The Taurus Expedition Rifle

By

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December 4, 2024

Taurus Expedition Bolt Action Rifle Hunting

Taurus launching a bolt-action hunting rifle in 2024 was something I did not expect to see, let alone shoot and review.

Sure.

I’ve had the privilege to both shoot and write some of these models, with my most recent work covering the Taurus 692 Executive Grade revolver. That Taurus launches different revolver and pistol models every calendar year is no surprise to anyone. They are, after all, primarily focused on handguns and revolvers in our North American market.

Close-up of the front right side of the Taurus Expedition Rifle’s receiver.

But a bolt-action hunting rifle? That certainly wasn’t what I was expecting to see on opening day of SHOT Show 2024—the Tuesday morning after everyone’s favorite crowd pleaser, SHOT Media Range Day, when I strolled over to the Taurus booth to pester Caleb.

But there it was, the Taurus Expedition Rifle. The first things that caught my eye were its distinctive granite-gray stock and its spiraled barrel.

Taurus Bolt Action Expedition Rifle Overview

The Taurus Expedition Rifle certainly predicates itself on modern universal bolt-action rifle design language, such as the use of AICS pattern detachable magazines or a Remington 700-derived action. However, this new rifle from Taurus is also not merely a generic product that simply checks off boxes, either.

The Expedition Rifle is also not the most expensive rifle on the rack, but it’s certainly not the cheapest either. All in all, it shows a considerable amount of effort on behalf of the Taurus team and their goal of fielding a practical hunting rifle with much to offer for value for its street-price of $800 (give-or-take).

Expedition rifles were originally launched with 18-inch barrels and a .308 Winchester chambering, and that’s what my rifle consists of. Alternatively, Taurus does offer a 20-inch version chambered for everyone’s favorite middlebore cartridge, the 6.5mm Creedmoor.

Receiver And Action

Much the same way that the tilting Browning delayed blowback mechanism is the lingua franca of modern semi-automatic handguns, the Remington 700 action is the same for the majority of bolt-action rifles built these days. It provides shooters with a straightforward push-feed action and a convenient thumb-accessible safety lever above the rifle’s wrist, behind the receiver.

This cosmopolitan configuration also places a handy latch on the left side to release the bolt from the receiver’s raceway. The top of the Expedition’s receiver is pre-drilled and tapped for 6/48 screws and accepts any short-action Remington-700 bases, which makes finding rings and installing scope bases on the Expedition easy.

The Expedition’s bolt is fluted and uses a tri-lug design. It also employs a pair of dual ejectors—something I’ve come to appreciate when cycling empty brass. Because the ejectors work in tandem, it doesn’t matter how swiftly or softly the shooter cycles the bolt. Spent casings will pop out with vigor regardless.

The bolt’s knob and stem are low-profile so as to not interfere with the shooter or their gear in the field. The bolt’s shroud also has a “rifle-cocked” indicator that protrudes when the action is ready to fire.

Trigger

The Taurus Expedition Rifle is outfitted with an adjustable single-stage trigger. From the factory, my rifle’s trigger breaks at an average of 2-lbs, 12-ounces—according to my electronic trigger-pull scale. Prior to breaking, the slack before the wall is virtually imperceptible, and it won’t be noticed in the field or on the range. The trigger is satisfactory as it arrived out of the box, and I didn’t feel the need to mess with it.

The Expedition’s Stock

The Expedition’s weatherproof synthetic stock, molded fully in-house by Taurus, is perhaps the most interesting feature about the entire rifle (despite the fact that I’m quite fond of its cold hammer-forged barrel). With the aim of keeping costs down, the Expedition’s stock is not some fancy monocoque affair with a rigid exoskeleton. But it also isn’t a generic molding either.

Even though this stock won’t win any beauty pageants, it is definitely feature-rich from butt to fore-end. Internally, it is aluminum pillar bedded and free-floats the action. To secure the barreled action onto the stock, the Expedition rifle uses T-27 Torx action screws. On my rifle, I can slip an index card all the way to the juncture between the barrel and receiver. Externally, the Expedition’s granite-colored stock has very mild pebbling strewn about.

Beginning from rear to front, Expedition stocks include a generous soft rubber recoil pad whose dampening effects are welcomed. The butt itself doesn’t have the “traditional triangular shape” with that long length of pull, long curving wrist, and long comb. Instead, the butt takes on the contemporary profile seen on more “precision-oriented” rifles. So, the Expedition’s butt is shorter, and its wrist is more vertical with a wider palm swell.

This “newer” lends itself better when taking shots from a slew of different positions, something that is handy in the field, no doubt. To facilitate shooting with a riflescope, the Expedition’s stock incorporates an elevated comb that lends itself to pairing up perfectly with most medium-height scope rings. Finally, the bottom portion of the butt ahead of the toe is squared-off to better ride a rear-bag while shooting; a single sling-swivel stud can also be found here.

The Expedition Fore-End

The Expedition’s fore-end can be likened to a Swiss Army knife because it serves hunters in many different ways. The portion ahead of the receiver is pared down in order to fit with gripping-style tripods or gun saddles. Furthermore, the bottom part of the fore-end includes two M-LOK slots, a QD slot for Spartan Precision bipods, and the traditional front sling-swivel stud.

In short, the Expedition’s stock is designed to facilitate all popular hunting styles, from blinds and stands to using the natural scenery while taking the shot.

To Be Continued In Part 2

Why Is There So Much Snake Oil Around Shotguns?

By

Travis Pike

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December 4, 2024

Shotguns are a misunderstood and often misrepresented genre of firearms. A lot of this misunderstanding comes from what I call shotgun snake oil. Snake oil is a term used to describe the varied tonics, elixirs, and cures sold by traveling salesmen during the old West era. While people aren’t buying snake oil in the form of tonics and elixirs, they are buying it in the form of guns, ammo types, and a misunderstanding of how shotguns should be used.

There is some snake oil and garbage out there for all genres, but shotguns, in particular, seem to attract it more than other firearm types. It’s prevalent and annoying as a shotgunner. It makes it really tough to defend my stance on the utility of shotguns when you see shotgun snake oil being pushed by major manufacturers.

This is the standard bead sighted shotgun.

Take, for example, one of Winchester’s tactical birdshot. They produced and advertised a defensive load of birdshot, effectively undoing a great many hours of online discourse that birdshot is for birds. Ammo is a huge draw for snake oil. We’ve seen a variety of exotic ammo types that are snake oil.

Why are shotguns so prone to snake oil? That’s the thought experiment I wanted to undertake today.

Why The Snake Oil?

One of the hard parts about being a shotgun guy is dealing with other shotgun guys. I don’t consider myself an expert, but I do study and continue to learn, train, and work on being a shotgunner. A lot of folks don’t do that. We know this from the sheer number of Turkish magazine-fed bullpups that are on the market.

Low information is the reason for shotgun snake oil. People buy dumb things because they don’t take the time to learn how their weapon works, how it incapacitates, and what works best. A lack of training and education allows the varied salesmen with stupid accessories, ammo types, and gimmicks to infect the shotgun world.

The other obvious answer is that there is room for snake oil. Literal room in the barrel for it. Ever since the days of the blunderbuss, you’ve had lots and lots of room to shove things down a shotgun’s barrel. That’s the excuse we have for all the exotic loads. We aren’t expecting the projectiles to need rifling, so they don’t necessarily interact with the barrel. This gives us the stupid ammo types we see.

Shotguns are also a huge market. Large markets create lots of potential sales. Even people who are anti-gun own shotguns; people like Tim Walz and Joe Biden own shotguns. It makes a large, fairly uncontroversial market.

People also just want to be special. That’s fine. The CZ-75 sells because people want to be different and special. In the shotgun world, it draws in snake oil, and people like to think they have the best option that no one knows about and they certainly don’t want to use something as boring as 00 buckshot.

What Can We Do To Snuff It Out

We bully it. Seriously, gun bullying works. We fight it in every corner it shows up. Let’s make fun of people who use birdshot for home defense, we make fun of Turkish bullpups, and we don’t tolerate snake oil from major companies. We don’t let it stand. At least I won’t. I like shotguns too much to keep suffering from this type of B.S.

Online Account Security – Keeping Hackers At Bay

By

Jim Cobb

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December 3, 2024

Keeping your online accounts secure is critical in this day and age. Identity theft is rampant and costly. While nothing is guaranteed to be foolproof, there are a few strategies you can employ. We’re going to look at two areas – passwords and security questions.

Create Unique Passwords

Passwords are the primary line of defense to keep your online accounts secure. Tim MacWelch, in his book BEAT THE ODDS, wrote that the top 10 most common passwords are:

123456

123456789

QWERTY

PASSWORD

111111

12345678

ABC123

1234567

PASSWORD1

12345

Obviously, anyone should be able to recognize how ridiculous all of those are, despite how common they may be.

Various computer security experts suggest that a good password should be comprised of upper-case letter, lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Additionally, it should be at least 12-14 characters long. It should not be a word that can be found in a dictionary. It also should not be the name of person or place, fictional or real. If it looks like random gibberish, it’s probably good to go.

Never reuse an old password. Never use the same password for more than one site or account. When you have to update your password, the new one should be entirely different. Don’t reuse any part of the old password.

A password manager is a great tool, especially if you have several secure accounts and remembering the password for each of them is difficult. WIRED Magazine did a great write up about them.

Enhance The Answers to Your Security Questions

When it comes to keeping online accounts secure, the second line of defense is the security question lineup. They’re there in case you lose access to your account. The idea is that these questions should be difficult for others to be able to answer.

However, the reality is that many of the people in your life can probably figure out those answers, given a little time and effort. But there’s a nifty workaround that can help close that potential loophole.

Here’s the thing. When we’re presented with questions like:

What was the name of your teacher in first grade?

Who was your best friend in grade school?

What was the name of your first pet?

We’re sort of hard-wired to answer them truthfully, right? Fun fact, though. Nobody fact checks your answers. Not only do you not have to answer them honestly, your answers don’t need to make any sense at all.

What was the name of your teacher in first grade? Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Who was your best friend in grade school? Peppa Pig

What was the name of your first pet? Green Eggs and Ham

Can you tell that I’m staring at a stack of my granddaughter’s books as I write this? You could even just come up with your own complete nonsense words for those answers. The only requirement for the answers to the security questions is that you need to be able to remember them.

One last thing regarding keeping your online accounts secure. You know those fun little questionnaires that get passed around on social media? Avoid jumping on that particular bandwagon.

Photo courtesy McKinney Police Department Facebook page.

Wilson Arms Co. Radical Shotguns

By

Travis Pike

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December 3, 2024

I should have been born in the 1970s; that way, I could invest into a lot of companies, own a home for 17 bucks, and have a fleet of muscle cars. Oh and live in the glory days of the shotgun as a tactical weapon. In the 1980s, the shotgun still ruled the police long gun market, and companies like Wilson Arms Co. were producing some fairly radical shotguns like the WP870 and the Executive Protection shotgun.

The shotgun’s appeal remained strong with law enforcement. Even a radical-looking shotgun was likely an easier sell than a submachine gun or rifle at this time. Pump shotguns, in particular, could be cut and trimmed in almost all directions, and the gun still runs fine and can still be quite effective.

Wilson Arms Co. and The WP870

The story of Wilson Arms Co. and Jim Wilson comes out of Brunswick, Georgia, and was most famous for the Witness Protection 870, or WP870 series shotguns. It’s often touted that he produced these guns for the Marshal’s Service, which isn’t exactly true. Deputy Marshal Lin Jordahl came up with the concept of a super short shotgun for the Marshal’s Service. He brought that design to Armorer Gene Thompson in 1982.

Thompson developed the original super short shotgun, which became known as the Marshal Service Short Shotgun. It was a Remington 870 with a 14.5-inch barrel and a bird’ s-head-style pistol grip. Gene Thompson modified 870 Wingmasters with 20-inch barrels. The Marshal Service approved the design, and they were going to build 250 of them. Jim Wilson got the contract to convert Remington 870 stocks into the bird’s head pistol grip.

Sometime later, he produced the Witness Protection 870 as a commercial product. The WP870 guns were nearly identical to the Marshal Service Short Shotgun. They had short barrels, between 12.5 and 14.5 inches, and bird’s head style grips, and were either short barrel shotguns or AOWs. The difference came down to their production method and how Wilson Arms Co. filed the ATF forms.

This specific configuration became somewhat famous. It wasn’t wildly successful, but it became somewhat iconic. We see various WP-style shotguns in pop culture, like the film Book of Eli, and the movie Eraser. Another company, Scattergun Technology, also produced a Witness Protection 870, which I believe may have led to some legal action by Wilson Arms Co. over the name.

The Executive Protection Model

A less well-known shotgun from Wilson Arms Co. is the Executive Protection model. This gun was even smaller than the WP870. Over the years, the size has varied, but the original guns featured 7.9-inch barrels. To make these guns work, Wilson Arms Co. had to shorten the action bars and fabricate a folding vertical grip rather than a traditional pump.

A normal pump wouldn’t work. It’s too long and didn’t have enough room to travel rearward. The vertical grip offered plenty of room to cycle the action. The grip could fold to reduce the bulk of the gun and to increase concealment. The rear pistol grip is also vertical and gone is the bird’s head grip. The Executive Protection was produced from both Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 guns.

Guns this small would only hold two to three rounds in the tube. With one in the chamber, you have less than five on a good day. The Executive Protection model prized size and concealment more than anything else.

The gun found its way into the hands of Tubbs on Miami Vice. Tubbs always preferred a short shotgun, and in season 4, the Executive Protection became his flavor of the month. The Executive Protection created an entire genre of AOW-style shotguns. Wilson Arms Co. doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

A Lasting Legacy

The Marshal Service Short Shotgun deserves credit as the original super short shotgun. However, it was never a commercial gun. The WP870 and its commercial availability help propel this format to the next level. The grip in particular helped create the current crop of TAC 14s and Mossberg Shockwaves.

Companies like Safety Harbor Firearms and Serbu both produced crazy small AOWs in similar configurations. Mossberg even produced a series of AOWs in a very similar configuration. The Executive Protection model isn’t as well known as the WP870, but it made an impact.

Jim Wilson and Wilson Arms Co. aren’t talked about much these days, and it seems as if the company is no longer producing radical shotguns. As a shotgun nerd, it’s most certainly a company I’m aware of and appreciate.

Hunting With A Vintage Remington 1100

By

P.E. Fitch

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December 2, 2024

I recently shared an account of my first ever experiences hunting dove in Texas on our sister publication, Athlon Outdoors. On the second day of my hunt, one of my hunting partners encouraged me to try his vintage 20 gauge Remington 1100 semi-auto shotgun. Because hunting is all about experiences, I took him up on that offer. It wasn’t before long that I had that vintage Remington shotgun up to my shoulder and ended up taking more than half of my dove limit of the day with it.

My friend’s shotgun left such an impression on me that I decided to write this. Consider it a vignette to my main dove hunting story—and an homage to the classic Remington 1100 shotgun.

I’ve never owned a 20 gauge. I still don’t. And I honestly scantly shoot them, so it seemed like a good excuse to try something different. The appeal of also using a piece of classic equipment during my first dove hunt in Texas also felt very right. Many years ago, the first shotgun I ever I fired—at 11 years old—was a 12 gauge Remington 1100 Synthetic. There’s probably a soft spot for them tucked away in the recesses of my heart.

Gas Operated Hegemony

In American shotgun genealogy, the Remington 1100 posits an interesting paradigm shift, especially when looked at historically. John Moses Browning introduced his Auto-5/Model 11 design right at the turn of the last century. Its long-stroke recoil-operated action became the definitive pattern of semi-automatic shotguns through the mid-century period.

Even Remington’s classic Model 11-48 shotgun used that long-stroke recoil action to cycle its shells, albeit in sleeker form. The mid-century period saw two models from Remington, the Model 58 and 878. As the forerunners to the 1100, these models were somewhat primitive but were an effort to move away from recoil operation and into gas-cycled actions.

The 58 and 878 had pistons inside their tubular magazines, which caused their own string of challenges—especially fouling issues. The Remington 1100 came on the scene in 1963, the same year that Stoner and Sullivan unleashed the original Armalite AR-15.

With the Remington 1100, Remington engineers implemented a pistol and sleeve design that sat independently from the tubular magazine around its circumference. Ever since, this design detail has been part and parcel of serious gas-operated semi-automatic shotguns.

It arguably became the king of gas-operated semi-auto shotguns for the better part of the end of the 20th century.

In The Hands, On The Shoulder And In The Field

Setting aside the nuances of the Remington 1100’s gas-operated action or its history, this shotgun represented a brand new blank slate for me. Sure, I own a pair of vintage pump-action Wingmasters, but neither is anything like this 1100. And neither take 20 gauge shotshells.

The shotgun I got to hunt with is a time capsule. It’s an original piece of mid-century shotgun-shooting Americana from the golden age of Remington Arms.

Like nearly every other old shotgun, its barrel has a fixed choke. The steel used in its construction, along with the steel that forms its receiver, has a deep blue finish that is seldom seen in modern shotguns.

Even though this particular specimen dates back to the mid-1960s (old enough to include a plastic butt-pad), its deep-blued finish has held up well. Even as generations of its owner’s family shouldered it to down doves over the decades.

Of course, this shotgun also wears its fair share of rubs, dings, and other marks of character. But they only make it more distinguished. Its furniture, highlighted with pretty wood grain and covered with a glossy and tough DuPont polyurethane finish derived from bowling pins, hearkens back to a time when even production-grade guns were deserving of handsome wood.

Its bolt is shiny and chrome and gleams even unintentionally in any lighting condition. I consider it the cherry on top and one of my favorite details about any vintage Remington shotgun.

Shooting the Remington 1100

I remember taking my friend’s vintage 1100 in my hands and slipping some yellow-hulled 20 gauge Federal #8 shells into its magazine—only two since we were hunting migratory birds. Despite the fact that this Remington had a full-size stock with a length of pull designed to fit an adult man, the way it balanced on the shoulder was incredible. Likewise, it was also easy to swing around as birds dropped in low and laterally over the stock tank. Even better, after pulling the trigger, it had a Goldilocks recoil impulse that was so pleasant and smooth, the opposite of violent.

If you’ve ever fired a vintage Colt AR-15, like an SP1 with its full-length rifle gas system and A1 receiver extension, that’s what shooting this old 20 gauge Remington 1100 reminded me of.

Hunting birds with a 20 gauge has its trade-offs. In exchange for a lighter gun with more pleasant recoiling, one sacrifices pellet payloads and inherently increases their handicap. Wingshooting is challenging enough, and I know I want every advantage possible, especially the extra pellets in a 12 gauge shotshell.

In the case of this old Remington 1100, shouldering it and putting some shells through it feels much like sitting down in the most comfortable spot on the couch after Thanksgiving dinner and not wanting to move.

White-Winged Doves resting on branches in the morning after feeding at a nearby field.

The Taurus TX 22 – An Extraordinary Plinker

By

Travis Pike

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December 2, 2024

The revamp and resurrection of Taurus have ushered in a new era for the company and a variety of new guns. Some have excited me: the 22TUX, the 692, the various Executive-Grade guns, and even the Taurus Judge Home Defender, not to mention the Rossi and Heritage guns. One that escaped me was the Taurus TX 22. I love rimfire guns, but the TX-22 just escaped my experience. It wasn’t until I ran into one for less than 200 bucks that I figured, hell, let’s give it a try.

The ! and Metal Gear Solid noise rang out when I saw the gun, slapped the cash down, and walked out happily. The world of .22LR pistols is fraught with unreliable guns. It’s been mostly figured out, but a wide variety of guns will only run with high-velocity ammunition. That’s fine, but finding a gun that can run it all is the goal. Would the TX 22 be that gun?

What made me purchase the TX 22 wasn’t good reviews or the Taurus fans, but it was the Taurus haters. It’s not hard to run into Taurus haters, and I see plenty of them. Guys who hate Taurus love to talk about how much they hate Taurus and to call you a poor if you think the G3 is a surprisingly good gun. However, even amongst Taurus haters, you’ll see something like, “Taurus sucks, but the TX 22 is pretty good.”

The TX 22 and The New Taurus

I don’t think Taurus sucks, but when you hear someone who does praise a Taurus gun, that’s worth noticing. The Taurus TX-22 helped modernize the .22LR pistol genre. Prior to guns like the TX 22, SIG P322, and even KelTec CP33, the standard capacity for every .22LR was ten rounds. The heavily rimmed cartridge makes double stack challenging, but the TX 22 helped figure it out.

The gun holds 16 rounds of .22LR in a mostly polymer magazine. The magazine has two knobs to pull down the follower and spring. This makes loading easy. However, loading these magazines can be a little tricky. You should only pull the follower down enough to fit one round. If you pull it too much, you can have a nosedive, which will stop the magazine from feeding.

The gen 1 gun I have isn’t optics ready. The new gen 2 gun is optics-ready and features a 22-round magazine. There is also a competition model, and a compact variant that’s also optics ready. The gun does have a short rail for a light or laser.

Predictably, the gun features a straight blowback design. I don’t think there’s another way to make a .22LR pistol work outside of straight blowback. The downside of a straight blowback gun is recoil, but it’s a .22LR, so it’s not a problem with the TX 22.

To The Range With the TX 22

I grabbed the TX 22, both magazines, and several different types of .22LR ammo. This includes premium CCI and Aguila Super Extra, as well as the bulk Federal Automatch and some standard velocity bulk Winchester White Box and Remington Golden Bullet. Predictably, the CCI and Aguila work without a problem.

The Federal Automatch also worked well, with no distinct problems outside of the occasional failure to fire. The Winchester white box and Remington Golden Bullet stuff surprised me. It ran almost entirely fine. Sure, it hiccupped occasionally with a failure to eject, but it occurred less than once per magazine. That’s not bad for bottom-of-the-barrel .22LR ammo.

Overall, the TX 22 is superbly reliable—surprisingly reliable, not just for a Taurus but for a rimfire pistol. The TX 22 series can seemingly eat whatever you put through it. Not only does the gun eat, it shoots well.

At fifteen yards, I could produce 2.2-inch groups with CCI ammunition. Some of the bulk stuff opened up my groups as expected, but not drastically. Nothing exceeded 3 inches.

We get very little recoil, as expected. Little recoil and cheap ammo make the gun a blast to shoot. Regardless of how refined and trained we become, we never get away from the joy of mag dumping into trash. The TX 22 is perfect for engaging in the mag dump for the mag dump’s sake.

Ergonomically, Taruus made the weapon easy to handle. The grip feels fantastic, the slide is very easy to reciprocate, and the controls are easy to reach. The safety is 1911-like, and most of the time, I don’t even engage it.

Well Trained

Winchester just announced a price hike for ammo in January, and I don’t see ammo getting any cheaper. It might be time to return to rimfire. The TX 22 acts as an affordable, reliable, and accurate rimfire pistol. It’s perfect for training, for Steel Challenge, and for fun. The TX 22 proved to be a solid surprise, and an excellent rimfire pistol.

For more information, please visit TaurusUSA.com.

Rugers Ultra Rare P89M

By

Travis Pike

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December 1, 2024

The Ruger P series are interesting guns. It was Ruger’s first attempt at a duty-style semi-auto pistol. The series began with the Ruger P85, released in 1985, and evolved into a number of different models and calibers. Production lasted until 2013 when the Ruger P89 variant became one of the most popular models. One rarely discussed model is the Ruger P89M, which might be the rarest of the P series.

The P series has a cult following. That cult humorously calls themselves P-Nuts. They are big fans of the pistol, and Ruger made enough that it’s easy to collect. Well, most are easy. Good luck getting your hands on a Ruger P89M. This ultra-rare gun variant has a production run of less than 800 guns. The Chicago PD adopted the vast majority.

The P-Series was quite a success for Ruger. They produced a ton of these guns, and their low price, high reliability, and good all-around performance made them great guns for police forces. It premiered at the right time, during the great transition from revolvers to semi-auto pistols. Departments, both large and small, were adopting semi-auto handguns.

The P89M was specifically made for the Chicago Police Department, and it’s both an interesting and humorous story.

The P89M- What’s In A Name

The Ruger P89M features a 3.9-inch barrel compared to the Ruger P89’s standard 4.5-inch barrel. The gun uses the same frame and the same 15-round magazine. The P89M Ruger’s take on an X series style gun. It’s still a 9mm, and the gun weighs 31 ounces. Unlike the standard P89, the P89M features a double-action-only design and lacks any form of manual safety.

The P89M models came with Trijicon night sights; some came with Hogue wrap-around grips with the finger grooves everyone loved in the 1990s. From the pictures I’ve found online, it seems like some came with the Hogue grips, and some did not. There also seems to be a mix of finish options. We have both stainless and black nitride on stainless available.

P-Nuts will be stopping me with a whoa, whoa, whoa, that sounds like a Ruger P93DAO. Those guys are right. That’s exactly what it is. The Ruger P89M exists because of bureaucracy. The Chicago Police Department had already done all the testing and approval for the P89, but Ruger released the P93DAO, and the Chicago Police Department really wanted that gun.

However, they didn’t want to redo the entire test process, refile paperwork, do all the necessary meetings, and get all the signatures to get the P93DAO. They asked Ruger to make a run of P93DAOs with the Hogue grips and Trijicon sights but mark them P89. Thus, the P89M was born. That’s the legend, according to those P-Nuts I’ve referenced.

Getting The P89M

Ultimately, the P89M was a compact DAO 9mm pistol. Police forces hated the idea of having light and easy-to-use triggers, and DAO guns were all the rage. The Ruger series was cheap but super reliable and easy to shoot. For the money, they were a gun that was tough to beat.

Ruger reportedly made 700 for the Chicago Police Department. There were also 55 released to the civilian market. It’s unlikely Chicago PD would ever surplus and sell the P89Ms with their anti-gun stance. They’re more likely to be destroyed, which is a sad fate for an odd and rare firearm.

With that said, we do know that at least one was stolen from a CPD officer, mostly because the suspension report is public and one of the first things to pop up on Google when you search for the P89M. So that makes 55 in civilian hands, 699 in police hands, and 1 in criminal hands. Sadly, none are in my hand!

Flexible Utility Tools – More Than Meets the Eye

By

Jim Cobb

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November 30, 2024

A flexible utility tool is deceptively simple. It’s just a fancy term for a piece of fabric that can be used in multiple ways. There are several options on the market that fit the bill, including shemaghs, bandannas, or maybe a sil-nylon signal panel.

A flexible utility tool can be an important resource when you’re out in the field, especially if you zig when you should have zagged and now you’re lost.

The upside here is that they are lightweight and don’t take up much space in your pack. While the size and shape vary a bit, they’re often square and average about 30 inches on a side. Some designs will pack down into an attached pouch, while others are a little more freeform in that regard.

Signal for Rescue

If at least one side of the fabric is brightly colored, you can use it to catch the eye of search and rescue teams in a survival situation. This could be done as a flag on a stick or lain flat on the ground with the corners weighted down.

Shade

Getting overheated can lead to serious problems. A flexible utility tool could be draped over your head and shoulders if you didn’t have the forethought to bring a wide brimmed hat. Dampening the cloth can also provide extra relief.

Evaporation is a cooling process. If you decide your best course of action is to sit and wait for rescue, which is often your best option, use a few branches to make a frame from which you can hang your flexible utility tool and create a shaded area.

Insulation

On the other hand, if it’s cold instead of hot, you’re at risk of hypothermia. A flexible utility tool can be wrapped around your neck like a scarf to help you stay warm. Depending on the size of the fabric, it could probably be extended up over your head, too.

First Aid

It isn’t ideal, but a flexible utility tool can be used as a cravat bandage to cradle and secure a broken arm. If it’s a leg injury instead of an arm, the fabric can be used as a cushion at the armpit end of a makeshift crutch.

Ground Cloth

Anything you can put between you and the ground when you sit or lay back is beneficial. A ground cloth or sit pad of some sort will help prevent the loss of body heat. It’ll also provide a bit of comfort, which isn’t a bad thing when you’re stressed or anxious.

Conveyance

Admittedly, this is sort of a last-ditch option. But it is a workable option. Think back to Saturday morning cartoons when you were a kid. Pretty much every depiction of a hobo included the poor sap having a stick over his shoulder with a small bindle attached to the end of it. You can recreate that favorite child Halloween costume pretty easily. It won’t hold a ton of stuff, of course, but it’ll be better than trying to carry it all in your arms.

The problem with many multi-use items is that they tend not to be outstanding in each of those uses. They’ll do in a pinch, but that’s about it. That said, the flexible utility tool does a pretty good job in many capacities while not weighing you down. Odds are pretty good that you won’t even notice one in your pack until you need it.

Streamlight Launches the Stinger 2020 S

By

Tim Stetzer

-

November 30, 2024

Streamlight Inc. just launched the latest in their venerable Stinger line, the rechargeable Stinger 2020 S. The 2020 S is a 2,000 lumen light with a body-mounted switch. It has an intensity mode selector, battery status indicator, and a textured body for an enhanced grip. It’s billed as an ideal work light for automotive and industrial technicians, first responders, and outdoor use.

Stinger 2020 S Features

The new Stinger model is powered by a single Stinger 2020 S 5,200mAh protected Li-Ion rechargeable battery pack. It can be charged inside the light with existing Stinger charger. It also has a PiggyBack charging option that allows users to charge both the light and a backup battery at the same time. That effectively doubles your run time between recharges. A 5-unit bank charger is also available.

The 2020 S is equipped with a high-power LED. It delivers 2,000 lumens, 25,000 candela of light, and a 315-meter beam distance on high, with a 2-hour run time. On low, it has a run time of 24 hours with an output of 100 lumens, 1,200 candela, and a 70-meter beam distance. The Strobe mode runs for 3.25 hours.

The 2020 S has a head-mounted on/off switch for momentary or constant on operation. There is a separate selector switch for choosing high, medium, or low intensity modes.

2020 S Construction

Streamlight’s Stinger 2020 S is built from premium aluminum alloy, and features a BOROFLOAT glass lens that’s impact-resistant and gasket-sealed. The light is IPX7-rated and is waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes. It is also impact-resistance tested to two meters.

The Stinger 2020 S measures 7.69 inches and weighs 12.2 ounces and is available with a black finish. It comes in Standard, PiggyBack, and Light Only models. The MSRP ranges from $230.00 to $332.63, depending on the configuration. Each model comes with Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Streamlight Stinger 2020 S Specs:

High Lumens	2,000
Run Time on High	2.00 hours
Run Time on Low	24.00 hours
Beam Distance	315 meters
Max Candela	25,000
Battery Type	Lithium Ion
Length	7.69 inches
Weight	12.20 ounces
Colors	Black
MSRP	$230.00 to $332.63

For more information on the Stinger 2020 S or other Streamlight products check out their website at Streamlight.com.

More Survival Myths – Food and Water Edition

By

Jim Cobb

-

November 29, 2024

Here we are again with a few more survival myths, this time concerning food and water. The first round can be found here. This time, we’re concentrating on ones that involve food and water. No particular reason, that’s just how it shook out as we assembled the list.

Survival Myth #1 – Forage Mushrooms for Survival Food

There are a couple of reasons why foraging for mushrooms isn’t wise when you’re in survival mode. First, there are a lot of toxic lookalikes in the fungi world, so you really need to be on top of your game when it comes to identifying the good ones. As the saying goes, all mushrooms are edible once, some are edible more than once.

But even if you’re absolutely certain that the mushroom in front of you is safe to eat, it might end up doing more harm than good. Mushrooms are a low-calorie food, so much so that your body may burn more calories digesting them than it will derive from them. Calories are the fuel that runs our body and in a true survival situation, we want as many as possible.

Survival Myth #2 – Ration Water When You’re Low on Supply

At first blush, it sort of makes sense. If you’re running low on water, ration it to make it last as long as you can. However, that’s actually a bad idea. Dehydration can sneak up on you and cause all manner of grief.

A better approach is to drink what you need while also seeking other sources of water. Now, to be clear, we’re not suggesting you chug every drop of water you have available. That in itself can lead to serious issues like h yponatremia, also called water intoxication. But you want to stave off dehydration for as long as possible, so that you don’t hinder your ability to source more water and treat it for safe consumption.

Survival Myth #3 – Drink Booze to Stay Warm

When I was growing up, I remember seeing all sorts of cartoon depictions of Saint Bernard dogs roaming the frigid tundra, carrying a miniature keg of booze on their collar. They’d find some wayward soul who was lost in the blizzard and warm them up fast with a shot or two of whiskey.

While drinking alcohol, particularly the hard stuff, might give a feeling of warmth, it’s a false sense of heat. What’s happening is the blood vessels leading to the extremities become dilated. The increased blood flow is what makes you feel warm.

The thing is, that blood is coming from somewhere. As it flows from the torso to the limbs, the end result is a lowered body core temperature. Not to mention that alcohol consumption isn’t exactly known for increasing the ability to make effective decisions.

Survival Myth #4 – Boil Water for Several Minutes Before Drinking

I’ll admit, this one isn’t precisely incorrect. It’s just a potential waste of resources.

In several preparedness classes, I’ve asked attendees how long questionable water must be boiled before it is safe to drink. Answers have ranged from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. Here’s the reality check. Waterborne pathogens are killed in less than one minute at 158°F.

At sea level, water boils at 212°F. This means that those pathogens will have been at or above 158°F for at least a few minutes by the time the water hits a rolling boil. While the boiling point of water changes with elevation, unless you’re summitting Mt. Everest it probably won’t be an issue for you.

By the way, while boiling will take care of biological risks, it doesn’t do anything to help against heavy metals, chemicals, and similar pollutants. You’ll still need to filter those out, if they’re potentially present in the water you’ve sourced.

Survival Myth #5 – If Birds or Critters Eat It, So Can You

It seems to be a somewhat common misconception that if Mother Nature’s denizens are feasting on a given berry or whatever, you can safely gobble them up as well. What these folks seem to forget is that we’re not built the same as those animals and our digestive systems don’t work like theirs.

I mean, we routinely eat several things that are dangerous to animals. For example, grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. Onions are also toxic to them, while we scarf down onion rings by the fistful.

In that same manner, there are many things dogs and other animals consume that would cause us serious health issues. A better solution is to learn how to identify several local plants that are safe to eat.

Multi-Tool Extraordinaire: The Victorinox Swiss Tool X

By

Reuben Bolieu

-

November 29, 2024

gat_swisstool (1) — The Victorinox Swiss Tool X is a marvel of Swiss engineering, embodying the spirit of the classic Swiss Army Knife (SAK) in a robust and versatile multi-tool extraordinaire.

The Victorinox Swiss Tool X is a marvel of Swiss engineering, embodying the spirit of the classic Swiss Army Knife (SAK) in a robust and versatile multi-tool extraordinaire. It’s designed for those who need a reliable tool for any situation, whether for a quick fix at home or a demanding task outdoors.

With 26 integrated functions, including needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, and a large blade, it’s a compact toolbox that fits comfortably in your pocket. The Swiss Tool X is not just about utility; it’s also about elegance and design, with its sleek, stainless steel construction that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is functional.

What’s a Multi-tool?

A multi-tool, or oscillating tool, is a versatile and portable device for various DIY projects and repair tasks. Its primary function combines several tools into one compact unit, making it ideal for quick fixes where carrying multiple tools isn’t practical. Multi-tools can be used with different attachments to saw, sand, cut, and polish, making them especially useful for precision work in tight spaces. Their adaptability makes multi-tools valuable to any toolkit, providing practical solutions for many tasks.

Multi-tool Common Uses

Multi-tools are versatile instruments essential in both professional and home settings. They can cut wood, plastic, and metal, making them useful in construction and renovations. Additionally, they can sand surfaces, scrape paint, trim materials, and assist in precise tasks like grout removal. Their multifunctionality allows for quick repairs and DIY projects, saving time and space in your toolbox.

Victorinox has robust wire cutters that easily snip the barbed wire and electric cords.

TOOLS

As listed on the Victornox website:

Needle-nose pliers | Wire cutter for thin and soft wire up to 40 HRc | Hard wire cutter | Wire crimper / Blade, large / Can opener | Screwdriver 3 mm / Bottle opener | Screwdriver 5 mm | Wire bender / Screwdriver 7.5 mm | Crate opener, sturdy / Screwdriver 2 mm / Reamer, punch / Scissors / Wood saw / Metal saw | Metal file / Phillips screwdriver 1/2 / Ruler (cm) / Ruler (in) / Chisel 7 mm and scraper | Wire stripper | Wire scraper / Lanyard hole / Coupling for corkscrew and carry clip / Needle-nose pliers / Coupling for corkscrew / Can opener / Bottle opener / Screwdriver 7.5 mm / Chisel 7 mm and scraper / Metal saw

The 15 Years After Review

Time flies when you have a good multi-tool. The Victorinox Swiss Tool X has been with me on many adventures while traveling through the wilderness and internationally on music gigs.

I’ve used the wirecutters on barbed and electrical wires and rusty nails. The wire cutters quickly snipped crooked and bent wires on brushes used for playing jazz. It equally helped cut heavy-gauged bass strings. As a drummer, I also found the pliers excellent on overtightened drumset wingnuts.

The saw is about as good as you can expect from any Victorinox tool—stellar. It cut with authority and was excellent when striking a Ferro rod, as the tool locks!

The saw is always excellent on any Victorinox Swiss Tool.

The knife blade was more robust than a conventional 91mm Huntsman/Tinker-sized SAK. The blade locks and unlocks easily, as does every Victorinox Swiss Tool X tool.

Mine came with a nylon sheath, which suited my needs perfectly. You can attach it to a belt or throw it in a glove compartment or backpack.

Swiss Army Knives are known for their stellar knife blades, and the Victorinox Swiss Tool X was no exception.

Multi-Tool Extraordinaire Conclusion

This multi-tool is a testament to Victorinox’s commitment to quality, durability, and innovation, making it an essential companion for everyday challenges and adventures alike.

For More Information, please contact Victorinox.

Specs:

Height	0.8 inches
Length	4.5 inches
Width	1.4 inches
Weight	10.2 ounces
Material	Stainless Steel
Blade lockable	Yes
No. of features	26
Color	Gray
MSRP	$155.00

New CRKT Du Hoc Deadbolt & Xolotl Fixed

By

Tim Stetzer

-

November 28, 2024

Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) just dropped two new knives from its Forged by War program. Austin McGlaun’s Du Hoc and Michael Rodriguez’s Xolot are both veteran designed tactical blades and benefit from their skills and experiences.

Forged by War

The Forged by War program was established in 2016 as a collaboration between CRKT and Veterans. It let’s the vets apply their real world knowledge and experience to CRKT’s line of mission-ready knives and tools. The veteran’s not only receive a commission on their designs, but a portion of the profits are donated to the Veterans’ charity of choice as well.

The program has generated $500,000 for the designers charities of choice since its inception.

The CRKT Du Hoc Deadbolt

Austin McGlaun’s Du Hoc Deadbolt is named in remembrance of his uncle’s D-Day landing at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy in France. The CRKT Du Hoc is a folding version of Austin’s fixed blade karambit. It transforms the fixed blade into a handy folding knife. The Deadbolt lock still provides ample strength to the design.

It’s fitted with a smaller, but still good sized 3.6 inch blade of D2 steel. The blade is deployed with either a flipper, or the dual thumb studs. It’s assisted opening, too. So, it’s fast to get into play. The Du Hoc has a black G10 handle with thumb ring, and a black powder finish on the blade.

MSRP is $160.00, and Austin’s charity is Idaho Backcountry Veterans.

CRKT Du Hoc Specifications

Blade Steel	D2
Blade Edge	Plain
Blade Finish	Powder Coat
Blade Length	3.62 inches
Blade Thickness	0.16 inches
Overall Length	9.53 inches
Closed Length	6.50 inches
Weight	8.40 ounces
Handle Material	G10
Style	Folding Knife with Deadbolt® Lock
MSRP	$160.00

The CRKT Xolotl

Michael Rodriguez’s Xolotl is named after the Aztec god of fire and lightning. Michael combines mythical inspiration and modern materials to make a durable, high-performance knife. Whereas the Du Hoc is a folding version a fixed blade, the CRKT Xolotl is a fixed-blade remake of Rodriguez’s folding Xolotl.

It has a 4.53 inch spear-point blade with a dagger grind that’s sharp on both sides. The SK-5 steel blade has Veff Serrations and a black powder coat finish. The Xolotl uses G10 handle scales and comes with a Thermoplastic sheath.

MSRP is $120.00. Michael’s charity is the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.

CRKT Xolotl Specifications

Blade Steel	SK-5
Blade Edge	Veff Serrations™
Blade Finish	Powder Coat
Blade Length	4.53 inches
Blade Thickness	0.15 inches
Overall Length	9.88 inches
Weight	5.70 ounces
Handle Material	G10
Style	Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
Sheath Material	Thermoplastic
MSRP	$120.00

For more information on the Du Hoc and Xolotl, or the Forged by War program, check out CRKT.com.

The Vortex XL Defender (Part 2)

By

P.E. Fitch

-

November 28, 2024

^{Continued From Part 1}

Practical Experiences With The Defender XL

The Defender XL’s Sight Picture

Putting aside all of the Defender XL’s features and extra accessories, the real icing on the cake for this reflex optic is the user experience afforded by its large, clear window which measures 25.5 mm wide by 23.5 mm tall. When held out at arms’ length in a natural shooting stance (and mounted on a pistol), its profile looks like a tall, upright square with a massive field of view.

The top edge of the lens has a slight curve that isn’t really noticeable when the shooter is properly target focused anyway. Everything about the Defender XL seems to be designed in such a way that when staring through it at the target, the dot just naturally centers itself. In other words, it’s extremely easy to find the dot within the window.

In addition, the 5 MOA dot on my specimen is very crisp, even with my astigmatism. With the ten different intensity levels, it’s not hard for the Defender XL’s emitter to project a daylight bright dot. Likewise, the glass is clear and free of noticeable distortion. Candidly, the shooting experience I’ve had afforded by the Defender XL has been extremely positive.

Vortex Defender XL Range and Match Time

Even though some of my pictures show a Canik Rival-S wearing the Defender XL, 80% of my use on the range involved the HK VP9 Match pistol. I used a factory HK #4 Delta Point Pro plate to mount the Defender XL to the VP9 Match’s slide before starting its review.

In addition to the “nuts and bolts aspect” of my VP9 Match review, I participated at USPSA match where I ran this gun-and-dot combination as hard as I could. At the time, I was also concurrently reviewing the Gen5 Glock 17L, and took advantage of the included Glock MOS plate found in the Defender XL’s packaging. So I yanked the dot off the HK VP9 Match and switched it over to the Gen5 Glock 17L and shot another match with it.

Between piggy-backing the sight from the HK to the Glock for match shooting (along with the rest of my review-shooting), the total aggregate round count to date is somewhere north of 800 rounds. In the great scheme of things 800 rounds in itself isn’t much, but it’s always a good sign for a pistol mounted reflex sight to sail past the first 300-500 rounds without issue.

Big Window Considerations

The best part about the Vortex Defender XL is its large window and how easy it is to shoot. However, I’ve noticed that the window works so well that it can also inadvertently catch “false dots” from other sources or lights. Similarly, it can reflect “artifacts” from the emitter that can show up in the window.

However, most “big window” dots are susceptible to false dots, especially from overhead lighting hitting the window at certain angles.

Frankly, as a unit designed for fast-paced match shooting around a USPSA stage, I’m happy to live with the trade-off of having a big, beautiful window that’s easy to look through. The false dots have never been a handicap, and it also bears mentioning that this sight is easily daylight bright anyway.

The Takeaway

I don’t really have too many complaints about the Vortex Defender XL.

In the paragraph above I disclose its propensity to catch false dots or weird artifacts due to its massive window, but I also don’t consider it a deal-breaker. From the different dots that I’ve been shooting and reviewing this year, subjectively I will concede that the Vortex Defender XL is probably my favorite of 2024.

I haven’t had any problems running it hard between the HK VP9 Match or Gen5 Glock 17L. More importantly it’s big window, crisp red dot and included accessories at a medium-tiered price point make the Defender XL a considerable option.

Some might say that it has a fairly tall deck height not unlike the actual Leupold Delta Point Pro, but that’s hardly a concern for match shooting and the like. Obviously, with its larger size, it’s probably not ideal for concealment due to printing issues.

Perhaps a potential “downside” may be that the Delta Point Pro footprint can limit some shooters, especially those whose slides are directly milled for a different mounting pattern.

Postscript: Vortex Defender XL vs Holosun HS 507Comp

Because the Vortex Defender XL has a similar real-world retail price to that of its closest “rival” the Holosun HS 507Comp, people love to compare and contrast both of them. Others ask themselves which one to buy—simply google “Vortex Defender XL vs Holosun 507 Comp” and see.

Above all else, the primary difference resides with their respective mounting standards since the open-emitter Holosun unit uses a Trijicon RMR footprint. Otherwise, both optics are actually fairly comparable. Both are made in China and show good quality in their manufacturing.

Unlike the 507 Comp, the Defender XL doesn’t have any multi-reticle capabilities, but it does slightly edge it out by offering larger 5 or 8 MOA dot reticles. Similarly, I think the Vortex Defender XL may also edge out the Holosun 507 Comp in window size. However, the difference is marginal in a practical sense. There’s also the question of battery securement. The Vortex XL’s auxiliary latch is bullet proof.

I did notice that the Holosun 507 Comp’s window doesn’t seem to be as sensitive when it comes to picking up false dots. This sight is also slightly shorter and more compact. Truthfully, I like both and still do shoot with either. As far as a “new” product for 2024, the Vortex XL Defender red-dot sight does get my vote. I think Vortex hit a homerun with it.

Although the angle isn’t perfect, this picture shows a reasonable visual comparison between the Holosun HS507Comp on the Walther PDP and the Vortex Defender XL on the Canik Rival-S.

Axe Throwing: An American Pastime

By

Reuben Bolieu

-

November 27, 2024

GAT_Axe_Throw (1) — Three axe head styles are shown: the Boker Mohicans has a tomahawk shape, the Condor Cantina features a camp axe profile, and the Cold Steel Pro Thrower sticks to a traditional throwing axe design.

Axe throwing has made a global comeback, notably with the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) elevating it to a pub sport in nations such as Belgium and Poland. What was once a niche hobby is now a thrilling sport for all. This guide will delve into axe throwing’s resurgence and the variety of axes available for both novices and seasoned enthusiasts.

Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe

For experienced axe throwers, the Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe is an upgraded Competition Throwing Hatchet. It features a 4-inch blade made from hardened 1055 carbon steel, compliant with official tournament standards. The 16-inch American hickory handle offers great balance, and with a head weight of 22 ounces, it’s easy to handle overall. Its unique patent-pending locking mechanism allows for quick handle replacements in under two minutes, so you can focus on your aim without hassle.

Axe Throwing Test

The CS Pro Throwing Axe excels in target sticking, featuring a straight edge with a slightly flared heel and toe. Its thin, narrow blade is not extremely sharp but performs well on old, rotting trees. Weighing 31.5 ounces, it strikes a balance between light and heavy throwing axes, with the weight concentrated in the head to enhance throw performance.

The Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe performed exceptionally well. It was lightweight and flew swiftly, accurately hitting its target.

The hickory handle has a beautiful grain and remains sturdy after my clumsy throws. Its classic straight design allows for a smooth release and prevents snagging. This is not a chopping axe; it’s engineered for easy handle replacement, ensuring it stays tight during use. In my opinion, it’s the most distinctive of the three.

Cold Steel ships the axe with a secure rubber blade guard instead of a sheath, making it safe for transport and hiking.

Boker Mohican Set

If you’re looking for a reliable and chic throwing axe set, consider the Boker Plus Mohican 3-piece set. Designed for both beginners and experienced throwers, each axe measures 10.94 inches and is constructed from durable 3Cr13 stainless steel with a black coating.

Inspired by traditional North American tomahawks, the axe features a shorter 2.36-inch cutting edge. The paracord-wrapped handle provides a secure grip for precise throws, while a blade recess ensures balance for better accuracy.

The set includes a matching black nylon sheath and a printed target overlay, making it ideal for home use. Each axe weighs about 8 ounces, making them easy to handle.

The Gauntlet

The Boker Mohican 3-piece set resembles tomahawks more than axes and is designed for fun rather than competition. These throwers feel more like throwing knives and can stick using either the main bit or the spike. To prevent overthrowing, take a step forward or embrace the occasional miss.

Weighing just 8 ounces, they require some adjustment if you’re used to larger axes. The straight handle has cord-wrapping, which can cause a secure grip; consider removing it or adjusting your grip for better throwing.

The author pushed the Boker Mochican into woods utility duty. It handled light chopping, kindling splitting, and feathering.

The Mohican Hawk stands out with its dual options for target sticking and its sharply pointed toe that juts out. This design not only looks impressive but also enhances the hawk’s ability to penetrate targets effectively. Additionally, this stylish set comes with a nylon sheath that offers both safety and added value. The sheath features Velcro fasteners, ensuring that each hawk remains securely stored.

Among the various axes and hawks, the Boker Mohican 3-piece is my top pick for sheer enjoyment. It captures the essence of both tomahawk and knife throwing. These versatile tools are also capable of performing light utility tasks, making them ideal for day camps or meal prep near a small wood stove, as they can easily shave wood and split light kindling.

A pair of perfect throws with the toe portion of the bit driven into the target. These two are very different throwers and require adjustments to nail it.

Closing

It’s hard to beat the therapeutic feeling of throwing an axe and seeing it stick. It’s fun for the whole family. Get out there and try it!

For more information, please contact Cold Steel and Boker USA.

Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe

Blade Length	4 inches
Material	1055 carbon steel
Grind	Chisel
Handle Material	American hickory
Weight	31 ounces
Overall Length	16 inches
Sheath	Rubber blade cover
Country of Origin	Taiwan
MSRP	$59.99

Boker Plus Mohican Throwing Axe 3-Piece Specs

Blade Length	2.36 inches
Grind	Hollow
Steel	3Cr13 stainless
Handle Material	Black cord
Weight	8.18 ounces (each)
Overall Length	10.94 inches
Sheath	Nylon
Origin of Make	Asia
MSRP	$84.95

The Vortex Defender XL

By

P.E. Fitch

-

November 27, 2024

This summer, Vortex Optics launched the Defender XL, a new “big window” red-dot sight. It is marketed towards action pistol competitors or those looking for a slide mounted red-dot sight with a big, easy-to-see window. The Vortex Defender XL joins the ranks—and also competes—with the likes of popular “big window” red-dots like the Trijicon SRO, the Holosun HS507 Comp, the Mecanik M03, et al.

Categorically, these types of “big-window” pistol red-dot sights, are popular amongst dedicated action pistol shooters that participate in IDPA, USPSA, or IPSC. However, they are also enjoyed by many squarely interested in their personal performance. Less obstructive views, after all, are hard to argue against regardless of shooting scenario.

Vortex Defender XL Overview

The Vortex Defender XL is an open-emitter red-dot sight with a generously proportioned objective lens. They can be had with either a 5 MOA or 8 MOA solid red-dot as a reticle; Defender XLs do not have a multi-reticle system.

The Defender XL’s general shape and proportions also take after the rest of the Vortex Optics Defender series (Defender ST and Defender CCW), whose most distinctive feature has to be their “Fast-Rack” texturing. This is checkering that covers all forward facing edges of the optic that surround the objective lens.

Vortex designs its red-dots with this pattern in order to protect the front of the housing in case a shooter uses their optic to rack their pistol slide.

In the same vein, the topmost part of the Defender XL housing has a rubberized shock absorbing pad in place to protect the housing from drops or unforeseen impacts. The entire body is also machined from 7075 series aluminum, the aero-space grade material that’s industry-standard for hard-use items.

Battery And Footprint

A single CR 2032 battery sitting on the top of the optic’s deck powers the Vortex Defender XL. Even though the Defender XL has a hinged battery compartment with the requisite O-rings to keep moisture out, Vortex also included a secondary latching mechanism to bolster the clamshell lid of the battery compartment.

This latch prevent’s the lid from swinging open for any reason (eg, the forces of recoil, the pistol/optic being dropped, bumped into, et cetera). Bypassing this auxiliary latch in order to access the battery compartment requires the use of a smaller flathead screwdriver or pin.

Average runtimes for Vortex Defender XLs is approximately 25,000 hours. There are only four “controls” on the Defender XL, two rubberized buttons on the left or right sides of the optic used to control the brightness levels (10 daytime, 2 night vision).

The two remaining control interfaces are the windage and elevation click adjustment wheels. Like nearly every other red-dot sight on the market these are also calibrated for 1 MOA per click. The Defender XL is programmed with features such as auto-shutoff, motion activation or button-lockout.

Like the Vortex Defender ST, the Defender XL also uses the popular Leupold Delta Point Pro footprint, one of the more popular “full-size” optics mounting footprints. While immaterial vis-a-vis the Vortex Defender XL red-dot sight itself, one of the benefits of the Delta Point Pro’s footprint is its relative narrowness which allows it to get along with thinner slides such as those on 2011s or 1911s in the context of direct-milling cuts.

It’s worth noting that a few Sig P320 variants also use the Delta Point Pro footprint as their default slide-cut. It would be hard to argue against a Vortex Defender XL on a Staccato or a Sig, especially for a match gun.

The Defender XL’s Extra Hardware And Accessories

Mounting red-dot sights to optics plates and/or pistol slides can be an exercise in frustration for the uninitiated—and those with experience.

The practice of mounting a reflex sight to a handgun’s slide is fundamentally simple and only typically requires 2-4 screws, some threadlocker and a means to ensure said screws are torqued down to the correct amount of inch-pounds. However, the reality is that different makes and models of handguns, along with the different makes and models of red-dot sights, all require the correct permutation of optics-plates and specific screws with not only the correct screw thread pitch, but also a corresponding screw-head profile.

Failure in matching these things up is a sure way of ensuring red-dot mounting failures, and for pistol mounted optics, the devil is really in the details.

Vortex Makes it Easy

Many of the screws used to affix red-dot sights to slides or plates look similar to each other, even with their different thread pitches. So, it only adds to the end user’s confusion.

Because I get to spend ample time with a diverse amount of firearms related optics and have felt this confusion first-hand, I was very impressed during the “unboxing” of the Vortex Defender. Vortex not only includes virtually every type of mounting screw needed to mount this sight to a pistol, but they do so in very neatly, professionally labeled baggies that denote both screw type and for which handgun they’re to be used.

Besides labeled hardware, a basic Glock MOS plate, a rubber cover, tool, lens cloth and basic Picatinny-compatible mounts are all included. For the price point of the Vortex Defender XL, the add-ons are quite comprehensive.

I think the addition of the extra Glock MOS plate is a great touch considering how popular Glock pistols are. After shooting with it, it works fine. But I’d personally rather spend extra on a higher end MOS mounting plate (if I were a dedicated Glock shooter).

Continued In Part 2…