For those who you out here who like tracking product development and learning all the behind the scenes processes that go into making a new gun… Brandon is back with the rear trunnion for the AK-50.
If you follow his channel, the AK Guy’s AK-50 has been a developmental idea for over three years. It is not as easy as upscaling a few parts dimensionally and he has had to make several design iterations to solve problems related to .50 cal ammunition on the market in order, hopefully, to have a working gun when the assemble all machined prototype pieces. Brandon also wanted to preserve as much AK in the AK-50 that he could, including the trunnions, rivets, and stamped receiver design of the iconic firearm.
Well, now both trunnions are done (unless they aren’t because of a change) and with some unique functional flare that showcases all the minutia and that go into designing a new firearm. And yes, make no mistake, this is a new firearm. It doesn’t matter that the AK-50 is using a long stroke piston system or trying to maintain the look and lines of the AKM, it’s a ground up brand new .50 caliber rifle that they’re also putting into the AK’s form so they don’t even have as free a hand to place parts in any location whatsoever. They still have to build around the monster cartridge. They still have to build around making the parts feasible and cost effective. And of course they still have to build around making it look like an AK, feel like and AK, and run like the AK that it will be.
Personally, I am fascinated watching Brandon show how they are solving both the aesthetic and functional challenges of putting this beast together and it is enlightening to see what is going into a rifle that highlight factors I didn’t even know existed as a design challenge. How certain parts may or may not bear the load of the weapon under recoil or that others are for ease of fitment and machining and still others serve as safety redundancies against catastrophic failure of the firearm due to environmental or ammunition factors.
As many of you know, the M16 is actually a product of the United States Air Force and no the US Army or Marine Corps, the branches you might expect to develop an infantry rifle. The Air Force bought AR-15’s COTS (Commercial, Off The Shelf) as just a developed product from Colt, who had purchased the design from Armalite.
Other COTS products include the Barrett M82A1 .50 caliber and even the BAR which was just shown to the Army by John Moses Browning and they said, “We’ll take it!” Commercial, Off The Shelf or COTS simply means it was not developed for a specific contract or solicitation but was instead a product developed for general commercial sale that was picked up.
The NGSW and M17/M18 MHS were solicitation products, a service wanted them developed to a certain series of requirements and companies submitted designs, the M82 and AR were COTS and purchased as is. This happens fairly often these days with rapid prototyping and evolving designs and small COTS purchase batches are normal to fill a need.
As many of you know also, the original AR-15 did not have a forward assist. Some modern designs also forego the FA as an unnecessary part. But the military, at least the procurement and development wings, love themselves some forward assist. So much so they added it to the loading drill for the AR/M16.. unfortunately to the detriment of troops more than their benefit overall as jamming a stuck item harder into the spot where it is stuck is generally not a good idea.
Well, Air Force wasn’t buying that many rifles in the grand scale of the US Military so they accepted the AR-15 as it was to supplement and replace their M2 carbines (select fire M1 carbines) and other ‘rear echelon’ weapons like the M3 or Thompson etc. They Air Force certainly didn’t consider it a hard use front line rifle, but a lightweight and accurate weapon for their air base security forces just like the M2 but with greater range.
When the Army looked to make a purchase (a one time purchase) of a larger batch of AR’s to fill the gap while they finished work on their latest ‘Bestest Rifle Evar!!‘ project (yes, so many ‘Next Gen’ rifle projects… so.. many…) they put together a committee to standardize the weapon instead of solely rely on Colt.
Army then says, “We need a forward assist! Because… reasons.” The Air Force, who had been fielding the AR-15 for a few years replied, ‘No, it’s actually fine as is. It works really well. It might cause more problems than it solves.’ Army of course goes, “Ha! Chair Force. What do you guys know about fighting rifles you’ve been actually fielding for years and we haven’t.”
Marines and Navy meanwhile watched on with popcorn and shrugged, waiting for the rifle to be all services ready.
I’m paraphrasing but you get the gist. A committee of folks who suffered from ‘we like it done this way, the way we’ve always done it’ wanted a forward assist because the Garand and M1/M2 had them and by extension the M14 did too, even though on the M14 you were not supposed to use it that way or it could cause problems. Eugene Stoner and his development team agreed with the Air Force that it was an unnecessary part and several other highly successful designs of the era omitted forward assist capability as well.
But what would FAL variants or the H&K roller guns know about being a good firearms that M14 didn’t? [/sarc]
Anyway, listen to the soothing sounds of Ian’s voice and enjoy the history lesson with Forgotten Weapons.
Cheaper than Dirt is currently hawking 9mm Tulammo for 40 dollars for a box of 50. We might be in a global pandemic, but we are also in a worldwide ammo panic. Yet, training cannot cease boys and girls. So what are we to do?
If you have an ammo stash, you don’t want to blow through it, so your focus should be on low round count drills. With that in mind, I gathered five of my favorite low round count training drills. The intent with each is to provide a drill that uses a single 50 round box of ammo at the most while providing you an outstanding level of training. We aren’t breaking the bank to build skills here.
Dot Torture
Dot Torture is the first drill on this list because it’s one of the most effective. You’ll need the free printable target that incorporates a wide variety of different skills. The dots are small and require proper shot placement and excellent fundamentals. Rounds required are a mere 50, and inside that 50 rounds, you get a heavy dose of practical and useful training.
Dot torture covers a variety of skills, including drawing, target transitions, reloads, and more. This drill does require you to have two magazines, a magazine pouch, and a holster on top of those 50 rounds.
The drills have no time limit, and I like to use this as a slow skill builder that you build speed into. Start slow on your first try, or even dry fire it. Speed will come with proficiency. Dot torture is one of my favorites and a staple of my at-home training regiment.
Sage Dynamics Eleanor Drill
If you want to be humbled, then the Eleanor drill is for you. Designed by Aaron Cowan at Sage Dynamics, the Eleanor drill is intended for both rifles and handguns. It only requires four rounds per run.
The target is free and can be printed from Sage Dynamic’s website. The Eleanor drill is fired from 3 yards for a handgun and 5 yards with a rifle. It requires you to place one well-aimed shot to a 1-inch dot from the draw with a handgun and from the low ready with a rifle, and then three rapid-fire shots to a reduced size A zone.
Par time is 2.5 seconds. You gotta be fast and accurate. Both are keys to winning a gunfight, and this drill will push you. It will humble you, and you’ll know right away if you haven’t been practicing. It’ll also show you why a proper presentation is essential, and how much faster red dot sights can make you.
A low round count doesn’t necessarily mean an easy drill.
SlyTac Casino Drill
I learned this drill from Active Response Training, but Tom Givens initially invented it. His original exercise does require a much larger target, and they can be expensive. A company called SlyTac produces a printable version of the target that allows for a more affordable option.
Each run requires 21 rounds of ammo and can be done with a rifle or a pistol. The Drill begins with a holstered handgun or a low ready rifle. The shooter then shoots the numbered targets in the corresponding order, delivering one round to number one, two to two, etc. The target can be used in reverse as well. Regardless of how it’s used, you reload along the way, and one way to spice up training is to mix up magazine capacities.
I even ran a drill in which I ran both rifle and handgun, dropping the rifle after three targets and shooting the rest with the handgun. Creativity can always increase your training potential. The low round count nature means you can shoot it twice per single box of ammo with a few rounds left over.
iHack
The iHack is a modification of the Hackathorn headshot standards designed for indoor gun ranges. The target is printable and consists of three small circles. Each circle is spaced slightly apart from one another, and the range is typically fired from 3 to 5 yards.
The drill is broken up into three different rounds. Each round requires three shots and has a par time of three seconds. The exercise starts with the shooter firing from any position, and since most ranges don’t allow for a low ready stance, you can begin at the ready.
Starting from left to right on the go signal, the shooter fires a single round into each circle. Round two starts from right to left, and the final drill starts in the middle and is dealer’s choice for whether you take the left or right target out next.
Any shots over three seconds are misses, and you need a 7 out of 9 to pass the drill. This is moderately difficult, but most shooters can accomplish it. I use it as a warm-up due to its low round count and low maintenance targets.
MPTC Backup Gun Qualification
If you have the space and range required, you can commit to a full-on qualification from the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee for backup guns and concealed carry pieces. This course requires only 50 rounds and a handgun, but you’ll also need:
Holster.
2 Magazines (or Revolver speedloader/strip)
Spare Mag Carrier
1 Man-Sized Target
Some form of ‘cover’
A passing score is only 40 hits, and the drill is rather simple.
However, there is lots of drawing, using cover, and other fun stuff. At only 50 rounds per run, why not give it a try and have some fun with it. Here is how the drill is run:
STAGES OF FIRE
7 yards 5 rounds (x2) 15 seconds
This stage will be shot in two phases from behind cover (if available). Shooters will load five rounds and have five rounds in a spare magazine or speed loader/speed strip. On the command to fire, the shooter will drop to a knee and draw from the holster and fire five rounds from the strong side of cover.
Reload, scan, and recover to a standing position at the “low ready” position. On the next command to fire, the shooter will drop to a knee and draw from the holster and fire five rounds from the support side of cover.
Scan, reload, and recover to the holster. Shooters using revolvers are given three additional seconds to reload. The total time for each phase is 15 seconds.
5 yards 5 rounds (x2) 10 seconds
This stage will be shot in two phases. The shooter will start from the 3-yard line. On the command of threat, the shooter will move back to cover on the 5-yard line, drop to a knee and draw and fire five rounds, strong hand only, reload, scan, and recover to the holster.
This phase is repeated once more. Shooters using revolvers are given three additional seconds to reload. The total time for each phase is 10 seconds.
5 yards 5 rounds (x2) 5 seconds
This stage begins with the shooter facing away from the threat (target). On the command to fire, the shooter will pivot to address the threat, draw from concealment and fire five rounds in 5 seconds.
Reload immediately. Scan for additional threats. On the second command to fire, the shooter will fire five additional rounds at their target.
3 yards 5 rounds (x2) 10 seconds
On the command of deadly threat, the shooter will draw and fire five rounds with the dominant hand only. Reload, scan, and recover to the low ready / gun ready position.
On command, the shooter will transition their weapon to their support hand. On the next deadly threat command, fire five rounds (support hand only). Scan and recover back to the holster. The total time for each phase is 10 seconds.
1 Yard 5 rounds 4 seconds
This stage will simulate a close in immediate threat. Shooters start with their weapon holstered. On the command to fire, they will perform a defensive tactic/distraction technique, step back while drawing their weapon and fire two rounds strong hand only.
Scan, cover the threat, and reload if necessary. On the next command to fire, the shooter will fire a failure drill (3 rounds) using the same procedure. The total time for each phase is 4 seconds. Reloading will not be included in the timing for the shooter’s safety.
Contact Distance 5 rounds UNTIMED
Shooters will start from an interview stance. On the command to fire, the shooter will take one step in the direction given by the instructor, either left, right or to the rear, draw and fire three rounds, scan and recover back to the holster. Repeat a second time with two rounds fired.
As you can see, it’s simple but has some moving parts, and range considerations are heavy. It is fun and has a low round count.
Low Round Count Training
Dry fire and air gun training is great, but will only take you so far. You’ll need to get some real live-fire shooting in. At the same time, you want to keep the round count low, so you don’t kill your ammo stash. In a time of global pandemic and civil uncertainty that ammo stash might come in handy, but skills sharpening is just as valuable. The above drills strike a brilliant balance between actual skill-building and ammo conservation.
Inspired by a conversation I had with a soldier who “just likes irons” I need to have your attention for a moment. For anyone still on the fence about using a CCO (Aimpoint CompM4) or any conventional 2 MOA type dot in place of iron sights, allow me to outline the reasons to trust the dot.
The short version is that the dot is several magnitudes better at everything a rifle sight should help you, the shooter, accomplish using the rifle. Namely target observation and sight alignment.
The Dot is over 5 times as precise
The Aimpoint dots are 2 MOA, most competitive dots are also 2 MOA, some are 1, some are 3.5, and every manufacturer has some tolerance allowable in the emitter. Regardless, that is a very precise aiming point without being too precise and wasting what the M4/AR are generally and quickly capable of (2-4 MOA). Keep in mind there is also tolerance allowable on a front sight and we’ll get to that chonky fellow in a minute.
Now, what does the front sight post of an AR measure in at for MOA coverage?
Well, with a 20″ sight radius like that of the M16, it measures in at approximately 11 MOA. Yes, eleven. The standard front sight post is .07″ and is ~20″ away from the rear peep and doing the math that equates to about 11 minute of angle coverage, or that of an average torso at about 150 yards/meters.
It’s thick. The M4, using the same post, has even more coverage because we shortened the sight radius by about 25%. It comes out to about 16.5 MOA.
Now, which optical system would you like to use to maximize your hit probability on a target, the 2 MOA one, or the 16.5 MOA one? The one that will still leave the edges of a head visible at 200-300 meters or one that covers width of the human body at 150 meters?
The Dot is Always* Aligned
As much as we hammer in this view here during PMI on iron sights…
Image via YouTube, Blue Collar Precision
Everybody has their own take on what it looks like for them. and this is before we get into a bisecting hold or “6 O’Clock” hold and any of that jazz. Shooters will always have some subjectivity in their eye position behind on rear peep and, after establishing a zero, that position of your eye in relation to the rear sight matters.
If you move your head you change your sight alignment. That means every movement of your body is going to change where that 16.5 MOA point is at to differing degrees. Simply shooting from a different position, switching shoulders, or getting a mildly different cheek weld on the stock can influence your point of impact away from your point of aim.
Lucky for us The Dot does not heavily depend on the position of the eye in relation to the optic as long as the user can see the dot. The Dot does not have an eye relief requirement to index the sight properly. The Dot’s are low parallax, and while centering the dot within the optical housing is still preferred since the parallax the sights do have will be apparent around the sights lens edges, the question of sight alignment becomes much less crucial since LED reflector and Holographic sights essentially maintain their sight alignment at all times. This only deviats due to parallax at the edge of the lenses if the shooter holds the dot to the extreme edge of the sight window.
In short, if you can see the dot your sight is aligned. Again, only at the very edges of the optic can it cause issues and only to a certain *degree. Anywhere in the vast middle of the optic your sight picture will match with the alignment, and far more so than peep and post will give you when the post is thicker than the target.
The Dot Greatly Reduces Target Obfuscation (Things You Can’t See)
We’ve talked about the horizontal coverage of the post width being about 11-16.5 MOA but lets not forget the other dimensions and aspects of the post either. The whole front sight post blocks half your target and the little protective wings and the post gas block or sight base block even more. If you bisect the target for your sight picture you cannot see the bottom half because the post is in the way. If you use a 6 O’clock hold you cannot see what is in front of the target from the tip of the post and closer. You cannot see clearly anything else that the post is obscuring between you and the target.
Is this nit picky?
Perhaps, however the The Dot doesn’t have this issue. You can see below/in front of and above/behind the target with The Dot. Not only are you getting a more precise aiming point and sight picture, you are getting a less obstructed one. Even on a rifle equipped with a fixed front sight post you can see beyond the sight and around the point of aim in a way that is not possible with irons alone.
Sight Contrast (Things You Can See Better)
A brightly shining LED contrasts nicely against just about anything. Being able to adjust the brightness on it for visibility in variable lighting conditions allows you to tailor the sight for the environment quickly. The Dot probably has night vision compatibility too, depending upon the model, so passive aiming in the dark is possible much more easily.
Compare The Dot to the matte black of a standard post or, at best, a high contrast fluorescent paint and there is no comparison. The best you can achieve with the post perfectly contrasted to the target environment is the 11-16.5 MOA aiming point and with no easy variability from that target environment to one under different conditions.
Both Eyes Open (Things You Can See Faster)
This is where the term reflex sight comes into play. If you, the shooter, see movement you can work with the natural reflexes of your eyes to snap the optic into place and more quickly acquire the proper sight picture to take an effective shot. The contrast of an actively glowing aiming point works with your eyes design to pick up light. An active light source coming from the LED in The Dot or laser (Holographic) picks up faster than the reflected passive light you are seeing come off a sight post.
This combined with the greater precision in both the aiming point and the sight alignment makes for significantly faster and more accurate shots if the shooter is even remotely supporting the firearm and working the trigger properly.
With the use of both eyes your field of view and the ability to pick up and movement and search is drastically increased. The sight, when it crosses your vision and comes up onto target will be less disruptive to your seeing that target as you switch to the sight. For soldiers specifically on the pop-up 300m range this is incredibly helpful in watching for the target movement in either lane from your firing point and being able to track the rifle onto the visible target(s) before they time out.
That in turn translates to a much smoother ability of the individual to go from an ‘off sight’ observational frame of reference to an ‘on sight’ ready to take a shot frame of reference.
Two Sight Planes, Instead of Three (Fewer Things You Need to See)
With traditional iron sights you must keep track of three items at three different distances from your eye. If that sounds complex, you’re correct. It is complex and keeping your eye focused properly on the front sight post to properly align the rear sight and then also passively track the target in the background is a tough order. That said it is what was done and had been done for centuries prior to optics advancing into more common use and dot sights specifically allowing for an easement in this complex equation.
By using The Dot you narrow the focus to two sight planes, your rear sight/front sight relation are gone and now its just The Dot and the target. Red dots, and even more so with holographic sights, project the aiming point forward and your eyes and brain can process them nearly like they’re on the same plane of distance. This allows easier tracking of both sight and target and while you still need to focus on the sight for a shot, doing so has become drastically easier.
So, Trust Your Dot
It…
is 5 to 8 times more precise
is always* aligned
does not obscure the target
is easier to see, being an active light source
can be easily used both eyes open
requires the eye to track less items and do so more easily
The Dot is the best unmagnified system we have come up with until we have some retinal projected active ranging HUD or some such… here’s looking at you NGSW-FC.
The first thing that would happen in a world without the NRA is a massive power vacuum on the political front. Regardless of how you feel about the NRA, no other organization has the kind of lobbying infrastructure that NRA has. Yes, SAF and FPC are good at winning litigation, but lawsuits aren’t legislation, and the NRA knows how to get the sausage made. The other thing we lose at the political level is the ability to drive legislation at the state level. While some states have effective gun rights organizations, many states have benefited from the NRA’s state level lobbyists. If the NRA goes away, we lose access to that.
Off the political front, our losses would actually be even more damaging to the fabric of the shooting sports. In a world without the NRA we lose all these things:
Collegiate rifle and pistol shooting
The Camp Perry National Matches
Bianchi Cup
NRA Instructors
NRA Range Officer training
Eddie Eagle Gun Safety
NRA publications including American Rifleman and Shooting Illustrated
That’s just some of the stuff that we lose in a world without the NRA. To explain why that’s a bad thing, let’s look at the case of NRA Instructors. It’s kind of cool in professional shooting communities to laugh at the NRA Instructor certification, but it’s also one of VERY few nationally recognized instructor certifications. In many states, if you want to teach concealed carry classes you have to be a certified instructor, and the NRA cert accomplishes that. There are “NRA Instructors,” myself included who have never taught an NRA class, but use that cert to teach CCW courses. If NRA goes away, so do all those instructors, and suddenly it becomes harder for people to get their concealed carry permits.
We all know that the lawsuit to kill the NRA is politically motivated. We all at some point have been frustrated with the NRA as well; as a Life Member I especially want to see better, more accountable leadership. This makes it easy and tempting to say “f*** the NRA let them burn” – but the reality is that a world without the NRA isn’t one that the gun culture thrives in. And if you want to keep shooting, we need the NRA.
NEWINGTON, N.H., (August 6, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the SIG SAUER CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle is now shipping and will be available in retail stores soon. Whether you’re hunting the steep terrain of mountains or densely forested hills, the CROSS delivers PRS performance, built for the backcountry hunter.
The SIG CROSS rifle is the first-ever true crossover bolt-action precision hunting rifle, engineered to meet the demands of today’s hunter. The SIG CROSS was designed and built, from concept to completion, at the SIG SAUER research and development facilities in New Hampshire with the input of the industry’s premier competitive shooters, some of the world’s best long-range shooters, and a team of professional hunters that the CROSS is built for.
The SIG SAUER CROSS features a precision free-floating stainless-steel barrel fitted to a one-piece aluminum receiver, with no need for bedding or action screws, to deliver extreme accuracy; an aluminum M-LOK™ handguard for quick and easy attachment of bipods, rails, night-vision or thermal clip-on optics; familiar AR-15 styled controls for a seamless transition to the CROSS platform; a unique two-stage match-grade trigger that can be adjusted from 2 to 4.5lbs, and AICS pattern magazines for the ultimate compatibility across calibers, platforms, cartridges, and loads.
The unique folding and locking precision stock of the CROSS offers toolless adjustment that can be modified for any shooting position while in the field. With folded stock the CROSS measures as short as 25” making it the ideal hunting rifle to fit in any backcountry backpack.
The SIG SAUER CROSS is available in .308 WIN and 6.5 Creedmoor with an 18” barrel, and the all-new 277 SIG Fury Hybrid cartridge with a 16” barrel.
About SIG SAUER, Inc. SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, and training. For over 150 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens. Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy. Headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER has almost 2,000 employees across eight locations. For more information about the company and product line visit: sigsauer.com.
[Ed: Dr. Faria published this review first at Hacienda Publishing on July 27. Guns Save Lives is available at Amazon, etc.]
Once again author Robert A. Waters has performed a great service for true gun research adding to the chronicles of personal defense — and along the way, enhancing the cause of liberty. This book continues what he started in his best-seller, The Best Defense: True Stories of Intended Victims Who Defended Themselves with a Firearm (1998). In this newer tome, Waters establishes several axioms that are momentous not only in the annals of armed self-defense that he has almost singlehandedly established but also in the field of criminology.
When a criminal assailant, rapist or burglar is stopped by an armed citizen — countless neighbors and even distant targets, who were not even aware they were potential victims — are saved from injuries, robberies, rapes, their lives saved and property protected, without even knowing they were beneficiaries.
Waters recounts several cliffhangers that illustrate that point.
In one case a serial rapist was shot and killed by a college student who he had attempted to rape in her own bed. The predator had been terrorizing the community and had even been arrested and released several times. His death brought an end to his terrorism of young females both in the city as well as at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After the rapist’s death, DNA results linked the assailant to four other rapes in the area. As Waters writes, serial rapists commit at least 20 rapes or sexual assaults before being captured, which means that this intended but intrepid victim, who fought back and turned the table on her assailant, “saved more than a dozen other women from being raped or murdered.”
In another case, a mass shooter was found to possess a list of victims he intended to shoot and kill, but he was prevented from carrying out his serialization of mass murder by an armed citizen. The lives of those fellow citizens and neighbors were saved because of the person who fought back and stopped the serial killer. Those good citizens and neighbors, some who may have been hoplophobic, would never know their lives were saved because of an armed good Samaritan.
In yet another case, an armed citizen who chose to protect his home and family stopped a trio of extremely dangerous criminals, specializing in violent home invasions. These criminals had performed more than two-dozen home invasions in Little Rock, Arkansas, over the previous 6 months. With the shooting and wounding of one thug and the apprehension of the other two criminals, the attacks stopped. Again, the citizen who stopped them saved the lives and property of dozens, if not hundreds, of potential victims, who were not even aware of the beneficence conferred on them by the citizen who had refused to become a victim.
Incidentally, this same case also shows that criminals can impersonate police officers during home invasions. After kicking in the front door of the apartment, the predators yelled, “Little Rock Police Department! Hit the Floor!” Because the intended victims fought back, despite this false warning, his life and that of his wife were saved. Citizens have a right to defend themselves when home invaders enter their home. One can never be sure that these intruders aren’t impersonating cops. This case proves it. Citizens may need to protect their homes and themselves from illegal cop “no knock” raids that may result in their deaths and those of loved ones. Armed defense is also a deterrent to tyranny.
Recently, the case of EMT Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend come to mind. They were subjected to a rogue police home invasion. Thinking they were subject to a home invasion, her boyfriend defended himself and fired his gun, wounding one of the cops. Ms. Taylor was wrongly killed. The cops have now been reprimanded but Taylor’s family, with good reason, is suing. Waters dedicates Chapter 5 to “Home Intrusions,” providing a plethora of useful tips on this topic.
In another chapter, Waters describes an encounter between a disturbed, would-be ninja warrior, who attacks and wounds a pawnshop owner with a samurai sword. Our hero, the shop owner, once again wins the contest, and in the process saves countless lives that were intended to be taken by the deranged assailant. Several other cases demonstrate that concealed-carry licensed holders invariably protect property and most importantly save lives.
Criminals, particularly serial rapists, are so used to getting away with their sexual crimes of sadism and control that a phrase of amusement recurs with numerous thugs when the intended victims fight back with firearms, “Why did you shoot me, bitch?” As expected, it requires and receives no answer.
Suffice to say, the tips in this book could save your life. And if you are one of those millions of new gun owners who bought your first firearm as a result of the coronavirus pandemic or the violent George Floyd riots — when the government demonstrated its inability to protect citizens or their homes and businesses — this book is essential reading.
All of these cases keep you at the edge of your seat. Once you pick up this book, you will not be able to put it down. Treat yourself to a good book. Get this book and read it. Besides being a pleasure to read, the information provided could help you defend your home, save your life — and the lives of those you love!
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— Miguel A. Faria, Jr., M.D. is a retired professor of Neurosurgery and Medical History at Mercer University School of Medicine. He founded Hacienda Publishing and is Associate Editor in Chief and World Affairs Editor of Surgical Neurology International. He served on the CDC’s Injury Research Grant Review Committee.
There are two more ways that social workers and other mental health professionals can assist police officers and their departments:
Community Mental Health Liaisons
“The Community Mental Health Liaison (CMHL) program is part of the Strengthening Mental Health Initiative. Thirty-one CMHLs work across the state [Missouri] to assist law enforcement and courts. The goal is to form better community partnerships between Community Behavioral Health Clinics, law enforcement, and courts to save valuable resources that might otherwise be expended on unnecessary jail, prison, and hospital stays and to improve outcomes for individuals with behavioral health issues. Liaisons also follow-up with Missourians referred to them in order to track progress and ensure success. Through the CMHL program, people with behavioral health issues who have frequent interaction with law enforcement and the courts will have improved access to behavioral health treatment.”
One-on-one psychotherapy to treat trauma in first responders
The experiencing of trauma among military personnel has been well publicized. If traumatic memories are untreated, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may result. However, the vast majority of PTSD is among civilians who are exposed to traumatic events such as crime, accidents, and natural disasters. Less well publicized is the role of trauma and PTSD in first responders: police, fire, and EMS. Fortunately, in 1989 a psychotherapy technique known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing “was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.” Currently, many therapists specialize in treating traumatic events in first responders. The COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of possible trauma, especially for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. Crisis hotlines just for first responders have sprung up. In the author’s opinion, the main barrier remains the stigma of mental illness and seeking help for disturbing symptoms.
SUMMARY:
Police officers and social workers deal with many similar populations, and each profession works in its own way to alleviate human suffering. For over one century various models of collaboration have been successful. However, it is not necessary to “defund the police” to create liaisons with social workers. Particularly when it comes to the treatment of persons with mental illness, we as a society must ask hard questions about funding, treatment, and desired outcomes. What models here and in other countries have been successful? Second, we need more role models to self-disclose that seeking treatment is not a weakness, but rather a sign of strength.
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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.
Small, compact revolvers are an excellent, and in this day and age, underrated choice for personal protection. Today in this Ruger LCRx 38 Special Review we’re taking a look at what makes this gun great for concealed carry.
I want to start the Ruger LCRx 38 Special review off by establishing one thing: small revolvers aren’t for everyone. They can be difficult to shoot, they’re hard to reload, and often have unpleasant recoil. But if you’re willing to put in the hours necessary to master the platform, it opens up a world of possibilities. Small revolvers conceal easier than any other gun, and can be used in some unique engagements where a traditional semi-auto would fail.
Once we establish that small, concealable revolvers can be useful, let’s get into the Ruger LCRx 38 Special Review. First up – the caliber. People have asked “why not get the 357 Magnum instead?” The best reason to not get the Magnum version is that there’s no point to a Magnum round out of a gun this small. The gain in terminal ballistics from 38 Special to 357 Magnum out of a gun this size is almost insignificant, but the increase in muzzle flash, noise, and recoil is considerable. Get the 38 Special, save a few bucks, and don’t kill your hands.
The best feature about the Ruger LCRx 38 Special is the trigger. Most factory revolver triggers need some kind of help to get them where they need to be, but not the LCR lineup. It is the best factory trigger on any current production revolver regardless of size or caliber. This particular gun breaks at 9 pounds double action, which is phenomenal, because it’s also reliable with any primer. Because this is the LCRx, it also has a single action mode, which has a nice trigger pull, and is also irrelevant. These guns were designed to be shot double action. In fact, my only complaint about this gun is that it isn’t double action only.
During the Ruger LCRx 38 Special review, I fired the gun through various action shooting drills, as well as for accuracy. The 3-inch barrel gives solid accuracy, and the adjustable sights are robust enough for concealed carry, while allowing you to zero the gun for your carry ammo of choice. That’s important, because most fixed sight carry guns are regulated for slow, heavy bullets. If you want to run something like the Treasury load, a 110 grain +p JHP, the gun won’t hit to the sights if you’re using a fixed sight model. But with the adjustable sights on the LCRx 3 inch, you can tune it to whatever round you desire.
I liked doing the Ruger LCRx 38 Special review. I carry this gun on a regular basis, and since I initially reviewed the gun, I’ve put quite a few more rounds on it. The only thing that’s changed is I’ve added some Crimson Trace laser grips. I would unquestionably recommend the LCRx 3 inch 38 Special to anyone looking for a lightweight and compact revolver that’s also easy to shoot well. It’s a great little gun.
You know you’ve made it when counterfeit, IP ignoring, mostly Chinese companies start ripping off your idea. Esstac is one such company. They produced the original shotgun card, and now if you search Amazon, all you’ll find are cards from companies of suspicious origins. Luckily, you can still find the OG Esstac cards directly from Esstac. These shotgun cards serve as a detachable side saddle for shotguns. That may have you asking, why should I choose Esstac shotgun cards over a rigid side-saddle?
Why a Card Versus Rigid Design?
Oh boy, am I glad you asked. The Esstac Shotgun Cards has a few benefits over rigid designs. Keep in mind I’m only testifying to the quality of Esstac cards; your mileage may vary with cheap crap.
First and foremost, these cards are universal in terms of shotgun applications. Most accessories in the shotgun world are limited to the Mossberg and Remington family of guns with a sprinkling of Benelli and Beretta stuff. Esstac shotgun cards fit whatever you need to toss them on.
Second, they can be removed and swapped quickly. Should you run an Esstac shotgun card dry, you can pull it off, and replace it with a backup. These backups can be carried in an M4 spare magazine pouch.
Thirdly, you can swap these between guns. If you own a multitude of shotguns, you can attach the same card to multiple firearms.
Lastly, there is no need to swap parts from inside your weapon. Many side saddles require you to replace bolts that slide through the receiver and latch the saddle to the gun. The issue this can cause is those bolts can get too tight and cause problems with the weapon cycling. This happened to me with a 930 side-saddle. You have to get them just right tightness wise to ensure reliable operation. Esstac cards require no such tuning.
Using the Esstac Cards
Installation is simple, but you need to ensure you get the right loop backing. The cards come with Hook, and Esstac sells the Loop as well. If you buy the cards from a different distributor, you may need to seek proper loop material to attach to your shotgun. Velcro brand industrial strength loop tape is my go-to. It’s super strong and sticks well. Make sure you degrease the receiver before attaching the loop side.
When you cut the Velcro to fit, make sure you go a little bigger than needed. This gives you a little room for forgiveness should you be a bit clumsy as you throw on a new side saddle in a hurry.
The Esstac cards have very tight elastic bands that make loading the carriers somewhat tricky. They are tight, tight, tight. They may leave you asking, will the elastic wear out? Can I leave them loaded? Well, I got good news and bad news. The bad news is that the elastic can wear out, but it will take a long time.
The good news is you can leave these loaded just like a magazine. The wear and tear and loss of elasticity come from loading and unloading them, so feel free to leave them loaded without worry.
The tight loops allow you to carry brass up or brass down or any mixture of both. These tight loops hold the shells well, and they won’t plop out while running and gunning, and as long as you aren’t a small child, you won’t have an issue drawing shells from them. The big pull tab hanging off the end makes it easy to rip them off the gun and draw them from magazine pouches.
Running and Gunning with the Esstac Shotgun Cards
The Esstac shotgun cards are robust and durable, with years of hard use ready for them. These shotgun cards are well made and made to last. I went with the 4 round models to reduce weight and to allow better balance on my scatterguns. They come in capacities ranging up to 7 rounds if you want to be a fat bottom girl.
The Esstac shotgun cards work best when you own more than one. I own three and have found them ideally suited in a few different pouches from Blue Force Gear. From their belt pouch to their chest rig, they accommodate shotgun cards perfectly. Squeeze ‘em in with the pull loop placed upwards and you can quickly snatch and draw a shotgun card to replace whatever is on your gun.
I also believe these are a great option if you need to switch between different shotgun shell load outs on your gun. A gun with breaching loads can swap to buckshot, or a weapon with buckshot can swap to slugs to respond to whatever situation lies in front of you. If you are like me and no longer a cool guy, you can keep them loaded with buckshot for side saddle reloads. However you choose to load them is up to you.
The Esstac shotgun cards are an affordable and near-universal solution to weapon-mounted shotgun ammo. The only better option I know off the top of my head is almost impossible to find and costs 150 bucks. The Esstac Shotgun cards are available in a variety of colors and sizes. If you are a shotgun nut like me, you can appreciate their versatility, quick detach capability, and the fact they come in Multicam. Check ‘em out here.
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.
