Geissele’s Super Precision PRO

March 23, 2018

Rifle optics are an immense and diverse subject.

I’m adding an additional consideration. This may make the decision more complex. This may make the decision simpler. I hope it better informs the decision.

When picking an optic you must also pick a mounting interface. Certain optics come with one integrated, others have an included but non-integral mount, the remainder require the user to select a compatible one.

30mm reflex rifle optics are a recognized standard. They sit atop service and patrol rifles worldwide. Mirco optics have gained popularity in recent years as have LPVO’s but the standard in most places continues to be filled by optics like the Aimpoint PRO and the US Army’s CCO M2 and M3 variants.

The speed, ruggedness, and usability of these sights has been well documented by end users. The availability and cost of quality 30mm CCO style optics is excellent today.

But back to the mount, a largely overlooked component especially when one is included from the factory.

A quality mount will make or break the system (sometimes literally break). It will keep everything tight and accurate or it won’t depending on the attention to detail in the manufacturing process. It’s durability will be largely dependent on these details as well.

Included mounts are usually done for the convenience of the buyer. The money is all in the sight, not the mount. Using an included mount isn’t wrong but you’re making a decision, with few exceptions, that is putting a critical piece of equipment on the cheapest piece a manufacturer could get away with to make the optic more appealing as an “all-in-one” purchase. There is a drastic disparity between the quality of the sight and the mount keeping it on the rifle properly.

If you want to see how much, look at what the sight sells for without a mount or the mount sells for alone. I recommend selecting and purchasing an upgraded mount.

There are few companies I trust as highly as Geissele to provide an eminently well designed product to fulfill a need.

The Super Precision series of mounts is offered for a variety of optic designs. The Super Precision PRO is specifically for the CCO/PRO style 30mm optics.

Super Precision PRO holding a Vortex Strikefire II OPMOD

The 7075-T6 aluminum mounts come in black or their patented DDC (Desert Dirt Color) anodized Type III hard coat. Rigid, durable, and quality material. Machining has reduced the weight while removing sharp edges and maintaining optimal strength.

6 Torx screws hold pressure on the single large ring holding the optic in position. It has a forward swept design that assists in optic offset and provides space for a magnifier or night vision behind if the user desires. It will easily cowitness any AR height iron sights.

Mounting it anywhere on an AR flattop will give usable positioning. I generally forward bias my optics toward the first few 1913 slots in the upper.

Aluminium 6 screw mounts are actually fairly standard, so what sets the Geissele as exceptional? Beyond the impossible to type properly name and sterling reputation.

Mount interface design.

Where many mounts interface well with the optic the weakness comes where it interfaces with the firearm.

All of these mounts utilize a cross-bolt of some sort. The bolt, sometimes a washer, and a clamping piece provide lateral pressure to hold the optic in place. The components selected by Geissele can provide 1,400lbs of lateral force. In addition the anti-sheer cross bolt design and two additional anti sheer lugs keep the optic from moving forward or backward on the 1913 flattop.

Most mounts do not offer this level of recoil induced motion control in the design. The Super Precision PRO requires a cleanly cut and in spec 1913 rail but it eliminates forward and rear sheering almost entirely. The optic will not move under recoil, even if the lateral clamping force is low. This is critical for accuracy and ease of return to zero.

Other mounts recommend that you forward bias the optic in the slot. It will slide forward and backward dependent on how close the anti-sheer lug is to 1913 Picatinny specification. Many lugs are Weaver rail slot specification to allow mounting on a greater variety of rails and this leaves a lot of space for possible movement.

The Midwest Industries mount in the picture has one anti-sheer lug and a large lateral clamping surface. It’s a fantastic mount but requires the forward bias mounting method and with too little lateral clamping force the optic will slide forward and backward. It’s quite easy to to set correctly and once done the mount works exceptionally.

The Geissele eschews all those considerations through added precision and attention to detail of the mounting interface engineering. The trade off is that it is not a tool-less quick release, a few seconds with a multi-tool screw driver or a wrench though and you’re done. No setting, adjusting, and resetting the mount. Loosen the nut, mount to flattop, tighten the nut a little beyond hand tight and the Geissele is set.

Removing the Super Precision PRO and remounting produces exceptional return to zero on Point of Aim/Point of Impact. There is nothing to bump out of adjustment and applying a different lateral force (either tighter or looser) will have less effect on zero shift due to the anti-sheer design.

Mounted and Zeroed. 3 Shots. Remounted. 3 Shots. Not bad with a 4MOA dot.

Nothing rezeros perfectly. The Geissele is a less complicated mechanism than many designs due to the engineering. No springs or levers. Properly sized and spaced static anti-sheer lugs. All these details have the Geissele almost click into place.

The Super Precision PRO is quite obviously named after Aimpoint’s Patrol Rifle Optic but is compatible with several sights across a variety of price ranges:

Primary Arms Advanced 30mm

Holosun’s 406 & 506 series

Vortex Stikefire II (Pictured OPMOD)

Sig Sauer ROMEO6

And any other in the CCO 30mm format.

If your looking for a rifle optic you will need a good mount. Do not under invest in your equipment. Optic mounting interface is critical and Geissele’s Super Precision PRO was designed with that critical eye.

Bushnell Aggressor Wireless Trophy Cam HD – The Game Cam Learning Curve

Dr LateBloomer

March 22, 2018

I am a novice hunter. So far, I’ve enjoyed a few guided experiences with pheasant hunting, one with ducks, and have been in the woods several times for deer – unfortunately with no venison in my freezer so far. My goal this spring is a Turkey Hunt.

In the interest of expanding my horizons, improving my luck, and getting to know a piece of family property better, I decided to invest in a game camera. The problem is that the property I want to put it on is two hours away. I can’t just run up there every week to pull SD cards. So I did some research.

Technology is advancing and there are now some cameras on the market which use cell phone technology to send the photos remotely in addition to storing images on an SD card. I chose the Bushnell Aggressor Wireless Trophy Cam HD.

Though I did see this model at SHOT Show and talk to a rep I decided to buy my first cam with my own pocket change. Being the cheapskate, I mean frugal person that I try to be, I found one “used” from the Amazon Warehouse for about 30 dollars cheaper than new. A trail cam with cellular capability still isn’t “cheap”, but due to the distance involved between where I live and the property in question, it suited my needs much better than a traditional trail camera would.

The box arrived from Amazon within a few days. The camera was in its original packaging which had been opened and resealed. It otherwise appeared to be in good shape. The owner’s manual was creased as if opened, but the plastic cling film was still on the interior viewer window and the strap was still factory rolled. Apparently this model was opened but not not actually “used”. Maybe it was a store display model or something – who knows. But since I got it cheaper, I win.

The set-up for the Bushnell Wireless Trophy Cam was much easier than I anticipated. In addition to the owner’s manual there was a “Quick set-up card”, which has very clear concise directions. Set-up required 12 lithium or alkaline batteries and a 32 GB SD card, which I purchased on a quick run to Walmart.

The only criticism I have for the camera set-up process is that entering information and choices was a bit awkward. Because I opted for the camera to send images to my email, rather than by text, entering the longish email via the little left/right, up/down arrow keys was a bit tedious. I recommend doing the set-up when you don’t have any other distractions. Still this was at least semi-intuitive. My car Bluetooth set-up was MUCH more exasperating than this.

After making sure the camera was running the next step was registering the unit on the Bushnell website – wirelesstrophycam.com. After entering my information and setting up an account on the website, I then entered the serial number of my camera. This was the only hitch in the process. Since my cam was “used”, it was already registered on the Bushnell site. This however was uneventfully resolved by a quick call to the Bushnell customer service line. It took 30 seconds for the rep to reset the number and I was good to go!

Once I had an account and registered the serial number I had to give the camera a name. I suppose normal people would name such a camera “back field” or “food plot”. But I just pulled something out of the air to get started. I named it “Matilda”. In retrospect I should have named it “Prince Charming” or “Hot Guy”, because when messages arrive they are labeled with the camera name. Thus my messages would arrive saying “Prince Charming uploaded a new photo”. Hmmmm, I’ll have to go back and see if I can change that setting. Yes, I’m easily entertained!

After the camera was registered and named I set up an AT&T data plan for the camera right through the Bushnell website. This is a month-by-month service offered by Bushnell and has nothing to do with my own cell service plan. I happen to already use AT&T but if I had Verizon instead it would make no difference. As long as there is a strong AT&T signal where one chooses to place the camera it matters not what one’s personal carrier is. I chose the option giving me 1500 thumbnail images per month for $9.99, but there are larger packages available.

Some of the features of the Bushnell Aggressor Wireless Trophy Cam HD include:
– 80 ft passive infrared motion sensor
– 48 No Glow LEDs
– 80 ft NV flash
– 720p HD video
– Field scan
– Solar panel compatible

The Field Scan option is interesting but I haven’t used it yet. This feature allows the user to set two times of day when the camera will take several time lapse photos of the area without being triggered. This allows views of a food plot or larger field – to perhaps see game that is too far away to trigger the sensor.

I also have not opted to use the video function yet. Video files are too large to upload reasonably. The camera will only record them to the SD card. Since I can’t check the card regularly once I have the camera permanently settled, I haven’t used the video setting.

I set up the camera for a one week trial-run on my porch. I wanted to be sure I understood how the whole thing worked before I stationed it two hours away, where I couldn’t easily adjust it. I chose my front porch because there is a crabapple tree in the front yard which is known to be frequented by four-hooved bird feeder thieves. This trial run ended-up being a very a good move because it highlighted a few things I hadn’t taken into account.

Lesson One: I initially had the camera mounted too high. Though it was aimed AT the bird feeder, it only caught feeder thieves whose snouts were actively IN the feeder, not ones which were on all fours closer to the ground. So in the morning I moved the camera lower.

Lesson Two: Random twigs that one barely notices during the day really obscure the camera’s view at night in the IR flash. Lowering the camera put it behind some bush twigs which looked very large and brightly lit. So I got out the clippers and did a little early spring pruning the next morning.

Lesson Three: I chose wisely when deciding to have the camera notify me by email rather than text message. I keep my phone on the nightstand due to being on-call. Given the party-hours of the feeder thieves I was quite happy to find out about said party at 7 AM when I checked my mail rather than at 02:35 when it actually happened.

Lesson Four: There is a lot more activity in my neighborhood during the day than I had previously realized. Every time I checked my email during the day there were messages from “Matilda” informing me about passing neighborhood cars. She even caught views of the U.S. Postal Service in the wild, The Big Brown Truck of Happiness and the FedEx Truck of Dreams. It was like having Gladys Kravitz installed on my front porch. Considering this, I may have to get a second unit and keep it as a security camera!

The photos posted here are merely screen captures of what appeared on my email. Higher resolution images are available for purchase from the Wireless Trophy Cam website, or from the SD card in the camera.
You’ll notice that photos are stamped with date/time, temperature, and phase of the moon – all useful information to have whether one is tracking wildlife or trespassers of a different species.

In addition to being available by either email or text message, the thumbnail photos from the camera are viewable on the Wireless trophy cam website or on the app for either iPhone or Android. The apps are available free of charge in the App Store of your device of choice.

The app does not offer quite as many options as the website does but it is still quite useful. The webpage allows you to manage photos, clear the ones you don’t want, order high resolution images, order more air time, add more cameras, check the battery status, and also make some camera adjustments – like sensitivity of sensor, time lag between captures, and night time shutter speed – REMOTELY. No driving up to the site if you decide you want a 3-photo burst instead of one. The camera also notes its own GPS position nightly and uploads that at well so you can see it as a pin on a map. The webpage/app sends a notification if the camera does not “check-in” in this manner.

An important thing to note is that if there isn’t a strong enough cell signal where you place the camera it may not transmit properly. Before purchase it might be wise to check the signal strength at the location under consideration. I have also found that if the signal fluctuates and the photo doesn’t upload immediately the camera will send it later when the signal is stronger.

I am extremely pleased with the features and function of the Bushnell Aggressor Wireless Trophy Cam HD However the proof in the pudding will be how it operates 2 hours away, and how long the lithium batteries last in the cold. Nonetheless I am excited to see what kind of activity there is on that family property.

Now, if it will just stop snowing up there long enough to get this fun new toy installed!

We Like Shooting Double Tap 054 – Oedipal

We Like Shooting

March 22, 2018

Welcome to We Like Shooting’s Double Tap, Episode 54, Tonight we talk about gun tech, we’ll answer your questions on Dear WLS, we’ll talk about NOT GUNS, and the latest news.

Source: https://welikeshooting.com/show/double-tap/dt054/

We Like Shooting 237 – Handmade Tobacco Pouches

We Like Shooting

March 21, 2018

Welcome to the We Like Shooting show, Episode 237 – Tonight we will talk about M11 Merc, Off grid tools, We Like Shooting lowers, Southpaw Tactical and more!

Source: https://welikeshooting.com/show/237/

Bucket List Firearms: The Legendary M1A

Keith Finch

March 21, 2018

When it comes to bucket list firearms, some you want just because you want them. The M1A/M14 is one of those items. Everyone has an opinion and they vary on Springfield Armory right now… but I love this rifle.

I don’t need one. I have an empirically more capable SCAR17. But that doesn’t matter. I just want my M14. I know many of you do too.

We Like Shooting Double Tap 053 – Burp, belch, Jeremys drunk

We Like Shooting

March 21, 2018

Welcome to We Like Shooting’s Double Tap, Episode 53, Tonight we talk about gun tech, we’ll answer your questions on Dear WLS, we’ll talk about NOT GUNS, and the latest news.

Source: https://welikeshooting.com/show/double-tap/dt053/

ASP Turbo: EDC+ Handheld Flashlight

Keith Finch

March 20, 2018

I’ve been carrying the Armament Systems and Procedures Tungsten. It’s an exceptional handheld flashlight that carries well, an ergonomic 450 lumen package. Check the link for my full review.

But what if you need to see further? What if you require a brighter light? What are the options then?

ASP’s Turbo DF has the same control layout of it’s little brother, the Tungsten. It uses the same battery and holds a very similar profile.

The Turbo has a 780 Lumen rating with it’s included 18650 rechargeable battery. Like the Tungsten it gets a 10-15% lumen boost when used with CR123A Li-Ion batteries.

The Turbo is an inch longer at 6.75″, a half an inch wider at 1.4″ at the reflector, and a little over an ounce heavier at 5.4 oz over the 4.2 oz of the Tungsten. It’s not so much an easy EDC handheld flashlight as it is a compact tactical handheld.

It’s small enough and plenty comfortable to carry in a belt pouch or on a vest. The length and reflector size make it a little large for convenient conventional EDC but it is doable depending on how you’re dressed.

The high polish bezel is conventionally crenelated with the stand off/glass breaker on the housing. It’s reflector provides three distinct illumination zones with a bright concentrated center, a semi-bright middle ring, and a low lumen outer ring that approximately doubles the diameter of the other two. The listed range of illumination is 233 meters before diffusion is beyond usefulness.

A quarter kilometer of light.

The mildly thicker grip is padded with a soft pliant foam. Comfortable, works very well with gloves, and allows for a much less slippery grip if wetness is introduced from rain, sweat, or another source.

In keeping with the “Dual Fuel” concept ASP is integrating into many of their lights the Turbo is USB rechargeable and has an impressive 2 hour battery life.

If you suspect the light is getting low on power just plug it in. If it goes out and you need an immediate light, add two CR123A batteries.

The Turbo has exhibited every quality I found in the Tungsten. The differences in size and capability are more relevant to you readers than a repeat of facets from a similar product that Armament Systems and Procedures offers.

Now the only question is which would fit your needs closest. I carry the Tungsten daily and have the Turbo as a kit light.

ASP continues to provide products that fit my requirements and requests when it comes to illumination.

We Like Shooting Double Tap 053 – Burp, belch, Jeremys drunk

We Like Shooting

March 19, 2018

Welcome to We Like Shooting’s Double Tap, Episode 53, Tonight we talk about gun tech, we’ll answer your questions on Dear WLS, we’ll talk about NOT GUNS, and the latest news.

Source: https://welikeshooting.com/show/double-tap/dt053/

AmmoToGo Plays with Jello… For Science

Keith Finch

March 19, 2018

The team over at AmmoToGo.com ran a ballistic test on their lineup of hollow point ammunition, which included almost 100 different loads, covering four of the most popular calibers – 9mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and .380 Auto. They then analyzed and compared the data against the set of performance standards used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This helped them measure variables such as penetration depth, retained weight, and the expansion capabilities for each hollow point projectile.

By analyzing the data from the test you can get a better idea of what ammo you may want to carry.

If you want to see the full write up on the project visit: https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/best-self-defense-ammo/

Testing Standards

Their ballistic test was structured around the FBI test protocol used by law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. According to the FBI, the results are an assessment of a bullet’s ability to inflict effective wounds after defeating various intervening obstacles commonly present in law enforcement shootings.

They fired each round from a distance of 10 feet through a clothing barrier before impacting ballistic gelatin, simulating human tissue. The muzzle velocity and muzzle energy was also measured for each round with the use of a ballistic chronograph.

While these guidelines are in no way an absolute set of rules for testing self defense ammo, they provide a great backbone to build off of.

Best Fit for FBI Standards

.380 Auto

Federal HST 99 Grain JHP Ammo

These rounds by Federal met the FBI’s standards for performance with excellent expansion for the .380 caliber, very consistent penetration and 100% weight retention.

9mm

Hornady Critical Defense 115 Grain HP Ammo

Hornady’s 115gr. Critical Defense line met all of the FBI requirements for testing. Each round had great expansion, achieving an average expanded diameter of 1.5x the original diameter. You also see the consistent penetration coupled with excellent weight retention.

45ACP

Remington Gold Saber 185 Grain JHP Ammo

These lead mushrooms from Remington not only look beautiful, but penetrate within the ideal FBI standard of 12-18 inches and had great weight retention.

40S&W

Federal Premium HST 180 Grain JHP Ammo

Federal HST hollow point made the list again with these 180 grain .40 caliber rounds. Meeting the FBI’s standard for ideal expansion and consistent penetration, these rounds pass their test.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just getting into shooting or if you’ve been around firearms your entire life, everyone will be able take away some new and useful information from the extensive test. These guys definitely went through some steps to bring you this great, free source of information.

NRA “Terrorists”

Dr LateBloomer

March 19, 2018

Just in the past two weeks or so, numerous politicians, journalists and private citizens have used the word “terrorist” in describing the NRA. Here is a sampling.

http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/377120-conn-governor-nra-is-a-terrorist-organization

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pacs-billboard-in-florida-calls-nra-a-terrorist-organization/

https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/declare-the-nra-a-terrorist

https://www.dailywire.com/news/27949/nra-spokeswoman-dana-loesch-attacked-rosie-amanda-prestigiacomo

This level of hatred and vitriol is truly appalling – especially coming from the supposed champions of “tolerance”. Can you imagine the anti-gun left painting ANY other group with the broad brush of hate that they have the NRA?

LGBTQ? Nope
Blue-collar workers? Nope
Medical professionals? Nope
Lawyers? Nope
Minimum wage workers? Nope
Teachers? Nope
College Professors? Nope
Mothers? Nope
Fathers? Nope
Naturalized Immigrants? Nope
Hispanics? Nope
African-Americans? Nope
Muslims? Nope
Hindus? Nope
Sikhs? Nope
Jews? Nope
Catholics? Nope
Protestants of every stripe? Nope
Wiccans? Nope
Atheist/Agnostics? Nope
Ministers? Nope
Women? Nope
Active and Former military? Nope
Law Enforcement? Nope (though maybe close)
Lawmakers? Nope (though conservatives, maybe)

The real irony here lies in the fact that every one of these groups is represented in the NRA membership. These are the people who some anti-gunners are calling “terrorists” – and apparently don’t see any conflict or hypocrisy in it.

The NRA could be considered one of the most inclusive organizations in existence. The only “requirement” for membership is having an interest in firearms rights and safety, and paying a $40 per year membership fee.

In fact, one could start a joke of some sort with the lead-in of, “An African-American doctor, a trans-woman, and a retired college professor walk onto a gun range.” But it wouldn’t work as a joke because they all had fun together at a shooting match and nothing of note would have happened.

Denigrating and de-humanizing some five million American citizens who happen to be NRA members, (and by implication tens of millions of other lawful gun owners) simply because they don’t see eye-to-eye with you on an important point of law and natural rights, is bigoted and prejudiced in the extreme. Anyone who isn’t appalled by this accusation of terrorism ought to examine their conscience and values MUCH more closely.

“Tolerance” means nothing if it only applies to those with whom you agree.

Note: This video was making the rounds as I was composing this missive.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NRA/status/972616295710683136

A Conversation with Julie G – On Shooting Sports and the NRA

Annette Evans

March 19, 2018

Julie Golob is one of the most well-known women in the shooting sports. She’s a seven-division USPSA National Ladies champion, an IPSC World Ladies champion, with nine national titles in IDPA, not to mention a former member of the elite US Army Marksmanship Unit and a US Army Female Athlete of the Year. She’s also Captain of Team Smith & Wesson, head trainer for NRA Women’s Love at First Shot, and a spokesperson for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Julie Golob at the 2017 IPSC World Shoot

I’ve long looked up to Julie because of her wide-ranging accomplishments both on and off the range. Fortunately for me, one of the best things about the shooting sports is that the stars aren’t so far removed from us that regular folks can’t get to know them. And one of the things I discovered with Julie is that she’s both as approachable in real life as she seems on social media, and that she’s even more interesting than I suspected. I’d like to share one of our conversations with you so you can get to know her better too.

Last year, Julie announced her candidacy for the National Rifle Association Board of Directors. Since we’re in the height of election season as we sat down for this conversation, starting there made a lot of sense.

Julie, you’ve put on a strong grassroots campaign for a position on the NRA Board of Directors for this year’s election. What makes the NRA important to you? Why did you decide to run?

My appreciation for the NRA goes back to when I was a girl. I grew up around practical shooting. I remember when the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 hit and the negative impact it had on our shooting sport. Even though we were still able to compete, we lost mainstream media exposure. USPSA membership peaked in 1996, but we became quiet and as a result membership growth flat-lined for a decade.

Just as our sport has evolved, so too has the NRA. With millions of members, the National Rifle Association is the tip of the spear when it comes to preserving the Second Amendment. My passion for shooting sports and gun rights go hand in hand. When I was nominated by the nominating committee, I considered it an honor. Most of all, I find the idea of helping NRA programs and sports grow very exciting. We all know that something special happens when you take a newcomer to the range, especially one who is on the fence about firearms. Modernization of the shooting sports and promotion of safe, responsible gun ownership is key in this fight.

Absolutely. I’ve always found that teaching people about guns and letting them experience the fun of the shooting sports are big factors in helping them understand some of the reasons we, as a community, consider the Second Amendment to be so important.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned during your run?

I’ve learned that politics are everywhere and that people are passionate about what they feel is most important. I admire passion. Politics? Admittedly, not as much. If elected though, I hope I can make a positive difference, especially for our shooting sports.

I hope so too! We’ll know the results of the NRA Board election in less than two months. Win or lose, what’s been the best part of the experience for you?

I mentioned this earlier, but I consider having my name on the ballot an absolute honor. To me it indicates that I am reaching and making an impact in a significant way. Influence is a powerful thing. I do not take it for granted. Whether or not I am elected, this entire experience has motivated me to continue to be a voice for our way of life.

Julie at the 2016 USPSA Revolver Nationals

And I’m glad we’ll continue to have a voice that is so relatable to so many people, whether through the NRA Board of Directors or otherwise. One challenge I see in trying to build bridges between the gun and non-gun communities is that even among gun owners, we aren’t always really connected to each other. For instance, the NRA is often thought of as an organization as far removed from what we do in practical shooting sports like USPSA and IDPA as to be nearly on the opposite side of the world. Why should competitive practical shooters care about the NRA?

If you live in a city or state that has tough gun control laws, you are affected by the NRA and their work If you compete with or own any sort of modern sporting rifle, in rifle or pistol caliber, you’re affected. If you own a magazine that has a capacity of more than 10 rounds, you’re affected. If you travel with firearms or carry a gun, you’re affected. If you are a member of USPSA or IDPA, you should care about the NRA’s efforts because you are affected. If any of these things mean enough to you or if you want to continue to enjoy your sport and your rights, membership is inexpensive but is one of the best ways and individual can make an impact.

Sounds like the NRA does a lot for all gun owners, competitive shooters or not. What would you like to see the NRA Board do specifically for shooting sports in the next year?

I want to see the NRA BOD embrace the power of the shooting sports. Auditing current NRA programs and modernizing communication is critical. I’d love to see the NRA lead the charge when it comes to developing true entry level programs for gun owners. We need to develop simple gateway shooting sports to get people out to the range and funnel them into a shooting sport they will love, like USPSA or IDPA! We also need to showcase and promote all aspects of the shooting sports throughout NRA publications and media. We cannot depend on mainstream media or social media networks to give us reach.

Absolutely. The NRA has a huge reach, and it’d be great to see them use it for initiatives like that. Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to lead that charge.

In the meantime, you haven’t put aside any of your other work while making your run. One of the big projects you launched was your latest book. Can you tell us what it’s about?

One thing that’s great about being a professional shooter is that in the off season I can pursue various personal goals and projects. My most recent is a children’s book about gun safety called Toys, Tools, Gun & Rules. As a mom of two young daughters, it’s a cause that’s near and dear to me. The book is written for children as young as three and as old as ten, depending on their maturity level. Like Project Childsafe and the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, the book teaches avoidance, but it uses human characters and explores the different types of firearms and gun owners children may encounter. I’m thrilled with how well it came out and how it has been received.

So far, my friends with kids seem to love the book. I’m going to have to get a copy for my nephews as I get them started in the gun world. Any other big projects on the horizon that you can tell us about?

This season I have made changes in my schedule and partnerships to fulfill obligations should I be elected to the NRA BOD. I also have ideas for a more books, especially a cookbook but with the shooting season in full swing my focus is on competition goals and doing my best to continue to share shooting.

Sounds like you’ll have plenty to keep you busy no matter how the election goes. Of course, I hope that you’ll be on the NRA BOD, giving shooting sports like USPSA and IDPA some representation, but I look forward to seeing what you’ll be up to either way. Good luck!

Popular Online is not Always Better: ETS

Mike Westra

March 18, 2018

I am a firm believer in always carrying at least one firearm and a back up self defense tool. My gun of choice is the Glock 19. I love the 19 for many reasons, capacity and reliability being the top two.

Between undercover police work, bounty hunting, and carrying as a civilian I have run into a few situations where a smaller gun would have worked out better. Unfortunately, not many small handguns meet my criteria for an everyday carry gun. First and foremost, any EDC gun I carry must be as reliable as my Glock 19. Before I carried my Glock 19 I put 3,000 rounds through it without cleaning it. This was not an easy 3,000 rounds, it was outside in the middle of a Michigan winter, freezing rain, snow, sleet, and cold. The Glock 19 never experienced a hiccup in those extreme conditions.

I require my carry guns to have a trigger that I can manage, the sights must be visible to me in all lighting conditions and have a minimum capacity of 10 rounds. I am not a big fan of just adding an extension on the mag without adding an extended spring as this could cause reliability issues. The Glock 43 would be my #1 choice to fit this role however it only holds 6rds in the mag.

Looking at my options I came across Elite Tactical Systems Group Magazines. If you’re not familiar with ETS mags flip through some pictures on Instagram and you will see people using clear magazines in their guns. These magazines look cool and are also about $12 cheaper than factory Glocks Mags.

I am a little wary of aftermarket products, so I bought one of their 9 round mags for the Glock 43 for a test run. This would give me 10 rounds in the gun and with a new set of sights meet all my criteria for a carry gun. Before I use the 43 with ETS mags part of my EDC I need to run it through some range testing and abuse.

Excited to give these new clear mags a try I hit the range. On the first run I had 3 failures to feed issues out of the 9 rounds I had loaded into them. This was a little disappointing but not game over. They were new and perhaps there was a problem with the gun or the ammunition. To rule out the gun I ran 50 rounds through the factory Glock mags without a hiccup. Switching back to the ETS mags for the next 100rds I had numerous failures to feed. The first few rounds would feed properly but as you got to the end the rounds would dip down and not feed into the chamber.

I also noticed issues with loading the mags. Sometimes the mags would only accept 8 or even 7 rounds. I had to unload and reload them to get them up to capacity. The mags are clear so I could see that the spring would compress differently every time I loaded them.

ETS has a lifetime warranty on their products so I sent them an email to alert them of my issues. About a month went by with no communication from them. My editor sent them an email and quickly got a response. They found my original email and were unsure why it went unnoticed. ETS assured me they had not experienced nor had any other complaints like mine, so they sent me two more magazines to test out.

A beautiful day, a clear range, and a clean gun meant my new ETS mags were ready to be tested. I loaded both mags with 9 rounds of Federal 115gr Range, Target, and Practice rounds and was not surprised with the results. The first new mag experienced 3 failures to feed where the bullets dipped, the second mag experienced 4 failures.

Having more than one mag allowed me to do some mag changes. This is where the most severe issues crept up. I found that while removing the ETS mag from its support side mag holder or the pocket any pressure on the top bullet caused it to stand straight up, slowing the reloading process greatly.

I could not just pop the bullet back in place I had to completely remove the bullet before feeding the mag into the gun. The Glock factory mags had none of these issues.

Back at the shop we took a good look at the ETS mags for the Glock 43. Being a single stack mag there is no taper at the top like there is with the Glock 19 mags. This places all the spring pressure on the feed lips. The original Glock mags are supported by a metal sleeve in the mag. The ETS mags do not have this sleeve the lips are a little weaker. With very little pressure the mag follower will almost pop out of the ETS mags.

ETS also says their magazine will survive a drop from 8 feet. The magazine shouldn’t be affected if it is accidentally dropped while I am going for my spare magazine.

The first free fall drop from waist height resulted in 4 rounds ejecting from the mag and some stress marks in the plastic. I continued to drop test all the mags from waist height never exceeding 5 ft. I found that if the magazine hits on the base plate it would eject the rounds, the most rounds ejected in 5 drop tests was 6. I also drop tested the factory Glock mags in the same manner and experienced no ejections.

Wanting to see if I randomly had 3 defective magazines I stopped at my local gun store and opened every ETS Glock 43 mag they had to test the weakness of the follower. They let me load some dummy rounds in them. Every one of them had the issue of the round flipping up with very little pressure. I picked up an ETS mag for my Glock 19 to see if it had the same issues. I ran it through the same tests and had no issues. The ETS 19 mag fed the rounds perfectly into my Glock. Dropping it on the ground the mag kept all the rounds in place. I had none of the issues that I had with the 43 mags, however I will never fully trust the ETS mags for EDC.

After my experience with my ETS mags I have added one more requirement to my EDC criteria, I only use factory magazines in my carry guns. The ETS mags look cool, they are great to use in a training class where students can see the inside of a mag and watch it function, but they have no place in a carry gun. Whenever I get something new that I am thinking about using to protect my family and myself I will always test it extensively then ask myself these simple questions.

What is its purpose?

Why do I need it?

Is it better than what it replaces?

I shudder to think what could have happened if I had to use my ETS 43 mags in a gunfight. Always test your carry equipment before you put it into service, I am glad I do.

PE Class with AR500 Armor, Physics not Physical

Keith Finch

March 16, 2018

There is a universal truth to armor.

It sucks to wear.

The materials capable of stopping a bullet or shrapnel impact and imposing it between you and that potentially lethal puncture/energy transfer usually carry the characteristic: HEAVY.

The affordable steel plates that AR500 Armor is known for weigh 8lbs each. Combine that with necessary trauma padding or soft armor and a carrier you quickly push 25lbs in a hurry. The level IV selection of composite ceramics provide better protection but no savings in weight.

The stereotypical response to a complaint about armor is “It’s supposed to be comforting, not comfortable.” In short, the burden of armor is a necessary discomfort for the protection. A balancing act of mobility against the ability to stop an impacting gunshot. It ironically makes you a little slower and easier to hit, especially on an unconditioned body. Physical education and conditioning make armor bare-able.

However, thanks to science, we continue to develop and apply materials that do things better.

Armor types: Steel level III, Ceramic level IV, and UHMWPE level III — From back to front. Steel level III. Ceramic level IV, UHMWPE level III

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) offers us several material advantages.

Polyethylene? Yes.

Plastic? Yes.

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW) is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene. Also known as high-modulus polyethylene, (HMPE), it has extremely long chains, with a molecular mass usually between 3.5 and 7.5 million amu.^[1]

The longer chain serves to transfer load more effectively to the polymer backbone by strengthening intermolecular interactions. This results in a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made. –Wikipedia

UHMWPE is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic.^[3] It embodies all the characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with the added traits of being resistant to concentrated acids and alkalies, as well as numerous organic solvents.^[4] It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals except oxidising acids; has extremely low moisture absorption and a very low coefficient of friction; is self-lubricating (see boundary lubrication); and is highly resistant to abrasion, in some forms being 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel. Its coefficient of friction is significantly lower than that of nylon and acetal and is comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon), but UHMWPE has better abrasion resistance than PTFE.

UHMWPE is 8-15 times stronger than steel in strength to weight. It also has a very high chemical neutrality resisting water, oils, and solvents. It’s molecular strength is extremely high but actual density low, making it buoyant.

The polyethylene is made into long molecular aligned fibers and woven into a sheet. When layered with other sheets it allows for exceptional energy transfer reduction between the molecules and layers. The sheets are oriented in varying directions further increasing the overall property strengths of the UHMWPE as the aligned fibers crisscross.

The layers and dissonant orientation of the specialized polyethylene form an energy absorbing ‘catcher’s mitt’ plate that successfully stops rifle rounds. NIJ Level III rated stopping 7.62x51mm (.308), 7.62x39mm, and 5.56x45mm (.223 Rem) multiple hits stand alone (does not need to have a soft armor or carrier component to function). UHMWPE would be a worthy armor candidate on fewer property merits but when the material is formed into 10×12 armor plates they weigh less than half their conventional level III and level IV counterparts.

3.3lbs each and buoyant (won’t sink in water) cuts the overall weight of a kitted carrier down by around 50% while still maintaining level III protection.

armor weight and size comparison — 3.3lbs vs. 8lbs

Physically the plates are higher volume but most carriers like my Valkyrie have enough room to accommodate them without issue.

The thick light weight plates are also significantly less fragile than level IV ceramic.

Ceramic body armor plates are fragile, to a degree, being designed to catch a high velocity projectile from the front (or back) strike face. The layered ceramic is designed to crush and break, catching impacting rounds. Once it is broken the plate needs replacement. Ceramic is still a glass product and if dropped, sat on, or torqued in a way that cracks the layers they are now compromised.

The polyethylene (plastic) plates aren’t as vulnerable to unintentional damage from rough handling.

If considering any maritime application the buoyant water proof plates will not sink a water bound wearer or be compromised by immersion. The coast guard, any harbor or coastal deputies, and in any other emergency or duty armored application near water UHMWPE benefits the wearer if they end up in the water.

Putting UHMWPE Polyethylene plates into your armor set up increases comfort, durability, mobility, and water safety (where relevant), while significantly decreasing physical duress and kit weight. Unless you’re requiring a level IV threat protection the PE plates have substantial advantages in a carrier.

It’s an armor material selection or upgrade worth serious consideration, currently my standard plates. They suck much less to wear, almost comfortable.

“No one sweats into their armor or has to go into the rain or water while wearing it and no one uses oils and solvents around firearms while wearing armor. It certainly isn’t heavy and doesn’t cause discomfort so I’m not sure why any of this is advantageous.” – Marine Veteran, after going for a swim with a rifle while in body armor now cleaning said rifle as the heavy SAPI’s and carrier chafe

Using Children as Puppets: Kohlberg Stages vs Political Theater

Dr LateBloomer

March 16, 2018

Children are the new hot-ticket political wedges used by news outlets and political agitators alike. It’s a trend that runs against developmental theory.

The evidence:

Traumatized teenagers from Parkland were wrangled and paid for by professional political organizers. https://www.dailywire.com/news/27689/parkland-students-pushing-gun-control-have-high-emily-zanotti

The “student” walk-out was organized by the genitalia-hatted, and forced by school administrators. http://ktla.com/2018/02/18/womens-march-organizers-plan-national-student-walkout-to-protest-gun-violence-in-wake-of-florida-shooting/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2018/03/14/students-have-just-had-enough-walkouts-planned-across-the-nation-one-month-after-florida-shooting/

There was even a legislator’s 8-year old in Connecticut who was permitted to speak at a legislative hearing regarding bear hunting last Friday.
http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-bear-hunts-coyotes-turtles-crabs-20180309-story.html

Who needs higher education, life experience, and intellectual discernment? We’re apparently going to let high schoolers determine constitutional law and third graders write conservation policy now.

Does anyone genuinely believe that elementary school students “walked out” of school all on their own and thought up their own signs to carry? Let alone remembered to bring the signs along outside and remembered to put their coats and mittens on?

Can you imagine a middle-schooler turning down the opportunity to get out of class for ANY reason? That’s even assuming they were allowed to refuse. There is some doubt in that regard.

And high-schoolers – bundles of hormone and emotion that they are – I’m sure that their “walk-out” was completely grounded in logic and constitutional law, don’t you think? https://www.dailywire.com/news/28281/watch-tennessee-students-brawl-tear-down-american-emily-zanotti

This is nothing more than despicable emotional theater – staged by adults – with children in the starring roles. Just like their Hollywood stage-parent counterparts, the adults behind the scenes of these “protests” are using the children as puppets.

Children tug on the heartstrings, we can agree on that. But to shove children in front of the camera every time there is an agenda to push is manipulative, craven, and beyond despicable. Why? Because these children are developmentally unable to understand the implications of the situation they are being thrust into.

Allow me to indulge in some academics to explain this. I present for your consideration, the Kohlberg Stages of Moral Development.

Under Kohlberg’s Theory young children operate in a pretty black and white mind set. Their moral choices are based on fear of punishment, or what they can “get” out of a particular behavior. The is the first level (stages 1 and 2) of moral development. Some people – particularly criminals – never get past this level.

If they are lucky, children move out of this stage and into the next level beginning around the ages of 10-13. This second level (stages 3 and 4) extends from adolescence to about middle age, and many adults never get past this point. This stage involves the concepts of tribal conformity, and law and order. It focuses on group norms and expectations and maintaining order, with punishment for violating societal norms.

Somewhere past middle age, a smaller subset of people move on to the third level of moral development. This third level (stages 5 and 6) takes prior rights, social contract, and universal ethical principles into account.

This last stage is the level at which the Founding Fathers were operating. This last stage is the mindset under which the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were formulated.

Children – and even most teenagers – are not developmentally equipped to understand the second and third order effects of the legislation that they are manipulated to promote. They do not understand nuance. Their views are black and white. These students are not yet functioning at a developmental level which will allow them to see clearly the true effects of what they are asking for. Thus, parading children as marionettes for political ends is cravenly cynical, emotionally manipulative, and morally bankrupt.

That hasn’t stopped everyone from “The Women’s March” to Bloomberg’s “Everytown” from twisting the grief and shock of the children of tragedy to promote their Anti-Second Amendment agenda.

I suppose this just goes to prove that even supposed “adults” haven’t necessarily progressed up the Moral Development Ladder.

Preparing the Ground for a Hunt

Keith Finch

March 16, 2018

Everything about hunting involves taking calculated risks. When you choose to hunt one stand, you are hoping it’s the right one for that day – but you risk the possibility that another would be better. Creating food plots shifts the odds in your favor. When you choose to manage the habitat of your hunting land, you are investing time and money to improve your hunting and the carrying capacity of your land.

Choosing the right equipment to put in food plots is a critical part of that process. You need equipment that does the job the way you want it done, is easy to use, and won’t break down. In choosing that equipment, you risk making a bad choice – breakdowns, poor results and high costs.

Firminator is a popular brand among serious hunters who put in their own food plots. The Firminator combines a heavy-duty disc harrow, an agricultural-grade cultipacker and a precision ground-driven seed system in one unit, with versions that give you the choice to pull it behind either an ATV or a tractor.

It prepares the ground, delivers any kind of seed you want at any planting rate you want, and seals the ground to provide good soil-to-seed contact for maximum germination rate.

The American-made quality and the way the company stands behind its products gives you maximum flexibility in putting in the kind of food plots you want, with very little risk of poor results. The reliability of your food-plot equipment will lead to more productive hunts. The quality of design and parts of the Firminator make it easy to use and easy to adjust allowing the user greater success.

The Firminator Accu-Seed system, a simple hand adjustable item, allows you to seed anything from clover to beans to blends. A wide range of pitch and angle adjustments, along with the heavy tilt of its disks, allow you to work the widest possible range of soil types. The range of usability lends itself to setting up as many plots as you need a variety of terrain and soil.

To find out more about the Firminator and the whole line of Firminator products and accessories, check out their web page at www.thefirminator.com.

Setting the stage for a successful hunt starts now.

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