New CRKT Du Hoc Deadbolt & Xolotl Fixed

By

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November 28, 2024

Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) just dropped two new knives from its Forged by War program. Austin McGlaun’s Du Hoc and Michael Rodriguez’s Xolot are both veteran designed tactical blades and benefit from their skills and experiences.

Forged by War

The Forged by War program was established in 2016 as a collaboration between CRKT and Veterans. It let’s the vets apply their real world knowledge and experience to CRKT’s line of mission-ready knives and tools. The veteran’s not only receive a commission on their designs, but a portion of the profits are donated to the Veterans’ charity of choice as well.

The program has generated $500,000 for the designers charities of choice since its inception.

The CRKT Du Hoc Deadbolt

Austin McGlaun’s Du Hoc Deadbolt is named in remembrance of his uncle’s D-Day landing at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy in France. The CRKT Du Hoc is a folding version of Austin’s fixed blade karambit. It transforms the fixed blade into a handy folding knife. The Deadbolt lock still provides ample strength to the design.

It’s fitted with a smaller, but still good sized 3.6 inch blade of D2 steel. The blade is deployed with either a flipper, or the dual thumb studs. It’s assisted opening, too. So, it’s fast to get into play. The Du Hoc has a black G10 handle with thumb ring, and a black powder finish on the blade.

MSRP is $160.00, and Austin’s charity is Idaho Backcountry Veterans.

CRKT Du Hoc Specifications

Blade Steel	D2
Blade Edge	Plain
Blade Finish	Powder Coat
Blade Length	3.62 inches
Blade Thickness	0.16 inches
Overall Length	9.53 inches
Closed Length	6.50 inches
Weight	8.40 ounces
Handle Material	G10
Style	Folding Knife with Deadbolt® Lock
MSRP	$160.00

The CRKT Xolotl

Michael Rodriguez’s Xolotl is named after the Aztec god of fire and lightning. Michael combines mythical inspiration and modern materials to make a durable, high-performance knife. Whereas the Du Hoc is a folding version a fixed blade, the CRKT Xolotl is a fixed-blade remake of Rodriguez’s folding Xolotl.

It has a 4.53 inch spear-point blade with a dagger grind that’s sharp on both sides. The SK-5 steel blade has Veff Serrations and a black powder coat finish. The Xolotl uses G10 handle scales and comes with a Thermoplastic sheath.

MSRP is $120.00. Michael’s charity is the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.

CRKT Xolotl Specifications

Blade Steel	SK-5
Blade Edge	Veff Serrations™
Blade Finish	Powder Coat
Blade Length	4.53 inches
Blade Thickness	0.15 inches
Overall Length	9.88 inches
Weight	5.70 ounces
Handle Material	G10
Style	Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
Sheath Material	Thermoplastic
MSRP	$120.00

For more information on the Du Hoc and Xolotl, or the Forged by War program, check out CRKT.com.

The Vortex XL Defender (Part 2)

By

P.E. Fitch

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November 28, 2024

^{Continued From Part 1}

Practical Experiences With The Defender XL

The Defender XL’s Sight Picture

Putting aside all of the Defender XL’s features and extra accessories, the real icing on the cake for this reflex optic is the user experience afforded by its large, clear window which measures 25.5 mm wide by 23.5 mm tall. When held out at arms’ length in a natural shooting stance (and mounted on a pistol), its profile looks like a tall, upright square with a massive field of view.

The top edge of the lens has a slight curve that isn’t really noticeable when the shooter is properly target focused anyway. Everything about the Defender XL seems to be designed in such a way that when staring through it at the target, the dot just naturally centers itself. In other words, it’s extremely easy to find the dot within the window.

In addition, the 5 MOA dot on my specimen is very crisp, even with my astigmatism. With the ten different intensity levels, it’s not hard for the Defender XL’s emitter to project a daylight bright dot. Likewise, the glass is clear and free of noticeable distortion. Candidly, the shooting experience I’ve had afforded by the Defender XL has been extremely positive.

Vortex Defender XL Range and Match Time

Even though some of my pictures show a Canik Rival-S wearing the Defender XL, 80% of my use on the range involved the HK VP9 Match pistol. I used a factory HK #4 Delta Point Pro plate to mount the Defender XL to the VP9 Match’s slide before starting its review.

In addition to the “nuts and bolts aspect” of my VP9 Match review, I participated at USPSA match where I ran this gun-and-dot combination as hard as I could. At the time, I was also concurrently reviewing the Gen5 Glock 17L, and took advantage of the included Glock MOS plate found in the Defender XL’s packaging. So I yanked the dot off the HK VP9 Match and switched it over to the Gen5 Glock 17L and shot another match with it.

Between piggy-backing the sight from the HK to the Glock for match shooting (along with the rest of my review-shooting), the total aggregate round count to date is somewhere north of 800 rounds. In the great scheme of things 800 rounds in itself isn’t much, but it’s always a good sign for a pistol mounted reflex sight to sail past the first 300-500 rounds without issue.

Big Window Considerations

The best part about the Vortex Defender XL is its large window and how easy it is to shoot. However, I’ve noticed that the window works so well that it can also inadvertently catch “false dots” from other sources or lights. Similarly, it can reflect “artifacts” from the emitter that can show up in the window.

However, most “big window” dots are susceptible to false dots, especially from overhead lighting hitting the window at certain angles.

Frankly, as a unit designed for fast-paced match shooting around a USPSA stage, I’m happy to live with the trade-off of having a big, beautiful window that’s easy to look through. The false dots have never been a handicap, and it also bears mentioning that this sight is easily daylight bright anyway.

The Takeaway

I don’t really have too many complaints about the Vortex Defender XL.

In the paragraph above I disclose its propensity to catch false dots or weird artifacts due to its massive window, but I also don’t consider it a deal-breaker. From the different dots that I’ve been shooting and reviewing this year, subjectively I will concede that the Vortex Defender XL is probably my favorite of 2024.

I haven’t had any problems running it hard between the HK VP9 Match or Gen5 Glock 17L. More importantly it’s big window, crisp red dot and included accessories at a medium-tiered price point make the Defender XL a considerable option.

Some might say that it has a fairly tall deck height not unlike the actual Leupold Delta Point Pro, but that’s hardly a concern for match shooting and the like. Obviously, with its larger size, it’s probably not ideal for concealment due to printing issues.

Perhaps a potential “downside” may be that the Delta Point Pro footprint can limit some shooters, especially those whose slides are directly milled for a different mounting pattern.

Postscript: Vortex Defender XL vs Holosun HS 507Comp

Because the Vortex Defender XL has a similar real-world retail price to that of its closest “rival” the Holosun HS 507Comp, people love to compare and contrast both of them. Others ask themselves which one to buy—simply google “Vortex Defender XL vs Holosun 507 Comp” and see.

Above all else, the primary difference resides with their respective mounting standards since the open-emitter Holosun unit uses a Trijicon RMR footprint. Otherwise, both optics are actually fairly comparable. Both are made in China and show good quality in their manufacturing.

Unlike the 507 Comp, the Defender XL doesn’t have any multi-reticle capabilities, but it does slightly edge it out by offering larger 5 or 8 MOA dot reticles. Similarly, I think the Vortex Defender XL may also edge out the Holosun 507 Comp in window size. However, the difference is marginal in a practical sense. There’s also the question of battery securement. The Vortex XL’s auxiliary latch is bullet proof.

I did notice that the Holosun 507 Comp’s window doesn’t seem to be as sensitive when it comes to picking up false dots. This sight is also slightly shorter and more compact. Truthfully, I like both and still do shoot with either. As far as a “new” product for 2024, the Vortex XL Defender red-dot sight does get my vote. I think Vortex hit a homerun with it.

Although the angle isn’t perfect, this picture shows a reasonable visual comparison between the Holosun HS507Comp on the Walther PDP and the Vortex Defender XL on the Canik Rival-S.

Axe Throwing: An American Pastime

By

Reuben Bolieu

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November 27, 2024

GAT_Axe_Throw (1) — Three axe head styles are shown: the Boker Mohicans has a tomahawk shape, the Condor Cantina features a camp axe profile, and the Cold Steel Pro Thrower sticks to a traditional throwing axe design.

Axe throwing has made a global comeback, notably with the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) elevating it to a pub sport in nations such as Belgium and Poland. What was once a niche hobby is now a thrilling sport for all. This guide will delve into axe throwing’s resurgence and the variety of axes available for both novices and seasoned enthusiasts.

Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe

For experienced axe throwers, the Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe is an upgraded Competition Throwing Hatchet. It features a 4-inch blade made from hardened 1055 carbon steel, compliant with official tournament standards. The 16-inch American hickory handle offers great balance, and with a head weight of 22 ounces, it’s easy to handle overall. Its unique patent-pending locking mechanism allows for quick handle replacements in under two minutes, so you can focus on your aim without hassle.

Axe Throwing Test

The CS Pro Throwing Axe excels in target sticking, featuring a straight edge with a slightly flared heel and toe. Its thin, narrow blade is not extremely sharp but performs well on old, rotting trees. Weighing 31.5 ounces, it strikes a balance between light and heavy throwing axes, with the weight concentrated in the head to enhance throw performance.

The Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe performed exceptionally well. It was lightweight and flew swiftly, accurately hitting its target.

The hickory handle has a beautiful grain and remains sturdy after my clumsy throws. Its classic straight design allows for a smooth release and prevents snagging. This is not a chopping axe; it’s engineered for easy handle replacement, ensuring it stays tight during use. In my opinion, it’s the most distinctive of the three.

Cold Steel ships the axe with a secure rubber blade guard instead of a sheath, making it safe for transport and hiking.

Boker Mohican Set

If you’re looking for a reliable and chic throwing axe set, consider the Boker Plus Mohican 3-piece set. Designed for both beginners and experienced throwers, each axe measures 10.94 inches and is constructed from durable 3Cr13 stainless steel with a black coating.

Inspired by traditional North American tomahawks, the axe features a shorter 2.36-inch cutting edge. The paracord-wrapped handle provides a secure grip for precise throws, while a blade recess ensures balance for better accuracy.

The set includes a matching black nylon sheath and a printed target overlay, making it ideal for home use. Each axe weighs about 8 ounces, making them easy to handle.

The Gauntlet

The Boker Mohican 3-piece set resembles tomahawks more than axes and is designed for fun rather than competition. These throwers feel more like throwing knives and can stick using either the main bit or the spike. To prevent overthrowing, take a step forward or embrace the occasional miss.

Weighing just 8 ounces, they require some adjustment if you’re used to larger axes. The straight handle has cord-wrapping, which can cause a secure grip; consider removing it or adjusting your grip for better throwing.

The author pushed the Boker Mochican into woods utility duty. It handled light chopping, kindling splitting, and feathering.

The Mohican Hawk stands out with its dual options for target sticking and its sharply pointed toe that juts out. This design not only looks impressive but also enhances the hawk’s ability to penetrate targets effectively. Additionally, this stylish set comes with a nylon sheath that offers both safety and added value. The sheath features Velcro fasteners, ensuring that each hawk remains securely stored.

Among the various axes and hawks, the Boker Mohican 3-piece is my top pick for sheer enjoyment. It captures the essence of both tomahawk and knife throwing. These versatile tools are also capable of performing light utility tasks, making them ideal for day camps or meal prep near a small wood stove, as they can easily shave wood and split light kindling.

A pair of perfect throws with the toe portion of the bit driven into the target. These two are very different throwers and require adjustments to nail it.

Closing

It’s hard to beat the therapeutic feeling of throwing an axe and seeing it stick. It’s fun for the whole family. Get out there and try it!

For more information, please contact Cold Steel and Boker USA.

Cold Steel Professional Throwing Axe

Blade Length	4 inches
Material	1055 carbon steel
Grind	Chisel
Handle Material	American hickory
Weight	31 ounces
Overall Length	16 inches
Sheath	Rubber blade cover
Country of Origin	Taiwan
MSRP	$59.99

Boker Plus Mohican Throwing Axe 3-Piece Specs

Blade Length	2.36 inches
Grind	Hollow
Steel	3Cr13 stainless
Handle Material	Black cord
Weight	8.18 ounces (each)
Overall Length	10.94 inches
Sheath	Nylon
Origin of Make	Asia
MSRP	$84.95

The Vortex Defender XL

By

P.E. Fitch

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November 27, 2024

This summer, Vortex Optics launched the Defender XL, a new “big window” red-dot sight. It is marketed towards action pistol competitors or those looking for a slide mounted red-dot sight with a big, easy-to-see window. The Vortex Defender XL joins the ranks—and also competes—with the likes of popular “big window” red-dots like the Trijicon SRO, the Holosun HS507 Comp, the Mecanik M03, et al.

Categorically, these types of “big-window” pistol red-dot sights, are popular amongst dedicated action pistol shooters that participate in IDPA, USPSA, or IPSC. However, they are also enjoyed by many squarely interested in their personal performance. Less obstructive views, after all, are hard to argue against regardless of shooting scenario.

Vortex Defender XL Overview

The Vortex Defender XL is an open-emitter red-dot sight with a generously proportioned objective lens. They can be had with either a 5 MOA or 8 MOA solid red-dot as a reticle; Defender XLs do not have a multi-reticle system.

The Defender XL’s general shape and proportions also take after the rest of the Vortex Optics Defender series (Defender ST and Defender CCW), whose most distinctive feature has to be their “Fast-Rack” texturing. This is checkering that covers all forward facing edges of the optic that surround the objective lens.

Vortex designs its red-dots with this pattern in order to protect the front of the housing in case a shooter uses their optic to rack their pistol slide.

In the same vein, the topmost part of the Defender XL housing has a rubberized shock absorbing pad in place to protect the housing from drops or unforeseen impacts. The entire body is also machined from 7075 series aluminum, the aero-space grade material that’s industry-standard for hard-use items.

Battery And Footprint

A single CR 2032 battery sitting on the top of the optic’s deck powers the Vortex Defender XL. Even though the Defender XL has a hinged battery compartment with the requisite O-rings to keep moisture out, Vortex also included a secondary latching mechanism to bolster the clamshell lid of the battery compartment.

This latch prevent’s the lid from swinging open for any reason (eg, the forces of recoil, the pistol/optic being dropped, bumped into, et cetera). Bypassing this auxiliary latch in order to access the battery compartment requires the use of a smaller flathead screwdriver or pin.

Average runtimes for Vortex Defender XLs is approximately 25,000 hours. There are only four “controls” on the Defender XL, two rubberized buttons on the left or right sides of the optic used to control the brightness levels (10 daytime, 2 night vision).

The two remaining control interfaces are the windage and elevation click adjustment wheels. Like nearly every other red-dot sight on the market these are also calibrated for 1 MOA per click. The Defender XL is programmed with features such as auto-shutoff, motion activation or button-lockout.

Like the Vortex Defender ST, the Defender XL also uses the popular Leupold Delta Point Pro footprint, one of the more popular “full-size” optics mounting footprints. While immaterial vis-a-vis the Vortex Defender XL red-dot sight itself, one of the benefits of the Delta Point Pro’s footprint is its relative narrowness which allows it to get along with thinner slides such as those on 2011s or 1911s in the context of direct-milling cuts.

It’s worth noting that a few Sig P320 variants also use the Delta Point Pro footprint as their default slide-cut. It would be hard to argue against a Vortex Defender XL on a Staccato or a Sig, especially for a match gun.

The Defender XL’s Extra Hardware And Accessories

Mounting red-dot sights to optics plates and/or pistol slides can be an exercise in frustration for the uninitiated—and those with experience.

The practice of mounting a reflex sight to a handgun’s slide is fundamentally simple and only typically requires 2-4 screws, some threadlocker and a means to ensure said screws are torqued down to the correct amount of inch-pounds. However, the reality is that different makes and models of handguns, along with the different makes and models of red-dot sights, all require the correct permutation of optics-plates and specific screws with not only the correct screw thread pitch, but also a corresponding screw-head profile.

Failure in matching these things up is a sure way of ensuring red-dot mounting failures, and for pistol mounted optics, the devil is really in the details.

Vortex Makes it Easy

Many of the screws used to affix red-dot sights to slides or plates look similar to each other, even with their different thread pitches. So, it only adds to the end user’s confusion.

Because I get to spend ample time with a diverse amount of firearms related optics and have felt this confusion first-hand, I was very impressed during the “unboxing” of the Vortex Defender. Vortex not only includes virtually every type of mounting screw needed to mount this sight to a pistol, but they do so in very neatly, professionally labeled baggies that denote both screw type and for which handgun they’re to be used.

Besides labeled hardware, a basic Glock MOS plate, a rubber cover, tool, lens cloth and basic Picatinny-compatible mounts are all included. For the price point of the Vortex Defender XL, the add-ons are quite comprehensive.

I think the addition of the extra Glock MOS plate is a great touch considering how popular Glock pistols are. After shooting with it, it works fine. But I’d personally rather spend extra on a higher end MOS mounting plate (if I were a dedicated Glock shooter).

Continued In Part 2…

Conserving Resources – Make Good Use of What’s Available

By

Jim Cobb

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November 26, 2024

The notion of conserving resources in the field is a concept that I learned from John McCann. He’s a noted survival instructor and recently retired from running a company called Survival Resources.

When you’re out in the field, conserving resources is a wise idea. The focus here is mostly on the supplies and gear you have with you. There are ways to leverage natural resources to conserve your packed ones.

Let’s look at a few examples.

Conserving Resources – Tinder

Every outdoorsperson worth their salt keeps a fire kit with them when they hit the trail. The kit typically contains one or more methods of lighting the fire, such as a disposable lighter, as well as some tinder. This could be something store bought or homemade.

Either way, a good idea is to utilize natural forms of tinder whenever possible, such as dry grass or plant fluff. Doing so conserves your packed tinder for times when it’s truly needed. You might go so far as to keep an empty zippered plastic bag in your pack and use it to store tinder you’re able to scavenge during your hike.

Conserving Resources – Tools

Every time you use your hatchet, axe, or knife to process firewood, you’re going to dull the edge a bit. Whenever possible, avoid using those tools and use natural ones instead. For example, wedge branches between two close trees and snap them to size with a lever action, rather than chopping them into pieces. Alternately, you don’t need to break them at all and you can just feed them into the fire a little at a time.

Conserving Resources – Energy

This isn’t something you keep in your pack, but it is definitely a finite resource, perhaps the most important one you possess. Conserve energy as much as you can. Ragnar Benson was one of the forefathers of the modern survivalist movement or whatever you might want to call it. He was a very prolific author through the 1980s and 1990s, penning numerous books on various aspects of survival and what we today call prepping.

The author has had this book in his collection since the early 1980s. Author photo.

He came up with what he called the Rule of Survival Thermodynamics. Basically, it boils down to not expending more energy on a task than you’ll derive from it. For example, it makes little sense to go on a lengthy track, stalk, and hunt if you aren’t certain to harvest the animal. A better option is to acquire food through more passive means, such as trapping critters and fishing, as well as harvesting wild edibles.

While we’re on the subject of energy, if you’re well and truly lost, staying put is a far better choice than wandering around hoping you’ll find your way back home. Search and rescue teams will have a much easier time if they’re not looking for a moving target. Plus, you won’t tire yourself out and make stupid mistakes.

If you’re in a bad situation, whether we’re talking about being lost in the woods or sheltering in place at home in the wake of a disaster, it’s important to use your head for more than a hat rack. Don’t waste resources, particularly ones that will be difficult to replenish in the field.

Book Review: Long Range Shooting Handbook

By

P.E. Fitch

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November 26, 2024

Long Range Shooting Handbook Ryan Cleckner

Last year, I got wind of the Long Range Shooting Handbook written by Ryan M. Cleckner while listening to Hornady’s excellent podcast on all-things rifles. As a writer, I consider myself well-versed in pistol shooting. However, for long distance/precision rifles, I’m working on catching up to the level of knowledge I ought to have.

Putting in the legwork into my rifle education, a topic that can be daunting and mysterious, has been quite rewarding to date. Some of my favorite articles that I’ve enjoyed writing are about these topics: scopes, the rifles that use them, and their shooting.

As a perpetual student, Hornady’s own podcast is a great resource for rifle shooters of all skill levels to learn the intricacies of propelling small, neatly shaped pieces of copper and lead across space accurately. Cleckner, a lawyer by trade and veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment and the GWOT, has also been a guest in a Hornady podcast episode where this book was mentioned. So I bought it and I genuinely enjoyed it.

Long Range Shooting Handbook

Cleckner’s text found throughout this handbook is extremely detailed and comprehensively covers everything that pertains to rifle shooting–from breathing control to propellant characteristics. And even with the amount of technical information displayed between the Long Range Shooting Handbook’s pages, it’s easy to understand.

I also found it to be well written in the context of a handbook, specifically because Cleckner’s word choice itself isn’t overly technical and his sentences are easy for anyone to understand. This handbook sets out to serve both novice and expert shooter alike. In the text Cleckner even admits that he chose the book’s cover to be blaze orange so that it could easily be found in a rifle shooter’s gear bag while out in the field behind the scope and trigger.

Examples From The Text I Appreciated:

Parallax

In Chapter 5, Aiming Systems, Cleckner makes some time to explain the concept of parallax in rifle shooting. In my case, I have a rudimentary understanding of parallax and how to verify that one’s scope is parallax free. Hoever, articulating this phenomenon is a different matter altogether. In my years of being interested in firearms, it seems that parallax is something that’s poorly explained despite the fact that it’s crucial in making precise shots.

In this chapter for example, even I had no idea that parallax wasn’t a factor when shooting with iron sights. After all, there is no such thing as parallax adjustment for iron sights, so I never gave it much thought. But Cleckner goes on to explain that parallax isn’t an issue specifically because of the deliberate alignment between the target and both sets of sights. Since all three elements are lined up, this cancels out parallax.

I appreciate his explanation in describing “everything lined up” because he then explains what a parallax error inside a scope actually looks like. Specifically, the target’s image is focused at a different point inside the scope compared to where the shooter’s eye is looking (at the reticle).

The result is that the eye tends to focus on the reticle and then superimpose the reticle image over the misaligned target image which leads to a false correlation between the point of aim and the point of impact. Parallax error in scopes is all about misalignment.

On Page 64, Cleckner writes:

In order to remove the effect of parallax, and to have both the target image and the reticle clear, the focus location of the target image inside the scope must be changed so that it is at the same location as the reticle. You can adjust the target image’s focus location with your scope’s target focus or parallax adjustment. Both names for the adjustment are suitable. No, parallax is not the same as focus, but by adjusting the target’s focus, we are removing the effect of parallax.

Finally, I knew that scope focus and parallax adjustment weren’t technically the same thing. But through the handbook I learned focus removes parallax, as it were.

Angular Units Of Measure

Chapter 9 of the Long Range Shooting Handbook is all about units of measurement in shooting. Cleckner covers linear units such as yards and meters in addition to quintessential angular units of measure like MOA and milliradians.

Even though the handbook’s copyright is from 2016, I like how he dabbles a little into G1 and G7 ballistic coefficients—important figures that the latest in ballistic apps ask the shooter for. Likewise, much like craft beer brags about IBUs and gravity on the label, it seems like all factory-loaded match grade rifle cartridges boast their ballistic coefficients on their box.

However, I liked Chapter 9 because of what Cleckner said about milliradians:

On Page 133, he writes:

I have heard many people argue over whether 1 Milliradian equals 1 meter at 1000 meters or whether it equals 1 yard at 1000 yards. They are both right! 1 Milliradian equals 1/1000th of any distance. It is 1 inch at 1000 inches and 1 mile at 1000 miles. It doesn’t matter what unit of measurement you are using as long as you keep using that same unit of measurement.

Somehow, I either forgot or missed this part of the memo about using mils. But now it makes sense why many believe that milliradians are specifically a “metric” angular unit of measurement. They aren’t but the numbers happen to divide evenly.

The Takeaway

The Long Range Shooting Handbook is full of great examples about every aspect of shooting, from the Day 1 basics to the more advanced but essential topics. Even though this handbook was published in 2016, I won’t call it dated.

Sure, this handbook hit the scene just as things like the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge or PRS style shooting were starting to become “things.” And no, the book won’t discuss the latest in ballistic solvers or chronographs like the new Garmin. However, the lessons and wisdom found within the pages of this handbook are more than relevant today.

The Long Range Shooting Handbook is the type of book I would have loved to have come across when I was 15 years old in high school; I know I’d have devoured it from cover to cover.

The Hugo Boss Longslide

By

P.E. Fitch

-

November 25, 2024

This year, I’ve reviewed two different HK VP9 9mm variants, the normal HK VP9 (factory optics-ready model) and the HK VP9 Match. You’re welcome to read both those reviews here and here.

Prior to these reviews, I hadn’t paid much attention to the HK VP9 other than shooting a friend’s gun back in 2017. (It shot very nicely). And that’s the thing, they’re great guns; overengineered and extremely robust, and not to mention accurate to boot.

In many ways VP9s also remind me of Walther PDPs. Not only because both come from Germany, are striker-fired and use a stepped chamber, but also because of their reliability and functionality. There’s certainly some nuances between the families, but they’re very much cousins of each other in a way. I confess that my affinity for one begets the other.

The HK VP9 Match in particular has been one of the best-grouping handguns I’ve reviewed all year and it really impressed me. Ever since I picked it up and brought it home, the HK VP9 Match also evoked a certain feeling that I can’t seem to shake. Mind you, I’ve already written my review, linked above. The following isn’t a review as much as just some fun commentary on HK pistols and the VP9 Match in particular.

The Heckler & Koch Mythos

Perhaps it’s due to HK’s serious business reputation and the legendary to hell-and-back reliability it designs into its products ever since the 7.62mm NATO G3 and 9mm MP5 became household names. Heckler & Koch has always been serious about building reliable duty-grade weaponry. Especially once the company “modernized” its duty-grade sidearms, starting with the HK USP back in the early 1990s. In fact, the USP can still arguably keep up with today’s latest and greatest in duty-grade polymer-framed service pistols (aside from mounted optics).

Perhaps it also has to do with the enigmatic qualities by the on-screen characters that HK firearms come to be associated with. I fully admit this is all based on my own evocative emotion about these firearms, not unlike when I wrote about Creasy and his Glock 34 in Man On Fire.

Allow me to state my case:

It’s hard not to think about Tom Cruise’s Vincent character in Michael Mann’s Collateral or John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves in the first John Wick film. Sure, it’s true that neither character carried a striker-fired VP9 and instead relied on the HK USP 45 and the [compensated] HK P30L, both hammer-fired service pistols. But that doesn’t matter because the association still sets in like drying concrete.

Plot development aside, it’s implied that both characters are very good at what they do. They are consummate professionals in their chosen career field. Likewise, the viewer can also see this professional level signal via either characters’ sartorial habits: smart-fitting and properly tailored suits in a neutral color palette. There’s no frump, there’s nothing slacking and not one article looks like it came off the rack from a suburban shopping center’s menswear store.

Casting aside nitpicky gun-guys and gun-gals, it comes as no surprise that these stern characters would be equally equipped with “pro-grade” gear. The characters, their mannerism, the way they dress and their gear all play off of each other to paint viewers a picture. Despite how fine of a gun it is, if John Wick carried a Smith & Wesson Model 14, that K-frame .38 Special wouldn’t make the same impact as his HK P30L does.

John Wick with his compensated HK P30L (image source)

Creasy and his Glock 34.

Dirty Harry Callahan and his .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 29.

James Bond and his Walther PPK.

You get the idea.

HK VP9 Match ~ Vibes

Something I didn’t cover in my original written review of the VP9 Match was how I felt when unboxing it. Feelings aren’t germane to gun reviews proper after all; good thing this isn’t technically one.

The HK VP9 Match is a considerably large handgun. With its 5.5 inch barrel, the VP9 Match edges out the even longer-than-standard HK VP9L in length. From striker plate cover to muzzle, it measures approximately 8.5 inches.

Pulling it out of the box, it feels large and in charge, which is a nice feeling. That’s something that also drew me to the Glock 34, when I first started shooting those too.

Heckler & Koch ships each VP9 Match with four 20-round factory extended base pad magazines. With the magazines inserted, the entire vertical plane of the pistol feels almost as long as the horizontal one. HK duty-grade pistols tend to have generous sized trigger guards for winter uniform carry, and the VP9 frame obviously checks off this box. I find that it adds to the aura as well.

Even though slide-mounted red-dots render sight-radius irrelevant, that extra-length slide and barrel still foment a modicum of sheer confidence in accuracy. In the case of the VP9 Match, it’s not a bluff because it will actually perform too. Its pre-tensioned striker-fired trigger is also a big help in this, too.

The HK VP9 Match Slide

The HK VP9 Match’s slide also has those classic German sharp lines and corners. It’s hard not to think of a German Shepherd’s snout (especially because of how the last 1.5 inches of slide tapers to the muzzle). Similarly, the slide’s boxy angular lines can also remind one of the front half of a Messerschmitt BF-109 fighter plane.

The aggressive weight-reducing slide cuts found all over the front of the slide add to the VP9 Match’s serious demeanor too. Perhaps the rows of these neat and parallel slide cuts is what makes one reminisce about the engine vents of fighter planes with in-line engines from the propeller age? The handgun’s roll marks also add to its panache.

On the left side one sees “HK VP9 MATCH” and then “9mmx19” further back. The word “match” especially evokes feelings of authority. On the right size, one finds the serial number, the country-code for Germany “DE” and the classic German antler proof mark from Ulm.

The right-side wall of the barrel’s chamber is clearly exposed through the slide’s ejection port when the handgun is fully in battery. Here one also sees the gun’s matching serial number stamped onto the barrel, another caliber stamping that reads “9mmx19” and the Heckler & Koch monogram.

Hugo Boss Longslide

I’ve been shooting the HK VP9 since late June and finally put my feelings to the page. For all its German styling and professional-grade vibes, I found Hugo Boss Longslide to be a fitting nickname.

For more information, please visit HK-USA.com.

SIG Releases the ROMEO-X SIG-LOC COMPACT

By

Tim Stetzer

-

November 25, 2024

SIG Sauer just released another new optic. The ROMEO-X SIG-LOC Compact builds on the military M17 sight, and includes SIG’s SIG-LOC mounting footprint. The rugged closed emitter design offers a rugged platform for civilian and professional shooters alike.

The optic uses a CNC 7075 aluminum housing and aspherical glass lens system. It’s built around a high efficiency point source emitter and creates a solid, distortion free, aiming solution. It has a 20,000 hour battery life and a convenient side loading battery tray. Available reticles are a 3 MOA Red Dot, a 6 MOA Red Dot, or a Circle Dot.

The SIG-LOC mounting footprint establishes five points of contact between the slide and optic. This eliminates shift in zero created by extensive shock from recoil, or from harsh impacts. The Romeo-X brings that capability to a new fully enclosed, sealed, and Argon-purged pistol mounted red dot.

The SIG-LOC (Leverage Optimized Connection) system was first developed in conjunction with the military ROMEO-M17. It’s designed for precision and strength. The SIG-LOC now brings that level of military performance to civilians and professionals with the ROMEO-X SIG-LOC.

SIG ROMEO X SIG-LOC Compact Features:

Inspired by MIL-SPEC ROMEO-M17
Establishes 5 total points of contact to create the strongest lockup in the industry
Longer focal length to dramatically reduce parallax and create an ultra-crisp reticle
Rugged 7075 aluminum housing with a fully enclosed and sealed optical system
Distortion-free aspherical glass lens
MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination)
Industry’s lowest deck height for standard-height iron sight co-witness
Available Reticles: 3 MOA Red Dot, 6 MOA Red Dot or Circle Dot
20,000 hour battery life with side load battery
15 illumination settings including 3 dedicated night vision
Assembled in USA
Fully back by INFINITE GUARANTEE

The SIG ROMEO X SIG-LOC Compact has an MSRP of $379.99 – $419.99. For more information check out SigSauer.com.

The S&W .30 Carbine Revolver – The Rarest S&W Ever?

By

Travis Pike

-

November 24, 2024

The idea of a .30 Carbine handgun isn’t new. Ruger has produced a .30 Carbine Blackhawk for a very long time. AMT even designed a semi-auto handgun that chambered the .30 Carbine round. The little .30 Carbine isn’t designed for handguns but works okay in shorter barrels. While Ruger, AMT, and a handful of other companies have produced the .30 Carbine revolver, did you know S&W produced a .30 Carbine revolver in 1944? The S&W .30 Carbine revolver might be one of the rarest revolvers ever made.

(Also, there is only one photo I can find; I apologize for that.)

Breaking Down the S&W .30 Carbine Revolver

The S&W .30 Carbine revolver was produced with the idea of a military contract. In 1944, the .30 Carbine was plentiful, widely available, and a big part of the military’s arsenal. While the M1911 was the standard handgun, it wasn’t the only handgun. Revolvers were everywhere in the United States military.

The M1917 worked as a stand-in for the M1911 at times when American forces didn’t have enough .1911s. Guns like the S&W Victory model in .38 Special was also widely fielded among military forces. Companies like S&W could produce revolvers faster than M1911s, so the experiment with the S&W .30 Carbine revolver made a lot of sense.

The military possessed tons of .30 Carbine, and a .30 Carbine revolver would be easier to field logistically than a .38 Special revolver. The S&W .30 Carbine revolver does share a lot of features with the M1917, a .45 ACP revolver. Both guns used the medium frame N frame design. Both guns also used calibers that weren’t tied to revolvers.

Neither of these rounds was designed for revolvers. This meant the end user needed moon clips to ensure ejection. S&W designed the original moon clip and adapted that simple piece of technology to the S&W .30 Carbine revolver. Predictably, it’s a double action design.

The S&W .30 Carbine revolver housed by the Springfield Armory museum has a five-inch barrel, a trench rear sight, wood grips, a half-moon front sight, and a lanyard loop. There was also a target model produced for testing that’s known as Serial Number 4. Serial Number 4 features adjustable sights, a blued finish, and no lanyard loop.

Testing the S&W .30 Carbine Revolver

The Ordinance Department tested the S&W .30 Carbine revolver in 1944. The revolver was found to have recoil equivalent to that of a .45 ACP revolver. The revolver passed the Army’s endurance tests with no breakages. The velocity from a five-inch barrel was reported to be 1277 feet per second. That’s faster than most .38 Special loads out of a similar gun.

The downsides were a reported massive increase in muzzle blast and concussion. Shooter’s complained about the issue, and I can certainly see why. The .30 Carbine round was produced for a much longer barrel. The blast and concussion are a predictable expectation from a five-inch barrel.

Revolvers in .30 Carbine existed after the S&W Model

The US Army passed on the weapon, and it’s unclear how many were produced. According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, three are in private collections. Serial Numbers 2 and 4 are known to exist. Serial Number 2 was sold in 2003 through the James D. Julia auction house.

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, General Arnold ordered two more. These post-war guns are lost to time. A three-screw frame model known as the X25 was also prototyped. Additionally, supposedly, a few K frames were prototyped, but the frame proved to be too light for the cartridge.

That’s It

The S&W .30 Carbine faded from time. Most of the information regarding how many were made is lost to time. These guns are very scarce, with only three known. It might just be the rarest S&W revolver out there.

Ruger Adds Two New Magpul MOE X-22 10/22’s

By

Tim Stetzer

-

November 23, 2024

Not only was it recently 10/22 day, but it’s also the 60th anniversary of Ruger’s iconic semi automatic rimfire rifle. While folks celebrated 10/22 day by posting pics of their favorite 10/22’s, Ruger just announced two new models with Magpul MOE X-22 stocks, the 31216 and the 31217.

Magpul MOE X-22 10/22’s

While these are technically two new models, it’s really one new model with two finish options. The new 10/22’s are chambered in .22 LR and feature Ruger’s classic 10/22 action paired up with a, 18.5 inch barrel. The barrel is fitted with Ruger’s barrel mounted adjustable rear sight and fixed front sight. The barrels are threaded with a 1/2″-28 pitch and come with a thread protector. Finish options are either a clear satin stainless steel or a satin black alloy steel.

Both rifles are fitted with Magpul’s MOE X-22 stock. The X-22 is a lightweight, durable stock that features integral sling loops and M-LOK slots. The M-LOK slots are located at the 6 o’clock position. In addition, the X-22 is lightweight and the pistol grip is finished in Magpul’s TSP texture for a positive grip.

The MOE X-22 fitted rifles feed from Ruger’s excellent 10 round rotary box magazine, and are fitted with an extended magazine release. They use the standard 10/22, push-button, cross-bolt manual safety. A combination scope base adapter for both Weaver-style and .22 tip-off scope mounts is included.

The new MOE fitted 10/22’s have nice clean lines, and should make for rugged and lightweight range or camp rifles. MSRP is $395.00 for the black finish 31216 model and $439.00 for the stainless 31217 model.

Ruger 10/22 MOE 31216/31217 Specs:

Caliber	22 LR
Stock	Black Magpul MOE X-22
Front Sight	Gold Bead
Rear Sight	Adjustable
Barrel Material	Alloy or Stainless Steel
Thread Pattern	1/2″-28
Twist	1:16″ RH
Capacity	10
Barrel Finish	Satin Black or Clear Satin
Weight	4.2 lb.
Overall Length	37″
Barrel Length	18.50″
Grooves	6
MSRP	Black $395.00, Stainless $439.00

For more information, check out Ruger.com.

The Taurus 692 Executive Grade (Part 5)

By

P.E. Fitch

-

November 23, 2024

Taurus 692 Executive Grade Part 5 Revolver 357 Magnum 9mm 38 Special

Continued from Part 4

My Critiques And The Takeaway

Dear reader, even if I hadn’t serialized this review over five different articles, there would have still been much to read. So, thank you for patience with this long-form review.

This final installment covers my critiques and takeaways about the Taurus 692 Executive Grade revolver.

Taurus 692 Executive Grade Accolades

I’ve been fortunate to evaluate several Taurus firearms since 2022, when I first started writing about firearms. Until I got my hands on the 692 Executive Grade, the majority of my experience had been with smaller Taurus 856 compact-frame revolvers. So, I was excited to get my hands on the larger 692 Executive Grade.

Naturally, the first thing I did was to compare and contrast it to my pair of classic pre-lock Smith & Wesson 686s—two revolvers that I not only dearly love but are also very similar in form and function to the Taurus 692 Executive Grade revolver. My overall experiences with the sole 692 Executive Grade model that I’ve been shooting all summer (I can’t speak for any of the other revolvers in the Taurus Tracker family) suggests that this gun can run and hang with my Smiths just fine.

In other words, the 692 Executive Grade feels like it belongs in the same zip code as those Smiths—I think the build quality is there. By this point in time, the action in this Taurus large frame revolver has nicely worn in and its double-action trigger pull is just peachy. It’s neither too gritty or heavy. Suffice to say, the gun doesn’t feel like a budget discount item.

As part of Taurus’ Executive Grade product line, it certainly gets more pampering than a standard revolver. But one should manage their expectations as well—this isn’t a fully blown “true” custom piece either. Those types of wheelguns are extremely expensive and the men who can do that work are now far and few between.

Multi Cartridge Capability

Taurus deserves high praise for their execution of a revolver that can handle three of the most popular handgun cartridges, .357 Magnum, .38 Special and 9mm Luger. When I first started the review, I wasn’t holding my breath vis-a-vis the 9mm cylinder due to the fact that the nominal diameter between most 9mm bullets and most .38/.357 bullets is about 0.003”.

I discuss this with more detail in Part 4 of my review, and I was pleasantly surprised that the 692 Executive Grade could hold its own as a full-time 9mm revolver in its own right. This revolver’s ability to handle three different cartridges is not simply some afterthought. Especially as the 692 Executive Grade comes with a 1:10 twist barrel and a fully adjustable rear sight.

Furthermore, its quick-change and cylinder retention system, which I called the cherry-on-top in Part 2 makes it so easy. It’s truly my favorite feature about this revolver.

Attractiveness

For generations, revolver connoisseurs have rallied around three-inch barrels as the solution that posits the best balance between ballistic performance and portability. Naturally, the Taurus team outfitted the 692 Executive Grade with such a barrel.

When I first saw this revolver at the Taurus booth at NRAAM, I also couldn’t help but notice how aesthetic and well proportion this gun is. The combination of its larger frame and three-inch barrel gives it nice proportions.

Visually, the cylinders add another brutalist, fierce and aggressive dimension to the gun’s overall aesthetic appearance. Not to mention, since unfluted revolver cylinders are the exception and not the rule, they do make the 692 Executive Grade look more distinguished.

Even though the included hardwood stocks aren’t my favorite for practical shooting, they do look good and their profile graces the revolver with classic, Colt Python-esque lines.

Porting

Porting any handgun barrel in 2024 is certainly de stijl. However, considering how many rounds of full-house Fiocchi cartridges I fired for this review, the porting on the Taurus 692 Executive Grade’s barrel is helpful and improves its user experience. Especially considering that revolvers have no recoil springs or reciprocating mass to help absorb recoil during shooting.

Taurus 692 Executive Grade Critiques

Even though I have a positive opinion about the Taurus 692 Executive Grade in general, I do have some personal criticisms to share, too.

The Sights

It could be my own proclivity in favoring rear sights with wide notches, but during shooting this revolver I found myself wishing for more width to the rear sight notch. As configured the width of the rear feels constricting and therefore slower.

I would have liked more width in the 692 Executive Grade’s rear sight notch that would let more light pass on either side of the front sight. This certainly helps with speed in shooting without affecting precision either.

While the 692 Executive Grade’s front sight width is fine, I really wish that the brass rod inserts were actually proper fiber-optic rods. These would boost the revolver’s shootability and utility.

My educated guess is that Taurus was trying to emulate that classic brass/gold bead found on old-school custom handguns. But that only works in favorable lighting conditions. The front sight already cradles a rod, so why not put one that can gather light and make the front sight glow to better catch the shooter’s eye?

9mm Moon Clips

Part 4 of the review covers shooting 9mm Luger through the 692 Executive Grade. To do so, I used the supplied factory moon clips found buried underneath the gun’s Nanuk hard-sided case. Even though I understand that revolver moonclips are semi-disposable accessories by their very nature, I found these clips to be somewhat delicate.

The petal of one of the clips I used during that sole 9mm-only range trip broke, which meant that I couldn’t use it to its full capacity. I’ve heard other accounts from other shooters having trouble with the factory clips on the first outings. I fear it’s only a matter of time until another one breaks in a similar fashion.

That leads me to my next, and more important, point about the clips. Why only include five clips in the packaging? That number is too few. The worst part of shooting for Part 4 was the tedious nature of having to peel off empty 9mm casing by hand to then reload the clips. I know they make tools for this, but 5 is still too few. Including 15 or 20 of these inexpensive steel moonclips would have been more sensible.

Stocks

I won’t rip on the stocks too much, as I’ve already made my point about them. Besides tweaking the sights, I do think the most important upgrade in terms of shootability that the 692 Executive Grade can take is swapping out the factory stocks for something with a more ergonomic shape and aggressive texturing to prevent the gun from moving in the hands during recoil.

My Taurus 692 Executive Grade currently wears very utilitarian grips from LOK Grips that changes the gun’s character completely.

Taurus 692 Executive Grade Epilogue

To date, this review about the Taurus 692 Executive Grade .357 Magnum / 9mm revolver has been one of the longest gun reviews I’ve written. As it pertains specifically to revolvers, this has also been my most extensive work I’ve done about wheelguns, too. In the case of this Taurus, it’s not just the time on the range or the round counts, but it’s also because the Taurus 692 Executive Grade provides so many things to discuss.

Read the other parts of my 692 Executive Grade Revolver series here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4

The CIVIVI Elementum Utility Knife

By

Tim Stetzer

-

November 22, 2024

Sometimes, you just need a sharp edge. I think a lot of gun and gear guys get fixated on the “perfect” EDC knife. But the fact is that most of the time, we just need something sharp to open up packages or cut some tape. That being the case, something like the CIVIVI Elementum Utility Knife might just be what we actually need.

The Elementum Folding Utility Knife Details

The CIVIVI Elementum Utility Knife follows the same basic lines as the company’s regular Elementum folder. It’s a popular EDC knife, and has a comfortable handle. It comes with a reversible, deep carry pocket clip, so it carries just like your favorite folder.

The “blade” has a set of dual thumb studs, as well as a flipper for ambidextrous opening. It pivots open smoothly, is easy to open, and locks via a convenient button lock mechanism. I put blade in quotes because this is where the utility knife part kicks in.

The blade portion of the Utility Knife is actually a carrier for a common, disposable, and replaceable utility knife blade. You swap blades by removing a Torx screw with a T8 bit. The beauty of this is that you never have to worry about sharpening your knife. If it gets dull, flip the blade around to the sharp side. When that side gets dull, just swap out the blade for a new one.

Utility knife blades are extremely cheap. In addition to the common plain-edge blades, you can also get serrated or partially serrated blades as well. So you can switch up the blades to fit the task at hand.

The other nice thing about using cheap replaceable blades is that you don’t have to worry about messing up the blade. Have you ever pulled out your expensive EDC knife and hesitated to use it on something because you didn’t want to screw up the edge? Or refused to loan it to someone because you didn’t trust what they’d use the knife for?

With The CIVIVI Elementum Utility Knife, those things matter a lot less. If the blade gets dinged up, or gummed up, or even broken, just swap it out for a new one.

An Affordable EDC Alternative

The Folding Utility Knife comes nicely boxed with a padded, zippered case. You also get three spare blades, and a spare blade retention screw, just in case you lose the one it comes with. Some additional swag includes a CIVIVI sticker and a cleaning cloth. MSRP is $50.00, but it tends to sell for a bit less at various online retailers. You get a choice of Blue, Green, Black, or Gray handles.

For something that gives you the ability to always have a sharp blade that you aren’t afraid to use, that’s a pretty good deal. Especially when you factor in the fact that the build quality is better than most of the hardware store folding utility knives out there.

Plus, the CIVIVI is actually a size you won’t mind carrying. In fact, it’s small enough that you can keep carrying your regular EDC knife for more serious tasks and still keep a CIVIVI Elementum Utility Knife handy for the ugly chores.

CIVIVI Elementum Utility Knife Specs:

Overall Length	5.91″
Width	1.19″
Overall Height(Include Clip)	0.64″
Blade Length	2.26″
Closed Length	3.65″
Blade Holder Thickness	0.12″
Blade Thickness	0.02″
Handle Thickness	0.47″
Knife Weight	2.3oz
Blade Holder Material	Stainless Steel
Blade Holder Color/Finish	Stonewashed
Blade Material	6Cr13
Blade Finish	Plain, With 3Pcs Extra Blades & 1Pc Screw
Handle Material	Aluminum
Handle Color/Finish	Black, Blue, Green, or Gray
Pocket Clip	Tip-Up, L/R
Clip Material	Stainless Steel
Screws / Thumb Stud Material	Stainless Steel
Pivot Assembly	Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing
Locking Mechanism	Button Lock
MSRP	$50.00

For more information on the Elementum Utility Knife or other products, check out CIVIVI.com.

Three Weird German SMG Facts

By

Travis Pike

-

November 22, 2024

You know how things come in threes? That happened to me recently, specifically regarding German SMG (submachine guns) from the World Wars. The World Wars were dominated by submachine guns, and World War II was the last major war in which submachines were fielded in massive numbers.

German SMG designers worked overtime to produce some very finely tuned weapons that remain some of the best options of the World Wars. With that in mind, these three bits of trivia wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense as a single article, but when combined, they form something just long enough to be worth reading.

The Father Of the German SMG Had a Famous Father

The MP40 was nicknamed the Schmeisser. The name comes from Hugo Schmeisser, who didn’t design the MP40 per se but designed the MP-18. There is a great debate about who made the first SMG. Both the Italians and the Germans lay claim. The MP-18 design was at least arguably the first German SMG. The MP-18 was a massive success, and the MP-40 and MP-38 were largely just reworked MP-18s, which is why they were called the Schmeisser.

Automatic firearms ran in the Schmeisser blood. Hugo Shcmeisser’s father, Louis Shcmeisser, designed the Bergmann MG 15na machine gun. The MG 15na takes the cake as the first true man-portable machine gun. It was a belt-fed, bipod-mounted gun designed to be lighter and more maneuverable than the Maxim gun. This was no German SMG, but it was a first in its class for automatic firearms.

Hugo Schmeisser was also the designer of the STG-44, another first, but this time in the realm of assault rifles. The Schmeisser family contributed vastly to firearms design and those designs persist to this day. They set the groundwork for modern firearms in a great many ways.

Why Did German SMG Mags Hold 32 Rounds

The MP-40 and MP-18 both used 32-round magazines. Why? Why 32? Why not 30? Why not 35? Why did they settle on 32 rounds? Well, the answer is very, very German. The pistol of the era was the P.08 Luger, which had eight-round magazines. Fast forward to WWII, and the Germans had the Walther P38, which also had an eight-round magazine.

Germans issued their 9mm ammo in 16-round boxes, initially for the Luger and one spare magazine. To keep things logically consistent and simplified for the average German soldier, they made each German SMG mag capable of holding two boxes of ammo. It’s a very precise means of issuing ammo with no waste!

I kind of wish modern companies would take this mindset. I’d much rather buy 30-round boxes of .223/5.56 for ARs than deal with 20-round boxes. It just seems like it makes more sense to buy a full magazine’s worth of ammo.

Why Did the MP-18 Use Side-Mounted Magazines

My research on why the Sten gun had a side-mounted magazine started this whole thing. By the time World War II came around, detachable magazines were placed at the bottom of the gun, but the Sten continued the tradition of side-mounted magazines started by the German MP-18. In researching the Sten, I had to go to the German SMG to figure out why this design was ever used.

The truth was right there in front of me, and I felt dumb not being able to figure it out. The German MP-18 used side-mounted magazines because of how much of the war was in the trenches. This allowed soldiers to remain tight in the prone and reload their weapons while remaining in cover. Bottom-mounted magazines might have gotten in the way.

It’s a simple answer, but I still don’t know why the British kept the side-mounted mag with the Sten gun design.

Weird German SMG Trivia

This might seem disjointed, but I know the dedicated group of gun nerds out there will appreciate some weird German SMG trivia. I’m sure there is more out there, and if you like articles like this, I’ll keep them up with other guns, genres, and designers.

Communicating Under Stress – Making Sure You’re Understood

By

Jim Cobb

-

November 21, 2024

Communicating in a chaotic situation can be difficult, even though it’s critically important to be able to share vital information. The thing is, when people are under stress they often struggle with communicating clearly. This leads to misunderstandings and confusion. That, in turn, can delay help and assistance for those who need it, such as people who were injured in an accident.

How It Falls Apart

My wife and I attended a two-day training class on disaster preparedness sponsored by FEMA. There were a few different exercises. One of them involved a simulated rescue of someone trapped under debris. Here’s how quickly communicating with others can go awry, even if you’re all working toward the same goal.

The instructors piled a few folded-up tables together and set two chairs on top. They balanced the tables on some 2x4s. A ball cap under one corner of the stack simulated the survivor we were rescuing. Two of the instructors then sat in the chairs to add weight to the ensemble. We had a few 2x4s to use as tools. Our objective was to use levers of our own devising to lift the stack of tables at least one foot off the ground near the hat, without collapsing everything back down on it.

The instructors named someone to be group leader. She was doing great as people began assembling levers using the 2x4s and other resources found in the room. But, as the exercise went on, more and more people began talking and making suggestions, even outright ordering people around. People shouted, and nobody listened.

New Leadership

The instructors pointed out this communication roadblock and appointed a new team leader. This had nothing to do with the previous arguments among the team. It was just that the instructors wanted to let someone else give it a whirl. She was doing okay at first, and the team was listening to her instructions.

But people were confused because as the leader walked around the pile of “debris,” she’d refer to whichever side was away from her as the back. She would say, “People in the back, start to lift,” but nobody knew for sure which was front and which was back because she was constantly moving around.

A good-quality first aid course will help you to know how to handle injuries in an emergency.

How It Should Work

In a crisis or survival situation, it’s important that people listen to and follow instructions. But it’s also critical that those instructions be clear and concise. Use names whenever possible if you’re speaking to specific individuals. “Joe, I need you to start lifting in 3…2…1!” If you don’t know their name, call out to them in some other specific way. “You, in the blue shirt, yeah you. I need you to run into that store and ask if they have a defibrillator!”

A crisis is mentally overwhelming for many people. It can be difficult to make even simple decisions. Something that would be a no-brainer under other circumstances is suddenly like trying to solve a quadratic equation while juggling flaming bowling pins.

It helps to provide them with simple instructions that they can follow without a lot of independent thought. If you can get them moving, that will also help them to re-engage mentally.

Ruger PC Carbine with Reversible Folding Stock

By

Tim Stetzer

-

November 21, 2024

Ruger’s PC Carbine has been a popular seller, and they continue to evolve the design. The latest version of the carbine, the Model 19140, comes with an adjustable, reversible folding stock.

The Model 19140 PC Carbine

The PC Carbine is Ruger’s mainstay pistol caliber carbine platform and is now available in a variety of calibers and configurations. The 19140 is chambered in 9mm, like the original PC Carbine, and feeds from a steel Ruger pistol magazine. An optional mag well is provided however that allows the user to switch out to Glock magazines.

I know a fair number of folks rocking various versions of the PC Carbine or pistol and they all swapped out to the Glock mag well right away. This benefited my buddy, who shoots a Ruger SR9C pistol immensely, as they all gave him the Ruger mags that came with their carbines. Whichever mag you decide to use, it’s a nice feature that Ruger gives you the choice of either when you buy the gun.

The 19140 uses a black synthetic chassis with a ventilated aluminum free float handguard complete with M-LOK slots. That option has been available before, but with a fixed stock. What the new model brings to the table is a side folding stock. The reversible folding stock has an adjustable length of pull. It’s compatible with both AR-pattern, and Picatinny rail-mounted aftermarket accessory stocks as well.

The PC carbine has a 16 inch, threaded barrel. It comes with a Picatinny rail for optics mountings, and ships with one 17 round Ruger SR series magazine. It has a hard anodized finish and is available in black only.

Ruger Model 19140 Specs:

Stock	Folding and Adjustable, Black Synthetic Chassis with Aluminum Free-Float Handguard
Capacity	17
Barrel Length	16.12 inches
Overall Length	33.75 inches
Front Sight	None
Rear Sight	None
Barrel Feature	Threaded, Fluted
Thread Pattern	1/2″-28
Weight	7.3 pounds
Length of Pull	11 – 13 inches
Receiver Material	Aluminum Alloy
Receiver Finish	Type III Hard-Coat Anodized
Twist	1:10″ RH
Grooves	6
MSRP	$999.00

For more information on the Model 19140 or other Ruger products check out Ruger.com.