RECOIL Issue #39

You know that high school girlfriend you think about every now and then? The one who keeps popping up unbidden, despite the fact you love your wife and kids and wouldn’t ever dream of doing anything to jeopardize the good thing you’ve got going? Yet there it is, that memory that won’t go away.

Like most daydreams, the reality isn’t anywhere near as good as the fantasy — a situation that goes double for guns. Despite the pitfalls it might entail, we decided to go back to the future. Rather than just pick 10 years beginning with a zero and ending with a nine, we chose a chunk of time which spanned the end of the Cold War and the as-yet-unseen origins of the GWOT — think “Clash of Civilizations” meets Lethal Weapon. Our staff then chose their favorite guns from the period and were given the remit of dragging them kicking and screaming into the 21st century, without any editorial oversight or direction. As a result, some of us chose similar solutions to the problem, some picked stuff on the outer fringes of the options currently available, and all of us had fun indulging the ex-girlfriend fantasy.

After many thousands of dollars of modifications, we came away with the same conclusion. While it was a fun exercise and produced some fine firearms that would just about hang with anything we could buy today, there are plenty of good options currently available for about a third of the price. As gun consumers, we’re truly living in the best of times, so despite that nagging thought that keeps popping up every now and then, enjoy what you have and don’t live in the past. There’s a reason windshields are bigger than rearview mirrors.

Check out RECOIL Issue 39.

Why you can trust RECOIL

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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.

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