Issue 33 RECOIL Issue #33 Iain Harrison Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. On a recent trip to Chicago I was reminded that despite having made great progress in the past decades, as gun owners we still have a long way to go. Numbers of licensed CCW owners are at an all-time high, the ridiculous and oft-ignored Clinton-era scary black rifle ban is but a fading memory, and the arbitrary and capricious restrictions placed on us by the National Firearms Act of 1934 have been challenged by recent product innovation. And yet, there’s still a myriad patchwork of laws that seem to exist solely to ensnare the well-intentioned gun owner, or else demonstrate lawmakers’ almost complete ignorance of the subject at hand. Pro tip: When someone in public office claims a piece of legislation will “send a message,” they should be publicly tarred and feathered — grandstanding idiots should have no place in the halls of power of this great republic. Unfortunately, however, all too often the anti-gun media (but I repeat myself) overlooks and abets any trampling of Second Amendment rights. Take for example the case of Avi Wolf, arrested in New York’s La Guardia airport for the heinous crime of having an unloaded magazine, despite having declared it to security. According to John Stossel, Wolf was released after spending a day in jail and managed to plea bargain a felony charge down to one of public disorder after paying over $15,000 in legal fees. Such a case is sadly far from unusual. The notoriously anti-2A fishwrapper, the NY Daily News, routinely reports on innocent Americans whose only “crime” is to mistakenly believe their constitutional rights extend to the five boroughs. Banner headlines that scream “Woman arrested for loaded gun” are almost always followed by uncritical reporting, noting that this particular public enemy was an out-of-stater returning home who declared her firearm at the ticket counter, per federal regulations. Under N.Y. law, having a gun and ammunition in the same bag is considered the same as if the magazine were inserted and a round chambered, hence the histrionic “loaded gun” headline. To say that these “reporters” have the same journalistic integrity as pond scum would be unkind to algae. Of course, the cities of New York and Chicago stand as examples of the most egregious violations of civil rights, but there are many others. If you’d like to see career politicians from both places foam at the mouth (and really, who wouldn’t?), then it’s up to us to call our own representatives and tell them we support H.R.38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Let’s stay on the offensive and keep America’s place as a beacon to the world and a city upon a hill. Check out RECOIL Issue 33. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
