Gun Belt Blog

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

When looking for a new carry gun, there's a measurement you should pay attention to a bit more than the others, namely slide width. Width at the controls or grips doesn't give you the full story...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Are compact pistols or full size pistols better for concealed carry? Well, it depends on what you mean. The former carry more easily, people tend to shoot the latter a little better. Read on...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Appendix carry gets a bad reputation at times, and for some good reasons. However, it's perfectly safe if done correctly.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Are striker fired guns perfect for concealed carry? Or are hammer guns? There are benefits to both and some drawbacks as well. Click here to see more...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

What should a person know about the CMP? The Civilian Marksmanship Program is an avenue to buy cool guns, but also so much more...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

One of the most common and most useful bits of everyday kit is an EDC knife, which a lot of people carry in conjunction with their concealed carry gun and other ancillaries. Having one on hand is always a good idea, as a knife is both a good tool and implement of defense at close range. In the right hands, a knife is every bit as deadly as a pistol.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you've decided you want to get into rifle shooting and want a more tactical rifle than the standard bolt gun, you'll likely find yourself mulling between a scout rifle or AR pattern rifle. Both are widely available, and can run the gamut from incredibly expensive ($2,000+) to the downright reasonable ($500 or so) depending on the make and model.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Everyone wonders what sort of Father's Day gifts to get. Well it's not hard; just consider someone's hobbies and chances are you'll be able to find something that appeals to them.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

As with any product, some people wonder about what gun they should get next or if the one they bought really is all that good. To some degree, "good" is subjective; good for whom, exactly? And for what?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Some people think that crossbows give you the function of a gun with the ammunition of a bow. You can hunt archery season and get more range than that guy with a compound! Awesome! We're on easy street from here on, boys!

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

So...you've found some old ammunition lying around. What do you do with it? That box of 9mm or .30-06 or whatever it is has been gathering dust for years, surely it must have gone bad by now.

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

The 21 Foot Rule stems from the idea that by the time an officer or individual determines a deadly threat, draws his or her firearm and places two shots, an attacker has closed up to 21 feet between them, therefore reinforcing the idea that one should have their handgun drawn and ready to engage a target if they’re within that distance and approaching with a weapon, like a knife.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

A big part of concealed carry practice and training is clearing the cover garment. This is one of the most important steps in the draw as it determines how quickly you can get a gun out and into a fight, if needed.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

How does a concealed carrier handle crimes that pose non-bodily threat, like shoplifting? The general consensus is don't shoot to protect property, so what is the proper route to handle a shoplifter?

By Sam Hoober / Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

Gun control is a hot button for debate. One of the most universally used versions of it is "Universal Background Checks." Are they actually working, or not?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

You may have to defend yourself with means other than a gun, which is why combatives aka martial arts or hand-to-hand combat systems exist. You may not be able to get to a gun; you may have to fight your way into getting your gun out.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you haven't really had much experience with one and have the urge for a magnum revolver, you need to try it before you buy it. However you can.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Remington, the oldest gunmaker in the country, recently filed for bankruptcy though Remington guns are still in production...at least for now. They may come out unscathed, but if they don't it would be a shame given their contributions to the firearms industry and beyond.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

For the beginner learning to shoot, one of the first skills that has to be acquired is how to get a proper handgun grip. It's also good for experienced shooters to occasionally brush up on every so often.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There is such a thing as California-compliant guns...but they are getting fewer every years. The state of California has been long known for its insouciance concerning the Second Amendment rights of its citizens and is getting worse every year.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

All states have some laws about guns, but Massachusetts is REAL strict, and there is a list of Massachusetts compliant firearms. These are the guns you can buy if a resident of the Bay State, that bastion of Boston baked beans...that is, IF you have a Firearms Owner Identification Card.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

For many years, factory ammunition wasn't that good and to get good ammo, you had to start handloading. Today, some people still say factory ammo isn't that great and handload to obtain the ballistic performance they want.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Some people don't like that you can't get a full purchase on the handgun grip with certain carry guns, especially slim subcompacts that are popular as CCW guns. A lot of people eschew these pistols in lieu of larger models, thinking the shorter grip will impede accuracy.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If you're looking into or shopping for carry ammunition, one of the most popular brands you'll hear about is Speer Gold Dot. It's one of the most popular carry rounds for good reason, too, as Gold Dot has a good record of performance with law enforcement agencies across the country.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

When it comes to defensive shooting skills, there are all sorts of shooting drills and skills that various people trying to sell you expensive courses say you need. Granted, training is good, and any skills you can add are beneficial.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

One of the popular lines of carry ammunition is Federal HST, which you'll find in most gun stores and for most of the popular calibers of self-defense and police ammunition. The line is perhaps not the most diverse, as it's offered for only the most popular chamberings, but since the most popular carry calibers are limited to four or five choices...most people will find one for them.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

If there's a skill that you ought to pick up on if you haven't already it's how to clean a handgun magazine. Yes, your magazines need to be cleaned just like your pistol does. Every so often, you'll need to take them apart, clean them, then reassemble to keep them in good working order and ensure better operation.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Look...if you enjoy your pistol training, then you should do it, but the truth is that all the various reloading drills just might be pointless, at least for the civilian carrier. There is some utility to them, of course, which we will go over. However, it's less than it is for, say, the uniformed officer.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Looking to change handgun sights? Cool! Upgrading your own gun is something of a past time among gun owners and one of the first items to get improved is almost always the sights.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

One of the great curiosities when it comes to handguns is why the 1911 platform of pistols has stayed relevant, or at least stayed popular enough to remain in production this line. Let's face it; the Government frame is terribly out of date.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Naturally, you want to carry what the professionals do in your home defense or concealed carry gun, which is why a lot of people get interested in law enforcement ammunition. After all, if police depend on it to save their lives, why shouldn't you use it to save yours?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

For everything, there is a season and for everything there is usually a purpose, such as tactical gear. There is a use for tactical gear...but the question becomes, at a certain point, if perhaps it has gotten out of hand.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

When looking to upgrade your standard iron sights, one is almost certain to find night sights and fiber optic sights. The question is, which is better for your everday concealed carry?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

An FTE, or Failure To Eject, is one of a few chief common malfunctions primarily with semi-auto handguns where a casing isn't ejected preventing the slide from cycling in a new round. Here we discuss diagnosing the cause of this failure.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Revolvers can take several seconds to reload by hand, luckily the tactical reload isn't only available for semi-autos! Speedloaders have been around for quite some time, and with some practice, one can be quite efficient with them.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Hornady's Critical Defense and Critical Duty lines are both excellent choice for concealed carry. A question you might find yourself asking is, what's the difference and which should I carry?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

When looking for a solid self-defense weapon, the military and various government organizations (like the FBI) can provide a solid starting ground for your choice in daily carry. Here are 7 FBI issued firearms to consider.

By James England | Contributing Editor

Law enforcement routinely stop gun owners who carry every single day without incident. The vast majority of police and state troopers appear to support most law-abiding citizens' right to carry. That said, police generally appreciate the respect shown to be returned in due form...

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Something that inspires a whole lot of argument out there among gun owners is a manual safety on a carry gun. The argument is not exactly new and goes a little something like this: "Disengaging a manual safety takes time; it'll get you killed!"

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

One of the most persistent gun myths is that of stopping power, which is the notion that the force of an impact from a bullet will knock down or otherwise stop an attacker. It doesn't exist. It doesn't even take a lot to figure out why.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

You want to start concealed carry? Not so fast. There are a few things you're going to need before you start packing a pistol.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

One of the most common firearm malfunctions is a failure to feed. This is where a semi-automatic pistol - or semi-automatic rifle or shotgun - fails to cycle the next round into the chamber and/or return fully to battery, the state of being ready to fire.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Most would assume that if one is going to concealed carry, revolver carry is out. But it's not - in fact it's very popular.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There are lots of reasons why a concealed carry .357 Magnum is perfect for personal defense. There are few drawbacks, though.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

There are certainly a number of things you should do, but there are also a number of serious "dont's" when it comes to concealed carry. Some things are a mere faux pas, and others may be straight up illegal.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

Not getting the results you want out of your handgun shooting? The occasional bad group happens as does the odd flyer, but what if you're consistently shooting groups that are minute of a broadside of a barn?

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

In this era of digital media, one of the best things for gun owners and enthusiasts is finding gun channels on YouTube. You get to watch videos, hear reviews and see some interesting things.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

A new year is coming, and some people might want a new gun...but what are going to be the hot new CCW guns for 2018? The new kids on the block, the new hotness, etc. After all, why just buy the same-old, same-old when you can get something new and interesting.

By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor

While concealed carrying is hardly a strenuous activity, a lot of people have noticed concealed carry back pain and hip pain from carrying their gun for long periods of time. Over the years, a person can develop a permanent sore spot from toting a pistol about, but what to do about it?

By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor

For new shooters, trigger actions and mechanisms can be confusing descriptions attached to semi-automatics and revolvers (and other genres of firearms, but we'll stick with handguns for now).