — and downright humbling — to hunt, especially with a rimfire handgun.

Small-game hunting is often overlooked and unappreciated by many handgun hunters. Squirrels and rabbits don’t take the glamour spot compared to big game but do provide a great opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Squirrels can be most challenging — and downright humbling — to hunt, especia...

11/10/2023

The idea was simple. After all, they’re the best kind. Build a gun tough enough to be carried all day, in a caliber capable of performing a wide range of tasks, while being light enough to go unnoticed when worn.

The idea was simple. After all, they’re the best kind. Build a gun tough enough to be carried all day, in a caliber capable of performing a wide range of tasks, while being light enough to go unnoticed when worn. Ask a slew of handgunners about the perfect platform fitting these criteria, and it.....

11/09/2023

Pokey IWB holsters got you down? Editor Tom McHale suggests giving the GunZee Holster Cushion a try.

Pokey IWB holsters got you down? IWB carry is great for concealment and gun retention, but many of the Kydex models can poke and stab sensitive body parts as you move throughout your day.