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RFK Jr. Says Guns Not The Problem, Will Explore Psychiatric Drugs

By
Mark Chesnut
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After four years of the Biden Administration blaming guns and gun owners for every violent crime, it’s refreshing to have members of the Trump Administration look at the issue differently. Specifically, RFK Jr. stating that guns are not the problem and will explore the effects of psychiatric drugs.

Focusing on the Real Problem, Not the Guns

One key component of the Biden tactic was to declare guns a “public health crisis,” a move that the Trump Administration reversed early on. Now, President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary is speaking out on guns in a different way following the recent mass murder at a Catholic grade school and church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

So, What’s Up?

Following the attack where a trans man fired into the windows of Annunciation Catholic Church as the children were participating in the beginning of the school year mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that blaming the gun for the tragedy was nonsensical.

“People have had guns in this country forever,” he said in an interview with Fox News. “When I was a kid, we had shooting clubs at our school. Kids, my classmates, and other people would bring a .22 rifle and other guns to school and park in the parking lot. Nobody was shooting up schools.”

As Kennedy pointed out, such attacks on various public places on a widespread basis aren’t something that has been happening frequently since schools and public places were invented.

“There’s never been a time in the history of humanity where people walked into a crowd, or a church, or a movie theater, or a school, or a crowd of strangers and just started randomly shooting,” Kennedy said. “It’s happening in our country, it’s not happening around the world. And there are many other countries that have comparable levels [of] guns that we have in this country—we had comparable levels in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, and people weren’t doing that. Something changed, and it dramatically changed human behavior.”

What About Drugs?

Since guns aren’t the problem, Kennedy is trying to figure out what the root cause of these attacks could be. He now plans to look at the role certain drugs could be playing in the phenomenon.

“One of the culprits we need to examine is the fact that we’re the most overmedicated nation in the world, and a lot of those are psychiatric drugs that have black box warnings on them that warn of suicidal and homicidal ideation,” he said. “We are doing those studies right now for the first time, and we will have an answer.”

Of course, anti-gun Democrats, who are quick to blame guns, were even quicker to attack Kennedy for even mentioning that drugs could be somehow involved.

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minnesota, went as far as calling for Kennedy’s firing just for asking the question of whether psychiatric drugs, far more widely prescribed to youth now than any time in the past, could be part of the equation. She even categorized Kennedy’s mention of the drugs as “peddling bullshit.”

“I dare you to go to Annunciation School and tell our grieving community, in effect, guns don’t kill kids, antidepressants do,” Smith wrote on social media. “Just shut up. Stop peddling bullshit. You should be fired.”

Ultimately, since guns don’t fire themselves into churches full of children, there has to be another cause. Hopefully, Kennedy’s look into the widespread prescribing of certain drugs to troubled youth will answer the question one way or the other.

Is a 34mm Tube All That Great for an LPVO?

By
Travis Pike
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Low-power variable optics are all the rage and continue to be a popular choice for carbines, rifles, and even PCCs in the right conditions. The LPVO has grown a lot since the old Short Dot. We’ve seen them increase in size and magnification, topping out to 1-12X variants with everything from 1-4X to 1-10X being daily common. One of the latest additions to the LPVO market is the 34mm tube.

To 34mm or Not to 34mm?

The typical LPVO uses a 30mm tube, which is a fairly common diameter and one we see amongst cheap and expensive LPVOs. In the last few years, we’ve seen the 34mm tube peek out of the rubble and make its way into the LPVO market. With that said, is the 34mm tube worth it? What are the benefits? What are the downsides? That’s what we’ll explore today.

The 34mm Tube – What It’s Not

The biggest claimed improvement of the 34mm tube is supposed to be increased light transmission. Better light transmission means a brighter, clearer picture with better low-light performance. That sounds fantastic, but it’s a half-truth. This big old tube offers more light potential, but it takes more than just a big tube.

The 34mm allows you to use a 30mm objective lens, which will increase light transmission. We also need the right high-quality coatings and good glass. You combine those three things, and the big tube helps increase light transmission.

I’ve seen 34mm tubes with 24mm objective lenses, and that’s a bit of a silly combo. Sure, there are some other benefits besides light transmission, but there are also downsides, and you aren’t getting the biggest upside of the big tube. The 34mm tube is one part of the equation for getting a brighter, clearer picture when looking through an LPVO.

So What Are the Benefits of the 34mm Tube?

First, we get a wider adjustment range. Big tubes give you more room to make adjustments. More adjustments can be great for zeroing an odd setup, I suppose, but the real benefit comes when you want to make precise adjustments. This is why 34mm tubes are so common on precision optics.

With that said, how many people are doing that with LPVOs versus just using the fairly versatile reticles most LPVOs come with these days? Still, a benefit is a benefit.

The larger tube can be more durable. It’s thicker and often less likely to break or fail. It also provides more protection to the internals of the optic, which are what is most likely to break.

Downsides of The Big Tube

Bigger things are heavier things. A 34mm tube weighs more than a 30mm tube, and you’ll see that. It makes an LPVO a fair bit heavier, and light is good when it comes to carbine optics. Not only does your optic weigh more, but your mount will weigh more.

Oh, and speaking of mounts, you’ll have fewer options. You can find plenty of 34mm rings, but finding modern LPVO mounts for modern carbines in the 34mm range is tougher. They will be more expensive and harder to find, with an overall smaller selection.

Oh, and cost, bigger tubes are more expensive, and 34mm tubes are pricier than 30mm tubes.

Worth the Squeeze?

I’m not an expert, but the advantages of the LPVO with a 34mm tube seem to be fairly small. Even the benefits aren’t that beneficial unless you’re embracing a larger objective diameter, and again increasing the cost and weight of your low-power variable optic. I might not see the value, but I’m willing to learn. Until then, I’ll stick to my 30mm tubes.

In Defense of the .40 S&W

By
Travis Pike
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The .40 S&W is dying this slow death. We are watching the death of a caliber in real time. It’s more likely that you’ll see new .45 ACPs and new 10mms than new .40 S&Ws hit the market. The .45 ACP and 10mm still have followings, but the only people I see sticking up for the .40 are rappers. I’ve never been a big fan of the .40 S&W.

The Rise and Demise of the .40 S&W

When I got into shooting seriously, the cheaper 9mm had that monetary appeal. Additionally, the .40 S&Ws I fired were snappy, and I couldn’t imagine carrying a subcompact .40 S&W. As the 9mm took over and the idea of stopping power faded away from serious firearms enthusiasts and professionals, I made fun of the .40 S&W.

I shared the memes talking about it dying. I even made memes, argued against the cartridge, and thought, “good riddance.” I’m also a natural contrarian, which is cringe, I admit, but I can’t help but like things that aren’t all that popular. As the tide turned on .40 S&W, I found myself looking a little more into the round and tried to see if it was worth defending.

The .40 S&W – Why It Exists

It was 1986, in Miami. The only thing hotter than the spring sun was Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix. They were dangerous, violent murderers who robbed banks and armored cars and weren’t afraid to rock and roll at the drop of a hat.

Manhunters from the FBI were on the streets trying to take this dangerous pair down. The FBI agents outnumbered the bank robbers by a factor of four. It was eight versus two, and numbers matter, but as the FBI quickly found out, the two bank robbers weren’t going to prison. When the two groups finally clashed, it was a bloody, violent fight.

Two FBI agents were killed, both suspects were killed, and only one man walked away uninjured. The fight was technically eight versus two, but William Matix was out of the fight for the vast majority of it. Michael Platt, armed with a Ruger Mini-14, faced the FBI largely by himself.

The FBI agents were armed with a mix of 9mm handguns and .38 Special revolvers. Some revolvers were .357s but were loaded with .38 Special rounds. The 9mms were S&W Model 459s. The FBI had one 870, but the agent carrying it was wounded in the hand, making aiming and using the pump-action shotgun difficult. Admittedly, that didn’t stop Edmundo Mireles from rocking and rolling with the 870.

It took six rounds to kill Matix. It took double that to kill Platt. Platt was famously hit early in the gunfight by fallen Agent Jerry Dove with a 9mm round that stopped an inch away from his heart after passing through the man’s arm.

The Disruption

As one could expect, this firefight became a massive incident for the FBI. They went through everything that occurred during the firefight: the agents’ tactics, their skill in a gunfight, and, most importantly for this article, the weapons and calibers they used. It was determined that the various .38 Special and 9mms fielded weren’t enough.

The FBI adopted the 10mm round and a S&W third-gen pistol to go with it. I can’t help but assume the move to 10mm was due to the 9mm round’s failure to kill Platt and end the fight. The new 10mm was powerful, hard-hitting, and deep-penetrating. The FBI fielded the 10mm for a short period, but quickly found the recoil of a true 10mm round was too much for most agents.

They downloaded the cartridge, and the 10mm FBI or 10mm Lite was born. Someone at S&W looked at the 10mm Lite and realized they could make that cartridge with a smaller case and a smaller gun. S&W produced the .40 S&W in 1990 and the S&W 4006 pistol.

The .40 S&W exploded in popularity. It became the dominant round for law enforcement agencies and became nearly universal amongst law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. It was the best mix between 9mm and .45 ACP, right?

What the .40 S&W Does Right?

The .40 S&W does one thing better than both 9mm and .45 ACP: it penetrates. It penetrates deeply into soft targets. Both 9mm and .45 ACP penetrate deep enough to stop a threat without a doubt, but the .40 S&W goes deeper. The advantage of that penetration is the ability to penetrate deep enough in odd situations.

For example, if you shoot through a threat’s arm into his torso, like Dove did to Platt. The .40 S&W is more likely to penetrate that little extra to provide the ability to hit the vitals. Modern 9mm can do pretty good through these odd scenarios in this era. Better-built bullets are what closed the gap between the 9mm and .40 S&W and led to its mass adoption.

The .40 S&W still penetrates deeper on average than the best 9mm. Outside of soft targets, the .40 S&W rounds tend to do better through barriers. If you’re fighting around cars, for example, the .40 S&W is more likely to go through a barrier and maintain its energy to penetrate a threat. It’s not a guarantee, just more likely to travel through barriers.

What Killed the .40 S&W?

Better 9mm projectiles have put a big dent into the .40 S&W’s sales and adoption. That’s the most obvious answer, but I think it’s worth mentioning that another big change to law enforcement since 1986 is the dawn of the patrol rifle. In 2025, or even 2015, guys hunting bank robbers aren’t going at it with handguns and shotguns.

I’m betting if the FBI had a rolling stakeout right now, every car would have a patrol rifle. Most police forces have a patrol rifle. A patrol rifle is going to penetrate through soft and hard targets better than any pistol round. They are much less likely to run into handgun penetration issues, through soft or hard targets, while using rifles!

Ultimately, the .40 S&W isn’t a bad cartridge. It penetrates deeply, expands well, and you can hold a fair bit of ammo in a gun that’s not larger than a 9mm. However, it’s just become outdated in the modern era.

Fight or Flight – Understanding the Acute Stress Response

By
Jim Cobb
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Fight or flight

Most of us are familiar with the term “fight or flight.” It refers to how our bodies are wired to react to sudden stress. For example, you’re walking to your car after work late one night, and you’re surprised by someone who steps out from a doorway.

What is “Fight or Flight”?

Our bodies are amazing in their efficiency. It reacts faster than conscious thought. Instantly, your heart leaps into your throat, and your pulse is doing double-time. Those aren’t the only physical changes in our bodies as we react to external stimuli that has caught us unaware. Understanding how the fight or flight response works and how it affects our bodies is the first step in learning how to make those changes work for us.

How It Starts

A potential threat is detected. Maybe a car backfires nearby or your smoke alarm’s screech woke you from a great dream involving a lottery win. The stimulus information is sent to the amygdala in your brain. Its job here is to sound the alarm if it determines danger is present.

The amygdala sends a signal to the hypothalamus that something isn’t right. The hypothalamus is responsible for your autonomic nervous system. It governs your involuntary functions like breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, and such. The hypothalamus tells your adrenal glands to kick it into overdrive. They, in response, begin dumping adrenaline into your bloodstream.

Adrenaline Has Entered the Chat

Adrenaline causes many changes in your body. Your heart begins to race, delivering more blood to your muscles and organs. This also increases your blood pressure, which can cause problems for those with heart issues.

Fight or flight - brain
Our brains and bodies are hard-wired to respond to stress in a mostly predictable manner.

Airways in the lungs expand to increase the amount of oxygen they can absorb. Your breathing will get heavy, as though you’ve just run a race. This extra O2 will help your brain and your senses get sharper and work more efficiently.

As part of the fight or flight response, adrenaline will also begin releasing fats and glucose from where they’re stored in the body. This is converted to energy, so that you’re ready to respond to the threat.

Your hands and feet might suddenly feel cold, and your face flushed. The stress response is redirecting blood flow. More blood going to your brain means less is available elsewhere. In order to bring more visual data to the brain, your pupils will dilate.

All of this, from the amygdala sounding the alarm to your pupils getting wide, happens so fast that you’re not aware of it happening. It all happens without conscious thought.

Cortisol Comes to the Party

If the situation isn’t instantly resolved, like you realize the person who surprised you isn’t a threat, your body continues to react. The hypothalamus notifies the adrenal glands to start producing cortisol.

Known as the primary stress hormone, cortisol increases the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. This provides your body with an energy dump. Interestingly, cortisol also suppresses non-essential systems, such as digestive and reproductive. The intention is to prioritize energy in the fight or flight response. Anything not immediately necessary to deal with the threat is set aside.

Fight or flight - running
There are times when your best option is to just vacate the area as quickly as possible.

Time to Act

In some cases, and probably most of them if we’re being honest, the potential threat turns out to be entirely benign. The person who stepped out from the doorway as you were walking to your car is just another workaday shlub like yourself. It was indeed a car backfiring and not a gunshot. It’s just your cat up to its usual shenanigans, not a burglar rifling through your silverware late at night.

In those cases, it might take you a moment or two to get your breathing and pulse back under control. You may have a chuckle or two as well, in relief if nothing else.

However, if the danger is real, you’ll fight, flee, or perhaps engage in a blend of the two. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. Remember that the goal is to go home and sleep in your own bed. Whatever needs to happen to make that a reality is acceptable.

On the other hand, should you find it necessary to fight, bear in mind that there is no such thing as a fair fight. There’s a winner and there’s a loser. Do whatever you can to ensure you’re on the prevailing side of the confrontation.

Fight or flight - time to act
Regular training and practice with martial arts and similar disciplines will reduce your reaction time as well as hone your defensive skills.

Freezing Up

There is a third outcome with the fight or flight response. In some cases, you may freeze up. Essentially, your brain hits the pause button. It can’t decide yet if you’re in danger and, if so, what you’ll need to do about it.

It’s believed that this freeze response is a sort of hard-wired passive defense response to being prey. We freeze for the same reason a rabbit does when it perceives a possible threat. Predators can detect movement easily.

Fight or Flight Response Drawbacks

For all of its benefits in a crisis, this acute stress response does have a few downsides.

When adrenaline and other hormones are dumped into the bloodstream, we tend to lose some of our fine motor dexterity. We may experience trembling in our hands, arms, and legs. Gross body movements are going to be preferable to any sort of delicate maneuvers. Complex decision-making is also going to be tougher when you’re under stress.

The good news is that you can not only reduce your reaction time but also reduce some of those negative impacts on your skills through extensive training and regular practice.

Guided .50 BMG Rounds – A Snipers Best Friend

By
Travis Pike
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Cpl. Laura Y. Raga, a production specialist with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Fort Worth, Texas native, fires a .50 Cal machine gun during sustainment training in D'Arta Plage, Djibouti, Dec. 9. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Laura Y. Raga/Released)

Guided munitions aren’t exactly new. We’ve had guided missiles for decades, even man-portable stuff like the famed Stinger rocket launchers. Colin Powell once said, “We can hit a quarter-inch target under a bridge without destroying the bridge.” The problem with guided munitions is the size. It’s rockets, it’s missiles—it’s large and it’s heavy. Until now. Now we have two competitors aiming to create guided .50 BMG cartridges.

A Guided .50 BMG?

Firearms firing .50 BMG rounds aren’t known for being small, but they are a lot smaller and lighter than Stinger missiles, rocket launchers, and Sidewinders. Smaller guns and smaller munitions allow for a guided round with a lot less potential for harming civilians. There is a lot of potential for these munitions and how they can integrate with the infantry. Let’s examine the two programs aiming to take the cake.

The DARPA EXACTO Round

Those pesky scientists at DARPA are working on something called the EXACTO round. EXACTO stands for Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance. This .50 BMG cartridge combines a smart cartridge with a high-tech optic and a remote control.

The idea is to produce a cartridge that could change direction mid-flight or to compensate for wind, rain, and similar factors. The EXACTO round isn’t a remote control in the same way as a drone. You can’t make it turn around or take a 90-degree turn. Think of the EXACTO round more like a gentle push than total remote control.

DARPA intends to produce this in fire-and-forget technologies. Imagine setting an M2 or Barrett M82 on a hill and leaving it behind when things get rough. The system could provide precision fire on targets while a sniper team bails out, or is never even there beyond setting the gun up.

Additionally, the EXACTO round could correct for shooter mistakes. In fact, the shooter won’t have to do the math for windage, bullet drop, or the effect of the earth spinning. It could simplify the work of snipers and make shots fast and more accurate.

The Sandia National Laboratories Guided Bullet Technology

Sandia National Laboratories has produced its own guided bullet technology. SNL is a private company that’s been involved in government procurement and development for quite some time. Their guided bullet technology also uses a .50 BMG cartridge but relies on laser designation rather than remote control.

The laser designating rounds are fired from a smooth bore. The nose of the bullet features an optical sensor along with counterbalancing mass and stabilizing strakes. Small fins control the projectile and allow it to steer its way to the target.

This system could also be paired with fire-and-forget systems and remote laser designators. According to SNL, the rounds are cost-effective, but no price is quoted.

So Where Are They?

Testing was conducted as far back as 2015, and the results were promising. Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be much movement on these guided .50 BMG rounds. However, in an era of drone warfare, the guided .50 BMG round might be a viable option.

Small, explosive drones have made life difficult for snipers and might even push them out of the current meta of modern warfare. The USMC even got rid of its sniper platoons to face new threats. A drone could eliminate a guided anti-material rifle with fire-and-forget capabilities, but it would be casualty-free.

Barrett M82A1 heavy and anti-material sniper rifle, in service with the Israel Defense Forces Combat Engineering Corps רובה צלפים כבד בארט בשירות חיל ההנדסה הקרבית של צה”ל

The smaller package and profile of the system and its ability to hide from thermal cameras could make them very lethal components in modern warfare. You could even pair this technology with land-based drones and have an anti-material option that’s entirely remote-controlled.

The possibilities are exciting, and when it comes to combating America’s enemies, embracing high-tech solutions will enhance their efficiency and save American lives. I’d love to see the development of these platforms continue. Here’s to America’s guided .50 BMG rounds.

The Disaster Tool Kit – Be Ready to Tackle Repairs

By
Jim Cobb
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Disaster Tool Kit

Natural disasters are kind of like little kids. They’re messy, and they don’t often clean up after themselves. It’s important to be ready to handle repair work, even if it’s just temporary. That’s where the disaster tool kit comes into play.

Building a Disaster Tool Kit

At some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, your insurance company will get involved and provide instructions for getting things taken care of professionally. Until that happens, you’ll need to fend for yourself.

What should be in your disaster tool kit? Glad you asked. We’re going to work on the assumption that you’re starting from scratch and you have no tools of your own yet.

Hand Tools

A framing hammer does double duty in that it will drive nails, and it will also be a great asset for demolition work. It has a longer handle than a standard hammer, giving you greater reach as well as increased leverage. One or two flat pry bars might also be needed for quick demolition work.

A good set of screwdrivers will help you disassemble and reassemble things as needed. Be sure to have both slotted and Phillips. Adjustable jaw pliers, often called channellocks, are very handy. In my kit, I have 8-inch and 12-inch ones.

Disaster Tool Kit - screwdrivers
You’ll want both slotted and Phillips head screwdrivers, and in various sizes.

A set of wrenches in both SAE and metric would be great, but that might not be in your budget. In that case, opt for a couple of adjustable wrenches.

Cutting Tools

You may find it necessary to cut wood for a fire or even rough-cut lumber. For either of these, a bow saw will do the trick without draining your wallet. We’ve found that a 24-inch model is a great middle-of-the-road choice.

If you end up needing to cut plastic sheeting or similar materials, you can use a knife. But adding a pair of good shears to your disaster tool kit isn’t a bad investment. They’ll also work on thinner cordage, like paracord.

Hardware

Pick up a box or two of roofing nails. These have a rubber gasket on them so that if you use them to reattach shingles or to nail down a tarp, they won’t create leaks in your roof.

A staple gun and staples are good for hanging plastic sheeting over broken windows. Duct tape might work, too, and it has tons of other uses. But I’d still pick up the staple gun and staples anyway.

When times are normal, my usual go-to for attaching wood to wood is a cordless drill and a handful of screws. However, if I don’t have that luxury and I’m doing all the work by hand, I’d rather pound nails than drive screws. With that in mind, a box or two of common nails is a good idea. They come in a range of sizes. I’d go with 16 penny, which are 3.5 inches long.

Disaster Tool Kit - nails
It’s easier to pound nails than to drive screws if you’re doing the work by hand without power tools.

Materials

There are a few material goods you’ll want represented in your disaster tool kit. A few large tarps will help cover holes in the roof, should that be necessary. A roll of clear plastic sheeting can cover windows until they can be fixed properly. The plastic isn’t exactly transparent, but it will let light in, where a tarp will keep things dark inside.

Personal Protective Equipment

We’ve talked about PPE for your various emergency kits. Make sure you have the same types of protective gear available at home for your disaster tool kit. The last thing you want is to end up injured when you’re already in a bad situation.

Storing the Disaster Tool Kit

For years, I’ve used a five-gallon bucket with a tool organizer. I have a full workbench and several rolling tool chests in my garage. But when I’m transporting tools, such as helping a friend with a job, the bucket works great.

Disaster Tool Kit - tool bucket
A bucket organizer like this will hold an awful lot of tools and keep them easy to find. Photo credit: Amazon.

It will hold just about everything we’ve covered here, with the exception of the larger items like the bow saw and tarps.

Going Hands-On – Adding Martial Arts To Your Skill Set

By
Travis Pike
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We often talk about tools in the box. A gun is a tool, OC spray is a tool, a flashlight is a tool, a knife is a tool, a mindset is a tool, and the box is the all-encompassing skills, gear, equipment, and mindset we tote around with us. One I often see missing from our self-defense toolbox is hand-to-hand skills, or martial arts.

It’s easy to understand why. Martial arts can be difficult to learn, time-consuming, and even expensive. Is that time better spent learning to shoot, learning first aid, or even just spending time with our families? That’s a question you’ll have to individually answer, but I think martial arts are a valuable tool to have on hand.

Enhancing Self-Defense with Martial Arts

Why Martial Arts?

The obvious answer is to be able to engage a threat with your hands. Hand-to-hand skills give you another tool to deal with a threat, and at particular times, it might be the best tool to have. If we are in a violent situation that comes out of nowhere, we might not have that second or so to draw a gun or an alternative, less-lethal option.

We may have to react with our hands, and in that case, it’s better to be well-trained than to guess. Additionally, there are plenty of scenarios where a gun or even OC isn’t a viable option due to state and federal laws. Regardless of what 1980s movies say, there is no registry of hands as deadly weapons.

Martial arts can also give you an advantage in how to retain your weapon or weapons. Lord forbid you end up in a fight for your gun and find yourself on the losing side. Martial arts can give you the skills necessary to defend yourself and your weapons.

It’s smart to look at martial arts less as dudes throwing spin kicks and breaking boards and more as an efficient tool to defend yourself. You train with your handgun, and martial arts are no different. Much like shooting, martial arts can offer a competitive environment to test and grow your skills under pressure.

Which Martial Art?

That’s the golden question. The good news is that that’s mostly solved. With the rise of the UFC, we saw that what seems to work best isn’t one martial art, but a mix of martial arts. Striking, wrestling, and slams are all valuable to have. This seems like a crazy revolution, but that’s because the history of different martial arts has been watered down a bit by competition focus.

For example, Karate wasn’t just punches and kicks, but throws, sweeps, and off-balance techniques. Judo also has striking, but it’s largely ignored. Mixed martial arts has become a style unto itself, and if you can find a gym that’s dedicated to MMA, it’s a great place to start.

If not, Judo and BJJ tend to be effective disciplines that can work well when mixed with basic striking. Judo and BJJ tend to avoid the McDojo-style gyms that give seven-year-olds a black belt in a couple of years. Mix a grappling art with boxing, and you will be able to outfight 99% of normal bad guys.

You’re not likely to find yourself fighting Jon Jones on the street, so you don’t need to be a pro at either discipline to win. Even knowing a little can be massively beneficial. You don’t have to be a black belt to learn a few techniques to give you a serious advantage in a fistfight.

You don’t have to shoot like Tim Herron to survive a self-defense encounter, and you don’t need to be Mike Tyson to win a fistfight.

Self-Defense Martial Arts

If you’re looking for a down-and-dirty lesson in hand-to-hand self-defense skills, the preeminent school for modern self-defense is ShivWorks. ShivWorks uses realistic training methods built around modern people. Their classes are grounded in reality and designed around modern self-defense techniques that may involve the use of guns, knives, and other weapons.

Any martial arts training can be valuable for physical fitness. You can get stronger, up your cardio, and more. That gives you a better chance at survival in any situation, be it defensive or something like escaping a fire, saving a loved one, etc.

Additionally, the modern world has instilled in people a fear of aggression, and many individuals struggle to tap into it. Martial arts can help responsibly tap into aggression and learn to control and use aggression as an advantage. The confidence to defend yourself is invaluable.

Going Hands-On

Gaining some martial arts experience can be a fantastic way to enhance your defensive skills. It goes right along with carrying a gun, OC spray, and similar items. Having the ability to confidently go hands-on can be a lifesaving skill set.

Tactical Edge and Armor’s HIGHCOM Guardian Plate Promotion

By
David R
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Tactical Edge & Armor, a premier provider of individual armor and tactical gear options, is happy to announce the launch of the HIGHCOM Guardian Lightweight Steel Plate Promotion. This extraordinary deal offers Level III+ plates available to the public at a price that makes body armor affordable to all.

HIGHCOM Guardian Plate Promotion

The HIGHCOM Guardian AR500 Level III+ is a lightweight, shooter’s cut (single curve) plate. It’s an NIJ and DEA-compliant armor solution finished in Rhino Extreme™ 11-50 polyurea anti-spall coating.

Each stand-alone plate is built with Ultra High Hardness (HHH) Armor Steel, is NIJ 0101.06 compliant, and…

…is available now for just $39.

This HIGHCOM plates promotion is a limited-time offer, good only as long as supplies last.

Specs and Features

  • Shooter’s cut for improved mobility and comfort
  • Single curve for a balanced blend of protection and wearability
  • Dimensions 10”x12”; weight 7.5lbs each
  • Stand-Alone Level III+ Rifle Protection
  • RST: Rifle Special Threats Validated
  • Rated to stop multiple hits from 5.56mm M855 (Green Tip), 7.62x39mm MSC, and 7.62x51mm M80
  • Made from UHH AR500 steel
  • Heat-treated for consistent hardness and durability
  • Optional TP1 Trauma Pad available
  • NIJ 0101.06 Certified
  • DEA: Hard Armor Protocol Compliant
  • Plates sold individually: order two (or four, or six) for a front-and-back PC, backpack, or other carrier.

These plates are thin, low-profile, and ridiculously affordable. They’re made in the USA, backed by HIGHCOM’s global reputation — and we ship the next day.

All plates are sold separately. They are not available for civilian purchase in Connecticut or New York (and that’s not by our choice: that’s a local body armor law!). Add-on TP1 trauma pads are available for increased protection.

Purchase your HIGHCOM armor from Tactical Edge & Armor now.

You may also be interested in the T5 Vektor Quick Release Plate Carrier Bundle. In fact, we’re betting you are. 

Learn More

For additional information or to request a media sample, contact Sales(at)tacticaledgeandarmor.com.

For more info, please visit Tactical Edge & Armor.

Follow on Facebook, connect on Instagram, or subscribe to the TE&A YouTube channel. Learn the language of ballistic protection at Armor Lingo 101.

The Ronin Glock – Ahead of It’s Time

By
Travis Pike
-

If you’ve never watched the 1998 action flick Ronin, you are missing out. It’s easy to see Heat as the default De Niro action flick of the 1990s. Ronin is a bit of a sleeper amongst the gun community. It doesn’t excel in gun handling or realism like Heat, but it’s a ton of fun. The film follows a number of former secret agents, special ops, and criminals hired as mercenaries for a mission.

The Glock 17L From Ronin

The name Ronin is a reference to masterless samurai. The team includes De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, and even Sean Bean. (Sean Bean lives through this one.) The movie takes place in Nice and Paris, and we get realistic car chases, gun fights, and more. The movie is great; go watch it, thank me later. What I want to call attention to is a particular Glock 17L featured in the film.

It might be the coolest handgun of the 1990s, and it’s most certainly the coolest Glock of the 1990s.

Gregor and the Glock 17L

The film’s main bad guy, Gregor, carries the gun. Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård plays Gregor, who is a German computer specialist and associate of the KGB. He’s cold, calculated, and plays a good foil to the high-speed agents and special operations types. He’s not the best in a gunfight, but he’ll shoot you while you sleep or in the back in a heartbeat.

His gun of choice, one we see him use to threaten children at a park to get his way, is a Glock 17L. The long slide and barrel of the Glock 17L is already an interesting and high-speed choice. Even in 1998, the Glock 17L was a high-speed firearm. Gregor’s model is heavily customized and looks more like a race gun than a combat pistol.

The Ronin Glock features a Bushnell HOLOsight. Bushnell licensed the HOLOsight design from EOTech, and it was the first holographic optic. Special operations forces fielded the HOLOsight, including Delta units at the time. The benefits of a holographic optic are numerous and well-known.

Seeing this on a rifle isn’t that big of a surprise, but seeing it on a Glock was out of this world in 1998. Red dots on handguns are old hat these days, but a rifle-sized optic on a Glock 17L was incredibly rare at this point in firearm technology.

How To Mount a HOLOsight on a Glock

Mounting a rifle-sized optic on a handgun isn’t easy. You can’t slap it on the slide and call it a day. The Ronin Glock used a specialized mount that attached to the frame. The specific mount is the Seidler Mount 2. The Seidler Mounts seem to have been popular amongst sports shooters in France, which makes sense since the film takes place in France.

To use this mount and optic, the front and rear sights are removed. We see Gregor shoot the Glock without the mount and optic, and the sights are clearly gone. The benefit of this type of mount comes down to the lack of movement when the gun is fired. Tracking the dot is super easy with systems like this.

The downside being the bulk and size, as well as the height over bore. It sits fairly high above the barrel.

Beyond the Sight

The Ronin Glock 17L is often shown in use with a suppressor. Which one? Great question. I’m not a suppressor historian and couldn’t tell you what cans were in France in 1998. It appears to be fairly small, and due to some excessive muzzle flash, it appears to be fake.

Notice the lack of sights

The other oddball addition is the presence of an extended magazine. It’s just a hair longer, maybe a 20-rounder. The complete package makes for an extremely modern system for 1998. The Glock 17L fitted with a red dot, specialized mount, and extended magazine reeks of an open competition gun.

The armorer, Christophe Maratier, is an extremely experienced armorer and has worked on movies like John Wick 4, the Taken series, and many more. He’s clearly a competent armorer and highly knowledgeable.

The Ronin Glock

I love seeing stuff like this in movies. Someone in the armory or costume department took the time to make a hero gun. Or, in this case, a villain gun. A hero or villain gun stands out from the pack and is present in a lot of action movies. The Glock 17L dolled up to the max represents a high-tech handgun of this era.

Hoffman Blacksmithing Trapper’s Hatchet

By
Reuben Bolieu
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The Hoffman Trapper’s Hatchet has a 15-inch handle and a lightweight 1.5-pound steel head for easy use.

In late June of 2025, I embarked on a floatplane trip with three fellow adventurers and one very trusty tool. The Hoffman Blacksmithing Trapper’s Hatchet was the ‘best in show’, outshining nearly all the tools we brought!

The Hoffman Blacksmithing Trapper’s Hatchet

The Hoffman Blacksmithing Journey

Liam Hoffman’s journey from teenage tinkerer to master bladesmith is a story forged in Appalachian grit. He began blacksmithing at the age of 13, driven by curiosity and a love for working with his hands. By the time he graduated high school, he had launched Hoffman Blacksmithing in Roan Mountain, Tennessee, crafting tools that blend historical design with modern performance.

His axes are shaped using early 1900s-era power hammers and forged from chromium molybdenum alloy, then paired with hickory handles inspired by 1800s logging tools. Each piece is finished with a custom-fitted leather sheath, reflecting the brand’s commitment to heritage and quality.

Forged in Fire: Hoffman Blacksmithing

At 19, Liam stepped into the national spotlight on the History Channel’s Forged in Fire. Tasked with forging a Kora sword, he went head-to-head with ABS Master Bladesmith Josh Smith—and won. His victory made him the youngest champion in the show’s history at the time, showcasing not just technical skill but a deep understanding of metallurgy and design under pressure.

That moment didn’t just validate his craftsmanship—it catapulted Hoffman Blacksmithing into the spotlight, drawing students and customers from around the world.

The Hoffman Trapper’s Hatchet never showed any head loosening or deformations during the testing.

Beyond the Forge

Liam authored FORGED: A Guide to Becoming a Blacksmith, sharing his journey and encouraging others to embrace the craft. Despite high demand and long waitlists, Hoffman Blacksmithing remains fiercely committed to handcrafted excellence and American-made tools.

The company’s ethos is rooted in authenticity, with each axe telling a story of tradition, precision, and purpose. Whether you’re swinging one in the woods or admiring it on the wall, a Hoffman axe is more than a tool—it’s a legacy in steel.

Hoffman Trapper’s Hatchet

This hatchet is a fantastic tool. However, it’s not mine. It belongs to Tom Nuge of Knives By Nuge, and he was gracious enough to let me use it. As some may know, lending your axe/hatchet to someone isn’t taken lightly. It’s highly frowned upon to ask to use someone’s axe. It’s even worse if you aren’t skilled in using or sharpening it. However, Nuge offered it. I was honored!

The Hoffman Blacksmithing Trapper’s Hatchet features a 15-inch oval handle with a bulb end. It’s built for serious field use and reflects classic design. Forged from high-performance chromium molybdenum alloy steel, the 1.5-pound head delivers a sharp bite while remaining light enough for extended carry. Its compact size makes it ideal for hunters, campers, and anyone who values precision over bulk.

The author skillfully created thin shavings for kindling through delicate work.

The standout feature is its hardened, crowned hammerhead poll, allowing you to drive tent stakes or nails without compromising the axe’s integrity. The bulb-ended handle offers enhanced grip and control, especially during fine work or when swinging in wet conditions. Whether you’re clearing brush or prepping kindling, this hatchet combines portability, durability, and versatility in one heirloom-quality tool.

Hatchet Work

We needed firewood for the damp days ahead and for most of our cooking. We double-teamed some smaller, dead-standing trees for our larger fuel. Nuge and I took to the woods with a Brautigam Expedition Works saw and hatchet to select the lucky timber. You could say we were quadruple-teaming the tree. We procured a tree that was calf to thigh thickness and dead.

If you understand felling trees, more thought goes into it than cutting. We estimated its fall and chopped a front kerf with the Hoffman Blacksmithing Trapper’s Hatchet. The saw was tagged in, and the tree was on the ground soon enough. 

A true splitting hatchet. The Hoffman Trapper’s Hatchet had the perfect wedge shape for splitting stubborn wood.

The group traded out, sawing and sectioning the tree before the Trapper’s Hatchet was back on duty. Chopping the wood upright traditionally worked well, and so did contact splitting. The wood was knotted, and sometimes needed to be chopped into and then turned over to split from the crown. This task puts a lot of stress on the handle and the poll. However, this is a Hoffman Hatchet!

Wrap Up: Hoffman Blacksmithing Trapper’s Hatchet

The Trapper’s Hatchet remained perfectly intact. No loosening of the head or loss of edge sharpness. As handsome as it looks, it’s a user! If you’re fortunate enough to snag one when they’re in stock, do it. You are worth it!

.38 ACP – Never Gets No Respect

By
Travis Pike
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Amoskeag Auction

If John Moses Browning could see the popularity of the 9mm cartridge, he’d be really mad at all of you. Georg Luger created the 9mm Luger in 1902, but do you know who predated Luger in making a cartridge that allows for excellent capacity, low recoil, and good performance? John Browning. The cartridge was the .38 ACP, and it never gets the respect it deserves!

I didn’t stutter, and I don’t mean the .380 ACP. The .38 ACP predates the .380 ACP by eight years, the 9mm by two years, and was only one year younger than the .32 ACP. It was 1900, a new century, and gun makers were experimenting with new weapons. S&W made a big deal with the Triple-Lock .44, but Colt was looking at automatics.

The Dawn of the .38 ACP

Semi-auto pistols were bound to be the new hotness, and Colt wanted a part of that market. John Browning had already led the way in producing reliable semi-auto platforms. He produced the FN M1899 a year earlier and introduced the idea of a slide to a handgun. Mr. Browning worked with Colt in the United States and FN in Europe.

This allowed him to effectively serve two continents without one stepping on the sales of the other, or at least not stepping too much on each other. FN got the M1899, which became the FNM1900 with some little fixes. Browning designed another M1900, but it was the Colt M1900. Instead of simply making another .32 ACP blowback-operated gun, Mr. Browning also introduced a new caliber, the .38 ACP.

(Ken)

The Colt M1900 looks a little like an M1911 and M1903 at the same time. It predates both, but looking at the M1900, it’s easy to see how the M1911 and M1903 evolved. Most semi-auto pistols of this era were straight blowback designs, but that wouldn’t be the case here.

Instead, this would be a short-recoil operation. The famed Browning tilting barrel design premiered in the M1900. It was the first pistol to utilize the short-recoil operation. Blowback guns are fine with subcalibers; calibers like .32 ACP and .22LR are perfect for blowback guns. As the calibers get larger and more powerful, the gun becomes unwieldy to produce in a blowback-operated design.

Grab a 10mm Hi-Point and tell me it’s ‘wieldy.’

A short-recoil system meant a locked breech, and a locked breech meant we could use a more powerful cartridge. That’s where the .38 ACP enters the story.

Breaking Down the .38 ACP

This new M1900 aimed to be a firearm appropriate for police and military use. It needed a potent cartridge that would help persuade revolver users to swap to a semi-auto design. The new .38 ACP could throw a 130-grain bullet at up to 1,350 feet per second. That’s faster and heavier than most standard 9mm loadings.

That 1,350 FPS load turned out to be a bit much for the Colt M1900. They weren’t working with the same metallurgy and uniform production standards we have today, and that load would eat the M1900. They calmed the hot round down a bit, and the commercial loadings of the .38 ACP were a 130-grain cartridge moving at 1,260 FPS.

Pre98 Antiques

That’s still in the realm of most 9mm cartridges, but it was also still eating M1900s. That didn’t work all that well, so they lowered the velocity even more. The new velocities were lowered to 1,040 FPS for a 130-grain load, and 115-grain loads could hit 1,150 FPS. The lighter 115-grain loads are still equivalent to modern 9mm.

That’s potent, powerful, and capable, so what happened?

That Blasted .45 ACP

Thompson-LaGarde happened. The test that put the understanding of handgun ballistics back decades occurred. The test that locked the term ‘stopping power’ into handgun calibers. The test that said we had to use a .45 ACP cartridge because Thompson and LaGarde shot some cows and corpses and said it worked best.

The Army wanted a .45 ACP cartridge, and they weren’t interested in the .38 ACP. This eventually led to the production of the M1911 proper and the adoption of the .45 ACP cartridge. The little .38 ACP was quickly forgotten about and relegated to the annals of history.

Now, over a century later, the 9mm serves the military and most police forces. It’s accomplished worldwide dominance and is the caliber of NATO. Hell, even the Russians and the rest of the Eastern Europeans have embraced the 9mm cartridge.

The .38 ACP wasn’t all that different from 9mm, especially of that era. However, it would have some flaws in the modern era. The 9x23mm .38 ACP is a semi-rimmed cartridge. Semi-rimmed designs can be sensitive to overall length, and if a round is slightly shorter, you could run into rimlock and malfunctions.

Jacketed hollow-point designs would need to be created to meet a very specific overall length with little room for error.

Not Quite Dead

The .38 Super came around in 1929 to help police officers punch through the metal car doors of motorized bandits. Guess what .38 Super is? An original .38 ACP loading. The .38 Super threw a 130-grain round at 1,250 feet per second. In fact, the .38 Super would fit in .38 ACP guns, but you shouldn’t do that; it will destroy a historic gun.

The .38 Super is the .38 ACP for modern guns. The .38 Super isn’t all that popular these days, but it sticks around, so in a way, the .38 ACP sticks around. The .38 ACP cartridge could have been the 9mm of 1900, and an American cartridge could be dominating the world.

Sadly, the .38 ACP lived a short life. It was too cool for its era.

Great for Day Hikes – 5.11 Tactical’s Skyweight Utility Chest Pack

By
Jim Cobb
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Skyweight Utility Chest Pack
Photo credit: 5.11 Tactical.

I blame Craig Caudill. He’s a good friend of mine as well as a top survival and wilderness skills instructor. He’s been clamoring about chest rigs for a while now. I never really understood the appeal. However, he has been quite a reliable source for quality information in the past, so I finally gave it a shot. I ordered a Skyweight Utility Chest Pack from 5.11 Tactical, loaded it up, and took it on a few hikes.

Yeah, I get it now.

The 5.11 Tactical Skyweight Chest Pack

Why a Chest Pack?

When I go hiking for an afternoon, I don’t like to be loaded down. Further, I hate having a ton of crap in my pockets or on my belt. Heck, from spring through early fall, I’m usually in a pair of lightweight shorts and a T-shirt. At the same time, I do want to have some essentials with me.

I’ve used a Bum Bag slung crossbody quite often, and it’s great. The downside is that if I put a good amount of stuff into it, the bag tends to slide down until it’s resting near my armpit. Not a huge problem, but it can be annoying.

A chest pack solves those problems. It stays in place as I move around, plus it has enough space for a fair bit of gear.

It also keeps everything right in front of you, so you can find it easily. The only downside there for me is I’m becoming more and more farsighted as I get older, so sometimes I end up using the Braille method to grab what I need from the pack.

Yes, I’m aware bifocals are a thing. No, I’m not ready to concede to needing them just yet, thank you very much.

Skyweight Utility Chest Pack Specs

This is a 2L capacity pack. It measures 6 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches. The pack weighs right around a pound. It will comfortably fit chest sizes from 34 inches to 50 inches.

This chest pack features a gusseted main compartment that is absolutely loaded with organization pockets. That’s no surprise, given it’s from 5.11 Tactical. You can always count on them to provide a ton of pockets, sleeves, pouches, and such in their gear.

Skyweight Utility Chest Pack - interior pockets
This chest pack is absolutely loaded with organizational features.

There are two stretch pockets on the front, one that’s open and one that’s zippered. Either of them is perfectly sized for a cell phone.

There is a rear concealed carry compartment as well. It has an internal loop panel for attaching your holster of choice, and there are elastic bands for extra magazines. Given the pack’s size, this is for compact pistols.

The chest harness is removable, so you can use the Skyweight Utility Chest Pack as a standalone bag in a larger pack. Or you can add a hip belt and turn it into a waist pack.

Skyweight Utility Chest Pack - removable
The pack can be removed from the harness and added to a belt for waist carry. Photo credit: 5.11 Tactical.

There are webbing loops at the bottom for gear storage. The back panel of the pack is breathable, which is great for hot weather.

Skyweight Utility Chest Pack Performance

As I’ve never worn a chest pack before, it took me a little time to get the straps sorted out and sized properly. The quick-release buckles worked great in this regard, as there was a lot of putting it on and taking it off until it was ready for prime time.

Once the pack fitting was locked in, it was time to load it up. Here’s what I carried in the chest pack:

There was plenty of room for more gear, but I didn’t need much else with me. We weren’t going out for a multi-day trek. I probably should have tossed in a small first aid kit, though. Not because anything happened. It’s just a good idea.

I’m not nearly as impressive as the 5.11 Tactical model, but the pack still fit me very well. I did find that I occasionally had to pull my shirt down a bit on the sides, but that’s not a deal-breaker for me.

I took the Skyweight Utility Chest Pack on a few hikes, and it was perfect for my needs. It fit very well. It didn’t swing around as I walked. Everything I needed was at my fingertips. I loved that I could slip my cell phone out for a few quick photos of the landscape or individual plants without digging in my pocket for it.

Consider me a chest pack convert!

Find the Skyweight Utility Chest Pack at 5.11 Tactical for $70. It’s available in Volcanic, Sage Green, or Woodland Camo.

MTM Suppressor & SBR Cases

By
Tim Stetzer
-

I had a chance to check out a bunch of new gear at GunCon 2025 back in June. MTM Case-Gard had a couple of slick new products geared towards your NFA gear. I followed up with them when I got home, and arranged to get a couple of samples to try out firsthand.

Protect Your Valuable Assets with These MTM Cases

The SC3 Suppressor Case

One of the things that stood out was MTM’s SC3 Suppressor Protector Case. At first glance, it looks like a hard pistol case. Inside, though, it’s fitted with foam padding with slots cut to hold suppressors. I always have suppressors rolling around in my range bag, so a case like this makes a lot of sense. It looked like a good way to store them between range sessions, too.

The Suppressor Protector case is 13.1 x 9.7 x 3.2 inches in size. Internal dimensions are 12.5 x 8.1 x 3.0 inches. It’s made from high-impact polypropylene on the outside and has foam padding on the inside. There are slots for three suppressors. But that depends on your suppressor size. I was able to fit more than that inside.

There are two latches and two integrated locking points to keep your suppressors secure. MTM notes that you can store your Form 4s in the space under the padding. I also found I could stick a Griffin Armament Bushwacker Wrench in that space as well. The case comes in Flat Dark Earth.

MSRP: $21.95.

I had plenty of space to hold my Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light HD .36 suppressor with Gate Lok installed. Next to it, I tucked a case holding my other direct thread adapters for that suppressor. That only took up one slot. Above that, I put my Savage A22 AccuCan. In the last slot, I could fit my Surefire Ryder and Bowers Bitty suppressors side by side.

The case is sturdy and holds the suppressors securely. It’s a good way to take them back and forth to the range. Much better than just tossing them in my range bag like I’d been doing. MTM does note that you have to let your suppressor cool down before putting it in the case, though, so that you don’t melt the foam padding. At home, I’ve just been storing my suppressors in the case. It keeps them all together and doesn’t take up much space.

The $21.95 price tag is extremely reasonable, I think. Which is good, because if I get one more suppressor, I’m going to need another case.

The RC34 Short Barrel Rifle Case

SBRs and braced pistols are common now, but hard cases for them are not. I have a lot of both, and all I had for them were soft cases. The folks at MTM also realized there weren’t many hard case options for short guns, and they were in a position to do something about it. They came up with a compact, TSA-compliant, padded hard case for your SBR needs. The RC34 Short Barrel Rifle Case is a practical and affordable solution to the problem.

The SBR Case is 35 x 11.8 x 4.0 inches. It had an interior space of 34 x 9.5 3.2 inches. That gives you enough room for most SBRs or subguns assembled. It will also fit longer carbines and PCCs broken down. I didn’t have any to try, but it should work with takedown shotguns and rifles, too.

The case is made from MTM’s usual rugged high-impact polypropylene. It has an egg crate foam lining to protect your guns and optics. There are four latches to keep it closed, as well as multiple locking points for air travel.

MSRP: $49.55.

I used my SBR case over the summer with a variety of SBRs and braced pistols. I’ve been working with a Franklin Armory F22-braced pistol, and you can see that it fits nicely in the case. I could also fit my Keltec KS7, my 635 SMG clone, and a variety of other AR-based carbines and pistols.

The MTM case offers superior protection against drops or knocks as compared to a soft case. I also like that it takes up less space in the back of the Jeep than if I were using a typical rifle hard case. That’s the main reason I wasn’t using hard cases more in the past. Most of my rifles are short, and I didn’t like taking up the extra space that a full-sized rifle case needed.

Inexpensive Protection for Expensive NFA Items

The MTM Case Gard Suppressor Case and Short Barrel Rifle Case are solid options for protecting your gear. They’re well built, and all made in the USA. MTM is an Ohio-based company. The prices are extremely reasonable, and I appreciate the focus on NFA items. I can see adding a couple more of these to my kit, and if you have suppressors and SBRs or braced pistols, you should look into them, too.

Ask the Pros: Carleigh Fairchild of History Channel’s Alone

By
Reuben Bolieu
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Carleigh Fairchild appeared on Season 3 and Season 5 of Alone.

Join us for a special interview with Carleigh Fairchild, where she shares her passions with GAT Daily!

Carleigh, it was great meeting you at Georgia Bushhcraft and talking with you over the years at events. Can you tell us about yourself?

“86 days in the wilds of Patagonia, literally alone, filming myself. Full of joy and sadness. Plenty of pain and growth. Much love and heartache!“- Carleigh Fairchild

Who’s Carleigh Fairchild?

Hailing from Ohio, Carleigh spent her teenage summers diving into the awesome world of survival skills at various camps. She discovered a passion for everything from starting fires and constructing shelters to skinning animals and weaving baskets. These activities didn’t just teach her practical skills; they sparked a deep spiritual connection with nature.

At 18, Carleigh packed her bags and headed to Washington State to enroll in Earthwalk Northwest Wilderness School, ready to level up her primitive living skills and explore the wonders of ethno-botany.

What got you interested in this path? 

CF: My grandparents were teachers, and in elementary school, I was inspired by a few of my teachers and wanted to become a teacher myself, thinking I might become an elementary school teacher. But as a teenager, I homeschooled, and that’s when I started going to Coyote Tracks, the kids’ program for learning survival skills connected to Tom Brown Jr’s Tracker School in New Jersey.

The most inspiring instructors were those who were truly alive, engaged, and curious. It felt like more than learning the skills of survival, I was learning the skills to live a vital life.

Teaching and bringing like-minded people together is what Carleigh Fairchild loves.

Who are Carleigh’s Mentors?

CF: My mentors were Frank and Karen Sherwood at Earthwalk Northwest. I wanted to soak it up and learn more, so I started helping them at classes. The path to becoming an educator seemed to come before me naturally. I continue to learn, and am intrigued by the many lessons that are below the first glance at a skill.

Tell us about Human Nature Connection LLC.

CF: I founded Human Nature Connection to bring together my passion for NIASZIIH bodywork-healing (as taught at Wilderness Fusion), and survival skills (from the lineage of trackerschool.com). A place where building relationships with our nervous system is woven together with the skills of survival.

Through survival skills, nature studies, and working with our psychology and nervous system, Human Nature Connection offers guided retreats, team and family bonding events, custom sessions, and collaborates with other organizations and schools for transformational experiences and adventures.

How did you get involved with the History Channel?

CF: In college, I enjoyed watching Survivor for its physical and mental challenges and entertaining social dynamics. I considered applying, but ultimately decided against the social aspect. Years later, I caught a few episodes of ALONE season 1 and felt the participants’ survival experiences were authentic, with no social dynamic involved.

I was drawn to apply for three reasons: to test my survival skills, to earn money for land to homestead, and to demonstrate a sustainable relationship with the earth, contrasting the prevalent mentality of exploiting resources.

What’s Carleigh’s favorite class to teach?

CF: I love teaching so many skills. If I have to pick one, I’d say basket making. Baskets are handy in our everyday lives, holding items in our homes, transporting herbs and vegetables from the garden or farmers market, gathering eggs, and giving gifts. I love seeing students light up when they have created a basket. Baskets can be both beautiful and functional, or one or the other!

Making a basket is a way to start to see our psychology around pressure and tension, as well as how our inner talk is around learning a new skill. There is something magical about making a container with our own hands. It gives the maker a gift of confidence and ability. Also, basket making is an inroad to building a relationship with the earth through getting to know the different plants, trees, and vines that can offer materials for making baskets.

Carleigh Fairchild doesn’t just weave baskets—she weaves connection, mindfulness, and earth-based wisdom into every strand.

Carleigh Fairchild’s Tool Set.

CF: My go-to set of tools to take with me into the woods is the LTWK Genesis (which I have a signature knife of), hand pruners, and a small, silky saw.

What do you love about teaching wilderness skills?

CF: I love watching people come more alive! When folks learn about the edible plants, I love seeing folks build or deepen their relationship to the earth and themselves. I hope that folks take their excitement home and share it with others. It feels like it’s giving back to the earth and folks who taught and inspired me, and giving forward to the next generation of folks who will live in relationship with the planet.

Why have you gravitated to basket weaving?

CF: Basket making is a skill that has always sparked my interest. I love the interplay between the earth, materials, and myself. It not just takes time to make a basket, but it takes relationships. Relationship between me, the earth, and the materials. Getting to know the different plants, vines, and tree barks. Where and how they grow, when to harvest, how to store, and how to prepare the materials.

Then there are all the different styles of basket making to get to know. What I love is knowing the materials so well and understanding the basket styles deeply. This allows me to combine different materials and styles to create a new basket that I’ve never made before whenever I have a need.

Carleigh teaches how basketry can be a meditative practice, helping people reconnect with themselves, requiring only a knife and pruners—no specialized tools needed.

Where can our readers find and follow you?

Sign up for my occasional monthly newsletter at HumanNatureConnection.com.

@carleighfairchild on Instagram and Facebook.

2025 National Preparedness Month

By
Jim Cobb
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National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. This is an excellent time to revisit your existing prepping plans as well as set new goals.

What to Know About National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month was first launched in 2004. It’s managed by FEMA’s Ready Campaign. This, in turn, is run in conjunction with the Ad Council. The goal is to educate the public about preparedness and encourage them to take steps toward increasing their resilience at the individual and family level.

The Ready campaign suggests every family should make a plan for emergencies. Let’s look at the questions FEMA says your plan should address.

How Will I Receive Emergency Alerts?

It’s difficult to get out ahead of a disaster if you don’t know it’s happening. As part of National Preparedness Month, make sure you’re set up to receive alerts and warnings. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are sent to mobile devices. Agencies permitted to send alerts include the National Weather Service as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, along with officials at local, county, state, and federal levels.

National Preparedness Month - alerts
Make sure your phone will receive alerts and warnings.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) sends alerts through broadcast TV and radio stations, as well as cable TV and satellite radio. Alerts include weather situations as well as terror attacks and such.

NOAA Weather Radio is one more tool in the alert toolbox. These don’t just receive storm warnings, either. Situations involving national security or public safety will also cause warnings to be issued.

Be sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts, just in case one of them isn’t working in your area.

What Is My Shelter Plan?

In most cases, sheltering in place at home is advisable. That’s where your supplies are, and that’s likely where you will be most comfortable, as it’s familiar.

However, there may be times when evacuation is advised. With that in mind, it’s important to know where you’ll go.

What Is My Evacuation Route?

This goes hand in hand with determining your potential bug-out locations. Once you know where you’re going to go, you need to plan for how you’ll get there.

National Preparedness Month - evacuation plans
Have a good handle on what the established evacuation routes are for your area, so you can avoid them if at all possible.

Part of this process is learning what routes between you and your destination will be the most crowded, so that you can avoid them. The last thing you want is to end up part of a slowly moving parking lot that used to be a four-lane highway or something.

What Is My Family/Household Communication Plan?

Odds are pretty good that everyone in the household won’t be home when a disaster hits. Between work, school, extracurricular activities, and social lives, most of us spend the majority of our time away from home. This means you should have a plan for how you’ll get in touch with everyone.

National Preparedness Month - communication plans
Have a plan for how you’ll get in touch with each family member if they’re not home when an emergency happens.

PACE is an acronym that stands for Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency. Originally, it was to be used for communication planning, but it’s a great methodology for any sort of emergency plans. Take a look here for more information on how it works.

Do I Need to Update My Emergency Preparedness Kit?

Of course, this supposes you have a kit to update, right? FEMA has a pretty decent emergency kit checklist. If you’ve never put a kit together before, it’s a great place to start. And even if all you do is curate a kit based on their suggestions and nothing else, you’ll be a step or two ahead if a disaster hits.

The home emergency kit should be stored in such a way that you can grab it all and toss it into your vehicle, just in case you have to hit the road quickly.

Once you’ve put together a kit for home, get another one together for the workplace.

National Preparedness Month isn’t the only time you should be working on these steps. But it is an excellent time to get started.

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