Top 5 Shooting Illustrated Articles of 2018

We've covered a lot of ground at Shooting Illustrated over the last year, with reporting from SHOT Show 2018 and NRA Annual Meetings, as well as gun reviews, skill drills, tactical tips and more. We've published hundreds of articles, some of which have been extraordinarily popular with our readers. Here's a look at the best of the best, our top five most-read articles of the past year:

5. 5 Critical Mistakes Made by Defensive Gun Owners

As our Straight Talk columnist, Sheriff Jim Wilson offers up common-sense advice geared toward personal protection, concealed carry, home defense and more. In one of his most-popular stories of the year, he outlined the mistakes he sees defensive gun owners make the most, often with unfortunate consequences. Make sure you're avoiding these potential issues by checking out his list.

4. 63 Brand-New Handguns Released in 2018

As the NRA Official Journal that focuses most on concealed carry and personal defense, handguns are the bread-and-butter of much of our content here at Shooting Illustrated. At the beginning of the year, Shooting Illustrated staff reached out to every manufacturer we could and came up with a comprehensive list of new handgun introductions. Take a look at the list and see if you missed any.

3. 14 Great Pocket Pistols for Personal Defense

In the concealed-carry market, pocket pistols are some of the most-popular options for today's defense-minded citizens. These micro-size handguns can be easily carried in a variety of ways, and their versatility makes them a go-to choice for many, either as a primary or backup defensive arm. Here's a list of 14 great options currently on the market.

2. 5.56 NATO vs. .223 Rem.: What's the Difference?

Over the last few years, the AR-15 has become one of the most popular firearms in America, and firearm owners have been getting in on the customization options offered for the platform. However, there are certain elements of the gun that many aren't familiar with. Some guns are marked 5.56 NATO, others are marked .223 Rem, but both cartridges look the same, right? We set the record straight on what differentiates these two popular rifle rounds.

1. Firearm Practice on a Budget

While many are understandably concerned about the up-front cost of firearms, the long-term reality of having a defensive firearm means that much more is likely invested in ammunition and training. If you're strapped for cash, how can you keep your firearm skills sharp? How can you improve? Here are a few tips for training and practicing on a budget in an article that, by far and away, was our most-popular story of 2018.