How to Get Involved in Competitive Shooting Sooner or later, most firearm users encounter the concept of competing against other forces. Hunting is competition against nature, combat is competition against other humans or against predators, while sporting competitions are a low-stakes way to test your own mettle. Come last in a competition, and nothing is lost…
The Firearms of Modern Hollywood Over the last two decades, there has been a rising trend in modern Hollywood blockbusters; action films are bigger than ever. With the ever-growing popularity of franchises such as the Marvel franchise, the DC Comics franchise, the Bourne Trilogy, and the Taken movies, and combining them with several excellent films…
21st Century Action Heroes and Their Firearms It’s difficult to say exactly when stories of vigilante justice became part of the cultural zeitgeist. As early as the 13th century, the legend of Robin Hood told stories of justice in an unjust world, and broadcast radio brought heroes like Zorro and the Lone Rangers into homes…
The 70s and 80s: Firearms of the Anti-Hero and Action Stars Guns really took center stage in 1970s-80s action movies. Often, they were upgraded from the more realistic models mentioned in books to bigger, flashier, more powerful models. For example, in Death Wish (1974), a .32S&W kit gun became a large frame .44 Magnum. The…
50s & 60s: Firearms During a Cinematic Era This month I want to dive into the important role that firearms played in the cinematic era of the 1950s and 60s. The birth of gritty westerns, countless war movies, and TV shows filled the living rooms of America. TV shows like the Lone Ranger, Rawhide, and…
Famous Gunslingers and Their Weapons in the Wild West We all have fond memories of playing Cowboys and Indians as children, but when it comes to the real-life thing, it was quite different than the lighthearted childhood game we reminisce on. The Wild West during the 19th century involved large open deserts and prairies, which…
The Evolution of Firearms in the Wild West This month I want to talk about America’s trek west and how it jumpstarted the evolution of firearms as we know them today. Early Expansion West When our early ancestors and settlers made it to the new world, they brought with them flintlock rifles and pistols. The…
Famous Female Gunslingers of the Old West Ask anyone to name a famous female gunslinger from America’s Old West, and you’re very likely to hear ‘Annie Oakley’ before you even take your next breath. Her notoriety is well deserved, and her achievements are more than well-documented. As a star attraction in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West…
Financial Planning for Veterans: Navigating Benefits, Savings, and Investments United States culture, in the mainstream, regards veterans favorably. The choice to serve in the military is respected, and that turns into a pretty decent support network compared to other parts of the world. For all the complaints about Veterans Administration and other support institutions, the…
Service Dogs for Veterans If you’ve never spent time with a service dog, it may sound like an exaggeration when people tell you that these animals have superpowers. But rest assured that service dogs have superpowers in spades! Professional service dogs can detect when their owners are anxious or suffering from a physical ailment and…