The Budget Gift Guide for Gun Guys

By

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December 11, 2018

Do you have a gun guy or gal in your life that you are struggling to buy for? Sure, they’d love a Barrett 50 cal, but several thousand dollars simply isn’t in the budget. In fact, the budget might be tight. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Our budget gift guide is here to help you find the right gift at the right price. These prices are reflective of the current market and include sales so they may change if you are reading this summer 2019.

It’s easy to be generic and say buy magazines and buy ammo. Those are great gifts, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted to be a little more creative. If this guide doesn’t work for you, then ammo is always a good go to.

$20 and under

Okay, so maybe you are on a tight budget, that’s cool. This is what our Budget Gift Guide is for. From self-imposed budgets to being a kick-ass secret Santa we have a little bit of everything for you. Under 20 bucks can get you a few cool things that’ll please the gun, knife, or concealed carrier in your life.

5.11 EDC PL 1AAA

I actually carry the bigger brother of the 1AAA, the 2AAA, and adore it as an EDC light. This all aluminum design is a lightweight 1.31 ounces and is only 3.45 inches long. Its only 55 lumens, but its also a penlight so you aren’t getting a 1000 lumens. You do get a nearly 4-hour runtime though, and it’s in a light that fits in your shirt pocket. It’s tough to complain about. It’s all aluminum, looks great, and is textured for a sure and easy grip. Plus, it’s IPX4 waterproof so it can be splashed and rain on and still keep kicking. It’s 19.99, easy to find on Amazon, and its a great fit for a wide variety of people.

Recover Tactical Magazine Clips

Recover Tactical is best known for their neat little bolt on grips that add a rail to your Beretta 92, or 1911 pistol. They make an interesting series of accessories too, and one of them is the awesomely named Magazine Clips. This gift is limited to owners of Glock and some Smith and Wesson pistols, but for under 10 bucks it’s pretty handy.

Magazine Clips are designed to allow you to carry a magazine in your pocket and clip it to the outside of the pocket the same way you would a knife. This makes them easy to draw, easy to carry, and foolproof. The clip systems work really well and I’ve done more in-depth reviews if you’re interested. At this price point, it really is hard to beat if you have a Glock or Smith and Wesson Shield owner in your life. They really put the Budget in Budget Gift Guide.

MTM Tactical Magazine Can

When it comes to organizing magazines I used to have a major issue with losing them. Losing a Glock mag is meh, but losing a near 50 dollar HK magazine is “Ah crap, where’d it go,” bad. One year I received both the MTM Tactical Rifle and Pistol magazine cans and my life was changed forever.

The pistol magazine ammo can is right around 15 bucks so it qualifies for under 20, the AR 15 rifle magazine can is a hair more and on Amazon for about $21.50. These are polymer ammo cans that have hard cut foam in the shape of a magazine. They hold the magazines in place and organize them in a brilliant manner. They are easy to stack and perfect for organizing a messy gun closet. I wanted my Budget Gift Guide to be practical and fun, and these are pretty practical.

$50 and Under

At the 50 and under price range we are getting into friends and range buddies. You still have plenty of options and really start getting into the awesome stuff of this industry.

Gerber Flatiron

This is actually on my Christmas list and something I want so, so bad. It’s an affordable knife in the 35 dollar range that is budget in terms of knife, but the cool factor is more or less why I want it. The Flatiron uses a cleaver blade, which gives it the appearance of an old school straight razor. It’s a simple knife that’s been a big hit recently and I’ve caught the bug.

Most gun guys are knife guys and vice versa. The Gerber Flatiron in undeniably cool. It comes in black with an aluminum handle or FDE with a G10 handle. The blade is 3.8 inches long and the steel is a 7Cr17MoV stainless. I would’ve preferred a 154CM, but the price would have to be higher too. Overall it looks to be a rock solid little knife and its only 35 bucks. I might not wait til Christmas and fulfill my own budget gift guide.

Walker’s Razors

The Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic hearing protection earmuffs are easily the best set of budget electronic muffs. I have had and used mine for years and only recently have I moved on to Bluetooth Peltors. In those years of use, they’ve been in the rain, the cold, and across the country to different shows.

They operate off of 2 AAAs and have dual microphones to make it easy to hear someone on your left or right-hand side. They are perfect for busy ranges, classes, and other loud and kinetic environments where communication is still key. Best of all they are under 50 bucks and these are perfect for new shooters. What kind of Budget Gift Guide would this be if I wasn’t concerned about new shooters?

Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag

A lot of people may roll their eyes when I say Blackhawk, but hear me out. The Blackhawk Sportster deluxe range bag has been with me for almost 5 years and its one of the best pieces of gear I’ve ever used. It’s spacious, full of pockets and perfect for handgun, rifle, and shotgun shooters. You can absolutely load this thing down with ammo, tools, guns, targets and more and it will just keep working.

If someone in your life is into guns and doesn’t have a range bag do them a favor and get them one. They will appreciate it more than you know once they start hitting the range.

$100 and Under

Close friends and good family gets the good stuff. At this tier, you are bound to bring smiles to the faces of the most Humbug of gun guys. As the highest tier of our budget gift guide I chose some things on my personal list.

AR500 Freeman Carrier

This one is a little complicated because it’s a pre-order for a product that is being released in January. If you pre-order the Freeman Carrier will be under a hundred bucks due to the preorder discount. However, you get both a carrier and armor plates for under 100 dollars. That’s insane and an excellent deal.

It’s a helluva bargain and while that person has to wait till January for their carrier and armor its a gift worth waiting for. The Freeman Carrier is a minimalist package that’s has a MOLLE laser cut system, room for two plates, and a minimalist design. I personally wouldn’t mind waiting for a gift this sweet.

LaserLyte Training Device

I used to hate dry fire, like with a passion, and part of me still does. However, it got a lot better when I snagged one of these Laserlyte laser trainers. These bullet shaped devices fit in the chamber of your gun and fire a laser everytime the firing pin strikes them. Pair with a laser target and it creates a fun game. By themselves, these gadgets give you real-time feedback on where your rounds are hitting.

These really make dry fire a fun experience and they can be a lot of fun when paired with a reactive target. These LaserLyte training devices come in every popular caliber they can squeeze one into, so expect 380 and up. They even have AR and Shotgun variants out there, and the 223 version reportedly works with 300 Blackout barrels. If you want more training this is the items on our Budget Gift guide to give it.

Primary Arms Micro Dot

The Primary Arms brand of Red dots aren’t Aimpoints and I get that, but if you need a red dot on a budget I don’t think there is a better choice. These simple optics are pretty tough, hold zero, and last up to 50k hours. That’s impressive for an optic priced a penny under a 100 bucks. This is the FDE model for extra high-speedness. These optics are durable and acceptable in my opinion for hunting, competition, plinking, and other less serious tasks. They won’t let you down and they are really hard to beat price wise.

The Budget Gift Guide Extravaganza

So here are just a few of my favorite gifts and their price tiers. Gun guys and Gals can be tough to shop for on occasion, especially when budgets are involved. However, if you do a little shopping you’ll find the right gift at the right price….. Speaking of, I wear a size Benelli M3 12 gauge if you want to get me something.

LOWA BOOTS

By

Keith Finch

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December 10, 2018

From Scott Smith

Back in the dark ages of time Uncle Sam issued us “cruit boots” in basic training.
Essentially these boots did little more than protect your feet. They were not waterproof,
there was no padding and they were as flexible as a brick. Other than those you have
limited options for footwear; jungle boots or jump boots were about the only other
choices you had.

In the mid eighties, Danner’s Ft. Lewis Boot became an authorized option. They
were a vast improvement over “cruit boots”. Many troops forked over the two hundred
or so bucks for them because they were Gore-Tex lined, fit well, had an EVA midsole
which absorbed shock, there was a removable arch support and the aggressive outsole
gave good traction.

When I left the Army I continued wearing Danner boots to shoot in and work.
While Danners were great for uniform wear they were heavy for action shooting. Like
other competitors I tried Astroturf football shoes but found they were not waterproof and
they offered no support. So it was back to the tried and true Danners.

Early in this century I came across Lowa Boots at the SHOT Show. The first pair I tried was the Renegade. This was a vast improvement over my Danners for competition. They were almost a pound lighter while being more flexible while being Gore-Tex lined and offering good traction in all conditions thanks to the EVO outsole. These boots became my go to boot until Lowa introduced the Zephyr.

Lowa’s Zephyr was an ideal boot for uniform and competition use. This boot was
lighter than the Renegade because it was not all leather. The fabric also made the
Zephyr cooler in hot weather. It could be had with or without Gore-Tex which made it
ideal for hot weather wear. The Vibram Cross ll outsole gave excellent traction in
virtually all conditions and wore like iron. After ten years I had to retire my original pair
because the sole was about shot.

What makes the Zephyr such a perfect all round boot is the double injected
polyurethane midsole and Lowa’s patented MonoWrap Stability Frame (MSF). The
polyurethane midsole will not collapse like EVA midsoles (EVA looks like a compressed
sponge). Even after ten years they still were comfortable for all day wear at a three gun
or USPSA match.

The MonoWrap Stability Frame is visible on Lowa’s boots that have it. This frame
is actually fused to the midsole, wrapping your foot to provide you a stable base without
having to use a board last. Without the board last the boot feels like a running shoe but
is far more supportive and responsive to changing terrain. It is comfortable of concrete
or rocky muddy shooting lanes or trails. With the way the Zephyr wears and performs it
is worth every penny of the $210 MSRP.

In 2016 Lowa introduced the Innox (pictured above) family of boots. These boots truly feel like a running shoe on steroids. To quote Outside Bozeman Magazine; “At only a pound a
piece, these boots feel like Ninja slippers; light, fast and nimble. You’ll feel like an
acrobat” I figure coming from a magazine covering the heart of the Rocky Mountains
and gear for the outdoors, this is high praise.

Like the Zephyr, the Innox has a double injected polyurethane midsole. It is more
flexible because of the NXT outsole and lighter MSF. You can see the wrap is not as
heavy and you foot does not set as low in the wrap. The Zephyr does not sacrifice support because the shoe laces attach directly to each leg of the MonoWrap so when
you tighten the laces you snug up the MSF. Innox’s do not sacrifice shock absorption
either thanks to Dyna PU shock absorbing zones.

Over the last few years we found the NXT outsole gives good traction in all but
the worst of conditions. We found it was not that good in the oozing red clay mud of the
south during the monsoons of 2016. Then again, not many shoes give traction in that
extreme of conditions. That said the Innox gives above average traction and thanks to
the optional Gore-Tex lining your feet stay dry.

Overall the Innox family of boots is perfect for action shooting. They are lightweight; they give excellent traction and wear well. Like the Zephyr, Innox’s will set you back $210 a pair.

Lowa’s newest all terrain sport boot is the Aerox. At first glance it looks like its
sibling Innox, but it is more technically advanced. You will notice the Aerox still has the
Monowrap Support Frame and a double injected polyurethane midsole. These are
pretty much trademarks of Lowa’s lightweight boots.

What sets the Aerox apart from other All Terrain Sports boots is Lowa’s Surround
System. This system allows perspiration from your feet to migrate to the bottom of the
boot’s Gore-Tex lining. Then in conjunction with an open-celled spacer this moisture
evaporates through holes in the mid-sole. This system does not compromise the boot’s
waterproof properties. It does make a Gore-Tex lined boot comfortable in warmer
conditions and it reduces weight, making the Aerox one of the lightest speed hiking
boots on the market.

Another advance in this boot is the Surround Trac sole. Surround Trac is a
hexagonal pattern tread on the body of the sole with chevrons on the outer edges. This
pattern is more aggressive than others in the All Terrain Sport family. Wearing the
Aerox while shooting the annual rain fest known as The Rockcastle Pro AM, I can say
this boot rivals the Zephyr for grip. Surround Trac grips on wet grass, slimy algae
covered dirt, wet river pebbles and wet clay. For action shooters, this is a dream come
true. All of this technology and performance does not come cheap, the Aerox will set
you back $240 a pair.

I know several folks who wear Lowa Boots professionally in the harsh conditions
of Afghanistan and they swear by them. We are seeing more Veterans joining the
ranges of competitive shooters and they are continuing to wearing various Lowa boots
on the range and in the field. They are learning the cool kid’s shoes do not give support
and cushioning our aging feet, legs and backs need. A friend of mine who teaches
movement for USPSA shooters recently received a pair of Aeroxes and says they help
her injured ankle and legs. She had a pair of those bright colored cool kids’ shoes and
said they were killing her. Like her other shooters are learning those bright colored
shoes look cool but they are not comfortable and their soles do not wear well.

Lowa invests loads of money to develop shoes and boots to meet the needs of
hardcore mountain climbers, uniformed professionals, casual hikers,
outdoorsman/women and now shooters. Lowa boots are lightweight, their Gore-Tex
boots are waterproof, the uppers durable, the fit is comfortable, sizes are specifically
designed for men/women/kids and Lowa designs soles that are wear perform well in all
conditions. Unlike those bright colored shoes, Lowa offers most of their popular boots in
men’s or women’s size as well as ankle high or low cut version with Gore-Tex linings.

You cannot go wrong with Lowa Boots if you are looking for a gift for yourself or
someone else. In my humble opinion Lowa Boots are one of, if not the finest boots on
the market.

The Last Day of Rifle Season

By

Dr LateBloomer

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December 10, 2018

I almost wasn’t going to go.

I had already spent over 300 dollars for a hotel room for the first few days of deer rifle season, during which the weather frankly sucked. The first day was rain and wind. The second day was snow and wind. I saw nothing. The third day dawned to four inches of snow on the ground and single digit wind chills. I drove home a bit disappointed, but satisfied that I had at least had some alone time in the woods during my Thanksgiving vacation. I even tried again that first Saturday, but fog and the promise of more cold rain turned me back home before I ever got there.

I worked all the next week, while the local guys to whom I had given permission, reported that they had taken an eight-point and various does for their freezers. At least they had been successful. I was just discouraged.

So when the prospect of the last Saturday of the season loomed, I wasn’t terribly enthusiastic. It got worse when I realized that I was on-call that weekend for parent questions. The combination of hunting and on-call rarely works out well for me. But one of the local guys texted and asked if I was coming up. The weather forecast was good, and he assured me that the deer should be moving as hunters would be out for the last day.

I didn’t want to pay for another hotel night, so I decided it would be another one of my “no pressure” trips. I’d have my gear packed by the door, see how the calls went overnight, and make a decision in the morning.

I woke up before six without an alarm and got on the road by seven. It was already starting to get light, but it was a “no pressure” day, so I was just going to do what I could do. I arrived in good time, switched boots, shouldered my pack, loaded my Marlin 336, and was walking into the woods before ten.

My 19th century technology “assault weapon” with redneck cheek riser, drying out after the hunt.

There was some fresh snow, and lots of different tracks. I enjoy noting those tangible marks of the passage of creatures I cannot see. That, along with the game camera, remind that that there is life happening all around me in that forest, whether I am there to see it or not.

I decided that I would change things up and just slowly wander and “stalk hunt” or “pussy foot” as my father used to call it. That turned out to be a good choice, as later in the day I found out that the zipper on my blind had frozen closed, and would not have opened for love or money anyway.

I was barely out an hour when I got a “call”. I answered the worried parent’s questions as quietly as I could, but having to have a phone conversation when I was trying to be stealthy was rather counter-productive. But – I was doing what I could do.

I had stopped on a rise that overlooked a good bit of snow-covered ground. It would have been a great spot to pull out my three-legged stool and have a rest and a scan, but I had just given away my location with that call. I decided to move on.

A nice overview I’ll have to remember for next year.

About 30 minutes later I was “pussyfooting” down the dirt gas access road, when I heard the creature break cover to my left. It must’ve been bedded down under one of the pine trees. I froze and listened. It wasn’t a squirrel because the snow crunching was too loud. The noise stopped for a couple seconds and then resumed. The crunching and brush snapping proceeded in front of me to my left, angling as if it might cross the road.

I brought my hammer to full cock (It’s a lever gun and the trigger won’t pull on half-cock, so I use that as an additional safety feature), while I continued to scan with the safety on, waiting for visual confirmation. Finally I saw its brown back on one of the bounds through the brush. Definitely a deer.

I started to shoulder the gun, popping the safety button, and then indexing my trigger finger along the receiver, preparing. Last minute checks were streaming through my mind – I’ve got the buck tag, I’ve got the doe tag, the background is clear of the gas well, I can shoot almost as soon as it steps out…

The deer popped up onto the dirt road not 40 yards in front of me and paused briefly – broadside and looking around. In that second or so my brain registered “ANTLERS!”, and then “four point – sh*t”. I started to relax my mount, popping the safety back on, when the buck saw me and bounded across the road and up the hill on the other side. He paused halfway up, turning to get another look at me. If he were legal, I’d have had a second shot opportunity. Then away he went up toward the ridge top.

I blew out my breath and let the adrenaline drain away. Tears of reaction started coming to my eyes, even though I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Moments like that are why I hunt. My blood was pumping, my brain was racing, and all the while my soul was saying “Thank You” to God, the Universe, my ancestors whose property this was, and life in general for that exciting intersection with nature. It’s not all about “the kill”. It’s about the one-on-one mutual encounter. Yes, I would have loved some meat for my freezer, but that was FUN!

It also illustrates what my luck is like. This was the last day of rifle season. It was a day when both bucks and does were legal (as long as you had the right tags). I had the right day and the right tags to be able to shoot either antlered OR antlerless deer. But what appeared in front of me? A deer which was neither fish nor fowl.

A legal antlered deer in this state must have three points on one side. This was a “Y-buck”, and thus it fell into the “Neither” category. ARGH. Mother Nature had her laugh at me yet again. It just reminds me that try as I might, I’m not really the one in charge here. I am a bit of a control freak and thus the “uncertainty” of hunting tweaks me like that all the time. But it’s also teaching me very useful lessons. Live in the moments you are given. Be thankful for opportunities – even if they don’t turn out the way you want. Real life doesn’t work like the hunting videos you see on Youtube.

I had seen this particular Y-buck on camera, so I recognized the rack as soon as I saw it, and knew I couldn’t shoot. That’s another notch in the “good” category for having a camera and scouting ahead of time. So even that was a learning experience. It made the five hour round trip drive, the carrying the nine pound rifle and thirteen pound pack, and the six hours of walking with that load worth the work.

That little Y-guy was the only deer I saw the entire rest of the day. But he gave me my thrill, and my story to tell, and for me that’s really all that matters. It was a great way to end the season. I’m so glad that I decided to go. Now, where’s the Naproxen?

XD Gear Up! Last Month for Free Mags and Range Bag.

By

Keith Finch

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December 6, 2018

Springfield Armory is winding down their gear perk at the end of the month.

Buyers still have time to cash in on the extra gear. Perfect for anyone in the market for an XD product or looking to give a Springfield as a gift this holiday season.

Making the dollars go a little further.

Texas: Teen Shoots Herself With An AK47… in the Foot… While Trying to Stuff Said AK-47 Down Her Pants

By

Keith Finch

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December 6, 2018

A Texas teen shot herself in the foot with an allegedly stolen AK-47 that she had stuffed down her pants, according to police.

There’s a phrase somewhere about stupid games that some to mind.

Police responded to the scene of the shooting in Harris County on Tuesday at around 4:15 p.m. They found three teens: two 17-year-old females and a 16-year-old male.

Preliminary reports and witness statements indicated that the male had taken the AK-47 from his home and that the teens were handling the gun when one of the females accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting herself in the leg, according to Constable Mark Herman of Harris County Precinct 4.

The 16 year old male then tossed the AK Pistol down a storm drain and when police arrived claimed it was a drive by shooting. Neighbors in the area who witnessed the act showed police the where the gun had been dumped.

Further investigation determined that the gun had been stolen, Herman told ABC News.

The 7.62×39 round apparently struck the girl in the heel and did a fair amount of damage. She was transported to intensive care and both she and the 16 year old male are facing burglary charges for the firearm. The third person, another 17 year old girl, is being investigated also.

Lessons to take away.

Don’t steal a gun.
Don’t play with the stolen gun in the street.
Don’t squeeze the trigger of the gun you shouldn’t have stolen in the street you shouldn’t be playing in while pointing it at yourself or shoving it in your pants.
Don’t toss the gun you shouldn’t have stolen into a storm drain on the street you shouldn’t have been playing in after your friend blasted a round into her foot and then tell the cops it was a drive-by.

Hunters for the Hungry

By

Dr LateBloomer

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December 6, 2018

I know that many of us who hunt deer do it for the meat, not the glory or the rack (and some – like me – are still trying for our first kill). Many of us look forward to being able to cook and consume our own venison.

But what if you have filled your tags and so has everyone else in your family? What if you are on a cull hunt and can’t possibly eat all that venison?

What if you’d really like to donate to a local food pantry this holiday season but can’t spare the cash? Can you spare a deer instead? Can you spare some volunteer hours? Have you considered a donation to a Hunters for the Hungry program in your state?

Hunters for the Hungry is a program which was started by the NRA in 1991, with affiliates in each state. Each state program name may be slightly different, but the mission is the same – hunters donating deer kills to food programs via participating licensed butchers.

The meat is processed into burger which is then distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens, missions, and homeless shelters within the state. This provides a lean and healthy source of protein to people who may not know where their next meal is coming from, while also helping to control local deer populations. It’s a win-win. It is also a publicly visible way to demonstrate that hunting benefits the wider community.

Cash donations are accepted to help defray the costs of butchering, processing, and distribution. Some states even offer the option of a monetary donation during the online license purchasing process.

According to the NRA site, more than 8.1 million meals are provided annually by these programs. The top five states for venison donation include: Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

In many states rifle season may be over, but deer archery season often doesn’t end until January. So you’ve still got time to donate if you already have a full freezer but empty tags yet to fill.

More information about your state’s program and which butchers participate can be found via the NRA HFTH Clearinghouse site

I Just Want My M16…

By

Keith Finch

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December 5, 2018

There was a hot term in the firearms industry for a few years, “Modern Musket”. Hell we even made an apparel line out of it.

It has slunk into the background now for a variety of reasons. Trends fade, people wear out a term and it slowly loses its potency, people misconstrue or take it too seriously.

But what did this industry moniker actually mean?

Modern Musket

Noun

An evocative term used to equate modern civilian semi-automatic rifles with the civilian held muskets of the pioneer, frontier, and revolutionary time periods. The ability for a citizen to bring their personal force of arms was critical to survival.
A semi-automatic magazine fed rifle, usually a variant of a select fire rifle, suitable for use in personal and community defense.
A term illustrative of the fact that throughout all of our nation’s history individual arms for civilians and the armed forces have been of parallel power and design.

The “Modern Musket” title embodies the general purpose nature of this tool. It is our universal personal armament. Selected to cover as many requirements as it can in one rifle.

The M16A4 is my idyllic example of such a tool. FN’s true to form Military Collectors Series M16A4 is the perfect off the rack example.

Reliable.

Accurate.

Proven Track Record.

The Marines delayed swapping to the M4 in large part because the M16 had a better reliability rate every time they tested it against the smaller carbine. The M4 could never best its older brother’s stoppage rate (M16’s jam less) and the M27 wasn’t in circulation in large enough numbers the way it is today.

It was my service rifle for the majority of my enlistment and the several I carried never failed to do what I asked, hit the target and then do it again. The FN is every inch of that service rifle, except the safety and rear sight are improved.

“But Keith!”, you exclaim in dismay, “There are so many better platforms! Why do you cling like a salty barnacle to the old ‘obsolete’ war horse?”

Simple.

20 Inches of Optimized Barrel

The 5.56x45mm rounds the military and commercial markets have are designed for the M16 and have been pigeonholed into serving in shorter and shorter platforms. I have two guns with under a 9″ barrel, both in 5.56, they’re exceptional firearms in their own right.

But…

When I put whatever round I am shooting through the ACE or M6 into my M16 it will simply perform better. I will have a much greater window for effective terminal ballistics. The M16A4 doesn’t compromise on speed. Whether I’m fighting, hunting, or shooting for sport the rifle delivers me every advantage velocity can give me.

The trade off?

The M16 is 40 inches long (yes, the catalog says 39.5″, buzz off) and the length isn’t the easiest to use in small spaces. But it is usable. I learned room clearing on this gun with iron sights and an ACOG. Anyone who says you can’t CQB with this rig is full of it. Anyone who says it sucks is right… but newsflash, room clearing always sucks and is high risk, running a space age SBR won’t change that glaring facet.

Is it easier with a shorter gun? Sure. But if I’m keeping security from a rooftop…

…or lining up a shot on an animal to snag dinner the extra velocity is going to give me more dividends than the extra convenience moving through a limited space. Slicing the pie on a doorway is doable with both guns but only one is giving me the greater window with my terminal ballistics. When I’m trying to cover as many things and as much space with this rifle as possible, those ballistics matter.

The Accessory Game

To TL:DR this whole section. Everything is made for the M16A4. PMags, M16A4. EOTech, Aimpoint, ACOGs, M16A4. Grips, sights, lights, lasers, you guessed it, M16A4.

The last 15 years have been a tsunami of optional product improvements for this rifle.

It only needs the two basics out of the box though. Light and sight. If you can’t cash in for a sight yet get the light first. The 600m flip up rear sight that’s current production is very good at what it does so an optic can be forgone if need be.

The KAC M5 RAS is still a good system with plenty of space to place your gear to your liking. It even comes with a classic ‘broom handle’ vertical grip. Out of the box ready to rock after your light and sight of choice, everything else is optional.

“But it isn’t freefloat!?”

So? Chances are you aren’t accurate enough for that to matter.

“You asshole, how do you know!?”

Because I’m not accurate enough for it to matter and I routinely cleaned the 500 meter line with this rifle. Practically speaking the M16A4 is a superb platform and you get rapidly diminishing to no discernible returns swapping parts. Part swapping benefit there is largely aesthetic and personal comfort. Go for it! Just remember you’re fitting the rifle to you, not making it shoot “better”.

Musket 16A4

A blend of utilitarian practicality and a modern technical upgrade base.

You don’t have to do anything to this rifle except clean, load, and zero it and you’re already far ahead of the curve on having a ready “musket”. It could be above the mantel or doorway, frontier style, with a nylon bag of magazines and you’re sitting in pretty good shape to repel invaders, rioters, looters, or any form of lethal doer-of-ill-deeds.

That said, because of what it is, the options for getting this gun ready are as limitless and affordable as you could wish. Nearly every weapon mountable light or mount and light combination was designed with this rifle in mind first. Every tactical optic is in the same track, it is for the M16 first and was adapted to other platforms. This rifle is the focal point of the market. If you want to spend the money, customize and make it yours, you just don’t need to. (I did though, I Geissele everything I can in the end)

The M16A4 is a dog that hunts, still, to this day and for many to follow. You’re missing something without one.

‘Back in My Day’ VS The Modern AR, GarandThumb

By

Keith Finch

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December 4, 2018

Mike over running the GarandThumb Youtube channel takes on the old tech vs modern tech data point.

We run lights, sights, lasers, short barrels, adjustable stocks, and all manner of gear on modern rifles. But can the old dogs still hunt? Does the grandfather M16A1 still have teeth?

In Australia, The Gun Control “Paradise” : Spike in Handgun Crimes Reveals Nation’s Secret Problem

By

Keith Finch

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December 3, 2018

As reported by The NewDaily:

Australians may be more at risk from gun crime than ever before with the country’s underground market for firearms ballooning in the past decade.

In a surprising find /sarc , Prohibition is not effective. A black market has boomed in the land down under for semi-automatic handguns, a prohibited item to the peaceful and law abiding.

Where there is a demand a supply will be generated. And if the only demand is criminal because the law blocks the lawful, only one class is going to be dipping into the generated supply then.

Previously unseen police statistics show that the number of pistol-related offences doubled in Victoria and rose by 300 per cent in New South Wales. At least two other states also saw a massive jump in firearms-related offences during the same period.

The statistics detail the types of firearms offences police have pursued in the courts in the past decade and show some concerning findings, including a massive 83 per cent increase in firearms offences in NSW between 2005/06 and 2014/15, and an even bigger jump in Victoria over the same period.

“The ban on semi-automatics created demand by criminals for other types of guns,” “The criminal’s gun of choice today is the semi-automatic pistol.”

Small concealable accessible weapons have been the criminal mainstay for eternity. Just because the island nation content has said “bad” hasn’t influenced criminal demand in the direction the law intended.

In short, Gun Control doesn’t prevent gun crimes. Gun control just keeps rehashing what is a crime since murder and violent action apparently wasn’t clear enough…

FAMILY SAFETY BRIEF AT THE RANGE

By

A Girl and a Gun

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December 1, 2018

Seconds before the IDPA match was about to go hot in surrounding bays, AG & AG Founder Julianna Crowder turned to see two little kids playing on the top of the impact berm. Immediately, in a voice that she had never used in her life, she yelled, “GET OFF THE BERM, GET OFF THE BERM, GET OFF THE BERM!” The entire range came to a halt as people in every direction turned and looked at her, and in shock as they saw the kids slide down the dirt. When the RSO approached the two dads, they apologized and said, “We just turned our back for a minute.”

Hard stop.

Deep breath.

Safety check.

Parents know the rules of the range, so make sure that you share that information with your children. Set boundaries and ensure that standards are clear. No one should ever be on an impact berm. It is imperative that children understand locations where they can be, handle guns only when given permission, and wear hearing and eye protection at all times.

Family Safety Brief at the Range

Range safety briefs are for everyone. There are many examples of a range safety briefs: Range check-in (a short list of dos and don’ts or a long video with visual aids), before a training class, before a competition, etc. Somewhere in between the safety briefs that occur, you can create your own family safety briefing.

1. Make it age appropriate for children.

Will your children pay attention and follow your directions?
Do your children know your expectations before they get out of the car?
Do you have stationary activities (iPad, coloring books) for your children if they get tired, bored, or playful?
Are the guns you have for them size appropriately for their body frames, maturity levels?

2. Set boundaries.

Be very clear on the rules that they do not wander off and give them a specific area they can stand while you are setting up the range, prepping guns, changing targets, etc. otherwise they must be within arm’s reach of you at all times.
If you allow them to sit in the car, they must notify you if they get out and go back to the designated area where you said they could stand.
Bring a hula-hoop or pop-up tent to mark their safe area where they can stay.

3. Don’t turn your back.

If you choose to bring your children to the range, you must be constantly diligent about their location and activity.
While you are prepping your guns or running a stage, designate a guardian who will watch your children during the interim.

4. Always cover the safety rules.

Children who are shooting can first recite the 4 Rules of Gun Safety
Understand the rules of the range and the activity/sport taking place.

5. Demonstrate gun safety and respect.

Shooting is a fun activity that must be approached with seriousness for strict safety protocols. Parents and others at the range must model responsible behavior.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/family-safety-brief-at-the-range/

TWO MOTHERS RAISE AWARENESS OF ACCIDENTAL GUN DEATHS

By

A Girl and a Gun

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November 30, 2018

Tis the season for family gatherings, hunting trips, show-and-tell of new guns from holiday gift-giving. This is also a painful time for several of our AG & AG sisters.

Noah

The night before Thanksgiving in 2000, Kay Stauber was in the kitchen baking pies with her granddaughter. She answered the phone, and the voice on the line told her that son, Noah, had shot himself. Kay still carries so much pain from losing Noah. It was announced on social media so everyone seemed to know before she did. She was given three different stories on how the incident happened and has never had closure on his death.

Noah was 20 years old, a good young man with a big heart. He was not only Kay’s son, he was her best friend and protector. Because of Noah’s incident, Kay stayed away from firearms for years. In March 2017, she decided that “Noah would want his mom to be okay and not to fear guns because of what happened to him.” She joined A Girl & A Gun and has been moving forward and sharing her story.

Nicholas

Dawn Rodriguez is another mother in AG & AG with a constant ache in her heart. Her son Nicholas was also 20 years old when his life was cut short from a firearm accident. Like Kay, Dawn has never had closure on her son’s death and no one is really sure what happened. Nicholas was an avid marksman and very knowledgeable about firearms. He loved shooting and he loved spending time with his mom at the range.

Many of her friends and family criticized her for continuing to shoot after Nicholas’ accident. They challenged her, “When are you going to stop all of this gun sh*t?” Dawn replied that if Nicholas had died in a car accident, she wouldn’t stop driving. More importantly, Dawn feels close to Nicholas at the range. He had found AG & AG for her and encouraged her to join. She became a certified pistol instructor and now leads the Dallas chapter. She teaches gun safety and invites other women and families to have fun at the range. Through her journey, Dawn is able to welcome mothers, who have experienced a firearms loss, back to the range where they can express their feelings freely without judgement and find their paths forward.

Kids and adults fall victim to firearm accidents and too many mothers say, “I don’t really know what happened.” We mothers must hold our firearms community accountable to engage in training and education, and avoid complacency. Many of us became gun owners to protect our children; let us continue to protect them by reminding them to always practice the Safety Rules. Guns are fun, and new guns during the holidays are exciting, but remind your children — even your adult children — to be responsible.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/two-mothers-raise-awareness-for-accidental-gun-deaths/

The CMMG RipBrace – Just Pull It

By

Travis Pike

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November 30, 2018

CMMG is well known for not being afraid to take risks and innovative in the crowded AR 15 market. I first took notice of them when they produced the Mutant with its unique AR lower that accepted AK magazines. Since then I’ve loved the Anvil, the Banshee, and the Guard rifles, pistols, and SBRs. The new RipBrace is their first jump into the world of pistol braces. The RipBrace comes in two varieties, the standard, and CQB.

I went with the CQB because I wanted to shrink my baby AR as much as possible. The CQB is 1.25 inches shorter than the standard model when both are fully extended. The buffer tube is actually shorter than a standard carbine tube and the actual brace is trimmed back about as far as you possibly could.

At first glance, it looks like an SBA3, albeit a slightly shorter model. This makes sense since CMMG teamed up with SB Tactical to produce the RipBrace. The SBA3 is a well-made brace which I have previously reviewed and enjoyed immensely. Besides the size, the rear of the brace sports CMMG’s logo instead of SB Tactical’s.

What it Do?

The RipBrace features CMMG’s Fastback technology. They use this on their RipStock and the idea is that you can open the brace just by pulling it rearward. There is no need to hit the position adjustment device to deploy the brace or the stock with the RipStock. That’s not all, it comes with an indexing screw that the end user places on the buffer tube. When you pull the brace rearward to extend it the RipBrace locks at where you place that set screw.

The P3 Set Screw it where the magic lies

This means everytime you deploy the brace it deploys at the exact same position every time. There is no locking tabs, and nothing to fiddle with. Grab it, extend it, and get going. The P3 in P3 Set screw stands for Personal Position Preset which describes what it does just perfectly.

I thought this was superbly cool and I really like it. The best of all is it works. It works exactly as advertised. With just a little pull it slams rearward and with the set screw in place, it always catches at the same position. I did this over and over last night, watching Get Shorty on Netflix, I did it until my elbow hurt. It never flinched, binded, or failed on me.

A Note on the Price

When the brace first hit the market there was a lot of people making comments on the price. Which was fair, it retails at $199.99. The SBA3 can be found on Average for right around $105. Where was all the extra value?

First off, CMMG sells a complete package. This is a brace and carbine tube, as well as CMMG’s MK3 carbine buffer, and buffer spring, as well as the castle nut and ambidextrous sling plate. Put together that’s about 50 bucks worth of stuff. The Fastback technology only adds about 45 bucks to the price.

To me that is acceptable, and I love the Fastback technology. It’s incredibly convenient. One of my main complaints with the original SBA3 was how hard it was to position in the positions between 1 and 5. Moving between those 5 positions was hard to do. It’s not hard with this system and the set screw.

Hitting the Range With the RipBrace

The RipBrace obviously pretty easy to install, it’s no different than any other AR carbine buffer tube and brace. Once installed you find the correct setting with the P3 Set screw and you are good to go.

The RipBrace is a must have if you run your AR pistol as a PDW and defensive weapon. Size is a major factor when it comes to these weapons and the ability to rapidly deploy the brace gets the weapon ready quick, fast, and in a hurry.

The RipBrace is quite comfortable strapped around the arm and the ability to adjust the brace makes it easy to accustom everyone from petite shooters to guys my size. The design from SB Tactical is well suited for the AR pistol and is comfortable. The higher comb makes it easy to place your cheek on the brace to aim the weapon a bit better.

If you were to shoulder the brace you’ll find it comfortable, it’s not a stock though, so don’t expect it to be as comfortable as a Magpul UBR. The RipBrace is outfitted with a QD point for a sling which is an awesome attachment and pretty handy.

Overall the CMMG RipBrace is well made and the CQB model is perfect for a civilian PDW. The Fastback technology makes it quick and easy to deploy, and the shorter length makes it easy to conceal and stash in a bag. It’s perfect for those AR pistols that want to be as small as possible, without compromising comfort and useability.

News Agencies Reporting: Trump Administration to Ban Bump Stocks

By

Keith Finch

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November 30, 2018

180220163143-donald-trump-bump-stock-ban-1280x720 — Image from CNN coverage of the speech

The Trump administration is preparing to officially ban bump stocks on guns, a move that would put an end to the sale of attachments that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire faster and that would follow through on an order President Trump made this year to the Justice Department to regulate the devices. – NYT

The eight year assault on the second amendment that came to a crashing end is apparently not so ended.

“So we’re knocking out bump stocks,” the president said during a news conference, “I’ve told the N.R.A. I’ve told them: Bump stocks are gone.”

The devices garnered worldwide attention after the Las Vegas attack. Prior to that they were a gimmick of the firearms industry that turned money into noise faster. After the Mandalay Bay massacre the stocks were turned into nightmare fuel by the news media. In analytical reality the stocks probably saved lives, wild rapid unaimed shots into a moving crowd in place of aimed fire.

But we don’t want to address the realities. We want to name the bad thing and make it go away with law magic. When that doesn’t work we will do it again… and again… rights be damned we gotta do something!

California: Let’s Tax Violence Away… That’ll Work.

By

Keith Finch

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November 29, 2018

Because this nation didn’t literally fight a war over taxes, California’s Marc Levine, Assemblyman, D-Greenbrae, has proposed a tax on all sales of semi-automatic firearms.

“The gun tax will support the kind of interventions that make gun violence less likely in the first place which is exactly what we need to do,”

The new tax revenue would be routed through the existing California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, overseen by the Board of State and Community Corrections, which send grants to cities and community-based organizations.

The actual amount of the proposed tax on gun buyers will is up in the air but the number floating around in $25.

“And that amount per firearm sale will certainly be considered in the discussion with stakeholders to ultimately determine the appropriate tax for California,”

While the anticipated revenue is yet to be calculated, Will Shuck, Levine’s chief of staff, said it should be in the millions of dollars.

Millions out of the pockets of gun buyers already going through the onerous process of a california purchase for a neutered product. Of course the implication being people who buy guns are ultimately responsible for “gun” violence.

Yet more good ideas from the good idea fairies on the west coast… hah freaking zah.

Should You Become a Firearm’s Instructor?

By

Travis Pike

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November 28, 2018

In a world where an Instagram account with a ton of followers can make you a “firearm’s instructor” you may be asking, “Why can’t I do that?” I was in the same boat a few years ago. I spent a lot of time teaching a wide range of people machine guns during my time as a Marine and I always enjoyed it, so why not take my shot at the civilian side. Becoming an NRA instructor seemed like a simple enough idea, so I did it.

On the media side, I’ve had a lot of time to meet and work with dozens of awesome instructors from around the world. I do interviews, ask their opinions on products and a lot of the time the conversation drifts to instruction and instructors.

In speaking, and interviewing instructors I’ve found a pattern emerge, and through my own experience in teaching and taking classes I like to think I have a solid opinion on what makes a good firearm’s instructor.

There are a million reasons why you should be a firearm’s instructor, but I feel there are a few traits you need to have or develop to become a rock solid firearms instructor.

The Traits of an Effective Firearm’s Instructor

5. Patience and Understanding

Here is a fun one that’s hard to develop if you don’t have it naturally. The ability to remain cool after showing someone the same thing a dozen times. I’ve had students who use a cross thumbs grip with an automatic handgun who just can’t seem to grasp not to do that.

I’ve corrected students ten times over only for them to cross their thumbs on the 11th shot. Does it get under my skin? Yep. Do I let that show? Nope. I stay calm, cool, and collected as I make the correction over and over.

Being able to stop, breathe, and understand where the student comes from is the key to being understanding. The first (and last) time I ever golfed I learned a huge lesson regarding being a student. Lord knows how many times I was corrected in stance, form, and how I gripped the club. It woke me up and taught me a lesson I’ve always held onto.

4. Competent Level of Skill

If you are teaching someone how to shoot a handgun, you should know how to shoot a handgun right? You can’t explain what you don’t know. You don’t need to be an ‘Operator’ to teach a basic pistol class, but you need to be able to handle a gun competently.

Maintaining this level of skill is a must. If you can’t demonstrate your skills to your students, you won’t be taken seriously, and you’ll be left feeling embarrassed.

As an instructor, you need to hold yourself at a higher level and keep your skills sharp. This also means being able to present and instruct competently. Public speaking skills are a must, as is the ability to perform under the watchful eye of others.

3. Safety Minded

Being safety minded isn’t just about teaching the 4 Rules, but enforcing them in class. Safety is the only thing you shouldn’t have patience and understanding about. Safety is always paramount, and like skills, you need to set the example when it comes to safety. From the moment the class starts safety should be the number 1 priority. Do not just relay the four safety rules, actually teach them, explain them. I’ve found people learn a lot better when they understand the why behind a concept.

Also part of being safe is exercising the safety you teach without exception. During displays, examples, and other training situations apply the utmost degree of safety. Be the good example a student needs.

2. A Desire to Keep Learning

Firearms training and medical training have one big thing in common, the techniques, skills, and tactics are constantly changing. Sometime ago Travis Haley came out against the Magpul DVDs that made him a household name. He reasoned that they are seven years old and things have changed. A Firearm’s instructor should be a student. If you think you know it all, and your way is the only way, you’ve already failed.

1. The Ability to Convey Information

Whenever I speak with professional firearm’s instructors this is the skill they always convey to me is the most critical for an instructor. Can you take a concept from the firearm’s world and apply it to a homemaker, or a plumber, or an accountant? As a firearm’s instructor, you’ll have to relay information in an understandable format to everyone. This can be difficult and is why its good to spend time in an almost apprentice like position with more capable instructors, and another reason why you should continue to take classes from a wide berth of instructors.

The Firearm’s Instructor Life

Being a firearm’s instructor isn’t for everyone. It can be frustrating, confusing, and has the potential to make you hate shooting. Regardless of how deep you want to go being an instructor can also be immensely rewarding, fun, and open up a variety of opportunities for you in the industry.

In my opinion, the best place to start is the NRA. Their courses are basic, but they do allow you to learn a bit about teaching and opens up an entire world of possibilities. If its a path you want to take I wish you luck, and hopefully, you’ll love it.