SIG SAUER just dropped two new optics as part of its ROMEO-RS line, the PRO and the COMPACT. The RS stands for Reinforced Steel. According to SIG, these new sights were designed to provide the accuracy and convenience of a pistol-mounted red dot at a cost that competes with high-end iron sights. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer.
The SIG Sauer ROMEO-RS PRO
The first of the two new sights is the ROMEO-RS PRO. The new RS sights use a steel chassis molded into a high-strength polymer housing. This keeps both weight and cost down without negatively impacting performance. It uses the PRO footprint used on the P320, P226 & P229 family of pistols.
It’s available in a 3 MOA, 6 MOA, or Circle Dot reticle and has an MSRP of either $169.95 for the plain dot versions or $199.95 for the Circle Dot. The base sights are black in color, but there’s also a nifty clear version available with the Circle Dot reticle. I’m not sure the clear version has any purpose other than looking cool, but I’m okay with that. As long as it works, there’s nothing wrong with variety.
Key Features of the ROMEO-RS PRO:
Hybrid design featuring a skeletonized steel chassis, molded into a high-strength polymer housing
Molded glass aspheric lens for a distortion-free sight picture
High efficiency point source LED emitter with 8 individual brightness settings
Large side control button for easy reticle adjustments
Convenient side-mounted CR1632 battery tray with security screw for easy access without removing the optic from the firearm
Minimum continuous runtime of 20,000 hours (at medium setting, dot-only)
MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) that powers up when motion is detected, powering down when inactive
Designed, developed, tested, and assembled in the USA
Fully Backed by SIG SAUER’s Infinite Guarantee™
The ROMEO-RS COMPACT
The Romeo RS COMPACT has very similar features to the PRO. However, it uses the smaller Shield RMS-c footprint. It’s available with the same reticle options as the PRO and also comes in black or clear housings. MSRP on the COMPACT is $149.99 or $179.99 for the Circle Dot variants.
Key Features of the ROMEO-RS COMPACT:
Hybrid design featuring a skeletonized steel chassis, molded into a high-strength polymer housing
Premium molded glass aspheric lens for a distortion-free sight picture
High efficiency point source LED emitter with 8 individual brightness settings
Large side control button for easy reticle adjustments
Convenient side-mounted CR1632 battery tray with security screw for easy access without removing the optic from the firearm
Minimum continuous runtime of 20,000 hours (at medium setting, dot-only)
MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) that powers up when motion is detected, powering down when inactive
Designed, developed, tested, and assembled in the USA
Fully Backed by SIG SAUER’s Infinite Guarantee™
SIG is marketing the new RS line as being competitive with a set of iron sights. If you’re looking for a good set of tritium sights, that’s a pretty fair comparison.
Try as we might to avoid them, there are times when most of us are faced with non-permissive environments. Before I embarked on a full-time career as a wordsmith, I spent about 15 years working as a private investigator. Among other things, this meant that I was in and out of courthouses just about every day. Trust me when I say that you’ll only ever forget to keep your pocket knife in your car once.
Heck, I once got in trouble for having one of those AAA Mini Maglites in my coat pocket. I’d been working on my car the night before and completely forgot about it. Courthouse security told me to either take it back to my car or surrender it to them. My counter-argument that many attorneys in the building were using Montblanc pens that were larger and heavier than the flashlight was ignored.
Whether it’s because of where you work or where you play, you might need to be a little creative when it comes to defensive weapons for non-permissive environments. Fortunately, there are several options available.
John Wick Style
I always thought that Ticonderoga missed the boat by not coming out with a special edition John Wick pencil set. But the folks at Kopis Designs and Midnight Oil Company teamed up to fill that gap. Check out the Blackout Pencil Pusher.
Photo credit: Kopis Designs
Looking to all the world like a regular #2 pencil, the red oak hides a solid core of G10 composite material. Each one is handmade by the team at Midnight Oil Company, which results in a unique look for each one. Few people working in non-permissive environments would give it a second glance.
A Truly Sharp Sharpie
Nick Huffman is a master spikesmith, if I might be allowed to coin a term. If it’s sharp and pointy, he can make it. He’s built a great reputation for sharpened Sharpie markers. He’s done them with G10, steel, and other materials. I particularly like the retractable models, just click and stick.
Photo credit: JennBugCrafts.
Flailing About
I picked this one up from my friend Kevin Estela. If you regularly use a backpack or bag of some sort, this is a great option for non-permissive environments. This weapon is carried in two pieces, each of which is innocuous.
The first is a padlock, which many people carry to use when they visit the gym, so they can secure their belongings while they exercise. The other element is a short dog leash, the type that’s pretty much just a handle with a snap closure at the end. If you keep them in separate compartments in your pack, nobody would blink an eye at them.
However, if you attach the lock to the end of the leash, you’ve instantly created a formidable impact weapon, one that doesn’t require immense strength or even moderate finesse to use. Grasp the leash and swing the lock at the target. It will definitely get their attention.
It should go without saying that these are absolutely weapons of last resort. Discretion is the better part of valor, as they say. If you’re able to avoid danger and flee the area, that’s definitely the route to take.
In addition to SHOT Show, one of the more significant events for the firearms industry every year is the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings and Events. In addition to meetings, forums, and speakers’ events for the organization’s members, NRAAM 2025 also included plenty of exhibition space.
During the event, major firearms and outdoors companies invite the public (provided they’re NRA members) into their booths to browse their products. NRAAM always takes place between April and May of each year, and much of the industry uses it as another product launch point.
Below is a round-up of ten assorted (but not comprehensive) new firearms and gear that are making their official debut at this year’s NRAAM, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia. Some companies have more than one entry. Truthfully, some of these companies have been very busy launching several new products.
CZ Shadow 2 Carry
CZ just announced the next version of a 9mm compact and carry-friendly traditional double action (TDA)—the new CZ Shadow 2 Carry. Like the CZ Shadow 2 Compact, the new CZ Shadow 2 Carry is based on one of CZ’s best-selling performance and competition handguns, the 9mm full-size steel frame CZ Shadow 2, which in turn is based on the original CZ-75.
The CZ Shadow 2 Carry is built with a lighter-weight aluminum frame, but keeps the same ergonomic profile that has endeared the full-size Shadow 2 to many. Unlike the double-action CZ Shadow 2 and Shadow 2 Compact models, which have neither a firing pin block nor a decocker, the new Shadow 2 Carry includes both of these features.
The pistol ships standard with a factory-milled optics-ready slide for slide-mounted red-dot reflex sights. Shadow 2 Carry pistols are already available at select online retailers with an average price of approximately $1,399.
Hi-Point, best known for its affordable and straightforward straight blowback pistol and pistol caliber carbines, has just entered the AR-15 game. The company announced its new product line of AR-15s directly at this year’s NRAAM opening day. Formally known as the Hi-Point HP-15, these firearms will be available in both 5.56mm and .300 Blackout chamberings.
Customers will have the option of purchasing the new Hi-Point HP-15s as either carbines (5.56mm only) or large format pistols (10.5 inch barrels, 5.56mm or .300 Blackout) with real-world price tags of around $500.
Following the success of its American-made Zion-15 AR-15 direct gas impingement 5.56mm rifles and carbines, Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI) is branching out into manufacturing and selling large-frame “AR-10” pattern carbines and DMR rifles chambered in both 6.5mm Creedmoor and .308 Winchester.
All IWI Zion-25 series long guns are built around 1:8 or 1:10 twist free-floated barrels available in lengths of 16, 18, 20, and 22 inches (depending on caliber). Sparing no effort to cater to precision shooters, IWI’s Zion-25 models also come standard with ARCA and M-LOK compatible handguards.
Furniture-wise, this new product series is outfitted with B5 System’s comfortable pistol grips and collapsible buttstocks. Finally, cartridge ignition comes by way of the IWI exclusive Timney 2-stage match trigger that was made famous by the 5.56mm IWI Z-15 SPR.
Honorable mention: IWI is also showcasing its new family of flow-through suppressors and its 12-gauge semi-auto Mafteah in Atlanta during this year’s show.
Magpul UCS Folding Stock
Magpul just dropped its new UCS, Universal Carbine Stock. It clamps onto the back of a vertical Picatinny rail surface found in many large-format pistols or SBRs, especially those that function without an AR-15-style spring, buffer, and receiver extension. To maximize its versatility with a wide variety of firearm makes and models, the Magpul UCS folding stock can be configured to hinge in either direction.
Magpul includes 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch stock risers for compatibility with higher-mounted optics. Correspondingly, the UCS’ Picatinny clamp itself can also be used to tweak the height of the stock relative to the back of the firearm. Like the typical AR-15 carbine stock, the UCS’ buttstock can also telescope to change its true length of pull.
Finally, the UCS includes anti-rotation QD sockets and the butt portion accepts the same type of rubber buttpad found on the Magpul MOE-SL or DT stocks.
Mossberg 990 Aftershock
Alongside IWI’s Mafteah 12-gauge semi-auto weapon, Mossberg is also unveiling a new gas-operated semi-auto 12-gauge shotgun. The Mossberg 990 Aftershock counts on a standard 5+1 shotshell capacity, while remaining ultra-compact and being relatively soft-shooting, all things considered.
The Aftershock’s grip is specially designed to absorb excess recoil while its receiver is outfitted with oversized tactical controls, including its safety and charging handle. Similarly, to facilitate loading its 5-shot tubular magazine, its bottom loading port is opened and enlarged. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for an optics base, just like other Mossberg shotguns.
To aid the shooter in keeping control during shooting, the Mossberg 990 Aftershock has a nylon hand strap over its forend that the shooter can use to “lock into” the weapon.
Rossi R95 Triple Black Pistol
Rossi launched a large-format pistol version of its R95 lever-action firearms. The new Rossi Triple Black Pistol is going to be available for several rimmed straight wall pistol and rifle calibers, including .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, and .45-70 Government. Like the full-size Rossi R95 lever-action rifles and carbines, the Rossi Triple Black Pistol includes a black paracord wrapped lever loop.
These all-black pistols come finished in a tough weather-resistant black Cerakote finish. Rossi R95 Triple Black Pistols also come standard with a receiver-mounted integrated Picatinny rail base to facilitate the mounting of optics. Their barrels are 13.25 inches long and include a threaded muzzle for compatibility with suppressors or other muzzle devices.
Ruger x Dead Air RXD Ti Silencers
RXD 22Ti shown
Sturm, Ruger & Co. collaborated with Dead Air Silencers to launch two titanium silencers with bore diameters of either .22 or .30 caliber, known as the new RXD series. RXD silencers employ both Dead Air’s 3-D printed single Tri-Skelion baffle system, along with elements of its Nomad system, too.
Whether .22 caliber or .30 caliber, both RXD silencers are covered by a lightweight titanium tube. In addition, the RXD22Ti can handle rimfire calibers up to .22 WSM. Likewise, the RXD30Ti can safely accommodate .30 caliber magnum bottleneck rifle cartridges in addition to sub-caliber ammunition such as 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6mm ARC, 5.56mm, etc.
SDS Imports, the importer behind Turkish-made TISAS and MAC (Military Armament Corp), has been making waves these past few years by bringing all kinds of affordable and decent quality single-stack and widebody 1911 models to the US Market. Some of SDS Imports’ best-sellers are models like their JSOC and Raider .45 Auto 1911 pistols. Both were inspired by original US military 1911 sidearm builds carried by the likes of Delta Force and the US Marine Corp.
SDS unveiled another retro-military fan favorite at this year’s show with the MAC MEUSOC replica. MEUSOC stands for “Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable.” This handgun consists of a .45 Auto single-stack fighting pistol that was carried by the Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit between 1985 and 2012 and originally assembled by the Precision Weapons Section gunsmiths at Quantico.
To this day, MEUSOC pistols remain a fan-favorite of military and 1911 pistol buffs.
Springfield Armory Kuna Pistol
My own picture of the Springfield Armory Kuna that I shot mid-April at Rendezvous 2025.
Although Springfield Armory announced the new 9mm roller-delayed blowback Kuna well over two weeks prior to this year’s NRAAM, consider the NRA’s event the Kuna’s first official debut for the public at large. The Kuna is named after the European pine marten (a furry wolverine-like clawed mammal that also happens to be a prominent national symbol of Croatia).
Like a few of Springfield Armory’s toughest and most reliable firearms, the Kuna is also designed and manufactured by the Croatian weapons company HS Produkt. Starting at around a cool thousand dollars, the Kuna can be purchased as a large-format or braced pistol.
Although it uses a roller-delayed blowback system, the Kuna’s action has nothing to do with the classic HK-pattern roller-delayed action. Kunas do not use fluted chambers, and their rollers work on a different axis to delay their bolt.
Taurus Model 58
Taurus USA took the opportunity to launch the new .380 ACP blowback Taurus Model 58, whose design is based on the open-top slide Beretta Cheetah Mod. 84. The new Taurus Model 58 is built with a lightweight aluminum frame and uses a traditional hammer-fired double action. It is also equipped with a four-inch barrel and a standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds.
The Taurus 58’s mission is to provide a .380 ACP light-recoiling concealed carry/defensive firearm in a medium size and easy-to-carry form factor. Taurus is offering the Model 58 in all-black or a complete stainless steel finish. Like other Taurus products inspired by the Italian gunmaker Beretta, the Model 58 retains frame-mounted thumb safeties.
What do you know Wilson Combat for? High-level, custom-grade 1911s, right? We know Wilson Combat has extended itself into ARs, Shotguns, and suppressors, but it also branched out of the 1911 world into other handguns. Their latest comes from the newest branch of Wilson Combat, Division 77, and it’s appropriately named Project 1.
Division 77 is a mad lab at Wilson Combat, working to develop the latest and greatest in small arms technology. Wilson Combat started in 1977, and that’s where the 77 comes from. Division 77 is set to release plenty of new guns, but Project 1 is the first they’ve shown us. What is Project 1? Well, it’s not a 1911, and it’s not a 2011, so what is it?
Division 77 Project 1 is continuing the EDC line of 9mm compact handguns. It’s not a compact gun. I’d describe it as a race gun. The type of gun that would be at home in an open match. They took the idea of flat and fast shooting to an extreme degree.
The Project 1 – It’s So Fast
The Project 1 is a full-sized handgun. It holds 18 rounds of 9mm and features a five-inch barrel, so we are getting into a Government profile-sized gun. The metal frame features the Wilson TRAK checkering on the front and back grips and G10 grips with the Wilson Combat Starburst pattern. It’s super aggressive, and your hand fills every little gap and locks the gun into your hand.
Wilson Combat uses many of its Bulletproof parts, including the hammer, magazine release, and ambidextrous safety. As you’d imagine, it’s optics-ready. To top things off, the barrel and slide are ported for reduced muzzle rise and faster recovery.
From shooting Project 1 at our recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, I can say the compensated design works quite well. It allows you to recover rapidly. In fact, it’s so fast that it outran me with ease. The dot returned to the target faster than I was mentally ready to shoot again. At one point, I just pulled the trigger as fast as I could, and it seemed like the dot never left the window.
Like any Wilson Combat weapon, the Project 1 features a masterclass of triggers. It’s superbly light and completely flat in profile. It glides rearward and releases without much pressure or effort. The single-action hammer races forward as fast as you can pull the trigger.
It’s also absurdly accurate. I’m a pretty good pistol shot, but I was hitting a fairly small 18 x 12-inch steel rectangle at 50 yards with the gun and a Trijicon RMR. For a pro, that’s nothing, but I’m no pro.
A Master Class
This gun is designed to give shooters a fast, flat shooting tool. Everything about the gun is designed to increase speed while maintaining accuracy. Shooting it is a ton of fun, and I’m not a good enough shooter to run the gun as fast as it could go, but I want to be! A lot of little things were done to improve the user’s experience.
Things like the optics mounting system. It’s universal but doesn’t require any plates. You have a series of removable locking pins that can be moved to mount various optics. We get things like an enhanced magwell, heavy-duty magazine baseplates, a Picatinny rail, and an external extractor.
While it’s clearly 1911-inspired, it’s not a 1911. Project 1 departs far enough from the platform to be something completely new. I can’t wait to get one in my hands and see if I can run it as fast as it deserves.
Springfield Armory just released its latest AR, the SAINT Victor Pistol in 5.56mm. This is the latest release in Springfield’s Victor line of AR-pattern firearms.
This SAINT Victor Pistol
Springfield Armory didn’t jump into the AR market nearly as soon as a lot of companies did, but when they did, they offered solid, well-thought-out models at affordable prices. The SAINT Victor Pistol looks to be following that pattern. It’s chambered in 5.56mm and has an 11.5-inch CMV barrel. It uses a carbine-length gas system and is fitted with an A2 birdcage flash suppressor. The upper receiver is forged from 7075 T6 Aluminum. It has a black Type III Hardcoat anodized finish, a forward assist, and is cut with M4 feed ramps.
The SAINT pistol uses a free-float handguard with a full-length Picatinny rail on top. It has M-LOK slots on the sides and bottom for attaching your preferred accessories. An M-LOK handstop is included on the handguard, and a QD mount is located on the receiver end plate.
The lower is also forged from 7075 T6 Aluminum with a black Type III Hardcoat anodized finish. It incorporates the Accu-Tite Tension System as well. The SAINT Victor Pistol has a nickel boron-coated flat trigger and is fitted with a B5 Systems polymer trigger guard. A 45-degree short-throw ambidextrous safety comes standard.
The SAINT comes with a B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip and an SB Tactical SBA3 brace on the three-position receiver extension. Additional features are a set of flip-up sights and one 30-round Magpul PMAG Gen M3 magazine. MSRP on the SAINT Victor Pistol is $1,150.
SAINT Victor Pistol Specs:
Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO (.223 REM)
Color
Black
Barrel
11.5″ CMV, Melonite®, 1:7
Upper Receiver
Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, Forward Assist, M4 Feed Ramps
Lower Receiver
Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, Accu-Tite™ Tension System
The USMC’s greatest shame was the M16A2. The M16A2 project was largely led by Marines, but sadly, it was led by Marines more obsessed with scores on the Known Distance range than combat effectiveness. Some of the problems with the ole A2 would stick around on the A4 and were ultimately a silly decision.
Problems With the M16A2
Where to start? The saddest problem was the government profile barrel, which was heavy in the wrong spots and made the rifle unwieldy. This was done because, apparently, Marines were bending barrels, but in reality, the armorer’s gauge showed the barrels were bent due to a buildup of bullet jacket material on the gas port. This was discovered too late, and we got the dumbest barrel design possible.
The stock was ridiculously long, too. The A1 length was perfection, and the reason they decided to lengthen it was silly. The longer length of pull is great for sling loop shooting for score at Camp Perry, but not so great for infantry use with gear.
The M16A2 sights were also great for Camp Perry shooting, but an infantry rifle’s rear sight is needlessly complicated. The A1 sights were a superior option in most ways. The M16A2 aperture sizes were admittedly better, but that would be an easy fix.
Oh, yeah, and they decided a three-shot burst was the way to get Joe to conserve ammo instead of spray and pray. Three-shot burst designs are kind of silly to begin with, and they were executed in a silly way with the M16. This led to a complicated trigger design that was also terrible.
Most of the M16A2’s improvements weren’t all that great. Somehow, Canada did it way better than we did with the C7 series.
How the C7 Became the Better M16A2
Before the C7, the Canadians used the FN FAL like most of the Commonwealth. When they wanted to move from a battle rifle to an assault rifle, they could have grabbed the SA-80 family, like the Brits, but thankfully, they weren’t stupid.
Instead, they looked to the south, saw the M16, and said, “Hey, that works pretty well.” Years prior, they even had a liaison officer working with the Marine Corps on the A1 upgrade package. They ran a series of tests with various firearms and settled on the FN FNC and M16A2, with the A2 winning.
Colt issued Canada a license to build the rifle, and Canada turned to Diemaco. Canada wasn’t psyched about the M16A2, so they made a few changes. Adding a little maple syrup to the design turned the M16A2 into the C7.
How Canada Made an Excellent M16
First, they kept the length of pull from the M16A1 but created a method of spacers that allowed the stock to adjust its length of pull to fit the end user. Four spacers could bring the rifle to M16A2 length. Being able to adjust the stock became a running theme with the C7, and later models would use a four-position carbine stock.
Canada also kept the M16A1-style sights. The rear sight was adjustable for windage only, and the front sight controlled elevation. These simpler, more robust sights were less likely to shift when bumped against gear and ultimately easier to learn and use.
Canada also felt that its soldiers should fire short, controlled bursts in automatic fire. However, it believed they should train their soldiers. Thus, it ditched the three-round burst concept in favor of safe, semi, and auto, which results in a much nicer trigger overall.
Finally, they also used reinforced, interlocking handguards made of a more fibrous material. M16A2 handguards had a habit of falling off with wear. The more fibrous material was used to create a better cold-weather-resistant handguard, which was certainly more important to our friends in the Arctic.
They even used a cold hammer-forged barrel to squeeze more accuracy out of their rifles.
An Initial Weakness
Not everything was perfect. Canada did try to jump into the world of polymer magazines early. The Thermold designs they used were, uhm, crappy. You can probably still find Thermold magazines from the era. The polymer is weak, the words anti-tilt were a foreign concept, and they just sucked.
Canada and The AR Platform
Canada was surprisingly progressive with its service rifle. It quickly introduced an optics rail, but it was Weaver because it predated Picatinny. It then introduced an ELCAN fixed power optic, followed by ambidextrous controls. Eventually, it added a four-position carbine stock to the C7 series to better fit soldiers. Sadly, we aren’t getting C7s anytime soon.
It would be an interesting route for a retro AR company to take. Brownells, H&R, or a similar company could make an interesting C7 concept.
In the Northeast, the author boasts a giant Oyster mushroom, which comes in various sizes and can be cooked in endless tasty ways.
Mastering the art of identifying all the tasty edibles in nature is a journey that lasts a lifetime. By focusing on popular and safe spring wild edibles, you’ll stay safe and simplify your foraging adventures. These plants have minimal to no dangerous lookalikes, making them easier to identify.
Discover the Joy of Wild Edibles
As spring bursts forth in vibrant colors, wild edibles seem to weave themselves into the very fabric of our surroundings. They’re practically beckoning from every nook and cranny, just waiting for you to discover their hidden delights.
At first glance, foraging might feel a bit overwhelming, like trying to navigate a treasure map. But don’t worry—it’s an exhilarating journey that can easily become an irresistible passion. It blends adventure with the joy of culinary exploration!
Southwest Spring Wild Edibles
Yucca—Growing up in the southwest, I couldn’t help but notice the striking whitish-yellow flowers atop yucca stalks. These beauties are not just eye candy; they’re delicious! Timing is key when picking the flowers for the best flavor. The petals taste like a starchy potato, while the green centers remind me of pistachios. You can pick them in late spring to early summer and enjoy them raw, roasted, or sautéed.
Almost every part of the yucca plant is edible—from stems and leaf bases to the fruit itself. Remember to snip the flowering stalks before they bloom; otherwise, they turn fibrous and lose their taste. You can even eat the younger stalks raw, which resemble oversized asparagus.
Finding a yucca plant scores you a tasty snack and provides tough leaves perfect for weaving mats and cordage, or even making soap! Archaeologists have uncovered various tools and baskets crafted from yucca. This makes it one of the most versatile plants in the south.
The yucca blossom is a stunning annual treat for the adventurous eater. It could be a culinary lifesaver in a pinch! These bright flowers are hard to miss and fit in as safe spring wild edibles!
Safe Spring Cactus
The Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris) may look intimidating with its sharp spines. However, its pads and fruits are surprisingly rich in vitamins A and C. The ideal time to harvest the pads, known as nopales, is from late spring to early summer. At this time, they are tender and around 5-7 inches long.
Carefully remove the spines, rinse the pads, and slice them into strips. Boil for 15-20 minutes, then strain and enjoy them as a healthy snack or in a tasty scramble with eggs and sausage. Think of them as zesty green beans!
For outdoor cooking enthusiasts, roasting the pads directly on hot coals adds a unique flavor. These safe spring wild edibles are only safe if you mind the sharp, prickly things!
The author created a tasty dish with beavertail cactus, eggs, and zesty sausages, roasting the second piece of cactus over hot coals for added flavor.
This cactus thrives in the Mojave, Anza-Borrego, Colorado Deserts, and northwest Mexico.
Safe Spring Fungi
When venturing into the world of fungi, it’s crucial to sharpen your identification skills. Consider this your jumping-off point, but always double-check with three reliable sources. Consult an expert, a spore print, and some good reference materials before giving any mushrooms a taste test.
While exploring the woods, the author found large Oyster Mushrooms, took a few, and shared the rest!
Now, onto oyster mushrooms! These culinary gems are tasty and pack a nutritional punch. They are bursting with protein, iron, and antioxidants. You’ll know you’ve found them by their unique fan shape and alluring creamy white to light brown hues. Keep your eyes peeled for these beauties growing on dead or decaying hardwood. Look for them on beech, aspen, oak, maple, or even straw and compost.
When you spot clusters of those fan-shaped caps rising from a central stem, you’re onto something good! Just remember, while they might look inviting, some mushrooms can be masquerading as lookalikes. Stay sharp and avoid any potentially toxic impostors!
Pro Tip: Look for a fishy scent and white spore print.
Elusive Safe Spring Wild Edibles
Morels are the reigning champions of flavor and price among mushrooms. This makes them delicious and elusive. The Yellow Morel (Morchella esculentoides) and Black Morel (Morchella angusticeps) are the stars of the show. Their caps can range from light cream to rich yellowish-brown, often deepening with age. Their hollow structure resembles a rubber mold. Moreover, the caps usually outsize their stems.
These mushrooms feature a unique honeycomb pattern and can grow up to about 5 inches tall. You can find morels across the Northern Hemisphere, especially in North America. They thrive near elm, poplar, and ash trees, often hiding under decomposing leaves in forested areas.
Whip up a quick wood’s sauté while foraging! Morels can star solo or add flair to any dish.
With creamy white or pale ochre spore prints, black morels are the early risers. They appear about two weeks before the yellows. Depending on the climate, you might spot them as early as March, or they may last until June.
Give these safe spring wild edibles a try and unlock your wild self. Happy hunting, and may your basket be ever full!
The two most common illumination measurements you’ll see when comparing flashlights are lumens and candela. While on the surface they might sound like they’re referring to the same thing, they aren’t. They are somewhat related, but it’s important to understand the distinction.
Lumens
Lumens measures the total output of the light source.
Lumens are the total light output. Think of it as a measurement of brightness. A flashlight rated at 1,000 lumens will be twice as bright as a 500-lumen one. However, and this is the important part, the lumen rating doesn’t take into account the beam size, shape, or pattern. It is strictly a measurement of overall illumination, nothing more. This is called luminous flux.
Candela
One candela is literally equal to the brightness of one standard candle.
Candela is Latin for candle. For many years, this was the standard measurement for lights. It was sometimes called candles or candlepower. The idea was that one candela was equal to the brightness of one standard candle of a specific size and composition. Today, we use candela to measure the light output in one specific direction.
Think of what you see when you power on a flashlight. Typically, there is a small area at the center of the beam that’s the brightest, right? That’s what candela is measuring, the brightness of that small area, what we call the luminous intensity. Candela will also be an indication for throw, or how far the beam of light will travel. Higher candela means longer range.
Understanding the Difference
Here’s one way to understand the difference between lumens and candela. The lamp in your living room, the one that lights up most of the room, has a good lumen rating, but a relatively poor candela rating. It provides a fair amount of light, but it’s widely dispersed. On the other hand, a flashlight with a focused beam might not have a lot of lumens, but the candela rating will be relatively higher.
Real World Applications
So, what does all this translate to when shopping for flashlights? For starters, remember that the lumens rating doesn’t tell the whole story. Sure, a 500-lumen light is going to be pretty bright. But it might not be suitable for your specific needs.
For example, let’s say you want a light that you can shine into the backyard if you hear an odd noise. You probably want something that’s more focused, so you can see specific areas well, rather than providing unfocused light to a larger area. In this case, candela is as important as lumens.
Candela can give you an indication of the range of the light.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a pocket flashlight that you can use for lighting up dark hallways during a power outage or for seeing what you’re doing when jump-starting the neighbor’s car late at night, then candela isn’t as much of a factor.
Limiting Factors
Just as you need to understand the difference between lumens and candela, you should recognize that all of the posted ratings for a given light are for perfect conditions. Outside the testing facility, there are going to be limiting factors in play. These could include a dirty lens, fog, precipitation, even dust floating in the air. Any of these will disrupt your light and reduce its effectiveness.
Do you guys remember that ultra-sweet, highly caffeinated soda called Surge from the early 2000s? Well, SIG isn’t bringing that back. Instead, they are now releasing their Suppressed Upper Receiver Group, aka the SURG556. The SURG project dates back to around 2018, when it won a contract with SOCOM.
The SURG program aimed to throw an MCX upper with a suppressor onto an M4A1 lower. The design would seemingly replace the Mk 18 and fill that same role, but it would optimize the weapon for suppressed use.
Not only would it be quiet, but it would also have a heat-resistant cover to protect the user and their equipment. Suppressors get extremely hot extremely quickly, and that cage around the suppressor provides that additional protection.
If you’ve ever shot a suppressed AR, you know it can get gassy. That gas is full of toxic chemicals looking to make a home in your body and cause you all sorts of future terror. SOCOM recognized the problem, but also recognized the value of a suppressor. The SURG mixes a suppressor with low back pressure and a short-stroke gas piston. When combined, this creates no noticeable gas to the face.
The SURG556 And You
While SOCOM has gotten their SURG uppers, SIG is now releasing them to the world’s shooters. You can now complete your ATF forms, get your tax stamp, and have a SURG556 of your very own. At the latest Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, I was able to get ample time with the SURG556.
I was fed magazines of 5.56 like I was a cow getting ready to be slaughtered. In just a few minutes, I put upwards of a hundred rounds through a SURG. I engaged targets between 25 and 100 yards. It’s not a torture test, but it allowed me to evaluate some of the SURG556 claims.
Off the bat, I can testify that the SURG556 keeps your face gas-free and comfortable. It didn’t beat me up or make my eyes water when shooting. In fact, I felt no gas in my face, and I was shooting inside a shoot house, so there was no wind to really help.
The suppressor looks bulky, but the setup doesn’t feel unbalanced or front-heavy. It cuts noise well and helps reduce recoil and muzzle rise. The SURG handles very smoothly and is easy to shoot and control. The dot in my optic barely moved between shots, and I could drill steel targets over and over.
The range didn’t allow for much distance testing, and steel doesn’t allow for groups, but there were no problems hitting various-sized pieces of steel within our limited range.
A Radical Option
The SURG was never made for the average Joe, but SIG is perfectly willing to supply the modern Joe with a high-tech, accurate, and comfortable-shooting suppressed upper receiver. The SURG series is now available and a radical option for modern suppression.
Bleecker St. Publications, the parent company of both GAT Daily and Athlon Outdoors, brought back the classic Athlon Rendezvous in 2025. The event, which was held at Brush Creek Ranch in southeastern Wyoming, concluded two nights ago [as I write this], and now most of the attendees are either home or getting ready for NRAAM 2025 in Atlanta.
Rendezvous was a huge hit, and a handful of writers and shooters, including myself, got the chance to go hands-on with new products—both guns and gear. Many of the items we saw at the event are still under embargo at the time of this writing. There was no shortage of cool products we saw and handled.
Ironically, one of the cheapest rifles present (that wasn’t even a brand-new release) on the firing line at Rendezvous left a big impression on me: the inexpensive Mossberg Patriot bolt-action rifle.
Mossberg: The Rifle Company?
Loaded magazines and a single Hornady 7mm PRC 180 grain match cartridge.
Typically, when one thinks of Mossberg, chances are they think of its shotguns. Models like the Mossberg 590 or Mossberg 500 come to mind. But the company has also been offering centerfire bolt-action rifles, too, and none too expensive for what they are.
Mossberg’s flagship rifle series is the Mossberg Patriot, a standard button-rifled bolt-action rifle that can be picked up in numerous chamberings and a few different configurations. It’s evident that Mossberg manufactures the Patriot to be a working man’s utilitarian rifle.
Most of them ship with basic and functional furniture in the form of standard synthetic or walnut hardwood stocks—nothing overly elegant. Although it is worth mentioning that Mossberg does offer their Patriot LR variants with an entry-level MDT stock that accepts AICS pattern magazines.
Mossberg formally launched the Patriot models a decade ago in 2015. So, while the Patriot is nothing new, I had never gotten behind the stock of one until earlier this week at Rendezvous. I don’t think I had even seen one in the wild either. But after my experience with the specific Mossberg Patriot rifle chambered in Hornady’s 7mm PRC that Mossberg brought for demo purposes to Rendezvous, I think it was one of the true underdogs and unsung heroes of the event.
According to Scott—the Mossberg rep who was shepherding the shooting position and handing us loaded rifle magazines—this particular rifle has a real-world price of approximately $450. That’s dirt cheap for a lightweight contour bolt-action rifle that’s chambered for one of the industry’s most sophisticated modern 7mm rifle cartridges. For perspective, one can hardly find a common Mosin-Nagant M91/30 for less than that these days.
The Patriot Goes To Rendezvous
Scott’s demo 7mm PRC Mossberg Patriot was a basic model with a black synthetic stock and a matte-blue finish. Its bolt-body was fluted, and its muzzle was cut for standard ⅝ x 24-inch threads. Mossberg includes an adjustable trigger that reminded me of the ones seen on Savage rifles (with a trigger blade). It was set up to break at a reasonable and inoffensive trigger pull weight.
A Harris-style bipod sat over the rifle’s forend, and this Mossberg Patriot wore a ZeroTech MRAD riflescope that sat over a single-piece Picatinny scope base. I didn’t catch the scope’s actual model or further details, but it definitely wasn’t anything expensive like a Nightforce or Kahles riflescope. If I had to guess, it was something that zoomed all the way to 25x power. The rings that held this riflescope in place looked quite pedestrian, too.
This Patriot wore a .30 caliber Dead Air silencer over its muzzle—a welcome accessory that not only reduced the muzzle blast but also served to make the rifle less jumpy in between shots. In fact, having this silencer onboard only sweetened my entire experience shooting the Mossberg Patriot.
After breaking each shot, the silencer dampened the rifle’s natural tendency to jump (as lightweight rifles with bipods tend to do). So, I had enough time to recover and watch the impact through the scope.
Making 1,050 Yards Feel Like 150 Yards
The Rendezvous firing line included a few different berms set up with steel targets that were placed at 100, 300, and 400 yards. Further down the range area, there was a single square steel plate that sat at approximately 1,050 yards from the shooting position. Readers are probably aware that this distance isn’t much for a potent cartridge like Hornady’s modern 7mm PRC.
Admittedly, I haven’t had any meaningful time to shoot bolt-action rifles since last December when I covered the Tikka T3X Lite and the Nightforce Mil-XT reticle. So, when I found out that one of the event’s manufacturers had a rifle set-up to shoot at targets over 1,000 yards, I didn’t hesitate to take advantage. Fortunately, Scott from Mossberg had taken care of all the zeroing and DOPE, so we didn’t have to worry much about the nuts and bolts.
Hard to tell from this picture, but follow that dirt road for 1,050 yards and you’ll find that steel target.
Shooting the Patriot in 7mm PRC
I sat down behind the rifle, propped up the butt with a rear bag and closed the bolt home behind a 7mm PRC cartridge topped with a 180 grain Hornady ELD Match (.796 G1 / .401 G7). Once I was positioned behind the rifle, Scott told me to “favor left” and hold 7 mils towards the upper corner of the steel plate. I sent it. Nothing happened.
I jacked the bolt and cycled another fresh match cartridge. (Are all budget bolt-actions this smooth—and fluted?) Then I sent that one. Missed it again. Third time’s the charm, right? Again, thanks to the .30 caliber Dear Air suppressor, I was able to recover and watch for the dirt splash of the previously missed cartridge.
Fortunately, the wind was cooperative that Tuesday morning, and all it took was to hold a ½ mill off the top edge of the upper left corner of the plate.
Impacts Galore
Bang…
[wait about four seconds]
Impact.
Bang…
[wait another four seconds]
Impact.
Bang…
[Another four seconds pass by]
You guessed it–impact.
A Patriot Needs to Eat
Since this rifle is the basic Mossberg Patriot, it’s equipped with a basic flush-fitting, blind 3-round magazine. While I was shooting, Scott had been helpfully loading extra mags to hand to me, replenished with that 180-grain Hornady match load. The red ballistic tips on Hornady’s ELD Match projectiles are really eye-catching, especially in the dimly lit shoothouse where we were shooting from.
I proceeded to do the same thing again with three subsequent magazines. By holding the scope’s reticle ½ mil off at the top left corner, every round impacted to the point where it was getting kind of boring, ironically. Except it wasn’t because this was one of the cheapest long guns present at the event. It’s a shame I didn’t get the chance to survey my actual impacts on the steel plate downrage.
The other thing to keep in mind is that Scott had been shepherding this Mossberg Patriot for the better part of three hours prior to my arrival at his station. When I sat down and adjusted the stool and fixed my rear bag, it was hard to miss the heat mirage rising and dancing off that can’s outer surface. And keep in mind, this wasn’t a gun with a thick bull barrel profile. It had a light contour barrel. That gun was nice and hot by the time I got to it.
After seeing what this Mossberg was capable of with factory match ammo, I’m curious to see how it prints with a cool barrel at 100 yards.
Patriot rifle stock product photo courtesy of Mossberg. See? It’s not really much to look at. But combine it with match ammo from Hornady or another high-end ammunition company and watch what happens.
The Springfield Kuna has arrived. The gun, hot off winning a contract with elite police forces in Brazil, has hit American waters. The Kuna, named after the national animal of Croatia, is a 9mm pistol caliber subgun or large format pistol. Who knows what we are calling them this week. At this point, most of us expect a fairly standard straight blowback gun.
That’s not what the Kuna has to offer. Instead, we get a roller-delayed blowback action like the MP5 series. Why does that matter to you? Well, a roller-delayed blowback gun has two advantages.
First and most importantly, the violent recoil of a blowback action is gone. It’s a steady hum with a downright soft recoiling design. The red dot on top barely moved between shots, making it insanely easy to put a ton of rounds on steel targets.
The other reason is how well a roller-delayed gun runs suppressed. I shot about 300 rounds through the Kuna with two different suppressors at the recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and I never got a gas cloud to the face.
The Kuna – More than Roller Delayed
The Kuna has a few more tricks up its sleeve. First, it’s got controls that mostly mimic an AR on the lower receiver. Best of all, they are completely ambidextrous. When we pop up top, we have a nonreciprocating charging handle that can be reversed for either side’s use.
At the range, the Kuna proved to be a stress-free shooter. The controls were all at hand, snapping and popping as they should. The charging handle wasn’t overly tight, and mags dropped free with the press of a button.
We have our selection of MLOK slots for accessories and a large top optics rail. On the optics rail sits a novel set of sights. We have a folding backup peep sight that’s adjustable for windage and elevation. Additionally, when they sit down, they form a traditional front post and U-notch, much like your favorite pistol sights.
We have a 1913 tail at the rear of the gun, and the Kuna will ship with or without a brace. It’d be an easy candidate for an SBR as well.
Ringing Steel
I shot the gun as quickly as they handed me mags, and I hope the Springfield guys didn’t mind me digging through hundreds of rounds of ammo. It allowed me to see that the gun is quite accurate.
I couldn’t judge the group size, but I was making easy hits on a small diamond-shaped steel plate at about 70 yards. The gun worked quite well.
While magazines are proprietary, they have an MSRP of $24.99 and do feature a metal feed lip. I imagine the street price will be closer to $19.99.
While I don’t have enough time on the gun to form a real review, I can say it’s quite promising. The Kuna will be competitively priced and sell for well under the other roller-delayed options. I’m extremely excited to grab one of these for a more long-term review.
Ben's Clothing and Gear offers an insect treatment with 0.5% Permethrin to repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other harmful insects. When applied to clothes and gear, the spray provides up to six weeks of protection.
Minuscule vampires of the forest, ticks are tiny, eight-legged arachnids. These vampires cling to the skin of humans and animals to feed on their blood. They thrive in grassy, wooded areas and fields where they can easily attach themselves to a passing host. Ticks are known to transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease, which may be the worst!
Three Minuscule Vampires
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms appear within two weeks of a tick bite and can include fever, headache, muscle pain, and a spreading rash. If you ignore it, it can lead to serious health issues like organ damage and even be fatal. It’s important to take steps to avoid ticks. Remove any ticks promptly, and see a doctor if you notice symptoms.
(Photo by Mike Lychock)- The larger brown dog tick is more dominant than the smaller blacklegged deer tick nymph.
Anaplasmosis is another tick-related disease that can be serious if untreated. Symptoms often feel like the flu—fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to dangerous complications like respiratory or kidney failure. So, if you think you’ve been bitten and feel unwell, especially if you’re older or have health issues, get medical help right away. Most people recover fully with prompt treatment.
Then there’s Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by bites from these minuscule vampires of the forest. Its symptoms can vary widely, often starting with flu-like feelings, fatigue, and a distinctive bullseye rash. If untreated, it can affect your joints, heart, and nervous system, leading to more severe issues, like arthritis or even facial paralysis.
Rarely, it can cause long-term neurological problems, affecting memory and concentration. So, again, take precautions against ticks, remove them quickly, and seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms. The earlier you get diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of avoiding complications.
Identifying Vampires of the Forest
In North America, you’ll come across several tick species, but only a handful are usually a concern for people. It’s good to be familiar with the main types: black-legged ticks, which include the deer tick and Western black-legged tick; dog ticks, such as the American dog tick and brown dog tick; and the lone star tick.
You can tell them apart by their size, color, shape, and where they’re found. For instance, the black-legged tick has black legs and a dark brown body, while the lone star tick stands out with a distinct white spot on its back.
(Photo by Mike Lychock)- The size of a nymph deer tick is very hard to see and blends with dark colors. They are easier to spot on skin and light-colored clothing.
To identify a tick, grab a magnifying glass and check its features against a trustworthy tick identification guide. If you can, store the tick in a sealed container using clear tape or a damp paper towel for later testing or confirmation.
Deterrence of Ticks
To dodge tick bites, avoid areas with tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf litter, especially in spring and summer. Dress in long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes to protect your skin, and don’t forget to apply a DEET or picaridin repellent on exposed areas. After being outside, check yourself, your kids, and your pets for ticks and remove any you find.
You can use gaiters with your pants to keep ticks at bay and consider spraying your shoes, socks, and pants with Permethrin, since those spots are where ticks usually crawl up first. Light-colored pants like khaki make spotting minuscule vampires of the forest easier.
Permethrin is a great insecticide that repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests. Treat your clothes, gear, and shoes with it for lasting protection—just remember not to put it on your skin, as it can cause irritation. I’ve had success with Ben’s Clothing and Gear insect treatment, which has 0.5% Permethrin and lasts up to six weeks. It’s a solid addition to your outdoor toolkit if you’re in tick-prone areas!
Checking for Vampires
After a day in the woods, hop in the shower as soon as you can to rinse off any ticks that might be hanging around. It’s also the perfect time to give yourself a good tick check, which is super important for avoiding tick-borne illnesses. When you’re checking for ticks, start at your scalp, behind your ears, and around your neck. Then, move down to your arms, underarms, and hands—don’t forget to look between your fingers and underneath your nails. Next, check your torso, back, waistband, and legs, making sure to examine your knees, ankles, and feet.
Ticks can cling anywhere, so it’s crucial to cover all the spots. If you need help, grab a mirror or ask someone to help you check those tricky areas. If you happen to find a tick, get rid of it right away using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick key, and clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Minuscule Vampires of the Forest Removal
When you need to take off a tick, grab a pair of clean, fine-tipped tweezers and hold the tick as close to your skin as you can. Pull straight up with a steady motion—no twisting or yanking! If the tick happens to break, make sure to use the tweezers to get out the remainder of its head.
After you’ve removed it, clean both the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, soap, and water. Avoid using your fingers to crush the tick or trying old remedies like nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to get it to let go. It’s a good idea to keep the tick in a jar or ziplock bag, just in case you start feeling unwell and need to show it to your doctor. Don’t forget to label it by date.
Tick Key is an easy-to-use tick remover for pets and outdoor enthusiasts. Its patented design is proven to remove ticks of all sizes and can be carried on a wallet, pocket, keychain, collar, saddle, or leash.
In the United States, I think most gun owners who have heard about the TT-33, aka the Tokarev, respect it. They are a little obscure, but lots of folks have one in their collection, and it’s often a neat little gun. What Americans don’t really understand is how popular the Tokarev was across the world.
The Tokarev Versus The World
In many ways, it’s the AK of handguns for Communist military forces. Variants of the TT-33 were spread far and wide through Eastern Europe, Asia, and beyond. This has left a lasting impression on the world and has steadily influenced the arm’s designs of Eastern Europe and Asia.
Today, we will look at some oddball Tokarevs that are offshoots and evolutions of the weapon.
The North Korean Type 68
North Korea does some weird stuff. They tend to take proven designs and modify them for reasons beyond me. Maybe work more on your folks not starving to death and less on modifying working designs. The North Korean Type 68 blends the Tokarev features with the Browning Hi-Power features to create an interesting little gun.
Off the top, the North Koreans trimmed the barrel from 4.6 inches to 4.25 inches. The linking system was revised to essentially mimic the Browning-style cam. The Type 68 also used a detent-retained barrel pin similar to the Hi-Power and a solid barrel cam.
They moved the magazine release to the heel rather than a push-button arrangement. The Type 68 could use a standard TT-33 magazine, but Type 68 mags reportedly do not work in TT-33 guns. The Type 68 features an odd vent rib across the top of the gun. It’s actually a handsome little pistol.
Tokagypt 58
A Tokarev, designed in Hungary for an Egyptian contract, is certainly an interesting gun. The Tokagypt 58 was built by the famed Hungarian firm FEG with the intent of arming the Egyptian military. These weren’t too far off from a standard TT-33 but had some noticeable changes.
First, it’s a 9mm handgun rather than a 7.62x25mm gun. The swap between the 7.62 to 9mm isn’t difficult, and most Tokarevs can swap to 9mm with a barrel swap. The Tokagypt 58 featured a manual safety placed at the rear of the gun that was easy to access. The gun had wrap-around grips, and the lanyard loop changed a bit, but that was about it.
Egypt received half of its order before canceling the rest. The pistols were then sold in Europe, where they kept popping up in left-wing terrorist groups in Germany, Portugal, and Spain. Reportedly, they are very nice guns, and Norinco even made 7.62×25 copies of them.
K-14VN
The K-14VN, also sometimes spelled K14-VN, is a Vietnamese copy of the Chinese Type 54, which is a copy of the TT-33. Now, it’s starting to lose definition like a picture downloaded and uploaded repeatedly. However, the K-14VN does introduce a radical new feature!
A double-stacked magazine! That’s right. This 7.62x25mm pistol can hold 13 rounds of ammo rather than eight. The K-14VN features a wider grip and has a sleek, all-black look. Simple grip panels adorn the gun; it’s not all that remarkable outside of the double-stacked magazine.
Aimpoint dolled one up with a suppressor and ACRO years ago for a trade show, and I won’t lie—I really want an optic-ready Tokarev. The K-14VN continues to be used by the Vietnamese military.
Zastava M88
Yugoslavia has always been creative when it comes to WARSAW pact weapons. They’ve adopted and adapted various guns in their own way. That includes the Tokarev. They have eight gun adaptions, but the M88 is the most interesting. With just a passing glance, you might not even recognize it as a Tok descendant.
The M88 doesn’t look like a Tok. It came in 9mm and .40 S&W, making it the only .40 S&W Tok I know. The M88 uses a single-stack magazine but takes a more compact route. The barrel is trimmed to 3.5 inches. It has a massive slide safety on top of everything. The hammer is the main giveaway that it has a Tokarev legacy.
It’s a stout pistol used by police and military forces before being replaced by a more modern pistol. EAA and the K-VAR/FIME group have imported these guns. It’s a solid little pistol, and I think my collection needs one.
Tokarev Sportowy .22 LR
Like most Warsaw Pact countries, the Polish fielded the Tokarev. They also wanted a cheaper way to train soldiers to shoot a handgun. They developed a .22LR version of the TT-33, called the Sportowy, which translates to Sporty. I’d guess it was also used for sport shooting purposes.
The Tokarev Sportowy predictably ditches the short recoil operation for a blowback system to cycle .22LR. The gun is likely much higher, but it appears to replicate the size of the standard TT-33. What’s weird is how the Polish designed the gun. Instead of having a dedicated .22LR magazine and grip design, they used 7.62x25mm adapters. Each adapter would be loaded with a .22LR round and used with a standard TT-33 magazine.
Each adapter is a floating chamber, which would help the gun cycle and even create a more aggressive recoil impulse. It’s an odd choice, but it might have been easier to produce since magazines are always tricky and would have given a better training experience.
Tik-Tok
The Tokarev is an awesome gun, and everyone needs to shoot one. It’s sad that many modified Tokarevs are not imported or available. However, if you keep your eyes and wallet open, finding a good shooter at a great price is not hard. Maybe, just maybe, you can get a weird one.
The Wedge from Streamlight has been one of my go-to EDC flashlight options since it debuted in 2021. There are a lot of things I like about it, including how it sits in my pocket. Some users felt that the Wedge was a bit large for pocket carry, though. With that feedback in mind, Streamlight created the Wedge XT.
Streamlight Wedge XT Specifications
The Wedge XT is 4.25 inches long, which knocks almost 1.25 inches from the original. At 2.62 ounces, it’s also about a half-ounce lighter than the Wedge. Both models are flat, rather than rounded. Coupled with the pocket clip, they carry much like a folding knife in the pocket. Personally, I never had an issue with the Wedge’s length, but I can see how it might be problematic for some folks who would prefer the shorter XT.
The Wedge XT is shorter than the original Wedge, but more powerful.
Streamlight may have made the XT smaller, but they also made it more powerful. On the High setting, the Wedge XT provides 500 lumens. The original Wedge had 300 lumens. But it also had a THRO® (Temporarily Heightened Regulated Output) setting that amped up to 1,000 lumens. On the Low setting, the XT puts out 50 lumens. As set at the factory, the light starts on High, then cycles to low with a double-click of the power button. This can be reversed through Streamlight’s Ten-Tap programming.
On the original Wedge, the on/off was a rotating thumb switch on the side of the light. On the XT, it’s a push button at the tail end of the light. This is the preferred design for many shooters, as it’s more instinctive when holding the light next to a handgun.
A tail switch push button replaces the rotating thumb switch on the original.
It has a USB-C rechargeable lithium polymer battery. It charges fully in about six hours. The charge port is on the side of the light, directly opposite the pocket clip. There’s a small light that shines red while it’s charging and turns green when it’s ready to go.
It recharges in about 6 hours and this light will turn green when it’s ready to go.
The Wedge XT has a deep-carry pocket clip. It comes with a short lanyard attached to it, but that’s easily removed if you’d rather ditch it.
Field Use
As I mentioned, the original Wedge has been a frequent carry of mine for quite a while. I switched over to the Wedge XT for several weeks. It took a little time to get used to deploying it, because while the hand feel was close to the original Wedge, the placement of the on/off was obviously different. Muscle memory kept looking for that thumb switch on the side. It didn’t take too long to adjust, though.
I found 500 lumens was more than enough for just about any routine use, including helping my son diagnose some engine trouble. While it might not be sufficient for exploring a pitch-black backyard at 2:00 AM, it’ll handle just about anything else. The lower setting was perfect for looking for dog toys under the couch without blinding myself.
I normally avoid putting lanyards on knives and such. However, I was curious, so I left the one in place on the Wedge XT. I found that having the lanyard dangle outside the pocket while the light is clipped in place makes pulling the light out very easy. It’s only a couple of inches long and isn’t likely to be noticed by many people.
Streamlight is one of my favorite flashlight brands, and the Wedge XT lived up to my expectations and then some. Check it out at their website.
The 12-gauge shotgun genre isn’t large but has left a lasting impression on the firearm industry. Since day one of the Shockwave, people have wanted a semi-auto model. A precious few TAC-13s leaked out from Remington before their bankruptcy, but that well is dry. Well, it was dry. Mossberg is now introducing the 990 Aftershock. We got to put a ton of lead down range with one at the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and it was a total blast.
If you’re anything like me, you ask one question right away: Is it a chopped 940? It turns out they couldn’t chop the 940 because a portion of the operating system extended into the stock. They had to create a new gun with the gas system fully upfront and tucked under the forend. This gives us a super-short 12-gauge firearm with a dependable gas-operated action.
The 990 Aftershock – Banging Around
At the rear end, we notice the bootlegger-style grip, but it’s a bit different than the original Shockwave. This new grip is a little longer, with strategically placed pads to help reduce hand fatigue. It’s also seemingly thinner and, in the end, features a sharper angle that does two things. First, it helps keep your hand from slipping. Next, it allows you to pull back harder and establish a good push-pull.
What’s cool is that you can file a Form 1 and add stock, specifically a Mossberg 500 series stock. An approved Form 1 would allow you to mount any 500/590 stock you want. I’d personally toss a Magpul SGA there. I like the micro-sized design of the PGO-only setup, but I understand that these guns make great stamp fodder.
In keeping with Mossberg tradition, the Aftershock features a tang-mounted safety and is optics-ready. Up front, we get a radically different forend. It’s thin or thick at the right points and features a very aggressive texture. An included hand strap keeps you from drifting off the gun’s forend. Right in front of the grip are a pair of M-LOK slots.
Back on the receiver, we have a charging handle and bolt closure pulled directly off the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical series. They are large, easy to engage, and ready to rock and roll. It’s a nice touch, and the 990 Aftershock is a great blend of 590 and 940 features.
Blasting Away
This isn’t a full review of the gun because we simply didn’t have that much time with it. However, I got to shoot 50 rounds of birdshot through it and got a fairly good first impression. First, recoil is tame, and the gun is easy to control if you know what you’re doing. It’s not a beginner’s gun by any means, and you should have a solid grasp on the push/pull technique to handle the 990 Aftershock.
The Aftershock’s furniture design makes pushing and pulling easy, increasing control. The tight strap also helps reinforce your grip. The recoil impulse is upward rather than rearward, making it fine on the wrist, but the upward muzzle rise needs to be tamed. It’s really not bad, and it’s easier to shoot than a standard Shockwave.
It’s super easy to transition between targets, and I blasted three steel targets in quick succession. I was begging for a shot timer to measure my skill. Blasting through a five-round tube of 12-gauge is utterly addictive. It’s challenging but fun.
I’m insanely excited about the Aftershock. As a guy who loves shotguns and 12-gauge PGO firearms even more, this thing has captured me. I can’t wait to run drills with one and see what I can achieve.
