The Gun Dude

Welcome to the Gun Dude's Den!

How to Choose a Shooting Range

Where you choose to shoot can affect your personal safety and the amount of fun you have when you go shooting. It's important to select a good, safe, place to shoot. Here are some tips:

How to Choose a Shooting Range

Photo by: By Ratha Grimes from Sarasota, FL, United States (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

A Guide to .22 Caliber Target Pistols Under $500

Every shooter needs a decent .22 caliber target pistol. A good .22 can make shooting economical and really help you improve your marksmanship. There are five popular .22 target pistols to choose from and all cost less than $500. Here is a guide:

A Guide to Affordable .22 Caliber Target Pistols

Why would anyone want an AR-15?

People who are unfamiliar with guns and who are intimidated by the tactical-style rifles often ask:
Why would anyone want an AR-15? However, it's actually the most popular rifle style in the United States today. If you are wondering why, read on -
Why Buy an AR-15 Assault Rifle?

The Pros and Cons of a .38 Revolver

Bang. Bang. Simple. It's the venerable .38 caliber revolver. It's easy to understand and operate. But, you are limited to six shots. A recent home invasion case in Georgia illustrated the advantages and disadvantages of a .38 revolver:

Pros and Cons of a .38 Revolver Shown in Georgia Home Invasion

What's Best for Home Defense? A Pistol, Shotgun or Rifle?

It's always tough to choose a firearm for home defense. New shooters often wonder what kind of firearm is best for defending their castle. Should they get a pistol, a shotgun or a rifle?

Here's my take:
Should I Choose a Pistol, Shotgun, or Rifle for Home Defense?

The Great Gun Buying Frenzy of 2012

By http://flickr.com/photos/glasgows/ (http://flickr.com/photos/glasgows/432945997/) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

With the re-election of President Obama, many firearms enthusiasts are buying guns before gun control legislation is enacted. There is already talk of a renewed assault weapons ban and other measures. For information about the previous assault weapons ban and the guns that might be affected by a future ban, check out my article:

The Gun Buying Frenzy of 2012: The Rush to Buy Firearms Before It's Too Late

Which is better a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol?

For self-defense, should you choose a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol? It's an age-old question for defensive shooters around the world. The revolver offers simplicity and reliability while the semi-automatic has an edge in concealment, ammunition capacity, and some aspects of ergonomics. I've written this article to help you choose between a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol:

Should You Choose a Revolver or Semi-Automatic Pistol for Self-Defense?

Image: By Avicennasis (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Can an Armed Citizen Stop a Shooting Spree?

After the madness in Aurora, Colorado, many people are asking the question: Could Someone with a Gun Have Stopped the Shooting Spree?

It's a tough question. The scene was crowded and chaotic. The shooter was clad in bulletproof attire and spraying a large volume of lead around the theater. However, armed citizens have decisively stopped other shooting sprees. For more information, read my article:

Can an Armed Citizen Stop a Shooting Spree?

What Caliber is Best? .45ACP, .40 S&W or 9mm

Spent .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and 9mm shells (left to right)

It's the never ending argument: Which handgun caliber is best for self-defense? The three most common self-defense handgun caliber choices are the venerable .45ACP, the new .40 S&W, or the European classic 9mm Luger. I take on the topic in my article:

Which Handgun Caliber is Best for Self-Defense?

Photograph By Mike Brown (UNHchabo) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

How about an arsenal of fun?

Even though I live in a teeming hive of scum and villainy, it's not a good idea to dwell on the negativity all the time. As a recreational activity, shooting isn't all about fighting criminals, zombies, foreign invaders, ninjas, or the storm troopers for the new world order. Instead, take a deep breath and focus on building up a collection of fun guns like this Ruger Bearcat .22 revolver. Read more in my article:

The Arsenal of Fun: a Guide to .22-caliber Firearms for Target Shooting Fun

Pondering a Concealed Carry Permit

If you live in a teeming hive of scum and villainy, you might want a good blaster by your side. But, choosing a concealed carry handgun is a big decision. Here is how you might choose a handgun for concealed carry:
How to Choose A Handgun For Concealed Carry

Of course, that's not all to consider:
Additional Factors to Consider when Buying A Concealed Carry Handgun

Photo: By Ken Lunde [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons
http://lundestudio.com/2008SHOTShow/

A Review of My New .22!

I recently bought a Henry Repeating Arms, Co., Lever-Action .22 Rifle. So far it's been a great gun with attractive styling, accuracy, and a fair price. It's hard to believe that it is made in America! Here's my complete review:

Rifle Review: Henry Repeating Arms .22 Caliber Lever Action Rifle

I look forward to shooting it for a long time.

Buying A Gun At Walmart

Walmart recently announced that they would be returning to the basics that made their stores successful. Those basics include guns! As a long-time Walmart shopper, I decided to support their decision by buying a firearm from them. If you've ever wondered what it is like to buy a gun at Walmart, this article is for you:

Buying A Gun At Walmart

It was a fairly straight forward transaction and I got a great deal on a new .22!

The Innovative Revolvers For the 21st Century

Can you believe the revolver is still with us in 2010? With all the polymer, wonder-nine, compact semi-automatic pistols in the marketplace, you'd think the revolver would fade away. But, in 2010, there are lots of innovative revolvers. Here is a run down of what I think are the three most innovative revolvers in the firearms marketplace:

Three Innovative Revolvers For 21st Century Shooters.

Ever Shoot A Big Honking Pistol?

One of my most memorable trips to the range was with a friend's .44 Magnum Desert Eagle. The Desert Eagle was intimidating for the shooter, but it was a total blast to shoot.

Shoot Memories: The Magnum Research .44 Magnum Semi-Automatic Pistol

Secrets to Saving Money At A Gunshow

The Gundude has walked in and out of many a gunshow without blowing all of his money. Now, you can get his secrets for free. In this article, I outline seven ways to avoid spending money at a gunshow.

7 Ways to Avoid Spending Money At A Gunshow

Seven Ways To Save Money Shooting!

This economy is tough. It's a challenge to pursue hobbies and happiness when times are tight. However, there are still ways to go shooting and economize. For example, you can switch to a .22, you can shoot BB guns or pellet guns, you can reload, and you can push away gun lust and shoot the guns you already have. If you want to save money and continue to go shooting, check out my article:

Shooting For Cheap: Seven Ways For Shooters To Save Money

You can even save money here with my free rifle targets. If you're a cheap bastard who likes to go shooting, I've got you covered.