Bead sights are likely the most produced shotgun sight ever created. They adorn the barrel of side by sides, over unders, pump guns, semi-autos, and more. For decades they were the standard option for shotguns. Compare that to the AR-15. If the AR-15 evolved at the same rate as the shotgun, we’d still have A1 sights and carry handles. Bead sights, much like carry handles, work but are far from perfect. In fact, they kind of suck.
Well, Bead Sights Don’t Always Suck
I use the title bead sights suck to get those juicy clicks. In a lot of roles, they are a perfect choice. If you are shooting birds and clay pigeons, then a bead sight makes a lot of sense. To be fair, bead sights can work for tactical and defensive shooting. They’ve done so for over a century. They work well in optimal scenarios, but how many scenarios are optimal?
They have lots and lots of faults. Darryl Bolke said it best in an article for Lucky Gunner.
“The bead sight is essentially the bare minimum, and you will get bare minimum performance from them.”
Some Beads Can Suck More Than Others
I typically prefer Mossberg shotguns over Remington. However, when it comes to choosing a bead sight, Remington does it better. Some bead sights can suck a lot more than others. Mossberg mounts their beads sights directly to the barrel, but Remington places their bead sight on a pedestal. That extra height makes a huge difference.
Mossberg’s bead sights have the effect of making it appear the gun is shooting high. The old sage advice used to be to aim at their belt buckle to hit them in the chest. Remington pushes their sights upwards on a pedestal to take care of this problem.
Some shotguns use a front rifle sight setup which is rather handy. It’s better than a bead but still far from perfect. Other bead sights, like the XS big dot tritium sights, are better than a standard tiny bead but still don’t fill the gap.
So What’s the Problem With Beads?
They lack precision. “BuT iTs A sHoTgUn.” Yeah, I know, that doesn’t mean aiming isn’t necessary. My load of buckshot clings tightly together in the home ranges, and I want to steer that shot to a lethal area. Bead sights give you a point of reference but don’t provide a consistent, fast, and easy to acquire sight picture. Without a rear reference point, it’s tough to be precise.
It’s easy to look over the bead, or to be too far to the left or right of the bead when you aim, which causes accuracy issues. I want to have proper alignment when I send that load of buckshot downrange. I want as much accuracy as possible. If the threat inside my home is behind cover and I can only see a small portion of them, then I want to know that my buckshot will hit that small portion.
On top of that, being able to see the bead, especially in the dark, can be difficult. In a fast-moving gunfight, in the dark, I’m looking for a minuscule gold bead and relying on it.
So What Can We Do?
There are lots of alternatives out there. We have the classic ghost ring sights. They are great, give you a rear point of reference, and easily to align. With a proper, big, and easy-to-see front sight, you won’t have issues hitting your target.
Ghost rings are great, but the pistol-style sights by Trijicon and XS are probably the better iron sight choice. They aren’t as common and require a rifle-sighted Remington. Sadly, they don’t seem to have escaped the boundaries of the Remington guns.
The all-time best option for a shotgun is a red dot sight. A miniature red dot sight, like the kind you see on handguns, is perfect for a shotgun. It’s easy to see, gives you a target focus, and allows you to engage rapidly and accurately. The red dot reigns supreme on handguns and rifles, so why not shotguns?
Bead sights on shotguns can work, but we’ve pressed the performance on handguns and rifles and seem to be stuck in the 1900s on shotguns. On tactical shotguns, we should demand more than the bead sight. All tactical shotguns in 2022 should be drilled and tapped for a red dot or rail to attach one.
C’mon, it’s 2022, and the shotgun is a long gun. Why are we still using teeny tiny bead sights?
Being a woman within the firearms and outdoor community can be tough when it comes to clothing choices. We need items that move with us and don’t hinder the job at hand yet still allow us to feel presentable and attractive. We shouldn’t have to look like a man to do the job of one. The Vertx Womens Lifestyle collection fills the clothing vacancy that we have been so long waiting to be filled. Our first article of clothing we talked about was the Kesher Ops Pant. Then, the Womens Fury Hardshell Jacket. Now, the Swift Hoody. A simple and comfortable piece of clothing with additional access to our carry, loops for comms compatibilty, and a comfortable hood that doesn’t block our view. All made with the same core regulating 37.5 Technology within the material.
From the Company
“Pink it and shrink it may be the design philosophy of some women’s brands, but Vertx focuses on the end-user, and in this case, a layering piece that’s become the Women’s Swift Hoody.”- Vertx Designer
Vertx is showing its large amount of knowledge and time when it comes to designing womens clothing. Shrink it and pink it is what many other clothing companies have done when going from their mens line to creating a womens line. Knowing women..that just doesn’t work. Vertx has women designers on the team that put years into developing one product, such as the Swift hoody, to ensure that it wasn’t just shrunk and turned into a feminine color, but actually fit to the womans shape, kept attractive, and still hid what we may have under our garments during the job.
Fabric and Technology
Like other items in the Vertx Womens Lifestyle Line, the Swift Hoody features Vaporcore 37.5® Technology. This technology keeps your core temperature regulated. It has been noticed that a lot of Vertx’s clothing can be worn both in the warm spring days and the chillier fall, the Vaporcore tech is why.
The hoody also is entirely lined with an Internal AbrasionGuard™. This ensures that your EDC gear doesn’t introduce wear. Don’t worry though, the lining is durable but still comfortable.
Key Features
The Pouch
The Swift Hoody features a lined pouch that allows the user to access their Everyday Carry (EDC) equipment without letting anyone know that they are going for it, or even have it. Inside the pouch are two zippers that can be unzipped from the inside while wearing. This allows the user to put their hand through and grab onto what they need. To others, it just looks like the user simply is resting their arms in the pouch, yet in reality they can hold, grab, and present anything on their belt line all while their hands are inside the pouch. It is a very wide access so it doesn’t hinder movement while the hand is inside.
The Hood/Neck
The design of the hood and neck is very different than other hoodies. It is actually made to aid the user when worn. The “Crossover hood design adds coverage without blocking peripheral.” So while it adds coverage it won’t block your eyes and head from looking side to side.
The neck crossover design doesn’t choke but covers the chest enough to stay warm.
The Backside
The back of the Swift Hoody features a specific hem that aids in keeping covered when bending or sitting. Instead of other companies just adding longer material, Vertx added a hem that’ll keep the shape of the hoodie to cover the backside.
Options to Buy
Colors: It’s Black, Blue Surge
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Xlarge
Price: $89.99
Stephanie’s AAR (After Attirement Review)
Note: I am 5’2,125 lbs, and wear a size small.I am also wearing a Phlster Engima in some of the photos which helps with concealability if you don’t want to wear a belt but still gives you your usual kydex holder to safely wear and draw from.
I have worn the Vertx Swift hoody in both warm and cooler climates within Virginia. The temperature regulated material used isn’t just a gimmeck. During hiking it was about 70-75 degrees and I wore a tank top, the hoodie, and a sports bra on top with leggings on bottom. I didn’t overheat at all and stayed comfortable. During the cooler weather of about 40 degrees I wore this both with and without the Vertx Fury Hardshell as a wind breaker. I was warm but when the wind stopped I just ran the hoody. I was fine. I also wore the hoody for a day at a National Rifle League Hunter match in Georgia and kept cool in the day and warm at night.
The shape of the hoodie does help conceal materials on the belt well. I have ran both the Phlster Enigma with leggings and a holster with jeans with the Discreet Carry Concepts Clips. Both concealed fine. I was also able to grab the gun quickly with the kangaroo pouch access. The gun shown in the photo is a Sig P365 with Holosun 407K in a Phlster Skelton holster on the Phlster Enigma.
At NRA HQ worn during a cold day inside the range.Looks like a normal hoody and resting hands inside pockets but in reality have my hands ready to access the gun.
Wearing the size small I had free movement in my chest and arms and the length of the sleeves were perfect. I did not use the thumb holes on the sleeves.
My favorite thing about the Hoody? The Neck design. It doesn’t make me feel claustrophobic but does still give me protection from the elements and keep me covered.
If I were to change anything about the hoody I would ask that that change the material on the kangaroo pouch. It wasn’t uncomfortable, just sometimes I do only wear a sports bra with a hoodie so the difference in material is a tad weird.
Overall, it’s a happy addition to my closet as it is the only second layer type of clothing that gives me access to my gun without having to show that I’m going for it. In sketchy situations I believe that that is necessary. Not presenting..but being ready.
Faxon Firearms has stepped into the ring of drop-in Glock Barrels. They’re known for their quality workmanship, and so far, these don’t seem to be an exception. Glocks are synonymous with customization, and often the easier to do, the better. If these barrels live up to what Faxon is advertising, they might be a great grab for folks looking to skip the gunsmith.
What Faxon Firearms Had To Say
Faxon’s Match Series Pistol Barrels for G17 / Glock 17 are machined 100% in-house from stress-relieved 416-R stainless steel. These barrels are then given a black Nitride or PVD coating to increase lubricity, barrel life, and resistance to surface wear. All barrels are conventionally rifled to allow a broader range of ammunition to be used, including cast lead. The barrels drop into factory-spec slides with no gunsmithing required. Better-than-factory tolerances ensure a consistent, tighter lockup than OEM.
Technical specifications for the G17 Barrel
Handgun: Glock G17
Barrel Caliber: 9mm
Barrel Profile: Flame Fluted, Drop-In (Compatible with Gen 1-4)
Outside Finish: Salt Bath Nitride & Chameleon (Rainbow) PVD
The Glock G17 is an incredibly popular handgun, and Faxon has more than one barrel available for it. Available designs for the G17 include fluted, not fluted, threaded, and not threaded. Finishes include the rainbow chameleon PVD, gold, and black.
If you prefer the more compact dimensions of the Glock 19, Faxon has you covered. Their aftermarket G19 barrels are compatible with all generations of G19 and are offered in a variety of finishes and styles.
Faxon Firearms manufactures barrels for the G17, G19, G34, and G43/43X, among other products. Chances are they probably have a barrel for you; the barrels MSRP begins at $139.00.
Today, the boys are all shocked that none of them were kidnapped by the government, and they reminisce about the great golden era of submachine guns: the 90s.
Arizona is hot. But that didn’t stop me from attending the Sig Sauer Freedom Days event that is standing in place, for the weird year of 2022, of what we would normally see at SHOT range events. It’s a standalone event. Set up like a firearms amusement carnival. And I, for one, am delighted with the format.
Sig Sauer brought out a spread. All their current offerings in rifles, handguns, a whole bay for MPX variants, one for air guns, and yes the NGSW winning XM5 and XM250 are on display.
The MG338 is here too.
I’ll have a seperate rundown on these later at the end of the event, haven’t shot either yet.
I did shoot…
THE MCX SPEAR – 6.5 Creedmoor (suppressed)
While not the actual XM5, it’s the slightly elder cousin. This 16″ rifle weighs in at about 8.5lbs slick, is ambidextrous and side charging, runs on the omnipresent short stroke gas piston of modern service rifles, and is extremely pleasantly gassed. The recoil with the suppressor on, Sig’s flow-thru design I believe, is about what I would expect out of a 77gr loaded M4.
The shooting experience wasn’t flawless fun and games though. I stepped up to the line, second person of the day to fire the MCX SPEAR, loaded the rifle, thumbed the selector to fire, and *click*
…
The primer of my first round decided working Friday’s was for chumps. The remaining rounds rang steel, all while barely disrupting my sight picture. We tried the misbehaving round again… and a third time. It wasn’t fired, it quit. Oh well.
During that first misfire though, I experienced exactly why it is very wise of SIG to keep the AR located charging handles. Yes, even though the MCX SPEAR has a well located side charger.
I am familiar with the MCX SPEAR. I know it has a side charger. I even run other rifles with side chargers. But when this new rifle went click, I didn’t grab for the foldaway side charger to clear it. Nope, I looked at the bolt to see if it was closed and grabbed for the AR charging handle. Smoothly back, out popped the lazy round of ammunition, release, immediate action complete. Fired. Rang steel.
I’m certain with a little time on the MCX SPEAR I’ll acclimate to the side charger, but my point is that handing this to AR familiar troops is going to be very easy. I’m told the recoil on the 6.8x51mm is more stout, honestly it certainly couldn’t be less stout than in the 6.5. This was smooth. It just taps you to let you know it cycled.
“But does it do anything [EXPENSIVE MODERN AUTOLOADER] doesn’t do!?”
Nope. Well maybe it has an ambi-bolt lock and your rifle doesn’t. But if your expecting this modern expensive battle rifle to do something wizbang that other modern expensive battle rifles don’t do, don’t waste your time. It doesn’t. I don’t think it needs to either.
But if you’ll be in the market for a modern, ergonomic, pleasant recoiling, autoloading rifle, this will probably be on the consideration list. If additionally you want a folding stock, ambidextrous controls (including bolt lock/release), a left side mid-receiver charging handle, an AR style charging handle, and selectable gas… then yeah, this is pretty much your gun.
It’s a little heavier than the SCAR17 but lighter than the HK417. But picking it up, with its can attached, felt like holding my 17 with its Surefire on. It will be a contender. Superfans of other platforms will continue to disparage it. Superfans of Sig will probably praise it. Rifle fans like myself will acknowledge its place as another fine functioning rifle among fine functioning rifles, I want to SBR a 13″ variant myself. Not too picky on caliber either at the moment.
Commercial Release Date?
That’s complicated.
The X in the XM5 is one of the main reasons why. That X stands for eXperimental, for those unfamiliar with military designations. The Army may want to change stuff on the rifle still. If they do, Sig will make the changes.
When the Army finalizes their TDP (Technical Data Package) on the XM5 and it becomes the M5, Sig will have a final parts list to look at for reciprocating onto the MCX SPEAR commercial line. Things like safeties, charging handles, gas regulator shape, sling attachment positions, all of these might be changed by the Army and then make no sense for Sig to produce those parts in bulk and then to later change them.
But when that happens, or Sig at least has enough final indication it is happening, expect to see rifles, pistols, and SBRs start rolling from Sig. Maybe, and I cannot emphasize the maybe enough, by end of year or early 2023. So much depends on the Army not changing small part designs that it isn’t certain until they are certain. As an Army small arms maintainer being one of my MOS’s, I understand their logic completely. Having giant bins of obsolete parts kinda sucks.
Happy Switch Rattler BB Gun
The other really cool thing I saw, and got to shoot a bunch because of no line, is the updates to their airgun line. They are bringing the full profile of the guns into the air gun lineup. Proper magazine dimensions and everything.
These are some of the first working prototypes of the new guns. They’re fun.
One of the larger criticisms of the airguns was their goofy deviations from the real firearm profiles. Sig is remedying those deviations and producing BB guns (.177) that will now mirror the airsoft guns and real firearms they are based upon. Still commercial 12g CO2 for operation.
Oh, and these have 3 round burst. Which is really fun to ping steel plates with.
What else?
Not much that I don’t already own to be honest. I tended to jump in lines with shorter than 6 people waiting, ate at the food trucks, talked with the partner venders like Guns.com who were out promoting. Tried an iced coffee from BRCC, which was good and is making me question my disdain for iced coffee.
It was a good first day.
Attendance.
Plenty.
The 98 degree heat and amusement park type wristbands for “rides” (shoots) didn’t keep the event from being just about perfectly busy. No lines, even the popular firearm lines, were too long. The only place that wasn’t busy was registration after about 1:00 in the afternoon. There were people everywhere without it being crowded. Tomorrow may be a different story with it being Saturday, fewer locals and not-so-locals working, and so more folks might make the trip out.
Let’s have a blast from the past and go back to 2008. Imagine you’re in the gunners seat for your Platoon Leader (PL) on a night patrol in Afghanistan. Your equipment list is as follows. M2HB Machine Gun, ELCAN thermal, M145 MGO, and GI optic mount. Now imagine during pre-checks while the convoy is set up and ready to roll you find out that your optic mount doesn’t fit on the receiver of your M2. Force won’t seat it due to thick rounded rivets on the receiver. So what do you do? You don’t have tools, you don’t have repairman or mechanics on hand, but by God you have a hacksaw.
No B.S. This is a true story. The soldier took a hacksaw to a .50cal machine gun to file down rivets enabling his optics to mount on his .50cal right before a patrol.
That was 2008, it is now 2021 and we are still running this same Government Issued Machine Gun Optic Mount. The Military deserves better. We have the machines to do it, we have the brains to engineer a better product, why are skimping on the safety of those who protect us?
[Editor’s Note: It is laziness and budgets, it is always laziness and budgets.]
Until B.E. Meyers
B.E. Meyers is a company that has had generations of prior military folk working hard to give us products that are made strong and built smart. They see the issues that our guys are facing and work to improve them. That is why we have the MAWL, or the target marking IZLID.
Now, we have the BOARS-M2 Optic and Accessory Rail System. A low profile mounting system that allows your optic to quickly disconnect from the gun yet return directly back to zero once remounted. The mount clears a gunners shield and without being removed still allows view of both rear and front iron sight in case the optic goes down.
The Issues with the Mil Mount
The current Government Issued (GI) mount is meant to mount an optic directly to the weapon system. While that design got our military through many combat zones it is now showing severe design flaws. The overall idea of directly mounting an optic to a heavy recoil machine gun in harsh environment isn’t a good one. The moment that optic goes down, needs to be switched out for the mission at hand, or simply brought into your hooch for safekeeping for the night, is the moment that that mount needs to be moved. It is no longer a quick optic change, it is now a whole mount change. Zero is lost.
HERE is a mount that is similar to the GI mount for reference.
The GI mount features small hex screws. Due to these screws not being captured screws, if loosened too much they can fall out and be lost. Let’s go back to that night patrol story. In the night those screws come loose or the mount needs to be removed, fumbling with gloves on in the dark, kiss those screws goodbye. Those same hex screws also dig into the receiver over time due to consistently being tightened to different specs. The more that those screws dig into the receiver the more that the reciever gets wallowed out creating holes. Those holes no longer allow proper tightening of the mount. Zero is not sustained.
Photo of a Soldier using the GI optic mount with a PAS-13. “the lowest possible profile behind the weapon system” The GI mount does not give you that low profile but instead has you seated straight up. https://www.whs.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1897862/increasing-lethality-us-army-reserve-small-arms-trainer-course-developed-at-for/
The largest flaw that can be seen directly involves the design on the M2 .50cal Machine Gun. This issue has been seen in Guard units, active duty units, small special units, etc. Much of the M2 is put together using rivets. Just like anything, (except the GI optic mount I guess) the M2 has gone through updates and upgrades. Due to these upgrades, such as upgrading to the M2A1 fixed headspace MG, the receivers have been completely rebuilt. During this rebuild there have been different types of rivets being used. Some flat and thinner, and some rounded and thick. The random draw of rounded and thick riveted receiver is a severely unlucky one due to now the GI mount not wanting to slide over the top of the receiver. So what do we do? Back to the story…we hacksaw. That mount is now mated to that receiver. Will it be marked to that gun? Probably not. It will go back into a cage with all of the other “universal mounts”. Until the next operator grabs that M2 and does it all over again with another mount. The cycle continues.
Additionally, if a M2 is found with the incorrect rivets installed it will need to be returned to depot level maintenance for overhaul. This means that you are down a gun for awhile.
A M2A1 found within a Minnesota National Guard unit. You can see wear marks from someone trying to mount the GI pas mount over the rounded rivets. Also shown at the bottom of the photo is a flat rivet that can fit under the GI mount.
The current GI mount also does not allow the operator to see the iron sights of the gun while mounted. This adds additional time to engagement of a target if the optic goes down. The current mount, while mounted, additionally doesn’t allow the user to remove the backplate of the gun. If maintenance, malfunction remedies, anything of the sort is needed, that mount now needs to come off, zero is lost.
BOARS-M2 Features
The B.E. Meyers BOARS-M2 is a two part mounting system allowing the user to keep one piece of the mount attached to the system indefinitely and remove the second piece of the system to the optic for quick removal (throw lever mount) yet not losing zero. This means that the operator can quickly change/remove optics. Whether it is removal for maintenance, accountability, throwing your $20,000 optic in your backpack to run into the chow hall to grab a burrito, this mount allows you to reestablish zero the moment the zeroed optic is attached to the primary mounting piece. A truly modular system.
The BOARS features a quick release removal to the lower piece of the mount which allows a true return to zero when remounted.
The BOARS features the lowest profile machine gun mounting system on the market being only 3.22″ in height. Allowing the user to be fully behind cover during operation and enabling the user to have a weapon system that truly allows them to have eyeball defilade exposure.
The decisions of the materials used for the mount ensure that no parts of the mount are lost during assembly/mounting and more importantly, that no part of the host weapon is damaged. The hex screws used within the mount are captured ensuring that they do not get lost after loosening. The base of the mount, the part that directly mounts to the weapon, uses friction to stay clamped. This is done using brass paws. Brass is a softer type of material ensuring that the paws do not damage the receiver of the gun.
As far as the materials used and the harsh environment that these mounts will be deployed in, the mount is made with 7075-T6 aluminum allowing it to withstand bangs and bruises that these operators will put it through. The mount uses non-corrosive anodizing ensuring that rust will not be an issue.
Specs
PART NUMBER–BOARS-M2
NSN–1240-01-682-8650
DIMENSIONS–7.5” L, 3.62” W, 3.22” H
WEIGHT TOTAL-28.7 OZ
WEIGHT LOWER–12.7 OZ
WEIGHT UPPER–16.0 OZ
Gun and Optic Compatibility
The BOARS has been tested on M2’s dating all the way back to 1932. Testing in various units such ranger battalions, national guard units, etc. It has also been mounted with optics ranging from the PAS-13 Thermal Weapon Sight and Aimpoint FCS 12 on a Carl Gustav.
In order for a piece of equipment to receive a National Stock Number (NSN) it has to go through very rigorous testing. The BOARS has a NSN (1240-01-682-8650) and is a trusted piece of equipment within our Military.
Where is it in our Military Presently?
From the writer..Well presently, there are 4,500 BOARS fielded but we don’t know where exactly they are. For all we know they could be sitting on a shelf in a warehouse somewhere. During my time in the Army, and now asking around to other units, I have not seen one mentioning of the BOARS and still see Soldiers struggling with their 1970 designed GI mount. The Army is failing our Soldiers. We are wasting our funds at the end of the FY just to spend them, meanwhile, those funds could go to literal life and time saving equipment.
But what they don’t know they can’t change right? Knowledge is power. Here is the news post talking bout the BOARS being chosen for the U.S. Army Soldier Enhancement Program. “Units are encouraged to contact PM-Soldier Weapons, PEO Soldier, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ to place their demands for initial fielding.”-BE Meyers
Where this program is now? No idea.
Don’t be afraid to speak up about the latest and greatest equipment. Oftentimes, it is great for a reason. Less oftentimes, it has a NSN..easy purchase.
For other purchasing options click HERE for how to purchase using Direct, GSA, DLA, and TLS procurement.
Cue the music and the Reagan-era vibes. It’s time to celebrate the Strandhogg, First Spear summertime shirt style.
This new limited edition tee is a tactical (~ish) tip of the hat to Andy Warhol in pop art design and the iconic First Spear Strandhogg plate carrier.
The design is printed on a soft side seamed shirt which means better quality, more comfort, and a buff ‘Built for the X‘ appearance when heading out for some summer fun.
After all, looking cool matters.
First Spear keeps the description simple:
Across the front of this LIMITED EDITION white t-shirt, the popular FirstSpear Strandhögg Plate Carrier is featured in vibrant colors.
On the back is the classic FirstSpear logo. This shirt is a perfect addition to your summer t-shirt collection.
The POP ART STRANDHOGG t-shirt is a limited edition run, designed and printed in the United States, and retails for $29.99 on the FirstSpear website.
Don’t wait these are available in limited sizes and quantities and when they are gone they are gone, no backorders will be filled.
Like everything made by FirstSpear, these T-shirts are high-quality and Built for the X.
We have all seen it. We have all been there and heard it. A blatantly false, absurdly concluded, and astronomically imbecilic comment from a know-nothing politico, pushing their favorite form of do-nothing horse manure… for the children. Or we hear that same comment from GenPop repeated in an earnest, yet ill informed, attempt to curb violence.
I’m sorry, curb gun violence.
But why? Why are gun controllers so dedicated to blatant verifiable falsehood? Why do they lie with such conviction?
It turns out people are more likely to repeat a lie, one that they even know is a lie, if they feel it could be true. If someone could foresee circumstances where the lie would become true, they are less likely to view the falsehood as being morally incorrect. It is a very ‘Ends Justify Means’ sort of view of the world, and it is a subject we have a study recently published on.
The American Psychological Association has released a study (linked above) that covers what is, in essence, an ideological purity albi to telling a lie. If the lie is in service to ‘the cause’ you believe in, and that it serves the greater goals of ‘the cause’ to repeat the falsity, the lie isn’t viewed as dishonest or morally affrontory. At least not in the same way as a “regular” lie would be viewed.
What would constitute a “regular” lie?
It would be one that caused harm and perpetuated a falsehood that didn’t serve a morally ‘greater good’ in some manner, as identified by ideological preferences. An example would be promising to return borrowed money in a timely manner, not doing so, and having no intention of doing so. That would be seen as a harmful lie, and one that constitutes theft.
But as we add variables to the base scenario we can change how that lie is perceived by people, and that perception will shift predictably along ideological lines. Not the broad left and right necessarily, the deeper sympathies we hold.
Just ‘how wrong’ the lie is from a certain point of view can be changed. Within certain parameters the lie and the theft will be ‘justifiable’ to more and more people.
Remember the lie is confirmed a lie, there is no intention by our hypothetical borrower to pay back the funds despite agreeing to do so and promising to do so. This person has unequivocally stolen money from someone who lent them that money.
Suppose we go one step further and set an amount. The amount lent/stolen is $500. A not insignificant amount by most measures but also not world shattering for many people, even those on tighter budgets. The borrower has now stolen $500 from the lender.
But now let’s make the person who lent the money reasonably well off, $500 is 0.5% or less of their annual income, while it represents 2.5% of the borrower’s. A $100K+ earning lender to a $20,000 earning borrower. The borrower lied about borrowing and repaying, they have stolen the money.
But you (and I) very likely already have come up with several very reasonable situations in which a $20k earner who borrowed 2.5% of their annual income, $500, and being unable to pay it back afterward is little to no fault of their own. Sudden unexpected cost is the nightmare of anyone at any income level who is paycheck-to-paycheck. We then further justify it by how little $500 harms the lender comparatively to how much it helps the borrower. It is quite literally of 5x greater value to the borrower than the lender in this scenario.
Recall again, we have established the borrower lied and has stolenthemoney. However we set our base judgement very differently based on the totality of the circumstances as we see them, or in this case as we imagine they could be. Most of us are quick to visualize a scenario that makes the theft more okay. Not totally okay, but almost. We will still state it is wrong, but we understand and can sympathize.
Now, reverse the incomes.
A person who makes $20,000 lends $500 to a person who has an income of $100,000+. Try and find the moral justification for the borrower to steal the money. You can’t, not nearly as easily. The emotive response is much more negative towards the borrower and far more sympathetic to the lender.
The lie, and the theft, remain the same $500.
Last version of the exercise, increase both incomes by 10x. Now it’s $500 between someone who makes $200k and $1 million. At these levels we hardly care who lent it to who. Now we might wonder why they’re even bothering over it. It represents less than one day of effort for either party.
We would still say stealing $500 is wrong, but it feels very different talking about $500 between two people who both earn more than that a day than if one or the other person may earn that in two weeks. But the lie and the theft are the same $500.
We just easily manipulated a “regular” lie that could be universally stated as wrong, stealing $500 from somebody and lying about it is wrong, into three scenarios. One where the lender was very sympathetic and thus grievously wronged, one where the borrower was very sympathetic and thus should be excused the wrong, and one that neither party would be grievously harmed by the loss of the money.
Circumstantial Morality Scaling
People have fewer ‘absolutes’ than we like to think, or that we will claim. Most would state, in the raw, that stealing $500 from someone else and lying about that is wrong. Yes? Lying about returning money is wrong, and stealing it is wrong.
But by adding three very basic outlines to that situation we can drastically change how wrong it feels.
When the borrower is in an ostensibly weaker financial position, it may almost feel okay that they kept the money. At the very least sympathetically understable reasons that the money was kept could be contributing to why, reasons other than simple greed.
When the borrower is shown in the stronger financial position, the assumptions flip. The motive for the borrower lying and keeping the money is much more likely to be assumed as simple greed, not need. No morally better motive is likely to be ascribed.
When borrower and lender are both assumed to be well off, our interest in the theft at all tends to drift into why either party is concerned with the lie and the theft anymore.
But again, we confirmed at the start that the borrower islying and hasstolen the money.
Lies that ‘might’ eventually come true seem less unethical – APA
The American Psychological Association states,
People may be willing to condone statements they know to be false and even spread misinformation on social media if they believe those statements could become true in the future.
Whether the situation involves a politician making a controversial statement, a business stretching the truth in an advertisement or a job seeker lying about their professional skills on a resume, people who consider how a lie might become true subsequently think it is less unethical to tell because they judge the lie’s broader message (or “gist”) as truer. The study was published in APA’s Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
From the study:
Scholars have long argued that it is unethical to tell falsehoods (Aquinas, 1273; Harris, 2013; Kant, 1787; St. Augustine, 421). From as young as 4 years old, we recognize and condemn lies (Wimmer et al., 1984). Moreover, individuals and groups will incur significant costs to punish dishonesty (Boles et al., 2000; Brandts & Charness, 2003; Keck, 2014; Ohtsubo et al., 2010). Yet, people do not judge all falsehoods as equally wrong (Effron & Raj, 2020; Levine & Schweitzer, 2014; Rogers et al., 2017; Schweitzer & Hsee, 2002). For example, people are more willing to excuse lies that are told with benevolent intentions; people sometimes even judge benevolent lies as more ethical than truths (Levine & Schweitzer, 2014). Moreover, people feel less compunction about lying by omission rather than commission (Levine et al., 2018). Thus, just because people recognize a falsehood as such does not mean they will harshly condemn it.
Gun Controllers Feel Morally Justified in Their Lies
Why?
Because a Gun Controller passing a rule, even if they got their deceitfully, means they have done it to “saved lives” and have “stopped violence” through their actions. Those are both morally laudable goals, among the highest of morally laudable goals are the preservation of life and peace. We have law and religious texts both that continuously and vociferously espouse the virtues of life and peace. They are two core tenets of human civilizations, especially westernized ones.
For example, people are more willing to excuse lies that are told with benevolent intentions; people sometimes even judge benevolent lies as more ethical than truths (Levine & Schweitzer, 2014).
So saying there is no purpose for an “Assault Weapon” or a “Weapon of War” in the hands of civilians is a lie with benevolent intentions. It ignores all the lawful reasons and proper uses of AR’s and associated firearms and maligns the weapon category because the intention is benevolent. The intention being to save lives and keep the peace.
This is why Gun Controllers are so ‘stupid’ in their pursuit of their goals. This is why they ignore evidence they are wrong and that their policies are harmful. The benevolent intention is seen as more sacrosanct than the harsher and dirtier truth that free people can use that freedom to harm each other. Violence is always an option for action. It is not a ‘good’ option in nearly all cases, but it is always an available one.
People sometimes even judge benevolent lies as more ethical than truths
This is especially true in gun control. Because the truth is not pretty. The truth that violent people are largely free to act as they choose until somebody acts directly against them. The same is true for benevolent people and indifferent people, they are free to act. An otherwise benevolent or indifferent person can choose, at any time, to act violently too. Free will is terrifying when you think about it, everyone can do as the choose. Not without consequence, but they are free to act.
So the benevolent lie, “if it just saves one life.” is used to justify and morally white label gun control policy as good, regardless of actual efficacy.
We have all the data in the world that says our prohibitions do not prevent tragedy, regardless of how strict or loose we make them. The will and attitudes of the people determine how violent they are in general, not their access to a high capacity magazine. Setting policies up that restrict the whole population in a vague, nebulous, big-giant-net attempt to catch motivated violent outliers has failed in every venue we have tried it.
Usually the best result Gun Controllers can attempt to point at is, ‘see, nothing really bad happened while the policy was in place’ or the favored tactic of ‘less bad things happened when we measured it this way, so the policy is sound’ both of which usually ignore all negative policy effects and other societal stimuli that could have contributed to the positive outcome.
It is the same spurious logic that keeps someone using a terrible holster or carry method simply because, “It works for me.” The translation of that is, “Nothing bad has happened, as least that I must acknowledge, so therefore I am assuming what I am doing is good instead of dumb luck helping me. I have not critically considered this and picked out risks, benefits, and likelihoods.”
Risks, benefits, and likelihoods continue to be weakest point in Gun Controller logic, they instead rely on utopian thinking of 100% efficacy in their policies.
I am assuming that most, certainly not all, but most Gun Control advocates are the benevolent idiot (and thus the benevolent liar) because they genuinely want to do a good thing. They want to save lives and keep the peace, they are just unable to come to the terms of the difficult reality.
“Red flag Laws”, which allow police to seize the firearms of people accused of being at risk to misuse them, have been passed in 19 states. Do they do what proponents say they do? A recent study by Veronica Pear, PhD and Garen Wintemute, MD, and co-authors says the answer is clearly, “No”. It appeared as “Firearm Violence Following the Implementation of California’s Gun Violence Restraining Order Law” on JAMA Network April 5.
In looking at California’s Red Flag law they used methods that are better than those of earlier similar studies. They focused especially on San Diego, whose city attorney was a strong proponent of Red Flag Law use and looked at what changed when California’s Red Flag law went into effect. Using data from hospital reports they studied injuries due to aggressive use of guns. They looked as well at self-harm using guns, again reviewing hospital reports.
Based on data from a number of California counties, trends through the years 2005-2015 were determined regarding aggressive use and self-harm. The authors wanted to see If adopting California’s Red Flag law was followed by a reduction in these incidents below the trends predating the law’s going into effect, which occurred in 2016. Examining 2016-2019 they found that neither aggressive use of firearms nor self-harm from gun use was reduced by the new law. In fact, they found that after the introduction of the law the number of acts of self-harm involving firearms exceeded the prediction, although this result was not statistically significant.
The authors say that their methods were more rigorous compared to others who have examined these questions. Another strength of their study was that itincluded injuries rather than just deaths. They emphasize that one factor in finding no change following the new law may be the availability of illegal guns: if the government takes away guns held legally, those who want to harm themselves or others may seek to obtain guns illegally.
Different states have adopted these laws under different labels, including: Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Orders, and Risk Protection Orders. Gun Violence Restraining Orders is the term used in California. “Red Flag Law” is a general term that encompasses all these.
Proponents stress their potential to prevent harm although, as this study by Pear and associates indicates, this is highly questionable. At the same time, the threats to Constitutional rights are minimized or ignored, which go beyond just threats to the Second Amendment. These threats include undercutting the right to due process. Is the person whose gun may be seized entitled to the presumption of innocence? What is the standard of proof – clear and convincing evidence? Or just a preponderance of the evidence? Is the subject entitled to legal representation? Shall rules for the admissibility of evidence be followed? Readers can no doubt think of other similar questions.
Strangely, if a Red Flag process leads to your losing your guns in Indiana, they may be destroyed! If you lose your driver’s license, is your car crushed? If you’re disbarred, are your law books burned?
Throughout their report Pear et al stress the shortcomings of laws in preventing violence, and with regard to aggression the authors pay little attention to the perpetrators.
The NRA has seemed to tread cautiously on Red Flag Laws. This may involve not wanting negative press regarding this issue to contaminate efforts to support the Second Amendment in other ways. The NRA has at least called attention to the due process issues, some of which are noted above.
The bottom line: There’s little to recommend Red Flag Laws. The findings of this study reinforce what gun owners have been saying all along. The surprise is that it comes from Wintemute’s group, which usually finds ways to endorse firearm restrictions.
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—Thomas E. Gift, MD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing in Rochester, New York, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical School, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
It’s a well known fact that the L85, the UK’s service bullpup, is not a well regarded rifle. It had a more fraught early adoption than the M16 and had unresolved problems for all of its A1 variant history, ending in 1994. The rifles then sat for about 6 years, still with a very poor reputation, until H&K set about fixing this with the A2 variant in the 2000’s.
The fixing and modernization would continue into 2007, 08, and 09 when the RIS systems and upgraded modular optic suites were added… a full decade behind the M16A4 with it’s rigid rail system and optics compatible suite.
So what are operators like the SAS to do?
Get an AR. Everyone else had them.
We can flip, and then back up and flop, over between a direct impingement gas system or a short stroke piston operated one, both are running strong here in 2022, but the AR is the king of rifles right now. Most major militaries and more special units are running an AR variant. M4A1, HK416, C7, C8, M16A4, or specialty variant thereof are all out there in the wild and doing good things as fighting rifles.
The UK went with the L119A1 which was a Colt Canada, formerly Diemaco, variant of the C8 rifle. Specifically the C8SFW which was essentially a 16.1″ barreled M4A1 variance. The A2, like the SOPMOD Block II and URGI, takes the things we have learned about making the AR run better and more accurately into account.
Ian has the scoop of this little known C8 variant. Hit play. Cloners, do your thing.
Note: In the cover photo I am wearing the Vertx Womens Guardian Tank which has an under layer. This layer is great for concealed carry and even better for the enigma as it acts as another layer to protect against abrasion from skin to holster/belt contact.This current set up has each upgrade mentioned.
The Phlster Enigma has proven to be the only option on the market that allows the user to not have to choose their clothes around their Everyday Day Carry holster. The enigma uses a belt system that connects to your normal kydex holster which then allows you to wear leggings, jeans, a skirt, etc. It has been a hit and now Phlster has released upgrades to make it more comfortable and conceal your carry gun and equipment better.
Sport Belt
The Enigma Sport Belt is the first upgrade that I would recommend. It is a much more comfortable material against your skin over the original belt. The Sport Belt has a stretchy and wide back panel that stretches around your back as the belt is tightened and due to it being wider, carries the load better. The elastic back panel also has sewn in pockets that dan be used as places to store extra magazines on the body, carry cash, a key, or an ID.
The Sport Belt https://www.phlsterholsters.com/shop/enigma-sport-belt/Pockets on the sport belt. Some sewn on the bottom, some pass through. Note, Ensure that you don’t put equipment directly on the spine.
I have went for runs in the sport belt, did heavy lifting, the belt never came loose, hurt my back from the load, or introduced chaffing, nor does it capture sweat. All of these activities were done while wearing leggings and the Enigma w/ sport belt and sig P365 w/ Holosun 407k in a Phlster Skeleton Holster. All very concealed.
Installation is very easy as the sport belt threads directly through your existing enigma. No extra hardware needed.
Distributes pressure over wider area of the back
Helps maintain steady belt tension, which aids in comfort and concealment
Nylon webbing with a 3″ tall elastic panel in the back
Ensure that you use this sizing guide when purchasing the length of your sport belt.
Note: If you’re between sizes. Size down
If you did not want to buy a whole new belt, you still have the option of buying the Levo Designs Conventional Papoose. Which is a sewn fabric sleeve that covers the belt and holster creating a more comfortable carry on your skin.
So, Sport belt or Papoose? The sport belt is $34.00 and helps with bolt comfort and load carrying, the papoose is $45.99 and helps with skin to holster contact and can be customized.
“The short answer is that they do two different jobs, and it depends on what problem you’re trying to solve. The Papoose covers the holster, Enigma faceplate, and standard nylon belt. It reduces the need for an undershirt, and protects your skin from abrasion.The sport belt has a wider back panel to distribute the pressure and weight of the gun. It has a moderate amount of stretch, which is helpful for maintaining constant belt tension.You can also use both together. You can a) use just the pistol pouch of the Papoose with the sport belt, or b) trim the belt portion of the Papoose to cover the nylon portion of the sport belt.”-Sarah Hauptman from Phlster
The Papoose used with the original belt. https://www.phlsterholsters.com/shop/levo-designs-conventional-papoose/
Optimized Modwing
The Optimized Modwing Insert Kit is another great upgrade that Phlster has pushed out. Wing inserts are largely used to help with grip tuck. These extra wings are taller than the standard Modwing insert. “The short EMod is approximately 1/16th of an inch taller than a small Modwing insert, and the tall EMod insert is approximately 1/8th of an inch taller than the large Modwing insert.”
Optimize grip rotation and grip tuck with the Standard Enigma
Comes with two inserts (tall and short), plus a set of round spacers for each.
Note: ModWing base not included. (If you need a ModWing base, click here and choose “ModWing Standard.”)
Price: $12.00
Both height shown. https://www.phlsterholsters.com/shop/emod-enigma-optimized-modwing-insert-kit/
The Optimized kit can be balanced with a wedge to further help with grip tuck. Learn more about this concept with the quick video below.
Reduced Sized Buckle Kit
Ah, an addition for us smaller folk. The Reduced Sized Buckle Kit is a nice upgrade that helps get some of the bucklier items off of the enigma but still performs just as well. Replacing the current buckle, the smaller buckle works as a simple thread through instead of a snap buckle. This will help with printing on smaller shaped torsos. For installation, no extra hardware needed.
Reduces buckle span by 3″
Recommended for smaller users (30″ waist or below)
Takes up less space, allowing you to accommodate additional gear items
Attaches with the original hardware included in the Enigma hardware kit
Price: $13.99
Upgrade on top, standard buckle on bottom https://www.phlsterholsters.com/shop/reduced-sized-buckle-kit/
To keep up to date with this and other releases, join their Facebook group under Phlster Concealment Workshop. Joining this group also is a great outlet to get some help with your specific set up and concealability as many put up photos and videos of their Enigma asking what they can do better.
Fort Worth, Texas (May 2, 2022) – XS® Sights is pleased to extend its night sight offerings for the HK VP9 Optics Ready Pistol. Standard-height R3D with orange front sight and DXT2 Big Dot sights with orange or yellow front sights are now available for this popular HK pistol, in addition to the recently released Suppressor/RMR Height sights in the R3D and Minimalist models. All result in faster and more accurate target acquisition in high-stress situations and when shooting on the move.
R3D
The R3D is a traditional 3-dot tritium, notch and post sight picture. With a notch 15% wider than the front sight, there is more visible light around the front post which gets you on target faster and more accurately. The dual illuminated front sight is equipped with tritium surrounded by XS’ proprietary orange Glow Dot technology which absorbs ambient light and glows in low light. The two-dot tritium blacked-out rear illuminates, giving proper sight alignment while not outshining the front sight, resulting in precise and rapid indexing when every fraction of a second counts.
DXT2 Big Dot
The DXT2 Big Dot sight leads the industry in size. Featuring a V-notch rear sight with vertical white stripe and tritium inset and a tritium front sight surrounded by a large photoluminescent Glow Dot in orange or yellow, the DXT2 Big Dot instantly drives focus to the front sight and downrange threat. This dot-the-‘i’ sight picture is fast and instinctive in high-stress situations.
All XS Sights are backed by a 10-year, No Questions Asked Warranty and XS’s 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.
About XS Sights XS Sights is known for making the fastest sights in any light. For more than 25 years, the XS team has created some of the most innovative sights on the market today for pistols, rifles and shotguns. Whether used for personal defense or hunting, these sights are designed and built to be the absolute best for their specific purpose. American Made. Texas Proud. 2A Strong.
One of the great American past times is taking a .22 LR rifle, a brick of ammo, and plinking with it. I killed enough soda cans to make a car as a kid. To this day, just going out with a .22LR for its fun gives me great enjoyment. Although, as I’ve gotten older, my targets have gotten more complicated, and my current favorite is the Shooting Targets 7 Rimfire KYL. KYL stands for Know Your Limits
This target will certainly take you to your limits. I don’t mean that as a vague, nebulous term. I mean it quite literally. The Rimfire KYL target is eight targets. This is essentially a gong rack, but it’s designed for rimfire challenge. The eight gongs or, well, paddles are more realistic. The paddles range in size from 2 inches on the large side to a ¼ inch on the small side. The targets descend by a ¼ inch at a time.
This target was used in the 2020 NRL .22 Championship, and it’s easy to see why. The largest target is fairly small as and it just gets smaller from there. The KYL Rimfire paddles are made of a ¼ inch of AR500 steel, and they can predictably be used for airguns.
Setting the Rimfire KYL Up
The Shooting Targets 7 design is fairly ingenious. It’s a self-contained system that comes with the targets, the beam, and the legs. The paddles are made entirely of AR500 steel. They are not hung by chains by any means. This setup requires spaces between each paddle, and setting the whole thing up takes no time. Attach a shaft collar slide a space, slide a target, and alternate targets and spacers until you’re done.
The legs attach easily and are easily taken apart. They don’t latch or bolt-on. The two pieces of galvanized pipe are connected with a piece of metal with a collar. The collar fits over the beam, and you bend the legs outward. This creates friction and holds the entire thing upright.
The setup and takedown make this big target very portable. It’s easy to toss in the truck and go to the range with. The target stands 26 inches tall, is 30 inches wide, and weighs 13 pounds. The Rimfire KYL is super simple and affordable at less than 150 bucks for the whole rig.
At the Range
With the Rimfire KYL, you see your literal limit at specific ranges. In fact, you can measure it to the ¼ inch with these targets. As the paddles get smaller, you see your limits very clearly. Trying to clear the gongs isn’t easy. Here is how you learn your limit. Choose your range, your weapon, and your position. Now start with the two-inch paddle and work your way down.
When you start consistently missing, you’ve found your limit. The tiny targets provide a significant challenge with a long gun even at short distances. Mix in a handgun, and it gets even harder.
The Rimfire KYL and its smallest targets require you to excel in the basics. You have to control your weapon, keep that sight alignment tight, and launch those little .22LRs with some real precision. I’ve used both rifles and pistols to engage the Rimfire KYL, and it’s always a challenge.
Scoot back to 20 yards and use an iron-sighted rifle to try and hit that ¼ inch paddle. It’s not easy, and that’s great. Who wants easy? The challenge of the target forces you to get better at shooting, and it’s always fun.
Addicted to the Ding
Don’t get me wrong, and you can get a little frustrated when trying to shoot the smaller targets. Here’s the cure to that frustration, back up a step and hit a slightly larger target. That ding will cure your frustration. While the targets fun by yourself, it’s best experienced with friends.
Introduce a timer and some friendly competition of who can clear the target the fastest. Or see who can go the farthest without missing. The Rimfire KYL creates a crazy amount of challenge and is just a fun little target.
The paddles swing, and ding when hit and do so vigorously. It’s just hard not to have fun with this target. Outside of just fun and plinking, there is some training potential with the target.
From a pure marksmanship perspective, the little targets can be used for close-range precision training. A rimfire rifle can be a great training tool, and they have a fairly limited range. The small targets help you maximize the training potential when you’re restricted to close ranges and rimfire weapons.
Just Plinking Around
The Rimfire KYL is a great addition to your home range. It’s simple, fun, and easy to set up and move, plus it has training merit to it. Steel targets can be fairly expensive, but for less than 150 dollars shipped, you can have the complete Rimfire KYL. If you’ve been looking to recapture the joy of rimfire shooting, give it a try.
I’m still writing my review of the Hellion up, and I want to shoot one more course with it here in a couple weeks, but Mike Jones is done with his.
In typical GT fashion Mike goes through the good, the bad, and the ugly of the rifle and his points of criticism mirror several of my own. Including, but not limited to, the fact that everyone in the industry is very quick to call this rifle the VHS-2 far more often than the “Hellion” when discussing the weapon.
It is Monday folks. Enjoy. I’m out to Sig’s Freedom Days this weekend to see what the NGSW’d XM5 and XM 250 are all about. Plus its warm in Arizona I hear, not this pseudo-warm that is more accurately just “not cold” that we’re getting here in Michigan.
I’ll cover it more so in my write-up, but I did shoot the Hellion suppressed at GSL’s HQ with one of their demo 5.56 cans. It did not exhibit any of the chamber flash that Tim Harmsen (Military Arms Channel) was seeing on his rifles. Two types of 55gr ball shot, one of them the extra hot IMI. If it was going to flash back I think that would have done it, but it may be that wasn’t the variable that produced the effect.
In this episode, the boys are all back talking about how we live in the golden age of the 9mm pistol and we have HK to thank for it, then at the end they get kidnapped by the feds.
Remember to subscribe to get the boys back, or to encourage the feds to keep them. It can do both.
