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EDC Flippers for Work & Play

By
Reuben Bolieu
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CRKT (Top) and CobraTec–Two Slick EDC Flippers for Work & Play!

Several months ago, I got the chance to use a multitude of modern folding knives for a project. Two knives stuck out in my mind: CobraTec and CRKT. Let’s delve deeper into these–Two Slick EDC Flippers for Work & Play!

CobraTec Olympian Flipper

The Olympian frame lock knife combines precision engineering with a sleek, ergonomic design. Its lightweight yet durable titanium handle offers superior strength and easy handling. Featuring a right-hand carry clip, it’s perfect for daily tasks. These tasks make it an excellent fit for EDC flippers for work and play.

At its core is a premium M390 steel drop point blade known for excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance, which is ideal for precision cutting. The advanced ball-bearing pivot system allows for quick and reliable blade deployment.

The Olympian frame lock knife features a titanium handle, a M390 steel blade, and a lanyard/glass breaker.

Enhanced with a robust glass breaker and lanyard loop, the Olympian is versatile for everyday and tactical use. It comes with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. Easy maintenance through regular cleaning and sharpening keeps it performing at its best for years.

CRKT Ibis Frame Lock

The Ibis is an essential EDC folding knife inspired by the elegant wading bird. Its blade showcases a striking curve along the spine, making it a standout piece. Designed by Lucas Burnley, this knife is made from top-tier materials, ensuring it’s a dependable partner for all your cutting needs.

The S35VN steel drop point blade features a prominent belly that excels at slicing, while the black stonewash finish perfectly complements the titanium handle. As Burnley succinctly puts it, “It just looks good.” This makes it an excellent EDC flipper.

The Ibis features a strong frame lock and a lightweight titanium handle at 2.90 oz. It has a low-profile pocket clip for easy carry.

With a swift flipper deployment, the Ibis opens effortlessly thanks to the IKBS™ ball bearing pivot. The durable frame lock secures the blade firmly, providing strength and assurance. Weighing a mere 2.90 oz., the lightweight titanium handle makes it easy to carry, while the discreet pocket clip keeps it conveniently within reach.

Carry Mode

Carrying a knife in your pants or pocket is essential, including when wearing your dinner jacket. The Olympian stands out as the gentleman’s knife, designed to sit deep and easily grab without feeling bulky. The Ibis also carried deep but was slightly less sleek, with a subdued black color that attracted less attention. Both fit into the category of discreet EDC flippers.     

EDC Flippers for Work & Play

The Olympian snaps into action with fierce energy, showing a genuine readiness to perform. Featuring a flipper-style opener, the Olympian operates smoothly and sleekly. Meanwhile, the Ibis has thumb studs in addition to the flipper. The Ibis deployed almost as smoothly as the Olympian.

Despite the flipper’s smooth operation, the thumb studs posed a challenge. CRKT should consider eliminating them. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t open the knife using the thumb studs, even after multiple attempts. It’s a flipper!

Liner locks for both Flippers and sleek lanyard holes, too.

Both flippers sliced well and can easily fit the role of a gentleman’s carry knife. Packaging peanuts, leather, light phone cords, 550 paracord, cardboard, and nylon webbing are all part of my cutting gauntlet for folding knives.

The Ibis sliced all materials with authority. It ranked second place in knife tasks. The Olympian was a step ahead in several ways. The narrow blade added to its ability to slice through material, and the generous-sized handle didn’t hurt. 

The author’s cutting gauntlet ranking is as follows: CobraTec Olympian (Bottom), CRKT Ibis.

For more information, please check out CRKT and CobraTec. 

The World’s Biggest Shotguns

By
Travis Pike
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As a shotgun nut, I’m always fascinated to see gauges larger than 12. I once owned a ten gauge goose gun, which was a blast, and I have handled a Browning BPS 10 gauge, but neither of those offered thrills or chills. They are incredible, and I want an Ithaca Mag-10 Roadblocker, but what’s bigger? In fact, what are the world’s biggest shotguns? Let’s start small and work our way up to the most absurd shotguns or shotgun-like weapons. 

The Industrial Shotguns 

Both Remington and Winchester have produced what’s called industrial shotguns. These are the smallest of our biggest shotguns. Industrial shotguns are eight-gauge designs and are used to blast away buildup from kilns, boilers, silos, and more. They launch up to 3-ounce loads, including 3-ounce slugs and zinc loads. 

These massive machines hang from a tripod or are mounted to a table. They certainly aren’t shoulder-fired. These big things are rare and expensive. I wouldn’t be surprised if they require a tax stamp. I can’t find a price or means to buy one without being involved in the industrial industry. 

The KS-23 

Believe it or not, a few KS-23s were imported to the United States in sporting configurations. The KS-23 series are Russian shotguns that use blemished 23mm anti-aircraft barrels. This translates to approximately 6.27 gauge. While these guns can be loaded with buckshot, they were often used more like 40mm less lethal launchers for riot control. 

The KS-23 is our pump action selection for the biggest shotgun. The TOS-123 was the American import option but was banned during the Clinton admin. A few survive and fetch a high price. Owners are forced to reload their own ammo.

The Punt Gun

Punt guns were a genre of massive shotguns that were used to fire massive loads of shot at massive flocks of game birds, typically waterfowl of one sort or another. These guns were mounted to boats and swiveled easily to track flocks. These massive shotguns fired up to a pound of shot! 

Punt guns make it to the third slot of our biggest shotguns list but could alternate depending on the punt gun in question. The eight gauge shotgun was common, but punt guns as large as four gauge existed. These days, they are prohibited for hunting and aren’t in production, but you could still buy one. 

The Beehive Anti-Personnel Round 

Let’s get well out of the realm of normal and get into some massive weapons that fire shotgun-like rounds but aren’t shotguns. For example, 105mm artillery pieces. These massive guns can load rounds like the Beehive Anti-Personnel round, turning an artillery piece into an artillery shotgun that could be direct fired at the enemy. 

The round held approximately 8,000 metal flechettes in a 105mm round. The Beehive Anti-Personnel round was used in Vietnam and was likely handy for shotguns. A person smarter than me on Quora did the math of converting the 105mm and figured out it would be .066 gauge. 

The M1A1 Abrams 

The main gun on the M1A1 Abrams is known for being able to kill absolutely everything! The 120mm main gun has an effective range of 2.2 miles. That same 120mm bore can launch the General Dynamics M1028 canister, which is loaded with 1100 10mm tungsten balls. This modern grapeshot load will turn enemy infantry into a light pink mist. 

The same gentleman who did the math on Quora for the 105mm did the gauge math for the 120mm gun and it’s a .044 gauge. That makes the M1A1 Abrams, loaded with the M1028, the biggest scattergun I can find.

The Biggest Shotguns Ever

I’ve sent an inquiry to an industrial shotgun dealer, but I don’t think I’ll live my dream of destroying a trailer full of watermelons with an eight-gauge shotgun. Realistically, I’m going to go back to the Ithaca Road Blocker as my choice of oversized absurd shotguns because it seems like the world’s biggest shotguns are going to be a little tougher to acquire. 

The Tikka T3X Lite Hunting Rifle (Part 4)

By
P.E. Fitch
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Tikka T3X Hunting Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor

Continued From Part 3

The Tikka T3X Lite Shooting Experience

Tikka T3X Lite Accuracy Summary

It’s not just Tikka, but most companies that sell and market hunting rifles will boast about their products’ 3-shot group sub-MOA capabilities. On the one hand, this is fine for hunting rifles since hunters don’t really take several shots on game during hunting. Conversely, a sample size of three bullet holes in a group is statistically insufficient.

In statistics, a larger sample size always yields better results. This is why I printed two 10-shot groups for the 6.5mm Creedmoor hunting ammo I fired through this Tikka T3X Lite. Even though larger groups are likely to include a wider extreme spread between shots, they also demonstrate a more comprehensive picture of the “cone of fire” that pertains to a specific rifle and bullet combination.

A 20-shot group would be even better than a 10-shot group, and a 30-shot group would beat out a 20-shot group. Unfortunately, rifle ammo isn’t cheap, and shooting careful groups takes a long time. With this Tikka T3X Lite, I fired my 10-shot groups at a very slow pace, about 3 minutes in between shots, while also ensuring that the barrel never got truly hot.

The other data-related benefit of larger rifle groups is that they provide shooters with a more realistic margin of error when determining what their rifle and bullet are truly capable of. Technically, this wouldn’t matter at closer distances. However, being off by 0.25 MOA or 0.10 MOA at longer ranges could mean missing a shot by a few inches or a few feet, depending on that distance. Good rifle shooting is predicated on having good data.

Tikka guarantees its rifles to print 3-shot sub-MOA groups. Is this claim true?

I think so. I shot a cold-bore 0.5-inch 3-shot group with the Winchester Copper Impact ammo with ease. I couldn’t quite do it with the Sig Venari SP and even though the Hornady American Gunner group is approximately. 0.16 inches over the sub-MOA threshold, I’d argue its 10-shot group suggests that the American Gunner has the capability to print smaller groups.

I don’t think this accuracy claim from Tikka is hollow. Again, I would have loved to group other ammo through it, but everything mentioned in Part 3 of this review was product that I previously purchased and already had on hand.

It would be insane to expect that the rifle would print little pretty groups with every cartridge on the market; there would be too much variability. Given my observations with both the Winchester 125-grain Copper Impact and the Hornady American Gunner and the way they grouped, it suggests that Tikka T3X Lite favors bullets that are longer (or heavier).

From my experience, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to proclaim the Tikka T3X Lite in 6.5 mm Creedmoor to be a 1.5 MOA rifle in real-world conditions in its standard configuration. And that’s hard to complain about vis-a-vis a Finnish budget rifle.

Tikka T3X Lite hunting rifle

Tikka T3X Lite Shootability

Shooting with the Leupold Mark4 HD fully magnified on 18x at a distance of 100 yards really facilitated the process. Not only does this scope have great glass and an extremely comfortable eyebox, but I love the Leupold PR1 reticle’s central aiming point. However, at this magnification level, I could clearly see how things like my heartbeat or the aggregate [lack] stability of the Tikka T3X Lite’s stock made the reticle move.

From a pure precision or target-shooting perspective, the standard synthetic stock, though decent and useful in the context of a field gun, leaves something to be desired when it comes to printing neat little groups. Not only is it too light, but the triangular sloping bottom portion tends to slip against rear bags. I found that stabilizing this rifle in the rear requires some finesse. Is it a deal breaker? Hardly.

I’m being nitpicky, and this is a basic hunting rifle, not a target rifle. Hunters don’t need a benchrest rifle to harvest game. However, I have little doubt that removing the synthetic stock and laying down the Tikka T3X Lite’s barreled action in a heavier, better purpose-designed chassis could shrink down groups using the same ammo I showcased in Part 3. The Tikka T3X Lite barreled action harbors a lot of potential.

Not a New Issue

When I reviewed that .22 LR Tikka T1X MTR, I had a similar experience with its basic stock. The barrel and action were capable of printing truly phenomenal ragged-hole groups at 50 yards with match ammo, but I found myself fighting that the stock. The Tikka T1X MTR and the Tikka T3X Lite share the same stock, save for the action’s footprint.

It could be argued that the stock is this rifle’s “weakest” link for this reason, but it also serves to keep Tikka T3X Lite prices reasonable. After all, the best aftermarket riflestocks are anything but cheap.

Recoil-wise, it’s hard to complain about the Tikka T3X Lite, especially because its chambered for 6.5mm Creedmoor, which has fairly mild felt-recoil. A hunter isn’t likely going to shoot 40-60 rounds of expensive hunting ammo every time they hunt. I have no complaints about the included rubber buttpad.

Cycling the Tikka T3X Lite Action

Keeping in mind that this was the first centerfire Tikka of any kind that I’ve ever shot, I thought that the action felt surprisingly smooth, even out of the box, prior to shooting it for the first time.

Physically moving the bolt fore and aft in the raceway yielded no friction points nor did the action need to mildly wear in the way it does in other bolt-action rifles when they’re brand new. Likewise, the interior of the Tikka’s receiver is machined in such a way that it is impossible to bind it.

According to this video I watched while conducting some background research about Tikka rifles, the actions feel slick because the factory in Finland uses a broach-cutting technique that renders work surfaces very smooth during the machining process. The end result of this manufacturing technique is a bolt that can slide smoothly inside the receiver without ever feeling like it could bind while not feeling loose, sloppy, or cheap.

Tangentially, when cycling the Tikka T3X Lite’s action, the ejection of empty casings was also very positive. The Tikka bolt’s ejection mechanism reliably expels empty cases away from the rifle cleanly, regardless of how swift or soft the shooter is moving the bolt.

Because this action is so frictionless, it hardly needs any lubricant. It makes me wonder if Tikka receiver raceways are designed with this smoothness to account for harsh Finnish winter conditions, given the country’s location in the Arctic Circle. Historically, Finnish gunmakers have been some of the most adept at winterizing rifles, especially before the advent of weatherproof synthetic stocks and or other modern materials.

The Takeaway 

Tikka T3X Lite rifles are neither the cheapest nor most expensive hunting rifles on the market. But they do have an excellent price-to-performance ratio. They might actually rate their hype, especially since hunters can own this rifle in a variety of calibers, not just 6.5mm Creedmoor.

After taking the time to shoot and look over this rifle for my review, I can clearly see why they have a cult following and why many shooters are even using Tikka actions as the basis of their customized hunting or precision rifle builds. While the Tikka T3X pattern isn’t as pervasive as anything that resembles the classic Remington 700 action, it’s very clear that the industry is changing that. Tikka rifles are here to stay.

For more information, please visit Choose.Tikka.fi/USA.

Tikka T3X Lite hunting rifle 6.5 mm creedmoor

Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of my Tikka T3X Lite Hunting Rifle Review series.

Riot Gun – The Origin Story

By
Travis Pike
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Where did the term riot gun come from? That was my question, and I couldn’t find many resources explaining how riot guns came to be. The term riot gun typically applies to a shotgun, but in the modern world, you might call 40mm less-lethal launchers riot guns as well. Historically, a riot gun referred to a shotgun, specifically a shotgun with a shorter-than-average barrel. 

Riot shotguns are typically very similar to a traditional sporting shotgun, but the barrel is trimmed to 18 to 20 inches. Most guns that wear the riot moniker are pump action guns. Winchester, Remington, Marlin, and more have attached the name Riot to their short-barrel shotguns. 

The most obvious answer to my question is that they were used during riots, right? However, were riots the main reason police had shotguns in the early 1900s? Was it that bad of a problem? I know police used riot guns for all sorts of problems. Holloways Radiers in Texas formed shotgun squads with riot guns to prevent armed robberies, but they didn’t call them armed robbery guns. 

The Origin of the Riot Gun

I tracked down the first use of the term to 1886. The Logansport Daily Journal, a newspaper in Indiana. However, I can’t find much more than that. In 1886, it would have very likely been a double-barrel shotgun. The term comes to use by Winchester to describe the 1897 riot gun, and numerous other companies producing short-barreled pump shotguns call their guns riot guns as well. 

The use by manufacturers was by default marketing that tried to sell the gun for riot control. How many riots were police dealing with in this era? Luckily, it’s pretty well recorded. It turns out a lot. We have riots every so often these days, but in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s, we had a lot. 

There were race riots, anti-immigrant riots, Union riots, and more. Riots these days often result in a lot of property damage, but deaths are seemingly fairly rare. In this era, these riots were intense, with dozens of deaths. There were 28 killed in the 1900 New Orleans riot. The 1905 Chicago Teamster strike resulted in 21 deaths and over 400 injuries. A riot in East St. Louis resulted in an estimated 160 deaths. 

It seems like a dozen riots a year was fairly average, and most had multiple deaths and a ton of injuries. Not to mention property destruction. Riots were a serious threat in the newly urbanized parts of America. This meant that the police needed more than their revolvers to exercise control. 

Why The Shotgun?

Shotguns were common, fairly cheap, and sturdy guns. They are powerful and intimidating, but mostly, they fired a multitude of munitions. You could field an M1903 in .30-06, but you’re only getting one result, and that’s death. Shotguns could be loaded with a variety of munitions. Remember, this era wasn’t one where safety and risk mitigation reigned supreme. 

Birdshot was a daily common round to use when you didn’t want to kill someone. They made a conversion for Tommy guns to fire small birdshot rounds for riot control. That was an expensive option. A shotgun with eight shots wasn’t expensive. Let’s be clear, birdshot can kill, but the likelihood gets lower and lower the smaller shot you use and the more range applied. 

These days, we know birdshot is a terrible cartridge for self-defense and equally terrible for ‘less’ lethal roles. This was a different era, and cops seemed content to use birdshot to quell riots or to at least contain them. It sounds insane, but remember Dick Cheney shot an elderly man in the face with birdshot, and the man who was shot apologized to Dick Cheney. 

Police could use shot skipping to bounce various shot off the ground and into the legs of rioters. This decreased velocity even further and prevented direct shots from being taken. 

Shipping shot is really easy

Police of the era could also use rock salt to deter rioters. It would hurt but was even less likely to cause permanent damage than light birdshot. Wood baton rounds existed as far back as the 1880s, but I can’t find any reference to their use in American riot guns. 

The Riot Gun 

As munitions evolved, the idea of a shotgun as a less lethal alternative continued. We saw the development of rubber bullets, bean bags, and even taser rounds. The riot gun stuck around, although tactics and deployment changed. We are likely seeing the sunset of the riot shotgun, and the larger and more capable 40mm and 37mm weapons are replacing them. 

I’m not totally satisfied with the conclusions I’ve come to, but it’s the closest I can come to explaining the riot gun as a genre and where they came from. 

Warm, Dry, and Comfortable — 5.11 Tactical’s XTU LT3 Jacket

By
Jim Cobb
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XTU LT3 Jacket
Photo credit: 5.11 Tactical

I recently received the new XTU LT3 Jacket from 5.11 Tactical. It’s part of their V.XI™ line, which we’ll get to in a minute. What you need to know right off the bat is that this is one of the most comfortable jackets I’ve ever worn. And this is coming from a guy who lives in the upper Midwest, where outerwear is serious business.

What is the V.XI™ Collection?

5.11 Tactical has built a reputation for innovation and functionality, and the XTU LT3 Jacket embodies those traits perfectly. Their goal has long been to design and create high-quality gear that will function well in demanding situations. The V.XI™ line was designed in collaboration with top-tier teams. The products are durable and well-suited for professionals who demand high-performing gear.

XTU LT3 Jacket Specs

The jacket is available in five colors: Black, Range Red, Storm (gray), Ranger Green, or Dark Navy. I went with basic black for mine. The XTU LT3 has an adjustable hem with an internal shock cord system. Something I appreciate is that the back hem dips low enough to cover my butt, which helps with warmth.

Notice the posterior protection. Photo credit: Jim Cobb.

The body is 100% nylon dobby, with durable taffeta panels located at high-wear areas. There’s a bit of swish noise as you walk about, but nothing obnoxious. The insulation is 100% polyester quilted PrimaLoft Gold. Grid fleece panels along the side body and underarm allow for breathability.

The ReadyPocket is great for a wallet or cell phone. Photo credit: 5.11 Tactical.

There are hand pockets on either side, along with a left chest pocket called a ReadyPocket™. All three are secured by low-profile YKK zippers. There are loop patch platforms (4” x 6”) on both upper sleeves. Personally, I’m not much of a patch guy, but I know plenty of folks who collect and display them.

Two loop patch platforms allow for plenty of patch opportunities. Photo credit: Jim Cobb.

How Does It Perform?

I’ve had the XTU LT3 Jacket for a few weeks now. As I noted at the outset, this jacket is immensely comfortable. I’ve reached the age where comfort is more important than style, but fortunately, the XTU LT3 features both.

My wife and I went on a hike last weekend, and it was about 22F with the wind chill. And it was fairly windy for most of the hike, just for the record. I paired the XTU LT3 with a lightweight hoodie and T-shirt and I was plenty warm the entire time. I probably could have gotten away with just a thick flannel shirt under the jacket, but I pretty much live in hoodies all fall and winter.

Just today, we got about seven inches of snow. I ended up shoveling the driveway three separate times to keep up with the snowfall. Not only was I warm enough with the LT3, but its water-resistant construction kept me dry. I love the breathability of the jacket, too.

While this is definitely a winter coat, I wouldn’t toss out the Michelin Man puffy jacket. The XTU LT3 is warm enough for mild winter days, but if the temps drop down to zero or below, you’ll want to add more layers.

All in all, the XTU LT3 is definitely a winner. It retails for $180 at the 5.11 Tactical website.

EDC Transit Bag

By
Reuben Bolieu
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The Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag is perfect for traveling in the woods or a crowded city!

Drawing inspiration from WWII gas mask bags, the EDC Transit Bag offers a versatile and durable way to carry your essential gear. This compact bag keeps you prepared for smart travel, whether you’re in the woods or navigating the concrete jungle!

The EDC Transit Bag

This design blends seamlessly into various environments while maximizing utility. It includes Velcro for attaching patches or extra pouches, along with diagonal MOLLE webbing that adds a unique style. The flap pocket offers easy access to your most frequently used items. On the back, you’ll discover more webbing loops and an additional exterior pocket for convenience.

The Transit Bag features XPAC material, which is lightweight, durable, and highly water-resistant. The rear sleeve provides an ideal spot to stash a tablet, notebook, or other flat items. The main compartment features Velcro fields that allow space for EDC accessories or extra pouches. The front inner panel is equipped with hidden sleeves that are perfect for your pens, lights, multitools, and other small essentials.

Packed up, the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag has ample room for all your EDC needs.

The Woods Monkey Exclusive version stands out with its sleek Coyote Brown exterior and striking goldenrod interior, ensuring maximum visibility. It features a custom sleeve, expertly explicitly designed for your Banana Peel folder, making it practical and stylish.

Overbuilt Transit Bag

The Transit Bag, part of Blue Ridge Overland Gear’s Triple Run product line, is expertly crafted to organize outdoor and off-road gear. It is designed to withstand a lifetime of use and abuse. With enhanced attachment options and superior modularity, this bag is an essential companion for all your adventures. 

The back of the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag has a zippered pocket and a convenient handle.

It measures 10.5 x 10.5 x 4 inches and is constructed from durable X-Pac material. The adjustable Mil-spec 2-inch webbing shoulder strap has a quick-release buckle for convenience. Proudly made in Virginia, U.S.A., by Blue Ridge Overland Gear, the Transit Bag also comes with a lifetime warranty, affirming its quality and commitment to performance.

Pack It

Some items to consider in an EDC bag are:

  • Multi-tool
  • Water Bottle
  • Umbrella
  • Sunglasses
  • Gloves and Beenie (in winter)
  • Phone Chargers
  • Powerbanks
  • Earbuds
  • Notebooks and Pens
  • Tablet Device

EDC Transit  Adventures

When I first received the EDC Transit Bag, it was winter in the Northeast. I packed the contents of my day hiking pack into the EDC Transit Bag with no issues with space. It was super convenient when I needed to retrieve my trail gaiters, water, or possibles pouch. One remarkable fact about using a Transit Bag (sachel, haversack) is the absence of a sweaty back. More ventilation and versatility than a backpack gets a vote in my book. 

Here’s the author’s EDC loadout using the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag.

EDC mode was fulfilling. I used it for errands, grocery shopping, and short travel trips. This bag style easily blends with the environment and doesn’t attract unnecessary attention. It’s much easier to maneuver crowds, buses, trains, and airplanes with a transit-style bag than a backpack. 

For versatility, ditch the shoulder strap and use the sturdy, comfortable handle for briefcase carry. You can’t go wrong with the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag! MSRP: $139.00.


For more information, please check out Woods Monkey and Blue Ridge Overland Gear.

What Makes Good Gun Movies

By
Travis Pike
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I’m a huge fan of movies. I love good action movies and bad action movies, and like any guy, even if it is just a little into guns, I like movies with guns. I’ve watched lots and lots of gun movies and have come to a few conclusions on what makes a good gun movie. There are three distinct ways gun movies can be good. Sometimes, these three features can crisscross between movies, but just one of these factors can make a great gun movie. 

It’s Just Fun 

One of my favorite gun movies is Shoot ’em Up. It has this weird anti-gun theme, but it’s also glorifying guns to an extreme degree. Is this a clever satire? No, it’s just dumb and fun. It’s an adult version of Bugs Bunny with the main character killing enough bad guys to fill a Communist’s mass grave. 

These movies are over the top, they’re crazy, and they use real guns. They can be silly, like Shoot’ Em Up, or serious, like The Matrix, but they are fun. Movies like John Wick cross into this territory as well. We see gratuitous action, tons of guns, and lots and lots of bad guys getting what they deserve. 

The fun gun movie genre makes up most of our favorite gun movies. The guns are often a hero or star, like the 336 in Streets of Fire or the various Taran Tactical Guns in John Wick. These movies send you searching for the gun used by characters and patiently waiting for the nerds at IMFDB to update the site. 

It’s Kinda Realistic 

Gun guys and gals like realistic gun handling. The movie doesn’t have to be realistic, but we want the way the actors handle the guns to be somewhat realistic. John Wick comes into this territory. Wick might be incredibly over-the-top in terms of action, but it delivers excellent gun handling. Keanu Reeves was famously trained extensively in firearms to look good in the movie. 

Michael Mann champions realistic gun handling in the gun movie genre. Flicks like Collateral, Heat, Miami Vice, and more take the gunplay seriously. It’s loud, the actors are skilled with their weapons, and the weapon handling is rock solid. 

Gun nerds like me lose it when we see a proper reload, a Mozambique drill, or something that is part of gun culture that doesn’t always escape the gun culture. To me, the best part of Wonder Woman was when Chris Pine port-loaded an M1897. Seeing it on the big screen is huge, and it always makes us happy. 

The Gun Matters 

The rarest of these three factors in making a good gun movie is making the gun matter. Oftentimes, the hero needs a gun, but it rarely matters which one. It doesn’t make a difference if Wick uses a P30L or a Pit Viper, he’s going to win and his skills give him an advantage more than anything else. 

Movies where the gun makes a difference are the best, to me, anyway. For example, in The Expendables, Terry Crews wields an AA-12. It’s used to shred the bad guys that have our heroes cornered and used to blow up a tower with a FRAG-12, and the noise even scares the bad guys. Rambo and his M2 .50 Cal in Burma is another example. 

The best example comes from a little-known movie called The Dark Valley. It’s a German western where a young man seeking vengeance returns to his small village with a Winchester rifle. The bad guys are used to single-shot rifles and double-barrel shotguns, and the Winchester rifle makes a huge difference in the film. 

Good Gun Movies

These are the three factors I think make a good gun movie. They can swerve and work together or be alone in one film. Just one can make a fun and exciting movie that tickles the interests of gun guys and gals. 

Purple Haze All Around – Benchmade’s Gold Class Mini Barrage

By
Jim Cobb
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Gold Class Mini Barrage

Benchmade’s Gold Class is a high-end category of premium knife manufacturing. These custom knives are the best of the best that they have to offer. They feature hand-finished elements, premium materials, and top-of-the-line packaging.

Let’s be clear, right up front. The knives in the Gold Class are high-quality productions and look as well as they function. In some cases, it might be difficult to bring yourself to actually use the knife simply because you don’t want to muck up the finish or something. While that’s certainly up to personal choice, make no mistake. These knives are made to work. They’ll just look amazing while doing it.

The 2025 Gold Class 585BK-251 Mini Barrage is the latest offering in this lineup.

Features

Photo credit: Benchmade.

The Mini Barrage model has been around for a bit. It was the debut platform for Benchmade’s AXIS Assist mechanism. Simply flick the thumb stud, and the assisted open takes over, snapping the blade into position and locking it into place with authority. To close the knife, pull back on the safety switch, then fold the blade into position.

This Gold Class iteration adds eye-catching visuals to a truly practical design. The handle features premium purple haze Fatcarbon scales. More on that material in a moment.

The blade is CPM-S90V stainless steel with a DCL Battlewash coating. As a practical matter, this means that the knife is ready for real-world use and abuse rather than strictly being a safe queen. The S90V is a true super steel and has corrosion resistance superior to 440C. This is a drop point blade, which is one of the most versatile blade profiles available.

Photo credit: Benchmade.

This Gold Class Mini Barrage is equipped with a reversible pocket clip, so you can swap it around for right- or left-handed carry. There’s also a lanyard attachment point at the base. Adding to the ambidextrousness, the thumb stud is present on both sides of the knife, and the AXIS lock is accessible from either side as well.

What is Fatcarbon?

Standard carbon fiber is available in black or gray. Fatcarbon involves integrated colored polymers or metals that are layered during the manufacturing process. This results in truly stunning patterns. The material isn’t just eye candy, either. It’s very strong, yet lightweight. It is also highly resistant to impact and delamination. It’s a popular choice for handle scales because it’s relatively easy to machine and looks amazing when it’s done.

Assisted vs. Automatic

Assisted open knives bridge the gap between manual and automatic. They’re a great option for those who need a reliable way to open a folding knife with one hand but for whom automatic knives might not be practical, ideal, or legal. They’re designed such that an internal spring encourages the blade into the open position once it has been manually pushed beyond a certain point.

Limited Availability

The Gold Class 525BK-251 Mini Barrage is limited to just 3,500 pieces. They are only available in 2025. In many respects, this is the ultimate EDC knife for someone who favors visual appeal as much as practicality.

It has an MSRP of $500. You can find it at all of the expected haunts, including Benchmade.com, DLT Trading, Knife Center, and Blade HQ.

SHOT 2025 Rifle Round Up

By
Tim Stetzer
-

You can’t turn a corner at SHOT Show without tripping over yet another new AR, but they aren’t the only rifles at the show. SHOT 2025 still had plenty of other things to see, and especially if they were a little odd, I probably saw them. Here are 10 that caught my eye throughout the week. A few I arguably could have put in my AR round-up, but since they aren’t semi-autos I added them here. Let’s take a look, and you can see what I mean.

Savage Revel .22LR Lever Action

On Industry Day at the Range, I had a chance to try Savage’s new Revel .22LR lever action rifle. I saw the press release on these and am already interested. After shooting one, it’s on my must-own list.

The Revel is a US-made take-down lever action rifle with walnut stocks. The action is extremely slick, and it’s got a great trigger for a lever action. They hold a dozen rounds of .22LR ammo, and I’m curious if they’ll feed Shorts as well. There’s a Classic version and the DLX version with upgraded wood, shown here.

Shipping was delayed a bit as Savage decided to add a threaded barrel. They made it so that you can still access the loading tube without taking the suppressor off, too. That’s a great touch. .22 magnum and .17 HMR models will follow later this year. MSRP for the Classic model is $439, while the DLX model is $539.

Mossberg Patriot Carbine .308

Mossberg had its Patriot Carbine with a 16-inch barrel at the show. Chambered in .308, it feeds from a 5-round drop-box magazine. The Patriot comes with a threaded barrel and synthetic stock. It has a top-mounted Picatinny rail for mounting optics and an adjustable trigger. The Patriot is available in a number of other caliber and barrel lengths as well. MSRP for the 16-inch .308 model is $515.00.

Faxon Firearms M1 Garand barrels for the CMP

Okay this isn’t a straight rifle post, but I think it’s worth covering. Faxon Firearms is working with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) to provide new barrels for shot out surplus guns. CMP is using them in their rebuilds, and they’re available for you to buy directly from Faxon as well. MSRP is $270.65.

If you have an older Garand that needs a new barrel these are a great option. Aside from being an excellent barrel, a portion of every sale goes directly to the CMP to help with their marksmanship training programs.

Harrington & Richardson Lever Actions in .357 Magnum

This one surprised me a bit. H&R has been putting out a great stream of retro M16 clones since their rebirth. I did not see a lever action coming though. They had three versions on display, all chambered in .357 Magnum. The rifles look to be on the Winchester 92 pattern.

They had adjustable sights, fiber optic front sights, and threaded barrels. H&R had a full tube, blued model with wood stock, a case-hardened one with a half magazine tube, and a stainless one with synthetic stocks and a Picatinny rail on the rack. The plan is to bring out a variety of barrel lengths and finishes. .44 magnum and .45 Colt models are also planned.

Rifle calibers like .30-30 and .45-70 are a possibility down the road as well. H&R is hoping for a second-quarter 2025 release of the first guns. Pricing isn’t set yet, but is said to be competitive with other guns on the market.

DSA/Harrington & Richardson T48 7.62 NATO

H&R gets another spot on my list with the release of the T48 in 7.62 NATO. I had a chance to talk with Mike Wetteland, who heads up H&R at the show. As many of you know, the M14 was tested against the FAL back in the 1950’s. H&R made the T48 trial guns under license from FN for those trials.

The new T48 is actually a collaboration between H&R and DSA. That makes sense, since DSA has so much experience with the FAL platform. The new guns are modeled closely on an original T48. The wood stocks and stripper clip guide stand out the most, and there are a number of other differences between the T48 and an FN gun.

The T48s are expected to ship around mid-summer, and again there’s not a price set yet. If you’re an FAL fan or a fan of US military service rifles, then this is one to look out for.

Rossi SS Poly Survival Rifle .45/.410

Rossi came out with their single shot .45 Colt/.410 Survival Rifle last year at SHOT. I wanted one after seeing it, then. But things got away from me, and I never picked one up. I’m kind of glad I waited, though, because this year, they had a slick new version with a side folding stock.

The SS Poly Survival Rifle has a 16-inch barrel and only weighs a bit over 3 pounds. Especially now, with the side folding stock, it would make a great camp, truck, boat, or ATV gun. The new version isn’t showing on Rossi’s website yet, but the MSRP listed at the show was $356.99.

Taurus Expedition Rifle .308

Most of you are probably familiar with Taurus handguns, but they had a bolt-action rifle on display, too. The new Expedition Rifle is based on the proven Remington 700 action and is chambered in .308 Winchester. It has an 18-inch hammer-forged barrel that Taurus is guaranteeing will shoot sub-MOA groups. It has a synthetic stock and takes AICS pattern magazines.

The one they had at the show was tricked out with optics and a suppressor to give you an idea of how you can set it up. MSRP is $984.99, and they’re available now.

Fightlite Herring Lever Action 5.56mm

This is another gun that made its appearance a while ago but is finally getting ready to ship. The Fightlite Herring uses an AR upper but is coupled with Fightlite’s lever action lower receiver. It will be available in both 5.56mm and .300 Blackout and feeds from standard AR pattern magazines.

It’s a slick rifle and a nice option for folks in ban states. It also would be a great hunting platform, especially in places like my home state of Pennsylvania, where you can’t hunt with semi autos. The .300 Blackout version will make a great suppressor platform, too, I’m thinking. MSRP is $1,699.99 and the Fightlite folks assure me that they really will be shipping soon.

Bear Creek BC-15 Bolt Action AR .350 Legend

Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) had its bolt action BC-15 uppers on display at SHOT. Just announced in December these were initially available in .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster. I see they’ve since added .223 Wylde, 5.56mm, and 6.5 Grendel to that list. Barrel lengths are available, ranging from 16 to 22 inches.

The uppers feature black anodized uppers and MLOK handguards and either Black Nitride or Parkerized finished barrels. These will drop onto any standard AR-15 lower half for either a new build or to convert your semi into a bolt gun. Which again would be handy for a ban state, or a state with hunting limitations like Pennsylvania. MSRP goes from $339.99 to $439.99 depending on caliber and configuration.

Southern Cross Small Arms Taipan X Pump Action .223 Wylde

This last one might be my favorite weird find at the show. At first glance, it looks like an AR-style semi-auto rifle. In fact, the Taipan X is its own creature and a pump action to boot. Built by Southern Cross Small Arms, this is already a proven design in Australia. The Taipan X is being imported to the US by Legacy Sports International.

The first models will be chambered in .223 Wylde, with .300 Blackout models to follow. The Taipan X has a 16.5-inch threaded stainless barrel. The stock and receivers are available in Burnt Bronze, FDE, Black, and Dark Gray colors. The rifle uses an AR-style pistol grip and comes with a skeletonized stock. A folding stock adapter is also available. It has a full-length Picatinny rail and MLOK slots on the handguard.

The pump is spring-assisted and fast to operate. You can also operate the Taipan X as a straight-pull rifle with a left-side mounted cocking knob. The Taipan uses standard AR magazines. Like the Herring, this is a great option for folks in ban states, which makes sense coming out of Australia, which has had a semi-auto ban for some time now.

I’ve long liked the idea of a pump action rifle that takes AR mags, and the Taipan X is already a proven design in Australia. I think I’m going to hold out for a .300 Blackout model, but this one is on my list for 2025. MSRP starts at $979.00.

SHOT Show 2025: New AR Rifles and Pistols

By
Tim Stetzer
-

You can’t walk 10 feet at the SHOT Show without running into an AR pattern rifle. It would be a Herculean task to cover them all, but here are ten that caught my eye as I wandered the show floor throughout the week in no particular order.

1. Wraithworks WARP-15 5.56mm

Starting on the Monday before SHOT Show is Industry Day at the Range, where media and industry folks get to try out some of the new releases. I first saw the Wraithworks WARP-15 at last year’s Industry Day and had been watching for its release throughout the year. Well, it’s finally available, and I had a chance to take another look at it, and I’m still intrigued.

The WARP-15 uses a modified KE Arms lower half and a unique Wraithworks upper. The upper uses an aluminum core under an injection-molded polymer shell. This allows for a very lightweight build while still having the strength of an alloy receiver. The WARP uses a 16-inch pencil barrel, flared mag well, 50-degree ambidextrous safety, trapdoor, QD points, and a compensator.

It’s chambered in .223 Wylde and weighs barely over 5 pounds. MSRP is a very reasonable $499.00. If you’re in the market for an ultralight weight AR, this one is worth checking out.

For more information, please visit Wraithworks.com.

2. Faxon ION-X Ultralight .338 ARC Pistol

Faxon Firearms is well known for its excellent barrels. Their complete firearms are nicely made as well, and the latest chamber is the hot new .338 ARC. They’re making a 16-inch rifle and a 12.5-inch pistol. The ION-X Ultralight Pistol was on display at their booth and it’s impressive.

It’s built on a Faxon upper and lower, with their BCG, a 12.5-inch barrel with Faxon’s Muzzlelok flash hider, carbon fiber handguards, and an SBA3 brace. MSRP is $1,545.00

For more information, please visit Faxon Firearm.

3. H&R Retro DOE 9mm Pistol

I was pretty excited by the H&R 9mm 635 clone that launched last year at SHOT Show. This year, they have an ever rarer model, the DOE 9mm pistol. Based upon the Colt 633 subgun used by the Department of Energy in the 1980’s. It uses a 7.4-inch barrel with the unique DOE forend and front sight assembly. The DOE feeds from Colt SMG magazines and, being a pistol, is fitted with the ACR015 style H&R HAR-15 brace. MSRP is $1,199.99.

For more information, please visit Harrington & Richardson.

4. DPMS Kitty Kat .300 AAC

DPMS had a number of new releases at SHOT, but the .300 AAC Kitty Kat drew me right in. Last year, DPMS brought back the Kitty Kat in its original 5.56mm caliber. With its 7.5-inch barrel, I’m sure it’s a real flame thrower. I still wanted one, but I have to admit I find the .300 AAC model more tempting.

.300 works well out of a short barrel and should be pretty pleasant to shoot. It would work with my Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light HD .36 suppressor and a Gate-Lok hub too. The Kitty Kat uses a C7-style upper and comes with a HAR-15 brace. MSRP is $799.99, which I thought was pretty reasonable.

For more information, please visit DPMS Panther Arms.

5. Daniel Defense DD PCC 9mm

Daniel Defense had the DD PCC on display. It’s a 9mm platform available in pistol, rifle, and SBR form. It uses an ambidextrous lower that takes CZ Scorpion mags. The upper and lower are dedicated for the build and are shorter than standard AR receivers. The pistol version comes with an 8.3-inch barrel and 7-inch MLOK rail. It’s equipped with an SBA3 brace. MSRP on the DD PCC is $1,949.00.

For more information, please visit Daniel Defense.

6. Bushmaster V-Radicator 6mm ARC

Bushmaster had a number of new V-Radicator rifles on display, including one in 6mm ARC. It features a 21-inch fluted 416R stainless steel barrel and a 17” BRAVO ZULU MLOK Handguard. It’s also fitted with a Magpul MOE K2-XL grip and PR Carbine Stock. The 6mm ARC versions that they had at SHOT Show aren’t on the website yet, but should be showing up soon. MSRP is $1,100.95.

For more information, please visit Bushmaster Firearms.

7. Palmetto State Armory Mixtape .338 ARC

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) previewed the new Mixtape at SHOT. This is a suppressor-optimized AR pistol chambered in .300 Blackout or .338 ARC. They had a .338 on display at the show. It uses an 8-inch barrel, PSA dual ejector E4 bolt, and a PSA Sabre trigger along with a Radian charging handle.

The Mixtape is fitted with an SB Tactical brace, a B5 Systems pistol grip, and a newly designed Reptilia handguard. .300’s will ship first with .338’s following later. MSRP is expected to be about $1,000, which is a lot less than similar guns on the market.

For more information, please visit Palmetto State Armory.

8. Global Ordnance Monolith 5.56mm

I almost hesitated to add the Global Ordnance Monolith to the AR list because it really is a departure from our standard AR. Not only is it a bufferless design, it also uses a unique one-piece barrel machined from a single piece of 41v50 ordnance-grade steel. The barrel combines the bore, barrel extension, gas block, and Dead Air KeyMo muzzle brake into a single, seamless part. Global Ord says that this provides superior accuracy, reliability, and better suppressor concentricity.

They combine this with a new heavy-duty bolt design. The Monolith also uses an interlocking upper receiver and MLOK handguard for added stability. It’s fitted with a B5 Systems P-Grip 23 and an adjustable F5 Modular Stock. It’s a slick setup and really needs a dedicated follow-up to unpack. MSRP is listed at $1,234.99, and there is also a 12.5-inch pistol version available.

For more information, please visit Global Ordnance.

9. Diamondback Firearms DB10 .308 Winchester

Diamondback Firearms had a good number of new releases for SHOT Show. One that caught my eye was the 16-inch DB 10 in .308 Winchester. The one they had on display had a two-tone finish with OD lower and MLOK rail and a black upper. It was fitted with a B5 Systems grip, stock, and foregrip in M81 Woodland camo pattern. MSRP on the 16-inch DB10 was $1177.

For more information, please visit Diamondback Firearms.

10. Bersa BAR15 16 in MFT .300 Blackout

I have to admit this last one surprised me. I know ARs are common now, but I had no idea that Bersa was making them. They’re made in the US at their Kennesaw, Georgia plant. According to the website, they were made at the request of Argentine law enforcement and military agencies.

They had 16-inch 5.56mm and .300 Blackout rifles and pistols in those calibers plus 9mm. The BAR15 comes with a 15-inch MLOK rail and is fitted with Mission First Tactical stock, grip, and magazine. Weight is just 6.4 pounds. MSRP on the .300 Blackout model was $899.00.

For more information, please visit Bersa USA.

The Tikka T3X Lite Hunting Rifle (Part 3)

By
P.E. Fitch
-
Tikka T3X Lite Hunting Rifle

Continued From Part 2

The Barrel  

Tikka T3X Lite

In Parts 1 and 2 of the Tikka T3X Lite review, I’ve described many parts or manufacturing strategies that Tikka employs to help keep these rifles affordable.

On the flip side, Tikka barrels are an area where this Finnish rifle maker doesn’t gloss over any detail. Tikka barrels are a big source of Tikka rifles’ “notoriety,” reputation for accuracy, and pride. In true European fashion, Tikka cold hammer forges all of its barrels. 

Ironically, the Tikka isn’t the only hunting rifle with a hammer-forged barrel that I’m currently reviewing. The other would be the Taurus Expedition bolt-action rifle. While conducting some background research for that project, I took a deeper dive into the process of cold hammer forging gun barrels.

To keep it short and sweet, the molecular structure of metal morphs, hardens, and ultimately becomes stronger when metals are stressed with external mechanical or kinetic forces, including impacts, hammer blows, repetitive bending, etc.

The phenomenon is known as work-hardening. With regards to the manufacture of gun barrels, barrel blanks are placed on mandrels and then passed through massive hammer machines that strike the blank from all directions. These violent impacts not only work to harden the barrel, but the blows transfer the mandrel’s external shape onto the interior of the blank to form rifling.

When executed properly, cold hammer-forged barrels can be extremely durable and accurate.

24 inches x 6.5 mm Creedmoor 

The particular Tikka T3X Lite that’s the subject of this review has a 24.1-inch barrel with a 1:8 rifling twist. A benefit of fielding a rifle with a 24-inch barrel is that the extra length promotes higher muzzle velocities by giving the propellant plenty of bore space to fully combust and develop.

1:8 rifling tends to be on the faster side of twist rates, but for 6.5 mm Creedmoor, it is the default. Barrels with 1:8 twists have no issue stabilizing projectiles ranging from 100 grains to 140 grains. This practically envelops the entire spectrum of .264” bullets meant for 6.5mm Creedmoor loads, from light hyper-fast varmint rounds to heavy game bullets.

Because the Tikka T3X is a hunting rifle, its barrel sports a lighter contour and can withstand 3 to 5 fired rounds before it starts to heat up. As the Tikka T3X Lite is technically a [really nice] “budget rifle,” its muzzle is plain without any fancy crown, cut threads, or any other additional features.

Visually, the barrel does not appear to be fully free-floated, given the way it makes contact with the stock. But this also doesn’t seem like a hindrance to the gun’s ability to shoot.

Grouping The Tikka T3X Lite Stainless 

Due to the nature of this Christmastime review, I had the honor of mounting and leveling the Leupold Mark4 HD scope to this Tikka T3X Lite along with a Leupold 20 MOA scope base and Leupold 34mm Backcountry rings. This means I also got to take the first shots through the brand-new rifle in order to zero the Mark4 HD.

The round count at the time of this writing is nearly 100 rounds, with roughly half of them fired to group the rifle and the other half at steel targets from distances covering 300 to 830 yards. (And this 24-inch barrel and fantastic scope will have no problem pushing projectiles further). 

Over two different range sessions in overcast and chilly 40°F weather, I fired each of the three factory 6.5mm Creedmoor loads that I already had on hand. These included the 129-grain SIG-Sauer Venari soft points, the 125-grain Winchester Copper Impact (copper solid polymer tip) and the 140 grain Hornady American Gunner Match boat tail hollow point.

With each cartridge*, I fired two 10-round groups slowly, while making sure the barrel didn’t get too hot. During the second range session, I also fired a 3-round group to confirm Tikka’s sub-MOA 3-shot group guarantee that they stake on the Tikka T3X Lite. Even with my modest rifle-shooting skills, I was able to verify that this claim was true.

For all shots taken, I relied on the Magpul MOE bipod that directly clamps to the sling swivel stud and a rear bag.

Author’s Note

*I had to shoot on separate trips because of very cold rain and the loss of daylight towards the end of the first session. While the 140-grain Hornady American Gunner BTHP is a target/match round and not a hunting round, I decided to shoot one 10-round and one 3-round group because I wanted to have something to check off the 140-grain category.

Tikka T3X Lite Range Results (100 Yards) 

Winchester 125 Grain Copper Impact

That bullet hole on the upper left was a terrible flier and completely my fault*

Notes: Because solid copper is less dense than lead, copper projectiles have more volume for the same amount of weight. In this case, the 125-grain Winchester Copper Impact bullet is closer in size to traditional lead core 140-grain bullets. It’s just my hunch and nothing more, but it seems that the Tikka performs a tad better with longer projectiles. (Look at the mean radius of the Hornady American Gunner groups below, too). I’d bring this Winchester Copper Impact cartridge + this Tikka T3X Lite on a hunt with confidence.

SIG-Sauer Venari 129 Grain Soft Point

#4 was technically a flier, a happy little accident.
The flier is from a different rifle and cartridge.

Notes: You’ll notice that the Garmin chrono data has two separate dates because I got rained out during the first session and simply continued chronographing the box the next day. The 2.42-inch 10-shot group was fired in cold rain during twilight, and I decided to call it a day. I fired the other 10-shot group the next day.

Even though this ammo has the widest mean radii, biggest groups, and worst numbers on paper, I still managed to ding a coyote steel silhouette with these SIG Venari rounds at 830 yards on the first shot (I had to dial 26.75 MOA of elevation and hold at least 4-5 MOA to the left in order to account for spin drift at that distance).

Given that a deer’s vitals are approximately 8 MOA, even with the slightly wider groups (no doubt some of this is on me as the shooter), this rifle and cartridge combination is likely fine for standard deer hunting at standard distances—call it 300 yards.

Hornady American Gunner 140 Grain BTHP

Tikka T3X Lite Hunting rifle ballistics

Notes: I bought this ammo for a different 6.5mm Creedmoor rifle review. Because it comes in boxes of 50 rounds, I took aside 13 rounds just to shoot through the Tikka. The official 3-shot group isn’t technically sub-MOA and that was partially my fault with the third bullet hole.

In spite of the overall lateral dispersion, the core of the Hornady American Gunner ammo’s 10-shot group is the tightest, especially if one were to ignore holes #9 and #10.

I will address some of this lateral movement in the next installment of my Tikka T3X Lite hunting rifle review.

To Be Continued In Part 4

Governor Desantis Pitches a 2A Tax Holiday

By
Travis Pike
-

As a Floridian, I enjoy the lack of an income tax, which has the downside of a six percent sales tax plus applicable county and city sales taxes. We give more than we receive to the Feds. Sales tax can be a pain, and as a Floridian, we have a tradition of Sales Tax holidays. The two most notable are the Back to School Tax Holiday and the Hurricane Prep Tax Holiday. 

If Governor Desantis gets his wish, we’ll soon have a 2A Tax Holiday. Not just a day, weekend, or week, but a 2nd Amendment Summer. Desantis proposed the 2A Tax Holiday with his new state budget. The plan would eliminate sales tax on any guns, ammo, and related accessories. This effectively chops off 6% of the price. 

The Value of a Tax Holiday 

As a man who despises taxes and loves guns, this is clearly good news. This could knock tens of dollars off your average firearm sale. What immediately came to my mind was paying a little less for ammo. The 2A Summer Tax Holiday could knock a 6% minimum off a box of ammo. 

Let’s say I combine that with my Academy Card which gets me 5% of my purchase. If I combine those two, I’m looking at a minimum of 11%, but in reality, it will be closer to 13% when they eliminate local taxes, too. If I head to the Academy and buy steel-cased Monarch ammo, it typically costs 10.80 after taxes. 

Cash Stash

Minus the taxes and my Academy card, I’m paying less than ten dollars a box out the door. That’s almost pre-Covid prices. I could get a .223 brass case for less than .45 cents a round. That’s fantastic.

The summer is a big sales slump for the gun industry. This could be a fairly nice boost to the industry, at least from Florida. As someone who loves the industry they’re in, I want to see it succeed. I’m not sure how much Florida could contribute to the overall industry, but maybe more than a small amount. 

Since the holiday lasts the entire summer, it won’t be one week where you can’t find ammo on shelves. The amount of time it offers seems to be able to diffuse and prevent a giant rush on one weekend. 

My Questions About the Tax Holiday 

I, like most of you, order a lot online. This is especially true for ammo. Will retailers acknowledge the tax holiday? One can only hope. Since the holiday lasts the entire summer, it’s worth changing their shopping cart. I’m not sure how out-of-state tax and sales work, but I would hope it would allow retailers from out-of-state to benefit from the state sales tax. 

“Gun Shop Gary” a Meme for us all

The big question is, will it pass? It’s got to be approved by the legislature, and it’s not the only tax holiday up for grabs. If it doesn’t pass, it will allow us to see the RINOs in Florida’s legislature and name and shame any anti-gun politicians. I’m hoping to see a tax-free 2A summer. 

The Tikka T3X Lite Hunting Rifle (Part 2)

By
P.E. Fitch
-
The Tikka T3X Lite Hunting Rifle

continued from Part 1

Tikka T3X Action (Continued)

The Recoil Lug

Another noteworthy detail about the Tikka T3X action is the fact that its receiver has a detached recoil lug. Other bolt action receiver designs either integrate the recoil lug directly into the receiver or wear one that fits around the receiver ring like a collar (traditional Remington 700 style). However, the Tikka T3X’s detached recoil lug fits inside a slot in the stock, and makes contact with the bottom of the receiver by mating into a notch when the barreled action fits over the stock.

The factory piece is made from aluminum, but more discerning shooters like to upgrade their OEM Tikka T3X recoil lugs into pieces machined from other materials, such as steel.

The Tikka T3X Lite’s unique recoil lug arrangement is likely another way the Finnish company manufactures these rifles more cost-efficiently. It is my understanding that contact between the recoil lug and the receiver is crucial for this rifle’s accuracy. Tikka T3X Lite rifles don’t use fiberglass or pillar bedding. Technically, they’re not bedded, but the relationship between the recoil lug, receiver, and the manner in which the action contacts the stock’s hollow cavity serves as the rifle’s bedding, so to speak. 

This excellent picture shows the bottom groove of a Tikka T3X receiver and the corresponding separate recoil lug nestled in the stock. (Image source here from another well-written review about a similar Tikka rifle model (CTR))

Mounting Optics

The top portion of the Tikka T3X receiver is fully enclosed and it comes drilled and tapped from the factory, ready to accept bases or rings. The top portion of the Tikka’s receiver also features a very European integral longitudinal dovetail that can accept Tikka-specific scope rings. Suffice it to say, the Tikka T3X has no shortage of optics mounting options. 

Tikka T3X Lite Stock

The Tikka T3X Lite’s barreled action lays over a fairly rigid, albeit basic, black synthetic stock. It has a curved pistol grip and an “American” style straight comb.

On the rifle I’m writing about, the Leupold Mark4 HD rifle scope is mounted via a Picatinny scope base and medium-height Picatinny compatible rings. This specific scope and mount combination pairs well with the stock’s straight comb. Now, having shot two different Tikka bolt guns that essentially ship with the same stock (this one and the .22 caliber rimfire T1X), I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend medium-height scope rings to make sure the comb and the scope’s ocular lens line up correctly to a shooter’s face.  

By using the word “basic” to describe the Tikka T3X Lite’s stock, I don’t mean to denigrate it or imply that it is flimsy or cheap. It doesn’t feel that way, but it’s basic because it’s straightforward field synthetic stock. It doesn’t have any precision-stock style contours or bag-friendly surfaces.

The forestock ahead of the magazine is flat enough to reasonably shoot off a field pack, but it isn’t extra-wide or overly flat either. It’s traditional.

This stock comes equipped with front and rear swivel studs, and I noticed that Tikka was kind enough to include a pair of sling swivels in the box from the factory, too. The recoil pad found on the stock’s butt is adequate, and I do like that its heel is rounded to facilitate rolling the rifle onto the shoulder from a field position. 

Tikka T3X Lite Pistol Grip

The Tikka stock’s pistol grip has moderate texturing and a very gentle convex ambidextrous palm swell. It is comfortable and fills the hand reasonably well while making it easier to keep the thumb of the shooting hand on the same side as the rest of its fingers.

The entire pistol-grip area is designed as an interchangeable module and held in place by a screw. It allows end users to swap it out for different units to change the feel of the rifle. For example, one could add a pistol grip with a more vertical angle that’s similar to those found on precision-style stocks.

The Trigger

These rifles make use of a silver-colored serrated single-stage trigger that’s adjustable by a set screw, but I did not adjust it. Its adjustment range varies between 2-4 lbs, and though the rifle’s trigger can be adjusted for a pull weight of less than two pounds, dropping the pull weight too low can be extremely dangerous.

The trigger itself looks fantastic as a complimentary accent piece to the rest of the rifle’s stainless steel metal parts, like the bolt, barrel, and receiver. While I didn’t have my trigger pull scale with me for this Christmas trip, I’m making an educated guess that this Tikka T3X Lite’s trigger is breaking right around the 3-pound mark. 

Tikka T3X Lite “Bottom Metal” And Blind Magazine

The Tikka T3X Lite’s “bottom metal,” or the outer frame that’s made up of its trigger guard and magazine well, is made from polymer. Like the stock, this polymer unit is basic and serviceable. And like the recoil lug, many dedicated shooters prefer to upgrade to a metal unit in order to tweak how the barreled action interacts with the stock and tune the rifle for more accuracy.

Both of the Tikka T3X Lite’s action screws use Torx heads, and in the case of the polymer “bottom metal,” 45-inch pounds is the recommended torque specification. 

As a hunting rifle, the Tikka T3X Lite doesn’t need that many rounds. It comes with a hidden 3-round capacity detachable box magazine. Its release latch is recessed so as to be snag-free and to prevent any accidental disengagement. Like the receiver, the outer shell of the magazine and the magazine well area all use the same external dimensions.

The magazines themselves use spacers internally in order to account for a specific caliber. Feeding-wise, this magazine design has proven to be very reliable. When jacking a cartridge into the chamber, there are no binds or snags, and it’s not hard for the bolt face to strip a round off the magazine’s feed lips. 

To Continued In Part 3

Recover Tactical S-PRO Conversion Kit

By
Tim Stetzer
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I had a chance to try out the Recover Tactical P-IX Glock chassis last year after SHOT show. It was a neat conversion kit of the Glock and made it easier to shoot and allowed for attaching optics and other accessories to my old no-rail Glock 17. This year Recover Tactical is debuting the S-PRO Conversion Kit that will work with most Glock pistols. Models for the SIG X Macro, Canik, Walther PDP, with others will follow.

The S-Pro Conversion Kit

Aside from being available for more platforms, the S-PRO is a more streamlined set up than the P-IX. It’s built on a metal frame and has an MLOK front shroud. This gives mounting options for adding lights, lasers or other accessories. It features a push button activated, spring-loaded stabilizer brace. The brace can be converted to a buttstock by removing and swapping the included brace attachment. Assuming you have your Glock SBR’d in the US at least. I actually did that to my 17 to use with the P-IX kit so I could use a regular M-4 stock.

The S-PRO Basic model comes with the stabilizer brace/stock, a charging handle, and the S-PRO frame. It has an MSRP of $299.95. The MG model includes everything in the Basic package and ads a forward mag carrier, a cheek riser, and a metal upper rail for optics mounting. It’s MSRP is $374.95.

The S-PRO is available in Black or Tan finishes. Being a modular unit, it will be adaptable of other pistol models later using a swap out adapter. That adds value to the unit since you can still use it, even if you change pistols down the line.

The S-PRO kits are expected to start shipping in March of 2025.

S-PRO Key Features

  • Metal frame
  • MLOK-compatible front shroud
  • Push button release spring loaded stabilizer/buttstock
  • Modular unit – swap out adapters to use the same platform for different pistols
  • No tools are required to install
  • Compatible with high-profile slide-mounted optics

For more information on the S-PRO Conversion Kit check out Recover Tactical.

Why Are Gun Control Groups Receiving Taxpayer Funds?

By
Travis Pike
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Bloomberg, not actually a participant in this particular story but I'd bet he supports it.

There has been a lot of hubbub in the United States about taxpayer funds and mismanagement. Lots of accusations of money laundering, scams, and waste of taxpayer cash are floating around right now. It’s the government, so I tend to assume they are wasting our money. I’ve followed the stories at a surface level, and it eventually got me thinking: have gun control groups received taxpayer funding of any kind? 

Anti-gun bill fails in CA
Photo Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

There is a website called Data Republican, which is most certainly biased. That’s where I started I ran the names of the big gun control groups out there and got an immediate hit when I searched Sandy Hook Promise. There are two groups associated with Sandy Hook Promise that took in a little over two million dollars. There is the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation and the Safe and Sound Sandy Hook Initiative. 

Taxpayer Funds and Anti-Gun Groups

The Sandy Hook Promise Foundation received 1.4 million dollars. The Safe and Sound Sandy Hook Initiative received almost 750,000 dollars in taxpayer funds. To be clear, the website is biased, and I wasn’t going to trust it right off the bat. I don’t like most political websites, so I wanted to verify outside of Data Republican. 

How does one do that? Well, you use the internet to become a five-minute expert. I became a five-minute, or really closer to ten-minute, expert on nonprofit finances. I really wanted to figure out what disclosures to look for. Nonprofits are required to put out a ton of paperwork regarding their finances and make it available to the public. 

President Joe Biden speaks as Rep. Maxwell Frost and Vice President Kamala Harris listen during a Rose Garden event on gun safety at the White House on September 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. Image via CNN

It turns out most of the websites promising you this information want you to pay for a subscription. The government websites are God-awful, and I want to investigate how much we paid web designers for these websites. If it’s more than ten bucks and a hamburger, we need to investigate that. 

Luckily, you can just go to the Sandy Hook Initiative website and find their financials going back to 2016. I might despise the anti-civil rights stance of the organization, but I appreciate the transparency. Their 990 forms are well-maintained and easy to read. I wanted to provide a little table. 

The Table of Truth 

2016 – No Taxpayer Funds.

2017 – No Taxpayer Funds.

2018 – $162,389 Taxpayer Funds 

2019 – $133,347 Taxpayer Funds 

2020 – $570,687 Taxpayer Funds

2021 – $680,431 Taxpayer Funds

2022 – $519,843 Taxpayer Funds

2023 – $1,417,049 Taxpayer Funds 

2024 – $1,396,238 Taxpayer Funds 

What Were These Funds For? 

The organization received 4.8 million dollars of taxpayer funds. What did this funding pay for? You can’t really find where these government grants went. It’s not reported, or at least it’s not on the 990 form that I could find. 

I want to be completely fair. I might be a hack, but unlike most ‘journalists’ I’m not intentionally a hack. The Sandy Hook Promise does rally for gun control efforts, but they also seem to aim to reduce social isolation and encourage kids to be kind. They have an anonymous tip line for kids to attempt to report potentially harmful behavior, including threats of violence, suicide, etc. 

If the money is being used for kids to learn to be kind enough to report a threat they see on Snapchat or maybe a cry for help from a fellow student, I wouldn’t be upset. On the split side, if that money is being used to fund gun control and fight against my civil rights, then we have a pretty big problem. 

Taxpayer funds should not be allotted to fund anti-rights legislation or to fund anti-gun politicians. To hell with that. I think, as taxpayers, we deserve answers. Where and how is this money being spent? I plan to become a thirty-minute expert soon enough, and maybe I can dig out answers. If the readership has answers or guidance, please feel free to submit tips so we can work together to figure out where our money is going. 

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