The Taurus 327 T.O.R.O. Defender Revolver has earned an NRA Golden Bullseye Award as the Shooting Illustrated2025 Handgun of the Year. The 327 T.O.R.O. earned this honor for innovative design, dependable performance, and good value. Taurus says this is the first-ever small-frame revolver that’s optics-ready from the factory. This compact carry revolver is chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge, and is designed principally as a compact defensive pistol, though it can also be used for IDPA competitions.
The NRA Golden Bullseye Awards, now in their 23rd year, honor the shooting industry’s new and innovative products as selected by the editorial teams of Shooting Illustrated, American Rifleman, and American Hunter magazines. “These awards have become the most prestigious in the entire firearm industry,” said Michael J. Sanford, Deputy Executive Director of NRA Publications.
The Taurus 327 T.O.R.O. is part of the Taurus Optics Ready Option (TORO) platform for small-frame revolvers. This optics-ready capability is a notable upgrade for a small revolver — an important evolution for a defensive pistol. Red dot optics allow faster aiming, particularly in low-light situations. There are three main types of red dot sights – reflex, prismatic, and holographic. Although each works differently, they serve the same purpose: making target acquisition quick, easy, and accurate. Engineered for versatility, the Taurus 327 T.O.R.O. is chambered in .327 Federal Magnum, offering flexibility with compatibility for both .32 H&R Magnum and .32 S&W cartridges.
What a tale this rusty Colt could tell — this M1911 pistol is more than a vintage military side-arm. It is a symbol of courage, determination, and triumph over adversity. This pistol was carried on a 2,060-mile open-boat ocean crossing from the Philippines to Australia. In May of 1942, the skipper and 17 crewmen of the Minesweeper U.S.S. Quail courageously decided to sail from Manilla to Darwin, Australia rather than surrender to the Japanese. Lt. J.H. Morrill and his crew made that long ocean journey in a 36-foot launch, braving enemy air and sea forces and dangerous ocean conditions.
This pistol is part of the NRA Museum Collection in Fairfax, Virginia. This historic Colt M1911 was a featured “Gun of the Day” on the NRA Museum Facebook Page where you’ll find hundreds of other interesting firearms. We believe the remarkable story of this pistol deserved to be told here…
Colt M1911 Pistol — Escape from Corregidor
The minesweeper U.S.S. Quail was the last operational American naval vessel in the Philippines when Japan began its occupation of the country in May 1942. After his vessel was disabled at the strategically-important island of Corregidor near the entrance to Manilla Bay, Lt. Commander J. H. Morrill scuttled the ship and gave his crew a choice: either surrender to the Japanese or attempt to escape, by sea, to Allied territory thousands of miles away. Rather than surrender, 17 crew members elected to join Morrill on a dangerous passage in a 36-foot open launch/lifeboat. Gear was scavenged including this M1911 recovered from a dead serviceman. With few charts or navigational aids, Morrill and his men successfully completed an epic 58-day 2,060-mile journey to Australia and safety.
The 2025 SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade show) is just 17 days away. Thousands of new products will be on display at the SHOT Show, hosted at the Venetian Expo/Convention Center and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Gunmakers from around the world will be introducing hundreds of new (and updated) rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Along with the new guns, SHOT Show will feature many noteworthy new optics, electronics, reloading equipment, and accessories.
Here are six interesting videos that preview new (and updated) firearms expected to be on display at SHOT Show in Las Vegas later this month. There are hunting rifles, tactical rifles, rimfire rifles, plus a wide range of new pistols and some interesting shotguns.
This Survival Gear Video feature six interesting guns, starting with the Bear Creek Arsenal BC-15, a bolt-action AR-style rifle (note: this is incorrectly called the BCA-14 in a graphic). There is also an upper-only version that can be used with your existing AR Lower. Next the video reviews the Shadow System CR920X pistol, Wilson Combat Project 1 pistol, Ruger LC 10mm Carbine, CZ Bren 3 (3rd generation), and Atlas Gunworks Apollo V12 pistol. Other new guns are featured in a second Survival Gear Video with four rifles (Beretta 1301 Tactical, Cascade LRH, CMMG BR47, IWI Galil Ace Gen 2), one shotgun (Browning A520) and two pistols (Kimber KDS9C, Ruger RX XM).
This Gun Addicts video features a dozen new guns, many of which will be on display at SHOT Show for the first time. The host states: “The SHOT Show 2025 is here, and it’s packed with groundbreaking firearm announcements.” Featured new guns include: Bushmaster V-Radicator AR Rifle; Charter Arms Double Dog Revolver; EAA Girsan Witness Match Pistol; Fightlight Industries Lever-Action Bandito Pistol (AR style); Heritage Mfg. Coachwhip shotgun; Highpoint Firearms Large-Format Pistols; Jacob Grey TWC Black 2011 Pistol; Patriot Ordnance Factory P-15 Rifle; Shadow Systems CR920X/CR920XP Pistols; Taurus 608 Competition .357 Mag Revolver; and TriStar Arms APOC and Protege-X Pistols.
It’s that time of the year again with SHOT Show right around the corner. The PewPew Zone YouTube Channel offers a first look at some interesting new firearms. The PewPew editors were impressed, stating: “Gun makers are starting to roll out their latest and greatest for the upcoming year, pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance.” Over a dozen new rifles and pistols are featured in this 17-minute video.
This Line45 video features a large collection of new or updated guns. Featured firearms include: Shadow System CR920X pistol; Bushmaster V-Radicator AR-15; Hi-Point large format pistols; Patriot Ordnance P-15 Base Rifle; and Jacob Grey TWC Black 2011 Pistol.
Savage New Revel Rimfire Lever-Action Rifles
At SHOT Show 2025, Savage Arms will showcase its new Revel Classic and Revel DLX rimfire lever-action rifles in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR chamberings. These are take-down rifles with simple disassembly for cleaning and maintenance. The Revels feature a nice, satin-finish walnut wood stock plus a large lever loop for rapid cycling. These new rimfire lever guns start at $439.00 MSRP for the Revel Classic and $539.00 for the Revel DLX. The .22 LR Revel Classic is available now while the .22 WMR and .17 WMR versions will be available in early spring 2025, as will all Revel DLX models.
Here’s another Line45 channel video with five new guns on display at SHOT Show 2025. This 9-minute video is compiled mostly from marketing footage from the manufacturers. The featured new firearms include: EAA Gerson Witness 231 Pistol; Charter Arms Double Dog Revolver; Heritage Manufacturing Coach Whip Shotgun; Taurus 608 Revolver; Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF) P-15 Base Rifle (shown above).
BONUS: SHOT Show Floor Tour — Locations of Gun Companies
Will you be heading to SHOT Show this year? CLICK HERE for the handy official Interactive Floor Map. For each building and floor level this shows the location of exhibitors. This can help you efficiently organize visits to your favorite gun and optics manufacturers.
“22 Plinkster” is an avid shooter who has produced a number of entertaining videos for his YouTube Channel. In the video below, he tackles the question “Why Do Misfires Occur in .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition?” This is the most common question posed to 22 Plinkster by his many viewers. He identifies four main issues that can cause .22 LR misfires or faulty ignition:
1. Damaged Firing Pin — The dry firing process can actually blunt or shorten the firing pin, particularly with older rimfire firearms. Use of snap caps is recommended.
2. Poor Ammunition — Some cheap brands have poor quality control. 22 Plinkster recommends using ammo from a manufacturer with high quality control standards, such as CCI and Federal.
3. Age of Ammunition — Rimfire ammo can function well for a decade or more. However the “shelf life” of rimfire ammunition is not infinite. You ammo’s “lifespan” will be shortened by heat, moisture, and humidity. You should store your rimfire ammo in a cool, dry place.
4. Mishandling of Ammunition — Tossing around ammunition can cause problems. Rough handling can cause the priming compound to be dislodged from the rim. This causes misfires.
Preventing misfires is essential if you want to succeed in NRL22 competition and other rimfire competition disciplines run “on the clock”.
These days, online gun Auctions and Classifieds attract more attention than ever. With so many folks accessing the internet daily, many gun owners find it easier to sell their firearms online rather than in the local gun store. Online selling opens up a much larger audience. With over 76,500 members in the AccurateShooter Forum, we have a very active gun Classifieds area. And then of course, there are the big dogs — Gunbroker and GunsAmerica. You’ll find tens of thousands of guns for sale on those big sites.
Before selling your stuff online, you should survey the major online sales and auction sites, comparing their fees and features. The costs are NOT all the same. For example, though you can list an item on Gunbroker for free, if the gun sells you may end up paying a LOT of money. Confirm this with the Gunbroker FEE Calculator. Using Gunbroker’s Fee Calculator we determined that, for a $2500.00 gun, the seller will pay $108.00 in fees! Yes, that’s for a single sale.
That’s why many sellers prefer to list their rifles on Benchrest.com, or on the AccurateShooter.com FORUM Classifieds. Currently, basic Accurate Forum members get two (2) free adverts in a 12-month period, while Gold and Silver members get unlimited classifieds for 12 months. A $30 Silver membership is less than you’d pay to sell one single $600 item on Gunbroker ($32.00 fee).
SEVEN TIPS for Selling Your Gear Online
1. Include Good, Sharp Photos: A custom rifle or expensive optic will sell two to three times as quickly, at a higher price, if you include good sharp photos. We can’t over-emphasize the importance of good photos. For all products, show multiple angles, and include the original boxes if you still have them. For a rifle, include detail shots as well as a photo of the complete gun.
2. Resize Your Photos Before Posting: Half of users will probably be viewing your ads with a smartphone. So you don’t need huge photos. We recommend you size your photos down to 1000 pixels wide. This will make uploads more efficient and ensure the Forum server can handle the file sizes.
3. Be Fair and Complete in Your Description: Buyers appreciate honesty and thoroughness in product descriptions. Potential buyers want details. For a rifle, list the gunsmith, barrel-maker, round count, and provide the specifications. If the rifle has a winning competition history, say so. Always highlight the positives in your description, but you should disclose significant flaws. A buyer will be more willing to purchase if he thinks the seller is 100% honest.
4. Don’t Forget Contact Info: We’re amazed by how many adverts omit key contact info. In a forum classified ad, include a first name, e.g. “Ask for Dan.” We also suggest you list your residence city and state. Some buyers will prefer to buy from a seller in their home state. When communicating with a buyer, provide your phone number and email address. We recommend that all buyers and sellers actually talk live on the phone before concluding high-value deals.
5. Make the Price Attractive: Buyers, everywhere, are looking for good deals. If you want your item to move quickly, set the price accordingly and don’t expect top dollar. Check comparable listings and then discount by 10-15% if you want the item to move fast.
6. Include a Call to Action: Advertisements can be twice as effective if they include a “Call to Action”, i.e. a statement that directly inspires the potential buyer to respond. Sample calls to action are: “Free Shipping — today only.” Or, you can use a time limit: “Special Sale Price good ’til the end of the month”.
7. Always Follow ALL Applicable Laws: Even in states where private face-to-face gun sales are allowed, we recommend ALWAYS using an FFL for firearms transfers. This will protect YOU the seller. In addition, do your homework. Don’t sell to a buyer in a city or state (such as California) state or city where the particular firearm (such as an AR15) may be restricted
Classified Advert vs. Auctions For benchrest, F-Class, Silhouette, Tactical or High Power rifles, you may get the best results posting a For Sale ad on a Forum that caters to the right discipline. You want your ad to reach the right audience. On the other hand, a GunBroker.com auction will have tens of thousands of potential buyers. Realistically, however, if you price your rig attractively, it should sell quickly in a Forum Classified Advert. Plus with conventional Classifieds, you can sell immediately — you don’t have to wait for the auction to end. For scopes and reloading equipment (but not firearms, actions, barrels etc.), also consider eBay, which still allows many gun-related items.
SIG Sauer P365 in Rose Gold Plate with Jewells
There was a stunning SIG Sauer P365 pistol on display at SHOT Show 2022. This little carry pistol had a stunning 18-carat Rose Gold finish with dozens of diamonds embedded in the slide. This sets a new standard for Carry Pistol Bling. This one-of-a-kind handgun was created by the Seattle Engraving Center.
To learn more about this gold-plated pistol, watch SHOT Show TV video starting at 4:16 time-mark.
Review of the Standard SIG Sauer P365 Pistol
The P365 is a very popular carry gun that is very thin with good ergonomics. SIG Sauer claims the P365 series is now “America’s #1 Selling Handgun”. Multiple P365 models are currently offered including: P365X, P365 SAS with flush sights, the P365 Nitron Micro-Compact, the P365 Romeo Zero with integrated Red Dot, and the P365 XL with longer slide and barrel.
Here is a good video review of a standard production SIG P365 pistol, without the stunning gold-plating and engraving. The reviewer, Myles from Tactical Hyve, noted the pistol was accurate and reliable with a comfortable grip. This particular pistol has held up for 50,000 rounds! Very popular, this 2022 review has been watched over 500,000 times. Tactical Hyve also has an extensive 2700-word REVIEW of the SIG P365 with accuracy test results.
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.
1. Graf & Sons — Berger Hybrid Bullets In Stock
⏺️ Good deal on very successful match bullets, multiple calibers
When it comes to competition bullets it’s hard to beat Berger’s Hybrid Target Bullets. These match projectiles utilize their industry-leading hybrid ogive, which blends tangent and secant designs to optimize efficiency, reduce wind-drift, and minimize sensitivity to seating depth.
2. Powder Valley — Hodgdon Powder Sale
⏺️ Great, hard-to-find powders in stock at good prices
Powder prices are still quite high compared to a few years ago, but the current Hodgdon Powder Sale at Powder Valley offers major savings. Many of the most popular powders are IN STOCK with substantial discounts so this is time to buy before prices go up next year.
3. CDNN Sports — Winchester .22 LR Wildcat, $169.99 w/rebate
⏺️ Fun rimfire rifle complete with optic — good owner reviews
With the Winchester Holiday Rebate you can get a .22 LR Winchester Wildcat (with optic) for just $169.99. That’s a steal for a reliable, semi-auto rimfire rig with a Red Dot Optic — a good choice for plinking and NRL22 matches. Now through 12/31/24 if you buy a Winchester Wildcat or Xpert rifle you get $25 back by mail-in rebate. The Winchester Wildcat takes Ruger 10/22 mags, has a good trigger, field-removable lower receiver, ambidextrous controls, integral Picatinny rail, and rear barrel access. If you don’t need the optic, you can get a basic Wildcat for just $159.99 with Strata Camo stock ($184.99 before rebate).
4. EuroOptic — ZEISS Holiday Binocular Sale
⏺️ Very high-quality binoculars with significant savings now
Hunters need good binoculars for spotting game animals. The ZEISS Terra Binoculars offer impressive performance for the price. Right now you can save $125 on these budget-friendly binoculars that combine outstanding SCHOTT ED glass elements with a compact weather-sealed housing. The 10×42 and 8×42 models are marked down from $499.99 to $374.99, a $125 discount. Focus is fast and easy and these Terra binocs offer excellent twilight performance.
⏺️ Awesome deal on two Smith & Wesson .40 S&W handguns
Here are great deals on two excellent .40 S&W defensive pistols. Right now CDNN Sports has slashed prices on quality M&P Shield .40 S&W pistols. Choose either a 4″ barrel version at $379.99 or a more compact 3.1″ model at $389.99. The larger model has fiber optic sights and no thumb safety while the shorter model has ported slide, thumb safety, and Tritium night sights. Both these handguns come with a FREE S&W Performance Center pistol cleaning kit with jags, brushes, slotted tips, t-handle, and patches.
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Case Trim Prep Center, $151.96
⏺️ Versatile system popular with hand-loaders — good price
The Frankford Arsenal Case Trim and Prep Center (#ad) houses the key tools you need to trim, chamfer, and deburr brass, and clean primer pockets. The case holder features an adjustable collet and bushing system that indexes the case shoulder and can be set to precisely trim brass to an exact length. Built from aluminum with a durable steel frame, the Frankford Case Trim and Prep Center is sturdy and has earned praise from purchasers. Right now it is just $151.96 on Amazon (#ad), a 24% discount.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Depriming Tool, $39.99
⏺️ Convenient tool — no press needed to deprime anywhere
Decapping fired brass can be tedious when using a reloading press and decapping die. Make things easier with the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer Tool (#ad). You can deprime cases while watching TV. This handheld unit features an easily removable spent primer catch tube and an assisted-ejection case holder for easy removal of deprimed cases. The handle is spring-loaded to return the deprimer to the start position automatically.
8. Palmetto State Armory — CCI 9mm Ammo, $11.49/50 rds
⏺️ Quality brass-cased 9mm ammo at an ultra-low price
The 9mm Luger is the most popular centerfire pistol cartridge. Here is a great 9mm ammo option. Grab this CCI Blazer 9mm 124gr ammo for only $11.49 per 50-rd box — the best price we’ve found on very good CCI 9mm Luger ammunition. For recreational shooting, CCI Blazer 9mm ammo delivers consistent reliability and exceptional value.
⏺️ Versatile 2-part shooting rest for pistols and hunting rifles
When sighting-in a hunting rifle or testing pistol loads, it’s really useful to have a basic rifle rest. The very affordable Caldwell Matrix Adjustable Rest (#ad) is specifically designed to work with both rifles and pistols. Use the front section by itself with a handgun, then attach the rear support for rifle shooting. An innovative spring-loaded elevation system allows for fast one-handed, no wobble adjustment.
10. Amazon — Wheeler P-Handle Tool Set, $45.78
⏺️ Big discount on very complete set of drivers
If there’s one thing everyone needs in the workroom it’s a good set of hex and torq drivers. You can grab the Wheeler 30 Piece SAE/Metric Hex and Torx P-Handle Set (#ad) for only $45.78 and have everything you need to work on guns and gear. This kit has SAE and Metric hex-type driver, plus Torx drivers, offering the full range of drivers you might need.
Image Courtesy NSSF. This story is based on an NSSF Article.
‘Tis the season of gift-giving (Christmas Day is 8 days hence). Perhaps you’re considering giving a a first rifle to your grandson or perhaps a carry pistol to a spouse. When making a gun gift to a friend or family member, however, there are some very important legal considerations. Also the rules on firearms gift transfers vary from state to state. Bottom line here — you need to know the law BEFORE you deliver that shiny new firearm to a family member, close friend, or relative.
The first thing to remember if you’re thinking about giving someone a gun is that … it’s a gun! You already know that ownership of a firearm brings with it some serious legal and ethical obligations that other consumer products don’t. So let’s look at some questions you may have about giving a firearm as a gift.
Image Courtesy NSSF
The first question you have to ask is whether the intended recipient can legally own the firearm where he or she lives. With more than 20,000 different gun laws on the books, even the kinds of firearms that law-abiding citizens can own vary from place to place. For example, juveniles (under age 18) generally speaking are precluded by law from possessing a handgun. Check out the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) website for an overview of local laws and, whatever you do, don’t forget that you can never under any circumstances transfer a firearm to someone you know — or have reasonable cause to believe — legally can’t own one. That’s a federal felony, so be careful.
There’s no federal law that prohibits a gift of a firearm to a relative or friend who lives in your home state. Many states — including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington State and the District of Columbia — require you to transfer a firearm through a local FFL-holder so an instant background check will be performed to make sure the recipient is not legally prohibited from owning the gun. Maryland and Pennsylvania require a background check for private party transfer of a handgun. And yes, Oregon has new restrictions due to the passage of Ballot Measure 114 (though a State Judges has issued an injunction blocking some provision BM 114). There are exceptions, so it’s important to check the law of your state or ask your local firearms retailer.
Consider a Gift Card Instead of Direct Gift
The ATF recommends that if you want to give someone a new firearm, rather than going to a gun store and buying the gun on your own, consider instead purchasing a gift certificate/card from your favorite gun retailer. Then give that gift card as the present. That way the recipient can choose the exact gun he or she wants, and there’s no question about who is “the actual buyer of the firearm”, which is a question any purchaser must certify on the Federal Form 4473 at the time of purchase. The Gift Card option avoids any “straw purchaser” issues.
Intra-Family Transfers and Antique Arms
What if you want to give “Old Betsy,” your favorite old deer rifle, to your son or daughter as a college graduation gift? Again, in some states, there’s no law that says you can’t, but many states require even intra-family transfers to go through a licensed dealer. Remember, you can never transfer a firearm directly to another person who is a resident of a different state. In that case, you must transfer the firearm through a licensed dealer in the state where the person receiving the gift resides.
Using a gift certificate from a firearms retailer near where the recipient lives might be a good solution. Be safe and check with an in-state FFL dealer before you give any firearm to a friend or family member.
If you’ve been thinking about some last-minute Christmas shopping at Brownells, here are some money-saving codes. Brownells is currently offering 10% off purchases over $150, $10 off a $100+ purchases, and 10% Off all in-stock Ammunition. In addition, there’s a 3% discount on a wide inventory selection (no minimum purchase required). It’s simple to get these discounts — there are no buyers’ clubs to join, no forms to fill out. Just use the appropriate Discount Code during online check-out.
Brownells Winter Clearance Sale
Along with the discount codes listed below, Brownells is running a Winter Clearance Sale now with major savings on barrels, triggers, firearms, AR lowers, reloading components, optics and more. Currently 126 different items are on sale with discounts up to 50%.
Brownells December Discount Codes
Listed below are the Codes to use. Simply use the appropriate Code for your purchase at Brownells.com. These codes have no listed expiration date, so Brownells could terminate them at any time. Accordingly, we recommend you do your shopping soon. Also if the highest value code no longer works, try a lesser value CODE.
NOTE: The contest is OVER, so ignore information on the PDF about submitting targets — that’s from back in 2013.
Here’s a target for the holidays that can provide some fun at the range. This Christmas Tree Target was created by Sierra Bullets for a 2013 contest. This contest is now over, but you can still have fun with the target. This tree target is designed to be shot at 15 yards with pistol, or at 100 yards with rifle.
Santa’s Extra Accuracy Challenge
Start with the big circles, and then work your way down to the small circles (7,8,9,10) as you build your confidence. Shoot the gifts for bonus points.
For an extra challenge (with an accurate rifle), try working your way back up to the top, aiming for the X-Marks in the circles and finishing with the small, inset star at the top. Try to hit each X-Mark and then put your final shot in the inner star. Have fun!
These days, online gun Auctions and Classifieds attract more attention than ever. With so many folks accessing the internet daily, many gun owners find it easier to sell their firearms online rather than in the local gun store. Online selling opens up a much larger audience. With over 76,500 members in the 
For benchrest, F-Class, Silhouette, Tactical or High Power rifles, you may get the best results posting a For Sale ad on a Forum that caters to the right discipline. You want your ad to reach the right audience. On the other hand, a GunBroker.com auction will have tens of thousands of potential buyers. Realistically, however, if you price your rig attractively, it should sell quickly in a Forum Classified Advert. Plus with conventional Classifieds, you can sell immediately — you don’t have to wait for the auction to end. For scopes and reloading equipment (but not firearms, actions, barrels etc.), also consider eBay, which still allows many gun-related items.
The first question you have to ask is whether the intended recipient can legally own the firearm where he or she lives. With more than 20,000 different gun laws on the books, even the kinds of firearms that law-abiding citizens can own vary from place to place. For example, juveniles (under age 18) generally speaking are precluded by law from possessing a handgun. Check out the 
Consider a Gift Card Instead of Direct Gift
Santa’s Extra Accuracy Challenge
