Meta Tactical broke ground with its Apex bullpup carbine conversion kit for Glock and other popular handguns a couple of years back. The Apex was a quick and easy conversion kit that turned your pistol into a PCC. Well, Meta is back with another pistol to PDW conversion that’s even easier to use. The new MX-1 Handgun Conversion Kit currently supports over 70 Glock models. Another version designed to fit most other pistols with a Picatinny rail is on the way.
The Meta Tactical MX1
The MX-1 is a PDW chassis that accepts Glock pistols. Unlike other systems currently in the market that require specific models for specific Glock models, the MX1 fits them all. I haven’t gotten one in hand yet to see what voodoo Meta uses to achieve this, but I like the idea of one chassis to rule them all.
Since I have a bunch of Glocks in various calibers and frame sizes, having one system I could use with any of them is appealing. I also like that no tools are needed to install your pistol in the MX1.
The chassis is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and fiber-filled impact-resistant polymer for light weight and durability. It’s completely engineered and manufactured in the USA with ISO-certified processes and backed by Meta Tactical’s warranty. The MX1 doesn’t use a plastic charging handle like other kits. It also doesn’t rely on the donor handgun’s serrations for cocking. Meta says this makes a more reliable and smoother operating system.
Meta’s MX1 is available in both aluminum stock or aluminum stabilizer configurations and will have multiple color options. The chassis is equipped with an aluminum shroud with M-LOK slots for mounting lights, spare mag holders, or forward grips. There’s also an aluminum full-length Picatinny rail for adding sights or optics.
Full specs aren’t available yet, but what we do know is that the MX1 is compact enough to fit in a backpack or range bag. Weight is just 1.6 on its own or 3 pounds with a Glock 19 installed.
Availability
Currently, the MX-1 is listed as a pre-order on Meta Tactical’s website. Prices aren’t shown just yet either but they’re saying the MX1 conversion kit is going to be an unbeatable value. I’m anxious to check them out firsthand at the SHOT Show and see how the system works.
MX1 Conversion Kit Highlights
All-in-One Chassis: Compatible with 70+ Glock models.
Advanced Charging System: AR-style design, eliminating the use of handgun serrations
Compact & Lightweight: Foldable stock/stabilizer for easy portability.
Premium Materials: Aircraft-grade aluminum rail, stock, and shroud—at a polymer price.
Accessory-Ready: Standard M-LOK and Picatinny rails included.
Force Multiplier: Enhances accuracy and lethality.
Quick & Secure: Patented tool-free locking system for fast handgun insertion
Wooden bullets sound like a terrible idea all around. What’s the point? Can you make a Spitzer-style wooden bullet? These days, we don’t hear about them so much, but when I was a kid, it seemed like one of those things that came up fairly frequently. I blame it on the fact I watched a lot of History Channel before it was Aliens and Pawnstars. The wood bullet mythos seems to come out of World War II.
Wood bullets used by German and Japanese forces were the subject of numerous modern myths. The Brits used wood bullets as well, but because they were our allies, we know they used them for training purposes to save metal. Their use by German and Japanese forces was often portrayed as a devious, deadly, and dishonorable tool. However, it’s all pretty much bunk.
Let’s discuss the myths and truth about wood bullets.
The Myths
First, it seems agreed that one reason the Japanese and Germans used wood bullets is because they were running out of metal. We were kicking them across the Pacific and Europe, and boy, they couldn’t keep up! That’s the first myth: metal wasn’t the reason why wood bullets were used.
Another myth states that these dastardly, devious devils used wood bullets because X-rays couldn’t find them. Troops would needlessly suffer! It was also said they were used because they exploded into splinters, making wounds brutal and hard to treat!
(REDDIT)
Supposedly, Japanese Snipers used wooded rounds to cause infections. Merritt Edson, of Edson’s Raiders, assumed that when he found cartridges loaded with wooden bullets on Tulagi Island.
The Germans were actually poisoning their wood bullets. You could tell this because some were just plain wood, but others were painted blue, black, or red. These colors signified specific poisons used.
Myths about the enemy during wartime are nothing new. It’s a way to dehumanize and believe the very worst of your opponent. You are the righteous warrior putting down the scourge that is the enemy of America.
The Reality
Japanese and German forces indeed used wooden projectiles on cartridges. However, it’s tough to even call them projectiles. They were more like plugs. A wood projectile is too lightweight to travel very far or achieve a significant velocity. It would be easily deterred by wind and light brush. I’m sure they could kill someone, but like birdshot, it’s the worst tool for the job.
(Jim Butler)
They also weren’t poisoned or intended to cause infection. They were used to launch rifle grenades. The wood bullets weren’t used, but the blanks they installed on launched rifle grenades. The actual wood bullet would be hollow and made from softwood. It shattered when fired.
Their purpose was to ensure reliable feeding in the bolt-action rifles of the era. With a wooden bullet, the overall length of the cartridge remained the same, allowing for smooth feeding. Americans used seven petal rosette crimped blanks and previously had used paper. They had never seen wood-tipped blanks.
Germans dyed the wood cartridge tips to differentiate which grenade the blank was meant to launch. There was no poison. That said, there is no evidence anyone had ever used these cartridges to fight, and if it happened, it was because Hans forgot to switch back to the real rounds when the fight kicked off.
(Jim Butler)
The Wood Bullet World
Wood bullets have come and gone. They’ve seen their fair share of mythos, but we’ve developed easier ways to launch grenades. I’m betting the fragile nature of the design made them a bit of a hassle anyway. It’s still interesting to see the different interpretations different soldiers had when finding these oddities on the battlefield.
Many parents wonder how best to talk to their kids about prepping. You want to teach them skills, of course, but you don’t want to scare the daylights out of them.
Maturity
As we so often say as we get older, age is just a number. That applies to youngsters as well. I mean, I’ve been asked how old a child should be before they’re given their first knife. I know 40-year-old men I wouldn’t trust with a spoon out in public.
It isn’t a matter of how many years they’ve been on the green side of the grass. It’s a matter of maturity. Only you know what your child can likely handle. Keep conversations about severe storms and other threats realistic, but you might not need to go into detail if that’s just going to send them into a panic.
If they do get scared, remind them that prepping is what we’re doing to reduce the danger.
Emulate Behavior
As that great and eminent sage Douglas Adams wrote in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “Don’t panic.” If you act scared, that’s going to scare your kids. On the other hand, if you give off an air of confidence, that’s going to rub off on them. They might not develop a cocky swagger, but they’ll at least be assured that you’re handling the problem.
What If Scenarios
These can be a great way to not only teach skills and share information but to check in with them to see what they’re thinking. Talk them through some realistic situations, such as a house fire, tornado warning, or getting lost in the woods. Give them the scenario and let them tell you what they think they should do. Gently correct them as needed.
No matter what, it’s critical that in any scenario you discuss, at the end, you describe them overcoming the problem and prevailing safely. Don’t ever, not even for a moment, let them think that the situation will be hopeless. That accomplishes nothing productive.
Make sure kids know what to do if they get lost in the woods during a hiking or camping trip.
Prep-Adjacent Extracurriculars
There are a number of groups and programs out there that help teach skills that will be helpful in a crisis. Scouting covers a range of topics like first aid, camping, and navigation.
Destination Imagination is a great program that teaches problem-solving and decision-making under pressure. Another popular one is 4-H, which covers an enormous range of topics, including agriculture, animal husbandry, healthy living, archery, and shooting sports.
4-H is a great way for kids to learn about caring for animals, as well as building confidence.
Real-World Skill Building
Take the time as your kids grow up to teach them skills that will be useful in their lives. While organizations and programs like we just discussed are great, this sort of education should begin at home. Teach them how to cook meals from scratch, how to preserve food, and how to budget money. Talk to them about self-defense and what to do about bullies. Instill into them self-confidence. Make sure they know that you have their back, no matter what.
As you discuss the skills they’re learning, both at home and elsewhere, talk about how they can use them in an emergency. Don’t overdo it, and steer every conversation into prepping. Nobody wants that. But give them a frame of reference to understand that the world doesn’t always play nice, and you should be prepared to handle problems when they arise.
The Terminator series is linked with two different kinds of killing machines. We have the robotic Terminators and shotguns. Seriously, shotguns are a big deal in the Terminator franchise. I’m not sure why, but ever since the first film, shotguns have been instrumental in the franchise. Hero and villain alike carry shotguns throughout the film series, and as a shotgun nut, I wanted to dig into the best shotguns in the Terminator franchise.
The Ithaca 37
When Kyle Reese landed in 1991 Los Angeles, he quickly acquired weaponry. He steals an Ithaca 37 with an extended magazine tube from a police vehicle. He cut the stock off and attached a lanyard. It’s small enough to conceal under a coat, and that’s how Reese employs the famed Ithaca 37. Eventually, the T-800 used an Ithaca 37 with stock for a short period during the first film.
The Ithaca 37 series has been in the longest continuous production of any pump shotgun. These repeating shotguns are known for their reliability and durability. They famously served with SEALs in Vietnam, where they were favored for their slab side design. The gun ejected and loaded from the bottom, which reduced the number of ports that allowed debris to enter the gun.
Spas 12
In the famed gun store scene, the Terminator acquires a Uzi, an AR-18, and a “12 Gauge Autoloader.” The autoloader is the famed Spas 12, a gun that wreaked havoc across 1990s film and video games. The Spas 12 is actually a convertible shotgun that can swap from semi-auto to pump action. The Terminator shows off his strength by wielding the shotgun with a single hand as he shoots through a police station.
The only movie to accurately portray the Spas 12 was Jurassic Park, which jammed quite quickly. The Spas 12 shotguns were not known for reliability, and they were also fragile and somewhat difficult to load. The gun is a collector’s item now only because of its use in so many movies and TV shows.
Winchester 1887
As the new T-800 arrives to protect John Connor, he acquires a sawn-off lever-action Winchester 1887 shotgun from a biker bar. The gun becomes his weapon of choice as he rides his metal steed through the streets of Los Angeles. The Winchester 1887 proves to be a potent tool in stalling the liquid metal T-1000. We see another feat of strength when he wields the gun one-handed, including doing the famed flip cocking technique while riding a motorcycle.
The Winchester 1887 was a black powder shotgun. However, Winchester only produced a smokeless powder version in 10 gauge, which it called the 1901. The Winchester in the movie is a replica. It’s funny to imagine the Terminator seeking out black powder shells, but I guess he had little worry that the gun would explode on him.
Remington 870
Remington 870s are scattered throughout the Terminator series. It first pops up in T2 with Sarah Connor’s LEO Special 870 with the folding metal stock. T3 shows a trench gun style 870 with a bayonet lug and heat shield. In Salvation, a young Kyle Reese carries a PGO 870 with a breaching barrel. In Genesys, our new Sarah Connor gets the same 870 that the OG Sarah Connor used in T2. Finally, the same metal folding stock 870 makes an appearance in Dark Fate.
The 870 series are legendary shotguns and have likely armed more police officers than any other shotgun. It’s a durable, well-made design that set the new standard for pump action shotguns. It’s the AR of shotguns, and it’s not a surprise that we see so many different variations in the Terminator franchise.
M26 MASS
The M26 MASS pops up in Terminator 3 during a fast-forward future vision. It’s seen equipped with John Connor’s rifle. In a crazy dedication to continuity, we see the M26 appear in Terminator Salvation, equipped to John Connor’s rifle once more. He uses the shotgun a few times and even detaches it for reasons unknown.
The M26 MASS is a bolt action, straight pull bolt shotgun that feeds from a magazine. C-More, the optics company, designed the gun to mount on an M3 for the US Army. The Army has fielded very few, but it’s in the armory. It’s a rare design, and it’s neat to see it pop up more than once.
Shotguns and Terminator
The Terminator series is no stranger to firearms of all kinds, but shotguns seem to have a special place in the series. I only did my five favorites, but there are tons of them. Benelli M3 and M4s, KelTec, that stupid DP-12, and even the kinda awesome barely didn’t make the list Fostech.
Shotguns and Terminators are like peanut butter and jelly.
The Uberleben Kessel is a perfect companion for minimalist adventures, offering a 1.1-liter (37 fl oz) capacity for on-the-go cooking and boiling.
As a longtime user of the original Uberleben Kessel in stainless steel, I was excited to see they now offer a lighter version. Meet the New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot!
Cooking outdoors is my favorite part of an overnight camping or a day trip in the woods. I enjoy the entire process of fire preparation, firemaking, and cooking. You can substitute a skillet with a flat stone if the materials are available. However, a cook pot is not easily substituted!
Kessel Titanium Cook Pot
The Uberleben Kessel is an excellent companion for your minimalist adventures. This ultralight cook pot offers a capacity of 1.1 liters (37 fl oz), making it ideal for cooking and boiling on the go.
Crafted from food-grade ultralight titanium, the Kessel ensures durability without the added weight. The 100% natural hardwood grab handle provides a comfortable grip, while the easy-pour spout allows hassle-free serving. Enjoy cooking with the steam-vented, rattle-free lid that keeps everything securely in place, and utilize the lock-down hanger handle for convenient hanging during use.
The duck canvas bag stores your pot and is a handy tinder bag. Weighing just 3.9 ounces.
When it’s time to pack up, the wet-waxed duck canvas stow pouch, featuring a reliable YKK zipper, not only stores your pot but also serves as a handy tinder bag. Weighing just 7.4 ounces (with the bag at 3.9 ounces), the Kessel delivers exceptional portability.
With dimensions of 5.5 inches in diameter and 3.25 inches high, the Überleben Kessel seamlessly integrates into your outdoor gear, combining functionality and simplicity for all your cooking needs.
What’s the Difference?
The Uberleben Titanium Kessel Cook Pot and the original stainless steel version stand out due to significant differences in materials, weight, and performance. The titanium construction of the Kessel cook pot makes it much lighter than the stainless steel option, which benefits backpackers and campers striving to reduce pack weight. Despite being lighter, titanium maintains strength and durability; it is renowned for its resilience and ability to endure extreme temperatures without warping.
Cook Pot Test
The author used the lock-down hanger handle to hang during use conveniently.
A key difference I noticed involves heat conduction: stainless steel heats evenly and retains heat well. In contrast, titanium heats up quickly but may develop hot spots, requiring careful monitoring during cooking. Additionally, the titanium pot resists rust and corrosion, which enhances its longevity, whereas stainless steel may need more maintenance in humid conditions.
Although Uberleben removed the cord wrapping from their original model, I didn’t notice the handle heating up very much. However, I use leather gloves when I’m grabbing pots from the fire outdoors. Still, it cooled down fast in the subfreezing temperatures that I tested the New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot in.
The New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot performed well for the author in late autumn and the freezing winter.
Finally, the aesthetic appeal varies, with titanium offering a modern look and lightweight feel compared to stainless steel’s classic and sturdy appearance. Both materials provide distinct advantages, but the ultimate choice depends on personal preferences and specific cooking needs in outdoor environments.
Embrace a minimalist mindset and boost your culinary experience with the New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot!
Mossberg released a flurry of new shotgun models with the new year, including the 590M Standoff pump action. The 590M Standoff is part of Mossberg’s line of 590 magazine-fed firearms. It’s chambered for 12-gauge, 2.75-inch shells and is fed from Mossberg’s double-stack shotgun magazine.
The 590M Mag-Fed Standoff Shotgun
The 590M Mag-Fed Standoff shotgun is built on Mossberg’s proven aluminum 590 receiver. It features a 14.25-inch heavy-walled barrel with a standoff muzzle device. Mossberg says that the magazine feed on the 590M provides better balance and weight distribution than tube-fed designs.
The company’s double-stack magazine also allows for higher capacity with less magazine length than single-stack magazine-fed designs. Mossberg ships the 590M Standoff with one 10-round magazine, but additional 5, 10, 15, and 20-round magazines are also available.
The 590M is equipped with Mossberg’s Aftershock bird’s head grip. It uses the new compact forend with M-LOK compatible slots as well. The redesigned top-mounted safety is oversized and has a high-visibility red fire indicator. Things that remain the same are Mossberg’s proven and reliable dual extractors, steel-to-steel lockup, and twin action bars.
There’s an all-steel magazine release button just in front of the trigger guard for easy mag changes. The 590M also comes with a drilled and tapped receiver in case you want to mount a red dot. Overall length is just 27 inches, and weight is 6.3 pounds.
MSRP is listed at $1,050.00.
Key Features of the 590M Standoff Pump-Action Firearm:
• 14.25-inch heavy-walled, cylinder bore barrel with standoff muzzle. • One-piece construction of the stand-off barrel, machined integrally to the barrel. • Mossberg’s Aftershock bird’s head grip, which minimizes recoil and ensures a firm, sure grip. • Parkerized metal finish. • Oversized and redesigned top-mounted safety with a highly visible red indicator and easily operated by right or left-handed shooters. • Compact forend that utilizes M-LOK®-compatible slots for mounting accessories to sides and bottom. • Drilled and tapped receiver. • One ten-round detachable, double-stack magazine. Accessory magazines are available in 5, 10, 15, and 20-round capacities (sold separately).
I know this subject might seem like an odd addition to the GAT Daily lineup, but bear with me as it is absolutely relevant. Adequate amounts of quality sleep are vital to making intelligent decisions, particularly when you’re under pressure.
While the amount of sleep needed will vary from person to person, each one of us requires some amount of good rest regularly to function well. We’ve all done it — running on just a few hours of sleep, feeling dead on our feet, and relying on coffee to keep us upright until we can clock out for the day. Any new parents out there? Yeah, you know exactly what I mean.
The problem is that habitually getting too little sleep can lead to a bunch of issues, including a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, heart issues, poor memory, and more. If you go too long without proper sleep, at some point, your body is going to just sort of shut down for a while.
Sleep Stages
There are five different stages to sleep, believe it or not.
Stage One – you’re just starting to fall asleep. Breathing is normal, and you have full muscle control as you settle in for what you hope will be some good-quality rest.
Stage Two – your pulse and breathing begin to slow down as you relax. This is what you might call the dozing stage. It’s a very light sleep. As my mom used to put it, “I’m just resting my eyes.”
Stage Three – muscles are relaxed, and breathing and pulse have slowed. You’re fully asleep at this point.
Stage Four – this is where healing truly happens. It’s a deep sleep. When someone reaches this stage, it can be difficult to rouse them quickly.
Stage Five – most people have heard about REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, and this is the stage where that happens. It’s thought that this is when most dreaming occurs.
All of these stages are important, especially the latter ones.
Tips to Improve Sleep
It’s important to do what you can to improve your sleep so that your body and mind are ready to tackle problems when they arise. Remember that you typically don’t get the luxury of choosing ahead of time when stressful situations occur.
Start by putting away your cell phone, tablet, and other devices for an hour or so before bedtime. Read an actual book rather than a screen.
Stay away from screens as best you can for at least an hour before bedtime.
Develop a schedule and try to stick with it as best you can. Go to bed at about the same time every night and get up at the same time every day. As many parents have found when their children were infants, routines help make for an easier bedtime.
Most people sleep best when it is cool, dark, and quiet. Avoid big, heavy meals right before bedtime. Caffeine is also a bad idea.
Sleep Preparedness
With all of that in mind, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to toss into your evacuation kit a sleep mask, earplugs, and such. No matter where you’re evacuating to in an emergency, it won’t be like home. Motels aren’t known for quiet, restful conditions in the best of times. Sleeping on the couch at the home of family or friends might not be much better.
Ear plugs can cut noise, but they can take some getting used to if you’re using them for sleep.
To be crystal clear, I’m not talking about full on “Red Dawn” sorts of survival situations here. I’m referring to scenarios that would involve a local evacuation, such as due to natural disasters like wildfires or extended power outages. These would be situations where you could look to get restful sleep without feeling like you need to post sentries to ward off attacks or some such.
Do you have a gun that just made you ‘get’ it when it comes to a certain genre of firearms? For me and revolvers, it was the Ruger Police Service Six. I understood the benefits of the revolver and thought they were neat, but it wasn’t until I spent a meager $300 on a Ruger Police Service Six in .38 Special that I understood why people love revolvers.
The Ruger Six lineup includes the Security Six, the Speed Six, and the Service Six. Within those three categories, we have several smaller subcategories. The Police Service Six was an attempt to break into the world of police revolvers. The Service Six lineup is differentiated from the Security Six by its use of fixed sights. The Police Service Six came as both a .357 Magnum and .38 Special, but used the same frame.
This meant the .38 Special-only versions were overengineered and overbuilt. From what I could find, Ruger made the Police Service Six for police agencies who were too gun-shy to issue.357 Magnum guns. However, they eventually produced .357 Magnum variants of the Police Service Six. I guess a .357 Magnum Police Service Six is identical to a Service Six outside of the roll mark.
The Ruger Police Service Six did serve in the US Army as the M108. There, it replaced the aging stocks of S&W revolvers in the hands of MPs, female CID agents, and Aviators.
The Ruger Police Service Six
Like most Ruger revolvers, the Police Service Six was a chunky, tank-like gun. It’s very well made with a dependence on investment cast. Ruger mastered the investment cast art, and it allowed them to produce affordable but durable and surprisingly good-looking revolvers. The Ruger Police Service Six certainly wins with its looks.
The smooth stainless appearance and wood grips give it that old-school flashy appeal. That look and feel made it stand out to me. As the name implies, it holds six rounds. The underlug covers the ejection rod and provides an aggressive appearance with protection to the ejection rod.
The Police Service Six uses a square butt which tends to help with recoil if the internet is to be believed. The front sight is a simple textured ramp for reduced glare. The rear sight is a trench sight cut through the top strap.
The revolver has an interesting external design. It seems to be edgeless, with all the angles cut and rounded. It’s a design you expect to see on a pocket revolver, but it looks good on a full-sized gun. The Police Service Six came in both a blue and stainless model, but I love the stainless.
Getting Good With the Poice Service Six
The first time I shot this gun, it carved a smile into my face. Something about the combination of the ultra-smooth true and barely any recoil made me a believer in the wheel gun. The tactile feeling of firing the gun delivers a rush of dopamine, and I can’t explain exactly why I love shooting it so much.
The extremely light recoil helps. It makes the gun easy to shoot quickly. Dropping six rounds in less than three seconds and landing them on target is a great feeling. I can’t shoot a sub-2-second Bill drill, but I can shoot this thing way faster than I expected. I’m a total revolver newb, but I don’t quite feel like a newb with the Police Security Six.
Famously I prefer red dots on my revolvers because I suck with the trench and front sight setup. I just can’t get it. It’s my fault, not revolvers. I do blame the Ruger Police Service Six for my ability to hit the target. Something about the perfect combination of grip size and big front sight makes this gun easy for me to shoot. Working a revolver trigger is something I’m not very good at, but this one moves super easy and smoothly.
The accuracy makes it easy to hit targets out to 25 yards. That’s a decent range for me as a revolver newb with iron sights I typically suck with. The Police Service Six handles like a well-worn dream. The big six-gun isn’t great for concealed carry, but it’s accurate, easy to shoot, and reliable. It’s never gone click when I’ve expected a bang.
The Big Six Gun
Admittedly, I’m not going to make this my main home defense gun, but I could. It’s accurate, capable, and easy to shoot. Mix it with a handheld light, and I wouldn’t feel underarmed compared to other handguns. The Police Service Six was a fun surprise, and I’ve become a big fan. It’s the revolver that made things click with me.
The Coalcracker Bushcraft Oilcloth Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools work in perfect harmony.
A Haversack is essential for an outdoor adventure or day trip. It embodies a classic charm that remains relevant today. To upgrade your experience, pair your Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools. This combination will maximize your adventure!
The Bushcraft Oilcloth Haversack serves outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate simplicity and efficiency. It carries essential hiking tools like cookware, fire starters, tarps, and tools, all without the bulk of a traditional backpack. This design keeps your gear easily accessible, allowing you to spend more time exploring!
Oilcloth Haversack
The Coalcracker Bushcraft Haversack is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. This lightweight bag, made from durable oilcloth and featuring the bold Coalcracker logo, offers convenience.
Its single-pocket, over-the-shoulder style allows quick access to essential tools like fire starters and snacks without the risk of overpacking. Embrace the outdoors with everything you need within easy reach.
The Bushcraft Oilcloth Haversack is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking simplicity and efficiency, allowing them to carry essential gear like cookware and fire starters without the bulk of a traditional backpack.
The durable oilcloth construction ensures that this product is tough and weather-resistant, capable of withstanding rugged use. Weighing only 6 ounces, it boasts a 48-inch strap that is easy to carry wherever you go. Its single-pocket design simplifies storage and allows for quick access to your gear, making it highly practical for outdoor enthusiasts.
Additionally, the product features the Coalcracker Bushcraft logo, showcasing your love for the outdoors stylishly. With dimensions of 14 inches in length and 12 inches in width, this lightweight and functional accessory is perfect for all your adventures.
MSRP: $45.00
Survive Outdoors Longer
The acronym SOL stands for Survive Outdoors Longer and is known for innovative survival gear, including kits, shelters, fire supplies, and signaling devices.
Adventure Ready Brands, which owns around ten brands like Ben’s®, Natrapel®, and Adventure Medical Kits®, emphasizes adaptability and change.
SOL Stoke Tools
The Stoke Camp Hatchet is a must-have fire-starting tool for outdoor enthusiasts. Featuring an integrated rope cutter, it allows you to easily cut the included tinder cord and ignite it with the ferrocerium rod. It is made from 420 stainless steel and has a secure Polypropylene and TPR handle.
Equipped with three hex wrenches, this versatile tool also has a riveted nylon sheath for blade protection and ferrocerium rod storage. The rope cutter doubles as a bottle opener, perfect for celebrating your camp successes.
The author relied on two essential Stoke tools: a hatchet and a saw. These tools are vital in camp, especially with the easily accessible knife at the push of a button.
Weighing just 10 ounces, the Stoke Camp Hatchet is lightweight and functional—an ideal crafting hatchet for any outdoor adventure.
MSRP: $39.99
The Stoke Pivot Knife & Saw boasts a seamless transition from knife to saw mode with just the press of a button. It is crafted from the same high-quality materials and features the same striking color scheme as the hatchet, available with a 3.9-inch blade or a 4.25-inch saw. I prefer keeping the saw deployed and utilizing one of the other Stoke tools for cutting tasks. However, this versatile 2-in-1 tool is an indispensable choice for anyone determined to streamline their gear.
MSRP: $35.99
Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools
The Coalcracker Bushcraft Haversack delivered strength, utility, and simplicity the entire time.
I used the hatchet to craft four sturdy stakes with a flat 90-degree top and a 45-degree angle for burial. Three stakes featured simple 7-notches, created with a controlled 90-degree stop cut and firm thumb pressure on the hatchet spine. I finished them efficiently to set up my shelter.
The SOL Pivoting Knife & Saw excels in saw mode, quickly cutting through broomstick-thick pieces of deadwood for a fire.
I used my small Uberleben twig stove for cooking, which required minimal chopping. I handled wrist-thick wood efficiently with a stout beech maul and my hatchet.
The hatchet paired with the Stoke Pivot Knife & Saw is impressive. The handle feels natural in knife mode, although the aggressive jimping can be bothersome without gloves. However, it remains non-slip. The edge was incredibly sharp from the start and excellent for making tinder with the included SOL Ferro rod. The combination of the Ferro rod and the tool’s 90-degree spine is fantastic.
I used the saw more and found it effective for wrist-thickness branches. A useful technique is to cut about 2/3 through the wood and then swing it onto a rock to split. This method often exposes dry wood inside.
You can’t go wrong with the Coalcracker Bushcraft Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools!
Guns are fun. Shooting guns is fun. Finding rare guns for your collection is thrilling. Hunting, shooting, competing, and more are fun with guns. I didn’t know any of this was ever up for debate. Apparently, it has become the subject of debate amongst the firearm community, and that leaves me utterly perplexed. Are guns fun? Are they supposed to be fun?
The Fun and Gun Debate
The debate seems to be focused on making guns an extremely serious thing. Without a doubt, firearms are serious. They should be respected and treated with seriousness. They should be handled safely, and I don’t think any part of the debate is arguing that fun means being willy-nilly with firearms. Firearms and parachutes are a lot alike. They can be a ton of fun but are also deadly serious.
The training and defensive use only side of the argument will say firearms are not fun. They are tools. Like a hammer, they are designed for a specific task, which isn’t enjoyable. Firearms are serious and should be treated seriously. This side of the argument focuses on the defensive and duty use of firearms. It doesn’t seem to think much about hunting but seemingly embraces some parts of competition shooting as a training tool.
This side of the argument seems to completely disregard any firearm not designed for defensive or duty use. PCCs, over/under shotguns, and the like are seen as useless and a waste of time, effort, and aluminum in most regards. If it’s not maximally efficient, it doesn’t have a purpose and doesn’t need to exist.
The fun side says both serious guns can exist and fun guns can exist. Shooting can both be fun and serve a purpose. Shooters who are mag dumping into trash and having fun believe recreational guns are completely valid. The recreational firearms side embraces all competition and all shooting as fun. Each trigger pull is fun, and everything from training to competing is enjoyable. This includes USPSA and IDPA, as well as PCC, Steel Challenge, and Skeet shooting.
The Fun, the Guns, and the Grumps
It’s weird to see the debate play out in these dark corners of the internet. It’s not a big debate, but there seem to be a few former military-turned-firearms trainers who want to take the fun out of guns. From their perspective, I guess I can understand their point. These are guys that might not have ever been ‘gun’ guys.
They are good shooters, but to them, shooting is just a job—a task they were forced to do, become adept at, and teach others to do. It was never something they did recreationally, and the military has a way of killing the fun when it comes to shooting. Trust me, as fun as it would be to shoot a .50 cal M2, the military absolutely kills your enjoyment of it.
120628-M-CV710-071 U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew C. Bell loads ammunition into an M2 .50-caliber heavy machine gun while training at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 28, 2012. Marines conducted the training to familiarize themselves with different weapons systems. Bell is assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division. DoD photo by Sgt. Sheila Brooks, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)
These guys can’t even see the fun in firearms. They might get the same dopamine hit when they see improvement and get better at shooting, but they aren’t going to be shooting just for the hell of it on the weekend.
The not-so-fun side would like to argue that shooting just isn’t enjoyable. I believe them. For some people, it’s just a thing they have to do to maintain proficiency. There are plenty of hobbyist woodworkers who love wielding a hammer, but a very skilled carpenter isn’t working on the weekend just for kicks and giggles.
Why So Serious?
Let’s be absolutely clear: guns are fun. If guns weren’t fun, we wouldn’t have a gun industry. Everyone would have bought their Glock 19 and AR-15, and the industry wouldn’t have a million different options. They wouldn’t have made massive improvements in how guns handle if it wasn’t for the folks having recreational firearms.
This idea that every gun has to be super useful and optimized for shooting bad guys is silly. PCCs, and retro reissues of Vietnam-era rifles are fun, and so are revolvers, long slide hunting pistols, and finely made over/under shotguns. Guns and shooting as a whole wouldn’t have progressed nearly as far as it has if it wasn’t enjoyable.
If shooting isn’t enjoyable for you, that’s fine, but recognize it is for most people. You might want to call us nothing more than enthusiasts, but enthusiasts drive the industry.
Dear reader: I’m going to admit two things. The first is that I started writing this draft by hand in a notebook in an airplane flying somewhere over the western half of the United States—while wearing my pair of 5.11 Chukka boots. The truth is that they’re extremely comfortable, and they’ve since become my choice of footwear when traveling.
It’s not only that they’re comfortable to wear for extremely long periods of time due to their Ortholite insole, but they also make the wearer look more put-together even while wearing jeans. More importantly, the Vibram full rubber outsole really does grant the wearer more traction.
Have you ever noticed how wet and slippery public airport bathroom floors are?
The Vibram sole makes the difference from skating around the floor of a Hartsfield-Jackson bathroom after you deplane and try to take care of business.
The 5.11 Approach To Designing Chukka Boots
The second thing I’ll admit: 5.11’s Chukka boots are the only desert boots I’ve ever worn. Other than the history of the classic desert boots such as the Clark’s that I highlighted in Part 1 of this article, I have no practical experience. I mention this because I can surmise that the experience of wearing the 5.11 version with the Ortholite insole and Vibram outer sole probably isn’t like wearing the shoe with the original crepe sole.
While the 5.11 Chukka boot respects the original lines and styling established by the Clark’s pattern desert boot, their approach to designing the boot is deservedly more modern.
Using a firearms-related analogy (this is a firearms website, right?), one can think of the classic Clark’s Chukka as a standard 1.0 mm thick Type 4 stamped-steel Kalashnikov receiver, whereas the 5.11 Chukka is more akin to a Sharps Bros. modern-milled and beefy AK receiver. In other words, the 5.11 version of the desert boot is built on a completely different and more robust chassis.
It’s basically a hiking boot that’s fashioned to follow the classic lines of the Chukka. This design approach is what makes the 5.11 Chukka a true general-purpose boot. Not to sound like boring ad copy, but after wearing these since September 2024, they really do fit in anywhere where dressing with these boots makes sense—from a shooting bay full of gravel to wearing them on a date at a lounge (again, those overly slippery bar bathrooms).
Bottom view of the 5.11 Chukka outer Vibram sole.
Nuanced Practical Details
A close-up of the finger loop and the softer neoprene section that reduces fatigue over the heel.
As mentioned previously, the 5.11 Chukka counts on a wider and rugged Vibram outer sole intended to provide traction nearly anywhere. The extremely cushy Ortholite insole feels like one of those good hotel pillows for one’s soles. Likewise, the upper of the 5.11 Chukka respects the classic of the Clark’s desert boot and even follows the same stitching pattern.
At the same time, it also has some subtle functional upgrades that help support the 5.11 Chukka’s more modern mission as a shoe.
For example, it has an extra eyelet on either side for laces. It’s three to a row as opposed to the Clark’s two per row. This allows the boot’s laces to cover additional surface area and also gives the wearer the ability to tie their laces with more tension for a greater degree of support—something useful when stepping on non-paved surfaces.
Similarly, 5.11 incorporated a finger loop that makes it easier to put on or take off the boots. The rear edge of the 5.11 Chukka’s opening has a section of a softer neoprene material that’s more elastic and less abrasive on the heel. I think this softer insert is one of the reasons why the boot is actually comfortable to wear all day. Even with the right socks, the edge of any shoe’s opening can rub too much and aggravate the heel.
Short of needing fully technical athletic support, going for a long walk while wearing these isn’t taxing at all. It’s also one of the reasons I personally like them for airport duty too.
Wearing 5.11 Chukka Boots
I’ve worn my pair since September on many different occasions, from going out to socialize to walking the dog for a few miles around the neighborhood. Laugh at me if you must, but the range is the only place I don’t wear these because it’s the muddy season. Honestly, they’re nice shoes, and I’d hate to soil them, considering how much mileage I already get from them.
On this note, I appreciate that the 5.11 Chukka boot’s leather material does not scuff too easily, either. My size 12 boots fit dead on and even spare a little extra space in the toe box (a must for all-day wear).
The only thing I can’t comment on is long-term durability. I’ve only been wearing these since last September, but thus far, I am very happy with them. I shall continue wearing them, and not just to the airport.
CMMG continues to expand its line of DISSENT Br models by blending this particularly American style of semi-automatic sporting rifle with the solidly Russian 7.62x39mm round. The Br47 DISSENT even feeds from AKM pattern magazines.
The Br47 DISSENT
Like the rest of CMMG’s Br series, the Br47 accepts most Remington 870 pattern stocks. It comes standard with the Magpul SGA buttstock. The lower has a reversible cross-bolt safety and an ambidextrous mag release. The trigger is a Br-specific ZEROED Single Stage Trigger from CMMG.
As is fitting with the 7.62x39mm caliber, the Br47 works with AK47 pattern magazines and ships with two Magpul AKM 10rd magazines. 5rd magazines are available for states with additional, even more ridiculous, magazine capacity restrictions.
The Br47 DISSENT uses the Mk47 upper group. It has a non-reciprocating forward-side charger that’s reversible for right or left-side charging without tools. It’s built on a mid-size receiver and uses an AR10-sized POWERBOLT along with CMMG’s direct impingement Compact Action operating system.
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The Br47 DISSENT is available in three barrel options. You can get a 16.1-inch barrel with 5/8×24″ threads, a 14.3-inch barrel with a ZEROED SVD Brake pinned & welded to bring it to 16 inches overall length, or a 16.1-inch non-threaded barrel for extra restricted states like New York.
16.1″ Br47 DISSENT Specs
Caliber
7.62x39mm
Operating System
Compact Action-Direct Impingement
Barrel Length
16.1
Barrel Twist
1:10
Barrel Contour
MT
Barrel Material
4140CM, Nitride Finish
Barrel Twist
1:10
Muzzle Device
CMMG ZEROED Muzzle Brake
Muzzle Thread
5/8 x 24
Gas Port Location
Mid
Gas Block
Adjustable 0.750″
Upper Receiver
DISSENT Mk47/Mid-Size 7075 T6 Aluminum
Lower Receiver
Mk47 Billet 7075 T6 Aluminum
Hand Guard
CMMG 15″ Proprietary
Finish
Cerakote
Charging Handle
Dissent Side Charger – Reversible
Stock / Brace
Magpul SGA – Remington 870
Trigger Type
ZEROED Single Stage Br3/4/47 Specific
Trigger Guard
Integrated
Safety Selector
Reversible Cross Bolt
Magazine
(2) Magpul 10rd PMAG
Weight
8.1 lbs
Length
39.2″
MSRP
$1,999.95
For more info on the Br47 DISSENT models, check out CMMG.com.
Evacuation kits don't need to be huge or elaborate.
As I write this, wildfires are devastating parts of California and tens of thousands of residents have evacuated the affected areas. I’ve seen numerous posts on social media talking about evacuation kits, bug out bags, and the like. There are lots of questions out there about these sorts of packs, so let’s get into it a bit.
An encroaching wildfire is just one scenario that might cause you to need to head out of town with a quickness.
To be clear, what follows is simply my own interpretation of the subject. There are other perspectives out there that might differ on some of the finer points. As with anything else that falls under the preparedness umbrella, there’s no one size fits all solution. Take what works for you and leave the rest.
Defining the Purpose
An evacuation kit’s role is to provide for your basic needs while you’re away from home for a limited time. It isn’t intended to sustain you for days or weeks on end. It isn’t something that’s designed for living off the land in some sort of Red Dawn scenario, either. In the event of a wildfire or similar sort of disaster, this is the bag you grab on your way out the door.
What About Premade Evacuation Kits?
There are a couple of common issues with the fully assembled kits you’ll find in stores or online. The quality of the kit’s contents is often less than desired. On top of that, the premade kit isn’t geared toward your specific needs or situation. It’s just a generic collection of stuff that may or may not work under real world conditions.
You’re far better off assembling your own kit. This allows you to customize it to be exactly what you and your family need.
Evacuation Kit Contents
Trying to decide what to put into your kit can be overwhelming. To help simplify things, think about it like this. Take the disaster out of the equation for the moment. Let’s say you were going to take a trip out of town for a long weekend. What would you pack? At the top of the list, you’ll probably want clothes, toiletries, and any prescription medications you take on a daily basis.
From there, add a flash drive that contains copies of important documents and data. Start with a video inventory of your home and vehicles, being sure to note the VIN and license plates on the latter. Scan in copies of any especially important family photos. Add copies of your identification, insurance paperwork, and property ownership records. While you’re at it, create contacts in your phone for all of your insurance companies or agents.
Be sure to password protect the flash drive so others can’t easily access your private information.
Put into your evacuation kit a good quality water filter. In addition, have 1 or 2 liters of water available. Shelf-stable food is also wise. Nothing that needs to be prepped or cooked, though. Think more along the lines of quick snacks. Hopefully you’ll be able to find open grocery stores or restaurants wherever it is you land after evacuating home.
Make sure you have power banks for your phone and other devices. I also recommend putting into your kit wall chargers. Use those whenever possible and reserve the power banks for when wall outlets aren’t available.
Save power banks for when wall outlets aren’t available for charging your devices.
Eye protection, such as swim goggles, and a good mask will help alleviate issues from smoke or other air quality issues that arise. A small first aid kit is a necessity. Add to it over-the-counter medications for common issues, such as upset stomach, pain/fever, and cold and flu symptoms.
If you have a baby in the mix, you’ll want diapers, wipes, formula, and such. Don’t overlook feminine hygiene products if you have family members who use them.
If pets are part of the equation, make sure you pack food, water, dishes for both, leash and harness, and crate or cage for them. A full copy of their immunization record from the vet might be needed as well.
Most of us already EDC a knife, flashlight, and possibly a multi-tool. Having a spare of each in your evacuation kit might not be the worst idea.
Odds are that you’ll end up spending a night or two at the home of a friend or family member. If not there, then a motel. Either way, an eye mask and ear plugs might help you get a good night’s sleep.
Evacuation Kit Storage
Use a comfortable backpack or similar conveyance to store your evacuation kit. Keep it in a coat closet or other location where you can access it easily. This is not a store it and forget it situation, though. You should pull your evacuation kit out and inspect the contents at least twice a year. Rotate out any perishable supplies, such as food items.
Few people relish the idea of having to leave their home in a disaster. But it’s important to be ready, just in case.
At face value, precision rifle shooting of any stripe is about having good data and being consistent in all aspects of shooting. These aspects include the rifle’s sighting system, and how one interfaces with the rifle and its ammunition. The collective rabbit holes that constitute all of the sub-topics that converge into the broader subject of precision rifle shooting only deepen from there. But everything is predicated on having good data.
At Green Ops Intro To Precision, McGuire went around with his personally owned Garmin Xero C1 chronograph so each student could capture their rifles’ muzzle velocities. The muzzle velocity is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle needed when plugging in data into any ballistics calculator like the previously mentioned GeoBallistics. (Some of us also had our own Garmins on the line during zeroing time too).
My Garmin Xero C1 chronograph next to The Conroe at the 100 yard firing line.
Miracles of Modern Technology
It’s very easy to take the miracles of modern technology for granted. However, I consider this class experience to be a big deal and worthy of a highlight, not unlike having functional modern plumbing.
If I had to pinpoint a shooting product of the year for 2024, it would have to be Garmin’s fairly new Xero C1 chronograph. It was unveiled a year ago, and its ramifications and capabilities make it an objective game-changer. Whether the instructor was passing around his own Garmin chronograph to let students record their muzzle velocity or whether the rest of us were using our own devices in real-time, never has collecting muzzle velocity data been so easy, instantaneous, and hassle-free.
Plugging in a rifle’s muzzle velocity figure is a crucial component of formulating DOPE (data on previous engagements). In the past, one would have to use an unwieldy device or just copy and paste the published muzzle velocity numbers on the box of cartridges (and hope for the best).
Simply put, being able to teach students in an introductory survey course about DOPE formulation without derailing the class is a huge deal and a modern miracle of technology.
If I sound overly excited about this, it’s also because every other range trip involves chronographing whatever firearm I’m working with and this gadget really does make my life easier. But seriously, in the past, collecting good DOPE—good data, in other words—was a real chore. Especially because it entailed a process of collecting information and working backward from previous engagements.
Now, all it takes is to plug and play with a straightforward verification of the data afterward.
No, no one is bored goofing off on their phones. After confirming zeroes at 100, these students were finalizing their rifles’ DOPE on GeoBallistics.
Intro To Precision Carbine: The Gear
A close-up of The Conroe while shooting off the prone and experimenting with rear bags and the SBA3 brace.
A few months ago, I got together with the crew from Big Tex Ordnance to build The Conroe. I named this AR after Conroe, Texas, the town where Big Tex Ordnance is headquartered. Also because this gun’s most critical parts are composed of Hodge Defense and Kratos Design Group’s components.
The notable exception is the 12.5-inch barrel. While Hodge Defense 12.5-inch barrels have a legendary reputation for durability and reliability, the Conroe instead is a test bed for the K9 Rosco/Sage Dynamics 12.5-inch stainless 416R stainless steel barrel.
Not only does this nitrided barrel have an optimized gas port, it uses the novel patrol-length gas tube, and its tapering profile keeps more material around the chamber area for better balance and heat distribution.
With its characteristics and its price, we think this Rosco K9 barrel is a “performance sleeper,” and I’m planning on doing a more detailed review on The Conroe in the future.
Running the Conroe
The Green Ops Intro To Precision Carbine was this firearm’s official debut and first public outing. For this class specifically, I topped it with the trusty Leupold Mark5 HD 2-10×30 and installed an offset Lucid Optics enclosed-emitter E7 on an angled Arisaka mount.
The combination of the Rosco’s profile, gas port design, and novel gas system, along with the beefy Hodge Defense P-Lock M-LOK rail and an H2 buffer, made for a very smooth and properly running AR. At the time of this writing, The Conroe has approximately 250-275 rounds all in, so it has barely broken in. Regardless, it has cycled smoothly with both .223 Remington and 5.56 mm NATO pressure cartridges since its hammer detonated the primer on its first cartridge.
To boost its capabilities, the lower houses a Geissele SSA-E trigger that I’ve had forever. It’s certainly suitable on a precision-oriented AR, after all. In its current configuration, this rifle skews towards the heavier side, but I find that its current recoil impulse works well for making precise shots.
Looking Ahead
Currently, The Conroe is a large-format AR pistol that will eventually be turned into a double-stamper as an SBR and suppressor host. In the meantime, it’s using an SBA3 pistol brace.
While the accuracy with 77 grain OTM type match ammo is good enough, I find that the brace happens to be this setup’s biggest liability in accuracy as the bottom portion of the SBA3 isn’t as stable as a real AR stock that’s in contact with a rear bag. I have plenty of experience shooting 16-inch carbines with actual stocks off the prone with accurate 77-grain ammo. And it’s just not the fairly open groups, but I could also recognize the instability while looking through the scope.
With a little more practice I ought to be able to meet the 2 MOA or better precision carbine threshold. Even in its current and less-than-ideal configuration, the Conroe was still accurate enough.
Intro To Precision Carbine: Gallery
The Takeaway
For prospective students: the course syllabus officially recommends bringing match-grade rifle ammo for the course—300 rounds. This is a very conservative estimate, and it wouldn’t hurt to bring it if you have it. Unfortunately, match-grade ammo is expensive. So, I also recommend bringing general-purpose 55-grain range rounds to have on hand for certain exercises, such as the carbine version of the trigger control at speed from the prone we worked on.
A rear bag and a bipod are must-haves, and neither have to be extremely expensive. I used my old Magpul bipod and a Picatinny M-LOK insert and got through the course just fine.
Because rifles are rifles and carbines are carbines, there’s some overlap between the fundamentals of rifle shooting that students might see at a more general-purpose carbine class, like Green Ops’ excellent LPVO course, and some of the topics discussed in Intro To Precision Carbine.
However, this course continues to scratch the surface of shooting precision ARs. I noticed we didn’t burn up too much ammo. All in, I fired nearly 150 rounds, including 25 or so match grade 77-grain OTM cartridges during the zero and chronographing process.
Parting Shots
In Part 1, I mentioned that prospective students don’t have to be advanced AR shooters to take advantage of this class, only that they handle firearms safely. I do suggest that prospective students ensure that their optics are properly mounted prior to the class. Pre-class zeroes don’t need to be perfect but they should be close enough to fine-tune during the data gathering portion of class.
While LPVOs are welcome in Into To Precision Rifle, I’m of the opinion that one is better served to bring a normal riflescope with parallax adjustment and turrets to class. For this type of application, scopes ranging from 2x or 3x on the low-end up to 18x on the high end are suitable.
By Saturday evening, I drove away from The Ranch with a better understanding of the mindfulness of building an efficient shooting position while in the prone position, along with some pistol-grip tweaks to better control the trigger during recoil. It would be interesting to see if Green Ops develops another course that builds off of this one.
Charter Arms has been making affordable, American-made revolvers for over 60 years now. While their .44 Special Bulldog is iconic, they’ve made plenty of other calibers like .32 Magnum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .22LR and .22 Magnum as well. They have even made a series of revolvers chambered for rimless rounds like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. The latest addition to the rimless line up is the new .380 Coyote Revolver, which they say is the smallest and lightest of its kind.
The Charter Arms .380 Coyote
The new .380 Coyote revolver will be available in two models. There’s a traditional double/single action model, as well as a concealed hammer Off Duty model.
Nick Ecker, Owner, President, and CEO of Charter Arms, stated in the press release, “We wanted to offer a smaller frame revolver for women and first-time shooters that would be great for personal protection and sport shooting without the bulk and muzzle jump of larger caliber handguns.”
Let’s take a look at how they accomplished this.
The new Coyote .380 is a compact and lightweight revolver that’s chambered in .380 ACP. The .380 round offers milder recoil than the typical .38 Special load that you commonly see in snub-nosed revolvers. With modern defense ammunition, though, particularly that designed for short barrel pocket pistols, the .380 can still be quite effective. In addition to the lighter recoiling round, Charter Arms included a ported barrel and a full underlug to further reduce muzzle climb.
The Coyote is built on a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, while the barrel and cylinder are made from 416 stainless steel. The double/single version is available with either a matte anodized frame and matte stainless-steel components or a pink or lavender anodized frame with high polished components. Both revolvers have diamond cuts in the 2-inch barrel’s underlug and come with checkered rosewood grips. The double/single models feature a serrated ramp front sight and notch rear.
Coyote .380 Off Duty
The Coyote .380 Off Duty model comes with a pink or a clear anodized frame and stainless-steel components. It features a fully enclosed, concealed hammer for double action-only operation and wears compact rubber grips. The Off Duty model also has a 2-inch barrel with diamond cuts in the underlug and has a HIVIS LitePipe front sight.
Because .380 ACP is a rimless cartridge that was designed for use in autoloaders, Charter Arms Coyote revolvers must be loaded using moon clips. The .380 Coyote ships with two TK Customs moon clips to feed the 5-shot cylinder. Additional moon clips are available for purchase separately as well.
General Features
Since the Coyotes are chambered in the rimless .380 ACP round, they use stamped steel full moon clips for loading and extraction. Full moon clips make for fast reloads since you’re dropping all five rounds in the cylinder at once and ejecting them as a single unit. Moon clips are affordable, too, with spares running just $7.99 on the Charter Arms website.
With its 2-inch barrel, alloy frame, and 14-ounce weight, the Coyote should be a great everyday concealed carry gun. Lightweight .38s can be pretty snappy and unpleasant to shoot, which isn’t conducive to training and practice. Especially if you’re a new shooter or recoil-sensitive. The combination of .380 chambering and ported barrel on the Coyote should mitigate that, though, and make for a pleasant shooting defense handgun with the simple manual of arms that comes with a revolver.
With an MSRP starting at $434.56, the Charter Arms .380 Coyote is also affordable, especially for an all American-made product with a lifetime warranty
.380 Coyote Specifications:
Caliber
.380 ACP
Capacity
5 rounds
Barrel Length
2 inches
Grips
Small rosewood checkered (standard models), Compact Rubber (Off Duty model)
