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The Many Desccendants of the TEC-9

By
Travis Pike
-

The Intratec TEC-9 is an infamous pistol. It gets the anti-gunners’ panties in a bunch and is a true testament to the fact that the anti-gun crowd knows nothing about guns. The TEC-9 is a terrible firearm. It’s not reliable, has excessive recoil, is not very accurate, and generally isn’t built very well.

They certainly look cool. The TEC-9’s appearance made the gun massively successful. It looks scary, and it looks like it should be a full-auto firearm. It’s not; it LARPs as a machine pistol with an intimidating appearance thanks to its large size and ventilated barrel shroud.

The TEC-9 and Its Offspring

The gun might not have performed very well, but it was cheap and sold well. They sold incredibly well; over a quarter million were made and sold. They were so popular that Intratec continued to produce various models after numerous bans to keep the market. Anything that’s popular will be cloned.

Everyone wants a piece of the proverbial pie, and with that in mind, let’s talk about some of the companies that more or less cloned the TEC-9. The TEC-9, as a firearm, is most well-known for its forward magazine design, its blowback operation, and general largeness factor. Three distinct clones of the TEC-9 have emerged, and I think one might be surprising.

Kimmel AP-9

The Kimmel AP-9 looks like an uncanny valley version of the TEC-9. If you described a TEC-9 to a sketch artist, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a drawing of the AP-9. The Kimmel AP-9 has the ventilated barrel shroud, the forward magazine design, and the TEC-9 layout. They even used a healthy amount of polymer for the lower receiver.

I’d argue the Kimmel AP-9 is better than the TEC-9 in a few ways. The sights are better, not by a lot, but they are sturdier. The ergonomics are better, with a safety that’s not just a charging handle. It’s not necessarily a good gun, but it’s better than the TEC-9.

A.A. Arms out of North Carolina produced the AP-9 for about six years and ceased production in 1994. The most interesting AP-9 was probably the Target model with a 12 or 11-inch barrel, depending on the year. It looks like they intended to produce a rifle version with a folding stock, but it’s either very rare or was never produced and sold.

Enfield MP-45

John Foote was no dummy. He was an American designer who decided to cash in on the Enfield name. Enfield America had no relation to the British Enfield. This did mean Mr. Foote had to change the name to Encom eventually, but the gall to use Enfield on a TEC-9 clone is hilarious.

The Enfield MP-45 came in both 9mm and .45 ACP, which gave it a unique caliber for TEC-9 clones. The MP-45 features a very long magwell that seems to be intended to double as a forward grip, so you don’t have to use the magazine as a grip, which could ruin your reliability. The MP-45 used an AR grip, which was neat for the time.

The gun allowed for quick barrel changes, and a carbine kit was produced. It allowed you to add a 16-inch barrel and a wire stock. It’s kinda neat. The really neat version was the ultra-rare side-loading model, which was a lot like a Sten gun, which I want so damn bad.

Beretta PMX/s

Yep, Beretta qualifies for producing a TEC-9 clone. It’s the most refined version of a TEC-9 to ever exist, but it qualifies. Am I being sacrilegious? Let’s look at it. Blowback operated, tubular bolt, reciprocating bolt, forward magazine, 9mm, and a handguard that’s more or less ventilated?

It’s different, a lot different, but the PMX/s lines up with the TEC-9 in a lot of ways. Even the lower receiver is made from polymer. Like the TEC-9, the PMX/s descends from a submachine gun and serves as a semi-auto pistol. The PMX/s does have fantastic ergonomics; it’s also reliable, accurate, and easy to shoot.

The Beretta PMX/s is the best TEC-9 clone by far. It might not be what you’d picture as a TEC-9 clone, but boy oh boy, it scores high on the TEC-9 scale. With that said, if you ever buy a TEC-9 clone, buy the PMX/s and don’t buy the rare side-loading Encom; save that for me.

TEC-9 Clones

Only the first two of these TEC-9 clones were built to compete with the TEC-9. These two were built to cash in on the TEC-9 design and popularity, but never reached the same degree of fame or infamy. The Beretta is clearly a few decades removed and not just a simplistic clone trying to cash in on the TEC-9 infamy. Interestingly, such a terrible gun has remained in its design to this day.

The Day Cold Steel Changed My Mind – The Republic Field Knife

By
Jim Cobb
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Cold Steel Republic

I remember when Cold Steel first started gaining recognition back in the 1980s. Countless car doors were victimized by their Tanto knives. I was more drawn to their push knives and a couple of other models. But over time, the ever more strident and aggressive ads turned me away from the company’s offerings. To me, it got to the point where it seemed as though they were parodying themselves. However, the Cold Steel Republic might have righted the ship.

The Cold Steel Republic

Anyway, the point is that Cold Steel fell off my radar for quite a while. Last year, I was perusing the New category at DLT Trading’s website and came across the Republic. Natural canvas micarta handle, nice leather sheath, S35VN steel, all sorts of good stuff. Not gonna lie, I was shocked when I saw it was from Cold Steel. This sort of field knife was light years away from what I normally expected to see from them.

Of course, I snapped one up and waited patiently by the mailbox for it to arrive.

Republic Specs

The Republic stretches an impressive ten inches from end to end, with a 5-inch blade. The S35VN has a Rockwell hardness of 58-60 and the blade has an Ionbond finish that helps prevent corrosion. Jimping runs about 2.25 inches of the spine. The edge was razor sharp out of the box, which is always nice.

Cold Steel Republic - jimping

The natural canvas micarta handle scales have been shaped and contoured for maximum grip as well as comfort. They’ve been slightly scalloped toward the blade to provide a nice pinch grip. The scales are removable, in case you want to replace them with something else. Natty canvas is one of my favorite handle materials, so that’s not going to be an issue for me.

Cold Steel Republic - handle shape

The lanyard hole at the end of the handle has some ridges to either side, calling to mind what we used to call a “skull-crusher” pommel.

Cold Steel Republic - lanyard hole

My postal scale reads 8.4 ounces without the sheath, which matches the company’s stated specs. This is a heavy-duty knife, and the weight bears that out. It’s not a brick, but it’s definitely no lightweight.

The Republic’s sheath is a good quality leather pouch that’s been wet-formed a bit. The knife fits securely, no problems. However, wet-formed sheaths can loosen over time, so that’s something I’ll be watching for down the road. The belt loop will accommodate up to about 2.25 inches of belt.

Republic Performance

I like this knife quite a bit. It’s an excellent option for a primary field knife. It has plenty of blade for anything you’ll need to do without being so big it’s awkward or clumsy. It’s very well-balanced.

Cold Steel Republic - blade

The handle has a lot of meat to it, so it doesn’t feel like I’m losing my grip when I’m chopping or something along those lines. It’s also plenty comfortable when feather sticking or doing other more delicate chores.

I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to rely on the Republic as my primary survival tool, that’s for sure. It can handle anything you want to toss its way.

Cold Steel Republic - sheath

I have to admit, Cold Steel has won me back as a customer with this knife. It’s comfortable. It’s durable. And I didn’t have to watch anyone hollering at me about how many car doors it can destroy. Find it here at Cold Steel and here at DLT Trading.

The Self-Defense SubGun

By
Travis Pike
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In an era where the short carbine is regarded as the ultimate CQB weapon, I still have a fondness for the subgun. I’ve always loved submachine guns, and the closest thing we can get to SMGs affordably in the American market is subguns. Subguns are large-format, pistol-caliber firearms that are often semi-auto variants of actual submachine guns.

Running a SubGun for Self-Defense

Subguns can be effective defensive weapons, particularly as excellent home defense tools. While the 5.56 carbine can be an optimal choice, a pistol-caliber subgun can be a capable choice. There are several downsides, including the fact that they have the ballistics of a pistol, rather than a rifle.

We aren’t experiencing secondary wound characteristics; we only receive direct tissue damage. That’s a big downside and should be acknowledged. However, I find it hard to believe that a subgun loaded with proper defensive ammunition wouldn’t be a capable defensive weapon.

But What About .300 Blackout?

.300 Blackout is great. It’s a fantastic caliber designed to work with short barrels and ultimately designed to replace 9mm subguns on the market. It works well from short barrels, it suppresses easily, and outshoots any pistol caliber. It’s a rifle round that has secondary wounding characteristics. It’s fantastic.

Why would I suggest a pistol-caliber subgun over a .300 Blackout weapon? Well, I wouldn’t suggest it as a better option, but as an alternative option. The cheapest .300 Blackout ammo is going to cost $0.60 a round. I can get 9mm for $0.19 a round. Ammo for pistol-caliber subguns is a third of the price of .300 Blackout.

Backpacking a compact, powerful gun like the SAINT Pistol in .300 BLK can be a life-saver.

Additionally, subguns can be smaller than .300 Blackout guns due to the dimensions of the round. The .300 Blackout rounds require a rifle-length lower and upper and work best with barrels ranging from seven to nine inches. I’ve never seen a .300 Blackout large-format pistol be as small and compact as an MP5 clone.

That’s my digression into .300 Blackout. Let’s get back into the defensive subgun discussion.

Why the Defensive Subgun?

Instead of cramming this into a few paragraphs, let’s do it listicle style and break it down piece by piece.

Ammo Is Super Cheap

I already mentioned this a minute ago. If you opt for a 9mm subgun, the ammunition can be extremely affordable. 9mm is everywhere, and while defensive ammo will always be expensive, standard training ammo is extremely affordable. Affordable training ammunition allows you to hone your shooting skills and be prepared for a potential defensive encounter.

Cheap ammo can go a long way. This does stick you with 9mm because if you get into .45 ACP and 10mm, the price savings can dry up a bit. It’s still cheaper than .300 Blackout and 5.56, but you’re not getting much advantage from anything bigger than 9mm for self-defense anyway.

Easy to Suppress

If you’re willing to get into suppressors, and with $0 tax stamps incoming, I’m sure plenty will, then a defensive subgun might be for you. It’s easy to find subsonic pistol ammo, and when using a subgun, you might be using a barrel that’s longer than your average pistol barrel. This is great because you’ll want to use heavier cartridges with longer barrels to ensure proper expansion.

Pistol suppressors are lighter and shorter than most rifle suppressors, and they are cheaper than rifle-rated options. A short subgun with a can is a quiet, hearing-saving option for home defense. My APC9K with a can and some 147-grain ammo is tough to beat.

Ultra-Short Designs

When it comes to large-format pistols, subguns are going to be your smallest options, especially with the rise of K-model subguns. They will be shorter than any rifle-caliber gun that’s actually usable and not a meme. Guns like the CMMG Banshee, the APC9K, and MP5K clones are shorter than my temper at a SHOT Show beer line.

Note the 3-lug suppressor QD attachment and rails to accommodate both BUIS and optics (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

They are easily maneuverable and even easier to use with a single hand. Being able to use the gun easily with a single hand can be beneficial. If you have to call the police, navigate doors, or secure family members, a one-handed gun that can be easy to shoot sounds pretty damn good.

Less Concussion and Noise

As you shorten the barrel on a 5.56 rifle or even a .300 Blackout rifle, the concussion, muzzle flash, and noise get ridiculous. It’s insanely loud and can be brutal, especially indoors. For a guy or gal that shoots a ton, that’s not a big deal; you train enough, and you’ll deal with it. For the average user, that level of concussion, flash, and noise will be absolutely brutal.

A subgun with a four to seven-inch barrel doesn’t have that problem. This makes it easy to use indoors with an ultra-short barrel. It’s not as effective as a 5.56 round, but it’s a lot quieter and easier to deal with.

Less Recoil (Potentially)

If you use a defensive subgun with a delayed blowback system, you can have less recoil than any other centerfire platform. A CMMG Banshee with its radial delayed design or an MP5 clone with a roller-delayed design has significantly less recoil than other centerfire weapons. Another notable mention is blowback guns with hydraulic reducers, like the APC9 series from B&T.

U.S. Navy

If you go with a cheaper direct blowback gun, you can expect at least the same or more recoil as a 5.56 rifle. Direct blowback guns hit you with more recoil than a 5.56 rifle, so be cautious.

The Defensive Subgun and You

The defensive subgun isn’t the best option. It’s less likely to deliver a one-shot stop than a 5.56 or .300 Blackout rifle or a shotgun. However, it does offer numerous benefits over both platforms. The defensive subgun isn’t the best option, but it’s still a viable option.

Gear of the Pros: U.S. Marshal Chris Barfield

By
Reuben Bolieu
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Chris dual-wielding Uzis in Bogota, Colombia.

Meet Marshal Chris Barfield. I’d call him a super Law Enforcement Officer, the type that movies are made of. I’ve known Roger, I mean Chris, for 15 years through the Randall’s Adventure & Training school. However, these days I call him a friend!

Marshal Chris Barfield and the U.S. Marshals Service

The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, handling high-risk duties that anchor the justice system. They apprehend dangerous fugitives, protect judges and court personnel, manage the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC), oversee prisoner transportation nationwide, and seize criminal assets. Their work is often behind the scenes, but it’s foundational to law and order in the U.S.

Chris Barfield – Retired Marshal and Traveler

Chris Barfield started as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in NC, then had a 24-year career with the U.S. Marshals. Initially stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he spent the majority of his career based out of Indiana but worked extensively on long-term assignments in Latin America and the Balkans. He currently considers himself a recovering federal agent.

Chris in rural Colombia doing cool Marshal stuff!

Instructor Training/Career Highlights:

  • Firearms Instructor
  • Protective Operations Instructor
  • Protective Driving Instructor
  • Forensic Accountant (CPA)

Chris Barfield on Law Enforcement

Why did you choose the Marshals?

Just unlucky, I guess. All of my formal training has been in accounting. I have a BS, an MS, a CPA, and for whatever reason, law enforcement seemed more attractive for a 22-year-old than sitting behind a desk, adding up numbers for 50 hours a week. When I discovered they’d pay me to shoot, drive, and work in a team environment, particularly in high-level operations around the world, I forgot all about the pocket protector and the Hewlett-Packard 17BII calculator.

However, I didn’t put it all together until later in my career, when I was assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office full-time as a forensic accountant, tracking down the money and other assets of drug organizations around the world.

Classic EXPAT in a secret location.
This is one of the first times I’ve addressed you as Chris. For several years, a lot of us called you Roger. Can you explain why that was briefly? 

For a large portion of my career, I was assigned to a more secretive unit in the government. It was very common for us to operate under different names, both for our safety and the safety of others.

Chris on Firearms

The trusty Glock 26 in Magnum P.I. holster. Only the best for our Marshals!
What firearm was issued to you while working as a US Marshal?

Way back in the 1900s, when I started with the Marshals, they issued us Ruger GP 100 .357 6-shot revolvers, if you can believe that. The Marshals have been around since 1789, and tradition dies hard. I left mine at the academy and never carried it since we had broad latitude to carry pretty much whatever we wanted back then. I carried a Heckler & Koch P7 M13 semi-auto and still have it to this day.

However, once I started working in South America frequently, I quickly realized that my HK was too expensive and aroused far too much curiosity from the locals, so I switched to an old Glock 19 (Gen 2). It would not be the end of the world if it went missing when we had to check it in with the pilots while flying around the country. Seriously, we had to turn our guns into the pilots!

Today, USMS issues Glock 19s like many other federal agencies.

Preferred Carry: Long gun or Handgun?

Depending on who or what is shooting at me. Ideally, I’d like to have a long gun. And a bunch of friends with their long guns. But probably a handgun since it can always be with me. Although my Daniel Defense AR is never too far away…

Chris is attempting to dry his Beretta 9mm Model 92F, given to him by the Albanian government.
What is your preferred firearm off-duty in town, and why?

I’m still a Glock guy. Not because I think they are the best or nicest (they aren’t). But they are a tool that works every single time I press the volume button. I still have my 1989 Gen 2 Glock 19 that performs flawlessly. But I end up carrying a Glock 26 daily. I tried the G43 for a while but went back to the G26.

Marshal Chris Barfield on Tactical Knives

What are your preferred carry-cutting tools on the job?

For almost 2 decades, I had an ESEE-3 (or RAT-3 back in the day) on my tactical vest and carried them all over the world, literally. I have a picture of using it to start a fire in an old Soviet-era bunker in Albania. It’s the Glock of the knife world. It won’t win any beauty contests, but it works reliably. And it becomes a pretty good bargaining chip to get you out of (or into) somewhere. As you know, overseas ain’t like the U.S. A pack of Marlboros or a good knife can sometimes open doors that Embassies can’t.

Then, the ESEE3 was called the RAT3, worn on Chris’s vest worldwide.
What cutting tools do you carry, such as EDC or woods tools, and why?

I’ve carried pretty much the full spectrum of folders at one time or another, starting with Spydercos in the 90s. Then Benchmades, Emersons, Striders, ZT, Chris Reeve, and on and on. But at heart, I’m a child of the 80s. I keep coming back to the tried-and-true Swiss Army Knife, MacGyver style.

Other EDC items include a Pokka pen, a small brass compass from Tru-Nord, an American Express Platinum card, a Rolex Explorer II, and an Expat Knives Zippo. If I can’t get myself out of trouble with that combination, well then, I guess it’s just my time.

Favorite Flashlights? 

Surefire. Period. End of story. Those are the lights on my handguns and rifles. I’ve seen them abused for years and years, and they still work flawlessly. I have old models with non-LED bulbs that still work. I’m a fan of their E2 series, in the various iterations. I bet my iPhone light gets just as much use these days.

Marshal Chris Barfield is EXPAT

How did you conceive the idea for the ESEE Knives EXPAT series? 

In the early 2000s, while traveling in Colombia, I sought jungle survival training due to the threat of kidnapping. This led me to Jeff Randall and ESEE (formerly RAT). We discussed creating a line of knives inspired by my experiences abroad and real-world usage. This resulted in Expat Knives, designed to be cost-effective, so you won’t regret using them to barter. I once traded an old pair of handcuffs to a customs officer to skip a long line, a lesson I’ve never forgotten. 

Best thing about being on the job? 

A pension. They keep paying you, even when you don’t have to show up anymore.

Geared up and doing the town, Chris was on the job in some hotspot in the world.

Much appreciated, Chris!

Weird SMGs of the 1980s

By
Travis Pike
-

The 1980s were a wild time. It was a fairly radical period in arms design. It was also the last breath of the submachine gun. The 1980s were a time when the submachine gun still ruled in tactical teams, and there was still a large market for SMGs internationally and amongst police forces around the world. The short carbine was coming and coming fast, but the submachine gun was still viable. As an appreciator of firearm oddities, I wanted to gather some weird SMGs of the 1980s.

The ’80s Gave Us Some Weird SMGs. Check Them Out

Let’s see what the last breath of submachine guns delivered.

Calico 960 LWS

As the happy owner of a Calico 950 that works extremely well, I want a Calico 960 of some variety. Calico Light Weapon System’s firearms had one big gimmick, and it was the magazine. These guns used a top-mounted magazine that held 50 to 100 rounds of ammo. The rear sight was even located on the magazine. It’s an odd magazine, but when loaded correctly, it works reliably.

These guns used a roller-delayed blowback operation, much like an MP5. This kept recoil low and maintained a highly reliable operating system. The 960 was the submachine gun-specific version, and Calico made eight models with varying features and accessories. They had the ultra-short machine pistol model, models with collapsing stocks, and more. The guns were never officially adopted, but according to Calico, piles of them were purchased by various police and military forces.

Benelli CB M2

Benelli, famed producer of semi-auto shotguns, experimented with producing some fairly radical and weird SMGs. The Benelli CB M2 ditched Benelli’s inertia-driven systems and went with a simple blowback design. It’s magazine-fed, uses a top-folding stock, and has lots of polymer in its construction. Nothing too weird there.

It didn’t stop there. Benelli developed a semi-caseless 9mm round called the 9mm AUPO. The ammo wasn’t completely caseless and featured a small rear portion of a case that was discarded when the round was fired. It was neat but didn’t do anything all that different than any standard 9mm SMG.

Jatimatic

There is something inherently Finnish about the Jatimatic. Something about the way it looks just screams Finnish to me, and I don’t know why. As far as weird SMGs go, the Jatimatic both looks and functions weirdly. The gun was an open-bolt, blowback design, but its bolt guide rails sit in an odd relation to the bore axis. The guide rails force the bolt to move up an incline as it cycles.

Wikipedia

This slows the bolt naturally and counteracts muzzle rise. The bolt design and incline plane reduce muzzle rise and recoil, making the weapon controllable when fired in full auto. To help this effect even more, the pistol grip sits higher, closer to being in line with the end of the barrel, which helps improve control. The Jatimatic is an excellent combination of weird looks and weird function mixed with traditional design.

Ares FMG

From what I can tell, the Ares FMG is the first of the many folding submachine guns that were designed to be disguised when folded. Ares Inc was a company owned by Eugene Stoner, and an engineer named Francis Warin designed the gun. It was a fairly simple blowback-operated submachine gun that just happened to fold around the pistol grip and a 20-round magazine.

The Ares FMG was designed to fold and unfold at a moment’s notice and would be easily concealed or disguised. I imagine it was intended for discreet and covert use, but sadly, the Cold War ended. The Ares FMG never entered full production, but companies like Magpul and B&T were clearly influenced by the idea, as were the Russians and Ukrainians.

Spectre M4

The Spectre M4 wins the award for best-looking of the weird SMGs. It does look cool as hell. It’s also an interesting oddity. The Spectre M4 is a blowback-operated, closed-bolt 9mm submachine gun. That’s standard, but what’s not is the double-action design that integrates a striker-fired mechanism. After firing the first shot, double action, it reverts to a single-action design and has a decocker.

Wikipedia

The Spectre M4 uses a variety of magazines, including a coffin-shaped 50-round magazine. A front grip and top-folding stock topped the gun off. It’s an oddity, but the Spectre M4 was an efficient and effective firearm. Plenty were produced, and even some semi-auto-only variants made their way to the United States.

Weird SMGs and the 1980s

You gotta give it up for the 1980s. Submachine guns were on the way out, but they went with a bang rather than a meek little whimper. Things got a little weird, but weird is always good as far as I’m concerned.

Moonlight Hiking – RUSH 12 2.0 from 5.11 Tactical in a New Color

By
Jim Cobb
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RUSH 12 pack

I’ve been a big fan of 5.11 Tactical for several years now. Their products have never let me down, whether we’re talking about pants or packs. Their RUSH line of backpacks has been around for a bit now, but they’ve recently introduced a new colorway called Moonlight. After seeing the 5.11 RUSH 12 in the new colorway, I had to get one for myself.

RUSH 12 and the RUSH Pack Series

The packs in the RUSH series are named after the number of hours each pack was designed to supply the user. The RUSH 12 is a 12-hour pack, whereas the RUSH 72 is more suited for a few days. The largest is the RUSH 100, which is a 60L pack.

For years, I used a RUSH 24 as my main pack. While it was a bit large for EDC, it served me just fine in that regard. I eventually passed it along to one of my sons. Recently, I found a need for a smaller pack, and the RUSH 12 turned out to be just the ticket.

RUSH 12 2.0 Specs

This is a 24L pack. The main compartment is 18 inches by 11 inches by 6.5 inches. There’s a 1.5L hydration pocket at the back of the pack that measures 16.5 inches by 10 inches.

There is one pocket on the front of the pack. It measures 12 inches by 9 inches by 1.75 inches.

The front pocket contains numerous small pouches and sleeves.

Empty, the RUSH 12 weighs 3.15 pounds. Not bad at all, especially for something this rugged and well-made.

Organizational Capabilities

One of the hallmarks of 5.11’s backpack line is its organizational capabilities. With the RUSH 12, you have a main compartment with a laptop sleeve. It will fit laptops up to 15 inches, and the sleeve is padded to protect the electronics. There are also two mesh pockets inside the main compartment.

RUSH 12 - mesh pockets
Inside the main compartment are two large mesh pockets.

On the front, the lower zippered pocket has several internal slip and zippered pockets, along with an admin panel. Above, there is a second zippered pocket. There’s a hidden CCW compartment with Velcro closure as well. It’s designed such that you can quickly and easily access the contents. At the very top of the pack is a fleece-lined zippered pocket for your sunglasses.

The front and side have MOLLE webbing for those who want to add additional pouches or other accoutrements. That said, I feel like adding things to the outside of this particular pack defeats the purpose and intent behind it. This is quite literally a day pack. While you could pile on extras, for my money, I’d rather get the RUSH 24 or RUSH 72 if more space is needed.

RUSH 12 - MOLLE
The front of the pack features MOLLE webbing.

The New Moonlight Colorway

I’m really liking the new Moonlight colorway. It’s not just handsome, but practical. In the prepper world, there’s a school of thought that says a tactical pack makes it look like you’re carrying something worth stealing, especially in a major crisis. While I don’t necessarily agree with that line of thinking, as in a bad situation any pack will be assumed to contain something of value, I can’t argue with the notion of striving for a Gray Man approach.

It’s unassuming, yet loaded with great features and quality construction. Photo credit: 5.11 Tactical.

And that’s precisely what you get with this Moonlight colorway. It’s unassuming and definitely lacks a tactical feel. Plus, I’ll admit I have a thing for blue gear.

RUSH 12 2.0 Performance

I used the RUSH 12 on a couple of trips recently. It was comfortable on my back and generally performed very well. On one trip, I used it to hold a day’s worth of clothes and some other gear. It had just enough space, but it was admittedly a tight fit for everything. If it had been winter rather than summer, there may have been problems getting all of the clothing inside.

I love the organizational capabilities of the RUSH packs. So many little pockets and such that help keep everything easy to find. I hate having to rummage through the main compartment of a pack to find small items that have worked their way to the bottom.

Even the 5.11 logo is subdued.

The RUSH 12 is a great EDC pack. It’ll hold your laptop and other work items, along with some preparedness gear, as you go about your day.

Weird Shotguns of South Africa

By
Travis Pike
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Forgotten Weapons

I appreciate two things in the gun world: weird guns and shotguns. Combining the two is, to me, the Reese’s Cups of firearms. While many people doomscroll social media, I doomscroll various Wikis, examining guns I’ve never heard of. As a weird shotgun enthusiast, I’ve noticed South Africa is a hot spot for unusual shotgun designs.

Why? I can’t really say. Most of the weird designs date to the 1990s. I’m not sure if there was a shotgun resurgence in South Africa in the 1990s, or if it was just one of those strange coincidences. Either way, I’ve found four fairly bizarre shotguns from South Africa. I aimed to find five, but unfortunately, you’re stuck with just four.

Weird Shotguns of South Africa

I’m not going in any specific order, but the first model is likely the oddest and, honestly, my favorite. Sadly, none of these are widely produced or available these days; if they were, I’d have a pile of them.

Techno Arms MAG-7

Techno Arms is such a great name for a 1990s gun company. They produced the MAG-7. The MAG-7 is what happens when you want your Uzi to fire shotgun rounds, and I love it, especially the original short-barreled shotgun models. The gun uses a magazine that fits in the grip, and as you’d imagine, it uses a proprietary 12-gauge cartridge.

The shells were 60mm long, or approximately 2.36 inches overall. These short shells allowed for a reasonable grip, but they’re still way bigger than most people prefer. A five-round magazine in the grip makes the MAG-7 quite small in its original configuration. A top-folding stock kept the gun compact when necessary, and the 12.6-inch barrel kept things maneuverable.

Forgotten Weapons

The MAG-7 is a pump-action design, and it directly encouraged “poor” trigger discipline. If you racked the gun with your finger flat on the receiver and off the trigger, it would be impacted by the pump moving rearward. Some of the ergonomics were odd, especially the safety, the trigger was known to be quite heavy, and ultimately, the gun was never highly successful.

These weird shotguns were imported to the United States in civilian-legal designs with 18-inch barrels, but they are exceedingly rare.

Armsel Striker

South Africa’s most famous weird shotguns are the Armsel Striker series. The Armsel Striker was designed by a Rhodesian named Hilton Walker. Hilton Walker emigrated to South Africa and produced the Striker. The Striker is essentially a massive double-action revolver that fires 12-gauge rounds.

The gun held 12 rounds, which was a ton of ammo for that era. The Striker had a short 12-inch barrel and a top-folding stock. This provided a compact package.

D&B Militaria

The Striker was a bit cumbersome. The trigger was heavy even with the manually wound cylinder clockwork spring. Empty shells had to be punched out by an ejection rod one at a time. Various models of the Striker would be produced to correct these flaws. The Protecta added an auto-cartridge ejection design. The Protecta Bulldog was a super small, stockless variant of the gun.

The gun made it to America and was produced by Sentinel Arms as the Striker-12, and Cobray produced the famed Street Sweeper model. These guns were banned by the Treasury Secretary and regulated as destructive devices.

NeoStead 2000

The NeoStead 2000 was designed in the 1990s but didn’t enter production until the 2000s, thus the name. The NeoStead 2000 did KelTec before KelTec made it cool. These weird shotguns used dual tube magazines that each held six rounds of ammo. The NeoStead 2000 also used a bullpup format.

Beyond that, the tubes were top-mounted. The gun opened like a double barrel to access the tubes and chamber. This made it easy to load the gun in its unusual configuration. It keeps getting weirder: instead of going back and forth like a normal pump shotgun, the pump goes forward and rearward.

That’s quite nice for a bullpup shotgun since your hand isn’t going to slide forward in front of the barrel when working the action. There seems to be a degree of thought put behind the gun.

The NeoStead 2000 looks like it came from the future and operates like it came from the future. It’s a weird shotgun that’s super quirky. I would love to get hands-on to see if the unusual configuration makes any sense and could challenge conventional shotgun operation. A few of these guns have made it to the States, but they are very rare.

The Jumbo

The Jumbo is our final entry into the weird shotguns of South Africa. This isn’t an original design. It’s clearly a clone of the High Standard Model 10B. It’s a bullpup, semi-auto shotgun that feeds from a tube magazine. The High Standard model premiered in the 1960s, but it’s tough to tell when the Jumbo came about.

DeactivatedGuns.UK

Only 36 were ever produced, and I can only find one reference book that promises information but seems to be out of production. The Jumbo effectively cloned the High Standard to a near “T.” This includes the rotating stock for firing it, braced against your bicep. The front sight folds, and there are dual charging handles as well.

Much like the High Standard, I doubt it was all that reliable. Since there are only 36 of them, it’s easier to find a High Standard than a Jumbo.

Weird Shotguns Rule

I really want a MAG-7, a NeoStead, and a Striker. I have a High Standard, so the Jumbo can get “Dumbo’ed.” These weird shotguns all tried something a little different, and the Striker was even a successful gun by all accounts. Sadly, unless I hit the lottery and some collections come to auction, I don’t see it happening.

BEW Titanium Folding Saw – Big Work, Small Footprint

By
Reuben Bolieu
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Each tailored for a specific type of adventurer, the BEW Titanium Folding Camp Saw comes in four sizes—21", 24", 30", and 36".

The BEW Titanium Folding Saw is what happens when weight savings, durability, and field-tested utility meet in one tool. Then it politely asks aluminum to take a seat. I used this saw daily in the Adirondacks on a multiday camp trip, and now I’m a believer! 

The BEW Titanium Folding Saw

Brautigam Expedition Works crafts high-performance, ultralight tools for serious backcountry use. They blend durability with a zero-nonsense design. Likewise, they prioritize premium materials like titanium and Cordura, hand-build gear with precision, and skip gimmicks. This is in favor of field-tested functionality.

From folding saws to pack shovels, every product reflects their mission to create tools that withstand the harshest environments, without weighing you down. When BEW creates something, they build it to be the last version you’ll ever need.

Standing dead wood a few inches wide stood zero chance against the 21-inch BEW Titanium Folding Saw.

The BEW Titanium Folding Camp Saw is available in four sizes—21″, 24″, 30″, and 36″. BEW designed each for a specific type of adventurer. The 21″ and 24″ saws are ultralight dynamos built for hikers, bike packers, and backcountry hunters. These adventurers consider every ounce a sacred metric. Weighing in at under a pound with the wood blade, these sizes pack serious cutting capacity—up to 8″ logs—without the bulk. They also accommodate optional bone and meat blades, making them ideal for hunting big game.

Users can depend on the 30″ and 36″ models for heavy-duty fieldwork. BEW designed them for larger tasks. Whether you’re winter camping, trail clearing, or acting as the unofficial lumberjack of your guide crew, these saws offer 9″ and 10″ cutting capacities, respectively. They can even be operated by two people to speed things along.

As a bonus, both include stove-length graduations etched into the frame. This feature allows for easy firewood sizing—a small touch that’s surprisingly useful when you’re hungry and cold.

BEW Titanium Saw Advantage 

The BEW Titanium Folding Saw was fitted with a dry wood blade for this Adirondack adventure.

Now, let’s talk titanium—the silent flex. Titanium offers a trifecta of backwoods brilliance. First, it’s stronger than steel. Second, it weighs significantly less. Third, it laughs in the face of rust, salt, and UV exposure. It’s also a terrible conductor of heat. This means your fingers won’t freeze while gripping the saw in winter conditions—a subtle win you’ll appreciate when the mercury drops.

The design itself is refreshingly practical. Round tubing reduces hand fatigue and blade binding, and the tension system mimics the simplicity of stringing a longbow—no cams, no wingnuts, no nonsense. Changing blades is tool-free, and the blade stores safely inside the frame, which is dishwasher safe (yes, even the bone blade).

Each saw comes housed in a tough Cordura soft case. The smaller sizes sport a minimalist cord tie, and the big saws use a rugged in-house titanium G-hook.

BEW Titanium vs Other Folding Saws

When comparing the BEW Titanium Folding Saw to others like the Silky BigBoy or Sven-Saw, it’s clear the BEW is a cut above. It is a precision tool that combines durability with elegance.

Material Edge – Many camp saws rely on aluminum or steel, which can be heavy and prone to rust. In contrast, the BEW’s titanium is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and warm to the touch, making it ideal for cold, wet conditions.

Design Smarts – Traditional folding saws can be bulky and require maintenance due to their complex mechanisms. The BEW features a simple, tool-free tension system, with the blade hiding inside the frame for easy packing.

Blade Options – Unlike most saws that offer a single blade type, the BEW allows for quick swaps in the field between wood and meat. This meets a hunter’s needs effortlessly.

Portability and Casework – The carry case is well-designed. Smaller models feature Cordura sleeves, and larger ones are equipped with efficient titanium G-hook closures. While Silky is known for pruning and Sven focuses on simplicity, the BEW serves backcountry users—ultralight hikers, winter campers, and hunters. Its larger models even support two-person use for urgent firewood tasks.

Double-teamed, the BEW Titanium Folding Saw finished felling a small tree after the axe chopped the initial kerf.

Closing

The BEW Titanium Folding Saw doesn’t just join the camp saw conversation—it rewrites the topic. It’s not the saw you grab from your garage on a whim. You invest in it, trust it in extreme conditions, and enjoy geeking out over it because it clearly shows a commitment to intentional design.

The Sputter Gun – The FRT In the 1980s

By
Travis Pike
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The FRT, or forced reset trigger, has been the subject of much discussion and legal opinions that were not and are not legislation. An FRT is designed to simulate full-auto fire, but every round fired requires you to pull the trigger. This simulates full-auto fire and allows you to partially experience the joy and fun of full-auto fire without having to spend tens of thousands of dollars and deal with the ATF. Before the FRT, someone else had a similar idea, and it was called the Sputter Gun.

The Sputter Gun

The Sputter Gun came to be prior to the Hughes Amendment, which prevented the new production of full-auto firearms. The idea for the Sputter Gun originated in 1977, a time when $200 was a lot of money, and tax stamps took months, required going to the post office, and were fairly misunderstood. A man named William York from Utah knew a universal truth about gun owners:

We want full-auto firearms, and we don’t want the Federal government to tell us we can’t.

The Origin of the Sputter Gun

William York was a Type 2 FFL holder, which meant he was a dealer, manufacturer, and importer of NFA firearms. Importing NFA weapons gave Mr. York access to a ton of different weapons. World War II wasn’t last week in 1977, but it wasn’t that far off either. There were still piles of Sten guns sitting in warehouses across the world.

This is where Mr. York came into contact with Samuel Cummings. Samuel Cummings might be one of the most interesting men involved in the arms industry. He created Interarms, which was a massive importer of firearms. It was like Century Arms before Century Arms. He imported tons of milsurp guns and transported even more around the world.

Cummings also worked for the CIA. He worked for the CIA during Korea, but according to recently released files on the JFK assassination, he remained a CIA asset. This is off-topic, but I always have to throw the Samuel Cummings facts in. Samuel Cummings owned one of those warehouses of British Mk 2 STEN guns.

He purchased and imported the entire stock of STEN Guns.

Building the Sputter Gun

Have you ever looked at a STEN gun? It’s one of the simplest weapons ever produced. It was designed to be cheap and easy to produce. They were simple, direct blowback-operated, open-bolt submachine guns. It’s tough to get a simpler weapon. Yet, Mr. York found a way to do so.

He shortened the barrel, removed the stock and trigger device, and installed a tiny grip under the ejection port and magazine well. Removing the trigger simplified an already simple design.

Mr. York’s idea seemed to be making the Sputter Gun NFA-free. This meant removing the stock as well. In its place, he installed a half-circle brace device. This might be the first example of a pistol brace as it’s designed to be braced against the bicep, similar to the stock on the High Standard HS10.

Source Unknown

How did the Sputter Gun work exactly? Sten guns have a bolt lock notch, and with the Sputter Gun, that becomes important. The user needs to lock the bolt into the bolt lock and insert the magazine. To fire the gun, the user would push the bolt out of the bolt lock, and as an open-bolt gun, it would slam forward.

As the gun slammed forward, it would fire. It would fire full-auto, and it wouldn’t stop firing until the magazine was depleted. Essentially, the Sputter Gun was a runaway gun, and purposefully slow.

We don’t rightly know where the ATF would fall on this ruling. Mr. York asked the ATF prior to developing the Sputter Gun, but they referred to federal law. Federal law refers to a trigger being used. Mr. York’s logic was that if the gun didn’t have a trigger, it wasn’t a machine gun. I like this man, and I like his logic.

The U.S. Congress defined a machine gun in the 1934 National Firearms Act:

“…any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.”

The ATF never made an official ruling on the Sputter Gun, and the most we got was a Firearm Technician declaring it could be a machine gun if you considered your finger a machine gun. You can read more about that at the Oath and Bonds substack here.

The Sputter Gun never moved beyond the prototype stage and was never sold. I can’t help but wonder if Mr. York just wanted to rabble-rouse. Part of me still wishes he sold a few to see what the fallout could have been, but that’s easy to say from behind a computer in 2025.

The Sputter Gun and the FRT are trying to do the same thing. I wonder if anyone else has tried to get around the “must have a trigger” rule, even if it’s completely ridiculous and absurd.

The Combat Shotgun – Worth the Squeeze?

By
Travis Pike
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Does the combat shotgun still matter in modern warfare? Does it have a place amongst the infantry or with civilian minutemen? Has the combat shotgun been replaced with the light and maneuverable 5.56 carbine? It would certainly seem so. As a very biased source, I do think the combat shotgun is still a capable weapon that excels in a few niche roles.

The Combat Shotgun

When I say niche roles, I don’t mean breaching, anti-drone operations, or even less-lethal options. That turns the shotgun into a tool rather than a combat shotgun. There is a difference, and while the tool use of the shotgun is notable, it’s not what I’m discussing today. I want to talk about the shotgun as a combat weapon.

Where It Falters

The downsides to the shotgun are numerous, especially compared to the carbine. A shotgun, loaded with buckshot, has an effective range of about 50 yards with basic buckshot ammo. Even 50 yards is a bit generous, and it excels within 35 yards and closer. Those shotgun pellets can still kill and seriously harm beyond those ranges, but it’s less likely to hit where you’re aiming.

Shotgun ammo is incredibly bulky compared to 5.56. Eight shotgun shells take up the same space as 30 5.56 rounds. Shotguns also hold less ammo, with five to eight being fairly typical. This means reloading must be a trained skill in modern warfare. The combat shotgun requires a lot of specialized training to master.

If an infantry squad or infantry unit is willing to train its troops to a high degree of competency with the shotgun, it can be an extremely effective combat tool in some niche scenarios.

Jungle Warfare

Jungle warfare is what got me thinking about the shotgun’s effectiveness. I live in the swampy part of Florida. It’s not necessarily a jungle, but it has some of the same restrictions. It’s tight, close quarters, and anything you run into is likely to be close. I hunt with a shotgun most often because in the swamps of Florida, the weapon shines.

In jungles, the shotgun can be a capable tool because it’s likely you’ll stumble into enemy forces. The thickness of the jungle kills your vision and ability to detect threats. When you stumble into the enemy, the shotgun excels at dealing with threats. In the book Pointman, Navy SEAL Chief James Watson famously carried an eight-shot Ithaca 37 loaded with No. 4 buckshot in Vietnam.

His book Pointman details the use of the shotgun and why it was such an effective tool. The Ithaca used by Chief Watson is even on display at the Navy SEAL Museum. It was effective then, and it’s effective now. The spread of buckshot helps guarantee a hit when fired through dense vegetation.

It allows for a faster reactive shot, and the spread allows your aim to be less than perfect but still effective. Its spread becomes a strength in the jungle where you can’t always see your threat, but you might see muzzle flashes or slight bits of movement. While you still have to aim a shotgun, you don’t need to refine your aim as well. You can react. With the Marine Corps’ focus on fighting China in littoral areas, the shotgun could be handy for an island-hopping campaign.

Urban Warfare

Shotgun use in Iraq was centered on urban warfare. Iraq had huge, dense cities with people stacked on top of each other. Guns like the Benelli M1014 and the Mossberg 590 were used for breaching, but also for combat purposes. Cities are urban jungles, and combat shotguns excel in both jungles for the same reason.

In urban environments, you’re also often forced into close-quarters fighting. The reactive, speed-based, and decisive design of the shotgun can again excel. If your enemy pops out of a window to spray an AK at you, the combat shotgun is an excellent way to respond. It allows for a quick, decisive shot to be made.

The spread of shot can help cover a multitude of sins, and while it’s not a wall of lead, accuracy is a game of inches. Multiple projectiles tend to be a decisive way to end an engagement, and even a single pellet can be lethal. Much like a jungle, the enemy has lots of places to naturally hide, and the shotgun can be a capable tool for those quick, running shots. Shotguns work well on moving birds and moving bad guys.

Night Fighting

Night fighting is another realm where speed and decisiveness win. If you’re stuck up close in a night fight, the shotgun can be an excellent tool to have. If you’re in a situation where you have night vision and the enemy does not, the fight is much likelier to be up close.

When both forces have night vision devices, the combat shotgun and its advantages fade away. Again, we come down to the need for quickly fired shots, which often don’t have refined aim. Instead of spraying with a carbine, a shotgun can deliver that spread of shot into and at a target. Being a few inches off can still result in a successful shot.

Close Ambushes

The combat shotgun excels in close ambushes. A close ambush is defined as an ambush at 50 yards or closer. Shotguns allow you to put a lot of pellets in the air very quickly with a quick reaction speed. You can shoot at muzzle flashes and have a greater chance of landing a hit. It’s not guaranteed, but your chance is a bit higher.

SEALs experimented with full-auto shotguns for this very task in Vietnam. Full-auto shotguns were always a bit of a mess, but semi-auto and even pump shotguns can still be excellent anti-ambush tools.

The Combat Shotgun Today

The combat shotgun can be an extremely useful tool. It’s a niche tool, and that niche design has made it less likely to be fielded and even less likely to be trained with by modern military forces. The carbine is the better tool, and if you only have time to train troops with one weapon, make it the carbine. However, the combat shotgun can be a viable weapon for the modern military

EDC Dance Partners – MKM Pocket Tangos

By
Jim Cobb
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Pocket Tango

David C. Andersen is a well-respected authority on knives. He’s been writing about them for ages and works for KnifeCenter. He has his own knife company called Nordsmith Knives and also designs knives with other companies. Like me, Andersen is a fan of the pocket fixed blade. The Pocket Tango duo is his first production knife collaboration release.

The MKM Pocket Tango: Dancing the Knife Away

As Andersen puts it, the knife was designed to be your everyday dance partner. The Pocket Tango comes in three iterations. Pocket Tango 1 has a Nessmuk-inspired blade profile. The Pocket Tango 2 has a lambsfoot blade. Some call it a reverse tanto. There is also a Pocket Tango 3 with a sheepsfoot blade that isn’t included in this review.

The knives are made from MagnaCut, the latest, greatest steel that’s been sweeping through the knife world. That sounds flippant, but it has absolutely earned a solid reputation for high quality, toughness, and edge retention.

The Pocket Tango 1 and 2 are identical in size. The knife is 6.69 inches long, with a 2.91-inch blade. They differ just slightly in weight, with the Pocket Tango 1 coming in at 2.54 ounces and the Pocket Tango 2 weighing 2.33 ounces. These may also differ slightly based on the handle material, as each model is available in several different iterations.

Pocket Tango - size
The Pocket Tango is comparable in size to Benchmade’s popular Bugout folding knife.

The Pocket Tangos are produced by LionSteel in Italy.

Amazing Ergonomics

I mentioned my love of pocket carry fixed blades. The downside is that I have large hands and dislike a three-finger grip on my blades. This leads to difficulty in finding that Goldilocks model that fits both my pocket and my hand equally well.

Andersen has pulled it off with this knife design. To be fair, it’s more of a 3.5 finger grip than all four, but there’s enough real estate on the handle to be comfortable for me to hold and use. There’s also enough meat with the palm swells, so the knife doesn’t feel lost in my hand.

The spine is nicely rounded. There’s a bit of jimping to provide added traction for detail work. A lanyard hole is located at the base of the handle.

Both models are available in several different handle configurations. They’ve also included a wrench so that the scales can be removed or replaced as desired.

Pocket Tango - wrench
The Pocket Tango comes with a small wrench to remove and replace handle scales as desired.

Personally, I gravitated more toward the Pocket Tango 1 over the 2, but both are versatile and handy.

Well-Designed Sheaths

For many makers, if a sheath is included with the knife, it’s treated almost as an afterthought. It’s nothing special or fancy, just a simple way to protect the blade and keep it secure. Here, it’s obvious that a lot of thought went into the sheath design.

Pocket Tango - sheath
The knife sits deep enough to be secure, but with enough handle exposed to draw it easily.

Rather than a pocket clip, the sheath is secured with a magnet. This allows you to easily remove the sheath as needed. The magnet also serves to help secure the knife in place, which is a nice bonus. When the knife is in the sheath, you have a total overall length of about 7.5 inches. This isn’t bad at all for pocket carry.

Pocket Tango - magnet
The Pocket Tango sheath is equipped with a magnet strap.

Retailing well below $200, the Pocket Tango is an excellent option for an EDC fixed blade. Andersen did an incredible job with the design, and MKM and LionSteel did equally well with the production end of things.

Combinations Guns – Weird, Refined, and Always Awesome

By
Travis Pike
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Combination guns, a small and niche genre of firearms, are often overlooked in the modern era. These firearms uniquely combine multiple barrels and calibers, most commonly a mix of rifle and shotgun. While primarily used for hunting, combination guns have also been used for, or experimented with, for military applications.

Types of Combination Guns

Today, we’ll explore three main types of combination guns: traditional combination guns, tactical combination guns, and combination handguns.

Traditional Combination Guns

Traditional combination guns were popular for hunting, especially in Europe, offering a “one and done” solution that reduced the amount of gear hunters needed to carry.

Cape Guns

Cape guns are side-by-side designs featuring one shotgun barrel and one rifle barrel. These were typically custom-made firearms, and it wasn’t uncommon to find variants chambered in .303 British and 12 gauge, though calibers varied based on origin.

Drillings

Drillings, a German term meaning “triplets,” are three-barreled combination guns. The most common configuration is two shotgun barrels and one rifle barrel, but examples with two rifle barrels and a shotgun barrel also exist. The Sauer M30 drilling, for instance, was even used by military forces; the Luftwaffe issued it during World War II for aircrews in Africa to defend against potential big game attacks, though it wasn’t a primary martial weapon.

Vierlings

The rarest of all traditional combination guns is the vierling. These four-barreled drillings were high-end, custom-made firearms. Common configurations included two shotgun barrels, one .22 caliber rifle barrel, and one high-caliber rifle barrel.

(Johan Fanzoj)

Tactical Combination Guns

The concept of combination guns also extended into the modern tactical world, particularly for aircrew survival.

The U.S. issued the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon, which combined a .410 barrel with a .22 Hornet barrel, primarily designed to help downed pilots procure food. Similarly, Russia issued the TP-82 to cosmonauts for emergency use upon returning to Earth.

Many replicas of the M6 have been produced in various calibers, and other survival guns, like the Chiappa Double Badger and the Savage Model 42, have been inspired by its design.

There have also been numerous attempts to combine grenade launchers and rifles into a single platform, beyond simply attaching an M203 to an M16. An example is the XM29 OICW, which integrated a 5.56 rifle with a high-velocity 20mm grenade launcher. While several countries, including Russia, have produced such combinations, none have achieved widespread success.

The Crossfire Mk1 was a commercial product aimed at the tactical market, combining a 5.56 rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun, both operating with pump actions. However, the Mk1 was a significant failure and was generally considered unreliable. In the modern era, there appears to be little demand for tactical combination guns.

Handguns As Combination Guns

Combination handguns are among the rarest types of these firearms. The utility of a handgun that fires two different calibers is limited, with only a few notable examples. One such example is the LeMat revolver, which uniquely combined a handgun with a 20-gauge shotgun barrel. Despite its rarity, its distinctive design has cemented its place in gun culture.

Perhaps the most effective and interesting combination handgun was the Marble Game Getter. Legally defined as a rifle in some U.S. states but commonly understood as a stocked pistol, the Marble Game Getter was chambered in .22LR and .410 cartridge, with a .22LR and .44 Shotshell variant also available. The National Firearms Act (NFA) effectively ended the production of the pistol variants, though larger, unstocked models continued to be made.

The Life and Death of Combination Guns

Combination guns are much less common today. Only a few models, such as the Savage Model 42, TPS Arms M6, and Chiappa Double Badger, readily come to mind. Drillings and cape guns are no longer the exclusive tools of aristocrats on safari. It’s a fascinating genre, and a .223 Rem and 12-gauge or even 20-gauge combo would be an appealing hunting option.

However, the demand for such firearms remains low, making it unlikely that new models will become widely available.

Part Knife, Part Axe, All Awesome – CRKT’s Razel Nax

By
Jim Cobb
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CRKT Razel Nax
Photo credit: CRKT.

I don’t typically gravitate toward unusual bladed tools. I’m sort of a traditionalist in that sense, I suppose. But from the moment I saw the Razel Nax from CRKT, I was dying to check it out. Honestly, it was giving me serious Mad Max vibes. It looked like something an enterprising bladesmith cobbled together from bits and pieces they had sitting around in their shop. And I mean that in the very best way possible. It’s different, it’s unique, and as it turns out, it’s actually quite useful.

The Razel Nax: A Functional Multi-Tool

The CRKT Razel Nax is billed as a combination of a knife and an axe, though hatchet is probably more accurate. There’s also more than a little bit of pry bar DNA present.

CRKT Razel Nax beauty shot
Photo credit: CRKT.

Often, a tool that is designed to handle multiple jobs isn’t great at any of them. There are inevitable compromises, due to size, weight, and/or functionality. The end result is often something that might work in a pinch, but the whole time, you’ll be wishing you had the real version of the tool you’re using.

With the Razel Nax, you’ll be able to do far more work than you might think. The tip is sharpened, but not quite to a razor’s edge. That’s just fine, as it works great to scrape tinder from a branch. This slim edge at the tip also allows it to slip behind materials that need to be pried apart. The tool is nearly 11 inches long, which gives great leverage as you pull on the handle.

The handle is also shaped such that you can choke up on it for precision work, or slide your hand back for chopping. The blade has just enough belly for slicing, while the spine has a flat spot right where your thumb rests to help with control. The spine there is also just sharp enough to scrape sparks from a ferrocerium rod, which is always a bonus.

CRKT Razel Nax slicing fruit
The Razel Nax will handle some food prep chores in camp. Photo credit: CRKT.

The Razel Nax will handle chopping, prying, slicing, scraping, and more.

The Specs

The Razel Nax is crafted from 1075 carbon steel with canvas Micarta handle scales. It has an overall length of 11 inches. The blade is 4.29 inches long and 0.20 inches thick at the spine.

It weighs 11.30 ounces, so it’s no lightweight. This gives the tool plenty of heft for when you’re chopping. At the same time, it doesn’t feel like you’re adding a pile of bricks to your pack. Put another way, there’s enough weight to get the job done without weighing you down.

CRKT Razel Nax chopping
The Razel™ Nax will handle some chopping duties as well as scraping. Photo credit: CRKT.

The Razel Nax comes with a Kydex sheath. It holds the blade securely, with no wiggle or wobble. There’s a leather snap that provides additional retention. It can also be used to hang the sheath from your belt. But I’ll be honest, that seemed really awkward, so I didn’t bother with it. For my purposes, this is a tool that lives in my pack, not on my belt.

The Razel Nax isn’t brand new to the market. It’s been around for several years at this point. But from where I’m sitting, it’s sort of flown under the radar, and that’s a shame. It’s a great tool with a lot of practical uses.

BCO Pouches and Satchels

By
Reuben Bolieu
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Badger Claw Outfitters (BCO) is committed to manufacturing durable American-made products guaranteed for life. I’ve seen BCO Pouches and Satchels in action in the Adirondacks during a 5-day camping, fishing trip. I’m now a fan!

Badger Claw Outfitters (BCO) Pouches and Satchels

Badger Claw Outfitters knows how to craft rugged leather and canvas gear for those who prefer real-world adventures over Instagram photo ops. Since 2011, they’ve been handcrafting everything from belts and bags to rifle slings and EDC pouches. They balance timeless style with top-notch performance. BCO crafts each piece to order right in their caffeine-fueled workshop. They ditch the conveyor belts for genuine craftsmanship, ensuring the quality of their products.

These individuals prioritize the great outdoors over flashy trends. Although they prefer to keep their team under wraps, what can you count on? Gear that’s not just built to last a lifetime but is also ready to embrace all the trail dust and campfire smoke you can throw at it. It’s backed by a lifetime guarantee.

BCO services over 30 makers and companies on the wholesale end, particularly focusing on high-quality pouches and satchels!

BCO No. 2 Belt Pouch

This robust pouch isn’t your average pouch—it’s the workhorse your belt’s been missing. Sized just right at 6″ x 4.5″ x 2″, the No.2 Belt Pouch hauls your daily essentials without acting like a diva. It’s built with dual #8 zipper pulls, sturdy 2″ belt loops, and one internal pocket to keep your gear sorted, not stirred.

The BCO No. 2 Belt Pouch Sized just right at 6″ x 4.5″ x 2″, the No.2 Belt Pouch hauls your daily essentials without acting like a diva.

Want options? Add the adjustable 1.5″ waist strap for hip or crossbody carry. You can toss in a personal first aid kit or fire it up with their Backcountry Fire Kit add-on. From first aid to fire-starting, this pouch doesn’t just carry gear—it carries purpose. Clip a knife to the bottom, especially if it has a BCO sheath! 

If Nessmuk were still around, he’d approve of this as a possible pouch. Naturally, we’d carry different things in it today. However, not too much different. BCO must have done their research when it comes to BCO Pouches and Satchels!

This pouch isn’t just a gear carrier; it’s a purpose-packed powerhouse! Clip a knife to the bottom—bonus points if it’s got a BCO sheath!

BCO Scout EDC Pouch

Meet the trusty sidekick, your daily essentials didn’t know they needed. The Scout EDC Pouch consolidates your gear into a compact, trail-ready package. Built from battle-tested 1000D Cordura and locked down with a #8 YKK zipper, it’s tough enough to survive your truck, your camp, and whatever chaos you call Tuesday.

Measuring in at a pocket-friendly 7″ x 5″ x 1″, it features three rear stash slots for pens, knives, flashlights, or that notebook you swear you’ll fill someday. Grimloc clip included, because BCO knows you’ve got lanyards—and questionable attachment methods.

Toss a power bank, field notes journal, pens, flashcards, or lipstick in it and get out there! 

The Scout EDC and Admin Pouches are ready for odds and ends and remain highly versatile for any adventure!

BCO Admin Pouch

When your pockets start playing Tetris with pens, flashlights, and that elusive notepad, the Admin Pouch steps in. It’s like a seasoned field sergeant who puts them all in line!

This 9.5″ x 7.5″ utility champ features a roomy main zippered compartment. It also has four outer sleeves: two narrow slots for pens, chem sticks, and gear you’d rather not lose. It includes two wider pockets ready to house phones, passports, mini notebooks, or BCO’s own Clipper and Sidekick pouches. Top-mounted nylon webbing loops make it easy to clip inside a pack or bag, keeping your tools upright and your sanity intact.

Overland Satchel

Here’s a rugged minimalist’s dream. The Overland Satchel (haversack) carries light but thinks heavy. Built from 1000D Cordura and padded where it counts, this 12″ x 10″ x 4″ pack is compact. It’s enough for overhead bins and trail scrambles—yet bold enough to ride shotgun through coffee shops and campgrounds alike. The exterior zipper pocket offers quick-draw access to maps, tickets, or that snack you swore you’d save. Inside, an open divider keeps your essentials sorted, while a loop Velcro panel invites modular mischief with other BCO pouches.

The Overland Satchel is light on weight but heavy on toughness. Crafted from 1000D Cordura and padded in all the right spots, this compact 12″ x 10″ x 4″ bag is perfect for stowing in overhead bins or tackling trails. Travel smart, travel stylish!

Add nylon tabs for gear expansion and a structured back panel for all-day carry comfort. In the end, you’ve got more than a satchel—you’ve got a mobile HQ, especially when you pack your BCO Pouches and Satchels.

Conclusion

These American-made soft goods are perfect for city and wilderness outings. If you’re hunting, canoeing, fishing, or exploring the woods, check out Badger Claw Outfitters and their renowned BCO Pouches and Satchels. You won’t regret it!

Points of Egress – Know Where You’re Going to Go

By
Jim Cobb
-
Points of egress

Many of us are in the habit of putting our backs to the wall when we sit in a restaurant or similar establishment. We do this so we can keep an eye out for problems that may arise. But that’s only part of the situational awareness equation. The other half is determining multiple points of egress.

Identifying Points of Egress

Any time you enter a business, ask yourself, Where can I go if I need to escape? Quite often, there are multiple answers to that question. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of identifying at least two points of egress everywhere you go. This isn’t difficult, and over time, it’ll become second nature.

Herd Mentality

As we’ve seen from countless real-life emergencies, such as fires in nightclubs or active shooter situations, people will typically head for the door through which they entered. This usually causes a bottleneck, as only one or two people can exit at a time. It’s made even worse when people are pushing and shoving in a panic.

By identifying alternate points of egress, you’ll hopefully avoid getting caught up in that.

Emergency Exits

Points of egress - emergency exit

Just about every business has emergency exits. They’re supposed to be clearly marked, such as with signs on the ceiling pointing the way. The doors are usually alarmed and will sound when opened. As a practical matter, that’s very dependent upon how recently they were tested. Most such alarms are battery-operated, and if the battery is dead, so is the alarm. But either way, the doors should open when you push on the handle.

The downside is that these will be the second-most popular points of egress. As such, they could still be problematic in a dense crowd.

Think Outside the Box

In just about any business, there are other points of egress that may not be obvious to the casual observer. Most restaurants will have a back door in the kitchen. This is where they get deliveries and where they take out the trash. Employees will know it well. Customers, probably not so much.

Points of egress - restaurant kitchen
Just about every restaurant kitchen has a back entrance for deliveries and such.

The same thing applies to retailers. Most of them will have some sort of back room for storage, along with a door for deliveries and whatnot.

In a pinch, a window can be a point of egress as well. Provided, of course, that it’s close enough to the ground for you to safely escape through it. Bear in mind, if you toss a chair or something through a window, all that glass isn’t going to just disappear. You’ll have to navigate over or around it.

Outdoor Venues

The same advice holds true if you’re attending some sort of outdoor function, such as a concert. Identify at least a couple of points of egress and decide how best to reach them. Odds are pretty good that at least one exit can be found backstage, if you’re close enough to get to it quickly.

Points of egress - concert
If you’re at a concert or other big event, where will you go in an emergency?

The takeaway here is simple. If a crisis occurs, expect the main exit to be blocked and know what your alternate points of egress will be, just in case.

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