Gregory Kielma • October 21, 2023
223 Remington/5.56 x 45mm NATO Cartridge
223 Remington/5.56 x 45mm NATO Cartridge
Hey Gregory,
Today's workbench is written by guest contributor and AGI Certified Gunsmith and GCA Moderator Robert Dunn:
There isn’t a day of my life that goes by that I don’t work with, reload, think or write about the .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO cartridges. Those cartridges are what a couple of my favorite and most used rifles are chambered for.
When I worked in an ammunition factory, I would sometimes get paid in .223 ammunition. When I was growing up in the early 1970s I became familiar with the .223 Remington cartridge, as it was the new round being used by our Armed Forces.
Warfighters throughout the world had realized the advantage of automatic firepower, but finding the perfect firearm and cartridge design is a huge challenge. In the case of the .223 Remington, many sources helped bring this cartridge into use by both civilians and the military.
Eugene Stoner of ArmaLite (then a division of Fairchild Industries) had gained the attention of the Military with his 7.62 x 51mm chambered AR-10 rifle. Like many high powered rifles, the AR-10 was hard to control during automatic fire.
Consequently, Fairchild Industries and Stoner were asked to scale down the AR-10 to fire a smaller caliber cartridge. Stoner came up with a prototype AR-15 and after a demonstration for the army, he was asked to produce more rifles for testing in 1957.
Select engineers and other companies like Remington Arms, Winchester as well as ArmaLite were asked to take part in developing this project. Springfield Armory’s Earle Harvey lengthened the .222 Remington case to the required specifications and it became the .224 Springfield, which was commercially known as the .222 Remington Magnum.
Frank Snow (of Sierra Bullets) and Eugene Stoner calculated the ballistics data for the .222 Remington to find the best bullet for the project, which ended up being a 55 grain bullet. Meanwhile, the Technical Editor for Gun and Ammo magazine, Robert Hutton, worked up a propellant recipe that could attain a velocity of 3,300 fps. Ultimately, Remington came up with the .222 Special cartridge, which was later renamed the .223 Remington because there were so many .222 designations.
Just a few of the military requirements for the firearm and cartridges were that they needed to be able to penetrate one side of a US Steel helmet at 500 yards, had to be able to exceed supersonic speed at 500 yards, had to be .22 caliber and select fire. From years of research and development of the AR-10 and AR-15, ArmaLite was facing financial difficulties and sold the rights for the rifles to Colt in 1959.
The AR-15 and the T44E4 rifle that would later be known as the M14 were being testing at the same time. To make a long story short, it was found that the AR-15 had far less failures per 1,000 rounds fired and that riflemen had a higher hit probability when firing Stoner’s rifle.
After Air Force General Curtis Le May test fired the AR-15, he ordered a batch of AR-15s to replace some of the M2 carbines that the Air Force was using. As the trials and testing continued, it was found that during marksmanship testing that many more men were achieving Expert shooting status with the AR-15 than they were with the M14. With these findings and the failure rate of the AR-15 going down even further, General Le May placed an order for 80,000 rifles in 1961.
In 1962, Remington filed the specs for the .223 Remington cartridge with SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute) and the cartridge was later marketed commercially as a chambering for the Remington 760 rifle in 1963.
At this point in time, the United States was embroiled in the conflicts arising in Southeast Asia. It was politically decided that contracts for rifle manufacturing could be bid on by the private sector and Colt was awarded the contract to provide AR-15 rifles to fill orders for the Vietnam War.
The AR-15 rifle and the .223 Remington cartridge were formally adopted in 1964 and designated the XM16E1 rifle, commonly referred to as the M16, and the 5.56 Ball M193 cartridge. It was decided that the South Vietnamese troops would be supplied with the M16 rifle. Eventually, the Air Force, the US Army, Special Forces, the Coast Guard, the US Navy, the Marines as well as the SEAL teams had orders in for M16 rifles and cartridges. In 1965, Colt received orders for 800,000 M16E1 rifle and over 28,000 M16 rifles.
The M16 and the 5.56 Ball ammo would go through some major growing pains as the rifles and cartridges were issued to troops in Vietnam. Besides not being trained on how to properly clean the gun, the rifle suffered from many types of jams and failures.
Broken extractors and extractor springs accounted for many ejection failures and through more research, it was found that the propellant being used in the cartridges was creating horrific fouling of the gas and bolt system. The ball powder that was being used also created a longer pressure spike, which caused the case to expand in the chamber but it would not contract enough to be extracted.
The extractor would simply tear through the case rim, leaving the stuck case in the chamber. By using a different propellant, chrome plating the barrels and replacing the buffer with a new design that slowed down the cyclic rate, along with some other design changes, the problems were gradually sorted out. Unfortunately many American lives were lost because of these errors.
The process of selecting a smaller cartridge for use by NATO forces began in 1960. The cartridge design was based on the .223 Remington cartridge and its development was placed in the hands of FN Herstal. The rimless bottlenecked cartridge was named the 5.56 x 54mm NATO cartridge.
In 1980, the 5.56 NATO cartridge became the standard NATO rifle cartridge (known as the SS109 for NATO and the M855 for the United States). The 5.56mm cartridges allowed the soldier to be able to carry more ammunition, which equated to more firepower and logistically many more rounds could be transported to hot spots around the world by weight than the larger 7.62 NATO cartridges. On a global scale this can equal a savings of millions of dollars.
The number of firearms that are chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge is too numerous to list here. Just think about all of the different squad automatic weapons, rifles, carbines and machine guns that each NATO country uses…that is a lot of different weapons!
The Frankford Arsenal, Remington and Winchester produced the first lots of .223 ammunition for the United States Armed Forces. During the trials and testing of the AR-15, 19 Million .223 cartridges were purchased. When a cartridge does well for the military, the Law Enforcement and civilian communities usually follows their lead. If you have ever read the 27 page document for the military specifications for the M855 cartridge (5.56 x 54mm), you can see that heavy scrutiny has already been applied to the 5.56mm round!
The .223 Remington cartridge has become one of the most used cartridges in the United States. It is a great varmint and predator cartridge and could be used for larger game if need be by loading a heavier bullet like a Hornady GMX or Barnes TSX 70-grain projectiles. These slower moving heavier bullets seem to do quite well in windy conditions. The above attributes make the 5.56mm round a flexible survival cartridge too.
You may have noticed or even been annoyed by the interchanging .223/5.56 terminology, here are of the important similarities and difference between the two cartridges. The case dimensions are exactly the same, though case thickness/propellant capacity can vary significantly between manufacturers which will have an effect on the resulting pressures.
The 5.56 x 45mm NATO or other military 5.56 ammo tends to be loaded hotter, so chamber pressures will be greater than the typical .223 Remington load. For this reason, .223 Remington rounds can be safely fired in a 5.56 chambered gun but 5.56mm ammo should not be fired in a .223 Rem chambered gun.
The reason for this really comes down to the differences in the chamber dimensions between .223 and 5.56 barrels. The throat/free bore and leade of a 5.56mm chamber is longer. The throat of the chamber is the unrifled section of the chamber just forward of the neck and gives the bullet a place to sit. Leade or lead is the section of the bore of a rifled barrel located just ahead of the throat of the chamber. It is a conical shaped transition from end of the throat to the fully rifled part of the barrel.
In an effort to gain more accuracy from the 5.56mm NATO cartridge, Bill Wylde created the .223 Wylde, which is a chamber design that utilizes the same external dimensions and lead angle of a 5.56 NATO cartridge and the freebore diameter of the .223 Remington cartridge. Another company that uses a proprietary chamber design to achieve better accuracy from the 5.56mm NATO cartridge is Noveske. A Noveske barrel is not cheap but they are known for their precision and high quality products.
SAAMI specs are followed by manufacturers in the U.S. loading .223 Remington ammo but those same manufacturers who also load 5.56 ammo do not follow SAAMI specs because the 5.56 rounds are loaded to military specifications and thus not held to SAAMI specs. In Europe, the international organization C.I.P. tests and sets the safety standards for firearms and ammunition. In countries that are regulated by the C.I.P., .223 Remington ammunition is proof tested at the same maximum service pressure as the 5.56 x 54mm NATO cartridges.
There have been a lot of challenges that had to be met throughout the history of the AR-15 and the 5.56 x 54mm cartridge. The twist rate of a barrel and the chamber dimensions greatly effect performance and accuracy. The shorter barreled M4 carbines and the requests for even shorter barrel lengths coming from the Special Forces communities have kept firearms and ammunition engineers busy. At this point in time, the AR-15 style rifles and the .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO cartridges offer a very reliable and accurate shooting platform.
The AR-15 rifle and .223/5.56 cartridge combination have gone through many changes together. They are still being used by our Military/Law Enforcement and civilian populations to good affect every day. This combo is a must for 3-gun competition. The .223 Remington cartridge is not overly expensive and there is always a wide variety of ammunition to choose from. There is a lot of surplus ammo to select from as well. Many other firearms are chambered in .223 Rem besides the AR-15 type guns.
The 5.56mm round is a good cartridge to reload for, as there is a huge variety of quality components to choose from as well. In 1964, the year I was born, these cartridges were the new warfighting cartridge and the US Armed Forces began using them. It’s easy for me to remember how many years these cartridges have been in use!
Become an American Gunsmith and continue to preserve our Firearm’s Heritage!
Robert Dunn,
Gunsmith & Community Moderator
American Gunsmithing Institute
Gunsmithing Club of America
What Is a Straw Firearm Purchase? From the Perspective of Gregg Kielma, FFL at Tactical K Training & Firearms 02/06/2026 As a firearms instructor, I spend a great deal of time teaching responsible gun ownership. Most people who walk into a gun shop or a training class genuinely want to do things the right way. But there’s one topic that still causes confusion—and sometimes lands otherwise well-meaning people in serious legal trouble. That topic is the straw purchase. A straw purchase isn’t complicated, but the consequences absolutely are. Understanding it is part of being a responsible, ethical gun owner. Please treat the ATF 4473 like your tax return, be truthful. If you don't, the consequences can be devastating. Please do not put me or my business in a poor situation. "Don't lie for the other guy" Let's Take a LOOK What a Straw Purchase Really Is A straw purchase happens when one person buys a firearm on behalf of someone else—especially someone who cannot legally buy or possess a firearm. It doesn’t matter if the buyer is legally allowed to own a gun. It doesn’t matter if the person they’re buying it for is a friend, a family member, or “just helping someone out.” If the intent is to acquire a firearm for another individual, it becomes a straw purchase. The key issue is the ATF Form 4473. When you buy a firearm from a licensed dealer, you must answer a very specific question: “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm?” If you are purchasing the gun for someone else, the truthful answer is no. If you check yes anyway, you’ve just committed a federal felony. Why Straw Purchases Are Illegal The law exists for one reason: to prevent firearms from being funneled to people who shouldn’t have them. That includes: • Convicted felons • Individuals with domestic violence convictions • People prohibited due to mental health adjudications • Drug traffickers • Individuals under restraining orders • Anyone attempting to avoid background checks When someone uses a “clean” buyer to get a gun, they’re bypassing the safeguards designed to keep firearms out of dangerous hands. That’s why federal prosecutors take these cases seriously. The Consequences Are No Joke A straw purchase can lead to: • Up to 15 years in federal prison • Massive fines • Permanent loss of firearm rights • Federal felony record And here’s the part many people don’t realize: Even if the person you bought the gun for never commits a crime with it, the act of lying on the 4473 is enough to be charged. I’ve seen cases where someone thought they were “just helping” a boyfriend, girlfriend, or friend who didn’t want to deal with the background check. That one decision changed their life forever. Gifts vs. Straw Purchases People often ask me: “Gregg, what about buying a gun as a gift?” A legitimate gift is perfectly legal. The difference is intent. • Legal: You buy a firearm with your own money, for yourself, and later decide to gift it. • Legal: You buy a firearm as a genuine gift, with no reimbursement, and the recipient is legally allowed to own it. • Illegal: Someone gives you money and tells you what to buy. • Illegal: You buy a gun because someone else cannot pass a background check. If money changes hands, or if the other person is directing the purchase, it’s no longer a gift—it’s a straw purchase. Why This Matters to Me as an Instructor My mission at Tactical K Training and Firearms is simple: Educate, empower, and protect responsible gun owners. That means teaching more than marksmanship. It means teaching the law, ethics, and the responsibilities that come with firearm ownership. A firearm is a tool that demands maturity and integrity. Straw purchases undermine both. When you understand the law, you protect yourself, your family, and your community. You also help ensure that firearms remain in the hands of responsible citizens—not criminals. Kielma’s Parting Shot: MY Final Thoughts A straw purchase isn’t a loophole. It’s a felony. And it’s one of the fastest ways for a good person to end up in serious legal trouble. If you’re ever unsure about a firearm transaction, ask questions. Seek guidance. Talk to a qualified instructor or a knowledgeable dealer. Responsible ownership starts with informed decisions.
Lake County Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Trafficking Thursday, January 29, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Ocala, Florida – Fernando Munguia, Jr. (24, Leesburg) has pleaded guilty to nine counts of making a materially false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and nine counts of causing a federal firearm licensee (FFL) to maintain false information in its official records. Munguia faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each false statement count and up to five years’ imprisonment for each count of causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. As part of his plea, Munguia has agreed to forfeit the nine firearms related to these offenses. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court records, between January 1 and December 31, 2023, Munguia illegally straw-purchased multiple firearms. During the purchases, Munguia indicated on the mandatory background paperwork that he was the actual transferee/buyer of the firearms. Those statements were false since Munguia was being paid to purchase the firearms on behalf of someone else. Nine of the firearms purchased by Munguia—along with other guns—subsequently were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on May 27, 2023, when another individual attempted to transport them from Eagle Pass, Texas across the United States’ border and into Mexico. Authorities intercepted Munguia’s firearms less than a month after he had purchased them. Court Exhibit The firearms and ammunition seized at the U.S. border on May 27, 2023. A subsequent records check by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives showed that between January and November 2023, Munguia had purchased 44 firearms for a total of $23,334.25—an amount representing approximately two-thirds of his reported annual income. The records also showed that his purchases frequently involved multiple, identical firearms of the same model and caliber. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Custom and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Updated January 29, 2026
Ohio Man Indicted for Firearms Offenses Wednesday, February 4, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts AR-style pistol loaded with 100 rounds of ammunition; a loaded rifle with 100 rounds of ammunition; and two additional loaded pistols recovered BOSTON – An Ohio man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Massachusetts in connection with multiple sales of firearms transported from Ohio to Massachusetts. Ruben Joel Sanchez Jr., 31, of Youngstown, Ohio, was indicted on one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Sanchez was arrested on Jan. 8, 2026, and remains in federal custody. According to the charging documents, beginning at least as early as June 2025 through January 2026, Sanchez engaged in the business of unlawful trafficking in firearms. Specifically, in June 2025, Sanchez, who is not licensed to deal in firearms, allegedly sold three firearms to an individual in exchange for $4,000. It is further alleged that, on Jan. 8, 2026, Sanchez was recorded and observed selling four additional firearms to the same individual in return for $8,500. Sanchez was arrested at the scene where an AR-style pistol equipped with a loaded, 100-round drum; a rifle equipped with a loaded, 100-round drum; a loaded pistol equipped with an extended magazine; and an additional loaded pistol were allegedly recovered. The charge of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unlawful trafficking in firearms provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Updated February 4, 2026
Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms and Machinegun Charges Thursday, February 5, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Alabama MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On February 4, 2026, Ladarius Lamar Knight, 25, of Montgomery, Alabama, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to the unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. According to court records, on January 7, 2025, units with the Montgomery Police Department and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) were on Zelda Road in Montgomery when they heard gunshots coming from a nearby gas station. Responding officers observed three individuals fleeing the area. ALEA troopers pursued one of the suspects into a fast-food restaurant across the street from the gas station. The suspect, later identified as Knight, was found hiding in the restaurant’s back storage area and was taken into custody. Troopers recovered a handgun Knight was attempting to conceal inside a box. Further examination revealed that the handgun was equipped with a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “switch.” When installed, such a device enables the firearm to fire continuously with a single pull of the trigger, resulting in an extremely high rate of fire that allows the weapon to discharge an entire magazine in a matter of seconds . Knight has prior felony convictions and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. At sentencing, Knight faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including its Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit; and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys John J. Geer, III and Christine Levi are prosecuting the case. Updated February 5, 2026
Two Individuals Charged in Scheme to “Straw Purchase” Firearms Friday, February 6, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury has indicted two individuals in a scheme to “straw purchase” firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. A three-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Habonisun Mynez Chaverst, 28, of Center Point, Alabama, and Keonna Daniella Cephus, 38, of Birmingham, Alabama, with conspiracy to straw purchase firearms and submit false ATF forms 4473. Cephus was also charged with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. According to the indictment, between October 2024 and November 2024, Chaverst partnered with co-defendant Cephus to purchase six firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Cephus, the straw purchaser, falsified documents by specifically stating that she was the actual buyer when in fact she was buying the firearms for Chaverst. On two separate occasions in November 2024, Cephus purchased two .40 caliber Glock 22 pistols, two .40 caliber Glock 23 pistols, and two 9mm Glock 17 pistols from Hoover Tactical Firearms. Cephus used money provided by Chaverst to purchase the firearms. The ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carson R. Gilbert is prosecuting the case. An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Updated February 6, 2026
Why Being Nice Matters. A True Story by-Gregg Kielma A small town sat tucked between two quiet rivers, the kind of place where everyone waved from their porch and news traveled faster than the wind. In that town lived a man named Paul, known for one simple thing—he was nice. Not loud, not flashy, not the center of attention. Just consistently, quietly kind. Every morning, he held the door for strangers at the café. He helped Mr. Hanghouer carry his groceries without being asked. He checked on the mechanic’s dog when the shop got busy. Nothing heroic. Nothing grand. Just small acts that most people barely noticed. One summer, a storm rolled through the town, knocking out power and flooding the roads. People were stuck, hot, and frustrated. But something unexpected happened. Folks began showing up at Paul’s house—not because he had air conditioning or supplies, but because they remembered how he made them feel. Safe. Seen. Valued. Neighbors brought blankets, food, lanterns, and tools. They worked together, fixing what they could and comforting each other through what they couldn’t. And when someone asked why everyone had gathered there, the answer was simple: “Because Paul's always been good to us.” The storm passed, the lights came back on, and life returned to normal. But the town never forgot that moment. They realized kindness isn’t just polite—it’s powerful. It builds bridges long before you need to cross them. It turns strangers into allies. It makes a community stronger than any storm. And Paul? He just kept being nice. Not for praise, not for reward, but because he understood something many people overlook: Being nice matters because you never know when a small act of kindness becomes the reason someone else finds hope again. Gregg Kielma
What’s Going On With Glock — From My Perspective as a Firearms Instructor/Gunsmith By Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms As someone who’s spent years teaching responsible gun ownership and watching this industry evolve from the inside, I can tell you this: Glock is in the middle of one of the biggest transitions we’ve seen from them in decades. And it’s not chaos — it’s strategy. A Company That Rarely Changes Is Changing Fast Glock has always been known for slow, deliberate evolution. They don’t chase trends. They don’t flood the market with gimmicks. They build tools that work, and they stick to that formula. But right now, they’re shifting gears. With the rollout of the Gen 6 pistols — the G17, G19, and G45 — Glock is signaling that they’re ready to modernize in ways they’ve resisted for years. Optics-ready slides, improved ergonomics, ambidextrous controls, and a flat-faced trigger aren’t just upgrades; they’re acknowledgments that the market has changed and Glock intends to stay on top. A Strategic Realignment, Not a Retreat There’s been a lot of chatter — especially online — about Glock discontinuing certain full-size commercial models or shifting production priorities. From where I stand, this isn’t a sign of trouble. It’s a sign of tightening focus. Glock is trimming the fat, consolidating SKUs, and putting their energy into the platforms that define their future. When a company as conservative as Glock starts making bold moves, it’s because they’ve run the numbers and know exactly where the market is heading. The Gen 6 Line Is Their Statement Piece I’ve handled enough firearms to know when a company is phoning it in — and this isn’t that. The Gen 6 pistols feel like Glock finally listened to years of user feedback without compromising the reliability they’re known for. Early reviews and hands-on impressions back that up: • Better ergonomics • Cleaner trigger • Optics-ready from the factory • Compatibility with existing holsters and magazines • Same price point as Gen 5 MOS models That last point matters. Glock isn’t trying to cash-grab. They’re trying to future-proof. From My Instructor’s Viewpoint At Tactical K Training and Firearms, I see what students gravitate toward, what they shoot well with, and what they trust. Glock has always been a top choice because of its simplicity and reliability. With the Gen 6 updates, they’re making the platform even more accessible for new shooters while giving experienced shooters the refinements they’ve been asking for. This is Glock doubling down on what works — not reinventing themselves but sharpening the edges. K ielma’s Parting Shot: Where I Think Glock Is Heading If you ask me, Glock is positioning itself for the next decade of civilian and law enforcement use. They’re modernizing without abandoning their identity. They’re tightening their product line to strengthen their core offerings. And they’re doing it at a pace that’s fast for Glock but measured for everyone else. In short: Glock isn’t in trouble — they’re evolving. And from where I stand, that’s good for the industry and great for the shooters, like me, who rely on them.
Firearm Suppressors: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly By Gregg Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms My Thoughts; The Good-The Bad and The Ugly Kielma says, "Let's Take a LOOK Suppressors — or “silencers,” as Hollywood insists on calling them — are one of the most misunderstood pieces of firearms equipment in America. Depending on who you ask, they’re either tactical magic wands or tools of villains. The truth, as usual, sits somewhere in the middle. As an instructor who spends his days teaching responsible gun owners how to stay safe, legal, and effective, I look at suppressors through a practical lens: what they help with, what they don’t, and what every shooter needs to understand before deciding if one belongs in their kit. The Good: What Suppressors Actually Do Well 1. Hearing Protection That Matters A suppressor doesn’t make a firearm “quiet.” It makes it safer. Even with a suppressor, most centerfire firearms still exceed safe hearing thresholds — but the reduction is enough to prevent permanent damage in many situations. For home-defense scenarios, where you won’t have time to put on ear pro, that matters. 2. Better Control and Faster Follow Up Shots By reducing recoil impulse and muzzle blast, suppressors help shooters maintain control. For new shooters, that means confidence. For experienced shooters, that means tighter strings and faster, more accurate follow ups. 3. Reduced Signature A suppressor cuts down on muzzle flash and blast — not to hide anything, but to help you maintain vision and awareness, especially in low light environments. It’s a tool for control, not concealment. The Bad: What Suppressors Don’t Do 1. They Don’t Make Guns Silent Despite the movies, there’s no “pfft” sound. A suppressed 9mm pistol still sounds like a loud nail gun. A suppressed rifle still cracks because of supersonic ammo. If someone buys a suppressor expecting Hollywood results, they’re setting themselves up for disappointment. 2. They Add Weight and Length A suppressor changes the balance of your firearm. On a rifle, that extra length can affect maneuverability. On a pistol, it can make holstering impossible without specialized gear. 3. They Require Maintenance Carbon buildup is real. Some suppressors need to be disassembled and cleaned; others need careful handling to avoid seizing. Neglecting a suppressor is no different than neglecting a firearm — it will eventually fail you. The Ugly: The Legal and Practical Realities 1. The NFA Process Suppressors are legal in most states, but the federal process is slow, expensive, and bureaucratic. You’re looking at: • A background check • A long wait • Registration with the federal government For many people, the process is more intimidating than the device itself. 2. Misconceptions Create Problems Because suppressors are misunderstood, owners sometimes face judgment or misinformation from people who assume the worst. Part of responsible ownership is being prepared to educate others — calmly, factually, and without feeding into Hollywood myths. 3. Not Always Ideal for Defense While suppressors help with hearing and control, they also add bulk. In tight spaces, that can be a disadvantage. Like any tool, they’re not universally perfect — they’re situational. Kielma’s Parting Shot Suppressors are neither miracle devices nor sinister tools. They’re simply equipment — equipment that can make shooting safer, more controlled, and more enjoyable when used responsibly. As with any firearm accessory, the key is education. Understand what a suppressor does, what it doesn’t, and how it fits into your personal training, environment, and goals. Responsible gun owners don’t chase trends. We make informed decisions. And suppressors, when chosen for the right reasons, can be a smart, practical addition to a well-rounded firearm setup.
Are Democrats Trying to Stop Online Ammo Sales? By Gregory Kielma-Tactical K Training and Firearms As a firearms instructor and someone who works every day to promote responsible, law-abiding gun ownership, I pay close attention to legislation that affects my students and my community. One trend I’ve noticed is a growing push among many Democratic lawmakers to restrict or even eliminate online ammunition sales. From my perspective, this isn’t happening by accident—it’s part of a broader pattern of policies aimed at making firearm ownership more difficult, not for criminals, but for the very people who follow the law. Why Online Ammo Sales Matter to Law Abiding Citizens For millions of responsible gun owners, online ammunition sales are: • A legal, convenient way to purchase ammo • Often more affordable than local options • Essential for training, competition, and maintaining proficiency • A lifeline for rural areas with limited retail availability Cutting off online sales doesn’t stop criminals—they don’t buy ammo legally. It only burdens the people who already comply with the law. What Some Democratic Lawmakers Are Proposing Several Democratic-sponsored bills in recent years and months have attempted to: • Ban online ammunition sales entirely • Require all ammo purchases to be face to face • Force buyers to undergo background checks for every ammo purchase • Create federal tracking or licensing systems for ammunition Supporters claim these measures would reduce crime. But as someone who trains real people in real world safety, I see the opposite: these proposals target the wrong group. Criminals don’t order ammo online with their credit cards and home addresses. Law abiding citizens do. The Real Impact of These Proposals If these restrictions were passed, the people affected would be: • New gun owners trying to train safely • Competitive shooters • Hunters • Everyday citizens who want to stay proficient • Small businesses and instructors like me who rely on consistent access to ammunition Meanwhile, criminals would continue to obtain ammunition the same way they obtain illegal firearms—through theft, the black market, or straw purchases. Kielma’s Parting Shot My mission at Tactical K Training and Firearms is simple : teach people how to be safe, responsible, and legally informed. When lawmakers propose policies that punish responsible citizens instead of criminals, I believe it’s important to call attention to it. Stopping online ammo sales doesn’t make America safer. It just makes it harder for good people to exercise constitutional rights and maintain the skills that keep themselves and their families safe. Gregg Kielma
Why You Should Clean Your Firearm By Gregg Kielma As a firearms instructor, I’ve seen a lot of equipment come across my bench—some pristine, some neglected, and some that tell a story the moment you open the action. One thing has never changed: a clean firearm is a safer, more reliable firearm. Whether you’re a new gun owner or a seasoned shooter, cleaning your firearm isn’t optional. It’s part of responsible ownership. If you don’t know how to clean your firearm, take my class. I’ll instruct you how. Reliability Starts With Maintenance Your firearm is a mechanical tool. Carbon, unburned powder, dirt, sweat, and environmental debris all build up over time. That buildup doesn’t just look bad—it affects function. A dirty firearm is more likely to fail when you need it most. A clean firearm cycles smoother, feeds better, and performs the way the manufacturer intended. Safety Depends on It A firearm that isn’t maintained can become unpredictable. Fouling can cause failures to fire, failures to eject, or even pressure issues. Cleaning forces you to slow down, inspect your equipment, and confirm that everything is in proper working order. That inspection alone prevents accidents. You Learn Your Equipment Cleaning isn’t just about wiping down metal. It’s about understanding how your firearm works. When you take it apart, you learn its mechanics, its tolerances, and its personality. That familiarity builds confidence and competence—two things every responsible gun owner should strive for. Longevity and Value A firearm is an investment. Just like a vehicle, it lasts longer when you take care of it. Rust, corrosion, and wear all accelerate when a gun is left dirty. Regular cleaning protects your investment and ensures it stays in top condition for years to come. Kielma’s Parting Shot: It Reinforces a Mindset of Responsibility Owning a firearm isn’t about bravado. It’s about discipline, respect, and accountability. Cleaning your firearm is a simple act that reinforces those values. It reminds you that this tool has a purpose—and that purpose demands responsibility. Gregg Kielma
