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Enemies of Food Storage

Food storage

If you’re going to set aside supplies for the long haul, you need to know the enemies of food storage. Not only that, but you’ll have to account for each of them in your planning. Failing to do so could mean losing at least some of your carefully curated stash. This goes for food you buy at the store as well as food you preserve at home.

Oxygen

This is one of the primary enemies of food storage. Oxygen allows for the growth of bacteria and insects. Oxidation is also a risk. This is when oxygen causes the deterioration of food quality. This deterioration can include changing the flavor of the food as well as losing some nutritional value.

One way to combat this food storage enemy is to use oxygen absorbers. These are small packets, often containing a mixture of iron granules and sodium chloride. They are added to airtight packaging and absorb the oxygen, keeping it from affecting the food.

Moisture

Moisture allows bacteria to grow, making it an enemy of food storage. It can also lead to mold and mildew problems. In some cases, this can even lead to botulism, which is a whole lot of no fun. Moisture can also negatively impact food packaging.

To prevent all of this, store food in as dry of a location as possible. For example, a damp basement isn’t ideal. If you must store food in an area prone to high humidity, adding a dehumidifier to the mix will help. Airtight containers also happen to be waterproof.

Sunlight

Sunlight is a spoiling mechanism. It can cause a number of different chemical reactions in stored food, including oxidation of Vitamin C. Always use a packaging material that is opaque and store food away from windows.

Temperature

Temperature is an enemy of food storage in a couple of ways. Rapid fluctuations in temperature can cause moisture to condense from the air inside the packages. As we’ve already discussed, moisture is not a good thing when it comes to long-term food storage. Many foods, such as canned goods, don’t benefit from freezing, so you need to prevent that from happening. At the same time, high temperatures can speed deterioration. Shoot for a steady temperature below 60F but not below freezing.

Pests

Mice, rats, and bugs are the bane of any prepper. Any of them can quickly destroy large quantities of food, making a mess and costing you a ton of money in replacement costs. Keep your food storage area as clean as possible, as this will help prevent temptation for critters. Strong, durable containers are also recommended.

Setting out traps as a precaution isn’t a bad idea. Personally, I avoid sticky traps and just use the traditional mousetraps. They’re effective and largely humane. The previously mentioned oxygen absorbers will go a long way toward reducing the risk of bug infestations.

Complacency

“Store it and forget it” is a poor approach to food storage. One of the slogans, for lack of a better term, of preppers is “store what you eat, eat what you store.” The idea is that you should have a regular rotation of your supplies, where you’re continually consuming the oldest items and replacing them with new.

Even items that you buy specifically for long-term storage, such as freeze-dried meals and such, should be inspected regularly for deteriorated packaging and other damage.

Keep all of these enemies of food storage in mind as you assemble and maintain your emergency pantry.

Training With Greybeard Actual

Training with Greybeard Actual 2Day Pistol Skill Development

I had the privilege of spending some time training with Matthew Little, aka Greybeard Actual, in his two-day Pistol Skill Development course held at RDI in Pleasanton, Texas, just south of San Antonio. 

Author’s Note: This is the same venue where I took my previous training class with Green Ops and their 1-Day Kalashnikov course. It appears RDI is becoming one of the most happening ranges in the area). The Ranch in Dilley, TX, would be the other venue in the San Antonio area.  

GreyBeard Actual Pistol Skill Development 2-Day Course Overview 

Little’s Pistol Skill Development course is an intensive two-day handgun course built around the spectrum of practical shooting skills and movement. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to train with different instructors. Thus far, Pistol Skill Development has been one of the most unique 2-day handgun classes I’ve ever taken due to Little’s philosophy, experience, and outlook on shooting.

While students will get plenty of action (and wisdom) on both days, Day 1 has a higher round count than Day 2. Day 1 involves more shooting exercises and drills, while Day 2 is focused predominantly on shooting-and-moving with a handgun. The class also navigates a few mini-USPSA-style stages.

Greybeard Actual Pistol Skill Development
A student moving around barrels to take a shot at an IPSC steel plate with his pistol during Greybeard Actual’s Pistol Skill Development

This course best suits people looking to improve their comprehensive handgun shooting skills. I wouldn’t categorize it as an ‘advanced course’ in the traditional sense. However, the prospective student should already be comfortable with drawing their handgun confidently from their holster.

Pistol Skill Development is a course centered around shooting skills but not tactics. So, students are welcome to shoot from competition belts, modern tactical battle belts, or even concealment—as long as the holster is safe and dependable. I noticed all three types of holster systems on the firing line during our class weekend. I personally shot from concealment as that’s how I tend to carry.

It’s also true that Pistol Skill Development is heavily influenced by modern action pistol shooting sports, especially regarding much of the movement and many of the drills shot in class. However, Pistol Skills Development is not a competition-specific course. 

Greybeard’s Philosophy And Approach To Pistol Skill Development  

Little’s professional background as a martial artist, competitive shooter, Special Forces soldier [20th SFG (A)], and Chicago SWAT cop is somewhat unique in the training space. Suffice it to say that he possesses a trove of experience in shooting both on his own as a high-level competitor and professionally at either of his martial jobs in Special Forces or the SWAT team.

Because Little participated in all three domains of shooting (competition, military, SWAT) concurrently, his knowledge is cross-pollinated. This allows him to offer unique insights in his classes and material.

This makes Little one of the few people who are objectively qualified to comment, dissect, agree, or disagree on topics ranging from cutting-edge performance pistol techniques to “cliched” institutionally established gun-training kata and tropes.

For example, on Day 2, a student asked about the standard drawing-and-pressing-out technique. Little then answered, “Don’t worry about that [drawing and pressing out]. That’s a commonly taught technique to large groups of people who aren’t going to train on their own anyway; that technique helps them get by and is good enough.”

After hearing that, I pondered how many other things of that nature taught at the institutional level by typical pistol instructors are also commonly accepted, taken for granted, or even passed down to more serious pupils. The insight here is that getting by on institutional knowledge alone isn’t enough for the motivated and self-directed student. 

Greybeard
Proper and efficient movement is crucial.

Skill Building Drills

Another reason to describe Pistol Skill Development as an atypical handgun training class is the curriculum’s approach when conducting actual training or shooting drills throughout the weekend. Greybeard’s Pistol Skill Development course was the first time I ever participated in a shooting class that made use of skill-building drills where students had several chances to take many reps and movements.

This level of involvement made the course feel more like a pre-tournament training camp for a physical sport than the typical weekend pistol class. Even though I can’t yet row 2000 meters in seven minutes on a Concept 2 rower, I’m not exactly out of shape either. There was enough drilling and movement, and this activity managed to make me sweaty and increase my heart rate.

Prospective students will notice this, especially on the second day when class focuses on moving-and-shooting—something that’s underserved in general-purpose pure-shooting skills courses. I’ve noticed that the majority of formal pistol training doesn’t involve much in the way of movement.

I’ll even admit that I hadn’t considered that being able to shoot-and-move efficiently is actually a core skill, no different than solid trigger control or grip. As a civilian who’s only concerned about improving themselves in practical shooting, I see the value in refining movement. It’s necessary in order to level up in any of the action pistol classifications.

Graybeard’s Lectures 

Greybeard
Matthew Little pontificating on the finer points of the classic El Presidente shooting drill.

Even though we shot plenty of rounds during Pistol Skill Development, this course also reminded me of the time I trained with Riley Bowman last year. Specifically, because of the time that was made for lectures and classroom discussions.

Likewise, Greybeard spent time on both days during his course discussing his curriculum and tying it into the coursework. The most significant lecture topic we heard was his own approach to training and actual practice in pursuit of specific shooting milestones. This was a topic that he touched on throughout the entire weekend.

I don’t have a sports background, so I had never heard anyone break down training for shooting skills in this manner so systematically. One of the first things that was said at the start of the course on the morning of Day 1 was that one of Greybeard’s goals is to get his students to learn how to coach themselves and grow as shooters that way.

The lecture portions of this two-day course are as important as the shooting modules, and it’s worth bringing a notebook. Discussion flowed freely, and students were free to ask questions as they pertained to the coursework. Be ready to soak up course material and insights like a sponge!  

To be continued in Part 2

Gabe White’s Standards 

Gabe White Standards

Gabriel White, a respected instructor in the defensive training community, has a signature shooting-skills battery colloquially known as the Gabe White Standards. Officially known as “Technical Skills Testing,” under his own curriculum, this battery of tests is an amalgamation of four basic “stand-and-deliver” exercises. They consist of the classic Bill Drill, the classic Failure To Stop drill (aka the Mozambique), Immediate Incapacitation, and a Split Bill Drill.

Cleaning the Gabe White Standards with proficiency and a low time involves nothing other than drawing and expertly shooting the target. None of the components under the Technical Skills Testing/Gabe White Standards call for performing reloads or any other actions besides drawing and shooting efficiently.

White’s instruction and curriculum are organized around defensive handgun shooting. So, the impetus for assigning those four exercises to compose his standards is rooted in the fact that these exercises resemble reasonable motions that a self-defense practitioner may engage to defend themselves with a firearm against a single assailant. This comes from White directly.

On the other hand, I’ve also found that shooting the Gabe White Standards successfully also translates over to pure pistol shooting skills. To make my point clear, being able to negotiate the Gabe White Standards with a high score is indicative of being in possession of solid pistol mechanics at a fundamental level.

The four different drills intertwined into the assessment all call into play all of the fundamentals of handgun shooting. These include an impeccable draw, the proper grip, expert trigger control, target transitions/pacing, and a level of consciousness to keep track of the required round counts. Extra shots aren’t permitted under Mr. White’s ruleset.  

Breakdown of Gabe White Standards Drills, Scores And Categories 

A complete run of these standards requires 17 rounds, and they are gun agnostic. However, since his material focuses on self-defense, the idea is to qualify with a defensive pistol(s). 

These are the four exercises that make up the Gabe White Standards in the correct order:

  • The Bill Drill (six shots to the body)
  • Failure To Stop (two shots to the body and one shot to the head)
  • Immediate Incapacitation (two shots to the head)
  • The Split Bill Drill (four shots to the body and two shots to the head) 

Shooting The Standards

Shooting Gabe White Standards only requires a single standard USPSA metric or standard IDPA paper target—or any facsimile thereof—at a distance of 7 yards. Other than headshots, everything can be fired at the standard down-zero area or the 6×11” A-Zone. For the head scoring zone, the 4” circle found on IDPA targets will suffice. However, the secondary “credit-card” A-Zone on USPSA targets is too small, so either a 4” circle or 3×5” index card can be used.

Shooters have flexibility in starting position: they can start with hands at sides, the surrender position, or with hands held at high torso. Once the timer goes off, extra makeup shots aren’t allowed, and scoring the Gabe White Standards is very straightforward.

The primary means of scoring the standards are time-based (think IDPA “Time Plus” scoring), so the time required for each run is the chief means of keeping score. Missed shots can incur penalties, and every Down-1 or C-zone hit incurs a ¼ second time addition. Outer D-zone hits incur cost 1 second, and complete misses add 2 seconds.

Any missed headshots that land in the body portion of the target still count as -2 second misses. However, White gives shooters clemency, so body misses that land in the head scoring area count for score. One would do best to avoid any misses as incurring an extra 2 seconds per miss leads to failed scores.

The drill’s regular times scheme is intended for shooters using a standard OWB belt and holster. However, for those shooting from Level 3 retention duty holsters for concealment gear they get a ¼ second reduction as a handicap for each run.

The “Pin” Award

When training with Gabe White, his students get two opportunities to shoot this battery. When all is said and done, the best four independent times from the eight different drills are picked for scoring. These will determine whether the student is eligible for a “Pin” award.

The hardest “Pin” to win is the Turbo Pin, which essentially requires a consistent “draw to first shot” in one second or less, along with solid 0.20-second splits on the first and fourth movements. The runners-up to the Turbo Pin are the Light Pin and Dark Pin. Make no mistake, the average handgun shooter in this country probably can’t shoot a Dark Pin qualifying score. 

Recent Experiences 

I recently humbled myself by shooting the Gabe White Standards with different handguns, including the Beretta 92X Performance, my polymer-framed full-size Walther PDP, and the steel-framed Walther PDP. Of course, extra pistol practice is always welcome. While I cannot earn any pins unless I’m taking a class with Mr. White, I wanted to see where my skills currently stand. It’s somewhere between Dark and Light pin territory, according to my times.

The index card fell off on the way home from the range.

For my personal circumstances, Gabe White’s Standards are also useful for the purpose of reviewing pistols. Much information can be deduced from having to shoot a pistol so spiritedly, especially with regard to how well its slide tracks and how it behaves during a barrage of aggressive splits.

In a similar vein, I’ve relied on these standards to observe and evaluate the ZR Tactical aftermarket recoil spring assemblies for my pair of Walther PDPs and how these guns “feel” with these different springs and RSAs.

What better way to get a feel for guns you’re already familiar with than by shooting an assessment that involves drawing, shooting rapidly at large targeting zones, and also taking more discerning shots at smaller, more critical areas under the pressure of a timer?

Marlin Shotguns – Oft Forgotten Pump guns

I don’t want to do that thing where I ask a bunch of questions with a self-evident answer based on the title of this article. So, did you know that Marlin made shotguns? Marlin built a reputation on their lever action rifles. The modern Marlin, which is owned by Ruger, certainly isn’t producing any Marlin shotguns. 

However, at the end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century, Marlin dived headfirst into repeating shotguns. Winchester released the 1893 slide-action shotgun. They came under fire from a man named Francis Bannerman, who owned the rights to the Spencer shotguns, which were the first pump-action shotguns. 

(Rock Island Auction)

Bannerman launched a lawsuit against Winchester. Winchester is known for rifles and shotguns but should also be known for patents. They were good at writing and researching patents. To beat Bannerman, they turned up a patent out of Europe for a pump-action bullpup rifle and even produced one. They won the lawsuit and were able to produce the 1893, but they also opened the floodgates for other companies to produce pump-action shotguns.

Thus, Marlin got into the pump-action shotgun business in 1898 with the Marlin 1898 pump-action shotgun. 

The World of Marlin Shotguns 

Marlin made a variety of pump-action shotguns from 1898 to 1933 and throughout three different incarnations of Marlin. Marlin has been owned and branded at least five times. There are enough Marlin variants to make a Marvel multiverse movie. The original Marlin Firearms Company, the Marlin Firearms Corporation, and the Marlin Firearms Company all produced pump-action shotguns under the Marlin brand. 

The original Marlin Firearms Company produced the Models 1898, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 31. The Marlin Firearms Corporation produced the Models 42, 43, 44, and 49. The Marlin Firearms Company produced the models 53 and 63. That’s a lot of different shotguns. Most of these guns were improvements on previous models. Each number doesn’t represent a unique gun but can represent an improvement or even a different caliber. 

(Blue Book of Gun Values)

Marlin shotguns came in 12 gauge, 16 gauge, and 20 gauge. It doesn’t appear they expanded beyond these three calibers, and 12 gauge shotguns were the most popular option. 

Marlin produced both hammer-fired and internal hammer guns. The exposed hammer-fired guns were the 1898, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 30, 42, and 49. The hammerless (internal hammer) Marlin shotguns are the 28, 31, 43, 44, 53, and 63. 

Marlin produced most of its shotguns in one of four grades: A, B, C, and D. They also produced guns in special models, including Trap, Trap Special, Field, Field Special, Brush, and Riot models. Takedown shotguns dominated this era, and most of Marlin’s shotguns were takedown designs. There were only two solid-frame guns: the Model 17 and 26. 

The Contributions of Marlin Shotguns 

Marlin shotguns did make some interesting contributions to the world of shotguns. Those contributions aren’t necessarily seen today, but they did do a few interesting things worth mentioning. 

One feature included a hang fire safety system. The action remained locked if the user pulled the trigger and the gun didn’t fire. The user had to press the action release to open the action. When the gun fired, the inertia of the recoil disengaged the device, allowing the action to open freely. If the weapon didn’t fire, but the hammer dropped, the action wouldn’t open without a manual press of the release. 

(Maynards)

The Marlin hammerless guns placed the action release on the rear tang of the shotguns. As far as I can tell, these are the first guns to place a control on the tang. It’s a small but neat feature. I have a Model 28, and the tang-mounted release is ergonomic and handy. 

Some Marlin shotguns, like the Model 28, also featured a removable side plate, similar to a revolver. This plate allowed access to the internals for repair or deep cleaning. I don’t think any other shotgun company produced anything remotely similar to this design. 

Marlin Shotguns Now 

One of the many Marlin incarnations warned that Marlin shotguns were too dangerous to be used and shouldn’t be fired. There seems to be a fair bit of controversy about this notice. Many will claim it’s aimed at the older hammer-fired guns. When fired, the bolt could eject, and the gun explode. 

Many people claim that the hammerless Marlin shotguns are fine. The best idea is to listen to the manufacturer. For safety’s sake, I wouldn’t go against their advice. 

(Invaluable)

It’s also worth noting that the hammer-fired guns can very easily fire if the hammer is down on a loaded cartridge. The half cock position is the more desired position. 

Generally, any old gun should be inspected by a competent gunsmith before being fired. You never know if the chamber is the proper length, if the steel will give, or if your load is too powerful. Shooting old shotguns, in particular, should be approached with caution. Shotgun loads have gotten increasingly powerful over the years, and you should approach them with caution. 

Marlin shotguns are a neat part of shotgun history, and sadly, they aren’t recognized or desired today. It’s not too sad, though, because I like buying 100-dollar century-old shotguns. If you can find one, I would grab it, especially if it’s cheap. They are neat little pieces of history. 

Washington D.C. and Maryland Attorneys General Sue Gun Stores

WUSA9

The Attorneys General of Washington, D.C., and Maryland have launched a lawsuit against three gun stores in Maryland. These attorneys general are teaming up with the anti-civil rights organization Everytown Law, a spin-off of Everytown for Gun Safety, the billionaire-funded disarmament campaign. That billionaire is Michael Bloomberg, a man protected by guns 24/7. 

According to the lawsuit, these three gun stores sold Demetrius Minor nearly three dozen weapons over a seven-month period. He then illegally crossed into Washington, D.C., and proceeded to sell those guns illegally to criminals. Demetrius Minor has been tried and pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. 

The lawsuit makes the very broad claim that these gun stores were complicit in these sales and responsible for Demetrius Minor’s criminal actions. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb claims, “All three of these stores ignored the red flags.” He doesn’t list any particular red flags. Let’s be clear: The guns came from Maryland, a state known for its fairly strict gun laws. 

The Attorneys General And Maryland 

From what I can gather, handguns require a permit to purchase, registration, owner licensing, and a permit to carry. I’m using the NRA ILA as my source. Shouldn’t these strict gun laws prevent someone like Demetrius Minor from being able to traffic firearms? 

To obtain a handgun, you have to complete a Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit To Purchase a Regulated Firearm. You must pass a fingerprint-based background check and have a valid Handgun Qualification License. Why didn’t the State of Maryland detect any anomalies if all this is required? The Attorney General of D.C. should be suing the State of Maryland. 

Following the Attorney General’s logic, if the three gun stores had been able to detect and track multiple purchases over a period of seven months and recognize a pattern, then the State of Maryland should most certainly have detected a pattern. Unlike three individual gun stores, the Maryland State Police is one organization that receives the Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm every time Demetrius purchases a gun. 

Are gun store clerks supposed to be better at recognizing patterns of criminality than the State Police? It seems like they shouldn’t be, and the idea that a person would memorize every face and name they sold a firearm to is absurd as well. Gun stores have multiple clerks working, and Demetrius spread his purchases of firearms over seven months. The idea that the gun store would be capable or expected to track such a thing is a ridiculous assertion. 

Attorneys General and Lawfare 

It is seemingly humorous that the State of Maryland would jump aboard this lawsuit. Their strict gun laws were supposed to stop things like this. The literal State Police are part of every firearm sale, and yet the Attorneys General are blaming three gun stores in Maryland. These gun stores aren’t responsible for the crime of Demetrius Minor. 

WUSA9

This is a ploy by two anti-civil rights Attorneys General to target the 2nd Amendment rights of American citizens through organized lawfare. They are using the assets of a billionaire-funded organization to restrict the rights of American citizens by shutting down small gun stores. They don’t even need to win the lawsuit. 

All they need to do is sue these small businesses. The Attorneys General have this infinite money glitch called taxpayer funding. The funding they can toss around wildly. The gun stores don’t have that. They’ll have to fight with their own dollars, and selling guns doesn’t make you rich. More than likely, the Attorney General will sue these small businesses out of business. 

A Scary Future 

They ruin the livelihoods of small business owners and then brag about it to get reelected. What we are seeing here isn’t justice. It’s just plain evil. The City of Chicago is using similar tactics to target Glock as well as Illinois gun stores. It’s a tactic we are seeing more and more of throughout the United States, and it’s absolutely terrifying. 

(Carptrash)

Behind the curtain, it also shows the impotence of strict gun laws. Demetrius Minor doesn’t seem to be a criminal genius, yet he avoided detection by the Maryland State Police even though he had to fill out and send a form to them for every firearm he purchased. 

Demetrius Minor broke the law when he lied on that form, when he purchased the guns with the intent to sell them, when he crossed into D.C. with the guns, and when he sold the guns. 

How his commission of several felonies is the responsibility of three small gun stores in Maryland is beyond me. 

Winchester Announces The Supreme Optics Line

Lifestyle Images

Winchester just announced the Supreme Optics line of sport optics. It includes binoculars, spotting scopes, range finders, and rifle scopes. They’re touting them as a “high quality, value-focused line” geared towards hunters, sport shooters, and outdoors enthusiasts.

The Winchester Supreme Optics line currently includes two rangefinders, two spotting scopes, four pairs of binoculars, and six different rifle scopes. Prices look pretty reasonable, with scopes ranging from $144.99 to $344.99. The binoculars start at $206.99 for an 8x42mm pair, and go up to $264.99 for the 12×50’s. There are two rangefinders in the Supreme Optic line—a 6×20 model for $241.99 and a 7×24 model for $337.99. Lastly are the spotting scopes, a 20-60×65 for $339.99 and a 20-60×80 for $386.99.

Winchester promises that the Supreme Optic products will deliver precision, clarity, and durability. They’re built with solid optical and mechanical systems of proven design to provide a dependable optic for your shooting needs. Winchester Supreme Optics are backed by a Limited Lifetime warranty offered by the manufacturer.

Lifestyle Images

Spotting Scopes

  • Premium HD glass
  • Durable construction
  • Fog-proof & Waterproof
  • WINcoat™ coating – increased light transmission, reduced glare, and clearer, crisper images from edge to edge with great low-light performance
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty
Lifestyle Images

Riflescopes

  • Premium HD glass
  • Tough black anodized aluminum housing for years of rugged use
  • Fog-proof & Waterproof
  • WINcoat™ coating – increased light transmission, reduced glare, and clearer, crisper images from edge to edge with great low-light performance
  • Fingertip turret adjustment for windage and elevation with no tools needed
  • Zero reset turrets can be quickly adjusted back to zero
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty
Lifestyle Images

Binoculars

  • High-quality BAK4 prisms and WINcoat™ coating with HD glass for brighter and clearer images from edge to edge, even in low-light conditions
  • High-performance chassis that balances weight and rigid construction for enhanced durability
  • Twist-up eyecups for use with or without eyeglasses
  • Nitrogen-filled and sealed optical system for fog and waterproof performance
  • Knurled focus adjustment knobs for a secure grip
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty

Range Finders

  • Fast, accurate, reliable measurements
  • Premium HD glass for brighter and clearer images from edge to edge
  • 100% Waterproof Rubber Armor Housing 40-hour run time
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty

To learn more about the complete product offerings from World of Winchester, please visit World of Winchester.

YOU DO YOU: HOW APPLYING YOUR THINKING TO OTHERS CAN BE PROBLEMATIC

Dr. William Aprill was excellent at helping us regular folks understand the motivations and thought processes of the violent criminal actor.

His work helped us to understand that something worthless or insignificant to us could be incredibly valuable or important to someone else with different priorities from some other walk of life.

Predation is just a social behavior (Dr. Aprill liked to point out that “violence, oddly enough, is a social act” as it requires other people). As such, I took this idea of victim selection and expanded on it a little to apply to other less severe and hopefully far more common aspects of our day-to-day lives.

There are lots of folks who dismiss dressing well as “unimportant” or who consider using someone’s appearance as part of how you view them as “snobby.” Ironically, many of these same folks can rattle off pre-assault indicators and other physical cues they use to profile people.

The point is that just because it doesn’t matter to a certain person in a specific situation doesn’t mean that it’s not important or valuable.

Because They Are Not Like You.

The better you understand who “they” are and what “they” value, the more easily you can navigate a broader range of social environments.

Free Learning Resources – County Extension Offices

County Extension Offices
Adult learning class

I’m always on the hunt for free learning resources. While I’ve known about the existence of County Extension Offices, I never really understood what they were all about. They are jam-packed with tons of information, programs, and more, all of which are relevant to the preparedness-oriented person. As we go through these areas of knowledge, remember that it’s all available to you at no cost.

What’s a County Extension Office?

Each county in the United States has an Extension Office. County Extension agents work with universities to assist residents with questions regarding a wide range of topics, such as agriculture, family living, health, and so much more.

Master Gardeners

County Extension Offices are where you’ll find the Master Gardener program. These are volunteers who have gone through extensive education and training. They then turn around and share that knowledge through programs and events in their county. They can be a tremendous resource for learning how to get your garden producing well season after season.

Financial Education

Personally, I rank financial preparedness as one of the top areas people need to master. Many people are financially illiterate to one degree or another. What might be surprising to many is that County Extension Offices offer help in educating citizens about financial literacy. They offer programs on building and maintaining credit, establishing a workable budget, and related topics.

Healthy Living

County Extension Offices offer a range of classes and information related to health and wellness. Not only will they help you learn food preservation techniques like canning, they can help you test your pressure canner’s gauge to ensure it’s calibrated properly.

They have solid information on how our nutrition needs change as we age and how to account for it. Their agents can also help you find food pantries and similar resources if you’re ever in need.

Mental health is just as vital as physical health. County Extension Offices have a class called Mental Health First Aid, where participants learn how to identify various mental health issues and determine what to do about them.  

4-H

Another key element is that County Extension Offices help manage the 4-H program. This is the largest youth development organization in the United States. The four Hs stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. When they think of 4-H, many people think of showing animals at county fairs. While that’s certainly part of it, 4-H also offers a range of other opportunities, such as STEM, civic engagement, and fitness. 4-H teaches kids practical skills.

Other Programs

In addition to these standard areas of knowledge, each County Extension Office will usually develop its own programs and classes. Take a deep dive into your county’s Extension Office website to find out what they have available.

Additionally, they will work with you to set up a program. If you have a group that wants to learn, say, household budgeting, provide a location to the County Extension Office, and they will provide an instructor. Pro tip: Most public libraries have meeting rooms that are free to use.

As a bonus, many of the County Extension websites have a ton of informative articles on top of listings of the programs they offer. These articles are a great way to get some foundational knowledge on various topics. You can contact the County Extension Office directly for more information on a given topic.

This page has a list of all 50 states. Click on yours to get to the state’s list of Extension Offices. This site has a list of all of the universities that are working with Extension Offices throughout the country.

Organizing Your EDC and Travel Gear

Expanded EDC Carry with Tuff Possum Shekleton EDC Satchel, Gossamer Gear Hip Pocket Pouch, and The Hidden Woodsmen Haversack.

When your everyday carry (EDC) items exceed your pocket capacity, using a pouch or haversack can ensure you have everything you need for the day. When organizing your EDC and travel gear or commuting in the city, you might need to bring a camera, additional lenses, rain gear, and other gadgets. Trying to fit all these items in your pockets can be challenging!

Shackleton EDC Satchel

Tuff Possum Gear, founded by Jayberry in 2017, offers new designs and materials for outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.

The Shackleton EDC Satchel is designed for those on the go. Made of durable 1000d and 500d Cordura nylon, it features a 12-inch width, 9-inch length, two interior pockets, and two slip pockets. The adjustable webbing shoulder strap provides comfort during wear.

The Shackleton EDC Satchel has a PALS pattern cut, a loop panel for modular organization, and two interior pockets on the front panel.

It has a Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) inside panel for attaching equipment, two interior pockets, a padded back panel, and a 2-inch-wide adjustable shoulder strap. It also features weather flaps with ITW side-release buckles for added protection.

The Shackleton EDC Satchel allows me to quickly navigate tight places on a train or in a crowd. It’s convenient for quick access to items like gloves, cameras, and water bottles. The adjustable ITW Cobra buckle closure makes one-handed access and adjustments easy. The deep and secure slip pockets on each side are very convenient. The back padding and size of the satchel also make it suitable for use as an insulated seat. This makes the Shackleton EDC Satchel multifunctional like other Tuff Possum Gear products.

TRAVEL EDC

Travel is a huge part of my life, and I rely on the Lewis N Clark Neck Stash for organization. It’s made of durable ripstop nylon and has three compartments for essentials like money, cards, passports, and boarding passes. 

Lewis N Clark Neck Pouch is essential for travel as it serves as a wallet and EDC through the airport and a security stash when worn under a shirt abroad.

I also carry my Griffin Adventure Tool, debit card, local currency, OLIGHT i3T EOS, hand sanitizer, and Fisher pen inside. The Fisher Bullet Pen with the IZULA Gear logo is always with me on flights and throughout my trips. It’s compact, convenient, and a timeless classic, priced at $20.

Waxed Canvas EDC Tray

PNWBUSHCRAFT offers robust waxed canvas and leather gear tailored for the demanding conditions of the Pacific Northwest. Crafted in the USA, their range includes bags, ground cloths, and foraging pouches designed to enhance the outdoor experience.

The Two-Tone Waxed Canvas EDC Travel Tray 2.0 – A compact and organized way to carry your everyday items.

The Two-Tone Waxed Canvas EDC Travel Tray 2.0 is an upgraded version of the PNWBUSHCRAFT Travel Tray, now suitable for everyday use. This compact tray is designed to hold your EDC items and can be quickly snapped together to keep them organized. 

It features an additional eyelet on the top for easy hanging and measures 6.5 inches when open flat. The tray has three slots that are 2.5 inches deep, with varying widths of 1 inch, 1.5 inches, and 2.5 inches. This makes it perfect for carrying small items like a multi-tool, flashlight, lighter, pocket knife, and more.

When snapped in half, the tray becomes a 3.25-inch wide tiny tray with 1-inch high sides and a 4-inch bottom. Currently, it is available in two-tone colors. MSRP: $45.00

You can keep essential items easily accessible in the EDC Travel Tray 2.0, which fits in most pockets.

Consider these gear picks when organizing your EDC and Travel Gear, and you’ll be the wiser!

For more information, please contact:

TuffPossumGear.com
SpacePen.com
PNWBushcraft.com

X2 Dev Group Releases Trident Barrels

X2 Dev Group’s AR-X Lightfighter rifles are impressive for their light weight, features, and accuracy. Now, home builders can take advantage of the core of the Lightfighter—the Trident barrel.

The Trident Barrel

X2’s Trident barrel offers excellent rigidity with its fluted barrel. Those barrel flutes also make it much lighter than other comparable barrels. In fact, the Tridents weigh less than many carbon fiber barrels and offer superior heat dispersion.

Rather than having multiple builds for different roles, the Trident lets you have it all. You gain the advantages of a lightweight barrel for handling and target acquisition while retaining a heavy barrel’s improved accuracy and heat dispersion capabilities.

X2 Dev Group’s Trident is chambered in .223 Wylde and has a 1/8 twist. Three barrel lengths are available. A 16″ Mid Length Gas System, a 14.5″ Mid Length Gas System, or a 12.5″ Carbine +1 Length Gas System version. The Tridents are made from 416R Stainless steel and have a black Nitride coating for corrosion resistance. They have M4 feed ramps and one 1/2×28 muzzle threads.

X2 Dev Group offers a Sub-MOA Guarantee on the Tridents with quality ammunition. The rigidity makes them excellent platforms for suppressor mounting as well. The I-beam construction of the barrel flutes not only lightens the weight but also ensures consistency and minimal POI shift. They also help to dissipate heat along the barrel and reduce heat soak and stress. This enhances POI predictability even through long strings of fire.

X2 Dev Group Trident Barrel Specifications:

Length: 16”, 14.5” and 12.5”
Weight: 16”- 21.5oz, 14.5”- 20.0oz,12.5” – 17.8oz
Caliber: .223 Wylde
Twist Rate: 1:8
Gas System Length: 16”- Mid, 14.5”- Mid, and 12.5”- Carbine +1
Gas Block Journal: .750”
Material: Nitrided 416R Stainless
Barrel Extension: Nitrided w/M4 Feed Ramps
Muzzle: 1/2×28 Threaded
MSRP: $549.00

For more information, check out X2 Dev Group.

Talismans of Safety: Do They Only Promote a False Sense of Security?

Talismans of Safety

My friend Jayberry Miller from Tuff Possum Gear coined the phrase “talismans of safety” a while back. Tell you what, he’s a pretty smart guy. He’s also quite a talented maker.

Better Than Nothing

Before we dive into talismans of safety, let’s talk for a minute about the “better than nothing” approach to preparedness. You see that phrase a lot in various prepper forums. It’s often used to validate or justify the purchase of less-than-ideal gear. “It isn’t great, but it’s better than nothing.”

The problem is that this approach can lead to complacency. Here’s what often happens. Joe buys a prepackaged bug-out bag from some discount retailer. It costs him about fifty bucks, and he thinks it was a pretty good deal. While the kit isn’t exactly what he wants, he figures it’s better than nothing, and he’ll upgrade the contents as he can afford to.

Meanwhile, he feels good that he’s done something productive regarding his personal emergency preparedness. Joe tosses the kit into his trunk and promptly forgets about it.

A few months go by, and Joe’s car breaks down one night on his way home from work. His cell isn’t able to get a signal, and it’s down to about 12% battery. Then he remembers his oh-so-cool survival kit in the trunk. He takes out the crank flashlight so he can check under the vehicle’s hood. The handle snaps at the third turn of the crank.

Oh well, hopefully, there’s enough moonlight for Joe to diagnose the problem. He’s able to see that, somehow, one of the cables slipped from the battery. No problem, there’s a multi-tool in the kit. Unfortunately, the pivot on the tool is locked up solid and won’t budge.

It’s late and getting chilly, so Joe pulls out the emergency blanket. Shaking it open, it immediately tears along each of the fold lines, leaving him with nothing more than strips of material.

This $50 “better than nothing” kit was nothing more than a talisman of safety.

What is a Talisman of Safety?

In describing this concept, Jayberry said that a lot of people tend to purchase survival and self-defense gear because it gives them a feeling of safety. But a lot of the gear they purchase hasn’t actually been pressure tested, and it might not work under real-world conditions. They carry the items because doing so makes them feel good, not necessarily because they’re confident in their ability to use them.

Do your best to make sure that what you carry for survival, defense, and similar purposes will actually do what you need them to do. Not only that, but develop skills and experience in using the gear. Remember that you can’t just buy your way to proficiency. In a very real sense, the whole point of carrying the gear is so that you can depend on it to save your life, right?

To be clear, I’m not suggesting everyone needs to spend top dollar on every gear purchase. Far from it, actually. There are plenty of solid options in the budget buy arena. The point here is that you should be very familiar with each item you carry. Know what it will and won’t do for you. Be confident that it will hold up to real use. Avoid gimmicky garbage and stick to what truly works.

Watching Tim Walz Load a Shotgun Is a Lesson In Incompetence

This isn’t my joke, but to be fair, it’s easy to make. At the VP Debates, Tim Walz said he’s a knucklehead sometimes, and boy, was he a knucklehead at a staged pheasant hunt. This hunt was clearly propaganda, an attempt to appeal to gun owners by showing that Walz is a gun guy. I don’t doubt that Walz occasionally shoots, but he proved he doesn’t shoot often. 

Tim Walz didn’t just stage a pheasant hunt but completely blew his credentials as a gun guy. Walz went to the hunt armed with his Beretta A400, a beautiful gun, and a fantastic shotgun. The A400 he’s holding is a 2,000-dollar semi-auto Beretta. It seems to be the gun he’s photographed most often with. 

Admittedly, I get why. It’s a great shotgun. He even mentions it has the kick-off system. This system helps reduce recoil and keeps the gun comfortable for high-volume shoots. Some folks have made fun of him for this, but if you shoot a lot of birds, trap, or skeet, it’s nice to have. What we should make fun of is the fact the man can’t load the gun to save his life. 

Tim Walz and His Beretta

The hilarity ensued as we saw the Governor load his shotgun. Or attempt to load. I wish I could see exactly what he’s doing and why he can’t seem to ready his weapon. He struggles for 20 or so seconds, and I’m not sure if he ever got his gun loaded. 

I can’t tell if he can’t get a round into the magazine tube. The A400 is a very well-made gun. If you ever want to see the differences between a 2,000-dollar shotgun and a 200-dollar shotgun, look at the loading port. (That’s not the only difference, but it’s a big one.) The A400 series of guns are sporting shotguns and feature a smooth, enlarged loading port. It’s not going to take a DNA sample from your thumb like other shotguns. Shells slide into these guns smoothly and easily. 

Another issue might be trying to get a round from the tube to the chamber. Italian semi-auto shotguns of the Beretta and Benelli type have a button that releases the first round from the tube to the shell elevator. After the first round, the trigger will release a round from the tube to the loading gate. Maybe that’s why he works the charging handle so many times.

It’s not complicated to load and ready this gun. It does load like any other common, modern tube magazine shotgun and on top of that, it loads easier than any other shotgun. Watching Tim Walz struggle leaves me feeling confused. What is keeping that shell from loading? The A400 Sporting, which his gun seems to be with the blue receiver, is a 3-inch chambered gun. 

Is he trying to load a 3.5-inch shell? Maybe the bolt is locked to the rear, and he hasn’t realized it? It sounds like the bolt closes a couple of times. Maybe he’s holding the bolt and trying to load a round into the magazine tube? I can’t really figure out how he messed that up so badly. 

Credentialism In Full Display 

To be completely fair, other footage showed him and his compatriots handling their weapons safely, watching their sectors of fire, and avoiding aiming toward the press to chase a bird. Still, it’s clear Governor Tim Walz doesn’t shoot often or enough to know how to use his individual shotgun. 

Using Tim Walz to show that the Democratic party would gleefully take your guns is credentialism at its best. They rely on his service with the National Guard and his reputation as a hunter and sport shooter to say they have expertise in the world of firearms. As usual, credentialism doesn’t equal actual expertise. 

That’s the problem with this strategy, the—I’m a gun owner, but—strategy. It attempts to trick people, and trickery has no place in politics. Be honest, be consistent, and don’t try to lie and trick people into voting for you. If you are going to lie and use a game of trickery, at least look competent.

That famed photo of President Obama shooting a shotgun at least looked good. If you’re going to hunt pheasants and record it, at least make sure you know how to use your gun. 

On Vice Presidents and Shotguns 

After watching Tim Walz struggle with his shotgun, it suddenly became clear why Dick Cheney endorsed him and Vice President Harris’ ticket. They share an incompetence with shotguns. In fact, do you remember double-barrel Biden’s advice just to blast two rounds into the air? What is it with Vice Presidents and shotguns? 

Listen, fellas, if you are running for VP, hit me up. I’ll teach you how to use a shotgun so you won’t look so silly on national TV. It won’t be free, but it will be worth it. 

Midwest Industries Releases New Aluminum Shotgun Stocks

Midwest Industries just released a new line of aluminum shotgun stocks. There are three new models for the Beretta 1301, Mossberg 590, and Remington 870. The stocks are reminiscent of Midwest’s lever action stocks, but built specifically for each shotgun model.

MI Aluminum Shotgun Stock Features

The new MI aluminum shotgun stocks feature a skeletonized design. The Grip and stock beam are made from Hard Coat Anodized 6061 Aluminum. They maintain the factory cheek weld and length of pull, which MI says will fit most users. Spacer plates are available if you need a longer length of pull. You can also adjust the sightline with a polymer, adjustable cheek piece. This allows you to customize the stock to fit whatever sights, optics, or red dot you want to use.

The rear of the stock features M-LOK attachment points that let you add shell storage. They can accept MI Universal Shell Holders or M-LOK panels for aesthetics. A Midwest Industries butt pad is provided that reduces felt recoil and gives you a secure fit in your shoulder.

The stocks are an ambidextrous design that will work for left and right-hand shooters. There are several anti-rotation QD swivel sockets available that let you set up your sling the way you want it. There’s also one standard sling swivel stud as well.

The grip panels are designed in-house by MI. They provide texture for cold or wet conditions and have a distinct divot pattern. They look like the grips on the large pistol grip lever action stocks. If so, then other grip options are already available from MI. The entire unit weighs in at 1lb 11oz.

The new aluminum shotgun stocks have an MSRP of $284.95 for the Mossberg 590 and Remington 870 models. The Beretta 1301 version is a little more at $309.95. They’re compatible with other MI products, like their various end plates and the Beretta 1301 handguard. Made in the USA Lifetime warranty

For more information, check out the Midwest Industries.

Spartan-Ronin Torii Released

Spartan-Ronin Torii

Recently, Spartan Blades announced the release of a new collaboration project called the Spartan-Ronin Torii. For this knife, they partnered with Tu Lam of Ronin Tactics.

Who is Spartan Blades?

Curtis Iovito and Mark Carey, two retired Green Berets, founded Spartan Blades in 2008. They have well over 40 years of combined military experience. In other words, they are people who know from real-world, hard-won experience what works and what doesn’t in a knife. The goal from day one was to design and create high-quality knives that are suitable for both civilian and military use. Over the years, they’ve earned a reputation for hard-use knives that look as well as they perform.

One of the hallmarks of Spartan Blades is their frequent collaboration projects. They’ve worked with a number of well-known designers, including William Harsey, Jr., and Les George. Tu Lam is a decorated former Green Beret who has combat experience from all over the world. He is a true warrior in every sense of the term. He took all of that experience and poured it into the design of this knife. It’s a tactical blade, pure and simple.

The Spartan-Ronin Torii

The name of the Spartan-Ronin Torii pays homage to Torii Station in Okinawa, Japan. Curtis Iovito, Mark Carey, and Tu Lam all served there together. Known as C-1-1 or the CIF, which is the CINC’s Extremist Force, the unit has a strong reputation for its skills in CQB and sniper tactics, as well as overall ingenuity. The goal was for the Torii knife to embody the same excellence and precision as their unit.

Spartan-Ronin Torii Specs

The Spartan-Ronin Torii is a full 11.5 inches from end to end, with a blade stretching 6.5 inches. It’s 0.1875 inches thick at the spine. The D2 steel has been hardened to 58-60 HRC. This is a blade that will retain a great edge for a long time. It is treated with a black powder coat to enhance corrosion resistance. The blade has a trailing point profile, with a subtle but distinct curve from end to end.

Weighing 8.4 ounces, the Spartan-Ronin Torii isn’t a lightweight by any stretch. But at the same time, this isn’t a blade you’ll use to peel apples or dice onions, though it’s certainly capable of those chores in a pinch.

The Spartan-Ronin Torii comes with a secure sheath. It’s equipped with two MOLLE/belt attachments, giving the user options as to how they want to carry it. Combined with the knife’s inherent ergonomic design, rapid deployment is all but guaranteed.

The Spartan-Ronin Torii’s handle material is contoured and formed G10. It’s available in either straight black or a red/black combo. The shape of the handle allows for instant indexing and the texturing keeps the knife secure in your grip in any conditions, even when wet.

If you’re looking for an heirloom quality knife, one that is ready to tackle virtually anything you want to take on, then the Spartan-Ronin Torii might be just the ticket. You can find it here at the Spartan Blades website or here at DLT Trading.

[All images courtesy Spartan Blades.]

Revolutionary Head Protection, a Click Away: Team Wendy’s EPIC™ Helmet Line Now Available for E-Commerce

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Oct. 1, 2024 – Team Wendy®, a leader in cutting-edge head protection solutions for military, law enforcement, and rescue personnel worldwide, announces that its highly acclaimed EPIC™ helmet line—popular among patrol officers, mobile field forces, and security contractors—is now available for purchase through the company’s e-commerce platform. This development allows customers to order directly online and have their helmets shipped to their doorstep. This streamlines the acquisition of essential head protection equipment.

“Our mission has always been to safeguard those who serve and protect,” said Doug Caffoe, Vice President, Commercial Growth at Team Wendy. “By launching e-commerce for our EPIC line, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to access the dependable protection they need. This new platform simplifies the ordering process and reaffirms our commitment to delivering the exceptional quality and innovation that have become synonymous with our name.”

Get Mission-Ready with Ease

Team Wendy’s e-commerce platform offers a seamless user experience. It enables customers to browse helmet options, customize features, and easily complete their purchase. Whether for tactical operations, rescue missions, or routine patrols, EPIC helmets are designed to meet the rigorous demands of those on the front lines. Likewise, they are renowned for delivering superior comfort, protection, and performance.

How to Order

EPIC Innovation

EPIC helmets are equipped with advanced materials and innovative features meticulously engineered to maximize protection and comfort. These helmets integrate Team Wendy’s proprietary impact-absorbing technology. This significantly reduces blunt-force trauma during high-intensity situations.

The EPIC line is also known for its superior fit and customization. As a result, wearers can adjust components for maximum comfort during extended periods of use. Highlights include:

  • Enhanced Impact Protection: Featuring state-of-the-art, energy-dispersing liners, and an ergonomic shell design, EPIC helmets provide superior protection against blunt-force impacts.
  • Customizable Fit: Adjustable padding systems help ensure a snug, secure fit tailored to the unique head shape of each user, reducing discomfort during prolonged wear.
  • Lightweight Durability: Constructed with high-performance materials, the helmets are designed to withstand rigorous use without compromising wearer agility.
  • Versatility: EPIC helmets are compatible with a wide range of helmet accessories, making them highly adaptable for mission-specific needs.

“As we expand into this space, we’re not just offering a product—we’re delivering peace of mind,” Caffoe said. “Our customers trust Team Wendy for uncompromising safety and comfort. This new e-commerce option is another step in our ongoing commitment to make their lives easier while maintaining the highest standards of protection and performance.”

Visit TeamWendy.com to explore the full line of EPIC helmets and accessories.

About Team Wendy®

Team Wendy, part of the Avon Technologies PLC group of brands, is dedicated to providing exceptional head protection systems designed from the inside out for those who risk their lives every day. Founded in 1997, our Cleveland-based company places a strong focus on the prevention of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in honor of the company’s namesake, Wendy Moore, who died tragically from a TBI following a ski accident.

As a leading supplier of helmet systems for military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and adventure sports, Team Wendy is steadfast in our dedication to the pursuit of improving head protection research, design, and development, bringing more choice, better technology, and reliable customer service to the industry.