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May 26th, 2025

Bargain Finder 505: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

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.

NOTE to Readers: Monday, May 26, 2025 is Memorial Day. Many vendors may be running special SALES today, or over the next few days. Check with vendors Brownells, MidwayUSA, Powder Valley, EuroOptic, Bruno’s, Graf & Sons, Midsouth, Precision Reloading, Creedmoor Sports, and Bullet Central to see all the products they have on sale. You can find other Memorial Day Sale offerings with web searches.

1. Midsouth — Summer Clearance Sale, up to 50% Off

midsouth clearance sale Hornady rcbs sale
⏺️ » Huge savings on reloading kits, ammo, and other gear

Midsouth is running a major Summer Clearance Sale right now, with discounts up to 50%. There are major savings on ammo, reloading presses, gun cases and more. For example, you can save $100 on a LEE Six Pack Pro 6000 progressive press with FREE shipping.

2. Graf’s — Hornady Aero Match Bullet Sale w/ FREE Hit Indicator

Hornady bullet sale
⏺️ » Get cool target hit device with Hornady Bullet Purchases

Here’s a cool deal — you get two flashing Hit Markers with the purchase of 500 bullets. Hornady Aero Match bullets are quality, high-BC projectiles in a variety of calibers and weights. These come in 500-count boxes. Order now and get a FREE Target Hit Marker 2-Pack with every 500-count AeroMatch box ordered. Plus your Aero Match bullet order ships for free. NOTE: If you purchase six of the same type of AeroMatch bullets Graf’s will pull a full case, making the 3000 bullets sequential — guaranteeing great consistency.

3. Amazon — KAER 57″ Gun Safe, $239.99

gun safe sale
⏺️ » Great deal for a medium-size, multi-compartment gun safe

Keeping firearms safe and out of the wrong hands is a critical part of gun ownership. If you need a good, affordable gun safe consider the KAER 8-12 Gun Safe (#ad). This 57″ x 21″ x 15″ safe will hold up to a dozen long guns, and has adjustable shelves to hold pistols, ammo, and other valuables. While we recommend a larger and heavier primary safe, this is a good starter safe or a good secondary safe for your reloading room or vacation home. This safe has a numeric KeyPad lock plus an emergency key.

4. Midsouth — ELEY Rimfire Ammo In Stock

eley rimfire ammo sale
⏺️ » ELEY offers really good .22 LR ammo for rimfire matches.

Rimfire shooting is rapidly growing in popularity because ammo is affordable and you don’t have to spend hours hand-loading. If you need great .22 LR ammo for NRL22, rimfire benchrest, or smallbore competition, you’ll definitely want to consider ELEY. Right now Midsouth has a very large supply of ELEY Rimfire .22LR Ammo. A wide variety of popular ELEY ammo types are in stock including: Match, Tenex EPS, Tenex Biathlon, Club, Force, Semi-Auto BR Outlaw, High-Velocity, Subsonic, Team and Bullseye Pistol.

5. Natchez — SIG Sauer Scope Sale

sig sauer scope sale
⏺️ » Good scopes for hunters and tac shooters — sale discounts up to 40%

SIG Sauer optics offer good very good performance, features, and quality for the price. And right now SIG Sauer scopes, red dots, binoculars, and weapon lights are on sale at Natchez. With discounts up to 40%, there are some very good choices for hunting and tactical applications. For example, the SIG Sauer 4-16x44mm Tango SPR scope is just $179.99 on sale.

6. MidwayUSA — Walker’s NRR24 Electronic Ear Plugs, $99.99

walker ear plugs sale
⏺️ » Popular NRR24 electronic ear plugs now 60% Off MSRP

Protecting your hearing is vital when at the range. One popular option is the NRR24 Walker’s Silencer 2.0 Bluetooth Electronic Ear Plugs. These have a good 24-dB sound reduction rating, are pretty comfortable, and can communicate with your smartphone via wireless BlueTooth. Auto-Shut off helps preserve battery life (6-8 hours). Available in black, FDE, or Olive Drab, these rechargeable electronic ear plugs feature a free control App for your SmartPhone. These $99.99 plugs come with: USB Charging Dock with rechargeable lithium battery, 3 sizes of Sure-Lock fins and foam tips, and cleaning brush.

7. Amazon — Revasri 1000 Yard Rangefinder, $37.98

rangefinder sale
⏺️ » Very low price, but many good features

If you need a basic laser rangefinder and don’t want to spend a lot of money, consider the Revasri 1000yd Rangfinder (#ad). This laser rangefinder for hunters has 7 functions: ranging mode, all-in-one mode, scanning mode, speed measurement mode, two points height measurement mode, golf distance compensation mode and storage mode. This rangefinder has a convenient memory function which will open the mode you used before shutting down.

8. Amazon — Plano Pro-Max 53″ Hard Gun Case, $32.40

plano rifle case sale
⏺️ » Popular case for large rifle, now 35% off

Sometimes you just need a simple case either to ship a rifle or get to the range. Check out the Plano Pro-Max Series Single Gun Case (#ad) now just $32.40 on Amazon. The Pro-Max’s molded latches and padlock tabs offer good security. Measuring 53″ this Pro-Max case is big enough to hold long-barrel F-Class, High Power, and ELR rifles. The case employs patented PillarLock technology for crush-resistant strength.

9. Amazon — Lyman Brass Smith Xpress Case Trimmer, $133.95

case trimmer sale lyman
⏺️ » Good unit for fast trimming of multiple cartridge types

Trimming brass is critical for precision reloading. One fast, precise, and efficient power trimmer is the Lyman Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress (#ad). The Case Trim Xpress is equipped with an adjustment wheel, which allows case lengths to easily be “dialed in” to .001″ increments. This Xpress trimmer comes with a set of 10 precision bushings to fit most popular bottleneck rifle cases.

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May 24th, 2025

Memorial Day 2025 Sales — Great Deals at Leading Vendors

2024 memorial day sale discount brownells powder valley midwayusa

Monday, May 26, 2025 is Memorial Day. Many leading shooting sports/outdoor vendors are now running Memorial Day Sales over the next few days. You’ll find savings on guns, ammo, reloading supplies, brass, optics, hunting gear and more.

Check with vendors Brownells, EuroOptic, Creedmoor Sports, Bruno’s, Graf & Sons, Midsouth, Precision Reloading, Bullet Central, Powder Valley, and MidwayUSA to see all the current offers. For example, Precision Reloading offers 10% OFF all orders over $99. You can find other promos and sales with web searches. Here are six noteworthy sales we found. Go to Gun.deals to find specific discounted products.

Brownells Memorial Day Sale — Save 15% with Code MD15

powder valley free hazmat sierra bullets sale

Brownells has kicked off a major Memorial Day Sale. Use Code MD15 to get 15% Off $250+ orders. This discount applies to vast range of products, and there are other featured deals with specific discounts. You’ll find great deals on Howa products, optics, AR components and more.

Powder Valley — Big Memorial Day Weekend Ammo SALE

powder valley free hazmat sierra bullets sale

Need ammo? Now’s a great time to buy from Powder Valley, which is running big discounts on factory ammo from many leading sources. Save on rifle, pistol, rimfire, and shotgun ammo from Federal, CCI, Barnes, Hornady, Remington, Frontier, and other leading brands. Savings typically range from 10% to 22% on loaded ammunition during this big Memorial Day Sale.

Precision Reloading Memorial Day Sale

precision reloading 10% memorial day sale code SAVE

Leading vendor Precision Reloading is offering site-wide discounts this Memorial Day Weekend. With all orders over $99.00 you can get 10% Off your total costs (not including shipping). To take advantage of this 10% Off deal, use Code SAVE at checkout. This sale ends Tuesday, May 27th at 11:59 pm Mountain time.

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) Memorial Day Sale

Palmetto state armory psa ammo ar15 optics sale

Palmetto State Armory has a major Memorial Day Weekend Sale underway now. Save on guns, optics, triggers, ammunition and more. A wide variety of AR-platform parts are discounted and there are some great deals on handguns. For example, the Taurus TX22 pistol is now just $229.99, a $170.00 savings off the regular $399.99 price. There are also major savings on optics, with big discounts on Vortex, SIG Sauer, Holosun, and Pulsar Optics. For example, SIG Sauer Buckmaster 10X Binoculars are now just $119.99, a whopping 29% off the regular $169.99 price.

Primary Arms Memorial Day Sale

kygunco memorial day sale primary arms

Primary Arms is running a huge Memorial Day Weekend Sale. Many popular product types are on sale with savings up to $200. You’ll find big discounts on Geissele triggers, FN AR lowers, Magpul Mags, Eotech and Trijicon optics. Plus Benchmark, Kershaw, and Spyderco knives are on sale. NOTE: This is a multi-part sale so discounted items may vary from day to day and new items are added daily.

KYGUNCO Memorial Day Sale

kygunco memorial day sale

Popular retailer KYGUNCO is offering significant savings on select firearms and optics with its big 2025 Memorial Day Sale. For example you can get a Rock Island M1911 Stainless Frame Pistol for $416.98 — a whopping 32% off the regular $609.99 price. Or save 21% of a VORTEX Venom Red Dot optic.

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May 21st, 2025

Six Tips for Novice Handgun Shooters

Birchwood Casey Target Spots neon day-glow
OK this is no novice. But even champion pistol shooter Jessie Harrison, Captain of Team Taurus, had to start with the basics. Jessie says that safety should always be your number one priority.

At AccurateShooter.com, our primary focus is precision target shooting with rifles. But it’s definitely fun to shoot pistols too, and we bet most of our regular readers own handguns. Here are six tips for shooting safely and accurately with handguns. These pointers will help you advance your skills and have more fun with your pistols and revolvers.

1. Make Sure Safety Is Number One

Whether you own one gun or one hundred, gun safety must always be your main priority. In this video, Smith & Wesson Team Captain Julie Golob covers the basics of gun safety.

2. Start with a .22 LR Handgun

Pistol Shooting Tips Target Mentor safety training

We strongly recommend that new pistol shooters start off with a .22 LR rimfire handgun. The .22 LR cartridge is accurate but has very low recoil, less “bark” than a centerfire, and very little smoke and muzzle flash. New shooters won’t have to fight muzzle flip, and won’t develop a flinch from the sharp recoil and muzzle blast common to larger calibers. With the .22 LR, the trainee can focus on sight alignment, breathing, and trigger pull. When he or she has mastered those skills, move on to a .38 Special or 9mm Luger (9x19mm).

What gun to use? We recommend the 10-shot Smith & Wesson Model 617. Shooting single action, slow-fire, this is ideal for training. Shown above is the 4″-barrel Model 617version which balances well. There is also a 6″-barrel version. It has a longer sight radius, but is a little nose-heavy. Both are great choices. They are extremely accurate and they boast a very clean, precise trigger.

browning buck mark buckmark stainless udx rimfire .22 LR pistol

If you prefer a semi-auto .22 LR pistol, we recommend the Browning Buck Mark series. Buck Marks are very accurate and very reliable. This rimfire pistol is available in a variety of models starting at under $350.00. Like the S&W Model 617, a good Buck Mark will serve you for a lifetime.

5. Use Quality Targets with Multiple Aim Points

Birchwood Casey Target Spots neon day-glow

Birchwood Casey Target Spots neon day-glowIt’s common for new pistoleros to start shooting at cans or clay birds at a public range. That can be fun, but it’s better to start with proper targets, placed at eye level, at 7-10 yards. We like to use targets with large, brightly colored circles. Focus on putting 5 shots in a circle. We recommend targets that have multiple bullseyes or aiming points — that way you don’t have to constantly change your target. There are also special paper targets that can help you diagnose common shooting problems, such as anticipating recoil. EZ2C makes very good targets with bright, red-orange aim points. You can also use the bright orange Birchwood Casey stick-on Target Dots (right). These come in a variety of diameters. We like the 2″ dot at 10 yards.

3. Shoot Outdoors If You Can

Pistol Shooting Tips Target Mentor safety training

We recommend that new pistol shooters begin their training at an outdoor range. There are many reasons. First, the light is better outdoors. Indoor ranges can be dark with lots of shadows, making it harder to see your target. Second, sound dissipates better outdoors. The sound of gunfire echoes and bounces off walls indoors. Third, an outdoor range is a more comfortable environment, particularly if you can get out on a weekday morning. Indoor ranges, at least in urban areas, tend to be crowded. Many also have poor ventilation. If you can make it to an outdoor range, you’ll be happy. Many outdoor ranges also have some steel pistol targets, which offer a fun alternative to paper. When shooting steel however, we recommend polymer encased or lead bullets to avoid ricochets.

5. Find a Good Mentor and Watch Some Videos First

Pistol Shooting Tips Target Mentor safety training
Photo courtesy AV Firearms Training.

Too many new pistol shooters try to move right to rapid fire drills. It’s better to start slow, practicing the basics, under the guidance of a good mentor. If you belong to a club, ask if there are certified instructors who will help out. This Editor learn pistol shooting from a seasoned bullseye shooter, who got me started with a .22 LR revolver and very close targets. Over the course of a few range sessions we progressed to farther targets and faster pace. But the fundamentals were never forgotten. When starting your pistol training, it’s wise to view some instructional videos. Top Shot Champion Chris Cheng hosts an excellent Handgun 101 Series produced by the NSSF. We’ve linked one of these Handgun 101 videos for Tip #6.

6. SLOW DOWN — This Is Not a Race

When you learned to ride a bicycle, you started slow — maybe even with training wheels. The same principle applies to pistol shooting. When you get started with handguns, we recommend you shoot slowly and deliberately. Start with the handgun unloaded — just work on your sight alignment and breathing. With snap caps in place, try some dry-firing drills. Then progress to live fire. But be deliberate and slow. With the target at 20 feet, see if you can get three successive shot-holes to touch. Believe it or not, many common pistols are capable of this kind of accuracy (but you won’t see many shooters at indoor ranges who pursue that kind of precision). Once you master your form and accuracy, then you can work on your speed.

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May 20th, 2025

Great Guide to Pistol Holsters — 30 Carry Holsters Reviewed

Holster CCW review EDC Every day carry pistol handgun

AccurateShooter.com is more about rifles than pistols. But we know that the majority of our regular readers own handguns, and many also have concealed carry (CCW) permits. And with the prospect of social unrest following the election, we expect more reader than ever will be “packing” a sidearm. Accordingly, we’ve found a great resource for CCW holders that can help you select a holster. On the Shooting Illustrated website you’ll find a detailed review of 30 different holster types. Each holster is illustrated, with pros and cons explained. These are all EDC holsters, meaning those designed for “Every Day Carry”.

SEE Full HolsterPallooza Story with 30 Holster Reviews »

Shooting Illustrated calls this article “HolsterPallooza” and it really does provide a ton of helpful information. Most other holster reviews on the web may feature a half-dozen holsters at the most. In this Holsterpallooza article you can see 30 holsters, with a wide variety of materials, designs, and applications. There are small molded IWB holsters for CCW, conventional on the belt holsters, leather shoulder holster rigs, and even ankle holsters. This is a great place to start if you are in the market for a holster.

Holster CCW review EDC Every day carry pistol handgun
Here’s sample of the many holster options reviewed, an innovative hybrid IWB holster constructed with leather over Kydex. That gives you the “best of both worlds” — the secure fit/retention of a molded Kydex shell, with an attractive leather exterior.

Shooting Illustrated explains: “As the interface between your gun and your body, the holster is a vital component of your carry rig. In many cases, the circumstances of your daily life will determine the method of carry you choose. This, in turn, will determine what type of holster you need, which may end up determining the handgun you carry. Therefore, choosing the method and type of holster may be as, or even more important than, choosing a firearm.”

MORE Reviews — Hickok 45 Reviews 15 CCW Holsters:

If you want to see even MORE holsters for “Every Day Carry” (EDC), check out this video from Hickok 45. This popular YouTube host looks at 15 different IWB holsters from a number of manufacturers. Hickok 45 examines many hybrid holsters that combine Kydex or plastic with leather for increased comfort. He has his favorites… and they might not be what you’d expect. NOTE: As this video has been watched over 900,000 times, you may also want to read the viewer comments. There are many helpful suggestions from CCW holders who carry daily.

Permalink - Articles, - Videos, Gear Review, Handguns 1 Comment »
May 19th, 2025

BargainFinder 504: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

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. EuroOptic — Major Vortex Discounts Plus 12% Off Promo

athlon chrono sale
⏺️ » Big savings on all Vortex optics, plus 12% Discount Code

EuroOptic.com is running a major sale right now on Vortex products. You can save a full 12% on nearly all Vortex products including Scopes, Spotting Scopes, Rangefinders, Reflex Optics, Binoculars, Rings and more. Get your 12% Savings by using Code VTX12 during checkout. Along with the 12% discount, many Vortex products have major mark-downs. For example the Vortex Venom 5-25x56mm FFP scope is now just $499.99, a 29% savings, and the Viper HD 3000 Rangefinder is just $399.99, a 33% discount.

2. Palmetto SA — Memorial Day Sale, Save up to 68%

palmetto state armory psa memorial day sale
⏺️ » Huge savings on guns, ammo, optics, and more

Palmetto State Armory is running a major Memorial Day Sale this month. You’ll find significant discounts on a wide range of products — rifles, AR lowers, pistols, optics, magazines, ammo and more. From the Memorial Day Sale landing page you can see over 1600 sale items. You can then use the Category tabs on the left (or FILTER button on cellphones) to search by product type.

3. Brownells — FREE $0 HazMat for Powder and Primer Orders

Brownells free $0 zero hazmat sale promo powder primers
⏺️ » Save $20 to $35 with FREE HazMat now at Brownells

Brownells is currently offering $0 Hazmat Fee on Powder and Primer orders. This is a tempting promo that can save you $20 to $35 on a shipment (compared to fees charged by other vendors). But act soon. This $0 HazMat deal won’t last long. Brownells doesn’t list an end date for the promotion, so it could halt very soon. CLICK HERE for the Brownells Powder and Primers Sale Page.

4. CDNN Sports — HK 416 .22 LR Rimfire, $349.99

CDNN Sports Heckler Koch HK 416 rimfire .22 LR AR rifle sale
⏺️ » Great option for AR cross-training or rimfire gun games, save $200

If you own an AR for Service Rifle competition or 3-Gun matches, here’s a great option for inexpensive rimfire cross-training. An AR-type .22 LR rifle can also be effective in NRL22 matches. Right now you can save $250 on the HK 416 .22 LR rifle. This rifle boasts a 16.1″ barrel, retractable stock, M-LOK rail, and adjustable flip-up sights. With authentic AR dimensions and ergonomics, this is a great cross-trainer.

5. MidwayUSA — Lyman Ultimate Reloading Press Kit, $629.99

kaer steel gun safe security cabinet discount
⏺️ » Great complete system for reloading multiple cartridge types

This Lyman Ultimate Reloading System Kit includes 8-station BrassSmith turret press, Gen 6 Powder Scale/Dispenser, Universal Case Trimmer, Pro 1200 Turbo Tumbler, Case Trimmer, Case Prep Tools, Priming Tool, Calipers, Bullet Puller, Bench Wrench, Case Lube, Reloading Manual and more. This is one of the most complete reloading systems you can buy. With 8 turret stations you can load 3 or 4 different cartridges types, with sizing and seating dies for each. This system is on sale now for $629.99 at MidwayUSA.

6. Amazon — Garmin ForeTrex 701 Ballistic Edition GPS, $249.99

Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition Applied Ballistics Satellite GPS
⏺️ » Great portable Satellite GPS with Applied Ballistics

The Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition device is an amazing bit of technology. This unit combines SATNAV GPS technology with Applied Ballistics software. It’s a great option for ELR and Long-range Tactical Match competitors. It will locate you precisely and also calculate windage and elevation. The Garmin Fortrex is currently $249.99 on Amazon (#ad), 50% off the original asking price.

7. Amazon — KAER Storage Safe, $149.99

kaer steel gun safe security cabinet discount
⏺️ » Decent secondary safe at super-low price

Here’s a good secondary safe for a garage, work room, or large RV. This KAER gun cabinet hold rifles up to 45″ long. This steel cabinet, now $149.99 on Amazon (#ad) measures 57″ H x 17.7″ W 18″ D and has a handy 18″x9″ inside lockbox. This safe has 3 polymer barrel holders that adjust for height. You can unlock the safe with a touchpad combo or metal key. NOTE: This metal safe comes UNASSEMBLED. You’ll need to put it together with basic tools. This safe is also offered in black for $159.99 on Amazon (#ad).

8. Amazon — Rimfire Steel Silhouette Targets, 20-pack $112.99

rimfire steel targets
⏺️ » GREAT Deal on rimfire silhouette steel target 20-Pack

There are few things as fun as plinking with a .22 LR Rimfire rig at steel targets. It’s fun for kids and adults alike and right now you can grab a 20-ct pack of RIMFIRE animal targets in assorted sizes and shapes. They are 1/5 size and made from A36 steel plate. IMPORTANT: These small steel targets work great for rimfire shooting, but should NEVER be used with centerfire rifle cartridges.

9. Amazon — MOZETO Shooting Mat, $39.99

shooting mat sale storage padded
⏺️ » Nice 78″-long padded nylon mat stows conveniently

Whether in the field or at the range, having a comfortable mat to keep you and your gear dry and clean is critical. The Mozeto XL Shooting Mat is made from durable 1000D nylon with EPE padding fabric for long-lasting durability. There is an extra-thick padded section for elbows and knees. This big 78″ x 28.5″ mat has convenient straps and carry handle, plus storage pockets. To transport, just roll it up, fold it over and attach the quick release plastic snap buckles.

10. Locked & Loaded — CCI Blazer 9mm Ammo, $214.99 1000 rds

locked loaded cci blazer 9mm ammo sale 124gr 115gr
⏺️ » Quality 9mm brass-cased ammo at a super-low price — $22 cents/round

CCI makes very reliable pistol ammo with reloadable brass cases. Right now you can get 1000 rounds of CCI Blazer 9mm FMJ ammo for just $214.99 at LockedLoaded.com. The price for this 124gr CCI Blazer 9mm ammo works out to just $10.75 per 50-round box — a fantastic price. This very affordable CCI 9x19mm ammo is excellent for practice/training, and it is more reliable than commercial reloads.

11. Amazon — StopBox Handgun Safe/Lock Box, 2-Pack $159.00

travel safe sale
⏺️ » Get TWO good compact lock boxes for home or when traveling

Keeping handguns safe from theft or unauthorized use is vital. One good travel option is the TSA-compliant STOPBOX Gun Safe lock box. The button-activated mechanical lock offers quick access to your firearm. This lock box is also padlock-compatible. This $159.00 deal gives you TWO portable handgun safes, each measuring 9.25″ x 7.15″ x 1.75″ inside — big enough to handle full-size pistols. The patented glass-reinforced polycarbonate ABS and steel-reinforced lock boxes pass tough drop tests and come with a limited lifetime warranty.

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

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May 17th, 2025

The Colt Revolver That Won Five Olympic Gold Medals

A.P. Lane Pistol Wizard Colt Revolver Olympics

A.P. Lane Pistol Wizard Colt Revolver OlympicsA.P. Lane’s Gold Medal-Winning Colt Revolver
This Colt Officer’s Model revolver, factory-fitted with a skeletonized hammer, belonged to legendary Olympic shooter A. P. Lane, who was known as the “Pistol Wizard”. Lane used this Colt Revolver to win FIVE Olympic Gold Medals — three in 1912 and two in 1920.

A.P. Lane was one of the greatest pistol shooters of his generation. He shot scores that were typically 25-50 points higher than those of his competitors. And he exhibited true Corinthian spirit. At the 1912 Olympics, Lane shared his match ammunition with another competitor who used that ammo to capture the Silver Medal (Lane won the Gold).

This revolver, factory-fitted with a skeletonized hammer, was used by American A.P. Lane in winning five Olympic Gold Medals in the 1912 and 1920 Olympic Games. It’s a .38 caliber, Officer’s Model centerfire revolver from the early 20th century. Olympian A.P. Lane’s Gun can be found in Gallery 13, Firearm Traditions for Today, at the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia. The Museum exhibit includes a panoply of Lane pieces – his revolver, his five Gold Medals, and the five Olympic certificates that went along with them.

Click Photo to See Full-Size Image
A.P. Lane Pistol Wizard Colt Revolver Olympics

Watch Video History of the A.P. Lane Revolver

A.P. Lane Pistol Wizard Colt Revolver Olympics

A.P. Lane Pistol Wizard Colt Revolver Olympics

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May 14th, 2025

Why You Should Own a .22 LR Rimfire Revolver

Smith Wesson 22 .22 LR Revolver model 63 17 617 wheelgun revolver cylinder
S&W Model 617 now has a 10-round cylinder, but early models were six-shooters.

In recent years, the ranks of first-time gun buyers have grown dramatically. Millions of Americans have purchased their first-ever handgun. With so many handgun options (from derringers to Desert Eagles) many first-time buyers have trouble making a choice. What should those millions of new gun buyers have acquired first? Perhaps it should have been a rimfire revolver. Here is why…

The Argument for a Rimfire Revolver
Some years back, a close relative contacted this Editor. Wanting to get started in handgunning, he sought my advice on purchasing his very first handgun. “Should I get a Glock?”, he asked. “No” was my response. “Well how about an M&P?” he inquired. “Better ergos” I said, “but ‘No’ is still my reply.” “OK, how about a KelTec, they’re cheap…” “Absolutely not”, I replied.

I could tell he was getting annoyed, when he said “OK, Mr. know-it-all, so what handgun should I get?” Calmly, I replied: “Get a .22-caliber rimfire revolver. You will never out-grow it. You will learn sight alignment and trigger control. You can practice with inexpensive ammunition. A good .22 revolver will be considerably more accurate than 90% of the self-loading pistols you could buy. If you get a Smith & Wesson, you will keep the gun for the rest of your life and pass it on to your kids. If you or your heirs ever wear out the barrel or cylinder, Smith & Wesson will replace the parts for free, forever.”

Smith Wesson 22 .22 LR Revolver model 63 17 617 wheelgun revolver cylinder

First Handgun Choice — Consider a .22 LR Wheelgun

A very good choice for a first handgun is a Smith & Wesson .22 LR revolver, such as the S&W Model 617. The model 617 is extremely accurate, with a crisp trigger and good sights. Choose either a 4″ or 6″ barrel. The current model has a handy, 10-round cylinder.

S&W model 617 smith

This Editor’s first really accurate handgun was a .22 LR Smith & Wesson Model 617 that could easily stack ten shots in a dime at 10 yards. It remains my favorite and most-used handgun. What can we say about the Model 617? The single-action trigger pull is superb, and the accuracy surpasses most any semi-auto rimfire pistol, except for a few, very expensive target pistols. We like the 6″ version for the longer sight radius, but the 4″-barrel 617 is also very accurate, and it balances better.

Hickok 45 Demos a 4″ Model 617. See also Hickok 45 m617 Part 2:

You can learn all the fundamentals with this ultra-reliable handgun, shooting inexpensive .22 LR ammo. The model 617 is rugged, durable, and can give you a lifetime of shooting fun. Once you have mastered the basics of shooting with a .22 LR, you can move on to larger caliber handguns suitable for self-defense. Below is a slide-show illustrating a S&W model 617 ten-shot, with 6″ barrel. S&W also makes a 4″-barrel version of this revolver. (See: Shooting Demo Video with 4″ model 617.)

Another .22 Revolver Option, the Smith & Wesson Model 63

Smith Wesson 22 .22 LR Revolver model 63 17 617 wheelgun revolver cylinder

The current S&W Model 63 is a J-Frame .22 LR with 3″ barrel and fiber optic front sight. The Model 63 is compact enough for comfortable carry and well-balanced. The older Model 63, aka the “Kit Gun”, is an appreciating classic.

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May 9th, 2025

Handgun 101: Diagnosing Accuracy Problems with Pistols

NSSF Chris Cheng Pistol Accuracy Handgun Shooting Skills

When shooting pistols do your shots normally land smack dab in the middle of the target? If not, you may have some technique problems that are causing your shots to move off center. Top Shot Champion Chris Cheng has produced a good video for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that helps handgunners diagnose accuracy issues. By shooting 3-shot groups and looking at the pattern and location of the shots, you can see what you’re doing wrong (or right). Here are some examples. Note, this process works best for shooters whose shots fall typically in one target zone. If your shots are all over the target, your form is inconsistent and problems will be harder to diagnose.

1. Low Left — Jerking Trigger: Here we see three (3) shots at the 7 O’clock position. This shows that the shooter is jerking the trigger, meaning that the shooter is pulling the trigger too quickly and therefore forcing the barrel to drop when breaking the shot. This is a very common problem, particularly with novices who are reacting to the noise/recoil of the pistol.

NSSF Chris Cheng Pistol Accuracy Handgun Shooting Skills

2. 9 O’Clock — Too Little Trigger Finger: If we see three (3) shots at the 9 O’clock position, what this can be indicative of too little trigger finger on the trigger. And therefore with every shot, the shots are getting pushed to the left. Try moving your trigger finger on to the pad of your index finger. Also try dry firing drills.

NSSF Chris Cheng Pistol Accuracy Handgun Shooting Skills

3. High Left — Anticipating Recoil: In this next example, we see three shots around the 11 O’clock position. What could be happening here is that the shooter is anticipating the recoil, and is actually lifting the gun up when he shoots. We recommend slowing down, working on your breathing, and, again, do dry-firing drills.

NSSF Chris Cheng Pistol Accuracy Handgun Shooting Skills

4. 3 O’Clock — Too Much Trigger Finger: Finally, if you see three (3) shots at the 3 O’clock position, this can indicate that there is too much trigger finger on the trigger. Therefore when the shot breaks the shooter is pulling each shot to the right. Note: Each of these descriptions is for a RIGHT-handed shooter. If you are a left-handed shooter you’ll want to reverse those descriptions.

NSSF Chris Cheng Pistol Accuracy Handgun Shooting Skills

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May 5th, 2025

FN America Offers $200 High Power Pistol Instant Rebate

FN America high power pistol $200 instant rebate sale guns.com

FN America now offers a $200 instant rebate on FN High Power handguns purchased from Guns.com during the month of May. For any new FN High Power purchased from Guns.com between May 1, 2025, and May 31, 2025, consumers will receive an instant rebate in the amount of $200, which will be reflected as a $200 discount off the posted purchase price. That will allow purchase of a new FN High Power starting at $832.98 (after instant rebate).

FN America high power pistol $200 instant rebate sale guns.com

Built for the modern handgun owner, the FN High Power is an improved version of the legendary Browning High Power handgun designed by John Browning and then refined by FN Herstal. As a modern pistol designed for today’s sport shooter, the current High Power has been enhanced for greater accuracy, reliability, and trigger feel. With improvements to ergonomics and fire control, shootability and accuracy is better than the original FN High Power, thanks in part to the smooth, single-action trigger. In addition, today’s High Power includes an industry-first 17+1 capacity and is offered in three finish colors: Black, Flat Dark Earth (FDE), and stainless steel.

John Moses browning portrait High Power pistolHistory of Browning High Power Pistol
The High Power pistol is a single-action, semi-automatic pistol now offered with either 9×19mm Parabellum (9mm Luger) or .40 S&W chamberings. It was based on a design by American firearms inventor John Moses Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at FN Herstal.

Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. FN Herstal named it the “High Power” because of it 13-round magazine capacity, almost twice that of other designs at the time, such as the Walther P38 or Colt M1911.

“With its roots traced to John Browning’s design from before World War II, the FN High Power is the most iconic handgun in our product line”, said Chris Cole, FN America Sr. Sales Director. “With today’s modernization of the High Power, combined with this rebate through Guns.com, it’s never been easier for customers to own a modern piece of history.”

To take advantage of the Guns.com FN High Power rebate promotion, please visit Guns.com/fn-america. CLICK HERE to learn more about the FN High Power pistol.

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May 4th, 2025

Revolver Showdown — Miculek Shoots S&W, Colt, & Ruger

Jerry Miculek smith wesson colt python wheelgun ruger revolver showdown
Hornady sponsored shooter Jerry Miculek — Yamil Sued Photo.

If you are considering acquiring a revolver for fun shooting, self-defense, or competition, you should definitely watch this YouTube video. In this 23-minute presentation, legendary shooter Jerry Miculek puts three .357/.38 SPL wheelguns through their paces. Jerry, one of the greatest revolver shooters in history, hosts a “Revolver Showdown” with three popular wheelguns: 1) S&W L frame (3″ bbl); 2) Colt Python (6″ bbl); and 3) Ruger Speed Six (2.75″ bbl).

Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus, L-Frame, 7-rd .357 Magnum/38 SPL, 3″ Barrel.
Jerry Miculek Revolver showdown comparison S&W Colt Ruger

Colt Python (Nickel), 6-rd .357 Magnum/38 SPL, 6″ Barrel.
Jerry Miculek Revolver showdown comparison S&W Colt Ruger

Ruger Speed Six, 6-rd .357 Magnum/38 SPL, 3″ Barrel.
Jerry Miculek Revolver showdown comparison S&W Colt Ruger

Jerry Miculek Revolver showdown comparison S&W Colt RugerTesting at 10 Yards and 50 Yards
In the video, Jerry shoots all three revolvers rapid-fire, double-action at 10 yards. Then he shoots the three guns single-action, slow-fire at 50 yards (starting at time mark 7:19).

After his range session, Jerry examines nine medium frame revolvers, comparing and contrasting design features. Jerry considers these factors:

1. Accuracy
2. Balance and Handling
3. Speed and Sureness of Trigger Return (watch video at 3:45″ re Colt.)
4. Reliability
5. Barrel Twist Rate
6. Strength of Construction/Durability

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