Gun Review: The Beretta 30X Tomcat – A New Generation of Tip-Up Pistols
Among the more unique firearms in my collection, the Beretta tip-up pistols hold a special place, particularly their ultra-small tip-up guns. The Beretta 30X Tomcat, one of my top picks from SHOT 2024, stands out with its revised design and numerous improvements tailored for modern audiences. The Beretta 30X, a straight blowback operated, .32 ACP […]
The 20 Gauge Mossberg 590 – A Low Recoil Fighting Shotgun
For years, the 20 gauge has been considered a practical alternative to the 12 gauge, offering lower recoil and substantial power. However, finding a purpose-built tactical or defensive 20 gauge shotgun has been a challenge. While 20 gauge deer and bird guns are plentiful, a dedicated tactical smoothbore has been…elusive. Until now, that is. Mossberg […]
The Smith & Wesson Model 432 UC – The Ultimate Carry Revolver
I’ve never really carried a revolver. There was a time as a young gun owner when I tried to pack a Rossi .357 Magnum with a four-inch barrel in a shoulder holster, but we don’t really need to talk about that. For the longest time, I considered revolvers obsolete, and they likely still are for […]
Gun Review: The Springfield Echelon – My Favorite Handgun of 2023
In the world that’s full of semi-auto handguns, there seems to be a formula that works. Give it a polymer frame, make it striker-fired, chamber it in 9mm, and use a double-stack magazine. Add a rail and maybe give it an optic cut, and we have the description of basically every duty-sized pistol on the […]
Gun Review: Bersa TPR 380 … The Modern Option
I like Bersa. As far as budget guns go, they make some of the best, in my opinion. The Thunder series is likely their most popular gun series, and I’ve always enjoyed them. They’re very Walther-like without the Walther price tag. Bersa is also not afraid to experiment with the Walther PPK-esque design. They’ve released […]
The Smith & Wesson Response: A (Mostly) Polymer PCC
In the last 12 months, Smith & Wesson went from having zero pistol caliber carbines in their lineup to now having three. They released the FPC, the Response, and at SHOT, we got our first look at the new-again 1854, a lever action .44 Magnum. That’s quite a leap in the PCC category. The FPC […]