Boonville, MO – CMMG® spent years innovating the AR platform with the patented Radial Delayed Blowback operating system that has revolutionized the industry. The addition of the Mk17, chambered in 9mm, shows CMMG’s commitment to never settling. Accepting Sig Sauer™ M17™P320™ magazines, the Mk17 is available in both BANSHEE™ and RESOLUTE® configurations. Pair the BANSHEE or RESOLUTE with your existing M17/P320 and you have the convenience of magazine interchangeability.
Staying true to its innovative and industry-leading values, CMMG brings to market the Mk17 on the heels of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps adoption of the Sig Sauer M17/M18 service pistols. In November of 2019, Sig Sauer delivered its 100,000th M17/M18 handgun to the U.S. military and the number continues to rise. Those familiar with the platform now have a personal defense firearm (PDW) at their disposal. As hundreds of thousands of service members adopt a new pistol platform over the next 20-30 years, the CMMG Mk17 will be a great pairing to add to their arsenal.
For personal defense, the Mk17 is offered in the BANSHEE configuration of AR pistols and short-barreled rifles with various barrel lengths. For the competitive shooter, the Mk17 comes in CMMG’s RESOLUTE line of 16-inch barreled rifles.
The BANSHEE is offered as a pistol or short barreled rifle with barrel lengths of 5 inches or 8 inches, while RESOLUTE rifles comes with a 16 inch barrel. Both the BANSHEE and RESOLUTE feature Last Round Bolt Hold Open.
Each Mk17 ships with one 21-round magazine and a retail price ranging from $1,199.95 to $1,549.95 for the BANSHEE and $1,299.95 to $1,799.95 for the RESOLUTE (depending on series).
On all CMMG BANSHEE and RESOLUTE 300 Series firearms, consumers can choose from ten Cerakote colors at no additional cost. Both the 100 and 200 Series offer Cerakote for the complete firearm for an additional $150 per model.
For more information on the Mk17, please visit CMMGinc.com/Mk17.
CMMG Guarantee:
All CMMG products are covered under the CMMG Lifetime Quality Guarantee. Conditioned on being a Limited Warranty of use, maintenance, and cleaning of the product in accordance with CMMG, Inc.’s instructions to be free of defects in material and workmanship. CMMG will repair, replace or substitute part(s) as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of CMMG Inc at no charge to the purchaser or provider. Complete limited warranty information can be found at CMMGinc.com/tech-support
About CMMG:
CMMG began in central Missouri in 2002 and quickly developed into a full-time business because of its group of knowledgeable and passionate firearms enthusiasts committed to quality and service. Its reputation was built on attention to detail, cutting edge innovation and the superior craftsmanship that comes from sourcing all their own parts. By offering high quality AR rifles, parts and accessories, CMMG’s commitment to top-quality products and professional service is as deep today as it was when it began. For more information, visit CMMGinc.com
The Misfit Toy Society (MTS) podcast, founded by a a preacher and gun toter by the name of Duke Krieger. Instantaneously, just that concept draws our attention. Why? Because it’s different and it already gives those within the firearms community a sense of relation and future growth.
The Misfits
An island of misfit men and women that a “risk of life and violence of action is an everyday part of their vocation and calling“, as Duke puts it. How can anyone within the faith community, who are best friends with God, be able to relate to us? People who are so rough, and raw, and broken?
That’s the whole point of this podcast. Within this very volatile industry there are many good people who can help each other find happiness and as Duke likes to put it, go “All in, All the time”.
The Shepherd
Duke the man behind the Podcast is a Founder and Pastor for Life of Faith Family Church. He has been within the tactical firearms community since 2007. Just like the Misfits, he has gone through the troubles of addiction, pain, and unhappiness. He realized that his hobbies, guns, the people within the industry, can’t fix the hole in his heart that he had. He then decided one day to go all in and start his relationship with God.
Duke Krieger MTS founder
The Apostle Paul is someone that Duke brought up during our conversation. Saint Paul is known for teaching the gospel of Christ to those who would not normally be exposed to it. Duke found happiness through this, and he wants to share it, expose people to the joy. Just like a GrandMaster of USPSA. You don’t have to be a GrandMaster to listen and learn. But a GrandMaster can teach and share his techniques.
“Duke Krieger is joined by Buck Thomas, Marine, PMC and Outdoorsman, as they discuss getting started in enjoying friendship with God. Join them as they candidly discuss their lives and what they’ve encountered in this new way of living.”
Buck Thomas
This conversations are just that, a conversation. With those who can relate to the Misfits. Duke talks on going through the same very troubles that Buck Thomas did and finding happiness. They also talk on the standard mountain man things, firearms, and hunting. It is a conversation with two people who found a mutual best friend, God.
ROI
Return of Investment. Let’s say that you are trying to get better at your handgun handling. So you go to the range and go through about an hour of firing at steel. You aren’t using any drills, you aren’t practicing on what you know that you aren’t strong on. You are literally just spending an hour of your day shooting ammo and hearing steel ring…sometimes. What will you get on that return? Not much.
These podcasts revolve around ROI. Can you give 15 minutes? An hour? You can then turn on a podcast and “go to the range/go to church“. It is a way to start that shift in your mind to Christ. It isn’t forced, it’s on your terms. They are conversations about Misfits. Misfits that figured out how to fill that hole. Invest your mind and heart, and you will get the return…Go all in with Christ..and you will get the return of utter happiness and a best friend.
“The Island” showing resources being dropped to those in need
Within the website are also training courses. Duke talks on bible verses and relations with God. ROI. You taking 13 minutes to listen to a training course, you will get another outlook and way to relate to God. You will be able to be “fed all week”.– Duke Krieger
During this conversation I asked Duke a question, “do you think that doing this will be a hard thing to get across the firearms community?” Immediately he answered, “no.” There are many good people within this community. Many people that are very committed to growing each day.
Guests on MTS so far
Buck Thomas: Former Marine and Outdoorsman
Will: @give_war_a_chance, retired Army veteran and Warrior’s Heart alumnus
Darryl Bolke of @dbshootingadventures, highly respected lawman, gunfighter, shooting instructor and medically retired cop
Exposure is a large thing when being comfortable with something. They use these techniques in a lot of beginner firearm courses. Nervous around a Glock? Let’s take it apart and know what every little piece does. Nervous around Christ? Let’s learn about him. Let’s open that book.
It’s Tuesday and I don’t want to internet today. I am very busy on the personal side of the house since I am moving into a new house, a process that has been hit with delay after delay after delay. But it is finally happening!
Unless it gets delayed.
But anyway. The rumblings of the internet are many right now but with nothing very concrete in gun circles. Stuff is happening, people are developing the shiny things, but we are in a moderate interim on the development side because everything that currently exists cannot be produced fast enough for commercial demand.
So instead of pointing out something wizzbang new and neat today, I post Gun Meme Review with Brandon Herrera.
FEATURING GRAND MASTER JAY!
Yes, that Grand Master Jay. The NFAC leader who just titled himself Grand Master, who called a conventional AR type rifle a Bullpup “because this bitch got kick”, and whose in depth knowledge or firearms is so vast he believes that the AR fires when the bolt closes.
[Hint: It doesn’t, even if the safety is off and you are squeezing the trigger it does not fire. The disconnector will continue to hold the hammer when the bolt moves forward just as if it was cycling normally. These weapons are called dropsafe for a list of reasons.]
There are four ways that social workers and other mental health professionals have been helping police officers/departments for a long time.[Ed: Part 1 can be found here.] This article will explore two methods.
Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, developed in Memphis TN, provides a model of specialized law enforcement expertise. Volunteer officers, based in the general patrol division, work in cooperation with the mental health system, individuals in crises, and families. Trained CIT Police officers carry on the normal duties of law enforcement, but switch to a specialist role when a potential mental health-related crisis is identified.
CIT focuses on de-escalation strategies, and redirecting the individual from the criminal justice system to the mental health care system. In turn, the mental health care system assumes “custody” of the individual, and provides directed and non-restrictive accessibility to a full range of health care and social service options.
How Does CIT Work?
Selected/volunteer police officers and other first responders take part in a 5-day, 40-hour training program. The program includes mental health and substance use experts, legal experts, consumer/family advocates, and experienced CIT officers. Once trained CIT officers are in place, high-risk crisis calls are directed to an on-duty CIT officer.
The CIT officer leads a police-based crisis intervention of generalist officers. The CIT officer, employing a de-escalation intervention strategy, may access ACI crisis services, or transport the individual to a partnered hospital emergency room.
The mental health system assumes “custody” and provides a “police-friendly” efficient rturnaround time for the officer to return to normal patrol duties.
What Is “More Than Just Training”?
Training is more than a “one-shot” deal. Several times a year, officers meet for debriefing meetings and in-service trainings to problem solve tactical issues, discuss different experiences and scenarios they have encountered, and participate in advanced training. This allows officers a chance to reinforce and sharpen their skills, address new problems, and build cohesiveness.
[From the Missouri CIT Council. This website contains considerably more information than can be published here.]
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
“Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a specific, 7-phase, small group, supportive crisis intervention process. It is just one of the many crisis intervention techniques which are included under the umbrella of a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program. The CISD process does not constitute any form of psychotherapy and it should never be utilized as a substitute for psychotherapy. It is simply a supportive, crisis-focused discussion of a traumatic event (which is frequently called a “critical incident”). The Critical Incident Stress Debriefing was developed exclusively for small, homogeneous groups who have encountered a powerful traumatic event. It aims at reduction of distress and a restoration of group cohesion and unit performance.
“A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing can best be described as a psycho-educational small group process. In other words, it is a structured group story-telling process combined with practical information to normalize group member reactions to a critical incident and facilitate their recovery. A CISD is only used in the aftermath of a significant traumatic event that has generated strong reactions in the personnel from a particular homogeneous group. The selection of a CISD as a crisis intervention tool means that a traumatic event has occurred and the group members’ usual coping methods have been overwhelmed and the personnel are exhibiting signs of considerable distress, impairment or dysfunction.” [From Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD at the University of Maryland.]
CISD can be utilized with police, fire, and EMS personnel whenever there is a serious injury or death to a first responder. In some departments this is mandatory. CISD has been shown to “derail” the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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— Warren Lind is a retired licensed clinical social worker and a full-time security officer who writes extensively about crime, survival, and self-defense. He a long-time CCW holder and is a member of too many pro-2A organizations to list.
This is one of the most interesting videos yet from 9-Hole Reviews (who are approaching 200k subscribers, so let’s help get them there especially if you aren’t subscribed already) and not because the AK-103 is some legendarily, groundbreakingly, radically new rifle. It wasn’t the rifle itself, it was the process of making it.
The AK-100 series is the fighting rifle meets a giant manufacture/export demand, taking everything they had learned from the original AK-47 through the AK-74M. While not changing the core of what the AK rifles are, as full stroke piston, stamped receiver, forged trunnion construction, the 100 series standardizes as many parts for as many models as feasible.
Meaning that a bare minimum number of parts need to be changed out on a workbench in order to build a different model of the AK-100 series. Barrels, bolt heads, pistons, gas blocks, and sight bases. Receivers, trigger groups, stocks, and the like all stay the same.
The AK-103 is fine example of a simple modernized AK in the same way many companies have come out with very streamlined, simple, functional AR’s. But it’s genius, still helmed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, was in its streamlined manufacturing. It was an ultimate expression of Russian arms exportation to nations needing to run a very simple to make rifle. The rifle could still be easily built for the native ammunition supply of choice too.
As to the 103 itself, the rifle benefits from many of the parallel product improvements that we saw come to M4. They front loaded all the things they had found could make the AK run better or be built quicker and more cost effectively and implemented them all into the whole line. The 103 is like the AR-15 after mid-length gas systems, QPQ nitride, closer tolerance finishing, M4 feed ramps, H1 buffers, and the like all improved the AR incrementally.
It sits as a simple yet modern turn of the century standard for a well storied rifle series. But enough from me, enjoy the video.
If there is one trend that drives the gun business, it’s people who want to know what gun is “best” for thing xyz. The truth is that if you’re buying from a reputable manufacturer, most guns are pretty equal. But, if you’re looking for a jumping-off point and have 90 seconds to spare, here’s my list of the five best guns for concealed carry.
5. Any midsize 9mm polymer gun: Glock 19, HK VP9, Sig P320, Beretta APX, Walther PPQ We live in a golden age of 9mm handguns. All the major brands make a mid-sized handgun suitable for concealed carry with the right holster. It doesn’t matter which one, because they’re all designed to do the same thing: hold 15-17 rounds of 9mm, have a 5ish pound trigger pull, shoot decent groups at 25 meters, and be reliable. You could toss all the guns listed in a bag and tell me I had to carry one for the rest of my life and I wouldn’t care what I pulled out, because they’re all largely the same.
4. Shield EZ 380 The reason the Shield EZ 380 makes the list of the five best guns for concealed carry is because it’s designed to be…well, it’s designed to be easy to use. The slide is intentionally engineered to be easy to move to the rear, and because it’s chambered in 380 ACP it’s also pleasant to shoot. It’s basically the perfect gun for someone who might lack the hand strength to rack a slide and the dedication to get good at shooting a revolver.
3. Sig P365/XL The Sig entrants on this list are great guns. The P365 was the first gun to challenge the Glock 43 and M&P Shield’s domination of the “compact carry gun” market, and it did it by making a 10 round gun that was the same size as guns that held 7 or 8 rounds. Everyone loves more capacity, and the Sig P365 delivered. I consider the XL part of the P365 lineup, and I actually prefer it to the regular gun, because I like guns with longer slides. Longer slide = more sight radius = easier to shoot well. The P365 belongs on a list of the five best guns for concealed carry.
2. Ruger LCR The lone revolver on our list, the Ruger LCR earned its place here by being the best straight-from-the-factory small frame revolver on the market. The trigger on any LCR is light years better than the triggers on the small guns from the competition, and somehow Ruger managed to make the LCR almost as hard to kill as the legendarily tough SP101. Sure, revolvers give up a lot to semi-autos in terms of capacity and shootability, but for a deep concealment gun or a gun for a specific purpose, it’s hard to beat a wheelgun, and the LCR is the best.
1. Glock 43x/48 Rounding out the top of our list of the five best guns for concealed carry you have, what is the king of the crop: the Glock 43x and Glock 48. When Sig dropped the P365, Glock was quick to fire back with the 43x and 48. Thanks to the huge aftermarket for Glock pistols, these make the #1 spot on our list. In fact, these guns are so good they’ve almost erased the market for the Glock 26, which used to be the darling of concealed carry.
The truth is that you could make an argument for any of the guns on our list of the five best guns for concealed carry as the “best” – this list is designed to serve as a starting point for your research. If you disagree with our selections, great! Get to the range and do some shooting and find out what you believe the best gun is. Regardless, one thing is true: this is the golden age of concealed carry guns.
Hello all, it’s your main man Jase, and I am back with another piece of writing to entertain your Covid brains with… if you want to. Today I’d like to tell y’all about one of my sponsors, Midwest Industries.
For those of you who don’t know, Midwest Industries is an American firearms and parts manufacturer located in Wisconsin. They manufacture parts for everything from your standard AR-15 down to your trusty Lever Action or your old faithful Ruger 10-22 We’ll get more into that juicy stuff in a bit.
Midwest Industries was established in 2003 with the goal of making high quality American Made products at an affordable price. I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Troy Storch (Midwest Industries President/ CEO) and some of his staff during SHOT Show 2019. Having Sponsors is cool, but having Sponsors who you have met in person and had an actual conversation with is so much cooler.
Thankfully the entire MI crew are awesome people. Not only did I have a great chance to meet with them but also got some personal time to learn a bit more about the MI line of products. I look forward to crossing paths in person with everyone from the MI crew again.
My MI Experience and Rifle:
A little while after I first got into competition shooting I was put in touch with the fine folks at Midwest Industries as a potential rifle sponsor. I’m very grateful my friend Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts made the introduction.
Three years and roughly 16,000 rounds later, my rifle and my respect for MI are more solidified than ever. My rifle is a MI-FLW18CRM17XR (unfortunately not listed, but the one linked just sports a slightly shorter handguard). It has an 18” barrel chambered in .223 Wylde. It’s got a 17.5in MLOK rail (MI-CRM17XR) which is actually my favorite thing about the rifle. The 17.5in rail has a V-cut on the sides to allow the muzzle brake to do its job while also giving you a full length rail system. This not only is aesthetically pleasing, but is also beneficial while running competitions due to the security I feel when throwing my gun into the dump barrel.
Aside from my rail, the greatest thing about the MI rifle is that it just plain runs. It runs fast, it runs smoothly and it runs accurately. I’ve only ever had one issue with this rifle. A few years ago I had a gassing problem with my rifle (to no fault of MI, it was an ‘at home armorer’ issue. My bad!).
Not only did they fix my gas block, but their armorers also gave my rifle a full tune up, to include an improved set of back up iron sights and a replacement of all parts that could have been worn at that current round count.
Best of all, and something I think speaks volumes about their Customer Service, is that the total turnaround time felt non-existent. With my competition gun down for maintenance, I only had to use my Training rifle for one 3-Gun match. Out the door and back home in less than 10 days… the fine folks at MI take care of you, making it a priority and that makes for happy customers. That was the one and only issue my MI rifle has ever had.
What is my Training Rifle you might ask?
She’s a Franken Gun built with parts from a lot of top notch firearms/ component companies (this article isn’t about them so they will remain unnamed) and a Midwest Industries (MI-SLH12.625) Rail. For 3-Gun and Multigun I train with my Competition rifle, but my travel/ training gun is different.
This gun has seen training with Steve Fisher, Dan Brokos, Jared Reston, Chuck Pressburg and Bill Blowers amongst others… It’s travelled from WA to San Diego, CA to FOP in Alliance, OH, all the way to The Ranch in Eagle Lake, TX. If I’m taking a class on tactical shooting fundamentals or advance firearms work, the Franken Gun is my go to because I’m not trying to beat the hell out of my Competition rifle.
To this day my Midwest Competition rifle is still the most accurate AR platform in my safe. The only thing that I changed to the parts was a Geiselle SSA-E trigger, and I think that upgrade explains itself. Throw on a Vortex Viper PST GenII, a Radian Raptor Charging handle and an Arisaka fingerstop you have yourself a rifle worth competing with. Maybe add a Lead Faucet Tactical sling from time to time when stages get extra funky.
Unique Lever Gun… Ruger… PCC Upgrades
Now let’s talk about lever action rifles. You may be envisioning that classic look of sleek metal and wood furniture with a leather sling hanging off a cowboy’s shoulder. Just a man and his gun ready to take on the world.
While that is one depiction, and certainly not a bad one, there is another picture I’d like to paint. The modern cowboy who still has his trusty lever action, but now has an Aimpoint on it, and an MLOK rail, maybe a light and a hand stop, as well as a sturdy 2-point adjustable sling. The modern cowboy with his modern Lever Gun. What a great mental image, right?
Well that picture can become reality with Midwest Industries Lever Gun upgrades. Turn your Henry or your Marlin from a classic yet plain old lever gun into a badass modern day lever action blaster that your friends and family can drool over. MLOK handguards, top rails, and optic mounts to give it a truly functional and modern piece.
Maybe you’re less about the cowboys and more about the modern sub gun life… Midwest has that too. Whether you’ve got a Ruger PC-9, or a CZ Scorpion, or maybe even a Kel Tec sub-2000, Midwest has the PCC parts for you. Obviously cool points count when you are modifying a rifle, but practical cool points count much more. Taking the capabilities of the PCC platform and having the ability to change its form and function via Midwest Industries upgrades is a mighty cool thing.
And while we are on the topic of cool upgrades for the blasters in your collection, let’s not forget about the American gun owner’s staple, the Ruger 10-22. Midwest Industries has taken a classic and given shooters the ability to upgrade it with everything from dedicated optic mounts to MLOK rails and even a new chassis. Best of all these upgrades are available for both standard rifles and the Ruger 10-22 TakeDown.
So why should you buy Midwest Industries?
Covid-19 has given many Americans lots of free time (and stimulus checks). My dad and I spent a bunch of it dumpster diving in our parts bins and building out guns and I’m sure many of you readers did as well.
Whether it’s a brand new build you put together, a new purchase that needs modifying, just a rifle that needs those finishing touches, or an upgrade on outdated technology, Midwest Industries probably has the parts you need and most certainly has the parts you want.
Personally I wouldn’t mind picking up an MI-PC9PKG12 for a Ruger PC-9 or even an MI-MARMR for a Marlin Lever Gun in the near future. And of course some MI-CRLW-15’s for the Covid builds.
Their customer service is above excellent, and the people at MI are just solid humans. Having Midwest Industries as a sponsor has been awesome. As a shooter, I have been more than happy with MI firearms/ parts/ customer service, and I think you as proud American gun owners will be too!
[Ed: Given the talk about replacing some functions of police with social work interventions, DRGO turned to our expert on the subject, Warren Lind, LCSW.]
One of the many suggestions (or demands) coming out of the current political upheaval is to put more social workers in police departments. In my long career in social work from 1971 to 2018, I was twice a police social worker. This concept dates back to the early 1900’s. Unfortunately, few of the nation’s 13,000 police departments utilize social workers.
“Issues in implementing police social work within police departments:
Employing police social workers within police departments raises numerous issues that need to be considered. These issues include, but are not limited to: (1) securing and maintaining funding for sustainability; (2) the influence of civil service regulations that direct local government agencies such as police departments to require a MSW/BSW or an academic degree in a related field in addition to relevant experience; (3) police officers’ concerns about the safety of civilians; (4) the influence of police unions and perceptions that police officers are being replaced by social workers or that social workers are performing police functions; (5) police social work training and appropriate supervision; (6) the use of equipment such as police radios and unmarked police departmental vehicles by civilians; and (7) where to position police social workers within the various police department units.” Excerpted from Police Social Work, A Unique Area of Practice Arising from Law Enforcement Functions, George T. Patterson, Ph.D., ACSW, LCSW-R, Assistant Professor, Hunter College School of Social Work, July 2008.
Is there a culture clash between police officers and social workers?
Social workers are often portrayed as being very liberal, whereas police are portrayed as being very conservative, but the truth lies somewhere in between. In my experience social workers tend to gravitate to fields of practice that fit their personality. Police social workers must have a very “take charge” attitude. Police social work consists of rapid assessment, crisis intervention, and short-term intensive case management, not long-term psychotherapy. Having a dark sense of humor helps; all professions have their own ‘inside humor’.
One example: I was once called to assist officers with a mentally ill man. After the ambulance took him away, his dog jumped from the second-floor balcony to the ground and continued running; I remarked to the officers: “Dog attempts suicide by jumping”, which got a hearty laugh.
And there needs to be time for socializing so that the LEOs and social workers can get to know each other as people, and break down barriers and stereotypes. In my experience, picnics, food, and (in moderation) alcohol can help.
How social workers can help police officers:
One study (1985) found that 26 percent of the calls to the 911 dispatcher were for general advice and information and 22 percent were related to victim needs. Once the scene is secure, the LEO can turn the problem over to the social worker and leave.
Some of the problems that social workers can deal with include homelessness, elderly issues (Alzheimer’s Disease, etc.), family and neighbor conflicts, drug/alcohol abuse, and crime victimization. Police are often called to the same address over and over again to deal with the same “frequent flyer”, often a mentally ill person. The sad fact is that the mental health system in most states is broken, and jails/prisons have become the new “treatment centers”, warehousing persons in dire need of professional treatment.
Fact: there are 10 times as many mentally ill persons in prisons and jails than there are in psychiatric hospitals. Having a social worker can both reduce police burnout and give them more time to deal with actual crimes.
True story: I was sent to an address by police dispatch to assist an officer with a dispute between a young mentally ill man and his mother. Upon arriving at the address, I heard a loud voice from the backyard, and assumed it was the client. But upon rounding the corner of the house, I saw the police officer standing about one foot from the “suspect”, and reading him the “riot act” about how he was treating his mother.
After the lecture concluded, I asked the officer what was going on; he took me aside and told me that he had lost his temper. He and I shared the same values about how parents should be treated, but we had different ways of handling our tempers.
The next two articles will cover four more ways that social workers (and other mental health professionals) are already assisting police officers:
Crisis Intervention Training
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Community Mental Health Liaisons
One-on-one psychotherapy to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Resources:
In Illinois there is the Association of Police Social Workers. (According to Dr. Patterson’s article, Illinois and Wisconsin are the leading states for employment of police social workers.)
— Warren Lind is a retired licensed clinical social worker and a full-time security officer who writes extensively about crime, survival, and self-defense. He a long-time CCW holder and is a member of too many pro-2A organizations to list.
Everyone knows that 9mm is the best round for self defense, and we all also know that 40 S&W is good, 357 Magnum is good, etc. But what are rounds that are good, but we maybe don’t acknowledge? Here are the five most underrated self defense rounds.
5. 10mm I know what you’re saying, how is 10mm one of the five most underrated self defense rounds? 10mm is awesome! You’re right, 10mm is awesome, but it’s sort of under appreciated. The existence of 40 S&W has relegated 10mm to a specialty cartridge for people worried about dangerous animals, but it still excels at its original purpose – stopping bad people from doing bad things.
4. 22 Magnum The best thing about 22 Magnum is that it’s awesome. In all seriousness, the little 22 Magnum revolvers like the 351PD or more common 351C are fantastic, because they hold 7 rounds. That’s…more than you get in a 38 Special j-frame, and more rounds is always good. The only drawback to 22 Magnum is that it’s a rimfire round, so the triggers are a little heavy and the round is technically less reliable than a centerfire round.
3. 38 Special 148 grain Wadcutter This is a specific round, and it doesn’t apply to all 38 Special. Just 148 grain wadcutters, because they’re easy to shoot, have low recoil, almost always hit to the sights, and will absolutely meet the FBI’s penetration standards. There’s a reason they’re on the five most underrated self defense rounds, and that’s because in the era of hi-cap 9mm pistols, we have forgotten some of the old ways. Back in the day, squared away dudes were loading these into their little wheelguns for serious work.
2. 32 ACP If we accept that the FBI is correct and penetration is the most important handgun wounding criteria, then suddenly the 32 ACP makes a lot of sense. In fact, it makes more sense than 380 ACP, especially in similar sized packages. The 32 ACP holds more rounds, is easier to shoot out of tiny mouseguns, and again – it meets that penetration standard.
1. 32 Magnum This is a bit of a wheelgun specific choice, but man is the 32 Magnum one of the five most underrated self defense rounds. It does everything you can do with a 38 Special in a little gun, but gives shooters that critical 6th shot, and in some newer guns even a 7th round. More capacity is always a good thing, and squeezing those extra rounds into very small self defense guns is a great idea.
So how many of our rounds do you have? Do you think I missed one?
BARNEVELD, Wis. – The way you hunt demands more of an optic, whether you are picking a tine out of dense cover or seeing the telltale flick of an ear on the next ridge. In any scenario, the last thing you want is to doubt if your gear is up to the job.
The Diamondback® HD line of spotting scopes from Vortex® is taking the next step forward with two new configurations, the 16-48×65 and the 20-60×85, providing power and clarity in a redesigned package that’s high on performance and low on sticker shock.
The power behind the new Diamondback® HD spotters is an HD optical system that delivers crisp resolution, brighter images, and edge-to-edge sharpness, reducing eye strain during long glassing sessions. All air-to-glass surfaces are fully multi-coated for increased light transmission and powerful low-light performance, giving you an edge when you need it most.
In addition to rethinking the Diamondback® HD’s internal components, Vortex® took a fresh approach to the spotter’s exterior, introducing a streamlined, snag-free profile. The helical focus wheel provides fast, fine adjustments, and an Arca-Swiss compatible foot means the Diamondback® HD mounts quickly to compatible tripod heads without additional plates. Plus, a neoprene cover comes included, keeping your spotter protected in the field.
For a list of specifications, frequently asked questions and high-resolution images, check out the Vortex New Products Portal. For more information, visit VortexOptics.com and be sure to follow Vortex Optics on Instagram, Facebook, YouTubeand Twitter. About Vortex Optics: American owned, veteran-owned, Wisconsin-based Vortex Optics designs, engineers, produces, and distributes a complete line of premium sport optics, accessories, and apparel. Dedicated to providing unrivaled customer service and exceptional quality, Vortex® backs its products with the unconditional, transferrable, lifetime VIP Warranty. Built on over 30 years of experience in the optics industry, Vortex® has emerged as a leader in the optics market.
Josh over at 9-Hole Reviews takes on what was once probably the open market Gold Standard of Low Power Variable Optics in the 1-8 category. The Trijicon Accupower 1-8x Front Focal Plane.
Like the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6x came to epitomize what the a 1-6 second focal plane LPVO should encompass, The Accupower 1-8x came to nearly that same place with 1-8’s and first focal plane scopes. It was rugged, bright, reliable, durable, came from a known legendary name for rifle optics, and it came in affordably.
I’ve spoken on this and other scopes in other LPVO articles but haven’t highlighted the Accupower in its well earned place. The Leupold CQBSS 1-8 kicked off the genre in earnest with its bulky tank like profile and commanding price tag, but the Accupower became ‘the optic’ that also factored in price. It wasn’t/isn’t cheap, still commanding around $1,100-1,300. But that price point, parallel to the Razor and Tango6T, and the name Trijicon gave it a whole new class of accessibility. It cose what an ACOG did roughly and that linked up nicely.
Trijicon obviously also has the much more expensive VCOG models, but the cost put them out of that serious ‘everyman’ territory for LPVO glass. Now by no means does everyone spend even that much on optics and there are quality options below the $1K mark that can serve (I recommend a look at Swampfox) but those optic guys will be just as quick to point out that while their stuff is damn good for their price point, the high dollar optics are too.
The Accupower 1-8x was the ‘Everyman VCOG’, same company, very reasonable durability without that extra extra bombproof bombproofiness that put the VCOGs price point so high. Do I want my optic waterproof? Absolutely. Do I need 20 meter submersibility? No.. rain, mud puddle, and stream/pond level waterproof are perfectly fine, which the Accupower is.
The Accupower was the barrier breaking optic of the 1-8 category. It was also one of the first front focal plane optics to achieve the popularity and brightness that people were starting to want. It has been surpassed but today’s top optics will too. It is still a fine optical item.
Getting one used for a deal is a no brainer.
Buying one new? Up to you. Trijicon has since added a bunch of new optics with funny names in an attempt to… I don’t know, just confuse their consumers for fun. The “Credo” line are just Accupowers called ‘Credo’ now, because it sounds Latin or something. Offered in 1-4, 1-6, and 1-8 with SFP, SFP/FFP, and FFP reticle options for the respective powers they are set to be competitive in the field… If anyone knew what Credo meant or was.
Personally, I think the rebrand was a giant turd of a mistake when ‘Accupower Gen II’ would have communicated exactly what this line was to a loyal Trijicon fanbase. Nobody knows what a Credo, Ascent, Tenmile (I guess these see really far?), or Huron are (Huron is the Great Lake nearest to Wixom and I suppose is supposed to evoke Michigan deer hunting vibes), but everybody has heard that the Accupower’s are good to go scopes.
But then again, what would I know about communicating information to people?
IR.Tools is a company producing some interesting goods in the realm of night vision and thermal indication systems and targets. Their newest products are a series of powered thermal targets. Passive thermal targets exist but are far from perfect. A powered thermal target is a very real solution to a very real problem. As a machine gunner, I was always toting around thermal optics, but my training with them was never live.
Dry fire training and optic’s familiarization is great but live fire rules. We tried a few different things to create thermal targets and none worked. From experience, I can tell you that an MRE heater doesn’t show up on a thermal optic. A powered thermal target solves that problem.
Powered Thermal Target Advantages
The IR.Tools powered thermal targets offer numerous advantages over passive thermal targets.
Inside or outside use
Reusable Design
Can be seen at any angle
Not affected by overcast
Provides a realistic training approach
These targets are made from a material known as Fabroc and are powered via a 12 or 24-volt battery. They come in various shapes and sizes including a human silhouette, a coyote, and a boar.
It is a rugged and simple solution that seems promising. It gives lifelike performance for your thermal optics and doesn’t rely on external factors to create a false heat signature. Training with thermals instantly becomes more lifelike and realistic and with more people getting into thermals these seem to be an excellent training option.
Each target cost 69.00 dollars and they are available here.
Full Press Release Below.
IR.Tools, a leading provider of infrared (IR) protection for the military and law enforcement, has released a new series of powered thermal targets. The company has been known for its IR products for over a year and a half now. Tom Boyer, owner, and lead engineer, jumped at the opportunity to add powered targets to his suite of high contrast passive shooting targets.
“We now provide our optics customers a one-stop-shop for all their thermal targets,” says IR.Tools owner Tom Boyer. “Passive or Powered we will service them with a premium thermal target.”
The new powered thermal targets are heated with a proprietary Fabroc® technology that is nearly indestructible. Constructed with a rubber-like material, it has no wires to short circuit from bullet penetration. Powering up on a 12 or 24-volt battery, the integrity of this lightweight, heat-efficient target remains intact for over 500 rounds, with a consistent thermal image and no flaring to disrupt training exercises.
What makes this thermal shooting target so unique is its durability. Fort Bragg, NC, has been shooting at the same Fabroc™ targets for 9-years.
“The unmatched number of shots it takes while maintaining a clear, realistic image to shoot is incredible.” — Range Manager Fort Bragg
IR.Tools (@ir.tools) now aims to provide this stand-out IR target to the military, special forces, law enforcement, hunters, and recreational sportsmen alike.
Not only are these powered thermal targets necessary for training, but they are easy to use. Their longevity means they are cost-effective. Now you can have a safe powered thermal target that lasts during some of the more complex training options, such as shoot, no-shoot scenarios.
You can purchase the powered thermal shooting target, should you be so inclined, for an MSRP that ranges from $60.00 – $90.00 at INV PRO TECH Tools.
Established in 2006, IR.Tools, a leading provider of IR (infrared) protection for the Military and Law Enforcement, first offered a ¾” infrared patch sewn on every military uniform in the United States. They soon became a leading provider for infrared technology, with passive infrared patches, markers, and shooting targets for night vision and thermal image operations all over the world.
Protecting Those Who Protect Us is the IR.Tools mission. Its goal is to bring the men and women who risk their lives everyday home safely. In addition to advanced weapon training targets, IR.Tools proprietary IR patch, passive thermal targets, zeroing targets and thermal vehicle markers provide excellent IFF protection. Tom Boyer’s vision and passion for innovation has resulted in 21 patents. Be assured your IR.Tools protection is top-notch.
[Ed: Dr. Wheeler originally published this atAmerican GreatnessJuly 20.]
As a general surgery intern rotating through the university hospital neurosurgery service, I was immersed in learning all day and frequently all night. There was so much to learn, and my Socratic chief resident often reminded me, “that’s why the program is so long.” Six years after medical school for a neurosurgery residency, actually, and that’s not counting any additional subspecialty fellowship, which tacks on another year or two.
But now doctors in training are getting crash courses in the insistent mandates of identity politics. At the crucial stage of their long training when bedside and operating room experience is paramount, doctors are now being told what their new priorities should be—to heal society, not just individuals, and to prepare for their part in the progressive racial justice project.
Does anyone believe that turning medical schools into woke madrassas will not come at the expense of expertise in taking care of the sick and injured?
Consider a young neurosurgeon in training at Harvard who recently charged in a Forbes article that U.S. medical schools don’t meet minimum standards for “racial justice.” The author cites as her “racial justice” creds a concurrent research fellowship at Harvard’s Program in Global Surgery and Social Change and being founder and co-president of something called the Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery.
In years past, neurosurgery residents took so seriously the mastery of brain surgery that they disappeared into that work for six years, typically at the expense of everything else—including family life. Few even stayed current with the daily news, to say nothing of an ongoing personal commitment to political activism. Such distractions were simply unthinkable.
It’s even worse at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The college’s ominously named Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education aims to compel students, in the words of institute director Adina Kalet, M.D., MPH, to “fac[e] . . . ‘white fragility’ to describe the disbelieving defensiveness that white people exhibit particularly when they feel implicated in white supremacy.”
Another institute staffer rhetorically asks, “how might I help to dismantle and rebuild our [school’s] accommodations and remediation systems so that they favor equity over the bias-ridden concept of ‘fairness’?” and urges a “willingness as a community to engage in conversations about structural and interpersonal racism, hostile environments, and microaggressions without being concerned about the emotional fragility or anger of those with power and control.”
An apparent prerequisite for admission to the Medical College of Wisconsin is a readiness to take part in the public self-abasement rituals of white liberal guilt. And so we have the spectacle of a second-year medical student confessing in the college newsletter “I am white and I have been complacent . . . I recall times I failed to address systemic racism. I would like to acknowledge my cowardice in this . . . .”
These confessionals are disquietingly reminiscent of the “struggle sessions” in which young people under Chinese Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong’s rule labored to outdo each other in group displays of self-denigration. The expectation is a full confession of dark, private feelings, and it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the goal is the same as it was for the youthful raging Red Guards—to destroy individuality and force unquestioning conformity to the party line.
Most medical schools now boast a dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion whose job is to advance the broad and often ambiguous agenda of racial and gender politics. These professional identity group mediators vigorously prosecute affirmative action despite its decades-long history of failure in higher education and despite its illegality in several states.
It is long past time for taxpayers, alumni, and legislators to stop the politicization of our medical schools, if not to preserve American ideals of equality and liberty, then to avert the certain sabotage of quality of the nation’s doctors.
Precious curriculum time properly spent shouldering the enormous responsibility of taking care of sick folks is being hijacked to train young doctors in the ugly tenets of identity politics. A woke neurosurgeon may not have the best surgical outcomes, but he will be able to lecture you authoritatively on your white privilege.
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—Timothy Wheeler, MD is the founder and former director of Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership, and a retired head and neck surgeon.
Am I wary of budget-priced optics? Yes, I am, and that’s often because companies will over advertise what their optics are designed for. I am a true believer in the idea that cheap optics have their place and are fine if you are realistic about your expectations. That’s what drew me to be a little less wary of the Axeon Optics Hunter’s series. Axeon Optics sent me a few Second Zero systems I reviewed earlier this month, and with them, they sent me an Axeon 4-12×40 optic from their Hunting line.
The keyword there to me is hunting. Hunting is a bit different than duty, tactical, or even competition use. Hunting tends to be a little slower and a little softer on optics. Sure, some hunters go hard and disappear into the woods for several days and hike out massive elk over twenty miles of rough terrain. That 1% of hunters need different equipment than 99% of us, who hunt as more of a hobby than a lifestyle.
What it’s All About
For the rest of us, the Axeon 4-12×40 is a pretty sweet choice. As a hunter, I like something light and friendly, and my most significant demand is that it is sealed against the weather and capable of taking some bumps and bruises. The Axeon 4-12×40 fits that need by being fully water and shockproof. I tend not to hunt in the rain, but the dew is often thick, and it’s easy to get soaking wet on my way to the tree stand. The optic is also very lightweight for having a 12 power magnification. It’s a mere three-quarters of a pound.
The scope is a little over a foot long and made from a machined aluminum tube. It’s not compact per se, but very light for its size. The 40mm objective lens allows me to mount the optic nice and low, which is more comfortable for me, especially on my bizarro Ares SCR design. The low mount is necessary for a good cheek weld with this rifle, and likely most hunting rifles.
While my rifle recoils very little, the Axeon 4-12×40 does have a 3.5-inch eye relief to accommodate heavier hitting rounds like the 30-06. It’s a smart inclusion.
Parts and Pieces of the Axeon 4-12×40
As far as the moving pieces, the Axeon 4-12×40 is quite simple. The magnification ring glides smoothly and is scalloped to provide a solid grip on the ring. The turrets are a low profile design but do not require a tool to make adjustments with. The focus is adjustable as well, and that is a simple feat to accomplish.
The simplicity matches the low price of the optic. It doesn’t provide massive target turrets you don’t need for hunting, or a throw lever for the rapid magnifications change hunters don’t need. If I had to choose one thing to change, its that I would have tethered caps, and that’s my wish for all optics because I lose them often.
Through the Glass
The Axeon 4-12×40 provides a surprisingly clear picture for such an affordable optic. Dismounted from my rifle, I could easily make out a stop sign a quarter-mile away from me. I could read the words STOP clearly enough.
At half a mile, I could see a deer, but I couldn’t tell you with surety if it’s a buck or a doe. I wouldn’t take a shot at that range anyway, but it’s nice to know I could at least scout that far ahead.
The sight picture is unobstructed with its simple duplex reticle. The duplex reticle is all 99% of hunters need. If you have to start estimating bullet drop, you are likely too far from your prey to make an ethical kill. Or, if you have a Second Zero equipped, there is seriously no need for ballistic drop reticle at 300 or 500 yards.
A duplex reticle and a high magnification rating make it easy to hunt a variety of critters. From deer to tree rats or prairie dogs, the Axeon 4-12×40 will get it done. The clear sight picture and decent magnification makes hitting and seeing those small pests easy.
The Zero
The big does it hold zero question is a big one, and losing zero tends to be a major issue with cheap rifle scopes. I dismounted the scope from my rifle post zero and dropped it, dropped it again, and dropped it one more time. Reattaching it to the same position on my rifle was easy because I marked the rail with some nail polish.
I reattached, tightened it down, and hit the range once more. The zero had no noticeable shift. It stayed locked on, and with a paper target, I had no problems hitting dead center at 50 and 100 yards. Besides some minor scuffs, the scope was undamaged.
The Axeon 4-12×40 is a superbly simple optic, and simple is good. Simple often means affordable. This little fella would be a great optic on any hunting rifle outside of that crazy 1% who need a tank more than they need a scope. This might not be a fancy option, but fancy is overrated in the hunting world. Check the Axeon 4-12×40 out here.
Mike “GarandThumb” released his review of the SMG 45 yesterday. One of the post expensive Pistol Caliber Carbines made by the well regarded folks at LWRCi. The LWRCi’s piston guns have an exceptional reputation in the AR circles and their DI rifles are among the highest regarded off the shelf items as well. LWRC knows how to build a gun.
But as Mike points out, the SMG 45 has an issue. Accuracy. It will (or at least some units will) throw a round wildly every few shots. Mike’s group was about a 42 MOA (42″ at 100 yards) and having an overall discussed sample size of 5 over various serial number ranges makes this highly problematic.
The tendency displayed was for a high vertical round. The grouping was rather loose comparatively also. Mike, as he states, is not an armorer and doesn’t speculate on the exact cause.
But… I am an armorer, and I will.
The SMG 45 has an innovative delay blowback system that is reminiscent of the Barrett M82/M107. The barrel recoils a short distance before the bolt carrier separates and continues reward to extract and eject the .45 ACP case. The barrel then resets forward under spring pressure and the bolt follows it with a fresh round under its own recoil spring.
The system makes for a much gentler recoiling weapon the direct blowback. Mike points out, and I can confirm, a direct blowback 9mm delivers more felt recoil than a gas operated 5.56. Delayed blowback and gas operated guns are much gentler recoiling.
The problem: Inconsistent Point of Impact
The problem comes in sporadically but consistently that the SMG 45 throws a round vertically. This to me indicates that while the bolt carrier and barrel are achieving a safe lockup for firing that an inconsistency in the receiver it allowing the angle of the barrel to change during this lock up.
It is nearly impossible to conceive the LWRC knew about this issue and released the firearm anyway, especially at the premium price point it commands, which leads me to believe that the final production prototypes did not exhibit this issue. Nor did they later develop it under high round count testing.
This leads to looking at the mass manufacturing process instead of development, where tolerance issues can creep into machines over time or a tolerance that was previously considered okay is now showing itself as being a problem. This can happen with any firearm or any firearm part. Mass use is the final test bed and there is not other way see, honestly. You can build 5 units that do 50,000 rounds each and then 75 units that each do 10,000 rounds each and say you have 1,000,000 rounds of testing.
It is incredibly expensive to build 80 guns that aren’t for sale though… and there is no guarantee that those 80 guns will show you a problem the 8 guns wouldn’t but that 8,000 actually might. The AR-15/M4 is where it is at development wise because we have millions of iteration samples over a 50 year period of evolving technology to see what works and what does not.
The SMG 45 is exhibiting a problem the LWRC knows about, and now the market does too.
So what’s next?
Data collection
LWRC now needs data. They aren’t the first to start trying to find a culprit part, tolerance, CNC machine, forge error, mold error, etc. and they will not be the last. If you have a SMG 45 that doesnot group, LWRCi needs that gun and serial number. If you have one that does group. LWRCi could probably use that information also if you have ammo types, round counts, etc. to a reasonably accurate degree.
LWRCi will be tracking down whether this problem seems to develop at the factory, after a certain number of rounds, at a certain number of guns through the production line, at certain serial number ranges (and the time frames involved), after they made an alteration to a part in production, or any combination of the above.
Fixing guns is like fixing a computer, you keep going down the list of things it could be, from the most basic to the minutia, until you isolate the factor or factors causing the error. For my part I’m going to stick with my theory that a tolerance error crept into the receiver or barrel assembly that allows of an angle change during barrel and bolt lock up. This makes the most sense with the vertical stringing being prominent.
But, like I said, LWRCi needsdata. If you have that data, let them know. Round counts, when the issue began (out of the box or after X amount of rounds), how much is the variance, does the variance happen in a consistent direction, etc. All of the points of information will narrow the window until a solution is found and then the SMG 45 can be the sub gun we want it to be.
