Travis Pike is a Marine infantry veteran, firearms enthusiast, and NRA certified instructor.
Travis Pike is a lifelong shooter who just happened to be mediocre enough with a gun and a keyboard to combine the two and write. He currently teaches concealed carry courses and enjoys spending time on Florida’s Nature Coast. He is interested in helping folks protect themselves with firearms and shoot better at the range.
Experience
- 5 years in the United States Marines Corps as an Infantryman
- Expert Rifle Badge USMC
- NRA Basic Pistol Instructor
- Freelance writer for multiple publications
Get latest articles from Travis Pike
[Ultimate Build] Best Benelli M4 Upgrades
3 years ago
24 Comments
What's sexy, Italian, and in our dreams? It's the Benelli M4 shotgun. Check out the best upgrades to make it the ultimate home defense gun. (Read)
[Review] USFA ZIP .22LR: Failed Plinker
3 years ago
6 Comments
The USFA Zip .22LR is our lowest rated gun ever. Learn about the fall of USFA as we complete a hands-on review of their last plinker. (Read)
Airgun & BB Gun Training: Best Guns & Drills
3 years ago
4 Comments
Want to save handgun ammo? We go over the best airguns, bb guns, and training drills that transfer over to real steel. (Read)
5 Best Home Defense Shotgun Upgrades & Ammo
3 years ago
27 Comments
Have a shotgun for home defense? We choose the best 5 upgrades you need to turn your scattergun into an effective home defense weapon. (Read)
[Best AR-15 Builds] Modern American Musket (M16A4)
3 years ago
5 Comments
Want to build an updated M16A4 clone that’s perfect for hunting, defense, & plinking? Check out our build list to the Modern American Musket. (Read)
[Hands-On Review] Streamlight TLR RM1 and RM2
3 years ago
8 Comments
Streamlights are proven but how to their new TLR RM1 & RM2 fare? We hands-on review both for durability, real world lighting, ergo, and more. (Read)
[Hands-On] Olight Review: PL-Pro Valkyrie & PL-Mini Valkyrie 2
4 years ago
15 Comments
How do Olight's PL-Pro Valkyrie and the PL-Mini Valkyrie 2 perform as tactical lights? We dropped, drowned, and shot with them to find out. (Read)
Best Shotgun Mini Shells: Birdshot, Buckshot & Slugs [Hands-On]
4 years ago
31 Comments
What are shotgun mini shells good for? We give you all the deets plus our favorite shells for plinking, hunting, home defense, & more. (Read)
[Review] Magpul D60 and D50 Drums: Are They Good Mags?
4 years ago
17 Comments
Everyone loves drum mags but they are notoriously finicky. Do Magpul's D60 and D50 drums make the cut? We hands-on review and offer tips. (Read)
[Build] M1A Paratrooper: What If the M14 Stuck Around?
4 years ago
12 Comments
If you jumped out an airplane with an M14, what would it have looked like? We build our very own M1A Paratrooper to see what would have been! (Read)
[Hands-On Review] Larry Vickers Master Class 1911: Combat Focused
4 years ago
8 Comments
Larry Vickers, Wilson Combat, and Springfield Armory. We hands-on review the culmination of these three giants with the Vickers Tactical Master Class 1911. (Read)
[Review] Springfield Saint Victor AR-10 Pistol: Pint-Sized .308
4 years ago
13 Comments
Need a super compact .308 AR platform? The Springfield Saint VIctor Pistol might be it. We hands-on review it for reliability, accuracy, recoil, and more. (Read)
