The Weird M1 Carbines

By

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January 27, 2025

The M1 Carbine was the first and last light rifle adopted by the United States military. The weapon was initially intended to arm non-combat personnel who might be near the front lines. It would be lighter than the M1 Garand and easier to transport but more capable than the M1911.

The M1 Carbine saw massive success and became favored for its light and handy nature. Millions were produced, and the firearm was popular on the civilian market. This included some weird M1 Carbines.

I love weird weapons, so coming across weird variants of fairly standard weapons is always interesting. The M1 Carbine’s beloved nature and mass production opened it up to all sorts of interesting modifications and designs. These weird M1 Carbines were often nothing more than experiments, but their weird nature fascinates me, and I hope they fascinate you.

For this article, we’ll count M2 and M3 variants. It’s just easier to say weird M1 Carbines versus Weird M1 or M2 or M3 carbines.

Aberdeen’s .220 Cal Experiment

People really don’t realize how many studies, trials, and experiments led to a small caliber, high-velocity round to be adopted. It took a lot to get the M16 and 5.56 cartridge adopted. One experiment dated back to 1953 gives us the first of our weird M1 carbines, or well, technically, it’s an M2. A dedicated group of engineers believed in a lightweight rifle firing a small caliber, high-velocity cartridge.

They were granted limited equipment, funds, and ammo to produce a .220 caliber carbine using an M2 Carbine. Gerald Gustafson led the charge and created the .22 Gustafson and an M2 Carbine to fire it. The cartridge is described as bottlenecked, and the diameter of the case was greater than that of the .30 Carbine, so capacity was reduced from 15 to 10 rounds.

The .22 M2 Carbine was fitted with a compensator, and the recoil was supposedly 50% less than the .30 Carbine. It proved to be accurate and capable of reaching 400 yards with minimal dispersion under full auto fire. However, the Army wanted a .40 Cal full-powered rifle, and we got the M14.

Vulcan Pump Action

Even after the big war and Korea, the M1 Carbine remained in production. The rifle was produced by a number of companies, including Universal Firearms. New production M1 Carbines were popular because they were lightweight, fun to shoot, and ammo was common. Universal Firearms began experimenting with the M1 design in an effort to produce alternative options.

One is the odd little Vulcan .44 Magnum pump action rifle. The short-stroke gas piston system wasn’t robust enough inside an M1 carbine to handle the power of the .44 Magnum, so Universal Firearms created a pump action design. It still used the magazine and overall layout of the M1 Carbine. Albeit the magazine was slightly modified.

The gun held four rounds instead of 15. It was designed for close-range hunting and fit with an open rear sight rather than a peep sight. The little Vuclans weren’t all that popular, but it’s the only big-bore carbine on our list of weird M1 Carbines.

The Modernized M2 Carbine

As Korea ended, it was clear that the M1, M2, and M3 Carbines would be phased out of service. The US was looking to create one weapon to do it all. This new weapon would replace the M1 Carbine, the M1 Garand, the BAR, and the M3 SMG. That would become the M14. However, the M2 Carbine tried its hardest to remain relevant and to modernize.

This is another M2 carbine on our weird M1 carbines list. This particular prototype doesn’t have much information tied to it. In fact, outside of this photo, I’m coming up dry on information. From the photo, we can see a good bit. First, that’s an Air Force officer shooting it, which makes sense. The Air Force clung to the M1/M2 Carbine rather than go along with the M14.

This M2 features a crazy-looking stock, but it’s an inline stock that can help reduce recoil and improve controllability. It also uses a modern vertical grip for the rear grip, which improves control as well. The gun also has a compensator and bipod, along with a metal handguard. All in all, it’s a steampunk’s wet dream, but the Air Force must not have been all that impressed.

S&W’s 40 S&W Police M1 Carbine

The transition to the AR-15 as the chosen patrol rifle was slow. There was a time when it became clear that the rifle would be the better patrol weapon, but the AR wasn’t selected for that role just yet. Many folks liked the idea of allowing officers to carry ammo and handgun magazines with their rifle platform.

In the early 1990s, S&W’s engineers began experimenting with converting M1 Carines to .40 S&W. The new .40 S&W cartridge seemed to be hot to trot in the LEO world, and S&W wanted to get ahead of the market. There were still plenty of M1 Carbines kicking around, and it was a popular and capable platform.

S&W utilized a stock surplus M1 Carbine and converted the gun to .40 S&W with a custom barrel. They dropped the gun in a polymer Choate stock and called it a day. S&W called the experiment a dud, and the one rifle they produced was sold at auction for a little under $3,000.

Various Chopped Carbines

One of my favorite weird M1 Carbines is the various chopped variants that became popular in Vietnam. Our Vietnamese allies used the M1 Carbine family, and we happily supplied piles of them. Advisors would often carry the M1 Carbine as well, sometimes choosing them to a smaller configuration.

Norman Schwarzkopf famously carried a chopped M1 Carbine in Vietnam. Plenty of troops acquired M1 Carbines and cut the barrels, stocks, and more off of them to make them smaller and handier. I’d imagine they got awfully loud and bright with their chopped barrels.

Additionally, the Viet Cong would chop M1 Carbines as guerilla warfare tools. They were often recovered in caches. These were likely converted battlefield pickups. These guns would inspire the civilian Advisor M1 Carbine pistols.

The Weird M1 Carbines

Weird M1 Carbines aren’t common these days. The gun has fallen out of favor, and the ammunition costs a small fortune. It’s sad because the rifle is lightweight, easy shooting, and quite handy. I think we need a return of the light rifle and its capabilities.

The Walther Arms PDP And It’s Success

By

Travis Pike

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January 26, 2025

I’m a Walther fan. Believe it or not, I’m not a PPK or PPK/S fan, but a fan of Walther Arms P99, PPQ, and now the PDP series. I think Walther doesn’t get the credit it deserves when it comes to handguns, and they are seemingly always willing to do something a little different. The company’s newest handgun, the PDP, takes cues from the PPQ but is the first handgun I’m aware of that’s built specifically with a red dot in mind.

The grip has been redesigned to make finding your red dot easy and simple. It’s ergonomic changes benefit shooters new to the red dot world. The PDP series is the first of Walther’s many modern firearms to acquire several American police contracts. While the Walther series saw success overseas with various firearms, the PDP has attracted local and state police contracts in the United States.

Why? Why has the PDP succeeded where the P99 and PPQ barely made headway? I reached out to Walther and simply asked.

Walther Arms PDP and New Priorities

I was told by Cody Osborn, Walther’s head honcho of marketing, that Walther now has a domestic law enforcement sales team. Law enforcement agencies don’t just go to a gun store and poke around until they find something they like. They often put out invitations to bid, and law enforcement sales teams often respond by sending pistols to the Department to test and evaluate or even sending someone to give a presentation.

Having a team actively seeking out police contracts will increase your chances of getting sales, but you still have to have a solid gun. Walther is put up against SIG and Glock, both dominating the law enforcement field and having dug themselves in. Not to mention they likely have a more experienced law enforcement sales team as a whole.

So, why has the PDP succeeded? According to Cody Osborn, it’s down to performance. Whenever law enforcement agencies test the Walter PDP against other guns, the PDP always delivers the best performance in the hands of police officers. I’d imagine that the price point might be a stickler, but I can’t confirm.

The Red Dot World

I think a big reason why the PDP succeeds is the movement of police forces towards red dots. The PDP isn’t just red dot ready, it’s designed to be used with red dots. If you’re new to red dots, the PDP makes it easier to find the dot on the draw. I attended a training course conducted by Hogg Tactical that Walther and Safariland sponsored.

We used PDPs with Aimpoint ACROs. I was the only civilian on the course and was one of the few who had used a red dot on a handgun before. Still, each officer was able to quickly and confidently find the dot and got used to shooting with the dot on the first drill. Finding the dot and not looking for irons is the first challenge you have to overcome when transitioning to a red dot.

More Options

Walther also produces the PDP in various configurations. Most companies do, but the PDP allows the user to mix and match slides and frames to create the gun they want. Another benefit is things like the F series. The F series was built for those with smaller hands, specifically women, but anyone with smaller hands can benefit from the F series.

Gabby Franco was teaching police officers and noticed how many female officers had trouble reaching the trigger. This helped inspire the production of the PDP-F series.

Most duty guns aren’t made for smaller hands, and the PDP offers an alternative to the larger grips of most guns. The Pennsylvania State Police adopted the PDP and gave their officers a choice between the standard PDP and the F series.

The first graduating class of the Pennsylvania State Police had zero failures at the range. They had swapped from the SIG P227, a massive metal frame .45 ACP, to the slim and trim PDP. It undoubtedly makes a significant difference. Half of the class had chosen the F Series.

The Rising Tide of the PDP

The Pennsylvania State Police adopted the PDP, as mentioned. So did the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department in Florida. Another state police agency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, also adopted the Walther PDP for its police forces.

Overseas, the PDP has been chosen by various forces, including German Special Operations units. The gun appears to have a bright future ahead of it. I don’t have any stake in Walther succeeding, but I like seeing companies I like get ahead.

For more information, please visit WaltherArms.com.

Shelter 101: Tarp Pitches for Success

By

Reuben Bolieu

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January 25, 2025

GAT_Tarp Pitch (3) — The author used tarps with several grommets to rig up this tarp in the desert without trees.

There are three surefire ways to pitch a tarp for success, whether it be a picnic in the woods or a hunker-down shelter. This article will teach you to master three tarp pitches for success—A-Frame, Lean-To, and Plow point tarp configurations.

Tarps For the Win

Tarps are a popular choice for shelter due to their portability and lightweight design, making them ideal for camping, hiking, and outdoor activities. Made from materials like nylon or polyester, they easily fold for transport, though heavier options like canvas are available.

A reliable tarp can protect you and your gear from wind, rain, and sun. To set up a tarp, find two trees or poles and stretch it over a ridgeline. Despite their lightness, tarps provide adequate protection, proving essential for outdoor enthusiasts. You can create a comfortable refuge from the elements with a bit of planning.

Backpacking Years

As a kid, growing up car camping, my family used tents. They were heavy and complicated. Even worse, they were terrible to put away when muddy and wet. Tents were the main reason we were cold throughout the night. They were too high and had too much airspace for us to warm.

I knew I wanted a more straightforward way to camp when I got older. That’s why these tarp pitches are so important to my style of travel and camping.

Lean-To Tarp Pitch

A lean-to offers the ultimate visibility when there’s a strange sound in the middle of the night. This open shelter allows you to identify what it is quickly with a flashlight and return to sleep.

The Coalcracker Bushcraft T6ZERO quickly becomes a lean-to from its self-storing bag using two tie-off points and two stakes.

Pitching a lean-to tarp shelter is a simple way to protect yourself from the elements. You need two to four stakes and some cordage for the ridgeline.

Start by finding two sturdy anchor points, like trees, and string a line between them at shoulder height. Drape the tarp over the line, ensuring one end is lower for a sloped roof—aim for about a 45-degree angle. Secure the corners with stakes or rocks and adjust the tension as needed. If your tarp is large, leave a foot of overhang for an awning, which requires extra cordage and stakes.

Alternatively, use a thick pole as a ridgepole for better stability and to save cordage. With the proper setup, you’ll stay dry and enjoy your surroundings without worry.

A-Frame Tarp Pitch

The A-frame configuration is the most popular tarp setup for hammock camping. It allows you to set the tarp high in hot and humid conditions, providing better visibility and airflow while keeping you dry.

Upgrade from the traditional ridgeline to a sturdy, wrist-thick pole as your ridge pole. This solid alternative will make your camping adventures much more exciting!

In the Eastern Sierras, the author sets up a trekking pole at a busy backpackers camp before summiting Mt. Whitney. One side ties to a tree, and the other three corners get staked down.

Setting up an A-frame tarp shelter is straightforward and involves just a few simple steps. First, find two trees or poles spaced 8-10 feet apart in a flat area without overhanging branches. Next, tie a ridgeline between the two points at a height that offers the best coverage.

Drape the tarp over the ridgeline, ensuring it hangs evenly on both sides. Secure the tarp’s corners to the ground using stakes, rocks, logs, or coral. Finally, adjust the tension of the tarp by tightening or loosening the ridgeline and corner stakes until the shelter feels taut and secure. Pitch the tarp down flush with the ground for added coverage and use debris to create a seal.

Remember to choose a tarp with adequate coverage and pack extra lines and stakes in case of unexpected weather. With some practice, you can pitch an A-frame tarp shelter quickly, providing a secure and waterproof camping shelter.

Flying Diamond Tarp Pitch

Also referred to as a plow point, this efficient and straightforward setup allows you to create a rainproof shelter in just minutes. Begin by securing one corner of the tarp to a stable object—such as a tree, pole, vehicle, or boulder—at about waist to mid-torso height. Then, pull back the opposite diagonal corner of the tarp and stake it down tightly to create a diagonal shape. Next, stake down the remaining three corners. This setup results in a shelter that is quick and easy to assemble.

The author’s Flying Diamond Tarp Shelter in Alabama includes a pull-out grommet that expands interior space with debris insulation.

One side will provide greater coverage when using a rectangular tarp, while a square tarp offers equal coverage but less overall space. Position the extra-covered side facing the prevailing wind to block blown rain and snow effectively.

Depending on the number of grommets and tie-outs on your tarp, you can add additional stakes for a more secure seal. Similar to the A-frame configuration, you can pile debris against the tarp base for added stability.

This setup delivers more coverage than a lean-to configuration while maintaining reduced visibility. It’s the ideal choice when facing imminent wind-blown rain and snow.

Practice Your Tarp Pitches to Ensure Success

Use tarps to experience unparalleled ease and significant weight savings on your camping trips. Whether in your backyard or exploring local parks and trails, these versatile tools are your ultimate solution for rapidly setting up camp. Don’t hesitate; give tarps a try and see for yourself. You might just become a dedicated tarp enthusiast and elevate your camping experience!

Familiarize yourself with setting up a tarp shelter before you head out into the field—it’s essential.

An Ideal EDC – The Daily Carry from LT Wright

By

Jim Cobb

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January 25, 2025

I’ve been a fan of LT Wright’s line of knives for many years now. Earlier this year, I stumbled on the Daily Carry model and decided to check it out. And I’m glad I did, as it is all sorts of awesome.

The Daily Carry was designed by Jason Thoune, owner of DLT Trading. When I asked him about the genesis of the project, he said that he set out to do an EDC-size knife with LT Wright. Those who are familiar with the LT Wright lineup know that they produce a range of knives that are genuine workhorses. They look great, no question, but they aren’t the sorts of blades that you’re afraid to put to work.

When he put pencil to paper, Thoune focused on the mantra of “Simple is best.” What he came up with is a perfect blend of utilitarian and good looks. It’s large enough to handle just about anything you’ll run into while being small enough to comfortably carry all day long.

Daily Carry Specifications

The Daily Carry runs 6.625 inches from point to pommel, with a blade that’s 3.0 inches long. The blade is 0.125-inch thick at the spine. The knife weighs just 3.35 ounces, though I’m certain that figure changes slightly based on the handle material used. In this case, the handle is Damacarta. What’s that, you ask? We’ll get to that in a minute.

The Daily Carry has a drop point blade that’s short, but very handy. Author photo.

The steel used is CPM 3V. This is a premium steel that’s an excellent option for those who actually use their knives. To be clear, I’m not dissing on the pure collectors out there, as I straddle both sides of that particular fence. But yes, if someone is looking for a knife that’s going to go into the field and cut some stuff for real, CPM 3V will do the job very well.

As with most knives that come from the LT Wright shop, the Daily Carry comes with a well-made leather sheath equipped with a sturdy belt loop. The sheath is a deep carry model with great retention.

The sheath isn’t just an afterthought. It’s built to last. Author photo.

As the name implies, this is a knife that’s designed for daily carry and use. As such, we’re not talking about a giant Bowie knife. While fun, those aren’t exactly suited for most working environments. If you ever want to meet the folks in Human Resources, go ahead and strap one of those on your hip before you head to the office.

What is Damacarta?

Damacarta is a patterned canvas Micarta-esque type of material. I phrase it like that because Micarta is a trademarked product. Where Micarta uses resin-impregnated materials, such as canvas or linen, Damacarta uses epoxy-infused materials. The end result is a patterned material. I’ve seen some pretty striking color combinations with Damacarta knife handles.

The handle is rounded and comfortable, as well as pretty cool in appearance. Author photo.

Daily Carry Performance

I’ve owned my Daily Carry for about five months at this point. It’s gone along on hikes and spent time in the kitchen. I’ve used it to break down boxes, open packages, and whittle sticks. I love that I can get a full four-fingered grip on the handle despite the small size of the knife. Personally, I’m not fond of three-finger grips. The knife has been comfortable to use, with no hot spots.

This is my first experience with Damacarta. Overall, I like it. They left just enough texture to give it some character without being overbearing. I love the various color and pattern options. Mine is one of the more subdued combinations I’ve seen.

The knife arrives razor-sharp. The spine is only slightly less sharp, which is an LT Wright calling card. They’ve perfected the 90-degree spine, and it works great in conjunction with a ferrocerium rod to get a fire going.

Pros and Cons

The Daily Carry is an ideal choice for someone seeking a smaller fixed-blade knife to, well, carry daily. There’s enough blade to handle just about any routine chore that you’re liable to run into throughout your daily life and enough real estate on the handle to do it comfortably.

That said, I wish the knife came with a slimmer, pocket-carry sheath option. As currently equipped, it’ll easily fit into a cargo pocket on pants or shorts, but it’s a bit bulky for other pockets.

One of the things I love about LT Wright’s product line is that the knives are made to work. They aren’t loaded with a ton of bells and whistles that drive up the price. They’re simple, understated, and enormously effective while also managing to be quite eye-catching. The Daily Carry is a perfect example.

For more information, please visit DLT Trading.

Meta Tactical MX1 Handgun Conversion Kit

By

Tim Stetzer

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January 24, 2025

Meta Tactical broke ground with its Apex bullpup carbine conversion kit for Glock and other popular handguns a couple of years back. The Apex was a quick and easy conversion kit that turned your pistol into a PCC. Well, Meta is back with another pistol to PDW conversion that’s even easier to use. The new MX-1 Handgun Conversion Kit currently supports over 70 Glock models. Another version designed to fit most other pistols with a Picatinny rail is on the way.

The Meta Tactical MX1

The MX-1 is a PDW chassis that accepts Glock pistols. Unlike other systems currently in the market that require specific models for specific Glock models, the MX1 fits them all. I haven’t gotten one in hand yet to see what voodoo Meta uses to achieve this, but I like the idea of one chassis to rule them all.

Since I have a bunch of Glocks in various calibers and frame sizes, having one system I could use with any of them is appealing. I also like that no tools are needed to install your pistol in the MX1.

The chassis is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and fiber-filled impact-resistant polymer for light weight and durability. It’s completely engineered and manufactured in the USA with ISO-certified processes and backed by Meta Tactical’s warranty. The MX1 doesn’t use a plastic charging handle like other kits. It also doesn’t rely on the donor handgun’s serrations for cocking. Meta says this makes a more reliable and smoother operating system.

Meta’s MX1 is available in both aluminum stock or aluminum stabilizer configurations and will have multiple color options. The chassis is equipped with an aluminum shroud with M-LOK slots for mounting lights, spare mag holders, or forward grips. There’s also an aluminum full-length Picatinny rail for adding sights or optics.

Full specs aren’t available yet, but what we do know is that the MX1 is compact enough to fit in a backpack or range bag. Weight is just 1.6 on its own or 3 pounds with a Glock 19 installed.

Availability

Currently, the MX-1 is listed as a pre-order on Meta Tactical’s website. Prices aren’t shown just yet either but they’re saying the MX1 conversion kit is going to be an unbeatable value. I’m anxious to check them out firsthand at the SHOT Show and see how the system works.

MX1 Conversion Kit Highlights

All-in-One Chassis: Compatible with 70+ Glock models.
Advanced Charging System: AR-style design, eliminating the use of handgun serrations
Compact & Lightweight: Foldable stock/stabilizer for easy portability.
Premium Materials: Aircraft-grade aluminum rail, stock, and shroud—at a polymer price.
Accessory-Ready: Standard M-LOK and Picatinny rails included.
Force Multiplier: Enhances accuracy and lethality.
Quick & Secure: Patented tool-free locking system for fast handgun insertion

For more information, check out Meta Tactical.

The Tall Tales of Wood Bullets

By

Travis Pike

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January 24, 2025

Liberty tree collectors — Liberty Tree Collectors

Wooden bullets sound like a terrible idea all around. What’s the point? Can you make a Spitzer-style wooden bullet? These days, we don’t hear about them so much, but when I was a kid, it seemed like one of those things that came up fairly frequently. I blame it on the fact I watched a lot of History Channel before it was Aliens and Pawnstars. The wood bullet mythos seems to come out of World War II.

Wood bullets used by German and Japanese forces were the subject of numerous modern myths. The Brits used wood bullets as well, but because they were our allies, we know they used them for training purposes to save metal. Their use by German and Japanese forces was often portrayed as a devious, deadly, and dishonorable tool. However, it’s all pretty much bunk.

Let’s discuss the myths and truth about wood bullets.

The Myths

First, it seems agreed that one reason the Japanese and Germans used wood bullets is because they were running out of metal. We were kicking them across the Pacific and Europe, and boy, they couldn’t keep up! That’s the first myth: metal wasn’t the reason why wood bullets were used.

Another myth states that these dastardly, devious devils used wood bullets because X-rays couldn’t find them. Troops would needlessly suffer! It was also said they were used because they exploded into splinters, making wounds brutal and hard to treat!

Supposedly, Japanese Snipers used wooded rounds to cause infections. Merritt Edson, of Edson’s Raiders, assumed that when he found cartridges loaded with wooden bullets on Tulagi Island.

The Germans were actually poisoning their wood bullets. You could tell this because some were just plain wood, but others were painted blue, black, or red. These colors signified specific poisons used.

Myths about the enemy during wartime are nothing new. It’s a way to dehumanize and believe the very worst of your opponent. You are the righteous warrior putting down the scourge that is the enemy of America.

The Reality

Japanese and German forces indeed used wooden projectiles on cartridges. However, it’s tough to even call them projectiles. They were more like plugs. A wood projectile is too lightweight to travel very far or achieve a significant velocity. It would be easily deterred by wind and light brush. I’m sure they could kill someone, but like birdshot, it’s the worst tool for the job.

They also weren’t poisoned or intended to cause infection. They were used to launch rifle grenades. The wood bullets weren’t used, but the blanks they installed on launched rifle grenades. The actual wood bullet would be hollow and made from softwood. It shattered when fired.

Their purpose was to ensure reliable feeding in the bolt-action rifles of the era. With a wooden bullet, the overall length of the cartridge remained the same, allowing for smooth feeding. Americans used seven petal rosette crimped blanks and previously had used paper. They had never seen wood-tipped blanks.

Germans dyed the wood cartridge tips to differentiate which grenade the blank was meant to launch. There was no poison. That said, there is no evidence anyone had ever used these cartridges to fight, and if it happened, it was because Hans forgot to switch back to the real rounds when the fight kicked off.

The Wood Bullet World

Wood bullets have come and gone. They’ve seen their fair share of mythos, but we’ve developed easier ways to launch grenades. I’m betting the fragile nature of the design made them a bit of a hassle anyway. It’s still interesting to see the different interpretations different soldiers had when finding these oddities on the battlefield.

Prepping with Children – Talking to Kids About Preparedness

By

Jim Cobb

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January 23, 2025

Many parents wonder how best to talk to their kids about prepping. You want to teach them skills, of course, but you don’t want to scare the daylights out of them.

Maturity

As we so often say as we get older, age is just a number. That applies to youngsters as well. I mean, I’ve been asked how old a child should be before they’re given their first knife. I know 40-year-old men I wouldn’t trust with a spoon out in public.

It isn’t a matter of how many years they’ve been on the green side of the grass. It’s a matter of maturity. Only you know what your child can likely handle. Keep conversations about severe storms and other threats realistic, but you might not need to go into detail if that’s just going to send them into a panic.

If they do get scared, remind them that prepping is what we’re doing to reduce the danger.

Emulate Behavior

As that great and eminent sage Douglas Adams wrote in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “Don’t panic.” If you act scared, that’s going to scare your kids. On the other hand, if you give off an air of confidence, that’s going to rub off on them. They might not develop a cocky swagger, but they’ll at least be assured that you’re handling the problem.

What If Scenarios

These can be a great way to not only teach skills and share information but to check in with them to see what they’re thinking. Talk them through some realistic situations, such as a house fire, tornado warning, or getting lost in the woods. Give them the scenario and let them tell you what they think they should do. Gently correct them as needed.

No matter what, it’s critical that in any scenario you discuss, at the end, you describe them overcoming the problem and prevailing safely. Don’t ever, not even for a moment, let them think that the situation will be hopeless. That accomplishes nothing productive.

Make sure kids know what to do if they get lost in the woods during a hiking or camping trip.

Prep-Adjacent Extracurriculars

There are a number of groups and programs out there that help teach skills that will be helpful in a crisis. Scouting covers a range of topics like first aid, camping, and navigation.

Destination Imagination is a great program that teaches problem-solving and decision-making under pressure. Another popular one is 4-H, which covers an enormous range of topics, including agriculture, animal husbandry, healthy living, archery, and shooting sports.

4-H is a great way for kids to learn about caring for animals, as well as building confidence.

Real-World Skill Building

Take the time as your kids grow up to teach them skills that will be useful in their lives. While organizations and programs like we just discussed are great, this sort of education should begin at home. Teach them how to cook meals from scratch, how to preserve food, and how to budget money. Talk to them about self-defense and what to do about bullies. Instill into them self-confidence. Make sure they know that you have their back, no matter what.

As you discuss the skills they’re learning, both at home and elsewhere, talk about how they can use them in an emergency. Don’t overdo it, and steer every conversation into prepping. Nobody wants that. But give them a frame of reference to understand that the world doesn’t always play nice, and you should be prepared to handle problems when they arise.

The Terminator and It’s Many Shotguns

By

Travis Pike

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January 23, 2025

The Terminator series is linked with two different kinds of killing machines. We have the robotic Terminators and shotguns. Seriously, shotguns are a big deal in the Terminator franchise. I’m not sure why, but ever since the first film, shotguns have been instrumental in the franchise. Hero and villain alike carry shotguns throughout the film series, and as a shotgun nut, I wanted to dig into the best shotguns in the Terminator franchise.

The Ithaca 37

When Kyle Reese landed in 1991 Los Angeles, he quickly acquired weaponry. He steals an Ithaca 37 with an extended magazine tube from a police vehicle. He cut the stock off and attached a lanyard. It’s small enough to conceal under a coat, and that’s how Reese employs the famed Ithaca 37. Eventually, the T-800 used an Ithaca 37 with stock for a short period during the first film.

The Ithaca 37 series has been in the longest continuous production of any pump shotgun. These repeating shotguns are known for their reliability and durability. They famously served with SEALs in Vietnam, where they were favored for their slab side design. The gun ejected and loaded from the bottom, which reduced the number of ports that allowed debris to enter the gun.

Spas 12

In the famed gun store scene, the Terminator acquires a Uzi, an AR-18, and a “12 Gauge Autoloader.” The autoloader is the famed Spas 12, a gun that wreaked havoc across 1990s film and video games. The Spas 12 is actually a convertible shotgun that can swap from semi-auto to pump action. The Terminator shows off his strength by wielding the shotgun with a single hand as he shoots through a police station.

The only movie to accurately portray the Spas 12 was Jurassic Park, which jammed quite quickly. The Spas 12 shotguns were not known for reliability, and they were also fragile and somewhat difficult to load. The gun is a collector’s item now only because of its use in so many movies and TV shows.

Winchester 1887

As the new T-800 arrives to protect John Connor, he acquires a sawn-off lever-action Winchester 1887 shotgun from a biker bar. The gun becomes his weapon of choice as he rides his metal steed through the streets of Los Angeles. The Winchester 1887 proves to be a potent tool in stalling the liquid metal T-1000. We see another feat of strength when he wields the gun one-handed, including doing the famed flip cocking technique while riding a motorcycle.

The Winchester 1887 was a black powder shotgun. However, Winchester only produced a smokeless powder version in 10 gauge, which it called the 1901. The Winchester in the movie is a replica. It’s funny to imagine the Terminator seeking out black powder shells, but I guess he had little worry that the gun would explode on him.

Remington 870

Remington 870s are scattered throughout the Terminator series. It first pops up in T2 with Sarah Connor’s LEO Special 870 with the folding metal stock. T3 shows a trench gun style 870 with a bayonet lug and heat shield. In Salvation, a young Kyle Reese carries a PGO 870 with a breaching barrel. In Genesys, our new Sarah Connor gets the same 870 that the OG Sarah Connor used in T2. Finally, the same metal folding stock 870 makes an appearance in Dark Fate.

The 870 series are legendary shotguns and have likely armed more police officers than any other shotgun. It’s a durable, well-made design that set the new standard for pump action shotguns. It’s the AR of shotguns, and it’s not a surprise that we see so many different variations in the Terminator franchise.

M26 MASS

The M26 MASS pops up in Terminator 3 during a fast-forward future vision. It’s seen equipped with John Connor’s rifle. In a crazy dedication to continuity, we see the M26 appear in Terminator Salvation, equipped to John Connor’s rifle once more. He uses the shotgun a few times and even detaches it for reasons unknown.

The M26 MASS is a bolt action, straight pull bolt shotgun that feeds from a magazine. C-More, the optics company, designed the gun to mount on an M3 for the US Army. The Army has fielded very few, but it’s in the armory. It’s a rare design, and it’s neat to see it pop up more than once.

Shotguns and Terminator

The Terminator series is no stranger to firearms of all kinds, but shotguns seem to have a special place in the series. I only did my five favorites, but there are tons of them. Benelli M3 and M4s, KelTec, that stupid DP-12, and even the kinda awesome barely didn’t make the list Fostech.

Shotguns and Terminators are like peanut butter and jelly.

New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot

By

Reuben Bolieu

-

January 22, 2025

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — The Uberleben Kessel is a perfect companion for minimalist adventures, offering a 1.1-liter (37 fl oz) capacity for on-the-go cooking and boiling.

As a longtime user of the original Uberleben Kessel in stainless steel, I was excited to see they now offer a lighter version. Meet the New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot!

Cooking outdoors is my favorite part of an overnight camping or a day trip in the woods. I enjoy the entire process of fire preparation, firemaking, and cooking. You can substitute a skillet with a flat stone if the materials are available. However, a cook pot is not easily substituted!

Kessel Titanium Cook Pot

The Uberleben Kessel is an excellent companion for your minimalist adventures. This ultralight cook pot offers a capacity of 1.1 liters (37 fl oz), making it ideal for cooking and boiling on the go.

Crafted from food-grade ultralight titanium, the Kessel ensures durability without the added weight. The 100% natural hardwood grab handle provides a comfortable grip, while the easy-pour spout allows hassle-free serving. Enjoy cooking with the steam-vented, rattle-free lid that keeps everything securely in place, and utilize the lock-down hanger handle for convenient hanging during use.

The duck canvas bag stores your pot and is a handy tinder bag. Weighing just 3.9 ounces.

When it’s time to pack up, the wet-waxed duck canvas stow pouch, featuring a reliable YKK zipper, not only stores your pot but also serves as a handy tinder bag. Weighing just 7.4 ounces (with the bag at 3.9 ounces), the Kessel delivers exceptional portability.

With dimensions of 5.5 inches in diameter and 3.25 inches high, the Überleben Kessel seamlessly integrates into your outdoor gear, combining functionality and simplicity for all your cooking needs.

What’s the Difference?

The Uberleben Titanium Kessel Cook Pot and the original stainless steel version stand out due to significant differences in materials, weight, and performance. The titanium construction of the Kessel cook pot makes it much lighter than the stainless steel option, which benefits backpackers and campers striving to reduce pack weight. Despite being lighter, titanium maintains strength and durability; it is renowned for its resilience and ability to endure extreme temperatures without warping.

Cook Pot Test

The author used the lock-down hanger handle to hang during use conveniently.

A key difference I noticed involves heat conduction: stainless steel heats evenly and retains heat well. In contrast, titanium heats up quickly but may develop hot spots, requiring careful monitoring during cooking. Additionally, the titanium pot resists rust and corrosion, which enhances its longevity, whereas stainless steel may need more maintenance in humid conditions.

Although Uberleben removed the cord wrapping from their original model, I didn’t notice the handle heating up very much. However, I use leather gloves when I’m grabbing pots from the fire outdoors. Still, it cooled down fast in the subfreezing temperatures that I tested the New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot in.

The New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot performed well for the author in late autumn and the freezing winter.

Finally, the aesthetic appeal varies, with titanium offering a modern look and lightweight feel compared to stainless steel’s classic and sturdy appearance. Both materials provide distinct advantages, but the ultimate choice depends on personal preferences and specific cooking needs in outdoor environments.

Embrace a minimalist mindset and boost your culinary experience with the New Kessel Titanium Cook Pot!

For more information, please contact Uberleben.

SPECS

Capacity: 1.1L (37fl oz)
304 Food Grade Stainless Steel or Ultralight Titanium
100% Natural Hardwood Grab Handle
Easy-pour Spout
Steam Vented, Rattle-free Lid
Lock-down Hanger Handle
Wet-waxed, Duck Canvas Stow Pouch (YKK zipper) – Doubles as Tinder Bag
Weight: Titanium – 7.4oz /Bag – 3.9oz
Dimensions: 5.5″ x 3.25″
MSRP: $68.00

Mossberg Releases the 590M Mag-Fed Standoff Shotgun

By

Tim Stetzer

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January 22, 2025

Mossberg released a flurry of new shotgun models with the new year, including the 590M Standoff pump action. The 590M Standoff is part of Mossberg’s line of 590 magazine-fed firearms. It’s chambered for 12-gauge, 2.75-inch shells and is fed from Mossberg’s double-stack shotgun magazine.

The 590M Mag-Fed Standoff Shotgun

The 590M Mag-Fed Standoff shotgun is built on Mossberg’s proven aluminum 590 receiver. It features a 14.25-inch heavy-walled barrel with a standoff muzzle device. Mossberg says that the magazine feed on the 590M provides better balance and weight distribution than tube-fed designs.

The company’s double-stack magazine also allows for higher capacity with less magazine length than single-stack magazine-fed designs. Mossberg ships the 590M Standoff with one 10-round magazine, but additional 5, 10, 15, and 20-round magazines are also available.

The 590M is equipped with Mossberg’s Aftershock bird’s head grip. It uses the new compact forend with M-LOK compatible slots as well. The redesigned top-mounted safety is oversized and has a high-visibility red fire indicator. Things that remain the same are Mossberg’s proven and reliable dual extractors, steel-to-steel lockup, and twin action bars.

There’s an all-steel magazine release button just in front of the trigger guard for easy mag changes. The 590M also comes with a drilled and tapped receiver in case you want to mount a red dot. Overall length is just 27 inches, and weight is 6.3 pounds.

MSRP is listed at $1,050.00.

Key Features of the 590M Standoff Pump-Action Firearm:

• 14.25-inch heavy-walled, cylinder bore barrel with standoff muzzle.
• One-piece construction of the stand-off barrel, machined integrally to the barrel.
• Mossberg’s Aftershock bird’s head grip, which minimizes recoil and ensures a firm, sure grip.
• Parkerized metal finish.
• Oversized and redesigned top-mounted safety with a highly visible red indicator and easily operated by right or left-handed shooters.
• Compact forend that utilizes M-LOK®-compatible slots for mounting accessories to sides and bottom.
• Drilled and tapped receiver.
• One ten-round detachable, double-stack magazine. Accessory magazines are available in 5, 10, 15, and 20-round capacities (sold separately).

For more information, check out Mossberg.com.

Getting Your Zzzzzs – The Importance of Quality Sleep

By

Jim Cobb

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January 21, 2025

I know this subject might seem like an odd addition to the GAT Daily lineup, but bear with me as it is absolutely relevant. Adequate amounts of quality sleep are vital to making intelligent decisions, particularly when you’re under pressure.

While the amount of sleep needed will vary from person to person, each one of us requires some amount of good rest regularly to function well. We’ve all done it — running on just a few hours of sleep, feeling dead on our feet, and relying on coffee to keep us upright until we can clock out for the day. Any new parents out there? Yeah, you know exactly what I mean.

The problem is that habitually getting too little sleep can lead to a bunch of issues, including a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, heart issues, poor memory, and more. If you go too long without proper sleep, at some point, your body is going to just sort of shut down for a while.

Sleep Stages

There are five different stages to sleep, believe it or not.

Stage One – you’re just starting to fall asleep. Breathing is normal, and you have full muscle control as you settle in for what you hope will be some good-quality rest.

Stage Two – your pulse and breathing begin to slow down as you relax. This is what you might call the dozing stage. It’s a very light sleep. As my mom used to put it, “I’m just resting my eyes.”

Stage Three – muscles are relaxed, and breathing and pulse have slowed. You’re fully asleep at this point.

Stage Four – this is where healing truly happens. It’s a deep sleep. When someone reaches this stage, it can be difficult to rouse them quickly.

Stage Five – most people have heard about REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, and this is the stage where that happens. It’s thought that this is when most dreaming occurs.

All of these stages are important, especially the latter ones.

Tips to Improve Sleep

It’s important to do what you can to improve your sleep so that your body and mind are ready to tackle problems when they arise. Remember that you typically don’t get the luxury of choosing ahead of time when stressful situations occur.

Start by putting away your cell phone, tablet, and other devices for an hour or so before bedtime. Read an actual book rather than a screen.

Stay away from screens as best you can for at least an hour before bedtime.

Develop a schedule and try to stick with it as best you can. Go to bed at about the same time every night and get up at the same time every day. As many parents have found when their children were infants, routines help make for an easier bedtime.

Most people sleep best when it is cool, dark, and quiet. Avoid big, heavy meals right before bedtime. Caffeine is also a bad idea.

Sleep Preparedness

With all of that in mind, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to toss into your evacuation kit a sleep mask, earplugs, and such. No matter where you’re evacuating to in an emergency, it won’t be like home. Motels aren’t known for quiet, restful conditions in the best of times. Sleeping on the couch at the home of family or friends might not be much better.

Ear plugs can cut noise, but they can take some getting used to if you’re using them for sleep.

To be crystal clear, I’m not talking about full on “Red Dawn” sorts of survival situations here. I’m referring to scenarios that would involve a local evacuation, such as due to natural disasters like wildfires or extended power outages. These would be situations where you could look to get restful sleep without feeling like you need to post sentries to ward off attacks or some such.

The Ruger Police Service Six

By

Travis Pike

-

January 21, 2025

Do you have a gun that just made you ‘get’ it when it comes to a certain genre of firearms? For me and revolvers, it was the Ruger Police Service Six. I understood the benefits of the revolver and thought they were neat, but it wasn’t until I spent a meager $300 on a Ruger Police Service Six in .38 Special that I understood why people love revolvers.

The Ruger Six lineup includes the Security Six, the Speed Six, and the Service Six. Within those three categories, we have several smaller subcategories. The Police Service Six was an attempt to break into the world of police revolvers. The Service Six lineup is differentiated from the Security Six by its use of fixed sights. The Police Service Six came as both a .357 Magnum and .38 Special, but used the same frame.

This meant the .38 Special-only versions were overengineered and overbuilt. From what I could find, Ruger made the Police Service Six for police agencies who were too gun-shy to issue.357 Magnum guns. However, they eventually produced .357 Magnum variants of the Police Service Six. I guess a .357 Magnum Police Service Six is identical to a Service Six outside of the roll mark.

The Ruger Police Service Six did serve in the US Army as the M108. There, it replaced the aging stocks of S&W revolvers in the hands of MPs, female CID agents, and Aviators.

The Ruger Police Service Six

Like most Ruger revolvers, the Police Service Six was a chunky, tank-like gun. It’s very well made with a dependence on investment cast. Ruger mastered the investment cast art, and it allowed them to produce affordable but durable and surprisingly good-looking revolvers. The Ruger Police Service Six certainly wins with its looks.

The smooth stainless appearance and wood grips give it that old-school flashy appeal. That look and feel made it stand out to me. As the name implies, it holds six rounds. The underlug covers the ejection rod and provides an aggressive appearance with protection to the ejection rod.

The Police Service Six uses a square butt which tends to help with recoil if the internet is to be believed. The front sight is a simple textured ramp for reduced glare. The rear sight is a trench sight cut through the top strap.

The revolver has an interesting external design. It seems to be edgeless, with all the angles cut and rounded. It’s a design you expect to see on a pocket revolver, but it looks good on a full-sized gun. The Police Service Six came in both a blue and stainless model, but I love the stainless.

Getting Good With the Poice Service Six

The first time I shot this gun, it carved a smile into my face. Something about the combination of the ultra-smooth true and barely any recoil made me a believer in the wheel gun. The tactile feeling of firing the gun delivers a rush of dopamine, and I can’t explain exactly why I love shooting it so much.

The extremely light recoil helps. It makes the gun easy to shoot quickly. Dropping six rounds in less than three seconds and landing them on target is a great feeling. I can’t shoot a sub-2-second Bill drill, but I can shoot this thing way faster than I expected. I’m a total revolver newb, but I don’t quite feel like a newb with the Police Security Six.

Famously I prefer red dots on my revolvers because I suck with the trench and front sight setup. I just can’t get it. It’s my fault, not revolvers. I do blame the Ruger Police Service Six for my ability to hit the target. Something about the perfect combination of grip size and big front sight makes this gun easy for me to shoot. Working a revolver trigger is something I’m not very good at, but this one moves super easy and smoothly.

The accuracy makes it easy to hit targets out to 25 yards. That’s a decent range for me as a revolver newb with iron sights I typically suck with. The Police Service Six handles like a well-worn dream. The big six-gun isn’t great for concealed carry, but it’s accurate, easy to shoot, and reliable. It’s never gone click when I’ve expected a bang.

The Big Six Gun

Admittedly, I’m not going to make this my main home defense gun, but I could. It’s accurate, capable, and easy to shoot. Mix it with a handheld light, and I wouldn’t feel underarmed compared to other handguns. The Police Service Six was a fun surprise, and I’ve become a big fan. It’s the revolver that made things click with me.

Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools

By

Reuben Bolieu

-

January 20, 2025

A Haversack is essential for an outdoor adventure or day trip. It embodies a classic charm that remains relevant today. To upgrade your experience, pair your Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools. This combination will maximize your adventure!

The Bushcraft Oilcloth Haversack serves outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate simplicity and efficiency. It carries essential hiking tools like cookware, fire starters, tarps, and tools, all without the bulk of a traditional backpack. This design keeps your gear easily accessible, allowing you to spend more time exploring!

Oilcloth Haversack

The Coalcracker Bushcraft Haversack is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. This lightweight bag, made from durable oilcloth and featuring the bold Coalcracker logo, offers convenience.

Its single-pocket, over-the-shoulder style allows quick access to essential tools like fire starters and snacks without the risk of overpacking. Embrace the outdoors with everything you need within easy reach.

The Bushcraft Oilcloth Haversack is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking simplicity and efficiency, allowing them to carry essential gear like cookware and fire starters without the bulk of a traditional backpack.

The durable oilcloth construction ensures that this product is tough and weather-resistant, capable of withstanding rugged use. Weighing only 6 ounces, it boasts a 48-inch strap that is easy to carry wherever you go. Its single-pocket design simplifies storage and allows for quick access to your gear, making it highly practical for outdoor enthusiasts.

Additionally, the product features the Coalcracker Bushcraft logo, showcasing your love for the outdoors stylishly. With dimensions of 14 inches in length and 12 inches in width, this lightweight and functional accessory is perfect for all your adventures.

MSRP: $45.00

Survive Outdoors Longer

The acronym SOL stands for Survive Outdoors Longer and is known for innovative survival gear, including kits, shelters, fire supplies, and signaling devices.

Adventure Ready Brands, which owns around ten brands like Ben’s®, Natrapel®, and Adventure Medical Kits®, emphasizes adaptability and change.

SOL Stoke Tools

The Stoke Camp Hatchet is a must-have fire-starting tool for outdoor enthusiasts. Featuring an integrated rope cutter, it allows you to easily cut the included tinder cord and ignite it with the ferrocerium rod. It is made from 420 stainless steel and has a secure Polypropylene and TPR handle.

Equipped with three hex wrenches, this versatile tool also has a riveted nylon sheath for blade protection and ferrocerium rod storage. The rope cutter doubles as a bottle opener, perfect for celebrating your camp successes.

The author relied on two essential Stoke tools: a hatchet and a saw. These tools are vital in camp, especially with the easily accessible knife at the push of a button.

Weighing just 10 ounces, the Stoke Camp Hatchet is lightweight and functional—an ideal crafting hatchet for any outdoor adventure.

MSRP: $39.99

The Stoke Pivot Knife & Saw boasts a seamless transition from knife to saw mode with just the press of a button. It is crafted from the same high-quality materials and features the same striking color scheme as the hatchet, available with a 3.9-inch blade or a 4.25-inch saw. I prefer keeping the saw deployed and utilizing one of the other Stoke tools for cutting tasks. However, this versatile 2-in-1 tool is an indispensable choice for anyone determined to streamline their gear.

MSRP: $35.99

Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools

The Coalcracker Bushcraft Haversack delivered strength, utility, and simplicity the entire time.

I used the hatchet to craft four sturdy stakes with a flat 90-degree top and a 45-degree angle for burial. Three stakes featured simple 7-notches, created with a controlled 90-degree stop cut and firm thumb pressure on the hatchet spine. I finished them efficiently to set up my shelter.

The SOL Pivoting Knife & Saw excels in saw mode, quickly cutting through broomstick-thick pieces of deadwood for a fire.

I used my small Uberleben twig stove for cooking, which required minimal chopping. I handled wrist-thick wood efficiently with a stout beech maul and my hatchet.

The hatchet paired with the Stoke Pivot Knife & Saw is impressive. The handle feels natural in knife mode, although the aggressive jimping can be bothersome without gloves. However, it remains non-slip. The edge was incredibly sharp from the start and excellent for making tinder with the included SOL Ferro rod. The combination of the Ferro rod and the tool’s 90-degree spine is fantastic.

I used the saw more and found it effective for wrist-thickness branches. A useful technique is to cut about 2/3 through the wood and then swing it onto a rock to split. This method often exposes dry wood inside.

You can’t go wrong with the Coalcracker Bushcraft Haversack & SOL Stoke Tools!

For more information, please check out Coalcracker Bushcraft and Survive Outdoors Longer.

The Fun Debate – Are Guns Fun?

By

Travis Pike

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January 20, 2025

Guns are fun. Shooting guns is fun. Finding rare guns for your collection is thrilling. Hunting, shooting, competing, and more are fun with guns. I didn’t know any of this was ever up for debate. Apparently, it has become the subject of debate amongst the firearm community, and that leaves me utterly perplexed. Are guns fun? Are they supposed to be fun?

The Fun and Gun Debate

The debate seems to be focused on making guns an extremely serious thing. Without a doubt, firearms are serious. They should be respected and treated with seriousness. They should be handled safely, and I don’t think any part of the debate is arguing that fun means being willy-nilly with firearms. Firearms and parachutes are a lot alike. They can be a ton of fun but are also deadly serious.

The training and defensive use only side of the argument will say firearms are not fun. They are tools. Like a hammer, they are designed for a specific task, which isn’t enjoyable. Firearms are serious and should be treated seriously. This side of the argument focuses on the defensive and duty use of firearms. It doesn’t seem to think much about hunting but seemingly embraces some parts of competition shooting as a training tool.

This side of the argument seems to completely disregard any firearm not designed for defensive or duty use. PCCs, over/under shotguns, and the like are seen as useless and a waste of time, effort, and aluminum in most regards. If it’s not maximally efficient, it doesn’t have a purpose and doesn’t need to exist.

The fun side says both serious guns can exist and fun guns can exist. Shooting can both be fun and serve a purpose. Shooters who are mag dumping into trash and having fun believe recreational guns are completely valid. The recreational firearms side embraces all competition and all shooting as fun. Each trigger pull is fun, and everything from training to competing is enjoyable. This includes USPSA and IDPA, as well as PCC, Steel Challenge, and Skeet shooting.

The Fun, the Guns, and the Grumps

It’s weird to see the debate play out in these dark corners of the internet. It’s not a big debate, but there seem to be a few former military-turned-firearms trainers who want to take the fun out of guns. From their perspective, I guess I can understand their point. These are guys that might not have ever been ‘gun’ guys.

They are good shooters, but to them, shooting is just a job—a task they were forced to do, become adept at, and teach others to do. It was never something they did recreationally, and the military has a way of killing the fun when it comes to shooting. Trust me, as fun as it would be to shoot a .50 cal M2, the military absolutely kills your enjoyment of it.

120628-M-CV710-071 U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew C. Bell loads ammunition into an M2 .50-caliber heavy machine gun while training at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 28, 2012. Marines conducted the training to familiarize themselves with different weapons systems. Bell is assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division. DoD photo by Sgt. Sheila Brooks, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

These guys can’t even see the fun in firearms. They might get the same dopamine hit when they see improvement and get better at shooting, but they aren’t going to be shooting just for the hell of it on the weekend.

The not-so-fun side would like to argue that shooting just isn’t enjoyable. I believe them. For some people, it’s just a thing they have to do to maintain proficiency. There are plenty of hobbyist woodworkers who love wielding a hammer, but a very skilled carpenter isn’t working on the weekend just for kicks and giggles.

Why So Serious?

Let’s be absolutely clear: guns are fun. If guns weren’t fun, we wouldn’t have a gun industry. Everyone would have bought their Glock 19 and AR-15, and the industry wouldn’t have a million different options. They wouldn’t have made massive improvements in how guns handle if it wasn’t for the folks having recreational firearms.

This idea that every gun has to be super useful and optimized for shooting bad guys is silly. PCCs, and retro reissues of Vietnam-era rifles are fun, and so are revolvers, long slide hunting pistols, and finely made over/under shotguns. Guns and shooting as a whole wouldn’t have progressed nearly as far as it has if it wasn’t enjoyable.

If shooting isn’t enjoyable for you, that’s fine, but recognize it is for most people. You might want to call us nothing more than enthusiasts, but enthusiasts drive the industry.

5.11’s Chukka Boots (Part 2)

By

P.E. Fitch

-

January 19, 2025

^{Continued From Part 1}

Dear reader: I’m going to admit two things. The first is that I started writing this draft by hand in a notebook in an airplane flying somewhere over the western half of the United States—while wearing my pair of 5.11 Chukka boots. The truth is that they’re extremely comfortable, and they’ve since become my choice of footwear when traveling.

It’s not only that they’re comfortable to wear for extremely long periods of time due to their Ortholite insole, but they also make the wearer look more put-together even while wearing jeans. More importantly, the Vibram full rubber outsole really does grant the wearer more traction.

Have you ever noticed how wet and slippery public airport bathroom floors are?

The Vibram sole makes the difference from skating around the floor of a Hartsfield-Jackson bathroom after you deplane and try to take care of business.

The 5.11 Approach To Designing Chukka Boots

The second thing I’ll admit: 5.11’s Chukka boots are the only desert boots I’ve ever worn. Other than the history of the classic desert boots such as the Clark’s that I highlighted in Part 1 of this article, I have no practical experience. I mention this because I can surmise that the experience of wearing the 5.11 version with the Ortholite insole and Vibram outer sole probably isn’t like wearing the shoe with the original crepe sole.

While the 5.11 Chukka boot respects the original lines and styling established by the Clark’s pattern desert boot, their approach to designing the boot is deservedly more modern.

Using a firearms-related analogy (this is a firearms website, right?), one can think of the classic Clark’s Chukka as a standard 1.0 mm thick Type 4 stamped-steel Kalashnikov receiver, whereas the 5.11 Chukka is more akin to a Sharps Bros. modern-milled and beefy AK receiver. In other words, the 5.11 version of the desert boot is built on a completely different and more robust chassis.

It’s basically a hiking boot that’s fashioned to follow the classic lines of the Chukka. This design approach is what makes the 5.11 Chukka a true general-purpose boot. Not to sound like boring ad copy, but after wearing these since September 2024, they really do fit in anywhere where dressing with these boots makes sense—from a shooting bay full of gravel to wearing them on a date at a lounge (again, those overly slippery bar bathrooms).

Bottom view of the 5.11 Chukka outer Vibram sole.

Nuanced Practical Details

A close-up of the finger loop and the softer neoprene section that reduces fatigue over the heel.

As mentioned previously, the 5.11 Chukka counts on a wider and rugged Vibram outer sole intended to provide traction nearly anywhere. The extremely cushy Ortholite insole feels like one of those good hotel pillows for one’s soles. Likewise, the upper of the 5.11 Chukka respects the classic of the Clark’s desert boot and even follows the same stitching pattern.

At the same time, it also has some subtle functional upgrades that help support the 5.11 Chukka’s more modern mission as a shoe.

For example, it has an extra eyelet on either side for laces. It’s three to a row as opposed to the Clark’s two per row. This allows the boot’s laces to cover additional surface area and also gives the wearer the ability to tie their laces with more tension for a greater degree of support—something useful when stepping on non-paved surfaces.

Similarly, 5.11 incorporated a finger loop that makes it easier to put on or take off the boots. The rear edge of the 5.11 Chukka’s opening has a section of a softer neoprene material that’s more elastic and less abrasive on the heel. I think this softer insert is one of the reasons why the boot is actually comfortable to wear all day. Even with the right socks, the edge of any shoe’s opening can rub too much and aggravate the heel.

Short of needing fully technical athletic support, going for a long walk while wearing these isn’t taxing at all. It’s also one of the reasons I personally like them for airport duty too.

Wearing 5.11 Chukka Boots

I’ve worn my pair since September on many different occasions, from going out to socialize to walking the dog for a few miles around the neighborhood. Laugh at me if you must, but the range is the only place I don’t wear these because it’s the muddy season. Honestly, they’re nice shoes, and I’d hate to soil them, considering how much mileage I already get from them.

On this note, I appreciate that the 5.11 Chukka boot’s leather material does not scuff too easily, either. My size 12 boots fit dead on and even spare a little extra space in the toe box (a must for all-day wear).

The only thing I can’t comment on is long-term durability. I’ve only been wearing these since last September, but thus far, I am very happy with them. I shall continue wearing them, and not just to the airport.

For more information, please visit 511Tactical.com.