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Camo patterned gear makes you disappear into nature’s backdrop

By
Michael D'Angona
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Sometimes you just need to disappear. No matter if you’re hunting in the deep backwoods or on a covert mission across the globe, being “invisible” at times is a necessity. Luckily, there is a myriad of camo-patterned gear on the market today that helps you blend into nature’s natural colors and patterns.

These items range from clothing to hats, to packs, to hunting blinds, face paint, and even a simple face wrap. Additionally, though diverse in function, they all share one common denominator. They put stealth and discretion at the top of your must-have list when trekking outdoors. Use one or several of the options below to seemingly fade from sight when in Mother Nature’s backyard.

8 Pieces of Cammo Patterned Gear for the Deep Woods

Snugpak Parallax Multicam Pants

Hunting conditions are not always at their best. For wet, damp, or cold conditions, it’s time to turn to the Parallax pants. These warm, breathable pants offer weather-resistant properties thanks to their lightweight material and Sofie superfine insulation. You’ll be toasty inside when facing Mother Nature’s worst.

These pants are also windproof and provide optimal moisture-wicking to keep you as dry as possible when in the deep outdoors. The Parallax’s multicam design keeps you well hidden from your prey. YKK zippers, reinforced knee and bum patches, and an included stuff sack round out the pants’ amazing amenities.  

Specifications

  • Waterproof reinforced knee & bum patches
  • Durable YKK zippers
  • Adjustable elasticated braces
  • Windproof, but highly breathable design
  • Convenient outer hand pockets

MSRP: $299.00

Snugpak Arrowhead Multicam Jacket

Lightweight, windproof, breathable, and water-repellent, you’ve struck gold with this incredible deep woods jacket. Its multicam outer design is just the beginning of this outerwear’s best features. The Arrowhead jacket offers supreme moisture-wicking properties to keep you both dry and warm. It offers an internal and external chest pocket, hand warmer pockets, and a sleeve pocket with a zipper.

Add to this a lined neck warmer and detachable insulated hood for additional comfort while in cold conditions. Its quality and durability are nonstop with YKK zippers, hook-and-loop adjustable cuffs, and its unique Softie insulation that keeps you warm and toasty throughout your hunt. Staying warm when staying hidden, that’s the fundamental of the Arrowhead jacket.

Specifications

  • Lightweight, windproof, and water-repellent
  • Insulated, fully detachable hood
  • Internal and external chest pockets
  • Hook and loop adjustable cuffs
  • Lined neck warmer for added comfort

MSRP: $299.00

Camcon Camouflage Squeeze Tubes (3-Pack)

No matter if you’re on the hunt or carrying out a military mission, you need to be camouflaged, and these squeeze tubes can help. Consisting of black, olive, and brown, you can create patterns to help you blend into your surroundings. They offer non-glare properties, which are essential for stealth and are long-lasting for multiple-hour use.

This make-up is easy to apply, easy to remove, and is compact enough to carry with you in the field. Each tube holds one ounce and is completely odorless for optimal discretion when it counts.

Specifications

  • Olive, brown, and black colors  
  • Easy to apply and remove
  • Long-lasting formula
  • Non-glare properties
  • Pocket-sized for easy transport

MSRP: $15.00

Tasmanian Tiger Multicam Mission Pack MKII

You may be camouflaged, but how about your pack? Match your apparel with the Tasmanian Tiger Multicam Mission Pack MKII. This bag offers an all-over camo pattern that allows you to keep your gear well-hidden when outdoors. When in use, this backpack offers some incredible amenities.

It features a padded back carrying system, a hip belt with zippered pockets, and a hydration compatible sleeve. Additionally, it holds a lot of gear within its seven separate pockets. A laser-cut MOLLE system, detachable rear panel, and three antenna outlets on the main compartments only add to this pack’s conveniences. An integrated rain cover inside the bottom compartment adds the cherry on top of this camouflaged cake!

Specifications

  • 37-liter available storage space
  • Durable, reinforced handle
  • Hydration system compatible
  • MOLLE system on both sides and the front pocket
  • Subdivided into seven pockets of optimal organization

MSRP: $279.00

CamCon Shemaghs

You wouldn’t think a single piece of fabric could be so valuable, but it is. This large shemagh is the Jack-of-all-trades when it comes to versatility. Use it as a towel, an arm sling, a water filter, an emergency bandage, as cordage, and a whole lot more.

For concealment, this item is king. Just wrap the camouflage-patterned fabric around your neck, head, and face, and disappear into the background. Not only that, but you can also wrap your weapons and gear in it to hide them all from prying eyes. The shemagh is made from 100% cotton material and is available in a whopping twenty-four different color and pattern combinations.

Specifications

  • Dozens of practical uses
  • Lightweight, only 6.00 ounces
  • Dimensions: 44 by 44 inches
  • Multiple color and pattern options
  • Made of 100% cotton

MSRP: $15.00

Arcturus 3D Leaf Suit with Face Mask (Fall Forest)

Become a part of nature when you wear this stealthy leaf suit and mask. Consisting of over one thousand (yes, one thousand!) 3D leaves, you can literally disappear just by standing out in the woods. The suit is extremely lightweight at only eighteen ounces. It offers an elastic waist with drawcord pants, a jacket with an attached hood, and multiple zippered pockets.

The tuck-away veil provides either full facial cover, partial, or none at all to meet your needs while in the field. The suit is highly durable with a polyester mesh frame and laser-cut leaves that won’t fray over time. Just put it on and become invisible to those around you.

Specifications

  • One size fits most
  • Elastic waist and draw cord pants
  • Over 1,000 3D leaves
  • Extremely lightweight, only 18.00 ounces
  • Tuckaway veil for a full face covering effect

MSRP: $69.99

GhostBlind Predator 46-inch Blind

Need to disappear when positioned out in the open? If so, the Predator blind can do just that. This four-panel blind reflects its surroundings to hide you and your gear. It’s shatterproof, waterproof, highly durable, and the perfect height for airing with a standard chair. It offers shooting ports especially designed for a rifle, compound bow, crossbow, and traditional bow.

Its interior offers a Stealthy Woodland Camo pattern for backside concealment when needed. The blinds come complete with four tent stakes, two tiedowns, two bungee cords, and carrying straps for easy transport.

Specifications

  • Lightweight, polypropylene material
  • Durable and weatherproof
  • Interior woodland camo pattern
  • Integrated shooting ports
  • Dimensions: 46 inches tall by 102 inches wide

MSRP: $259.99

5.11 RUSH 24 2.0 Multicam Backpack

Not all camo is designed for the deep woods. This black multicam pattern allows for urban and nighttime use. The RUSH 24 balances its large interior space with convenient, smaller compartments to keep all your gear and personal needs easy to find. Specialized areas such as the padded laptop sleeve and eyeglass pouch add safety to these delicate essentials, while its hidden CCW pocket allows you personal protection within arm’s reach.

Slip in and out of the darkness with this camo pack for urban exploring, bugging out, or just staying hidden at night while on the street. Durability, comfort, and a discreet design merge into this one, carry-all pack.

Specifications

  • Urban camo pattern
  • Total capacity: 2275 cubic inches
  • Fits up to a 15-inch laptop
  • Numerous MOLLE attachment points
  • Heavy-duty material with long-lasting durability

MSRP: $195.00

ZIPPO Gear Goes Beyond the Lighter

By
Reuben Bolieu
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Zippo, famous for its windproof lighters, has expanded into a complete outdoor gear brand with a variety of rugged fire-related tools. (ZIPPO Photo)

Zippo, the iconic American brand, knows a thing or two about producing fire with speed and flair! With its renowned line of CASE Knives as its partners, Zippo Gear offers several must-have pocket, pouch, or pack options. These options are perfect for both beginner and seasoned campers alike!

Zippo Gear, Not Only Lighters

In 1932, George G. Blaisdell invented the Zippo lighter out of frustration with a cumbersome Austrian model. He admired its windproof chimney but recognized the need for a more user-friendly design. By 1933, he launched the first Zippo—a sleek, rectangular lighter with a hinged lid. The lighter operated efficiently with one hand and was priced at $1.95. It came with a bold promise: “It works or we fix it free,” establishing a lifetime guarantee as a key part of Zippo’s identity.

During World War II, Zippo shifted focus from consumer production to supplying lighters to U.S. troops. The reliable black crackle-finished steel models became battlefield essentials, trusted by soldiers in harsh conditions. This further solidified Zippo’s reputation for ruggedness. The lighter’s distinct “click” and windproof flame emerged as symbols of resilience and the American spirit.

Over the decades, Zippo transformed into a cultural icon, appearing in numerous films and serving as a canvas for personal expression. The brand expanded its offerings with innovations like the Slim Zippo in 1956. They recently branched into outdoor gear, including hand warmers and fire-starting tools like the FireFast® Bellows.

Today, Zippo Gear combines heritage with modern utility, appealing to campers, survivalists, and collectors.

Zippo’s Camping Gear

Zippo may be best known for its iconic windproof lighter, but the brand has evolved into a full-fledged outdoor gear company. It now boasts a growing lineup of rugged, fire-focused tools. From torches and hand warmers to camping accessories and apparel, Zippo’s gear reflects the same reliability and timeless design. These qualities made its lighter a legend.

Zippo offers a variety of notable products beyond its traditional lighters. The FireFast® Bellows serves as a battery-powered fire-starting tool. It delivers targeted airflow through a flame-retardant nozzle and features an ergonomic grip for ease of use. Users can also enjoy the convenience of rechargeable hand warmers, which not only keep hands warm but also charge phones.

For outdoor and tactical settings, Zippo Gear provides butane-powered torches that ensure precision flame control. Additionally, their camping essentials range includes fuel, cookware, and fire-starting kits designed specifically for backcountry adventures. Check out the two picks I thought were practical for hikers, campers, and preppers! 

Zippo Typhoon Match Kit 

Matches are even older than the ZIPPO Lighter, but most of the world still ignites camp and cook fires with matches, especially in developing countries. ZIPPO created the Typhoon Match Kit for those who refuse to let weather dictate their adventure. Designed with rugged ABS plastic (used in knife handles) and sealed with water-resistant O-rings, this kit keeps its 15 Typhoon Matches bone dry. This is true even when it is submerged. The integrated strike pad cap stays protected from the elements, ensuring reliable ignition when you need it most.

Each match is a mini inferno: windproof, water-resistant, and capable of burning up to 30 seconds with a hot, intense flame. At nearly 4 inches long, they offer added safety and plenty of time to get a fire going in harsh conditions. Whether you’re battling rain, wind, or snow, these matches light fast and burn strong.

The ZIPPO Typhoon Match Kit is designed for adventurers, keeping 15 matches dry even when submerged thanks to its durable ABS plastic and water-resistant seal. (ZIPPO Photo)

The kit’s ergonomic design includes a textured grip for easy one-handed use. Also, a molded lanyard hole for quick attachment to your pack or go-bag adds peace of mind. The large striking surface is excellent. Lightweight, reusable, and built to float, the Typhoon Match Kit is a fire-starting essential for survivalists, campers, and anyone who ventures beyond the beaten path.

ZIPPO Gear Mag Strike

The Zippo Mag Strike is a fire-starting powerhouse built for precision, durability, and performance in the wild. With a 5/16″ ferrocerium rod and a hardened 420 stainless steel striker blade, it delivers a shower of sparks that easily ignites tinder—even in cold, wet, or windy conditions. The blade’s sharpened edge ensures maximum spark output with minimal effort. This makes fire-starting fast and reliable.

Its triangular body and textured grip offer superior leverage, especially when wearing gloves or working in low temperatures. The snap-lock closure keeps the rod and striker securely housed in a shielded internal chamber, protecting them from moisture and damage. Lightweight yet rugged, the Mag Strike features a molded lanyard hole for easy attachment to your pack or gear.

The Zippo Mag Strike is a reliable fire starter made for outdoor use. Its 5/16″ ferrocerium rod and hardened stainless steel striker create sparks that easily ignite tinder in any weather. (ZIPPO Photo)

Whether you’re building a fire at basecamp or lighting tinder in a survival scenario, the Zippo Mag Strike gives you control, confidence, and consistent performance. It’s a compact tool that punches above its weight, ready to ignite every adventure.

Designed for success, Zippo’s gear is not just functional—it’s essential for your outdoor adventures. Get ready to ignite your camping experience with Zippo’s unbeatable fire starters!

S&W Announces A Pair of New .22’s

By
Tim Stetzer
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Smith & Wesson recently announced two new .22s, a rifle and a pistol. The pistol is the M&P 22X, and the rifle is the M&P FPC .22LR. Both are designs familiar to S&W fans, but they’re now available in the economical .22LR.

Two New M&Ps

The M&P 22X

The M&P 22X is very similar in size and appearance to the .22 Magnum and 5.7mm pistols from Smith & Wesson. It should make a good, inexpensive training alternative to both of those pistols. As noted, it’s chambered in .22LR and has a formidable 20-round internal magazine.

The new .22LR has a sleek, slim grip despite the copious magazine capacity. It has a crisp trigger and hammer-fired action. That, along with the negligible recoil of the .22 round, should make it a very pleasant shooter. It’s optics-ready, but does come with iron sights, including a HIVIZ fiber optic front sight.

The M&P 22X has a 4.1-inch threaded barrel, so it’s ready for your favorite suppressor or muzzle device, too. With its polymer frame, the weight is a very manageable 16.32 ounces.

MSRP is $499.00.

The M&P FPC

Just as the M&P 22X will be familiar to Smith & Wesson fans, so too will the M&P FPC .22LR. The FPC follows the same form factor as Smith & Wesson’s other FPC carbines. If you’ve used one of these, the operation and handling of the .22LR version will be the same. It uses the familiar grip and trigger of the M&P pistol series. It also uses M&P pistol mags. In this case, it takes the same mags as the new M&P 22X. So you have the same 20-round capacity.

If 20 rounds aren’t enough for you, don’t worry. You can carry two spare mags with the in-stock storage, so you have 20 rounds on board just by grabbing the gun. That has great survival rifle implications. And you actually get three magazines with the gun, which is also great. The forend has M-LOK slots for accessory mounting, and there’s a full-length Picatinny rail for mounting optics.

The FPC has a 16.25-inch barrel that’s factory threaded. Overall length open is 30 3/8 inches and just 16 3.8 inches folded. Weight is 65.2 ounces, which is just a touch over 4 pounds.

MSRP on the FPC .22LR is $549.00.

For more info on these two new releases, check out the video from Smith & Wesson:

Rewild Gear- Adventure is Calling!

By
Reuben Bolieu
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Rewild Gear offers essential outdoor gear like the Gasper 4 Knife, Titanium Utensil, and Tinder Ridge Ferro Rod.

When I stumbled upon Rewild Gear, I was left scratching my head about what kind of company they were. They offer a 4-inch fixed blade knife, a grill, handy telescopic pocket bellows, a ferrocerium rod, a food utensil, a stylish trucker’s cap, and pyro balls! Yes, you read that right, pyro balls!

Rewild Gear: A Wild Family Affair

Rewild Gear, a family-run business founded by four brothers from South Central Kentucky, creates high-quality, lightweight outdoor gear. With a focus on conservation and minimalist design, they aim to inspire a love for nature in the next generation. Their gear works seamlessly together for an excellent camping experience. 

Rewild: verb
“To reverse the process of domestication. To return to a more wild or natural state.”

Gear for the Wild

Gasper 4- Inspired by the Gasper River in South Central Kentucky, where four brothers enjoyed kayaking and fishing, the Gasper 4 knife is a tribute to their adventures. With a 4-inch blade symbolizing the brothers, the knife measures 8.84 inches overall and weighs just over 8 ounces, including the sheath.

The Gasper Knife features a 4.07-inch CPM-S35VN steel drop point blade with excellent corrosion resistance and a long-lasting edge, ideal for various tasks like skinning. Its 4.78-inch orange/grey Tero Tuf handle provides a secure grip, even when wet, and includes a glass breaker, nutcracker pommel, and a Ferro rod striker notch for easy fire-starting. It comes with a kydex sheath and versatile belt loop attachments for both vertical and horizontal carry.

The Gasper 4 has a sharp 90-degree notch for striking a Ferro rod and scraping tinder, making fire-starting a breeze with the Tinder Ridge Ferro Rod!

Kitchen Worthy

Trailside Utensil – This featherlight gem from Rewild Gear packs a full-size fork on one end and a spoon on the other, complete with a handy bottle opener for those moments when you need a refreshing sip. It folds down to a sleek 5.35 inches and tips the scales at just 0.85 ounces. Rewild Gear chose titanium for its strength, lightness, and safety in utensils. A clever locking mechanism ensures everything stays securely in place, enhancing durability.

Granite Grill – This compact and ultralight camping essential weighs just under 12 ounces and is only 0.2 inches thick. With its 18-inch by 7-inch design, this grill features two cooking areas: a center section with ½-inch spaced tubing for veggies and smaller meats, and larger outer tubing spaced at 1 inch for brats or fish fillets. It even includes a multi-purpose canvas sheath to protect your gear and keep debris at bay. With the sheath, the total weight is just 16.5 ounces.

Rewild Gear on Fire

Pyro Balls– When the rain pours, fire starters are your best allies. Pyro Balls are twelve cotton balls filled with a gooey accelerant that ignites your kindling until the bigger logs catch fire. Housed in a handy, reusable tin measuring 3 ¾ inches by 2 ½ inches, they easily fit in pockets.

Simply fluff a Pyro Ball, strike it with the Tinder Ridge Ferro Rod, and watch it ignite. Add your kindling and some dubious wood, then use the Firelite Bellows to turn that spark into a roaring fire!

Tinder Ridge Ferro Rod– Check out this Ferrocerium rod with a comfy bamboo handle, measuring 5 ½ inches total—3 inches of that is solid Ferro—and it’s.3125 inches thick. Rewild praises it for delivering 10,000 strikes at a scorching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, designed for all those campfire moments. This waterproof fire starter is reliable survival gear in skilled hands. 

A Pyro Ball sits atop the author’s upside-down fire, perfect for cold-weather cooking. It’ll burn down and ignite the layers below until it becomes self-sustaining.

It comes with a multi-tool striker and 29 inches of 550 paracord, all in a lightweight canvas bag—totaling just 2 ounces. 

Firelite Bellows– The bellows has a vital role by directing a focused stream of oxygen right into your fire. This collapsible stainless steel tool is like a magic wand that adds the often-missed element—air! Remember the HAF mantra: heat, air, fuel. Remove any one of those, and your fire struggles or goes out. 

At 5 ½ inches closed and 21 inches open, it’s lightweight at under an ounce, easily slipping into any pouch or pocket. So, save your breath for breathing and give it a good puff to bring your fire back to life!

Camping with Rewild Gear

Late autumn and early winter are my favorite seasons for camping. With bugs, heat, and casual hikers out of the picture, the environment attracts a different kind of adventurer. Having a fire is essential for cooking and survival, and luckily, Rewild provides the perfect gear for that!

The author blows air into a winter fire using the Rewild Gear Firelite Bellows. In cold weather, condensation can build up, but it still does the job.

To start a fire, you need a good bed of coals, but first, let’s ignite it. I always look for standing deadwood on wet days and for blown-down branches in the trees for kindling to load into the Uberleben Stoke Stove to boil water and cook.

For my fire, I combined Rewild’s Pyro Balls, Tinder Ridge Ferro Rod, and Firelite Bellows. I prepared a top-down fire lay with thicker hardwood at the bottom and kindling on top. Lighting it up was a breeze with the Ferro Rod—fire secured!

I used the Granite Grill’s canvas sheath to keep my kindling off the wet ground, keeping the camp organized. Once the damp fuel ignited, the Firelite Bellows added the oxygen boost to flaring flames.

Fire

The Tinder Ridge Ferro Rod worked like a charm, striking sparks effortlessly while the comfortable bamboo handle withstood the elements. The Gasper 4 knife was my primary cutting tool. It was perfect for food prep. Sausages, veggies, and chicken for kabobs weren’t safe. This 4-inch slicer carved feathers and held its edge without any sharpening.

The grill has ample space for a kettle and kabobs, and the Granite Grill can easily fit a frying pan alongside a kettle.

Finally, the Granite Grill proved to be a versatile asset. It cooled quickly, didn’t warp, and worked as a coal mover in the cold. Its design was great for cooking, making the Gasper 4 and Granite Grill the true stars of my Rewild Gear!

Rewild Conclusion

Rewild Gear creates high-quality, minimalist gear designed to help you reconnect with nature, family, and friends. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or fishing, they’ve got the perfect equipment for your outdoor adventures!

Give it Some Air – Add a Fire Bellows to Your Kit

By
Jim Cobb
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Fire bellows

Have you ever crouched next to a struggling campfire, waving a hand or hat at it to try and coax it to life? We’ve all done that a time or two, I’m sure. What if I told you there was a better way? The fire bellows deserves a place in your kit.

What is a Fire Bellows?

Not every fire will start easily. Sometimes, even if they do start quickly, they falter after a short while. The point is that you may need to help it along. Just pushing air toward the fire with your hand or something isn’t effective. Most of that air will be blocked by the fire lay itself. A fire bellows lets you direct that air exactly where it’s needed most.

Fire Bellows Origin

I first learned about this tool from John McCann, author of Build the Perfect Survival Kit (2nd edition). Back in the day, you’d use the antenna from an old portable radio. Take the antenna off the radio, snip both ends, and you can create a hollow tube that you can expand and retract.

Over time, a few companies began producing purpose-built fire bellows. They were often longer and wider than a radio antenna, allowing for greatly increased air flow.

Fire Bellows Use

These are very simple to use. You just extend the bellows to its full length, then point the narrow end at the base of the fire. That’s where the air is really needed. Then, blow into the larger end. You may be surprised at just how effective this method of fire lighting can be.

Fire bellows - use
Extend the tube, blow into the large end, and aim the small end at the embers you’re trying to coax into life.

When you’re using it, the length will help keep your face a short distance from the fire. But be wary of flare-ups anyway. In some cases, it doesn’t take much for the fire to come roaring to life.

Part of the beauty of a fire bellows like this is that it shrinks back down to an easily packable size when you’re done. The one I currently use is made by Epiphany Outdoor Gear. Closed, it measures just 3.75 inches long. But it extends to a full 19 inches.

Survival Resources Modification

Until he recently retired, McCann owned and ran a company called Survival Resources. They were an online supplier of a wide range of gear, some of it designed by him. One of them was an innovative twist on the fire bellows, which he called a Fire Blowing Tube. It consisted of the standard sort of expandable metal tube, but with a length of flexible rubber tubing attached to the large end.

What this did was increase the distance between the fire and your face. You’d blow into the rubber tube while pointing the bellows at the fire.

Fire bellows - modification
L to R: Survival Resources Fire Blowing Tube, Epiphany Outdoor Gear Pocket Bellows.

Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any other companies selling this modified sort of setup. But I’m sure you could source a length of tubing yourself to add to the fire bellows. Just measure the bellows so you get the right diameter tubing. While the product itself is no longer available, a video he did showcasing the Fire Blowing Tube is still available.

The fire bellows is a valued piece of my fire kit. I use it quite often when we’re camping or even just roasting marshmallows in the backyard.

What the Hell Is a Persuader?

By
Travis Pike
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What the hell is a Mossberg Persuader? Seriously, search “Persuader,” and the only thing I can guarantee you is that it will be a Mossberg shotgun in a pump-action format. Most Persuaders are Mossberg 500 models, but they have called a few 590s Persuaders as well. In my mind, a Persuader is always a pistol-grip Mossberg 500 series with a short barrel.

What Exactly is a Persuader?

In reality, the Persuader series is a lot more than that. The Persuader series has featured stocks and pistol grips, and a long time ago, there were Mossberg Persuaders with Choate folding stocks. You might ask how the Persuader with a pistol-grip-only design varies from a Cruiser?

I’m asking that too.

I couldn’t tell you. To be honest, it seems like the Mossberg Persuader is just a piece of marketing that’s become a brand for Mossberg. To this day, the catalog shows Mossberg Persuaders in .410 and 12 gauge, all with fixed stocks. However, while it’s not in the catalog, there is also a Mossberg 500 Persuader in 20 gauge.

I know this because I bought one. It’s not just a 20-gauge Persuader, but it features a heat shield and barrel that have a parkerized finish. I know this is a new production because we have what I call a Gen 2 Safety. Mossberg has made the tang safety larger than normal and more aggressively textured.

The Persuader – Pistol Grip Shotguns Suck, Right?

The general knowledge of shotguns says that pistol-grip-only shotguns suck. This idea has changed a bit due to the Shockwave and the more horizontal pistol grip. Vertical grips, they still suck, right? Sure, maybe, but mostly.

They put a lot of recoil into your wrist. Even when you use a proper push/pull, you’ll feel the sting. With a proper push/pull, you can control a PGO shotgun fairly well, but it won’t deliver the same control as a stocked shotgun.

This forces us to ask: Why did guns like the PGO Persuader ever become popular? I didn’t know, so I asked. I contacted Mike Searson, a legendary firearms writer with an encyclopedic knowledge of firearms and tactics. He told me pistol-grip shotguns became popular as special tactics teams rose to prominence.

Police forces wanted an entry weapon, but it wasn’t always easy to convince administrations to purchase submachine guns, and it was even harder to convince them to purchase AR-15s. A lot of these special teams weren’t favored by bean counters and administrations. A pistol grip added to a shotgun was an easy way to create a short and sweet weapon for the first man in the door.

Police forces quickly discovered that it wasn’t the best gun for the role, and so did most of the shooting public. These guns faded from police use, but never from Mossberg’s catalog. They might not be the best option, but they scored high when it came to the rule of cool.

The Persuader Perfected?

I’m not sure why Mossberg doesn’t list the 20-gauge Persuader in their catalog. Maybe it’s a limited-run thing, but I’m seeing them around a little more locally. This configuration is the way to go if you want a traditional, old-school, pistol-grip-only shotgun. Namely, due to the 20-gauge design.

The 20-gauge Persuader reduces recoil significantly from the 12-gauge variant. It’s less painful and arthritis-inducing on the wrist than the 12-gauge guns. With the 20-gauge Persuader, I can put two rounds of buckshot into an IPSC-sized A-zone in less than a second. Is it almost a second? Yes, but still less than a second.

Load the 20-gauge Persuader with Federal Flitecontrol and let it rip, and you have a very short, but powerful gun. Like any Mossberg 500, it’s a reliable and capable weapon. It’s also very affordable. I got away with paying Mossberg Maverick money for a Mossberg 500 shotgun.

The Mossberg Persuader offers a short and sweet shotgun that works in states that might ban the Shockwave and similar platforms. Yes, those states exist, and that’s the reason why Mossberg made a 990 Aftershock with an 18.75-inch barrel. In 20 gauge, it’s easy enough to handle, and if you don’t like it, you can make it a shotgun with a stock.

So What Is It?

I still can’t tell you what makes a Persuader different from any other Mossberg tactical shotgun. There doesn’t seem to be any distinct differences between the Persuader line and every other gun. It just seems to come down to marketing. It’s a plain-Jane tactical shotgun that’s affordable, but capable.

New Bill Would Bar Laws That Limit Firearm Magazine Capacity

By
Mark Chesnut
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Concerned with constant calls by anti-gun advocates and their political enablers for a ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, a Congressman from Wisconsin has introduced legislation to ensure such limits never become law.

Doing Away with Laws that Limit Firearm Magazine Capacity

On July 17, Rep. Tony Wied, R-Wisconsin, introduced the “Freedom from Improper Regulation and Enforcement (FIRE) Act.” It prohibits any federal agency from restricting firearm magazines based on capacity and prohibits states and localities from enacting or enforcing capacity restrictions on any firearm magazines.

“For too long, the federal government has infringed on American’s Second Amendment rights while maintaining a confusing, inconsistent system that lacks a uniform national standard and invites legal disparity,” Rep. Wied said in a news release announcing the legislation. 

“The FIRE Act ensures that law-abiding gun owners can access magazines of any size, no matter where they are in the United States. It’s well past time we take the Founding Father’s words’ ‘shall not be infringed’ seriously.”

No More Mag Bans

In recent years, anti-gun states and localities have enacted bans on so-called “high-capacity” magazines. All prevent law-abiding gun owners from legally accessing the majority of available firearm magazines.

A 2024 report published by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) found that of the over 973 million detachable magazines that were produced between 1990-2021, at least 718 million had a capacity that exceeded 10 rounds. This includes the period between 1994-2004 when the Federal Assault Weapons Ban was in effect.

Original co-sponsors include Reps. Tom Tiffany, R-Wisconsin, Mike Collins, R-Georgia, Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, Sheri Biggs, R-South Carolina, and Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho.

“Second amendment rights are one of the foundational principles America is built upon, and they must be vigilantly affirmed and protected,” said Rep. Taylor.

“TheFIRE Act will not only enshrine Americans’ right to self-defense, but it will also remove confusion about permissible magazine capacities by prohibiting a patchwork of state and local restrictions which inherently infringe on our freedoms. Where a person lives shouldn’t limit their ability to defend themselves, and I am proud to help introduce this America-First bill.”

The measure is being supported by several pro-gun groups, including Gun Owners of America (GOA).

“Firearm magazine bans do not work and fly in the face of the Second Amendment’s unqualified command: SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED,” Aidan Johnston, GOA director of federal affairs.

“We thank Representative Wied for introducing the Freedom from Improper Regulation and Enforcement (FIRE) Act to prevent states, local governments, and future presidential administrations from banning standard capacity magazines, or so-called ‘high capacity’ magazines. This bill is a common sense solution to ensure gun owners are not criminalized for owning a mere firearm accessory. We urge Congress to quickly send the FIRE Act to President Trump’s desk.”

EDC Wallets That Express Personality, Functionality, and Style

By
Reuben Bolieu
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OCASO's elegant EDC wallet is designed to hold your essentials, fitting 3 to 6 credit cards, cash, and a small pocket knife and pen.

EDC wallets aren’t just functional; they also make a bold statement about personal style and values. Choosing a wallet that matches your personality conveys confidence and individuality. EDC wallets effectively combine utility with aesthetic appeal, enabling us to leave a lasting impression.

Three EDC Wallets to Match Your Lifestyle

Three styles of EDC Wallets from tactical, elegant, to utility-minded.

Armatus EDC Wallet

The Armatus EDC Wallet is a compact and strong option made from Kydex. As a minimalist wallet, it offers just enough space for eight credit cards and some cash—nothing more, nothing less. Each wallet is handcrafted in the United States using the finest materials.

The Armatus wallet features a Mil-Spec Pull The Dot strap, ensuring your cards and valuables stay secure. This robust strap has a special press stud that can only be loosened from one side, preventing unexpected openings. You can easily close it with a simple press. The Mil-Spec Pull The Dot strap meets military specifications for durability.

The kydex material of the Armatus EDC Wallet is not only strong but also easy to clean—simply rinse it under a tap. With its well-thought-out and sturdy design, this wallet is ready to accompany you every day.

The wallet measures 4.2 inches in length, 2.7 inches in width, and has a thickness of 0.45 inches. It weighs just 1.6 ounces when unloaded and comfortably holds up to eight credit cards. It also boasts a waterproof feature, enhancing its practicality in various conditions.

MSRP: $25-$30

The Armatus EDC Wallet provides a compact and sturdy option made from Kydex. As a minimalist wallet, it combines functionality with simplicity.

The Longest of EDC Wallets

That’s correct, I’ve had this longer than any of the other combined EDC Wallets featured here. The rigid design keeps my important debit, laundry, and ID cards from bending. I can either fold cash and stuff it into the main compartment or keep it on the outside with a Victorinox Bantam via a Ranger Band. I’m a fan of experimenting and whatever works. 

OCASO EDC Wallet

Known for their Gentlemen’s Folding Knives, OCASO also has an elegant EDC wallet, meticulously designed to hold your everyday essentials. It accommodates 3 to 6 credit cards, cash, and your favorite small pocket knife and pen.

Crafted from full-grain leather, the wallet features a practical wrap-around pocket that secures your knife and pen in the front while providing extra card storage in the back. The notched top pocket allows for easy card access, and its compact design fits comfortably in your front pocket.

Included is a lightweight, removable stainless steel money clip with a diamond pattern, securely holding over 10 folded bills. This wallet pairs perfectly with compact knives like the Mini Seaton and pens such as the Titanium Mini Pen, making it an ideal choice for your daily carry.

The wallet features a knife slot that securely holds most small folding knives and pens measuring up to 3.5″ long and 0.82″ wide. This includes popular models like the Mini Seaton, Gerber Paraframe Mini, Victorinox Cadet, Kershaw Gadsden, Buck 503 Prince, and Leatherman Skeletool KBx, as well as small pens such as the Big Idea Design Titanium Mini Pen and the Benchmade Shorthand Tactical Pen.

MSRP: $64.99

OCASO’s elegant EDC wallet is designed to hold your essentials, fitting 3 to 6 credit cards, cash, and a small pocket knife and pen.

Bells and Whistles Wallet

The OCASO may be the most involved of the three EDC Wallets I have. I’m still experimenting with this wallet. I added a Fisher Space Pen Bullet Pen and a mini-Seaton knife from OCASO. However, a Victorinox Bantam and Waiter model fit perfectly. I can see nail clippers or a small, flat sharpener fitting in one of the two pockets. The back has a clip that serves as a money clip, which I can remove for independent use. The main slot can fit cards or cash, whichever you prefer. 

BCO No.2 Minimalist Wallet

Minimalism in everyday carry (EDC) emphasizes efficiency. The Badger Claw Outfitters No.2 Wallet features a slim profile that reduces bulk and keeps essentials organized. Made from durable Horween leather, it promotes intentional living by prioritizing function over flash.

The No.2 Minimalist Wallet from Badger Claw Outfitters strips everyday carry to the essentials—eliminating bulk and fuss for pure function. Made in the USA from premium Horween leather, this slim 7-oz wallet accommodates 6–8 cards in the back pocket, with space for cash or extras up front. It seamlessly integrates into your pocket, only making its presence known when needed.

Perfect for those looking to simplify their carry, this wallet proves that less truly is more. Plus, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, designed to age alongside you.

MSRP: $29.95.

The No.2 Minimalist Wallet from Badger Claw Outfitters simplifies your everyday carry by focusing on essentials, removing bulk and hassle for ultimate functionality.

New Travel EDC Wallet

This wallet is so new to me, as I write this, it’s been my airport and travel wallet to parts of Asia. I like how slim it is and the individual patina I can already see forming. I stick to cards, and stuff a toothpick in the outside for quick, easy access. The leather is classy all the way, as is everything John at BCO makes.

I’m looking forward to more trips with these simple EDC Wallets. What would you pick?

The Mossberg 990 Aftershock

By
Travis Pike
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Every SHOT Show, I pop into Mossberg’s booth and expect to see a semi-auto version of the Shockwave. The 930 and 940 series weren’t candidates due to the design of the gas system extending into the stock. To my surprise, it wasn’t SHOT that showed me the Aftershock, but rather the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous. When I saw the words Mossberg 990 Aftershock on a list of new guns, I fanboyed out.

Mossberg 990 Aftershock

Remington delivered the TAC-13 years ago, but I never got my hands on one before Remington went bankrupt. While Remington’s back, I still haven’t seen a TAC-13 that wasn’t astronomically priced. The Mossberg 990 Aftershock is finally scratching the itch I have for a semi-auto, pistol-grip-only firearm.

The 990 Aftershock falls into that genre of guns that are not considered shotguns because they don’t have stocks and have never had stocks. This makes them firearms, and they are not limited by shotgun barrel length restrictions. This allows the Aftershock to have a 14.75-inch barrel and not be an NFA item.

With that in mind, it still needs to be at least 26 inches long overall to avoid the AOW classification. The Aftershock is 27.125 inches long overall. It weighs six pounds total, so it’s easy to maneuver. The 990 Aftershock isn’t just a semi-auto Shockwave-type firearm; it’s brilliantly built and a smart design.

The 990 Aftershock – What’s In a Name?

The name reveals a lot about this gun. Traditionally, Mossberg’s semi-auto shotguns use the 9 designation. We have the 9200, the 930, and the 940. The 90 in 990 isn’t by accident either. The 990 Aftershock uses a gas system that’s contained under the handguard, and the rear end of the gun is designed to accept 590/500 furniture.

Mossberg doesn’t use the traditional Shockwave grip and designed their own bird’s head grip, but if you really like the original, you can swap it out! You can also get a tax stamp and add any 590 stock you want. That’s a huge appeal to me. I want to toss a Magpul SGA on the gun and call it a day when those free stamps come up.

The included, redesigned grip is quite nice. It’s thinner and easier to grab, and the integrated rubber portion provides a non-slip grip that’s also a little soft and rubs less on the hand. The front grip is new and features the same strap as the Shockwave. Just ahead of it is an M-LOK slot for a sling or light.

Mossberg kept the massive controls of the 940, which make this thing super ergonomic and awesome. I also love the Gen 2 tang safety featured on the gun. The loading port is also beveled for quick and easy reloads. The gun is tapped for optics, and I ran mine mostly using the new Vortex Viper Shotgun red dot.

Like its predecessor, the Aftershock can hold five rounds in the tube and one in the pipe. Out of the box, it forms a short, maneuverable weapon, but can it hold up with a short-barreled gas system?

To The Range

If you can handle and shoot a Shockwave, then the Aftershock won’t be a problem. The semi-auto, gas-operated action takes a decent chunk out of recoil. Plus, since there isn’t a pump to work, you can keep a constant push/pull on the gun to keep your recoil mitigation strong.

To be clear, the recoil is still substantial, and this isn’t a gun for beginners. Lots of people think handing heavy recoiling guns to new shooters is funny, but those people are stupid, and that’s dangerous. You need a little upper body strength and good technique to handle the 990 Aftershock. A failure of either might equal a bloody lip.

The Aftershock’s front grip is fine, but I would love to see more aggressive checkering for a tighter grip. After a few minutes in Florida in July, my hands are sloppy wet, and that makes a tight grip tough. The rear grip is fantastic, and I hope Mossberg will start to sell it; it will be my choice on firearms like this. The rubber portion is comfortable and doesn’t slip, which is fantastic.

My big problem with the Aftershock comes from the strap. It’s held to the front of the gun with some bolts. Those bolts are inside the strap and can often impact your hand if you hold it a little too far forward. Do it a few times, and you’re bleeding. I will be swapping the handguard for something more modern afterward.

Going Fast

With some practice, I can put two rounds of full-powered buckshot on a target at 10 yards in less than one second. That’s a lot of lead from a small gun in a short time. In .70 seconds, I’ve put 18 projectiles on target. By comparison, with a stocked shotgun, my fastest time was .54 for two rounds.

The included front sight is fine, but the red dot helps as you’d expect. A big reticle is a brilliant option for this type of gun. I like the Vortex Viper shotgun optic with its huge dual-circle reticle. This made it much easier to get the gun up and on target quickly.

Reliability wasn’t a problem. I fired a lot of birdshot and a ton of buckshot. I fired 250 cheap birdshot and 250 cheap buckshot rounds without failure. Additionally, I fired a few low-recoil tactical loads, and there wasn’t a single problem.

For defensive use, the Aftershock could be a fantastic firearm if you can handle it. Reduced recoil buckshot helps a lot, but it’s not for everyone. The Aftershock is a fun gun, and for a lot of people, it being a fun gun is the real point. Additionally, with zero-dollar tax stamps on the menu, this will be an affordable short-barreled shotgun that’s also semi-auto. Mossberg has a winner with the Aftershock.

A Lid for the Boonies — The Kings Camo XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat

By
Jim Cobb
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XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat
Credit: Kings Camo.

I’ve always been a ball cap sort of guy. For a short time, I had one of those Aussie leather outback hats, but it didn’t fit as well as I’d have liked. The boonie hat has interested me for a while, but I never got around to pulling the trigger on one. Recently, Kings Camo sent me an XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat to check out.

XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat: Boonie Hat Design

The boonie hat has a fairly distinct design. It has a wide brim that circles the entire hat. This serves to keep the sun off your face, ears, and neck, much more so than a regular ball cap. The brim is somewhat stiff, so it will hold its shape after you’ve molded it where you want it.

Some models are adjustable in size, and most include a chin strap to keep the hat in place during windy conditions.

Sun Hat Features

Whether we’re talking about humid tropics or dry desert, this boonie-style hat is well-suited for heat. The Sonara Air Fabric is lightweight and very breathable. The fabric also dries pretty quickly. This is great if you sweat a lot or you get caught in a downpour.

XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat - wearing
The XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat is comfortable and lightweight.

The brim is structured foam. It’s easy to maneuver and stays in position fairly well. The chin strap is adjustable. It’s also removable. It was tempting to remove the chin strap entirely. But for now it stays, as I’d hate to lose the hat if the wind picks up.

XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat Performance

My wife and I go hiking every single weekend. We’ve done this since late 2016. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and sunshine, as well as test drive new gear from time to time.

I’ll admit that I was hesitant about the XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat, primarily because I have an abnormally large melon. There have been a couple of instances in the past where companies have sent me hats to try, and they simply didn’t fit. The XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat has an elastic headband that not only fits my head, but also does so comfortably.

XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat - elastic brim
The elastic band works great at keeping the hat in place.

It took me a few tries to figure out what I wanted to do with the chin strap. The weather for our hike was around 82°F, sunny, and with very little breeze. I tucked the chin strap up into the hat as it was a very calm day.

The hat stayed in place without any trouble as we went up and down hills. I was sweating buckets after a bit, but the hat didn’t seem overly warm. Several portions of the trail were in full sun, and I appreciated having the hat shading my neck and ears.

An interesting aspect of wearing a boonie hat that I hadn’t predicted was how it impacts your hearing. With the brim going around the head, sound waves that otherwise pass by are bounced back toward your ears. As I brushed by branches, for example, the sound seemed incredibly loud and very noticeable. Same with my keys jangling in my pocket.

When we got back to our vehicle and headed for home, I left the hat on the dash to dry out. A bonus feature of the XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat that my wife discovered is that it folds up pretty small. That’s great for packability.

XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat - packability
A rubber band works well at keeping the folded hat secured while it’s in a backpack or bag.

My only gripe about the hat is that I wish it came in other prints, including a solid color or two. But that’s definitely not a deal-breaker for me.

The XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat is available at the King’s Camo website for around $35.

Should The United States Build A New Springfield Armory

By
Travis Pike
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Springfield Armory closed its doors in 1968. The Armory had served the United States since 1794, and its closing was immensely controversial. Robert McNamara did it as a method to save money and improve efficiency. As the U.S. Military adopted the M16, a weapon designed by Armalite and produced by Colt, the Armory received its final nail in the coffin.

A New Springfield Armory?

I acknowledge that a private company called Springfield Armory exists, but for this article, when I say Springfield Armory, I mean the traditional government armory. Springfield Armory produced everything from muskets to machine guns and provided weapons to George Washington, George Patton, and Carlos Hathcock.

McNamara closed the legendary Armory in favor of teaming up with private industry to produce firearms for the American military. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool private company man myself. The government can be slow, painfully so, and painfully inefficient. It’s quite common to see red tape and bureaucracy, as well as incompetence, fester and grow in government service.

However, we can’t ignore the fact that Springfield Armory produced some fantastic firearms. The M1 Garand was a game-changing infantry rifle, and it came from the Armory. They often worked best when working hand-in-hand with private industry.

With that in mind, would the United States military benefit from a modern Springfield Armory? A government armory staffed with experts looking to produce and design the best weapons possible for our forces?

A Modern Springfield Armory

A modern Springfield Armory should be a joint effort from all branches, a bit like the Joint Service Small Arms Program. This way, each branch could explain its needs and wants and help develop and approve potential new firearms for its forces. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to military armaments.

A modern Springfield Armory could also coordinate programs already in use by individual branches, like NSWC-Crane and the Marine Corps Precision Weapons Section. These programs wouldn’t need to be housed under the same building in a modern era, but if they fell under a weapons-centric agency, data and experience could more easily be shared.

A big part of the modern government armory would be working with private industry to help ensure efficiency. The Armory could be the brick wall between the military and substandard products getting into soldiers’ hands. However, they should be willing and encouraged to work with private industry in the development and production of firearms, preferably to help guide programs.

The U.S. Army released very specific requirements for the NGSW, but were those requirements realistic long-term? The modern Springfield Armory could also be an unbiased source that doesn’t have a profit motive, that could shine a light on the Army’s needs and rein them in. Speaking of reigning in, it took the Army two years and $17 million to pick a new handgun. That’s ridiculous.

Optimistically, the Armory could employ designers and engineers to take the needs of a particular branch or unit and work to design a weapon, which can later be produced by private industry. A new Springfield Armory staffed by experts and even military armorers could work to produce new concepts or to examine the concepts of other countries.

The Challenges

The first challenge is to avoid the problems the original Springfield Armory had, which is getting absorbed by tradition. The insistence on a wood-stocked steel battle rifle that fired a .30-cal round helped end the Armory. The disastrous M14 was the last rifle they produced and was steeped in ridiculous tradition that showed the government was useless.

Additionally, focus on efficiency. Too often, government agencies get bogged down in red tape and paperwork that serves low-IQ government workers and helps them keep a useless job. Avoid that. Be thorough, but create reasonable expectations and timelines. Hold leaders accountable.

Also, be willing to work with the private firearms industry, including foreign companies. FN produced the M240, which is a fantastic machine gun. If we want to provide the best weapons possible for our warfighters, we have to break away from the idea that foreign designs won’t work.

Armory Dreaming

My idea of an Armory would be part armory, designing and producing prototypes, and part communication hub. A place where the wisdom and experience from the different branches and their various custom shops can be collected, disseminated, and shared. The Armory wouldn’t need to be much, but could be massively beneficial in collecting, sharing, developing, and streamlining programs.

You’re Gone, Now What? End-of-Life Prepping

By
Jim Cobb
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End-of-life planning

Make no mistake, end-of-life planning is absolutely part of a comprehensive preparedness plan. Or at least it should be. The Nokbox is a tool we’ve discussed before in that regard.

Preparing for End-of-Life

We often talk about wills, trusts, and such. Those are definitely important, but there are other steps to pursue as well. These are things that your attorney may not think to tell you, but that can be incredibly important to your family.

Inventory the Good Stuff

Many of us have collections like knives or firearms. We’ve carefully curated these bits and baubles for years. But do you have a solid grasp on what all you actually own? Will your family know how to value it? A common joke is the guy who fears that upon his passing, his wife will sell his guns for what he told her he paid for them.

end-of-life planning - firearms collections
If no one else in your family shares your hobbies, they may not know how valuable your collection truly is.

As part of your end-of-life planning, take time to do some sort of inventory. The more information you can jot down for each item, the better, such as where you bought it and when, what you paid, and its estimated worth now.

I knew one knife collector who put a small slip of paper in each knife box with that information, as well as a note about the knife’s significance, if any. When he passed, this information made it easier for his family to organize the collection and decide what to keep, what to sell, and what to gift to others.

I’ve made arrangements with a few of my fellow knife nuts that if I pass before them, my family is welcome to call upon them for advice on knife values and related issues. I’ll do the same for them.

By the way, this sort of inventory would also prove useful in the event of a house fire, theft, or other similar situation that might deprive you of some or all of your collection.

Get Rid of the Junk

This can be one of the most difficult parts of end-of-life planning. Most of us have a metric ton of crap we don’t use, we don’t need, and that serves zero practical purpose. I don’t mean the neat stuff you might collect as a hobby. I’m talking about the numerous shelves of coffee mugs my dad had sitting in the basement, collecting dust. Lids to plastic totes that have long since disappeared. Clothes that don’t fit and aren’t likely to ever come back into style.

Have a rummage sale to sell what you can, then donate the leftovers to the charity shop of your choice. Whatever’s left after that goes in a dumpster. That’s where it’ll be headed later anyway, but at least your loved ones won’t be doing it while also trying to grieve after losing you.

end-of-life planning - get rid of junk
Sell off the junk you no longer need at a rummage sale or donate it to a thrift store.

When my dad died, I had a 25-foot dumpster delivered the day after his funeral. It was full by the end of the second day of cleaning out his house, and we still had a long way to go. Junk filled two large storage rooms in the basement.

But the thing was, it wasn’t all junk. There were pearls here and there, like the trunks filled with 100+ year old sheet music. Old stock certificates (worthless, but very old and cool). Buick memorabilia (he’d been a salesman for them for decades). Most of it was just garbage that had to be hauled up and out. But all of it needed to be examined, just in case.

Given that his house still had a mortgage, and he had no life insurance policies, the clock was ticking to get the house cleaned, polished, and sold.

It wasn’t nearly as much fun as it sounds.

The Astra Police – The Heavy Duty .38 Special

By
Travis Pike
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I have a tendency to appreciate Spanish pistols. The Spanish pistol market is essentially a clone factory. Take a successful design and then recreate it, but also change things. The Astra Police takes some clear cues from S&W revolvers, particularly the Model 19, but isn’t a direct clone. Instead, it’s a very beefy, overengineered .38 Special that comes in at an excellent price point.

What Makes the Astra Police Different?

The Astra Police did come in .357 Magnum, but this specific model is .38 Special only. Why? I have no idea. It is the same frame as the .357 Magnum, although it utilizes a .38 Special cylinder. Perhaps Astra sought to market the revolver internationally to police or security forces that primarily used the .38 Special.

Astra designed these guns with cylinders that could be quickly removed. The big screw just ahead of the trigger guard acts as a button to remove the cylinder. If I could find a .357 Magnum cylinder, I could swap it out fairly easily.

The other feature that sets the Astra apart from S&W revolvers hides under the grips. Under the grips, we have a mainspring and a circular device that plugs into it. If you pull it upward and rotate the circle a quarter turn, you see the mainspring pop back in. You have four positions total, and each position is a trigger adjustment. You can lighten or make your trigger heavier very easily.

Those are the weird little features, but there are a few other quality-of-life features. The front sight is pinned, which is a nice touch. There is a transfer bar rather than a direct firing pin on the hammer, which is always nice on cheap old revolvers. The gun’s quite hefty, but weight is good for recoil, as we’ll find out later.

The Astra Police and I

I got this revolver for a couple of hundred dollars. Not bad, and I’d wanted one ever since I saw an FN Barracuda. Astra built the Barracudas for FN. The Barracudas famously had .357 Magnum and 9mm cylinders and took advantage of the quick-cylinder-detachment device. The Barracuda and Astra Police are essentially identical.

They have this hefty look, with a larger frame, but a fairly short three-inch barrel. Three-inch barrels are becoming my favorite on revolvers, especially .38 Special revolvers. Mine features the initials P.M.V., which stands for Policia Municipal Vitoria. The municipal police of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which looks beautiful on Google Images.

It’s a fairly plain revolver with wood grips. There does seem to be some compatibility with S&W grips, but they don’t quite fit correctly. We might need a little fitting to get it to work. I’ll stick to the standard grips because that old-school wood looks beautiful with the beautiful blued finish.

The whole revolver is an aesthetic vibe. The big, heavy design, the chunky, almost L-frame-like design. The frame is huge, but somehow the short, beefy barrel makes it look good. It has that fighting revolver look and feel, which is what attracted me to the Barracuda, which is what attracted me to this gun in the first place.

To The Range With the Astra Police

The Astra Police is a blast to shoot. It’s hefty for a .38 Special, so it shoots extremely smoothly. There is hardly any recoil, and it barely moves when shot. Even with some hot 125-grain loads, the duty-grade Police revolver handles like a kitten. Heavy is good, heavy is reliable, and heavy reduces recoil. When you run dry, you can beat a man to death with this thing.

This is built to be a .357 Magnum, so it eats .38 Special like it’s the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza. I’m not a very good revolver shooter, but I can shoot all six rounds in less than two seconds into a B-8 target at ten yards from the low ready. The gun isn’t moving much between shots, so keeping it drilling one target isn’t difficult.

The trigger is smooth and light, especially since it is on the lightest setting. It still runs reliably with the lightest trigger pull, so why not rock and roll with it? The double-action pull is surprisingly smooth, but as you’d expect, it’s long and heavy, weighing over 10 pounds. The single action is very short and crisp, making it easy to hit targets at 25 yards.

The sights are basic revolver sights, which I still don’t quite know how to use well, but I’m figuring it out. If I take my time, I can nail an IPSC-sized steel target at 50 yards…most of the time.

Worth a Pinch

The Astra Police is an affordable, heavy-duty, easy-shooting revolver that’s just all kinds of cool. It’s a big gun, a little hefty for concealed carry, and it seems to be a toss-up which holsters it fits. Some K-Frame holsters reportedly fit, as do some L-Frames. I think it’s a bit better as a fun gun, but would still be a capable defensive option. If you only had 200 dollars and needed a gun, you could do a lot worse than this thing.

Water Filters or Tablets?

By
Reuben Bolieu
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The super trendy GRAYL Water Filters get very hard to use after a few days, even in clear flowing water. (Grayl Photo)

Out in the wild, hiking, camping, or an emergency scenario, what do you want on your side?  Water Filters or Tablets? 

Water Purification: Water Filters or Tablets?

When you’re in the wild, water purification is crucial for your health. Access to clean drinking water prevents exposure to harmful pathogens that can cause serious illnesses.

Understanding purification methods, such as filters and tablets, helps in making informed choices. Water filters easily remove impurities and provide immediate access to safe drinking water, making them ideal for hiking and camping.

Purification tablets are lightweight and efficient for treating larger quantities of water, effectively killing viruses and bacteria when bulky equipment isn’t practical.

Importance of Water Purification

Drinking untreated water outdoors poses serious risks, even from seemingly pristine sources. Clear mountain streams and tranquil lakes can harbor harmful microorganisms like bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Bacteria such as E. coli and Campylobacter cause severe diarrhea and dehydration, while protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium lead to stomach cramps and prolonged gastrointestinal issues. Viruses, including Norovirus and Hepatitis A, can contaminate water through human or animal waste, especially in areas with poor sanitation.

Chemical contaminants, particularly near agricultural or mining sites, also pose dangers. Pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial runoff can enter water sources, and standard filters or boiling won’t remove them. Only specialized purifiers with activated carbon effectively reduce these risks. Moreover, blue-green algae blooms in warm, stagnant water release toxins that resist treatment methods, making water unsafe even after boiling or filtering.

This was the author’s water in a nasty pond in the northeast. He used a bandana and iodine to purify the water and was fine.

Symptoms from waterborne illnesses vary by pathogen. Bacterial infections cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, while protozoan infections lead to gas, bloating, and fatigue. Viral infections can trigger nausea and even liver damage. These symptoms can escalate quickly, especially far from medical help.

To stay safe, always treat water before drinking. Use a reliable filter and chemical purification for maximum protection. Boil water for at least one minute—or three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet—to kill most pathogens. Avoid stagnant or murky water, especially near campsites or trails. Even a single sip of untreated water can cause illness, so take the extra time to purify every drop.

Water Filters

Water filters deliver precision filtration that stands out for frequent use, fast flow, and their ability to remove sediment and pathogens effectively. These systems, utilizing ceramic, hollow fiber, or activated carbon technologies, trap harmful bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics with impressive efficiency. For those seeking even more advanced protection, models like the Sawyer or MSR Guardian take it a step further by eliminating viruses as well, ensuring that every drop you drink is safe and clean.

The never-used MSR Hyperflow Water Filter lasted four uses in the Amazon Jungle by the author.

Pros:

  • Fast and reusable (some models treat thousands of liters).
  • Improves taste and removes sediment.
  • Ideal for clear water sources like streams and lakes.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t always remove viruses unless specified.
  • Can clog over time and require cleaning.
  • Bulkier than tablets for ultralight travel.

In the Field: Water Filters

I started my backpacking days with a 1-pound Katadyn Hiker filter. It was bulky and required frequent filter replacements. Eventually, I started using a Press to Pure canteen-style bottle/filter that I needed to squeeze. After that, I used the MSR Hyperflow filter. It was a standout for its speed and weight, delivering up to 3 liters per minute thanks to its hollow fiber technology. If you’re comparing legacy gear or building a weight-conscious kit, this one was a favorite among fastpackers and minimalist hikers. 

These filters always turn into a strength workout. On a recent trip to the Adirondacks, three of the four campers were struggling to press the water filter top down by day three. They used the popular GRAYL Filters. Keep in mind, they were strong guys. What if it were a smaller person or a frail hiker?

These two filters were used in the Amazon Rainforest by an instructor during a jungle survival class.

The last time I used a water filter was in 2011 in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. I used the MSR Hyperflow four times, and then it was done. I used my backup iodine tablets for the remainder of the trip and never looked back! This event raised a thought-provoking question: Water Filters or Tablets?

Tablets over Filtration

Purification tablets offer a simple yet effective solution for ensuring safe drinking water, making them perfect for ultralight packing, emergency kits, or when you encounter questionable water sources. These tablets, powered by iodine or chlorine dioxide, work by swiftly eliminating bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Simply drop a tablet into your water and let it do its magic—wait anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the type of tablet, and you’ll have clean, drinkable water ready to go. 

Pros:

  • Lightweight and compact.
  • Kills viruses—something most filters miss.
  • Great backup option.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t remove sediment or improve taste.
  • Chemical flavor can be off-putting.
  • Slower treatment time.

In the Field: Tablets

Carrying an ounce of treatment for several gallons of water makes more sense to me. It’s easier than carrying a clunky water filter that may or may not be functional. Since 2011, I’ve used Potable Aqua-type iodine tablets. Where and what type of water? Clear water in Alaska, to dark, murky, nasty water in the Filipino jungles, with water buffalo bathing in the water. In the Amazon River and its numerous tributaries, I have used iodine with minimal filtering. In the lakes of the Adirondacks, to my local area in the Northeast—iodine only!

Iodine and a bandana saved the author’s only drinking water source on a dayhike in the summer.

The question of whether to use water filters or tablets is an easy one for me to answer—tablets are my choice every time!

Water Filters or Tablets Wrap Up

Prioritizing water purification in nature is essential for hydration and protection from waterborne diseases. Safe drinking water is a necessity for a healthier and more enjoyable outdoor experience, so make it a priority in your preparations.

The S&W 5906 – All Steel All The Time

By
Travis Pike
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The S&W 3rd Generation has entered this sort of legendary, cult favorite status. S&W discontinued these guns and stopped supporting them almost 20 years ago. At one point, they were cheap trade-ins, but they’ve grown substantially in price. I’m an unashamed fan of all-metal, double-stack, hammer-fired, DA/SA, 9mm pistols. So, 3rd Gen guns like the 5906 hold a special place in my heart.

The Smith & Wesson 5906

After finding one for a fair price, I grabbed it. I don’t have much experience with the 3rd Gen series, and the experience I have comes from the .45 ACP series, and it comes from a time when I didn’t have a ton of shooting experience. After buying and shooting the 5906, I came to an important realization.

The Beretta 92FS came out in 1975 and is still in production and still coming out with new generations. The CZ-75 came out in 1975 and is still in production. The 5906 came out in 1989 and ended production in 1999. It hasn’t come back. There is a reason for that. The 3rd Gen S&Ws are a bit overrated.

The S&W 5906 – A Wonder Nine’s Last Years

The 5906 is a 3rd Generation S&W semi-auto handgun. It’s descended from the Model 59, which was a double-stack version of the Model 39. The guns have the same core mechanics. They are all-metal, hammer-fired, DA/SA semi-auto pistols. The 59 was the original double-stack variant, which came from the Navy’s adaptations of the Model 39 for SEAL Teams.

The 56 became the 459, which is the second-generation model. Finally, S&W produced the final generation of these automatic pistols, the Model 5906. The S&W 5906 is the all-stainless steel model of the third-gen 59 series. There is also a 5903, a 5904, a 5905, a 5946, and a 5967. The 5906 featured a four-inch barrel and utilizes a 15-round magazine.

The gun has a slide-mounted ambidextrous safety that doubles as a decocker. There is a magazine safety, which is annoying. The sights are adjustable and protected by a large set of wings that protect the sight. The all-stainless-steel nature of the gun makes it extremely heavy. It weighs 38.3 ounces.

This makes it four ounces heavier than the Beretta 92FS, three-ish ounces heavier than my CZ 75, and only an ounce lighter than the M1911. It’s a hefty gun, and it’s clearly made for police or military use rather than concealed carry. No effort was made to reduce the gun’s bulk or width to make it more concealable.

That’s not a huge problem, and it’s not why I think these guns are overrated.

Handling the 5906

Weight doesn’t bother me. Weird design does. The gun’s grip is an odd shape that reminds me a bit of a wedge. When I apply a tight grip, it feels like it wants to drift upwards. The crappy plastic grips don’t help. This is most noticeable when shooting the gun quickly. It doesn’t want to stay locked in my hands. The grip texture could be more aggressive, which would likely help.

To be clear, the gun isn’t escaping my hands, but it feels like it wants to. The small movements in my hand make it tough to rapidly shoot tight groups and to control the gun as well as I can control something like a Glock, or even a Beretta 92. A slide-mounted safety and decocker on a DA/SA gun has always been less than optimal.

A decocker-only version would be fantastic, but that’s not the case. Additionally, the magazine safety is a silly feature that I can’t get behind. I’ve always thought those were dumb additions to a modern handgun.

These guns also seem to have snappier recoil than competing 9mm handguns. Why does this thing recoil so much more than a Glock, Beretta, or CZ? In terms of the CZ and Beretta, the S&W 5906 appears to have a bigger slide. A bigger slide is a heavier slide, which means more mass going rearward and creating more muzzle rise.

Compared to a Glock, there is no flex in the frame to absorb some of that recoil. It’s just stiff steel. I just can’t shoot these guns as well as other 9mm, full-sized guns. The 5906 doesn’t compete with modern handguns, and doesn’t compete well with older guns like the 92FS.

Is It Terrible?

It’s not a terrible gun. I’d carry a 5906 if necessary and not think much about it. The gun’s reliable, accurate, and ultimately, it’s not difficult to control. It just doesn’t handle as well as other high-quality pistols. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but there are plenty of brand new guns that I’d pass over for a 5906.

I think they were a firearm of their era, and escaping that era wasn’t in the cards for S&W. Following the 3rd Gen series, they threw their backs into polymer frame guns. Although, since everything is cyclical, they are making M&Ps with metal frames. If you can find a 5906 for a good price, it’s worth it, but if it’s hitting those 800-dollar price points, walk away.

I still like mine, and I’ll still probably buy the first 4506 I see, but I don’t think the 3rd Gen series gets a spot in the Handgun Hall Of Fame.

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