Issue 08 Preview – Safe House Patrick Vuong Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Illustration by Ced Nocon Think owning a gun is enough protection? Think again. Your home is your castle, so harden it with these additional common-sense security measures. Pop quiz, hot shot: You’re in deep REM sleep, making a nice little pool of slobber on your pillow, when you’re awakened by a window being smashed. Is it a burglar? Or, worse, a home invasion by an armed robber — or three? What do you do? What do you do?! Finding the typical “get a gun and learn how to use it” advice woefully inadequate, RECOIL interviewed some of the industry’s most experienced security experts in search of a more comprehensive home-defense plan. We learned that you don’t need to install a moat around your property or a .50 BMG turret on your roof — but you do need a proactive mindset. “A homeowner’s biggest mistake is saying, ‘I live in a good neighborhood. It won’t happen here,’” says Kris Sutton, co-founder of and firearms instructor at Shoot and Move, LLC. “Newsflash: criminals aren’t going to steal from places that offer them nothing to gain. Complacency is a huge mistake.” After serving as a U.S. Army Ranger, Sutton became a police officer in the greater Atlanta, Georgia, area, working various assignments that included SWAT and undercover narcotics. As a former lieutenant, Sutton says that burglaries are crimes of opportunity, committed by crooks who seek easy prey. Home-invasion robbers, on the other hand, select their victims in advance. In either case, taking some common-sense precautions can go a long way in making your dwelling a hard target for either bad guy. First Line of Defense Hardening your home isn’t as difficult or expensive as it sounds. In fact, a trip to Home Depot could take care of many of the security measures recommended by our panel of experts. Mike Pannone, a world-renowned firearms instructor and owner of CTT Solutions, says that many humble abodes are soft targets because of a confluence of obvious weaknesses that people fail to address, from flimsy doors to poor lighting. For the rest of this article, subscribe digitally here: RECOIL Issue 8 Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
