Recommendations
I get asked all the time what I recommend for everything… from guns to holsters to other tools and accessories. Well, here’s the list of things I have personal preferences for or have seen first hand and would trust my life to on a regular basis. This information is provided as a guide and should not be taken as legal advice. You are responsible for your own safety, protection and training.
I have tried to recommend some of the most common brands, calibers and accessories to increase the chance that you will find something on this list that is easily available.
Use what you have available to you, but if you have a choice, here’s what I would suggest you consider.
Popular Personal Defense & Concealed Carry Calibers
- 38 Special (only in the Smith & Wesson J Frame)
- 9mm
- 40 S&W
- 45 ACP
Popular & Reliable Personal Defense Pistols
- Glock: 17, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27
- Heckler & Koch: HK45, HK45C, USP, P2000, P2000SK, P30
- Smith & Wesson: M&P
- Beretta 92FS
Personal Defense Revolvers
I no longer recommend revolvers for home defense. Usually, someone recommends a revolver to a novice because of the ease of use and reliability. However, many modern semi-automatic pistols have achieved or exceeded the reliability and simplicity of a revolver. The added benefit of a reliable and simple semi-automatic pistol is the added firepower, which is the main drawback to a revolver in personal defense. The only revolver that I still recommend is a Smith and Wesson J Frame for pocket carry.
Concealed Carry Pistols
- Glock: 19, 23, 26, 27
- Smith & Wesson: M&P
- Heckler & Koch: P2000SK
Concealed Carry Revolvers
- Smith & Wesson: Hammerless J Frame in 38 Special
Personal Defense Shotguns (12 Gauge Only)
- Mossberg: Any Model 500, 590 with 18″ barrel
- Remington: Any Model 870 with 18″ barrel, 1100 Tactical with 18″ barrel
Personal Defense Rifle
- AK47
- Daniel Defense M4 Carbine
- Rock River Arms M4 Carbine
- LMT M4 Carbine
Leather Holsters
Bianchi
Desantis
Don Hume
Galco
Milt Sparks
Safariland
Polymer Holsters
Blade-Tech
Raven Concealment
Safariland
Belts
Beltman
EOTAC
Galco
Wilderness
Training
Sig Academy
Vickers Tactical
Gunsite
Thunder Ranch
Care and Maintenance
Powder Solvent: Outer’s Nitro Solvent
Oil: Militec-1, (Never use WD-40)
Grease: TW-25B
Remember: As my friend Larry Vickers (retired Special Forces) says, “The golden rule in weapons lubricant is you can run a gun dirty and wet, but not dirty and dry.”
Retailers
Brownells
Midway USA
Top Gun Supply
NET TAC (full disclosure, I own NET TAC)