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ArmaLite, Inc

Armalite is a firearms manufacturing company that was founded in the 1950s in Hollywood, California. They focused on developing a lightweight, accurate, and reliable rifle for military use.

History

The company was named after its founder, Eugene Stoner, who developed the first prototype of the AR-15 rifle while working at Armalite. One of Armalite’s most notable accomplishments is the development of the AR-15 rifle. The AR-15 was designed to be a lightweight, modular rifle that could be easily adapted for different purposes. It quickly gained popularity among gun enthusiasts and military users worldwide. This innovative firearm became the standard-issue rifle for the US military and is widely used by law enforcement and civilian shooters worldwide. The AR-15 is known for its accuracy, reliability, and versatility, and has played a significant role in the history of modern firearms.

In addition to the AR-15, ArmaLite has also developed a range of other firearms and accessories, including the AR-10, a larger caliber rifle, and the AR-31, a bolt-action rifle designed for long-range shooting.

Commitment

ArmaLite is known for its commitment to innovation and quality. They have received numerous awards and accolades for their products. The company is dedicated to producing firearms and accessories that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability and is constantly working to develop new and innovative products to meet the needs of its customers.

In addition to its focus on product development, ArmaLite is also committed to corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability. The company has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its impact on the environment and support the communities in which it operates.

Overall, ArmaLite has established itself as a leader in the firearms industry, with a strong track record of innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. Firearm experts worldwide trust its products, and the company is well-respected for its commitment to excellence and corporate responsibility.

History of Smokeless Gunpowder

Smokeless gunpowder is a type of explosive material that has largely replaced black powder as the primary propellant in firearms. It was first developed in the late 19th century as a means to improve the performance of firearms and reduce the amount of smoke and residue produced during firing. The history of smokeless gunpowder is closely tied to the development of firearms and the search for more efficient and effective means of propulsion.

A pile of smokeless gunpowder granules. — Pyrodex Smokeless Gunpowder

Where Did Gunpowder Come From?

The first recorded use of gunpowder as a firearm propellant dates back to the 14th century in China. This early form of gunpowder, known as black powder, was made from a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. It was highly flammable and produced a large amount of smoke when ignited, making it difficult to see and breathe on the battlefield.

Over the centuries, various attempts were made to improve the performance of black powder and reduce the amount of smoke it produced. In the late 19th century, a French chemist named Paul Vieille developed a smokeless powder called “Poudre B.” This new powder was made from nitrocellulose, a highly flammable compound derived from wood pulp, and was much more powerful than black powder.

Poudre B was quickly adopted by the military and began to replace black powder in firearms. It was used in the first modern smokeless powder firearms, such as the Lebel rifle and the Maxim gun, which were both introduced in the 1880s.

In the early 20th century, smokeless powders continued to evolve and improve. In 1902, the British government developed a new smokeless powder called Cordite, which was made from nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, and mineral jelly. Cordite was more powerful and stable than previous smokeless powders and was used in many of the firearms of World War I, including the Lee-Enfield rifle and the Vickers machine gun.

The Future of Smokeless Gunpowders

In the years following World War I, smokeless powders continued to be refined and improved upon. Today, there are many different types of smokeless powders on the market, each with its own unique properties and characteristics. Some are designed for use in handguns, while others are specifically formulated for use in rifles or shotguns.

Overall, the development of smokeless gunpowder has played a significant role in the evolution of firearms and has had a major impact on warfare and hunting. It has allowed for the development of more powerful and accurate firearms, and has made it possible to reduce the amount of smoke and residue produced during firing, improving visibility and reducing the risk of respiratory problems for shooters.

Charter Arms Chic Lady Revolver Review

The time for women to prioritize their security and safety is already overdue. One of the most effective way for women to protect themselves is unarguably firearms. Manufacturers have got the hint and have started designing models focused on woman and have started garnering a good deal of adoration. As we review the Charter Arms Chic Lady pink revolver keep in mind what is important to you.

Over the past couple of years, Charter Arms has been cranking out many varieties of finishing options on their compact revolvers. Their ‘pink lady’ has more than attracted favor from the female users. The latest variation is known as the ‘Chic Lady’. Ladies undoubtedly will like the pink color.

What Do You Get?

Ignoring any frills it may have been pampered with, Charter Arms Chic Lady .38 special is a finely crafted firearm. This double action revolver doesn’t skimp. Includes 5-shot capacity, double action, 2″ barrel, with an enclosed hammer. Constructed of aircraft grade aluminum and steel it is surprisingly light.

Chic Lady is made with stainless steel parts that are highly polished. The parts give this Charter Arms revolver a sense style and class. The grip is nothing less than exceptionally comfortable. Sporting compact synthetic rubber grips making even the small-handed users enjoy the ease of shooting.

What Are the Details of the Chic Lady?

When unloaded, it weighs in at a mere 12 ounces. Even being classified as lightweight it still provides impressive stopping power. The single-action pull weighs just a couple of ounces over four pounds. The double-action pull is smooth, with a pull weight of barely over ten pounds. Charter Arms Chic Lady revolver comes with a barrel which is slightly just under two-inches in length with the barrel-cylinder gap measuring four one-thousandths of an inch.

In Summary

People agree Chic Lady is a superb compact revolver would work perfectly in a pocket or purse. The enclosed hammer will never snag on material, according to Charter Arms. Be at ease knowing that you have the right tool close by whenever you need it. Many women are looking for the constant peace of mind and or personal protection wherever they go. Chic Lady’s ease of conceal and carry hit the nail on the head for the woman market.

In conclusion, if you are a lady who wants something flashy and different. Chic Lady is the revolver to keep in mind. It could also a gift for a female friend which could prove really useful when the violator strikes. Security and safety is chambered in .38 with the Charter Arms Chic Lady.

What To Look For In A Shooting Range

Lining up the sights and steadying your breathing, you consciously adjust your stance and your hold on the gun. With steady and deliberate pressure, your finger moves the trigger rearward…

The hole appears pretty much where you thought it would. Right through the 8-ring on a cardboard target about twenty feet away.

“Yawn.” Is this what shooting is all about? I joined this range to punch paper? Is there nothing else to do?

If you haven’t had those thoughts about the range that you joined or are afraid that you might start feeling that way about a shooting range that you are considering, let me ease some of those concerns and even present you with a few that you haven’t thought of yet while considering membership at any shooting facility.

Types Of Ranges

In the simplest of concepts, shooting ranges can be either indoor or outdoor facilities. Which is better? Neither. Each has it’s own set of pros and cons to consider:

Indoor Ranges

Indoor ranges are protected from the elements as well as extremes of hot or cold.
Indoor ranges tend to have tighter restrictions on types of firearms used.
Some indoor ranges require that you purchase ammunition from them directly.
Indoor ranges can be more of a controlled atmosphere in terms of safety rules.
A shooter can find that popular ranges may have wait times or require prior scheduling in order to reserve a slot—and limit the amount of time spent shooting.

Outdoor Ranges

Outdoor ranges can be hot, cold, wet, dry, buggy, humid and unpredictable day to day.
Many outdoor ranges adopt more of a “self policing” attitude when it comes to rules and regulations.
Outdoor ranges will generally have more to offer in terms of types of shooting and shooting disciplines.
Rarely are there long wait times and few restrictions on the types of firearms or calibers used.

Combo Ranges

Combination indoor/outdoor ranges can offer the best of both worlds and none of the drawbacks…within reason.

Just as you would make your decision about what firearm to purchase based upon what you intend to do with it, so will you make your decision on which range to join. What kind of shooting do you intend to do—or more importantly—what kind of shooting seems interesting to you?
A range known for it’s massive, rolling fields of sporting clays may not be the best choice for someone who just wants to learn to use a handgun for home defense. Then again, a small indoor, eight-port range in the back of a gun shop would not be the place to join in order to learn trap shooting or high-powered rifle.

If possible, keep your mindset on looking for something that is “general purpose”. Locally or economically this may not be possible, but sometimes it’s worth a little mileage on the car or a little more out of your wallet per year to embrace your opportunities that might be a little farther away or a little more expensive. What I mean by general purpose is a good mix of disciplines available like handgun, rifle and shotgun sections, “multi-use” areas (meaning you can shoot just about anything on them, sometimes called “pits”) and a well-rounded calendar full of special events, learning opportunities (clinics), competitions and lots of daily open access.

“I don’t give a rats a$$ about all that stuff. I just want to shoot my handgun as often as I can at paper.”

And that’s just fine if that’s what you want—but are you sure you’ll feel that way in the future? Once you get used to shooting, you will begin to start craving more difficult challenges and different experiences than can be met by allowing the target carriage pull your target farther and farther away from you in a straight line. One discipline sounds great in the beginning, but that changes pretty fast after a little while. Better to have the opportunity to expand and not use it, then to be roped into a contract and no way out when you want to move beyond paper punching and nothing else is available.

So What Kind Of Activities Might Be Available?
Here are just some of the activities that are available at general purpose shooting ranges…
Shotgun: Skeet shooting, trap shooting, 5-stand, sporting clays.
Rifle: High Power 900, bench rest, silhouette rifle, muzzleloader silhouette.
Pistol: Steel challenge, USPSA, Bullseye, IPSC, bowling pin shoots.
Multiple: Cowboy action shooting, 3-gun.

Now many new shooters or inexperienced shooters may read the above list and think that none of those activities are for them because they have no clue what they are about or the rules and equipment involved. That right there is the beauty of joining a general purpose and diversified range. Literally all you need to do is show up at one of these events and you will find dozens of participants who would love nothing more than to tell you and show you all you need to know about “their” sport. It’s truly uncanny the outpouring of support that you will receive. That’s just the way shooters are.

Sometimes you will even find that ranges will hold special event days to teach you the rules and regs of each type of sport—usually free of charge—in the hopes that you will gain interest and come give it a try.

What else am I looking for in a range?
Some more important factors to consider when making a decision on which range to join:

Is the cost based on a yearly membership or do you have to pay every time you go? I am a fan of yearly memberships if you plan on becoming a good shooter. If your plan is to go once every 6 months—you’re not going to become a good shooter.
If it is a yearly membership, do you ALSO have to pay every time you go? This is just all around bad. This was a trend a few years ago with smaller “slot only” ranges and many of them used to also make you buy their ammo. Ripoffs.
Again, if it’s a yearly membership, is there a capital contribution fee? This can be common with larger ranges with lots to offer. Your yearly membership goes towards upkeep, cleaning, taxes and general maintenance. The capital contribution fee is usually a one-time fee upon joining that the club uses to bring in new construction, better facilities and new equipment.
Is there 24 hour access to the range? If not, will the open hours accommodate your schedule? Remember—weekends will be much more crowded than weekdays.
Does the range offer gun rentals? Usually the facilities associated or built within a gun shop will allow you to try different guns (for a fee) and different types of ammo (with purchase) in their range. This is a great opportunity to try before you buy, but do remember that these “loaner guns” have probably been beat to hell by the time you shoot them and do not necessarily represent the brand, make or manufacturer fairly.
Do you have to buy their ammo to shoot. If you do, walk out.
Are there firm restrictions on reloaded ammo, calibers, types of firearms, etc…
Is the cost fair and on par with what the club has to offer?
Does the facility offer comforts like clean restrooms, an air conditioned lounge or clubhouse, meeting facilities, special events, competitions, instruction/classes and adequate seating areas?

Probably most importantly in making your decision would be to join a range not based on what your skill level is at in the beginning. Research the club—visit if possible. See the grounds and talk to management. Ask questions and get interested. Only then can you really decide what will be best for you and your family…oh yeah, you might be surprised how many friends and family members come out of the woodwork and tell you how they’ve always wanted to try shooting…now that you belong to a range.

Harrington & Richardson Pump Review

One of our honorable mentions is the Harrington & Richardson (H&R) pump action shotgun. This is a very basic, entry-level machine for tossing shells and a great starter for youth shooters or those who are grossly uninformed about shotgunning.

We’ve used several H&R slug guns and couldn’t be happier with them, so it seems like the company knows what they’re doing when it comes to firearms. When you head to the gun shop to test out this beauty, keep in mind the old saying: You get what you pay for.

The H&R pump comes with some pretty standard features that you would expect from any shotgun, only a little less of it. We understand that accessories for the H&R can be hard to come by, but keep in mind that some of the Browning bits and pieces will fit it (just make sure you check carefully before buying anything).

If you’re buying for a youth, then definitely go with the 20 gauge and you may want to consider replacing the recoil pad with one that possesses a little more cushion to it. This is a good gun to “grow into” for any young person, but do take those extra steps to manage the recoil. A compact version is also available with a shorter barrel and length of pull to accommodate young people or smaller framed men and women.

The Harrington & Richardson Pump is available in several different configurations including a turkey gun, trap gun, synthetic “protector” (which would be great for home defense at that price point) and a compact gun.

Honorable Mention in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison

Maverick 88 Review

We promise to resist the urge and call the “more-plastic-than-I-am-comfortable-with” Maverick, Mexico’s answer to the polymer pistol. So sit down and keep on reading.

What we will say, in the hopes of reassuring you, is that many of the parts are only made in Mexico, and the gun is actually assembled in Texas. Assembled by none other than Mossberg, despite the fact that the shotgun is rarely advertised as such.

While the Maverick 88 isn’t necessarily the gun you would feel most assured taking into the field with you on a hunt, it is something that you should probably consider when it comes to home defense. Nothing like the sound of the “Ka-CLACK” from a pump-action shotgun to put things into perspective for a would-be burglar or home invader.

Can it be relied on to fire? Yes. It comes with all the basics that you need, front bead sight, 6 round/5 round capacity for 2-3/4”/3” shells, dual extractors, easy to field strip and one of the best features is that the gun is fully interchangeable with Mossberg 500 barrels and choke tubes. It is rumored that some of the plastic internal parts are also interchangeable with MB 500 parts, but why bother spending the cash to do so when you could have just bought a MB 500?

The Maverick 88 is an inexpensive shotgun, so don’t wrinkle your nose when you consider the home defense implications for under $200. Why spend 3x that amount for a gun that’s going to just sit in your gun safe in the closet forever? You can outfit the 88 with a pistol grip and a holographic red dot or a mounted flashlight and a laser combo and then it becomes one sweet little “opinionated purpose gun”.

Honorable Mention in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison

Weatherby PA-08 Review

The Weatherby PA-08 presents beautifully and has a great feel to the gun. The walnut forend and stock is pretty top notch, lending a much higher-end display that one would see on a shotgun at twice the price range.

We didn’t have very high hopes for this Turkish gun, but it shot every shell reliably, which was enough to help us consider the fact that it could be on par with manufacturers more known for their high-quality shotguns.

The Weatherby PA-08 is definitely on the lighter side of the scale, making it an option for young or female shooters. But on the other hand, the PA-08 is also good for more experience shooters when you consider the recoil you’ll feel from such a light gun. Our shooting tests were somewhat problematic in that we were surprised by how poorly the firearm performed at targets.

After a couple rounds of clay birds that laughably escaped their intended destruction, and the assumption that we was having an “off day” or that the noticeably heavy trigger was “messing” with us, we brought the gun over to one of our outdoor patterning lanes. The result, despite trying three different kinds of 2-3/4 shells from different manufacturers, offered poor results all around. Now is it possible that the shotgun was defective and in a state of disrepair? Sure. There are endless Weatherby PA-08 reviews that never mention any issues of accuracy. It is even more than possible that the issues were due to a broken choke tube.

However, others who own and use the shotgun for everything from pheasant and chukar hunting to filling deer tags, have only good things to say, the Weatherby PA-08 is definitely worth the consideration of comparison and purchase.

Available in 12 gauge, synthetic stock or walnut stock and standard chokes.

Honorable Mention in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison

Ithaca 37 Review

The Ithaca 37 has got quite a name and reputation behind it: many years of solid craftsmanship, care of design and innovative manufacturing. The look and feel in some ways surpassed the upper-deck Remington and a high-end discontinued Winchester model that we shall not name for fear of sending some readers sobbing from the room in fond memories of a gun gone by. Above all, the Ithaca 37 was a great shotgun.

But then they went out of business and were bought by another company, moved to Ohio, and proceeded to put out less gun for more money (don’t believe us? Go check out some gun auction websites and look up “classic” or “vintage” Ithaca model 37’s and see what they go for). Now, it’s not that the current 37 is a bad gun, it’s just that it’s not as good of a shotgun as it should be or could be for the price you’ll pay.

The look and feel of the gun is just okay. The 37 has a slightly dated design and the occasional feel of less than sturdy action. Sometimes simply running a finger along the metal edges can reveal some milling issues.

This gun shoots great and will surly hit your target. There are also several different barrel sizes available. This is also one of the few shotfuns in the top ten pumps that come in 16 and 28 gauge, which is preferable for customers who want those options. The Ithaca 37 is pretty light, even with the longer barrel options, so watch the recoil or invest in one of their higher-end recoil pads.

We really wanted to be more fond of this shotgun. It’s got a great name, but it’s a lackluster product that we still can’t find enough fault in to rank lower than #6. This gun simply leaves us wanting a little more. Hopefully they can pull it together, even at the existing price point, and give us the high-quality gun we are paying for.

Ranked #6 of 7 in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison

Mossberg 500 Review

At the absolute halfway point between the best of the best and the worse of the best, we casually trip over the Mossberg 500, pump action. Such subtle differences in all these models/manufacturers make this a grueling task because all these guns are excellent.

The Mossberg 500 shares many of the same features and attributes of its cousins from different manufacturers This series has a diverse array of barrel and finish options as well as sighting options, but we will focus on the “all purpose” for this review. Chambered for up to 3” shells in 12 gauge, 20 gauge and .410 bore (.410 uses the 2.5” shells).

What’s interesting about the Mossberg 500 shotgun is the fact that, while many different manufacturers have replaceable barrels available for different kinds of shooting (field, turkey, waterfowl, slug, etc.), very few offer anything remotely similar to the Mossberg “LPA Trigger system”. Standing for “Lightning Pump Action,” this is a user-adjustable poundage adjustment with zero creep before the break. Now this is a rarity in the shotgun world and makes a huge difference in the ball game. As mentioned, the other companies can tell you all they want about which barrel is for what kind of shooting, but not many can stand behind the fact that there is an adjustable trigger to back that up and truly change the style of shooting that you can do with but a twist of a screwdriver – that’s pretty remarkable.

We like the idea of hitting the trap field one day and really yanking on that gun to watch the clays explode and then dial it back a little to a much lighter trigger to pop off that gobbler at twenty yards. Wouldn’t you? This is a great gun and we would look for this to be studied and duplicated in the near future.

Also out of the box is an included gun lock and a ten-year warranty.

Ranked #5 of 7 in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison

Remington 870 Express Review

You are probably wondering how we could put the 870 Wingmaster in the top slot and kick the 870 Express down to fourth place. And believe us, we get it, but there are some major differences to contend with here.

This Remington 870 shotgun shoots great. There is nothing wrong with the Express, as it is just as ergonomically fitting, just as reliable and just as accurate as the Wingmaster. However, there are still a lot of accessories out there for it, both standard and aftermarket. These accessories turn the 870 from factory to an upland bird gun to a high-tech tactical to a nightmarish zombie gun. That’s why this gun is so great.

Let’s look at some realities here. The Wingmaster typically retails at around $800 or more new, which is a nice chunk of change to fork out for any pump scattergun, especially considering that a new semi-auto Swiss-cheese maker is just a touch more above that. The cost of a new Remington 870 Express? Around four-hundred bucks or less.

If the Wingmaster is the candle at which we are going to hold this gun to, then we must, by comparison, say that the feel of the gun could be that of slightly lesser quality; however this gun doesn’t feel the slightest bit cheap.

The finish is not as crafted as the WM and there tends to be a little more “rock” in the forend (meaning left and right as opposed to forward and back). But honestly, that’s really it as far as major differences. We’ll just call it “no frills”.

The Remington has the ability to shoot both 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells, available in 12 or 20 gauge, vent ribbed barrels (bead sighted) and the ability to accept any 870 aftermarket product out there today.

Think of it as a Remington 870 Wingmaster-lite.

Ranked #4 of 7 in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison