I’ll say right up front that I have an affinity for small fixed-blade knives. Given an equal and open choice, I’ll almost always choose a fixed blade over a folder for EDC purposes. I like them small enough to carry in a pocket, as that keeps them handy without undue attention. The Smith & Sons Axiom fits the bill quite well.
The Axiom – Specs
Let’s break it down. The Axiom has an overall length of 6.75 inches, and the MagnaCut blade takes up 3.0 inches of that. It tips the scales at a mere 2.5 ounces. It comes with the buyer’s choice of a leather or Kydex sheath. The Axiom is available in three different handle materials: OD Green Canvas Micarta, Black/Brown Burlap Micarta, and Marsh Grass Richlite.
It comes with a short lanyard attached to the end of the handle. Personally, I’m not usually a fan of lanyards on my knives, but I do like this one as it’s short and unobtrusive. It also sort of extends the feel of the handle a bit. I wear size XL gloves, and there’s just enough real estate to get a full four fingers on the handle. But that lanyard adds just a little extra, which is nice.
Axiom Ergos
The ergos of the Axiom are out of this world. The handle scales are contoured for comfort and they feel great in hand. There’s a bit of jimping on the spine, exactly where your thumb naturally rests. The Axiom is well-balanced, and while it’s lightweight, it has a solid feel and doesn’t feel insubstantial.
Let’s face it. If a knife is awkward or unwieldy, you’ll find yourself leaving it at home. With the Axiom, you’ll look for reasons to use it.
Okay, But Does It Cut?
The Axiom is atom-splitting sharp right out of the box. There was no need to touch up the blade’s edge before putting it to work. At the time of this writing, MagnaCut is still somewhat new in the knife world. Many makers are branching into it, with pretty positive results. MagnaCut seems to hit that sweet spot, balancing edge retention and ease of sharpening—with bonus corrosion resistance.
I’ve been carrying the Smith & Sons Axiom for several weeks now. It’s been used to cut lengths of paracord for various projects. It’s been pushed into service in the kitchen, slicing sausage and cheese for lunch. I’ve done a little whittling and carving, as well as feather sticking.
In each instance, the Axiom has performed very well. There have been no hot spots, and the edge remains very sharp even after extended use. I went with the leather sheath for mine, and it holds the knife very securely. It’ll thread onto a belt up to about 1.5 inches wide, but I just drop it into a cargo pocket.
The Smith & Sons Axiom has quickly earned a permanent spot in my EDC rotation. It’s comfortable, easy to carry, and holds a great edge.
On top of that, Smith & Sons are some of the best people in the knife community today. They’re a family business, producing high-quality knives right here in the United States. They have some incredibly well-thought-out designs, and the Axiom is an excellent example.
If you’re rocking a Taurus GX4 but want something a little different than the factory polymer grip, you may want to look at Mischief Machine. The company recently started showing an aluminum grip module called the Commander on social media. It offers a number of updates in both materials and features for your Taurus pistol.
Taurus GX4 Commander Gripframe
Mischief Machine already offers aluminum grip frames for the SIG Sauer P365 and the IWI Masada Slim. They’re teasing a Springfield Armory release as well. Most likely this will be for the Echelon pistols. In the meantime, the Taurus GX4 Commander grip module has just landed.
Mischief’s Commander is an improved grip module made from a solid block of 7075-T6 Aluminum. It has a 1911 grip angle and an enlarged mag well. There’s also an interface provided for a future Magwell attachment. The Commander additionally has an enlarged, ambidextrous magazine release.
Being an aluminum frame, it uses G10 grip panels and backstraps. This lets you customize both the look and feel of your pistol. The included rail is Picatinny 1913 compatible and they suggest using a Streamlight TLR7SUB weapons light.
To swap to a Mischief Machine Commander, you just need to drop in your GX4 assembly into their grip assembly. Then add a GX4 barreled slide with a 3.7″ or longer barrel or an XL slide. The Commander grip assembly uses Taurus 15-round magazines.
The Mischief machine Commander comes in a black hard anodized finish, but Cerakote is available as well. Colors offered are McMillan Tan, Cobalt, Titanium, Midnight Bronze, Multicam Dark Green, as well as custom options. Cerakote finishes add two weeks to the lead time on orders.
The Mischief Commander grip module retails for $349.00. A basic Cerakote color adds $35 to that price, and a custom color is $60 additional.
The Beretta 92XI Squalo made its original debut at Shot Show 2024. Squalo means “shark” in Italian, as those sea creatures are sleek and fast swimmers that easily move through the water. Similarly, the Beretta 92XI Squalo is a sleek, performance-oriented gun with a grey finish, like a shark. As the Beretta 92XI Squalo is configured from the factory, it’s ideal for action pistol competitive categories such as USPSA Minor or USPSA Limited Optics (with the added red-dot sight). Langdon Tactical Technologies is now offering its semi-customized Beretta 92XI Squalo versions.
These guns are worked over by LTT with a trigger job and include the unique Langdon Tactical Technologies “RDO” lower sitting optics mounting surface. This system sits lower than the factory Beretta mounting system, and a lower-sitting red dot sight makes it easier to line up with the target after drawing to shoot.
The 92XI Squalo is a single-action only Beretta 92 variant custom-made for action pistol competition and tuned to perfection by Langdon Tactical.
LTT Features Include
LTT Patented LOW RDO red dot mounting system is more shootable and durable than the factory mounting system, and mounts a Trijicon SRO .85” lower than the factory mount.
LTT Trigger Job including a match hammer, optimized performance trigger bar, and 11# chrome silicon hammer spring that provides a world-class single action trigger pull over tens of thousands of rounds. We will also include a 12# hammer spring in the box for you.
Stainless Elite Barrel provides match accuracy.
Steel guide Rod adds non-reciprocating mass to reduce muzzle rise.
3x Mec-Gar Magazines with Toni Systems Extensions and Magazine Well
Black Cerakote Slide
The semi-straight trigger on the LTT 92XI Squalo has vastly shortened pre-travel and overtravel with our gunsmith-installed Match hammer and Optimized Performance Trigger Bar. The Toni Systems mag well works in conjunction with the three included Mec-Gar mags and Toni Systems extensions to allow a 22+1 capacity while staying within USPSA legal dimensions.
Trigger pull weight with LTT’s trigger job and 12# hammer will be between 2.5-3.5# (hammer and variance taken into account). Out of the box, the LTT Beretta 92XI Squalo can handle competition-tailored loads that still produce enough power factor to be competition-legal.
You remember that scene in The Big Lebowski where we hear the classic line, “This isn’t Nam, this is bowling, there are rules.” When it comes to SEALs in Vietnam, there didn’t seem to be many, if any, rules—at least when it came to their firearms. They were new and were willing to try a lot of guns in Vietnam. The Stoner 63, the Remington 7188, and even a 5.56 caliber G3. Officially, it was known as the T223.
G3 in 5.56 sounds a lot like the HK33, but the T223 came to be in 1965. From all the sources I can find, the HK33 didn’t hit the world til 1968. Official documents refer to the T223 as a modified G3 rifle. Maybe H&R got a proto release of the HK33 or data package to produce the T223.
The T223 found its way to Vietnam, at least for some time. How many deployed, where they went, and how they performed seems a bit lost to time. We do know that SEAL Team 2, Platoon Ten, carried at least one. Photos of SEAL Rudy Boesch show him carrying the weapon.
It’s possible only SEAL Team 2 carried the weapon. It does seem that very limited numbers were produced. It’s known that Harrington and Richardson produced the guns under a license from HK.
Why They Wanted The T223
It’s not clear why exactly the SEALs wanted the T223. The most likely official answer would be that they were just experimenting with what worked. The M16 series was around at this time, but you have to remember it was the first time the US Military adopted an intermediate-caliber assault rifle. Trying out other options wasn’t a bad idea.
It’s also worth mentioning that the rollout of the M16 wasn’t great, so looking for alternatives seemed smart. SEALs were already using the M16 and seemingly enjoyed the rifle. However, they were willing to experiment with the weapon. SEALs weren’t the only ones.
They were the only guys to take the gun to Vietnam—from what I can find—but the Army also gave the T223 a shot. It was part of the SAWS program, which started in 1965. The SAWS pamphlet lists some basic information about the gun, but I’m not sure how accurate that information is. However, the 14.5-inch barrel length would have been very attractive as a carbine in a world of 20-inch barrel M16s.
The T223 wasn’t just a caliber convert G3. H&R modified the weapon to make it more ergonomic. They installed a last-round bolt hold open and a bipod at the very rear of the handguard. Although, the photo in the SAWS pamphlet shows a standard bipod.
Hitting Vietnam with the T223
According to Hunters and Shooters: An Oral History of U.S. Navy SEALs in Vietnam, SEAL Rudy Boesch liked the weapon because of its 40-round magazines. At the time, the standard M16 topped out at 20 rounds, so double the ammo was double the fun. Rudy carried four magazines of 40 rounds for his T223.
He states that the individual SEAL was allowed to choose their weapon. Rudy took a liking to the T223 and decided to take it to Vietnam. He expressed a fondness for how easy it was to take care of the gun. It was easy to clean and worked well. The 40-round magazines wouldn’t fit in G.I. mag pouch, so he initially carried them in his pockets, but eventually modified a Chicom chest rig made for AK to carry the mags.
According to the book, he used the weapon in combat. He tells tales of ambush and ops. It’s certainly worth a read. The T223 didn’t receive any complaints in the book, so it seems to have worked quite well. The roller-delayed design had a good history of reliability, and downsizing to 5.56 isn’t that difficult.
The End of the T223
The M16 became the standard, and the T223 wasn’t destined to remain in the armory for long. Reed Knight owns one, and another remains in the Ft. Sheridan Museum, which contains one of the guns used in the SAWS testing. The T223 was an interesting experiment at an interesting time. SEALs and most special ops would eventually adopt another roller-delayed HK design in the form of the MP5.
I’ve done a lot of retro AR builds over the past year or so. Where possible, I use surplus GI furniture, but that isn’t always practical. That’s why I was excited to see B5 Systems announce some additions to their Retro AR furniture recently. They’ve had a CAR stock in the lineup for a while, but now they’ve added six-hole skinny CAR15 handguards and the LS2—a Lonestar-style A2 grip.
CAR15 Handguards
The CAR15 handguards are a good match up to the CAR15 stocks that B5 Systems has had available. They’re the early style skinny, six-hole design. Later CAR handguards had 7 holes, which is fine unless you’re building a retro military clone. B5’s handguards have aluminum heat shields and are made of a durable polymer. They’re also US-made, unlike a lot of the other retro furniture currently on the market. MSRP on a set of CAR handguards is just $25.00, and they’re available in black or OD green.
The LS2 Pistol Grip
More exciting is the LS2 grip, which is the B5 version of the old Lonestar grip. The Lonestar grips were A2 style, but with an arched backstrap and fatter profile. They were more ergonomic and hand-filling than a GI grip, or commercial A2 grip. They also had a storage compartment in the grip with a hinged cover. Lonestar grips have gathered a cult following with retro AR builders. Originals grips are hard to come by, and generally sell for $100 or more when they do pop up.
While there have been some other clone versions offered they were either expensive, made for airsoft or paintball guns, or 3D printed. The B5 Systems LS2 grip is injection-molded just like the original grips. They’re also made right here in the USA. The best part is that they’re only $20.00. Which is probably close to what Lonestars originally sold for back in the 1990’s. Like the CAR15 stock and handguards, the LS2 is available in black and OD green.
Hands-On with the B5 Systems Retro Furniture
I picked up a set of OD stocks and tried them on a CAR-15-style build and on my H&R clone of the Colt 635 9mm subgun. I’m impressed. The CAR15 handguards are solidly made with excellent fit and finish. I’ve had to fight with some imported clone furniture to get it to fit and line up correctly. The B5 Systems handguards dropped in and fit perfectly on multiple rifles that I tried.
The LS2 grip is excellent. It looks good and is comfortable in the hand. It does have the A2 finger nub, which not everyone likes, but the point of this is that it’s a clone of the original grip. Lonestar did make an A1 grip with a similar profile without the nub, so maybe we’ll see a B5 version of that down the road?
If you’ve been hunting for one of these for your retro build, $20 is a heck of a lot better than $100 plus. It’s a good grip for any AR build, too, if you like the basic A2 style but want a little better ergonomics.
My local gun club has a short Steel Challenge match on Thursday nights during the summer. No doubt, it takes advantage of the extended summer daylight hours while also serving as a pleasant mid-week evening activity. Recently, I finally made it to one of these casual club matches, and I’m glad I did.
Although I’m still a newcomer to Steel Challenge, I’m really enjoying how laid-back these contests are. It’s also cool that competitors have the opportunity to bring and shoot almost any handgun, as the power factor isn’t a “factor” the way it is in USPSA or IDPA. Steel Challenge is also one of the few action shooting sports that offers competitive rimfire divisions, including semi-auto rimfire long guns.
At the time I write this, I’ve had so much fun that I’ve gone twice in the last two weeks shooting nothing but .22LR guns in a carefree manner.
Steel Challenge: A Simple But Intense Contest
A Steel Challenge stage called “Five To Go” (SC-101) in one of the bays at my gun club. To stop time, the target with the red beam must be shot last. The transition between the far 18-yard target and the closer stop plate can get tricky. The start-sign in the foreground is for where competitors keep their muzzles pointed when shooting guns that don’t use holsters, like PCCs and rimfire pistols/rifles.
Steel Challenge is a contest all about shooting steel plates as quickly as possible. Unlike other action pistol sports like USPSA or IDPA, Steel Challenge stages are extremely simple and consist of different arrays of round or rectangular steel targets painted in high-contrast white.
There are no stages to walk through or to plan, and everything comes down to sheer pistol-shooting speed and fundamentals: the draw, sight picture, grip, trigger control, and visual transitions. It’s easy but also incredibly difficult to execute at the highest levels. Championship-level Steel Challenge matches often result in world records.
In Steel Challenge, a shooter stands in a 3×3-ft box to shoot at five different targets in each stage. The Steel Challenge Outer Limits is the only stage that requires movement under the clock. But even then, it merely consists of shuffling laterally from one box to the next.
The “Stop Plate”
In Steel Challenge, none of the steel targets are hidden, mechanically activated, or complex in any way, shape, or form. And no matter the stage, there are only five different targets, including the “stop plate.”
Stop Plates are always the fifth and last target, which shooters must engage last in order to stop the clock for their string of fire. They are usually marked with red pedestals to differentiate them from the rest of the array on a stage. Stop plates are often the central target, and this subtly increases the difficulty for the shooter, as they must swing past the stop plate and shoot steel on the opposite end before swinging the muzzle back to the middle.
Scoring
A competitor shooting Showdown (SC-102) with a Glock 34 and a red-dot–a standard “carry optics” gun. He must start from the holster, just like at a USPSA match.
There are eight official Steel Challenge stages, and at a Steel Challenge match, each shooter gets five different chances to shoot each stage. The slowest or lowest scoring run from each stage is deleted, and the rest of the four run times are computed to determine the shooter with the fastest overall time.
Unlike IDPA or USPSA, which award shooters higher or lower points for shooting different areas of a target, the only thing that matters in Steel Challenge is that a competitor hits each target once, and the stop plate last.
Steel Challenge is like golf, where the winners with the highest scores have the lowest numbers. Missing targets that aren’t the stop plate can be fatal, as each missed target per stage incurs a time penalty of +3.00 seconds.
And as far as missing the stop plate, well, the timer keeps ticking. For perspective, world-class competitors can clear the eight different official stages in less than three seconds, so a single miss means bombing the whole stage.
Steel Challenge Target Types
Steel targets vary from small round targets that measure ten inches, large round targets that measure twenty inches, and large rectangular vertically-oriented targets that measure 18 by 24 inches.
In formal matches, targets are spray-painted over before each competitor starts their five attempts. In a more casual club setting, targets tend to be painted over only after the whole squad finishes the stage to save time.
Guns For Steel Challenge
Gun divisions in Steel Challenge mirror those from USPSA, with the exception of the rimfire pistol and rifle divisions. In short, Steel Challenge can be shot with the same equipment used in USPSA.
All shooters start with a holstered and loaded handgun with their hands above their shoulders in the “surrender position,” except for PCC and both types of rimfire shooters. The latter groups start in a low-ready position with their muzzles pointed at a sign that’s placed about 10 feet away from the shooting box.
Standard velocity centerfire pistol calibers with a minimum caliber of 9mm are allowed, while centerfire magnum pistol cartridges or any centerfire rifle cartridges are forbidden. On the rimfire side, only .22 LR is permitted.
Rimfire Rifle Open and Rimfire Pistol Open
Shooting the S&W M&P 15-22 .22LR rimfire carbine under the rimfire rifle open division. While LPVOs like this Primary Arms PLxC 1-8 FFP ACSS Griffin Mil M8 aren’t typically seen but I wanted to get some “productive” fast-and-close distance reps on 1x. Hard to see, but the carbine also has a Kratos Design Group handstop.
For my recent matches, I signed up under Rimfire Rifle Open and Rimfire Pistol Open both times. That’s another thing about chill Steel Challenge matches—shooters can usually sign up to shoot more than one division. Especially if there aren’t too many people at one match.
I brought a Wojtek Race Pistol to this match along with the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 I reviewed this spring. This handy rimfire carbine lends itself well to Steel Challenge, and it’s still affordable to shoot. I’m concurrently working on a review of the Primary Arms PLxC 1-8 FFP LPVO. So, mounting it on the M&P 15-22 and bringing it to a Steel Challenge match would be a great way to “use” it more, especially on low power.
Wojtek Weaponry Race Pistol
The Wojtek Race Pistol is a unique .22 LR pistol based on the Ruger 22/45 pattern. Wojtek Weaponry builds these pistols with combinations of Tandemkross frames and Volquartsen uppers in such a way that they’re legal in California despite their “handgun roster.”
The Wojtek Race Pistol will get its own article in the future as the gun itself is fascinating and capable of extremely high-performance shooting.
Wojtek tricked out this model with a Volquartsen six-inch Mamba-X LLV compensated upper on which I mounted a Leupold Delta Point Pro 6 MOA reflex sight. The lower is manufactured by Tandemkross and has a match trigger and oversize “race” parts like a gas pedal and extended safety.
Being left-handed, I can’t comment much on them, as they’re configured for a right-handed shooter. The way this gun is set-up makes it tailor-made for Steel Challenge’s Rimfire Pistol Open, and it’s a lot of fun to shoot.
The Takeaway
Although I’ve only technically been to three Steel Challenge matches, I had a change of heart about this action pistol event. In the past, I wrote it off because I found it to be less “serious” than USPSA or even IDPA. But I’ve realized that’s precisely why it can be so “chill” and fun.
The acronym WYSIWYG (whiz-wig, or what-you-see-is-what-you-get) is an apt description for these events. Although having fun (with or without exotic rimfire race pistols) is important, it’s true that shooting five steel targets as fast as possible has a practical undercurrent that the defensive-minded shooter can also benefit from. Pure shooting mechanics don’t change because of the contest or venue.
Novice or veteran, the stress and pressure from the shot timer still counts, and it’s easier to miss than one would expect.
Storing water and preserving food are definitely at the top of the list when it comes to preparedness. But there’s one area that often confounds the beginning prepper—prescription medications. It’s an unfortunate reality that many people are reliant upon pharmaceuticals to make it through the day. While modern chemistry has made it easier to deal with a litany of ailments, if we’re suddenly cut off from those meds, the results can be decidedly less than pleasant.
Maybe there’s a bad winter storm, one that shuts down the roads in the area for a day or so. Perhaps a glitch in the computer systems causes the pharmacy to be unable to dispense medications. It could be there are shipping delays that prevent the pharmacy from even having the medication in stock. There are any number of reasons why grabbing a refill at the very last minute might not be feasible. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead.
Fortunately, there are a couple of approaches to consider.
Talk About It
Reach out to your physician and explain your concerns to him or her. Tell them you want an emergency stash of your prescription medications in case of an emergency. If you’re not asking for a narcotic, they may be willing to write you an extra script for your meds. The downside here is that your insurance company may not foot the bill. You might end up having to pay the full rate, which can be extremely pricey.
Of course, going without the medication might cost you more.
Do the Math
This method takes a little time but won’t cost you anything extra. For the sake of simplicity, let’s say you have a prescription where you take one pill a day, and you get a refill once a month. With most recurring prescriptions, there’s an overlap, right? You can refill it on, say, day 27 of the 30-day cycle. Get your refill on day 27 and set three of those pills aside for your emergency stash. Take your medication as prescribed, don’t skip doses.
Here’s where it sounds a lot more complicated than it is. Get your refill on day 27 again. Use the three pills from your emergency stash and replace them with six pills from the new supply. The goal here is to always use the oldest medications first.
It’s slow going, but over time you’ll be able to build up a good emergency supply, and do it without incurring any extra costs.
Surf the Web
There are some online venues, such as JASE Medical, that offer a range of medications for purchase. These companies typically have licensed physicians on staff who will handle the prescribing, and you order the meds. In addition to most routine prescription medications, such as those taken for diabetes or heart health, they also usually offer antibiotics that can be stored at home for use during grid-down emergencies.
Storage
Always keep medications in a properly labeled container, so there is no confusion as to what’s inside. Plus, if you end up traveling with your meds, it could be important to be able to show that you’ve been legally prescribed the medicine.
Unless the medication requires something special, keep it in a cool, dark location away from moisture and sunlight. Be sure family members know where to find it if you are not able to retrieve it yourself for some reason.
I was too young to catch Miami Vice in prime time, but I didn’t miss out on it entirely. My dad enjoyed the show, and through the joy of reruns, I more or less grew up watching the show. I think it really shaped my enjoyment of firearms and media. It’s not a big surprise that the guns are great, especially with Michael Mann behind the wheel. The series really encapsulates the era of firearms and pushes them front and center to millions of households every week. With that in mind, what are Miami Vice’s best guns? Which ones really encapsulated the 1980s?
The Bren Ten
The Bren Ten was Crockett’s gun in the first and second seasons and arguably the most famous from the series. In the 1980s, the DA/SA design chambered an entirely new cartridge, the 10mm auto. The 10mm auto hit hard, moved fast, and was flat-shooting. Michael Mann wanted the most modern handgun possible for his hero character, and he got it. The creators of the Bren Ten even hand-crafted two guns for the production.
The Bren Ten promised to be the best combat pistol since the M1911. Jeff Cooper helped design the round and later had input on its production. The pistol essentially took a CZ 75 design and upscaled it to 10mm, utilizing a single-stack magazine. The idea sounds great.
Unfortunately, Dornaus and Dixon dropped the ball. The gun’s popularity exploded in and out of the usual circles. The show Miami Vice was a huge hit, and the gun was immensely popular. They tried to pump guns out as fast as possible, and they cut corners and sent guns out that weren’t properly QC’ed and even lacked magazines. The Bren Ten was a spectacular failure.
The KG-99
The KG-99 was an early, open model of the TEC-9. The KG-99 series were popular bad guy guns, and Miami Vice helped popularize the image of the TEC-9 style pistol as the bad guy gun. The KG-99’s open bolt design made it very easy to convert to full auto, and production did just that, legally, of course. Plenty of people didn’t do it legally, and that made the ATF crack down on open-bolt guns.
The KG-99 is a really simple, brutish, downright crude weapon. It’s a huge 9mm pistol that’s absurd and less functional than a Glock. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t necessarily innovative. Well, it had one innovation: the polymer frame. Polymer frames weren’t popular in this era, but the KG-99 rocked one without shame.
The TEC-9 features an aggressive look that did not translate into an effective firearm. The magazine is forward of the pistol grip, the barrel shroud, and the obnoxious size made it stand out and great as a movie star. It was always a bad guy gun in Miami Vice, and in real life, it was viewed the same. It was worth noting that the actual submachine gun variant, the KG-9, made an appearance in season 3.
Ithaca 37 Stakeout
I think my love of shotguns might have come from playing Miami Vice with my older brother. He got to be Crockett, and I was Tubbs. Tubbs seemed to have a real affinity for shotguns, specifically short shotguns. He used a double barrel early on but eventually seemed to settle on a slick, custom Ithaca 37 Stakeout shotgun. The Ithaca 37 Stakeout was already a short-barreled AOW, but Miami Vice made it shorter.
Tubb’s Ithaca follows the Serbu Super Shorty routine. It looks like it has a two- or maybe a three-round magazine. The pump is replaced with a folding vertical grip, and the barrel wears a heat shield. There are no sights. It’s a PGO blaster that’s a point-and-shoot affair. The Ithaca pistol grip features a single sling point at the top, which allows it to easily fit under an 80s suit jacket.
The Ithaca 37 Stakeout occupies the 80’s world of shotguns by having nothing more than a pistol grip. That was a staple of 1980s shotguns in both film and media. Even police forces saw an uptick in PGO shotguns, which were often desired for their compact size. The downside is the fierce recoil.
MAC SMGs
I’m almost positive that the only gun that graced every single season of Miami Vice was some form of MAC. It’s mostly MAC 10 clones with a few Cobray M11/9 appearances. The MAC is another bad guy gun that occupies the hand of every smuggler, drug dealer, and criminal on the black market. Every so often, the bad guy guns become good guy guns when needed.
The MAC series of guns is another favorite of movie armorers. These guns were also released as open-bolt semi-auto guns and became easy machine gun conversions for movie sets. Much like the KG series, the MACs encouraged the ATF to get rid of open-bolt semi-autos.
MACs are mean little machine pistols/submachine guns. They are straight blowback bricks of metal with a flimsy stock and terrible accuracy but are surprisingly reliable. The little MAC series was incredibly affordable and came bad guy-ready.
Colt Carbines
Throughout the series, both the bad guys and good guys use various Colt carbines. Police officers, SWAT teams, and high-end hitmen carry the guns. We know there are various Colt carbines, and Miami Vice brought plenty to the table. One of the best is a bad guy wielding a Colt’ submachine gun’ style rifle in 5.56 with a 100-round drum and massive later sight connected to an external battery pack.
Other examples include classics like the Colt 654 and 733. Both of which later appeared in Heat. These represented insanely modern Colt rifles for the era and predate the widespread acceptance of carbines as a whole.
We see guns like the Sporter 1 carbine, the M16 series and even the DEA carries classic Colt SMGs. Michael Mann seemed to recognize the potential of the AR and the fact that it was the future of police weapons and keyed it into his show when possible.
Miami Vice Will Always Rule
In the 2006 Miami Vice film, some of the same themes followed. Crockett liked high-end, large-bore firearms. Tubbs like shotguns, and everything’s high-tech. Miami Vice in the 1980s is a little cheesy these days, but honestly, it’s still a fun show. You’ll see lots of Weaver stances and chicken wings, but these were a symptom of the era. If you like guns of the 1980s, then Miami Vice will scratch that itch.
Spend any time researching everyday carry gear, and you’ll inevitably come across an article or video about the EDC of a Navy Seal, Green Beret, Delta Operator, etc.
It’s definitely fun to see what highly capable shooters choose for their loadout. But it’s also very easy to get caught up in the latest gear, always chasing the next greatest thing.
But here’s what we tend to forget: These are people who’s job it was to train to the highest level of proficiency. Their capabilities had to be so far and above ours because their mission was to close with and destroy the enemy, often under very austere conditions.
None of that reflects our reality as civilian defenders. Now that’s not to say that their gear selections can’t or shouldn’t INFLUENCE ours. But selecting a certain gun/holster/etc. just because some SOCOM face-shooter did doesn’t guarantee it’s the appropriate choice for our needs.
You can give me a full complement of the latest Snap-On tools, but that doesn’t mean I’m suddenly able to restore a vintage race car.
It’s important that we take a realistic look at our individual mission set and risk profile, as well as an objective assessment of our abilities and skill set.
Lever-action rifles were hot at SHOT Show this year, and it looks like that trend is continuing. Rossi USA just announced that it’s expanding its line of R95 45-70 Govt rifles. The new additions are the Triple Black and Laminate models.
R95 45-70 Govt Triple Black and Laminate Models
The new rifles share the majority of features but differ in the finishes and stocks. They feature an integrated peep hole sight mounted on a Picatinny rail with a windage drift adjustable front sight. Both rifles have 18-inch threaded barrels and a 5-round tubular magazine. They also have medium loop levers wrapped in paracord.
The buttstocks are finished off with a soft-touch recoil pad. The Triple Black model includes integrated sling mounts, while the Laminate model features built-in sling studs.
Rossi first offered the Triple Black and Laminate features in their .357 lever actions, followed by the .30-30 models. Now, they’re bringing those same modern features to the R95 45-70 Govt line as well.
The Triple Black has a black cerakote finish and black-finished wood stock. Overall length is just 35.5 inches and the weight is just a little over 6.6 pounds. It has an MSRP of $1363.99.
The Laminate model has a stainless steel finish and gray laminated Birch Wood furniture. It shares the dimensions of the Triple Black R95 but is slightly heavier at 6.8 pounds due to the denser laminate furniture. Its MSRP is $1287.99.
For more information on the new R95 45-70 Govt models, or the rest of the Rossi lever action line, check out Rossi.com.
The FN SCAR family has now proven itself for nearly two decades. Arguably, it has set some of the standards for what modern military rifles chambered in both intermediate and full-size non-magnum cartridges look like. One of the downsides of the original design was its lack of a non-reciprocating charging handle. It could get in the while the gun cycles and become a hindrance. Not too long ago, FN redesigned some elements in the SCAR charging handle assemblies to make a non-reciprocating handle a reality.
FN SCAR Non-Recorpocating Charging Handle
“The FN SCAR has proven itself as a leader in its class since its introduction, setting the standard for what gas-driven, semi-auto rifles should be,” said Chris Cole, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of FN America, LLC.
“The complete modularity and fast-handling character of our most versatile rifle platform continues to advance. The FN SCAR 17S and 20S were already the softest shooting gas-driven .30-caliber rifles on the market, and these upgrades deliver even more functionality to the SCAR platform.”
The NRCH makes the SCAR more traditional and, in a sense, certainly more intuitive. It allows shooters to shoot from any position, with any grip style or optic, without fear of bumping the charging handle. Combined with fully ambidextrous operating controls and an adjustable buttstock, the SCAR brings versatility.
“With the FN SCAR there’s a reason for every part, all have to work together perfectly to deliver the uncompromising accuracy, reliability, and toughness this platform has earned under fire. That’s the difference between an FN SCAR and other carbines, we are held to a higher standard than most, failure is not an option for our Nation’s most elite forces, said Benjamin Voss, Product Manager for FN’s Long Guns.
“With the semi-auto FN SCAR 16S, 17S, and 20S, we hold the same standards of quality for these commercial variants. Adding the non-reciprocating charging handles allows SCAR to be even more adaptable, enhancing an already accurate and soft-shooting rifle. Shooting positions like urban prone, from a barrier or with a CQC-style grip are made possible, and users can now run low-mount optics without interference.”
The NRCH now comes on the new versions of the SCAR 20S, 17S and 16S rifles. To learn more about the FN SCAR family, please visit FN America.com.
Library of Congress LC-DIG-ggbain-09255 (digital file from original neg.), color level (pick white and black point), cropped, and converted to JPEG (quality level 88) with the GIMP 2.6.1
There is lots and lots of gear that was historically fielded and later faded away. Things like drop pouches for revolver rounds and steel pot helmets. Some stuff just ages out, but other pieces of gear can adapt and keep up. Things like slings, equipment belts, and beyond have adapted and remain useful. Have bandoliers been able to keep up? Are they still relevant?
What’s a Bandolier?
Bandoliers are a minimalistic load-bearing option for carrying extra ammunition. They fit across the body and allow the user to access their ammo quickly. Depending on the design, bandoliers can be worn across the body or the waist as a traditional belt.
Bandoliers first showed up in the 15th century. They rose to popularity at the same time that viable handheld firearms became available. Bandoliers held flasks full of powder to charge rifles. Bandoliers increased the shooter’s ability to safely and rapidly ready their weapon for the next volley.
(GoingBang.Com)
As guns evolved, so did bandoliers. In some cases, bandoliers didn’t hold extra ammo but held extra guns. Braces of pistols were fielded by sailors and pirates alike for close-quarters fighting. As paper cartridges became popular, the bandolier evolved into a cross-body bag that carried extra paper cartridges.
The bandolier became more popular as we moved into cartridge-based firearms, where the revolver and lever gun dominated. Famed users like Pancho Villa wore cross-body bandoliers full to the brim with rifle rounds. These old-school bandoliers could carry a revolver, rifle, or shotgun rounds. These are the stereotypical cowboy bandoliers in which every spaghetti western adorns their cowboys.
In the modern era, bandoliers evolved to carry stripper and En Block clips. The belts from belt-fed machine guns act as natural bandoliers, and soldiers can easily carry linked ammo across their bodies.
As the rise of detachable magazine weapons grew, the bandolier shrunk. Belt systems that used attached pouches and Y Harnesses grew, chest rigs rose, and eventually MOLLE laden body armor became the standard with a side of dedicated chest rigs. The bandolier faded, but not entirely.
The Modern Bandolier
The Army and Marine Corps kept bandoliers lying around. I don’t just mean the cheap cloth bandolier that comes with military rifle and machine gun ammo. The Army and USMC had dedicated three-cell, dual magazine pouch bandoliers made to carry up to six magazines separate from body armor and dedicated battle belts.
Admittedly, these didn’t get much use. I can’t find any photos of GWOT-era troops carrying them. Not much use, but some. My squad leader was a huge fan of bandoliers, namely for resupplying ammo to someone who went Winchester in a fight.
He brought a USMC-issued bandolier to Afghanistan and loaded it down with six mags, and it went in our squad’s boom bag just in case. I also carried two hundred rounds of 7.62 linked in those cheap Lake City-provided bandoliers, and they held up surprisingly well. The main exception to GWOT bandoliers is 40mm bandoliers which became popular for grenadiers.
Still, do modern bandoliers have a place in the military? Not really, in niche roles I think they’re great, but the mounted magazine pouch is more effective, efficient, and intuitive. But what about everywhere else? Is there room for a modern bandolier?
The Argument for the Bandolier
There is plenty of room for the modern bandolier as a minimalist piece of kit that can be quickly and easily tossed on when needed. The most modern option out there comes from IC13 and is known as the INVRT Bandoleer. This setup uses a mix of old and new school to create a modern piece of tactical gear that uses MOLLE to attach pouches of all kinds.
Tuff Products also produces a Bail Out Bandolier, which allows you to carry a ton of extra ammunition. Blue Force Gear also produces Ten-Speed bandoliers. Vertx produces a low-profile bandolier called the Firebase Parabellum. My point is that while niche, there are options out there.
If you need extra ammo in a hurry, you toss this on and go. A bando is faster than a belt or chest rig and offers an advantage to a few different users.
The most obvious to me is a police officer responding to a violent situation who is deploying a long gun. Suppose they need to take down an active shooter and want more ammo. Grab the rifle, and you can throw the INVRT on as you respond to the sound of gunfire.
Tuff Products
The second is the PDW carrier. PDW nerds are a weird bunch, but if you’re willing to carry a PDW, you’re probably willing to carry a reload, a medical kit, and similar items. A bandolier is much smaller than a belt, chest rig, or plate carrier. (It’s me, I’m a PDW nerd.)
It’s also a great way to stash ammunition to bug out. If an emergency happens and you wisely want to bring more ammo, grab the bando and go!
A Niche Role
Niche gear is niche gear, but the bandolier’s low profile, minimalist nature makes it easier to carry, stash, and use when needed. The bandolier might not be a front-line piece of gear, but I think it’s a useful piece of kit that could be helpful when you just need a little extra ammo, and you need it quickly.
Like many of us, I have something of an addiction to packs, bags, pouches, and the like. I don’t know why. I mean, I have totes filled with all manner of carry gear, most of it quite serviceable, but I’m always on the hunt for that perfect one.
The Carry Commission Bum Bag might not be perfect, but it comes pretty damn close. If you’re looking for something to house just a few essentials when you’re out and about, you could do far worse.
Specs
The Carry Commission Bum Bag measures about seven inches across, five inches high, and a couple of inches deep. On the front, you’ll find a large loop patch that’s perfect for a couple of your favorite patches. There is also laser-cut MOLLE.
Opening the bag, you’ll find a single compartment that has two patches of loop material, allowing you to add organizers to the mix, should you see fit.
Two patches inside allow you to add organizers.
There is a single adjustable strap and the bag can be worn either around the waist or cross-body. With the latter, it’s meant to have the bag rest on your chest or your back, not dangle under an arm.
Performance
Okay, let’s call it like it is. This is a fanny pack. I’m old enough to remember when fanny packs were popular, though I don’t know anyone could go so far as to say they were ever truly in style. This Bum Bag is a tactical-looking fanny pack. Period, full stop. By all rights, this should be a goofy proposition, but I’m telling you, it just works.
I’ve found that it’s perfect for just a few odds and ends when we’re going on a quick hike. I’ll toss in a lighter and some tinder, along with a Battarix Power Card for emergency cell phone use and maybe a granola bar, and we’ll be good to go.
The only thing I don’t like is that the Bum Bag lacks built-in organizational capability. Granted, the pouch is small, so it doesn’t take long to find any specific item inside. But I still like to use an aftermarket organizer or two.
I think the addition of an exterior pocket on the back might be nice as well. I sometimes keep my cell phone in the Bum Bag when we’re hiking. That means that if I want to take a photo, I need to unzip the bag and grab the phone. An exterior pocket would be great for this purpose.
I tend to carry the Bum Bag crossbody, with the bag on my chest. This keeps everything easily accessible. And as a bonus, I don’t feel like a dad from the late 1980s.
I recently discovered that there is also an XL version of the Bum Bag. I’ve been fighting the urge to pick one up to see how it compares. But odds are pretty good that you’ll end up reading a review of that one in another month or two.
