Home Defense

For Defense: Shooting 45 Colt In Wheelguns and Leverguns

A carbine and a pistol in the same chambering have much utility for personal defense, and 9mm Luger, 10mm Auto, and 45 ACP are chambered in many such combinations in semi-autos. If you live in a non-restrictive state, that’s great — enjoy. But if you live in a magazine-capacity-restricted state, or in one of the features-limited jurisdictions, then you may need a different duo, say, with a revolver and lever-action rifle.

First Look Video: Four Affordable 9mm Carry Handguns

If you're looking for an affordable 9mm pistol that's easy to carry, you should check out the June 2021 issue of Gun Tests magazine.Hi,...

Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 44 Magnum

We owe much of the 44 Magnum concept to the late Elmer Keith. Mr. Keith spent a good bit of the early to middle parts of the last century working with (and sometimes blowing up) hot-loaded 44 Special revolvers. As with many great experimenters, he did not let setbacks stop his work. Convinced of the practicality and efficacy of a max-loaded 44, he finally won Smith & Wesson over to his way of thinking, along with Remington ammunition. The revolver that became what we know as the Model 29 (and what Clint Eastwood made really famous in 1971) was introduced in late 1955.

Taurus Model 44 2-440049 44 Magnum

The Taurus M44 brings many of the changes S&W decided were good for its guns. This genre of handgun tends to spend much of its working time in the outdoors, in inclement weather and in sweaty holsters, making stainless-steel construction preferable to blued carbon steel.

First Look: Four Affordable 9mm Carry Handguns

If you're looking for an affordable 9mm pistol that's easy to carry, you should check out the June 2021 issue of Gun Tests magazine.Hi,...

40 S&W Ammunition Test: We Pit Eight Self-Defense Rounds

The 40 Smith & Wesson retains a solid following among shooters looking for a hard-hitting cartridge in a 9mm package. Accuracy in quality handguns...

Taurus 856 Defender Ultra-Lite 2-85639ULNS 38 Special +P

The 32 S&W cartridge dates back to the late 1870s, and the 32 S&W Long is slightly newer. It was introduced in the late...

Charter Arms Professional 73230 32 H&R Magnum

The 32 S&W cartridge dates back to the late 1870s, and the 32 S&W Long is slightly newer. It was introduced in the late...

Ruger SP101 5784 327 Federal Magnum

The 32 S&W cartridge dates back to the late 1870s, and the 32 S&W Long is slightly newer. It was introduced in the late...

12-Gauge Buckshot for Home Defense: We Shoot Nineteen

In gearing up for this test, the project seemed simple at first. The logistics of collecting shotguns, shells, targets, and a measuring tape seemed...

First Look Video: New and Old Colt Pythons

The Colt Python is back, and more than a few Gun Tests readers have requested a face-off between the new Pythons and the original...

2020 Guns & Gear Top Picks

Toward the end of each year, I survey the work R.K. Campbell, Roger Eckstine, Robert Sadowski, David Tannahill, Tracey Taylor, and John Taylor have...

Rebellion In The Lower Courts

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act in January 2023, and it is among the nation’s worst gun-control laws. It bans...