GWOT Surplus Rules

By

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October 19, 2024

USGI_M81_Bandoleer_1_fa61c28f-aa5b-4d35-92b9-967a7b6337d0 — (Kommando Store)

When I was a kid, military surplus meant smelly old stuff that had a cool look and feel but was historical rather than practical. Hell, even when I was in the Marine Corps, I’d comb surplus stores, hoping to find something useful, maybe something modern, but it always came up short. I kind of forgot about surplus until I wanted to check out some GWOT shotgun gear. That’s when I realized that the world of surplus is currently dominated by GWOT surplus and stuff from the international market.

Modern surplus kinda rules. In fact, I had an entirely different word for how great modern surplus is, but I doubt that it would read as professional. The surplus market has changed. Dusty old stores and dirty Vietnam-era ALICE gear no longer rule it.

The modern market is all over the internet and chock full of a mix of modern, old, and awesome gear. The GWOT surplus market is the more practical surplus, but the international surplus has also introduced new camo patterns, gear, and more.

Let’s dig into some of that GWOT surplus and see what’s out there and available.

GWOT Surplus – The Gear

You can find GWOT surplus and international goodies in a few places. Ebay is one. That’s where I found my shotgun surplus stuff. Another is Venture Surplus, they are a modern, online company with tons of cool stuff. Americana Pipedream is another company that’s become pretty popular as of late and has released some cool stuff.

These are my three big go-tos for GWOT surplus and international gear. Let’s dig into what we can find at each of these awesome one-stop shops.

TAPS Rig

How much does a well-made US-produced chest rig with eight mag pouches, three admin pouches, a strap system, and multiple methods to attach the rig to a plate carrier? Probably a helluva a lot more than 30 to 70 dollars, right? Well, a GWOT Surplus TAPS rig only costs 30 to 70 bucks, depending on condition and color.

The Army’s craptastic UCP pattern is the cheapest, and a new UCP TAPS rig only costs 30 bucks. As you get into USMC Coyote and Multicam, the prices can get a bit higher. Unissued Coyote and Multicam are typically 70 bucks at the high end. Mine is used and in good condition; the TAPS rig retailed for 50 bucks with all the extra stuff.

TAPOS stands for Tactical Assault Panel System, and it has enough space for a combat load plus two extra mags, or you can fit a radio or other gear. We have three small admin pouches and enough MOLLE straps to attach whatever you might need. The straps aren’t the best, but they are easily replaceable, and the velcro retention kind of sucks, but you get a very well-made chest rig for not a whole lot of money. It’s one of my favorite pieces of GWOT surplus.

Poncho Liners

I’ve heard people call this the wooby, and that might be an Army thing. We always just called it the poncho liner and it’s long been a legend that Chesty Puller and George Washington invented the poncho liner to provide their beloved infantry with a soft, warm, blanket to sleep after a hard day of fighting.

Poncho liners are designed to be tied into the grommets of a tarp. When combined with a poncho or tarp, it provides a rainproof, warm, and comfy protective layer. I’ve never combined one with a tarp or poncho, but it’s my most used piece of gear. It was soft, warm, and lightweight, so it was easy to carry.

Poncho liners are fantastic and M81 pattern poncho liners are plenty cheap. They are great for camping, and hell, just awesome. They are a great bedtime blanket and mine was stolen years ago by my son. As far as GWOT surplus goes this one is just comfy and perfect for camping.

USGI Bandoliers

People sleep on bandoliers to carry ammunition. In an age of plate carriers and chest rigs, it’s easy to see why they aren’t so popular. However, they can be a nice, low-profile, lightweight way to carry ammo. An alternative to a chest rig in some ways. It’s also a great way to pack gear as a whole. The USGI bandoliers are dual mag cells, so there is plenty of space for all sorts of stuff.

A bandolier can carry a medical kit, a waterbottle, and snacks for a hike. It can also carry six magazines and act as a supplementary ammo option. If I was a police officer, a bandolier would be a great option for carrying ammo for a patrol rifle in a less-than-stellar situation.

Camo and condition matter a lot for bandoleer design. The Multicam models are in new condition and cost 20 bucks. The UCP patterned designs are almost free. They sell for less than ten bucks for two bandoliers all around the net. It’s one of the cheapest pieces of GWOT surplus.

Pouches Galore

Mag pouches are what got us here—well, shotgun ammo pouches. The surplus market is awash in magazine pouches—for rifle magazines, pistol magazines, and even Dutch SMG pouches. There are mag pouches everywhere and for a ton of different platforms. They are super cheap.

These mag pouches might not be the most modern, high-speed piece of gear, but they work. They are modern enough for modern gear with MOLLE mounts and various designs. Most are dual mag pouches. There are also tons and tons of admin pouches of various sizes. These are perfect for making IFAKs, admin pouches, and more.

Packs

Yep, packs are part of GWOT’s surplus. I’ve seen USMC FILBE packs selling for anywhere from 50 to 150 dollars. I’m not sure why there is a big price disparity, but it’s there. These packs are all used in most cases, but even a FILBE in good condition is less than 50 bucks at some retailers.

The FILBE isn’t the only option. The UCP MOLLE packs retail for ten bucks because people hate that camo pattern. On top of those kits, we have old ALICE packs that are pretty great, especially with the metal frames of yesteryear. There is also the foreign market which has all sorts of neat stuff.

More Than GWOT Surplus

Maybe surplus is still old, dusty stuff, but I just happen to be old and dusty myself. Either way, I’m digging the current surplus market. It seems to be better managed and produced than the markets before it. Plus, the GWOT stuff benefits a lot from modern design and usage. Give it a look and see what kind of kit you can scramble together for very little money.

Magpul Product Release: DAKA Soft Cases

By

Keith Finch

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October 19, 2024

Magpul DAKA Soft Cases

While hard cases are great for protection – and sometimes necessary for travel – they are often bulky and heavy. Magpul wanted to maintain the customized fit its GRID provides but make it more mobile and lightweight.

The DAKA Soft Cases still allow users to customize their layouts inside the case without all the bulk associated with thick, heavy, hard cases. These new DAKA Soft Cases are constructed of Magpul’s proprietary DAKA GRIT material. Additionally, they feature lockable YKK Aquaguard® zippers. As a result, the cases are lightweight, durable, secure, and weather-resistant.

Inside the case, firearms and other gear are secured via a MOLLE-style slotted base system. Adding to the storage capabilities of the DAKA Soft Cases are various pockets, an ID slot, and a dot matrix grid on the case’s exterior.

To carry the case, two tuckable attachment plates allow for QD, Paraclip, MASH Hook, or similar connecting devices to attach a sling.

The cases come in three sizes: 35ʺ, 44ʺ, and 53ʺ; the Soft Cases can nest inside the Hard Cases (if the GRID system is removed).

DAKA Soft Cases Features:

Constructed of lightweight DAKA Grit material (600D kiss-coat TPU facing, TPU backing, and RF welded seams)
Dual external YKK Aquaguard® zippers with 550 cord zipper pulls reinforced with heat shrink wrap and include a lock passthrough to secure the contents of the case
Full lay-flat design
MOLLE-style slotted base with five (5) included DAKA Gear Straps to secure items (1 Gear Strap per panel)
Four (4) stretch mesh magazine pockets hold eight (8) PMAG 25 LR/SR GEN M3 magazines (2 magazines per pocket)
Zippered mesh organizer pocket for smaller items
Large document pocket
Nylon, RW-welded card/ID slot on exterior of case
Dot matrix grid for quick ID
External attachment plate for QD, Paraclip, MASH Hook, or other similar connecting device to allow for sling carriage; internal handle for additional carry method
Sized to fit inside corresponding sized DAKA Hard Cases with DAKA GRID removed; supports travel where extra protection is needed and the ability to unstow and go with the Soft Case

DAKA Soft Cases Price, Colors:

MSRP:
- SC35 $$159.95
- SR44 $ 189.95
- SLR53 $209.95
All cases available in BLK

For more information, please visit Magpul.com.

FLASHLIGHT SHOWDOWN! How Much Candela/Lumens is Enough?

By

The Suited Shootist

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October 18, 2024

I’ve been running my Modlite PLHv2 for about a year now, and the entire time I’ve been wondering if it’s overkill for my needs? So, it’s time for a flashlight showdown!

So I decided to round up the lights I had lying around and see how everything really stacked up.

My EDC light has gone through several iterations, and I talk about the pros and cons of each.

The 5.11 Tactical TacTec Weight Plates

By

Travis Pike

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October 18, 2024

I’ve mentioned a few times here that I’ve been following a program called Tactical Barbell. This fitness program aims to be the best functional fitness program for soldiers, Marines, cops, SF candidates, firefighters, and anyone who needs to have a solid mix of cardio, endurance, and strength. As part of my programming, I’m doing three days of cardio, one day of running, one day of boxing, and one day of hiking. Hiking is where the 5.11 Tactical TacTec plates have come in extremely handy.

Adding weight to a pack can be done in many ways. I can shove boots, clothes, and a sleeping bag into a pack and create an infantry-worthy pack, but that’s a hassle and not very practical from a fitness perspective. Adding metal weights certainly works, but they are far from comfortable and place all of the weight in the bottom of the bag. Plus, they move back and forth and require you to wrap them for any form of comfort.

The TacTec plates are designed to add weight to a plate carrier to create a weight vest for fitness purposes. They most certainly work in that regard, but I’ve been using the TacTec weight plates for my rucking rig. The soft nature and the height and width of the plates spread the weight out evenly, and the soft nature of the plates and the sand filling them keeps things comfortable.

Breaking Down the TacTec Plates

The TacTec plates come as a set. They are made from 600D polyester and feature an internal PE board for rigidity. The bottoms of the TacTec plates open and allow you to easily fill them with dirt, shot, pebbles, rocks, or whatever. I went with simple dried sand. The bottom opens, and hook-and-loop flap closures keep the dirt where it needs to be. When filled with sand, they weigh about five pounds each.

Different materials have different weights and densities, so they can vary in weight. Ten pounds between two plates is pretty good, as far as I’m concerned. They are intended to replicate plates without having to risk the durability of your plates while training. The plate dimensions are 12.75 inches tall, 9.75 inches long, and 1 inch deep. They’ll fit most plate carriers with ease and squeeze all packs.

Everything about the plates is designed to provide a balanced load. The internal PE board keeps the plates from bulging and sand from gathering. An internal divider does the same and helps with balance. On the back side, we have hook-and-loop tabs to tighten the plates down and ensure they fit in your average carrier. The boards and divider provide durability and rigidity, so they replicate ballistic plates.

One of the big benefits of these fillable weight bags is that they can be tailored to individual use. You can easily remove and add weight on demand, allowing you to tailor your workout and weights as needed. The TacTec plates offer you that over fixed weight plates.

Getting Loaded

The TacTec Plates hold up well and are easy to use. I have carried them in a pack mostly but tossed them in a plate carrier for some bodyweight-plus exercises. (I really hate burpees.) The plates have remained sealed, and I have seen sand leaking out of my pack, or I noticed it when I removed the plates from the carrier. It’s worth mentioning that 5.11 Tactical also makes a TacTec trainer weight vest if you want to spare your plate carrier from sweat and abuse.

The TacTec plates are solid, well made, and seem to be an excellent option if you want to up your fitness game. They’ve worked exceptionally well for the Tactical Barbell program and provided me with extra weight in my pack. They’re well made, easy to use, and distribute weight in a comfortable, well-balanced way.

For more information, please visit 511Tactical.com.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp

By

P.E. Fitch

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October 17, 2024

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp 9mm Pistol

The 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Performance Carry Comp is one of three midsummer pistol launches we saw from Smith & Wesson this year. I got the chance to wring one out, specifically the aluminum frame full-size 17-round version with the standard 4.25-inch top-end.

The other two Performance Center SKUs include a polymer frame M&P 2.0 Compact and a polymer frame M&P Shield. Both are also chambered for 9mm Luger.

With regards to Smith & Wesson’s M&P 2.0 family, handling and shooting the aluminum-framed Carry Comp isn’t my first rodeo. Across my publications, I’ve reviewed four other M&P 2.0 models: the original 2022 M&P 9 2.0 Metal, the standard polymer M&P 9 2.0, the M&P 10mm 2.0 CORE, and the 2023 M&P 9 2.0 Performance Center SPEC series.

Given that this new M&P Carry Comp is the fifth member of this handgun family I’m writing about, there is no point in repeating myself. The common thread applicable to all M&P 2.0 pistols is that despite their quirks, these handguns are fundamentally sound. Smith & Wesson has built the M&P 2.0 series on good bones.

M&P 2.0s are considered reliable, have modern ergonomic grips, and have a “natural” 18-degree grip angle. This is fantastic for smooth target presentations from the draw. In essence, they have everything a shooter needs to be able to shoot at a high level. More so because the series has been on the market for years, so aftermarket support is robust.

M&P Metal Carry Comp Overview

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 9 Metal Carry Comp with Steiner MPS red-dot sight mounted on an Apex Tactical ACRO/MPS CORE plate (secured with the Apex Steiner MPS Super Clamp too). The standard height Night Fission sights can also be seen.

Externally, the full-size 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Performance Center Carry Comp has the same proportions, dimensions, and layout as any other standard full-size 9mm M&P 2.0. However, it features the added pièce de résistance: its sleek, integrated ported barrels and slides.

Unlike externally attached pistol compensators, which screw onto a threaded muzzle and add extra encumbering length to the slide, the Carry Comp’s system exists within the “normal” dimensions.

M&P 2.0 Metal Performance Center Carry Comp models have a distinctive look. Correspondingly, they are finished with an attractive combination of charcoal gray slides and black Cerakoted frames. Besides their black Cerakote finish, the frame is an otherwise standard aluminum M&P frame.

It includes an accessory rail, extended ambidextrous slide stops, and the “newer” flat trigger seen on factory M&P 2.0 models in the last handful of years. These newer factory triggers have all but replaced the older “crescent-shaped” units first seen on the earliest iterations of the M&P 2.0 series—and for the better.

When I initially got this pistol in for review, I measured its trigger pull weight and ten trigger pulls with my digital trigger scale averaged out to 4 lbs, 3.7 ounces. Now that the pistol has seen nearly 1,000 rounds of 9mm, the trigger has smoothed itself out some more.

M&P Carry Comp Slide

A detail-shot of the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp’s slide with its unique gray Cerakote finish, slide lightening cuts and alternative slide serration pattern.

Compared to other aluminum-framed M&P 2.0s, the Performance Center Carry Comp series differs with a space-age aesthetic. Its slide is milled with a pattern of slide serrations that look completely different from standard M&P Metal models. They are more angled and curvier than the normal vertically slanted serrations.

The dorsal area features a lightening cut along with a milled blowhole for the ported barrel. In order to accommodate the porting, the front sight’s dovetail is set slightly behind its typical location on the M&P 2.0 slide. Although it technically decreases sight radius, this delta is statistically insignificant. After all, this pistol is outfitted with carry sights, not patridge bullseye sights.

Night Fission Sights

Instead of relying on the typical set of basic three-dot iron sights found on both standard polymer or aluminum frame S&W 2.0 models, Carry Comps are supplied with a pair of Night Fission standard height night sights ideal for carry. The front sight has a contemporary bold and bright green front eye-grabbing dot with a tritium vial set in the middle for low-light shooting. The rear sight has a plain serrated face and a deep U-notch.

This Night Fission sight set is perfectly suitable for defensive training and concealed carry. However, I’m somewhat confused as to why the Carry Comp, whose slide is factory-cut for the S&W CORE optics mounting scheme, has standard height sights instead of a taller pair.

A close-up of the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 9 Metal Carry Comp’s muzzle. From this angle, the freebore section of barrel can be clearly seen along with the dorsal port hole.

M&P 2.0 Carry Comp Barrel

Pistol barrels with direct porting are nothing new, but Smith & Wesson took a different approach with this model. Externally, the barrel measures the same 4.25 inches, like any other full-size standard M&P 2.0. Outer dimensions also correspond to the defaults, too.

However, the Carry Comp barrel differs internally. Unlike a standard 9mm M&P 2.0 barrel with rifling ending at the edge of the muzzle, the rifling of the Carry Comp barrel ends at the 3.9-inch mark, with approximately 0.58 inches of freebore to the muzzle. The barrel’s single oval-shaped port sits directly over this free-bore area and measures approximately .318 by .196 inches.

Because exterior dimensions are identical, I found that dropping in conventional barrels isn’t hard. (For example, switching to a non-ported barrel to make the pistol compliant with USPSA Carry Optics).

Continued In Part 2

Reiff F3 EDC Fixed Blade Knife

By

Reuben Bolieu

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October 17, 2024

GAT_Reiff 1 — F3 EDC Fixed Blade Knife with a 2.9-inch MagnaCut blade, overall length of 6.7 inches.

Meet the new kid, the F3 EDC Fixed Blade Knife—a slick everyday carry companion ready to easily tackle any task. The driving force behind Reiff Knives is brothers Ben and Stu Shank. American manufacturing startups are an area of expertise for them. The wolf emblem represents the ruggedness and robustness of their knives. Stu chose the wolf as it symbolizes the North American outdoors and reflects the family values, loyalty, and survival that they wanted to embody in their company.

Why A Reiff

Their great-grandmother, Anna Reiff, inspired the name Reiff. Stu explained, “We were drawn to the name and connected to our grandparents’ story, as Anna was willing to leave behind her comfortable life for a noble cause.” The Reiff brothers have taken a significant leap of faith in launching Reiff Knives, driven by their passion for knives and their commitment to contributing to the resurgence of American manufacturing.

The F3 Fixed Blade

Crafted from ⅛-inch thick CPM MagnaCut steel, this compact yet powerful blade boasts a nearly 3-inch long drop point blade (2.9 inches), making it the perfect tool size for various applications in the urban jungle or woods.

With its sleek matte stonewash finish on a saber grind and a 90-degree spine for striking a ferro rod, this knife is as dapper as it is functional. The handle, measuring just under 4 inches, provides a comfortable and secure grip for most hands, ensuring precise control in any situation.

The Reiff F3 sitting atop a mound of tinder shavings on a twig stove.

Choose between the ambidextrous kydex sheath or the rugged crazy horse leather belt sheath for added convenience and style. Elevate your everyday carry with the F3 EDC Fixed Blade Knife and experience unmatched versatility and reliability wherever you go.

It Will Cut

The first test I give every cutting tool is the arm hair-shaving test. Every Reiff Knife has always passed. Cutting cordage and packages followed, but it was time to do some woods cooking.

The weather was perfect for some camp cooking on a small twig stove in early autumn. It wasn’t cold enough for a full-on campfire yet. A small fire requires small fuel. This is where the F3 came in handy; if it was too large to baton split for a twig stove, it was too big for fuel. I split oak, maple, and poplar chunks and used them as fuel for this quick woods lunch. The handle was comfy, and the edge geometry was spot-on and never faltered.

Splitting broomstick-thick poplar branches for a fire, the F3 EDC Fixed Blade tackled the task like a boss!

I used damp sticks to produce the best possible feather sticks for tinder and thin kindling, followed by super thin twigs from hung-up dead-standing branches. After processing poplar and river birch bark, I used the F3 and an Uberleben Hexa 3 Ferro Rod to shower sparks on the tinder with a few strokes. The spine was sufficient to ignite the less-than-ideal tinder.

I’m a fan of small, lightweight cutters—I always have been. Hand me a knife of this size and a heavier chopper, and watch what I can accomplish!

The Reiff F3 sitting pretty after splitting oak fuel and shaving feathers for a cook fire.

Summary

Reiff Knives epitomizes quality and functionality, with each design element serving a specific purpose. Crafted in the USA by skilled artisans, these knives boast modern manufacturing and premium materials. The F3 EDC Fixed Blade Knife is versatile, offering superior durability, corrosion resistance, and edge retention for outdoor and everyday use.

Quick Specs:

Reiff F3
Overall Length: 6.7”
Blade Length: 2.9″
Thickness: 1/8″ or .125″
Material: CPM MagnaCut®
Hardness: 61-63 HRC
Finish: Matte Stonewash
Handle Material: Black G10
Weight: 5 oz.

For more information, please check out Reiff Knives.

COUNTER-ROBBERY COURSE REVIEW

By

The Suited Shootist

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October 16, 2024

Back in October, I got the chance to spend the day with Darryl Bolke of Hardwired Tactical Shooting and Caleb Causey of Lone Star Medics for their joint Counter-Robbery & TacMed EDC Class.

This was my second time taking a class with Caleb and my first range time with DB.

This was a PHENOMENAL class, and BLUF is that you should take it at the earliest opportunity.

Caleb does a phenomenal job making the medical curriculum easy to understand and apply.

Darryl brings his practical and matter-of-fact approach to defensive firearm skills, and really has it dialed down to the bare essentials.

DB manages to strike a great balance between uncomplicated yet mentally taxing.

There are a lot of preconceptions that are challenged in this class.

Just so it doesn’t get mistaken: Darryl trained extensively with the instructors from LAPD Metro. When he had SEE on his gloves it was with his own team and his own agency units. He did not work at LAPD, but stole a ton of material with permission from them.

For more information, please visit LoneStarMedics.com/tac-med-edcpage.

SIG’s SMGs – A Complicated History

By

Travis Pike

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October 16, 2024

SIG Sauer, and sometimes just SIG, isn’t known for submachine guns. A search in 2024 brings up the MPX and not much else. You and I know SIG as a company dating back to the mid-1800s, and they’ve been in continuous service since then. There is simply no way they missed the big submachine gun boom of the 1920s up into the 1980s. With that in mind, let’s explore some of SIG’s SMGs that aren’t so well known.

SIG MP1920

In a post World War I world, the Germans weren’t allowed to create weapons of war. This included submachine guns. The Germans had previously produced the MP 18, a design from Bergmann. Since they couldn’t produce the weapon, they could make some money by simply licensing the design.

SIG licensed the design and produced the MP 18 as the MP1920. This was the first of SIG’s SMGs. The gun ditched the raked rearward magazine design for a straight-side feed gun. It used 50 round box magazines. Other small changes were made to the gun, but it remained a simple blowback submachine gun.

They marketed and sold the gun in various calibers, including 9mm, 7.65×21, and 7.63×25. They sold guns to Finland and Japan. The Japanese models featured a bayonet fitting. A later MP1930 was marketed with small changes but was never successful.

SIG MKMO

I pronounce this one the Mick-Moe, and it might be one of the finest SMGs of the era. The MKMO was a 1930 SIG Sauer designed with some help from famed Hungarian firearms engineer Pál Király. It used a somewhat complicated but ultimately well-thought-out hesitation-delayed blowback system, which was very similar to the Remington Model 51 pistol.

The hesitation delay system allowed pressure to drop to safe levels before the breech opened without needing an overly heavy bolt or strong springs. The MKMO was produced for export in various 9mm calibers and the usual 7.65, 7.62, and 7.63 calibers. SIG went with a traditional wood stock layout and a rather long 19.7-inch barrel.

The MKMO was the first of SIG’s SMGs to use a folding magwell. It folded upward into the handguard area to provide a more compact package for stowing the gun. The trigger was also a fire selector. A short pull resulted in a semi-auto shot, and a long pull activated full auto.

SIG also produced the MKPO, a variant for police use with an 11.81-inch barrel. In 1937, SIG released a simplified straight blowback variant of the gun, the MKMS, and a police version, the MKPS. These were easier to produce and ultimately cheaper.

SIG MP41

Switzerland remained neutral during World War II, but they weren’t idiots. They saw the possibility of a German invasion as a threat. When they began to evaluate the weaponry they had at their disposal, they realized they had less than 500 submachine guns. The Swiss Army needed SMGs, and SIG and W+F Bern were contracted for prototypes.

SIG adapted the MKMO into the MP41. The gun ditched the traditional wood stock for a more modern pistol grip variant. The barrel was shortened to a little over 12 inches. The gun retained the folding magazine design, but there was also a model produced without the feature. The Swiss government decided to go with the W+F Bern gun.

SIG produced 200 MP41 SMGs and tried to market them overseas. However, Swiss neutrality laws prevented this. They ditched the design, and it’s become one of the more obscure SIG’s SMGs.

SIG MP44/MP46/MP48

SIG produced the MP44 to try and gather external contracts. The SIG MP44 borrowed a number of features from the MKMS/MKPS guns. They used traditional straight stocks made from wood, and direct blowback operation. The trigger system acted as the selector. SIG’s SMGs retained the folding magazine well designed. The MP44 and MP46 were nearly identical. The MP44 featured a metal handguard, and the MP46 improved the metal handguard.

After disappointing sales of the MP44 and MP46, SIG tried to modernize the gun. They ditched the straight wood stock for a metal wire stock that collapsed. The gun still used a fair amount of wood in it’s design. The forend was removed, and there was no handguard. The MP48 was identical to the MP44 internally. After some minor sales to Chile, SIG abandoned the platform.

SIG MP310

The SIG MP310 replaced the SIG MP48. In many ways, the guns are identical. SIG dropped wood and used primarily metal castings for the gun. This created an expensive weapon. The gun still had a collapsing wire type stock and folding magazine well. The trigger acted as the fire selector and the gun lacked a safety. The justification for the lack of a safety was that the weapon couldn’t fire with the magazine well folded forward.

Reportedly, the gun was sold to some South American countries and Swiss police agencies, but sales weren’t enough to keep the gun in production long.

SIG MP320

This isn’t the same P320 you’re picturing. That just happens to be a funny coincidence. The MP320 was the last of SIG’s submachine guns, or at least the last to come out of SIG Neuhasen. The MP320 finally got rid of the folding magazine design and trigger selector. However, they kept a straight blowback system.

The gun had a side folding stock and a top-mounted charging handle that resembled a slide more than anything else. This was an ambidextrous design. The gun never entered full-scale production and remained in the prototype stage.

The SIG MPX

The latest, arguably greatest of SIG’s SMGs is the MPX series. The MPX offers a closed bolt system that uses a gas piston design. Compared to a straight blowback weapon, the SIG MPX offers you less recoil and a lighter, slimmer design. The MPX series are available in multiple sizes and are modern modular platforms.

The MPX series did promise multiple caliber conversions, but that promise waned with the fact no one shoots .40 S&W or .357 SIG anymore. The series has been quite successful for SIG, with international sales around the world. The semi-auto variants are also popular in the United States and Europe, especially in PCC competition.

SIG’s SMGs – A Failed History

Over the years, SIG produced a number of interesting SMGs, but outside of the MPX, none were all that successful. They seemed to be a day late and a dollar too expensive in most cases. It’s somewhat sad as the MKMO seems like a really neat gun, but alas, I’ll never get the chance to handle one.

EDC Nice to Haves

By

Jim Cobb

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October 15, 2024

When we talk about EDC, there are a few items that routinely get discussed, such as knives, flashlights, and defense weapons. There are a few other things, though, that would fall into the EDC “nice to have” category. They might not be used every single day, but they can sure make life easier in some situations.

Tweezers

I’m aware that many models of Swiss Army Knife and similar tools have tweezers onboard. I’m also aware that while they might be useful in a pinch, pun absolutely intended, the reality is that they are subpar in many cases. A pair of good-quality tweezers adds no appreciable weight to the EDC load.

They are excellent for dealing with splinters and thorns. You’ll also find them handy if you’re dealing with exceptionally small items, such as replacing tiny screws on the back of a toy for your grandchild. I prefer tweezers that have a sharp point, as those have proven to be the most useful to me.

Zip Lock Bag

Inside most of my packs and haversacks, you’ll find an empty gallon-sized zip-lock plastic bag. It weighs even less than a pair of tweezers and rolls up fairly small. I use it when foraging for natural tinder or food in the field. You could even use it to collect water if a better option isn’t available. I recommend going with a name-brand product for this, as generics don’t always hold up to some abuse.

Magnifying Glass

I’m old enough that a magnifying glass can truly be a godsend when dealing with splinters and the like. Even reading the fine print on a package can be dicey sometimes. Sure, I could take a photo with my phone and enlarge it, but the magnifying glass doesn’t use any battery power. It also adds one more fire-starting tool to the mix. You don’t need a handle on the magnifying glass, so feel free to remove it.

Duct Tape

There are all sorts of uses for duct tape, right? Patch a hole, prevent a blister, seal a package, the list goes on and on. It’s an important tool in any EDC kit. Because rolls of duct tape are large and heavy, what I do is wrap it around an old gift card. You could also wrap it around a pen or a disposable lighter. Fair warning, while duct tape does work fairly well as tinder, you need to be very cautious when doing so. If you think it’s sticky when you take it off the roll, wait until it gets melty. That’s a burn you’ll not forget for quite some time.

Carrying the Nice to Haves

I don’t keep all of these in my pockets every day. I know that, for some people, that goes against the very definition of EDC. But as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I take a layered approach to my EDC. I keep these nice-to-have items in my EDC pack or bag. That’s what I’ve found works best for me. I’ve used each of these items often enough to warrant carrying them with me on a daily basis.

PCCs and Defensive Ammo

By

Travis Pike

-

October 15, 2024

Speer Gold Dot G2 Carbine 9mm Luger Ammo 135 Grain Hollow Point

Pistol caliber carbines aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Plenty of folks seem to despise the little guns for existing, but after 2015, they’ve established a firm foothold in the gun industry. The cat’s not going back in the bag. They are here to stay, and I find the little fellas charming. Sure, they might be rifle size without rifle power, but they have their advantages. This includes lower concussion and lower recoil with the right gun, and it is super easy to suppress and cheap to train with. However, for defensive use, you have to choose the proper defensive ammo.

It’s not as easy as shoving your favorite 124-grain +P into the magazine and pressing the gas. PCCs have long, 16-inch barrels. That barrel imparts a little extra velocity to the cartridge. Admittedly, it’s beyond the point of diminishing returns, but it’s still faster than any handgun. More velocity tends to be better, right? Yes, to a degree.

The problem we run into with PCCs and defensive ammo is that they are made for handguns. Jacketed hollow points are designed to expand at certain velocity thresholds. Through a PCC, many of these projectiles move faster than they are designed to, which creates issues.

Issues With Standard Defensive Ammo

In most cases a stock standard JHP will do okay through a PCC. However, it’s not always optimized for that role. We tend to see a few different results. Lighter rounds of the 124 and 115 grain variety are moving too fast. This can cause them to expand early, which can limit their penetration. Believe it or not, some standard velocity JHP loads won’t meet the 12-inch ballistic gel threshold.

25 ACP doesn’t make it too deep into Ballistic Gel

Other rounds make it deep enough, but we see issues with their expansion. The expansion is no longer controlled. It’s unpredictable, and at times, portions are broken off, and weight isn’t retained through travel. This begins to chip away at the optimization of these cartridges for self-defense purposes. They simple aren’t designed to be moving at these speeds.

If we are willing to spend a buck a round for defensive ammo why wouldn’t we optimize our defensive ammo selection? What can we do? Well, we need to get slower bullets.

Proper Defensive Ammo For PCCs

One of the easiest solutions is simply using 147-grain rounds. These slower-moving projectiles work a lot better in PCCs than lighter rounds. They are still moving faster than normal but are hitting within an acceptable realm of velocity. We see consistent penetration, expansion, and weight retention from 147-grain rounds.

There are plenty of defensive-oriented 147-grain projectiles that do an excellent job. Their subsonic design also makes them perfect for shooters who want to suppress their rifles. A big advantage to PCCs is how easy they are to suppress.

That’s not the only option. The rise of pistol caliber carbines has introduced a rise in PCC-oriented ammo. Speer produces a 135-grain PCC load that’s optimized for PCCs. This includes providing excellent expansion and consistent penetration. The round has a velocity of 1170 feet per second from a carbine to guarantee good expansion and consistent performance.

A small company called Seismic produces 185 grain 9mm QuakerMaker rounds that are JHPs. These heavy 9mm rounds would seemingly do quite well through a 9mm PCC. The hefty weight of the projectile would allow it to hit pretty hard and dig in deep.

Other PCC-specific loads exist, like Federal’s Syntech stuff, but they are FMJs and not suitable defensive ammo.

Stay Heavy

Keep in mind, when I say PCC, I mean 16-inch barreled guns. Your normal subgun or large-format pistols aren’t going to need heavier ammo. You should consider heavier ammo when you get around 10 inches or so. For something like an MP5, you’ll still be successful with supersonic 9mm.

If you’re rocking and rolling with a full-length PCC, then go heavy with your defensive ammo. The Speer Gold Dot PCC round seems promising, and its purpose-built design is an exceptional idea. Go heavy, and preferably, go suppressed and take advantage of the PCC benefits.

NON-PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENTS: Considerations for Carrying Guns In Places You Shouldn’t

By

The Suited Shootist

-

October 14, 2024

You hear the term “non-permissive environment” used frequently within the concealed carry community.

Unfortunately, the discussions tend to be somewhat superficial. And, from what I’ve seen, they don’t take into account a lot of the consequences and negative outcomes.

In this video I take a look at the different types of is types of non-permissive environments, how they differ from each other, and how I approach them.

Lawfare – The Anti-Gunners New Weapon

By

Travis Pike

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October 14, 2024

The anti-civil rights groups aren’t winning at the ballot box, and they aren’t winning legislatively. That doesn’t mean they aren’t winning. The Anti-civil rights groups, like Everytown For Gun Safety, The Brady Groups, and other anti-gun organizations, have discovered a new way to wage war on your rights, and it’s called lawfare.

Lawfare is a tactic used by repressive regimes to label and discourage civil society or individuals from claiming their legal rights via national or international legal systems.

In most cases, a little thing called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act protects gun companies, ammo companies, and firearms dealers from lawsuits when their products are used illegally. That hasn’t stopped these organizations from attacking. In reality, they don’t have to win. They can cause a firearms company to hemorrhage money simply by suing them.

Sure, the lawsuit might be thrown out, but only after a hefty amount of legal fees are paid to do so. Polymer80, the biggest 80% lower and Glock frame manufacturer out there, recently shut down. They outright stated they couldn’t afford to keep fighting the various lawsuits they had been subject to.

Lawfare has been used against Remington and Bushmaster successfully. The company was already bankrupt, but the main gain by these anti-gun groups is the ability to target the advertising firearms companies, too. Everytown For Gun Safety is currently using that angle to target Daniel Defense. Companies like Lucky Gunner have been sued several times to varying degrees of success, although they’ve seemed to be successful at fighting these organizations.

The Organization Behind the Suits

The main organization behind the lawfare against the gun industry is Everytown for Gun Safety and its varied offshoots. The gun control industry is unsurprisingly funded by billionaires, namely Michael Bloomberg, who helped found the organization and remains a large funder. Now you know if you’re wondering where an organization would get the money to file these lawsuits.

Philanthropy.com has called Bloomberg “the most dominant figure in the gun-violence prevention movement.” New York Mayor Eric Adams has called Bloomberg “the modern-day Paul Revere” of the gun control movement. The New York Times reported in a 2020 article that Bloomberg had spent 270 million dollars to strip gun rights from American citizens. According to Philahthropy.com, Everytown for Gun Safety spent 48 million dollars in 2020.

This is a well-funded attack on American rights.

A Ripple On The Industry

Outside of shutting down small American businesses and killing American jobs at companies like Polymer80, the effect of lawfare has been felt. Personally, I’ve signed tons of waivers and disclaimers in the last few years. Almost all of them stated that the XYZ gun wasn’t built or intended to be used by children. I’ve been writing about guns for ten years now, and until 2022, I never saw anything even remotely close to these disclaimers, warnings, and agreements.

A friend who works for a major firearms manufacturer told me that the term “youth” is gone from the gun industry. Things like Youth stocks don’t exist anymore. Now, they are mini stocks and bantam models. Or they simply list the LOP measurement. Firearms designed to teach children to shoot safely don’t exist anymore. No one is willing to risk advertising them as such.

I fear we’ll get to a point where clubs and ranges won’t be interested in letting accompanied children shoot. States will make it impossible for them to hunt. The change will come slowly, and eventually, the goal is to wipe out safe and responsible gun ownership within a generation.

The ultimate goal of these acts of lawfare is to end gun rights. They treat firearms like cigarettes, which is an absurd notion.

What Can We Do?

We have tons of organizations out there fighting for gun rights. They are winning in the courts and at the ballot box. The current lawfare trend is a small group of people, namely billionaires with armed security, attacking American rights. As we’ve seen with elections and laws passed, the United States doesn’t want their nonsensical gun control. They’ve taken the fight elsewhere.

I’m no lawyer. I think we could form a group that’s funded by donations to help these gun companies. They can resist and fight back against these lawsuits. The groups focusing on laws and fighting for the Constitution certainly have their hands full. Still, this is a front we can’t surrender. All the rights in the world won’t mean anything if the gun companies are shut down or will only sell to LEO and Mil customers.

We have to resist lawfare, fight back, and help the future of gun rights remain bright.

The Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless Part 3

By

P.E. Fitch

-

October 13, 2024

Continued from Part 2…

Sending Rounds Downrange

Shooting the Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless from rest is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done in reviewing any firearm. The combination of its extremely heavy double-action trigger pull, the annoying wall before the trigger breaks, the dinky sights, and the overall size of the gun made it difficult to shoot for groups.

Properly managing the trigger on this revolver requires a good bit of leverage from the distal joint of the trigger finger. However, if one’s hands are bigger, it can be difficult due to the grip shape and the revolver’s sinus. I did the best I could to wrest some accuracy off the bench. Quite frankly, never having fired the archaic .38 S&W or any vintage Smith & Wesson top-break revolver, I was impressed with some of the potential accuracy that shined through.

Removing the human element and the physical limitations of said human trying to shoot well, it appears both the revolver and this mild-mannered cartridge are fairly accurate. I’d love to see what I could accomplish with this cartridge from a larger K-frame Smith & Wesson, like the lend-lease Victory models that were sent to Britain chambered for .38/200 during the Second World War.

Shooting Protocol

For simplicity’s sake, I did all of my shooting at 7 yards, both supported off a bag and freestyle. I also took the opportunity to use my recently purchased Garmin Xero C1 chronograph to log the muzzle velocities of the three different .38 S&W loads that LuckyGunner sent me for the review.

The three loads included the Fiocchi 145 grain coated lead round nose Cowboy Action Load, the Fiocchi 145 grain FMJ RN Heritage load and the Magtech 146 grain lead round nose cartridge. I shot 20 rounds each at two different 10-round groups and over the chronograph.

The lack of swift movement results in the probability of empty cases being stuck.

Group sizes and chronograph data are depicted below. Overall, all three loads from Magtech and Fiocchi spit out similar performance. From a user experience perspective, the Magtech lead bullet loads provided the most “authentic” shooting experience. It delivered both the distinct smell of lead bullet gunsmoke and the extra smoke that fills the air around the shooting bay.

Like most archaic revolver cartridges, the .38 S&W has been loaded with lead round-nose bullets for most of its life. Having never fired either a Safety Hammerless or the .38 S&W round, I’m not sure how to describe the felt recoil. It was closer in feeling to the push a .38 Special vintage steel J-frame than I expected, and the report was the same.

It definitely didn’t feel harsh or explosive like shooting a full-house .357 Magnum revolver, either.

Removing Spent Casings

Across all three loads, the muzzle velocity mean is 619 feet per second (FPS) from the Safety Hammerless’ 3 ¼ inch barrel. During shooting, I also noticed that the Safety Hammerless’ auto-eject system removes spent casings more thoroughly with swift movements and orienting the rear of the cylinder to face the deck.

Taking advantage of gravity is also helpful, but overall, the spent brass from these factory-loaded rounds was easy to eject. I got 1-2 empty cases stuck under the revolver’s star by not being quick enough with the auto-eject mechanism.

Because the distance to the target was only 7 yards, 99% of shot dispersion is assumed to be my “error.” Regardless, I still included shot-group data below.

Fiocchi Cowboy Action 145 Grain Coated RN

Fiocchi Heritage 145 Grain FMJ

Magtech 146 Grain LRN

Shooting The Safety Hammerless Freestyle

After the ordeal of shooting the Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless for groups off a bag, I also decided to shoot ten additional rounds freestyle from each box of cartridges. I shot at 4-inch circles traced over the piece of cardboard I used as a target, and these freestyle groups don’t seem much different from the rested groups above.

Ultimately, shooting the Safety Hammerless freestyle contextualized the revolver candidly. It’s a purely defensive gun and meant to be fired at defensive-sized targets; its sights are too vague for any true precision.

The Takeaway

Ironically, many of this ancient revolver’s elements still live on due to their usefulness in personal carry. Anno 1887, the year Smith & Wesson took a new departure by launching the Safety Hammerless, was a long time ago. It has been 137 years, to be precise. Yet many cues from the Safety Hammerless are still relevant to the present-day guns sold by Smith & Wesson and other gunmakers.

Consider the Smith & Wesson J-frame Model 40 Centennial family and all of its modern snub-nosed descendants like the 640, 642, 442, 340, 940, and the like. These classics were built around a hammerless J-frame with a five-shot capacity, a double-action-only trigger, and a very similar grip shape.

The original Model 40 Centennial itself even included the same grip safety as the one on the Safety Hammerless. Doing some research for these articles, I even caught a gentleman in a YouTube video proclaiming that J-frame 5-shot HKS speedloaders will work with the Safety Hammerless, too.

137 years later, traces of the S&W Safety Hammerless’ DNA are still present today in the latest Ultimate Carry J-frames. The new Ultimate Carry series, which originally debuted at SHOT Show 2024, also descends from the Model 40 lineage and represents a fresh take on a modern J-frame carry revolver. Much the same way, it could be argued that the Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless set out to be the Ultimate Carry of its day back in 1887.

Special thanks to Lucky Gunner for providing some .38 S&W ammunition for this project.

Read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

DON’T BE THE TACTICAL JERK

By

The Suited Shootist

-

October 12, 2024

Spend enough time on IG, and you’ll see EDC pocket dumps and nightstand dumps of everyday carry gear. People doing layouts of their carry pistols, defensive knives, tactical flashlights, medical gear, spare magazines, etc.

The risk is that we can get so caught up that it’s easy to let fantasy supersede reality.

As Claude Werner says, your concealed carry loadout is METT-TC dependent.

In this week’s video, I talk about maintaining a balance between the preparation for violence and maintaining realistic and reasonable expectations.

Jesse James and His Many Fraudulent Guns

By

Travis Pike

-

October 12, 2024

I firmly believe that the reason Jesse James stood out from the rest of his gang was the alliteration in his name. Everyone knows Jesse James, but names like Frank James and Cole Younger are only known to cowboy historians and Western fans. He might be tied with Billy the Kid for outlaw fame.

Mr. James was a Bushwacker early in his life. Bushwackers were guerillas in the Civil War who fought for the Confederates. After the war, he became a bank robber and outlaw. He is often romanticized as a Robin Hood-like outlaw. In reality, he took advantage of the frontier lawlessness and used violence to get his way.

Almost 150 years ago, he was assassinated by Bob Ford, and since then, dozens of different guns have been credited as Jesse James’ guns. It’s entirely possible that he was quite the gun collector, and these were authentic outlaw guns, but that’s simply not the case.

Jesse James and His Mom

Jesse James married a woman named Zerelda, and his mom was also named Zerelda. Yeah, it’s an odd one. Zerelda means armored battle maiden in Teutonic, so it’s a pretty sick name. Zerelda James, Jesse’s mom, was married three times and had eight children, but according to what I can find, only two became outlaws.

She wasn’t spared from Jesses’ actions. A raid led by Alan Pinkerton of the famed Pinkerton detective agency firebombed her home. She became famous in her own right as the mother of the famed outlaw. After the death of Jesse and during the trial of Frank James, the American consumption of Jesse James was at an all-time high.

Dime novels were popular, although unapproved by the James family. With interest at a high, it wasn’t long before people began stumbling onto the farm owned by Zerelda James. Zerelda James saw an opportunity and took advantage of her son’s fame and his death. She began offering tours of the farm where he had grown up.

Zerelda was an industrious lady. The tour ended at the grave of Jesse James. It sat outside her window. Famously, they buried him deeper than most to help keep grave robbers away. Tourists could take pebbles from the top of Jesse’s grave for just a few more coins. When the pebbles ran dry, Zerelda would go to the creek and gather more. This is just one example of her industrious nature.

With that in mind, she realized there was an extra income stream she hadn’t tapped into. Jesse’s guns.

The Fraudulent Guns of Jesse James

If you were a mega fan of Jesse James and you stuck around long enough and pried hard enough, Zerelda might show you some of Jesse’s guns. If you pried a bit more, she might even sell you one. It only made sense that people wanted to own a gun belonging to Jesse James. He was an outlaw. He made his living by wielding guns, robbing banks, and fighting it out with lawmen.

Jesse James was a man made by his guns. Who wouldn’t want a gun owned by the famed outlaw? If you wanted one, Zerelda would sell it to you. Plenty of happy customers left with empty pockets and a gun from the famed outlaw. Or did they?

Rock Island Auction got their hands on a genuine Jesse James revolver, one of the few

They certainly had empty pockets. Jesse James never owned the guns these tourists purchased. Zerelda, as the enterprising woman she was, would sell guns, often rusted, inoperable weapons on the second-hand market, as Jesse’s guns. This lead to a number of folks who proclaimed they owned a Jesse James gun, but in reality, they were scammed.

There is something poetic about that. Even after his death, his name was used to steal money from others.

The Real Guns of Jesse James

Due to the prolific sales of fraudulent guns credited to the outlaw, the market for his guns is interesting. Anyone proclaiming that they are selling a Jesse James gun has to provide a vast amount of provenance. For example, a listing at Heritage Auctions proclaims that a Colt 1873 Peacemaker is the “Most Thoroughly Documented Jesse James Gun to Ever Appear at Auction.”

The auction lists an impressive historical provenance, including speeches, letters, and similar examples of ‘proof’ that the gun belonged to Jesse James. It’s been well known that Jesse carried a Colt Peacemaker.

Heritage Auctions had one of the most documented of Jesse James Revolvers

The NRA Museum housed an S&W Scholfield that belonged to Jesse. Say what you want about the NRA, but their museum is amazing.

The Library of Congress has a photo of a 44 Hopkins and Allen 1873 pistol that is said to belong to James. It’s complete with the skull-bashing grip.

Worth a Hoot

Those are three of his confirmed handguns. There is also a variety of rifles credited to his name. While many of the supposed Jesse James guns have been debunked, a fake would still be valuable. The legend of Zerelda and her fraudulent guns is its own interesting story, and if you could prove it was a fake sold by Zerelda, it would still likely be highly collectible. Personally, I’d love one.