Quick Tarp Shelters for Emergencies or Camp!

By

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November 18, 2024

Gat_quick tarps (1) — Coalcracker T6ZERO Tarp in a lean-to configuration for a quick tarp shelter.

Tarps are exceptionally versatile and can set up various shelter designs. They play a crucial role in emergencies as they can be rapidly deployed to offer immediate protection, making them ideal for quick tarp shelters for emergencies or camp!

You can combine tarps with other materials, like branches or leaves, to create more durable and insulated shelters. For ultra and hyperlight backpackers, tarps have become the preferred shelter option for any weather condition.

Texas Bushcraft Survival Tarp

The Texas Bushcraft Survival Tarp is a versatile and durable shelter for outdoor enthusiasts and emergencies. Made from 70D ripstop nylon with a 210T thread count, it offers excellent puncture resistance.

Measuring 10 X 10 feet, it comfortably accommodates two people. With a 15,000mm waterproof PU coating and heat-taped seams, it provides reliable protection against heavy rain and harsh conditions, making it an essential part of any survival kit.

Texas Bushcraft Survival Tarp is a versatile and durable shelter for outdoor enthusiasts and a quick tarp shelter for emergencies or camp.

Designed for comfort, the tarp’s aluminized polymer surface reflects body heat towards you in colder climates while mitigating UV absorption in warmer conditions, maintaining a more stable temperature underneath. Additionally, its fireproof nature renders it an excellent shield over your camp kitchen, safeguarding against stray embers.

Featuring 14 side nylon loops and five ridgeline loops, reinforced with strong nylon webbing and corrosion-resistant brass grommets, this tarp provides flexible setup options with stakes, cords, or ropes. Additionally, central hanging loops improve the organization of your gear.

Jungle Tarp

During a jungle survival training class, I camped beside the Survival Tarp in Peru and was impressed by the amount of space it offers. We camped for well over a week, and I saw the ease of setup due to the various side and ridgeline loops.

The Texas Bushcraft Survival Tarp was used in the Peruvian Rainforest for several days without any issues.

While I didn’t camp with it, I eventually had a chance to play with it and set it up in a plow point configuration in a different environment. I could tell the materials were robust and could weather any storm or even take a branch or two should they fall onto the Survival Tarp.

Coalcracker T6ZERO Tarp

Dan Wowak, from History Channel’s Alone Season 3, owns Coalcracker Bushcraft in Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains. The facility produces knives, blacksmith and leather goods, sewn items, and apparel.

The T6ZERO is a lightweight, packable shelter made from durable Xenon Sil fabric with a waterproof rating of 4,500 mm. Easy to set up, it’s ideal for camping and hiking, fitting easily in a pack or glove compartment.

If size and bulk are an issue, the Coalcracker T6ZERO Tarp can be squished into a cargo or shirt pocket.

Originally offered in orange, the collection has expanded to include a variety of colors, enhancing its natural appeal. The rectangular tarp is conveniently pocket-sized and consists of two sets of tie-outs and two grommets for simple staking to the ground. The concept behind the T6ZERO is straightforward—if you know how to tie shoelaces, you can easily set up this quick tarp shelter.

Quick Tarp Test

I tested the T6ZERO tarp by leaving it on the ground near my camp during heavy snowfall for over three weeks, and it remained intact with no damage. Later, I used it as my primary shelter during survival classes in Alabama. I easily set it up; I untangled the cordage, tied the tarp to a tree at shoulder height, and secured it with stakes at the grommets. I adjusted one side to a flying diamond setup in the morning, which became my favorite for wind and rain.

The Coalcracker T6ZERO Tarp was used in the winter in a flying diamond setup.

When packing the tarp, I bunched one corner with the tie-out and tucked everything in neatly. This made deployment easier next time. After several days under the T6ZERO, I appreciated its quick set-up, lightweight at just 6 ounces, and durable Xenon fabric. It has been my go-to tarp for backpacking.

One of my favorite aspects of the T6ZERO is how effortlessly it sets up—it’s a breeze! Plus, its lightweight design makes it so easy to handle and transport. It truly elevates the whole experience of quick tarp shelters for emergencies or camp!

For More Information, please contact Texas Bushcraft and Coalcracker Bushcraft.

SPECS:

Texas Bushcraft Survival Tarp

Size: 10’ X 10’ tarp-shelter
Materials: 70D ripstop nylon tarp denier with 210T thread count
Coating: 15,000mm waterproof PU
Superior puncture resistance
Waterproof heat tape seams, reinforced with nylon webbing
Reflective aluminized polymer on one side
14 nylon tie-down loops
5 ridgeline loops down the center
Comes with a stuff sack for easy storage and portability
MSRP: $89.95

Coalcracker T6ZERO Tarp

Size: 86 Inches L x 65 Inches W
Packed Size: 7 Inches L x 5 Inches W
Orange/Green Xenon Fabric
Built-in Tie Out Lines
Built-in Storage Bag
Ribbon Tent Peg Loops
Weight: 6 Ounces
MSRP: $75.00

The Jagdkommando Knife Is Not Banned by the Geneva Convention

By

Travis Pike

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November 18, 2024

Let’s be clear: I’m not a knife guy. I appreciate a good knife, but I’m not going to nerd out over steel and designers, etc. I do that with guns and guns only. However, I can spot dumb a mile away. It takes one to know one and all that. The Jagdkommando knife is dumb, and every few years, it becomes a meme that gets passed around subreddits like R/TodayILearned and various low-effort, low-information Facebook pages. The knife itself comes mired in various myths and appears to be the ultimate war crime stick. The truth is a bit simpler.

If you’re confused and have been spared from the world of the Jagdkommando, let’s introduce it. Microtech, maker of some of the coolest automatic knives ever, designed the Jagdkommando. It’s a fixed-blade fighting knife with three edges arranged in a twisted formation.

The knife looks cool, and it is certainly extremely well-made, but it’s not the best fighting knife ever.

The Jagdkommando – The Cold Hard Truth

Let’s get the first semi-associated myth out of the way. The Jagdkommando, like the actual special operations force, never used or issued this knife. The Jagdkmmoando guys are high-performing, elite special operators who wouldn’t be caught dead with this knife. Microtech chose the name for reasons that escaped me. Maybe it’s just because it admittedly sounds cool. Jagdkommando translates to mountain hunter, and that’s pretty rad.

The big myth around the knife is that it’s so dangerous that the Geneva Convention bans it! That’s not true. The Geneva Convention deals with how to treat sick and injured prisoners, civilians in war, etc. It doesn’t mention or ban any weapons, much less knives. The Hague doesn’t ban knives, and neither does the Convention on Conventional Weapons; in a world where bio-weapons, nukes, and other world-enders, no one cares about knives.

The claim that it takes an entire team of surgeons to fix it might be true, but I don’t know enough about medicine to disprove it. Admittedly, the three cutting edges likely create a vicious wound that’s likely tougher to clean up than normal wounds.

The Jagdkommando – Would It Work?

Anything sharp and pointy would work at least a little. Right? I’m sure it can cut and stab, but that doesn’t mean it can do it well. The tri-blade design, with its twisting blade, looks like a drill bit and likely functions as one. Have you ever stabbed anything with a drill bit? This knife would seem to require a twisting motion to have any sort of economy of motion.

The presence of three twisted blades means you exert more force to stab someone in a fight. Good luck getting the blade through a ribcage since it can’t slip through like a normal knife. The twisting blade design also seems like you have a very limited blade for slashing purposes.

Its use as a field knife would be a hassle. Cutting anything harder than an MRE open would be difficult. Don’t even get me started on sharpening the thing. It would suck as a field knife worse than it sucks as a fighting knife.

While it’s always wise to have a knife, assuming you’ll be in a knife fight is silly. Especially a knife like this that’s overt. I hate to describe it as tactical, but what else do you call a giant fixed-blade knife that’s clearly not meant to be a handy EDC blade? In the modern world, the use of a knife in a fight is extremely rare, and fixed blades are field knives more than anything else.

Finally, the Jagdkommando costs a small fortune. The full seven-inch blade model costs north of a grand. That kind of money would be better spent on a Ka-Bar or any other knife. Actually, it would be better spent on a Glock, but knife guys are gonna knife guy.

What’s the Point?

The Jagdkommando is a bit like those M1911s someone made from meteorite. They are cool-looking, expensive, and more like a piece of art than an actual useful item. Sure, it’s still a knife, but it’s not a super useful one. It’s art, and it’s fine to own if you want, but you’re not committing war crimes just by using it, and no convention ever banned it.

S&W and The Their Screws

By

Travis Pike

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November 17, 2024

One thing you should learn about guns, and this entails all aspects of guns, is that you should be a perpetual student. I love learning new ways to shoot guns, new ways to handle guns, and the history of guns. This is why I recently went down the rabbit hole of S&W revolvers because I had no idea what the various ‘screw’ types meant when it came to owning S&W revolvers. One of the best parts of my job is getting to share what I learn with you, fine folks.

The Mythical Screw Types

Spend any time in S&W forums, subreddits, or similar social media platforms dedicated to S&W revolvers. You’ll run across collectors often showing off their historic S&W revolvers and often touting the number of screws the gun has. The number of screws has become a way to age and date firearms amongst collectors.

As S&W evolved and as their revolvers evolved they found new ways to manufacture guns. This often called for small but noticeable changes in how the firearm was assembled. Over the years, S&W slowly reduced the screws needed to produce a functional firearm. The general rule of thumb is that the more screws the gun has, the older it is.

There are exceptions, which is going to happen with a company as big and as old as S&W. It’s worth mentioning that the varied screws and screw types only came into play around 1905 and continued until about 1961.

The changes to the revolver screws vary depending on the frame and date. I and J Frame guns have different dates associated with screw types than K and N Frame guns.

What’s a 6 Screw Gun

Early I-frames, which were S&W’s first-hand ejectors, are six screw guns. You don’t hear about six screw guns because no one, besides me, collects I-frame revolvers. The I-frame guns have four screws in the side plate, one for the trigger guard and a sixth for the mainspring, which acts as a tension screw.

5 Screw

After 1952 S&W switched to coil mainsprings in the I-frames, and this eliminated the sixth screw for I-frames, making them five-screw guns. When people talk about five-screw guns, they are rarely talking about I-frames.

N and K-frames are the more popular 5-screw guns. These guns feature four screws in the side plate and one for the trigger. The K-frames were produced until late 1955 with five screws, and the N-frames were produced until late 1956 with five screws.

4 Screw

Some K-frames are known as pre-5-screw four screws just because S&W likes to confuse me specifically. These are the 1899 hand ejectors, which would eventually become the Model 10.

In 1953 S&W produced the new model I and J-frames, which eliminated the trigger guard screw. These became four-screw guns.

The K and N-frames would remove the upper side plate screw to become four screw guns.

3 Screw

In 1955 the I and J-frames eliminated the upper side plate screw and became three screw guns.

In 1961, the trigger guard screws on the K and N-frames were removed, which reduced them to three screw guns.

Now You Know

I’ve typed the word screw entirely too much. However, the various screw types are important parts of S&W’s heritage and help date a revolver. Of course, there are exceptions, and exceptions will always exist. From my research, I’ve covered the main changes, and now you know way too much about S&W’s screws.

Those Aren’t Expiration Dates – Understanding Dates on Food

By

Jim Cobb

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November 16, 2024

As a country, we tend to throw away far more food than is necessary. Often, it’s because we saw an expiration date on the package had passed. The thing is, it isn’t an expiration date at all.

Brief History of Dates

Prior to the early 20^th Century, most people got their food from local providers. They shopped at farm markets and butcher shops. As more and more people flocked to urban centers, food started being processed in factories and transported to stores for purchase. The problem was that by the time you saw it on the shelf, you had no way to know how old it was.

Legend has it that the infamous gangster Al Capone had a friend or family member who got sick from drinking milk that had gone bad. After that happened, Capone helped to lobby for putting dates on milk bottles.

It’s hard to believe that putting dates on food packages has only been commonplace for about 50-60 years.

Sell By vs. Use By

As a general rule, any date on food other than baby formula refers to quality, not safety. “Sell By” means the store is supposed to pull the product from the shelf after that date. It is an inventory control tool, that’s all. “Use By,” refers to the last date that the producer or brand will guarantee peak freshness, taste, and nutrition. It isn’t an actual expiration date at all, though.

If you pull a can of ravioli from the cupboard and it’s two months past the “Use By” date, that doesn’t mean it needs to be tossed. It just means that the manufacturer isn’t going to give you a refund if the pasta is a little mushier than you expected.

More and more companies are moving to “Best If Used By” for phrasing. It more accurately reflects the intent behind the date printed on the package.

As a general rule of thumb when it comes to canned goods, high-acid foods like tomato-based sauces are good for 12-18 months. Low-acid foods like meats are good for upwards of 2-5 years.

Signs of Spoilage

Since we know that there is no such thing as an expiration date on most of our food products, how do we know something is safe to consume? Food goes bad in one of two ways. Pathogenic bacteria can cause foodborne illnesses. Spoilage bacteria can cause unpleasant tastes and/or odors. These aren’t mutually exclusive, and both may be present.

There are several indicators to look for to determine whether you want to roll the dice on a food that’s past its prime.

Any can that’s swollen or dented should be tossed.
An offensive smell means you probably won’t want to eat it.
Mold is a sure sign to throw it out.
Rising air bubbles are another bad sign.
Trust your taste buds. If it tastes off, don’t keep eating it.

If you’re in a true emergency situation, the last thing you want is to add foodborne illness to an already stressful time.

The 5.11 Tactical CFA Peacemaker

By

Travis Pike

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November 16, 2024

I’ve come to the opinion that everyone should have a tomahawk or hatchet. The differences are notable between the two tools, but for my end-all purpose, I think you should have one or the other. Why not both? As a fan of hacking implements, 5.11 recently sent me the new CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk. The Peacemaker is designed by Army Special Operations operator and blade designer Justin Gingrich in partnership with 5.11 Tactical.

The CFA Peacemaker isn’t a small or compact tomahawk. It’s not afraid to be large and in charge. The overall length is 14 inches in total, with a 6.5-inch wide head. There are some selective cuts made to lighten the tool, but it still weighs one pound and twelve ounces and some change. Now that we’ve introduced our palter, why do I think everyone needs a tomahawk or hatchet?

The Peacemaker and The Escape

I think it’s a tool that lends itself well to basic survival needs. It’s a lot like having a case of water and a few days worth of food. I don’t see the tool as a weapon or as some kind of zombie-slaying device. Rather, it’s a tool you can use to get into or out of any situation. As a guy who just went through hurricanes Idalia, Debbie, and Helene, I’ve learned how useful hatchets or tomahawks can be.

I’ve also seen various situations where a tool like CFA Peacemaker would be useful and even lifesaving. A mini axe allows you to cut your way out, through, or into a building, down a road, or out of a building. What are you supposed to do if you retreat to your attic due to floodwaters and the waters keep rising?

People have died in that situation. A small axe packed in a go bag allows you to cut your way through the roof and escape. In some less dramatic situations, it could allow you to chop through a door that has been barricaded by debris. You’d preferably have a chainsaw and skid steer, but neither of those fit into a backpack.

To relate it to a personal situation, I used a hatchet extensively to cut debris that a chainsaw wasn’t appropriate or safe to use. When I was an idiot and got my chainsaw stuck and pinched, a hatchet was handy for freeing the chainsaw.

Hatchets and tomahawks are excellent tools for escaping or breaching, and both can be absolutely lifesaving.

The Peacemaker – Tool Extraordinaire

It was the Peacemaker’s size that drew me to the tomahawk. My other options were small and light, which was great for transport but took more time and effort to cut through the world. After three hurricanes, I realized my likelihood of having to bug out on foot seemed rare, and motorized was the way to go. As such, I didn’t mind increasing the weight.

The Peacemaker has a huge head and weighs a good bit, so it chops and takes big bites out of whatever I’m chopping. The Peacemaker is thick—like a Brazillian butt lift thick. It’s a hefty piece of steel that feels and acts like it would last forever. Another big benefit is the sheath, which is a modern polymer design with a MOLLE attachment. That makes it easy to attach to the outside of the pack for quick and easy access.

In The Field

The Peacemaker hits hard and takes chunks out of whatever medium you’re taking a whack at. The big blade has a deep belly, which allows you to focus your momentum and put it to good use. The grip panels are polymer and decently textured. I do think it could be a bit more aggressive. When my hands got sweaty with work, I had to make sure I clenched down on the Peacemaker.

I understand their goal. They likely wanted less texture to reduce hotspots and blisters, and they achieved that quite successfully. It doesn’t pinch, rub, or rough your hands up. I bring gloves in my hurricane kit anyway, so sweat isn’t a huge deal.

The Peacemaker is designed and balanced a lot like a hammer, and it swings like one. As such, it’s easy to control, and accuracy and consistency for cuts are easy to maintain.The tomahawk wears a decent beard, which acts as a great little hook tool. It allows me to grab and pull at things I may not want to touch.

On the ass end, we have a spike that’s perfect for digging. It can chop through hard ground, ice, or similar materials. The spike itself is somewhat small, but it’s thick and designed to penetrate deeply and surely.

The entire setup is made from SCM 435 steel. It’s not fancy steel, but it’s a tough steel. The steel has great impact resistance and high tensile strength. Corrosion resistance is a bit lacking, but the electro-coat finish makes up for that.

Wrapping Up

Everyone should have a hatchet or tomahawk, and if you’re lacking one, the CFA Peacemaker is a mighty good choice to fill your toolbox, breaching kit, or bug-out bug. It’s big, tough, and sharp. The price isn’t sky-high, and it’s made to last. As long as you keep it sharp, you won’t have any problems.

For more information, please visit 511Tactical.com.

Survival Insurance: OH SH!T KIT!

By

Reuben Bolieu

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November 15, 2024

Gat 1 (1) — The OH SH!T KIT: a compact, powerful arsenal with 26 high-quality tools, including the star of the show a multi-functional Ulu Knife.

Meet the OH SH!T Kit, the ultimate compact adventure companion that’s anything but cumbersome. This kit is the brainchild of a trio of outdoor gear titans: BEAR FOREST KNIVES, WAZOO GEAR, and ON THREE, who have joined forces to revolutionize your outdoor experiences.

A very pocketable complete survival kit, the OH SH!T KIT measures under 5 inches long and 3.3 inches wide Made by BEAR FOREST KNIVES, WAZOO GEAR, and ON THREE.

Bid farewell to the unwieldy, fragile survival kits that let you down in crunch time. The OH SH!T Kit is here to redefine adventure preparedness with its robust selection of 26 premium tools. It’s an indispensable asset for the outdoor enthusiast, featuring the versatile Ulu Knife—a collaborative creation by ON THREE, crafted by the skilled hands at BEAR FOREST KNIVES. Complemented by a suite of must-have survival tools from WAZOO GEAR, this kit is poised to be your go-to for any adventure.

Ulu

The Ulu, with its wooden handle, resembles a traditional fixed-blade knife.

Finally, an Ulu Knife is included in a survival kit. Despite its compact size, this knife boasts a substantial cutting edge that’s perfect for various tasks, such as woodworking, preparing fire materials, and processing food or game. The Scandi grind enhances its carving capability, while the curved design makes skinning a breeze.

Additionally, the 90-degree spine can be utilized for scraping a Ferro rod or handling tinder. Attaching the knife to a split stick can easily transform it into a tomahawk-like tool, which is helpful for shelter building or more extensive projects.

OH SH!T KIT: a compact, powerful arsenal with 26 high-quality tools, including a multi-functional Ulu Knife. Created by BEAR FOREST KNIVES, WAZOO GEAR, and ON THREE.

Survival Insurance Items:

Dimensions (LxWxD)	4.92” x 3.35” x 1.38”, Plastic Container
Mylar Emergency Blanket	Aluminized Mylar, Blanket/Tarp, Silver
Safety Pins (2)	Brass, Size 00, .75″ Long
Needle	Sharps Style Needle, Size 7, Pre-Magnetized
Fishing Hooks (3)	Eagle Claw, Model 084, Size 8, Steel, Made in USA
Split Shot Weights (3)	Lead, Size 3/0, Reusable
Fishing Line	40 ft Power Pro Braided Spectra, 50lb Test, Moss Green, Made in USA
Whistle	Pealess Design, Volume 100+ dB, Anodized Aluminum, Ultralight, WAZOO Original Design
Cordage	25ft Technora, 400lb Break Strength, Black, Made in USA
Fire Plug Tinder (2)	6+ Minute Burn Time, Orange Color, Multiple Fires Per Plug
Ferro Rod	Diameter .25″, Length 1.5″, Lanyard Hole .125″, Shavings Burn at 5,500F (3,000C)
Water Container	Capacity 1L, Food Safe Plastic, Heat Resistant to 400F, Made in USA
Purification Tablets (2)	Katadyn® Micropur MP1, EPA Registered, 1 Tablet per 1L of Water
Water Pre-Filter	Melitta Flat Coffee Filter
Ranger Bands (3)	EPDM Rubber, Non-Latex, Flammable, Located on Water Kit, Made in USA
Aluminum Foil	12” x 6” Custom Sheet Metal, 0.003” Thick
Wire Saw	Cutting Length 17″, 8 Strand Braided Stainless Steel, Aluminum Crimped End Loops
Compass	18mm Diameter, Kerosene Filled, Luminous 7 Hours, Operates 20F to 120F, Water Resistant to 100ft
Signal Mirror	SOL Mini Rescue Flash™, Size 1.5” x 2”, One-Handed Use
Trail Markers (6)	Reusable High-Visibility Markers, Fluorescent Orange for Daytime, Reflective for Nighttime Visibility
Zip Ties (2)	5.5” Length, 40lb Break Strength, Fluorescent Orange, Made in USA
Duct Tape	Gorilla Tape, 1” Wide, 24” Length, Black
Flashlight	Photon Micro-Light I, Waterproof IPX-7, Replaceable Batteries, 18+ hour run time, Made in USA
The FireCard™ (1)	Credit Card-Sized Fire Starter, Highly Flammable Modified Biopolymer
Weight	9.2 oz.
MSRP	$149.99

Cutting Tools

Ulu Knife	80CrV2 High Carbon Steel, 3.5” Blade, .125” Thick, 2” Wide, 90-degree Edge, Blade Cover/Handle (PVC Rubber w/Metal U Shapes), Designed by Jason Salyer
Brass Wire	24 Gauge, 15 ft Length, Made in USA
Ceramic Knife	Black Zirconia Ceramic, Chisel Grind, Exposed Edge for striking Ferro Rod While Folded

Survival Insurance OH SH!T KIT Conclusion

Tired of flimsy and overpacked survival kits? The OH SH!T Kit gives you Survival Insurance. It is a compact yet powerful arsenal of gear that will help tackle any adventure down the road. Whether camping, or hiking, explorers can rest easy knowing the best survival tools are at their disposal. MSRP: $149.99

A portable survival kit should be compact and fit in various places for easy access.

For More Information, please check out Bear Forest Knives and Wazoo Gear.

The Death Of Youth Shooting

By

Travis Pike

-

November 15, 2024

The current tactic of the anti-gun, anti-civil rights advocates is to attack youth shooting. The tactics aim to make it difficult to teach kids how to shoot and handle firearms safely. The idea is fairly simple: they cloak it in gun safety, but ultimately, they are attempting to use the same tactics used to eliminate tobacco use. While eliminating tobacco use seems reasonable, guns are no cigarettes. Cigarettes can’t be safely used by youth shooters, but guns most certainly can.

I don’t like Ronald Reagan and his numerous anti-gun stances, but he was right when he said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States, where men were free.”

If you can kill youth shooting or make it absurdly difficult, then you can slowly kill firearms rights. If no one shoots, then no one cares, and the gun control industry wins when we stop caring. Gun rights advocates make it one of the biggest concerns, but even for most anti-gun people, it doesn’t rank in the top ten. Apathy is how they win, and by killing youth shooting they create apathy.

The Death Of Youth Shooting – The How

There has always been a bit of a move to kill youth shooting, but it didn’t become a major mainstream idea until 2022. In 2022, Remington Arms settled a lawsuit with a number of Sandy Hook families. However, Remington was also going out of business, and I don’t doubt they settled it so they could complete the proceedings rather than spend more money they didn’t have on lawyers.

The basis of this lawsuit stated that Remington’s marketing targeted younger, at-risk males. The proof of this appears to be that admittedly cringe-worthy ad about reissuing a man card. Remington’s settlement caused waves, and the anti-gun industry spotted a supposed weakness, and they attacked. They are doing the same with Daniel Defense after Uvalde. Their evidence is a tweet and the presence of DD’s guns in video games.

This fear of lawsuits based on advertising have deeply affected the industry. When companies loan you guns, you typically sign something. It might be an NDA, an agreement about the terms of the loan, and more. One such industry clause I’ve seen essentially says, “Don’t tell people we intend this firearm to be used by shooters under the age of 18/21.”

A friend employed by a major firearm industry quickly pointed out that things like youth stocks don’t exist anymore. Youth anything is largely gone. It’s been replaced with terms like ‘short’ or Bantam. I used to tell people to buy a Hogue Youth stock for their shotgun to reduce the length of pull.

That doesn’t exist anymore. Now, they just list the length of the LOP.

Going Beyond

The effect has rippled across the industry. When Wee1 Tactical released the JR-15, an AR look-alike rifle that’s designed to be super small to target the youth shooting market, these rifles were 20% smaller than your standard AR, but were admittedly adorable. At 2.2 pounds with an adjustable stock, they could fit the smallest of shooters.

They were molded to represent and replicate a real AR but used a simple blowback system. In the end, they were just like any other semi-auto .22LR. They just looked like an AR, and we all know the anti-gun industry bases most of its arguments on cosmetic features. The JR-15 drew the ire of federal politicians, including Chuck Schumer, a man who definitely knows how to grill burgers.

He called upon the FTC to investigate Wee1 Tactical. I spoke with the owners at SHOT Show. They ditched the JR-15 idea. The heat was too high, and the owner of the company felt he was drawing heat to the entire industry.

To be fair, if the FTC investigated JR-15, we might have another precedent set, and I can understand why he didn’t want to do that. With that in mind, check out Mountain Billy Gun Lab. It might have caused even greater problems with youth shooting in the long term.

Should We Capitilate?

Obviously, the answer is no. We need to push back, and we need to push back at a grassroots level. Rebel in a way they can’t control, and how do we do that? We teach kids to shoot. We volunteer at organizations that teach actual gun safety. Become Project Appleseed instructors. In fact, Project Appleseed is the perfect example of rebellion.

Youth shooting can’t die with a whimper. If it does, our gun rights will fade into oblivion. Fight, rebel, and teach your kids to shoot and handle firearms safely. It’s our way forward.

5.11 Tactical Releases New Footwear for Fall 2024

By

Tim Stetzer

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November 14, 2024

No matter how tactical you are, it’s hard to operate if your feet hurt. Luckily for you, 5.11 Tactical just made a major drop of new footwear for Fall 2024. The new boots and shoes are designed to meet the demands of professionals and outdoor enthusiasts alike. There are even options for good old everyday shoes as well. Let’s take a look at what’s coming and what your feet have to look forward to.

Professional Footwear

A/T AR 670-1 Boot

First up is the new A/T 8” AR 670-1 boot. It’s built for and approved for use by the military. It has AR 670-1 certification coupled with 5.11’s A.T.L.A.S. (All Terrain Load Assistance System) technology. The boot features a suede and 1200D nylon upper, Echo Foam high energy return, Force Foam lightweight impact cushioning, and an ASTM slip and oil-resistant rubber outsole.

MSRP is $180.00.

A/T BOA Lite

5.11 Tactical’s A/T™ BOA® Lite is modeled after 5.11’s A/T Trainer 2.0. It’s made to provide support and stability for a wide range of physical activities. The A/T BOA Lite offers more ankle support than the original A/T Trainer 2.0 and features the Boa Fit System. It has a durable, lightweight upper and a multi-directional lugged outsole. The BOA Lite also has the 5.11 Echo Lite high rebound EVA midsole and Ortholite Insole.

MSRP is $190.00.

Speed 4.0 6″ Boot

The Speed 4.0 6” Boot is available in both black and desert colors. It features a high-abrasion breathable tongue, Ortholite Insole, and 5.11 Tactical’s Force Foam heel cushioning. It’s also equipped with an ASTM slip and oil-resistant rubber outsole.

MSRP is $115.00.

A.T.A.C. 2.0 8″ Insulated Boot

If you need a cold weather boot, the A.T.A.C.® 2.0 8” Insulated Boot offers 400 grams of insulation. It features Strobel construction and 5.11’s SlipStream waterproof membrane. The Ortholite Dual Density O-Therm Insole enhances footwear temperature regulation with a thermal barrier using open-cell PU foam and a proprietary aerogel. The ATAC boot is designed for field conditions and has an ASTM slip and oil-resistant rubber outsole.

MSRP is $190.00.

Taclite 2.0 6″ Boot

5.11 Tactical’s lightest weight, and most supportive boot to date is the new Taclite™ 2.0 6” Boot. It’s available in a 6” version in desert and black, and an 8” version in black. The Taclite 2.0 Boot is equipped with 5.11’s A.T.L.A.S. (All Terrain Load Assistance System) and an Ortholite® Insole and Echo Lite high rebound EVA midsole. The boot features a durable outsole that offers excellent traction on various surfaces.

MSRP is $160.00.

Everyday Footwear

Ranger 2.0 Mid

The Ranger 2.0 Mid is geared towards the outdoors professional or enthusiast. It comes in multiple colors, and has a suede upper combined with breathable mesh construction. The removable 5.11 A.T.L.A.S. offers additional stability and support. The Ranger has the Echo LiteEVA midsole, a multi-directional rubber outsole, and Ortholite Insole.

MSRP is $140.00.

Duty Ready + Merino Crew Socks

At least as important as your boots are the socks you have under them. 5.11 Tactical’s Duty Ready + Merino Crew Socks are engineered for comfort and durability. They’re made with a high-quality Merino wool blend and provide moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties. They also feature a NO QUIT upper cuff to keep the socks securely in place. There’s also a breathable zonal mesh knitting that enhances breathability and promotes airflow to help keep your feet cool in warm conditions.

MSRP is $23.00.

A/T Trainer 2.0 Mid

The A/T™ Trainer 2.0 Mid is based on the A/T Trainer 2.0. It features higher ankle support to provide increased stability. The Mid also uses 5.11’s removable A.T.L.A.S. technology.

MSRP is $150.00.

Maxgrip Trainer Mid

5.11’s original Maxgrip Trainer is now offered in the Triple Black colorway. The Maxgrip Trainer Mid is a new and improved model with a mid-height stack to provide increased stability and ankle support for long workout sessions in the gym or at work. It uses 5.11’s MAXGRIP full-rubber multi-lugged outsole for maximum grip and support. The PT-R® Inure Runner is also newly available in the Triple Black colorway.

The Maxgrip Trainer has an MSRP of $110.00, while the Trainer mid’s MSRP is $150.00. The Inure Runner is $135.00.

Foley Mid and Foley Low

The Foley Mid and Foley Low boast the same standout qualities they previously had, like full rubber outsole made with Vibram® and drop-in foam insoles. They’re now offered in new colors for fall 2024. The Foley Mid will be available in Dark Coyote/Black, and the Foley Low will be available in Navy/Gum and Black on Black.

MSRP on the Mid is $85.00, and the Low is $80.00.

The Stache

5.11 collaborated with The Firearm Blog’s James Reeves to create the latest addition to their sneaker line, The Stache. The Stache builds on the original Norris Sneaker. The Stache includes tweaks that Reeves asked 5.11 about adding after using the original Norris. It uses a Vibram® bottom  and a “compactible deconstructed” upper for reduced weight. The interior print has a green and black tiger camo. The Stache also has a hidden pocket in the tongue to stow whatever you want to stash. They’re available in black and ranger green colors, and will be available in time for the 2024 holidays.

MSRP is $90.

Chukka Boot

The new Chukka Boot is built on the same platform as the 5.11 Foley Sneaker. It features a drop-in OrthoLite foam insole and a Vibram full rubber outsole. The Chukka Boot is constructed with a full-grain leather upper and is designed for all-day comfort and durability.

MSRP is $120.00.

Rambler 6″ Boot

Last up is the Rambler 6-inch Boot. It’s crafted with a premium full-grain leather upper, OrthoLite® insole, and 5.11 Force Foam heel. The Rambler uses an ASTM slip and oil-resistant rubber outsole.

MSRP is $155.00.

So there you have it. 5.11 has a boot or shoe for just about any occasion. And that’s just the new stuff coming out for the Fall!

For more information about 5.11 and its product offering, or to find a 5.11 store near you, visit 511tactical.com.

The Winchester .21 Sharp – A New Rimfire Option

By

Travis Pike

-

November 14, 2024

New cartridges have it rough. It seems like the only calibers that stick around long term were created at the turn of the 19th to 20th century or were adopted by the US Military. There are exceptions, but new calibers are tough to sell and rare to adopt. New rimfire rounds are seemingly rare, but calibers like the .17 HMR have been pretty successful all around. When the .21 Sharp drifted across my newsfeed, I was intrigued.

The .21 Sharp is a Winchester product, and Winchester isn’t afraid of doing weird stuff. They make some interesting shotgun loads, some of which I loathe, like a Defender birdshot load. They also have a US Military contract for the JHPs that are being fielded. The .21 Sharp isn’t a high-speed, high-powered rimfire load. It’s not competing with the .22 WMR or .17 HMR, but it’s a .22LR competitor.

That’s odd because .22LR has been largely without competition since, you know, 1887. The .21 Sharp uses the .22LR case and is proclaiming itself an evolution of the .22LR. That’s a mighty big claim. Does anyone feel the .22LR needs to evolve? Is it not doing its job well enough?

What’s Up With .21 Sharp?

As the name implies, the .21 Sharp is .01 smaller than the .22LR. What’s the point of using a slightly smaller projectile? With the .22LR, the bearing surface of the projectile and the exterior of the case have identical diameters. This means ammo manufacturers have to neck down the ass end of the projectile to fit into the case.

This does two things. It limits case capacity and exterior ballistics. Still, even with that complaint, does the .22LR not do what we need it to do? I’m willing to be open-minded. The .21 Sharp claim to fame is the capability to produce a jacketed bullet for the caliber. You could also make a nonlead bullet for the .21 Sharp. That’s possible with the .22LR, but it seems to be very rare.

Winchester’s press release mentions this, and it seems to be a big selling point.

“Ammo manufacturers have tried with little success to incorporate lead-free projectiles into use in the venerable .22 Long Rifle (LR) cartridge. While those products are available, none have ever met the accuracy and on-target performance that a lead projectile can provide due to the original .22 LR design. The new .21 Sharp rimfire cartridge from Winchester was purposefully designed by Winchester to provide top performance with lead-free projectiles rather than accommodating them later.”

Winchester’s first .21 Sharp load is a 25-grain copper-only game load. It’s clearly the cartridge’s purpose. The more spitzer-like projectile could lead to greater accuracy. According to Winchester, it can create 1.5-inch groups at 50 yards.

Beyond Hunting

In a world where lead ammo is being banned for hunting, it’s likely a smart move to create a round that can use a nonlead projectile. I’m also interested in a jacketed cartridge for potential mouse gun use.

A .21 Sharp, with its jacketed bullet, could be a very reliable penetrator from a short barrel. I know Winchester seems to be aiming this at the rifle market, and it’s likely a pipedream, but a snub nose revolver or an LCP in .21 Sharp might be a great pocket mouse gun for self-defense.

Winchester’s producing a 42-grain FMJ, and I bet it would be a great penetrator, even from a small gun with a short barrel.

The World of .21 Sharp

We have a few loads available at launch. We’ve mentioned the 25 and 42-grain rounds, but we are getting four rounds in total.

25-grain Copper only Game and Target load.

37 Grain Black Copper Plated Game and Target load.

42 Grain FMJ Game and Target load.

34 Grain Super X jacketed hollow point.

We are also getting guns from both Winchester and Savage. Savage is producing four bolt guns for the cartridge, including the B Series F and three models of the Mark 2. Winchester is releasing an XPert rifle, but I can’t find a mention of whether they are doing a Ranger or Wildcat in .21 Sharp. Winchester hasn’t listed the .21 Sharp under the rifles on their website. I don’t doubt we’ll see all of Winchester’s rimfire guns embrace the .21 Sharp.

Midway already has postings of the cartridge. According to Midway’s listing, the 25-grain copper rounds are .27 cents apiece. The Super X rounds with the lead core and copper jacket are .19 cents per round. For comparison, a box of 50 Norma Eco Speed .22LR costs 16 dollars, so it’s more affordable if you really need a lead-free hunting cartridge.

.21 Sharp is certainly not cheap, and I think the price will ensure that this is nothing more than a specialty rimfire hunting round. If they can get a small handgun produced and it functions well, I would consider it wholeheartedly, but for small game hunting, I have other options.

For more information, please visit Winchester.com.

The SecureIt Agile Pro 52 Offers a Fast Access Six-Gun Solution

By

Joshua Swanagon

-

November 13, 2024

Maybe you’re not a gun nut and only have a few rifles. Or, maybe you are a collector and are tired of rummaging through a huge safe to find your favorites. Whatever the case, the Agile Pro 52 from SecureIt is perfectly sized to hold six rifles without taking up too much floor space. The patented CradleGrid Technology also allows you to set up your safe’s interior in the way you need it most.

The SecureIt Agile Pro 52

Constructed of heavy-duty 16-gauge steel on the door, back wall, top, and bottom, and 17-gauge steel on the sidewalls, the Agile Pro 52 confidently prevents unauthorized access. Additionally, to prevent your safe from walking away, the bottom and back wall include pre-drilled holes. This allows you to mount the safe to the floor or wall for an additional layer of security.

The pre-drilled holes also accommodate a mounting hardware kit, allowing you to upgrade to the Agile Stack or Agile Quad Kit. These modular kits come in a stackable design, allowing you to increase capacity to 12 or 24 rifles (respectively).

Based on 22 years of building military armories, SecureIt included three locking lugs on the door’s top, bottom, and side to prevent prying attacks. Likewise, the hinge design runs the entire length of the door to prevent sawing. Correspondingly, there are three entry methods: a keypad, biometric, and mechanical key.

The keypad features oversized, backlit number pads for easy operation and offers user-programmable codes for a manager and two users. However, the biometric pad only allows for one set of fingerprints but is fairly easy to program. Finally, the mechanical key is reminiscent of an old skeleton key. It is very long, and features teeth like you would see on a skeleton key.

The keypad has oversized, backlit number pads.

The clandestine keyhole is smartly hidden behind the “Agile” nameplate on the door. To access it, you have to use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the nameplate. I thought this was a very smart idea to help prevent lock-picking. You have to know it’s there to expose it.

The keyhole on the SecureIt Agile Pro 52 is hidden behind the Agile nameplate.

Measuring H 52 x W 20.25 x D 15.25 inches, the Agile Pro 52 easily fits anywhere in the home.

Taking a Peek Inside

I’m a big fan of being able to lay things out as I see fit for my specific needs. Not to mention the ability to make changes to the layout as my needs change. So, I really liked the patented CradleGrid Technology backwall of the Agile Pro 52.

The back wall consists of a 22-row, 6-column louvered grid panel to accept an array of CradleGrid accessories. This includes barrel cradles, a rifle/gear shelf, various accessory bins, storage trays, and more. Each CradleGrid accessory can be placed anywhere on the grid to create the layout that suits you best.

Speaking of CradleGrid accessories, I really like the barrel cradles coupled with the stock bases. The stock bases sit on the safe floor and securely hold the stock of two rifles each. When coupled with the barrel cradles, your rifles stand straight up and down and are easily accessible. Not to mention, the barrel cradles hold the rifle far enough away from the back wall to accommodate a scope.

I have the Burris Eliminator 6 scope on my 6.5 Grendel AR, and it is a big scope. However, it comes nowhere near touching the back wall. I love that.

The stock bases help keep your rifles straight and separated.

Also included with the Agile Pro 52 is a door organizer. The organizer features six mesh pouches, two pistol pouches, and three rows of Molle webbing. It is held in place via hook-and-loop panels as well as eight bolts. Fortunately, it is easy to remove because the battery compartment for the keypad is behind the organizer.

Finally, the safe comes with a rechargeable light bar. Due to its magnetic installation, the light bar can be placed anywhere in the safe and is easy to move. It features a switchable red and white light, motion sensing mode, and adjustable brightness.

Building the Agile Pro 52

The Agile Pro 52 showed up in three boxes: one large box with the safe and two smaller boxes with accessories and additional parts. Although it included a 10mm wrench for assembly, do yourself a favor and use a ratchet with 10mm socket. The included wrench is serviceable but is very small, thin, and will take you a lot longer.

The SecureIt Agile Pro 52 comes in multiple boxes and requires assembly.

Assembly was very easy, and everything basically just snapped together. All of the bolts are pre-installed on the top and bottom panels. So, just slide the back wall onto the bolts on the bottom panel, hand-tighten a nut onto it, and move on to the next piece. Continue this with the two sides.

Building the SecureIt Agile Pro 52 is very easy and everything goes together easily.

Finally, you add the door in the same way. SecureIt suggests you use two people for this due to the door’s weight. However, not everyone has a helper, so I decided to see if I could do it myself. I had no issues at all. It slid right onto the bolts and was easy to hold in place while I tightened the nuts. Then, I slid the top of the safe into place and hand-tightened the nuts to secure everything.

With everything in place, the patented Slide-Lok Technology lets you lock everything together with just a few bolts. Just slide the Lock Rails in place in all four corners, and everything locks together. Finally, go around with your 10mm socket and tighten everything. That’s it.

Just slide the Lock Rails in place in all four corners, and everything locks together.

All that is left is to install the door organizer and configure the back wall how you want it.

From start to finish, I think I had about three hours into it, including taking photos. It felt like cleanup and breaking down the boxes took almost as long. Ok, that might be an exaggeration. But not much.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I am quite impressed with the SecureIt Agile Pro 52. There was a lot of innovation that went into this safe, from design and assembly to configuration. Not to mention, the smaller profile easily fits just about anywhere in the home and provides easy access to your favorite firearms.

However, I personally would have liked to have seen a door organizer option that allowed for more pistols. Granted, there is an area of Molle webbing, and I can add some pouches. But that incurs an additional expense and would still only provide room for a few pistols. I would like to see a door organizer that is dominated by pistol pouches.

Other than that small, easily rectifiable detail, the Agile 52 makes very good use of the room provided.

If you are looking for a safe that provides easy configuration the way you want it, the SecureIt Agile 52 is worth a look. With an MSRP of $999.00, it is a good balance of cost vs. peace of mind.

For more information, please visit SecureItGunStorage.com.

The finished SecureIt Agile Pro 52 safe.

Specs

Weight: 105 lbs
External Dimensions: H 52″ x W 20.25″ x D 15.25″
Internal Dimensions: H 51.87″ x W 18.5″ x D 12.25″

Features

True Capacity: 6 long guns up to 51″ without stock bases or up to 48.25″ w/ stock bases.
Straight-Line Access: Our military-inspired design offers fast, hassle-free access eliminating damage to guns, optics, and other accessories.
CradleGrid: Back panel offers unlimited customization with accessories – no tools required. Pro Kit accessories include:

Cradles and Stock Bases
Storage Bins
Storage Shelf and Trays
Door Organizer

Weighs 105 pounds: Light weight makes it easy to reposition this gun safe to fit your evolving home defense plans.
Pre-drilled holes: Allows for easy mounting to the floor, wall. PLEASE NOTE: Hardware for mounting to the floor or wall is not included.
Modular: Increase capacity by upgrading to Agile™ Stack or Agile™ Quad Kit configurations.
Patented Slide-Lock Technology: Assembles in minutes anywhere in your home, apartment, office or RV.

New Keypad Design!

Advanced Keypad Design: The six-button keypad includes a capacitive fingerprint scanner for fast access via the code (up to 3 codes, 3-12 digits each) or your fingerprint. Also includes 2 Override Keys.
Function Options: The keypad can be programmed to turn off the backlight, sound, and even the biometric function should you choose.
Low Battery Warning: A light on the keypad will flash when the battery is low.
External Power Option: The keypad can be powered through the USB-C power port on the bottom of the keypad.

The .30 Cal Thompsons

By

Travis Pike

-

November 13, 2024

Thompson, the original Thompson, will always be known for their submachine gun. The weapon is iconic and is known for being used by soldiers, gangsters, and G-Men. However, it was Thompson’s only weapon design. They produced several designs, including three .30 cal Thompsons. As a fan of obscure and old guns, I wanted to share these three oddities.

The Thompson Autorifle – The First of the .30 Cal Thompsons

The first of our .30 Thompsons doesn’t look anything like the submachine gun that the company would become known for. The Thompson Autorifle was an attempt to bring a semi-auto .30-06 to the United States Army. It competed with, and eventually lost to, the Garand.

The Thompson Autorifle was a semi-auto .30-06 that relied on the Blish lock. The Blish lock promised to deliver a delayed blowback experience that would be safe and comfortable. The idea of a friction lock created by two different metals and relying on velocity to increase friction turned out to be bunk. What we got was a direct blowback .30-06.

The end result was an extremely heavy recoiling rifle that was sending cases out so fast they reportedly embedded themselves in wood. I don’t imagine the rifle’s receivers had a very long lifespan. We know the bolts didn’t because one destroyed itself after 1,106 rounds.

Outside of the fact you could injure a guy with an ejecting casing, the rifle was also found to be too long, too heavy, and hard to take apart. The rifle required an oil pad to feed the cartridges smoothly to the chamber. The rifle fired from either a five-round magazine or a 20-round option was available.

Thompson Light Rifle – The Littlest of the .30 Cal Thompsons

The Thomspon Light Rifle uses the .30 Carbine cartridge, so it’s one of our .30 cal Thompsons, but it’s not a .30-06. This makes it the most practical of the .30 Cal Thompsons. When the U.S. went looking for a light carbine for noncombat troops, they ended up with the M1 Carbine, but it wasn’t the only gun trying to capture the contract.

There were roughly a dozen different entries, including this model from Thompson. The Thompson Light Rifle carries the same layout as the original Thompson, but some models ditch the wooden handguard for a metal skeletonized model, and some still have the wood handguard. Barrel lengths varied as well, and of course, the magazine changed.

Thompson attempted to modify the original design to save weight and reduce cost. This led to more metal handguards and simplistic features. The end result was a gun that weighed 5.5 pounds and used a recoil-operated locked breech. However, it was still too expensive and complicated.

The Other Thompson .30-06

The rarest of the .30 Cal Thompsons is a .30-06 rifle variant that looks like an actual Thompson. It looks like the creators stretched a standard Thompson SMG to fit a .30-06 cartridge and magazine. The gun did use BAR mags with an added oil pad. The extreme pressure of the operation required an oil pad and lubricated ammo.

Only one of these experimental Thompsons exists, and it was made in 1943. It appears to be the only one and is, or at least was, privately owned. An old VHS uploaded to YouTube shows the most we know about the gun. The presenter explains that it is a blowback-operated firearm and used a delayed blowback, but not the Blish lock.

From what I can understand from the video, it uses some form of plunger-delayed blowback system combined with a strongly tensioned recoil spring. The collector wisely will not fire it due to the fact no one’s sure what will happen if you do. Will it explode? Will someone be eating a recoil spring? It’s too valuable to risk.

The .30 Cal Thompsons

The Thompson SMG spread out of .45 ACP, more than people know, but it wasn’t very successful outside of .45 ACP. In fact, the Thompson company wasn’t superbly successful outside of the Thompson SMG in .45 ACP. However, they weaved an interesting history of prototypes and failures.

Night Watch Knives Violin – An Exceptionally Classy EDC Blade

By

Jim Cobb

-

November 12, 2024

The Violin from Night Watch Knives is at least a step or two beyond the average EDC knife. It’s sophisticated and classy, yet eminently useable.

Night Watch Knives is owned and run by Alex Harrison. I’ve said on a few occasions that he’s a far more talented knife maker at this stage of his career than he has any right to be. Part of that comes from a dedicated work ethic, and part of it stems from his keen attention to the little things. He is a law enforcement detective in his day job. Just as with investigations, details matter when it comes to knife-making.

Harrison has also taken the time and initiative to partner with several other knife makers over the years, either inviting them to his shop or traveling to theirs. The intention isn’t just camaraderie but opportunities to watch them work and pick up little tricks and ideas to add to his own repertoire.

Violin Design Scheme

I asked Harrison about the design process of the Violin.

He said, “The Violin is a classic example of what happens when I have a concept in my head that I can’t stop chasing. I probably went through half a dozen revisions before I landed on the final pattern.”

The basic concept is a classic bird and trout knife combined with an incredibly comfortable handle. It has delicate, almost feminine lines. It also possesses a deadly appearance. The Violin is definitely not a knife to be taken lightly.

As Harrison puts it, the Violin is “Razor sharp, lightning fast, and unapologetically beautiful.”

Harrison is a big fan of Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger novels and named this knife after one of the characters in that series. Rumor has it that another of Harrison’s knives may be making an appearance in an upcoming Ledger novel.

Violin Specifications

The Violin is 7.5 inches from end to end and has a 3.25-inch blade. The finish is an acid etch that Harrison calls “War Wash.” Until recently, he was using AEB-L steel. He’s in the process of moving to MagnaCut steel.

The finish is an acid etch called War Wash. Author photo.

This is a thin knife, with a blade thickness of just 0.13-inch at the spine. There is some light jimping just ahead of the gorgeous guard. The Micarta handle is 4.25 inches long and contains a subtly tapered tang. There’s enough real estate on the handle for a comfortable grip, even for larger hands.

Most knife users are familiar with the Buck 110, shown here for size comparison to the Violin. Author photo.

It arrives hair-popping sharp right out of the box. What’s particularly nice is that the blade’s edge is the only sharp area of the knife. Every other component, from the handle to the spine, is engineered for comfort.

The Violin comes with a sturdy leather sheath. It isn’t fancy, but it does the job very well.

Violin Performance

Here’s the thing about the Violin. It will hold up to just about anything you want to toss its way. However, this isn’t the type of knife that you’d necessarily choose for fieldwork. It’ll do it quite admirably, don’t get me wrong. But this is more the type of knife that you’d reserve for office carry or perhaps special occasions. Let’s face it, a knife this beautiful deserves to be seen.

The Violin performs like a Stradivarius. You can order a custom Violin by contacting Night Watch Knives. Otherwise, you can find them in various configurations at DLT Trading.

ZR Tactical’s Walther PDP Guide Rods

By

P.E. Fitch

-

November 11, 2024

ZR Tactical Guide Rods Ultra Mass Long Stroke Walther PDP

Chances are that unless you’re into competition, practical or performance shooting, and/or really into the Walther PDP, you’ve never heard of Indiana-based ZR Tactical. ZR Tactical is an American small business, FFL, and machine shop that offers a multitude of parts and accessories for several popular handgun makes and models. These days, they’re probably best known for their guide rods and recoil-spring assemblies meant for the entirety of the Walther PDP family (F-Series, Standard, and Steel models).

Since mid-August 2024, I’ve been shooting two of my 5-inch Walther PDPs with ZR Tactical’s guide rods. Thus far, I have at least five matches under my belt with either pistol and several private personal training sessions. In the case of the PDP Match Steel Frame, I shot all of Day 2 of Greybeard Actual’s Pistol Skill Development intensive handgun-shooting course. Since replacing the OEM RSAs on my pistol, I’ve shot different types of 9mm ammo, both factory and hand loads.

I’ve now reached a point where I’m comfortable writing about ZR Tactical’s offerings.

ZR Tactical And Its Guide Rods

Keeping in mind that Walther PDP originally launched barely three years ago and is still fairly new, ZR Tactical has become fairly synonymous with the PDP. The company was one of the first outfits to become known for its Walther PDP aftermarket parts selection, with guide rods likely being their best-selling products.

ZR Tactical sells traditional (non-captured) guide rods, captured RSAs, and their specialty Long Stroke RSAs in addition to springs of different poundage. RSAs and guide rods matter because their primary purpose is to modulate the manner in which a pistol’s slide cycles and behaves during strings of fire.

My full-size steel-frame PDP, my principal USPSA Carry Optics gun, currently has the 14-lb Long Stroke Guide Rod. It is specifically engineered to run with the 5-inch full-size steel frame models. The other PDP, my original full-size 5-inch polymer model (also for Carry Optics), currently cycles rounds with the ZR Tactical 15-lb Ultra Mass Guide Rod.

Long Stroke Guide Rod

ZR Tactical’s Long Stroke Guide Rod is probably their magnum opus. These captured RSAs are specifically-sized for either 5-inch or 4.5-inch slides and come with a lighter 14-pound spring. Installation involves the removal of the PDP’s polymer retainer—the small part that clips directly underneath the slide on 4.5 and 5-inch guns to hold the factory RSA in place. It’s not too difficult to remove this piece, and once it’s gone, the Long Stroke Guide Rod drops into place like normal.

I only have experience with the ZR Tactical Long Stroke Guide Rod for the full-size 5-inch steel-frame PDP. Long Stroke Guide Rods specifically do two things with the intention of making the pistol’s recoil impulse as soft-shooting as possible.

First, they replace the factory RSA with a lighter weight spring that affects how the slide reciprocates as with any other pistol. Second, and more importantly, by virtue of their physically longer design, the PDP slide is able to ride further rearward, which also softens the recoil impulse. It’s less snappy (for lack of a better term).

Think of a modern polymer-framed micro 9mm, like the P365, the Taurus GX4, the M&P Shield, or the new HK CC9. Among other things, these ultra-compacts feel snappier with 9mm because their slides only have a short distance to move back, making slides stop abruptly before rebounding home.

This phenomenon isn’t limited only to micro 9mms. It happens to all semi-automatics regardless of size. It’s just more pronounced on modern Browning delayed blowback pistols with tilting barrels.

The extra length built into the ZR Tactical Long Stroke Guide Rod provides a longer track for the slide to move smoothly. Likewise, it comes to a less abrupt stop before rebounding home. This is aided further by the lighter 14-pound spring, especially with 9mm loads.

Running the Long Stroke Guide Rod

Opinions on recoil are subjective. However, I can best describe my steel-frame Walther’s recoil impulse with the Long Stroke Guide Rod as feeling more like a Beretta 92 with its “easier to unlock” locking block.

The 14-pound captured spring included with this aftermarket RSA works best with anything softer shooting than CCI Blazer 115, such as 147-grain ammo loaded to the low 900 FPS velocity range to make USPSA/IPSC minor power factor. This RSA will certainly run higher-velocity loads, but I’d argue that the competitive edge and nuance that the ZR RSA provides are diminished.

Walther PDP Match SF (with the ZR Tactical Long Stroke Guide Rod installed). Its slide locked back in its normal position. Pay attention to the location of the Walther scroll on the slide in relation to the left-side slide-stop.

With nearly 1000 rounds in with various types of ammo, the unit has been wholly reliable. The HOP Munitions 147-grain poly-coated RN load that I’ve been shooting through several pistols this year works like a dream with the ZR Tactical Long Stroke Guide Rod. Scott Jedlinski uses this cartridge and RSA in his steel-frame Walther, too (I asked him).

In addition to those factory-loaded 147-grain competition rounds, I’ve also enjoyed shooting this Walther with a 124 bullet over 4.2 grains of TiteGroup, a recipe recommended to me by USPSA GM “Les Pepperoni.”

Compared to the image above, notice how much further to the rear the slide is in this image due to the clearance provided by the ZR Tactical Long Stroke Guide Rod.

Ultra Mass Guide Rod

The ZR Tactical Ultra Mass Guide Rod doesn’t involve removing the polymer RSA retainer on 4.5 or 5-inch Walthers. It’s a drop-in part, and its corresponding recoil spring isn’t captured. So, it does require a bit more finesse when installing it. The Ultra Mass Guide Rod I’m shooting with came with a 15-pound spring. As I mentioned above, this weight is better for “lighter” sporting 9mm loads; it’s fantastic with the HOP Munitions cartridge.

The guide rod itself is machined from stainless steel bar stock and increases the weight over the standard Walther PDP polymer RSA. Besides being a direct drop-in part, ZR Tactical also offers companion springs in different weights, making it possible for end users to tune their guns.

Running the Ultra Mass Guide Rod

I installed my Ultra Mass Guide Rod on both my full-size standard 5-inch polymer PDP and the PDP ACRO Professional. These ZR Parts presented zero reliability issues in either pistol, but I settled on leaving it on the larger 5-inch Walther because it just “felt” better. I think the PDP ACRO Professional model would fare better with the slightly heavier 17-lb spring due to its shorter slide, but that’s just my hunch.

After shooting a few matches and at least one practice session with the Ultra Mass Guide Rod and the full-size 5-inch standard PDP, I noticed that the sweet spot was very similar to that of the Long Stroke Guide Rod and the other Walther. The slide tracked better, and the gun felt more responsive with lighter sporting loads (Blazer 115 or milder).

Keep in mind that duty ammo also requires stiffer springs, as a rule of thumb, which is why the PDP factory RSA is sprung at 18 pounds.

Can’t really see it, but the Ultra Mass Guide Rod is sitting inside this full-size 5″ Walther PDP. The 15-lb spring paired with the HOP Munitions shown on the right is optimal for this type of sport-shooting.

The Takeaway

One of the key differences between a high-level pistol shooter and an amateur is the rate at which they process information. Likewise, the relationship between the gun’s cycling rhythm, the shooter, and their internal SHOOT/NO-SHOOT mechanism comes into play. This is why shooters at the highest levels spend so much time and effort tuning their pistols and adjusting their tailored handloads to their chosen pistol and shooting style. Their system, in other words.

The timing for this write-up couldn’t have been better. I am now at the point where I’m shooting enough to notice the difference in recoil spring weights. So, the art of tuning a pistol is making sense intuitively. I can finally appreciate the relationship between the gun, a specific load, and its guide-rod and spring combination on a more nuanced level.

The fact that we have access to high-quality aftermarket Walther parts from companies like ZR Tactical is a boon to Walther’s 9mm flagship.

Savage Revel – Savage’s Newest Lever Gun

By

Travis Pike

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November 11, 2024

I rarely cover modern firearm releases, press releases, and similar because it’s not always that interesting. I hate writing about things I haven’t handled, and I need to be interested in them. The Savage Revel captured my attention. Savage as a company is interesting, and they have an interesting history. The Savage 110 and its 38 variants define the modern Savage company, or they did. Savage produced affordable, accurate bolt action rifles and not much more.

Recently, Savage has branched out. They’ve produced a concealed carry pistol, a 1911, they’ve got a straight pull bolt action rifle in their catalog, and even high-end defensive and sporting shotguns. The Revel is a lever action .22LR rifle, which is another interesting move from a company known for affordable bolt guns.

The old Savage, the original, famously produced the Savage 99, a lever action rifle with an integral magazine that allowed the use of spitzer-style projectiles. From a historical perspective, the Savage lever gun isn’t a new thing, but for the modern Savage, it most certainly is. Lots of folks produce well-made, fun-to-shoot, and easy-to-shoot rimfire lever guns, so what makes the Revel stand out? Why did it capture my interest?

The Revel – Take it Down.

The Revel comes as a takedown rifle. You can detach the majority of the receiver from the lower receiver. This cuts the gun’s overall length in half. We live in a world where takedown guns are few and far between. It’s certainly not a matter of technology. Takedown rifles and shotguns were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century.

Remington, Winchester, Savage, and most American long gun companies produced takedown variants of their guns. It was a major selling point of a lot of guns, from the Winchester 1897 to the Remington Model 8 rifle. The Revel represents one of the few rimfire lever guns with takedown capability.

The Takedown design is cool, but it’s not the only thing that attracted me to the gun. I like that they took a modern stance on lever guns. They are producing a classic model and a DLX gun with a more modern stock and nice checkering. Both guns are drilled and tapped for optics. The sights are adjustable, and it comes with an oversized lever loop.

More Than .22LR

It seems like the initial release is the always popular .22LR. However, Savage is resting the Revel on .22LR. They are producing a .22 WMR and a very awesome .17 HMR option. I think this will be the second .17 HMR lever gun on the market.

Capacity varies on caliber. The short .22LR gives you twelve rounds, and the .22 WMR and 17 HMR will give you nine rounds. It’s not a terrible capacity for magnum-like calibers. I could see the Revel being a solid working gun for pest removal. It’s light, and the takedown makes it easy to throw in a truck or on a tractor.

I have a family that tends to cattle and routinely switches from a handgun to a rifle to shoot coyotes. The switch occurs typically based on how much of a pain it is to grab a rifle when working and how hard it is to hit a coyote with a handgun. Something like the Revel in a magnum caliber might be the best option for them.

Show Me the Money

Another factor that piqued my interest was the price. The base model has an MSRP of $439, and the DLX is $539. That’s not terrible, especially since we all know it will sell well under MSRP. The Revel might be a winner for Savage and does something a little different from the classic Henry guns and the latest Winchester.

For more information, please visit SavageArms.com.

The Mossberg 200K – A Forgotten Pump Gun

By

Travis Pike

-

November 10, 2024

Screenshot_20241028-132836~2 — (Phoenix Phart)

O.F. Mossberg and Sons, commonly just known as Mossberg, is one of the last privately owned, family-owned legacy firearms companies. If you go to SHOT Show and look around, you’ll eventually stumble upon someone with the name Mossberg printed on their badge. It’s rare that any company remains family-owned for over a century. Mossberg is well known for their shotguns, specifically pump shotguns. What’s interesting is how they got there and how it ties to a gun known as the Mossberg 200K.

Mossberg’s Many Firsts

Mossberg has a lot of interesting firsts. Their first gun wasn’t even a handgun. It was a four-barrel .22LR double-action handgun. It was sold as a Trapper’s best friend and known as the Brownie. After that, they produced a pump-action repeating .22LR designed by Arthur Savage. Mossberg became well known for producing high-quality, affordable firearms.

They continued to expand and grow with some help from World War II contracts. In 1947, they released their first repeating shotgun, the bolt-action 183D. Bolt-action shotguns would be Mossberg’s bread and butter. They were quite popular in the post-World War I years. They were cheap to produce, and plenty of men had experience with bolt-action rifles.

In 1955, Mossberg released the Mossberg 200K, its first pump-action shotgun. Oddly enough, it’s not mentioned on Mossberg’s website. They skip from the 183D to the Palomino lever gun and leave out their first pump action. The 200K was only built for two years, in 1955 and 1956.

The 200K is most certainly an odd gun.

Dissecting the 200K

Keep in mind the images of typical bolt-action shotguns. Mossbergs were often fed by detachable two- or three-round magazines. They had long wooden handguards, and most of the receivers sat within the wood stock. They look much more like bolt-action rifles than shotguns.

The 200K keeps the same bolt action look but swaps the bolt for an external pump. It is fed from a short detachable magazine, just like the normal Mossberg bolt guns. The pump design is rather fascinating. It’s built over the stock to what I assume are internal action bars. The pump doesn’t look like any other pump design I’ve ever seen. The pump itself is made from steel and sits at the end of the handguard.

The 200K comes with a rear sight to match the small front bead. The gun has a tang safety, much like later Mossberg shotguns. However, this tang moved right to left and left to right rather than forward and backward.

In the 1950s, it was popular to shove various muzzle devices on shotguns. Various poly choke designs were quite popular. Every 200K I’ve seen across the net comes with a variable choke. These adjustable chokes allow the user to adjust between full, modified, and improved.

It seems like the 200K was only ever produced in 12 gauge and with three-round magazines. The magazine could be loaded without removal if the user chooses to do so.

What Happened to the 200K?

The design must not have been popular. By the 1950s, we had already established what a pump shotgun looked and felt like. This was some sort of crazy, off-the-wall design. Guns like the Model 12, the Ithaca 37, and the Remington 870 had shown what a pump shotgun should be. The somewhat odd and different design likely made the 200K not so popular.

There didn’t seem to be any benefits to the 200K’s design. It was different, but different doesn’t mean good. I doubt it was a bad gun, but I can see why the gun-buying public of the era gave it a meh. These days, they are rare but not all that valuable. It seems like they sell for less than 300 dollars.

We often associate rare with valuable, especially in the gun world. However, the 200K has no provenance, no advantage, and with that comes no real collectability. As a shotgun nerd, I most certainly want one, but I’m likely one of the few.

Mossberg learned their pump action lesson, and five years later, they released the Mossberg 500. The 500 followed the pattern but kept the budget part on full display. The rest, as they say, is history. The 200K was a minor speed bump on the way to Mossberg’s domination of the pump shotgun world.