Wideners Blog Logo

Author: Jacob
Jacob is a general firearms enthusiast, hobby gunsmith and avid plinker based out of East Tennessee. He has a bachelor's degree from Carson-Newman University and enjoys writing and covering firearms related articles and events. He has a background in the journalism industry.
photo of world war one soldiers holding weapons used in the great war

World War I: Weapons Of War

It was called the war to end all wars, but rather than signaling an end to future international conflict, World War I merely laid the foundation for the even greater carnage of World War II. The war, which was unprecedented in the slaughter it caused, raged on from 1914 through 1918. It ended with the […]

History Of The AK-47

 A History Of The AK-47 Rifle American soldiers first came up against the AK-47 in the jungles of Vietnam during the early 1960s.  Before that, the earliest reference to this Soviet-designed weapon came from a 1953 CIA resource. A rough drawing suggested this new gun was a derivative of the PPSh – the Russian standard […]

Photo of 12 gauge shotgun shells

Understanding Different 12-Gauge Shotgun Load Types

12-Gauge Shotgun Load Types The 12-gauge shotgun is one of the most versatile firearms you can own. It has many options for shot loads. How do you know which 12-gauge ammo shot patterns work best for you? With options ranging from hundreds of tiny beads to a single heavy slug, there’s plenty that you can […]

history of the ar 15

History Of The AR 15

With the politicization of gun rights in the U.S., the AR-15 has become the poster child for both sides. Beloved by gun-rights supporters, the rifle is the ideal representation of the Second Amendment. It’s a non-military-grade tool in the hands of citizens ready to defend hearth and home. Gun control supporters don’t see the patriotic […]

image about Guns That Won the West

Guns That Won The West: A History of Western Firearms

There are plenty of firearm manufacturers who’ve claimed to produce the guns that won the West. As long as there are Old West devotees, there will be debates about which gun actually should hold that coveted title. But the truth is there are no single firearms that officially tamed the western frontier. Just like there […]