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.

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.

SHOT Show 2024 kicks off on Monday, January 22, 2024 with Industry Day at the Range. We’ll have friends there at the Boulder City Range testing new rifles and pistols, and checking out new optics and accessories. Then on Tuesday, January 23, the doors open at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum. Over 2500 companies will be exhibiting products this year, with booths and displays covering over 800,000 square feet of floor space. Show organizers expect over 50,000 attendees.

SHOT Show is restricted to industry professionals — manufacturer personnel, buyers/sellers of products, and media representatives. But thankfully, there will be lots of coverage from the event. We’ll be providing regular updates through our Daily Bulletin. In addition, we’ll be following SHOT Show coverage from leading gun-related YouTube Channels, including BackFire, Guns America Digest, The Firearm Blog (TFB-TV), RECOIL Magazine, and Ultimate Reloader. And below are official pages from the show website:

Here are two video previews for products that will be on display in Las Vegas at SHOT Show 2024.

In addition, NRA Publications’ Shooting Illustrated will provided extensive coverage of SHOT Show — from pre-show private events to Media Day At The Range to updates from the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Shooting Illustrated staffers will be at SHOT Show to find notable new firearms, gear, and accessories, which will be covered via regular updates on the internet. Check out ShootingIllustrated.com for daily show recaps, as well as exclusive, live content from Las Vegas on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Shooting Illustrated is the NRA’s official journal covering personal defense, concealed carry, and tactical firearms, training and gear. Shooting Illustrated reaches over one MILLION users through its print magazine, digital publications, and social media. Visit ShootingIllustrated.com for more information.

The NRA’s Shooting Illustrated magazine has a new website, with a smart-phone friendly layout and abundant photos and videos. A lot of work went into the new site, which offers a ton of content for firearms fans. The content mix is heavy on handguns, but you’ll also find features on Modern Sporting Rifles and long-range rifles. The main change in the site is the inclusion of many more photos and videos. ShootingIllustrated.com is now definitely “image-rich” and great for video fans. And the site is now easier to navigate thanks to an intuitive menu bar.

Shooting Illustrated’s new website boasts “a new user-friendly layout [that] enhances the experience for watching videos on smartphones, tablets and desktop computers. Look for “I Carry” videos featuring new everyday carry guns and gear, as well as “First Shot” videos highlighting new pistols and rifles.

Here are three top stories you can access right now on the new Shooting Illustrated website. If you like this type of content, then check out ’s Facebook and Instagram feeds for the latest coverage of new products with articles, imagery, and videos.

Click Photos to Read Shooting Illustrated Feature Stories:

Although the 2021 SHOT Show was cancelled, you can find many new-for-2021 products online. The NRA’s Shooting Illustrated website has put together a collection of 28 new products including rifles, pistols, shotguns, optics, safety gear and more — all from top manufacturers. Some of the features include test videos, such as a report on a S&W M&P fitted with the new Leupold DeltaPoint Micro red dot optic.

The Shooting Illustrated article reviews 28 products total. Here are two rifles, two pistols, and one shotgun featured in Shooting Illustrated’s New Products Showcase:

Winchester Wildcat .22 LR SR, Suppressor-Ready Model

Winchester has introduced a Wildcat SR, a suppressor-ready version of its popuplar Wildcat 22 semi-auto .22 LR rifle. This new Wildcat SR comes with a 16.5″ barrel threaded 1/2-28 TPI at the muzzle (with muzzle cap). This will allow the Wildcat SR to fit most rimfire suppressors as well as many muzzle brakes. Shooting Illustrated liked the general features of the Wildcat SR: “The rifle… has a rugged polymer upper assembly, lower receiver assembly and ambidextrous skeletonized buttstock for light weight and strength. The rear sight is adjustable for both elevation and windage and there is also a ramped post front sight.” We are pleased to see that the Winchester Wildcat SR boasts an integral Picatinny Rail for mounting optics.

Browning X-Bolt Mountain Pro Carbon

We like the Browning X-Bolt rifles. Browning offers good protective coatings on the barreled actions, and the camo treatments are nicely done. For 2021, Browning has a new line of X-Bolt Mountain Pro rifles. These include a new-generation carbon fiber stock that is even lighter, with noise-dampening foam for added comfort. The X-Bolt Mountain Pros also come with a Recoil Hawg muzzle brake that Browning says can reduce felt recoil by as much as 73%. The stainless steel action and barrel come with a protective Cerakote Burnt Bronze or Tungsten finish. And internally the barrel boasts a “proprietary lapping process” for easier cleaning and quicker break-in times. For that custom touch, the bolt and bolt knob are spiral fluted. These new X-Bolt Mountain Pros are not inexpensive. Browning lists an MSRP of $2,399.99 – $2,459.99. Expect “street price” around $2000.00.

Savage Renegauge Competition 12ga Shotgun

Here’s an impressive new 12 gauge shotgun from Savage. This boast an extended magazine tube that holds 9+1 rounds. The looks are notable, with Red Cerakote on the Receiver and mag tube, with a black melonited fluted barrel with ventilated ridb and HI-VIZ front site. The stock adjusts for LOP, comb height, drop and cast and there is a rod recoil buffer in the buttstock. Shooting Illustrated notes that the Savage has an advanced gas system: “The Savage Renegauge Competition shotgun features the DRIV gas system (Dual Regulating Inline Valve) gas system which ensures excess gas vents before it drives the bolt, resulting in consistent ejection, less felt recoil, and a … fast cyclic rate[.]”

Volquartsen Black Mamba-X .22 LR Pistol

Volquartsen has released its new Black Mamba-X pistol for .22 LR competitors in speed matches. This features a Volquartsen’s LLV-4X 4.5-inch Competition Upper with integral universal red-dot mount. The Black Mamba-X features a push-button takedown configuration. Other standard features include: A ½x28 threaded stainless steel, 4.5″ barrel, Volquartsen Accurizing Kit allowing 2.25-pound trigger pull.

FN America FN 509 LS Edge

This new FN 509 LS Edge pistol has a longer slide with cut-outs, aggressive checkering, and good controls. Shooting Illustrated notes the benefits of FN’s smart signt attachment design: “The real key to the FN 509 LS Edge is the sighting system. It has a high front sight with a green fiber-optic insert and serrated front blade to reduce glare. The rear sight is a deep trough.” This patented rear sight design allows a very low red dot position, which gets “the sight real low in the slide and helps it co-witness perfectly with the iron sights.” Various inserts are available for many types of pistol optics.

Here at AccurateShooter.com, we’re 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.

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.

Here at AccurateShooter.com, we’re 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. Our editors also enjoy shooting pistols, both rimfire and centerfire. Accordingly, we try to provide helpful insights for the pistoleros out there. We found a great article on the Shooting Illustrated website that showcases a huge variety of holsters — 30 in fact. 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.

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.”

Hickok 45 Reviews 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 810,000 times, you may also want to read the viewer comments. There are many helpful suggestions from CCW holders who carry daily.

If you are in the market for a new handgun of any type, you should check out a recent product summary from Shooting Illustrated magazine. The SI staffers have compiled an illustrated list of 63 new handguns released in 2018. There are big guns and small, semi-autos and revolvers. Each entry includes a photo with graphics showing the handgun’s notable features. The list includes some “pistols” that really look like rifles because they have a short stock for use as a “fore-arm brace” (wink-wink).

There is a good selection of carry pistols, small revolvers, and long-barreled target pistols. For each “handgun”, there is a descriptive paragraph plus a table listing: Caliber, Magazine Capacity, Barrel Length, OAL, Weight, and MSRP.

GO to Shooting Illustrated 2018 Handgun Feature »

Here is one of our favorite new handguns, a 9mm Heckler & Koch VP9 with built-in Crimson Trace laser. We’ve owned multiple H&Ks and they have all been very accurate.

Shooting Illustrated’s Complete List of New-for-2018 Handguns:

Shooting Illustrated notes: “Handguns are some of the hottest-selling firearms in today’s market, with concealed-carry guns leading the way as more citizens arm themselves against potential threats. However, micro-sized pistols aren’t the only new releases out for this year. Manufacturers have added dozens of new guns of many styles and designs, all built for different purposes. Is your next buy on our comprehensive list?” See all the new handguns released in 2018 in THIS FEATURE ARTICLE.

In addition to covering 100+ new guns for 2014, this issue also includes Shooting Illustrated’s “best of the best” selections from 2013. The Golden Bullseye Award is given to the most innovative, practical and affordable products introduced last year. Also in the May issue is a detailed review of Ruger’s new SR-762 semi-automatic rifle, a piston-driven .308 Win, AR-platform rifle. Look for these articles and more in the May issue of Shooting Illustrated. For more information, visit Shooting Illustrated.com.

NRA Publications is accepting applications for Managing Editor of Shooting Illustrated, NRA’s monthly newsstand magazine dedicated to personal protection guns, tactical firearms, concealed carry, and self-defense techniques. The Managing Editor will assist with the management of and provide editorial support essential to the daily operation of Shooting Illustrated magazine and ShootingIllustrated.com. He or she will ensure all work satisfies established quality standards and policies, and meets production deadlines. Candidates should have at least “five years experience in managerial level journalism”. The position is based at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. For a full job description and a list of required qualifications, or to submit your resume, go to www.careers.nra.org. Direct inquiries to NRA Human Resources, careers [at] nrahq.org.

For American Rifleman, NRA’s flagship publication:

• Rifle of the Year: Savage Model 111 Lightweight Hunter
• Shotgun of the Year: Stoeger Model 3500
• Handgun of the Year: Kimber Solo
• Tactical Gun of the Year: FNH-USA SCAR 17S
• Ammo Product of the Year: Winchester Elite Blind Side
• Optic of the Year: Leupold Mark 8 1.1-8X 24mm CQBSS
• Accessory of the Year: LaserLyte Laser Trainer Target TLB-1.

For Shooting Illustrated, a practical shooting publication:

• Rifle of the Year: Barrett MRAD
• Shotgun of the Year: Kel-Tec KSG
• Handgun of the Year: Smith & Wesson SD Series
• Ammo Product of the Year: Federal Premium Guard Dog
• Optic of the Year: Nikon M-223 Riflescopes
• Accessory of the Year: SureFire MAG5-60 High-Capacity Magazine

For American Hunter, NRA’s hunting magazine:

• Rifle of the Year: Winchester Model 70 Safari Express
• Shotgun of the Year: Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting
• Ammo Product of the Year: Barnes VOR-TX
• Optic of the Year: Swarovski Z5 Riflescopes
• Gear of the Year: The Gun Tool by Real Avid
• Vehicle of the Year: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland