With 1.6 million copies in circulation worldwide, the Blue Book of Gun Values by S.P. Fjestad—one of the most relied-upon resources in the firearm industry—is about to release its 36th edition.
Right now, there’s a guy on a stool in a gun shop arguing over what the “best home defense gun” is. Whether he’s right or wrong isn’t relevant—the best gun for home defense is the gun you have when you need it.
A handgun does no good on a shelf back in camp. But the trouble is, handguns chambered for cartridges appropriate for wilderness protection and/or big-game hunting tend to be a bit heavy. It’s common enough to head into the hunt with good intentions, but after a few exhausting days when even your shoelaces become too heavy, you often find a reason to leave the handgun behind.
Put down that handheld portal to the digital world. Forget about soccer weekend. Take a break from the never-ending chore of yard maintenance. If you hunger for a surefire way to bring the family together in a setting that is guaranteed to generate a grin then plan a family day at your local shooting range.
Nobody likes being hit hard in the shoulder every time they squeeze the trigger on his or her favorite shotgun or rifle. But recoil is a reality of the nature of firearms: The more power, the greater the bite.