Resources

A Brief History of the Mauser 98

The 19th century saw many innovative firearms designs, but one of the most important firearms to make its debut in this era was Peter Paul Mauser’s Model 98 bolt-action repeating rifle.

A Brief History of the Model 1911 Handgun

Among the numerous handgun designs available today, possibly the most recognizable and endeared pistol is the U.S. Government Model 1911.

What Exactly are Firearm Magazines?

Ah, the magazine, the unsung hero of the firearm. These little gems are what make any gun a “repeating” firearm, and their creation single handedly changed the face of modern warfare.

The Grandaddy of Colt 1911 Competition: NRA Bull’s-Eye

There are, as you might suspect, numerous sports one can shoot with a Colt 1911 or one of its many current day variations. But if you want to stay in keeping with the history of the gun itself, look no further than National Rifle Association (NRA) sanctioned bull’s-eye events.

Holiday Gun Buying: Things to Remember

With gift-giving season approaching once again, we remind readers who intend on purchasing a firearm as a gift for a family member or friend that there are many laws and regulations, from federal to local, to consider. Read the full blog post on holiday gun buying to make your gift memorable for all the right reasons and not the wrong ones. Looking for some wish list ideas? Here’s a trio of holiday gift guides to get you started: HandgunsMag.com, ArmoryBlog.com, BassPro.com.

Cartridge Parts—The New Shooter’s Dictionary

Welcome to the First Shots New Shooter’s Dictionary!

As a new shooter, you might feel overwhelmed by all the terminology surrounding guns and ammunition. Believe it or not, knowing many of these terms and their definitions isn’t just a matter of trivia, but actually a matter of safety. To help you learn the ropes and safely buy and use your firearms and ammunition, we’re introducing “First Shots Firearms Dictionary” by Philip Massaro. Philip is a custom handloader and avid hunter who has written two books on reloading and ammunition. This month’s subject is …

Taking Care of Your Guns Before You Store Them

After you purchase a gun, you must store it properly. But, just like that lovely vintage lace dress from your great grandmother or a treasured coin collection from your favorite uncle, you must take care of your newly acquired item properly before storing it.

Gun Safety Begins With You

Did you know?

• The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Project ChildSafe program helps coordinate distribution of firearm safety kits which include a free cable-style gun lock. Since Project ChildSafe’s inception, more than 36 million safety kits have been donated throughout the U.S.
• Firearm-related fatalities in the U.S. have been decreasing consistently since record keeping began in 1903 and dramatically in the last 20 years.
• More than 600 different organizations have signed on to support the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.” campaign, designed to help prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.

What is a Modern Sporting Rifle?

Rifles are incredible tools. From a distance, a hunter can take a large animal that will put food in the freezer to feed your family for the year. A farmer can stop a predator or nuisance animal from destroying crops and livestock. And anyone, from homeowner to serious competitor to weekend plinker, can hone their skills with practice and gain proficiency to shoot over distances of a 1,000 yards or more.