Straight Talk

Welcome to the Gun Bench. This is a series where we at Straight Talk bring our readers into the thought process behind how we set up our gear for various roles and scenarios. There is a saying that purpose drives gear. In the gun world, that saying rings clear. With each selection of equipment, there is a purpose—whether it be for hunting, competitive shooting, home defense, or survival—that equipment matters and must stand up to the task at hand. This series looks to help with the thought

1911s are cool. They just are. It’s a design that has persisted for over a century. It’s hard to talk bad about them unless you want to bring up magazine capacity, or weight, or lack of modern features, then it’s fair game. But the weapon’s longevity is striking. Does it have a place in modern defensive handguns? I think that is a fair question. The pistol does have limitations. It’s something that modern 2011s (or double-stack 1911s) are trying to overcome. But what about the classic 191

The Smith & Wesson Sport series of rifles has embedded itself as one of the go-to budget AR-15 rifles. However, it has been quite some time since Big Blue has updated the series. Its plastic clamshell forend, carbine-length gas system, and fixed front sight (or sometimes a gaudy gas block with Picatinny rail) show the rifle’s age. Unfortunately for Smith, The AR market is flooded with options. There are a ton of manufacturers vying for position in every price bracket, with the budget

If you are into guns, or any type of competitive shooting, then you’ve heard of Vortex Optics. They are a premier name in a very crowded space. While many companies find a niche that separates them from the rest, Vortex has chosen to encapsulate the entire breadth of the optics world. From affordable to exorbitantly expensive, and from PRS optics to weapon-mounted laser rangefinders, to optic rings and tripods, Vortex has everything (literally, they even offer some very nice clothing). Bec

I love long-range shooting. There is something about it. It’s both mysterious and objective, discerning and adaptive. It’s multiple. It’s the combination of elements to break a perfect shot. The conclusion is the sound of ringing steel carrying from a great distance—elation erupts.Long-range shooting (in its various mediums) has come to dominate the shooting sports world. In response, there has been tremendous growth in the shooting industry catering towards precision shooting. One of the

Vortex Optics is a household name in the shooting world. Their VIP warranty, excellent customer service, and unending number of options make them the favorite of many shooters. Part of their success is leaning into the Good, Better, Best mantra when working on product development. Vortex believes in having an option that will fit in anybody’s budget. That can be seen in the Diamondback Tactical, Strike Eagle, and Viper lineups (yes there are more options on either end of the spectrum).With