Section
Guns & Ammo
Hunting rifles, optics, and range gear reviewed from the field, not the brochure.
AR-15 vs AK-47
An AR-15 and an AK-47 do not share a gas system, a magazine, or a parts bin. The common pair is 5.56 or .223 against 7.62x39. Other calibers exist. Both stay at a licensed dealer.
Leupold Lens Pen 48807 vs Celestron LensPen
Buy Leupold 48807 for the matte two-step pen at 17.01 g with a lifetime line. Buy the Celestron LensPen, UPC 050234935753, for the no-liquids brush and a 2-year US warranty. Neither pen is a firearm.
Handguns: Revolvers and Semi-Automatic Pistols
A handgun is fired with one or both hands. A revolver cycles a cylinder of five to eight rounds. A semi-automatic pistol uses a magazine in the grip and the energy of a fired round to load the next one. Both stay at a licensed dealer.
Rifles: Bolt-Action, Semi-Automatic, and Lever-Action
A rifle is shoulder-fired with a rifled barrel that spins the bullet. A bolt-action cycles by hand. A semi-automatic loads the next round itself, one shot per pull. A lever-action cycles from the lever under the trigger guard. The rifle stays at a licensed dealer.
Shotguns: Pump-Action, Semi-Automatic, and Break-Action
A shotgun is shoulder-fired with a smooth bore and a shell of shot or a slug. A pump cycles from the sliding forearm. A semi-automatic reloads by gas or recoil. A break-action hinges open as a single, a side-by-side, or an over/under. The shotgun stays at a licensed dealer.
Master Lock 107DSPT vs 94DSPT
Buy 107DSPT for a 14-inch vinyl-coated cable and two keys. Buy 94DSPT for a gray three-dial trigger lock with no key. The firearm is not in either box.
Ballistol 4 oz vs Rem Oil Aerosol
Buy Ballistol BO120045 for a 4 ounce liquid you can drop on metal, leather, or a knife. Buy Rem Oil 26610 for the 4 ounce spray. The firearm stays at a dealer.
Hoppe's No. 9 Oil vs Break-Free CLP-4
Buy Hoppe's model 1004 for a 4-ounce oil that follows No. 9 bore cleaner. Buy Break-Free CLP-4, model 1009233, for a 4-ounce squeeze bottle. The firearm stays at a dealer.
Peltor Sport Tactical 100 vs Howard Leight Impact Pro
Buy the Tactical 100, TAC100-OTH, for a 22 dB muff at 13.6 ounces. Buy the Impact Pro, R-01902, for a 30 dB muff at 15.9 ounces. The firearm stays at a dealer.
Otis .270/7mm Ripcord vs Real Avid Bore Boss
Buy the Otis .270/7mm Ripcord Deluxe kit or the Bore Boss marked .270/.280/7mm. Match the barrel stamp. A .30-caliber cord is a different tool. The rifle stays at a dealer.
Magpul MS1 Padded vs Blue Force Gear Vickers
Buy the MS1 padded for Magpul's slider. Buy the black Vickers with nylon hardware for the pull-tab adjuster. Both are slings. The rifle stays at a dealer.
ESS Crossbow vs Wiley X Saber Advanced
Buy the Crossbow 2X for two assembled shields. Buy the Saber Advanced for one frame and a foam gasket. The rifle stays at a dealer.
AR Pistol, Carbine, or Rifle: Sizes, Calibers, and Configurations
Buy a 16-inch carbine or an 18- to 20-inch rifle in one legal cartridge. A pistol is a different transfer. A large-frame .308 is not an AR-15. The rifle stays at a licensed dealer.
Howard Leight Impact Sport vs Walker’s Razor Slim
Buy the Impact Sport for directional mics and an auto shutoff. Buy the Razor Slim for a thinner cup. Shoulder the stock with the muff on. The rifle stays at a dealer.
Vaultek LifePod 2.0 vs Hornady RAPiD Safe 2700KP
Buy the LifePod 2.0 for a travel gasket and a keypad. Buy the 2700KP for steel RFID at a nightstand. Cable it. The firearm stays a dealer.
Five AR-15 brands a hunter actually shops: Colt, M&P15, Ruger AR-556, Daniel Defense, Saint
Shop the line a licensed dealer actually has. M&P15 Sport III or a Ruger AR-556 for a first 16-inch mid-length. Saint Victor if you want a rail. Daniel Defense if you want the barrel. Colt if you want the chrome-lined M4. The rifle stays at the counter.
Pelican Vault V800 vs Plano AW2 rifle case
Buy the Plano AW2 42-inch if one hunting rifle fits after you measure. Buy the Pelican Vault V800 for a long double case. The rifle stays at a licensed dealer. A case is not a safe.
Case a Tuesday rifle before the first fall sit
Equinox day: sock, case, and cable after the last confirmation. Glasses and muffs in the bag. The rifle stays at a licensed dealer.