Things I’ve Learned From the Comment Section

By

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April 17, 2025

MASS-3 Shotgun Range — (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

If you write, create videos, or are any kind of media, you’ll constantly hear your peers say, “Don’t read the comments.” That can be very valuable for your mental health if you’re a content creator. I’ve gained a bit of a thick skin, so I wade into the comments here and there, and I’ve learned a thing or two about portions of the gun community that leave a comment. Enough to make a few generalizing statements about these fine folks.

Revolver Guys Read the Entire Article

Say what you want about the wheel gun bubbas, but they read the entire article before commenting. One of the things that drives me crazy is people making comments without reading the article. I don’t have to worry about that when it comes to revolvers. The revolver guys will read the entire article, and if they disagree, they tend to leave a reasonable, well-thought-out comment.

My pop-psych view of the situation is simple. If you are a revolver guy (or gal), you likely have a nuanced view of your firearm and are aware of its strengths and weaknesses. You think about the gun a lot, so you don’t rush to the comments section to scream into the void. You have thoughts, opinions, and reasoning you’ve taken the time to explore.

PCCs Are Great Rage Bait

If you want engagement with your comments section, vaguely suggest that a pistol caliber carbine could be a great home defense weapon. In short order, you’ll have tons of comments about how dumb PCCs are and how you need an AR in 5.56. If you claim you want a gun that’s easy to suppress, those same people will scream about the .300 Blackout, ignoring the price difference between 9mm and .300 Blackout as a whole.

Pistol caliber carbines are a little silly for home defense, especially straight blowback designs. It’s not that these people are wrong; it’s just that they’re annoying about it. They remind me of the advanced version of the guy who rages and foams at the mouth when someone says clips instead of magazines.

Shotgun Guys Are Either Super Dumb or Super Smart – No In-between

As a shotgun guy, I often wonder where I fall in this category. I assure myself I’m not dumb, but I also dated a stripper when I was 19. Luckily, I tend to stay out of comment sections, and this article is making generalizations about comment sections. The dumb side of the shotgun guy world will talk about using birdshot for home defense, Dutch-loading rounds, rock salt, and how red dots are dumb on shotguns!

The super-smart guys will talk about patterning, how buckshot terminal ballistics work, engagement angles, wads, buffering material, plated shot, and more. Some shotgun guys have spent a very long time thinking about how these guns work and the best way for them to work. Those guys leave great comments explaining why you’re wrong or what you don’t quite understand.

Handgun Red Dot Hate Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)

If you want to drive engagement in the gun world, there are two solid strategies. First, get something minor wrong, and the comment section will correct you. Second, put a red dot on a handgun you’re reviewing. That seems to drive a certain crowd wild, especially if it’s a small handgun.

You’ll hear claims of how useless they are, how iron sights are more reliable, and how you don’t need crap attached to your guns! This could expand to WMLs, but at this point in time, there is a huge focus on handgun red dot hate. It’s a nutty situation that seems to bring out certain people who can’t stand red dots on handguns for one reason or another. (Bonus points if it’s a revolver.)

AR Guys Cannot Take Criticism Of Their Platform

I will tell you right now that the AR platform is the best semi-auto, intermediate cartridge rifle on the market. It’s reliable, lightweight, accurate, ergonomic, and beyond. However, nothing is perfect. I’d call myself an AR guy; if I had to go to war, I’d grab an AR. However, AR guys in the comment sections cannot take any criticism of their platform.

Mention how the AR tends to be gassy when suppressed, or that the Marines swapped to the M27 because piston guns handle extended full auto fire longer, and you’ll bring out the AR guys. It’s as if you were insulting them directly. It’s almost rageful, and they treat you as if you were cursing Eugene Stoner himself.

The Comment Section

Remember that this article is about these types of people in the comment section. If you are an AR guy, and you’re not leaving comments, it’s not talking about you. The comment sections in the gun community can be absolutely poisonous and brutal. I see why people stay out of them. But I can’t help it sometimes because every so often, you learn something, and knowing is half the battle.

Elevated Instant Camp Food

By

Reuben Bolieu

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April 16, 2025

GAT_Instant_Food (1) — This instant Indonesian pack of noodles was transformed into a camp culinary classic by the author by adding a few fresh ingredients.

Up your instant game! These elevated instant camp food ideas will have you impressing your friends and family with some clever twists. Say goodbye to your old campfire meals and get ready to enjoy the fun of cooking outdoors!

Simple Instant Camp Food

The saying “Simple is Best” confidently strides into many life situations, especially when it comes to fueling up in emergencies like bugging out or racing through the backcountry. Keeping things simple is key in these scenarios—less fuss, less mess. When time is tight, it’s wise to reach for foods that require no cooking or just need a splash of hot water to rehydrate.

So, let’s dive into the world of easy meals that only demand a metal container for boiling water, whether you’re whipping up some rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, soups, or sipping on flavored hot drinks. It’s all about keeping it uncomplicated and delicious!

Just Add Water

If you’re looking for budget-friendly meal options, I recommend rice, mashed potatoes, and Knorr Sides—they’re simple and delicious. Add hot water to the packages, and you have a meal without the mess of pots. Each pack feeds 3-4 people and costs under two bucks. The key is to add cooked ham, SPAM, or whatever protein you like.

The author makes small wooden clamps to keep the heat sealed inside for the best results when rehydrating food. The green sticks are split and fitted over the folded package.

I use a couple of green sticks as makeshift clamps to seal the hot water during rehydration (which takes about 7-10 minutes). You can even add veggies or meat to spice things up.

Instant Japanese Miso soup is a winner for quick snacks—it’s easy to drink straight from the container.

Elevated Instant Camp Food

Some typical, quick meals globally are instant noodles. However, since we’re working on raising the bar on our instant camp cooking, check these out.

Many types of instant ramen noodles will work here. This instant noodle recipe works well in cooler months. I like to make it after Thanksgiving using leftover turkey. It requires green onions, a slice of turkey, and an egg.

A healthy slice of Thanksgiving turkey, fried egg, and green onions is what the author added to this mundane top ramen instant package.

I make the noodles as usual with boiling water. Meanwhile, I fry an egg and dice green onions. When the noodles are ready, I add a healthy slice of turkey and fried egg and garnish it with green onions. It looks like the next best thing to restaurant-style ramen in the woods!

Seafood Camp Instant Pasta

As simple as they come. Rotini pasta or whatever you’ve got will work. There’s no hard and fast recipe. I grabbed a handful of pasta and took it to camp. Then, I used a pack of roasted garlic tuna. I took a few gobs of spaghetti sauce in a container and a few spinach leaves to make the colors pop!

The pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente, giving it the right amount of chew. I stirred in the sauce after draining the water from my trusty Boy Scout pot using a lid (a little trick you pick up over the years). Next, I tossed a packet of roasted garlic tuna and mixed it all up before adding fresh spinach.

A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top finished it off nicely. I put the lid back on and let it sit for a moment. Voilà! An elegant meal in the woods, whipped up in no time and without breaking the bank!

Indonesian Spicy Camp Food

This Indonesian instant favorite is a more involved, elevated, instant camp food idea. I was fresh back from Southeast Asia and was passionate about recreating some impressionable dishes in the woods. It all started with an instant Mi Goreng Instant Stir Fry Noodles pack.

However, I added the good stuff. Fresh carrots, onions, Thai chilies, spinach, garlic, wild spring chives, a can of spicy roasted eel, and an egg were perfect for this camp dish!

Adding some ingredients to a typical instant meal is how you can elevate your instant camp food and have fun in the process.

I made the noodles as instructed on the package and set them aside. Meanwhile, I prepped the support ingredients and fried the egg. Then, I stir-fried the onions, carrots, chilies, and garlic in a small camp wok. I added the drained noodles and tossed them evenly. Finally, I added the fried egg and roasted spicy eel.

The presentation was spot on, and got an A+ for taste and appearance. What more could you want for a dish made in the wilderness?

Try These Camp Dishes

As always, feel free to change the formula, recipe, and ingredients. The idea is to share new, exciting ideas for your camp experience and a bit of flair!

The Krummlauf – And America’s Response To It

By

Travis Pike

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April 16, 2025

The age-old problem with military arms is that cover is a blessed thing, but to shoot your enemy, you have to break cover, right? Exposing yourself to potential enemy fire is terrifying. What if you could shoot around corners? Or, what if you could engage threats with small arms fire from inside your tank? The Germans must have thought that sounded revolutionary and designed the Krummlauf.

The Krummlauf is one of the variants of an already rare gun, the STG 44. The STG 44 series are arguably the first assault rifles widely fielded and produced. The rifle was never a massive success, but it cemented the concept. The German military liked the weapon and adopted it for numerous roles after finding a fair bit of success on the Eastern front. The Krummlauf was just one of those roles.

The Krummlauf and Corners

How do you shoot around corners? Specifically, how do you shoot around corners and out of tanks in 1944? That is what the Nazi engineers were trying to accomplish. Their solution was rather simple for people known for enjoying complications. They just bent the barrel.

Yep, they bent the barrel so you could aim it around corners and, more commonly, out of an armored vehicle. The Krummlauf was produced in I and P variants. I for infantry and P for, I assume, Panzer since it was the tanker variant. The I version had a simple 30-degree bend, and that was it. Tanker variants utilized a 30, 45, 60, and even a 90-degree bent barrel.

For infantry, the job was simple. Push it around the cover and spray. You could hose down an alley, a trench, or a pill box at close range without exposing yourself to the enemy. The 30-degree bend was sufficient to fire around most cover. The infantry variant was the only model ever produced in any great numbers.

The tankers’ guns were designed to be fired from inside the tank. The barrels were bent outside the tank, and the gun could spray 7.92x33mm to clear off attacking infantry and protect the tank.

Infantry Krummlauf rifles even came with a periscope to help aim the gun, while tankers seemed to have had hope and prayer.

Did the Krummlauf Work?

The easy answer is….kind of. It works, as it didn’t blow up when fired, and bullets did, in fact, leave the barrel. However, it didn’t work well. First, the bent barrel significantly impacted barrel life. The infantry version was good for about 300 rounds. The 45-degree model might last about half that. Barrel life on the 90-degree models could be expected to be extremely low.

Bullets had a habit of breaking and fragmenting inside the barrel, giving the gun a shotgun-like effect. To be honest, that might have helped improve its capability, at least at close range. The 30-degree variants produced a 13-inch group at 100 yards. That’s not impressive, but surprisingly, it’s better than I assumed.

The design simply didn’t work the way the Germans assumed it would. Their production numbers were never high, and I can’t find any information on fielding the Krummlauf. I’ve searched for a firsthand account or even some kind of after-action, yet my search remains empty.

Beyond the STG 44

The Americans and Russians observed the Krummlauf platform, which stoked their curiosity. Both sides ended up experimenting with a similar idea. The Americans produced a bent barrel for the M3, which had a very easily removable and replaceable barrel. The Russians attempted to field bent barrels on their PPSh-41.

Neither experiment was successful, and both seemingly went the route of the Krummlauf. Bending barrels simply isn’t going to be a successful means of shooting around corners. Maybe we need some kind of stocked pistol with a camera and a cat? Just maybe….

Bug Out Locations – Where Will You Go in a Hurry?

By

Jim Cobb

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April 15, 2025

In the event you need to bug out, you’ll be glad you took the time to figure out a plan in advance. We rarely make great decisions when we’re under a lot of stress. If you need to beat feet, the odds are you’ll feel under pressure, right?

We’ve already talked about what to bring when you bug out. Here, we’re going to concentrate on where you’ll go and how you’ll get there.

For the purposes of our discussion, the reason for the bug out is immaterial. It could be anything from encroaching wildfire to an extended power outage. The concept is essentially the same.

Choosing Bug Out Locations

The first step in bug-out planning is to determine your intended destination. There are a few considerations to bear in mind. Heading to a state or national forest or some other wild area probably isn’t the best idea. There are very few realistic disaster scenarios where you’ll be best served by fleeing to the woods.

Bug out - parks and campgrounds — Campgrounds may fill up quickly, as will many national and state parks.

Instead, think along the lines of friends and family who live far enough away that they’re not likely to be impacted by local emergencies but are close enough to realistically get to in a day or less of travel. Talk to them about the possibility of you and your family crashing with them for a day or two in a crisis. It’s better to have the conversation now rather than when you’re standing on their porch with your fingers crossed.

Depending on your relationship with these folks, you might go so far as to ask about stashing a tote at their place. Nothing huge or elaborate, just some extra clothes and other things that you’d want to have available if you had to bug out with nothing more than the clothes on your back.

My recommendation is to choose 2-3 locations, each in a different direction from your home. The reason being, you don’t know what it is that might cause you to bug out. If that reason lies between you and your planned destination, you might run into trouble. Give yourself a couple of options.

Motels are another option to consider for a bug out location. If you want to go that route, save the local phone number for the motel in your phone as well as jotting it down on your list of emergency phone numbers. Don’t bother with the chain’s primary 800 number for reservations. If you’re headed their way during an emergency, you’ll want to talk to the people actually working the front desk to make a reservation. And that phone call should happen as soon as you’ve determined you need to evacuate.

No matter where you plan to go, make sure that any pets you’ll have with you will be welcome.

How Will You Get There?

Once you know where you’ll be headed, you need to figure out your bug-out routes. Do what you can to avoid interstates and other busy highways. Those are likely to turn into slow moving parking lots, and you want no part of that. While it might sound counterintuitive, hitting the back roads might get you out of town quicker.

Bug out - traffic — Plan to avoid heavy traffic as best you can.

Take the time to drive these routes occasionally. Get to know them well during all four seasons as well as at night. By all means, make sure you have paper maps in the glove box so you can refer to them if necessary, as GPS on your phone might not be an option. But the goal is to know the route from Point A to Point B by heart.

Always keep your gas tank at least half full. We aren’t in charge of deciding when disasters will impact us. The last thing you want is to have to stop for gas in an emergency. I mean, imagine having to gas up in order to get to the hospital with your wife who is in labor. That’s not nearly as much fun as it sounds, and it’s a lesson you only need to learn once. Ask me how I know.

The Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous

By

Travis Pike

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April 15, 2025

Athlon Outdoors and Bleeker Street Publications are kicking off their yearly Rendezvous in the mountains of Wyoming. The event brings together a breadth of writers and firearms companies for a weekend of range time and deep, in-depth examination of some of the latest and greatest guns coming out this year.

This is no SHOT Show. As much as we love SHOT Show, it’s like the Walmart of firearms events. It’s huge, open to many people, and you don’t get much one-on-one time or even a close examination of most products. The Rendezvous is more like a custom tailor who sees only a few folks. You get all the time you need to get hands-on with the guns.

Not just the guns but the companies behind the guns. As writers, we can pick their brains and talk about their designs and get a more personalized experience. In turn, this allows us to bring you the best information possible.

This year, the event will be hosted at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming, the first for both Brush Creek and Athlon. Over a dozen companies will be showing off their products, ranging from guns to optics and beyond. After seeing the list, I couldn’t be more excited.

The Rendezvous – It’s Time

Sadly, some of the new products will have to wait for official announcements, but you can bet that the day I’m allowed to show and tell you, you’ll be as psyched as I am. Some of these guns and products are going to make serious waves. Athlon Outdoor, GAT, and Bleeker Street Publications will be here to provide you with real, hands-on information.

Buckle up and stay tuned as we bring the hottest new guns, optics, and more to hit the market. There are some serious surprises coming this year, and the Rendezvous won’t be boring!

Nomad Outdoor Turkey Vests

By

Reuben Bolieu

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April 14, 2025

GAT_Nomad_Vests (1) — The Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest includes a roll-top stowable game bag, ideal for carrying decoys or your trophy bird.

Regarding early turkey hunting, serious hunters know that Nomad Hunting apparel is a game-changer. Nomad Outdoor Turkey Vests provide you with the competitive edge you need to bag your prized gobbler successfully!

Nomad Outdoor

The brand offers a range of clothing designed to maximize comfort and mobility, essential during long hours of stalking or waiting in a stand. With features like moisture-wicking fabrics and a design that allows for a full range of motion, hunters can maintain focus and endurance throughout their expedition. Moreover, the strategic use of camouflage helps conceal the hunter from their prey, making Nomad’s gear an intelligent choice for those looking to optimize their hunting experience.

Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest

Using a good turkey vest during turkey hunting season is important because of its organizational features. These features provide comfort and mobility, enhance concealment, ensure safety, and offer convenient additional features. The vest can improve the overall hunting experience and increase the chances of a successful hunt.

Get ready to elevate your hunting experience with the versatile Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest. This innovative design transforms from a comfortable vest to a convenient fanny pack, offering exceptional functionality throughout your hunting expedition. With additional zippered cargo pockets, a specialized pocket for Thermacell, and a chest pocket for your rangefinder or cell phone, you’ll have quick and easy access to your essential gear when it matters most.

Enjoy the added comfort of a double-padded, high-density foam seat and the convenience of a removable, stowable game bag. Enhance your hunting organization and adaptability with the Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest, ensuring you’re ready for any scenario that comes your way!

Nomad Killin’ Time Turkey Vest

Intelligent, Versatile Turkey Vest. Are you a turkey hunter looking to make your next hunt the best yet? Look no further than the Killin’ Time Turkey Vest! With its cutting-edge design and versatile features, it’s exactly what you need to maximize your hunting experience.

Two versatile Nomad Turkey Vests that cater to all styles: the smart Killin’ Time (Left) and the Convertible Turkey Vest. Whether you prefer a classic look or appreciate extra functionality, these vests have you covered.

The vest has 28 pockets for all your gear – ammo, snacks, and other essentials. Plus, it’s got a removable stadium seat so you can scope out the perfect place for maximum success. There’s also a high-density foam seat cushion with magnet attachments and an adjustable handle, which is ideal for ensuring you have the most comfortable sitting spot.

A mesh morel mushroom pocket ensures that whatever goodies you find on your way will be secure and safe. And last but not least, the adjustable rear game pouch offers plenty of space with decoy stake pockets and three accessory pockets. When the time comes to make that shot, you’ll be ready! With the Killin’ Time Turkey Vest, nothing can stand in the way of your incredible hunt.

Let the hunt begin with these Nomad Outdoor Turkey Vests!

For more information, please check out Nomad Outdoor!

The Benelli Nova 3 – No One Saw It Coming

By

Travis Pike

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April 14, 2025

People either love or hate the Benelli Nova series. Benelli is a semi-auto shotgun company that made a pump gun that was certainly different. As the owner of a SuperNova, I put myself in the love category. I have some complaints, but overall, I think the Nova series is a solid shotgun at a great price point and is doing things a little differently. Let’s be real; the 870 and 500 are stuck in the 1960s. Benelli just released the Nova 3, which was a total surprise to me.

I didn’t see it at SHOT. I don’t remember reading any press releases or reviews, but there it was, out and proud. A little research showed scattered reviews that escaped me and that the gun was in stock. After scouring the internet, I decided I wanted one, but while I waited, let me share what I learned about the Nova 3 and how it differs from the Nova and SuperNova.

What They Changed on the Nova 3

Interestingly enough, they eliminated the ability to shoot 3.5-inch rounds. The Nova series has always encapsulated both sporting and tactical guns. For bird hunters, the 3.5-inch rounds were handy. I liked the 3.5-inch loading and ejecting port for the tactical guns because it made them bigger. By reducing the chambering to 3 inches, they created a shorter pump stroke, which they say will prevent short strokes.

Benelli ditched the recoil-reducing stock in favor of a big recoil pad. They also added M-LOK slots to the pump for mounting accessories. The Benelli Nova series has a shell cut-off on the pump action, making the pump proprietary. Attaching accessories has historically been difficult, making things much more manageable. There are slots on both sides and the bottom. They also use the M4 bolt head to keep the rotating action.

The Nova 3 series integrated a QD cup on the stock for slings, which is a nice touch since there aren’t many aftermarket stocks. They also widened the loading gate, which I love and appreciate. All the polymer textures have been updated and made more aggressive and easier to grip. It also seems like several factory guns have a capacity of 7 +1.

This means Benelli ensured these guns were 922R compatible. Historically, Benelli has not done that. You just get a neutered version of the weapon and must figure it out yourself. The Nova 3 has several different configurations, including multiple tactical models.

What’s impressive is that they’ve reduced the weight to 5.9 pounds with the lightest models and 6.1 pounds with the heaviest models. That’s a 20-gauge weight, and it makes the gun quite handy.

What I Like About The Nova 3

I love that they added M-LOK slots on the pump. That smart move makes this a weapon I could use for home defense because I can finally add a light. Numerous variants of the tactical model include a rail for adding an optic, which is nice to see. From what I understand, the gun uses the Benelli M4 optics footprint, which opens you up to some awesome mounting options.

I’m psyched that they widened the loading port. Loading is key to keeping a shotgun running. The 3.5-inch loading and ejection port could have been left even with a 3-inch chambering. The problem there is that people will inevitably load a 3.5-inch round and wonder why it doesn’t chamber properly.

Optic readiness is a solid take, as is making the gun 922R compliant. That makes life easier when upgrading the gun and removes the headache from the consumer. As always, I like the polymer coating, the magazine cutoff, and the ghost ring sights.

Ultimately, the Benelli Nova 3 seems to be a fantastic and highly advanced pump shotgun. However, it has one big flaw that needs to be fixed!

What I Don’t Like

The Benelli Nova 3 features the famed 14 ⅛ inch length of pull stock. I can’t understand why the Benelli Nova 3, in 2025, is still rocking an ultra-long length of pull stock. That length of pull stock is absurd for a tactical shotgun. Most modern shotguns come with adjustable stocks that use spacers to adjust the LOP.

Most people prefer the 12.5 to 13.5-inch length of pull stock for tactical use. The over 14-inch-long stock is way too long for most people. I’m a certified gorilla and feel the stock is too long. Just trim the stock or offer to use adjustable options.

Overall, I want the Nova 3 in my hands. I want to run the gun fast and hard. I can’t wait to get my hands on one. I hope it lives up to the SuperNova I’ve come to love. Hopefully, you’ll be seeing a review soon.

The .44 Special – An Underrated Option

By

Travis Pike

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April 13, 2025

Keith Finch, former editor of Gat Daily, once said something that stuck with me:

“I don’t believe in stopping power, but when I load a 250-grain .45 Colt round into a revolver, I almost believe.”

I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point. I share that same sentiment with Keith, extending to the .44 Special. I love the little .44 Special round. It’s the 10mm of revolver cartridges, not necessarily in power, but in its popularity and use.

The .44 Special has a cult following that loves the cartridge. It has a rich history, and you’re also very unlikely to see many new guns produced using it. Also, like 10mm, there are tons of .44 Special loads that are too weak to serve a purpose. Yet, if you try it once, you’ll be hooked.

The History of the .44 Special

The .44 Special is an old round. It dates back to 1907 and was initially created by Smith and Wesson. It descends from the cartridges that start with .4 and were popular in the western United States. In the early 1900s, the advent of smokeless powder was supercharging rounds, and black powder loads were on their way out.

S&W initially introduced the cartridge with the Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century. Elmer Keither declared the New Century the finest revolver ever made. That’s excellent praise from the father of the .44 Magnum. The .44 Special was intended to be a big selling point of the new revolver.

S&W based the .44 SPC on the .44 Russian. The .44 Russian was developed for the Russian military and their S&W Model 3 revolvers. The .44 Russian proved to be an accurate and popular round, so it seemed like an excellent place to start. To help improve the cartridge ballistics, the case was slightly lengthened. This also kept the .44 Special smokeless powder rounds from chambering in .44 Russian guns.

The downside is that S&W didn’t use that extra case capacity. Instead, they essentially duplicated the .44 Russian round ballistically, using a 246-grain projectile moving at 755 feet per second.

Handloaders would change this and start hot-rodding the cartridge a fair bit. They developed much more capable loads and surpassed the .44 Russian by a large margin. These handloaders eventually helped develop the .44 Magnum, but that’s a different conversation.

The .44 SPC Today

The .44 Special is still kicking around. Hornady has a modern defensive round that I used to love…until I learned a little more about the .44 Special’s potential. Hornady’s load is a 165-grain FTX round moving at 900 feet per second. I liked the round, low recoil nature and accuracy, but what’s the point of a slow-moving, rather lightweight cartridge? Without a doubt, it would be a capable self-defense round for two-legged vermin.

However, the .44 Special can do so much more. It’s capable of being an animal defense round and a two-legged vermin cartridge. Unlike the .44 Magnum, the .44 Special can be light and compact. It strikes an excellent middle ground where it can defend you from most critters while still being a capable defensive round.

Sure, I wouldn’t carry it to a bear hunt with a .44 Special for a humane kill, but it will be capable of defending you from bears with the right ammo. Buffalo Bore makes a 255-grain round moving at 1,000 feet per second that ought to solve any outdoor problems.

If you’re like me and bears aren’t an issue, but wild hogs, dogs, and coyotes are, and you want a viable self-defense option, Underwood makes a semi-wadcutter that weighs 190 grains and moves at 1,150 feet per second.

Shooting the .44 SPC

I own a Charter Arms Bulldog, a 1980s vintage of Charter Arms’ most famed gun. The Bulldog packs five rounds of .44 Special and is a compact gun with a three-inch barrel. It’s fairly simple and an interesting gun. The Bulldog is not quite pocket-carryable and is considerably larger than my 856 Defender.

It’s most certainly a vibes gun. It’s not the most efficient gun, but it’s certainly effective. The Charter Arms Bulldog shoots straight and is fun to shoot. Recoil is mild, even with some hotter, faster rounds. I’d compare it to a .357 Magnum through a medium-frame gun.

I’m not smart enough to know what exactly makes a cartridge inherently accurate. Why are the .44 Special and .32 S&W Long known for their accuracy? It’s a magic that escapes me, but it’s true. This thing makes it easy to stack rounds into a target. I can put all five rounds inside a two-inch circle at 15 yards, and I suck with revolvers.

The .44 SPC is ridiculously underrated, but it’s easy to see why. It limits your capacity and doesn’t perform at Magnum levels, but it has a magnum cost. I still like it, and I keep my eyes peeled for cheap ammo so I can continue to enjoy it and even occasionally carry my Bulldog.

Rule of Threes – Prioritize Survival Needs in a Crisis

By

Jim Cobb

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April 12, 2025

The Rule of Threes has been around for ages. It’s a useful memory device regarding survival priorities. However, it’s important to understand that the time limits used are averages at best. Nothing here is carved in stone. There are numerous factors that will affect the time frames stated at each level.

Still, it makes for a good teaching tool. This is basic stuff, Survival 101, if you will. That doesn’t diminish its importance. It isn’t a bad idea to revisit the basics from time to time.

Rule of Threes #1 – Three Minutes Without Oxygen

Rule of threes - oxygen — Your body requires oxygen, and it uses blood to move it around to your organs.

The first priority is oxygen. Your brain and other organs can’t survive very long without oxygenated blood flowing to them. Now, here’s the thing. We often interpret this rule as referring to the presence or absence of air to breathe. While that’s certainly part of the equation, the other needed factor is blood. Without enough of it, there won’t be a way to deliver oxygen to the body, even if breathing isn’t impacted. This means that if you’re injured, plugging those holes is a priority. Make sure you have first aid supplies with you.

Rule of Threes #2 – Three Hours Without Shelter

Rule of threes - shelter — You need protection from the elements.

Hypothermia is a dangerous condition where your body’s temperature falls below 95F. This can happen even in relatively mild conditions. Hyperthermia is a risk in hot and humid conditions where your body temperature is abnormally high. Generally, if your body temp hits 104F, you’re in serious trouble. Shelter from the elements, whether we’re talking about rain, snow, wind, or the hot sun, can help mitigate these problems.

You need to be able to maintain your body temperature at or near 98.6F. This starts by dressing for the weather, including proper outerwear, in addition to carrying additional supplies. These might include a rain poncho or at least a large trash can liner, as well as a fire kit.

Rule of Threes #3 – Three Days Without Water

Rule of threes - water — Dehydration can and will kill you if you can’t find water and make it safe to consume.

Dehydration can kill you. The rule of thumb is three days, but it can happen a lot sooner in hot conditions. Finding water and making it safe to drink is absolutely a priority. Something to keep in mind is that while you might survive three days without water, the latter half or so of that time will involve dizziness and confusion, coupled with listlessness.

As a practical matter, this means that by the time you reach that point, your odds of being able to source water and treat it to make it potable aren’t great. Never head out on the trail without water as well as a filter or other means of treating additional water.

Rule of Threes #4 – Three Weeks Without Food

Rule of threes - food — Trail mix is a great way to avoid missed meal cramps, but you’ll need more than that to survive a few weeks.

There are a lot of factors that will affect the length of time you can survive without food, including your physical condition, metabolism, and activity level. The more calories you burn, the more you’ll need to ingest. Health issues can also have an impact. For example, if you get sick from drinking bad water, you’ll not only lose hydration and speed up dehydration, but you’ll also lose whatever calories you may have been in the middle of processing in your digestive tract.

While most of us are probably walking around with plenty of spare calories around our middles, it is a good idea to toss at least a little food into your pack before you head out. If nothing else, taking a snack break on the trail is always a welcome treat.

The .41 Magnum and a Lesson in Ignoring Experts

By

Travis Pike

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April 12, 2025

Imagine being three of the most prominent revolver shooters, lawmen, and legends in the firearms community and having an idea. Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan, and Skeeter Skelton are giants in the revolver world. These three men passed decades ago at this point, but their legend lives on. That’s how big these guys were. They were the influencers of their era. Gun companies (mostly) listened to them. I say mostly because Remington surely didn’t when it came to the .41 Magnum.

The .41 Magnum is a largely forgotten caliber in the modern firearm zeitgeist. Hardcore revolver guys still appreciate it, but it’s like the 10mm of revolvers. It’s a cult favorite that never made a massive impact. That’s not because it wasn’t a good round; it’s because Remington couldn’t be bothered to listen to three of the most impactful revolver experts known to man.

The .41 Magnum and the Experts

The primary forces behind the .41 Magnum were Elmer Keith and Bill Jordan, with some input and expertise from Skeeter Skelton. For some, those names might not mean much. These guys were revolver experts who helped craft what we know as modern revolvers. Understanding Remington’s blunder is tough until you consider the expertise they ignored.

Bill Jordan served as a Marine in both WWII and Korea, eventually retiring as a Colonel from the reserves. Jordan also served the US Border Patrol for 28 years. He developed holsters and grips and convinced S&W to produce K-frame .357 Magnums. He wrote numerous articles and books on revolvers and shooting, the most famous of which is No Second Place Winner.

Elmer Keith was a revolver enthusiast and firearm expert. He designed the .357 Magnum and, later, the .44 Magnum. Keith convinced S&W to produce revolvers and Remington to produce the ammo for his cartridges. He designed Keither-Style bullets, which were modified semi-wadcutter designs. He also wrote extensively and is called the dean of American gun writers.

Skeeter Skelton held many titles. Skelton was a Marine, a Border Patrol Agent, a Sheriff, an investigator with Customs, and a Special Agent with the DEA. He was a freelance firearms writer who eventually retired from law enforcement to become a full-time writer. He was a handgunner and revolver man often credited with reviving the .44 Special.

These three were titans who came together to create the .41 Magnum.

The Vision of the .41 Magnum

The idea behind the .41 Magnum was to create a police and self-defense cartridge between the .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum. The new cartridge would address the weaknesses of both. The .357 Magnum has terminal ballistics issues, which became less of a problem when JHPs improved and we weren’t stuck with soft lead bullets.

The .44 Magnum was too powerful and uncomfortable to shoot. It required a larger, heavier revolver and was inappropriate for police use. The .41 Magnum could offer better terminal ballistics without the recoil and need for a massive revolver.

Keith initially had the idea of a .41 Special round. His musings were written in 1955. In 1963, work began to develop the .41 Magnum. By this time, the Magnum craze was on, so the “Special” moniker was dropped in favor of the .41 Magnum.

The cartridge’s initial vision was twofold. You could have a true magnum round throwing a 210 grain round at 1,400 feet per second, appropriate for magnum tasks like hunting big game. For defense and police work, they developed a tamer load throwing a 200 grain semi-wadcutter at 900 FPS.

The experts had a simple idea to create a versatile and capable round. Then, the proto-MBAs got involved.

How to Ruin a Good Idea

In the 1960s, the American market was overcome by the Magnum craze. Remington’s head honchos saw dollar signs and decided to take the .41 Magnum blueprint and Magnum it even more. The .41 Magnum round was released, firing a 210 grain projectile at 1,500 feet per second, while the lighter police load moved at nearly 1,200 feet per second.

The recoil turned off police forces used to the .38 Special. Additionally, S&W decided to produce N-frame revolvers for the .41 Magnum, using the same heavy frame used for the .44 Magnum. This meant the size and weight concerns weren’t addressed, and the guns were still too heavy and large for police use.

A few police agencies adopted the cartridge, but it wasn’t successful. It didn’t achieve the goals the experts aimed for. Instead, it produced what was largely viewed as a round too powerful for police work and underpowered compared to the more popular .44 Magnum. The dream of the .41 Magnum would never be realized.

The .41 Magnum Today

The .41 Magnum still has a cult following. Many enthusiasts appreciate the cartridge design and its potential. It’s one of the more underrated options. It’s interesting to think about what could have been but never will be, thanks to the industry’s failure to listen to experts.

Ask the Pros: Catching up with Nicole Apelian

By

Reuben Bolieu

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April 11, 2025

GAT_Nicole (1) — Nicole Apelian is a best-selling author, survival TV personality, mother, and educator seen on shows like Alone and Surviving The Stone Age.

What motivates survival TV personalities and experts? We’re catching up with Nicole Apelian to hear from a well-respected figure in the industry for the inside scoop!

Who is Nicole Apelian?

Meet Dr. Nicole Apelian, a multi-skilled expert in herbal medicine, biology, anthropology, and traditional skills instruction. Nicole has impressed audiences with her abilities in the outdoors. She has appeared on the History Channel’s “Alone” TV series twice, relying heavily on a knife and her intelligence to survive while completely isolated.

Her performance on the show has earned her a reputation as one of the most capable survivalists. Additionally, she has shared her knowledge and experience with others on the UK documentary series “Surviving The Stone Age.” Overall, Nicole is a respected expert in survival techniques.

How did you become affiliated with the History Channel and Alone?

Quite simply, they called me for season one. I told them to ask again for season 2, which they did. The rest, you could say, is “History”!

What are your favorite wild edibles to forage?

I love wild greens like miner’s lettuce, stinging nettle, & wood sorrel, seaweeds of all types, and mushrooms.

Allow me to introduce you to Dr. Nicole Apelian, a highly skilled professional in the fields of herbal medicine, biology, anthropology, and traditional skills instruction.

Catching up with Nicole Apelian: Tools

My answer depends on the situation, but I always like having a large knife, a good saw, and a multi-tool. I did alter the Leatherman that I took on Alone so that I’d have an awl and a chisel–no need for screwdrivers in the bush/woods.

Nicole Apelian is a highly skilled expert in nature, culture, and survival. She possesses diverse expertise in herbal medicine, biology, anthropology, and traditional skills instruction.

Who would you consider a mentor or significant influence in your life?

My stepfather, a chemistry professor, was my biggest mentor growing up. We’d go on adventures together, camping, canoeing, hiking, always bringing our field guides, curiosity, and a lot of fun and laughter. I was a rather feral child, and he fostered that even more in me; I also became a scientist like him.

My parents always encouraged me to follow my passions and instilled in me the importance of giving back to the world. Now, I’ve passed on all that he taught me to my children.

When was the first time you were lost?

Very deep in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, 1995. I made the (incorrect) assumption that the people I was with in the bush knew where we were going. It was a dicey situation. I’m much smarter now—haha!

Nicole Apelian: Most miserable time on Alone.

Honestly, the transition home was the most difficult for me (I really loved my time on Alone, even with its challenges). The transition back to society was completely overwhelming after spending so much time solo in nature. That was much harder than anything I had experienced in the field.

What do you love about teaching wilderness awareness skills?

I love it when someone “gets it,” and you not only see that they’ve mastered a skill, but you see a new light in their eyes. Igniting that spark brings me deep joy.

If you could go to a foreign environment to camp/learn/explore, where would it be?

Nicole was fortunate to spend time with the San Bushman, who has made Botswana’s vast and stunning Kalahari desert their abode.

I love to travel and learn from people from cultures different from ours. I’ve spent a lot of time with a community of Kalahari San Bushmen in Botswana, Africa, who are like family to me. Every time I’m with them, I absorb even more of their skills and ways of connecting with each other and with the land around them.

When I travel, I seek out local ways of living and do my best to learn how they connect with nature. My most recent travels were to Egypt with my sons. Not sure where my next adventure will take me, but I have many places on my list.

Catching up with Nicole Apelian: Gear Designs

I’m really proud of my bush bolo knife, designed by myself and knife maker Ron Macy and which I took on both seasons of Alone. I needed one knife to do the job of many, and this one didn’t disappoint. I also really like the firestarter necklace by Wazoo Survival Gear. It’s a simple, effective design, and the Apelian Utility Work Fleece by Dovetail Workwear—finally, durable workwear for women!

My last item is the foraging bandana I helped design. It’s a one-of-a-kind foraging field guide that you can wear, carry, and use daily. It’s also beautiful.

For more information, please check out Nicole Apelian, Ph.D.
www.nicoleapelian.com
https://nicoleapelian.com/books/

The .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer

By

Travis Pike

-

April 11, 2025

Striking, eye-catching, and bizarre are the terms I’d use to describe the .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer. You may have seen this odd-looking round floating around the internet, but you had no idea what you were looking at. You just know you are looking at something weird. Weird cartridges are nothing new, and we will be examining one of the most interesting and bizarre cartridges ever produced, the .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer.

The .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer is a very real cartridge. At least one rifle was produced to shoot it, and it was the product of a legendary ballistician. The cartridge had a fairly unique purpose, and it wasn’t designed for commercial use but for one simple experiment to answer one question. Can a projectile fired from a rifle reach 5,000 feet per second?

The Challenge

Bob Hutton, editor of Guns & Ammo magazine and owner of Hutton’s Rifle Ranch, put out a bit of a challenge. He wanted a cartridge to throw a projectile at 5,000 feet per second. Hutton had a long history of testing cartridges at the Rifle Ranch, including the 5.56x45mm, which he tested at Eugene Stoner’s behest.

Guns & Ammo regularly took contributions from a man named P.O. Ackley. If that name is new to you, you should research the man. P.O. Ackley was a rifleman, gunsmith, barrel maker, columnist, and wildcat cartridge developer. The man developed dozens of cartridges that were often improved versions of existing cartridges. He often blew up guns just to see what he could learn from doing so.

When he heard of Hutton’s idea for a cartridge that would exceed 5,000 feet per second, he got to work. His end result was a 50-grain .224 caliber bullet on a .378 Weatherby Magnum case. He had to seriously neck the cartridge down. The massive case had plenty of capacity and allowed 105 grains of H570 powder.

Did it Work?

P.O. Ackley reportedly sent Bob Hutton a batch of hand-loaded ammo and a hand-built rifle to test. As far as I can tell, it’s the only rifle of this caliber ever produced and the only ammo load. Bob tested the cartridge, and it achieved a speed of 4,600 feet per second.

While the .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer didn’t achieve its goal, it did produce a fairly humorous and unique cartridge. From the name to the purpose, this was never to be taken all that seriously and was seen as an experiment. It’s completely possible that someone could take a run at this experiment with modern, slower-burning powders and reach the 5,000-foot-per-second goal.

The .22 Earsplitting Loudenboomer – An Offshoot

Before we go, I need to mention the .22 Earsplitting Loudenboomer, which is a bit different in design and the name of the Eargesplitten Loudenboomer. This was a .22 caliber projectile placed on a .50 BMG casing. Machinist Zach Weighman produced this ‘cartridge’ as a joke. It’s a novelty and appears to be an empty, unprimed case.

The Meme

The .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer is more than a meme. It was a serious attempt to tackle a specific goal. While the cartridge might not have hit that goal, it did make a lasting impression on the firearms world and its culture.

P365 Mania

By

P.E. Fitch

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April 10, 2025

Even though I’m in the business of writing about firearms, I have a dirty little secret—my embarrassing list of popular guns in circulation that I’ve never shot before. Among these are the Browning Hi Power, the FN SCAR, the Ruger 10/22, the Mossberg 590, the Ruger SP101, the Savage 110, and, up until very recently, the SIG-Sauer P365.

(And worry not, because I am waiting on a Savage 110 Magpul Scout to review in the coming weeks).

As far as the Ruger 10/22 is concerned, I don’t really have an answer for that one. I always preferred bolt-action .22 LR rifles, I guess…

But damn, it was about time I tried shooting a SIG Sauer P365. I’m penning this only a few days after submitting my SIG Sauer P365 FUSE review manuscript to another publication. But prior to conducting that review, I had no practical experience with SIG Sauer’s popular micro-compact models.

I’m not completely oblivious to the SIG P365. These pistols constitute some of SIG Sauer’s best-sellers amongst guns sold today. P365s can be found in nearly any establishment that sells firearms, be they mom-and-pop shops or big-box operations. Their slimmer profiles and micro-compact frames lend themselves quite well to carrying convenience, and there’s no doubt that their practicality and form factor also.

The original version of the SIG Sauer P365 was launched in January 2018. It turned many heads because it somehow managed to squeeze so many 9mm cartridges into its micro-compact frame. From that point forward, these little guns took off, and it wasn’t long before nearly every concealment holster maker began offering fits for them.

The P365 Blueprint

Two key elements in its initial success lie in the P365’s “stack-and-a-half” magazine designs that allow for a great size to capacity ratio. Likewise, it the fact that P365s are built around an FCU (fire control unit). The fire control unit is a concept borrowed from the original SIG-Sauer P250.

Its gist is that the trigger mechanism is contained in a serialized (and regulated) sub-assembly, which is independent of the actual grip or frame. Both of these elements meant that it wasn’t difficult for SIG-Sauer to build off the P365’s core design without having to reinvent the wheel. In a similar vein, the FCU is the reason why the SIG P320 also has an entire laundry list of sub-variants.

Besides the original 2018 P365 model, other notable P365 product launches include the slightly larger P365 XL that followed in June of 2019. During the autumn of 2022, three years later, the even bigger P365 X-Macro models made their way into gun shop display cases. The X-Macro guns were the first to sport 17-round standard-capacity magazines, and I distinctly remember my bewilderment. “17 rounds in a frame of that size?”

Finally, last summer, SIG Sauer followed up after the XL and Macro models by introducing P365 FUSE—the inspiration behind this article.

Full-Size FUSE

The SIG-Sauer P365 FUSE is currently the largest variant in the SIG-Sauer P365 product line. Like the SIG P365 X-Macro models, the P365 FUSE includes a standard capacity 17-round magazine. Unlike its X-Macro siblings, the FUSE has a longer 4.3-inch barrel. It does share the same frame otherwise, and all FUSE slides are optics-ready.

The P365 FUSE checks off virtually most of the specs found on contemporary duty-size polymer-frame striker-fired 9mm pistols. However, thanks to that stack-and-a-half magazine scheme and its FCU, the grip module retains the original thinner width of the standard SIG P365. This means that the FUSE doesn’t feel like a typical double-stack striker gun at all.

The thing about the P365 FUSE is that its most important details overlap with those of full-size 9mm duty handguns—that higher capacity and barrel length longer than four inches (a benefit when it comes to muzzle velocity development). And being brand new to the P365 family, I think that’s what makes the FUSE in particular so interesting.

The combination of its size, features, and specifications could make it a do-it-all gun for a general-purpose use case. It is thinner and thus easier to carry, but it does so without giving up any firepower or handling ability.

In my formal review, I noted that the grip is long enough to accommodate the three fingers of most adults’ firing hands comfortably. Such an attribute allows the gun to be extremely controllable despite its lighter weight. Yes, felt-recoil is consequently more noticeable, but not to any detrimental extent. In the review, I also touch on the fact that a smaller overall circumference of the grip makes it easier to grip harder and thus control better, too.

Can The P365 FUSE It Do It All?

I’m only 300 rounds into this gun, which is a pithy sum of ammo, all things considered. So, it would be physically impossible to write a long-term report on my experiences. A break-in was practically mandatory because the slide was extremely stiff when racking. Most handguns, even modern ones, always “feel” better after shooting at least those first 200 or so rounds through them. Specifically for the P365 FUSE, I felt that the break-in period was actually mandatory.

During the first few mags, I had several instances of the pistol failing to fully go into battery with factory 124 NATO loads. I think I’m in the clear after the first 200 rounds, but I wouldn’t mind shooting the pistol some more to be sure, given my lack of hands-on familiarity with P365 models.

After shooting the gun from the rest for the original review, its apparent mechanical accuracy really impressed me. The P365 FUSE sports a carbon-steel barrel rifled with a ubiquitous barrel twist of 1:10. Hornady’s 115-grain Critical Defense XTP based load printed tightly at 15-yards. However, I’m even more excited about its potential with 147-grain bullets.

So far I’ve only tried HOP Munitions’ 147-grain Poly RN match loads which have an advertised muzzle velocity of 900 fps and are designed to make minor power-factor. 20 of these averaged out to 904 FPS and a power-factor of 132. Their gentler recoil impulse also made shooting this load very comfortable; I wouldn’t have any qualms about shooting this gun in USPSA Carry Optics.

The FUSE’s Stock Trigger

Unfortunately, some of its prime accuracy can be somewhat offset by its stock trigger. Though manageable, it requires a lot of practice and deliberate trigger management. If one isn’t careful when breaking the shot with this trigger, one can end up printing fliers and throwing shots.

Personally, I don’t think it’s the end of the world. As a striker-fired trigger without a bladed safety, I find that my P365 FUSE’s actual trigger-pull weight and required travel distance more than make up for that. This is a defensive carry pistol and not a 50-yard Camp Perry gun after all.

To best answer the question about whether this skinny gun could “really do it all”, I’d have to keep shooting and training with the pistol to see how it performs over the long-term. I am not sweating the pre-break-in stoppages I experienced, but I want to ensure they were just that and nothing more.

I’m also interested in seeing if and how the feeling of the trigger pull changes once the gun gets to its first 1000 rounds.

The Takeaway

In the end, I also recognize that this handgun won’t be everyone’s cup of tea either.

First, it still has an overall length of more than 7 inches, which can make concealment tricky for some. Its thinness is irrelevant in this regard.

Two, I can imagine that a certain pool of sophisticated handgun shooters will want nothing to do with the pistol due to its trigger pull. Personally, I don’t mind the trade-off, considering all of the benefits the P365 FUSE posits. Likewise, as with all other P365s, the P365 FUSE also lacks fully ambidextrous controls. There’s only one slide-release lever on the left side of the pistol meant for right-handed shooters.

It can be a potential deal-breaker for some. Again, it’s a trade-off. As a left-handed shooter, I’m already used to adapting to a right-handed firearms world. Due to its thinness, the P365 FUSE slide only works with RMSc/Holosun-K optics footprints, and similarly, its accessory rail accepts smaller TLR-7-sized weapon lights.

The SIG P365 FUSE Isn’t the First of Its Kind

Finally, it’s also worth pointing out that the P365 FUSE isn’t actually the first pistol of its kind to hit the market. That distinction arguably belongs to the Glock 48, which is slightly smaller than the FUSE, but only marginally. After all, what is a Glock 48 but a skinny Glock 19?

One of the first things I did when I brought the P365 FUSE home was to put it beside the Glock 48 and size it up. Not surprisingly, they share a similar footprint, with the FUSE being slightly larger and longer.

The FUSE also isn’t the only contender in the game, as different gunmakers also offer thinner-but-bigger models centered around practical daily carry. But tying it back to its original P365 parent, seeing where the modularity of SIG-Sauer’s P365 FCU and stack-and-a-half magazine design attributes are taking modern carry pistols is getting very interesting.

This counts not only for the SIG-Sauer P365 FUSE but also its competitors.

Interarms Was A CIA Front

By

Travis Pike

-

April 10, 2025

It’s always been one of those open secrets that Interarms, a famed Virginia-based arms importer, worked for the CIA or with the CIA. The owner, or who appeared to be the owner, Samuel Cummings, had a long history of working with the government, including the CIA. The old joke that no one ever really leaves the CIA seems quite true regarding Mr. Cummings.

There has been a massive release of documents from the CIA concerning the JFK assassination, and part of those documents confirmed that the CIA didn’t just work with Interarms; they owned the organization. Samuel Cummings acted as their representative and eventually purchased the company, but it seemed to be in the CIA space until it was taken over by High Standard.

Interarms and the Document

The connection between Interarms and JFK’s assassination is tenuous. Interarms indeed imported the Caracano rifle, but it was sold through a gun store in Chicago to Oswald. The reason Interarms even came up was because one Gary Underhill, a CIA employee, was openly discussing how a CIA clique killed Kennedy. Underhill reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself in the back of the head. Convenient.

Underhill was a friend of Samuel Cummings, and that’s how Cummings was tied to the released files. Cummings was first employed by the OSI in 1950 but had served as an Army weapon specialist in World War II. He was used to purchase weapons for a wide range of clients, from Hollywood to the Taiwan Government. In Korea, he was used to identify captured weapons.

According to the documents released, he purchased weapons for the CIA in 1951 and 1952. These weapons were intended to be funneled to resistance efforts behind the Iron Curtain. It was not until 1954 that Cummings became the principal agent of International Armament Corporation and Interarmco Ltd.

These companies were incorporated in the United States, Canada, and Switzerland. The files state that he engaged in sharp business practices and was extremely difficult to control.

The Business of Interarms

Samuel Cummings is largely responsible for the surplus in the United States. He went wild, buying guns from everyone who’d be willing to sell. He brought in piles of cheap surplus firearms from both World Wars and saturated the market with them. Outside of surplus, Interarms became the export sales agent for small arms companies, including the sole exporter of Armalite.

He took the AR-10 to South America and demonstrated the weapon. He famously sold 100 of the rifles to Fulgenico Batista. Fidel Castro’s forces intercepted those 100 rifles. Cummings sent Castro a letter asking him to pay for or return the rifles. Castra invited Cummings to visit and even paid for the rifles, hoping to purchase more.

An arms embargo blocked the sale. I imagine the CIA wouldn’t be excited for more arms to be sold to Castro’s forces. Cummings later supplied the arms used in the Bay of Pigs disaster.

Those Cuban AR-10s found their way to the Dominican Republic in the hands of rebels. This culminated with an enraged Trujillo demanding to know why AR-10s were being used by rebels when Cummings arrived to visit to discuss arms sales.

In 1972, an anonymous tip brought 126 cases to the attention of officials in Nieuwhaven on the Netherlands Antillian island of Suracao. These cases came from Venezuela and were on a Belgian freighter. The officials uncovered machine guns, grenades, ammo, and five dismantled U.S. F-86 Sabre fighter planes. This was a shipment by Interarms, and some of it eventually disappeared from the port.

Anyone Anywhere (Kind Of)

Cummings and Interarms only supplied American-backed forces with guns. This included M1 Garands to Castillo Armas in 1954, Vampire jets to Trujillo, small arms to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Sten Guns to Finland, half a million FALs to Argentina, and Lee-Enfields to Pakistan and Kenya.

Cummings eventually purchased Interarms from the CIA for $100,000. As part of the deal, the CIA kept control of $250,000 of inventory that Cummings would sell for them. Even after this, it seemed like Cumming kept close ties to the Intelligence Community.

He reportedly attempted to purchase several Soviet-era weapons for the BND and DIA, including a T-54 Tank. The CIA claims in the documents released that they had no operational interest in Cummings and weren’t paying him. They state that any information he provided was volunteered to them.

I’m not conspiracy-minded, but if I had to guess, Cummings wasn’t getting money from the CIA directly, but they made it really easy for him to make a fortune selling weaponry. Governments can sell guns, but purchases are recorded and are forced to go through committees and approvals. Why do that when you can just have a private company move guns from one country to another?

Especially if you need to prop up a dictator or overthrow a democratically elected government? It’s nice to know that an open secret is no longer a secret. I wonder what comes out next.

ASP Releases the Defender LE Duty Grade OC Spray

By

Tim Stetzer

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April 9, 2025

ASP is certainly no newcomer to the less lethal field. They’ve made the world’s most popular collapsible batons since the beginning. They’ve also had their Defender line of keychain pepper OC sprays out for a while now. Due to police officer and agency demand, ASP has now introduced the Defender LE. The Defender LE is a duty OC line of premium pepper spray aerosols that will be available to civilians as well as law enforcement personnel.

ASP Defender LE

According to ASP, the Defender LE OC sprays boast an industry-leading 1.4% major capsaicinoid potency, UV marking die, and omnidirectional dispersal with a 15-18 foot range. The OC sprays are nonflammable and CEW (Conducted Electrical Weapon) safe.

The Defender LE’s come in two sizes, a 2.68-ounce MK-3 and a 4.3-ounce MK-4. It comes in stream, gel, or fog formats. Inert training sprays to correspond with each type are available as well.

ASP doesn’t just drop new products, either. They make sure that law enforcement knows how to use them.

According to ASP, “Defender LE is supported by a new, police-designed, tuition-free law enforcement training program to set officers and agencies up for success on the street.”

That program is run directly by ASP for the police. Civilians aren’t left out, though. ASP has partnered with the USCCA (United States Concealed Carry Association), which is offering a “Non-Lethal Tools for Self-Defense Course.” The USCCA runs those classes, and it covers other less lethal tools as well.

The Defender LE actuators (trigger button, basically) feature flip-top safeties. The actuators and canisters are both color-coded to make it easy to tell active contents from inert ones. The canisters also have a serial number and expiration date. That’s great for department issue inventory and evidence control, but handy for civilians to know how current their spray is as well.

Prices are a very reasonable $19 to $21, depending on size. The trainers are a couple of bucks less.

If you don’t have a less lethal option in your toolkit, you really should. Pepper spray isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a good tool to have. ASP’s new Defender LE makes it an affordable one, too. Grabbing some training if you don’t have it through something like the USCCA is a good idea, too.