Pew Pew Meter

“The Shadow Systems DR920 is a solid option for those that want the Glock feel but with elevated features. It’s cheaper than building a custom aftermarket Glock yet still performs reliably.” – Eric Huh

The Staccato P masterfully treads the line between being a duty gun, a competition pistol, and a range toy. It excels in all of those roles thanks to its reliability, accuracy, and extremely soft shooting characteristics.

“Sig has done an outstanding job with the P322. If you’ve got the cash and the inclination, you can’t go wrong in picking up this fun little shooters.” – Sean Curtis

“The XTEN is a natural evolution of the P320 line into 10mm. Sig applied their know-how when scaling the platform up, so the end result is an accurate shooter that isn’t too much to handle.” – Sean Curtis

“The Shield 9 Plus is about as small as you can go and still have an easily useable platform with ergonomic controls across a range of hand sizes…any smaller and compromises begin to occur. That said, Smith did an excellent job with this pistol, making it accurate, easy to use, and wholly concealable.” – Sean Curtis

“The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 is a full-size, striker-fired, steel and polymer gun with a 17+1 capacity. During testing, I found it to be reliable and extremely accurate.” – Sean Curtis

The Super Redhawk is overbuilt to handle the heaviest-hitting loads out there. For those looking for a medium to big game hunting revolver, it is hard to look past the Super Redhawk due to its durability, reliability, and accuracy.

Smith and Wesson finally decided to revisit the 10mm cartridge and adapted their M&P 2.0 platform for it. Our test gun was reliable, shot well, and had the quality ergonomics the M&P line is known for. However, there have been some reported issues with the 4-inch models, and it should be noted that this is still a relatively new gun in Smith and Wesson’s lineup.

The Smith & Wesson 686 Plus is our go-to recommendation if you’re looking for a first revolver. Reliable, takes both .38 Special and .357 Magnum rounds, soaks up the recoil, and looks great to boot!

“One of the best foldable pistols on the market, but does have a few sacrifices. Game changer for those looking to carry around a long gun in a smaller package.” – Sean Curtis

“The DDM4ISR is a .300 BLK integrally suppressed rifle from Daniel Defense. It sports a 9 inch cold-hammer-forged barrel with an overall length of 16-inches. This gun features a Keymod handguard and handles just about as smoothly in a shoot house as it does out on the range. We had no problems whatsoever during our testing. This rifle loaded, fired, and ejected perfectly. The grip angle may feel odd to some, but overall it’s great once you get used to it.” – John C.

Daniel Defense’s Mk18 runs extremely well. It’s a blast to shoot and handled well in CQB-type training scenarios. We’ve put well over 1,000 rounds through our model, and it’s still running like it did day one. We did have a little trouble with DD proprietary mags — but that was managed by removing a couple of rounds and gently seating it into the magwell. PMAGs run great, though!

The Henry Big Boy Classic is a slick-looking entry into Henry’s Big Boy series. It offers a 20-inch barrel and 10-round capacity with a lever-action design. Practically, it’s not the best for defensive situations, but its sheer fun makes up for that.

The Browning BAR Mark III is an elegant and effective hunting rifle. The semi-automatic gas-operated design allows for a softer recoil impulse, even when using magnum cartridges. As with most Browning products, beautiful wood and high-luster bluing really make this rifle pop.

The CZ Bren 2 MS is a well-executed AR-15 alternative. It utilizes a short-stroke gas piston system and features a folding stock, fully ambidextrous controls, and excellent ergonomics. This gun is reliable, comfortable, and suppresses well, making it a unique-but-effective option for those looking for a different platform than the AR.

The Browning X-Bolt is a hunting rifle that strives to set itself apart from others by offering premium features at a reasonable price point. Good looks, a short bolt lift, a good trigger, and excellent accuracy make the X-Bolt a great option for those looking to step up to something a bit nicer for their next hunt.

Bergara makes some of the best barrels in the business, and their complete rifles are just as good. The HMR (Hunting and Match Rifle) allows the user the flexibility to have an effective hunting and target rifle in a single package without sacrificing too much either way. Impressive accuracy, a quality stock/chassis combo, and a crisp trigger make this gun a clear winner.

Yes, it looks like an Ugg boot…now with that out of the way, the FN SCAR 17S is a nifty rifle that will make all your range mates jealous. Though it feels clunky, and there’s not a ton of aftermarket here, it brings a smooth, reliable shooting experience. Plus, it’s just fun. The folding stock makes it easy to tote to and from the range. It also has rails for optics but beware it will destroy cheap optics. Only the finest of glass here.

Whether it’s video games, Stargate, or crazy-looking space guns, everyone can find a reason they want a PS90. FN designed the PS90 around the 5.7x28mm cartridge to create a carbine that offers a lot of firepower in a small package. While they can’t sell the original short 10.5-inch barreled model over the counter, the 16-inch PS90 is the next best thing. Although it looks strange, the gun is oddly ergonomic and is 100 percent ambidextrous — it even ejects downwards. Even though it is a direct-blowback gun, the 5.7x28mm cartridge is so light recoiling that your trigger finger will get tired running through the 50-round magazines before your shoulder does. The factory options for mounting optics leave much to be desired, but luckily the aftermarket has you covered. If you can stomach the cost of the gun and the ammo, then you will end up with a gun that is nearly unmatched in firepower for its size and weight.

The LWRC DI is one of the more affordable options for users who are looking for a fully ambidextrous high-end AR-15. These guns are duty ready and feature-rich at a competitive price point.

“The Shadow Systems DR920 is a solid option for those that want the Glock feel but with elevated features. It’s cheaper than building a custom aftermarket Glock yet still performs reliably.” – Eric Huh

The Staccato P masterfully treads the line between being a duty gun, a competition pistol, and a range toy. It excels in all of those roles thanks to its reliability, accuracy, and extremely soft shooting characteristics.

“Sig has done an outstanding job with the P322. If you’ve got the cash and the inclination, you can’t go wrong in picking up this fun little shooters.” – Sean Curtis

“The Shield 9 Plus is about as small as you can go and still have an easily useable platform with ergonomic controls across a range of hand sizes…any smaller and compromises begin to occur. That said, Smith did an excellent job with this pistol, making it accurate, easy to use, and wholly concealable.” – Sean Curtis

Smith and Wesson finally decided to revisit the 10mm cartridge and adapted their M&P 2.0 platform for it. Our test gun was reliable, shot well, and had the quality ergonomics the M&P line is known for. However, there have been some reported issues with the 4-inch models, and it should be noted that this is still a relatively new gun in Smith and Wesson’s lineup.

The Smith & Wesson 686 Plus is our go-to recommendation if you’re looking for a first revolver. Reliable, takes both .38 Special and .357 Magnum rounds, soaks up the recoil, and looks great to boot!

“The CZ Shadow 2 boasts legendary accuracy, reliability, and shootability. Its ergonomics, phenomenal trigger, and added weight help make this one of the flattest, easiest shooting pistols on the market. If you are looking for an off the shelf ready competition gun, home-defense gun, or a fun range toy, there are few guns that do it better than the Shadow 2.” – Johnny B.

Then FN 509 is a polymer pistol with a weight around 26 ounces and a length measuring 7.4 inches. It features a fixed 3-dot sight system with combat-style sights and a capacity of 17 rounds (or 10 round mags available for states that require that). The trigger pull comes in around 5.5 to 7.7 pounds and it feels smooth while shooting. The FN is a nice pistol that, while pricier, is worth the money.

“The Benelli SuperNova is an effective, comfortable-to-shoot option for those looking for a shotgun for both home defense and hunting. And the price isn’t too bad either!” – Travis Pike

Usually coming in at under $400, the Mossberg 500 Field/Security pump-action shotgun is one of the most versatile guns you can buy for the money. This gun comes with two barrels, a 28-inch field barrel with interchangeable choke tubes and an 18.5-inch security barrel with a fixed choke. Having both barrels allows you to have a do-all gun that can cover anything from hunting to sporting to home defense. Mossberg makes the barrel change process simple and easy, with a single screw making the barrel swap a 60-second affair that takes no tools. The ambidextrous tang safety makes this gun intuitive for most users, but the rest of the gun is pretty standard fare when it comes to ergonomics. The Mossberg 500 has been the gold standard for basic shotguns since the 60s, and it has the aftermarket to prove that. If you need a shotgun to cover all the bases, this is it.

The Mossberg 590 Mariner takes the standard tried-and-true 590 and adds an eye-catching corrosion-resistant Marinecote finish for those looking to fend off moisture and rust.

The Mossberg 590A1 retrograde takes one of the most durable and proven shotguns in the world and dresses it up to the nines. Classic style walnut furniture gives this workhorse shotgun an old-school appeal without sacrificing any of its ability to tackle any job.

The Beretta 1301 is the company’s flagship tactical shotgun. This gas-operated shotgun is fast, slick, has oversized and easy-to-use controls, and has plenty of aftermarket support. If you are looking for a reliable, combat-capable semi-auto shotgun, the Beretta 1301 has you covered.

“At $1,000 plus, you might be tempted to stop and weigh out your options. That’s a lot of cheddar. But the Mossberg 930 SPX Tactical is super reliable, ergonomically decent with its various models, and accurate.” – Sean Curtis

The Mossberg 500 has withstood the test of time and is the gold standard when it comes to pump-action shotguns for the everyman. They are reliable, easy to maintain, versatile, have a huge aftermarket, and are extremely affordable. It is likely the most popular shotgun in the United States, and for a good reason.

“The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical is an evolution stemming from feedback from pro shooters like Jerry Miculek as well as shooters like us who buy and modify guns. All the improvements make sense, and the gun’s performance is outstanding.” – Sean Curtis

The Mossberg Maverick 88 is the true everyman’s shotgun. It is affordable, reliable, durable, and is built on the design of one of the most proven shotguns in the world. This is the ultimate bang for your buck in the shotgun world and possibly one of the best deals in the firearms world as a whole.

“Benelli’s M4 is what we would call a good Italian auto shotgun. It’s the best combat shotgun on the market and would do phenomenal in a home defense setup or tactical arena. This autoloader looks great, runs smooth, brings that cool factor we all like from our guns. Most importantly, you can trust your life to it.” – Johnny B.

Tracing its roots back to the respected and venerable Mossberg 500, the 590A1 keeps the core of what makes the 500-series of shotguns so great and makes it even better. The U.S. military put out a request for a more durable pump-action shotgun that could stand up to the rigors of hard field use, and the 590A1 was born. Mossberg responded by adding a tough parkerized finish,  all metal trigger guard, thick-walled barrel, and stronger internals. It is an intuitive and easy to use pump-gun, but it is a bit on the heavy side due to the aforementioned features. The extra weight helps tame the harsh recoil of the 12 gauge round, making the shooting experience a little more pleasant. The ambidextrous tang safety makes the gun easy for all users to operate the gun. Its wide aftermarket also allows you to tailor the gun to your specific wants and needs. While the 590A1 isn’t the smoothest or lightest shotgun out there, it is an absolute tank, and you’d be hard pressed to find any firearm that will last as long and take as much punishment.

“The Benelli M3 is my favorite shotgun of all time. It might be the most capable and versatile shotgun on the market. And it’s one of the rare convertible shotguns, A convertible shotgun is one that allows the user to swap between a semi-automatic action and a pump action. The benefit of the M3’s system is that you can use any shotgun round on the market. The pump-action mode allows it to cycle low recoiling rounds that won’t cycle in a semi-auto action.” — Travis Pike