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Freestate Training Academy
Freestate-Training-Academy.com is built for shooters who want more than surface-level opinions. With 400+ in-depth reviews, breakdowns, and instructional posts, our content is created and vetted by FreeState instructors and experienced professionals who live this craft every day. Whether you’re new to firearms or a seasoned shooter looking to refine your skills, this library is designed to help you make smarter decisions, train more effectively, and stay informed.


Strike Industries AR-15 Accessories Review
Strike Industries (SI) is a popular aftermarket company known for AR-15 parts and accessories that emphasize innovative design, tactical styling, good performance, and affordable pricing . Their lineup includes everything from small parts to major upgrades like handguards, charging handles, lower parts kits, grips, and more — all intended to improve ergonomics, function, or aesthetics. Industry reputation is generally positive, though some older community discussions note t


Strike Industries Hand Stop Review
Strike Industries (SI) is a popular aftermarket company known for AR-15 parts and accessories that emphasize innovative design, tactical styling, good performance, and affordable pricing . Their lineup includes everything from small parts to major upgrades like handguards, charging handles, lower parts kits, grips, and more — all intended to improve ergonomics, function, or aesthetics. Industry reputation is generally positive, though some older community discussions note t


Blackhawk Vertical Foregrip Review
The Blackhawk Vertical Foregrip is a rail-mounted vertical grip made from fiberglass-reinforced polymer that attaches to a standard Picatinny rail on your AR-15’s handguard. It’s designed to give your support hand a secure handle, improve recoil control, and help with sustained fire or dynamic movement. Build & Construction Materials & Design Fiberglass-reinforced polymer construction — lightweight but durable. Redundant clamp screws ensure a secure, reliable mount even


Safariland PocKit Kleen Bore Review
The Safariland KleenBore POCKit Handgun Cleaning Kit is a compact, all-in-one cleaning tool for handguns designed for portability — ideal for range bags, field use, or quick post-range cleaning . It’s essentially a small cleaning rod system that stores inside a single handle. Typical components include: Two-section cleaning rod (extends ~5″ to ~8.3″) Phosphor bronze bore brush Cotton mop Patch jag Storage handle (also serves as the grip/handle) #8-32 threaded attachments co


Snap Safe Handgun Safe with Key Lock Review
The SnapSafe Handgun Safe with Key Lock is a compact portable safe/lockbox made primarily for storing one handgun and a few small valuables (magazines, documents, keys). It’s constructed from 16-gauge steel and secured with a mechanical key lock — no batteries or electronics required . Most models include: Steel key lock mechanism with two keys included Foam-lined interior to protect stored items Heavy-duty cable (≈1500 lb rating) to secure the box to a fixed point Siz


How to Clear Pistol Malfunctions with the S.P.O.R.T.S. Technique
Clearing Pistol Malfunctions Using the S.P.O.R.T.S. Technique The S.P.O.R.T.S. technique is a systematic immediate-action drill used to diagnose and clear the most common semi-automatic pistol malfunctions , especially failure to fire and failure to feed . It is designed to be: Fast Consistent Performed under stress Applicable without diagnosing the exact malfunction first What S.P.O.R.T.S. Stands For Letter Action S Slap P Pull O Observe R Release T Tap S Shoot Step-by-St


Sig Sauer Bushmasters Scope & Range Finder Review
The SIG Sauer Buckmasters Scope & Rangefinder Kit combines: 🟡 A Buckmasters riflescope (typically 3-9×40 mm or 3-12×44 mm) 🔴 A Buckmasters 1500 Laser Rangefinder These products are designed to work in tandem for field use — the scope helps you aim precisely, and the rangefinder gives you accurate distance readings. SIG also supports a “Buckmasters Mode” where the rangefinder can suggest which reticle hold-over dot to use on the scope based on range. Scope Overview (Buc


Laser Ammo Gas Blowback Laser Training Pistol Review
The Laser Ammo Gas Blowback (Recoil-Enabled) Laser Training Pistol refers to a family of realistic training handguns that use: Green gas or CO₂ blowback action to simulate recoil and slide movement Integrated laser (visible or infrared) to mark “hits” on reactive or electronic targets True-to-real ergonomics and controls matching common duty pistol platforms (e.g., Glock, Sig M17/M18) Field-strippable design for realistic manipulation and handling drills These are train


Laser Ammo 12GA Laser Cartridge Conversion Shell Review
The Laser Ammo 12 Gauge Shotgun Adapter (often called a conversion shell or 12 GA adapter ) is a training tool designed to let you insert a 9 mm Laser Ammo SureStrike™ laser training cartridge into your 12 g shotgun’s chamber for dry-fire practice without live ammunition. You install the SureStrike into the adapter, chamber it like a shell, and pull the trigger to emit a laser pulse that simulates a shot. Important: The 12 GA adapter itself does not include a laser cart


Laser Ammo Training Pistol Conversion Kit Review
These Videos are made for educational purposes only. GunsmithMD is not liable for the misuse of any product that is reviewed on this website


Using SPORTS to Clear Malfunctions With an AR-15
Clearing Malfunctions Using the S.P.O.R.T.S. Technique The S.P.O.R.T.S. technique is a systematic immediate-action drill used to diagnose and clear the most common semi-automatic malfunctions , especially failure to fire and failure to feed . It is designed to be: Fast Consistent Performed under stress Applicable without diagnosing the exact malfunction first What S.P.O.R.T.S. Stands For Letter Action S Slap P Pull O Observe R Release T Tap S Shoot Step-by-Step Breakdown 1


Discover Your Dominant Eye: A Guide to Improving Your Shooting Accuracy
Understanding your dominant eye is a critical—but often overlooked—part of improving shooting accuracy. Just as most people have a dominant hand, most also have a dominant eye that the brain prefers for precise alignment and depth perception. In shooting, proper sight alignment depends heavily on this visual dominance. What Is a Dominant Eye? Your dominant eye is the eye your brain naturally relies on for: Precise alignment Spatial awareness Target focus Even if both eyes h


Why is 40 Labeled as S&W and 9 Labeled as Millimeter?
At first glance, it seems inconsistent—or even confusing—that .40 S&W uses an inch-based name while 9mm uses the metric system. The reason comes down to a mix of history, geography, marketing, and standards , not physics. Let’s break it down clearly. It Starts With Two Measurement Systems Firearm calibers are named using either : Imperial units (inches) – common in the U.S. Metric units (millimeters) – common in Europe and most of the world There is no single global rule


Maximizing Accuracy: The Benefits of Using POA and POI for Zeroing Your Firearms Optic
Zeroing an optic isn’t just about turning dials until hits land near the center of the target—it’s about understanding the relationship between Point of Aim (POA) and Point of Impact (POI) . Mastering this concept is one of the fastest ways to achieve a precise, repeatable zero and improve overall shooting accuracy. What Are POA and POI? Point of Aim (POA) Where your sights or optic are aimed The exact point you place your reticle, dot, or crosshairs on the target Point of I


The Importance of Good Follow Through when Shooting: Tips and Techniques
Follow-through is one of the most misunderstood—and most neglected—fundamentals of accurate shooting. Many shooters believe the shot is “over” once the trigger breaks, but in reality, what you do immediately after the shot is just as important as what you do before it . Good follow-through ensures that the bullet leaves the barrel on the intended path and that you’re ready for consistent, accurate follow-up shots. What Is Follow-Through? Follow-through is the act of maintain


The B.R.A.S.S. Technique - How Does it Work & What does it Stand for?
The B.R.A.S.S. technique is a fundamentals-based shooting method designed to improve accuracy, consistency, and shot control . Unlike malfunction-clearing acronyms, this version of B.R.A.S.S. focuses on the mental and physical process of firing an accurate shot . It’s especially effective for new shooters , but it’s just as valuable for experienced shooters who want to slow down, eliminate bad habits, and tighten groups. What Does B.R.A.S.S. Stand For? B.R.A.S.S. breaks the


How to Properly Grip Your Handgun While Shooting
A proper handgun grip is the foundation of accuracy, recoil control, and fast follow-up shots. Even small grip errors can lead to inconsistent hits, increased recoil, and fatigue. The good news? Grip technique is learnable, repeatable, and adaptable to nearly every handgun and shooter. This guide walks through how to grip your handgun correctly , why it works, and common mistakes to avoid. Why Grip Matters Your grip affects: Recoil management Sight stability Trigger control


Mastering Trigger Control: The Key to Achieving More Accurate Shooting
If accuracy is your goal, trigger control is the single most important skill to master . You can have a perfect stance, grip, and sight picture—but if you mishandle the trigger, your shots will miss. The good news? Trigger control is a trainable skill , and improvements often show up quickly once shooters understand what’s really happening during the trigger press. Why Trigger Control Matters So Much The trigger is the only part of the firearm you intentionally move while fir


The Surprising Link Between Proper Breathing and Accurate Shooting
When people think about accurate shooting, they usually focus on sights, trigger control, and grip. While those are critical, breathing is one of the most overlooked fundamentals—and one of the easiest ways to improve accuracy almost immediately. Whether you’re shooting handguns, rifles, or shotguns, understanding how breathing affects your body and your sights can dramatically tighten your groups. Why Breathing Matters in Shooting Breathing directly influences: Body movemen
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