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Some of us wish to have a revolver that is very smooth, easily controlled, and accurate beyond conversational distance, but we also want it to clear leather quickly. We studied the revolvers available and decided that a 3-inch-barrel 357 Magnum double-action revolver on a medium frame would be ideal for home defense, carry in the field, and concealed carry. 

Due to reader requests, we’ve begun posting top-ten listings of various firearm categories that garner a lot of interest, such as 380 pistols for carry or other self defense. You can find all of those ranked articles on Gun-Tests.com by searching for the keyword “listicle.” A few months ago, we posted one of those best 380 ACP pistols lists, and we were informed by a reader and experienced shooter that his new Rock Island Armory Baby Rock did not live up to the promise of the pistol we tested nine years ago. Our pistol was delivered with a nice, crisp 4.5-pound trigger compression. That’s similar to one of the South Carolina test team’s Baby Rock, which has been in service for quite a few years as a backup to his 1911. That particular pistol features a trigger action breaking at 5.1 pounds. The reader measured the trigger action of his current production Baby Rock at more than 10 pounds. We corresponded with another reader who reported a 13.2-pound let off, and a third managed a 9.4-pound let off after considerable use and lubrication. Were these typical of current production? It would seem so, because the first reader contacted Armscor, intending to send the pistol in for adjustment. The company informed the reader that his Baby Rock was indeed in spec because there have been safety upgrades to the Baby Rock we tested and liked, and those safety enhancements included a heavier trigger. This gave us pause. What could have changed in the nine years since we tested the Baby Rock 380?

The 45-70 Government cartridge has been in constant use since 1873. The U.S. military adopted the round and used it until 1892, while the cartridge’s sporting use for hunting and competition has been uninterrupted to this day. That says a lot about the performance and reliability of the 45-70. There are better cartridges that are flatter shooting and have more downrange power at long distances, but with a modern lever-action rifle, the 45-70’s sweet spot is close to 100 yards. Depending on the ammo, if your rifle is equipped with an optic, and your shooting ability allows, you might be able to squeeze out effective shots to 200 yards. Lever-action rifles chambered in the round are popular with hunters in states that require a straight-wall cartridge and for hunters who want a lot bang to get the buck. Or wild boar or black bear. Large game is in the 45-70’s portfolio at the right distance.

The 45-70 Government cartridge has been in constant use since 1873. The U.S. military adopted the round and used it until 1892, while the cartridge’s sporting use for hunting and competition has been uninterrupted to this day. That says a lot about the performance and reliability of the 45-70. There are better cartridges that are flatter shooting and have more downrange power at long distances, but with a modern lever-action rifle, the 45-70’s sweet spot is close to 100 yards. Depending on the ammo, if your rifle is equipped with an optic, and your shooting ability allows, you might be able to squeeze out effective shots to 200 yards. Lever-action rifles chambered in the round are popular with hunters in states that require a straight-wall cartridge and for hunters who want a lot bang to get the buck. Or wild boar or black bear. Large game is in the 45-70’s portfolio at the right distance.

Due to reader requests, we’ve begun posting top-ten listings of various firearm categories that garner a lot of interest, such as 380 pistols for carry or other self defense. You can find all of those ranked articles on Gun-Tests.com by searching for the keyword “listicle.” A few months ago, we posted one of those best 380 ACP pistols lists, and we were informed by a reader and experienced shooter that his new Rock Island Armory Baby Rock did not live up to the promise of the pistol we tested nine years ago. Our pistol was delivered with a nice, crisp 4.5-pound trigger compression. That’s similar to one of the South Carolina test team’s Baby Rock, which has been in service for quite a few years as a backup to his 1911. That particular pistol features a trigger action breaking at 5.1 pounds. The reader measured the trigger action of his current production Baby Rock at more than 10 pounds. We corresponded with another reader who reported a 13.2-pound let off, and a third managed a 9.4-pound let off after considerable use and lubrication. Were these typical of current production? It would seem so, because the first reader contacted Armscor, intending to send the pistol in for adjustment. The company informed the reader that his Baby Rock was indeed in spec because there have been safety upgrades to the Baby Rock we tested and liked, and those safety enhancements included a heavier trigger. This gave us pause. What could have changed in the nine years since we tested the Baby Rock 380?

The 12-gauge pump shotgun is a mainstay for home defense and as a truck gun. Pump actions offer ease of use, easier maintenance, and versatility because they can be loaded with shells that range from non-lethal types and bird shot to 00 buck and slugs that can still be cycled through the gun. Also, pump shotguns are typically less expensive than semi-autos, which require more maintenance and can be finicky with light target loads. We gathered three 12-gauge pump shotguns and put them in the hands of our testers to evaluate the guns with an eye toward gauging affordability and assessing performance, two traits that are not usually found together. The pump guns matched up in this review include the Mossberg Maverick 88 Security, $264; Savage 320 Tactical FDE, $270; and the SDS Imports Duo-Sys Force, $469.

The 12-gauge pump shotgun is a mainstay for home defense and as a truck gun. Pump actions offer ease of use, easier maintenance, and versatility because they can be loaded with shells that range from non-lethal types and bird shot to 00 buck and slugs that can still be cycled through the gun. Also, pump shotguns are typically less expensive than semi-autos, which require more maintenance and can be finicky with light target loads. We gathered three 12-gauge pump shotguns and put them in the hands of our testers to evaluate the guns with an eye toward gauging affordability and assessing performance, two traits that are not usually found together. The pump guns matched up in this review include the Mossberg Maverick 88 Security, $264; Savage 320 Tactical FDE, $270; and the SDS Imports Duo-Sys Force, $469.

The 12-gauge pump shotgun is a mainstay for home defense and as a truck gun. Pump actions offer ease of use, easier maintenance, and versatility because they can be loaded with shells that range from non-lethal types and bird shot to 00 buck and slugs that can still be cycled through the gun. Also, pump shotguns are typically less expensive than semi-autos, which require more maintenance and can be finicky with light target loads. We gathered three 12-gauge pump shotguns and put them in the hands of our testers to evaluate the guns with an eye toward gauging affordability and assessing performance, two traits that are not usually found together. The pump guns matched up in this review include the Mossberg Maverick 88 Security, $264; Savage 320 Tactical FDE, $270; and the SDS Imports Duo-Sys Force, $469.

Defined as a “lightweight, short-barreled variation of an existing rifle model,” the carbine was first employed by cavalry. Fighting in a very confined area, they needed something much shorter than an infantry rifle. Shorter barrels affect muzzle velocity negatively, as did the recoil on the shoulders with a standard cartridge in a trimmed down rifle — sometimes to the point where different ammo had to be loaded for the carbines. Still, the newer versions were shorter, lighter, easier to manipulate and carry on horseback.

Defined as a “lightweight, short-barreled variation of an existing rifle model,” the carbine was first employed by cavalry. Fighting in a very confined area, they needed something much shorter than an infantry rifle. Shorter barrels affect muzzle velocity negatively, as did the recoil on the shoulders with a standard cartridge in a trimmed down rifle — sometimes to the point where different ammo had to be loaded for the carbines. Still, the newer versions were shorter, lighter, easier to manipulate and carry on horseback.

Defined as a “lightweight, short-barreled variation of an existing rifle model,” the carbine was first employed by cavalry. Fighting in a very confined area, they needed something much shorter than an infantry rifle. Shorter barrels affect muzzle velocity negatively, as did the recoil on the shoulders with a standard cartridge in a trimmed down rifle — sometimes to the point where different ammo had to be loaded for the carbines. Still, the newer versions were shorter, lighter, easier to manipulate and carry on horseback.