Rifle March-April 2026

Aperture (aka peep) sights have a proven record of accuracy in the field and on target ranges, but have also proven valuable in combat. In spite of the widespread use of highly advanced telescopic sights, the popularity of modern aperture sights has become huge and continues to grow. ...Read More >

Did you know assassins used Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works revolvers in three separate murders of American politicos? ...Read More >

Humans have been tinkering with weapon making ever since the first person tied a pointed rock to a long stick. He no longer had to get close enough to his meat source to bash it with a club, which on many occasions didn’t turn out well. ...Read More >

Zero Compromise Optic (ZCO) utilizes Austrian optical and mechanical systems, then they are shipped and assembled in the United States. Assembly takes place in Orofino, Idaho, which is right down the road from our home making both NightForce Optics and Zero Compromise Optics local companies for me. ...Read More >

I think the Ruger Bisley Hunter is the perfect factory gun for handgun hunters. Be it a beginner or a grizzled greybeard, the Bisley Hunter has much to offer at a reasonable price. I consider it to be a top contender for usefulness in the field. It is also a sentimental favorite of mine for several reasons and here’s the story of how I came to this conclusion. ...Read More >

One of the lesser-known features of the internet is the inflation calculations that tell you what a price from 1880 would be today, given inflation over the past 145 years. ...Read More >

It is no surprise that for many years folks have favored rifles chambered in the same cartridge as their handguns. This peaked during the Old West period when Winchester lever actions and Colt Single Actions ruled the plains. While those times are long past, the relevance of sharing ammunition between a rifle and a handgun has not changed. In fact, one could argue that there is a resurgence of this practical idea. With the advent of pistol caliber carbines in matches and in the market, there are plenty of AR-pattern rifles chambered in 9mm and a wide variety of other carbines in 45 Automatic and even 10mm Automatic. This speaks volumes to the practicality of having an interchangeable cartridge that can be fired in both a handgun and a rifle. ...Read More >

There’s only one Woodsman in our hearts, at least, if not strictly in history. Our Woodsman is the Colt .22 made from 1927 to 1977, and one of the few true icons in the world of guns. It was born into a world of bathtub gin and Al Capone, and died in a welter of sky-high oil prices and worldwide inflation, but what a half-century it had! ...Read More >

Derrick Ratliff’s Horizon Firearms first grabbed my attention with one-of-a-kind designs, but after shooting the company’s Vandal Prime, I also discovered a rifle capable of exceptional accuracy. Horizon burst onto the precision rifle scene with premium products built to be handed down through generations. Horizon, in partnership with Hornady, was instrumental in developing the 22 Creedmoor. ...Read More >

History didn’t suddenly begin at some arguable endpoint in prehistory, and history isn’t dead and gone. Rather, history is unfolding even now, moment by moment. As you sit here reading this, historical events are happening somewhere in the world, but we typically aren’t aware they are historical until we look back on them from the perspective of the future, usually because we are busy just making a living in the present. ...Read More >

The bolt-action rifle stock plays a huge role in shooter comfort and accuracy, and is a factor in how much the owner enjoys the rifle, or not. A poor-fitting stock can feel awkward, unnatural and can even beat up, bruise and cut the shooter, sometimes severely. In his classic 1946 book Keith’s Rifles for Large Game, Elmer states, “Many persons complain of the recoil of rifles which actually have very moderate comeback. This is due to improper holding of the rifle or, quite frequently, to a bad fitting stock. A stock of correct shape and dimension – for the individual – will go far toward damping the recoil of any shoulder arm that fires heavy loads.” Keith continues, “Recoil can be very bothersome with an ill-fitting stock. Excessive heel-drop, combined with a high comb, can give one sharp jab on the cheek-bone at every shot from a heavy rifle, particularly in the prone position. Also, too short a stock that allows one’s nose to be struck by the thumb is not conducive to pleasure in firing, nor to accurate shooting.” ...Read More >

In a recent phone conversation with Jeremiah Polacek, Editor of Wolfe Publishing Company, I learned that the company’s Rifle magazine is being modified to include handguns. Fantastic news! I’ve enjoyed the quality content of Rifle over the years, and my only regret was the absence of handgun articles. Since both Jeremiah and I are serious revolver fans, we were extremely interested in coming up with an article suitable for the magazine’s new look. In the course of our dialogue, the descriptive phrase “all-purpose” came up more than once. Recognizing that much of America’s population firmly believes that only semiautomatic pistols are suitable for any tactical application, such as personal self-defense or law enforcement, I did not want to appear biased, or worse yet, overbearing in presenting opinions on the suitability of a well-built double action revolver for multiple purposes including defensive use. ...Read More >