Gun Reviews

Whether you are a new gun owner or a veteran shooter, you can’t overlook a good cleaning kit. A universal cleaning kit with jags and brushes to clean firearms in different calibers might be the ultimate if you have a healthy collection of firearms. But sometimes a well-rounded caliber-specific kit is appropriate. Breakthrough Clean Technologies sells a number of these kits from 22-45 caliber in for both rifles and pistols. I own more 22 caliber rifles and pistols than anything else and I clean them all with a full-sized rifle rod. So, I got the Breakthrough’s Vision Series 22 caliber handgun cleaning kit to dedicate to my pistols.

The BCT .22 Cleaning Kit

The kit comes in a lockable plastic case and includes a plastic palm handle, two threaded brass rods, a bore mop, a bore brush, and two cleaning jags. In addition, it includes Breakthrough’s proprietary oil, military-grade solvent, and twenty synthetic patches.

There are plenty of inexpensive kits out there and they are often lacking in some way to keep down the costs. Some don’t include small amounts of oil, solvents, or patches to get you started. Others use threaded plastic handles that loosen up over time or plastic jags that become brittle and break when using the solvents and brisk motions you would expect during a cleaning session.

Breakthrough gives you enough cleaning supplies to get through a few cleaning sessions before you replenish them, and they did not skimp on the actual kit itself. The plastic handle has a brass threaded portion inlet into the handle and the included jags are all brass. One jag is the traditional eyelet type that allows you to scrub the inside of the bore and chambers of your pistol, while the other is a compression-fit jag that is excellent for pushing lead and copper fouling off the rifling and into the patch.

The brass rod is fairly standard equipment, as it is soft enough to prevent wear on the bore as it goes to work. When threaded and attached to the jag, it can clean up to an 8 1/2-inch barrel—more than enough length for most handgun barrels. The brush uses synthetic bristles instead of the usual bronze brush you will find in most kits. Some have stated concerns with bronze brushes wearing out the rifling of the barrel, but this is unfounded. In any case, a synthetic brush is tough enough for fouling.

In Use

After a few hundred rounds through my Ruger Wrangler Birdshead, it was starting to get sticky to operate. I disassembled the revolver and laid out the Breakthrough kit to try it for the first time. I am used to dipping patches and brushes into a solvent, but the included solvent is in a spray bottle. I was able to hose down the problem areas, particularly around the revolver cylinder, its chambers, and down the bore.

For a quick through with the brush, the eye-lit jag was easy to feed patches and I used it to clean the cylinder chambers while I used the compression jag in the bore. Slivers of leading came out on the first patch. Although I still prefer a bronze brush, the synthetic brush and solvent solution had done their job well. With a few more passes using clean patches, I was finished with the bore. I repeated the same process with the cylinder of my revolver and was able to get it clean in short order.

After giving the revolver a wipe-down with solvent, I followed up with oil. It comes in a bottle with a needled point, allowing me to apply just a few drops at a time on the moving parts. A lightly oiled patch down the bore and chambers, as well as a quick oil wipe-down, finished the operation in all of ten minutes.

And perhaps the best part of all is that Breakthrough’s oil and solvent do not stink! But don’t worry, you can always stock up on Hoppes No. 9 when you run out. Likewise, the synthetic patches that Breakthrough supplies do not shed fibers while you are working with them. I prefer cotton patches for this reason and generally stay away from synthetic patches, but these left nothing of themselves behind.

A Few Things to Add

The Breakthrough Vision Handgun kit is an excellent buy that will outlast some of the others on the market, but there are a few additions you might want to look into to make your kit complete.

For those occasions where you will need a screwdriver to take off grips and adjust sights, a dedicated screwdriver/punch set is recommended. Breakthrough does not provide one with this kit, but it is a worthwhile trade-off to get cleaning supplies you will certainly use instead of a screwdriver that you may not need for a modern pistol. Still, a good screwdriver set is good to have for the abovementioned tasks. A screwdriver is often included in some small kits, but they tend to be ill-fitted to machine screws and take up space in lieu of cleaning supplies. A universal cleaning kit will often come with a screwdriver and a good set of bits, but you are also stuck with the space and expense of having caliber-specific accessories you may not need.

The only change I would make to the Breakthrough kit is the inclusion of a small bronze brush. I use a larger one to break up stubborn fouling baked onto surfaces like revolver cylinder faces and feeding ramps. I would prefer a pocket version over the redundant cotton bore mop that serves the same function as a jag. I could have made good use of an included brush to scrub the cylinder face and inside the cylinder frame to get at tough fouling that the bore brush is ill-suited to reach. Such a brush would also be handy for cleaning around the muzzle and along the rails of an autoloading pistol. But this is a relatively minor gripe. A small bronze brush is inexpensive enough to purchase and a hard-bristled toothbrush can be a good substitute. But all in all, the core of the kit is built to last and the included cleaning supplies are easy to use and effective. For most of us, a Breakthrough Kit with a bronze brush will cover most cleaning needs for very little money.

Firearms storage is one of the less-exciting topics that’s vitally important to address. It may not be as exciting as the latest Blaster 3300 or solar-powered eye pro, but it’s something that must be considered. If you own firearms, you either own or need to own a safe (or two, or three). But if your safe or safes are all the massive, upright kind, how fast you can really get at your home defense gun? Do you have a setup that allows you to keep your handgun out of unauthorized hands while remaining accessible to you? The SnapSafe Two-Gun Keypad Vault addresses that problem, making it possible to safely store your home defense handgun without making it impossibly slow to get to it.

What is the SnapSafe Two-Gun Keypad Vault?

The SnapSafe Two-Gun Keypad Vault is pretty much what it sounds like: A safe large enough for two handguns (or one handgun and some ammo). It’s small enough to fit into tight spaces such as under a desk or bed but big enough to get your hand into it without a struggle. It’s possible to utilize this safe for long-term or short-term storage, and we’re going to tell you how.

This is a basic safe with redundant locks. It’s made from 16-gauge steel, which is 1.6mm thick. This type of steel is an A36 mild carbon steel alloy that’s regularly used for structural work. It has a minimum yield of 36,000 psi and tensile strength between 58,000 and 80,000 psi. Basically, that means it’s strong enough to withstand a beating, but given enough time, you’re going to get through it. That doesn’t translate to this safe being a poor choice by any means, just that measures should be taken to use it correctly.

Features of this safe include a programmable keypad that can use a four to six-digit code, a tubular round key backup, and a spring-loaded door. There’s also a removable inner shelf that can be used to hold another gun or other objects. A protective foam liner on the interior of the safe helps protect guns from scrapes and minor damage. This safe is recognized by the California Department of Justice as an approved Firearm Storage Device (FSD).

How big is the safe?

On its exterior, the safe measures 9.0 inches wide, 8.8 inches high, and 12.7 inches deep. That’s not too far off its internal dimensions, although the inside is a bit smaller due to the thickness of the steel and overall construction. Inside, the safe is 7.5 inches wide, 6.4 inches high, and 10.5 inches deep. Shipping box dimensions put it at 16.5 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 12 inches deep. It weighs 12.8 pounds, shipped, and a bit less once it’s out of the packaging. It’s not a bulky or otherwise massive safe.

How do you use the safe?

It’s possible to utilize the SnapSafe in various ways. The safe can be used for temporary storage on a bookshelf or pushed under a table, counter, or desk. If you use it in this way it’s important to remember how easy it is for someone to simply pick it up and walk off with it. That makes this type of use a good idea only if you are present and keeping an eye on it. Some gun owners use the safe this way to keep their gun locked up while they’re sitting at their desk or in their living room watching television. It’s certainly a great method for keeping hands off your gun when you’re still in the area.

If you intend to leave firearms in this safe longer term, you’ll want to bolt it down. SnapSafe makes this possible thanks to pre-drilled holes in the base of the safe. Sturdy bolts can be used to attach the safe to the floor, and it’s highly recommended. If the safe is literally bolted down, no one’s going to wander off with it (and its contents). Many gun owners choose to use it this way for long-term storage of their preferred home defense handgun. They might bolt it down in a closet or even under an end table. Your storage options broaden quite a bit when the safe is securely attached to the floor.

How does the safe work?

To use the safe to store your handguns, program it. The safe comes with a manual that’s easy to follow; programming takes seconds. The keypad runs on four AA batteries, which are not included. Take care to choose a numeric code sequence someone else won’t readily think of. That means no birthdays, holidays, or overly simplistic things like 1234. Of course, it also needs to be something you can remember under pressure. To that end, we suggest practicing opening the safe until it becomes second nature. That means pressing the keypad from whatever angle you’d be accessing it, whether that’s reaching down from the bed or around a corner under an end table or desk. Ideally, you won’t need to hunker down and stare at the safe while you’re opening it.

The backup key comes in handy and should be stored in a location where it cannot be easily found. That means storing it right next to the safe is a no-go, as is hanging it from a hook you keep specifically for key storage. Be creative, but don’t make it impossible.

This safe has a door that’s constantly under spring-loaded pressure. That means when you activate it through the keypad or key, the door pops open. There’s no pulling it down or fussing with it. It also allows the safe to have a sleeker construction with hidden seams to make it pry-resistant. Hinges are similarly recessed to prevent someone from breaking in.

Is the safe fireproof?

No, this safe is not fireproof. Frankly, the heat generated by a house fire will do damage to the contents of most safes. Some just take longer than others. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea to get your hands on a fire-resistant safe, just that it’s wise to be realistic about its limitations.

How many guns does it hold?

SnapSafe designed this model to fit two handguns, one per ledge. It’s certainly possible to cram more in there, but once you do that it’s not possible to safely remove a single gun without a struggle. We suggest sticking to two handguns total, although we like to put one handgun on the bottom and store ammo and spare, loaded magazines on the shelf. By doing that it’s a lot easier to draw your defensive handgun and also snag a spare mag if need be. That brings up an interesting point: If the same isn’t bolted down, the rush to get your gun can involve everything getting knocked around. Bolting it down means drawing the gun is a much smoother, faster process.

Should I get a SnapSafe Two-Gun Keypad Vault?

Speaking from personal experience and the use of more safes than can be counted, I’d say yes. As long as you use this safe correctly, it’s a great option for locking up the gun you want on hand to defend your home. And because you can fit two guns, you can use it for your main gun and a backup or for both yours and your other half’s main guns. SnapSafe makes good quality safes, and this keypad vault is yet another example of their reliable functionality. Remember, it’s your responsibility to safely store your firearms, and that is likely to mean having more than one safe.

CCI is well known for its .22 caliber ammunition, among others. But did you realize that they also make many other calibers? Among them is the 9x19mm (also known as 9mm Luger). Let’s take a closer look at their Blazer Brass 9mm.

Origins

CCI was started back in the 1950s by Dick Speer (the brother of Vernon Speer, who founded Speer bullets) and Arvid Nelson. Previously, Dick Speer had worked as a machinist at Boeing Aircraft’s Seattle Plant.

With its headquarters in Lewiston, Idaho, It stands for Cascade Cartridges, Inc. The parent company, Vista Outdoor, is the largest manufacturer of ammunition in the United States. The name has become synonymous with high-quality ammunition and reloading components.

Of note, CCI also sells the Gold Dot line of bullets, which is wildly popular.

9mm

Back in 1986, there was an infamous shootout between two criminals and the FBI in Florida. In fact, it quickly became known as the “Miami FBI Shootout.” Two determined bank robbers named Platt and Matix were on a murder/robbery spree and were quite wanted by the authorities.

Several FBI agents found them, tailed them, and attempted to take them down in a residential neighborhood. The resulting gun battle was epic, with two agents being killed and five wounded. Both Platt and Matix were also killed in the exchange of gunfire.

The suspects were heavily armed, with weapons including a Ruger Mini-14. FBI agents had a mixture of revolvers, 9mm autos, and two 12-gauge shotguns.

To make a long story short, Platt was hit several times. One 9mm projectile stopped just short of reaching his heart and eventually caused his death. However, he still continued fighting for a time after this fatal wound.

Pointing Fingers

The FBI blamed the 9mm round as a “failure” and said it was because of the so-called failure of the bullet that the agents died. They began a quest for a newer, better round. They also declared that bullets needed to penetrate at least 12 inches to be considered effective at stopping bad guys. Overnight, the 9mm became Persona Non-Grata.

The whole thing wasn’t necessarily fair or accurate; any round could have failed to stop Platt, regardless of caliber. Nevertheless, the 9mm got a bad rap and when the .40 caliber S&W was introduced, agencies (and civilians) adopted it in droves. The 9mm was discarded like a red-headed stepchild.

Resurgence

Fast forward to the present day. Lo and behold, shortcomings with the .40 S&W were realized. Added recoil, wear and tear on weapons, and higher costs are now on the radar.

You guessed it—we’ve come full circle, and the 9mm is, once again, in the good graces of many agencies. Yes, they are returning to the 9mm. It has less recoil, costs less, and the firearms last longer because of the lower recoil impulse. It’s also easier to control in rapid fire, again owing to that lower recoil impulse.

And with technology these days, the hollow point bullets in 9mm are pretty darn effective. The Prodigal Son has returned; the 9mm is once again in good graces.

Present Day

It seems that more 9mm ammunition is now being cranked out by companies. For us, that’s a good thing, because there’s more ammo floating around. And CCI is happy to oblige our needs!

I’m no stranger to CCI ammunition, having used it for decades in various calibers. I’ve long been a fan of their .22LR ammunition; it’s the gold standard by which all other .22 ammo is measured.

However, I’ve also enjoyed their 9mm ammunition as well. Their Blazer line of ammunition is very popular with many agencies for training, as it’s economical and reliable. I’ve used it for that very same reason.

Blazer

CCI’s Blazer line is available in several calibers. The 9mm can be had in 115, 124, and 147-grain rounds. Today I’ll be reviewing the 124-grain FMJ load, which I have used in every 9mm pistol that I’ve either owned or reviewed.

That would include:

• Glock 17
• Glock 19
• Glock 19X
• Glock 43
• Glock 43X
• H&K USP (and USP Compact)
• Springfield Armory XDm (in fact, a few of them)
• Springfield Armory XDe
• S&W CSX
• S&W 5903
• Sig P228
• Sig P226
• Arex Delta X

And I’m certain there are several that I’m forgetting about! Suffice it to say, I have extensive experience with the Blazer line, having used it in training, practice, and competition. It has proven 100% reliable, and I’ve never had a failure of any sort with the ammunition, nor from any firearm while using this ammo. It’s performed exactly how I expect CCI ammunition to perform.

Interestingly, not all pistols will feed every type of ammunition that they are fed. It’s not unheard of for one pistol to have its favorite types of ammunition—even the same model pistol from the same manufacturer. All the pistols I used, however, liked Blazer ammo.

As an aside, I have friends who also use these rounds in their pistol caliber carbines (and their regular pistols), and they report the same—it works well and reliably all the time.

Details

CCI states that they state that they use Boxer-type primers and primer pockets to make reloading easy.

CCI reports the muzzle velocity of FMJ 124 grain load is 1090 Feet Per Second. At 50 yards, the velocity is 1,019 FPS, and at 100 yards, velocity is 965 FPS. While this round doesn’t have screaming velocity, it’s not a slow one, either.

Unlike some other ammunition that can be found on the market, CCI arrives in its packages clean and polished. It looks good! I think good-looking ammo reflects pride from the manufacturer, which instills user confidence, as well.

Uses

While I’ve mentioned using these bullets for training, practice, and competition, there is one other aspect that I can think of. And that is defense.

I’ll make no bones about it, I’d really, really rather not use a 9mm FMJ round for defensive purposes unless I was really in a jam. And if I’m ever using FMJ for defense, it truly means that I’m in dire straits. They tend to grossly over-penetrate. In fact, from 1990 until around 1998, the New York Police Department mandated that its officers carry 9mm FMJ rounds for duty use! Yes, you read that correctly…for duty use!

In 1995 and 1996, five people were hit by bullets fired by NYPD officers after those bullets had passed through suspects. In short, overpenetration caused injuries to bystanders. During that same time period, 17 police officers were also struck by bullets that had passed through suspects! We can see that, during this very short period of time, Full Metal Jacket ammo caused some chaos in the NYPD. And that’s not even taking into account the rest of the time period that these rounds were being used.

Obviously, FMJ ammunition is not the premier combat load that any of us should be choosing, instead opting for some form of hollow point ammo. Not only for safety but for stopping power.

The Bottom Line

The CCI Blazer line of ammo is clean and shoots great. Many agencies rely on it for training and practice, as do shooters around the country. Many use it for competition as well. Personally, it’s reliable enough that I’d depend on it for defensive purposes, other than the fact that it is FMJ. It is also accurate and consistent.

And now for the next best part: the price. As I write this, GunMag Warehouse sells this ammo at a great price that you’ll have a tough time beating! I recommend stocking up while the gettin’ is good.

If you try to look up what the best caliber is for self-defense, you will probably find both of these statements:

• The perfect caliber for self-defense is .380.
• You should never use .380 ammo because it’s junk.

Use it. Don’t use it. It’s great. It’s awful. We have a billion rifle rounds and arguments can be made for each caliber including what it works best for. The same is true for handguns.

There are reasons why people choose .380 and there are reasons why they don’t. Like any other caliber, it just depends on what works best for you. Today I’m going to focus on the Blazer .380 95 Grain FMJ, but I also want to look at why people carry .380 and why training is needed for those who do carry it.

CCI Blazer .380 FMJ Brass Case

Blazer .380 FMJ brass ammo is known for its reliability and overall good quality ammo for training. At just under 1,000 fps, the ballistics are about the norm of any standard 95-grain .380 round. Blazer uses good quality brass and non-corrosive boxer primers. While their quality is excellent for the range, it is very affordable compared to other brands out there. I have been using Blazer ammo for years in multiple calibers and have never had any issues with it. I have also found Blazer ammo is a good choice for long-term storage because of the non-corrosive boxer primers.

It is easy to fall into the trap of buying the best ammo for self-defense and then buying the cheapest stuff out there for range time. The only problem with this is that practice time on the range is one of the most crucial types of training needed to prepare for that self-defense situation we hope never comes. But if it does, training with cheap ammo will cause the gun to recoil differently, may not be as accurate, and may cycle through the gun differently. It is ok to shoot cheap ammo for fun on the range, but it should not substitute serious training for concealed carry.

Why carry a .380?

Yes, it is true, .380 is far less effective than .45, 10mm, .40, or even 9mm. But that does not make it useless. A .45 carries some serious knock-down power. But with that knock-down power comes serious recoil. Larger bullets also mean less ammo or much larger magazines to carry the same amount of ammo. A 9mm has better recoil and is smaller so it makes a great CCW round. In fact, the 9mm is probably the most popular self-defense round today. But there could still be a reason why some want to carry a .380.

The 1st reason is that a .380 is very compact and allows maximum capacity before you go even smaller like a 32 ACP or .22 caliber. My philosophy has always been to carry the largest handgun that can still be concealed. The size of handgun I can carry changes each day depending on what I am doing and the clothes I can wear. If I’m off duty and it’s 95 degrees outside, it will be harder to conceal a 1911. If it’s cool out and I can wear a jacket, hoodie, or some type of outer shirt that covers more up, a larger gun is possible.  But I still find days where I grab my .380 and head out.

When you carry a weapon daily, it can start to feel like a chore at times. There are days that my clothing just won’t conceal a larger gun. If I’m wearing a shirt and jeans that just won’t hide a larger gun, I’m tempted to go without one. But that is not very responsible, so I grab the smallest gun I have and strap it on. After all, that’s better than no gun, right?

Another reason some people carry a .380 is because of the low recoil. If someone has trouble with recoil on smaller guns and a larger framed gun is not an option, a .380 can be a good alternative.

Is a .380 effective?

A .380 is not as effective as a 9mm or larger caliber round. But that does not mean it’s useless in a self-defense incident. Is the risk higher that an attacker would not be stopped as fast? Yes. But it can still be effective, and it can still work. In my years in law enforcement, I have seen people shot with .45 caliber ammo that walked into the hospital without any help. I have also worked cases where a single .380 wound was fatal instantly.

Most self-defense shootings take place at less than 20 feet. This means the likelihood of needing to use a .380 caliber for self-defense is going to be very close. A .380 can be effective when the target is within a few feet and the weapon can fire multiple rounds quickly. This does not mean I prefer a .380 as a daily carry, but I can still draw and fire mine quickly if I do need a very compact gun.

Why should you train with a .380 if you carry it?

I fell into the same category as others and thought if I train with a 9mm, I can handle a .380. After all, a .380 is not as much fun to shoot on the range as a 9mm or some other larger round. Small compact guns are just not comfortable to shoot. But even if you train with a 9mm or larger caliber gun, training is still needed for a .380 if you are going to carry one. The smaller frame of the gun requires more grip strength to control. This is especially true if the compact gun is a larger caliber like .40 or .45.

Every gun and every caliber shoots just a little bit differently. A .380 may not kick very much but regular training should still be done to be efficient with it. Contrary to what people think about the “cute” little guns, a small compact gun can be much harder to shoot quickly and accurately than a full-size gun. I find running drills with my Ruger LCP Max more challenging than running them with a Glock, 1911, or Sig P320. The rule for any weapon should be, if you carry it, you train with it.

On the range with the Blazer .380

When I train with one of my CCW weapons, I like to shoot three kinds of ammo from it. First is self-defense ammo. If I am going to carry ammo for protection, I want to make sure my gun will shoot it without any issues. I know it’s expensive but it’s worth it to buy an extra box the 1st time you train with it. The 2nd type of ammo I use is good-quality FMJ for regular training. When I use the Blazer .380 FMJ in my LCP Max, it is very smooth and has no issues.

The 3rd type of ammo I shoot from a CCW gun is the cheapest stuff I can find. This is not what I use for quality training, but to see if the gun has limits. Does it jam with the cheap stuff or can it handle cheap ammo too? If it does well, the cheap ammo may be a good choice when you want to plink at pop cans as the sun goes down. Most of my training, however, is with quality target ammo, and the Blazer 95-grain FMJ is a great choice for this.

Summary

Find what works for you and go with it. If a .380 is all you can carry at times, then carry a .380 caliber gun. CCI’s Blazer .380 Brass Case is a great choice for training with your .380 and is an excellent price for the quality of ammo you get. My agency uses Blazer for some of our training events and we have not had any issues.

This .380 target ammo comes in a good quality box with a solid plastic ammo holder that makes it easy to store. It also has good-quality brass casings for those who like to reload and save some money. CCI’s Blazer is a great brand and .380 is a good caliber for those wanting a low recoil small caliber round.

The first question that most people ask when receiving any gun is, what is the best ammo to use with it?

This depends on many factors, including what the shooter is actually using the gun for, however one of the largest factors that makes a certain ammo type the best is the actual gun. Not every gun is alike and even with a pistol that was made on the same manufacturing line back to back, it may still shoot better with one type of ammo vs the other. With that though, there is merit to see how ammo performs to get an idea of where to start.

10mm is quickly becoming a favorite in many households. On a day of putting a new Sig XTEN through its paces, we were able to shoot six different kinds of ammo and see how they grouped and how the recoil felt. Ammo choices are not only based on the grouping size during testing but also on how well you as the shooter can shoot the gun. One type of ammo can show a great group but another close 2nd could be a lot easier to shoot. And let’s face it, this is 10mm, and it is not the easiest of shooting, to begin with.

Below are the results.

The Gun

We have a brand new Sig P320 XTEN. This is a full-sized, striker-fired, polymer-framed, 10mm Auto pistol with a 5″ barrel and day/night sights.

Honestly, the Sig P320 XTEN is a P320 but in a larger frame and different caliber. The recoil acceptance for the power of the 10mm is on point and the firearm is still practical. It has day/night sights, is optic-ready, and can be seated into holsters that many already own.

Sig P320 XTEN Features

• Caliber: 10mm Auto
• Sights: X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights
• Barrel Length: 5 in.
• Weight: 33 Oz.
• Accessory Rail: Yes
• Trigger Action: Striker
• Trigger Type: XSeries Straight
• Grip Module: Full-Size Polymer XSeries
• Barrel Material: Carbon Steel
• Slide Material/Finish: Stainless Steel w/ Nitron Finish
• Optic Ready?: Yes

The Exercise

For this exercise, a five-round group is shot at 25 yds at a B-8, not under time, for each type of ammo. To have consistent shooting I called on Joshua Shaw, A GrandMaster in USPSA to shoot the groups.

Ensure that you are shooting at a distance far enough away to show the spreads in ammo. Josh stated that 10 yds won’t really show the difference in ammo, you have to push out. So get to a distance where you can still capably shoot but far enough to show the different capabilities in ammo.

This type of drill is good for anyone that just received a brand-new firearm or barrel. Here’s a tip: don’t go to the store and pick up a ton of ammo. You might end up with ammo that shoots like crap in your gun, or you might miss out on a more capable gun/ammo pairing. Instead, shoot this drill with five different types of ammo first.

Doing this means that you only have to buy one box per ammo type and use a couple of targets to really hone in on what type of ammo works best in your firearm. It also takes less than an hour at the range.

A little-known fact: we often do this drill and testing during reloading in the precision rifle world. When we get a new barrel we will use the last load as a baseline to start our grouping and velocity tests, but we will load a couple more rounds with different powder loads and seating depths. This is the same thing that we are doing today with a pistol. Barrels like different things, as do pistols, don’t allow yourself a less capable firearm because you didn’t take the time to find the best ammo for it.

The Ammo

Jacketed Hollow Point ammo was chosen for this grouping test. This type of ammo is great for defensive situations or hunting. 10mm is a very niche caliber. Below are the ammo types for each group.

• PMC Bronze:10mm Auto, JHP, 170gr.
• Nosler: 10mm Auto: JHP, 180 gr.
• HSM: 10mm Auto: JHP, 180 gr.
• Federal HST: 10mm Auto, HST JHP, 200gr.
• Federal PUNCH: 10mm Auto, JHP, 200 gr.
• Sig V-Crown: 10mm Auto, JHP, 180 gr.

The Groups

Don’t worry about what side of the paper that the rounds are impacting, just focus on group size. The iron sights weren’t adjusted before shooting and different ammunition will always need a different zero.

The Results

Based on the target alone, the best group that day was the SIG V-Crown 180 gr JHP,and worst was the Federal Punch 200gr. Feedback from Josh was that the softest shooting was the PMC ammunition, which also proved to have a great group.

Group sizes in order, beginning with the tightest group”

1. Sig V-Crown 180gr JHP
2. PMC 170gr JHP
3. Federal HST 200gr
4. HSM 180gr
5. Nosler 180gr
6. Federal Punch 200gr

When choosing your desired ammo type you want to know the group sizing as well as how you can manage the recoil. Josh stated that the softest shooting was the PMC. Even if that didn’t have the tightest group, it had a great group and Josh could handle it better than other ammo types. To have a capable gun, the shooter needs to be capable too, and a softer shooting ammo type could allow for better shooting, no matter what the group testing showed.

Personally, for this specific gun, I would first look at how the ammunition expands between the two best ammo types on the list, Sig V-Crown and PMC. After that research, I would then go forward with my decision on what to carry in that gun. Without the expansion research, I would choose the PMC as my ammo type due to softer shooting and a great group. 

Remember, these groups are for this particular Sig P320 XTEN. Yours may like different ammo.

Happy shooting!

Are you looking for some good full-metal jacketed 9mm ammo? You have no doubt heard of Blazer Ammunition. It is made in the USA (Lewiston, Ohio) and manufactured in the CCI production facility. I use Blazer ammo a lot and never hesitate to pick up a box when I’m at the store. These days there isn’t really such a thing as cheap ammo, but Blazer is about as good of a deal as you can find. It’s not just on the budget-friendly side though, it happens to be some good ammo.

You can find some cheaper stuff like Wolf or Tula, but the cheapest is not always the best way to go. Even if you want to save some money and just put in a little range time, you want to make sure you have ammo that will be consistent and reliable. Some guns handle just about any kind of ammo, and some do not like the cheap stuff. I rarely see a handgun that won’t handle Blazer’s FMJ 9mm rounds.

The Legendary 9mm Luger

Some people still think the 9mm Luger is a newer, more modern round. And while improvements have been made to improve it, the 9mm Luger was invented in 1901. This was even before the .45 caliber that John Moses Browning invented. It is a tried-and-true caliber that is now used by people all around the globe. It is the standard issue caliber by the US Military and law enforcement around the country. Arguably the most popular concealed carry round by citizens everywhere, it continues to gain in popularity. It is just large enough to be effective yet small enough to allow for multiple rounds to be carried without adding a lot of weight.

Because the 9mm round is so effective, it has been used in nearly every type of firearm on the planet. Guns like the Beretta 92F, Glock 17, the classic German Luger, and more have all been chambered in the 9mm round. It serves well as a universal caliber for anyone wishing to have a concealed carry gun as well as a larger framed gun while only stocking up on one type of ammunition.

Blazer Ballistic Performance

9mm ammo can be found in mostly three common grains: 115, 124, and 147. The heavier the grain, the slower the bullet, but the more energy it will have when it hits its target. When using a full metal jacket like the Blazer 115 Grain FMJ, you have better accuracy and distance on the range than you would with a hollow point round. A 9mm round can be effective out to a few hundred yards. From a handgun, body-size targets can be hit relatively easily at 100 yards. That makes a 9mm handgun a very handy weapon for self-defense.

Blazer 9mm ammo is not just reliable but can also be worth some money after you fire it. Their brass cases are well made and because of their high-quality brass, can be reloaded up to five times. This makes the casings worth collecting after you are done on the range. If you are not into reloading, save them up and sell them to someone who is. It will bring down the overall cost of ammo while allowing some range time. Blazer’s non-corrosive casings and boxer primers make this a great budget ammo for the range.

Storing Blazer Ammo Long Term

There are some types of ammo I would not recommend storing for long periods of time. When you do store ammo, you want to make sure the manufacturer uses good-quality powder, casings, and primers. Blazer ammunition should be fine to store long-term if you keep the moisture away from it. Heat is also an enemy to all ammo so store it in a dry, cool place if it will be set aside for the long haul.

Blazer ammo boxes are thick cardboard that will help protect it during storage times and the plastic crates that hold the ammo are excellent. Some of the cheap stuff comes with flimsy crates that fall apart as you stack multiple boxes inside of an ammo can. The best method for storing is to place the Blazer boxed ammo inside a military surplus ammo can with a few desiccant packets to help control the moisture. Keep the ammo can in a cool, dry place and it will be good to go.

On the Range With Blazer

I shoot a lot of different brands of ammunition but one of my favorite stories involves Blazer ammo. Every now and then luck intervenes and makes a shooter look better than they really are. I was this lucky on the range one afternoon during a training event. I had just finished a 2-gun shoot that involved running, crawling, and switching from handgun to rifle throughout the course. The last shot of the event was an eight inch metal plate at 100 yards with the short barrel rifle we carry on duty. After making it ding, the range instructor yelled “bonus point if you can hit it with your handgun.” In a very off-handed way, I raised my Glock out to my side with one hand and pull the trigger. A split-second pause and then, “Ding.”

To this day we joke about how it must have been that Blazer ammo! What’s not a joke however is that it was Blazer ammo, and it did hit the target. Could I have made that shot again one-handed without really taking any time to aim? Probably not, but it made me more impressed with Blazer’s FMJ boxed ammo.

Summary

There is a lot of good ammo out there, but it’s hard to beat the quality and price of Blazer’s ammunition. It’s packaged well, made with good materials, and shoots great. I don’t really have anything to complain about with their product. I carry hollow points in my handguns and train with FMJ like the Blazer 9mm 115 Grain ammo. It’s great for storing and the price is about as cheap as it gets before you start losing quality. I would definitely give Blazer two thumbs up.

“Violent Night” is the latest in a seemingly growing series of Santa-Claus-is-a-badass movies. We had “Fatman” a few years back, starring a grizzled Mel Gibson as Santa Claus. This year we have David Harbour playing a disgruntled Santa Claus who spends Christmas night getting hammered and haphazardly delivering presents. The movie harkens back to classic Christmas movies like “Die Hard.”

Santa is delivering presents to the ‘Lightstone’ mansion. The Lightstone family is crazy rich; like billionaires-insulting-senators rich. The family is full of strife, and most of them are comedic actors. Edi Patterson is fantastic as Alva, the suck-up sister, with her husband Morgan Steele played hilariously by Cam Gigandet. Beverly D’Angelo plays Gertrude Lightstone, the matriarch with balls of steel.

On the flip side, we have Jason and Linda, an estranged couple trying to give their only daughter, Trudy, a nice Christmas. They are barely putting up with each other when an international team of terrorists takes them hostage, led by Mr. Scrooger, aka John Leguizamo. His team kills their staff and security while Santa is delivering presents. After Santa’s Reindeer are scared by gunfire, he’s stuck in the mansion with the hostage and terrorists.

A Very Violent Night

The movie is a bit of a dark comedy, and as it progresses, Santa is pushed to his limits. He begins a bit cowardly and tries to escape and mind his own business, but Trudy is a true believer, and he stays for her. This movie is ultraviolet, and it’s chock full of blood, guns, and Christmas-themed violence.

The plot is fairly simple and formulaic. You’ll know the ending and the fates of most of the characters at a glance. That’s not why we are coming to see this film. People are watching “Violent Night” to see Santa kill a man, a Christmas star, or use a tinsel garrote, and you get plenty of that.

We get glimpses of Santa’s past, and he was a warrior who wielded a hammer called Skull Crusher. This later leads to an extended, and I mean very extended, violent scene of Santa wielding a sledgehammer alongside a snow blower, a set of skates, and more.

Santa himself never grabs a gun, but he faces nothing but heavily armed threats. Much like “Die Hard,” he chews through most of them one at a time. The mansion and grounds are big enough that he gets enough one-on-one face time to take them down with ease. The film gets very creative with its kills and violence, and it’s hilariously over the top.

If you’re looking for some revolutionary commentary on Christmas with a subtle commentary on modern politics, this isn’t for you. It’s just a fun and entertaining movie with a pretty solid cast. The cast gets room to breathe between Harbour, Leguizamo, and D’Angelo. Everyone gets some kind of scene with levity and a chance to shine.

Guts, Gore, and Heart

The film does have some heart and clearly makes references to older Christmas movies. The aptest comparison is “Die Hard.” After seeing “Home Alone,” our sweet Trudy makes some traps that are violent enough that she even racks a kill, even if it wasn’t intended.

Santa has magic but isn’t a superhero. He bleeds and gets his ass kicked. He sews himself up, and it’s really Trudy and her belief in him that keeps him going. I love that the movie doesn’t try to explain Christmas magic. Santa says numerous times he doesn’t really know how it works, it just does, and it works when it’s needed. The naughty and nice list is a great way for Santa to know who is who and how to deal with them.

This keeps the movie light and movie without a silly exposition dump. In fact, it’s almost entirely exposition dump-free. Santa is Santa, and he has a bad history. The bad guy has a bad Christmas experience, and the mercenaries are one-note characters who are there to die. Although, to their credit, a few get some good jokes in.

While it’s violent and bloody, the movie does hit some standard Christmas themes, like believing in Santa and uniting a clearly broken family in more ways than one. The estranged couple gets back together, but the family as a whole is tighter, even though they all seemingly hated each other in the beginning. It’s a Christmas movie for adults.

The Guns

Obviously, the guns deserve mention, and there are a fair number of them throughout the film. The main bad guy firearms of the bad guys are two rifles, the HK 416D and what appears to be a Troy PDW-style rifle. These highly trained mercs seem to wave the PDW around like a wand of death and the stock is never deployed, but the bad guys armed with HK 416 rifles seem to use the stocks and red dots. Speaking of, those red dots all seem to be the Aimpoint Comp M4s.

Later on, we see an armed unit arrive carrying a variety of different AR-type rifles, as well as an M240. The commander of this unit carries a Beretta 92FS, aka “The Official Gun of Christmas.” The bad guy’s sidearm of choice is the very interesting Grand Power X-Calibur. Kind of interesting to see a fairly odd weapon make its way to the big screen.

Harbour takes all these guns on with a sledgehammer and a pair of sharpened skates because Santa can brawl.

Violent Night Rules

“Violent Night” is a fun flick in a new but increasingly familiar violent Santa Claus trope. David Harbour steals the show as a very believable and gruff Santa. It’s a great flick to kick off the holiday season. It’s bound to become a cult classic, and we’ll likely get a sequel. Maybe in the next one, we can see his beloved Ms. Clause and Santa using Skull Crusher.

Any other fans of violent Christmas movies? Can we get a gritty Yukon Cornelius film where we see him use that Colt 45 a time or two?

Ever wish you had a toolkit tailored especially for your gun? If you’ve ever done any tinkering with firearms, you know that standard toolkits from the hardware store won’t cut it. There are just some things that need dedicated tools. Well, if that sounds familiar, Fix It Sticks has you covered. They offer a variety of quality firearms toolkits both general and specific in nature. Here’s a look at the Fix It Sticks AR toolkit.

Compact, Convenient, and Versatile

The Fix It Sticks AR toolkit package says, “With so many ways to customize an AR, no wonder it’s America’s #1 rifle.” No argument here. This toolkit has almost everything I want to work on my AR. I’ll address what I think it lacks below, but let’s start with what it does include.

First, the canvas case is simple and compact. The tools all have their own place in the attached organizer, while the case itself has generous storage pockets and extra slots if you choose to add a few tools to the standard package. The case also has MOLLE webbing on one side if you want to attach it to your gear.

The tools themselves are modular, so you can store them easily and quickly assemble the combination you need. So, what comes in the kit?

Included Tools and Accessories

The kit revolves around the “Fix It Stick,” a modular T-handle that employs various accessories to perform the task at hand. The Fix It Stick can also be used as a linear handle, much like a traditional screwdriver. It has four magnetic sockets for accessories or adapters, giving you choices about how to attack your job. The AR toolkit includes:

• Two Fix It Sticks
• Two 6cm brass cleaning rods
• Five hex bits in the following sizes: 3/32”, 7/64”, 1/8”, 9/64”, and 5/32”
• Three screwdriver bits in the following sizes: PH1, 3/16”, and 3/32”
• Four Torx bits in the following sizes: T-10, T-15, T-20, and T-25
• Two bit adapters compatible with 8-32 threaded components
• Metal pin punch
• Non-marring polymer pin punch
• A2 front sight adjustment tool
• Bronze scraper
• Cleaning brush
• Steel pick
• Bolt carrier group scraper
• Castle nut wrench

All bits are chrome plated.

Maximum Modularity

All the accessories and bits are attachable to the T-handles either directly or through the adapters. The adapters may be used separately or together by use of the 8-32 threads. The adapters also allow you to pair the two t-handles to make a long linear handle or a longer t-handle.

The cleaning brush, steel pick, and bronze scraper are threaded for use with the brass cleaning rods, but they also fit directly into the t-handles. The adapter allows you to use the t-handle and the brass rods simultaneously with those accessories.

What do I like about the Fix It Sticks AR Toolkit?

First, the modularity and compactness are great. This is a kit I can keep in my range bag or even take into the woods if I’m hunting. It can do just about anything I might need to do at the range or in the field. I already keep miscellaneous tools in my range bag, and this will replace most of those while saving space.

Second, as you would expect, the Fix It Sticks AR kit has attachments particular to the AR platform, namely the bolt carrier group scraper, castle nut wrench, and the A2 sight tool. The BCG scraper eases cleaning the carbon from your BCG, both inside and out. You can specify whether you want an AR-10 or AR-15 scraper, so it fits right. The large tong fits into the carrier itself, while the smaller tong goes inside the bolt. I’ve also used the smaller tong on the gas key. The BCG scraper is the only difference between the AR-10 and AR-15 toolkits. I got the AR-10 kit and sprang for a .223 scraper for an extra 10 bucks.

The castle nut wrench is a handy tool if you’re changing buffer tubes or whatever. It’s a quality steel part that you can set up however you like with the Fix It Sticks system. The A2 front sight tool is also handy, assuming you have an A2 front sight. It’s a nice inclusion.

I also like the bronze scraper, which allows me to get at stubborn carbon in places like the bolt’s locking lugs without damaging the parts. The non-marring polymer pin punch is also nice, especially since my AR-10’s BCG doesn’t have a cotter pin and requires a punch. A small screwdriver has served in the past, but I like this punch.

A Small Wish List

As good as this kit is, I wish it included a roll pin tool and a detent pin tool. That may seem picky, but those additions would make this thing pretty much complete. It would probably make the kit a little larger, but I think it would be worth it. It would certainly fit with the company saying the kit is designed for folks who like to customize their rifles.

Overall Verdict

Despite wishing for the roll pin tool and detent pin tool, I think this toolkit is a slam dunk. Working on my AR rifles just got a lot more convenient. The tools and attachments are high quality, they fit right, and they are easy to use. I love that they aren’t one size fits all arrangements. I can put things together or take them apart to make longer or shorter tools to fit what I need to do.

The bits are in commonly used sizes and fit perfectly in the magnetic t-handle sockets. There’s also space to expand within the case if you want to add a few things of your own.

Fix It Sticks offers a wide variety of toolkits, both general and specific. I’m very impressed by my first experience with them and I expect I’ll buy from them again. If you want to buy your own Fix It Sticks AR toolkit, you’re in luck. GunMag Warehouse has you covered with an AR-15 kit and an AR-10 kit available. Give it a try. I bet you’ll probably like it as much as I did.

When it comes to responsible gun ownership, proper storage should be one of the first things considered. Gun safes can range from massive vaults that require special flooring support to small safes just big enough for one handgun. Hornady is a reliable brand for security and today we will look at Hornady’s Alpha Elite Lock Box. This lock box is just big enough for one gun or other personal valuables and it comes with a cord, so it’s perfect for on-the-go security. It’s best for your car or if you need a small lock box when you travel.

Specifications of Hornady’s Alpha Elite Lock Box

The safe weighs in at nearly 5.4 pounds, and for a good reason. It’s due to the 16-gauge steel housing protecting your firearm. This steel is A36 mild carbon steel alloy with a tensile strength between 58,000 and 80,000 psi. It’s one of the most commonly used metals for structural purposes in the U.S. Why? Because it’s proven to do a great job of withstanding damage, whether accidental or intentional. 

The exterior dimensions of the safe are 10.25 x 8 x 2.75 inches with the interior being 0.75 x 7.5 x 2.25 inches, a size fitting most 1911 pistols, 4-inch revolvers, and smaller personal items. The inside is lined with a layer of premium protective foam sheets perfect to protect your firearm, even more, to prevent damage while the gun’s inside. 

Prying hands—or tools—can’t get inside this lock box with ease. According to the manufacturer, crowbars will struggle to deliver thanks to the pry-resistant band around the edges. It’s also resistant to children, making this a safe option for families trying to secure their firearms (just keep it locked and make sure the kids don’t know how and cannot access the means with which to open it). It also meets and surpasses California Department of Justice standards and American Society for Testing and Materials standards, including testing in:

“Cycle test, picking test, plug torque test, manipulation test, handle torque test, drop test, tensile strength test, shock test, saw test, pry attack test, hinge attack test, and flammability test shall be performed to meet the requirements prescribed.” 

So yes, this lock box is fairly secure and certainly more secure than many similarly designed ones on the market. But, it’s completely grabbable, so how do you stop a would-be thief from just walking off with it?

Security

Well, Hornady has a line of defense to prevent this. The lock box comes with a patented 3-foot-long cable rated to withstand 1500 pounds. It would take an amount of force beyond what a human can create by hand to break the cable, so unless the thief is coming truly prepared it will take more than some snippers to break.

The cable is designed to be wrapped around something stationary and bolted down, like the frame of your car seat, or an extremely heavy object, to secure it. And since it’s TSA-approved, it would make a good option for travel when other storage isn’t available. Just make sure you know and follow the rules of TSA and the airline you’re traveling with when flying with firearms. Despite its overall strength, the cable is fairly malleable, so it can be wrapped, twisted, and turned around your object of choice. 

Now, if somehow the thief gets past the cable, I will say the lock is pretty sturdy. Hornady uses a barrel key lock, also known as a tubular lock, which is known for how difficult it is to pick. It would take a heavily experienced criminal with a bit of time to pick it since it’s no traditional lock. Due to the arrangement of the pins, this lock has to be picked by a professional or drilled out if you lose your key as there is no universal fix.

Another thing to note is that Hornady will not replace the keys provided if you lose them, so keep track of them. The company doesn’t play around with security.

The Best Way to Use a Hornady Elite Lock Box

Small safes can be a gamble because they can be picked up and carried off if the correct precautions aren’t taken. Thieves are typically watching for opportunities, so make sure they don’t have one (and if you’re securing a handgun in your vehicle because you’re about to enter a non-permissive environment, do it somewhere you won’t attract attention).

Remember that in theory any lock can be broken, picked, or drilled, so don’t rely on the integrity of the lock box and just leave it out in the open. Make sure you conceal it when it’s in use to the best of your abilities. 

Use the cable strategically. Make sure you attach the cable around something completely stationary, or heavy enough that moving it would be a challenge. For use in your vehicle, consider keeping this under the seat of your car and wrapping the cable around the solid bars under the seat.

If you’re using it in your home and want to employ the cable, it’s best if you attach it to something bolted down or heavy, like a wooden king-size bed frame. Of course, that’s not a perfect solution, so keep that in mind when securing the safe. Overall, just be smart with where you place it and understand how to remove any opportunity for theft. 

Personal Use

I find the most use in putting this under the driver’s seat of my car. Concealed carry is currently off the table for me due to my age but transporting it in my car is not. Having defense close by is comforting and knowing it’s hidden and anchored helps even more. Keeping my key on my keychain keeps it quickly accessible to me and since Hornady provides a spare, I can keep one at home in case something happens to the 1st.

Another thing I enjoy doing is putting a location tag—such as an Apple AirTag or Tile—under the foam layer. This assures that if the safe itself was taken I may be able to know the whereabouts of my possessions. Given, that isn’t always assured to work since items may be taken and the rest left behind, but it gives peace of mind for certain scenarios. 

Personal items other than guns deserve security too. It isn’t quite big enough for typical documents, however, it can hold smaller forms of identification like passports and licenses, valuables such as jewelry, and anything else you’d like to keep locked up. For personal items around the home it’s still best to utilize the cord it comes with. A home is a great opportunity with many hiding spots to choose from that you’re familiar with, so be smart. And remember, this style of safe isn’t meant to replace a securely bolted-down design for long-term storage (Hornady makes those, too).

The Hornady Alpha Elite Lock Box is perfect for proper storage on the road or in the air. The cable it comes with secures the safe well as long as it’s used thoughtfully and worst case scenario, the lock itself isn’t easy to crack. With proper use, this safe is a great choice.

Xbox Game Pass has saved me so much money. As someone who likes video games but has no time to play them, it’s tough for me to spend $60 plus on a video game. Sometimes I stumble across games I’ve never heard of and hit the download button. If it’s bad, I can delete it and forget. When I saw a game called Gunfire Reborn, I hit download without any knowledge of what it was other than a name that drew me in.

I quickly found it this was a new type of game to me. It’s called a “roguelike,” which apparently means it’s a dungeon crawler and has permadeath or something similar to permadeath. It’s also character based, and you unlock these cute little animal-like characters as you play. When you die, that’s it! You basically have to start over at the very beginning, but you can choose to spend your character’s upgrade points to revive yourself.

That sounds like the game could get repetitive until you get good, but Gunfire Reborn throws in randomly generated levels. Each level consists of several stages, and the only one that’s consistently the same is the boss fight at the end of the level. If you die, you do get to keep your experience points which can be applied to increase your damage, health, defense, etc. This way, the levels get a little easier every time you die.

It’s surprisingly fun, and I haven’t felt frustrated repeating level after level.

Gunfire Reborn Graphics

The game uses cartoonish cel-shading. Your enemies and characters look like they came out of a Saturday morning cartoon. It’s cute and clean in design. It might not blow your mind, but it will charm you. The levels seem to follow a similar color palette that takes you to caves, deserts, tea houses, and more.

The sounds are cutesy little noises mixed with gunfire. Each gun sounds good and different from the others. At least as far as gun genres go. An SMG sounds like an SMG, but an assault rifle sounds different than an SMG. The sounds pop and flow as the game plays.

There are some sections of pretty bad translation. It ends up being somewhat funny, ultimately, and never stops you from understanding exactly what you are doing when you choose an upgrade or read your gun’s specs.

The charming look of the characters and enemies keeps you engaged. The environments are a little plain, but they are randomly generated. I get that this was a small developer and give them a little leeway.

The Nitty Gritty of Gunfire Reborn

The game moves fast and is a blast. Each stage and level is fairly short and moves at lightning speed. It’s a jump, move, run, and maneuver type of game. Projectiles move slowly enough that if you move quickly, you can get past them and behind cover to save your life. Movement isn’t required. You can just hide behind the cover and take potshots with a few of the stages and enemies. However, enemies who like melee will aggro you all day.

Playing smart and conservatively can be satisfying and a valid strategy. However, moving, jumping and shooting are a ton of fun. I love jumping, scoring headshot after headshot, and flying through levels that used to be a challenge.

A varied group of enemies is always attacking. Some have crossbows, others have guns, and some are animalistic creatures. Dodging grenades and spearmen as you activate powers and blast away with your shotgun is very satisfying. When you make it through a wave of enemies without taking a hit, you’ll feel incredibly satisfied.

The boss fights are huge, and they follow a pattern you’ll need to figure out and solve. It might take a time or two to figure out, but you can pick up on the patterns and attack styles easily enough.

You also get to unlock new characters with different abilities and play styles which spices things up. Your abilities are upgraded as you play, and you lose those abilities when you die. This gives you the option to fix and experiment with what works best for you.

The Weapons and Guns

The guns are all completely fictional and over the top, with varying abilities: shotguns, rifles, submachine guns, pistols, launchers, and more. We also get some ninja weapons like gloves, bows, and swords. The weapons really shine in Gunfire Reborn. They each handle differently and have different effects. They can be upgraded at certain vendors to improve their stats, and various inscriptions can improve stability, accuracy, and critical hit chance.

While it seems simple, the gameplay around the guns is complex. This complexity is admittedly not explained well, or ever. You just learn as you go, and that feels like the point of these roguelike games. Live, die, repeat, and be better the next go around. I don’t even have a favorite weapon because I just like experimenting with so many different weapon combinations and play styles.

I do prefer real guns, but they wouldn’t look great in such a cartoonish game. There is also no standard aim-down sight ability. That is locked to sniper rifles with scopes. It’s all reticle aiming. It’s not bad for this game, but I still like the ability to aim down the sights.

It’s a Gun Fight

This simple-looking game seems to be fairly complicated. However, anyone can pick it up and play. To be fair, I never played a roguelike shooter and picked it right up and had a blast. The innocent design, lack of graphic violence, and language make this one of the better options for playing with kiddos. My son and I take turns regularly, and he’s already better than I am at it.

The title Gunfire Reborn means something. It is not your typical shooter, and it offered me the same amount of fun AAA shooters like Doom offer. It’s a crazy, fun game that allows you to experiment with a variety of play styles, weapons, and abilities. Mix in the varying levels, enemies, and boss battles, and you have one helluva awesome game. It’s very well made, and even if you don’t have Game Pass, it’s a fairly cheap game.