Ammunition Depot

There were some fantastic, sturdy, dependable pistols produced in the past, without question. However, there’s no question that modern firearms , in general , are more efficient, more reasonably engineered, lighter, more reliable, and—due to modern oversight, standardization, and enforced regulations—considerably safer than the handguns of the past. Among the advancements modern pistols enjoy over their predecessors is capacity. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find a 9mm pistol with a flush magazine carrying 18, 19, or 20+1. That’s three times or more than the capacity of the average revolver or semi-automatic pistol carried by civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel from the Civil War to the war in Vietnam. However, that’s not to say our sidearm-carrying antecedents had no interest in high-capacity handguns. Quite the opposite, in fact. And what the arms manufacturers of the past may have lacked in polymer frames, SAAMI standardized cartridges, or extended...

There are countless gun debates, all of which have enlivened conversations at shooting ranges, in gun stores, and between opinionated friends for decades now, with no sign of being resolved. They include revolver vs. semi-automatic, 9mm vs. .40S&W, 9mm vs. .45 ACP, and rifle vs. shotgun vs. handgun for home defense. There’s one debate, however, that was for a long time (though less nowadays) almost certainly the most ardent, impassioned, and personal of them all. (It was also a debate that was being literally fought out on battlefields all over the world.) That debate is, of course: Which is better, the AK-47 and 7.62 ammo, or the (M16) AR-15 and . 223 ammo ? However, now that the debate is less about the flagship assault rifle platforms of the Evil Empire vs. the Land of the Free, it can be more about the respective assets and imperfections of the two. More specifically, about their practical assets and imperfections as they’re relevant to 99% of the people who ...

The 12 gauge is one of the most common gauges used for hunting both bird and big game; one of the most often used for home protection; and is typically the main gauge used by law enforcement and for military applications. As such, different styles of the 12 gauge ammo slug are going to be focused on here. Of course, many of the pros and cons of the variable shotgun constructions are less general benefits or shortcomings than they are those shotguns being engineered for different purposes. A two-shot over/under shotgun is going to be as ill-advised for law enforcement, military operations, or home defense as a tactical pistol grip only (PGO) shotgun would be for taking ducks. Those differences will be taken into account, so hopefully, readers will find themselves a little more informed regarding the shotgun option that serves them best. Over/Under As mentioned, over/under shotguns only have the capability for two shells. That modest capacity has compelled many sh...

According to their portrayal in movies and TV, the chief purpose of suppressors (aka “silencers”) is quiet, quick mafia assassinations, silently dispatching the guards in a casino, or storming a jungle compound in camouflage face paint. And whenever suppressors are used, they make that whisper-quiet spit-hiss noise that you wouldn’t hear in the next room. Of course, the reality is quite a bit different in most ways. For one, suppressors do have a place outside of the TV and film world of secret agents and covert warfare. At firing ranges in Europe, for instance, suppressors were not only common but often required to minimize noise pollution. The same principle has inspired tens of thousands of gun owners in the United States to purchase suppressors. They have also become increasingly popular for hunting. That popularity raises a few practical questions. First, why are suppressors becoming so popular? And, if there some calibers (and loads) that are better suited for ...

The history of small arms is replete with examples of handguns that, right or wrong, never found a home. Many were manufactured for military contracts that never materialized, others were made for a civilian market that had no interest in them. Some of them were decent but impractical, others were not decent or practical, and some just had bad luck. The following inclusions are chiefly handguns that feature unique, often ingenious, feats of engineering that at least deserve to be remembered for their daring, innovation, or, in some cases, a possible lack of common sense. Whether any of these handguns deserved a better fate and wider distribution or are appropriately consigned to the scrapheap of history is a conclusion you will have to draw on your own.  Cochran Turret Revolver Instead of the standard cylindrical…cylinder that rotates around an axis, all of the tubes facing forward, the Cochran Turret Revolver pistol featured a sort of ball-and-powder wafer w...

If you’re familiar with the AR-15 platform, chances are you’re aware that the .223 Remington is the close civilian cousin of the 5.56 NATO cartridge. If you weren’t aware of that, you’re welcome! That distinction raises a number of questions and has also created a number of misconceptions.  The practical concern raised by this question generally is: Should I buy an AR-15 chambered for 5.56 NATO or one chambered for .223 Remington? Unfortunately, as is so often the case with these things, there’s not really a firm answer that can simply resolve the question. It’s an issue of preference. The Basics The most important practical piece of information regarding the difference between . 223 ammo and the 5.56 NATO cartridge is pressure. The 5.56 NATO cartridge produces considerably more of it when being fired. That matters because while a .223 Remington cartridge can be fired from a rifle machined to take 5.56 NATO rounds, the reverse is not necessarily true. Ther...

There are a lot of reasons to hunt a lot of species. Hunting guidelines are often established to control herds and flocks that would otherwise run the risk of overpopulation, which would result in a far slower and more painful death for more animals than those culled by hunters. Despite that, hunting can be somewhat of a controversial subject. There is, however, one area in which there’s virtually no disagreement: the hunting of feral pigs (aka wild hogs, wild boar). There’s a very good reason for that, feral pigs are an ecological nightmare. Along with destroying entire crops, sometimes literally overnight; they devastate native plant and animal populations; damage forests; contaminate water sources; damage soil and spread invasive plant species in their wake; and spread disease to wild populations, domestic livestock, and human beings. It’s estimated that wild pigs do around $1.5 billion worth of damage in the U.S. every year to agriculture and the environment. Ther...

When it comes to home defense, it’s best not to take any chances. That includes the defense of the home and the person. So what’s the best self-defense combination for comprehensive protection? That includes a long gun for protecting the home, an everyday carry (EDC), and a concealed carry or backup gun (BUG). Long Gun for Home Defense An article could be written (and many of them have been) on whether a rifle, handgun, or shotgun is the superior firearm for home defense. Excellent arguments can be made for all of them. However, for top-tier home defense, cartridge capacity, precision aiming, and stopping power, it’s hard to beat a rifle. And among rifles, it’s hard to beat those chambered for .223 Remington (the civilian permutation of the 5.56 NATO round), primarily the AR-15 platform. One of the primary concerns cited regarding the .223 Remington as a home defense option is over-penetration. It’s a legitimate concern as the .223 Remington, like the military 5.5...