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Smith Enterprise Custom 3-Gun SOCOM 16
Anyone who is a fan of the M14/M1A family of firearms no doubt knows of Smith Enterprise. And, after seeing Smith Enterprise’s custom work on the M1A for an earlier project with me, I decided to work...
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When Size and Performance Meet Concealability
Surely the 1911 cannot be modernized, right? I mean, it’s been in service around the world for more than 100 years. The 1911 was the U.S. military handgun for decades and a favorite for civilians and...
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How to Legally Own a Machine Gun
The year was 1987, and the accursed 1986 machine gun ban was nearing its first anniversary. As a young gun nerd with lofty aspirations but limited resources, I knew the clock was ticking. I,...
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Why the Hellcat Pro OSP Is Great for Old Eyes
Aiming a handgun requires several skills and abilities, and these decline with time. I think I am qualified to have an opinion on this subject as I have recently exceeded six decades on this bright...
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G.I. Ingenuity: M1 Carbine Battlefield Modifications
When the M1 Carbine (officially the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) began to reach American combat units in late 1942, the handy little rifle quickly gained a reputation as the “soldier’s...
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Custom Midwest Industries SAINT 5.56mm Build
I’ve shot every SAINT rifle available. I’ve had the pleasure of running each of the SAINT, SAINT Victor and — my personal favorite — the SAINT Edge rifles, putting thousands of rounds downrange with...
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Red Dots, Lights & Lasers: CCW Necessities, or Total Hype?
The liberalization of concealed carry laws throughout the U.S. has had a profound effect on the evolution of handguns, ammunition, holsters and related gear. Clearly, when it comes to hardware...
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Review: New Hellion 20” and 18” Variants
Springfield Armory offered bullpup fans a great new option when they dropped the Hellion in January of 2022. A descendant in design from the VHS-2 rifle that has served in the hands of Croatian Armed...
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Ayoob: Is the Prodigy Too Big for CCW, or Just Right?
I have spent a good amount of time with the 1911 DS Prodigy, utilizing it in several different roles. For the purposes of this piece, I decided to consider its adaptability to concealed carry. There...
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Springfield SAINT B5 Review
Over the past six decades, the AR-15 type rifle has undergone various modifications, upgrades and enhancements. I often wonder if Eugene Stoner envisioned the amount of modularity and breadth of...
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1911 DS Prodigy vs. XD-M Elite OSP: Which Springfield Wins?
It’s often said, “to be the best, you have to beat the best.” Therefore, it only makes sense to take two of the best full-size double stack 9mm handguns on the market and compare them head-to-head...
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Range Time with the Ronin EMP 3” 9mm
There is just nothing like a 1911. This is true from the angles of the grip to the feel of that safety when it’s disengaged. And when you pull that trigger, you understand why so many people talk...
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Review: 17-Round Hellcat Pro Magazine
When the 9mm Springfield Armory Hellcat came onto the scene in September of 2019, it sported a 3” barrel and an 11-round flush fit magazine. With that capacity and compact size, it was immediately...
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Ayoob: The Prodigy in Competition
A recent piece of mine on the Prodigy focused on its impressive capacity and its usefulness for home defense (see the full article here). This time let’s look at its use in competition. In NRA handgun...
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Russia’s Rarest Spec-Ops Pistol?
When the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the Makarov pistol had been in service for just over 70 years. The Red Army adopted it under Stalin in 1951 and continued producing it...
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What Does the Forward Assist Do?
The forward assist is a controversial feature on AR-15 rifles and M16 military firearms. The designer of the original M16 military rifle, Robert Eugene Stoner, said it wasn’t required. The U.S....
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Going the Distance with the Prodigy
What is a “Prodigy?” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it is “something extraordinary or inexplicable, marvelous, or unusual.” I must admit, from a marketing standpoint I think it was...
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Springfield Operator vs. Garrison — Battle of the 9mm 1911 Pistols
There has been a growing demand for 1911’s chambered in 9mm. Shooters enjoy the additional rounds in the magazine as well as the ease of shooting. Firing 9mm rounds from a full-size steel frame...
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How Does the Echelon Variable Interface System Optic Mount Work?
The Springfield Armory Echelon introduced a new optic mounting system that is revolutionizing how you add a red dot to handguns. Called the Variable Interface System, this ingenious bit of engineering...
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The Armory Life Presents the Cantius Award
The Armory Life is proud to announce the Cantius Award, created to honor the top contributor of the previous year. Criteria for the selection is based on a wide range of considerations, including (but...
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