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How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Handgun (Or an AK-47)

Ready to learn how to carve a pumpkin with a handgun (or AK-47)? We’ve got you covered with a bunch of great video examples all gathered in one place! Thanks to hickock45 for the bulk of these great videos!

With fall gearing up, that means it is time for cooler weather and outdoor fall activities. It is time to get that fire pit going, get ready for deer hunting, and to start thinking about carving those pumpkins with your handgun.

Combine two fall favorites into one activity. Most people carve their pumpkins with knives but why not take the opportunity to show off your precision skills with your gun?

Related Read: How Often Should I Clean My Gun ?

You only need a couple of items for this activity; grab your gun and a pumpkin.

Your Setup for Carving a Pumpkin with a Handgun

Your typical pumpkin carving setup involves drawing your ideal expression on the front of your pumpkin. Afterward, you find yourself a sharp enough knife and stab through the shell and carve as artfully as possible.

For some, this task is easy and artistic. For others, it is a safety hazard and involves stitches. However, there is another way. You can carve your pumpkins from a safe distance with your handgun or rifle.

In these demonstrations, you will notice some details. In the first several videos, the pumpkins are already scooped out and ready for carving. However, instead of using a dangerously sharp blade to carve the ominous features of your jack-o-lantern, you use your every day and ordinary handguns and rifles to perform this task.

You need a safe place to practice, once you learn how to carve a pumpkin with a handgun, along with all the safety gear you might expect. Be sure you have a suitably sized pumpkin and your gun.

You can get relatively close to your pumpkin to do the carving, but feel free to challenge yourself with some distance. Maintain a proper distance, have ear protection, and shoot safely! When you are done, make sure to unload safely, too.

Ideally, you can place your pumpkin off the ground while shooting. Lastly, consider bringing a few extra pumpkins. This task has the potential to create some pumpkin casualties. Plus, it is fun, and you will want to keep going.

How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Colt 1911

In this video, the carver is using a Colt 1911 Series ’80. You will notice he is not that far away from the pumpkin, and he is wearing ear protection. He starts with the nose before moving onto the eyes, followed by the mouth. His shots are precise, and it turns out pretty good. In fact, the back of the pumpkin looks like a face, as well. It was not torn out all that much.

You can watch this unfold in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mThUfYcea3I

How to Carve a Pumpkin with a .44 Magnum S&W

This video demonstrates the use of a .44 Magnum Model 29. With the pumpkin on a stand and while sitting close by, the shooter takes out the face of the pumpkin. The .44 Magnum is a double-action revolver. It has six shots, and its chamber holds the .44 Magnum cartridge. The pumpkin’s face turns out great, although there is some curiosity about the look of the back of the pumpkin.

You can watch the video below for a guide on how to carve a pumpkin with a handgun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m7VBtkdpW4

How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Desert Eagle

A Desert Eagle is a semi-automatic pistol designed by Magnum Research. The pistol is magazine-fed and considered a powerful handgun.

The pumpkin carving demonstration has the shooter laughing as he carves his pumpkin with his gun, and the pumpkin ends up with a suitable and charming smirk.

Catch the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNiwpUewbCY

How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Henry Rifle

In this video, the shooter is carving a pumpkin with a Henry Rifle. The Henry Rifle is a lever-action rifle that dates back as far as the 1860s. The shooter carves a fantastic face in the pumpkin in this video.

Surprisingly, the pumpkin does not blow apart too much. It helps if the shooter is exact with his shots, however. Although, we do not get to see what the back of this pumpkin looks like.

You can watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n9Ebx-bXLI

How to Carve a Pumpkin with an AK 47

Yes, you read that right. The shooter is carving a pumpkin with an AK 47. The AK 47 is an assault rifle. The AK of the name stands for Avtomat Kalashnikova because of the Russian designer. Also, the AK 47 is simple to use and reliable.

In this video, the shooter takes a seat and carves the nose and both eyes with several shots. The last shot to the mouth almost destroys the pumpkin, but it ends up working out for both the shooter and the carved pumpkin. While the AK 47 is not common as a household tool as described, it looks more fun than having to clean up pumpkin parts off the kitchen table.

You can watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2uVS0XXAyE

How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Glock 23

A Glock 23 is either a compact or mid-size .40 caliber handgun. In this video, the shooter has his pumpkin set up and ready to go. He wastes no time with some pretty tight groupings shooting out the features of the pumpkin’s face. Again, this is another time we would love the see the back of the pumpkin after carving.

Be sure to watch this video to the very end after the shooting. You will see what it looks like lite up at night. You can see the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGH8Af9Hdb0

How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Volquartsen Semi-Automatic .22

For this final video, the pumpkin is not scooped out in advance. Also, the shooter is more concerned with the back of the pumpkin rather than the front. The shooter is using a 10/22.

The 22 bullets do not cause holes with a large diameter, so she has to use more than one shot to create her shape in the pumpkin. She is not trying to shot in the same spot but instead grouping to make the necessary shape. In the end, it looks great both front and back.

Related Read: Why You Should Own a Ruger 10/22

You can check out the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzZeWanq2Ck&feature=youtu.be

Ready, Aim…

You could carve your pumpkin the same way as everyone else.

However, those store-bought carving kits are difficult to work with and the stencils are often boring.

There are other ways to create your spooky features on your pumpkin: you could carve a pumpkin with a handgun.

Grab a few pumpkins, your safety gear, and your guns, and challenge yourself with some fun with precision shooting by practicing how to carve a pumpkin with a handgun.

How did your pumpkin carving with a gun turn out?

Featured image via YouTube

A teacher by trade, Victoria Caine splits her free time between freelance writing, her camping blog, and (frantically) guiding her teenagers into becoming functional adults.

Sig P320 Review [2020]

The SIG Sauer is a handgun originally designed with military use in mind. Given its popularity among law enforcement and the general public, we wanted to undertake a SIG P320 review to see what the weapon is really all about.

Our SIG P320 review takes a look at the popular handgun’s modular design that lets you change the caliber and size of the gun to meet your individual needs. This gun is large enough for home defense while being small enough for many individuals to conceal and carry.

We also looked at some of its features, such as the three-point take-down safety system that keeps the piston from breaking down when a magazine is still inserted or if the slide is locked to the rear.

This SIG P320 review will demonstrate that this is a customizable pistol that meets a variety of needs; but how does it compare to similar competitors?

What Is the SIG P320?

The SIG Sauer P320 pistol is used by government agencies as well as sportsmen for its efficiency, adaptability and customization. The SIG Sauer P320 comes in four different sizes: Full Size, Carry, Compact and Sub Compact. For our SIG P320 review, we looked at the full-size and compact model, each chambered for 9mm cartridges. The models also come in .40 and .45 as well.

The SIG Sauer P320 is a striker-fired pistol with a polymer frame. The polymer is fiberglass-reinforced, and the full-size SIG offers a sturdy rail for accessories. The SIG system has a barrel and chamber titled downward from the slide at the time the gun is fired. The striker is cocked every time you rack the slide. The full-size SIG comes with 17-round magazines, while the compact offers 15 rounds.

Recommended Read: 4 Things You Need to Know When Buying a Used Gun

Grip and Feel

SIG’s grip options come in a variety of sizes and switching grips in the SIG P320 review was easy to do. Changing the caliber is also user-friendly with the SIG P320, as the pistol offers guaranteed modularity.

Textured panels are round on each side of the handle as well as the frontstrap and backstrap. The magazine release is reversible for right- and left-handers. All the SIG’s features are ambidextrous. The trigger guard features an upward curve with a deep undercut for a high, comfortable grip. This also helps control recoil.

Recommended Read: How Often Should I Clean My Gun?

Durability and Performance

The slide is made of a high-grade stainless steel with bevels that run the length of the unit, and it features slide serrations on the front and rear. The slide has a Nitron finish to defend against corrosion. The Nitron finish involves heat treating the steel with a chemical bath in order to create a very hard oxidized surface.

A sturdy three-dot sight system sits atop the slide. Windage can be adjusted by drifting the dovetail sights. Both models of the SIG Sauer P320 consistently scored well on accuracy in a range of weather conditions. Recoil is minimal in both models, and the iron sights useful to most shooters.

Product Specs

Depending on the size of your SIG Sauer P320, the striker-fired autoloader has a magazine capacity of 12 to 17 rounds.

The length of the gun ranges from 6.67 inches to 8.05 inches. The barrel length runs from 3.55 inches to 4.7 inches, and the gun’s height range is 4.29 inches to 5.51 inches with a maximum width of 1.38 inches.

Unloaded, the SIG Sauer P320 weighs from 24.9 to 27.6 ounces. The trigger pull weight tests at about 6.88 pounds. Safety features in the SIG P320 review included an integrated trigger safety and automatic firing pin block.

Pricing

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the SIG Sauer P320, depending on the model, ranges from $597 to $679. During our SIG P320 review, we found a number of SIGs for sale around $530, and one listed near $500.

Prices of similar competitors ranged from around $450 to near $630.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

Glock 19 Gen5
HK VP9
Ruger SR 9

Sig P320

Price $$

Ease of Use [***]

The SIG Sauer P320 is comfortable in the hand with grip panels that feel like non-slip floor tape. Serrations in the slide help with gripping and pulling, but it can still be difficult for weaker shooters to pull. During SIG P320 reviews, sweaty hands also caused problems despite the serrations.

The magazine floor plate is actually a piece of the grip. Some shooters with bigger hands accidentally prevent the magazine from dropping while gripping the gun.

When using the weapon, the SIG Sauer P320 handles very well.

Design Quality [****]

The SIG Sauer P320 modular design lets you customize your gun. The handguns made in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W calibers can be converted from one to another using a caliber exchange kit. Some switches require only a barrel change.

SIG Sauer P320 features a lightweight polymer frame with interchangeable grips. It uses contrast sights for accuracy. The front and rear sights are fixed.

Warranty [****]

The SIG Sauer comes with a limited lifetime warranty covering defects in material, workmanship and mechanical function.

Pros

Consistent trigger
Customizable
Good warranty

Cons

Expensive magazines
Slide pull can be difficult

Glock 19 Gen5

Glock is a heralded name in the firearm industry, and the Glock 19 was already one of the best handguns on the market before the Gen 5 updates. For starters, the finger grooves were removed, making the grip a better fit for a larger number of people.

The G19 Gen 5 slide is ambidextrous. The slide-release lever is more pronounced and offers a smooth release. The finish on the barrel and slide is durable, but in extreme conditions or with sweaty hands it can be slippery. A Marksman barrel offers a recessed crown, and they have eliminated the polygonal rifling.

Price $$

Ease of Use [****]

The Glock 26 Gen 5 utilizes a dual recoil spring to absorb recoil. It features a 10-round magazine capacity.

An ambidextrous slide stop lever allows users to manipulate the slide as right- or left-handers. Further personalization is available in the customizable frame size. The Gen 5 comes with backstraps in two sizes, with and without beavertail. The customizable frame allows users to adjust the circumference of the grip for individual hand size.

A safe-action system features three safeties that disengage as the trigger is pulled and automatically reengage the trigger after release. A loaded chamber indicator assures the user the chamber is empty.

Design Quality [****]

At least 20 changes improve the Glock19 Gen 5 over predecessors. Among these changes are the elimination of finger grooves, a glared mag well, ambidextrous slide stop, and a Glock marksman barrel.

The overall length of the Glock 19 is 7.28 inches including a 4.02-inch barrel. Trigger pull weight ranges from five to 6.5 pounds. With an empty magazine, the gun weighs about 24 ounces. It has a width of 1.34 inches.

Warranty [**]

Glock handguns have a one-year warranty, but Glock consistently services their guns beyond one year.

Pros

Improved trigger from the Gen 5
Internals from Gen 4 can be used in Gen 5
Marksman barrel
Good accuracy for a small gun

Cons

Addition of the ambidextrous slide release may not work with your previous holster

HK VP9

The Heckler and Koch VP9 features a unique striker-firing system and light-pull trigger. It offers some of the best trigger quality available for striker-fired handguns. The trigger has a short, light pull with a crisp, single-action break and a clear reset.

The Heckler and Koch hammer-forged barrel of canon-grade steel ensure long life.

Price $$

Ease of Use [***]

An extended Picatinny rail is molded into the frame allowing users to add lights or other accessories they need.

A proprietary captive flat recoil spring efficiently reduces recoil when shooting and helps the shooter better control the gun. It also helps enable more rapid fire. The polygonal bore has no grooves or similar features.

The most user-friendly feature of the VP9 is the custom striker-fired system and top-of-the-line trigger.

Design Quality [****]

An ergonomic hand grip features three changeable backstraps and six side panels sure to service all hand sizes. The front of the grip has finger grooves. All VP9 controls are ambidextrous with slide releases on each side of the gun. The magazine release is placed for right- or left-handed access.

The rear slide has components on each side to offer better grip and leverage for racking the slide. They also serve shooters with less hand strength. Ten and 15-round magazines are available. A rail can support accessories up to five-and-a-half ounces.

The gun is 7.34-inches long and 5.41-inches tall. Its width measures 1.32 inches. The barrel is 4.09 inches with a sight radius of 6.38 inches. The trigger pull weight is 5.4 pounds. With an empty magazine the gun weighs 25.56 ounces.

Warranty [***]

Heckler and Koch offers a limited one-year warranty.

Pros

Customized grip system
Top-notch trigger
Ambidextrous options
Unique striker-fire mechanics

Cons

Some do not like the paddle-style magazine release
Some do not like the unique gripping

Ruger SR 9

The Ruger SR9c is a compact pistol with a 1.27-inch-width grip; the same as its full-sized counterpart, the SR9. It includes a 10-round magazine, a finger grip extension, and an extra 17-round magazine.

The pistol has is a 3.5-inch barrel with noticeable three-dot sights. The slide is serrated for a better grip and an easy way to check the chamber. Other safety features include an ambidextrous manual safety, internal trigger bar, striker blocker, and loaded chamber indicator.

Price $

Ease of Use [***]

The SR9c handles nicely for a small gun with very little recoil. The gun gives the shooter 9mm power with very little effort on the shooter’s end. Shooters do experience a bit of muzzle climb, but it is subtle. Short distance accuracy is attainable without the need for extra optics. The gun is point-and-shoot-ready from the box, and it assembles and disassembles easily.

Design Quality [***]

With a thick grip and double-stack magazine, the firearm has been used by law enforcement and is popular among concealed carry options for the public.

The 9mm pistol has a polymer stock with a Nitride finish accomplished by heating in the presence of ammonia or other nitrogenous material to increase durability and corrosion resistance.

The gun has on overall length of 6.85 inches with a 3.5-inch barrel. The gun’s width is 1.27 inches, and it measures 4.61 inches in height. The overall weight of the gun is 23.4 ounces. It includes two 17-round removable magazines. All the gun’s sights are fixed within a three-dot scheme.

Warranty [**]

This gun comes with a one-year warranty for the original owner.

Pros

Sights are easy to use and do not snag on clothes or holster
Loaded chamber indicator
Nitride finish
Minimal recoil

Cons

The grips are sticky enough to catch debris
Some users report difficulty racking the slide

Conclusion: SIG P320 Review

After completing our SIG P320 review, we confidently give the SIG Sauer P320 four stars. Its incredible adaptability and customization are as good as any in the business, from calibers to sizes to grips.

A shooter never again has to worry about the width or circumference of grip with SIG’s interchangeable modules. Convertible calibers include 9mm, .357 SIG, or .40 S&W. Even the pistol sizes range for your preference from full-size all the way to subcompact.

This SIG P320 review also alerted us to the accessory rail. This is one of the most stable systems we have seen and great for lights, lasers and other needs.

Also, it should not go unnoticed that SIG went out of its way to put safety first. The Striker safety does not allow the pistol to release until the shooter pulls the trigger. SIG worked hard to make a great pistol, and they have succeeded.

4 Things You Need to Know When Buying a Used Gun

Getting guns both new and used is a viable way to buy them. There are benefits to both methods and neither one is wrong.

Some people may be scared to buy a used gun. There is more risk when buying a used gun, but if you follow the advice given in this article, then you can get some great deals.

We will cover some tips that you should follow when buying a used gun. After reading this you will be able to buy a used gun without any issues.

1. Buy from the right place.

The first tip to follow when buying used guns is to buy from the right place.

There are four main ways you can buy guns these days. The internet, from a gun shop, at a gun show, and from an individual in person. All these methods have their benefits and disadvantages none are wrong, but some require more caution than others.

Internet

We will start with buying used guns online. The great thing about buying online is that you have a very large selection to choose from. You can buy from coast to coast and this large selection can allow you to get some great deals.

Buying online though you need to make sure you are buying from a reputable place. If it is a dealer’s website, you can trust that the gun is not dirty, but if you are just buying on a random site, then you need to do your research on the gun and its numbers. Check the numbers is an important step for a few of the methods of buying.

Another good thing about buying online, is you can determine the value of a gun pretty quickly. You can look for similar ones that sold and see what they brought. This way you can know if you are getting a good deal or not.

You got to be careful with the ones way below market though because ones that may seem like a deal might not be. This is because online you can’t see the condition of the gun. You just have to go by the pictures and they won’t always tell everything.

Also, buying online you can’t get a feel for the gun. Online is still a great way to research guns and learn values to help when buying in other methods.

You also can buy the best scope for AR-15 on the internet, and on Amazon too.

From a gun shop or gun show.

I will lump these two together because they are similar.

The downside to buying from a shop or show is you will most likely pay full market value.

The benefit that you get from this though is that you can check the gun’s condition in hand.

This is very important. Also, a lot of shops will let you fire the gun first to see how it feels, and if you like it.

Buying from a show or shop is a great way for a beginner to get into buying a new gun because you can check it out and most of the time the person selling it will be reputable. They should also be licensed to sell used guns which means you won’t have to worry about getting ones that have been used in crimes.

Person to Person

The last method we will talk about for buying guns is person to person.

This comes with the most risk for getting a gun that has been used for illegal activities, so be sure to check the serial numbers in databases and make sure it is registered to the person you are buying it from. You can follow How To Check If A Gun Is Stolen to know more specific.

The good thing about buying from an individual though is that you can see the gun in person and exam the condition, but you still may be able to get a good deal like the online prices. The seller may not know the full value or have a way to get the full value for the gun and will take less than it is worth. If you know the value you can get a great deal on a gun that you have been wanting or resell it to make some extra money.

2. Condition

The next thing to consider when buying a used gun besides where you are buying it is the condition of the gun. This has already been mentioned, but the condition is key. The condition is a big part of its value, and a gun that can fire safely is worth a lot more than a gun that won’t fire. When checking the condition you want to exam all parts of the gun.

Key things to look for when checking a gun for its condition are cracks and rust. You don’t want the moving parts to be rusty and you don’t want the barrel or other parts to be cracked. If you are on a budget, then a gripe that is cracked or rusty screws may be okay to you, but you want to make sure to give the gun a good look over. You also, want to make sure the end of the gun is round where the bullet comes out and that the barrel is straight and not dented up.

Tied into the condition is if the gun fires or not. Try to buy a used gun that you are able to fire first. By firing the gun you can make sure that it is working properly and that nothing unexpected happens. Most good shops will let you fire the gun and most people selling a used gun will know that the person looking at it will want to fire it.

Also, one last thing when examining the guns is if it has any aftermarket parts installed make sure that they are installed correctly. If they are not installed correctly fix this before firing and also remember that because it means they might not have the rest of the gun put back together properly.

3. Ask Questions

The next thing to do is ask as many questions as you want. Ask the history of the gun, why they are selling it, and anything else that will help you with making a good decision. By asking questions you can figure out if the seller is for real and also learn any problems that they know about. If you are considering meeting someone from an online place, then starting with questions can help you determine if you want to meet or not to look at the gun.

Also, when asking questions it is good to learn if the gun has a warranty or return policy. If it does, then that will help give you some peace of mind if something goes wrong. This is especially helpful if you are buying sight unseen from somewhere online.

4. Reviews

The last thing to consider when buying a used gun is the reviews of it. Do a fast online search and see if others like it. You can also do a search on the person you are buying it from to see if they have a good reputation. Reviews aren’t everything though. If you think you will like the gun, then even if most don’t, you should still buy it if it is what you want.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you should now be able to buy a used gun and come out with a good one. Sometimes the only way you can get a certain gun is used, so by being scared to buy a used gun it may limit you from getting the gun of your dreams. Just be sure to consider where you are buying the used gun from and do your research. Exam the gun well if you can and ask as many questions as you need to to make yourself comfortable with the purchase. Buying a used gun can be scary, but it can allow you to get some great deals.

How To Check if a Gun is Stolen (3 Simple Ways)

If you’re buying a used firearm, there are a couple of things that should cross your mind. You should fully inspect the weapon to make sure it’s in working order, first. However, you should also check to make sure the weapon is legally clean, meaning that it hasn’t been reported stolen.

Not many people think about this, but it could save you some serious legal headache if the gun is actually stolen.

Find Out if Any Gun is Stolen

There are a few ways that you can check this. Let’s talk about how to do this.

www.HotGunz.com

There are a couple of different ways for you to check online. One tool is www.HotGunz.com. This website allows you to search the serial number of the gun, and if it’s been reported stolen on the website, you’ll be able to tell.

However, this tool isn’t perfect, because it requires the victim of the theft to know the website exists and requires them to input the serial number as stolen. If they don’t know about the website or didn’t input the serial number, the website is useless.

Manufacturer’s Website

The next way to check online is to check the firearm manufacturer’s website. While not all of them have it, some of the websites have a search function, which will allow you to search the serial number. Other manufacturers will lead you to another site to search.

These search functions come with the same limitations as HotGunz, but the firearm manufacturer will have access to more information so that the original owner will not have to report the theft.

Check with the Police

One very simple way is to check with your local police. They have access to more tools and databases than we do and can do a much more thorough check.

Some state police will allow you to search online. Others don’t have this feature, but all of them will be able to search with a simple phone call. This would be my recommended course of action because they have the most access.

Conclusion

There aren’t a ton of ways to check on the status of a firearm, but it is always worth doing. If you inadvertently buy a stolen firearm, you could find yourself in a sticky legal situation.

Taking the few minutes to check if it’s stolen will save you time in the long run.

Understanding Handgun Calibers: The Definitive Guide

Looking to purchase a handgun, but not sure what caliber is best for you? In this article, we will go over some of the most common handgun calibers and make some recommendations for you about when to use each one.

Handguns are very widely used. They are commonly used for home defense, personal defense, and can be used for hunting as well. There are tons of different calibers out there, and it can get a little confusing.

The Guide to Understanding Handgun Calibers

We’ll get this started with common pistol calibers, from small to large.

.22LR

Yes, the rimfire cartridge commonly found in bolt action rifles. While not all that common, .22LR can be found in both pistols and revolvers. They don’t see much personal defense or home defense use because the round is so small, but they are pretty fun for just plinking around.

Due to the fact that the ammunition is readily available and pretty inexpensive, most people like their .22LR pistols and revolvers for range shooting. However, some people do decide to carry them. You know the old saying, the gun on you is better than the one in the gun safe. If you’ve got nothing else, carry a .22LR by all means, but you can certainly do better.

.380 ACP for handgun

Next up we’ve got another small round, the .380 ACP. These bullets are .355 inches in diameter, weigh between 90 and 100 grains, and are fired around 1000 feet per second. These projectiles are still very small, but the round is barely suitable for personal defense.

This round is commonly found in really small frame concealed carry pistols. Many of the pocket pistols and secondary weapons that you see are chambered in .380 ACP. I carry a .380, but only in the summer when people are wearing less clothing. I would definitely recommend 9mm over .380 for personal defense, but .380 is acceptable.

However, for home defense, you aren’t worried about the size of the weapon, so I would recommend a larger caliber projectile.

9mm Luger

Now we’re getting into more widely used rounds. 9mm is one of the most common rounds in the world. The bullets are .355 inches diameter as well, but they weigh 115 to 130 grains and are fired around 1100-1200 feet per second. These bullets are much larger and are fired faster, so this is a better round for any defense purposes.

9mm is a great round for range shooting and any defense purposes.

There’s an absolutely gigantic array of weapons available, ranging from tiny carry weapons to full sized weapons.

You can get a single stack carry weapon in 9mm, but also a double-stack weapon with a 17+ round magazine capacity for home defense. For range shooting, the recoil is manageable, and the ammunition isn’t that expensive.

.40 Smith & Wesson

While this round is not nearly as common as it used to be, .40 Smith & Wesson is a pretty good round. The projectiles are .4 inches in diameter, weigh between 135 and 165 grains, and are fired around 1100 feet per second.

.40 S&W is sort of on the way out, due to the fact that 9mm offers such similar performance in a smaller frame. 9mm is a smaller round, so you are able to fit a few more in a magazine, while achieving similar ballistic results to the .40 S&W.

However, despite this fact, I still think that .40 S&W is a great round for any defense uses. I would shoot 9mm at the range over .40 S&W, but I feel very comfortable carrying around a .40 S&W weapon. There aren’t quite as many weapons out there, but they are suited great for personal and home defense uses.

.45 ACP

Now we’re getting into much larger cartridges. These projectiles are .451 inches in diameter, weigh between 165 and 185 grains, and are fired around 1050 feet per second, dependent on the round.

These are large, heavy bullets that are fired pretty fast. For this reason, they are great for defense uses and as a hunting sidearm.

Due to the size of the cartridge, there aren’t many .45 ACP weapons that are meant for concealed carry. There are a couple, but your magazine capacity is going to be extremely small. I would recommend .45 ACP for home defense, such as in a full-size 1911. This same weapon would be decent for a hunting sidearm, but slightly larger cartridges might perform a little better for this. .45 ACP will take care of smaller targets, but if you’re going to hunt deer with a handgun, you probably want a bigger round.

I’m not going to say you shouldn’t shoot .45 ACP at the range, but the ammunition is pretty pricey. Your wallet will probably thank you if you shoot a smaller cartridge.

10mm

This is the largest pistol cartridge we will talk about. There are some exceptions out there (looking at you, Desert Eagle), but 10mm is the largest pistol cartridge that is really commonly found. The projectiles are slightly smaller than .45 ACP, with a diameter of .40 inches. However, they are usually about the same weight but are fired at 1200-1300 feet per second.

These projectiles generate a lot more energy because they are moving so much faster. In terms of terminal performance, .45 ACP is a larger bullet, so they create larger holes and damage more tissue, but these bullets are moving faster. It’s almost a tie between the two for which one does better in terms of ballistics.

However, I prefer 10mm for hunting because it retains energy over a longer distance. 10mm performs similarly to .45 ACP in terms of handgun hunting. Both are decent cartridges that can put a deer down, dependent on your shot. Personally, I like 10mm better due to the flatter trajectory, but both are decent.

Similar to the .45 ACP, 10mm is decent for defense uses. The round has a lot of recoil, so I wouldn’t recommend it for plinking at the range.

Let’s get into revolver rounds now.

Note: If you have a handgun, i think you should have best handgun safe to keep it safe. It’s very important.

.38 Special

These projectiles are .357 inches in diameter, weigh between 125 and 150 grains, and are fired around 950 feet per second. In terms of ballistics, these bullets are larger and heavier than 9mm bullets but aren’t fired as fast. For the sake of comparison, it definitely outperforms .380 ACP.

Due to the similar performance, I would recommend this for the same uses as 9mm. It’s great for home defense, self-defense, and range shooting. It’s a pretty commonly carried cartridge because there are some tiny revolvers that are available in .38 Special.

.357 Magnum

Up next is another great defense round. The bullets are also .357 inches in diameter and are commonly 125 or 158 grains, but they are fired much faster than .38 Special ammunition. These rounds are fired closer to 1200-1400 feet per second. For this reason, it is an even better defense round. It will do a ton of damage in tissue.

The revolvers are usually not that large, so you can carry them somewhat easily. They are great for home defense as well, and would definitely be fun to shoot at the range.

.44 Remington Magnum

These bullets measure .429 inches in diameter, weigh from 240 to 300 grains, and are fired between 1200 and 1400 feet per second. As you can see, these are some giant rounds that are being fired extremely fast.

While they aren’t as wide as .45 ACP pistol projectiles, they are significantly more heavy, and are fired significantly faster. This round is really devastating. However, as you can imagine, the cartridge itself is pretty large. It’s fired from much larger weapons, so you won’t find many people trying to conceal this.

When you get into these much larger revolver cartridges, you get more into handgun hunting. Due to the fact that the projectiles are so large and are fired so fast, many people do different kinds of hunting with these revolvers.

.44 Magnum is the first of our revolver cartridges that I would recommend hunting with. It will put down all different kinds of animals with relative ease. It’s an excellent choice.

However, this combination of size, weight, and speed also means that the round is good for home defense. While it’s certainly not my first choice to shoot at the range, it is a great revolver to have in the nightstand.

.454 Casull

Similar to the pistols, we won’t talk about the absolute largest revolver cartridges available (such as .460 S&W Magnum), but we will talk about .454 Casull, which is absolutely giant. The bullets are .452 inches in diameter and are usually over 300 grains. They are fired at 1500 to 1600 feet per second.

Once again, these are fired out of huge revolvers. You could definitely hunt with these, and you can definitely defend your home with it as well. They are huge bullets and will do all kinds of damage within a target.

How Hot Does a Gun Barrel Get? How to Get It Cooler Faster?

As many rifle shooters know, rifle barrels can get extremely hot. While all barrels will heat up, it is most noticeable in rifles, since the metal of the barrel is exposed. However, how hot can they actually get? What damage could this cause?

How Hot Does A Gun Barrel Get? How Get It Cooler Faster?

In this article, we will start with the basics, and eventually work into answering these questions.

The Basics – Why Does a Barrel Get Hot?

To understand this question, you have to understand how a bullet is fired. When you pull the trigger, it causes a firing pin within the weapon to strike a primer on the bullet. The primer ignites the gunpowder, which burns extremely fast. As it burns, it generates gas, which creates pressure and pushes the bullet out of the barrel at a high rate of speed.

The answer is right there. Gun powder burns and expands extremely rapidly, which is very hot. In fact, gunpowder burns near 5000 degrees Farenheit.

Repeating this process over and over again generates more and more heat. This heat transfers to the metal of the barrel, where it can’t dissipate as quickly, and the barrel will feel hot to the touch.

Okay, Cool. So What Does That Mean?

Alright, so now you understand WHY your barrel can get hot. What are the side effects?

First and foremost, a hot barrel can seriously affect your accuracy. While it depends on the exact rifle and barrel, some barrels can be extremely negatively affected by heat.

Match grade accuracy barrels are often less heat tolerant, so you will find that your shooting may be a little off. Common AR-15 and AK-47 barrels on the other hand are more heat tolerant, so you can shoot them more.

However, it could also be much worse than this. In serious situations, you could harm your barrel or your weapon. It would be very hard to do this, but it is absolutely possible to damage your weapon.

How Hot is Too Hot?

So, how can you tell when your barrel is too hot, and how hot can they get?

While there isn’t exactly much science behind it, an extremely common recommendation is that if your barrel is too hot to touch for more than a second or two, you probably shouldn’t shoot with it. Like I said, there isn’t much science behind it, but this is the line of thought that I subscribe too.

But, as far as how hot the barrel can get, it is absolutely possible to have the barrel be glowing red. For this to occur, it would have to be around 1500 degrees Farenheit. However, in a range setting, this would be nearly impossible.

I Want to Shoot More! How Can I Cool Off My Barrel?

There are a couple tricks to cool your weapon off faster.

First, try bringing more than one rifle to the range, and alternating between the two. This will give each rifle time to cool off.

When letting your rifle cool off, take it out of the sun. You should also leave the action open, and stand it straight up and down.

You could also put a cool, damp rag on the barrel, but make sure you get any surface rust off the barrel afterwards.

Conclusion

As you can see, barrels can get extremely hot, and shooting it while it’s too hot could be detrimental to you and the barrel.

Remember, if it’s too hot to touch for a second or two, don’t shoot it! Keeping this simple rule in mind will prevent you from shooting a barrel that is too hot.

If your barrel is too hot, try leaving it in the shade with the action open and standing it up on the butt. This will help it cool off faster.

What Is A Match Grade Barrel? Who Should Use It?

The term “match grade barrel” is thrown around a lot in the firearms industry. If you are building or improving a firearm, I’m sure you’ve come across this. However, is this just a way for manufacturers and retailers to charge more for the same firearm, or is the barrel actually that much different?

In this article, we will talk about some of the features of a match grade barrel, and whether or not it is worth it for you.

What is Match Grade Barrel?

At its core, a match grade barrel is supposed to be a barrel that allows for match grade accuracy. Essentially, this kind of barrel should allow you to be accurate enough to shoot in competitions with it.

What this means, is that the manufacturer should have tighter tolerances for the barrel. The barrel should fit extremely tightly against the chamber, to increase accuracy. These barrels are generally a little bit thicker and heavier but are also sometimes made from different materials or treated differently.

Some Issues when using Grade Barrel

However, there are some issues with match grade barrels.

For example, keep in mind that there is no set tolerance for a specific barrel for most weapons. What this means to you is that a match grade barrel made by one manufacturer may not be as good as other manufacturers.

Basically, one manufacturer’s match grade barrel may be worse quality than another company’s normal barrel, dependent on what their normal tolerances are.

Another thing to keep in mind is that firearms manufacturers tend to use the words “match grade” pretty loosely. If you are buying a weapon that is manufactured on a large scale, odds are that the internals are large-scale manufactured as well. In this case, the match grade barrel from the factory may not actually be that high quality.

If you are going to buy a match grade barrel, make sure you do so from a well-known manufacturer that custom makes each barrel.

Should You Use One?

Honestly, if you aren’t exactly sure what a match grade barrel is, odds are you probably don’t need one.

A true match grade barrel is very important for competitive shooting, but that is about it. There’s nothing stopping you from getting one for other uses, but you are probably spending a lot more money than you need to on a barrel.

Conclusion

A true match grade barrel from a reputable manufacturer can greatly increase your weapon’s accuracy. However, make sure you actually need to spend this extra money before buying one.

If you are just doing some casual shooting or hunting, you are going to be fine with any barrel. However, if you are doing competitive shooting or extremely long-range hunting, a high-quality barrel is going to vastly improve your abilities.

What’s Rifle in Wind River Movie? Is That Good?

Wind River is a newer movie that is part western and part murder mystery. It takes place in Wyoming, and there are a few scenes where rifles are a significant part.

The main character is shown hunting coyotes with a bolt action rifle, but the most prominent weapon is the classic lever action used.

Here is trailer of movie:

What is Lever Action?

As the name might imply, lever action rifles utilize a lever to chamber the next round.

Generally speaking, the weapons have somewhat of a “loop,” if you will, that you put your hand in. This part of the weapon usually rests on the handguard of the weapon, to make for a very natural grip. They are generally just below the trigger guard.

After you pull the trigger, you make sure your pointer finger is out of the trigger guard, and then move the lever forward and then back to the starting position. This natural motion chambers the next round, and you are ready to shoot again.

Check out this YouTube animation that shows how a lever action works!

While lever action rifles do not shoot as fast as semiautomatic rifles, but they aren’t necessarily slow. They are likely faster than bolt action rifles, dependent on the user. However, lever action rifles are notoriously reliable and accurate.

They are excellent hunting rifles, because they are generally somewhat shorter, and can accommodate very large calibers. The reliability and accuracy also add into this. Some common lever action companies are Marlin, Colt, and Henry.

Which One Was in the Movie?

Now that you know what lever action rifles are, and what they are good for, I’m sure your wondering which one was in Wind River.

The rifle in the movie is a Marlin Model 1895SBL.

Marlin 1895SBL

This weapon is chambered in .45-70 Government, and has a 6 round capacity. It is a very sleek looking weapon, as I’m sure you noticed in the movie, but it is also an excellent big game rifle.

On top of its great looks, it also has plenty of stainless steel parts for durability. The laminated stock will match this durability.

Should I Get It?

Dependent on what you are trying to do, absolutely! This weapon is an excellent quality lever action rifle. It is on the expensive side, but would absolutely excel as a big game hunting rifle. The accuracy, reliability, and generally small size, make this an absolutely awesome choice.

You will need a scope for the rifle, but the picatinny rail makes it extremely easy to mount most scopes. Check out best scope for .308 rifle to choose one.

Conclusion

All in all, lever action rifles are fun to shoot and are excellent hunting rifles. Thanks to their smaller size, outstanding reliability, and well-known accuracy, they are an awesome option for hunting. They are also commonly available in very large calibers, while still being relatively small in size. For example, the Marlin Model 1895SBL pictured in Wind River is chambered in .45-70 rifle, but is only 37 inches long. That is a lot of punch packed into a small package.

For these reasons, the Marlin Model 1895SBL is an excellent big game hunting rifle. Be sure to check one out to see how you like lever action rifles!

Why You Should Own a Ruger 10/22 Rifle

The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular .22 rifle in America, and for good reason.

It has been around for over five decades and its popularity remains constant. Have you been looking for a .22LR weapon, or considering the Ruger 10/22?

This article will give some of the reasons for its popularity, to show you why it’s an excellent weapon for you to own.

Reliability. The semiautomatic functioning of this weapon is extremely reliable. This mechanism hasn’t changed much since the weapon’s inception, and continues to be extremely reliable and consistent feature
Multiple options. One of the best features of this weapon is the number of different options available. There are classic wood-styled weapons and modernized black synthetic weapons. There are also compact sizes available. The Ruger 10/22 is an excellent weapon to teach a new shooter with. Due to the small rimfire .22LR cartridge, there is minimal recoil, and it is very quiet
Takedown model. This one option deserves its own point. One model of the Ruger 10/22, the Takedown, has a barrel that is detachable. As such, you are able to pack the weapon down into a smaller package. This is an excellent feature for a survival rifle or to take camping
Durability. The weapon is extremely resistant to the elements, due to its outer coating and polymer trigger housing
Affordability. As far as firearms go, this is one of the most affordably priced weapons. There are slightly cheaper .22LR weapons available, but none will be nearly as high quality as the Ruger 10/22. This weapon is an excellent value purchase
Trigger. The trigger of this weapon is extremely smooth and consistent. As mentioned before, it is housed in a polymer trigger housing that is extremely resistant to the elements
Positive safety. The manual cross bolt safety is an excellent feature, especially when using this weapon to teach new shooters
Scope mounts included. The weapon comes from the manufacturer with a scope base adapter and scope mounts included, which makes it extremely easy to install a scope on the weapon. The best scope for ruger 10/22 is good choice for your rifle.
Rotary magazine. The 10 round rotary magazine is extremely smooth and reliable. Since it’s a rotary style magazine, it is neatly tucked into the weapon to maintain a sleek look. It is equally easy to release the magazine

Conclusion

There is so much to love about the Ruger 10/22, but these are just a few of the highlights.

It’s an extremely smooth and consistent weapon that is very easy to use. The durability will make you feel comfortable with your purchase.

As long as it is treated properly, there is no reason that you won’t be able to pass this weapon along to your children one day.

All of these features come at an affordable price, to sweeten the deal.

All in all, the Ruger 10/22 is likely the best .22LR weapon on the market, and there are plenty of reasons to own it.

10 Tips for Choosing Your First Handgun

Are you starting to shop for your first handgun and feeling overwhelmed?

Choosing the first handgun

There are so many factors to consider! In this simple guide, we will give you a few key tips to keep in mind, to hopefully assist you in making the best purchase for you.

For someone new to firearms, handguns can seem extremely complicated. All of the different features can be overwhelming, but over time, they become easier and easier to understand.

1. What purpose will the handgun serve?

This should be self explanatory, but make sure to take into account what the handgun will actually be used for.

If you are looking for a concealed carry weapon, you are likely looking for a much different weapon than if you are looking for a home defense weapon.

2. Quality of your handgun

Handguns definitely follow the golden rule of “you get what you pay for.” If you buy one of the cheapest available handguns, you are likely to have issues with it at some point.

3, Grip size.

This is one of those things that when you know, you know. When you pick up what will be your new handgun for the first time, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. It’ll fit in your hand just right. Keep in mind that some handguns have replaceable grips and backstraps, so you can adjust the grip somewhat. Folks with larger hands will struggle to find a smaller weapon that fits their hand.

4. Thumb safety.

This can be a huge factor for some people. For me personally, I feel much safer and more comfortable with a handgun that has a manual thumb safety as opposed to a trigger safety.

Whatever kind of safety features your weapon has, make sure you feel comfortable with it and know how to operate it.

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5. Magazine capacity.

This somewhat ties in to the first tip, but what magazine capacity are you looking for? Keep in mind your use for the weapon.

6. Caliber.

Also ties into the first tip. If you are looking for a sidearm for big game hunting, you probably want to consider a larger round, such as .45ACP, whereas if you are looking for a pistol that fits in your pocket, you’re going to be looking for a .380.

7. Exposed hammer?

Some people prefer hammer-fired weapons with an exposed hammer, as you can always see the position of the hammer. The argument against this is always that you should know what state your weapon is, and the hammer is only one more thing to catch on your holser/pants/shirt.

8. Revolver or pistol?

This has been written about many times. Long story short, revolvers are more reliable and can shoot larger projectiles, and pistols have a larger magazine capacity.

9. Cleaning ability.

If you’re looking for your first handgun, it is likely that you are relatively new to firearms. Make sure that your new handgun is relatively easy to take down to clean. Don’t forget to buy a cleaning kit or some cleaning supplies to go along with your new weapon!

10. Sights.

It may seem like a small thing, but those difficult to see sights aren’t going to get any better with time.

Make sure you can accurately acquire a good sight picture with your new weapon.

Conclution

As with anything firearms related, safety is the most important thing to consider.

Before buying your first handgun, do a little research on how to safely operate and handle a handgun. This may save you an awkward minute at the gun store, and will also give you some confidence with your new piece of equipment while ensuring that you and everyone around you remains safe.