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How to Choose Safe, Effective Targets for the Range: Paper, Steel, and Backer Basics Targets can feel like an afterthought—until a range asks you to switch target types, your group can’t be scored cleanly, or someone nearby has a ricochet scare. The truth is that target choice is part of safe, responsible shooting. Different target materials behave differently when struck, and most ranges have specific rules for what’s allowed (and at what distances and calibers). This guide wa …

Choosing Ammo for Practice vs. Defense: A Safety-Forward Guide to Common Types, Tradeoffs, and Smart Buying If you’ve ever stood in front of an ammo shelf (or a long product list online) and wondered why two boxes that “fit the same firearm” can look—and cost—so different, you’re not alone. Ammunition varies by purpose, performance goals, and quality control expectations. This article breaks down common practice vs. defensive ammo categories, what typical box …

Magazines vs. Clips: What the Terms Mean (and Why It Matters) “Clip” and “magazine” get used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but they’re not the same thing. Understanding the difference helps you shop more confidently, communicate clearly at the counter or the range, and avoid simple (but frustrating) compatibility mistakes. It also supports safer handling: feeding devices are where a lot of routine loading/unloading happens, and routine tasks are exactly …

Understanding Chamber Flags & Safe Bench Practices: Small Habits That Prevent Big Mistakes Most preventable range mishaps don’t start with “bad intentions”—they start with uncertainty. Is that firearm unloaded? Is the action open? Is it safe to go downrange? A few simple, highly visible habits can reduce confusion for everyone on the line. Two of the most effective tools are chamber flags (sometimes called “empty chamber indicators”) and consistent bench p …

Field-Stripping vs. Detail-Stripping: What Responsible Owners Should Know (and When to Use) “Cleaning your firearm” can mean very different things depending on who you ask. Some people are talking about a quick wipe-down after a range day. Others mean a full teardown to individual components. Knowing the difference matters because the right level of disassembly can protect reliability and safety—while the wrong level can introduce avoidable issues like lost parts, improper reas …