The Unsung Hero Of Rendezvous 2025: The Mossberg Patriot 7mm PRC

By

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April 25, 2025

Bleecker St. Publications, the parent company of both GAT Daily and Athlon Outdoors, brought back the classic Athlon Rendezvous in 2025. The event, which was held at Brush Creek Ranch in southeastern Wyoming, concluded two nights ago [as I write this], and now most of the attendees are either home or getting ready for NRAAM 2025 in Atlanta.

Rendezvous was a huge hit, and a handful of writers and shooters, including myself, got the chance to go hands-on with new products—both guns and gear. Many of the items we saw at the event are still under embargo at the time of this writing. There was no shortage of cool products we saw and handled.

Ironically, one of the cheapest rifles present (that wasn’t even a brand-new release) on the firing line at Rendezvous left a big impression on me: the inexpensive Mossberg Patriot bolt-action rifle.

Mossberg: The Rifle Company?

7mm PRC rifle cartridges Mossberg Patriot — Loaded magazines and a single Hornady 7mm PRC 180 grain match cartridge.

Typically, when one thinks of Mossberg, chances are they think of its shotguns. Models like the Mossberg 590 or Mossberg 500 come to mind. But the company has also been offering centerfire bolt-action rifles, too, and none too expensive for what they are.

Mossberg’s flagship rifle series is the Mossberg Patriot, a standard button-rifled Remington 700 pattern bolt-action rifle that can be picked up in numerous chamberings and a few different configurations. It’s evident that Mossberg manufactures the Patriot to be a working man’s utilitarian rifle.

Most of them ship with basic and functional furniture in the form of standard synthetic or walnut hardwood stocks—nothing overly elegant. Although it is worth mentioning that Mossberg does offer their Patriot LR variants with an entry-level MDT stock that accepts AICS pattern magazines.

Mossberg formally launched the Patriot models a decade ago in 2015. So, while the Patriot is nothing new, I had never gotten behind the stock of one until earlier this week at Rendezvous. I don’t think I had even seen one in the wild either. But after my experience with the specific Mossberg Patriot rifle chambered in Hornady’s 7mm PRC that Mossberg brought for demo purposes to Rendezvous, I think it was one of the true underdogs and unsung heroes of the event.

According to Scott—the Mossberg rep who was shepherding the shooting position and handing us loaded rifle magazines—this particular rifle has a real-world price of approximately $450. That’s dirt cheap for a lightweight contour bolt-action rifle that’s chambered for one of the industry’s most sophisticated modern 7mm rifle cartridges. For perspective, one can hardly find a common Mosin-Nagant M91/30 for less than that these days.

The Patriot Goes To Rendezvous

Scott’s demo 7mm PRC Mossberg Patriot was a basic model with a black synthetic stock and a matte-blue finish. Its bolt-body was fluted, and its muzzle was cut for standard ⅝ x 24-inch threads. Mossberg includes an adjustable trigger that reminded me of the ones seen on Savage rifles (with a trigger blade). It was set up to break at a reasonable and inoffensive trigger pull weight.

A Harris-style bipod sat over the rifle’s forend, and this Mossberg Patriot wore a ZeroTech MRAD riflescope that sat over a single-piece Picatinny scope base. I didn’t catch the scope’s actual model or further details, but it definitely wasn’t anything expensive like a Nightforce or Kahles riflescope. If I had to guess, it was something that zoomed all the way to 25x power. The rings that held this riflescope in place looked quite pedestrian, too.

This Patriot wore a .30 caliber Dead Air silencer over its muzzle—a welcome accessory that not only reduced the muzzle blast but also served to make the rifle less jumpy in between shots. In fact, having this silencer onboard only sweetened my entire experience shooting the Mossberg Patriot.

After breaking each shot, the silencer dampened the rifle’s natural tendency to jump (as lightweight rifles with bipods tend to do). So, I had enough time to recover and watch the impact through the scope.

Making 1,050 Yards Feel Like 150 Yards

The Rendezvous firing line included a few different berms set up with steel targets that were placed at 100, 300, and 400 yards. Further down the range area, there was a single square steel plate that sat at approximately 1,050 yards from the shooting position. Readers are probably aware that this distance isn’t much for a potent cartridge like Hornady’s modern 7mm PRC.

Admittedly, I haven’t had any meaningful time to shoot bolt-action rifles since last December when I covered the Tikka T3X Lite and the Nightforce Mil-XT reticle. So, when I found out that one of the event’s manufacturers had a rifle set-up to shoot at targets over 1,000 yards, I didn’t hesitate to take advantage. Fortunately, Scott from Mossberg had taken care of all the zeroing and DOPE, so we didn’t have to worry much about the nuts and bolts.

Mossberg Patriot 7mm PRC Hornady — Hard to tell from this picture, but follow that dirt road for 1,050 yards and you’ll find that steel target.

Shooting the Patriot in 7mm PRC

I sat down behind the rifle, propped up the butt with a rear bag and closed the bolt home behind a 7mm PRC cartridge topped with a 180 grain Hornady ELD Match (.796 G1 / .401 G7). Once I was positioned behind the rifle, Scott told me to “favor left” and hold 7 mils towards the upper corner of the steel plate. I sent it. Nothing happened.

I jacked the bolt and cycled another fresh match cartridge. (Are all budget Remington 700-pattern actions this smooth—and fluted?) Then I sent that one. Missed it again. Third time’s the charm, right? Again, thanks to the .30 caliber Dear Air suppressor, I was able to recover and watch for the dirt splash of the previously missed cartridge.

Fortunately, the wind was cooperative that Tuesday morning, and all it took was to hold a ½ mill off the top edge of the upper left corner of the plate.

Impacts Galore

Bang…

[wait about four seconds]

Impact.

Bang…

[wait another four seconds]

Impact.

Bang…

[Another four seconds pass by]

You guessed it–impact.

A Patriot Needs to Eat

Since this rifle is the basic Mossberg Patriot, it’s equipped with a basic flush-fitting, blind 3-round magazine. While I was shooting, Scott had been helpfully loading extra mags to hand to me, replenished with that 180-grain Hornady match load. The red ballistic tips on Hornady’s ELD Match projectiles are really eye-catching, especially in the dimly lit shoothouse where we were shooting from.

I proceeded to do the same thing again with three subsequent magazines. By holding the scope’s reticle ½ mil off at the top left corner, every round impacted to the point where it was getting kind of boring, ironically. Except it wasn’t because this was one of the cheapest long guns present at the event. It’s a shame I didn’t get the chance to survey my actual impacts on the steel plate downrage.

The other thing to keep in mind is that Scott had been shepherding this Mossberg Patriot for the better part of three hours prior to my arrival at his station. When I sat down and adjusted the stool and fixed my rear bag, it was hard to miss the heat mirage rising and dancing off that can’s outer surface. And keep in mind, this wasn’t a gun with a thick bull barrel profile. It had a light contour barrel. That gun was nice and hot by the time I got to it.

After seeing what this Mossberg was capable of with factory match ammo, I’m curious to see how it prints with a cool barrel at 100 yards.

The Springfield Kuna – In Action

By

Travis Pike

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April 25, 2025

The Springfield Kuna has arrived. The gun, hot off winning a contract with elite police forces in Brazil, has hit American waters. The Kuna, named after the national animal of Croatia, is a 9mm pistol caliber subgun or large format pistol. Who knows what we are calling them this week. At this point, most of us expect a fairly standard straight blowback gun.

That’s not what the Kuna has to offer. Instead, we get a roller-delayed blowback action like the MP5 series. Why does that matter to you? Well, a roller-delayed blowback gun has two advantages.

First and most importantly, the violent recoil of a blowback action is gone. It’s a steady hum with a downright soft recoiling design. The red dot on top barely moved between shots, making it insanely easy to put a ton of rounds on steel targets.

The other reason is how well a roller-delayed gun runs suppressed. I shot about 300 rounds through the Kuna with two different suppressors at the recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and I never got a gas cloud to the face.

The Kuna – More than Roller Delayed

The Kuna has a few more tricks up its sleeve. First, it’s got controls that mostly mimic an AR on the lower receiver. Best of all, they are completely ambidextrous. When we pop up top, we have a nonreciprocating charging handle that can be reversed for either side’s use.

At the range, the Kuna proved to be a stress-free shooter. The controls were all at hand, snapping and popping as they should. The charging handle wasn’t overly tight, and mags dropped free with the press of a button.

We have our selection of MLOK slots for accessories and a large top optics rail. On the optics rail sits a novel set of sights. We have a folding backup peep sight that’s adjustable for windage and elevation. Additionally, when they sit down, they form a traditional front post and U-notch, much like your favorite pistol sights.

We have a 1913 tail at the rear of the gun, and the Kuna will ship with or without a brace. It’d be an easy candidate for an SBR as well.

Ringing Steel

I shot the gun as quickly as they handed me mags, and I hope the Springfield guys didn’t mind me digging through hundreds of rounds of ammo. It allowed me to see that the gun is quite accurate.

I couldn’t judge the group size, but I was making easy hits on a small diamond-shaped steel plate at about 70 yards. The gun worked quite well.

While magazines are proprietary, they have an MSRP of $24.99 and do feature a metal feed lip. I imagine the street price will be closer to $19.99.

While I don’t have enough time on the gun to form a real review, I can say it’s quite promising. The Kuna will be competitively priced and sell for well under the other roller-delayed options. I’m extremely excited to grab one of these for a more long-term review.

Ticks: Minuscule Vampires of the Forest

By

Reuben Bolieu

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April 24, 2025

GAT_Ticks (1) — Ben's Clothing and Gear offers an insect treatment with 0.5% Permethrin to repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other harmful insects. When applied to clothes and gear, the spray provides up to six weeks of protection.

Minuscule vampires of the forest, ticks are tiny, eight-legged arachnids. These vampires cling to the skin of humans and animals to feed on their blood. They thrive in grassy, wooded areas and fields where they can easily attach themselves to a passing host. Ticks are known to transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease, which may be the worst!

Three Minuscule Vampires

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms appear within two weeks of a tick bite and can include fever, headache, muscle pain, and a spreading rash. If you ignore it, it can lead to serious health issues like organ damage and even be fatal. It’s important to take steps to avoid ticks. Remove any ticks promptly, and see a doctor if you notice symptoms.

(Photo by Mike Lychock)- The larger brown dog tick is more dominant than the smaller blacklegged deer tick nymph.

Anaplasmosis is another tick-related disease that can be serious if untreated. Symptoms often feel like the flu—fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to dangerous complications like respiratory or kidney failure. So, if you think you’ve been bitten and feel unwell, especially if you’re older or have health issues, get medical help right away. Most people recover fully with prompt treatment.

Then there’s Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by bites from these minuscule vampires of the forest. Its symptoms can vary widely, often starting with flu-like feelings, fatigue, and a distinctive bullseye rash. If untreated, it can affect your joints, heart, and nervous system, leading to more severe issues, like arthritis or even facial paralysis.

Rarely, it can cause long-term neurological problems, affecting memory and concentration. So, again, take precautions against ticks, remove them quickly, and seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms. The earlier you get diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of avoiding complications.

Identifying Vampires of the Forest

In North America, you’ll come across several tick species, but only a handful are usually a concern for people. It’s good to be familiar with the main types: black-legged ticks, which include the deer tick and Western black-legged tick; dog ticks, such as the American dog tick and brown dog tick; and the lone star tick.

You can tell them apart by their size, color, shape, and where they’re found. For instance, the black-legged tick has black legs and a dark brown body, while the lone star tick stands out with a distinct white spot on its back.

(Photo by Mike Lychock)- The size of a nymph deer tick is very hard to see and blends with dark colors. They are easier to spot on skin and light-colored clothing.

To identify a tick, grab a magnifying glass and check its features against a trustworthy tick identification guide. If you can, store the tick in a sealed container using clear tape or a damp paper towel for later testing or confirmation.

Deterrence of Ticks

To dodge tick bites, avoid areas with tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf litter, especially in spring and summer. Dress in long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes to protect your skin, and don’t forget to apply a DEET or picaridin repellent on exposed areas. After being outside, check yourself, your kids, and your pets for ticks and remove any you find.

You can use gaiters with your pants to keep ticks at bay and consider spraying your shoes, socks, and pants with Permethrin, since those spots are where ticks usually crawl up first. Light-colored pants like khaki make spotting minuscule vampires of the forest easier.

Permethrin is a great insecticide that repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests. Treat your clothes, gear, and shoes with it for lasting protection—just remember not to put it on your skin, as it can cause irritation. I’ve had success with Ben’s Clothing and Gear insect treatment, which has 0.5% Permethrin and lasts up to six weeks. It’s a solid addition to your outdoor toolkit if you’re in tick-prone areas!

Checking for Vampires

After a day in the woods, hop in the shower as soon as you can to rinse off any ticks that might be hanging around. It’s also the perfect time to give yourself a good tick check, which is super important for avoiding tick-borne illnesses. When you’re checking for ticks, start at your scalp, behind your ears, and around your neck. Then, move down to your arms, underarms, and hands—don’t forget to look between your fingers and underneath your nails. Next, check your torso, back, waistband, and legs, making sure to examine your knees, ankles, and feet.

Ticks can cling anywhere, so it’s crucial to cover all the spots. If you need help, grab a mirror or ask someone to help you check those tricky areas. If you happen to find a tick, get rid of it right away using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick key, and clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

Minuscule Vampires of the Forest Removal

When you need to take off a tick, grab a pair of clean, fine-tipped tweezers and hold the tick as close to your skin as you can. Pull straight up with a steady motion—no twisting or yanking! If the tick happens to break, make sure to use the tweezers to get out the remainder of its head.

After you’ve removed it, clean both the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, soap, and water. Avoid using your fingers to crush the tick or trying old remedies like nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to get it to let go. It’s a good idea to keep the tick in a jar or ziplock bag, just in case you start feeling unwell and need to show it to your doctor. Don’t forget to label it by date.

Tick Key is an easy-to-use tick remover for pets and outdoor enthusiasts. Its patented design is proven to remove ticks of all sizes and can be carried on a wallet, pocket, keychain, collar, saddle, or leash.

Have fun and stay safe this Spring and Summer!

For more information, please check out CDC.gov/ticks, Tick Key, and Bens!

Weird Tokarevs – The TT-33 Evolved

By

Travis Pike

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April 24, 2025

In the United States, I think most gun owners who have heard about the TT-33, aka the Tokarev, respect it. They are a little obscure, but lots of folks have one in their collection, and it’s often a neat little gun. What Americans don’t really understand is how popular the Tokarev was across the world.

The Tokarev Versus The World

In many ways, it’s the AK of handguns for Communist military forces. Variants of the TT-33 were spread far and wide through Eastern Europe, Asia, and beyond. This has left a lasting impression on the world and has steadily influenced the arm’s designs of Eastern Europe and Asia.

Today, we will look at some oddball Tokarevs that are offshoots and evolutions of the weapon.

The North Korean Type 68

North Korea does some weird stuff. They tend to take proven designs and modify them for reasons beyond me. Maybe work more on your folks not starving to death and less on modifying working designs. The North Korean Type 68 blends the Tokarev features with the Browning Hi-Power features to create an interesting little gun.

Off the top, the North Koreans trimmed the barrel from 4.6 inches to 4.25 inches. The linking system was revised to essentially mimic the Browning-style cam. The Type 68 also used a detent-retained barrel pin similar to the Hi-Power and a solid barrel cam.

They moved the magazine release to the heel rather than a push-button arrangement. The Type 68 could use a standard TT-33 magazine, but Type 68 mags reportedly do not work in TT-33 guns. The Type 68 features an odd vent rib across the top of the gun. It’s actually a handsome little pistol.

Tokagypt 58

A Tokarev, designed in Hungary for an Egyptian contract, is certainly an interesting gun. The Tokagypt 58 was built by the famed Hungarian firm FEG with the intent of arming the Egyptian military. These weren’t too far off from a standard TT-33 but had some noticeable changes.

First, it’s a 9mm handgun rather than a 7.62x25mm gun. The swap between the 7.62 to 9mm isn’t difficult, and most Tokarevs can swap to 9mm with a barrel swap. The Tokagypt 58 featured a manual safety placed at the rear of the gun that was easy to access. The gun had wrap-around grips, and the lanyard loop changed a bit, but that was about it.

Egypt received half of its order before canceling the rest. The pistols were then sold in Europe, where they kept popping up in left-wing terrorist groups in Germany, Portugal, and Spain. Reportedly, they are very nice guns, and Norinco even made 7.62×25 copies of them.

K-14VN

The K-14VN, also sometimes spelled K14-VN, is a Vietnamese copy of the Chinese Type 54, which is a copy of the TT-33. Now, it’s starting to lose definition like a picture downloaded and uploaded repeatedly. However, the K-14VN does introduce a radical new feature!

A double-stacked magazine! That’s right. This 7.62x25mm pistol can hold 13 rounds of ammo rather than eight. The K-14VN features a wider grip and has a sleek, all-black look. Simple grip panels adorn the gun; it’s not all that remarkable outside of the double-stacked magazine.

Aimpoint dolled one up with a suppressor and ACRO years ago for a trade show, and I won’t lie—I really want an optic-ready Tokarev. The K-14VN continues to be used by the Vietnamese military.

Zastava M88

Yugoslavia has always been creative when it comes to WARSAW pact weapons. They’ve adopted and adapted various guns in their own way. That includes the Tokarev. They have eight gun adaptions, but the M88 is the most interesting. With just a passing glance, you might not even recognize it as a Tok descendant.

The M88 doesn’t look like a Tok. It came in 9mm and .40 S&W, making it the only .40 S&W Tok I know. The M88 uses a single-stack magazine but takes a more compact route. The barrel is trimmed to 3.5 inches. It has a massive slide safety on top of everything. The hammer is the main giveaway that it has a Tokarev legacy.

It’s a stout pistol used by police and military forces before being replaced by a more modern pistol. EAA and the K-VAR/FIME group have imported these guns. It’s a solid little pistol, and I think my collection needs one.

Tokarev Sportowy .22 LR

Like most Warsaw Pact countries, the Polish fielded the Tokarev. They also wanted a cheaper way to train soldiers to shoot a handgun. They developed a .22LR version of the TT-33, called the Sportowy, which translates to Sporty. I’d guess it was also used for sport shooting purposes.

The Tokarev Sportowy predictably ditches the short recoil operation for a blowback system to cycle .22LR. The gun is likely much higher, but it appears to replicate the size of the standard TT-33. What’s weird is how the Polish designed the gun. Instead of having a dedicated .22LR magazine and grip design, they used 7.62x25mm adapters. Each adapter would be loaded with a .22LR round and used with a standard TT-33 magazine.

Each adapter is a floating chamber, which would help the gun cycle and even create a more aggressive recoil impulse. It’s an odd choice, but it might have been easier to produce since magazines are always tricky and would have given a better training experience.

Tik-Tok

The Tokarev is an awesome gun, and everyone needs to shoot one. It’s sad that many modified Tokarevs are not imported or available. However, if you keep your eyes and wallet open, finding a good shooter at a great price is not hard. Maybe, just maybe, you can get a weird one.

Streamlight Strikes Again – Checking Out the Wedge XT

By

Jim Cobb

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April 23, 2025

The Wedge from Streamlight has been one of my go-to EDC flashlight options since it debuted in 2021. There are a lot of things I like about it, including how it sits in my pocket. Some users felt that the Wedge was a bit large for pocket carry, though. With that feedback in mind, Streamlight created the Wedge XT.

Streamlight Wedge XT Specifications

The Wedge XT is 4.25 inches long, which knocks almost 1.25 inches from the original. At 2.62 ounces, it’s also about a half-ounce lighter than the Wedge. Both models are flat, rather than rounded. Coupled with the pocket clip, they carry much like a folding knife in the pocket. Personally, I never had an issue with the Wedge’s length, but I can see how it might be problematic for some folks who would prefer the shorter XT.

The Wedge XT is shorter than the original Wedge, but more powerful.

Streamlight may have made the XT smaller, but they also made it more powerful. On the High setting, the Wedge XT provides 500 lumens. The original Wedge had 300 lumens. But it also had a THRO® (Temporarily Heightened Regulated Output) setting that amped up to 1,000 lumens. On the Low setting, the XT puts out 50 lumens. As set at the factory, the light starts on High, then cycles to low with a double-click of the power button. This can be reversed through Streamlight’s Ten-Tap programming.

On the original Wedge, the on/off was a rotating thumb switch on the side of the light. On the XT, it’s a push button at the tail end of the light. This is the preferred design for many shooters, as it’s more instinctive when holding the light next to a handgun.

A tail switch push button replaces the rotating thumb switch on the original.

It has a USB-C rechargeable lithium polymer battery. It charges fully in about six hours. The charge port is on the side of the light, directly opposite the pocket clip. There’s a small light that shines red while it’s charging and turns green when it’s ready to go.

It recharges in about 6 hours and this light will turn green when it’s ready to go.

The Wedge XT has a deep-carry pocket clip. It comes with a short lanyard attached to it, but that’s easily removed if you’d rather ditch it.

Field Use

As I mentioned, the original Wedge has been a frequent carry of mine for quite a while. I switched over to the Wedge XT for several weeks. It took a little time to get used to deploying it, because while the hand feel was close to the original Wedge, the placement of the on/off was obviously different. Muscle memory kept looking for that thumb switch on the side. It didn’t take too long to adjust, though.

I found 500 lumens was more than enough for just about any routine use, including helping my son diagnose some engine trouble. While it might not be sufficient for exploring a pitch-black backyard at 2:00 AM, it’ll handle just about anything else. The lower setting was perfect for looking for dog toys under the couch without blinding myself.

I normally avoid putting lanyards on knives and such. However, I was curious, so I left the one in place on the Wedge XT. I found that having the lanyard dangle outside the pocket while the light is clipped in place makes pulling the light out very easy. It’s only a couple of inches long and isn’t likely to be noticed by many people.

Streamlight is one of my favorite flashlight brands, and the Wedge XT lived up to my expectations and then some. Check it out at their website.

The Mossberg 990 Aftershock

By

Travis Pike

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April 23, 2025

The 12-gauge shotgun genre isn’t large but has left a lasting impression on the firearm industry. Since day one of the Shockwave, people have wanted a semi-auto model. A precious few TAC-13s leaked out from Remington before their bankruptcy, but that well is dry. Well, it was dry. Mossberg is now introducing the 990 Aftershock. We got to put a ton of lead down range with one at the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and it was a total blast.

If you’re anything like me, you ask one question right away: Is it a chopped 940? It turns out they couldn’t chop the 940 because a portion of the operating system extended into the stock. They had to create a new gun with the gas system fully upfront and tucked under the forend. This gives us a super-short 12-gauge firearm with a dependable gas-operated action.

The 990 Aftershock – Banging Around

At the rear end, we notice the bootlegger-style grip, but it’s a bit different than the original Shockwave. This new grip is a little longer, with strategically placed pads to help reduce hand fatigue. It’s also seemingly thinner and, in the end, features a sharper angle that does two things. First, it helps keep your hand from slipping. Next, it allows you to pull back harder and establish a good push-pull.

What’s cool is that you can file a Form 1 and add stock, specifically a Mossberg 500 series stock. An approved Form 1 would allow you to mount any 500/590 stock you want. I’d personally toss a Magpul SGA there. I like the micro-sized design of the PGO-only setup, but I understand that these guns make great stamp fodder.

In keeping with Mossberg tradition, the Aftershock features a tang-mounted safety and is optics-ready. Up front, we get a radically different forend. It’s thin or thick at the right points and features a very aggressive texture. An included hand strap keeps you from drifting off the gun’s forend. Right in front of the grip are a pair of M-LOK slots.

Back on the receiver, we have a charging handle and bolt closure pulled directly off the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical series. They are large, easy to engage, and ready to rock and roll. It’s a nice touch, and the 990 Aftershock is a great blend of 590 and 940 features.

Blasting Away

This isn’t a full review of the gun because we simply didn’t have that much time with it. However, I got to shoot 50 rounds of birdshot through it and got a fairly good first impression. First, recoil is tame, and the gun is easy to control if you know what you’re doing. It’s not a beginner’s gun by any means, and you should have a solid grasp on the push/pull technique to handle the 990 Aftershock.

The Aftershock’s furniture design makes pushing and pulling easy, increasing control. The tight strap also helps reinforce your grip. The recoil impulse is upward rather than rearward, making it fine on the wrist, but the upward muzzle rise needs to be tamed. It’s really not bad, and it’s easier to shoot than a standard Shockwave.

It’s super easy to transition between targets, and I blasted three steel targets in quick succession. I was begging for a shot timer to measure my skill. Blasting through a five-round tube of 12-gauge is utterly addictive. It’s challenging but fun.

I’m insanely excited about the Aftershock. As a guy who loves shotguns and 12-gauge PGO firearms even more, this thing has captured me. I can’t wait to run drills with one and see what I can achieve.

Rossi Releases the LWC with Folding Stock

By

Tim Stetzer

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April 22, 2025

Rossi released the single-shot LWC (Light Weight Carbine) last year, and it was a slick, light, compact brush gun. Now, they’re making it even more compact with the introduction of the LWC Folding Stock Rifle.

The LWC Folding Stock Rifle

I saw the folding stock on Rossi’s SS Survival Rifle at SHOT show this year and thought it was pretty slick. I hadn’t considered them adding it to the LWC line, but it makes sense. The new LWC carbine has a 16-inch threaded barrel and a Picatinny rail for optics mounting. The original models were 5.25 pounds and 31.5 inches in overall length. Pretty handy as is.

From the specs on Rossi’s website, it looks like the weight and overall length remain the same, but you’re knocking off maybe 10 inches or so with the stock folded. That makes for a very compact package for a pack or truck gun.

While the original LWC carbine comes in a pretty wide variety of calibers, the LWC Folding Stock Rifle comes in the two most popular calibers, .300 Blackout and 5.56. MSRP on the new rifles is a very reasonable $333.99. If you already have an LWC, though, you can also get the stock by itself for $59.99 to upgrade your existing rifle.

I have an LWC in .350 Legend already, and it’s been a great rifle. Light, compact, and handy. It’s a great suppressor platform, too. I’ve been using it in conjunction with a Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light HD .36 suppressor. The folding stock by itself is pretty reasonable, too, so I’ll probably grab one to try on my rifle soon.

If you want a light, economical, suppressor-ready carbine, the LWC was already a great deal. With the addition of the LWC Folding Rifle to the Rossi line, you can now get it in an even more compact package.

LWC Folding Rifle Key Features:

Folding Stock for Maximum Portability: Easy to deploy and lock, with a rugged build made for real-world use.
Available in .300 BLK and 5.56: Choose your folding-stock LWC in two of the most sought-after calibers.
Accessory for Existing LWCs: Retrofit any current LWC model—regardless of caliber.
Threaded Barrel Standard: Every LWC remains suppressor-ready right out of the box.
Same Legendary LWC Platform: Lightweight, dependable, and now more customizable than ever.

Magtech Revolver Ammo – Stay Away

By

Travis Pike

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April 22, 2025

Ammo reviews are a rare thing. It has to be an interesting or new load, but I’m writing out of pure rage today. Rage at wasting money on what has proven to be one of the most unreliable ammo brands I’ve ever experienced. The company is called Magtech and is part of CBC Global Ammunition. CBC Global Ammunition seems to own several budget-friendly ammo brands.

I’m attracted to Magtech because it consistently produces .32 caliber ammunition, including affordable .32 ACP, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W. I’m a .32 nerd. While I complain about .30 Super Carry’s price, I will toss over handfuls of money at various other .32 caliber rounds. When I do so, I don’t expect a whole lot. I buy cheap ammo, and I expect cheap results.

Cheap results are the ammo, which at least goes bang. I don’t expect the most consistent velocities or accuracy. I expect it to fire, extract, eject, and feed again. That’s all I need from ammo that I put through antiques, oddities, and fun guns. If you can’t do that, I’m unsure why you exist.

My Magtech Experience

I’ve shot Magtech on and off for years. It’s fine in most cases. However, in the last few years, I’ve gotten into revolvers, which have consistently driven up the price of ammo. I’ve also gotten into .32 revolvers, guns like the S&W 432 UC, which can shoot .32 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W .32 S&W.

From there, I dived into older .32 revolvers because, well, why not? That’s where I found my first issue. After buying 500 rounds of Magtech .32 S&W, I learned about something called hard primers. About 25 percent of my ammo failed to fire on the first try. About 10% refused to fire at all. At 29 dollars a box, out of 500, 50 would not fire at all, which equals the cost of a box of ammo.

I also purchased a few uber-cheap and old .32 S&W revolvers. The old .32 S&W ammo is hard to find, and I’ve only been able to find Magtech ammo. I purchased a box at a dollar a round—fifty dollars for a 50-round box. I wish only ten percent had failed. Of that box, one of five would fire on the initial trigger pull.

It’s easy to say, well, that’s just old guns. I also tried this stuff in the 432 UC, a modern revolver that can safely handle the .32 S&W. It doesn’t fire in that modern revolver, either. It’s unacceptable to have this high failure rate when paying a dollar a round.

It all seems to come down to hard primers or primers that don’t ignite. Hard primers seem to be the problem with the S&W Long, while on the standard .32 S&W, it seems to be failure to ignite. I say this because I’ve had firing pins hammer a deep hole into these primers, and nothing happens. It’s certainly primer-based.

What About The Automatic Ammo?

I’ve also purchased a fair bit of Magtech .32 ACP. It’s an exposed lead round—not a jacket in sight. However, it works. It’s gone bang in several different semi-auto handguns. I can say that with over 300 rounds down the pipe of a P32, there have been zero problems.

Whatever is wrong with revolver ammunition doesn’t seem to translate to automatic ammunition—or at least the .32 automatic ammunition. I know I’ve fired Magtech 9mm and .45 ACP, but never in significant numbers, and I’ve never had any problems.

Fixing production

I hope Magtech can fix this primer problem, but I’m out. Aguila makes S&W long, and I’ll stick with the Mexican take on .32 S&W Long instead of the Brazilian take. It sucks to see a competitor knocked off the board, but sometimes you can’t do anything about it.

Spring Hunting Knife Sets

By

Reuben Bolieu

-

April 21, 2025

GAT_Spring_Hunting (1) — The Summit Combo includes the Summit drop point knife with a 3.75-inch blade and a stag handle, along with the Pinnacle II knife, which has a 2.55-inch blade.

Spring is here, and it’s time to prepare your Spring Hunting Knife Sets! The exciting gobbling sounds fill the air, tempting you to chase that elusive long-beard. Plus, small game like squirrels and rabbits are in season. Get ready for the thrill of the hunt!

Hunting Knife Sets

Choose your cutting tools for hunting like you’d pick teammates for a heist—make sure they’re reliable, sharp, and ready to complement each other. An all-star set includes a gut hook, a knife, a saw, and a small hatchet. Each brings a unique skill to the field.

The gut hook zips open the abdomen quickly, the knife shines for skinning and butchering, and the saw handles bones and branches effortlessly. Likewise, the hatchet splits bone or chops wood like a pro.

Quality, durability, and user-friendliness are key, but don’t forget how easily they can travel with you. Now, let’s break down the heavy hitters in the game—find out who’s sharp enough to make the cut!

Diamond Blade Hunting Set

Introducing the Summit Combo—a dream team for professional hunters, thoughtfully crafted with years of hunting and field dressing know-how. This all-in-one set features the award-winning Summit drop point knife and the Pinnacle II knife. Both are top-notch tools ready to tackle any challenge in the wild.

With its stunning Stag handle, the Summit knife sports a 3.750-inch blade and measures 8.750 inches overall. Meanwhile, the Pinnacle II knife is a trusty sidekick, boasting a 2.550-inch blade and a total length of 7.000 inches.

The small Boker 2.25-inch drop-point fixed blade knife has unique white and brown stag scales with a slight swell to fill in the palm if you’re right-handed.

With its long skinning radius, the Summit Drop Point Knife excels at quickly and cleanly breaking down game animals. The Pinnacle II, looking sharp in design and performance, is perfect for delicate tasks like caping and those all-important first cuts. This is thanks to its finger jimping and cutouts that offer exceptional grip.

Crafted for the seasoned hunter, this versatile field dressing kit pulls from decades of experience to deliver dependable tools. These are ideal for all your dressing needs. After an exhilarating day out in the field, you’ll find that the sturdy Summit Drop Point knife makes quick work of carving meat for a hearty stew or canning. Its generously sized handle allows for a comfortable grip, whether you’re wearing gloves or not.

On the other hand, the Pinnacle II shines at intricate tasks, effortlessly slicing herbs and peeling garlic like a pro.

Dual Kydex Leather Sheath

The Combo knife set features an American-crafted leather sheath with a Kydex insert that keeps the knives snug and protected. The double sheath holds the knives securely, even when the snaps are undone, thanks to the clever Kydex design. Plus, the stylish leather combines both style and function. This is my favorite sheath of the Spring Hunting Knife Sets!

Boker Arbolito Guide Hunting Set

Nestled in Buenos Aires, the Boker Arbolito Manufactory takes pride in crafting top-notch handmade knives from the finest materials. They focus primarily on hunting and outdoor knives, showcasing beautiful handle scales made from wood and stag. These traditional Argentine blades are perfect for various tasks—whether you’re a professional, a sports enthusiast, someone who carries a knife daily, or a collector with an eye for detail.

The Arbolito Guides Combo set features satin blades with genuine stag handles, including a 4.25-inch gut hook skinning blade and a 2.25-inch drop point fixed blade knife.

Among their standout products is the Arbolito Guides Combo set. This impressive duo features satin-finished blades and genuine stag handles, marrying form and function. The set includes a 4.25-inch gut hook skinning blade designed with a generous forward finger choil for exceptional control. The built-in gut hook keeps mishaps at bay during skinning.

Alongside it, you’ll find a 2.25-inch drop-point fixed blade knife. This is perfect for those delicate cutting tasks that require precision. Both knives boast genuine stag handles, giving them a rustic charm and a secure grip that feels just right in your hand.

And let’s not forget the slim drop point knife—it’s not just for show! This handy utility blade excels at slicing through cords, fishing lines, and packaging and doubles as your trusty small skinner.

Leather Pants

The Arbolito Guides Combo set is your go-to for outdoor fun, featuring a classic brown leather piggyback belt sheath for easy carrying. The gut hook skinning knife has a solid snap to prevent accidental openings. Meanwhile, the small knife fits snugly in its pouch sheath that attaches to the main sheath with a rivet. This combo blends style and practicality for processing trophy animals or tackling outdoor tasks.

Check out these Spring Hunting Knife Sets, and you be the wiser!

The KE Arms KP-9 Polymer AR Lower

By

Travis Pike

-

April 21, 2025

I’ve only had negative experiences with polymer AR lowers. It seems like it would be easy to conquer, but here I am, deep into the world of polymer lowers, and I only use them for rimfire purposes. When I saw the KE Arms KP-9 lower at a local pawn shop for forty bucks, I hesitated, but it was only forty bucks and came complete with a stock. I enjoy pistol-caliber carbines, and I took the chance.

Like most of us, I know about KE Arms through Sinistral Rifleman, Forgotten Weapons, and InRange TV. Specifically, the What Would Stoner Do project. Or, if you follow court cases, KE Arms has to defend itself against Calvary Arms and an anti-gun investor trying to shut them down for producing the KE-15 lowers. I settled on the KP9 lower and eventually built a 9mm platform.

The KP9 In Depth

This is a lower receiver review, so I won’t talk much about accuracy or reliability unless it concerns the lower. This all-polymer lower attempts to fix the problems with most AR lowers by making the lower receiver extension and stock one solid piece. This eliminates the weak point where the receiver extension attaches to the lower, often a weak point that turns polymer lowers sour.

If you’re addicted to adjustable stocks, the KP-9 isn’t for you. It uses a fixed stock that’s the same length as an M16A1. To me, the length is just right. The stock has a QD cup for skins and an M-LOK-sized slot for mounting a sling point or running a sling through the slot from one side to the other.

The KP-9 uses an injection-molded design made from 30% glass-filled nylon, giving it some unique features. The stripped lower comes with the proprietary parts needed to put things together. For example, it doesn’t use your normal takedown pins; you have non-captured pins.

In total, your stripped KP-9 comes with the following:

Pivot and Take-Down Pins
KP-9 Selector Detent
Buttplate
5/64″ Roll Pin to Retain Buffer Detent
Ambi Glock Magazine Catch Assembly
Adjustable 9mm Steel Ejector

The KP-9 works mostly with standard lower parts kits and can use MIL-SPEC trigger systems. However, you do have to use a carbine buffer spring and a heavy 9mm buffer. You can use a standard hammer pin, but KE Arms produces a longer one. I purchased a KE Arms lower parts kit to simplify my life, which all snapped right in.

The KP-9 – To The Range

The KP-9’s ergonomics are fairly solid. The stock length is fine for me, and the stock itself offers a solid and comfortable cheek weld that’s super beard-friendly. The point where the stock meets the pistol grip just feels odd. I want my hand to go higher but can’t get it higher. It’s odd, but it doesn’t necessarily affect my performance.

The controls are easy to reach, and the magazine release is surprisingly ambidextrous. That’s quite nice with Glock magazines, which have already changed your arms manual. The ambi magazine release allows your thumb to depress it as you grip the magazine. This makes it easy to reload with retention.

The rest of the controls are as easy to reach as any other AR option. The safety is fine, but it’s soft. It doesn’t click or snap when pressed from safe to fire and back again. This isn’t terrible, but when you are used to that snap of safety, it’s a bit distracting.

The magazine well took full advantage of the polymer design and has a massive magazine well that makes pushing the magazine inside the gun easy. Reloads with the KP-9 are rapid and intuitive. The magazine also drops straight out with the press of a button.

The spring provides a very loud and audible boing with each shot. It reminds me of the M16A2 I had in boot camp. The lower is set up for direct blowback. However, I don’t see why it couldn’t work with a radial delayed design, but don’t quote me.

Running and Gunning

What are most PCCs used for these days? Especially full-sized PCCs? They are used for plinking and competition in most cases. The KP-9 seems to lend itself well to the world of PCC competition with the big magwell and ambi magazine release. The stock is comfy, making getting behind the gun and the optic easy.

While it does deal with blowback recoil, it seems to do so well. The KP-9 doesn’t beat you up, and the heavy buffer keeps things well balanced and the recoil timid. It’s not as bad as other 9mm blowback guns, and maybe the fixed rigid stock helps.

You can gun through magazine after magazine, and the KP-9 with my home brew upper remained reliable.

Polymer Finally Works

Polymer AR lowers can work, but it does seem best to build them like the KP-9. It eliminates the weak points, shaves weight, and feels quite nice. There are some obvious downsides and a loss of customization, but the design holds up and can be extremely affordable. It might not be for everyone, but as a guy who likes things that are a little different, I like the KP-9.

The Bianchi 19L And My Little Beretta

By

Travis Pike

-

April 20, 2025

It’s surprisingly hard to find holsters for old guns. Especially if that gun has been out of production for a few years. One of my dream guns is the Beretta 81. It’s a mid-size handgun that chambers the .32 ACP cartridge. It has a double-stack magazine and gives me twelve rounds of John Browning’s most underrated cartridge. I love it, but it took me forever to find a holster. Then, the Bianchi 19L came across my browser.

The Bianchi 19L is a classic, old-school holster that fits the classic, old-school design of the Beretta 81 very well. The Beretta 81 is roughly Glock 19-sized but has all the Beretta stylings you’d imagine. The open barrel, the DA/SA design, the hammer-fired nature, and the general controls.

It won’t work in any suitable universal holster, like the Safariland 578 GLS series. It’s different, and I felt lucky to find a known name in the holster world making holsters for it.

Bianchi provided the holster for this review.

First Impressions of the Bianchi 19L

I entered the world of guns in a post-leather world. I never carried a firearm professionally with a leather rig, and most of my leather experience is limited to a Galco Miami Classic 2. Maybe that’s why I love the look and feel of the Bianchi 19L. It looks slick and old school, like something a detective in the 1990s would carry.

The Beretta 81 looks like a miniature version of something Martin Riggs from Lethal Weapon would carry. It’s a classic belt-loop-style leather holster that’s formed specifically for each gun. Bianchi makes the 19L for a ton of different guns, from old-school Berettas to the most modern Glocks.

It features a classic thumb snap that locks the gun in the holster via a simple button. A single wide belt loop secures the gun to your body and keeps it positioned on your waist. At first glance, lights are a no-go, and optics would vary wildly. I don’t think many guns would work in the 19L with optics.

I think it’s best to consider the 19L an old-school holster for old-school guns. As such, there isn’t a need for optics or lights. My Beretta 81 certainly won’t fit with any.

Riding With Bianchi

It’s not exactly a complicated holster. Put your belt through the loop, strap it to the 3 or 4 o’clock position, and enjoy. The single belt loop is massive and does a good job of supporting and balancing the holster. It’s positioned on the back of the holster, pushing the gun away from the body.

The good news is that with the gun pressed away from the body, it’s easy to grip and rip. Grabbing and drawing from the 19L is smooth—well, smoothish. I’m used to using the ALS, the SLS, and press button releases. I’m not used to breaking a thumb snap. That’s new to me, but with a little practice of just flexing that thumb, the snap breaks, and I can draw.

Draw up, orient forward, present, and bang. It’s not tough and not restricted in any way by the 19L. The holster encompasses the entire gun and covers the trigger entirely. This keeps things safe, and while the snap retention is old school, it’s functional and will keep the gun locked in place.

The Bianchi 19L started out feeling quite tight but loosened a bit with use. It’s reached a great middle ground where the gun is easy to draw but doesn’t flop around. After mounting it, I carried it all day as I worked in the yard and around the house. The heavy gun feels well-supported and provides a solid, unmoving carry method.

What About Concealment?

I tried it once, but man, did it print harder than Johannes Gutenberg. It sticks out from the body a long way and is evident when just wearing a shirt. A pancake-style rig would be the better option for concealed carry. This might be reserved for winter carry, but I don’t see myself carrying a big .32 ACP for winter carry.

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t buy the Beretta 81 to carry it, anyway. I just wanted a holster to carry the gun…because why not? Concealment might not be the best role of the 19L, but it’s a great holster for a gun with very few holster options.

The Quill – A Unique EDC Tool from Wingard Wearables

By

Jim Cobb

-

April 19, 2025

I can’t remember where or when I first stumbled on Wingard Wearables. I wish I could, so I could thank the source properly. Zac Wingard knows his stuff when it comes to designing multi-function tools that can also serve as defense weapons.

I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for offbeat stuff like his. I’m always on the hunt for unique EDC tools, and the Quill ticks several boxes for me.

Quill Specs

This Wingard Wearables product is simplicity itself. It consists of just one piece of steel that’s curved into a shape that’s rather reminiscent of one-half of a drawn heart. He uses 303 stainless steel for the Quill. It has a diamond cross-section that comes to a sharp pyramidal point at the trailing end.

It’s sharp but not needle-sharp. The other end has a flat wedge shape at the tip. The inner surface of the Quill is left just slightly rough, while the outer surface is smooth.

Quill - wedge end — At the short end, the tip is wedge-shaped. You can also see the rough texture along the inner surface of the Quill.

Wingard Wearables offers the Quill in three sizes. To determine which model to order, put your middle and ring fingers together. Measure the circumference around the widest portion of these two fingers. If it’s less than four inches, order the Slim Quill. If it’s between four and five inches, get the Original Quill. If it’s more than five inches, go with the Quill XL. Each of these is available in a black version as well as stainless.

Quill - different sizes — The Quill comes in three sizes, and each size is available in stainless or black. Photo credit: Wingard Wearables.

They also have a couple of different trainers available, which is a nice bonus. They come as a pair, one blue and one red. The Quill trainers are the size of the Original Quill. The blue trainer is rigid and used for practicing full-speed movements against body opponent bags or similar targets. The red trainer is flexible and has internal voids at the tips so as to cushion impacts when you’re sparring with a partner.

Wedge - pointed end — The end of the long side of the Quill terminates in a pyramidal point.

Quill Uses

As a tool, the Quill can be used as a light pry bar as well as for picking and scraping jobs. The curve in the tool packs a lot of leverage into a small size. Slip the wedge at the end of the short side, and you’re good to go.

If someone starts to get squirrely, the Quill can be used as a spike or as a percussive instrument, depending on how it’s held. While it’s a fairly intuitive tool, they’ve created a short video showcasing some of these grips.

Why Carry the Quill?

Admittedly, it looks a little strange as far as a tool or weapon goes. But that’s one of the appeals. Carrying it isn’t likely to raise an eyebrow or cause a trip to see the HR Department at work. That said, I think I’d still hesitate to be a test case with TSA.

No sheath is provided, nor is one truly necessary. The Quill can be carried on the belt, with the long side tucked behind the leather and the short side on the front. You could also just dump it in a pocket, though deploying it in a hurry might be problematic.

Quill - size comparison — Just to provide a size comparison, here is the Original Quill next to a Buck 110 Folding Hunter.

The Quill is a unique EDC option and one that’s definitely worth adding to the rotation. Find it at Wingard Wearables. While you’re there, check out some of their other products. The Empress is next on my list.

Springfield Armory Announces the Kuna PDW

By

Tim Stetzer

-

April 19, 2025

Springfield Armory just released a new PDW—the 9mm Kuna. The Kuna PDW is a roller-delayed action built by Springfield’s partners in Croatia. It’s a slick-looking setup, so let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

The Kuna PDW

The Kuna is named after the European Pine Marten, which is known in Croatia as the Kuna. In fact, it’s Croatia’s national animal. It shows up on Croatian currency and even has military units named after it. Springfield Armory named the new PDW the Kuna as a tribute to HS Produkt, their manufacturing partner in Croatia.

The Kuna PDW is built around a monolithic aluminum upper that houses the roller-delayed operating system that dramatically reduces felt recoil. The integrated handguard has M-LOK slots for accessory mounting. The Kuna features a 6-inch cold radial hammer-forged barrel with 1/2×28 threading and a multi-port muzzle brake.

There’s a full-length Picatinny rail on top with integrated flip-up front and rear sights. The Kuna comes with a reversible, non-reciprocating charging handle that automatically folds down out of the way after using it.

The Kuna PDW’s lower is made from injection molded glass-filled polymer and has fully ambidextrous controls. It uses an AR pattern grip with an adaptive grip texture. I’d need to get it in hand to say for sure, but I like the look of it. It’ll take any AR grip, though, so if you have a favorite, you can swap it out. There’s a rear Picatinny mount for adding a brace or stock.

The Roller Delay System

The Kuna PDW’s heart is its roller-delayed operating system. The roller delay system is simple and reliable. It eliminates the need for a heavy bolt like with a blowback system, or extra components for a gas system. This results in a lighter firearm while minimizing muzzle flip and enhancing controllability.

Options and Pricing

The Kuna PDW comes in two versions: a base model and a model with the optional Strike Industries FSA brace installed. Both models ship with two 30-round translucent magazines with metal feed lips. The base model has an MSRP of $999, and the model with the Strike Industries Brace goes for $1,149.

It’s a slick-looking package and should make a great suppressor platform. I haven’t worked with a roller-delayed system much, and this one is quite tempting. It’s got a great set of features, and is light and compact. I won’t say it’s cheap, but it’s a very competitive price for a roller delay system.

Springfield Kuna PDW Specs:

Caliber	9mm
Color	Black
Barrel	6″ Cold Radial Hammer Forged, Melonite®, 1:10, 1/2×28
Sights	Hybrid Flip-Up
Upper Receiver	Monolithic Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized
Lower Receiver	Injection Molded Glass-Filled Polymer
Gas System	Roller-Delayed
Handguard	Integral, M-Lok®
Pistol Brace	Strike Industries FSA
Trigger	Flat Aluminum
Muzzle Device	Multi-Port Muzzle Brake
Receiver End Plate	Picatinny
Charging Handle	Reversible, Non-Reciprocating
Safety Switch	Ambidextrous
Trigger Guard	Integral to Receiver
Grip	AR-Pattern w/Adaptive Grip Texture
Magazines	(2) 30-Round
Weight	5 lbs 5 oz
Length	15.5″ – 24.5″
MSRP	$999 or $1,149

The ROTO 12 Compact Shotgun

By

Tim Stetzer

-

April 18, 2025

If you ever wanted a rotary shotgun like the old Armsel Striker or Cobray Street Sweeper, you have the fun spoilers at ATF to thank for making them tough to get. They arbitrarily decided they were NFA items and pretty much killed the market. Well, thanks to American Gun Craft, you have another chance. Their new ROTO 12 is a short-barreled rotary shotgun without any of the tedious NFA paperwork. It can even be shipped right to your door.

American Gun Craft

If you aren’t familiar with American Gun Craft, they make short-barreled black powder muzzle-loading shotguns with modern touches. Their Diablo and Desperado double-barrel shotguns have been on my radar for a while now. There’s even a newer AR Tactical Shotgun Pistol that uses AR grips and will take an AR receiver extension for mounting a stock.

Because these are black powder muzzle-loading firearms, they don’t fall under the purview of the National Firearms Act. They are classified as “antique firearms.” So, even though the American Gun Craft offerings have some pretty modern touches, they still fall under that antique firearm category. This means that they aren’t regulated like cartridge firearms. They don’t require an FFL and can be ordered online and shipped right to your door.

The ROTO 12 Compact Shotgun

While their double-barrel models are pretty slick, the new ROTO 12 is something else altogether. As the name implies, it’s a rotary cylinder-fed shotgun. It’s 12-gauge bore and each of the eight chambers acts as an individual barrel as well. Think about it kind of like a giant pepperbox revolver. Like a revolver, it uses a double-action trigger and can be fired as fast as you can pull it.

Just like the AR Tactical Shotgun, the ROTO 12 will take an AR receiver extension and stock. It also uses an AR pistol grip, so you can swap that out for your grip of choice if you want. Bet you didn’t think you’d ever see Magpul furniture on a muzzleloader. The overall length (without a receiver extension) is just 8 inches. The weight is 5.2 pounds.

The 8-round cylinder is front-loading. Although it is a muzzle loader, it can be loaded quickly using AGC fast load slugs. The ROTO 12 uses conventional 209 inline primer Breech Plug Design BP for ignition. The suggested load is a 50gr ffg pellet with AGC fast load slugs.

There’s no mention of actual shot loads yet, but I’d be curious about those as well. Not that eight slugs as fast as you pull the trigger is anything to scoff at. It is a shotgun, though, so I’d like to see what it would do with a buck or buck and ball load, too. The cylinder, or drum as AGC calls it, is quick change as well. You can buy spare cylinders and have them pre-loaded for a relatively rapid reload.

Price and Availability

The ROTO 12 is currently available for pre-order with an expected delivery date of early summer 2025. MSRP is $1,255.00. I’m not going to say that’s inexpensive, but this is a unique product. There’s a lot of machine work that goes into a design like that. It’s also a pretty unique niche item.

You are saving on a tax stamp as well, plus transfer fees at an FFL. There’s the convenience of having it delivered right to your door as well. Spare 8 round drums are an additional $219.00 each.

How practical is an American Gun Crafter ROTO 12? I’m not sure, honestly, but I love the idea. AGC is marketing them for defense, and eight rounds of 12 gauge, even in blackpowder mode, is some serious stuff.

I can’t see myself picking a muzzle loader over a conventional shotgun, personally. However, for folks in restricted areas, it might be an option. Heck, this thing is even legal in California. It would also be a lot of fun, I suspect, and that’s good enough reason to get one right there.

Hang Your Cookpot Like a Champ!

By

Reuben Bolieu

-

April 18, 2025

GAT_Hang_pot (1) — This is a picture of a dovetail cooking rig from the front. The arm features a knot at the top to ensure that pots and kettles don’t slip off.

For me, cook systems are one of the highlights of any camping trip, day camp trip, or wilderness adventure. Hang your cookpot like a champ with these out-of-the-box tips, and wow your friends and family!

Cook Systems

When it comes to outdoor cooking, you might envision those classic tripods with a pot swinging from them. These setups are likely among the oldest cooking contraptions around, appearing in countless period films, TV shows, novels, and instruction manuals.

But why stick to the same old routine? Besides a tripod, which is versatile for hanging a pot or used to create a smoker, there are countless other tried-and-true cooking methods.

Hang Your Cookpot: Dovetail Rig

I discovered an old Boy Scout manual that explained how to use a dovetail notch to hold a support stick and pot over a fire, referred to as the One-Legged Fire Crane. Inspired by the single notch it showed, I decided to modernize the design for adjustable heights to suspend pots, meat, or kettles.

I got to work using a 24-inch bucksaw, a 15-inch bolo knife, and my Victorinox Swiss Army Camper knife. A pilot stick—a sturdy stake for drilling holes—was essential. I cut a vertical pole about 28 to 30 inches tall and a shorter horizontal piece. The vertical piece was thick like a wrist, while the horizontal was a broomstick thin. The horizontal arm is where you’ll hang your cookpot.

The dovetail rig has three settings, with a kettle on high flames.

I shaped one end of the vertical pole into a chisel tip with the bolo, then chamfered the top while it rested upside down on wood. Next, used the pilot stick to create a hole and marked where I wanted the notches. I sawed diagonal cuts—three in total—before cutting down the middle of those to outline the dovetail notch.

With the bolo, I pried out the wood from the notch easily. Then, I shaped the dovetail fitting using the bolo for a three-sided triangle. I left a small knot at the opposite end to prevent the cookpot from slipping. And just like that, my project was complete!

Cookpot Hanging Arm

This cooking setup is more complex than simpler rigs. I first learned about it from Dan Wowoak in a Coalcracker Bushcraft video, and it’s great for those who enjoy crafting with tools.

The author used a Dan Wowak-inspired cook system that uses a suspended branch over a fire.

To create this system, you’ll need some cordage, two sticks about two feet long, and a “Y” stick. Using greenwood is best since it handles heat well and has the strength to hang your cookpot.

Start by finding the center of the “Y” stick and carving two flat spots. Drill holes into these flats to connect them, which you can do with a knife or awl. Dan used a gimlet in his video.

Drive the straight stick into the ground with help from a pilot stick. To set it up, thread cordage through the hole and place the “Y” on the upright pole. Level the stick, wrap the cord around the top, angle it up for stretch, and tie it off. Carve a notch at the top to secure the cord, then create a “V” notch on the end of the “Y” stick to keep cookpots from sliding off.

The author secured the “Y” stick to the vertical piece using a plastic cord they picked up in the Philippines.

Now Hang Your Cookpot Like a Champ!

With these two reliable methods, you’ll add adventure while warming your water and cooking your food. Come on—give them a try!