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Let’s have some talk about Alum Hyde II from the folks over at Brownells. Aluma-Hyde II is basically a spray on coating that can be used for a variety of surfaces such as aluminum, steel, polymer etc… Unlike some of your other firearm coatings, it has the ability to be sprayed on without the need for any fancy tooling. Cerekote which is undoubtedly the most common commercial grade coating requires a spray booth, spray gun and a way to hang and bake the finish in. Certain tools and equipment like a blasting cabinet can be helpful for prepping a surface for just about any type of coating, but it’s certainly not necessary for Alum Hyde II in order for it to bond to a surface. The surface just has to be clean and degreased to allow the Aluma Hyde II finish to properly cure. And also the right amount of curing time based on the environmental conditions such as temperature as well as humidity. You can of course speed cure Alum Hyde II in an oven, but it’s truly not necessary and a slow air cure is actually preferred in my experience.

So what all can you do with Aluma Hyde II? It’s a solid coating that has thew ability to be used in other than a single stage application process. If you’d like to get super fancy and use things like stencils, you can do it! Stencils allowing a camouflage type of design is certainly possible as I’ve been successful in applying camouflage patterns using Brownells Alum Hyde II on numerous occasions. It is a bit tricky however depending upon what camouflage pattern you intend to use. The number of colors can also present a bit of an issue depending on how heavy you spray them on the prepped surface of the firearm. Out of all of my Alum Hyde II projects, trying to replicate a German Flecktarn camouflage finish using stencils and multiple colors was probably the hardest one I’ve attempted and honestly didn’t turn out nearly as good as I had hoped. Due to trying to use 4-5 colors and get a solid even coat on each one, the layers stacked fairly deep so there are more edges than I would have preferred. In any case, it does look pretty good from afar and the fact that I did this was quite self satisfying to say the least. One thing that can help to minimize this issue is to know down each coat just a tad before applying the next color to the coating. Bronze or steel wool does a decent job at this. Another idea is to use as minimal coating as possible but this can lead to a color that looks under sprayed, so pay attention to that.

So even though I’m still learning how to best use Alum Hyde II, I absolutely love it for those home built projects. The last one I did was on a stock for a Howa carbon fiber action from Brownells and it turned out excellent. I’m still on the hunt for what my next project will be. Good thing is Brownells currently has free shipping on Aluma Hyde II that can help get that next Aluma Hyde II project off the ground. What are you waiting for?

With all of the optic choices these days it’s almost hard to keep up. Just a quick trip over to Brownells and you’ll see plenty of optic choices for pistols from the folks at Vortex, Aimpoint, Holosun, Trijicon, Sig Sauer, Leupold, Meprolight and many, many others. The choices today are exponentially higher than even just 5-8 years ago. There’s been quite a few advancements in optic technology and manufacturing that have spread across multiple companies and features and quality once available only on the higher end are now racing towards the bottom of the price spectrum. I often times get asked by people what optic would I recommend? It’s getting harder and harder to recommend just a single manufacturer, single feature or single price point. 10 years ago the answer was undoubtedly Trijicon for the utmost best pistol optic you can buy, but is that still true today? So many lower priced options offer much better technology at a more reasonable price point and they work just as well as the higher priced options.

One of the optic companies that has in some way blazed a path for many many others to follow is Holosun. They’ve been on the market for quite a long time and offer the gamut of optics from the lower end towards a much higher end. The lower end models will be a red dot, non multi-reticle, no solar backup, open type emitter and be an aluminum housing. Super basic, but when compared to high end options like the Trijicon RMR, they offer a tremendous value in comparison. For 99% of people these are great options. With not much more skin in the game, you can get them with an enclosed emitter, solar backup and a titanium housing. Multi-reticle is also available for not much above the standard price point as well as a green reticle option. Many of the higher end options are just now offering multi reticles and green dot options, so essentially their behind what others like Holosun have been doing for years now. One of my favorite optics for EDC is the Holosun SCS Carry. This is an RMSc footprint optic that has a green multi-reticle and solely uses the solar to charge an internal battery. It’s been such a great optic and far superior in my opinion to the RMR I’ve had on another pistol for years, but for a good bit less in price.

Optics for your pistol are of course a personal preference thing. Mainly based upon what is important to you. It could be the company reputation for quality for example. Maybe what’s important is the number of features available for a certain optic model, such as the option of a green dot or the multi reticle. In my earlier years I gravitated towards the big companies for my optic purchases based upon previous reputation or experience, but today I’m taking off the blinders to search out for other optic options that are able to fill the need and maybe do it much better AND much cheaper than the high end models. So are expensive pistol optics obsolete? I don’t think so quite yet, but we sure do live in a great time having so many available optic options to choose from. Most of them of course you can find over at Brownells.

I had long been wanting to pick up a double stack 1911 or 2011 style of pistol. Yea yea, I know I’m super late to the party, but so long as I get there, does it matter? I had the opportunity a number of times over the years to shoot double stack pistols such as the Stacaato variants as well as the Springfield Armory Prodigy, Tisas and MAC pistols. The Apollo from Live Free Armory was also a very nice double stack 1911. What finally pushed me over the edge was seeing the XP Pro line from Fusion Firearms earlier this year at SHOT Show. Their XP which takes Glock 17 magazines is such a great pistol and at such a value price point, it just made sense. Brownells just started to carry Fusion Firearm products, so I went ahead and jumped on it and so glad that I did. I opted for the basic black tenifer finished variant instead of the chromed version. I’m running this through my standard review process and so far it’s been kicking some butt!

Other than the initial cleaning and oiling of the Fusion Firearm  XP Pro, I’ve not performed any maintenance to the pistol. I have however swapped out the optic from the Zerohawk to the Gowutar EP-10 enclosed emitter multi-reticle version. My main goal has been to run a bunch of rounds through the pistol without spending a ton of time cleaning and oiling it. I’m well past 1K rounds at this point and this pistol just keeps chugging along nicely. I’ve been running a steady diet of a variety of different target ammo from a number of different manufacturers. S&B 115 grain as well as S&B 124 grain have been a staple in my 9MM ammo stash for quite a long time, so the Fusion XP Pro has shot it’s fair share of these loads so far and quite successfully I might add. The other ammo I’ve run without any drama has been the Magtech 115 grain variety. CCI Blazer brass is another one of those that I tend to run whenever I have some on hand… it’s probably the most readily available in any gun shop across the United States at this point. In addition to those, I happened to have some older CCI Lawman 9MM on hand and of course that stuff ran absolutely flawlessly. The one ammo I suspected might have a bit of a hiccup was my Fiocchi 115 grain FMJ. This stuff has caused me some issues in hammer fired pistols, proving to exhibit harder primers and sometimes causing a click with no bang. Luckily the hammer drops with plenty of punch to run this stuff without any issues.

My plan at this point is to continue running this pistol any opportunity I get. The Fusion XP Pro is such a joyful pistol to shoot anyways, I kinda wonder what the compensator version might shoot like in comparison; would I be able to tell enough of a difference? Maybe I’ll pick that one up down the road, but for my next trick I hope to start running some defensive ammo variety just to keep things interesting. Maybe I’ll find something it actually doesn’t like?

Stock or brace? Which makes more sense? Truly depends on a lot of different variables. Braces or pistol braces as they’re technically known as have been around for around 12 years or so maybe even a tad longer. The original intent was to assist people that have some problems holding up a rifle or a pistol AR-15 to shoot. They’re an arm brace so to speak and most of them will come with some sort of a strap mechanism. Now all of the ATF history aside, these ended up being a way to have something on the end of a buffer tube without needing to submit a Form 1 to register it as a short barreled rifle. Many people including myself welcomed these with open arms… these are way more functional than a pistol or just a buffer tube. The original brace style was the Sig arm brace, but now many, many companies make so called arm braces that can be used on pistol ARs, AKs and many PCC/PDWs. Some are inherently better than others. So which are my favorites when I can’t throw a stock on a pistol or don’t feel like registering a Form 1? Let’s discuss…

First off, the majority of my part orders come from Brownells and this includes pistol braces. Over the years I’ve ran pistol braces from KAK, Magpul, Tailhook, SB Tactical, Sig and probably a host of others that I can’t even remember. Not all of these are created equal of course. At the end of the day the company that keeps me coming back to them for some of their staple pistol braces is SB Tactical. Mty favorite AR-15 pistol braces from SB Tactical have been the tried and true SBA3 and then recently their SBA5 pistol stabilizing brace. Both of these have the appearance of a sort of stock assembly, but are clearly a brace that includes and arm strap if you so choose to utilize it. Unlike many other braces that are either rigid and don’t come with any sort of strap, these are true, ready to go pistol braces that function very well and don’t break the bank. They have adjustments that interface with a buffer tube for length of pull and tend to fit pretty good too. SB Tactical also offers these in a variety of standard colors like black and FDE. I do wish they had a couple of other options, but that’s nothing some dye can’t fix.

So when do I prefer picking up a pistol brace from Brownells? The main reason for doing so is when I don’t want to file a form 1 and then have to ask for permission whenever I want to cross state lines with said firearm. I purposely build a number of pistols and pistol lowers for this exact reasoning alone. Having a stock is most ideal for the added flexibility, but a good pistol brace will accomplish 95% of what a stock will accomplish especially the ones made by SB Tactical. Truly no complaints and I will continue to use them until SBR registry is no longer a thing, then I’ll stock up on more stocks.

I’m definitely not a stranger to putting together some pretty awesome AR-15 based firearm builds. I’ve built shorties, long boys and every thing in between. Retro and modern as well as a mixture of both. Probably a year ago I started to think about some of my “needs” for a future build and what I’m missing in my firearm collection. One of those is a short .300 Blackout bolt action rifle. Now I could easily purchase a barreled Howa mini action from Brownells and get the barrel chopped down and threaded for a can. My main reason for wanting a .300 Blackout is because I’m getting more and more into suppressor testing and it would be nice to have something that won’t exhibit port pop like a gas gun like an AR-15 will. The thing is… I love the AR-15 platform! So what options do I have for a bolt action that’s essentially an AR-15 rifle? I already had an ambitious BRN-180 lower receiver from Brownells sitting there… what to do?

With some simple searching I was pretty sure I found my option. BCA makes a bolt action upper receiver that will fit on any  AR-15 lower, no problem. Well there’s kind of a problem. The bolt is long and requires a buffer tube. But I want a folder. After some additional digging, it would appear that people cut down the carrier so that it’s shorter so that you can run a side folding stock assembly. This is it! It’ll be a weird combination of upper and lower receiver not to mention the butchered bolt carrier, but this should work very very well. Since I’m a HUGE fan of Geissele stuff, I went over to Brownells and placed an order for their MK4 hand guard in DDC. My plan was to do the build in black but with tan.brown accented parts. Other Geissele parts included their lower parts kit and G2S trigger assembly which I’ve used in the past. In terms of Geissele triggers, the G2S is one of the cheapest Geissele triggers but feels similar to the SSA trigger. Other parts included a Samson MFG side folding skeletonized mechanism, an SB Tactical SBA3 brace and the Die Free Co Kung Fu grip. The barrel is a Faxon premium gunner profile 10.5” .300 Blackout barrel. 

So here we have a plethora of cheap parts revolving around a super duper budget bolt action upper receiver and bolt assembly. In order for the Mk4 hand guard to fit I had to cut the anti rotation tabs off of the rear portion of the hand guard. For the lower receiver to work, I needed to cut down the bolt carrier assembly. Needless to say, the bolt action portion is pretty rough to manipulate, but hopefully I’ll find some places I can polish to smooth it up. One other thing I needed for this to work is a way to block the gas port on the barrel. I didn’t have a .625 gas block on hand so off to order one from Brownells and it should be here within the next couple of days. 

So this build got weird really, really fast! Never in my dreams did I think I’d buy a cheap receiver like this and surround it with such top tier parts. Cutting the bolt carrier wasn’t a huge deal since those parts were cheap, but cutting those anti rotation tabs off the Geissele MK4 hand guard, well I’ll be having nightmares about that for years to come. Hopefully everything works well once I’m finished otherwise I’ve had spent a ton of time and money on a weird project that will remain a project. 

To continue from my last blog in regards to Canik pistols and how much of a value these are, let's discuss the top of their lineup too. Over the past several years, Canik has established itself as one of the most respected value-oriented handgun manufacturers in the firearms industry. Known for delivering premium features at approachable prices, the company has built a loyal following among both recreational shooters and serious enthusiasts. When Canik partnered with Taran Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations, expectations were understandably high. The result was the Canik TTI Combat Smoke Edition, a handgun that combines Canik's proven performance with competition-inspired enhancements. Available through Brownells, the TTI Combat Smoke Edition has quickly become one of the most talked-about pistols in Canik's lineup.

At first glance, the TTI Combat Smoke Edition immediately stands apart from the standard striker-fired crowd. The Smoke finish gives the pistol a distinctive appearance that feels refined without being overly flashy. It strikes a balance between tactical functionality and premium aesthetics, making it look every bit like a purpose-built performance handgun. While appearance alone doesn’t make a pistol shoot better, there’s no denying that the Smoke Edition has a unique visual appeal that catches attention both on the range and in the gun safe.

What truly separates the TTI Combat from many competing pistols is the level of refinement built into the platform. The pistol incorporates numerous upgrades inspired by competition shooting, resulting in a handgun that feels exceptionally well-balanced and easy to control. From the moment you pick it up, the ergonomics stand out. The grip texture provides a secure hold without being excessively aggressive, and the overall contour of the frame encourages a natural point of aim. Whether shooting rapidly or focusing on precision, the pistol feels planted and comfortable in the hand.

One of the biggest highlights of the platform is the trigger. Canik has already earned a strong reputation for producing some of the best factory striker-fired triggers on the market, and the TTI Combat continues that tradition. The trigger break is crisp, predictable, and accompanied by a short, tactile reset that encourages fast follow-up shots. For many shooters, the trigger alone makes a strong case for the pistol. It delivers a shooting experience that often rivals firearms costing significantly more.

The TTI Combat was designed with performance in mind, and that becomes obvious once rounds start going downrange. The pistol exhibits excellent recoil control and fast sight recovery, allowing shooters to stay on target through rapid strings of fire. The overall balance of the firearm contributes significantly to this behavior. Rather than feeling muzzle-heavy or overly light, it settles naturally into the shooting hand and remains easy to track during recoil.

Accuracy is another area where the TTI Combat excels. Whether shooting steel targets, paper groups, or working through practical drills, the pistol consistently demonstrates impressive precision. Much of this comes from the combination of a quality barrel, refined trigger system, and excellent ergonomics. Together, these features help shooters maximize their own capabilities rather than fighting against the firearm.

Another advantage of the TTI Combat Smoke Edition is its versatility. While its competition-inspired roots are obvious, it isn't limited to one specific role. The pistol feels equally at home as a range gun, training pistol, home-defense firearm, or competition setup. Its optic-ready design allows shooters to easily mount a red dot sight, and the accessory rail provides compatibility with lights and other accessories. This flexibility makes it appealing to a wide range of shooters with varying needs.

Reliability remains one of the most important considerations for any handgun, and the TTI Combat benefits from Canik’s growing reputation for dependable performance. A pistol can have all the features in the world, but if it doesn’t run consistently, none of those features matter. Fortunately, the TTI Combat has proven itself capable of handling a variety of ammunition while maintaining smooth operation and dependable cycling.

Purchasing the pistol through Brownells provides additional peace of mind. Brownells has long been a trusted source for firearms, parts, accessories, and gunsmithing supplies. Their reputation for customer service and extensive inventory makes them a popular destination for shooters looking to build out or upgrade their firearm setups.

Perhaps what makes the Canik TTI Combat Smoke Edition so compelling is the value it delivers. Many firearms attempt to blend competition features with practical usability, but few manage to do so while maintaining a reasonable price point. The TTI Combat offers premium features, excellent shootability, impressive reliability, and striking aesthetics in a package that remains accessible to many shooters.

Ultimately, the Canik TTI Combat Smoke Edition represents how far modern striker-fired pistols have evolved. It combines competition-inspired enhancements with real-world practicality, creating a handgun that is enjoyable to shoot, capable of serious performance, and versatile enough to fit multiple roles. For shooters seeking a premium experience without stepping into ultra-premium pricing, the TTI Combat Smoke Edition from Brownells deserves a close look.

Finding a pistol that delivers excellent performance without draining your wallet can sometimes feel impossible. Many shooters assume they need to spend premium money to get premium features, but the Canik TP9SF continues to prove that assumption wrong. Available in a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) finish through Brownells, the TP9SF has built a reputation as one of the best values in the handgun market. Whether you're a new shooter looking for your first pistol or an experienced enthusiast searching for a reliable range companion, the TP9SF deserves serious consideration.

At first glance, the Canik TP9SF stands out with its clean lines and modern styling. The FDE finish gives the pistol a distinctive appearance that separates it from the sea of black polymer handguns currently dominating the market. While appearance alone shouldn't determine a firearm purchase, there is no denying that the FDE color scheme gives the TP9SF a professional and attractive look. More importantly, the finish complements a pistol that is built with functionality as the primary focus.

One of the strongest selling points of the TP9SF is its ergonomics. The grip is comfortable and naturally points well for many shooters. Unlike some polymer-framed pistols that can feel blocky or awkward in the hand, the TP9SF offers contours and texturing that help create a secure grip without being overly aggressive. The result is a handgun that feels comfortable during extended range sessions while still providing enough traction to maintain control under recoil.

Speaking of recoil, the TP9SF is an exceptionally easy pistol to shoot. Chambered in 9mm and featuring a full-size frame, it delivers a soft and manageable recoil impulse that makes follow-up shots quick and predictable. New shooters often appreciate how forgiving the platform feels, while experienced shooters enjoy the speed and control it offers. Combined with the pistol's longer sight radius, the TP9SF is capable of delivering impressive accuracy right out of the box.

Perhaps the feature that receives the most praise from Canik owners is the trigger. The TP9SF's factory trigger consistently surprises shooters who are accustomed to standard striker-fired pistols. The trigger pull is relatively smooth, with a clean break and a short, tactile reset that encourages fast and accurate shooting. Many shooters compare the trigger favorably to handguns costing significantly more, making it one of the standout features of the platform. While aftermarket triggers are common upgrades on many striker-fired pistols, the TP9SF often leaves shooters feeling little need to make changes.

Reliability is another area where the TP9SF shines. A defensive or range pistol is only as good as its ability to function consistently, and the Canik platform has earned a strong reputation for dependable performance. With quality ammunition and proper maintenance, the TP9SF has proven capable of handling high round counts without issue. For many owners, it becomes a pistol they trust not only at the range but also for home defense and training purposes.

The full-size design also contributes to its versatility. While it may not be the easiest handgun to conceal compared to compact carry pistols, the TP9SF excels as a range gun, training pistol, and home-defense option. The larger frame provides excellent control, while the generous magazine capacity gives shooters confidence during extended shooting sessions. It strikes a balance between shootability and practicality that appeals to a broad range of firearm enthusiasts.

Another reason the TP9SF remains popular is the overall value proposition. The pistol offers features that many shooters associate with higher-priced firearms, including quality sights, excellent ergonomics, and an impressive trigger, all while remaining budget-friendly. In a market where handgun prices continue to climb, the TP9SF stands out as a platform that delivers substantial performance without demanding a premium investment.

Purchasing through Brownells adds another layer of convenience and confidence. Brownells has long been one of the most trusted names in the firearms industry, offering quality firearms, accessories, parts, and support. For shooters looking to build out their TP9SF with holsters, magazines, optics solutions, or maintenance supplies, Brownells serves as a reliable one-stop shop.

Ultimately, the Canik TP9SF FDE demonstrates that value and quality do not have to be mutually exclusive. It offers excellent ergonomics, a standout trigger, dependable reliability, and attractive styling at a price point that remains accessible to many shooters. Whether you're entering the handgun world for the first time or adding another pistol to an already crowded safe, the TP9SF continues to earn its reputation as one of the smartest handgun purchases available today.

In an era where many firearms seem to chase trends and marketing buzzwords, the Canik TP9SF succeeds by focusing on what truly matters: delivering a reliable, accurate, and enjoyable shooting experience every time it leaves the holster.

In a world dominated by high-capacity semi-automatic pistols, red dot optics, and polymer-framed carry guns, the revolver still refuses to disappear—and for good reason. While modern handguns continue to evolve, revolvers remain one of the most dependable, straightforward, and enjoyable firearm platforms available. Companies like Smith & Wesson have spent generations refining the revolver design, and retailers like Brownells continue to make these iconic firearms readily available for shooters who appreciate simplicity, reliability, and classic craftsmanship.

One of the biggest reasons many shooters still choose a revolver is reliability. Revolvers operate with a remarkably simple mechanical system compared to semi-automatic pistols. There are no magazines to fail, no slide cycling issues, and no concern about limp-wristing affecting reliability. When you pull the trigger on a properly functioning revolver, the cylinder rotates and the firearm fires. That simplicity creates a level of confidence that has kept revolvers relevant for over a century.

For new shooters, revolvers can also be incredibly approachable. Their manual of arms is straightforward and easy to understand. Open the cylinder, load the rounds, close it, and the firearm is ready to fire. There’s no worrying about slide releases, magazine seating, or malfunction drills during the learning process. That ease of use makes revolvers attractive to many first-time gun owners who want something intuitive and uncomplicated.

Smith & Wesson revolvers, in particular, have earned a legendary reputation for quality and durability. From classic K-Frame revolvers to powerful N-Frame magnums and compact J-Frame carry guns, Smith & Wesson offers options for nearly every role. Whether someone is looking for a range revolver, concealed carry option, trail gun, or hunting sidearm, there’s likely a Smith & Wesson model designed specifically for that purpose.

Another major advantage of revolvers is caliber flexibility. Unlike semi-autos that are generally locked into one cartridge type, many revolvers can safely shoot multiple loads within the same caliber family. For example, a .357 Magnum revolver can also fire .38 Special ammunition, allowing shooters to choose between softer-shooting practice rounds or full-power defensive and hunting loads. That versatility gives revolvers a unique adaptability that many shooters appreciate.

Revolvers also excel in specialized roles. For hiking, camping, or backcountry use, larger-frame revolvers chambered in powerful calibers like .44 Magnum or .357 Magnum remain extremely popular. Their ability to handle heavy hard-cast loads and powerful ammunition makes them trusted companions for wilderness protection. Semi-autos certainly dominate many categories today, but when it comes to raw cartridge flexibility and heavy-caliber capability, revolvers still hold a strong position.

One aspect often overlooked is how enjoyable revolvers are to shoot. There’s a mechanical satisfaction to operating one that modern polymer pistols simply don’t replicate. The smooth trigger pull of a well-tuned double-action revolver, the rotation of the cylinder, and the overall balance of a steel-framed handgun create a shooting experience that feels deliberate and connected. Many shooters who own numerous modern pistols still find themselves returning to revolvers simply because they’re fun.

Accuracy is another area where revolvers continue to shine. Thanks to their fixed barrel design and crisp trigger characteristics, many revolvers are exceptionally accurate firearms. Target shooters and handgun hunters have relied on revolvers for decades because of their precision potential. Even compact carry revolvers can deliver impressive accuracy with practice.

Of course, revolvers aren’t perfect. Lower ammunition capacity and slower reload times compared to semi-automatic pistols are real limitations. But for many shooters, those tradeoffs are outweighed by the revolver’s reliability, simplicity, and shooting characteristics. In defensive situations, many people value a firearm that is uncomplicated and dependable above all else.

The rise of concealed carry has also kept smaller revolvers relevant. Lightweight Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers remain extremely popular because of their compact size and ease of carry. Their snag-free profiles and lightweight construction make them practical for pocket carry, ankle carry, or deep concealment. Even with the explosion of micro-compact semi-autos, small revolvers continue to hold a loyal following.

Brownells provides access to a wide variety of Smith & Wesson revolvers, from modern defensive models to classic wheelguns that appeal to collectors and enthusiasts alike. Having a trusted retailer offering revolvers, accessories, holsters, and maintenance tools makes it easier than ever for shooters to explore the platform.

Ultimately, choosing a revolver comes down to more than capacity numbers or tactical trends. Revolvers offer a unique blend of reliability, versatility, mechanical simplicity, and shooting enjoyment that has allowed them to remain relevant through generations of firearm evolution.

The firearm world constantly changes, but some designs endure because they simply work. Smith & Wesson revolvers are a perfect example of that timeless appeal.