In the Safe

ZEV OZ9

Modular 9mm pistol, bronze barrel

The gun I didn't expect to reach for first. Steel receiver, swappable grip modules, very easy to shoot well.

• My Safe Queen Just Took #1: Why the ZEV OZ9 Suddenly Makes a Lot More Sense to Me
• Dead Dot, Good Irons: Why Co-Witness Still Matters
• The Safe Queen That Became My Best Shooter: Rediscovering the ZEV OZ9
• The ZEV OZ9 Wasn't Supposed to Steal the Show

Staccato C2

Compact 2011-style 9mm

A compact 2011 that shoots like a full-size gun. My reference point for what a good double-stack 1911 feels like.

Field Note in progress.

Springfield Prodigy 5" DS AOS Comp

Comped 2011-style 9mm, Perfect Zero gunsmithing

Thumb safety engaged under recoil out of the box; returned to PerfectZero for corrective work and testing. First post-repair session was encouraging.

• The $10,000 2011 Question: How Much Better Can a Pistol Really Get?
• Why I Chose the Cyelee Bull X Pro for My Springfield Prodigy
• The Springfield Prodigy Came Back From PerfectZero: My Comped 2011 Hasn't Had an Easy Start

Beretta 1301

Gas-operated 12-gauge

Fast-cycling semi-auto that immediately lived up to its reputation. Optic, light and additional ammunition testing still in progress.

• First Range Day With the Beretta 1301: Now I Understand the Reputation

Shadow Systems MR920P

Optics-ready 9mm pistol

The sensible answer when someone asks for a better Glock-pattern pistol without leaving the ecosystem.

Field Note in progress.

Canik Rival-S

Steel-frame competition 9mm

A lot of pistol for the money. The steel frame does most of the work for you.

Field Note in progress.

Glock 43X / 48

Slimline 9mm pistols

Simple, slim and easy to live with. What I point most new carry students toward.

Field Note in progress.

Tikka T3X TAC A1

Precision bolt-action rifle

My teaching rifle for precision fundamentals on the 100, 200 and 300-yard lines.

Field Note in progress.