The Dark Star Gear Apollo For Glock 19

By

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May 30, 2024

Last year, Dark Star Gear, the holster company famous for its Orion and Rigel concealment holsters, launched its Apollo holster line. The Apollo is Dark Star Gear’s solid value proposition for an AIWB or IWB concealment holster. The core design is well-made with high-quality materials, but Apollo is only available in black instead of having all the various trim choices and color options.

They exclude any fancy metal belt clips (think Discreet Carry Concepts, Dark Star Gear Monoblock, etc) or soft loops (Pull-The-Dots) to reduce costs further. Instead, Dark Star Gear designed the Apollo holster series to work with Raven Concealment’s excellent nylon polymer IWB overhook belt clips.

Because of its simplified design, the holster’s retention is fixed. The holster shells themselves are fixed, but Dark Star Gear does offer extra add-ons before checkout, such as their retention adjustment kit, wedges, and DSG Dark Wings.

Dark Star Gear actually offers the Apollo for various makes and models, especially all of the popular slimline carry pistols. This includes the Glock 43X, Glock 48, Sig Sauer P365 series, Springfield Hellcats, and Smith & Wesson M&P Shield series. The company even offers Apollo holsters for “larger” pistols such as single or double-stack 1911s/2011s and, of course, the ever-ubiquitous Glock 19. (And the Glock 45, too, whose slide is the same exact size as the Glock 19’s).

My understanding is that Dark Star Gear is working to release more holster fits in the future, too.

Apollo Holster Overview

Glock 19 Glock 45 Dark Star Gear Apollo Holster — Glock 45 in the Dark Star Gear Apollo Holster

As previously mentioned, Apollo holsters are designed to cover all the basic requirements of a holster without being too expensive. And they fully adhere to modern holster design cues—lower costs notwithstanding. These modern cues include things like a symmetrical design that promotes ambidexterity, the complete covering of the trigger guard, a sight channel that clears suppressor-height front sights, and, naturally, a body design that doesn’t clash with mounted red-dot sights on pistol slides.

Beyond this, the Apollo was also created with industry-standard compatibility in mind as far as its infrastructure is concerned. Apollos work with industry-standard belt clips, hardware, bushings, spacers, etc. The same goes for its holes which are also spaced in the industry-standard manner. This also provides a subtle amount of adjustability, depending on how the end-user tweaks their belt attachments and mounting hardware.

Again, I already mentioned the holster’s fixed retention level by default. Similarly, its sweat guards are left on by default on either side. (But there’s no reason one couldn’t trim these to their preference.)

Raven Concealment Systems IWB Overhook Clips

All Apollo holsters are shipped with Raven Concealment Systems’ IWB Overhook nylon polymer belt clips. Don’t look past them because they’re made from polymer. These clips have been around for several years now and have been standard equipment on many of Raven’s own holsters, such as the Eidolon holster—a holster I’ve carried in and have extensive experience using.

As far as I’m concerned, the Raven IWB Overhook has earned its rightful place as OEM hardware in the modern holster world. The nylon polymer clips provide a degree of flexibility, which makes it far easier to don or remove the holster from the belt—far easier than the Discreet Carry Concepts steel clips, for example. This same elasticity also aids in comfort as the play allows the attached holster to conform to the wearer’s body regardless of carry position on the waistline.

Dark Star Gear Dark Wing

Before checkout, one can add a DSG Dark Wing to their Apollo order for an extra $10. A Dark Wing installed on an Apollo holster serves two functions. First, the lower part serves as a bushing to support one of the Raven Overhook clips. Second, when being actively worn, the tension from the flat of the belt pushes against the wing in order to drive the holster closer to the body and aid in concealment.

Dark Star Gear isn’t the only modern holster company to use such a concealment aid, but the Dark Wing design specifically is Dark Star Gear’s signature part. Please note that it isn’t a reversible part, as I found out being left-handed. The Dark Wing isn’t mandatory, and an Apollo will ship with a standard bushing in lieu of one if none is selected.

Carrying with the Glock 19 Apollo

I’ve carried both a Glock 19 (Gen4) and a Glock 45 (Gen5) with my Apollo, and from a practical perspective, the holster works just fine. I typically carry appendix on my left side. Not too long ago, a buddy came by, and I switched the hardware around to a right-handed configuration (plus, I had an extra right-handed Dark Wing), and he was able to carry the Apollo with a loaner Glock IWB just fine. No hardware came undone, and concealment didn’t present any challenges.

Because Glock 19-length slides are on the shorter side, this specific holster is also fairly short to match them. Depending on one’s waist and how they carry their gun, this could be a problem with printing. In my case, with the spare tire around my waist, the holster’s shorter length was causing the top half to twist forward and print against my cover garment.

This issue, of course, is fixed by adding pads or foam on the holster, and I honestly simply reviewed it as is. I know from experience that it does help to be thinner in this regard, as the relatively short Raven Eidolon also started packing flatter the more weight I lost.

Other than being fat, I didn’t really experience too many issues while carrying. I did find that the full parallel sweat guards took some getting used to, but that’s about it.

The Takeaway

With its lower general cost, the Apollo makes a fine no-frills holster. Sometimes, Dark Star Gear will even put them on sale for $40. But even at its standard price of $50, you can rely on a fairly inexpensive and viable concealment holster. The default hardware and belt clips have been vetted by Raven Concealment Systems for some time now.

Apollo holsters are inexpensive enough that you can buy them as a stocking stuffer for your dorky friends who haven’t gotten rid of their Serpas. In all seriousness, expect to play around with it and feel it out as you wear it, but this diligence comes due for any concealment holster at any price point.

My Bad $20—A Tribute to Jack Clemons

By

P.E. Fitch

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May 29, 2024

Dear Reader, I wrote this piece as a small token of appreciation and as a tribute to our very own recently departed Jack Clemons. Unfortunately, he passed away way too young and way too soon earlier this month. His untimely death has left many of his close friends, family, and others who spent time interacting with him heartbroken. Many are still coming to terms with his absence.

Personally, Jack was more than just a colleague from GAT to me. He was a true friend. Jack was blessed with a deep pool of wisdom, insight, and life experiences. Jack had a special ability that allowed him to draw from his well of wisdom and impart knowledge and guidance to his friends and loved ones. The topic of this piece, the “My Bad $20,” is one of many such nuggets of wisdom that emanated from his mind. The MB20 is part of his streets-smarts legacy.

Self-Defense And Its Different Parts

The topic of personal self-defens e is multi-faceted and composed of several different parts. All parts are equally important, but there’s no doubt that some of these topics are more interesting, fun, or glamorous than others. Guns come to mind immediately. For many besides myself, they’re probably also the central locus of attention. You are reading this on a publication dedicated specifically to guns and shooting, after all.

The truth is, however, that the other less-than-sexy aspects of self-defense are equally as important. Maybe more so than the guns. Because I don’t need to convince any readers that avoiding a violent altercation resulting in deadly force and further involvement with the legal system is the goal. By all means, it’s what we all strive to avoid in the first place.

De-escalation

The social aspect of self-defense communication—that is, specifically, talking and dealing with bystanders and potential assailants—is one of these vital aspects that gets overlooked. Unfortunately, it’s not “Instagram-able” like a sub-second draw or five-second FAST Test run. When delving deeper into self-defense communication, it’s hard to avoid one of this subtopic’s most important kernels: de-escalation.

The ability to diffuse and remove conflict from any potential altercation in order to avoid bloodshed or worse can’t be overlooked. It’s more important than the make or model of the defensive gun carried, one’s rank in a martial art, or how much of a badass they are. I cannot stress how important it is to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid any situation from boiling over.

Sun Tzu’s famous ancient tome, The Art Of War, famously highlights the importance of resolving conflict without striking a blow.

This is where Jack Clemons’ “My Bad $20” (MB20 for short) comes into play for the modern citizen self-defense practitioner.

The MB20

The MB20 itself refers to a US $20 bill that’s folded in half twice and kept separate from the rest of one’s money, money clips, or wallet. A few years back, Jack recorded a spontaneous video with a humorous bent describing the MB20 as a “small bribe” one could use during nightlife activities to curry favor with a hostess, maitre d’, usher, bouncer, security guard, etc.

Sure, it’s a small bribe or a preliminary tip to get better service, a better seat, a better table, or a parking spot. Even so, in his video, he mentions the MB20 as the key to avoiding a fight or altercation, staying out of jail, and even the ability to ward off felony charges. And this is where the true power of the MB20 lies for the modern self-defense practitioner.

A $20 is not a lot of money, but it’s hard to beat as a gratuity—especially in cash. Whatever $20 is truly worth (you can’t even get a shitty Old Fashioned at any of the casino bars in the Venetian during SHOT), when that $20 bill is contextualized as a chit with an ability to bring down tempers and smooth things over, it’s truly a cheat code. $20 is $20, right?

Developing skills with firearms, blades, combatives, fitness, and even the [smooth] talking parts of self-defense take some time to cultivate and grow. But a $20 bill is a $20 regardless of whose pocket it’s in. That’s why it’s a social cheat code. And it’s a pittance of a sum in order to avoid a truly negative outcome or a ruined evening with those around you.

And sure, if your MB20 helps you land a better table? Go for it!

Life is short.

RIP Jack Clemons

The Trijicon SRO

By

P.E. Fitch

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May 29, 2024

Trijicon SRO Walther PDP Match Steel Frame

In the world of red-dot sights, the Trijicon SRO (Specialized Reflex Optic) isn’t exactly new. It first saw the light of day nearly five years ago at the 2019 NRA Annual Meetings And Exhibit s show held in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, in the ecosystem of slide-mounted reflex sights, the Trijicon SRO is still a cornerstone, especially in the premium performance reflex optic category. One could argue that it set the tone for its “weight-division.”

Certainly, five years after its launch, the Trijico n SRO is seeing stiff competition from other competitors at more affordable price points. In spite of this, the Trijicon SRO is the optic that set the tone in the first place.

Trijicon SRO Overview

The Trijicon SRO has a large and distinct circular window with a flat bottom that measures nearly a full inch tall and about ⅞ of an inch at its widest point. The SRO has three main sub-variants whose only practical difference is the size of the projected red dot. Sights are available with a 1 MOA dot, a 2 MOA dot, or a 5 MOA dot. All three variants use a red emitter only, and there are no other reticle options besides the standard basic red dot.

The SRO runs off a CR-2032 battery that sits in an easy-to-reach battery tray at the base of the optic. A quality battery will last approximately three years on its medium setting at a standard ambient temperature of 70* F. While accessing the battery compartment isn’t as difficult as the SRO’s RMR sibling, it does require a specialized cruciform tool to unscrew the battery cover.

The optic body has brightness-adjustment buttons on either side, and its windage and elevation dials are in the usual spots. I appreciate that the dial slots are wide, and clicks are tactile and audible—something not featured on every Trijicon red-dot sight.

Mounting the SRO

Mounting-wise, Trijicon SROs use the same mounting footprint as its siblings, the Trijicon RMR and RC R. This footprint itself is also a cornerstone in the realm of pistol slide-mounted reflex sights and is one of the most popular and most used, even by other competitors. The SRO runs off a CR-2032 battery that sits in an easy-to-reach battery tray at the base of the optic.

Because it matches in footprint, its base follows the same dimensions as the RMR and even the newer RCR. Unlike those two, the SRO is longer as its glass lens sits over a “parapet” that extends fore and over the base. For many shooters, this is actually a point of contention with the SRO, as some claim that the overhang can interfere with the proper ejection of brass on their specific pistol.

This is something I’ve specifically heard from dedicated double-stack 1911/2011 shooters, but I can’t speak to the phenomenon being substantive. These claims seem to be on an individual basis. Nevertheless, the SRO’s overhang gives the sight a very unique and distinctive profile that’s not seen on many other red-dots—other than those that directly mimic it.

Trijicon SRO Red Dot Sights — *The Trijicon SRO sitting in the middle next to its peers and rivals. From this angle one can clearly see how far the objective window sits over its “parapet.”*

The SRO Experience

Shooting

Regardless of the gun it is mounted on, shooting with the SRO has always been a positive experience. To be honest, its circular window provides an excellent sight picture that I find conducive to target-focused shooting. This is true of large-window dots, but they’re more “visually comfortable” in addition to being more forgiving on subpar draws or target presentations.

After mounting it to the Canik Rival-S for its review, I recall the Canik factory plate sitting tall on the slide with the optic, but it didn’t matter because the sight’s window is so wide. The same is true for my experience with the the SRO on a Glock 34. I don’t hate the Glock grip angle, but it’s slightly swept back too much for optimum optics shooting (for me). Even so, the SRO had my back, and it wasn’t a big deal.

I’ve only ever put rounds through two SROs, mine and a friend’s (mounted on an M&P 2.0 5”). Both use a 2.5 MOA reticle, so I can’t comment on the 1 MOA or 5 MOA versions. Ultimately, I think this sight picture and the experience it provides can’t be beat. Being confined to only a central aiming point isn’t an issue either.

Besides that, there’s a handful of shooters who like to carry with SROs because they claim that the rounded housing helps break up the lines of their mounted red-dots under their cover garment.

Using It On Various Pistols

Since the start of my “red-dot shooting experiences,” I made it a priority to start working with one of these Trijicon units due to its importance and position in the market. Given the assortment of red-dot optic models that pass through my hands and writer’s desk, keeping an SRO on hand has been invaluable. It is, after all, the “big-window benchmark.”

Red-Dot Dry-Fire Trijicon SRO — The Rival-S and the Trijicon SRO still make a fantastic pairing. But that Mecanik M03 is also showing some promise.

I purchased my SRO used, so its true round count isn’t known. My own round count should be north of 800 between the Glock and Canik. It’s not much, sure, but considering all the dots and pistols I review, it’s something.

Last night, I pulled it off the Glock and swapped it around with the Trijicon RCR that was sitting on my Walther PDP Match Steel Frame. Suffice it to say, the Walther now proudly wears my SRO while the RCR sits on that Glock (I have a future project and evaluation in mind).

It was switching the sights around last night that inspired me to write this. Because of the SRO’s wonderful window, I think it’s better mounted on the PDP Match SF—a gun I know I can perform even better with compared to the Glock 34.

SRO Quirks and Issues

As with all pieces of kit, SROs have their issues. Perhaps its single biggest issue is its cost. SROs aren’t cheap. Their real-world retail price can range between $500-$600 depending on the seller. Looking out for a used one in good condition is probably the best way to score a “deal” on one. That’s what I did, buying secondhand.

Cost aside, this sight can be affected by the “false reticle” phenomenon. Depending on the time of the day and the position of the sun in the sky, if the sun’s rays hit the lens just right, one can see a false or double dot, which can obviously be misleading. This phenomenon affects other sights as well, usually ones with angled lenses with sloped downward edges.

In the SRO’s case, its window is large and prominent, so it has a tendency to catch the sun and show the false dot. I don’t think it’s the end of the world because at least it’s daylight bright.

Compared to other Trijicon dots like the RMR, RCR, or even the MRO, the blue tint on the SRO’s lens appears to be less severe. From my perspective, parallax and distortion appear to be extremely marginal, and they’ve never been an issue during shooting.

The Takeaway

I wouldn’t hesitate to call the Trijicon SRO the “king” of the RMR footprint performance red dots. There’s a good reason why several competitors are trying to mimic its form factor with the large and prominent window. It’s a winning formula from a design standpoint, which also enhances the shooting experience with any pistol. So it’s easy to understand why many of its competitors want to take a swipe at the SRO’s crown—”round window” competitors or otherwise (I’m looking at you, Ho losun HS 507 COM P).

.38 TPC – Taurus Makes a Pistol Cartridge

By

Travis Pike

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May 28, 2024

Imagine being the average Brazillian. Under the last President, your gun rights were expanded. Brazil is a beautiful country, but the criminal elements are sometimes violent and well-armed. Being able to defend your home and your family is likely a priority. Before you know it, your people elect a literal criminal, a money launderer, a terrorist sympathizer, a racist, and a corrupt politician who, like most criminals, abhor gun ownership. After passing numerous gun laws, the average Brazillian can no longer own a 9mm handgun, so Taurus responds and offers you the .38 TPC.

The Lula Government took office, and almost immediately, a series of gun laws were passed. The laws reduced the number of guns one can own, reduced the length of a gun license, and banned calibers like 9x19mm. There is no grandfather clause, and you either find a way to sell it or face confiscation. This forced most Brazilians to give up the most popular guns on the market and use less powerful options in .380 ACP and maybe .32 ACP.

In response, Taurus created a cartridge known as the .38 TPC, specifically aimed at the civilian market in Brazil. TPC stands for Taurus Pistol Cartridge. The .38 TPC is designed to skirt the current law and remain legal for civilian self-defense needs.

Why the .38 TPC

The .38 TPC is designed to try and replicate the 9mm as closely as it can without violating the law. Taurus pushed some boundaries and bent some rules but left them unbroken. The .398 TPC does use a 9.02 mm projectile and an 18mm case. The 9mm Makarov famously used an 18mm case, but the 9mm Mak is a bit closer to .380 ACP. The .38 TPC sits next to 9mm. Think of the .38 TPC as a 9mm -P and not as .380 ACP +P.

The cartridge uses the same 124-grain 9mm projectile as 9×19, which means reloading wouldn’t be difficult. It delivers about 90% of the power of the 9mm Luger cartridge and is 40% more powerful than the .380 ACP. The .38 TPC reportedly has a max chamber pressure of 35,000 PSI, which is the same as that of most standard 9mm loads.

According to Taurus Brazil, they have created a bonded JHP that can reach 14 inches in ballistic gel with 40% expansion and zero mass loss. That’s a capable defensive option that can penetrate as needed, with the advantage of expansion if it works as claimed.

Using a slightly less powerful cartridge results in less recoil, which is always good. Taurus can likely easily convert its 9mm guns to .38 TPC without any significant investment.

The .38 TPC Guns

Speaking of guns, Taurus plans to release both the G2C and the GX4 in .38 TPC in Brazil. The G2C is one of Taurus’ most successful firearms in Brazil and the United States, making it an easy seller. I find the GX4 more interesting. Taurus builds the G2C in Brazil, but they build the GX4 in Bainbridge, Georgia. Taurus will be exporting the GX4 into Brazil.

Why is that interesting? Well, it’s usually the other way around. Typically, Taurus imports weapons from Brazil into America. This Uno reverse might be the first time it’s gone the other way. According to some Brazilian websites, the Taurus brand sells over 300 thousand firearms a year in Brazil, so the .38 TPC might be a winner there.

Brazil isn’t the only country with silly bans on ammo, and those countries might also adopt the .38 TPC for civilian firearm sales. I don’t think we’ll see any of these guns in the States, but I’d love to have one cartridge for my collection.

HENRY MODEL X LEVERED UP

By

Linas Cernauskas

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May 28, 2024

My Henry Model X .44 Mag has gone through some changes recently. For better or worst, it has been levered up. I wanted a lever gun that can do it all from predator hunting to self-defense. And look cool and be functional at the same time.

Levered Up

The Midwest Industries Henry M-LOK G2 Handguard is hardcoat anodized 6061 aluminum that weighs only 7.4 ounces. It features several M-LOK sections on it, making it easy to mount attachments in your preferred locations. It also comes with a forward-mounted sling swivel for use of conventional hunting slings. I removed mine since I tried several different hand stops, but nothing worked for me. I forgot to reattach it for the photos. The G2 feels great in the hand and looks even better.

The stock, quivers, plates, shims and muzzle brake all came from Ranger Point Precision. Since I don’t yet have a suppressor for this Henry, I chose the Rifle Comet Muzzle Brake from Ranger Point, which helps to reduce felt recoil and muzzle flash by about 25 percent. It absolutely helps, as I found myself quicker transitioning from target to target.

The skeletonized stock is adjustable to suit you. It is equipped with a Dead Blow recoil pad to help reduce felt recoil. There are a few more M-LOKs on the stock along with several QD mounting points. You can also mount Range Point Precision quivers to the stock as well. The stock is super easy to adjust and get it right for you.

Red Dot

For an optic I went with Trijicon’s SRO (Specialized Reflex Optic), which is awesome. Unfortunately, you won’t realize how awesome it is until you try one . The SRO features a quick-change, top-loading CR2032 battery, which will work up to three years on a setting of four.

These parts gave the Henry a new look—one that usually makes people go “oohhhh” and “ahhhh.” Plus, it is all functional and serves a purpose.

Preventing Stolen Guns – Cars Aren’t Holsters

By

Travis Pike

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May 27, 2024

AP News recently reported that guns are being stolen from vehicles at three times the rate they were 10 years ago. This is absolutely ridiculous and 100% predictable. Anyone who steals a gun from a vehicle is a criminal, and anyone who negligently leaves a gun inside a vehicle is guilty of arming a criminal. Common sense says stolen guns are more likely to be used in crime.

Stolen Guns Arm Criminals

The AP is one of the better news networks, but like most of them, they tend to lean anti-gun. You can question the article’s intent, but it’s a fact that over half of the guns stolen in 2022 were stolen from vehicles.

That’s too damn many. I’m not taking the anti-gun side and suggesting some unenforceable anti-gun law that’s draconian in its nature. I’m here to appeal to the firearms community and remind you that your car is not a holster.

You might think, oh, it won’t happen to me, but it can and will. On May 8th, 2024, a Texas Game Warden’s vehicle was burglarized, and two rifles, a handgun, and some body armor were swiped. If these criminals aren’t afraid of targeting marked law enforcement vehicles, what makes you think your truck won’t be targeted?

Owning a firearm is a right, but it’s also a responsibility. You are responsible for your weapon when it’s in and out of your hands. You may feel like I’m victim-blaming the victims of vehicular theft, and okay, maybe so, but those folks need to be blamed for being lazy. Removing a firearm from a vehicle takes about 4 seconds of effort, so your excuses are invalid.

Those folks who ‘carry’ a gun but just leave it in their center console are also irresponsible. Learn to carry a gun on your person. It’s not hard. There are hundreds of great holster options out there that make concealed carry easy.

What about when you’re out and about and can’t carry your gun?

A Time & A Place

Leaving a gun unsecured in your car is dumb. Leaving a gun in your car locked in a safe isn’t as dumb. It comes down to how long and why you leave the gun in the vehicle. As a concealed carrier and law-abiding gun owner, I obey the law. That means dealing with a world of gun-free zones. I might have to go to the post office or to my kid’s school. In both those cases, I can’t even drive in the parking lot and have the gun in my car.

I’m used to the walk, as I call it, as I park off-site and yes, I leave my gun in my car. How do I prevent my gun from becoming a stolen gun that arms criminals and being a hypocrite? I bought a small safe that fits under my car seat. That safe is then bolted with a cable lock and locked inside the safe. This small safe isn’t optimum by any means.

A dedicated thief with the right tools can break their way into it. Yet, that would take time and prior planning, which means I’ve been targeted and followed, and I just don’t see that being realistic. If my car is broken into, and the safe is found, it provides enough of a challenge to prevent the thief from committing a snatch-and-grab. They would have to work in broad daylight, with tools, in a tight space, with a car alarm likely blaring to make off with the safe and gun.

Using a car safe when necessary to prevent your gun from becoming a stolen gun is an option. The thing is, you shouldn’t get reliant on that car safe. I would never leave a gun locked in my car safe overnight or for an extended period.

How Many Stolen Guns Are There?

According to self-reported police statistics and the FBI, there were 112,000 guns stolen in 2022. With over half being swiped from vehicles. Think about that for a second. That’s a lot of guns that can make their way into the hands of scum bags.

These scum bags are a plight in civilized society—the effort it takes to take your gun inside your home or to carry on your body is minuscule. The price of an under-seat safe is low, and the effort required to use one is just as low. When we discuss responsible gun owners, we need to make sure that taking steps to secure your firearm is discussed.

If you aren’t willing to be voluntarily responsible with your firearm, then you’re part of the problem.

WILSON COMBAT’S NEXT-LEVEL MICRO 9: WCP365

By

Linas Cernauskas

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May 27, 2024

Before we get into the new Wilson Combat P365, I want to address some comments that post across various sites and social media outlets. The saying “You get what pay for” holds true here. A good analogy here would be cars. A Honda Civic has four tires, an engine that goes vroom-vroom and will get you from point A to point B. A BMW M3 series also has four tires, an engine that goes vroom-vroom and will get you from point A to point B. The biggest difference between the two is the driver’s experience, and you’ll probably get to point B faster in the BMW. Same thing here, the Sig Sauer P365 will get shots on target and so will the WCP365, but the shooter’s experience will be completely different, and you’ll probably get on target and follow-up shots quicker with the WCP365.

Back in October of 2022, I got to go hands-on with the WCP365 at Athlon Outdoors’ Rendezvous event, and man, it was love at first shot. I hate to say this, but I never really liked the Sig P365. I wanted to, but it just didn’t fit my hand, and I shot horribly with it. But with the WCP365, I was hitting steel like no tomorrow, even going out to 50 and 100 yards. So, of course, the next steps were to pester Wilson Combat reps into sending me one.

WCP365 Magic

What makes the WCP365 so different than the regular P365? Well, it does start life at a Sig Sauer plant, but these P365s are sent to Wilson without sights and the slide left in white (no serrations or coating). Once at Wilson, the slide is given front and rear X-TAC serrations, which I found very grippy. In fact, everyone who has handled the pistol has commented about how much they like the serrations.

Sights are added to the slide. On my WCP365, it is a red fiber-optic front and Wilson Battlesight rear that co-witness with the Trijicon RMRcc red dot. That’s right, for a little bit extra, Wilson will mill the slide to allow for direct mounting. Currently, they offer footprints for Trijicon RMRcc, Holosun 407K/507K and Shield RMSc/Sig ROMEO Zero. Once that is all done, the slide is given a black DLC finish.

The real magic here is the WCP365 grip module, as it feels right at home in my hands. You can tell that Wilson spent countless hours designing it for superior ergonomics and improved recoil control. It doesn’t feel boxy in the hand but rather like a well-used bar of soap without all the slipperiness. It’s hard to describe; you have to put one in your hands to truly understand it.

And whatever you do, make sure that you splurge for the Action Tune package. In fact, if you can only afford the red-dot milling or Action Tune, get the Action Tune. Hands down, no one could believe how good the trigger is on the WCP365 with the Action Tune package. It makes you grin and your jaw drop at the same time. The voodoo engineers at Wilson replace the sear spring, trigger return spring and striker lock spring. They switch out the factory trigger for Grayguns flat-face trigger and then they polish the internals. In return for this, you get a trigger that is crisper and cleaner than the factory one, allowing for a short reset for lightning-fast follow-up or double-tap shots. This is a must-have!

Lead Downrange

I have put more than 500 rounds of 9mm through my WCP365 without any hiccups. Everyone who has shot it walked away impressed. I do wish that Wilson replaced the standard factory magazine release with a slightly extended mag release. That is my only complaint about the pistol but is an easy fix.

Everything that was done to this pistol has made me a better shooter. Groups fired from 7 yards were easily kept around or under the 1-inch mark. I believe I may have found my next everyday carry pistol. For such a small handgun, it is really a joy to shoot.

Final Notes

If you can afford it, go with the BMW M3 of micro-compact pistols. The Wilson Combat WCP365 is worth it and so much more. Will there be people who prefer the Civic? Yes (which I will never understand), but to each their own. Speaking of each to their own, Wilson does also offer the same package for the P365-XL. To find out more visit wilsoncombat.com.

SPECIFICATIONS: Wilson Combat WCP365

Caliber: 9mm

Barrel: 3.1 inches

OA Length: 6 inches

Weight: 18.6 ounces

Grips: Polymer

Sights: WC Battlesight rear, fiber-optic front

Action: Striker-fired, semi-auto

Finish: DLC

Capacity: 10+1, 12+1

MSRP: Call for pricing

PERFORMANCE: Wilson Combat WCP365

LOAD ACCURACY

Lehigh Defense 90 XD 0.83

Wilson Combat 124 GDHP +P 0.63

Wilson Combat 135 HBFN 1.12

Bullet weight measured in grains and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 7 yards.

Magpul ELG Gear – Lever Gun Stuff

By

Travis Pike

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May 26, 2024

Magpul recently pushed an announcement out ahead of NRAAM that they were getting into the world of the modern lever gun. I’m a Magpul fanboy. Who else can produce high-quality products that are innovative and even affordable? It’s the right crossroads of quality and price. The Magpul brand is ever-expanding this year, and they attack lever guns head-on with the ELG lever gun gear..

The firearms market, particularly the tactical or modern segment, has witnessed a significant shift in recent years. After two decades of AR dominance, there’s a growing interest in exploring different platforms, and lever guns have emerged as a particularly intriguing option. Lever guns, with their versatility and similarity to shotguns in use, are gaining popularity, signaling a new era in the firearms market.

With lever gun legend Marlin being purchased by Ruger, it’s about time these American classics got the aftermarket they deserve. Magpul focused on the Marlin guns, and it’s easy to see why. They are in production, but they were also in production for decades prior, which creates a massive market of guns that are already in the hands of shooters.

The Magpul ELG & Modern Lever Guns

Magpul is letting two pieces of furniture loose for the lever gun world in the form of the ELG gear.

The first is a stock. Magpul changed the game when they released the Magpul SGA stock for shotguns, and it looks like they’re aiming to do the same thing for lever guns. The ELG M-LOK stock takes some cues from the SGA stock but makes it more rifle-like. The stock works with Marlin 1895 and 336 platforms. The stock will work with both current productions as well as Ruger and Remington-built versions of the gun. MSRP is $139.95.

This ELG stock features the SGA-style adjustable length of pull design, which lets users slip spacers in to increase the length. The pistol grip is aggressive but not as vertical as the SGA. The stock features an adjustable cheek rest at the top that pulls a sneaky on you. It hinges open to reveal a quiver with slots for six .45-70 or .30-30 cartridges.

You can remove the quiver and have an open storage slot. It’s perfect for Skittles. As you’d imagine, there are plenty of sling points. There are also M-LOK slots, so you can attach an M-LOK side saddle to carry even more extra rounds on your rifle.

Speaking of M-LOK, the next piece of modern lever gun furniture is the ELG M-LOK handguard. This handguard only fits the Marlin 1895, so 336 guys are left out. As you’d expect, it’s covered from front to rear in M-LOK slots. You have six on the left and right sides and six on the bottom—plenty of space for lights, lasers, foregrips, and whatever else you might want. MSRP is $79.95.

The Modern Lever Gun – A Welcome Market

The current modern lever gun market is an expensive one. Accessories, in particular, are fairly expensive. Stocks cost $400, handguards cost $200, and more. It’s a small niche market, so the prices remain high. With Magpul entering the fray and providing affordable options for lever guns, the market is bound to change. Even if it doesn’t change, the Magpul options provide an affordable alternative. Check it out at Magpul.

Gunday Brunch 147: The Elephant in the Room and NRAAM

By

Keith Finch

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May 26, 2024

The boys are back, and are diminished. But the show will go on, and today we’re talking politics, NRA, and other stuff

Is 2024 the Year of the .32 caliber?

By

Travis Pike

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May 25, 2024

Something is happening. These slow rumblings of various .32 caliber firearms enter the firearm industry. It’s been years since we’ve seen any new firearms chamber of the classic .32s. This slow trickle of .32 caliber firearms has excited me. I would even go as far as to say that 2024 is the year of the .32. Not just one .32, but three or maybe four, depending on how you count calibers. Let’s reflect on the new .32 caliber firearms gracing us this year.

S&W 432 UC

Allow me to introduce my current EDC gun, the S&W 432 UC. This .32 H&R Magnum revolver is a proud member of Lipsey’s exclusive Ultimate Carry line. Its compact J-frame houses six rounds of the potent yet remarkably low recoil .32 H&R Magnum. But that’s not all; it’s also versatile enough to handle the .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long. The .32 H&R Magnum cartridge is a force to be reckoned with, delivering excellent penetration and decent expansion, making it an ideal choice for self-defense.

The gun has hardly any recoil, and I can fire it with a single hand easily. In practice, I can deliver a 2.08-second Bill Drill from concealment with the gun. Yeah, it’s not sub-2 seconds, but for me, that’s fast. The gun has a real rear sight, amazing grips, and a great trigger. The UC lineup is fantastic, and it introduced me to a .32 caliber round I hadn’t had time to appreciate.

Beretta 30X

I am a big fan of the Tip-Up guns from Beretta. There is something so neat about these little fellas, and I own two 3032 Tomcats. I was a little bummed when they discontinued the line but relieved when they brought it back as the new and improved 30X. They revamped the design to include an 8-round capacity, different sight options, and a button for deploying the tip-up barrel, and improved the gun’s overall durability.

There are even plans for an optics adapter from Beretta. It’s an overall super neat little handgun that chambers the low recoiling .32 ACP. In my opinion, this classic .32 caliber round is the best option for pocket pistols. It makes the 30X Tomcat easy to shoot, and with nine rounds, you’ll have no problems getting the job done.

Taurus 327 Defender TORO

One thing that stopped me from ever embracing the .327 Federal Magnum was the recoil, muzzle flash, and concussion it emitted from small revolvers. To me, that kind of defeated the point of a .32 caliber cartridge. I’d only ever shot the gun caliber in snub nose revolvers, but my opinion changed the first time I met a .327 Federal magnum with a 3-inch barrel.

The Taurus 327 Defender TORO offers a lot less concussion, a healthy reduction in recoil, and some noise cuts by adding another inch or so to the barrel. The 327 Defender TORO might wear a three-inch barrel, but it’s still easily concealable. The gun uses a compact frame and a bobbed hammer with small grips. The TORO moniker means you can strap an optic to it, and that’s worth it as far as I’m concerned. If the .327 Federal Magnum is still too much, this gun can use a .32 H&R Magnum, as well as the .32 S&W cartridges.

Walther PPK

Walther made my year with their most recent announcement. They announced they would be producing a PPK in .32 ACP. I love the .32 ACP and the Walther PPK. I don’t care for the .380 ACP version all that much. The recoil is intense and uncomfortable due to the straight blowback design. The use of .32 ACP cuts that recoil to near nil and creates a much comfier and easier-to-shoot weapon. It’s worth noting the .32 ACP PPK was Bond’s choice.

You get an extra round of capacity and a really smooth-firing firearm. I’ve only fired a .32 ACP Walther PPK once, and it was clearly the caliber the gun was meant to be. It’s large for a .32, so it’s very easy to shoot and very accurate. Even though the MSRP is close to a grand, this might be my new concealed-carry gun.

The Year of the .32 Caliber

The .32 caliber never gets any respect! It’s time for it to make a comeback as we realize that most of what we know about handgun ballistics and their ability to stop a threat comes down to penetration and shot placement. The .32 caliber chamberings offer lowe recoil, better capacity, and work really well in smaller guns. Hopefully we continue to see development on this front, and folks in the United States will realize the .32 caliber’s true potential.

The Sig Sauer Academy

By

Athlon Series

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May 25, 2024

Athlon Video Series Sig Sauer Firearms Academy And Training Facility

Sig Sauer is a storied company that has deep rooted ties to both Switzerland and Germany for many generations. SIG itself which stands for Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (English: Swiss Industrial Company) was originally a railroad wagon manufacturing and industrial concern who won contracts from the Swiss government to produce firearms in Switzerland as far back as 1859. It was this Swiss company that was responsible for manufacturing many of the most famous Swiss small arms of the 20th century including original handgun designs such as SIG P210, P220 and P226. It built other military small arms like the Famous SIG 510 rifle and even the straight-pull K31 among many others. SIG in Switzerland kept manufacturing firearms until the year 2000. German gunmaker Sauer similarly has an old history dating back to the 1700s and also made all manner of rifles, shotguns and pistols. The original German company made the World War Two famous Mauser K98, for example. During the 1970s, SIG and Sauer got together to better sell their firearms as the Swiss neutrality laws forbade the Swiss company from directly selling and exporting its own guns around the world. By the mid 1980s, the old SIGARMS was formed in Tyson’s Corner, VA. Even back then in those days, the need for an in house shooting school and academy was a topic amongst the SIGARMs staff.

Fast Forward To Today

SIG ACADEMY

“Really in the 1980s, the talk of a SIG ACADEMY within SIG Sauer began. It wasn’t until 1990, though where the discussion really began and an academy was formed,” said Steve Gilcreast, director SIG Academy. “We needed to have outdoor ranges, indoor ranges, and the ability to train law enforcement and military personal that were using SIG Sauer products.”

Now, the academy trains law enforcement and military personal, and has opened its doors to responsible citizens – anyone that can legally own and carry a firearm. Take a dive with us into the SIG Academy, from its roots and development to current date.

Pistol Basics: The Casino Drill

By

P.E. Fitch

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May 24, 2024

The Casino Drill is a well-known handgun drill involving six simple “kindergarten” shapes, 21 rounds of ammo and 21 seconds. It’s probably one of the best known exercises connected to Tom Givens and his Rangemaster school of firearms training. I’ve known about this drill for years but had never taken the time to try and and recently, I got my hands on a few of the drill’s “official” targets and gave it a [few] shots. I took my pair of Glock 34s to shoot the exercise as one is set up with a red-dot and the other isn’t. Besides the fact that I’ve been working with them, writing about them and shooting them lately, I wanted to see how shooting the drill with or without made a difference. (In this case, it didn’t matter too much).

How The Casino Drill Works

Like many of the drills I cover in my “Pistol Basics” series, the Casino Drill is also a fairly simple drill that doesn’t require much to set up. Carrying out the Casino Drill successfully only requires a pistol, three magazines, magazine carrier(s) to hold at least two magazines, 21 rounds of pistol ammo and a shot timer. The exercise is carried out at five yards, shot from concealment and includes a par-time of 21 seconds. It goes without saying that a concealment holster is also needed. Officially, it’s shot on the full-sized Discretionary Command Training Target (DT-2A/B/C).

The DT-2A/B/C consists of six different shapes: two pairs of triangles, two pairs of circles and two pairs of squares. All four polyguns and both circles found in each target will be six inches tall or six inches wide; each shape will also have a random number ranging from 1 to 6. Finally any shape can be one of three colors: red, blue or yellow. The numbers printed on these shapes are the most important aspect of the drill as far as its round count and shooting order go.

Prior to starting, the shooter loads seven rounds into one of the mags and loads their pistol and holsters it. The two remaining magazines are also loaded with seven rounds each. On the timer’s start signal, shooters need to locate the #1 shape on their target and fire one shot. They must immediately transition to the #2 shape and fire twice, find the #3 shape and fire three times, then move to the fourth shape and fire four times, and so on until each shape receives the requisite number of rounds in the correct order. If the Casino Drill is cleaned, each shape will match the number of shots to its printed number. Because all three magazines are loaded with only 7 cartridges, the shooter will have to reload twice. This is intentional because the entire point of the drill is to force the student to “think with the gun in their hand.” While shooting Casino Drill, students not only need to process the mechanics of drawing and shooting, but they also need to visually process what they’re shooting at and how many times they’re doing so. On top of that, they will need to manage two extra events, (the reloads) without allowing these to become too distracting and detract from the task at hand which is shooting each shape in the correct order with the correct amount of rounds.

Glock 34 Casino Drill — The aftermath of nine attempts with both of my Glock 34 MOS pistols. Pardon the darker picture, it was right at sunset and cease-fire time at the gun club.

Targets And Order Variations

The single biggest issue with the Casino Drill is that after many repetitions, the shooter can memorize the firing order and cues to reload which makes the exercise lose some of its efficacy as far as keeping students on edge and processing information. As a result, the official Casino Drill target is offered in three different permutations. Each has a different combination of shapes and numbers in every spot. Moreover, both instructors and students like to get creative and change some of the drill’s parameters and order. For example, some will load magazines with more or fewer rounds (as long as the total is still 21). Others will use the shapes themselves or their colors and incorporate them into drill too to change up the standard 1-2-3-4-5-6 shooting order. There are many examples out there but the object is to always stimulate thinking and processing while shooting. Mr. Given’s original thoughts on the Casino Drill can be read in this old newsletter he wrote.

Besides changing the order, shapes numbers or anything mentioned above, there are those who like to change the distance and the target itself, such as shooting the six shapes on a much smaller 8 ½ x 11 inch sheet of paper at three yards (see Mini Casino Drill from Greg Ellifritz). This can be as much from convenience as it can to change up the standard Casino Drill. But the goal remains the same: thinking and processing under time pressure.

The Takeaway

After the ordeal of shooting several attempts at the Casino Drill, I failed to clean it even once. Of course I could have “slowed down to get my hits” but that would have been a waste of honest and reasonable effort. The Casino Drill is very strict concerning misses and there can’t be any in order to clean it. At the range, I went for nine attempts frankly because that’s how much ammo I had on hand; I also wanted to get a good feel for this new-to-me drill in order to write this. Out of my nine attempts, I failed to finish three due to egregious errors. The rest were carelessly dropped shots because I didn’t keep my support hand tension in check, especially after reloading. One of the tells is seeing the cluster of missed shots right below target #6.

I compiled my “scores” if you can call them that below. Attempt #8 was shot with the iron-sight Glock 34 and given how massive the shapes are at 5 yards, I don’t think the lack of a red-dot was a defining variable. Could a red-dot provide an advantage? I think it depends on the shooter and their skill level because this exercise focuses on so many variables. Some are apparent and some are more subtle. Frankly, the shot timer’s pressure causes temporary amnesia.

DNF
13.57 (fail)
16.27 (fail)
DNF
14.17 (fail)
DNF
14.29 (fail)
13.51 (fail, shot with iron sights Glock 34)
12.83 (fail)

Shooting the Casino Drill with maximum effort was a humbling experience. One of my biggest errors was allowing the large, basic shapes and the close distance of five yards to lull me into a false sense of security. After putting out my current best effort, it’s clear that executing on the Casino Drill at a high level and with serious competence requires every fiber of the shooter’s being, focus and concentration. Most of the shooting public cannot clear it in 21 seconds and there’s a reason why Mr. Givens established that as the official par time The ability to clean it at 12-15 seconds or less is demonstrative of above-average defensive handgun skills. Past that, navigating into clean runs below twelve seconds is evidence that the shooter’s skill lies 3 standard deviations to the right of the bell curve. Getting to that level requires perfection and economy of motion in nearly everything: drawing to first shot, trigger control, firing hand grip, support hand grip, target transitions, reloads while mentally managing the correct round count and firing order. I’d even argue that even if one “memorized” the motions, consistently shooting clean runs below 10 seconds is still something to be in awe of.

The current world record is 9.04 seconds and here’s my friend Sean pulling it off

Edited to add: Sean actually dropped me a note and told me that missed shots add one second to the total time/score. I previously overlooked this detail.

Concealed Carry Bro Science

By

Travis Pike

-

May 24, 2024

Have you ever heard of Bro Science? Bro Science originated in gym culture and is a term applied to the not-so-scientific tidbits that spread throughout the gym. It typically goes something like this, “Bro, if you do fasted cardio, you’ll kill your gains.” Or maybe something like this, “Bro, if you do bench press with both legs on a balance ball, you’ll increase you get sick gains!” That’s Bro Science, and over time, I realized that the firearms industry has its own Bro Science that’s spread amongst gun shops and ranges, and today, we are pointing out the biggest aspects of Bro Science.

Handgun Stopping Power – The King Of Bro Science

One of the key tenets of this whole thing is the lack of any real scientific backing. If you start asking questions, then it falls apart. That’s what happens when it comes to stopping power. If someone says, “Bro, .45 ACP has more stopping power than 9mm,” then ask them what stopping power means.

Winchesters 1911 hollowpoint is an excellent loading.

What’s the measurable aspect of stopping power? What creates stopping power? Is it bullet size? Weight? Speed? How do you measure stopping power? It’s a nebulous term that’s just kind of made up, especially with handguns. With rifles, we have secondary wounding characteristics, but with a handgun, we just got the tissue damage caused by the cartridge going directly through flesh.

Hydrostatic Shock and Handguns

“Bro, .357 SIG can impart neurological hydrostatic shock! If you hit a bad guy in the gut, you can stop their heart!” Make no qualms about it; hydrostatic shock exists. It just requires a heavy bullet moving extremely fast to do so. There is no handgun round that creates any form of measurable or effective hydrostatic shock. Even in rifles, the concept is controversial in terms of its effectiveness on animals of various sizes. You won’t get hydrostatic shock from the .357 SIG, the .44 Magnum, or any other handgun round.

357 Magnum and .357 Sig Don’t create Hydrostatic shock

Big Bullets Are Always Better

There has been a huge shift in the world of firearms concerning bullet size, but you’ll still hear the American mythos of a bigger bullet is better. Plenty of people still advocate for the .45 ACP. Sometimes a bigger round has its advantages, but for concealed carry and defensive use there isn’t much of a notable difference in .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and 9mm. A lot of folks accept that, but switch the conversation to pocket pistols.

“Pocket pistols have to be .380 ACP bro; it’s the smallest caliber you can carry!” You can swap a pistol for a revolver and a .380 for a .38 Special. Sure, those rounds work fine, but are there better alternatives that might be a little smaller? Calibers like .32 ACP, .22 LR, .22 Magnum, and .32 H&R Magnum work and have less recoil and more capacity.

White Lights Give Your Position Away

“Bro, if you have a white light on your gun, the bad guys will know exactly where you are!” Somehow, in 2024, this myth still percolates. Regardless of what we do, it doesn’t seem to improve. Social media posts about weapon lights are full of folks proclaiming the bro science about weapon lights making you a target.

With a combat light the pistol is a good choice for home defense.

In reality, weapon lights allow you to identify threats and prevent you from shooting an innocent person. Sure, light discipline is important, and you should be trained to use your light appropriately. It doesn’t make you a target, and if the threat has a light, then they might spot you before you can spot them. Lights won’t make you a target in your typical home defense or concealed carry environment, that’s just bro science.

Dutch Loading Is Superior

“Bro, I alternate hollow points and FMJs; that way, I can shoot the XZY barrier.” I’m not sure why it’s called Dutch loading, and I hope I don’t offend any Dutch people. The idea of Dutch loading being an efficient tactic boggles my mind. You might have to shoot through some kind of barrier, so do you want to use FMJs? How often can you locate any civilian self-defense shooting where this was a factor?

Even if you could, most hollow points do pretty well through barriers these days. Loading FMJs means every other round will overpenetrate a wide variety of things. This includes people. FMJs are the champs of over-penetration, and that’s why they deserve to be in the range. There are some guns where FMJs make sense, like .22LRs and similar small caliber guns. For most cartridges, it’s JHPs all the way and don’t let bro science tell you any different.

Bro Science and Concealed Carry

The Bro Science in the gun world is very real. The key to seeing through it is to just ask questions. Ask why that works, why it is better, what it means, etc. The good news is that there is more truth out there than ever before and more means for it to be delivered.

My Favorite Shotguns Drills and Skills

By

Travis Pike

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May 23, 2024

As a shotgun fan, I’m always looking to improve my skills with the gauge. Shotguns are not user-friendly like ARs, and the training curve to master one can feel sharp. In reality, the limited use of shotguns means that the core skills required to use a shotgun are relatively simple. Simple, but difficult to master. Drills are a popular way to train skills, but shotgunners likely feel a bit left out. Don’t fret; I’ve got three shotgun drills to help you train in the way of the gauge.

Shotgun Drills and Training

There are a few skills that are essential to running a shotgun. These aren’t the only shotgun skills, but they are the most important. When shopping for shotgun drills, I looked for drills that worked these skills.

Ask about shotguns, and people will gladly tell you they recoil too much and, therefore, the AR is superior. In reality, these folks have never practiced proper recoil management. Recoil management is the number one skill that shotgunners need to learn to succeed. In the year of our lord 2024, the Push/Pull technique beats recoil like it is a stepchild. It allows you to shoot quickly, shoot straight, and save your shoulder.

The shotgun works best at handgun ranges. The shotgun dominates this range by putting a handful of projectiles on a target per trigger pull. It’s efficient and fast. CQB fights are often rapid and brutal, and speed matters. One of the big skills one should have with a shotgun is getting a shot on target quickly. I can get a load of buckshot on target at ten yards from the low ready, which is less than 0.6 of a second.

Finally, the last skill is reloading. Shotguns hold anywhere from four to eight rounds. In most defensive encounters, it’s doubtful you’d ever have to reload the gun. Still, crap happens, and you want to be able to keep the gun loaded and running. Reloading is a valuable skill to have.

With this all in mind, let’s get into our shotgun drills.

The Shoot, Kneel, Shoot

For the Shoot, Kneel, Shoot drill we need three rounds of ammo, and a single target to go along with our shotgun and PPE.

The Shoot, Kneel, Shoot starts with one round in the gun and standing at 10 yards. At the signal, you’ll fire one round on target. You then transition to a kneeling position and port load a cartridge, fire, then port a second cartridge and fire again. That ends the drill. You should land all three hits, and the drill should be done in at least ten seconds, with seven being preferable.

This drill works all three of our big skills. You’ll need to rapidly reload and engage the target while exercising proper recoil control. Transitioning from a port load to a proper push/pull while engaging quickly is difficult. This transition is tricky but worth learning. It helps you flow into the push/pull and starts to build good habits.

Shotgun Casino Drill

I first saw the Shotgun Casino Drill on the Active Self-Protection YouTube channel, but I’m not sure if they created it. The drill requires ten rounds per run and can be done with a pump or semi-auto shotgun. You’ll need four targets, preferably man-sized targets.

Shooters will start five yards from the target. According to ASP, a pump gun can start fully loaded, and a semi-auto should start with three rounds in the tube and one in the pipe. I think three in the tube and one in the pipe works for both guns, but you should be faster with a semi-automatic shotgun.

Starting from left to right, mentally label the targets one through four. You’ll shoot the target sequentially, and each target will get shot according to its number. Target one gets shot once; target two gets shot twice, so far, and so on. By the time you get to target three, you’re short on ammo.

Now, as the shooter, you decide when and how to react. Do you load the tube to full capacity and continue, or as needed? That’s entirely up to you. You have 30 seconds to complete the drill, which is a ton of time.

This drill stresses reloading, recoil mitigation, and rapid engagements. It’s easy to let the drill get away from you if you aren’t practicing the proper techniques.

Shotgun El Press

Justified Defensive Concepts modified the classic El Pres into a shotgun drill. Like the classic El Pres, you’ll set up three targets and start seven yards away. You’ll need nine rounds of ammo per run. Load six in the gun, and have three on your belt or side saddle. There is no rotate and engage, you’ll start facing the targets.

At the beep, you’ll fire two rounds into each target. Once the gun is empty, you’ll conduct an emergency reload and fire once per target. Each target will receive a total of three rounds of ammo. Justified Defensive Concepts has not published an acceptable time, but I use the 10-second par time for the original El Pres.

Once more, we are working on all three skills and doing so in a rapid and efficient way. You are running the gun fast, and that makes it easy for recoil to become a hassle. You’re reloading and instantly engaging, which tests all three skills at one time.

Shotgun Skills

The shotgun can be a brutal weapon but also a very efficient defensive tool. Even though the skills aren’t complicated, it does take a lot of training to master each one. The above drills will get you well on your way to gauge supremacy.

Springfield Armory ST Victor + Law Tactical FSA

By

Athlon Series

-

May 23, 2024

Springfield Armory ST Victor with Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter

Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor line is the company’s flagship product line for modern semi-auto carbines chambered in both 5.56mm and .308 Winchester. Amidst the various barrel lengths, calibers sizes (even large format AR pistols are included in Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor catalog), customers can also opt to choose one with Law Tactical’s famous AR Folding Stock Adapter. Law Tactical designed this hinged device as a means for end-users to be able to completely fold the stocks on their carbines and save space, especially when stowing or storing the weapon. When the AR Folding Stock Adapter is locked and in position, it allows the firearm to fire and cycle rounds as it normally would, with the bolt carrier and the special adapter tail for it still bouncing off the action spring and buffer.

From Our Friends At Athlon Outdoors

The SAINT Victor builds on an upper and lower receiver constructed of Forged 7075-T6 Aluminum. The upper and lower receiver are coupled via the Accu-Tite Tension System, which removes play between the two, optimizing accuracy. In addition, Type III hardcoat anodizing offers a rugged finish providing maximum protection to the platform. An enhanced, heavy-duty, Malonite-coated M16-pattern bolt carrier group with 9310 steel bolt features high-pressure testing/magnetic particle inspection (HPT/MPI). Likewise, the Melonite-coated 16-inch barrel, chambered in 5.56 with a 1:8-inch twist, features a direct impingement mid-length, low-profile pinned gas block and includes an installed SA Muzzle Brake. As a result, shooters will enjoy reduced muzzle rise and a softer felt recoil. Providing the interface is a B5 Systems Type 23 P-grip and Springfield’s free float M-Lok handguard. Riding atop the upper receiver are SA spring-loaded flip-up iron sights that are adjustable for windage and elevation. However, a Picatinny rail on the receiver allows for the addition of rail-mounted optics. Rounds are sent downrange via the premium nickel boron-coated flat GI trigger.