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EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Knife

By
Reuben Bolieu
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EXPAT Kukri has a long 11.75-inch blade with a forward curve and pronounced swell beyond the bend, tapering towards the sharp tip.

Meet the versatile exotic chopper from ESEE Knives under the EXPAT Series. The EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Knife was used extensively for food procurement, fire, and raft construction from the Northeast woodlands and Amazon Jungle of Peru. Hard-use gear all the way!

What is a Kukri Knife?

The Kukri is a large Nepalese knife easily identified by its forward curve. This shape, combined with its weight, makes it a powerful chopper. Although the Kukri is most famous for its service with the infamous Gurkha regiments, its primary use is utility. The Kukri withstood the test of time, surviving the East India Trade Company and two World Wars, and is still used on the battlefield today.

EXPAT Jaraca Kukri

The EXPAT Kukri Knife is a powerful, versatile tool that can handle the harshest outdoor challenges. Whether you need to chop wood, bamboo, clear branches, butcher meat, or slice through tough materials, the Kukri will tackle those tasks head-on. As for self-defense, there’s no question about how a Kukri can be used—just look at the Gurkhas.

You’ll notice that the EXPAT Kukri has a long 11.75-inch blade with a forward curve and pronounced swell beyond the bend, tapering towards the sharp tip. The weight is forward, making it feel more like a hatchet. This intentional design gains momentum through the swing, resulting in a powerful chop. The wrist stays in a natural position, allowing the blade to precede the hand, causing less fatigue.

The blade’s sweet spot ranges from the middle, where the belly swells, and a few inches above. The broad portion of the blade is perfect for gripping on top with your free hand while making shavings or debarking wood like a two-handed draw knife. The forward curve offers immense power over any other EXPAT choppers to date!

The EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Knife can be used as a draw knife to create curled shavings suitable for kindling.

The EXPAT Kukri Knife provides greater force and leverage than a straight blade, making it perfect for heavy-duty tasks like splitting wood. Crafted from 1075 High Carbon steel, the blade offers easy sharpening and flexibility to withstand rugged use. Its durable Black Traction Powder Coating ensures hassle-free maintenance and protects against corrosion in harsh environments. With a 6mm spine thickness that quickly tapers to a flat grind, it excels at slicing. The resulting convex edge creates a firm, sturdy cutting surface that prevents getting stuck in wood.

Got Big Mitts? 

The 5-inch handle has walnut wood scales that offer a natural feel and a secure grip. The forward and rear guards provide safety and assurance while swinging. Additional recesses offer extra grip. 

Jaraca in the Jungle

In late 2023, I took the EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Knife to the Peruvian Rainforest, loosely called the Amazon Jungle! The shorter-than-typical tool for this environment had a role in this scenario. Thicker tree chopping for rafts and dried hardwood for fire prep. It fits in as the axe and workhorse. 

During a jungle survival trip in Peru, students made rafts, fire, and shelters with the EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Knife.

During fire prep, I chopped and feathered wood for kindling. The recurve makes thin, curly shaving that can take a spark from a ferro rod or quickly ignite with a match in less than two seconds. 

As a draw knife, the EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Knife will make curly shavings for kindling.

Splitting wood with a heavy stout baton was the norm for the EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Knife in the jungle, especially the Northeast’s hardwoods during winter. Bottom line—this tool excelled!

Culmination

The EXPAT lineup has a cleaver and two machetes to its name—now they have a Kukri! Leave it to EXPAT to cover all the bases. The Expat Jaraca Kukri fits right in with the lineup of EXPAT misfits. It also carries the same “No Questions Asked” warranty from ESEE® Knives. 

Let’s face it—is there anything more Badass than a Kukri?

For more information, please contact ESEE Knives. 

EXPAT Jaraca Kukri Specs

Overall Length16.75 inches
Blade Length11.75 inches
Cutting Edge11 inches
Maximum Thickness6mm (under .25”)
Steel1075 High Carbon, 52-55 Rc. 
Weight (Blade Only)19.7 Ounces
Weight (Blade and Sheath)23.4 Ounces
FinishBlack Traction Powder Coating
HandleWalnut
SheathTan Canvas
Made InEl Salvador
MSRP$152.33

Faraday Cages – Protecting Your Electronics

By
Jim Cobb
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Faraday Cage
Photo credit: Antoine Taveneaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Assembling a DIY Faraday Cage is a fairly popular topic in the prepper world. The goal is to protect electronics gear from damage due to an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) or CME (coronal mass ejection). While the odds of that sort of event occurring may be remote, they aren’t impossible.

Way back in 1859, the Carrington Event was the result of an intense CME. Without getting too deep into the weeds, suffice it to say that telegraph systems around the world failed, with some of them throwing sparks and even causing fires. For more information, read more about the Carrington Event.

A Faraday Cage is a way to protect your equipment from events like that, whether natural or manmade.

How Does a Faraday Cage Work?

Essentially, the Faraday Cage has a conductive exterior and a non-conductive interior. The charge from an EMP remains on the outside of the container. It’s like a shield that keeps the charge from getting to the contents inside.

How To Build a Faraday Cage

While there are a number of purpose-built products on the market today, from bags to boxes and more, you can build a Faraday Cage at home with easy-to-source components.

The simplest and easiest to construct uses a galvanized metal trash can. These come in a range of sizes. Keep storage space in mind as you select one. The interior needs to be large enough for you to fit what you want inside with no part of any item touching the sides. Another suitable container could be one of those ubiquitous popcorn tins that are so popular during the holidays.

A metal trash can makes a great Faraday Cage, as long as there are no holes and you can seal it properly.

Using a razor knife, cut a piece of corrugated cardboard to fit on the bottom of the can as snugly as possible. Then, line the sides with cardboard as well. Cover all seams securely with tape. Do not use foil or metal tape for this.

Next, cut one or two blocks of wood for the bottom. This isn’t absolutely necessary, but it provides a secondary layer of protection. A couple of pieces of 2×4 will suffice. Keep them short enough that they don’t touch the sides of the can. The idea is simply to help insulate your electronics from the bottom of the can.

Pick up a plastic bucket at the nearest dollar store. It should be small enough to fit fully inside the trash can without touching the sides. Place your electronics into a reusable ziplock plastic bag, then put that into the bucket. Put the bucket on top of the wood blocks inside the can.

Put the lid on the can, pushing it down securely. Cover the seam between lid and can with metal tape. It might take a few overlapping passes to ensure you have a complete seal, with no gaps anywhere.

Photo courtesy The Home Depot. Link to product is in the text above.

How to Test Your Faraday Cage

There are a couple of ways to ensure you’ve done it all correctly. One test is to use a portable radio. Your emergency radio is a great option for this. Tune it to a station that comes in well and turn the volume high. Seal it up in the Faraday Cage. It should lose the radio signal entirely. Another test is to seal your cell phone inside and then try calling and texting it. A well-made Faraday Cage won’t allow the signal to get to the phone.

Yes, you’ll need to reopen the container to get the radio or cell phone out. The Faraday Cage isn’t intended to be a one-and-done proposition. Periodically, you may need to go into your Faraday Cage and add files to the tablet or cell phone, or maybe just add a couple of new pieces of gear to the stash. That’s all perfectly fine, just make sure you reseal the container properly.

What to Store in a Faraday Cage

Many people store things like ham radio transceivers and walkie-talkies in their Faraday Cages. Another popular item is a cell phone or tablet that’s been filled with information, such as books and videos related to survival. While using a cell phone as a communication tool after an EMP isn’t like to work, it can certainly be used for data storage and viewing.

Small radio gear could be invaluable after a major disaster.

Of course, the use of any electronic devices will be reliant upon a way to power them. That’s something else you’ll need to plan ahead to accomplish.

The KelTec PR57 – Sticking It To Ban States

By
Travis Pike
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KelTec has leaned heavily into the 5.7mm round. It started with the insane P50, then moved to the Gen 3 SUB 2000, and now it’s made its way to a true 5.7mm handgun. In standard KelTec fashion, it’s far from normal. The PR57 is a semi-automatic 5.7x28mm handgun that uses a rotational barrel design. It’s incredibly thin but has most of a modern handgun’s features. This, most importantly, includes the ability to mount an optic. There is also a short rail to accommodate a light if you’d like.

What’s The PR57

The real kicker with the PR57 is that it lacks an external magazine. Which in 2025 is a bit odd. It’s like the Mauser C96 or another George Kellgren design, the Grendel P10. This was a .380 that lacked an external magazine and was loaded via a stripper clip. I like joking that PR stands for Problems Reloading, but I think that’s not a bad feature in the long run.

The PR57 holds 20 rounds in an internal magazine and can be reloaded with 10-round clips. This allows me to annoy pedantic nerds by going into forums and asking about the best clips for my pistol. The clips with the PR57 are fancy, with a push tab and both front and rear guide rails.

If you have a fixed magazine, then 20 rounds isn’t a bad capacity to have to deal with. The rotary barrel design allows for reliable operation with less recoil than something like the FN Five-Seven and its direct blowback option.

The lack of a removable magazine does something a little crazy. It makes a 5.7 pistol not feel like you’re gripping a 2×4. The gun’s widest point is .937 inches. That’s nuts for a 5.7mm pistol. I almost want to see how thin they could do other calibers. The gun weighs 13.86 ounces, and the barrel is 4.64 inches.

The PR57 – A Middle Finger To Ban States

A lot of people are jumping on the opportunity to make jokes about the PR57, and ultimately, the gun is a little silly. It looks weird, and KelTec has a history of making weird guns, and people like to meme on them. Where I think the PR57 will shine is in ban states. States with restrictive gun laws will hate this thing.

Most laws prohibit magazine capacities of more than ten rounds, with the keyword in these laws being removable ten-round magazines. I don’t know of any law banning capacities with fixed magazines, and since no one makes semi-auto handguns with fixed magazines, this issue has never been addressed.

The PR57 allows you to carry 20 rounds without running afoul of their silly little laws. I’m most certainly biased. I love anything that irritates the anti-civil rights crowd. Using the 5.7 for self-defense is a bit of a controversial choice, but it penetrates deep enough to work and has very little recoil.

That’s Not All

The group of people who live in ban states who will purchase the PR57 for self-defense to get around the magazine capacity laws is very small. I think people likely buy it for its very low price point, as well as it’s fun factor. It’s a bit silly, but it will likely be fun to shoot.

It’s also a thin 5.7 pistol for people who like 5.7x28mm. I have big hands, and most 5.7 handguns just feel thick and annoying. Ultimately, I like fun, weird guns, and as a fellow Florida man, the KelTec PR57 is for me. I won’t carry it, but for the low price point, I’ll snag one if given the chance.

P.S. KelTec, what about a fixed magazine SUB 2000-style rifle? That would give people in ban states a potential option. Hear me out, KelTec.

For more information, please visit KelTecWeapons.com.

Swampfox Liberty II Red Dot Review

By
Tim Stetzer
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Swampfox Optics has a goal of making solid, reliable optics at a price that folks can afford. Their first generation Liberty red dot pistol sight met that goal and has been a solid performer on the market. Swampfox is a company that listens to customer feedback, though, and makes changes and improvements based on that. The new Liberty II optic is the result of that process and improves upon an already solid sight.

The Liberty II

The Swampfox Liberty II uses the popular RMR mounting footprint, so it’s going to fit on almost anything you want to mount it on. The new sight has a large 24mm window for an increased field of view and a more streamlined body design. It’s available in three versions: a 3 MOA red dot, a 3 MOA green dot, and a red Multi-Reticle version.

All three versions have 10 illumination settings that let you adjust for whatever light conditions you’re shooting in. It runs on a single CR1632 battery and has a 50,000-hour battery life. Further enhancing that is Swampfox’s Shake N’ Wake auto on and off function.

The sight shuts down after 225 seconds of inactivity. When it senses any motion it turns on, back to the reticle setting that it was on when it shut down. The battery is top-loading, so when you do finally need to replace the battery it’s easy to do so without having to dismount the sight.

A Solid Construction

The Liberty II’s body is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum, and it has a black, hard anodized finish. It has rear anti-glare hood serrations, IPX7 waterproof rating, and 1,500 G force shock rating. The lens is fully multi-coated to resist scratches, fog, and water. The red dots have ruby-coated lenses, and the green dot uses a silver-coated lens.

The optic body and hood have been enhanced over the first-generation sights to better protect the upgraded internals and larger, recessed sight window. If you want enhanced durability you can also add Swampfox’s optional ironsides shield to give an extra layer of protection.

While the features on the Liberty II are impressive, I think the price is even more impressive. It has an MSRP of $249.00, which is extremely competitive for an optic with these features.

Hands-On

I picked up a Liberty II with the red Multi-Reticle for testing. It’s a solid sight but much trimmer than my previous Swampfox pistol red dots—the Kinglsayers. Those are good sights, but I ended up using them on my Mossberg 930 SPX shotgun and my .45 ACP PCC build. The Liberty II’s size feels better suited to a duty or EDC pistol.

I mounted mine on my “Glock 34” build. I put that in quotes because nothing on it is actually Glock. It’s built on an SCT Manufacturing frame and uses a Steel City Arsenal 34-length slide. I had one of my Kinglslayers on it before but found the smaller profile of the Liberty II a much better fit.

The field of view on the Liberty II is excellent. I found it is quick to get on target with and didn’t find that the sight hood occluded much of my down-range view. The serrated back face on the hood and lens coating worked well for reducing glare, even on bright sunny days.

The Multi-Reticle Red Dot

The multi reticle is simple to select. All you have to do is hold the Up arrow for 3 seconds to cycle through reticles, and pick which one you prefer. The multi reticle sight gives you the option of a 3 MOA dot, an open circle, a complete circle with center dot, and a crosshair. I went with the circle dot, but I do like the crosshair option as well. The nice thing about how easy it is to switch reticles is that you can easily switch out at the range and find out what works best for you.

The Shake N’ Wake feature works well on the Liberty II. Any time I picked my gun up the sight was on when I brought it to eye level. In fact I had to sit the pistol where I could see the sight without touching the gun to confirm that it turned off. No worries, it actually does.

More importantly to me, is that it does indeed turn on when you pick it up. If you’re using a Liberty II on a duty or defense gun you want to know that it’s ready to go, and I never had an issue with mine over a few months of use so far.

Running the Liberty II

The sight picture is crisp and there are plenty of illumination levels available to tweak the brightness of the sight to your range conditions. Most of the time I could leave it right in the middle and it was fine. On a particularly sunny day I did kick it up a couple levels to account for the washout. I still had a couple levels to go though, even after getting to a usable setting, so I never maxed out my options.

I didn’t do any sort of torture test on the optic, but have used it for a few months so far with normal jostling around and range use. My older Kingslayers are about 4 years old now though and have been run on handguns, 12 gauge shotguns and 10mm and .45 ACP carbines with no issues.

Being that the Liberty II is an improved design I’m pretty confident that it’ll be fine. Swampfox has an excellent warranty on their optics if you do run into an issue, but I haven’t had to use it with my other 5 or 6 Swampfox optics I run, so I have yet to test it out.

Wrap Up

You can probably tell by me mentioning my pile of Swampfox optics that I’m a fan of the brand. I was introduced to them about 5 years ago by one of the guys on my old agency’s SWAT team. He’d been impressed with them, and recommended I check them out. They offer solid performance at a good price, and that was important to me.

I do a lot of builds that can use optics. While you can’t argue with the quality of the big optics brands, the price can be a barrier to folks. Especially if you’re trying to put optics on multiple guns. Swampfox knows that, and positions itself to provide a quality optic and an affordable price.

The Kingslayers I’ve been running have been good optics, but the Liberty II is a big jump ahead of those. It has solid construction, and a wide field of view 24mm sight window. The impressive 50,000 hour battery life is complimented by the Shake N’ Wake feature.

Feature wise, they compete with just about anyone else’s sight on the market. The RMR footprint makes it readily mountable to most handguns, carbines, shotguns and rifles as well. With the $249.00 MSRP it makes it an easy sell for me.

Still not sure? Swampfox even offers a 30 day money back guarantee when you buy one of their optics through their shop. If you don’t like it for any reason you can return it and get all of your money back. There’s zero risk in trying one out if you aren’t sure if you’ll be happy with it. But with a guarantee like that, the folks at Swampfox are pretty sure you will.

For more information on the Liberty II or Swampfox’s other products, check out their website at Swampfox.com.

The Tikka T3X Lite Hunting Rifle

By
P.E. Fitch
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Tikka T3X Hunting Rifle

Being in the business of writing about firearms and shooting, I hate to pass up a chance to write about any rifle, pistol, or shotgun. So, I took advantage of shooting and handling the brand new Tikka T3X Lite Stainless hunting rifle chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor that a family member got for Christmas.

The Tikka: A Rifle That Needs No Introduction

Finnish-made Tikka bolt-action rifles have a sterling reputation and have become well-known amongst the North American shooting public. Especially with serious rifle shooters and hunters. Tikka T3/T3X actions are derived from classic Finnish Sako actions. As a product family, the T3 series has been around for several years and is technically nothing new. The T3X Lite lineup has remained nearly the same since its original launch, save for some tweaks to the stock or other small details.

Frankly, despite their product longevity, all Tikka rifles are new to me. Prior to 2024, I had never actually shot one. I was fortunate to review the .22 LR Tikka T1X MTR back in September 2024.

After mounting my Leupold Mark5 HD 3.6-18×44 and spending an afternoon printing neat little groups with this .22 caliber rifle, I was duly impressed with how such a seemingly basic synthetic stocked rifle could deliver that type of performance, especially at its price point. Its accuracy reminded me of the fancy Anschutz rifles I once shot at scout camp, save for the lack of a wooden stock. 

.22 LR Tikka T1X MTR rimfire rifle. Notice how similar its stock is to that of the Tikka T3X Lite. And ditto for the trigger.

Fast-forward to the end of 2024, and I find myself with a 6.5mm Creedmoor Tikka T3X Lite Stainless on my lap. Being a man of taste, my family member topped his Tikka T3X Lite with one of Leupold’s relatively new first focal plane Mark4 HD scopes—the 4.5-18×52 MOA model with Leupold’s PR-1 reticle. With this scope mounted on the rifle, I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype.   

The Tikka T3X Lite Stainless Overview 

The Tikka T3X Lite Stainless is the Finnish gunmaker’s basic and quintessential bolt-action rifle. Candidly, the Tikka T3X Lite is a no-frills hunting rifle with a black synthetic stock. It has a light contour barrel, no sights, and a hidden 3-round detachable box magazine. It’s neither the cheapest nor the most expensive rifle found in a gun shop.  

These rifles are offered in a variety of popular North American hunting and sporting cartridges running the gamut from very traditional chamberings (think .300 Win Mag, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, et al.) to many of what I like to call the “new kids on the block.” Cartridges such as 6.5 mm Creedmoor and 6.5 mm PRC.

Even though I wrote this draft a month before SHOT Show 2025 began, and I didn’t have a clue as to what Tikka plans to launch, I wouldn’t be surprised if they added even more chamberings. In short, the product family covers the most important nominal bore diameters ranging from 0.22” to 0.300.”

Tikka T3X Lite hunting rifles are normally found with barrel lengths of 20 inches, 22 inches, or 24 inches, depending on the specific rifle and its cartridge. Likewise, I’ve noticed that Tikka rifles tend to be very accessible to left-handed shooters because finding left-handed actions in the most popular calibers and trims isn’t too difficult. The .22 caliber rimfire Tikka T1X MTR I reviewed serves as a good example. 

Tikka T3X Lite Stainless, 6.5 mm Creedmoor 24” Barrel 

The rifle I’m writing about is chambered for the popular 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge and sports a 24-inch barrel that allows each round to build up to its full potential, muzzle velocity-wise. According to official Tikka-supplied specifications, this full-length T3X Lite rifle weighs 6.7 pounds bare naked.

For a rifle of this size, it has a good size-to-weight ratio. It’s also hard not to notice its handiness when picked up and brought to the shoulder. Next to their reputation for accuracy, I can easily imagine that many hunters and riflemen appreciate its lighter weight, especially those who trek through treacherous and technical topography.

With the way this particular T3X is configured with its Leupold Mark4 HD and a basic stud-clamping Magpul MOE bipod, it weighs 9.4 pounds.

The Leupold Mark4 HD 4.5-18×52 FFP with Leupold’s PR1 MOA reticle.

Yup, that Mark4 HD isn’t the lightest scope in Leupold’s catalog, but it’s very promising nonetheless. After shooting out to nearly 1,000 yards, I’m having a hard time complaining about it from a pure shooting perspective.

Tikka T3X Lite Receiver And Action 

While the majority of modern bolt-action rifles are divided between short and long actions, depending on their chamberings, Tikka takes a different approach and manufactures all of its receivers to the same length. All caliber differences are internally accommodated via a corresponding caliber-specific bolt stop.

There’s no doubt that this universal receiver size simplifies manufacturing and keeps the rifle’s cost down. Tikka’s one-size-fits-all approach to its receivers makes swapping barrels and calibers extremely simple without worrying about long-vs-short action lengths like one would with other makes and models of bolt guns. Of course, things like headspacing or the bolt’s face diameter still need to be taken into consideration.

The Tikka T3X Bolt: simple, functional and elegant.

The Tikka’s push-feed action uses a bolt with a pair of symmetrical locking lugs, a small external extractor, and a plunger-type ejector that nests into the bolt face. Like most other contemporary rifles, the bolt cocks on opening and has a swift 60-degree bolt throw. A latch on the left side of the receiver can be depressed to remove the bolt away from the receiver. Its emergency vent hole is also located on the left side of the receiver, along with rollmarks and the rifle’s official serial number.

A Familiar Thumb Safety

The Tikka’s thumb safety works similarly to that of modern Remington 700 action pattern safeties. It’s placed on the rear right side of the action, close to where the right-handed shooter’s thumb is. To disengage, the safety is moved forward, and to engage, it moves back. When the safety is engaged, there’s a small protrusion that’s attached directly to the safety lever itself that enters a blind hole that’s drilled into the bolt’s body to capture it. This prevents the action from being opened or closed or otherwise manipulated while “on safe.”

Continued In Part 2

Fixed-Blade Pocket Carry EDC Knives

By
Reuben Bolieu
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The TI Lookout Fixed Blade by Big Idea Design is the modern EDC Knife of the bunch featuring Grade 5 titanium scales, M390 blade steel, and an inside pocket carry system.

This ease of use benefits individuals by saving time, providing reassurance, promoting regular carry, and enhancing functionality. The growing popularity of EDC knives has driven innovation in their design and materials, resulting in a diverse market that meets various preferences and requirements.

Fixed-Blade Pocket Carry

Carry systems are essential as they impact the user’s experience and the practicality of knives in daily life. Everyday carry (EDC) knives symbolize a culture of preparedness and self-reliance, highlighting a trend toward functionality and efficiency in personal gear.

Big Idea Lookout 

The TI Lookout Fixed Blade by Big Idea Design showcases precision engineering and high-quality materials, making it a must-have for everyday carry enthusiasts. Its M390 blade steel offers excellent edge retention and wear resistance, ensuring it maintains a sharp edge with minimal sharpening.

The Big Idea Design TI Lookout Fixed Blade Kydex sheaths offer versatile left and right pocket carry options and include a titanium pocket clip for easy attachment.

Featuring Grade 5 Titanium scales, the knife is both lightweight and durable. The lanyard hole adds functionality for easy attachment. Measuring 6.2 inches overall with a 2.2-inch blade and 3mm thickness, it provides a perfect balance of control and cutting power.

The knife comes with two Kydex sheaths for versatile left- or right-pocket carry, each with a titanium pocket clip for easy attachment. Consider it a gentleman’s fixed blade!

Utility Pocket Carry EDC

I tested the TI Lookout on various everyday tasks, including cutting through light-gauge metals, where it performed exceptionally well. However, it struggled a bit with thick cardboard. Despite this, it remained impressively sharp after slicing through cordage. Wire, 550 paracord, nylon webbing, and heavy leather were no challenge for the TI Lookout. 

In the pocket carry Chickpea made possible by Badger Claw Leather has a 3-inch fixed blade made of Nitro-V steel, which is corrosion-resistant and easy to sharpen. (Badger Claw Leather photo)

Overall, the TI Lookout Fixed Blade is not just a functional tool; it also showcases exceptional craftsmanship and material quality.

Knives By Nuge Chickpea

Modern Day Pocket Carry EDC Knives are here. The Chickpea has a 3-inch fixed blade made of Nitro-V steel, which is corrosion-resistant and easy to sharpen. (Badger Claw Leather photo)

This knife is small enough to fit clipped to your pocket at 6.5 inches overall but powerful enough to cut through wood, cardboard, cordage, fish, and game. The Chickpea has a 3-inch fixed blade made of Nitro-V steel, which is corrosion-resistant and easy to sharpen. The blade has a curved edge that is ideal for slicing and skinning and a 90-degree spine that can be used to strike a firesteel or scrape bark.

I took part in Randall’s Adventure & Training class in Alabama, helping with a parent-child session. I taught kids how to carve, make feather sticks, and start fires using the Chickpea knife. The 3.5-inch burlap micarta handle was comfortable for them to use. 

Soon after, we headed to North Carolina to teach a weekend wilderness survival class with training and active Search and Rescue personnel. 

Modern pocket carry EDC knives are available. The Chickpea features a 3-inch fixed blade made from Nitro-V steel, known for its corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. (Badger Claw Leather photo)

While the Chickpea excelled in quick cuts, It also handled utility tasks like cutting paracord and preparing food. The blade remained sharp, and overall, the Chickpea proved to be a reliable and versatile companion for outdoor adventures.

Get a pocket-friendly Pocket Carry EDC Knife and join the club! 

For more information, please check out Badger Claw Leather, Big i Design, and Knives by Nuge. 

The Year Of the Mailbox

By
Travis Pike
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The evolution of firearms design will likely be related to accessories in the foreseeable future. We’ve hit a point where it’s tough to improve upon design. Sure, we can improve ergonomics here and simplify this, but I think what we see now is what we’ll get for now. We’ll see the most progress in optics, lights, and even magazines. SHOT Show is in the rear view mirror, and it seems like it’s the Year of The Mailbox. 

Year of the Mailbox

The Mailbox is the quasi-affectionate name for enclosed emitter red dots. Every year, we see more and more enclosed emitter designs, but most aren’t doing anything new. They are, at best, a little cheaper than previous models. This year, we are seeing a new mailbox from Aimpoint and a new one from Primary Arms. 

These are early releases, and sometimes new releases come in waves. With SHOT behind us, we might have a half dozen or so different enclosed emitters doing something different. With that in mind, let’s look at the two we’ve seen on Aimpoint and Primary Arms. 

The Aimpoint COA 

The Aimpoint COA seems to be the evolution of the ACRO. It’s smaller but has the same size window. The COA comes with a 3.5 MOA dot and will be built like a tank. Like most Aimpoint optics, it’s sealed against the environment and designed to face the world head-on. We get twelve brightness settings, four of which are NVD compatible. Battery life is supposed to be 50K hours at setting seven. 

The COA uses a new, innovative mounting system along with a new optic cut called the A-Cut. Yeah, I’m sick of new optics cuts. We have too many as is. On the front and rear of the optic are two slight extensions. These extensions line up with ledges on the gun that are part of the A-Cut. 

The front ledge slides in, and the optic sits on the gun and is then secured by screwing down the rear sight. I trust Aimpoint to make this work due to their reputation, and I hope I’m not wrong. The kicker is that this setup seems exclusive to Glock for the time being. I’m sure companies will crack the A-Cut, but from the factory, it’s a Glock-exclusive mailbox. 

For more information, please visit Aimpoint.com.

The Primary Arms HTX-1 

Primary Arms has also released a new dot, the HTX-1. The HTX-1 is an American-made optic that Primary Arms has been developing for years. This enclosed emitter mailbox has 11 brightness settings with 3-night vision settings. It has the Autolive, or what we all call Shake Awake, and we get 20,000 hours of battery life from a single 2032. 

The reticle is 4 MOA, and the optic is made from 7075 aluminum. The mounting system is new, but you don’t have to worry about an optics cut. Primary Arms has developed a plate system to fit a wide variety of cuts. The plate attaches to the cut, and the optic attaches to the plate.

Nothing crazy, right? Well, the enclosed emitter design creates an interesting challenge. Instead of attaching downward to the plate, it attaches laterally to the sides. It’s similar to the Williams Low Reflex Sight and is novel for a handgun design. 

For more information, please visit PrimaryArms.com.

The Mailbox 

We are getting two new enclosed emitters, both with interesting mounting methods. It’s tough for me not to be excited. I like enclosed emitter optics and think they are the future of red dots for duty use. These designs simply take a small step forward for the concept.

I’m a bit more excited for the Primary Arms option. I like the mounting system and I don’t want to buy a new Glock to just use the new Aimpoint. 

The Mossberg 590R Swaps the Safety

By
Travis Pike
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Mossberg has announced two new shotguns as part of the 590R series. The 590R series has ditched Mossberg’s famed tang safety for an AR-like lever above the pistol grip. The 590R series descends from a British MOD contract for a 590M Breacher gun. They needed a new safety to work with just a pistol grip. Mossberg has now brought that technology to the American market.

The tang safety remains my favorite shotgun safety, but it doesn’t work well with pistol grips. If you want a 90-degree pistol grip with an AR-style stock, then Mossberg safeties aren’t all that friendly. The new R models all feature an AR stock and pistol grip type configuration. These are inline stocks, and inline designs help reduce muzzle rise significantly and make a more controllable shotgun.

We get a standard 590R with a tubular magazine and a 590RM that’s magazine-fed. The 590R series also features flat triggers. Others feature Magpul MBUS sights, and both models are optics-ready and have an included rail. They have adjustable AR-type stocks, as well as heat shields. The standard 590R comes with a breacher-style barrel as well.

The New 590R Shotguns

Overall, I’m excited to see Mossberg grow the 590 line in any direction. The 590R series is a considerable move from Mossberg. While these won’t replace the standard tang safety guns, they supplement them and offer a new option. AR shooters will likely enjoy the design not just because of the safety but because of the pistol grip and stock design.

The AR-type stock and pistol grip do have some benefits. I’ve seen new shooters take better to the push-pull with a rear vertical grip. These guns tend to be easier to hold upright with one hand than a standard stock. Instant stock adjustments are admittedly nice and make the gun really easy to use between different shooters.

From the Mouth of Mossberg

NORTH HAVEN, CT – The ruggedly-built Mossberg 590® pump-action shotgun has been chosen for duty and home defense for decades for its reliability, performance, and wide range of configurations. This field-proven tactical platform continues to evolve and serves as an inspiration for Mossberg’s newest pump-action shotguns: introducing the 590R and 590RM (Mag Fed) 12-gauge shotguns with Rotary Safety Selector and AR-style ergonomics. New ground-breaking features include a redesigned user-serviceable forend, integrated barrel/single heat shield, and ambidextrous, rotary safety selector. Four models are available, including two standard offerings and two mag-fed versions, utilizing the first production double-stack magazines for pump-action shotguns.

Shared features of the 590 platform and the new 590R include non-binding twin action bars, positive steel-to-steel lock-up and anti-jam elevator, dual extractors, aluminum receiver, drilled and tapped receivers. Further enhancing the platform is a convenient clean-out magazine tube with cap for ease of maintenance.

Introduced in 2018, the Mossberg 590M Mag Fed shotgun shares key features with the new 590RM. At the core is the detachable magazine’s integral stabilizing ribs, which engage the magazine directly to notches engineered into the receiver for a positive lock-up. The lever-style magazine release button and mounting guide are positioned in front of the trigger guard for ambidextrous access. Accessory magazines are available in 5, 10, 15, and 20-round capacities.

Key Features of the 590R and 590RM Pump-Action Shotguns:

  • Ambidextrous, rotary safety selector with protective guard that can be reached without breaking grip.
  • Mossberg-designed stock with five positions of adjustment (12 – 15.25 inches), interchangeable recoil pad, and 2-sided QD cups. The front QD cup is located on the mag cap.
  • Stock/Base Adapter is compatible with other grip designs. Accepts most Mil-Spec stocks.
  • Magpul® MOE+® pistol grip.
  • Compact, ergonomically shaped forend with new 4-piece attachment that is user serviceable.
  • 18.5-inch barrel with integrated heat shield that is removable (standard and stand-off versions).
  • Front M-LOK® adapter with dual sided accessory mounting slots at 3 and 9 o’clock positions.
  • Flat profile trigger with smooth, crisp break.
  • Top Picatinny rail for ease of adding optics. Optional Mapgul MBUS® 3 sights on select models.
  • Enlarged, beveled loading port with extended follower for ease of loading (590R only).
  • Elongated bolt release.
  • Electroplated internal and external receiver for durability and smoother finish.

Mossberg 590R (50762/50761)

The 12-gauge, 3-inch standard versions feature an 18.5-inch barrel with integrated heat shield, compact forend, 5-position adjustable stock with interchangeable recoil pad, MOE pistol grip, Picatinny rail, flat profile trigger, rotary safety selector, and other key features noted above. SKU 50762 has Magpul MBUS 3 adjustable sights with a mini top rail for front sight attachment and an AccuChoke™-compatible barrel (Cylinder choke tube included). SKU 50761 comes with an 18.5-inch stand-off, cylinder bore barrel.

Mossberg 590RM (50213/50218)

These 12-gauge, 2.75-inch magazine-fed pump actions feature an 18.5-inch barrel with integrated heat shield, compact forend, 5-position adjustable stock with interchangeable recoil pad, MOE pistol grip, Picatinny rail, flat profile trigger, rotary safety selector, 10-round magazine, and other key features noted above.

SKU 50213 includes Magpul MBUS 3 adjustable sights with mini top rail for front sight attachment and AccuChoke-compatible barrel (Cylinder choke tube included). SKU 50218 is equipped with an 18.5-inch stand-off, cylinder bore barrel.

The Mossberg 590R and 590RM pump-action shotguns with rotary safety selectors are another ground-breaking design from Mossberg. For more information on these models and the complete line of Mossberg tactical shotguns, please visit www.mossberg.com.

SHOT Show 2025: The Carry Gun Round-Up

By
P.E. Fitch
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SHOT Show 2025 Carry Gun Round Up

Far from comprehensive, below is a list of ten different CCW/EDC semi-autos of varying sizes that made their debut at this year’s 2025 SHOT Show. 

HK CC9 

Officially announced and technically launched several weeks before SHOT Show actually kicked off, the HK CC9 has been generating some buzz. These guns have been so hard to find in person, that I didn’t even see my first until I visited the HK booth at the show proper.

The HK CC9 is a 9mm 10/12 round capacity micro-compact polymer-framed pistol. It’s also HK USA’s categorical debut into the modern “slim” carry gun genre. In other words, this isn’t another gun like the P2000SK, VP9SK, or P30SK. Sure, one could say that HK is “late to the party” as its competitors have been selling slim-carry guns for several years now.

In HK’s defense, they took their sweet time subjecting the new CC9 to the same rigorous tests that the company typically reserves for its bigger duty-size service pistols like the HK VP9 or the P30. One could argue that this is one of the most stringently tested micro-compact 9mm pistols currently on the market. It’s also one of the few (or the only slim gun, for that matter) that features an ambidextrous slide-stop.  

For more information, please visit HK-USA.com.

Canik Mete MC9 Prime

 

Over the last year, Canik Firearms has been busy working to set up its first American production facility complete with a manufacturing line that mirrors the original in Turkey. In turn, Canik announced the new Mete MC9 Prime, a fully American-built “slim” Mete MC9 variant. This pistol has a built-in inline compensating system, including drilled ports and the corresponding slide cuts. Likewise, it uses the same trigger shoe and grip texture that’s found in the Canik TTI Combat model.

With its 3.6-inch barrel and 17-round capacity magazine, the new Canik Mete MC9 Prime is categorically in a similar place as the Springfield Hellcat Pro, the SIG-Sauer X-Macro, and the FN Reflex XL MRD listed below. At SHOT Show, the Mete MC9 Prime models on display could be seen wearing Mecanik’s newest red-dot sights, the enclosed-emitter Mecanik M04. 

For more information, please visit CanikUSA.com.

Savage Stance XR

For 2025, Savage revamped its Stance micro-compact carry pistol line with the launch of the new Stance XR 9mm pistol. The Savage Stance XR follows the tried-and-true format of a Browning delayed tilting blowback pistol with striker ignition and a polymer frame. Models are available as either dedicated left or right-handed and with/without thumb safeties from the factory. Every SKU comes with Savage’s QRO (Quick Release Optics plate), which is probably one of the more novel optics mounting systems seen on the show floor this year.

Instead of relying on the final set of screws that tie the gun down to the slide, the Savage QRO instead works with a pair of dovetails that hold everything in place. These dovetails can be collapsed in order to allow easy removal of optics/dots/other plates. Savage is also going the fire-control unit route, just like the Ruger RXM mentioned below or the established SIG-Sauer P320.

For more information, please visit SavageArms.com.

Beretta 80X Cheetah 32 ACP

Beretta pulled a move that made Travis Pike very happy. This year, Beretta showcased a .32 ACP version of the modernized Beretta 80X Cheetah. The 80X Cheetah originally launched two years ago during SHOW Show 2023. That gun is chambered in the milder .380 ACP, just like the original blowback Beretta 84 BB Cheetah of yesteryear. It was well-received, and given the cross-over between the various historical blowback Cheetah models. So, adapting the new 80X to .32 ACP wasn’t a stretch.

While .32 ACP has fallen by the wayside, it still serves a niche for centerfire carry guns whose users are looking for a low-recoil cartridge that’s also more substantial than a .22 LR rimfire. Presently, the new Beretta 80X Cheetah in .32 ACP may be the only optics-ready .32-caliber semi-auto carry pistol. It even feeds off the original pattern Beretta Model 81 magazines.

For more information, please visit Beretta.com.

Taurus GX2

One of the handguns that Taurus was showcasing at their new product sub-booth inside their principal booth this year was the Taurus GX2. It is a compact and affordably priced 9mm that’s sized to be neither too big nor too small. With its updated frame and design lines, the new GX2 can also be considered the successor to Taurus’ existing G2C model, which fills the same niche.

Anyone with a keen eye will notice that the GX2 borrows similar shapes to Taurus’ GX4 or even TX-22 series—all part of the new Bainbridge era that has been on the up and up over the past three years. With an MSRP of just over $300, the Taurus GX2 aims to be a simple value proposition for 2025. Its slide isn’t cut for optics, nor does it come with any extra flair.

For more information, please visit TaurusUSA.com.

Ruger RXM

Like the HK CC9, the Ruger RXM was technically announced in the weeks preceding SHOT Show and also made waves throughout the gun world. After all, Ruger is one of the largest gun companies in the United States. The Ruger RXM is third generation Glock-pattern clone manufactured in Ruger’s Prescott, AZ facility.

Its frame not only uses a removable fire-control unit (think SIG-Sauer P250 and P320) but was also developed in collaboration with Magpul Industries. The end result is a feature-rich and optics-ready Glock-pattern pistol with a real-world price tag of around $399. Given the immensity of both companies, my prediction is that the RXM is going to rock the affordable compact 9mm market segment something fierce.

For more information, please visit Ruger.com.

Glock COA Models  

While technically not a new gun, one of the most attention-grabbing announcements leading up to SHOT Show this year was Glock’s collaboration with Aimpoint on a new enclosed-emitter red-dot sight optimized for concealed carry—the Aimpoint COA. The most notable aspect of the new Aimpoint COA is that it employs the A-Cut optics footprint. It is a completely new industry-wide footprint that seeks to improve the junction between a red-dot sight and the footprint that anchors it to the slide itself.

The A-Cut accomplishes this by completely removing the traditional optics plate and screws and instead using a divot with a corresponding wedge that’s built into the external housing of the Aimpoint COA itself. The rear of the unit is secured by a combination anchor and rear sight that is screwed in place by two screws in an optimal position. By virtue of this new plateless design, the COA also sits very low, which means that taller sights aren’t needed for cowitnessing.

At launch, the most popular Glock models, like the 19, 48, 45, etc., will be available with A-Cut slides and COA sights. Due to an agreement put in place, Glock will have exclusive rights to sell guns with A-Cut slides for the remainder of 2025. Schematics won’t be released to the wider industry until 2026.

For more information, please visit us.Glock.com/en.

Shadow Systems California Trio

Though not technically new-new, like the Glock 48 mentioned above, Shadow Systems announced that they were releasing three new California-legal pistol SKUs. So, they will be available to residents behind the iron curtain of the Golden State. These new models include two models suitable for concealed carry: the Shadow Systems MR920 and XR920. These models take after the Glock 19 and Glock 45, respectively, size-wise.

While it’s not technically a “carry gun,” the third option that Shadow Systems added to the California Roster is the full-size and compensated DR920P. All three include a prominent chamber-loaded indicator, which is required to be present on a gun by California law. Shadow Systems’ new California-legal trio is worth mentioning simply because California possesses one of the largest domestic gun-buying markets in the United States. This is in spite of the fact that this state’s un-American and arguably unconstitutional gun control schemes have historically restricted regular citizens’ access to most new handgun releases.

For more information, please visit ShadowSystemsCorp.com.

FN Reflex XL MRD

This year, FN USA launched the new FN Reflex XL MRD, which is based on the micro-compact FN Reflex polymer frame striker-fired carry 9mm pistol. As the name implies, the FN Reflex XL is a larger but still thin variant of the original FN Reflex micro-compact that was first launched in 2023.

The Reflex XL joins the modern trend of those larger but still thinner and easy-to-carry pistols that was arguably set in motion in the late 2010s by the Glock 48 and further developed by models like the Springfield Hellcat Pro and SIG-Sauer P365 X-Macro. Taking advantage of its larger size, the FN Reflex MRD is naturally an optics-ready pistol using FN’s unique slide cut and optics mounting system. It’s therefore compatible with the most popular optics footprints on the market.

For more information, please visit FNAmerica.com.

Walther PDP-F Series Pro-X PMM 

The Walther PDP-F series is perhaps one of the underrated compact 9mm pistols of the current era. Heading as far back as last September, Walther Arms started giving the original PDP-F a facelift with the launch of the Walther PDP-F Series Pro models. These models enjoy an even more refined and ergonomic frame over the original with the ability to feed off of 18-round magazines.

As Pro models, this new crop of PDP-F series also comes with Walther’s vaunted Dynamic Performance Trigger installed. This January, Walther was prominently displaying their latest sub-variant of the PDP-F Series Pro family, a model that featured a Parker Mountain Machine compensator. Far from the smallest or thinnest pistol in this round-up, this 4-inch compensated compact handgun is arguably one of the sportiest listed here.

For more information, please visit WaltherArms.com.

Common Prepping Mistakes – Avoid These Pitfalls

By
Jim Cobb
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Common Prepping Mistakes

I’ve been at this whole prepping thing for about four decades now. In that time, I’ve seen so many people committing the same common prepping mistakes. They aren’t necessarily catastrophic errors. But they can result in people giving up on prepping, often before they really get started.

Let’s look at how to sidestep some of these mistakes on your prepping journey.

Common Prepping Mistake #1 – Too Much, Too Fast

There’s a lot that falls under the self-reliance umbrella, from food storage and self-defense to area studies and finances. When someone is just starting out with prepping, they may feel like they’re way behind where they need to be. As a result, they rush to play catch up. They try to do as much as they can, as quickly as they can. This inevitably leads to feeling overwhelmed, and eventually, they crash and burn.

You can’t do everything at once, not if you hope to do any of it well. A far better approach is to prioritize and concentrate on one or two things at a time. For example, set an initial goal of having enough food on hand to feed your family for two full weeks without resupply. When you hit that goal, focus on something else for a while, such as learning a few knots or basic lockpicking.

Common Prepping Mistake #2 – Throwing Money at the Problem

Listen, prepping costs money. There’s no way around it. But you can’t just buy your way to becoming prepared. I see this time and again. People want to just go out and buy kits and supplies, then toss them on a shelf and call it a day. Sure, you could drop a ton of dough on a pallet’s worth of food and water, but that’s only going to get you so far.

Money can solve a lot of problems, but there’s more to being prepared than just cash in hand.

The reality is that preparedness consists of two categories – stuff and skills. While skills are more important than stuff in the grand scheme of things, combining them together is where true victory lies. You can’t just buy skills, but you can invest time, energy, and, yeah probably some funds into training and education. You have to put in the dirt time to gain proficiency.

In addition, you need to train and practice with your gear. That’s the only way you’ll learn how it works and what it will or won’t do. It’s far better to find all of that out in your backyard on a summer afternoon than when you’re three days into a grid-down disaster.

Common Prepping Mistake #3 – Lack of Balance

It’s normal, even expected, that you’ll have certain areas of prepping that you find more interesting than others. You might be particularly drawn to medical preps, maybe due to previous experience in that realm as an EMT or combat medic. Or perhaps you have two green thumbs and love nothing more than getting dirt under your nails all spring and summer. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Keep your preps balanced, lest you find yourself lacking in a crucial area.

But, when you neglect other basics because you’re focused on your favorite, that’s going to lead to issues. If you’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars into armaments and ammunition, but you typically have less than a week’s worth of food in the home at any given time, that’s a problem.

Check in with your plan from time to time and make sure you’re not so laser-focused on any one area that you forget others.

The MKC Battle Goat – Your War EDC

By
Travis Pike
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Montana Knife Company, aka MKC, made its brand by producing well-made, super sharp, durable outdoor knives. They arm hunters, hikers, fishermen, and bush crafters. While MKC still produces the majority of their knives for the outdoor adventurous types, they’ve also dipped their toes into the tactical world. They’ve produced a line of tactical knives that are both completely new and adaptions of their popular outdoor knives. Today, we are looking at the Battle Goat. The Battle Goat is an adaption of their famed Goat knife. 

MKC makes several different Goats. We have a regular Goat, the Speed Goat, the Goat 2.0, and two tactical variants—the aforementioned Battle Goat and the War Goat. The Goat knives are defined and known for their small size and easy-carrying nature. They are fixed blades designed for utility work and fieldwork. They are a compact, do-it-all knife for most people. 

The Goat knives aren’t designed for batoning wood or cutting through underbrush like a machete. Instead, they are designed for the more routine cutting tasks. It’s well suited for cutting rope, opening MREs, stripping clothes to treat a wound, skinning game, etc. The small size makes it perfect for carrying with ease and keeps it out of the way. 

The Battle Goat – What’s Different? 

How does the Battle Goat differ from the other Goats? What makes an outdoor knife suddenly a tactical knife? First, the grip has been redesigned. The Goat typically used a paracord-wrapped grip. However, MKC ditched the paracord and went with an aggressively textured G10 material that’s tougher and more appropriate for a non-slip grip. 

The Battle Goat uses a thicker grip than the War Goat. The War Goat was made for last-ditch defense, to create distance and disable a threat. The Battle Goat can still stab, cut, and create distance, but it is better suited to be used as a tool. 

The blade features a cerakote finish and still uses the knife nerd Magnacut steel. I mean that literally. A guy who calls himself the Knife Steel Nerd produced the steel. Magnacut breaks the knife steel rules. It provides excellent edge retention and toughness, which are usually two opposing forces. The blade is also easy to sharpen and corrosion-resistant. 

There are tougher steels. There are steels that hold an edge better and steels that are more corrosion-resistant. However, if you want a decent blend of all these, then Magnacut is the way to go. 

The Battle Goat comes with a polymer sheath equipped with an Ulti-Clip. This could be easily replaced and swapped for any number of different attachment methods. The sheath is compatible with all the popular systems. 

The Battle Goat In Action 

The MKC Battle Goat exceeds expectations. Let’s start with the grip. The aggressively textured G10 material locks the weapon in your hand and provides a very stable grip. Even with gloves, the G10 handle provides a solid, locked-on grip. In fact, it might be better suited for use with gloves. 

That aggressive G10 grip panel can create hot spots and discomfort. With casual use, it’s not a problem, but sitting around the fire, I worked on stripping the bark off a limb, and after a healthy amount of work, a hot spot developed on my palm and pinky. The thin grip will also cause a little wear on your hands, but that’s to be expected. 

The grip itself is designed to conform to the hand. The shape is comfortable, and the rear of the grip has a little tail that wraps around the pinky and helps lock the knife into your hand. The front part of the grip has a choil to tuck your pointer finger into. The jimping on the rear of the blade and the choil provide excellent control. 

Slice and Dice 

The Battle Goat has a fantastic blade. The old Goat design has remained popular for a reason. It offers a versatile blade that allows for cutting, poking, and more. The aggressive tip makes poking and stabbing easy. The Battle Goat provides a very robust belly that allows for deep slashes and cuts. In fact, the belly provides cutting potential that’s beyond the blade’s overall length. 

The Battle Goat blade is 3.5 inches long, and the entire blade provides a deep and capable cutting edge. The blade comes from the factory and is extremely sharp. It slices through rope and twine with ease. It cuts through MRE bags pretty well, which is what tactical knives are often tasked with amongst soldiers. 

I have very little fighting knife training and absolutely no experience, so take this with a grain of salt. The belly and cutting edge would deliver some deep and disabling slices in a fight. The edge is ultra sharp, and when preparing my famous chicken tacos, it glided right through the chicken breast. The knife created a very enjoyable and tactile feeling as it turned chicken breasts into chicken strips. 

Getting Tactical 

The Battle Goat provides a small, lightweight knife that can easily ride on your duty belt or plate carrier. While it could be a weapon, it’s more likely to be a tool for times when cutting needs to get done. In either role, it will most certainly exceed. MKC makes some fantastic knives, and they are changing the landscape of the market; after playing with the Battle Goat, it’s easy to see why. 

For more information, please visit MontanaKnifeCompany.com.

Mossberg Introduces Enhanced 940 Pro Tactical SPX

By
Tim Stetzer
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I’ve been running a Mossberg 930 SPX for almost 5 years now, and it’s been a great gun. Mossberg came out with the 940 series a couple of years back, and while it looked good, I didn’t see a reason to jump from my 930. Well, that may change with the drop of the new 940 Pro Tactical SPX shotgun.

The Mossberg Pro 940 SPX Semi-Automatic Shotgun

The 940 Pro Tactical SPX uses Mossberg’s cleaner-running and redesigned 940 Pro gas-operating system. It will be available in 8-shot or 5-shot versions with 18.5-inch AccuChoke compatible barrels. Initially, Mossberg will have five models available. That will include a Holosun Micro Dot Combo and optional Cerakote finishes.

The 940 Pro Tactical SPX has corrosion-resistant internal parts and finishes. It uses a nickel boron-coated gas piston, magazine tube, hammer, and sear. The cleaner-running gas vent system allows for longer cleaning intervals and smooth, reliable operation. My 930 SPX runs smoothly without a lot of maintenance now, so I’m impressed that the 940 Pros run cleaner.

The 940 Pro’s have optic-ready receivers and drilled and tapped receivers. They use an oversized ergonomic bolt release and a knurled and extended charging handle. The loading port is enlarged and beveled and fitted with an elongated, pinch-free elevator. A bright orange anodized follower lets you know when the tube is empty.

The P40 Pro Tactical SPX is fitted with an 18.5-inch AccuChoke barrel complete with a Cylinder choke tube. It has an extended magazine tube with 7+1 round capacity (2.75-inch shells). The synthetic stock is self-draining and has a user-adjustable length-of-pull with a range of 12.5 – 14.25 inches with the use of inserts.

I’m a big fan of this one. I’ve run Mossberg 500, 590, and 930 shotguns for over 30 years but always found the 14-inch LOP on most to be overly long for me. Having an option from the factory is nice. There’s also the ability to adjust the drop at comb and cast with the use of incremental stock shims. The stock grip features Mossberg’s signature aggressive texturing, and a rear swivel stud is provided.

Updated Features of the 940 Pro Tactical SPX:

  • An innovative forend design that features an integrated heat shield, two QD cups, three M-LOK® mounting slots (3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions), and Mossberg’s signature texturing.
  • Stabilizing barrel clamp with two-sided M-LOK mounting slots and swivel studs.
  • Two QD mounting cups on stock (right and left) allow the sling mount to be positioned in 90-degree increments (3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions).
  • Rear Ghost Ring and front fiber optic sights with protective, low-profile wings. Simply remove the Ghost Ring sight, and the receiver is optic-ready for the direct mounting of micro-dot sights.
  • Adapter plates are provided for optic-ready receivers for mounting RMR®, Docter™, and Leupold® footprints to the optic cut in the receiver, which is covered by certain patents and patent pending.
  • Redesigned, oversized ambidextrous safety.
  • Redesigned one-piece magazine tube for ease of maintenance and improved reliability. The magazine spring is retained for ease of removing and attaching the barrel.
  • A detachable sleeve protects the magazine tube and secures the forend.
  • Vang Comp® 6-Shotshell Carrier Card with Velcro mounting plate and hook-and-loop card attachment system.
  • Durable Cerakote coatings (Flat Dark Earth and OD Green) on barreled actions of select models for added wear and corrosion protection.

Available Models

Available models include:

  • (85162) 940 Pro Tactical SPX 8-Shot – black synthetic model with matte blue metal finish
  • (85177) 940 Pro Tactical SPX 8-Shot Cerakote (Flat Dark Earth) – black synthetic model with FDE metal finish
  • (85178) 940 Pro Tactical SPX 8-Shot Cerakote (OD Green) – black synthetic model with OD Green metal finish
  • (85180) 940 Pro Tactical SPX 5-Shot – black synthetic model with matte blue metal finish
  • (85179) 940 Pro Tactical SPX 8-Shot Holosun Micro Dot Combo – black synthetic 8-shot model with mounted Holosun 407K sight. This durable optic provides twelve brightness settings, 6 MOA dot reticle, and 50K hours of battery life.

MSRP’s run between $1,190.00 and $1,371.00 depending on model.

For more information on the 940 Pro Tactical SPX and the complete line of Mossberg security shotguns, please visit Mossberg.com.

The Nightforce Mil-XT Reticle (Part 3)

By
P.E. Fitch
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Nightforce Mil-XT Reticle

Continued From Part 2

Wind Games And Spin Drift (Continued)

My shooting partner and spotter for the day was a newer shooter. So, instead of holding over the targets solely with the grid, I chose to spend the entire session using the elevation turret to dial each “come up” in order to clarify the concept of holds and the general theory of turret dialing.

However, the lack of holding over with the grid on the fly didn’t stop us from taking full advantage of the Nightforce Mil-XT’s principal horizontal stadia line (last picture found in Part 2 of this series) to account for these strong winds. I really like the fact that every mil on that horizontal line is clearly spaced and has a corresponding, easy-to-read number above.

Even if a newer shooter doesn’t understand mils deeply, the ability to use the numbers and hashes as clear markers and being able to tell them to hold the “right-hand side number 2 [horizontal] hashmark against the hard left edge of the 700-yard target” still gets the desired result! It was the same with the other steel targets.

“Hold 1.5 mils to the right for the 400-yard steel.” 

“Why don’t you shoot the 700-yard steel again? Try holding 2.4 mils, and line up the number two with the left edge of the target.”

Bang…

Claaaang!

With good DOPE in place, the Mil-XT’s horizontal hash marks helped us take care of the rest. Likewise, its 0.2 mil divisions help with taking bullet spin drift into account.

The Nightforce Mil-XT’s Grids and hashes work like a “built-in ruler” and make it so that the rifle shooter has only to do their part to connect with their targets.

Nightforce Mil-XT Reticle Critiques

By the time this third installment gets published, I will have spent plenty of time looking through the Nightforce SHV C694 and its Mil-XT reticle. I’ve shot plenty of careful groups at 100 yards while also having connected with different steel targets between 400 to 955 yards.

During the 2024 Christmas season, I was fortunate to make “ballistic lemonade” and use the Nightforce Mil-XT reticle as one of its main ingredients. Having a chance to shoot steel at different distances like this is also a treat and not something I could do back at my gun club with any regularity or convenience.

At this point in my “precision rifle” experience arc, I only have a very minor quibble with the Mil-XT in the context of using it with the 30 mm SHV 4-14×50 F1. When shooting careful groups at small targets (e.g., half-inch wide at 100 yards), I find that the 0.2 mil hash marks closest to the floating aiming point can interfere with the sight picture and make it feel crowded. With larger steel targets, this wasn’t an issue at all.

The only other minor quibble I have with the Mil-XT is that I wish that the prominent 0.2 mil hash marks found throughout the primary horizontal and vertical stadia lines were slightly shorter or just evenly spaced. Between each 1 mil wide section, the hashes at every 0.2 mil and 0.8 mil jut out to one side while the inner 0.4 and 0.6 mil hashes protrude to the other side. Each hash mark stands 0.2 mils tall off its stadia line.

First Focal Plane

This isn’t a critique, but at lower magnifications, the Mil-XT simply works like a crosshair, given that it shrinks down by virtue of being a first-focal plane reticle. The only thing I don’t yet have an informed opinion on is shooting with the reticle’s illumination on. I never felt the need to use it at any of these shooting sessions.

The Takeaway 

Even though this series isn’t about the Nightforce SHV 4-14×50 F1 C694 scope itself, I’d like to once again praise the clarity of the glass in spite of the thinner 30 mm main tube. Being able to see targets and spot splashes was crucial. Sure, the SHV can have a somewhat tight eyebox and I subjectively felt that it was harder to see through in twilight conditions.

In my opinion, this is the biggest trade-off about the SHV. Unlike the NX8 or ATACRs, it is more budget-friendly while still being a Nightforce.

It’s too bad this range trip story didn’t make it on my original review from months earlier. My experiences shooting with the Mil-XT reticle on the 6.5mm Creedmoor Bergara BMP covered two separate range trips out to the steel range. On the second trip, we took shots out to 955 yards with this rifle and scope combo.

For those newer to precision rifle shooting, the best way to describe a modern mil-based grid reticle like the Nightforce Mil-XT would be to compare it to having a built-in shooting ruler directly inside the scope. The gist of such shooting reticles is to allow shooters to measure and/or use the reticle’s reference points on the fly, something that’s harder to do on rifle scopes that have plain or simpler reticles.

Beyond the Basics

Compared to other MRAD reticles, like Leupold’s classic TMR reticle that I’ve previously covered, the Mil-XT offers more functionality beyond basic shooting, ranging, and milling, given its built-in grid. And compared to other reticles that use MRAD-based grids, the Nightforce Mil-XT reticles cover the main points needed for tactical shooting, precision shooting, competition shooting, and maybe even hunting*.

While the “busyness” of a reticle lies in the eye of the beholder, I think that the Mil-XT covers its bases without being overly busy or obfuscating. No, it’s not a Tremor 3, either. Frankly, I’ll write that article in the future when I can properly explain the magic of the Tremor 3 reticle in my own words.  

After seeing what I can do with the 30 mm 14x Nightforce SHV C694, given the chance, I’d love to use this reticle on a bigger, more capable scope like the Nightforce 7-35 ATACR.

Click here to read Part 1 and Part 2 of my Nightforce Mil-XT reticle experience.

Financial Preparedness – An Essential Element of Your Plan

By
Jim Cobb
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financial preparedness

Financial preparedness is one of the areas of prepping that’s typically stressed the least. Yet, it’s incredibly relevant and critically important. There are four key areas to consider in your plans.

Debt Reduction

Every dollar you spend in interest is one less dollar you have to put toward something useful or fun. While it can be difficult to achieve and maintain a debt-free status, at the least, do what you can to reduce or eliminate high-interest credit cards and similar types of debt. This won’t happen without a plan, especially if you’re currently drowning in debt.

One approach is to make a list of all of your debts. Pick the one with the lowest balance and pay everything you can afford on that bill while still paying the minimum on everything else. Do this each month until the debt is paid in full. Then, move on to the next lowest on the list and do the same thing. Lather, rinse, repeat until you’re above water again. My parents did this back in the mid-1980s, and it still works today.

Emergency Savings

For far too many people, an unexpected expense of even a few hundred dollars will send their entire household budget into a tailspin. It’s important to establish some sort of emergency fund for things like car repairs or replacing major appliances that kick the bucket.

It’s difficult to do, especially when you’re trying to climb out of the financial hole. But look at it like food storage. You can’t do it all at once, but you can work the problem a little at a time. Each paycheck, toss just a little bit into your emergency fund. Even if it’s just five bucks a check, that’s better than nothing.

If you come into extra money, like, let’s say you have a rummage sale, put half of the profits into your savings. Spend the other half on something fun. It’ll all add up over time. The key, though, is to never touch the emergency fund unless it’s an actual emergency. Make every effort to avoid spending it unless you have no other option. Don’t overlook this important area of financial preparedness.

Retirement Planning

A lot of preppers seem to be relying on the world coming to an end before they hit retirement age. While I suppose that’s always a risk, it might be best to hedge that bet. A retirement planner can help you put together a plan that makes sense for your individual situation.

That said, this is an area where a multi-pronged approach is best. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, especially if they do any sort of matching, that’s a great place to start. Look into Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) as well.

Various types of investments might be beneficial, including stocks as well as real estate. Some of these options may not have as high of an upfront cost as you might think. The earlier in life you start planning for retirement, the better off you’ll be in the long run.

The Death File

We’ve talked about this one a little bit before in our review of the Nokbox. The basic idea is to assemble everything your family will need after you pass. This goes beyond just your Last Will and Testament and includes everything from financial information to a list of people to notify of your death.

This is something few people truly want to do but look at it as the last gift you can give to your loved ones. Take it from someone who knows, they’ll appreciate it.

Financial preparedness isn’t as sexy as practicing with firearms or collecting gear. But it also doesn’t require a world-altering calamity to occur before you’ll make use of it.

The FC-PKO Power Puukko!

By
Reuben Bolieu
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The White River Knife & Tool Puukko is an 8.1-inch fixed-blade knife in S35VN steel with micarta scales, a kydex sheath, and a Ferro rod.

With the success of their FIRECRACT series, White River Knife & Tool has taken it further with the first Scandinavian ground knife, also designed by Jason Tietz. Meet the White River FC-PKO Power Puukko!

Puukko knives have existed for centuries and are a right of passage for Scandinavian young adults. It’s their equivalent of a pocket knife in North America!

Power Puukko

The White River FC-PKO features a puukko-inspired design combining a traditional Scandinavian (scandi) edge and modern elements. A fire notch at the top of the blade allows users to strike a Ferro rod efficiently. Additionally, the knife includes a polished stainless steel divot, perfect for using with a spindle when creating fire the old-fashioned way with a bow and drill set. The FC-PKO Power Puukko demonstrates a perfect blend of tradition and innovation.

The WRK&T Puukko showcases several standout features beyond its basic design. With an overall length of 8.1 inches and a weight of 4.6 ounces, this classic drop point full tang knife has a Scandinavian grind crafted from CPM S35VN steel. Its handle, made from micarta with orange liners, features an exposed pommel. The knife has a Kydex sheath and a ferrocerium rod to complete the package, embodying the Firecraft spirit.

Fire Notch

I previously used a knife with a Jason Tietz-designed fire notch with excellent results; the same goes for the new WRK&T Puukko. Notch placement is in the best possible place on the spine where it won’t get in the way of thumb-assisted push-cuts or choking up on the blade when skinning. The spine is rounded for absolute comfort when using different knife grips. As a bonus, it may also save a baton from getting shredded up too quickly. Only the notch area is sharpened for striking and scraping. 

This notch will accommodate any size of Ferro rod and shower tinder with ferocious hot sparks. However, this doesn’t limit it to striking alone; it makes the best tinder scraper for fatwood, magnesium, bamboo, or poplar shavings. 

Scandi Grind

The author made a try stick utilizing the sharp edge of the White River Knife & Tool Puukko.

The striking zero-grind edge of the FC-PKO Power Puukko catches the eye and shines brilliantly. The ultra-sharp scandi grind with a slight drop point on the 3.7-inch blade was surprisingly sharp right out of the box, passing my initial hair-shaving test. 

The Sheath

The WRK&T Puukko has a straightforward Kydex sheath and a versatile belt clip with a replaceable Ferro rod. The handle rides high, allowing for easy drawing of the short blade, and you can wear it inverted with excellent retention. The knife deploys smoothly with a thumb-assisted push-off. The neck carry option is a perfect weight, and the removable belt loop creates a lighter, less bulky setup. The FC-PKO Power Puukko and its sheath make an excellent combination for outdoor enthusiasts.

FC-PKO Power Puukko Test

Scandi knives excel at wood carving, making them ideal for bushcraft tasks. I crafted a try stick, a notched valuable tool for various applications, aiming for 10 or 11 notches on a green thumb-thick piece of softwood. The blade easily handles deep stop cuts with different grips.

The stainless steel bow drill divot worked amazingly well when it was time to produce a coal.

In my experience, making feather sticks for a fire is best done with a scandi. The WRK&T Puukko efficiently crafted feather sticks, proving its effectiveness in bushcraft tasks.

I planted the blade horizontally into a log firmly by using a baton. In that position, I scraped fatwood against the notch until I had a nice-sized pile to ignite. I used the Ferro rod to scrape back against the notch, sending hot sparks on the fatwood shavings and igniting them quickly. Testing the FC-PKO Power Puukko was a valuable experience.

The author produced a coal using the stainless steel divot in the handle of the White River Knife & Tool Puukko. This feature is one less piece when building a bow drill set.

For more information, please contact White River Knife & Tool.

FC-PKO Power Puukko Specs

Blade Length3.7 inches 
Overall Length8.1inches
Blade Thickness.125 inches
SteelCPM S35VN 
RC58-60 
Weight4.6 ounces
SheathKydex (black)
Made inUSA
MSRP$200.00
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