Bye Bye Mall Ninja It’s Time For the Amazon Ninja

By

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October 18, 2022

All across America, our former palaces of consumerism are closing. The malls just aren’t bringing the clientele they used to. My local mall is barely hanging on, and I’m pretty sure it’s because the food court has a Chik-Fil-A. With malls closing, where are the mall ninjas supposed to go? Well, it turns out we are done with mall ninjas; now it is the time for the Amazon Ninja.

While the malls die, Amazon has risen to be the consumer choice for cheap goods. They sell everything. In the deepest, darkest, and messiest corners of Amazon sits a variable armory for the mall ninja. All the gear, weapons, and accessories they needed to get with the times and become the Amazon ninja they were meant to be.

With that in mind, I browsed this dark corner and found five pieces of gear you absolutely have to have to be an Amazon ninja. Admittedly I left off cosplay, paintball, and airsoft gear. Instead, I found some stuff that truly makes me scratch my head and ask why?

The Gear of the Amazon Ninja

Tactical Scythe

There are about 8 million different Amazon ninja-level sharp things on Amazon. Knives, machetes, spears, swords, and more, but the KCCEDGE BEST CUTLERY SOURCE tactical scythe takes the cake. A tactical scythe is certainly a new take on bladed weapons.

This thing features a 12-inch long design with a 7-inch blade made from only the highest quality Chinesium.

It offers ‘razor-sharp cutting performance,’ though. What exactly are you cutting with a tactical scythe? You could swing it like an axe, but it’s not an ax, so it won’t have the same damaging effect.

This is a farm implement, and if you are an oppressed Japanese farmer, then it could be a weapon. The Amazon ninja isn’t. Jeez, just go to Cold Steel like the rest of us when we want crazy blades. At least those will work and do something.

Shoulder Pauldron

Old-school armor is pretty dang cool. You can’t look at a real Samurai’s armor and go meh. So why not adopt a pauldron for your modern plate carrier? You might be thinking, that’s been done before. Soft armor shoulder protectors exist, yeah, but they don’t look cool. Looking cool is half the battle. So why not get a pauldron that looks like a Samurai’s and attach it to your plate carrier?

Who cares if it offers zero protection? It looks cool. Yeah, it’s just a nylon cord holding some dog-tag-sized pieces of steel together. It likely would protect you from the sun and bug bites! For 150 dollars, can you look any cooler? I don’t think so!

The post even says perfect for law enforcement! So that way, you know it’s legit.

This Scope

Ha, your scope only provides you with one way to aim at your target! The Amazon ninja has one that provides a 1-4X LPVO, a red dot, and a laser, and tops it all off with a flashlight for the low, low price of 249.99 and your dignity. Plus, it even says it’s a sniper scope, so you know it’s a quality piece of gear.

The Sniper ST1 is what happens when you have a grab bag of crap and combine it all together. What breaks my heart is the 4.5-star rating it has and the number of five-star reviews from people who haven’t used or sighted it in yet.

What’s even worse is at 250 bucks, you are only 30 bucks shy of a Primary Arms 1-6X.

This Holster

Listen, I watched Face Off when I was twelve to and I also thought that Nic Cage’s gold 1911s and dual small of the back holster was a solid combination. However, twenty years later, I think we all recognize cringe when we see it. However, the Amazon ninja doesn’t fear the cringe.

He carries his dual 1911s, which together still hold fewer rounds than my P365-XMacro, in a small of the back, dual gun holster. Who cares if you call on it and permanently injure your spine? Who cares that it’s difficult to conceal, and you wouldn’t know if your shirt accidentally got caught on the guns. You need your New york reload regardless of how much it weighs and how inefficient it is.

Punish Your AR-15

Do you feel like your AR-15 is just too plain? Maybe you want to spice it up and add some style. If cerakote is too expensive and you’re an Amazon Ninja, then I have the answer for you. Your AR-15 has been a bad boy, so Punish it with these all-metal Punisher decals. Apply them with ease via the stick back. They even come in various colors to really get your style on.

People will say these are useless and dumb, and I disagree. They do serve a purpose. They allow us to know everything about you by doing nothing more than glancing at your rifle. Thanks for self-identifying.

Being The Amazon Ninja

Are you an Amazon Ninja? Maybe you learned something about yourself today. Hopefully, it’s how to be better. Don’t get me wrong. I like silly stuff and I own a massive bowie knife for no other reason than I want one. I get it but try to restrict it to the fun stuff, not real weapons, optics, or armor.

Gun Deals: The Police Trade-In

By

Keith Finch

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October 18, 2022

Budgets are tight, but self defense is an insurance you shouldn’t skip on. So I am borrowing a quick video from Aim Surplus to highlight a place you can look, in a category you can look within, for very good firearms often for less money up front. This category isn’t always stocked and the stock changes with time, but there is usually something good at any given time. It also won’t be filled with the latest and greatest in tech, but it will be solid. It might not be the caliber you want, but it will be a caliber that will work.

Police Trade-Ins

Departments cycle through handguns, they usually have policies in place for maintenance and retirement of handguns on a schedule. This is influenced by a variety of factors, but no more so than budget.

Budget is probably a factor for you too, if you’re looking at trade-ins vs. new especially looking to save. You also might just be looking for a project gun or a decent deal on a spare, but I’m addressing people looking for primaries at the moment.

Police departments will retire an armory and cycle it at some point, they will refresh their pistols, rifles, and shotguns, and common practice when they do so is to trade in the old models to discount the new ones. The old guns then get a once over and enter the used market at very competitive prices. Why? They’ve already been paid for and traded, twice, you are the second user transfer in the custody chain and the others were manufacturers/retailer/maintainers.

Also remember, “old” is relative on these. Police trade in cans happen quickly, sometimes firearms are less than two or three years old, sometimes they were only fired for qualifications and have very low round counts, sometimes they were unissued at all as department staffing or policy changed.

Don’t fear the trade in. Especially if it saves you $200 and gets you a better base firearm.

“Unissued”

Here’s the item that really got my wheels turning on this topic, and if they’re still in stock as you’re reading AIM have fresh 6920Rs, what happened to make a purchased firearm go unissued?

Was it overflow purchased in case a gun needed to be swapped out? That is a highly sensible policy as it allows for a quick return to functionally armed for an officer, while the armorer takes care of a repair or sends a firearm to be repaired, as policy and staff may dictate. Instead of paying a salary for an armorer on a small department, the department may just buy a pair of extra rifles incase one an officer has breaks, they’ll swap it out for a working one and send the down one in for repair. This is the military logistics model too, have spares for rapid replacement and fix broken items away from the critical location whenever feasible.

It also vexes me in other ways, “unissued” is often an optics issue. Not optics on the rifles (although I’ve run into that one too), but the political and public perception optics of having a scary rifle. Department political animals will underarm and under prepare their officers, risking their safety further, rather than have a department look too militant. Similar problems were in the military, although for different motives. Armories would not issue optics or ancillaries out of fear of soldiers losing them so instead they would cripple the soldier’s training and capabilities so their spreadsheets would look good.

Optics superior in every way to iron sights? Nope, leave them in the armory, don’t want to lose it in the field training for war where those optics are crucial life saving equipment.

I know a department that cannot use optics because they “look too militant”, officers are forced to use an inferior and slower method of sighting for a critical and life saving situation because the superior system makes the rifle too scary to a casual observer. This may have been what forced these Colt rifles into an unissued retirement.

Yes, greater risk to life and injury of officers and citizens for the uninformed comfort of the public and/or political animal’s perceptions. If that isn’t a summary of gun control accomplishes, I don’t know what is.

CCW Insurance Is Booming

By

Lars Smith

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October 17, 2022

Concealed carry insurance is up — Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/oct/3/more-people-seeking-concealed-carry-insurance-as-g/

While it might once have been an unexpected addendum to the bathroom break of a carry permit class, the CCW insurance pitch is becoming an expected part of it. There are now over a half dozen companies offering some sort of assured legal assistance in the unlikely event that you wind up forced to lawfully defend yourself. The once rare concept limited to high-pressure sales is now advertised in all facets of gun life, and often comes with a surprising volume of swag.

There are over a half dozen companies offering this sort of legal coverage in most states (NY, NJ, and surprisingly WA are notable outliers) and the once limited field is now rife with competition. If you’re interested in a product like this, you’ve never had a greater spread of CCW insurance options, and each of them generally has some benefit over their competitors.

This means you can choose whichever provider addresses your greatest concern, whether it’s cost, coverage limits, covered weapons, quality (or existence) of their included defensive handgun training assets, lost wages coverage, civil/criminal liability coverage, or whether you can pick your own lawyer.

With recent high-profile lawsuits against people who have used arms to defend themselves, it’s no wonder this sort of product is exploding in popularity, and one has to assume this is generally a positive trend, indicative of an increase in the number of citizens choosing to lawfully arm themselves. It’s worth noting that CCW insurance doesn’t correlate 1:1 with carry permits, or gun ownership.

There are plenty of people without carry permits who want to lawyer up for home defense, and plenty of long time carriers who are just now looking at coverage. That said, we already know from the last two years of headlines that carry permit applications and gun sales in general, especially to first-time owners, is up, so it’s a good thing to hear that more of them than ever are thinking ahead, considering the possible consequences of lawful carry, and hopefully getting some professional training in too.

How to Hide from Thermals

By

Travis Pike

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October 17, 2022

Night vision devices of all types are becoming more and more popular in the civilian market They are getting cheaper and cheaper, and while still expensive, they are in more hands than ever before. With that in mind, it might be wise to consider means to counter some of these technologies. Today we are going to look at a few methods to counter thermals. Like most forms of camouflage, none are perfect.

Think of it this way. These forms of camouflage are a lot like a flashlight. A white bright light will make you a beacon, but if you cover that light with a red filter, then you’d reduce your noticeable signature. Sure it’s not as great as turning the light off, but unfortunately, you can’t turn an opponent’s thermals off.

The Packable Method – Space Blanket

A space blanket works well for hiding your thermal IR signature. These blankets are very light and very easy to pack. They can be quite convenient to help prevent someone with thermal technology from finding you. The space blanket forms a nice layer between you and the bad guy with thermals.

If you wrap it around you to prevent the bad guys from seeing you, then eventually, the blanket will warm up and become detectable by thermal optics. If you plan to be stationary, you can drape the blanket over something and stand behind it to avoid getting too close and warming ti up.

A wool blanket will also work, but tends to be less packable than a space blanket.

Urban Method – Glass

If you find yourself working in an urban environment where the threat situation involves thermal optics, then glass provides a great barrier to prevent your infrared signature from popping up under thermals. Stick to buildings with intact windows. They allow you to look out (with other optics) and prevent the enemy from seeing you with thermal IR optics.

The Gecko Method – Use Heat

This one is tricky, but you can be a thermal gecko to avoid thermals. You can utilize objects in your environment to disguise your thermal signature. These objects will also glow under thermal optics, and you can hide near them to disguise your signature.

Things like brick walls are often quite warm and retain warmth for a period after the sunsets. Plenty of natural objects stay warm throughout the night, especially in industrialized urban areas. This often takes a thermal optic of your own to properly gauge the level of camouflage.

When all else fails, light a fire. Fires create bright spots, hot smoke, and more than can be useful to disguise yourself from the eyes of a predator armed with thermals. Who knew a dumpster fire could be so handy?

The High-Tec Option – UF Pro Camoshield

When all else fails, companies like UF Pro Camoshield offer awesome IR camouflage. This stuff isn’t cheap, but it does do a pretty dang good job of providing a wearable IR thermal camo that protects the user from total observation. Admittedly the flaws here come from whatever is exposed.

Do you plan to try and cover your entire face and eyes? Probably not, but much like the red filter over a white light, this helps disguise your signature a bit more than nothing. This stuff has proven to be pretty impressive, and it’s an awesome option, especially when you know your opponent has thermal technology.

Hopefully, the price of camouflage like this lowers as more companies get into the anti-IR game.

The Predator Method – Mud?

In what many describe as the best movie ever made, Predator, Arnold Schwarzenegger uses mud to disguise himself from the Predator. He fights smarter, not harder, and ultimately lives to see another day. With that in mind, would mud work?

As long as the mud is the same temperature as the ambient environment, it could work fairly well…but for a short period of time. You’ll have to constantly reapply mud because it will dry and warm up against your skin. Plus, it might just fall off. Now, if you pull an Arnold and lay in a mud pit, then it might work a little longer.

I don’t think I’d rely on it for serious use.

Hiding From Thermals

Hiding from thermal technology isn’t easy. Its purpose built to detect the invisible waves of IR coming off of you. It’s Odin’s all-seeing eye at times. That doesn’t mean you have to make it easy. A little bit of know-how will help reduce your overall signature and should be a part of any modern camouflage skillset.

Gunday Brunch 73: Gun Guy Halloween Do’s and Don’ts

By

David Reeder

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October 16, 2022

Hey, Halloween is coming up and you’re going to want to dress up, right? Don’t be that guy that has the lame gun guy costume. Be awesome instead with our helpful tips.

Wolf Hunt Gone Wrong

By

Lars Smith

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October 15, 2022

Amber Rose Wolf Hunt Photo — Photo Credit: Amber Rose

https://nypost.com/2022/09/27/montana-woman-kills-skins-husky-after-mistaking-it-for-wolf/

A Montana woman recently claimed she was on a bear hunt, and had purchased a wolf tag in case she came across one while looking for bear. After returning from the trip, she posted photos of a “wolf pup” she had killed, skinned, and clearly intended to make into a trophy. It apparently wasn’t until after her photos began circulating online, and the comments started to pile up, that she began to second guess herself.

What she shot and skinned is (one has to imagine) to anyone with functioning eyes, very clearly a husky, or husky mix dog. Worse, she refers to it as a “pup”, indicating that she intended to kill a juvenile animal. Apparently a large collection of dogs

Her defense was that she believed it to be a wolf pup, (though in later posts she says she believed it to have been a hybrid) and that even if she had known it was a dog, she would have shot it anyway because it was, and we cannot make this up, “…growling howling and coming at me like it was going to eat me”.

While it’s legal to hunt wolves with a tag in Montana, and one has to imagine that she really did believe it to be a wolf (however difficult that mixup might seem) because she posted pictures of herself with it, and its skinned hide, it’s still at best a wildly unfortunate failure as a hunter, gun owner, and human being. The deceased dog was part of a group that was later rescued from the wilderness and taken to a shelter. In total, 11 canines made it out of their encounter with Amber, and we hope at the very least that she’s learned to respect Rule 4 (know your target and what’s beyond it) a bit more.

A Proper Introduction To Guns

By

Lars Smith

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October 14, 2022

introduction to guns — Photo Credit: Sandra Stroud Yamane

“I Am Grateful for This Experience That Forced Me to Get Uncomfortable (Fall 2022 Student Range Visit Reflection #7)

Sociology Professor David Yamane is himself an unexpected friend to gun ownership, having lived most of his life giving them little thought. His introduction to guns as a potential interest arose from some rough interactions in his neighborhood, and a chance viewing of “Top Shot” got him interested, and exemplified a new concept for him, and many people: Guns can be fun. Not just a lethal tool for good or ill depending on the wielder, but a plain old good time. If you haven’t grown up around guns, and your only impression of them is from the media, then you aren’t likely to have that sort of perspective readily available to you. He emphasizes that this is at least, if not more important than his interest in being able to defend himself, in helping him turn the corner on gun ownership, and that’s something we as pro-gun advocates should remember!

A decade later, and he has written a book, writes a blog, and teaches a college course, all of which center on the concept of “Gun Culture 2.0”: The recent movement of gun ownership away from sporting, into self-defense, marked by an increase in diversity.

While Prof. Yamane does a lot of outreach, speaking to both sides of the gun issue to facilitate better understanding, perhaps the most interesting aspect of his work in this sphere is the class he teaches, and most especially, the shooting portion thereof. Many of his students, all of which are private college students taking a 300-level sociology course, have no prior experience with guns, and it is interesting to read their reactions to the experience, which he shares on his blog. This safe, controlled environment makes for a great introductions to guns, and the students write out their generally positive experiences, which Prof. Yamane often shares on his blog.

Despite the significant work Prof. Yamane does in his outreach, writing, and speaking, it is perhaps this course, and the live-fire experience that is the most impactful. Changing someone’s mind about a divisive, and often vitriolic sociopolitical topic like gun ownership is a powerful thing, and more often than not, that’s what he does by offering this experience to his students. Do yourself a favor and give the student review of the live-fire “field trip” from his latest class a read, and take a page from Prof. Yamane the next time you have a chance to be someone’s introduction to guns for the first time. Minds change through firsthand experience, not internet arguments, and we need all the people on our side we can get.

The ExtraCarry Universal 9mm Pouch – Pack a Spare

By

Travis Pike

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October 14, 2022

Carrying a spare magazine isn’t tough, but it’s not always easy, especially when it comes to concealed carry. Carrying a spare might not always be necessary, but when you need a spare, you really need a spare. One of the better ways to carry a spare magazine is to toss it in your pocket. The ExtraCarry mag pouch is a new kind of pocket carry design. They produce a universal 9mm magazine pouch that drops into your pocket without much of a fight.

The ExtraCarry – A New Kind of Pocket Carry

There are tons of different pocket-carry magazine options these days. Each has strengths and weaknesses. The main strength of the ExtraCarry is the fact that it’s an actual pouch. There is no magnetics or anything else like that. The pouch is a pouch, and that pouch encapsulates your magazine without your topmost rounds sticking into the gunk of your pocket.

The ExtraCarry uses a pocket knife-like clip and behind that clip sits two little lips that cling to your pocket. The ExtraCarry is made primarily from polymer with a metal clip to keep it safely positioned in your pocket. The polymer is a carbon fiber reinforced nylon material that is tough and doesn’t give or flex.

How the ExtraCarry Universal Works

When you look at a Glock 19, an EC9, and P365 magazines, the differences are clear. The various heights and widths make the magazines very different, so how exactly can you use one carrier for them all? ExtraCarry figured it out via their universal 9mm pouch. The ExtraCarry design implements three points of retention at the base of the pouch.

These three points can be adjusted to grow or shrink. A flat head screwdriver unlocks the points, and you can expand or contract the design to fit small single-stack magazines all the way up to the big Glock double stacks. Once you’ve found the right size, tighten the screws down, and bam, your pouch fits whatever 9mm magazine you need it to.

That addresses width, but what about length? The differences in length are important for a proper draw. At the back of the magazine pouch, you have four screws with five different height levels. Unscrew, adjust, and make sure it is the perfect height for a clean draw and reload.

It’s clever and simple. It can be adjusted for any full-sized double stack magazine to any other single stack subcompact magazine. It’s simple but very effective and well-designed.

Does It Work?

It’s clever, but does it work? I’ve been giving the Arex Delta Gen.2 M model a little testing, and it seemed like the perfect time to get some reload training in. In about two minutes, I adjusted the size of the magazine and got it mounted in my pocket. The best position is to tuck the magazine more towards the rear of the pocket with enough room to get your thumb behind it. It takes some experimentation, but once you get the ExtraCarry positioned just right, drawing from it is perfect.

Use a crab-like pincer with your thumb and pointer finger to get your hands on the magazine. Grip, rip, and draw. Orient the magazine with the projectiles facing forward, and that will make it easier to draw your magazine and reload your handgun. With proper orientation of the ExtraCarry and magazine, you can reload quickly and efficiently.

Like anything, it takes a little practice to get things flowing smoothly, but by my fifth or sixth reload, I felt comfortable. By my tenth reload, I was moving rapidly and getting the magazine seated in a quick and natural motion. It’s not as fast as a duty rig with an exposed magazine pouch and battle belt, but it’s dang sure close.

Carrying an Extra

The ExtraCarry is a handy little option for conceal carry. It provides a simple, near endlessly adjustable magazine pouch for whatever 9mm handgun is in your armory. Even somewhat uncommon guns like the Arex Delta series are perfectly accommodated by the ExtraCarry. You can check them out here.

Do You Remmeber the FN Forty Nine

By

Travis Pike

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October 13, 2022

Do you remember the FN Forty Nine? No, probably not. Fn has a pretty distinguished record for their long guns and quite a few of their handguns. Admittedly up until the FN 509 series, the FN pistols were often fairly underrated. The FNS and FNX didn’t get the love they deserved outside of one of the first factory optic-ready handguns, the FNX-45 Tactical. Most people at least know the FNS and FNX, but if I said FN Forty Nine, I’d likely get some odd stares.

The early 2000s were an interesting time for handguns. Glock had really hit a great stride with the gen three guns, and it became readily apparent that the polymer frame double stack was here to stay. Anyone without one would be short-sighted. In 2002 FN opened FNH USA, and this opened up the American police and military markets. When they came into the states, they brought the Hi-Power with them as well as the very new FN Model Forty Nine.

The Forgotten FN Forty Nine

The Forty Nine was a Belgian design, and it predated the opening of FNH USA. The original design came to be in 2000. While the polymer frame pistol dominates this day and age, the concept hadn’t reached peak popularity just yet.

Glock was the name in the polymer frame world. S&W tried to jump in with the S&W Sigma, but that didn’t end well. Glock sued, and in 1997 they settled out of court with S&W paying some money to Glock and then altering the Sigma design. This lawsuit had to be fresh in the mind of FN engineers when the FN Forty Nine was designed.

No one wants to spend the money to produce a pistol just to get sued. However, no one wants to be left behind when there is a cash cow to milk. I think this lawsuit was a big part of why the FN Forty Nine was designed the way it was.

The FN Forty Nine’s name kind fo hints as to the gun’s design. It came in both 40 S&W and 9mm. The gun features a familiar polymer frame, and used a double stack magazine. The 9mm variant held 16 rounds, and the 40 S&W held 14 rounds.

Pretty standard so far. The Forty Nine uses a steel slide that comes in both stainless a and semi-gloss black finish. The weapon had a 4.25 inch barrel, with an overall length of 7.75 inches, and the gun weighed about 26 ounces. It’s all fairly standard until you pull the trigger.

The Trigger

The weapon lacked any form of manual safety. FN relied on a true double action only, striker fired trigger system. FN called it the RSS Firing system, which stands for Repeatable Secure Striker. This double-action-only trigger system offered an 8 to 10-pound pull. FN used this trigger system extensively to advertise the weapon.

They even stated that it “takes striker-fired systems to a new level.” The core of their advertising was stating that most striker-fired guns were essentially single-action pistols. They proclaimed that their gun offered shooters the ability to restrike a round that misfires.

Besides the restrike capability, the Forty Nine was super safe according to FN, and honestly, it’s just as safe as any other modern semi-auto pistol. However, they said that the “at-rest position greatly reduces the risk of accidental discharge.”

Keeping your finger off the trigger eliminates the risk of a negligent discharge, to be fair.

So What Happened

This is America. We like short and light triggers. Over 110 years later, we are still using the 1911 with its SAO design. Historically DAO automatic pistols aren’t favorites of American shooters. A DA/SA, SAO, or partially cocked striker is how we like our handguns!

The FN Forty Nine wasn’t a bad gun. It was reliable, modern, and offered all the modern touches pistol shotoers wanted. However, it had a double action only trigger that clearly turned some shooters away. FN produced the pistol from 2000 to 2005 before discontinuing it.

In 2006 FN still wanted to produce a modern, polymer frame handgun. What we got was the FNP. The FNP used a DA/SA handgun design and is hamemr fired. It still skates around any likely Glock lawsuit and provided a platform much more accepted by American shooters.

The FN Forty Nine has since faded away and become a gun you only hear about from weirdos like me.

Bruen Strikes Back: SCOTUS FTW

By

Lars Smith

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October 13, 2022

Bruen decision echoes through country — Photo Credit: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

https://www.foxnews.com/us/supreme-court-vacates-controversial-massachusetts-gun-control-law

If you wanted a reminder that the Bruen decision was a landmark case in the fight for the 2nd Amendment, well we’re happy to share this one with you.

The US District Court of Massachusetts had found that a MA state law permanently barring gun ownership for people convicted of gun-related misdemeanors constitutional in Morin v. Lyver. The case in question involved a MA resident who, believing his MA carry permit to be valid in Washington DC, tried to comply with a “no guns” sign at the American Museum of Natural History by asking if they could check it for him. His non-violent misdemeanor conviction of carrying unlawfully, under the MA law in question, barred him from handgun ownership forever.

While the District Court found that the ban was constitutional, when presented with the case, SCOTUS dissented, and is requiring they re-hear the case with the text of the second amendment, and the historical context of American firearms regulation in mind. If, given those considerations, the MA does not pass constitutional muster, then the Bruen standard demands it be struck down.

While it will take some time for this, and the other major cases SCOTUS has sent back to lower courts this year to move their way through the justice system, it’s a welcome sign that these cases are both getting heard, and being decided based on the text, historical context, and original intent of, the 2nd Amendment and its authors.

How To Speedload A Revolver

By

V. Caldwell

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October 13, 2022

sw8 — Moon clipped revolvers are much faster and more sure in a fast loading operation.

The revolver it seems will never die. Of course not! The double action swing out cylinder revolver is a useful handgun for many missions. I carry a modern self loader most of the time. When hiking camping or just wondering around I carry a revolver. My backup is always some type of revolver. I even carry two revolvers from time to time. While it is best to finish the fight with the load in the handgun it is best to practice speed loads with whichever handgun you carry. I wont kid you a revolver is always slower to load than a self loader no matter how much practice you put into it. If the revolver is your primary handgun you must practice loading the revolver quickly. Most shooters get it wrong.

A percentage of students in every class use a revolver. The revolver is not immune to malfunctions, and a good quality revolver is as reliable as a machine can be. The subject of revolver speed loads comes up often, and most of the time the speed load is done half right or incorrectly. What follows is the proper drill.

Cartridge loops worn on the belt and drop pouches have been outdated for fifty years or so. If you don’t practice with the speedloader they have some utility as the speedloader is easily goofed up if you have not practice. Speed strips and the like are a poor second to a modern speedloader. The device is of a mix of hard plastic and aluminum with a locking knob that keeps the cartridges in place. Load the speedloader with the knob in the release notch then turn the knob to lock the cartridges into place. Some loaders such as the Speed Beez allow simply pressing the cartridges in place. The HKS, Safariland, Speed Beez and Lyman are common speedloaders.

First- after the revolver is fired empty the revolver is quickly opened by manipulation the cylinder release. The revolver muzzle is held straight up as the revolver is transferred to the left hand. The thumb strikes the ejector rod emptying the chambers. The weak hand palm rides over the trigger guard and the fingers press the cylinder open, while the thumb strikes the ejector rod to repeat the proper technique. Next the strong side hand draws a speed loader from the strong side carrier as the weak hand orients the muzzle of the revolver downward. The speedloader is moved to the cylinder, the cartridges inserted, the device twisted, and as the cartridges fall into the cylinder, the speedloader is dropped. The thumb of the support hand presses the cylinder shut as the strong-side hand grasps the handle, and you are ready to fire again. It is important that you do not grasp the knob or body of the speedloader casually. The fingers lead the bullets into the chamber as follows.

Grasp the speedloader as if you were palming it.
Extend the fingers to the end of the cartridges.
Guide them into the cylinder (I guarantee you the speedloader will be dropped if you are in a critical incident and attempt to hold it with two shaking fingers).
Grasp the speedloader with the fingers controlling the cartridges.
Press with the whole hand.
Twist the knob after the cartridges are well into the cylinder.
Keep the muzzle of the revolver oriented toward the ground. The speedloader will fall away as the cylinder is closed.
Do not practice being gentle with the speedloader or it will slow you down in the real world.

Moon clipped revolvers- the factory Smith & Wesson Pro type revolvers cut for a moon clip or the T & K Custom jobs are the fastest revolvers to load. A moon clip holds the cartridges together including the empties as they are ejected. It is less vital to have the muzzle up when ejecting a gun load and there is no chance a cartridge will become hung under the ejector star. If you rely primary on a revolver you should study this option!

A speedloader is essential if you carry a revolver.

Gatorz Marauder – Stylish Eye Pro

By

Travis Pike

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October 12, 2022

Good personal protective equipment is expensive. When it comes to guns, that’s typically just your eyes and ears. Admittedly a set of passive muffs and ballistically rated glasses can be cheap. They can work while providing appropriate protection to the user. If you want good, high-quality ear and eye protection, be prepared to shell out some money. Glasses like the Gatorz Marauder are not cheap.

For this reason, it’s not entirely crazy to say if you are spending that much money, you want something that can work on and off the range. In terms of ear pro, I think I’ve found that with the Axil Ghostrike 2.0 earplugs. I use them at the range and when I go for a run or mow the yard. What about my eyes?

It’s tough to find eye protection that looks good enough to wear off the range. I’m going to break some jarhead’s heart when I say that your Oakley M frames look terrible off the range. They aren’t for the beach, my man. These glasses might have struck the right cord by being both stylish and offering adequate protection to save my peepers.

The Marauder – Protect Them Eyes

The Marauder glasses offer you ANSI Z87+ and MILSPEC protection in their lenses. The glasses also have a slight wrap-around design to them. That wrap-around design offers excellent protection to your eyes at all angles.

The frames are made from the standard metal design that Gatorz is known for. The finish is cerakoted and available in all your favorite tactical colors. The lenses get a scratch-resistant coating on top of the UV protection provided as well as the polarized options.

The Marauder glasses provide plenty of protection. Enough for the range, or even on duty. They do have a conservative appearance to fit in with most uniform regulations and won’t stand out when the First Sergeant is having a bad day.

Fit and Comfort

The Marauder glasses provide the protection I want, but are they comfy? I had a pair of Gatorz years ago, and they never agreed with my big head. They always felt tight and uncomfortable. I have a big head, and an XL-sized hat is a must for me. I didn’t blame glasses, but I assumed the Gatorz wasn’t for me.

Turns out you can adjust these things. Go to the website, and they offer some easy-to-follow instructions to make adjustments to the frame. When I first got the Marauder glasses, they were too tight, and I adjusted them just right to fit without pinching my head. You can also adjust the nose piece to get the fit right and prevent them from being uncomfortable or from constantly slipping down when worn.

It doesn’t take much to get them nice and comfy. I barely remember I’m wearing them. Since I received them, I’ve taken to the range, I’ve gone for runs with them, and mowed the yard with them. They feel great and don’t pinch, prod, or poke in any way. My face has become quite accustomed to their fit.

A Stylish Option

Style is a matter of opinion. (Except for the M Frame comment.) Anyway, the Marauder glasses have that slight sport look to them, but they aren’t obnoxious. They don’t look overtly tactical or obnoxiously large, either. They strike a good balance in providing protection without looking terrible.

The lenses are remarkably clear and offer that high-definition view that makes me think I might need glasses. I’m willing to be wrong, but I feel like my vision is much better with the Marauder on my face. Gatorz has found a great way to mix a stylish appearance with the kind of protection you want at the range.

Pistol Basics: The Dot Torture Drill

By

P.E. Fitch

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October 12, 2022

Like the 3×5 Card Drill I’ve written about previously, the Dot Torture Drill has been and continues to be one of my pistol training staples. This classic drill challenges even seasoned handgun shooters as letting one’s guard down means even easy shots will be missed. Negotiating Dot Torture successfully requires an absolute focus on every fundamental aspect of handgun shooting, and this is what makes it a great skill builder.

During my early days, I definitely leaned on this drill in order to build a modicum of handgun accuracy. Personally, I also really appreciate the fact that it makes the shooter shoot single-handed only with both hands on #5 and #8. While it may be daunting to shoot especially at #8, one is a better shooter for having done so. The Dot Torture target was designed to be printed on a standard 8 ½ by 11-inch sheet of printer paper. It features 10 different 2-inch circles that are numbered 1 through 10 accordingly. The point of the exercises is to shoot at each circle according to the instructions, which are conveniently printed underneath each circle on the sheet. The drill is intended to be shot at three yards with no time limit. The only requirement is to not miss. Ideally, at three yards, all shots are touching and one is shooting cloverleaf groups. Some shooters like to shoot it at other distances and some may even add time constraints to make it more interesting. This is purely optional and is not part of the drill, however.

I always get a flyer, no matter what. But in all seriousness, I do regret spending too much time and ammo trying to shoot these cleanly. In retrospect, shooting 48/50 at 5 yards on demand is good enough. Of course shooting a CZ-75 SAO even stock is like cheating.

Shooting this drill only requires 50 rounds, or one standard sized box of pistol cartridges. And just like the 3×5 Card Drill, Dot Torture is another simple and straightforward shooting exercise with low overhead that can be set up virtually anywhere, including indoor ranges. Ideally, the shooter starts from their holster. This would be an excellent way to work drawing repetitions, but drawing from the holster is not a requirement nor is it the main point of Dot Torture. Using a low compressed ready is not unreasonable when shooting Dot Torture at any public firing range that does not allow holster work. While I love shooting Dot Torture, and I have probably shot thousands of rounds trying to clean it, I want to warn readers from falling into a trap and over-relying on it. I think that I’ve wasted a good amount of time and money trying to get a perfect score of 50 at 5 yards when I was consistently printing scores ranging from 47-49 on demand. In hindsight I think I could have better spent some of that time shooting other drills or dry-firing. Dot Torture is a great assessment and will keep anyone on their toes, but it is not an end-all be all to pistol skills.

Click here for a printer-friendly PDF version of the Dot Torture target.

And here for the TDA version.

Another random picture of a Dot Torture target featuring my Beretta 92 Centennial. Outside of pure practice or skill building, I also like shoot Dot Torture to familiarize myself with other pistols–fam fire if you will. Moreover, I like to tape a clean target to my dry-fire area as well as you can certainly get some use dry-firing with it.

SAFARILAND RELEASES FIRST OF ITS KIND HARD ARMOR RIFLE PLATES FOR WOMEN

By

Keith Finch

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October 11, 2022

Jacksonville, Florida – Safariland®, a brand of The Safariland Group®, a leading global provider of safety products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets and one of Cadre Holdings, Inc.’s (NYSE: CDRE) (“Cadre”) key brands continues to stay on the leading edge of defense equipment with its new line of Hard Armor rifle plates explicitly designed for women and marks the first-ever NIJ 0101.06 compliant hard armor plate for the female form.

Safariland has expanded its rifle-rated family of Hard Armor plates to include three offerings for women. The Model DT206CF (NIJ Level III), along with non-certified variants, Model X-CAL™ DT CF1 and Model IMPAC™ CF1 have been designed with female first responders in mind and offer a unique radius of curvature to enhance fit and comfort. These plates have low profile capabilities and are compatible with the already available TAC PH Plate Harness. They have all been designed with high-performing ceramic, and polyethylene composites with 1000-denier Cordura® nylon covering that can withstand long-term wear.

“We seek to create the best products on the market for a wide array of customers,” said Safariland VP/GM of Armor Jim Duncan. “This plate family puts us one step closer to that goal. We have manufactured these plates with high-quality materials and put in the effort to ensure maximum comfort is available for all the female officers, first responders, and other body armor users.”

The X-CAL DTCF1 and IMPAC CF1 are lightweight, with the X-CAL DTCF1 weighing 3.3 lbs. and being 0.9” thin, while the IMPAC CF1 is only 3.2 lbs. and 0.7” thin. Both models have been tested to hold up against the M80 (7.62 x 51mm) round, six impacts of the M855 (5.56 x 45mm) Green tip, M193 (5.56 x 45mm), and Mild Steel Core (7.62 x 39mm) rounds. The model X-CAL DTCF1 has an MSRP of $475.00, while the Model IMPAC CF1 has an MSRP of $450.00.

In addition to the functionality of the X-CAL DTCF1 and IMPAC CF1, the DT206CF is NIJ Level III certified to stop six impacts of the 7.62 x 51mm, 147 gr. NATO M80 round. This plate weighs in at 3.4 lbs. and is 1” thin. The DT206CF has an MSRP of $500.00.

These products are available now. More information is available at Safariland.com.

About Safariland Armor
Safariland® Armor continues to set the standard in ballistic protection by continually developing cutting-edge body armor designs to provide its customers with high-performance, life-saving armor products. With a focus on advanced engineering and production techniques, the Safariland Armor brand is known for its proprietary designs and use of next generation materials to develop the thinnest, lightest, most advanced ballistic protection against a wide array of standard and special threats. For more information, visit www.safariland.com/safariland-armor.

The Safariland PROTECH® line offers industry-leading tactical gear most coveted by tactical teams throughout the world. The product line includes a wide selection of field proven and cutting-edge products including ballistic shields, armor plates, helmets, and other accessories for unparalleled head to toe protection. For more information, visit www.safariland.com/hard-armor. Safariland is a part of The Safariland Group family of brands.

About The Safariland Group
The Safariland Group, one of Cadre Holdings, Inc’s (NYSE:CADRE) key brands, is a leading global provider of a broad range of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets. The Safariland Group offers a number of recognized brand names in these markets including Safariland® Armor, Duty Gear and Communications, Bianchi®, Break Free®, Hatch®, Med-Eng®, Identicator® and NIK®. The Safariland Group’s mission, “Together, We Save Lives®”, is inherent in the lifesaving and protective products it delivers. The Safariland Group is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. The Safariland Group is a trade name of Safariland, LLC.

For more information about The Safariland Group and these products, please visit Safariland.com. Visit Defense-technology.com and Med-Eng.com for information on these brands.

PHLster’s Legacy

By

P.E. Fitch

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October 11, 2022

At the aggregate level, the PHLster Enigma system merely allows wearers to conceal a handgun on their person without the traditional accouterments typically required to bear a concealed pistol holster—that is a belt and pants (or any other garment with loops sturdy enough to support a belt). However, the manner in which PHLster has implemented this concealment solution has rocked certain corners of the American gun world and has also been responsible for ushering in an entire group of people who may not have otherwise gotten involved with the concealed carry of handguns and taken pro active steps in their personal safety. Being fairly familiar with PHLster as a company, I have already written about their Floodlight WML appendix holster and I have also reviewed the Enigma elsewhere. However, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the Enigma since its early product launch to what it currently has become, and what I see bears chronicling.

An important distinction about the Enigma system compared to other alternative carry methods is that once again, its design and execution has opened concealed carry to the mass market in a way that very few holster companies are ever able to do. Not only does the Enigma system grant wearers independence from the typical couture of concealed carry, but its timing coincides with a great trend in the domestic handgun market—that of the modern semi automatic striker fired polymer single stack subcompact marketed exclusively to concealed carriers. Prominent examples of such guns include the SIG SAUER P365 series, the Glock models 42/43/43X/48, the Springfield Armory Hellcat series, or the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield series. The fact of the matter is that currently, the gun industry offers pistols in similar configurations across all price points and market segments. Snub nosed revolvers such as the Ruger LCR (Light Carry Revolver) or the contemporary Smith & Wesson J-frames are still relevant to an extent as PHLster actively supports either of these revolver lines via their “The City” holsters (which are also Enigma compatible).

PHLster Enigma Concealment Holster — The Suited Shootist himself is showcasing the ability of the Enigma system to integrate with a “dressier” wardrobe at the Concealed Carry Fashion show held during the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings and Events show in Houston, Texas.

Though new Enigma users, and perhaps especially those who are new to concealed carry all together may perceive the Enigma system as a little overwhelming and challenging, it bears mentioning that PHLster has been phenomenally pro-active in anticipating and addressing their new clientele’s concerns. The staff at PHLster has spent a tremendous amount of time publishing user guides, making graphics, recording videos, and being generally helpful with their customer experience and customer service. The manner in which they disseminate and update their materials and findings could rival the methodology utilized by elite scholars.

In conjunction to shaping their main business website to harbor more concealment related educational resources, PHLster staff also curates and maintains an active presence on a large Facebook group called the “PHLster Concealment Workshop” which I briefly touched on in my original Enigma Express review. Anyone is welcome to post questions or concerns in this group and receive feedback not only from the staff but an active community of fellow Enigma users. It is worth mentioning that PHLster staff invests a lot of time and energy in keeping things running smoothly and keeping the group relevant. In addition to PHLster’s own efforts, there are several social media accounts with followings that also spend time making guides and videos and dispensing advice to better others’ experiences with the system. For example my friend and colleague here at GAT, the Suited Shootist, has plenty of material in optimizing concealment with formal or professional attire and the Enigma as it relates to men’s fashion. Another Instagram account of note is called Armed and Styled run by Tessah Gabrielle. Her account gravitates around women’s fashion and practical concealment implementing the Enigma system. In full disclosure, it should be noted that she is now currently part of PHLster’s staff in spite of the fact that her content, presentational, and informational efforts began independently of PHLster. Accomplished competitive shooter, Julie Golob has also partnered with PHLster and is an enthusiastic Enigma user and evangelizer, especially as it pertains to women new to the concealed carry space.

PHLster Enigma Dark Star Gear Rigel Concealment Holster — A Light Bearing Enigma featuring a Dark Star Gear Rigel WML holster and a spare magazine.

PHLster deserves credit for the work it does to further the body knowledge of firearms concealment as their information is pertinent to everyone, even those who are not their direct customers. PHLster especially deserves credit for not only implementing their own solutions off original the Runcible Works rigs but also bringing the Enigma to market in addition to attracting this new-to-carry customer base. By offering an alternative concealment solution, many of these new customers are arguably now empowered by being more pro-active about their personal safety while not having to sacrifice their comfort or sense of style.