Ever wanted to see how firearms operate — viewing INSIDE the actions, barrels, and magazines? Well today we feature some great “see-through” animations for rifles, shotguns, and pistols. Using modern 3D graphics technologies, these cutaway videos show the movement of cartridges during firing, plus the operation of the bolt, trigger, and extraction systems.

These videos are found on two locations. First, there is the MasongGun YouTube site, which has 636 videos and an astonishing 3.45 MILLION subscribers. In addition, on Facebook, the GunMechanism Page has over 200 animated “Reels”, some of which have been viewed over 500,000 times. Obviously gun afficianados like these 3D X-Ray effect see-though videos. Here are 10 very good videos featuring notable lever-action, bolt-action, and semi-auto rifles, plus semi-auto pistols, a revolver, and a pair of modern shotguns.

If you want to see hundreds more of these X-Ray type firearms function videos, go to the MasongGun YouTube site and visit the GunMechanism Facebook Page.

Winchester Model 1973 Classic Lever-Action Rifle

Evolution of German Pistols

HK G3 and FN-FAL Semi-Auto Mag-Fed Rifles

Multiple Handguns in Action

Military Bolt-Action Rifles and Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)

Colt M4 (AR type) Plus M1 Garand and M1 Carbine

If you’re looking for a space-saving handgun storage system, consider the Easy Use Gun Hangers from USA GunClub, sold on Amazon. These vinyl-coated, wire hangers organize handguns below the shelves in your gunsafe, freeing up storage space above the shelves. To use the handgun hangers, simply slide each hanger on the shelf and then slip your pistol’s barrel over the lower rod. Handgun Hangers are intended for guns with an overall length of 10 inches or shorter. They will fit shelves that are at least 11 inches deep and 5/8-1 inch in thickness. Handgun Hangers will hold handguns .22 caliber and up, though the fit is a bit snug on .22s. A four-pack of Handgun Hangers costs $11.49 on Amazon. This product has been an Amazon Best Seller among handgun storage accessories.

USA GunClub also offers an Over-Under Hanger that holds two handguns — one above the shelf, and one below. A two-pack of Over-Under Hangers (capable of holding four handguns) costs $9.99 on Amazon. This may be a good solution for you. This Editor personally prefers the standard model, so I can use the upper surface of the shelf to hold odd-shaped items such as cameras, binoculars, and miscellaneous valuables.

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.

Graf & Sons — Major RCBS Sale on Presses, Tools, Dies Etc.

⏺️ » Thousands of RCBS products on Sale — presses, dies, tools

Grafs.com is running a massive RCBS Sale right now with big savings on thousands of RCBS products including reloading presses, priming tools, powder measures, case prep equipment, and hundreds of die sets. Among our top picks, the Universal hand priming tool is excellent, and the unique RCBS Summit is a great compact reloading press.

Sportsman’s Warehouse — SIGnature Sale — Optics and Pistols

⏺️ » Great savings on pistols, optics, mounts and more

If you need a carry pistol, or a new riflescope, thermal scope, reflex/red dot optic, or binoculars, definitely check out the major Optics and handgun sale at Sportsman’s Warehouse. If you need a hunting scope and Rangefinder, definitely consider KILO3K Laser RF and 3-12x44mm BDC-1 combo — now $150.00 off the regular price. Along with the discounts of 10-25% there are eGift cards available with many items.

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Today we showcase six YouTube videos that explain basic reloading processes. This article focuses on the .45 ACP cartridge because this a very good choice for hand-loaders getting started. The .45 ACP is one of the easier cartridges to reload, because it has a large case diameter and large primer pocket, and because it operates at relatively low pressures (compared to rifle rounds).

We recommend that new reloaders consider starting with the .45 ACP cartridge. There are many reasons why the .45 ACP is a good choice for those just getting started in hand-loading:

1. The case is fairly short but has a relatively large diameter (and minimal taper), so it is easy to see inside the case. That helps you quickly check powder levels.
2. Many good powders (for the .45 ACP) will fill the case over 60%, so you will have an obvious overflow if you double-charge by accident.
3. The .45 ACP round runs at relatively low pressures, but delivers excellent accuracy.
4. Good .45 ACP brass lasts a long time, is easy to size, and is good for many reloads.
5. Along with 1911s, there are fine .45 ACP revolvers that shoot the round with moon clips.
6. The vast majority of .45 ACP brass uses large pistol primers (although there ARE some small primer pocket varieties*). We find that large primers are easier to pick up and handle if you are using a single primer tool.

The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge is a rimless straight-walled handgun cartridge originally developed in 1904 by John Moses Browning for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic pistol. After successful military trials, it was adopted as the standard chambering for Colt’s M1911 pistol.

For reloading, there are many good powder choices. We recommend Vihtavuori N320. This is very accurate and burns cleaner than some otherwise good powders, such as Accurate (AA) No. 5 and Unique.

Basic Reloading for the .45 ACP Cartridge

This is the most-viewed .45 ACP reloading video on YouTube. It is directed primarily for the novice or prospective reloader. It covers the basic processes: case inspection, cleaning, trimming, sizing, priming, powder filling, bullet seating, and crimping. The video creator notes: “Trimming pistol/revolver brass is optional and usually not necessary. it was included because that is what I did when I first began reloading, before I found out that handgun brass does not stretch as much as bottleneck rifle brass.”

How To Reload .45 ACP — Basic Tutorial for Newer Reloaders

This is a detailed 20-minute video that shows the reloading process start to finish. The video shows how to clean the cases, deprime, and check them before loading.

In this video the cases are sized and bullets seated using a single-stage RCBS press. The cases are primed using an RCBS hand-priming tool which keeps multiple primers in a tray (see 8:55 time-mark). For efficiency, we recommend seating with a hand tool (or bench-mounted tool) vs. seating primers using the priming system on the press itself. The hand seating tool also gives you a better “feel” for setting the primers.

How To Reload .45 ACP Start to Finish on a Progressive Press

This is a detailed 19-minute video that shows the reloading process start to finish, along with an bit of history on the .45 ACP cartridge. The video begins with case cleaning using a tumbler. The cartridges are loaded with Hodgdon CFE pistol powder, Federal primers, and 230gr plated bullet. Equipment used in the video are: Hornady LnL progressive press, Hornady Carbide die set and taper crimp die, RCBS 505 balance scale, and harbor freight wet tumbler. While we like the efficiency of a progressive press, we recommend that novice hand-loader begin with a single stage or turret press. We recommend a powder that fills the .45 ACP case pretty full. That reduces the risk of double-charging.

Safety First When Loading All Cartridges

Along with the first two instructional videos above, we include two important videos focused on reloading safety. In the first video, UltimateReloader’s Gavin Gear explains how to check your cartridge during the loading process to eliminate squib loads and other defects. In the second video, Starline Brass tech Hunter Pilant explains how to avoid double charges.

Load .45 ACP Safely — Avoid Squib Loads and Overcharges

You need to check the powder level of EVERY round you load. Do this visually BEFORE seating a bullet. (Or, with a progressive press, use a lock-out die that monitors powder levels). This is very important because a squib load (with little or no powder) can leave a bullet lodged in the barrel. A subsequent full, live round can cause a Kaboom with dire consequences.

Preventing Double Charges — Use a Case-filling Powder with .45 ACP

IMPORTANT TIP: Use a bulky powder that fills your case more than half way with a correct charge. “This will over-fill the case if it is double-charged, making it impossible to load. This is one safeguard that can keep you from making a big [mistake]” (Hunter Pilant, Starline). A bulky powder with high fill level will also be easier to see inside the case.

Good Powder Choices for the .45 ACP Cartridge

We know that many of our readers own .45 ACP handguns and load for this extremely accurate “classic” cartridge. When selecting a powder for the .45 ACP, there are many good options. All the major powder manufacturers make propellants with appropriate density and burn rate characteristics for the .45 ACP. Popular choices include: AA #5 (Accurate Powder); Bullseye (Alliant); Clays, HP-38, and Titegroup (Hodgdon); VV N310 and N320 (Vihtavuori); and WW 231 and WST (Winchester). We’ve tried all those powders in a variety of .45 ACP handguns. When we consider all the factors that make for a good pistol powder, we think Vihtavuori N320 is one of the best available propellants for the .45 ACP.

Vihtavuori N320 is very accurate, it meters well, and it burns clean, with minimal smoke and flash. If you haven’t tried VV N320 yet, you should.

Pros and Cons of Different Powders for the .45 ACP
This Editor has personally tried out eight or more different powders for the .45 ACP. Bullseye works but it is very dirty (both smoke out the barrel and sooty powder fouling on case). Though it otherwise burns clean, Titegroup leaves a singular (and nasty) high-temp flame streak on your brass that is hard to remove. AA #5 is a good choice for progressive press newbies as you use more powder so a double charge will (usually) be obvious. I like AA #5 but N320 was more accurate. Clays burns clean but some powder measures struggle with flake powders like this. WW 231 offered excellent accuracy and metered well, but it kicked out sparks with little pieces of carbon that would hit me in the face.

The Progressive Option — Loading .45 ACP on the Dillon 550B

Once you have mastered the basics of reloading for the .45 ACP, if you require large quantities of ammo, you may want to consider getting a progressive press. Progressive presses can significantly increase your ammo output, but there are also important safety considerations. You need to be careful about powder levels and priming. In this video, Gavin Gear explains how to reload safely with a Dillon 550B progressive press. The equivalent current model is the Dillon 550C.

.45 ACP Ammunition Loading Guide — Nosler Data

If you “roll your own” .45 ACP cartridges, there are many good powder choices. Our favorites are Vihtavuori N320, AA No. 5, and Hodgdon TiteGroup, but there are many other good choices. You’ll find these three recommended powders (plus many others) in the .45 ACP Load Data Charts from Nosler. Shown below are the Nosler Guides for 185gr bullets and 230gr bullets. Click each image below to access printable PDF files.

Click for PDF File

Click for PDF File

Millions of Americans now exercise their Constitutional right to “keep and bear arms”, specifically to carry a pistol for personal protection and home defense. In response to the rapid growth of the CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) market, numerous gun-makers have introduced compact handguns specifically designed for concealed carry. These “Carry Guns” tend to be smaller, lighter, with smoother, rounded edges on slide and frame. Today, many modern carry guns are also “Optics Ready”, meaning they have slides that can accept smaller red dot sights. And some companies are now selling handguns with the optics pre-installed.

Top Ten Best Carry Pistols for the Money

Here the Honest Outlaw Channel reviews ten semi-auto pistols. The host states these are the “10 best pistols for the money,” adding that “these handguns are reliable, accurate, durable, light weight, and cost less than most alternatives.” This video was released in December 2022, so it covers the latest generation of modern carry pistols.

Five Favorite Carry Pistols — Colion Noir’s Top Handguns

Colion Noir is a very popular gun reviewer and Second Amendment advocate. In this video, which has over 1.1 million views, Colion covers the five guns he personally carries. Why five? Colion states: “When it comes to my concealed carry guns, I practice tactical polyamory. Essentially, I don’t just carry one gun. I have a rotation of guns I carry based on what I’m wearing that day, where I’m going, and what I’m doing. I put a lot of thought into my carry rotation, which changes based on my needs. Sometimes a gun that’s better at handling the job comes out, and I’ll carry it once I’m comfortable with its reliability. That said, there are five guns I consistently carry[.]”

Five Top Choices among CCW & EDC (Everyday Carry) Handguns

The host notes: “We are going over the five best CCW firearms that I reviewed this year and ranking them from 1 to 5. We are going to save the best for the last. Some of the criteria for ranking these firearms isn’t only based on performance. We are ranking based on performance, price, reliability, and comfort.”

Here is Ernie Bishop’s pride and joy, a specialty pistol nicknamed “Batman” because the black carbon-fiber stock looks like the Batmobile. This is one sophisticated handgun. Complete with scope, the Batman pistol weighs under 7.5 pounds, thanks to the ultra-light stock. The carbon stock is 6 inches wide at the fore-end, yet weighs just one pound. Ernie tells us: “This gun shoots amazing and is easy to shoot especially with my SEB MAX Rest.” After these photos were taken, Ernie added a “field-usable rear-grip stock so [he could] shoot it prone from a bipod as well.”

The Batman pistol is chambered for the 6mm “Long Dasher”, a 6mm 40°-shouldered variant of the 6.5×47 Lapua. Ernie loads Berger 105gr Hybrid bullets pushed by Hodgdon H4350 powder.

Gun Specifications
The gun, crafted by Eric Wallance of Nawaka Firearms, features an XP-100 action, Jewell trigger, and 15″-long, Brux 1:8″-twist barrel with aluminum muzzle brake. Interestingly, this gun does not have a traditional recoil lug. Instead, gunsmith Wallace milled out a lug from the bottom of the XP-100 action to save weight. On top of the action, the rig carries a Sightron Inc S-III 6-24X56mm scope in Kelbly rings on a custom +20 MOA rail.

Long Dasher Wildcat
Shown at right is a “Long Dasher” 40° wildcat created by Forum member Sunbuilder. This is very similar to Ernie Bishop’s chambering, though there may be small variations related to reamer design (such as freebore). Sunbuilder’s 6-6.5×47 Improved (aka “Long Dasher”) reamer was made by Dave Kiff of Pacific, Tool & Gauge. This wildcat cartridge adds about 2.0 grains capacity to the 6.5×47 necked down to 6mm. The case certainly is impressive with that 40° shoulder. We’re just waiting for the tactical guys to starting run this improved cartridge with its original 6.5mm bore.

Here are three FIVE-shot groups at 500 yards, shot by Ernie’s Batman pistol. The first 5-shot group is marked with pink dots, the second with green dots, and the third is measured with the calipers:

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.

MidwayUSA — Sale on Optics PLUS 10% Off Code

⏺️ » Great savings on hundreds of optics plus 10% Off Code

If you need a new riflescope, thermal scope, reflex/red dot optic, or binoculars, you should check out the major Optics Sale at MidwayUSA. Whether you need a competition riflescope, a red dot for a pistol, or a thermal scope for a hog gun, you’ll find what you need. Best of all, not only are quality optics on sale but for many products you’ll get an additional 10% with discount code OPTICS2036. In addition, with most orders of $100 or more, you get FREE Shipping.

Natchez — Big Savings on Pistol Ammo for Popular Chamberings

⏺️ » Big discounts on all handgun ammo types from many leading makers

If you’re looking to do more handgun shooting, check out the Ammunition Sale at Natchez. There is a good selection of discounted handgun ammo in popular chamberings: .380 ACP, 9mm Luger, .38 Special, and .45 ACP. Prices are very good and you can chose ammo in single boxes or bulk quantity (200/300/500/1000 count) from top suppliers — CCI, Federal (American Eagle and Champion), and Remington. There is also Federal American Eagle .223 Rem rifle ammo on sale.

As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.

Palmetto State Armory — St. Patrick’s Day Sale

⏺️ » Big savings on hundreds of firearms, optics, ammo packs and more

Palmetto State Armory is running a big St. Patrick’s Day Sale this week. Hundreds of items are deeply discounted. There are truly amazing deals such as Savage Stevens 320 12ga Shotgun for just $169.99! You read that right, get a brand new pump shotgun for under $170.00. There are big discounts on pistols too — for example the Ruger LCP Max Compact .380 ACP carry pistol is now just $199.99, $200 off the $399.99 regular price. And there are many excellent optics on sale this week as well.

MidwayUSA — March Markdown Sale, Discounts up to 66%

⏺️ » Major sale on gear, bullets, primers, ammo and more

This month MidwayUSA is offering big savings on a huge range of products including scopes, reloading tools, gun vises, rifle rests, powder dispensers, camping gear, and reloading components (powder, primers, brass, bullets). Quality hunting ammunition is also on sale. The March Madness Markdown sale offers huge discounts on nearly 1400 products.

Purchase these blem bullets in multiple calibers from Midsouth Shooters Supply

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To support the growing community of new shooters and hunters, Nosler has released a useful, informative video that can help prepare beginners for their first experience at a shooting range. This video was filmed at the Redmond Rod & Gun Club in Central Oregon.

Editor: Regular readers — if you have a friend or family member who is new to shooting, have them watch this video. It does a good job outlining important range etiquette along with safe practices.

Training at a gun range is critical to building foundational firearms skills. Unfortunately, this process can be intimidating for new shooters who are unsure of what a trip to the range fully entails. In this video Randy Newberg (Nosler Pro-Staffer) illustrates key points to help shooters feel safe and confident at any range.

The 7-minute First Trip to the Shooting Range video covers key considerations that apply to all ranges: necessary equipment, firearm safety, range commands, and range etiquette. Differences between indoor and outdoor ranges, as well as range restrictions to consider before your visit are also covered. Newberg also notes: “Before you leave your house, double-check to make sure your firearm is empty”. (Editor: Yes we’ve seen people open their gun cases only to discover their rifle, pistol, or shotgun WAS loaded!)

Important Firearms Safety Rules at the Range
Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.
Never point your firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.
Always keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you are ready to fire.
Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it. (Do NOT shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike.)

Always comply with ALL Range Commands (and make sure you can hear commands).

Experienced Shooters Should Help Newcomers Learn Safe Procedures
Nosler’s video includes a call-to-action for experienced hunters and shooters to help mentor those new to the sport. As a seasoned shooter you can accompany a new shooter to the range, showing him or her the right procedures. This includes placing rifles on the bench, setting up targets during cease-fires, and properly unloading and clearing weapons. As a mentor, you can also share educational resources that benefit newcomers, and share your effective/safe reloading methods.

In April 2020, the National Rifle Association (NRA) launched NRAWomen.com, a website dedicated to the fastest-growing group of firearm owners — America’s women. This website serves the increasing number of female gun owners, huntresses, and competitive shooters. Female involvement in firearms is growing significantly. Consider these numbers: Statistica estimates that 19% of women in the USA owned firearms in 2020, while 23% of women surveyed in a 2011 Gallup Poll stated they owned a gun.

Jessie Harrison is one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet.

Here are three excellent Articles from the NRAWomen.com website, all worth reading. For each example, Click the Photo or direct link to read the full article on NRAWomen.com.

1. Flying with Firearms — What You Need to Know

We recommend that any gun owner, female OR male, should definitely read this article. It is one of the better discussions on the web of airline travel with firearms, covering international travel as well as domestic flights. The article notes that you should obtain U.S. Customs Form 4457 before flying overseas with a firearm.

“Flying with a gun is actually a lot easier than you’d probably expect. You need a couple of specific gear items, and you need to know the proper procedure, but it’s a relatively simple process. I’ve flown with long guns and handguns dozens of times around the country and around the world. The process is generally the same, but with some additional steps and maybe additional hassle depending on the airport [and personnel.]” READ FULL ARTICLE on NRAWomen.com.

2. Modular Safes — Smart Option for Easier Moving

The second article features a great video showing how to assemble a modular safe in under 30 minutes. This article also explains the benefits of modular gunsafes — primarily easier transport and installation.

“Modular safes have been around for a few years now and are becoming more popular. Here’s why: The safe comes delivered to you in panels, so you can bring them into your home one at a time and put it together anywhere you like. This makes it easy to carry up and down stairs, onto elevators or anywhere! Security — Is it as secure as one that comes pre-assembled? The answer is, absolutely.” READ FULL ARTICLE on NRAWomen.com.

3. Rimfire .22 LR Handguns for Self-Defense

This article looks at a wide variety of .22 LR pistols and revolvers. The author discusses the pros and cons of a rimfire defense gun, concluding that while the stopping power is limited, having some protection is better than going unarmed.

“Over the last few months we’ve seen the launch of new handguns chambered for .22 LR that sport the same looks and features as center-fire handguns designed for daily concealed carry. The models I’ve had a chance to work with so far include the compact Taurus TX22 semi-automatic pistol, the pocket-size Ruger Lite Rack LCP II, Kel-Tec’s P17 semi-automatic and the Taurus 942 8-shot snubnose revolver.” READ FULL ARTICLE on NRAWomen.com.