Using the .22 LR as a defensive round isn’t without its controversy. It’s not the best round for defensive use, and it’s not a subject most need to worry about. I dove into this list to find the best .22 LR handguns for defensive use regardless of the controversy surrounding the round. By the time you leave this article, you’ll know all about the 22LR for defensive use and the best .22lr pistols for defensive use, and how to choose your own. 

The Issue With .22 LR As a Defensive Round

There are a few different issues with using the .22 LR as a defensive pistol. The primary reason why .22 LR is a rough choice for self-defense is the rimfire ignition, which fails more often than centerfire, making rimfire guns inherently less reliable than centerfire guns. Another issue is the very small and light projectile propelled at a fairly slow foot per second rate, which doesn’t equal a lot of penetration or energy on target. While .22 LR defensive rounds aren’t common, they are growing in popularity. Although it’s not optimum, there are situations where the .22 LR is the only option.

When .22 LR Is Acceptable

Everyone should be afforded the protection and guarantee of the 2nd Amendment. This includes people who have weak hands that could be ravaged by arthritis or other disabilities. For example, an older lady in a concealed carry class couldn’t handle a 9mm or even a 380 ACP but shot her .22 LR revolver like a pro and had used it to defend herself years before.

In certain situations, the .22 LR is the only viable choice. Though calibers like the 25 ACP and 32 ACP exist, their ammo is expensive, and the guns are rare. While I’d always suggest trying a more capable round, sometimes the .22 LR is the only option.

Considerations for a Defensive .22 LR

Defensive .22 LR use means addressing the weaknesses of the .22 LR round and embracing its strengths. Addressing the firearm’s weaknesses is the most critical factor in success with a .22 LR. The primary concern is reliability and ignition due to the rimfire priming system, so we need to find extremely reliable firearms.

Revolvers are the simplest option for self-defense, as they allow the shooter to just press the trigger again if a round fails to fire, giving them another chance. Since the .22 LR struggles with penetration and expansion, the firearm should be easy to make follow-up shots with. Thankfully, the low recoil makes follow-ups easier. Lastly, the weapon should offer substantial capacity, as more rounds may be necessary when using a .22 LR, making efficient capacity an important feature.

How I Chose the Best 22LR Handguns For Defensive Use

As a former Marine with over two decades of tactical experience, I’ve handled my share of firearms, including .22 LR handguns. This time, I set out to find the best .22 LR handguns for self-defense, focusing on key factors like shootability, reliability, ergonomics, accuracy, and value.

Before compiling this list, I also considered a few important factors that make the .22 LR suitable for defensive use. While I always recommend a more capable round, I understand that the .22 LR is the best—or only—option for some. With that in mind, I focused on reliable, easy-to-handle firearms, especially for those with limited hand strength or experience with larger calibers. Given the small size of the round, I also prioritized guns with higher capacities to ensure enough rounds if needed.

The handguns listed are ones I’ve personally tested, along with suggestions from my shooting buddies, who are pros in the field. I didn’t just test these on the range but also took them outdoors to see how they held up in tougher conditions.

Though I’ve ranked these handguns from 1 to 7, the list is designed to suit different needs. I also included a buyer’s guide to help you understand what to look for when selecting a .22 LR handgun for self-defense.

Ultimately, finding the right .22 LR handgun is a personal choice. Read the review, try different models, and choose the one that fits your needs best.

Best 22LR Handguns For Defensive Use

BEST 22LR HANDGUNS FOR DEFENSIVE USE

1. Colt King Cobra
2. Ruger LCP 2 22 LR
3. SIG P322
4. Ruger LCR 22LR
5. Walther PPK/s .22LR
6. FN 502
7. Taurus TX22 Compact

Best Defensive 22LR Handguns Specs

Below is a list of our Best Defensive 22LR Handguns. So we can compare and line up the specs for each of the products and help you make the best decision possible.

Best Defensive 22LR Handguns Reviews

Now that we’ve had an overview and looked at our list, let’s take time to individually review each item. In this section we’ll be revisiting our specs, speaking about the product, and looking at the pros and cons.

Best 22LR Handguns For Defensive Use – Buyer’s Guide

There are lots of myths regarding using the .22 LR for self-defense, and the most prominent and foolhardy myth is that the .22 Lr will bounce around. The myth states the .22 LR will destroy the insides of a person because it bounces around and shreds them. 

This simply isn’t true. Bullets can deflect inside the body, but they rarely do so dramatically, resulting in major damage to the internal organs. The design and slow-moving .22 LR are likely to smash into bone and crush due to the soft projectiles most .22 LRs have. 

Don’t rely on the .22 LR to bounce around to stop a threat.

Proper Ammo Prevents Poor Performance 

Think of the humble .22 LR like any other round on the market. Your training ammo and defensive ammo shouldn’t be the same thing. Having super cheap training ammo is a huge benefit to the .22 LR, but that cheap, bulk pack stuff doesn’t make for the best defensive ammo. It’s cheap for a reason, and while it’s fine for the range, it’s not as reliable, accurate, or fast as good-quality ammo. 

The best choice would be purpose-built defensive ammo from a reliable manufacturer. Federal Punch, for example, is engineered for short-barreled handguns and can penetrate reliably to the FBI standards. Winchester makes some dedicated defensive rounds that look promising as well. 

If those are tough to find, the CCI Mini Mags are a good choice and are a premium grade round. However, it’s not designed for defensive use. 

Semi-auto owners need to get practice and ensure their ammunition works perfectly in their guns. Some semi-auto guns tend to be more finicky with certain ammo types, and it’s critical you find what works with your individual gun. 

Train, Train, Train 

Remember how I mentioned cheap ammo? Well, one of the big benefits of the .22 LR is the low price of ammunition. With such a low price, you have no excuse to get out there and train. Since you’re using a .22 LR, every shot counts, and you need to learn how to put those shots where they count. 

Get out there and practice more than marksmanship. Practice fixing malfunctions in an automatic, practice reloads, and make sure you know your gun inside and out. That’s sound advice for any concealed carrier, but with a .22 LR pistol, you have to really make it count. Little bullets with poor energy transfer, suboptimal penetration, and limited expansion require lots of practice. 

Dry Fire Training 

Speaking of training, let’s address dry fire. The unique nature of rimfire pistols requires your firing pin to align with your breach face, and sometimes dry fire can cause the firing pin to strike this breach face. This might break the firing pin. Here’s the thing, some rimfires can dryfire forever and not have issues. Others might break. Some companies advise that dry fire is completely fine. Others say it’s not. 

First, address your manual. What does it say? It should let you know if dryfire will be an issue or not. If you can’t find a definite answer or the manual says not to dry fire, don’t fret. Purchase snap caps. These dummy rounds give the firing pin something to hit safely without the risk of damage. 

Snap caps are super cheap and perfect for dryfire training. 

Carry A Spare 

When it comes to carrying a semi-auto .22 LR, you should seriously consider carrying a spare magazine. It’s not because you might run out of ammo. It’s because of the higher probability of a malfunction with .22 LR semi-automatic weapons. You may need to drop the magazine to clear a malfunction, and it’s easier to let it hit the ground and reload with a fresh one than try to juggle a magazine as you fix a malfunction. 

The Wee Little .22 LR 

Can the .22 LR be used for defensive shooting? Yep, of course. Is it optimum? No, but it’s useable. You have to approach the subject intelligently and focus on how to deal with the downsides of the .22LR as a cartridge. When approached correctly, you can certainly be successful and get a heckuva nice gun in the process. 

What should I look for in a .22 LR self-defense handgun?

When picking a .22 LR handgun for self-defense, focus on reliability and comfort. You want a smooth, consistent trigger and a size that feels good in your hand. An adjustable rear sight can also be a big help, allowing for more accurate shots—something important since the .22 LR doesn’t have the stopping power of larger calibers.

How does the .22 LR compare as a defense round?

The .22 LR doesn’t pack the same punch as centerfire rounds like 9mm or .45 ACP, meaning it delivers less force on target. But it’s still a viable option if you can place shots accurately, especially if larger calibers are too much to handle. For some, it’s a manageable and effective choice for self-defense.

Are adjustable rear sights necessary on a .22 LR?

While not a must, adjustable rear sights can really improve your accuracy, especially at varying distances. In a defensive situation, being able to fine-tune your aim could make a big difference, given the .22 LR’s limited stopping power.

Are there self-defense handguns designed specifically for .22 LR?

Yes, there are self-defense-focused .22 LR handguns out there. The KelTec CP33 and Ruger LCR, for example, offer features like higher capacity and reliable feeding, making them solid options. They also support accessories like lasers or optics, which can help you stay on target under pressure.

How much should a good gun cost?

The 500 dollar mark seems to be a pretty good gauge, but the Tisas Zigana PX-9 is trying to provide a good pistol for half that cost. Does it? Let’s find out.

Quick Overview

Turkish shotguns can be very hit or miss, but I’ve been surprised by Turkish handguns. They seem to be fairly solid guns sold at low prices. I’m typically attracted to Turkish pistols that replicate guns long out of production, like the Browning Hi Power.

For me, these guns are fun guns, but the PX-9 is a modern, polymer frame, striker-fired pistol that wants to be taken seriously.

Tisas, or how it’s properly spelled, TİSAŞ, is actually an acronym for Trabzon Silah Sanayi AŞ. Tisas is a Turkish firearms firm that began production of semi-auto pistols in 1993. Their imports have recently picked up after partnering with U.S. importer SDS Arms.

This has brought forth a ton of guns, including an entire series called the PX-9. The PX-9 we are looking at today is the base model. Some variants include optics ready capability, threaded barrels, and more, but this is the plain Jane option, which is also the most affordable.

Tisas has taken influence from several different firearms. The slide looks like it was ripped off of a Springfield XD. It’s blocky, kind of ugly, but perfectly functional. The gun uses a Browning short recoil operation. Unlike the XD there is no grip safety, but there is a manual frame mounted safety.

The gun uses SIG P226 magazines, but you need the newer 18 round options. The older 15 round magazines won’t fit. The PX-9 has an accessory rail and comes with interchangeable backstraps. In the box they even include an OWB polymer holster with a grip lock device. We also get two MEC-GAR magazines.

For 250 dollars on average it’s a fairly complete package.

Tisas Zigana PX-9 Features

3 Interchangeable Backstraps

Shooting Straight With the PX-9

The PX-9 comes with an adjustable rear sight which is a nice touch. I still prefer optics but the PX-9 performed quite well in the accuracy department. The front sight is a bit large, which makes it easy to see and acquire, but it also obscures smaller targets at longer ranges. This makes it tougher to place precision shots.

Head shots in an A-zone can be difficult at 15 yards since the sight is covering up so much of the target. Shots into the torso A-zone are surprisingly easy to make. The trigger surprised me. It’s super smooth and short with a nice break. It won’t disturb your sights when you’re squeezing that trigger.

At 50 yards, I could make most of my hits on an IPSC-sized steel target. It’s a big target, but it’s just iron sights, so I take that as an absolute win. It’s also fast and easy to pull for accurate and easy double-taps and longer strings of fire.

Sadly, long strings of fire become a little tougher to control. The big, heavy slide adds in additional recoil as it slams rearward. This pulls you more off target and makes your fast strings of fire disperse a little wider. It’s not going to get away from you, but it won’t have the fast back to target nature of higher-end guns.

Other than that, there are no notable shootability factors. No discomfort, no slide bite, nothing, just a little more recoil and muzzle rise than most other handguns. It reminds me of a S&W 3rd Gen gun.

Ergonomics and Grip

I was suitably impressed with the gun’s ergonomics. The polymer grip feels fantastic in my hand. It encourages a nice, high grip on the gun via the rear bottom hump of the grip and the upper overhang. A decent grip texture surrounds the whole thing, and it’s aggressive enough to keep the gun from moving in your hand.

The safety is positioned a bit like a 1911’s safety. It’s smaller, but easy to hit with your thumb and completely ambidextrous. It clicks up and down with ease and is easy to use. I don’t think a safety like this is necessary on a modern pistol, but I know some people prefer the inclusion of a manual safety.

The large slide release is quite nice, and so is the magazine release. It sticks out a fair bit from the frame, and with a quick thumb movement, the magazine flies out of the gun. Overall, the PX-9 surprised me with its capable and modern ergonomics. It’s well put together and everything works without difficulty.

I honestly wish modern gun companies would utilize a larger slide release like the PX-9. It’s a small thing, but a real standout feature on an affordable firearm.

Tisas Zigana PX-9 Pros and Cons

Does It Run?

A significant issue with inexpensive guns is their reliability. A weapon can feel good, shoot straight, and be controllable, but none of that matters if the gun can’t run. I’d rather have a reliable firearm than anything else, so does the PX-9 run? I can happily report that it does. I shot the gun’s value in ammo, which wasn’t as difficult as it sounds.

The PX-9 series didn’t choke or stutter one little bit. The PX-9 chewed through standard brass case, steel case, and jacketed hollow-points. It didn’t fail at all. Tisas made a smart move by using MEC-GAR magazines. They are extremely reliable, and magazines are often a fail point for handguns. MEC-GAR historically makes fantastic magazines.

The Tisas PX-9 scores high in reliability, impressively so. I’m not sure if it is a gun that will run after ten years of shooting, but in my testing, it works.

Additional Resources

Before you purchase your Tisas PX-9, be sure to check out the manual and cleaning video below.

The AR-15 is clearly America’s favorite rifle and, like any good rifle, the AR-15 is well-served by the presence of an optic.

However, the AR 15 optics market is flooded with options…

You can shove basically anything on there, and this can make this selection process of finding your best AR 15 optic somewhat overwhelming.

But don’t worry–I’ve got you covered. As an avid shooter and optics enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours behind various optics, testing their performance in different scenarios.

Using my knowledge, I’ve put together a list of the best optics in the market for AR-15 rifles.

I’ll guide you through this diverse landscape of optics to help you zero in on the best choice for your AR-15, be it for close-range shooting or target shooting at longer distances.

That said, most AR15 optics fall into three categories: Red Dots, Prism, and LPVOs.

So let’s take a closer look at those first.

Types of AR-15 Optics

There are a lot of different optics out there but you’ll mostly be using one of the following three types with your AR-15. Each type brings its own set of advantages, catering to specific shooting styles and preferences.

• Red dots – Red dots gain their name from the simple reticle they utilize. Most use a plain red dot that serves as your reticle although newer red dots are incorporating more complicated, multi-use reticles for a better degree of versatility. It’s a straightforward, non-magnified option that’s relatively easy to use from 5 to 200 yards or so. These simple optics can be tiny, lightweight, and have a minimal footprint overall.  Holographic optics are not technically red dots but act in the same way. They can work with a broken window and can create more complicated reticles effectively. These optics serve the same purpose as a red dot in close-range shooting.
• Prism – Prism optics are often fixed power optics between 2.5 to 6 power. These optics are more compact and lighter than variable optics and tend to be extremely durable and simplistic. Prism optics utilize etched reticles that are illuminated. The etched reticles can be more complicated with bullet drop compensators, windage adjustments, and beyond. While the illumination utilizes batteries, should the batteries die or electronics fail, the etched reticle is still visible. There are a few prism optics that are 1x models that offer their own benefits over red dots. This includes the always-on etched reticle, a clear reticle for those with astigmatism, and the ability to utilize more complicated reticles. 
• LPVOs – LPVO stands for Low Power Variable Optic. These versatile optics pack a punch and provide users with a magnification level that can range from 1x to 10x and everywhere in between. LPVOs come in various sizes, and the most common is 1-4x, 1-6x, 1-8x, and 1-10x. Most LPVOs use illuminated reticles that can act almost like a red dot at close ranges, and then the user can dial-in the magnification for longer range shots, target identification, and reconnaissance purposes. LPVOs are taking over the industry, and their versatility matches the AR 15 well. 

When putting together this list, I made sure to include something for everyone to ensure that every shooter would be able to find something that suits their style. Here’s how I went about it.

How I Set Up To Curate The Best AR-15 Optics List

As someone who’s dived headfirst into the world of AR-15 optics, I’ve written tons about these babies and had the joy of not just owning a bunch of optics but also getting some sent over by companies. Heck, I’ve even had the chance to put a few through their paces at media events – a couple of those trials convinced me to snag a few for myself!

But before I got cracking on this article, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing any gems. So, I hit up a few pals in the industry, picked their brains about sights I hadn’t laid my hands on yet, and boy, did that add some serious depth to this guide. Those discussions helped me craft a comprehensive list of top-notch AR-15 optics, all aimed at fitting different needs and preferences – ’cause let’s be real, there’s no one-size-fits-all perfect optic out there for every shooter or scenario.

So, armed with this mix of personal tests, industry insights, and a passion for all things AR-15, let’s dive into my handpicked selection. Time to explore these optics and find the ones that truly shine for different shooting styles and situations.

Best AR Optics

Budget AR Optics

Best AR Optics

Budget AR Optics

Best AR-15 Optics Spec Comparison

Budget AR-15 Optics Spec Comparison

Reviews of the Best AR-15 Optics

When looking for a rifle scope there are so many options available, so it can be hard finding the best one that suits you. But have no fear because we’ve done all of your research for you! These are our top picks in this category.
Each optics reviewed here has its own unique features that make them stand out as something worth looking into further, whether you find yourself in a place that budget isn’t really an issue or you just want something simple, check out our reviews below and find a scope that suits you.

Vortex Razor 1-10x Review

As the proud owner of the Vortex Razor 1-10x, I can confidently say it’s a game-changer in the optics world. Let me tell you why it’s right at the top of my list among AR 15 optics even compared to other Vortex optics.

From the moment I picked it up, I was struck by how it crammed 10x magnification into a frame that feels like a 1-6x. That balance of magnification and weight is a major win, especially for long-distance shooting. It’s lightweight, yet delivers incredible clarity even at maximum power. Shots beyond 500 yards? No problem. The glass quality is top-tier, keeping images sharp and clear.

The reticle really adds to its versatility. The illuminated circle and Christmas tree-style layout are perfect for drop and wind holds, making long-distance shots easier. Yet, it’s just as adaptable for close-range work. It’s not as fast as a red dot, but it’s close.

There are some minor drawbacks, like slight distortion at 1x and a snug eye box at 10x, but with practice, those become non-issues. Durability-wise, it’s built like a tank, though I wish it had exposed turrets for finer adjustments.

This is a top-tier LPVO, no doubt. It handles everything from precision to long-distance shooting effortlessly, making it a worthy investment for anyone serious about their AR-15 setup.

Check out our full review of the Vortex Razor here.

Vortex Razor 1-10x Pros and Cons

Aimpoint Comp M5 Review

I got my hands on the Aimpoint Comp M5b, and it’s a serious contender in the red dot sights arena. Aimpoint has a history of pioneering red dot optics, and the Comp M5b continues that legacy. The Comp M5b is the best red dot sight you can get your hands on. It’s earned its place high on my list of recommendations, but why isn’t it at the very top? Let me break it down.

First off, this reflex sight boasts serious innovation. Those innovative turrets designed for the 5.56’s ballistic drop? They’re a game-changer for me. Adjusting the turret for range elevates the reticle, ensuring precise compensation for bullet drop. That adaptability is invaluable in dynamic shooting situations.

Durability is a standout feature. This sight is built like a tank and designed to withstand harsh conditions, which is crucial. Pair it with a magnifier, and you’ve got extra range without compromising reliability. Plus, the battery life—5 years on a single AAA battery—gives me peace of mind in the field.

Now, the 2 MOA reticle is rock solid, versatile for close-quarter engagements and medium-range shots. But co-witnessing with iron sights felt a bit restricted, and the plastic caps on the turret adjustments can be fiddly in cold conditions.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the CompM5b screams reliability. If you’re looking for an optic that can handle extreme conditions and deliver consistent results, the Aimpoint CompM5b is a solid choice. It might not be the absolute top pick, but it’s definitely one to consider for your high-end setups.

You can read my full review of the optic here.

Aimpoint Comp M5 Pros and Cons

Trijicon ACOG 4×32 Review

Bias plays an important role in any kind of best-of list, and you should be aware of my bias. I love prisms, and I love ACOGs. After five years of carrying one in the USMC, it’s tough to convince me that the ACOG isn’t one of the best AR-15 optics ever created. Is it perfect? No, but dear lord do I love it. 

When something is tough enough to survive the abuse not only through multiple deployments called for, but from the abuse and pain an 18-year-old Private can put through it, you know it’s meant to last. The ACOG is one of the toughest optics ever created. One of the best endorsements of the optic is that time it took an AK round in Iraq and stopped the round from hitting the Marine toting the rifle. 

The ACOG is a beastly optic that also gives you enough magnification to touch targets out to 500 yards with the cheapest ammo Lake City could produce. Remember that for a large portion of the military, the first time they touch a rifle is boot camp; it’s not a wide breadth of experience, yet the majority of Marines qualify out to 500 yards without a problem. 

That’s because the ACOG is so easy to use. The built-in bullet drop compensator is tailored to take the math and guesswork out of bullet drop. Align the right line with the right range and send it! It makes those 500-yard shots in the prone surprisingly easy. 

The ACOG uses the power of the sun to keep the reticle daylight bright. Most prisms either aren’t daylight bright, or the batteries drain rapidly. The ACOG doesn’t have that problem. In fact, it can get too bright. An old Marine trick is to cover the fiber optic at the top with a bit of tape to tame the brightness. The reticle self-adjusts depending on the brightness 

That doesn’t mean it’s a free lunch. It’s the opposite, actually. The ACOG remains an expensive optic. We are looking at a price point of above a grand. That’s ridiculous for such an old optic, but the ACOG perseveres. The eye relief is abysmal, and on M16A4s, we had to use the old nose-to-charging handle method to see through the optic. 

While those problems are worth noting, there isn’t a more proven optic than the ACOG on AR-15 type rifles. 

You can read the full review of this optic here.

Trijicon ACOG 4×32 Pros and Cons

Eotech XPS3 Review

Whenever you see some super high-speed dude putting in work overseas, it seems like the Eotech XPS3, or a similar Eotech, is the go-to. I never really got it. It’s a reflex optic much like the Aimpoint T-2, with way less battery life. Why is it so popular, then my doubting self tried one, and it started to click. The Eotech uses a holographic reticle, which shrinks the battery life, but offers a few notable advantages. 

If I’m trying to use night vision and passive aim, I want an EoTech. The super crisp reticle and the absolute ton of different nightvision settings make a big difference. The reticle looks like a reticle, not a blooming dot that’s tough to see and use with any form of precision. Also, being able to hit the NV button is quite nice, and allows you to swap to nightvision instantly versus dialing in settings until one works. 

Let’s mix in a magnifier. My EoTech reticle still looks better. It’s crisper, doesn’t bloom, and generally looks a lot better than a magnified red dot. When you magnify a less-than-crisp dot, the less-than-crisp part also gets magnified. Obviously, this is less of an issue with higher quality dots, but a holographic reticle always looks fantastic when magnified. 

We are three paragraphs in, and I haven’t even discussed the benefits of the XPS3. The XPS3 is the smaller optic. It’s compact, takes up less rail space, and leaves more room for magnifiers. Some of the original criticisms of the EOtech series were the size and weight. EoTech addressed these complaints with the XPS3 without sacrificing window size. 

We get that wide-open field of view, EoTech’s popular circle-dot reticle, and clear glass. The XPS3 setup is the best EoTech yet, and once you get behind one, it starts clicking. I get the price, and I can deal with the battery life simply due to its performance. What remains confusing to me is why holographic optics are so few and far between, but then again, EoTech provides stiff competition. 

Read our full review here.

Eotech XPS3 Pros and Cons

Trijicon Credo 1-4X Review

From the moment I laid eyes on Trijicon Credo 1-4X, the glass quality blew me away. It was like switching from standard to high-definition TV. The crispness transformed my view entirely, and the generous eye box felt like a gateway to a sharper reality.

The 1-4x magnification range hits the perfect balance for me. It offers versatility without overwhelming magnification. That BDC reticle? It feels like GPS for my bullets, guiding me for those longer shots. When I zoomed in with the circular illuminated reticle on the 1-6x version, the clarity stayed intact, ensuring my aim remained true no matter the distance.

Aiming with both eyes open is a stroke of genius. Sure, it takes some getting used to, like learning a new dance step. But once I got the hang of it, my situational awareness improved, which is crucial in real-world shooting scenarios.

I do admit it’s not as forgiving as a red dot in different shooting positions, but that’s part of the learning curve. The Credo’s build quality exceeded my expectations. Made from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, this scope is rugged and ready for anything.

I ranked the Credo 5th in my Best AR-15 Optics article due to its high price, the learning curve for newcomers, and the finicky illumination in sunlight. But if you often find yourself in low-light situations, the Credo might just steal your heart.

You can read our full Trijicon Credo review here.

Trijicon Credo 1-4X Pros and Cons

Vortex Spitfire 1x Review

I’ve had the chance to put the Vortex Spitfire 1X through its paces, and it’s a standout reflex sight, especially for those dealing with astigmatism. Placing it sixth in my lineup wasn’t a knock on its quality—it’s more about how it fits my specific preferences.

What really caught my attention is its astigmatism-friendly design. Unlike many red dot sights, the etched reticle gives a crisp sight picture that’s a game-changer for shooters with astigmatism. While I don’t struggle with this myself, my friend who does consistently nails impressive 1.5 MOA 5-shot groups with this optic. That says a lot about its precision.

The clarity is fantastic, whether the reticle is illuminated or not. There’s no bluish tint like I’ve seen in other sights at this price point. When I turn up the brightness, especially in daylight, it really stands out. I’ve pushed the brightness settings without any flickering, which I appreciate.

The Spitfire is built to last, with a durable single-piece chassis. After several range sessions, my zero held firm without any surprises. I prefer CR123 batteries, but the AAA option is practical, and the 3000-hour lifespan on the lowest setting is impressive.

Overall, the Spitfire earns its spot for its astigmatism support, clarity, and solid construction. It’s not just reliable; it’s a must-try for anyone needing a dependable, astigmatism-friendly AR-15 optic

Read our full Spitfire review here.

Vortex Spitfire 1x Pros and Cons

REVIEWS OF OUR BUDGET AR-15 OPTICS

We have compiled the individual reviews of our suggested budget AR-15 optics below.
The pros and cons are listed for each product so you can make an informed decision on which one will work best with your shooting style!

The downside for my favorite optics on the list above is the fact they all come with a high price tag. You might not need an optic to perform to the extreme circumstances of the ACOG, the Aimpoint, or the Razor. You might need something simpler but with a more attractive price tag. Here are a few budget-friendly picks that perform well above their price points.

SIG Romeo5 Review

If you go to nearly any forum or social media source and you ask what’s the best budget red dot for an AR-15, you’ll see one optic repeatedly mentioned, the SIG ROMEO5. Yep, the same SIG that produces the famed P226 pistols and the Army’s new M7 rifle makes optics. Specifically, they make what’s easily one of the best budget optics ever created. 

Is it fancy? No. Is it packed with features? Kind of. Is it cheap? Yep. It does everything a basic red dot should. It holds zero, creates a bright and fairly crisp reticle, and it can take all the abuse and recoil you can toss at it. The ROMEO5 series are compact red dot, roughly the same size as the Aimpoint T1, which a cost that’s only a fraction of what the Swedes charge. The ROMEO5 series works with magnifiers and even under nightvision. 

With that said, the nightvision performance does not compare with higher-end optics. It just barely crosses the threshold of acceptable. However, I don’t think most people shopping for budget optics are looking at something as unbudget-friendly as nightvision. 

I’ve used a ROMEO5 as my beater optic for reviews for seven years now. It’s been zeroed and rezeroed countless times and has been used on rifles, subguns, and shotguns. It just can’t stop working. The optic works well in low light, under weapon lights, bright lights, and more. I have no major complaints about the optic when I consider the price point. 

Could the reticle be crisper? Yeah, for sure. Could the lenses ditch some of the heavy blue tint? Likely. Yet, for the price point, I’d be hard-pressed to find a better optic. The ROMEO5 remains the easy choice for those looking to save a little green while equipping their rifle with a little red. 

Read our full SIG Romeo5 review here.

SIG Romeo5 Pros and Cons

Athlon Optics Midas TSP3 Review

You know, when I delve into optics, I strive to strike that balance between quality and cost. I get it, expectations must be in line with what you’re investing, especially with optics. The Midas TSP3 by Athlon Optics, nestled snugly in the budget category, surprised me in more ways than one. Sure, it’s not going toe-to-toe with top-tier brands like Vortex or Trijicon, but for its price? It’s a game-changer.

What really blew me away was the glass clarity. After using a bunch of different optics, the clarity of the Midas TSP3 genuinely impressed me. The fully multicoated lenses deliver a clear, vivid picture, making target acquisition super easy, whether I’m shooting in bright daylight or low light. When I took it to a tactical response rifle class, the quick target acquisition from that 1MOA dot and 20MOA circle really made a difference.

It is a bit heavier, thanks to its prism-based design, but I appreciate the durability it brings. It’s shockproof and fog-proof, so it handles tough conditions like a champ. Sure, the adjustment turrets could use more distinct clicks, and not having a “go back to zero” feature might annoy some. But honestly, it holds zero like a pro.

I ranked it second in the budget category among AR-15 optics because, while it may not match the longevity of pro-grade optics, it’s a reliable option for long-range shooting that won’t break the bank.

Check out our complete review on the Midas TSP3.

Athlon Optics Midas TSP3 Pros and Cons

Swampfox Tomahawk Review

My first AR consisted of an Anderson lower and PSA’s cheapest upper circa 2015. To this day, I still have that old rifle that I ‘built.’ I own rifles that are better in every way, most accurate, more reliable, more ergonomic, but I can’t get rid of my old, poor man’s AR. I still even occasionally shoot it, and when I do, it’s with the Swampfox Tomahawk. 

The Swampfox Tomahawk was also one of my first LPVOs. It matched the rifle’s budget price point and gave me a little magnification to help me compensate for my lack of shooting skills. The 1-6X magnification got me a lot closer to the target and allowed me to punch those gongs, IPSC torsos, and FBI Q targets well enough that I began to think I was actually pretty good at shooting. 

The view through the optic is fairly clear, especially at this price point. There isn’t a lot of haze or noise, but we see chromatic aberration against white targets. At longer ranges, the clarity isn’t going to allow you to read text, but you’ll be able to see your target and make hits. The Tomahawk comes in 1-4X, 1-6X, and 1-8X 

For a budget optic, I’d stick to the 1-6X to get the best bang for your buck. A little more magnification is nice, but the downsides of cheaper optics become clearer as magnification increases. I guess you could say the downsides become clearer, while the glass becomes hazier. 

Snapping up and behind the optic is easy, and the eyebox is generous. Sadly, the reticle isn’t daylight bright; it’s daylight visible, but won’t stick out when you snap to the target. It’s workable, and its overall size helps. This is an SFP optic, so the reticle remains large at every magnification setting. The downside to that is the fact that the reticle’s MOA or BDC only works at the maximum magnification setting. 

Is it a game-changer? No, but it’s a solid budget optic that does its job well.

Read our complete review here.

Swampfox Tomahawk Pros and Cons

Best AR-15 Optics Buying Guide

Here’s all you need to know when buying your Ar-15 an optic.

Purpose – Before you even consider an optic, you need to consider what the actual purpose of your rifle is. An optic can truly change how a weapon handles and performs. Different rifles serve different purposes, and different optics do the same. 

• Home Defense – Home defense is all about close-quarters fighting, and in that scenario, the red dot rules. It’s an optic that encourages instinctive shooting, and red dots are ultra-easy to see and utilize. There is no eyebox to contend with, no scope shadow, just a red dot you put on your target and let the symphony of lead begin. 
• Hunting – Hunting optics can vary a lot depending on where you are hunting. An LPVO certainly gives you the versatility to hunt over fields, in brush conditions, up and down hills, and beyond. The various magnification levels power through every conceivable humane hunting range. Even something as small as a 1-6X is plenty capable of both reaching to some slightly farther distances and shooting up close. 
• Competing – Competition also seems to be the home of the LPVO, at least when it comes to action shooting. However, red dots and magnifiers are a close second. In the USPSA PCC competition, red dots rule, but 1X prisms are also becoming the choice of champions. 
• Duty – For duty use, there is no real right choice. Red dots are popular, prisms rule the USMC, but LPVOs seem to be taking over in the duty realm. The Marine Corps is adopting an LPVO, SOCOM adopted two of them, and numerous police forces seem to be using both LPVOs and red dots depending on the mission. 

Caliber  – The AR 15 comes in numerous calibers these days. The 223 Rem/5.56 might be the most common, but 300 Blackout, 224 Valkyrie, and the various 6.5 and 6.8 loads all have their place. They all also offer different ballistics and different effective max ranges. You can pair your caliber with your optic to maximize effectiveness. 

For example, what’s the point of a 224 Valkyrie with a red dot? The round is made for long-range performance, so a standard variable optic or an LPVO makes a good bit more sense. A 300 Blackout might be best served with a low powered prism or a red dot magnifier. 

The 5.56 being the versatile minx that it is, can use pretty much any optic and take on nearly any task you choose. However, a 10.5 inch barreled AR 15 isn’t going to give you the 500-yard performance a 20-inch barrel would. So figure out how your round performs from your chosen barrel length and consider those ballistics as well. 

Know your caliber, it’s ballistics, and what you intend to use it for. Start there and work your way to the right optic. 

The 100 Yard Line – The 100-yard line is a fictional boundary in which I believe separates the need for a magnified optic from a non-magnified optic. Inside of 100 yards, I don’t see a lot of purpose for a magnified optic. If your shooting is going to be inside of 100 yards, go with a non-magnified optic; beyond 100 yards or so, you can start considering magnification. 

Optical Clarity – Good glass is a must-have in a high-performance optic, especially in an optic with magnification. The higher the level of magnification, the better glass you need. Good glass often comes with a high price tag and from well-known and well-reputed scope manufacturers. Good glass and high optical clarity ensure your sight picture is crystal clear, and you can easily see the target you are engaging. Better yet, they allow you to see the world around them vividly and in high definition. As a hunter, I’ve seen the difference good glass can make when I’m scoping a deer. Good glass allows me to see the brown deer against the often brown background that is the fall hunting season. Low-quality glass can make that same task a muddy mess. 

Durability – Durability is a major concern for me when I choose optics. Modern optics are a combination of glass, electronics, and aluminum tubes. It’s amazing to see the difference in durability between companies using that combination of parts. Some optics are made to go to war and back, and others are barely made for a 22LR. 

Durability is one of the big factors in the price of an optic, and when you see the big price attached to something like the Vortex 1-10X or a Nightforce scope, then you have to understand that those optics are made to last. That old phrase ‘You get what you pay for’ applies to optics. In fact, it likely applies to optics more than any other object out there. 

Do you need a 2,000-dollar optic? Maybe you do, but maybe you don’t. There is no shame in spending less than 500 dollars on an optic as long as you have a relatively clear expectation of what it can do. For your average shooter, a SIG Romeo5 will likely last the life of the gun, but if you plan to invade Fallujah or walk a beat, then the Aimpoint or EOTech upgrade is well worth it. 

At a minimum, you want an optic that is water, shock, and fog proof. Beyond that, you’ll need to do individual research on who uses an optic and how it’s used. Some companies have spotless reputations, like Aimpoint, and that reputation is a good signifier of quality optics. 

Warranty – Another big deal breaker to me is a limited warranty. If the warranty lasts a year, you might as well assume that the company doesn’t stand behind their optic. Aimpoint offers a ten-year warranty, some Leupold optics give you a lifetime warranty, and some a lifetime warranty that transfers from owner to owner. Knowing that a company backs their product gives me a sense of comfort when I’m putting down hundreds to thousands of dollars. 

Remember, the best AR-15 optics depend on your specific shooting preferences, whether for quick target acquisition at close range or precision shooting at longer distances. Consider factors like magnification range, reticle type, and overall build quality to find the perfect optic for your needs. Now that you know what to look for when buying your scope, here’s how you mount it on your gun.

Mounting your Scope

When you find the right scope for your AR-15, you’ll want to mount it correctly. Don’t stress–here’s a walkthrough based on my experience mounting rifle scopes for precise shooting.

Step 1: Gather Necessary Equipment Before diving in, I ensure I have all the tools required: the rifle, the chosen scope, suitable scope rings or mounts (considering factors like absolute co-witness or riser mounts), specific screwdrivers or torque wrenches, a level for precise adjustments, and the necessary Allen wrenches.

Step 2: Prepare the Rifle Safety first—I securely place the unloaded rifle in a gunsmithing vise or on a stable shooting bench, ensuring the chamber is clear and the rifle is safely positioned for the mounting process.

Step 3: Prepare the Scope and Rings I meticulously separate and position the bottom halves of the scope rings or mounts onto the rifle’s rail or picatinny, mindful of factors like eye relief and magnification ring compatibility.

Step 4: Attach the Bottom Rings With precision in mind, I loosely attach the bottom rings to allow for easy adjustments. This initial stage is critical for achieving an ideal fit before tightening.

Step 5: Place the Scope Carefully positioning the scope into the bottom rings, aligning the eyepiece and objective lens properly, ensures a proper sight picture and accommodates the desired eye relief.

Step 6: Adjust Eye Relief Achieving the optimal eye relief is key for comfort and accuracy. I take time to adjust the scope’s position within the rings to achieve the desired eye relief for a clear sight picture.

Step 7: Level the Scope Maintaining accuracy demands a level scope. Using a reliable bubble level or scope leveling tool, I meticulously ensure the rifle and scope are perfectly aligned.

Step 8: Tighten Bottom Rings Gradually tightening the screws or bolts on the bottom rings while maintaining alignment is crucial. I apply balanced pressure to achieve a snug fit without over-tightening.

Step 9: Install the Top Rings Ensuring stability is paramount when installing the top halves of the rings. Proper alignment and a secure fit guarantee stability, especially for magnified scopes or red dot magnifiers.

Step 10: Tighten Top Rings Similar to the bottom rings, I meticulously tighten the screws or bolts on the top rings, ensuring the scope remains aligned and level for precise shooting.

Step 11: Check Alignment and Adjustments Paying attention to detail, I double-check the alignment and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the reticle is perfectly aligned, utilizing features like bullet drop compensators for enhanced accuracy.

Step 12: Final Tightening I progressively tighten the screws or bolts on the top rings, applying the manufacturer’s recommended torque specifications if available, ensuring a secure and aligned setup.

Step 13: Verify and Test Before calling it a job well done, I conduct a thorough visual inspection, looking for any signs of misalignment or instability. The final test involves taking the rifle to the range for a comprehensive test-fire to confirm accuracy and functionality across various ranges.

This step-by-step process, honed through experience and hands-on practice, ensures a meticulously mounted scope for optimal shooting performance. If you are more of a visual learner, I’ve got you covered. Below we found a video that goes through a step-by-step process in doing this process well and things to consider while mounting your scope.

Shots Fired

Optics are likely one of the biggest upgrades you can make to your rifle. It completely changes how the rifle handles, how it functions, and where it’s most effective. It’s an important choice, and in a world where optics are everywhere, you have more than a few choices. We’ve done some of the legwork for you and hopefully given you the tools to pick your own optics. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask below.

Best AR-15 Optics – FAQs

Are there budget-friendly red dot sights suitable for close-range shooting?

Yes, there are budget red dot options that cater well to close-range shooting. Brands like Primary Arms and Vortex Optics offer quality red dots at competitive prices.

Can I mount optics on an AR-15 using a Picatinny rail?

Absolutely. The Picatinny rail on an AR-15 allows for easy mounting of optics such as scopes, red dot sights, or holographic sights using compatible mounts designed for the Picatinny system.

Which optics are suitable for longer range shooting on an AR-15?

For longer range shooting, magnified optics like low power variable optics (LPVOs) or prism optics come into play. LPVOs offer variable magnification, making them versatile for different shooting distances.

Are there optics with etched reticles and clear glass for enhanced clarity?

Certainly, optics like Vortex Spitfire come equipped with etched reticles and clear glass, ensuring a crisp sight picture for precise shooting.

What considerations are essential for choosing the best AR 15 scope?

Factors like reticle focus, eye relief, and the ability to handle longer range shots are crucial when selecting the best AR-15 scopes. Optics like Vortex Strike Eagle or Primary Arms SLx are well-regarded for these features.

Can prism optics be utilized effectively for both close and longer ranges?

Prism optics, with etched reticles and illuminated options, serve well for both close-range and longer range shots due to their durability and clarity.

Are there budget red dot options with illuminated reticles for close-range shooting?

Certainly, budget red dot sights offer illuminated reticles ideal for close-range shooting without compromising on quality. While they are not the best red dot sights you can get, they will do their job well.

Pump shotguns are perhaps the backbone of the shotgun market.They offer reliable function for an affordable price while still taking on nearly every duty a shotgun might be charged with. Today we are taking a look at one of these affordable options, we will be reviewing the Savage Stevens 320 Field Combo. A combination shotgun that comes with both a 28-inch hunting barrel and an 18.5-inch security barrel.

The Stevens 320 action is a rotating-bolt pump-action, the bolt-carrier changes the linear motion of the pump into a rotating action where the bolt engages the breech of the barrel. The gun is fed from a tubular magazine that holds 5-rounds when the plug is removed.

While the 28-inch barrel has the traditional rib with a sight-bead at the front, the shorter 18.5-inch barrel has just a simple bead. The aluminum alloy receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting a sight rail to allow additional sight options.

Controlling the operation of the Stevens 320 is done using the pump, trigger, safety, and an action release located on the trigger-guard. There are sling-mounting studs on the front and back of the shotgun for those who intend on packing it very far. The synthetic furniture of the 320 is impervious to bad weather for those who thirst for the torture of waterfowling.

Savage has been around for quite some time in the American firearms market. The Stevens name comes from the late 19th century manufacturer that was later purchased by Savage. After the end of the Great War, Savage and Stevens continued making firearms as independent brands. In more recent times like the current century, Savage brought back the Stevens name, releasing several models branded so. It appears to at least the author that the Stevens name is being used to delineate between American made Savage products and foreign built Stevens models.  

The Stevens model 320 copies much of the design from the very popular Winchester model 1300 shotgun. Using the same rotating bolt design and other features of the iconic Winchester whose demise came a short few years before the Stevens 320 was released. I remember those dark times when Winchester died …

For now, the Stevens 320 shotguns are manufactured in China, and imported to the US by Savage for sale here. It’s a long way from Shandong Province to Westfield Massachusetts, but the popularity of this shotgun would suggest they are doing a good job there.

Stevens 320 Features

1 Synthetic Stock

Black matte synthetic stock

2 Rotary Bolt

Dual slide-bars and rotary bolt

4 Interchangeable barrels

Includes two interchangeable barrels: 28″ and an 18.5″

5 Magazine

Bottom-loading tube magazine, five-plus-one capacity

6 Sling

Dual Sling studs front and rear

Stevens 320: Pros and Cons

I have been pretty happy with my purchase of this gun so far. I’ve already mentioned it shoots well, and hasn’t malfunctioned a single time yet. It is affordable for even the most economically challenged amongst us, and it comes with some great features like the extra barrel, and drilled receiver. 

Honestly the only thing I could count against this little shotgun is its foreign manufacture. I don’t like sending money overseas, especially to China. But it’s become very hard not to these days as our own manufacturing industry decays.

I bought this gun for one of my boys, his curiosity for duck hunting and shooting in general made this an easy choice. After pulling the gun from the box, he excitedly put it together. It did take us a second to avoid getting the barrel and bolt locked together before fully assembled, but we figured it out. 

It took very little coaxing to get the boys out of the house to give the gun a good workout. We loaded a case of ammunition and a few boxes of clays before heading into the mountains. Over the course of several hours, the boys, my brother and myself gave the Stevens 320 a good thrashing. Using both barrels to get the whole combo experience. 

Shootability

Growing up, my little brother had a Winchester model 1300. So being a close copy the Stevens 320 was very familiar to me, which made it easy to run well. The light weight of the 320 made it easy and quick to throw left and right chasing targets. 

The longer 28-inch barrel is ideal for going after airborne targets like clays and birds. Its flat rib and bead make sighting after targets easy. The Modified choke that comes included with the gun was pretty middle of the road, which I’d expect if you are only going to include one. 

After we swapped the barrels out for the 18.5-inch Security barrel, the gun became even faster to swing, and get on targets. It was a little more sporting to go after clays with no rib under the bead, but we still had some success. The short barrel was fantastic for dumping heavy loads into close targets, It would be a great asset for bump in the night operations.

Reliability

We shot nearly half-a-case of ammo through the 320 that first trip. And we’ve shot easily another half through it since. Not once during our testing did the Stevens not function as expected. The simplicity of the pump-action manifests over and over, using a variety of ammunition of both 1-oz and various 1-⅛-oz loads. 

Ergonomics

As a bargain priced shotgun, I wasn’t expecting world class ergos. I was expecting something that most anyone could make work. And that is exactly what we experienced, between half a dozen shooters. Both my brother and I (six-footers) felt quite comfortable manipulating the 320, and the younger boys did too. Even our 12-year-old had no problem running the gun. The grip angle is comfortable and thin enough for most hands, and the foregrip is long enough that shooters of nearly any wingspan can operate it properly.

The other controls were also easy to accommodate, even for my son who happens to be wrong-handed. 

Accuracy

Shot patterns from shotguns are pretty self-explanatory. You need only try a variety of ammo until you get the pattern you desire. The only thing I would have preferred with this gun is if it had come with a choke selection instead of only one. That might make it easier to adjust the pattern for a specific purpose. 

Value

Having shot this gun quite a bit, and having spent my own money on it, I feel it is an outstanding value. If you look in the right places this gun can currently be had for as little as $220, which is a downright steal for a good gun that will likely last this kid a lifetime. I wasn’t surprised that there were a few edges that weren’t perfect, and some tool marks here and there. But it’s hard to believe they can even make money on a gun at that price until you consider it’s made in China.

We shot a bunch of Winchester Super Target 1-⅛ oz loads as well as Remington Gun Club 1-⅛ oz loads. We also shot some Fiocchi Field Dynamics 1 oz loads, all of which worked perfectly.

I would happily put a scope rail on this gun if I was going to use it for turkeys or something like that. For that I would add this EGW scope rail to mount either sights or a red dot like the Holosun 507 Comp with its ring reticle.

The sling studs make it stupid easy to attach a sling, so I would go with something like this VISM Bandolier sling. It would attach easily with its included swivels. You could also add a magazine extension like this one from Choate.

Perhaps the best way to evaluate a gun is whether you feel your money was well spent. And I for sure feel that way, and I perhaps might do it again just to have another one of these while they are so cheap.

Important Links And Manuals For Your Stevens 320

Looking for more info on the Stevens 320? Check out this video below on cleaning and maintenance for your Stevens 320:

There have been eras where the shotgun has been seen as the perfect home defense weapon, then the worst, then a not-so-bad option. Shotguns are very effective fighting weapons in close-range environments. Home defense, for most of us, is a close-range environment. Combine the two, and you will get a very simple weapon that can be had at a very affordable price.

One of the most important considerations you’ll have to make is ammo. When it comes to shotguns, it’s not as simple as finding the right jacketed hollow point and calling it a day. We want to be picky and peculiar and willing to test the ammo to make sure it’s the right choice for our shotgun. To help you find the right load, you can profit from my addiction to shotguns. 

I shoot shotguns a lot. I test various ammo types just out of curiosity. I’ve finally found a way to spread my experience and knowledge to you, the reader. 

What Makes a Good Shotgun Load? 

For a home defense load, we are specifically looking for several features. Let’s break those down. 

Buckshot – For defensive use, we want buckshot. Specifically, we want a buckshot capable of penetrating at least 12 inches through ballistic gel. The minimum size buckshot that achieves this is No. 1. We want to stay away from anything smaller than that. 

Tight Patterning – For home defense purposes, you want a pattern that tends to be tighter. Tighter patterns reduce the risk of errant pellets that could miss the target and strike a loved one. 

Low Recoil – Shotguns are not the most pleasant recoiling guns. For that reason, you want a reduced recoil load to improve control and offer faster follow-up shots. 

Sized Right – It seems pretty simple that 2.75 inches is 2.75 inches, right? Well, shotgun shells are measured after they are fired, which means the crimp is undone. Unfired shells can vary in length depending on the crimp. Shorter is better, and shorter ensures your seven-round tube can hold seven rounds. 

With that in mind, let’s talk about my favorite home defense shotgun loads.  

The Best Shotgun Shells for Home Defense 

Federal LE 2 ¾ inch 00 8 Pellet FliteControl LE133

My all-time favorite defensive buckshot load is without a doubt Federal Flitecontrol, reduced-recoil eight-pellet 00 buckshot. This combination makes for the tightest patterning load on the market with easy-to-control recoil and consistent, predictable patterns. I absolutely adore this round and keep a couple of sleeves of it on hand at all times, just in case it disappears for some reason. 

Each part of the round’s descriptor is important. The Flitecontrol wad is some kind of black magic. It encompasses the entire load of buckshot and does not separate from that load of buckshot until the wad and shot leave the barrel. This gives me the tightest patterns I have ever seen. 

At 7 yards, it creates a solid hole you’ll mistake for a slug. At ten yards, you might see a couple of pellets separate from the one big hole. At 15 yards, it’s still smaller in length than my trigger finger. Those tight patterns make me feel more comfortable using a shotgun. I know where every pellet is going, and I don’t have to worry about errant pellets missing and hitting something or someone else. 

Using eight pellets of copper-plated 00 buckshot prevents pellet deformation, which keeps pellet deformation low and ensures consistent patterns while also making sure the pellets go deep enough to matter. 

I like my shoulders enough that I don’t want to beat them up. The 1,145 FPS load ensures my shoulder remains bruise-free. More than that, reduced recoil means faster follow-up shots. How much faster? It’s easy to put two rounds into an ISPC-sized A-zone from a pump-action shotgun in less than a second. 

Keep in mind this load is specifically made for a cylinder bore barrel. Adding a choke will keep the wad from performing as intended and make the pattern wider than it should be. Federal FliteControl is worth every penny. It’s not the cheapest load, but its performance makes it an investment as far as I’m concerned. 

The Federal Flitecontrol rounds offer the tightest pattern possible with low recoil, excellent reliability, and premium components. If I could only have one option for shotgun ammo, it would be Federal LE133. 

Federal Tactical LE with FliteControl

Federal Premium No. 1 Buckshot 

When we talk about buckshot, we aren’t talking about one projectile size. Buckshot comes in various sizes, and the smaller the pellets, the more you can get in your shotgun shell. The smallest acceptable buckshot that consistently meets the FBI’s penetration requirements is Number 1 Buckshot. Number 1 has fallen out of favor, but by trigger pull No. 1 is the most efficient shotgun shell. 

While most 2.75-inch defensive buckshot shells hold nine pellets at most, the Federal 2.75-inch No. 1 load holds 16 pellets. The size difference between pellets is .03. That’s not a big jump in pellet size, but it’s a big jump in the amount of pellets you’re launching. The Federal No. 1 buckshot is designed for hunting but works quite well for defensive purposes. 

The patterns remain quite tight and consistent. At home defense ranges, there is little risk of an errant pellet. The copper-plated pellets resist deformation and help improve the overall pattern. Additionally, the smaller pellets tend to penetrate through less drywall material than 00 buckshot. 

With a velocity of 1,325 feet per second, it sits between low recoil and full-powered loads. It isn’t a shoulder thumper, but you should practice good recoil mitigation techniques. In a semi-auto shotgun, this round tends to be very pleasant to shoot and easy to handle. 

Since you have 16 pellets, you get 16 wound tracks. That provides a greater chance of the pellets hitting something vital and ending the fight quickly and efficiently. Most of us use shotguns for their one-shot stop power, and the No. 1 buckshot and its increased payload increases that chance. 

Like most Federal Premium loads, the No .1 will run like an absolute champ. It’s reliable, consistent, and capable. The downside will eb that increased recoil. You’re not just dealing with 1,325 feet power second velocity, but having to move more lead with that same velocity. 

If you don’t mind the recoil, you’re getting a premium grade, 2.75-inch load, throwing 16 pellets per trigger pull. It’s an excellent example of what a shotgun is capable of. 

Federal Premium No. 1 Buckshot

Hornady American Gunner 00 Reduced Recoil  

Hornady’s best defensive buckshot load is hidden. It doesn’t fall into the Critical Defense lineup, but in the American Gunner lineup. Hornady frustrates me because they could make a true Flitecontrol competitor with their Versatite wad, but continue to make rounds that are just a step behind in different ways. 

The American Gunner 00 reduced recoil buckshot provides a low-recoil option that uses the Versatite wad. The versatite wad acts like the Flitecontrol wad, staying with the shot until it leaves the barrel. This produces tight patterns, but due to Hornady’s frustrating design none of them work as well as Flitecontrol. 

The American Gunner load gives us a reduced recoil 00 buckshot moving at 1,350 feet per second. That’s not as low recoiling as I prefer, but will ensure it runs in most semi-auto shotguns, even cheap semi-auto shotguns. It doesn’t thump my shoulder by any means and is manageable and easy to control. 

Popping two rounds into a target in less than a second is perfectly doable. I even enjoy shooting this stuff out of a Shockwave and similar type firearm. I can put the rounds right where I want them without the recoil pulling me off target. 

The American Gunner 00 buckshot patterns are nice and tight. It doesn’t exceed the size of my palm at 15 yards. That’s perfectly tight for home defense use. I love that they used an eight-pellet design to prevent the ninth pellet flyer common with 00 loads. 

What they could do better is buffer and plate the shot. This would help keep the patterns tight by preventing deformation. If they did that, they’d have a true Flitecontrol competitor.

Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil

Hornady Critical Defense 12 Gauge 00 Buckshot 

Hornady’s Critical Defense Load and Hornady Black 12 gauge are the exact same load. I’m not exactly sure why they do it this way, but I just know the two rounds are interchangeable. This is a frustrating round to me. It’s an excellent round, but it’s clocked at 1,600 feet per second for some reason. I can’t think of a good reason to have a defensive load at 1,600 feet per second. 

The closest excuse I can come up with is that it will work with any semi-auto shotgun, regardless of how picky it is. Still, most modern shotguns are fine, even with reduced recoil loads. The downside of that high level of velocity is recoil. The recoil can be rough. Rough recoil does equal less than stellar follow-up shots. 

That’s the frustrating downside up front. The upside is the Versatite wad. It works a lot like the FliteControl wad. In fact, they seem to work identically. The wad wraps the load of shot in a polymer cup, and as it leaves the barrel, it brakes, and the pellets continue on. The good news is that the patterns are very tight. It’s not quite as tight as Flitecontrol, but it’s close. 

We’ve learned lately that velocity can affect patterns, which a 1,600 FPS velocity does. It keeps the load from patterning as tight as it possibly can. Luckily, it’s still smaller than your palm at 15 yards. Tight patterns increase pellet accountability and ensure good tight shots on target. Sadly, another step they could have taken was to copper plate the pellets, which would prevent deformation and help tighten up patterns. 

I’m complaining a lot, especially about a laid, which is the second-best defensive buckshot on the market. Call me frustrated because I’d love to see some competition to the Fltiecontrol loads. The Versatite Wad does offer the advantage of being able to work with most chokes. Flitecontrol is isolated to cylinder bore designs, but Versatite works with Improved and Modified chokes. However, you should avoid full chokes with the cartridge. 

Hornady Critical Defense 12 Gauge 00 Buckshot 

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 9 Pellet

I call this specific load of Fiocchi Defense Dynamics buckshot Shockwave food. It lists a velocity of 1,250 feet per second and nine pellets. You’d assume that was a 00 load, right? Most nine pellet loads are 00 in the 12-gauge world. That’s where I was wrong. It’s not a 00 load, but a No. 1 load with only nine pellets. 

Why this round exists is beyond me, but I’m glad it does. Not only is it affordable, but it’s super soft recoiling. Moving nine No. 1 pellets at 1,250 feet per second results in very low recoil. In fact, it’s basically a 20-gauge load. This results in light, easy-to-handle loads that work well in the short-barreled, firearm-type 12 gauges.

I also like saving money, and these are super affordable buckshot loads. They can often be had for less than 50 cents a round during sales, and at that price, any buckshot is a bargain. This makes them a great training load for defensive shotguns, certainly better than light birdshot. 

There isn’t anything fancy to this load. We aren’t getting a plated copper pellet or fancy wads, just good old-fashioned buckshot. The patterns aren’t fantastic, but acceptable from a cylinder bore. This stuff cleans up nicely if you can add an improved choke. This can nearly cut the spread by a 1/3rd from what I’ve seen. 

Most gas-operated guns eat this load well, but inertia guns may struggle with its performance. It might be too light for a lot of those inertia driven twelve gauge shotguns. Benelli boys need to keep that in mind. 

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 00 8 Pellet

Monarch No.1 9 Pellet

Federal announced a 20-gauge FliteControl at SHOT Show, but I have yet to see it pop up on the market. I reserve the right to swap this entry in the future if the round works. My choice for the best defensive buckshot load is a budget load. Monarch, a brand sold exclusively at Academy, produces an awesome 20-gauge load. 

This Monarch load packs nine pellets of  No. 1 buckshot. As established, the No. 1 load is the smallest buckshot that consistently penetrates 12 inches through ballistic gel. We get nine pellets of No. 1, which makes this seem like a slightly smaller 12-gauge load. 

We get nine pellets of very capable buckshot. The 2.75-inch length of these shells means we get our tubes to full capacity. We don’t get plated buckshot, and we don’t have any fancy magical wads. It’s a very plain load, but it still performs quite nicely. Pattern-wise, we see very acceptable results at home defense ranges. We get an eight-inch pattern at 12 yards, which is a fairly far shot indoors. 

We get very light recoil. In one second, I can put two rounds of this Monarch load into an IPSC A-Zone. That’s a lot of lead in very little time, and I’m all about it. The Monarch laid wouldn’t be tough to beat, but the current crop of defensive buckshot seems stuck on No. 2 and No. 3 buckshot loads. 

The Monarch load doesn’t dig anything fancy, but it works. It’s also very affordable, and affordability is nice to have. The Monarch buckshot load makes it cheap to stock up on and cheap to train with.

Monarch No.1

Remington Ultimate Defense .410

If you’re using the wee little .410 for home defense, you might feel a bit underwhelmed by your defensive options. There are a few, but they are often designed for revolvers rather than real shotguns. Luckily, Remington is back! Back and ready to provide one of the best defensive loads the .410 ever saw. The Remington Ultimate Defense load provides shooters with four or five 000 buckshot pellets. 

You can’t double stack pellets in a .410, so Remington used the biggest pellets possible. The 000 pellets penetrate deeply and provide nice-sized wound channels. If you can’t use a lot of pellets, you might as well use big pellets. Remington offers the cartridge as both a 3-inch and 2.5-inch cartridge. 

The 3-inch gives you one more pellet but decreases your capacity by a single round with most guns. That’ll be a decision you’ll have to make. Personally, the 2.5-inch and the extra round seems more beneficial to me. The 3-inch has nominally more recoil, but not enough to really matter. I do find that the 2.5-inch rounds tend to pattern a bit better than the 3-inch rounds. 

The Ultimate Defense shells are very controllable, and you can rip off a string of three from a pump action in less than two seconds. That’s twelve 000 buckshot pellets and should make any threat a lot less threatening. The rounds are reliable and feed well with their high brass design. These are consistent, capable, and easy to shoot. 

They aren’t cheap or all that easy to find, so when you find them, stock up!

Remington Ultimate Defense .410

What You Don’t See 

As you cruise through this list, I hope you found the round that will work for home defense. As you’ve likely noticed, every load suggested is a buckshot load. We don’t see the other two major shotgun shell options, birdshot or slugs. 

Birdshot is a joke. Unless you’re living in an Alfred Hitchcock movie, birdshot shouldn’t be in your defensive shotgun. It cannot effectively penetrate deep enough to reach the vitals of a threat. I’m not saying it’s not deadly. Any gun and any projectile can be deadly. However, we want consistent penetration for consistent, reliable performance. 

Slugs are not a joke. They will penetrate the threat deep and hit hard. However, they might penetrate too much. A big ounce of lead might go right through the threat and will certainly chew through your drywall. They just aren’t the best option for home defense. 

Also, you don’t see any mini shells, do you? I think minishells are a fun novelty, but they neuter a shotgun. I use shotguns because I like the payload they fire per trigger pull. Why would I neuter that payload? 

That’s not to mention reliability issues. They work perfectly with some guns with adapters, but you’re limited to just Mossberg 500 series guns. No semi-autos function with minishells. I wouldn’t use minishells for defensive use. 

I’m not afraid of new, but I prefer proven payloads. 

The Shotgun Conundrum 

Don’t just take my word for it. Choose some ammo, go to the range, and test the ammo through your gun. Shotguns are weird. Every gun patterns differently. You need to go to the range, shoot the gun at your home defense distance, and observe what happens. Make sure it runs in your guns, and ensure it’s reliable and consistent. 

One of the big downsides to shotguns is that they aren’t always plug-and-play. They take some thinking, some effort, and a good bit of training. If you want a plug-and-play weapon, an AR might be better for you. If you want a shotgun, be prepared to do the work. 

It’s so bright we gotta wear shades around today’s weapon lights. The modern era of weapon-mounted lights has gotten brighter, smaller, lighter, and offer more range, more power, and ultimately a more capable tool. Lights are evolving and evolving quickly; with that in mind, we wanted to bring you the best high-powered weapon-mounted lights.

Weapon-mounted lights allow the user to identify threats without breaking the grip on their firearm. It makes it much easier to shoot and move without swapping to a handheld flashlight. Weapon-mounted lights have steadily gotten better and better, but there has been a huge bump in the world of weapon-mounted lights.

The new focus isn’t on the lumens; instead, it’s a focus on candela.

Candela Vs. Lumens

Lumens are the raw measure of light. Candela is how that light moves beyond the lens. Candela has received a lot more focus because more candela means more useable range. Beyond range, candela ensures a light can move through photonic barriers.

Photonic barriers include smoke, fog, and other light sources. Candela can cut through those barriers and still provide effective light. These new modern lights turbo-charge the candela, at the cost of decreasing lumens.

These lights are powerhouses and well suited for indoor and outdoor use. It’s the future of weapon-mounted lights, and here’s the best the industry has to offer.

Best Turbo Charged Weapon Lights

Best Turbo Charged Weapon Lights Specs

Reviews of the Best Weapon Lights

Surefire X300T Review

The Surefire X300T is Surefire’s turbo-charged variant of the X300U. The X300T series are handgun lights designed for duty-sized handguns. Surefire is one of the oldest and most proven brands on the market. They occupy the handguns of police and military forces around the world. The X300T series aims to reduce the lumens while drastically increasing the candela to create a long-range duty weapon light.

The X300U packs 1,000 lumens and 11,300 candela, but the Surefire X300T gives 650 lumens with 66,000 candela. This effectively doubles its effective range and gives you the penetrating power to chew through not just darkness, but through other light sources, fog, smoke, etc. It’s incredibly powerful and very capable.

The beam is focused with the TIR lens to make use of all that extra candela. The beam has more focus on reach than spill, and provides a larger center spot that’s distinguished. The spill is present, but the light isn’t the best option for close-quarters use. The beam is distinctly cool and consistent throughout its 90 minutes of battery life.

The X300T series weapon lights are made from aluminum and coated with a Mil-Spec hard-anodized finish. It’s IPX7 rated for ingress so it’s effectively waterproof unless you’re doing Navy SEALs things. This light is tough, well-made, and designed for a long and hard life of duty. It won’t flicker and flutter even under the strongest levels of recoil.

The X300T series comes with a set of ambidextrous switches designed to make controlling the light easy. Activating its constant or momentary modes is super simple, and you can control the light with a single hand if necessary.

Users should be aware of the beam’s focus on range rather than spill. It’s not the best light for a home-defense gun inside the home. Like all Surefire products, it’s also expensive, so don’t expect this to be the bargain option.

Surefire X300T Pros and Cons

Cloud Reign 3.0 Review

Cloud Defensive is one of the original companies that began pushing the concept of candela over lumens. I’m personally a big fan of their products and run several variants of the Rein, as well as the original OWL on my firearms. The Rein is their premium long-gun light series, and it’s an absolute beast of a light. It’s insanely powerful and a very capable, professional-grade option.

The Cloud Reign gives you a mighty 100,000 candela backed by 1,250 lumens. That’s a lot of power. The massive head on the unit throws a huge, well-focused beam that gives you rifle-range power at night. The light can cut through a ton of different photonic barriers and will absolutely dominate other light sources, like headlights or street lights. It’s a blindingly bright light that’s extremely powerful.

The gun uses a 18650 battery but can also swap to CR123A batteries. When using CR123As, you won’t get the same battery life or the same power, but it’s a convenient means to swap in the field with disposable batteries when necessary. The Reign does last an hour and five minutes with a 18650, which is impressive for the power level it’s providing.

The light comes ready out of the box to use. It comes with a switch, a tail cap button, and an inline mount. The pressure switch and the button can be used at the same time. The innovative setup allows you to position the pressure switch out of four different angles of the light, which makes cable management much easier.

The included pressure switch only offers you a constant mode. It’s a minimalist approach, and I’d prefer a switch that allowed for momentary and constant modes. That’s possible, but it requires you to purchase a second switch. The Reign is already a pricey light, so having to purchase another switch is a bit of a bummer.

Cloud Reign 3.0 Pros and Cons

Modlite Fuel Rifle Light Review

Modlite is the other company that propelled the industry to embrace a better, higher-powered light. Modlite is the option for users who want to mix and match their bodies, heads, mounts, and just genuinely just tinker with their light to an extreme degree. I’m not using a particular version because the joy of Modlite’s rifle lights is the ability to pick and choose the parts you want.

The Fuel version ups that by including the Unity Tactical GASCAP USB-C tailcap. This use of a USB-C port allows near-zero output loss while using a pressure switch. The GASCAP also has a click button to override the pressure switch. The LINK system combined with the included cage makes it easy to position the cable where you want it and generally makes life easier.

Users can pick from the OKW head for a focus on candela with 69,000 candela and 680 lumens, or they can pick the PLHV2 head that prioritizes lumens with 1,350 lumens and 54,000 candela. Both are extremely powerful and capable options. OKW is perfect for outdoor use, and PLHV2 is a bit more balanced for outdoor and indoor use.

The Fuel series comes in two configurations. We have a full-sized variant with an 18650 battery and 75 minutes of run time. The full-sized version is 4.75 inches long and weighs 5.3 ounces. Then we have a smaller option that uses an 18350 battery that runs for 35 minutes and is 3.5 inches long and weighs 4.2 ounces. Size matters, so having options is nice.

The light doesn’t come with a mount; this is a tinkerer’s option, so you purchase your mount of choice for your specific weapon. This can be a bummer to some, but this allows you to get the best mount possible for your needs.

Modlite Fuel Rifle Light Pros and Cons

Holosun P.ID HC Review

Holosun has grown rapidly. They started as a red dot company making budget-friendly dots and quickly evolved. They are known for producing quality products at a great price. The Holosun P.ID HC is their take on the modern, turbo-charged handgun light. The HC stands for high candela, and the HC models dial down the lumens to increase the candela. This weapon light is full-sized and fits practically any duty-sized handgun via a key system.

In terms of power, the P.ID HC offers you two modes. On high mode, we have 800 lumens backed by 42,000 candela. On low mode, that’s cut in half at 400 lumens with 21,000 candela. The high mode gives the battery an hour’s worth of power, and that power is doubled when set to low. The P.ID HC gives us a very powerful light at a great price point. It’s not as powerful as other options, but it’s fairly priced.

The P.ID HC isn’t a cheaply made light. You aren’t getting a cheap polymer body; instead, we get an anodized 7075-T6 aluminum light body. It’s rugged, well-made, and designed to last. The P.ID HC provides you with a weather and water-resistant light with an IP68 rating. It can be submerged to at least a meter for at least 30 minutes.

Holster options for concealed carry are limited, but with duty holsters designed for full-sized weapon lights, the P.ID HC fits and works without much issue. Since the P.ID series are gaining steam, we are seeing more and more holsters hit the market to accommodate the design.

The big downside will be the power. Compared to other options, you are losing some power to save some money. For most users, the light will still provide you with enough power to matter, but if you want a turbo-charged light, you might be a little disappointed.

Holosun P.ID HC Pros and Cons

Streamlight TLR-1 HP Review

Streamlight has embraced this new theme of higher candela, but they haven’t dedicated themselves to reducing their lumens. The new TLR-1 HP, or High Powered, emphasizes Streamlight’s design philosophy in an era of high-candela weapon lights. The TLR-1 HP uses the same footprint as the standard TLR-1 but ups the power to a new standard.

The TLR-1 keeps the 1,000 lumens of the TLR-1 but moves the candela from 20,000 to 65,000. The combination of bright lumens and powerful candela brings the TLR-1 HP to a new level of handgun lights. The lumens are still bright, and the candela pushes those lumens much further and provides you with a tough-to-beat light combination on a handgun.

The TLR-1 provides a nice bright, and wide beam that works well for a handgun’s effective range. Its brightness provides a room-filling beam capable of overcoming photonic barriers and filling a room full of light. It’s extremely bright and extremely capable. The combination creates a powerful option for both home defense and duty use.

The ambidextrous switches are extremely easy to use and provide you with a constant, momentary, and strobe mode. If you’re like me and don’t believe in strobe modes, you can easily disable it. The design is rugged, tough, and compatible with all modern duty and compact handguns. It comes with a rail key to make it easy to adapt to various weapons.

Since it fits the same footprint as the TLR-1, you can find holsters that easily accommodate its design for both duty and concealed carry. I love Streamlight for doing this. As a long-term TLR-1 user, I like that I don’t have to buy new holsters to accommodate this new powerful option.

Using the same footprint gives it the same downsides as the original TLR-1. It’s a bit bulky due to the side-by-side battery design. That makes it a bigger light for concealed carry, but with the right holster, it’s easy to deal with.

Streamlight TLR-1 HP Pros and Cons

Nightstick LGL-160-T Review

The Nightstick LGL-160-T is a surprise addition from Nightstick. Nightstick first gained my attention for their shotgun forend, but I’ve come to appreciate them as a one-stop shop for budget-friendly, but well-made weapon light setups. The Nightstick LGL-160-T is a rifle light setup that’s a one-stop shop for guys who just want a light and don’t want to worry about any other parts and pieces to buy.

The LGL-160-T comes with everything a shooter needs to get started for about $150. This includes a mount, a 6-inch pressure switch, a tailcap, and a wire management cap to keep things well organized. Grab, throw the batteries in, mount it, and call it a day. The LGL-160-T packs a punch with its 800 lumens and 100,000 candela.

It gives you long-range power that mixes well with a modern rifle platform. That power lasts 2 hours with a pair of CR123A batteries. The system utilizes a larger head to generate that power, but it’s not bulbous or obnoxious. It still sits inline and is easy to mount on the vast majority of rifle platforms. The Nightstick LGL-160-T even has a reversible mount to allow you to mount the light in a variety of ways.

The Nightstick LGL-160-T provides users with an all-in-one, affordable package that packs a whallop of power. It’s the plug-and-play option for those who aren’t light nerds but want a powerful option for their rifle light. The main downside ties into that strength: it’s a lack of aftermarket support for mounts and tail switches, but for its target audience, that’s not a major problem.

Nightstick LGL-160-T Pros and Cons

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X Sub Review

The SIG P365 represented a notable shift in handgun design. Small handguns got a lot more efficient; shouldn’t handgun lights do the same? Small handgun lights were previously not all that powerful. They were across-the-room lights on a good day. The Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X Sub provides a capable and competent weapon light option for small guns.

This light is aimed at the P365, the subcompact Glocks and S&W’s, and similar pistols. It’s small, but still packs a whallop’s worth of light. The TLR-7 HL-X Sub packs 1,000 lumens with 10,000 candela. This is the same amount of light we used to see from duty-sized handgun lights; now it’s just shoved into a micro-sized package. The TLR-1 HL-X Sub is only 2.51 inches long and weighs 2.49 ounces.

Yes, some bulk is going to be added to your micro gun, but it’s not enough to make a major difference. You get a lot of power and a surprising battery life of 1 hour. That’s not bad by all accounts. For such a small light, it’s changing what small light means and what users should and can expect.

The beam is wide and fills rooms and houses with light. You can turn your concealed carry gun into a home-defense gun with ease. The power allows you to tackle the modern urban jungle and work the dark corners of parking garages with enough power to overcome photonic beams and establish PID. Sadly, the power caps out at 30 minutes (this appears to be a typo based on the spec table of 0.5 hours/30 minutes).

Streamlight equips it with ambidextrous controls, momentary and constant modes, and produces a variety of options to fit a variety of guns. This includes standard models made for Picatinny rails, as well as models to fit the proprietary rails of the P365 family. There is a little something for everyone and a little something for every little gun.

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X Sub Pros and Cons

To The Light

Weapon-mounted lights are getting better, brighter, and more capable. The future is now, and we are no longer satisfied with 1,000 lumens and less than 20,000 candela. We want more, and we are getting it. It’s a good time to be a light nerd.

One of the most important items you could have in your range bag as a shooter is a good first aid kit. Accidents happen, especially when you are dealing with guns, so having a well-stocked first aid kit with medical supplies is always a good idea.

But while first aid kits with general first aid supplies are widely available, finding the right kit for shooters can be a bit of a challenge considering that you are going to need some specialized material for gunshot wounds. That’s why I put together this comprehensive list of the best first-aid kits for folks who shoot. Keeping in mind that every shooter is different, I’ve compiled several kits with a variety of first aid supplies so you can find the right fit for you. Here’s how I tested the kits on my list.

As a gun enthusiast and writer, I’ve written a whole bunch of articles on all topics related to guns from gun safety to accessories, so I’ve had the opportunity to test out several different first aid kits. However, I really wanted to make sure that I was not missing anything because these are life-saving items.

So I hit up one of my friends who is an MD and had a chat about the best first aid kit and its components. He also graciously agreed to review my article for accuracy, so I’m able to able to put together a comprehensive kit for shooters. Let’s get right into it.

Our List of the Best First Aid Kits

Here’s my list of the best first aid kits.

The Best First Kits

If you want to read a review of a specific kit, you can click on the name. These are my picks for the best first aid kits.

The Best First Aid Kit Reviews 

The kits listed here are premade and provide you with a basis for a first aid kit. We’ll talk about building your own at the very end. 

Blue Force Gear – Micro T.K.N. Review

Blue Force Gear – Micro T.K.N. ranks as the top pick among the best first aid kits out there in my ranking and here’s why. What I love about it is the balance it strikes between being minimalist and comprehensive. It takes the concept of quick accessibility to a whole new level, especially when you’re in a situation where every second counts.

The way this kit is structured is just genius. Its outer layer acts like a protective shield, keeping everything intact. Pulling out the inner component is a breeze, thanks to the thoughtfully designed elastic bands that keep all the gear neatly in place. That quick, easy access can be a game-changer, especially in urgent situations.

What sets this apart, though, is the variety it offers. Blue Force Gear gives you options, from Basic to Pro and Advanced kits, each packed with top-notch medical supplies. Plus, it’s customizable and modular, letting you add extras like a tourniquet hanger if needed.

It’s like they’ve anticipated every possible scenario and packed it into this compact, sturdy kit. For anyone looking for a minimalist option without compromising on preparedness, this is hands down the way to go.

Blue Force Gear – Micro T.K.N. Pros and Cons

Adventure Medical – Field Trauma Kit Review

My go-to for hiking adventures is the Adventure Medical Field Trauma Kit. It’s a close second on my list of best first aid kits because of its compact design and comprehensive offerings and I always keep it in my car. This kit comes with essential bandages, wound care items, bug bite treatment, and an invaluable first aid manual for wilderness wound care. What’s impressive is its weight—just a pound—which matters significantly when every ounce counts on the trail.

The kit’s pouch design, featuring a convenient top strap, ensures quick access when needed. While it’s well-stocked, I find adding a splint and tourniquet complements it perfectly for more serious situations. The brand’s reputation for top-notch gear is evident in the quality of the included items packed into this compact kit. It strikes a perfect balance between being lightweight and including high-quality gear, a crucial factor for any hiker.

For me, the Adventure Medical Field Trauma Kit earns its place as second due to its balance between weight and functionality. I ranked it lower than the Blue Force Gear one as it doesn’t come with a T.Q. That said, with this kit, I’m well-prepared for common hiking mishaps without weighing down my pack excessively.

Adventure Medical – Field Trauma Kit Pros and Cons

My Medic – Range Medic Kit Review

I’ve spent quite a bit of time around firearms, whether instructing, shooting regularly, or just hanging out at the range. It’s a no-brainer to have a top-notch medical kit handy. The My Medic Range Medic Kit holds up its reputation well. It’s not just about gunshot wounds; it covers the small mishaps that happen in the midst of all the action.

This kit doesn’t hold back—Quikclot gauze, compression bandages, chest seal, gloves, and even a complete burn treatment kit. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for first aid. And the way it’s organized, especially with its MOLLE compatibility, makes access a breeze. Nobody wants to fumble around in an emergency.

Now, here’s the kicker. It’s a near-complete solution, but I’d trade out the T.C.C.C. tourniquet for a C.A.T. Gen 7. That’s the only tweak it needs. Otherwise, it’s got everything you need to keep the day rolling smoothly at the range.

This kit secures its spot in the top tier, landing third among the best options. Its comprehensiveness, organization, and versatility make it a solid choice, but that one adjustment keeps it just shy of the absolute top. 

My Medic – Range Medic Kit Pros and Cons

North American Rescue – T.O.R.K. Review

I’ve ranked the North American Rescue T.O.R.K. as the fourth-best first aid kit, and here’s why. As an outdoor enthusiast who values preparedness, the T.O.R.K. caught my attention with its Tactical Operator Response Kit acronym. North American Rescue (N.A.R.) has a stellar reputation for crafting top-tier medical gear, like the renowned C.A.T. Gen 7 T.Q. and the HyFin chest seal, both included in the T.O.R.K.

What sets the T.O.R.K. apart is its comprehensive design tailored for tactical applications. Easily attachable to a plate carrier or battle belt, this all-in-one kit ensures quick access to essential items for handling traumatic injuries. The well-designed pouch, with internal elastic straps, allows for easy and secure gear access—a crucial feature in high-stress situations.

N.A.R.’s commitment to quality is evident in the ample supply of gauze, bandages, T.Q., and chest seal provided in the kit. The T.O.R.K. stands out as a well-stocked, plug-and-play solution, living up to N.A.R.’s reputation for producing reliable and innovative medical gear. Despite its comprehensive contents and tactical focus, in comparison to the top three kits, it might fall slightly short in terms of versatility for broader usage scenarios.

For those seeking a robust and easily accessible first aid kit designed for tactical scenarios, the T.O.R.K. is a great choice in the lineup of top-rated kits.

North American Rescue – T.O.R.K. Pros and Cons

Cuda Offshore First Aid Kit Review

When it comes to water activities, safety is non-negotiable. The Cuda Offshore First Aid Kit sits comfortably in my top five for a reason. While it might not suit a professional charter service, for individual or family outings on the water, it’s a lifesaver – literally.

This kit’s waterproof container keeps everything pristine, a must for maritime adventures. From dealing with accidental hooks to the essentials for sunburns and common injuries, it’s got a solid variety packed in.

What really nudges it to the fifth spot on my list is its family-friendly size and thoughtful basic supplies. There’s a good mix of bandages, wound cleaning tools, trauma shears, and extras like burn treatment gear, sunscreen, and cold compresses. It’s like a safety net specifically tailored for those leisurely fishing or boating trips.

Sure, it might not be the ultimate comprehensive package, but for smaller excursions and personal boats, this kit has saved me from a few mishaps. It’s a reliable companion, ensuring a degree of preparedness without being cumbersome. So, while it might not cover every scenario, it covers the ones that matter for my outdoor adventures.

Cuda Offshore First Aid Kit Pros and Cons

Dark Angel Medical – D.A.R.K. Trauma Kit Review

Ranked sixth among the best first aid kits, the Dark Angel Medical D.A.R.K. Trauma Kit stands out for its tactical focus and compact, efficient design. As someone who’s explored various kits, this one strikes a balance by prioritizing essentials for traumatic injuries. The acronym “D.A.R.K.” cleverly stands for Direct Action Response Kit and it lives up to the name.

The kit’s layout is a space-saving marvel, equipped with external pouches for quick access to crucial tools like tourniquets and trauma shears. Inside, it doesn’t disappoint. Hemostatic gauze, bandages, compressed gauze, an N.P.A., and more fill the main kit, catering precisely to individual traumatic wounds. It foregoes the frills—no band-aids or insect bite relief—to focus squarely on what’s critical.

What I particularly appreciate is its versatility. The pouch allows for vertical or horizontal wear, making it easily accessible regardless of how it’s worn. Clearly crafted by professionals, the kit’s included gear and ergonomic design speak volumes about its quality. It may not have every bell and whistle, but for addressing emergencies head-on, this kit nails it.

In the grand scheme of kits out there, it takes the sixth spot on my list, primarily due to its specialized focus on traumatic injuries. It might not suit every scenario, but when it comes to tactical readiness and immediate response, this one has my vote.

D.A.R.K. Trauma Kit Pros and Cons

V.S.S.L. First Aid Kit Review

I’ve had a soft spot for the V.S.S.L. First Aid Kit, although it might seem like an oddball choice in this lineup. I’ve relied on V.S.S.L. gear before, especially during my outdoor jaunts, and this kit fits that ’emergency backup’ bill perfectly. It’s compact, deliberately so, with a focus on handling those minor bumps and scrapes you encounter out there.

Inside, it’s got the basics covered: bandages, gauze, cleaning gear, tweezers, gloves, burn cream – everything tailored for those smaller incidents. No, it won’t prepare you for major emergencies; there’s no combat gauze or tourniquets here. But its aluminum waterproof casing is a neat touch, complete with an LED light and a compass. It’s a space-saver, perfect for day trips with the kids.

The disposable thermometers are a thoughtful addition, and the abundance of bandages and wound care gear ensures quick fixes for the small stuff. While it’s not your go-to for serious injuries, for basic first aid, especially on outings where space is a premium, it’s a reliable companion. That’s why it finds itself at the tail end of my list—it’s excellent for what it is, but it’s more specialized for minor issues compared to the more comprehensive kits higher up the ranking.

V.S.S.L. First Aid Kit Pros and Cons

First Aid Kits 101 – Buyers Guide

When shopping for any first aid kit, you have a few things you have to consider. First and foremost, you want high-quality gear. There are hundreds of dollar store-grade first aid kits out there that are just glorified band-aid boxes. There are also plenty of kits out there that proclaim quality but have nothing to back that claim up beyond a high price tag. 

When you begin shopping, you want to ensure the kit utilizes high-quality gear from well-reputed companies. North American Rescue sets the standard for basic medical gear. They are often the most popular option with police and military forces, and the N.A.R. seal of approval means something. 

Tourniquets save lives, but only good tourniquets save lives. For some reason, tourniquets draw in a lot of crappy products. I don’t know why, but there are lots of crappy tourniquets out there that won’t save lives. The Department of Defense has Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines and an approval process to certify tourniquets. 

The T.C.C.C. certification is the gold standard for tourniquets, and they maintain a list of T.C.C.C. approved tourniquets. If the tourniquet is not on the T.C.C.C. approved list, it’s not worth it. As of June 2021, here are tourniquets that make the T.C.C.C. approved list. 

The Fakes Problem 

On top of seeking T.C.C.C.-approved tourniquets, you’ll have to ensure the tourniquet you are choosing is real. Fake C.A.T. tourniquets are the most common fakes you’ll run into. Typically the best way to tell a fake from the real thing is the price. If you are paying 15 bucks for a dozen C.A.T. tourniquets, you’re getting fakes. 

Well made, T.C.C.C. Approved tourniquets cost about 30 bucks a pop. A small investment for sure. Make sure you are buying from reputable retailers to ensure you are getting a real tourniquet and not a flimsy fraud. 

Combat gauze, HyFin Chest seals, and H bandages are less likely to be faked, but it’s still smart to ensure you are getting the real thing when ordering. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. 

Match Your Kit to Your Mission 

When choosing a first aid kit, you really need to consider where it will be used and where it will be stored. You have different knives, different guns, and even different footwear for different tasks, and first aid kits are no different. A good first aid kit should match your specific mission and task. 

With that being said, having only one first aid kit might not be wise. I keep one in my car, one in my house, on my chest rig, and another for my kayak. First aid kits are relatively cheap, at least compared to my firearms hobby. A half dozen good kits cost about the same as a nice AR 15. If you adventure, be prepared to have multiple kits. 

Inside and Out

The first consideration I make is where the kit will be used. What environment will it face? My kit for kayaking fits into a large waterproof box that floats. I don’t want my gear exposed to the water and moisture constantly. For tactical applications, it needs to attach to MOLLE. Considerations like that are critical when choosing the external means to carry your gear. 

Here are a few common first aid kit considerations by task assigned. 

Tactical and Range Use – You certainly want to be able to stop the bleed with these kits. If you’re worried about people putting holes in you, you need to focus on treating gunshot wounds. Tourniquets, chest seals, combat gauze, and the like should be necessities. Consider a burn gel or burn treatment kit too. Hot barrels, hot suppressors, and the like can be rough when accidentally touched. 

Band-aids, Neosporin, and the like aren’t major considerations but can be added once the priorities are met. 

Vehicular – Vehicular kits might need to focus on stopping the bleed, as well as burns and trauma. Since these kits go in vehicles, they can be large enough to treat multiple people without storage issues. You’ll want tourniquets, combat gauze, burn gel, an instant cold pack, gloves, trauma shears, and you might want to consider some extra equipment. Tossing in a window breaker, seat belt cutter, and some kind of emergency flare or light system can be invaluable.

Maritime – You’ll want all the basics of a medical kit for sure, as well as sunscreen, cold packs, sunburn aloe, and beyond. I would pack a good multitool as well and a pair of trauma shears. Ensure they are corrosion resistant as well. Gloves will be even more valuable here because it’s tough to wash your hands when you’re on the water. Also, keep both a visual and audible emergency signal in the kit just in case. 

Hiking and Camping – Hikers are always mindful of weight, and that goes for a first aid kit as well. You’ll likely want to go lightweight, but you don’t want to ditch the basics. You’ll want good bandages for scrapes and lacerations, bug bite treatment, and bug repellant as well. Plus, you’ll likely want a good tourniquet or two, something to sanitize and clean the wound, and a good H bandage or the like for securing wounds. Good shears will also ensure you can cut through tough outdoor clothes to get to the wound and don’t forget a splint! 

Be Mindful of Expiration Dates

Like everything in your fridge, a lot of medical gear has expiration dates. As such, you need to notate when your gear expires and replace it as necessary. Personally, I use Google calendars to remind me because I’ll forget if my phone doesn’t alert me. Things you don’t expect to expire will, like tourniquets, as well as burn gels. Also, on occasion, everything is still good to go and functional. 

Patching Boo-Boos

First aid kits can be lifesavers. While having good first aid kits is great, knowing how to use them will help you save lives, so consider investing in a first aid course in addition to the first aid manual and aid instructions you get with your kit. Hopefully, you’ll never use it, but man, if you do, it will be invaluable.

When I got an early look at the Palmetto State Armory JAKL in the days leading up to SHOT Show 2020, I saw a product with enormous potential. Taking piston operated AR15’s into the mainstream in a way no other company had done before, while offering numerous (eventual) calibers and barrel length options, PSA was betting on themselves in a big way. Fast forward a few years, and the opening salvo has been fired. Early design flaws and QC issues have been ironed out, and PSA is working on more calibers, and even a bullpup lower for the JAKL upper.

So, check out my review below to see the specs and features to the Palmetto State Armory JAKL.

Background of the JAKL

The JAKL was announced back in 2020, but then later publicly released in 2022. Palmetto State Armory is currently running both 5.56mm and .300 AAC Blackout barrels. With barrel lengths having a good range that range 8.5″ to 16″. The JAKL has been one of the most commercially successful piston operated designs for the AR-15 platform.

With many improvements over the years, throughout this article I will cover some of the variations, features and the pros and cons. So, be sure to follow along below.

PSA Jakl Features

1 Folding stock compatible

Compact storage and will fire when folded.

2 Monolithic upper

For increased rigidity and better accuracy.

3 Adjustable gas knob

To prevent overgassing and maximize reliability.

4 Piston system

Operates the gun cleaner, especially when suppressed.

5 Forward located “HK” style charging handle

Ergonomic location and can be right or left hand mounted.

Models and Variations

There are multiple models of JAKL. Black, FDE, Smoke, and OD Green colors are available. 5.56mm uppers are available with 13.7″, 14.5″ (pinned and welded suppressor mount), and 16″ barrels. .300 Blackout uppers are available with 8.5″ and 14.5″ barrels. Palmetto State Armory sells the JAKLs as complete firearms (with their own branded lowers), as upper receivers (with the necessary modified bolt catch), and as build kits that include the upper, the modified bolt catch, and the buttcap assembly that allows the user to affix 1913 picatinny stocks/braces to the rear of the gun.

Shootability:

The JAKL is an improvement over (many) direct impingement uppers for one primary reason; overgassed rifles are extremely common. This is double true when a suppressor is added to the mix, as the increased backpressure tends to overwhelm most factory setups. The JAKL’s adjustable gas system means you can dial in the gas right where you want it.

Beyond that, the gun shoots well. While it is a bit front heavy (even without a suppressor), the extra mass does soak up recoil and muzzle rise.

Accuracy:

I’ve shot 6 different commercially available rounds through the JAKL. From the lightest at 90gr, to the heaviest at 220gr, the JAKL ran through them all. The Barnes 110gr TAC-TX gave the best groups, coming in around 1 MOA consistently. Federal Fusion 150gr rounds have routinely disagreed with my JAKL, not grouping better than 3 MOA in the year and a half I’ve had this gun, despite shooting well in other barrels.

Given that the TAC-TX round is still hovering at $1.50/round, and has widely proven terminal ballistics, it’s nice to see the JAKL performing so well with it when it comes to accuracy.

Reliability:

With individual rights come individual responsibilities. So too it is with an adjustable gas system. The power is in your hands to make this gun run as reliably as possible. I found my most common deer hunting round (Federal Power Shok 120gr) runs well one setting lower than the Barnes 110gr round mentioned above. If I add my suppressor, I dial back one more click. If you change rounds without changing the gas system setting, you may well induce malfunctions.

So, this isn’t a gun for those who shoot a wide variety of “blasting” ammo into dirt piles, unless you just want to open that gas system up and let it rip. If you want to stick to one or two primary types of ammo for home defense, hunting, or target shooting, writing down your gas settings will keep your JAKL running flawlessly.

Some early JAKL’s did have reliability issues, and PSA responded with upgraded gas pistons. I only have a sample size of one, so looking at online chatter, it seems many of these early issues have fallen away.

Ergonomics:

There’s really only two differences ergonomically speaking, between a standard direct impingement upper, and the JAKL’s upper. First, the modified bolt stop on the JAKL is set in a slightly recessed cutout. Second, the charging handle is located along the side-top of the handguard, similar to an Mp5.

The bolt stop is slightly tougher to hit (by the tiniest margin) because it doesn’t protrude as much. This is a very slight difference.

The non-reciprocating charging handle is an excellent addition to the JAKL platform. Not only is it located in a much more natural spot, we’re one little detent cut away from inheriting the “HK slap”.

Value:

The JAKL runs the gamut on pricing, so hold on.

Complete guns run from $999.99 for a .300blk pistol, minus brace, to $1499.99 for a 5.56mm rifle with cerakote paint job.

Uppers run from $649 to $899, and include the modified bolt stop. This doesn’t include the necessary parts to convert a mil-spec lower to JAKL compatibility. See below.

The “Buffer with brace/stock adaptor assembly” consists of all the parts needed to adorn your mil-spec lower into a JAKL compatible platform, with exception to the bolt stop that is sold with the upper.

That’s a lot to cover just to ask… is it worth it? So far, my answer is a definite yes. With absolute sympathy to those who suffered early adopter growing pains, my JAKL has run, and run well. The recoil impulse is slower and heavier than most direct impingement AR’s, but very comfortable. Accuracy is good enough for hunting, with easy shots on a 6″ gong at 200 yards. The folding stock option makes transport and storage easier. Finally, the JAKL makes for a far more visually varied finished product, with many buyers opting to create SCAR or ACR lookalikes.

Considering the cost of entry starts around $750 (upper plus adaptor for lower) and peaks around $1500, PSA’s JAKL sits right in the mid range pricing for AR15’s. This is far from unreasonable for an OEM piston driven, folding stock compatible, reliable AR15.

The JAKL Pros and Cons 

Best Ammo for Your PSA JAKL

Here are some ammunition suggestions for your Palmetto State Armory JAKL.

Barnes 110 Tac-TX is my go-to round for home defense. Federal 120gr Power Shok is a close second best, and comes with a more reasonable price. MagTech’s 200gr subsonic round is quiet and reliable.

JAKL Upgrades and Accessories

There’s not much of an aftermarket for upgrades to stock JAKL parts, but accessories we have in droves.

The SB Tactical folding triangle brace is a reliable go-to option. Moving to stocks, F5 Manufacturing makes the Modular Stock System that includes the Buffer with Stock Adaptor Assembly, essentially cutting out the price of PSA’s $99 kit.

How to Care for Your Palmetto State Armory JAKL

My Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for something different than “just another AR”, the Palmetto State Armory JAKL provides just that. A different operating system, a few changes in ergonomics, and a wide array of visual customizations make the JAKL and excellent base for the gun of your dreams.

When it comes to choosing an inside the waistband (IWB) appendix holster (AIWB) for concealed carry, there are many different things you must take into consideration.  Various materials are available, prices vary with quality and popularity, and there are mission/wardrobe factors to account for.  Should you get the cheapest? Kydex, leather, nylon, or a hybrid? I there something else to be factored in?  What is the best AIWB holster, and what makes it the best?

Well, in this article, I’m going to show you what I believe are the best appendix holsters on the market and even help break down what you should be looking for when purchasing one. 

Read on.

Top AIWB Holster Rundown

1. Craft Clip IWB
2. Tier 1 Axis Elite
3. ShapeShift AIWB
4. Galco Scout 3.0
5. PHLster Floodlight
6. Dara Slick Side
7. We the People AIWB
8. Bianchi Professional

Best Appendix Carry Holsters

Our Top AIWB holster picks

AIWB Holster Reviews

Anyone can say they market the best appendix holsters you’ll ever see. And there are a number of companies who actually offer really great options. However, if you’re like me, you don’t really want to buy a pig in a bag, right? That’s why I’ll take you through several different kydex and leather appendix holsters and share my personal experience with each.

I won’t tell you to buy this particular rig or that one, but hopefully my likes and dislikes will inform and help you decide what your next go-for CCW appendix holster should be.

Craft Holsters Review

Let’s start with what’s recently become my favorite AIWB holster – Craft Holsters’ AIWB Clip Holster. To be honest, I’d never heard much about the brand. But when I saw my friend rocking one of their shoulder rigs a couple months back, I decided I needed a holster that’s not only functional (concealment & access) but also stylish, comfortable, and traditional-looking.

That’s really what this leather appendix holster is all about.

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box. Craft Holsters presentation is just remarkable, especially if you’re an old school kind of a guy. The holster was neatly packed inside a bag and cushioned with straw-like material. It also came with a leaflet mentioning a bunch of benefits the company offers to their return customers such as a 10% discount on any subsequent orders, which is a great plus if you decide (just like me) that you like their holsters. I got a bit worried when I saw they also included a guide on leather holster break-in, though, as most of my holsters never required any break-in work.

However, all my worries were soon rendered unimportant as the holster simply fit my P365 like a glove from the get-go. It’s true I had to put in a bit of effort to latch the safety strap when I put my pistol inside, but I guess that’s sort of expected with fresh leather holsters. After I played with it for a while, it now works perfectly fine and I have no trouble whatsoever drawing and re-holstering my gun. If you’ve never had a thumb break holster, there’s no reason to worry as you’ll quickly learn to (dis)engage it. Moreover, as it’s reinforced with steel, it prevents the holster’s opening from collapsing over time of use.

What I love about the holster is the clip on design as I can simply slip it without having to take my belt off. There’s just one attachment point the holster comes with, which I was at first a bit hesitant about as a good holster needs to be well-balanced. However, the clip is wide enough to offer as much balance as you need and the holster as well as my SIG stay in the same place even at more abrupt movements.

All in all, if you’re a fan of leather, impeccable craftsmanship, and concealed carry, this AIWB holster by Craft holsters is a must-try. And despite the fact leather has never been associated with tactical use, the holster is now available in light-bearing and red dot variations too.

Pros and Cons

Tier 1 Concealed Review

As much as I love my Craft Holster, my preferred appendix carry material will always be Kydex. Why? Well, I simply grew so fond of the every satisfying clicking sound when holstering my pistols. And I’m quite convinced the Axis Elite, an AIWB kydex holster and mag pouch combo by Tier 1 Concealed, rightfully deserves one of the top spots on today’s list.

To start with, the holster is surprisingly slim and for a 2 in 1 rig and I had absolutely no issue concealing it without any noticeable imprint. As I usually wear no tank top, I also truly appreciate the plastic sweat guard featured on both the holster and mag holder. And just like is the case with most plastic holsters, you’ll experience a very smooth and quick draw and intuitive reholstering.

What I’m not that enthusiastic about, though, is the restricted pool of handguns this rig can be built for. As it comes with a clip holder, it’s understandable why it’s only available for semi-autos, but c’mon, not everyone is a Glock or S&W fanboy and I’d surely appreciate the holster’s availability for some of the less mainstream carry guns. However, most of the trending tactical EDC options are listed and the holster will take in any of these even when equipped with all sorts of handgun optics of height sights.

The main reason I like Tier 1 is that they let me customize my rig to my liking. And you can do the same. Not only can you select the holster’s color, but they’ll also let you choose the style of the belt clips (did I mention how easy mounting this rig is?), wedge style, or shock cord color. On top of that, if you carry extended mags, the Axis Elite can accommodate too. Unfortunately, if you opt for all the available upgrades, the default MSRP of $135.99 climbs by nearly a hundred bucks.

Tier 1 Concealed Holster Pros and Cons

Alien Gear Shapeshift Review

Talking about the best holsters for appendix carry, one can’t omit Alien Gear Holsters and their ShapeShift Appendix Carry Holster. The first thing I love about this holster is the belt clip that’s wide enough to deliver exceptional balance on the belt. Now this might not sound as a ground-breaking feature, but I can’t tell you how many inside-the-waistband holsters I’ve bought over the years ended up in my holster drawer just because they tended to wiggle a lot due to balance issues.

If you don’t like the feel of plastic against your body (and no wonder), you’ll also appreciate the comfort delivered by the breathable perforated neoprene platform the holster sits on. The level of comfort the foam base offers, though, comes at the price of concealment as it makes the entire rig quite bulky, leaving a bit of imprint (especially if you’re packing a donut belly like I do). However, I didn’t mind the slight rigidness and bulkiness of the holster all that much as it’s compensated by the lightweight design, making it one of the most comfortable concealed carry holsters I use on a day to day basis.

Are you a fan of Alien Gear? Then you’ll be pleased to find out this AIWB holster is fully compatible with their ShapeShift Modular Holster System. No bells ringing? Well, in short, it pretty much means that you can quickly and without much effort swap out the holster for a different carry config, including strong-side IWB, shoulder, or OWB holsters. What I love most about Alien’s holsters is the “Alien Skin” material and highly customizable passive retention, both ensuring your pistol stays put at all times. Also, the ShapeShift AIWB is a great budget choice as it comes at $62.88.

Alien Gear Shapeshift: Pros and Cons

Galco Scout 3.0 Review

Despite the fact that Galco’s Scout 3.0 is the first steerhide leather holster in the so-called “rough-out” design I’ve carried, shortly after I’ve unboxed it, I noticed a number of features that made me include it on this list. First and foremost, the holster possesses something most other appendix holsters don’t – fully adjustable cant. This makes it more versatile than most appendix holsters, which are traditionally carried in the 1 or 11 o’clock belt position. At the same time, it sort of lets you adjust it for either strong-side or even cross-draw carry, making it one of the most versatile holsters on the market.

Regarding versatility, the holster can be easily converted for either right or left-hand use. Now you might be asking what use is that, but if you’re like me and can shoot with both hands or want to find out what position of the holster on the belt fits you best, you’ll definitely cherish this feature. Just like most other holsters I’ve tested, the Scout 3.0 also mounts through a clip. However, what sets the rig apart is that it comes with two different tuckable clips. The first is called a UniClip, and it goes over the belt. The second is the so-called Ultimate Stealth clip, which features a hook that attaches directly to your trousers or under the belt, delivering the ultimate concealment experience.

Another thing I like about this appendix rig is the previously mentioned “rough-out” construction. In layman’s terms, the leather is rough on the outside but super sleek on the inside. Such design results in both enhanced stability in the waistband and little to no friction when pulling your gun out. My only concern is that there might be almost no draw resistance over months of use, which, combined with the open-top design, could result in a rather unpleasant experience.

But let’s not jinx it.

Last but not least, as the holster’s opening is reinforced with an extra layer of leather, I’m sure it’ll withstand the test of time and last you for quite a while.

Galco Scout 3.0 Pros and Cons

PHLster Floodlight Review

Unlike other holsters on the list, the Floodlight by PHLster is meant exclusively for appendix carry of pistols equipped with selected tac lights. At first, I was quite reserved about the holster’s semi-universal fit, but I quickly realized it goes hand in hand with a number of benefits. Most importantly, if your arsenal includes several service-grade semi-autos, it should fit most of them (but make sure to check out the holster’s fit list, available on PHLster’s website).

This means you no longer have to look for a new holster for each of your guns. However, make sure you select the correct light when ordering. This holster’s quasi-universal fit is based on the geometry of that specific WML. That’s an excellent way to cross-handgun a single holster, but it leads me to what I don’t like about it – it’s only available for three light models (though from a production perspective, I understand why).

To be honest, when I saw the holster on their website, it looked a bit cheap. My perception changed when I laid hands on the rig, and I can tell you there’s no reason to worry; the holster is very well-made and perfectly worth the $128 it cost me. The product pictures simply don’t do the holster enough justice … something PHLster might want to look into. Talking about construction, the two shells the holster is made of are connected through a shock cord, which can be used to adjust the retention and draw resistance of the slide part. This comes in very handy if you want to use it for a number of quite differently sized handguns (Glock 17 and Beretta 92, in my case).

Another thing I like about the Floodlight is that I can use it for strong-side IWB carry, which is useful mainly when you’re in a situation when appendix carry is not the best choice (more on that later). And if you’re not a fan of clip attachments, I’ve got great news for you; the holster also comes with a set of evenly spread soft belt loops.

PHLSter Floodlight Pros and Cons

Dara Holsters Review

I’m not saying red dots are an absolute must, but as I’ve been lately testing some of the hottest optics-ready carry guns, I needed a solid red dot holster for appendix carry. That’s why I decided to try out Dara’s Slick Side AIWB Holster. Just like the rest of their rigs, this one also accommodates a red dot, RMR, or reflex sight attached to one of the models it can be made for. But what I actually like most about it is that the holster is true to its name and is indeed rather slick-looking.

But as holsters aren’t about looks and appearance, let’s focus on more important matters. The holster comes with a very slim and narrow profile, meaning it fulfills its primary function – super easy concealment. This is mainly achieved by the clip placement, which has been moved to the side to decrease the holster’s bulkiness (a great idea I must say). I’ve seen holsters like that before, but never had one, so it took me a while to realize there’s another benefit resulting from such construction – if you attach the clip to the same place you’d attach other holsters with clips in the central position, your pistol is a tad closer to you and slightly more accessible.

Just like with the rest of these, I tried using it for strong-side IWB carry, but for one reason or another, it didn’t really work for me and I find the holster much more balanced when used for its primary purpose – appendix carry. There’s one more thing I like about it. Even though it’s cut out for optics, the kydex shell still fully covers the entire trigger guard as well as the mag release button without pushing on it. This appendix kydex holster by Dara is available for roughly 150 different gun models and for the quality it delivers, it comes at surprisingly a low MSRP.

Dara Slickside Pros and Cons

We The People Kydex AIWB Review

The final Kydex AIWB holster that made it onto my list was made by the good folk at We The People Holsters. While it doesn’t bear any particular name, it’s a holster meant for appendix, strong-side IWB carry. However, like with most rigs on the list, it works better when used as an appendix holster. I had mine made for the G34 equipped with a light and red dot, and I’m quite pleased with what the holster offers.

First and foremost, despite the fact it’s a light-bearing and optics-friendly holster, its design is very, very basic. Now, this isn’t a negative, really, as the simpler a holster looks, the simpler it usually is to conceal it, which is what WTP holsters are all about. What’s not basic about this appendix carry holster, though, is its functionality. This AIWB lets you adjust the retention level, ride height, cant, and even placement on the belt. Furthermore, the holster comes with a full sweat guard, protecting your skin from abrasion and your pistol from moisture.

While the holster can’t really be customized in any major way, you can opt for a custom color or, better said, texture. For example, you can go for the Gadsden Flag, which is great, but it’s just laserwork. It doesn’t really make my heart beat faster.

We the People IWB Holster Pros and Cons

Bianchi Professional Review

Now that I think about it, exploring appendix holsters made me fond of leather. Let’s wrap this up with another full-grain cowhide holster. This one is called Professional, and it’s made by Bianchi, a brand made in Mexico and is now marketed by Safariland. Though this leather AIWB holster looks like it could be made by my dad in his backyard shed, it stays true to its name. It has a really professional touch.

What I like about the holster is that it rides at an angle that ensures a proper firing grip upon draw. The holster’s construction, though, comes with a downfall; the mag release button is completely exposed. To be fair, that’s also the case with most other leather holsters I tried, but that doesn’t make it ideal.

The holster is composed of full-grain leather; its backside is lined with suede, preventing the holster from moving around when you move abruptly. In addition, it features the biggest sweat guard I’ve seen yet in an appendix holster. That makes it one of the most comfortable AIWB rigs out there.

Bianchi lets you choose from three different finishes, from which the “weathered tan” looks the best and I really enjoy the worn out effect it gives off. Out of all the leather options I recently tried, I still like the one by Craft Holsters the best, but if you’re not friends with thumb breaks or don’t need too much retention for your carry purposes, then this one will do just fine. The only problem I see with these is that it’s available for a very restricted pool of semi-autos and just for very few revolvers.

Bianchi Professional Pros and Cons

AIWB Buyers Guide

Holster Principles – Buyers Guide:

I hope my experience with the holsters above has helped you find your new rig for appendix carry. However, if you feel like you want to explore the world of concealed carry some more and perhaps check out some other brands that haven’t made it onto the list, be my guest. Just keep in mind that there’s a number of things to consider before you buy your new appendix holster (these also apply to most other carry styles, so if you’re not after AIWBs, I’d still read on).

Safety

Safety comes first. Yea, it does sound like a cliche, but come on, why do you carry? I bet it’s primarily because you want to stay safe. So why not keep safety in mind when selecting your holster too?

I believe the safest holsters are those that are always molded on the replica of your firearm, in other words, those that provide a custom, glove-like fit. If your holster is made like that, its natural retention is quite high and your firearm will be at no risk of falling out of the holster and anyone who tries will have a hard time snatching it away from you.

Also, make sure that the holster you’re about to buy completely covers the trigger (I believe you don’t need me to talk about accidental discharge and health risks it might cause). I also recommend you to make sure your intended purchase comes custom molded for all the safeties on your pistol as well as for the mag release button (the last thing you want is a holster pressing on the clip release, trust me).

Construction & Draw Speed

Generally said, it takes much less time to draw your gun from an open-top holster. Opposite to these are so-called closed-top holsters, which come with a strap attached to the holster’s opening (the side of the holster where the butt of your pistol is). If there’s no strap (by many called a thumb break or latch), nothing gets in your way when accessing and drawing your pistol, and the same goes for eventual reholstering. Also, holsters with a slightly forward-leaning cant often referred to as FBI cant, ensure you’ll be quicker at drawing; your pistol sits in the holster at a much more favorable angle. Holsters canted like this are an excellent choice not only for Law Enforcement members but also for dynamic shooting competitions.

While thumb-break holsters are slower to draw from, the strap increases the safety of your firearm when holstered and they also prevent your pistol from being easily snatched away from you. I’d recommend these mainly for the type of carry that makes it impossible to keep an eye on your gun (such as small of the back or shoulder carry) or if you frequently engage in abrupt movements.

Concealment, Comfort, Access

Now you came to check out the best appendix holsters hoping to learn which one to get, right? Well then, you surely know what appendix holsters are good for. Not only are they a perfect choice for super-deep concealment, but they also let you quickly access your firearm. However, there are situations when appendix carry isn’t the best choice. If you’re like me and have a set of well-nurtured muffin tops, the butt of your pistol will be sticking in your gut (a very unpleasant experience if you need to duck, bend over, etc.). I’d say appendix holsters are one of the least comfortable carry choices (even though some definitely deliver more comfort than most).

If you’re looking for more convenient carry options, get yourself an outside-the-waistband (OWB)holster. Carrying like this is super comfortable as the pistol and holster rarely get in your way. However, rigs carried outside the belt (belt side, cross-draw, middle of the back) are sometimes cumbersome as far as concealment goes. It’s not impossible to conceal an OWB holster, though. Plenty of pancake holsters with a low and slimline profile are available, al designed for high comfort that doesn’t compromise their concealability.

I find shoulder holsters to be the most comfortable choice. While these are difficult to conceal when it’s hot outside, they represent one of the best concealed carry choices come wintertime. If you get an entire shoulder holster system (shoulder holster & counterweight mag or speedloader pouch), it should also grant you superb balance and quick access to both your gun and extra ammo.

Holster Materials & Retention

Based on the list, you might have guessed that I most commonly wear kydex holsters (sometimes pejoratively referred to as plastic, even by me, sorry!), but I’ve recently grown quite fond of leather too. And then there are nylon holsters or so-called soft holsters. Honestly, I’ve never liked these much, but just like any other material, nylon also offers some perks. Last but not least, hybrid holsters have recently become a thing, especially for those who can’t decide on just one particular type of material or want their holster to offer a little bit of everything.

If you’re in need of as much retention as possible, then kydex is the way to go. Just like most kydex AIWB holsters on my list, these let you adjust the retention to your liking and they often feature gadgets that ensure a particular holster will pass Level III retention tests. The possibility to adjust retention and fit also means you’ll do with just one proper kydex rigs for multiple similarly sized handguns, which should be great news for you if you can’t afford or don’t want to buy a new holster for each of your carry pistols.

While kydex rigs are a great choice if you sport tactical attachments such as red dots or lights, they are not your best choice if you carry wheel guns. Sure thing, you can come across revolver kydex rigs, but I simply think they make no sense at all. There’s also something you should avoid doing when it comes to kydex holsters – never leave them on the dashboard when it’s scorching hot outside.

Leather holsters are for those who love traditional craftsmanship, classy looks, and unmatched feel their leather holster delivers. On top of that, if properly molded (just like my AIWB by Craft Holsters), you can be 100% certain your holster will fit like a glove and will boast adequately high natural retention. The problem with these is they can hardly be used by Law Enforcement agencies that require Level III holsters.

A huge benefit of leather holsters is that it’s possible to make them for pretty much every single firearm out there and the best leather holster makers will let you choose from many different designs for hundreds, if not thousands of makes and models. Also, quite recently, a bunch of the very best leather holster producers have been introducing a number of leather solutions for guns with tactical attachments.

A benefit of leather holsters is that they’ll withstand the test of time and might actually last you a lifetime if properly taken care of. The downside is that many of them will require you to perform a slight fit adjustment, or in other words, leather holster break-in. While this is a tedious chore, it’s simply a must if you get let’s say a wet-molded leather holster that will shrink a tad before it gets to you. It’s tedious, yea, but trust me, if you don’t overdo it, break-in of your new leather rig will help you get rid of the initial super tight fit while not making the holster loose enough even after years of constant use.

Now when it comes to nylon and hybrid holsters, I’m not a fan at all, so I won’t talk about them in depth. However, in general, nylon rigs are the most affordable and many times even most comfortable option while hybrid holsters pretty much get you the advantages (but also the problems) of a number of materials you like.

Conclusion

If you wanna carry appendix-style, then make sure you select your new holster from the options above as these simply are the best you can currently get. I’ve already shared my new personal favorite with you, but any of the holsters on the list will bring you a great and, most importantly, safe concealed carry experience. And if you were brave enough to read through the buyer’s guide section, you now know what you should base your shopping decision on. And if you got here by accident and you’ve never tried appendix carry, don’t frown upon it and give it a chance. After all, concealed carry is all about practice and even the weirdest looking or previously untried carry style can result in an ultimate holster experience.

Suggested Reading

• Learn about 9mm carry ammo options.