Firearm modifications can improve ergonomics, handling and appearance—but not every upgrade delivers a real benefit. In this article, we look at the most common cosmetic and functional modifications, their advantages, potential drawbacks, and the situations where leaving the firearm in its original configuration may be the better choice.

What does it mean when a firearm operates from an open or closed bolt? This article explains how open-bolt and closed-bolt systems work, their advantages and disadvantages, and why most modern submachine guns and pistol-caliber carbines (PCCs) are designed to fire from a closed bolt.

The 9mm Luger, also known as the 9×19mm Parabellum, has been one of the world’s most widely used handgun cartridges for more than a century. Since its introduction at the turn of the 20th century, it has seen service through two world wars, become the NATO standard, and earned a lasting place among military personnel, law enforcement officers, and civilian shooters alike. How did the legendary “Luger” come to be, and what made it the most popular handgun cartridge in the world?