Springfield Armory just released its latest AR, the SAINT Victor Pistol in 5.56mm. This is the latest release in Springfield’s Victor line of AR-pattern firearms.
This SAINT Victor Pistol
Springfield Armory didn’t jump into the AR market nearly as soon as a lot of companies did, but when they did, they offered solid, well-thought-out models at affordable prices. The SAINT Victor Pistol looks to be following that pattern. It’s chambered in 5.56mm and has an 11.5-inch CMV barrel. It uses a carbine-length gas system and is fitted with an A2 birdcage flash suppressor. The upper receiver is forged from 7075 T6 Aluminum. It has a black Type III Hardcoat anodized finish, a forward assist, and is cut with M4 feed ramps.
The SAINT pistol uses a free-float handguard with a full-length Picatinny rail on top. It has M-LOK slots on the sides and bottom for attaching your preferred accessories. An M-LOK handstop is included on the handguard, and a QD mount is located on the receiver end plate.
The lower is also forged from 7075 T6 Aluminum with a black Type III Hardcoat anodized finish. It incorporates the Accu-Tite Tension System as well. The SAINT Victor Pistol has a nickel boron-coated flat trigger and is fitted with a B5 Systems polymer trigger guard. A 45-degree short-throw ambidextrous safety comes standard.
The SAINT comes with a B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip and an SB Tactical SBA3 brace on the three-position receiver extension. Additional features are a set of flip-up sights and one 30-round Magpul PMAG Gen M3 magazine. MSRP on the SAINT Victor Pistol is $1,150.
SAINT Victor Pistol Specs:
Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO (.223 REM)
Color
Black
Barrel
11.5″ CMV, Melonite®, 1:7
Upper Receiver
Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, Forward Assist, M4 Feed Ramps
Lower Receiver
Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized, Accu-Tite™ Tension System
The USMC’s greatest shame was the M16A2. The M16A2 project was largely led by Marines, but sadly, it was led by Marines more obsessed with scores on the Known Distance range than combat effectiveness. Some of the problems with the ole A2 would stick around on the A4 and were ultimately a silly decision.
Problems With the M16A2
Where to start? The saddest problem was the government profile barrel, which was heavy in the wrong spots and made the rifle unwieldy. This was done because, apparently, Marines were bending barrels, but in reality, the armorer’s gauge showed the barrels were bent due to a buildup of bullet jacket material on the gas port. This was discovered too late, and we got the dumbest barrel design possible.
The stock was ridiculously long, too. The A1 length was perfection, and the reason they decided to lengthen it was silly. The longer length of pull is great for sling loop shooting for score at Camp Perry, but not so great for infantry use with gear.
The M16A2 sights were also great for Camp Perry shooting, but an infantry rifle’s rear sight is needlessly complicated. The A1 sights were a superior option in most ways. The M16A2 aperture sizes were admittedly better, but that would be an easy fix.
Oh, yeah, and they decided a three-shot burst was the way to get Joe to conserve ammo instead of spray and pray. Three-shot burst designs are kind of silly to begin with, and they were executed in a silly way with the M16. This led to a complicated trigger design that was also terrible.
Most of the M16A2’s improvements weren’t all that great. Somehow, Canada did it way better than we did with the C7 series.
How the C7 Became the Better M16A2
Before the C7, the Canadians used the FN FAL like most of the Commonwealth. When they wanted to move from a battle rifle to an assault rifle, they could have grabbed the SA-80 family, like the Brits, but thankfully, they weren’t stupid.
Instead, they looked to the south, saw the M16, and said, “Hey, that works pretty well.” Years prior, they even had a liaison officer working with the Marine Corps on the A1 upgrade package. They ran a series of tests with various firearms and settled on the FN FNC and M16A2, with the A2 winning.
Colt issued Canada a license to build the rifle, and Canada turned to Diemaco. Canada wasn’t psyched about the M16A2, so they made a few changes. Adding a little maple syrup to the design turned the M16A2 into the C7.
How Canada Made an Excellent M16
First, they kept the length of pull from the M16A1 but created a method of spacers that allowed the stock to adjust its length of pull to fit the end user. Four spacers could bring the rifle to M16A2 length. Being able to adjust the stock became a running theme with the C7, and later models would use a four-position carbine stock.
Canada also kept the M16A1-style sights. The rear sight was adjustable for windage only, and the front sight controlled elevation. These simpler, more robust sights were less likely to shift when bumped against gear and ultimately easier to learn and use.
Canada also felt that its soldiers should fire short, controlled bursts in automatic fire. However, it believed they should train their soldiers. Thus, it ditched the three-round burst concept in favor of safe, semi, and auto, which results in a much nicer trigger overall.
Finally, they also used reinforced, interlocking handguards made of a more fibrous material. M16A2 handguards had a habit of falling off with wear. The more fibrous material was used to create a better cold-weather-resistant handguard, which was certainly more important to our friends in the Arctic.
They even used a cold hammer-forged barrel to squeeze more accuracy out of their rifles.
An Initial Weakness
Not everything was perfect. Canada did try to jump into the world of polymer magazines early. The Thermold designs they used were, uhm, crappy. You can probably still find Thermold magazines from the era. The polymer is weak, the words anti-tilt were a foreign concept, and they just sucked.
Canada and The AR Platform
Canada was surprisingly progressive with its service rifle. It quickly introduced an optics rail, but it was Weaver because it predated Picatinny. It then introduced an ELCAN fixed power optic, followed by ambidextrous controls. Eventually, it added a four-position carbine stock to the C7 series to better fit soldiers. Sadly, we aren’t getting C7s anytime soon.
It would be an interesting route for a retro AR company to take. Brownells, H&R, or a similar company could make an interesting C7 concept.
In the Northeast, the author boasts a giant Oyster mushroom, which comes in various sizes and can be cooked in endless tasty ways.
Mastering the art of identifying all the tasty edibles in nature is a journey that lasts a lifetime. By focusing on popular and safe spring wild edibles, you’ll stay safe and simplify your foraging adventures. These plants have minimal to no dangerous lookalikes, making them easier to identify.
Discover the Joy of Wild Edibles
As spring bursts forth in vibrant colors, wild edibles seem to weave themselves into the very fabric of our surroundings. They’re practically beckoning from every nook and cranny, just waiting for you to discover their hidden delights.
At first glance, foraging might feel a bit overwhelming, like trying to navigate a treasure map. But don’t worry—it’s an exhilarating journey that can easily become an irresistible passion. It blends adventure with the joy of culinary exploration!
Southwest Spring Wild Edibles
Yucca—Growing up in the southwest, I couldn’t help but notice the striking whitish-yellow flowers atop yucca stalks. These beauties are not just eye candy; they’re delicious! Timing is key when picking the flowers for the best flavor. The petals taste like a starchy potato, while the green centers remind me of pistachios. You can pick them in late spring to early summer and enjoy them raw, roasted, or sautéed.
Almost every part of the yucca plant is edible—from stems and leaf bases to the fruit itself. Remember to snip the flowering stalks before they bloom; otherwise, they turn fibrous and lose their taste. You can even eat the younger stalks raw, which resemble oversized asparagus.
Finding a yucca plant scores you a tasty snack and provides tough leaves perfect for weaving mats and cordage, or even making soap! Archaeologists have uncovered various tools and baskets crafted from yucca. This makes it one of the most versatile plants in the south.
The yucca blossom is a stunning annual treat for the adventurous eater. It could be a culinary lifesaver in a pinch! These bright flowers are hard to miss and fit in as safe spring wild edibles!
Safe Spring Cactus
The Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris) may look intimidating with its sharp spines. However, its pads and fruits are surprisingly rich in vitamins A and C. The ideal time to harvest the pads, known as nopales, is from late spring to early summer. At this time, they are tender and around 5-7 inches long.
Carefully remove the spines, rinse the pads, and slice them into strips. Boil for 15-20 minutes, then strain and enjoy them as a healthy snack or in a tasty scramble with eggs and sausage. Think of them as zesty green beans!
For outdoor cooking enthusiasts, roasting the pads directly on hot coals adds a unique flavor. These safe spring wild edibles are only safe if you mind the sharp, prickly things!
The author created a tasty dish with beavertail cactus, eggs, and zesty sausages, roasting the second piece of cactus over hot coals for added flavor.
This cactus thrives in the Mojave, Anza-Borrego, Colorado Deserts, and northwest Mexico.
Safe Spring Fungi
When venturing into the world of fungi, it’s crucial to sharpen your identification skills. Consider this your jumping-off point, but always double-check with three reliable sources. Consult an expert, a spore print, and some good reference materials before giving any mushrooms a taste test.
While exploring the woods, the author found large Oyster Mushrooms, took a few, and shared the rest!
Now, onto oyster mushrooms! These culinary gems are tasty and pack a nutritional punch. They are bursting with protein, iron, and antioxidants. You’ll know you’ve found them by their unique fan shape and alluring creamy white to light brown hues. Keep your eyes peeled for these beauties growing on dead or decaying hardwood. Look for them on beech, aspen, oak, maple, or even straw and compost.
When you spot clusters of those fan-shaped caps rising from a central stem, you’re onto something good! Just remember, while they might look inviting, some mushrooms can be masquerading as lookalikes. Stay sharp and avoid any potentially toxic impostors!
Pro Tip: Look for a fishy scent and white spore print.
Elusive Safe Spring Wild Edibles
Morels are the reigning champions of flavor and price among mushrooms. This makes them delicious and elusive. The Yellow Morel (Morchella esculentoides) and Black Morel (Morchella angusticeps) are the stars of the show. Their caps can range from light cream to rich yellowish-brown, often deepening with age. Their hollow structure resembles a rubber mold. Moreover, the caps usually outsize their stems.
These mushrooms feature a unique honeycomb pattern and can grow up to about 5 inches tall. You can find morels across the Northern Hemisphere, especially in North America. They thrive near elm, poplar, and ash trees, often hiding under decomposing leaves in forested areas.
Whip up a quick wood’s sauté while foraging! Morels can star solo or add flair to any dish.
With creamy white or pale ochre spore prints, black morels are the early risers. They appear about two weeks before the yellows. Depending on the climate, you might spot them as early as March, or they may last until June.
Give these safe spring wild edibles a try and unlock your wild self. Happy hunting, and may your basket be ever full!
The two most common illumination measurements you’ll see when comparing flashlights are lumens and candela. While on the surface they might sound like they’re referring to the same thing, they aren’t. They are somewhat related, but it’s important to understand the distinction.
Lumens
Lumens measures the total output of the light source.
Lumens are the total light output. Think of it as a measurement of brightness. A flashlight rated at 1,000 lumens will be twice as bright as a 500-lumen one. However, and this is the important part, the lumen rating doesn’t take into account the beam size, shape, or pattern. It is strictly a measurement of overall illumination, nothing more. This is called luminous flux.
Candela
One candela is literally equal to the brightness of one standard candle.
Candela is Latin for candle. For many years, this was the standard measurement for lights. It was sometimes called candles or candlepower. The idea was that one candela was equal to the brightness of one standard candle of a specific size and composition. Today, we use candela to measure the light output in one specific direction.
Think of what you see when you power on a flashlight. Typically, there is a small area at the center of the beam that’s the brightest, right? That’s what candela is measuring, the brightness of that small area, what we call the luminous intensity. Candela will also be an indication for throw, or how far the beam of light will travel. Higher candela means longer range.
Understanding the Difference
Here’s one way to understand the difference between lumens and candela. The lamp in your living room, the one that lights up most of the room, has a good lumen rating, but a relatively poor candela rating. It provides a fair amount of light, but it’s widely dispersed. On the other hand, a flashlight with a focused beam might not have a lot of lumens, but the candela rating will be relatively higher.
Real World Applications
So, what does all this translate to when shopping for flashlights? For starters, remember that the lumens rating doesn’t tell the whole story. Sure, a 500-lumen light is going to be pretty bright. But it might not be suitable for your specific needs.
For example, let’s say you want a light that you can shine into the backyard if you hear an odd noise. You probably want something that’s more focused, so you can see specific areas well, rather than providing unfocused light to a larger area. In this case, candela is as important as lumens.
Candela can give you an indication of the range of the light.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a pocket flashlight that you can use for lighting up dark hallways during a power outage or for seeing what you’re doing when jump-starting the neighbor’s car late at night, then candela isn’t as much of a factor.
Limiting Factors
Just as you need to understand the difference between lumens and candela, you should recognize that all of the posted ratings for a given light are for perfect conditions. Outside the testing facility, there are going to be limiting factors in play. These could include a dirty lens, fog, precipitation, even dust floating in the air. Any of these will disrupt your light and reduce its effectiveness.
Do you guys remember that ultra-sweet, highly caffeinated soda called Surge from the early 2000s? Well, SIG isn’t bringing that back. Instead, they are now releasing their Suppressed Upper Receiver Group, aka the SURG556. The SURG project dates back to around 2018, when it won a contract with SOCOM.
The SURG program aimed to throw an MCX upper with a suppressor onto an M4A1 lower. The design would seemingly replace the Mk 18 and fill that same role, but it would optimize the weapon for suppressed use.
Not only would it be quiet, but it would also have a heat-resistant cover to protect the user and their equipment. Suppressors get extremely hot extremely quickly, and that cage around the suppressor provides that additional protection.
If you’ve ever shot a suppressed AR, you know it can get gassy. That gas is full of toxic chemicals looking to make a home in your body and cause you all sorts of future terror. SOCOM recognized the problem, but also recognized the value of a suppressor. The SURG mixes a suppressor with low back pressure and a short-stroke gas piston. When combined, this creates no noticeable gas to the face.
The SURG556 And You
While SOCOM has gotten their SURG uppers, SIG is now releasing them to the world’s shooters. You can now complete your ATF forms, get your tax stamp, and have a SURG556 of your very own. At the latest Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, I was able to get ample time with the SURG556.
I was fed magazines of 5.56 like I was a cow getting ready to be slaughtered. In just a few minutes, I put upwards of a hundred rounds through a SURG. I engaged targets between 25 and 100 yards. It’s not a torture test, but it allowed me to evaluate some of the SURG556 claims.
Off the bat, I can testify that the SURG556 keeps your face gas-free and comfortable. It didn’t beat me up or make my eyes water when shooting. In fact, I felt no gas in my face, and I was shooting inside a shoot house, so there was no wind to really help.
The suppressor looks bulky, but the setup doesn’t feel unbalanced or front-heavy. It cuts noise well and helps reduce recoil and muzzle rise. The SURG handles very smoothly and is easy to shoot and control. The dot in my optic barely moved between shots, and I could drill steel targets over and over.
The range didn’t allow for much distance testing, and steel doesn’t allow for groups, but there were no problems hitting various-sized pieces of steel within our limited range.
A Radical Option
The SURG was never made for the average Joe, but SIG is perfectly willing to supply the modern Joe with a high-tech, accurate, and comfortable-shooting suppressed upper receiver. The SURG series is now available and a radical option for modern suppression.
Bleecker St. Publications, the parent company of both GAT Daily and Athlon Outdoors, brought back the classic Athlon Rendezvous in 2025. The event, which was held at Brush Creek Ranch in southeastern Wyoming, concluded two nights ago [as I write this], and now most of the attendees are either home or getting ready for NRAAM 2025 in Atlanta.
Rendezvous was a huge hit, and a handful of writers and shooters, including myself, got the chance to go hands-on with new products—both guns and gear. Many of the items we saw at the event are still under embargo at the time of this writing. There was no shortage of cool products we saw and handled.
Ironically, one of the cheapest rifles present (that wasn’t even a brand-new release) on the firing line at Rendezvous left a big impression on me: the inexpensive Mossberg Patriot bolt-action rifle.
Mossberg: The Rifle Company?
Loaded magazines and a single Hornady 7mm PRC 180 grain match cartridge.
Typically, when one thinks of Mossberg, chances are they think of its shotguns. Models like the Mossberg 590 or Mossberg 500 come to mind. But the company has also been offering centerfire bolt-action rifles, too, and none too expensive for what they are.
Mossberg’s flagship rifle series is the Mossberg Patriot, a standard button-rifled bolt-action rifle that can be picked up in numerous chamberings and a few different configurations. It’s evident that Mossberg manufactures the Patriot to be a working man’s utilitarian rifle.
Most of them ship with basic and functional furniture in the form of standard synthetic or walnut hardwood stocks—nothing overly elegant. Although it is worth mentioning that Mossberg does offer their Patriot LR variants with an entry-level MDT stock that accepts AICS pattern magazines.
Mossberg formally launched the Patriot models a decade ago in 2015. So, while the Patriot is nothing new, I had never gotten behind the stock of one until earlier this week at Rendezvous. I don’t think I had even seen one in the wild either. But after my experience with the specific Mossberg Patriot rifle chambered in Hornady’s 7mm PRC that Mossberg brought for demo purposes to Rendezvous, I think it was one of the true underdogs and unsung heroes of the event.
According to Scott—the Mossberg rep who was shepherding the shooting position and handing us loaded rifle magazines—this particular rifle has a real-world price of approximately $450. That’s dirt cheap for a lightweight contour bolt-action rifle that’s chambered for one of the industry’s most sophisticated modern 7mm rifle cartridges. For perspective, one can hardly find a common Mosin-Nagant M91/30 for less than that these days.
The Patriot Goes To Rendezvous
Scott’s demo 7mm PRC Mossberg Patriot was a basic model with a black synthetic stock and a matte-blue finish. Its bolt-body was fluted, and its muzzle was cut for standard ⅝ x 24-inch threads. Mossberg includes an adjustable trigger that reminded me of the ones seen on Savage rifles (with a trigger blade). It was set up to break at a reasonable and inoffensive trigger pull weight.
A Harris-style bipod sat over the rifle’s forend, and this Mossberg Patriot wore a ZeroTech MRAD riflescope that sat over a single-piece Picatinny scope base. I didn’t catch the scope’s actual model or further details, but it definitely wasn’t anything expensive like a Nightforce or Kahles riflescope. If I had to guess, it was something that zoomed all the way to 25x power. The rings that held this riflescope in place looked quite pedestrian, too.
This Patriot wore a .30 caliber Dead Air silencer over its muzzle—a welcome accessory that not only reduced the muzzle blast but also served to make the rifle less jumpy in between shots. In fact, having this silencer onboard only sweetened my entire experience shooting the Mossberg Patriot.
After breaking each shot, the silencer dampened the rifle’s natural tendency to jump (as lightweight rifles with bipods tend to do). So, I had enough time to recover and watch the impact through the scope.
Making 1,050 Yards Feel Like 150 Yards
The Rendezvous firing line included a few different berms set up with steel targets that were placed at 100, 300, and 400 yards. Further down the range area, there was a single square steel plate that sat at approximately 1,050 yards from the shooting position. Readers are probably aware that this distance isn’t much for a potent cartridge like Hornady’s modern 7mm PRC.
Admittedly, I haven’t had any meaningful time to shoot bolt-action rifles since last December when I covered the Tikka T3X Lite and the Nightforce Mil-XT reticle. So, when I found out that one of the event’s manufacturers had a rifle set-up to shoot at targets over 1,000 yards, I didn’t hesitate to take advantage. Fortunately, Scott from Mossberg had taken care of all the zeroing and DOPE, so we didn’t have to worry much about the nuts and bolts.
Hard to tell from this picture, but follow that dirt road for 1,050 yards and you’ll find that steel target.
Shooting the Patriot in 7mm PRC
I sat down behind the rifle, propped up the butt with a rear bag and closed the bolt home behind a 7mm PRC cartridge topped with a 180 grain Hornady ELD Match (.796 G1 / .401 G7). Once I was positioned behind the rifle, Scott told me to “favor left” and hold 7 mils towards the upper corner of the steel plate. I sent it. Nothing happened.
I jacked the bolt and cycled another fresh match cartridge. (Are all budget bolt-actions this smooth—and fluted?) Then I sent that one. Missed it again. Third time’s the charm, right? Again, thanks to the .30 caliber Dear Air suppressor, I was able to recover and watch for the dirt splash of the previously missed cartridge.
Fortunately, the wind was cooperative that Tuesday morning, and all it took was to hold a ½ mill off the top edge of the upper left corner of the plate.
Impacts Galore
Bang…
[wait about four seconds]
Impact.
Bang…
[wait another four seconds]
Impact.
Bang…
[Another four seconds pass by]
You guessed it–impact.
A Patriot Needs to Eat
Since this rifle is the basic Mossberg Patriot, it’s equipped with a basic flush-fitting, blind 3-round magazine. While I was shooting, Scott had been helpfully loading extra mags to hand to me, replenished with that 180-grain Hornady match load. The red ballistic tips on Hornady’s ELD Match projectiles are really eye-catching, especially in the dimly lit shoothouse where we were shooting from.
I proceeded to do the same thing again with three subsequent magazines. By holding the scope’s reticle ½ mil off at the top left corner, every round impacted to the point where it was getting kind of boring, ironically. Except it wasn’t because this was one of the cheapest long guns present at the event. It’s a shame I didn’t get the chance to survey my actual impacts on the steel plate downrage.
The other thing to keep in mind is that Scott had been shepherding this Mossberg Patriot for the better part of three hours prior to my arrival at his station. When I sat down and adjusted the stool and fixed my rear bag, it was hard to miss the heat mirage rising and dancing off that can’s outer surface. And keep in mind, this wasn’t a gun with a thick bull barrel profile. It had a light contour barrel. That gun was nice and hot by the time I got to it.
After seeing what this Mossberg was capable of with factory match ammo, I’m curious to see how it prints with a cool barrel at 100 yards.
Patriot rifle stock product photo courtesy of Mossberg. See? It’s not really much to look at. But combine it with match ammo from Hornady or another high-end ammunition company and watch what happens.
The Springfield Kuna has arrived. The gun, hot off winning a contract with elite police forces in Brazil, has hit American waters. The Kuna, named after the national animal of Croatia, is a 9mm pistol caliber subgun or large format pistol. Who knows what we are calling them this week. At this point, most of us expect a fairly standard straight blowback gun.
That’s not what the Kuna has to offer. Instead, we get a roller-delayed blowback action like the MP5 series. Why does that matter to you? Well, a roller-delayed blowback gun has two advantages.
First and most importantly, the violent recoil of a blowback action is gone. It’s a steady hum with a downright soft recoiling design. The red dot on top barely moved between shots, making it insanely easy to put a ton of rounds on steel targets.
The other reason is how well a roller-delayed gun runs suppressed. I shot about 300 rounds through the Kuna with two different suppressors at the recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and I never got a gas cloud to the face.
The Kuna – More than Roller Delayed
The Kuna has a few more tricks up its sleeve. First, it’s got controls that mostly mimic an AR on the lower receiver. Best of all, they are completely ambidextrous. When we pop up top, we have a nonreciprocating charging handle that can be reversed for either side’s use.
At the range, the Kuna proved to be a stress-free shooter. The controls were all at hand, snapping and popping as they should. The charging handle wasn’t overly tight, and mags dropped free with the press of a button.
We have our selection of MLOK slots for accessories and a large top optics rail. On the optics rail sits a novel set of sights. We have a folding backup peep sight that’s adjustable for windage and elevation. Additionally, when they sit down, they form a traditional front post and U-notch, much like your favorite pistol sights.
We have a 1913 tail at the rear of the gun, and the Kuna will ship with or without a brace. It’d be an easy candidate for an SBR as well.
Ringing Steel
I shot the gun as quickly as they handed me mags, and I hope the Springfield guys didn’t mind me digging through hundreds of rounds of ammo. It allowed me to see that the gun is quite accurate.
I couldn’t judge the group size, but I was making easy hits on a small diamond-shaped steel plate at about 70 yards. The gun worked quite well.
While magazines are proprietary, they have an MSRP of $24.99 and do feature a metal feed lip. I imagine the street price will be closer to $19.99.
While I don’t have enough time on the gun to form a real review, I can say it’s quite promising. The Kuna will be competitively priced and sell for well under the other roller-delayed options. I’m extremely excited to grab one of these for a more long-term review.
Ben's Clothing and Gear offers an insect treatment with 0.5% Permethrin to repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other harmful insects. When applied to clothes and gear, the spray provides up to six weeks of protection.
Minuscule vampires of the forest, ticks are tiny, eight-legged arachnids. These vampires cling to the skin of humans and animals to feed on their blood. They thrive in grassy, wooded areas and fields where they can easily attach themselves to a passing host. Ticks are known to transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease, which may be the worst!
Three Minuscule Vampires
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms appear within two weeks of a tick bite and can include fever, headache, muscle pain, and a spreading rash. If you ignore it, it can lead to serious health issues like organ damage and even be fatal. It’s important to take steps to avoid ticks. Remove any ticks promptly, and see a doctor if you notice symptoms.
(Photo by Mike Lychock)- The larger brown dog tick is more dominant than the smaller blacklegged deer tick nymph.
Anaplasmosis is another tick-related disease that can be serious if untreated. Symptoms often feel like the flu—fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to dangerous complications like respiratory or kidney failure. So, if you think you’ve been bitten and feel unwell, especially if you’re older or have health issues, get medical help right away. Most people recover fully with prompt treatment.
Then there’s Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by bites from these minuscule vampires of the forest. Its symptoms can vary widely, often starting with flu-like feelings, fatigue, and a distinctive bullseye rash. If untreated, it can affect your joints, heart, and nervous system, leading to more severe issues, like arthritis or even facial paralysis.
Rarely, it can cause long-term neurological problems, affecting memory and concentration. So, again, take precautions against ticks, remove them quickly, and seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms. The earlier you get diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of avoiding complications.
Identifying Vampires of the Forest
In North America, you’ll come across several tick species, but only a handful are usually a concern for people. It’s good to be familiar with the main types: black-legged ticks, which include the deer tick and Western black-legged tick; dog ticks, such as the American dog tick and brown dog tick; and the lone star tick.
You can tell them apart by their size, color, shape, and where they’re found. For instance, the black-legged tick has black legs and a dark brown body, while the lone star tick stands out with a distinct white spot on its back.
(Photo by Mike Lychock)- The size of a nymph deer tick is very hard to see and blends with dark colors. They are easier to spot on skin and light-colored clothing.
To identify a tick, grab a magnifying glass and check its features against a trustworthy tick identification guide. If you can, store the tick in a sealed container using clear tape or a damp paper towel for later testing or confirmation.
Deterrence of Ticks
To dodge tick bites, avoid areas with tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf litter, especially in spring and summer. Dress in long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes to protect your skin, and don’t forget to apply a DEET or picaridin repellent on exposed areas. After being outside, check yourself, your kids, and your pets for ticks and remove any you find.
You can use gaiters with your pants to keep ticks at bay and consider spraying your shoes, socks, and pants with Permethrin, since those spots are where ticks usually crawl up first. Light-colored pants like khaki make spotting minuscule vampires of the forest easier.
Permethrin is a great insecticide that repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests. Treat your clothes, gear, and shoes with it for lasting protection—just remember not to put it on your skin, as it can cause irritation. I’ve had success with Ben’s Clothing and Gear insect treatment, which has 0.5% Permethrin and lasts up to six weeks. It’s a solid addition to your outdoor toolkit if you’re in tick-prone areas!
Checking for Vampires
After a day in the woods, hop in the shower as soon as you can to rinse off any ticks that might be hanging around. It’s also the perfect time to give yourself a good tick check, which is super important for avoiding tick-borne illnesses. When you’re checking for ticks, start at your scalp, behind your ears, and around your neck. Then, move down to your arms, underarms, and hands—don’t forget to look between your fingers and underneath your nails. Next, check your torso, back, waistband, and legs, making sure to examine your knees, ankles, and feet.
Ticks can cling anywhere, so it’s crucial to cover all the spots. If you need help, grab a mirror or ask someone to help you check those tricky areas. If you happen to find a tick, get rid of it right away using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick key, and clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Minuscule Vampires of the Forest Removal
When you need to take off a tick, grab a pair of clean, fine-tipped tweezers and hold the tick as close to your skin as you can. Pull straight up with a steady motion—no twisting or yanking! If the tick happens to break, make sure to use the tweezers to get out the remainder of its head.
After you’ve removed it, clean both the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, soap, and water. Avoid using your fingers to crush the tick or trying old remedies like nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to get it to let go. It’s a good idea to keep the tick in a jar or ziplock bag, just in case you start feeling unwell and need to show it to your doctor. Don’t forget to label it by date.
Tick Key is an easy-to-use tick remover for pets and outdoor enthusiasts. Its patented design is proven to remove ticks of all sizes and can be carried on a wallet, pocket, keychain, collar, saddle, or leash.
In the United States, I think most gun owners who have heard about the TT-33, aka the Tokarev, respect it. They are a little obscure, but lots of folks have one in their collection, and it’s often a neat little gun. What Americans don’t really understand is how popular the Tokarev was across the world.
The Tokarev Versus The World
In many ways, it’s the AK of handguns for Communist military forces. Variants of the TT-33 were spread far and wide through Eastern Europe, Asia, and beyond. This has left a lasting impression on the world and has steadily influenced the arm’s designs of Eastern Europe and Asia.
Today, we will look at some oddball Tokarevs that are offshoots and evolutions of the weapon.
The North Korean Type 68
North Korea does some weird stuff. They tend to take proven designs and modify them for reasons beyond me. Maybe work more on your folks not starving to death and less on modifying working designs. The North Korean Type 68 blends the Tokarev features with the Browning Hi-Power features to create an interesting little gun.
Off the top, the North Koreans trimmed the barrel from 4.6 inches to 4.25 inches. The linking system was revised to essentially mimic the Browning-style cam. The Type 68 also used a detent-retained barrel pin similar to the Hi-Power and a solid barrel cam.
They moved the magazine release to the heel rather than a push-button arrangement. The Type 68 could use a standard TT-33 magazine, but Type 68 mags reportedly do not work in TT-33 guns. The Type 68 features an odd vent rib across the top of the gun. It’s actually a handsome little pistol.
Tokagypt 58
A Tokarev, designed in Hungary for an Egyptian contract, is certainly an interesting gun. The Tokagypt 58 was built by the famed Hungarian firm FEG with the intent of arming the Egyptian military. These weren’t too far off from a standard TT-33 but had some noticeable changes.
First, it’s a 9mm handgun rather than a 7.62x25mm gun. The swap between the 7.62 to 9mm isn’t difficult, and most Tokarevs can swap to 9mm with a barrel swap. The Tokagypt 58 featured a manual safety placed at the rear of the gun that was easy to access. The gun had wrap-around grips, and the lanyard loop changed a bit, but that was about it.
Egypt received half of its order before canceling the rest. The pistols were then sold in Europe, where they kept popping up in left-wing terrorist groups in Germany, Portugal, and Spain. Reportedly, they are very nice guns, and Norinco even made 7.62×25 copies of them.
K-14VN
The K-14VN, also sometimes spelled K14-VN, is a Vietnamese copy of the Chinese Type 54, which is a copy of the TT-33. Now, it’s starting to lose definition like a picture downloaded and uploaded repeatedly. However, the K-14VN does introduce a radical new feature!
A double-stacked magazine! That’s right. This 7.62x25mm pistol can hold 13 rounds of ammo rather than eight. The K-14VN features a wider grip and has a sleek, all-black look. Simple grip panels adorn the gun; it’s not all that remarkable outside of the double-stacked magazine.
Aimpoint dolled one up with a suppressor and ACRO years ago for a trade show, and I won’t lie—I really want an optic-ready Tokarev. The K-14VN continues to be used by the Vietnamese military.
Zastava M88
Yugoslavia has always been creative when it comes to WARSAW pact weapons. They’ve adopted and adapted various guns in their own way. That includes the Tokarev. They have eight gun adaptions, but the M88 is the most interesting. With just a passing glance, you might not even recognize it as a Tok descendant.
The M88 doesn’t look like a Tok. It came in 9mm and .40 S&W, making it the only .40 S&W Tok I know. The M88 uses a single-stack magazine but takes a more compact route. The barrel is trimmed to 3.5 inches. It has a massive slide safety on top of everything. The hammer is the main giveaway that it has a Tokarev legacy.
It’s a stout pistol used by police and military forces before being replaced by a more modern pistol. EAA and the K-VAR/FIME group have imported these guns. It’s a solid little pistol, and I think my collection needs one.
Tokarev Sportowy .22 LR
Like most Warsaw Pact countries, the Polish fielded the Tokarev. They also wanted a cheaper way to train soldiers to shoot a handgun. They developed a .22LR version of the TT-33, called the Sportowy, which translates to Sporty. I’d guess it was also used for sport shooting purposes.
The Tokarev Sportowy predictably ditches the short recoil operation for a blowback system to cycle .22LR. The gun is likely much higher, but it appears to replicate the size of the standard TT-33. What’s weird is how the Polish designed the gun. Instead of having a dedicated .22LR magazine and grip design, they used 7.62x25mm adapters. Each adapter would be loaded with a .22LR round and used with a standard TT-33 magazine.
Each adapter is a floating chamber, which would help the gun cycle and even create a more aggressive recoil impulse. It’s an odd choice, but it might have been easier to produce since magazines are always tricky and would have given a better training experience.
Tik-Tok
The Tokarev is an awesome gun, and everyone needs to shoot one. It’s sad that many modified Tokarevs are not imported or available. However, if you keep your eyes and wallet open, finding a good shooter at a great price is not hard. Maybe, just maybe, you can get a weird one.
The Wedge from Streamlight has been one of my go-to EDC flashlight options since it debuted in 2021. There are a lot of things I like about it, including how it sits in my pocket. Some users felt that the Wedge was a bit large for pocket carry, though. With that feedback in mind, Streamlight created the Wedge XT.
Streamlight Wedge XT Specifications
The Wedge XT is 4.25 inches long, which knocks almost 1.25 inches from the original. At 2.62 ounces, it’s also about a half-ounce lighter than the Wedge. Both models are flat, rather than rounded. Coupled with the pocket clip, they carry much like a folding knife in the pocket. Personally, I never had an issue with the Wedge’s length, but I can see how it might be problematic for some folks who would prefer the shorter XT.
The Wedge XT is shorter than the original Wedge, but more powerful.
Streamlight may have made the XT smaller, but they also made it more powerful. On the High setting, the Wedge XT provides 500 lumens. The original Wedge had 300 lumens. But it also had a THRO® (Temporarily Heightened Regulated Output) setting that amped up to 1,000 lumens. On the Low setting, the XT puts out 50 lumens. As set at the factory, the light starts on High, then cycles to low with a double-click of the power button. This can be reversed through Streamlight’s Ten-Tap programming.
On the original Wedge, the on/off was a rotating thumb switch on the side of the light. On the XT, it’s a push button at the tail end of the light. This is the preferred design for many shooters, as it’s more instinctive when holding the light next to a handgun.
A tail switch push button replaces the rotating thumb switch on the original.
It has a USB-C rechargeable lithium polymer battery. It charges fully in about six hours. The charge port is on the side of the light, directly opposite the pocket clip. There’s a small light that shines red while it’s charging and turns green when it’s ready to go.
It recharges in about 6 hours and this light will turn green when it’s ready to go.
The Wedge XT has a deep-carry pocket clip. It comes with a short lanyard attached to it, but that’s easily removed if you’d rather ditch it.
Field Use
As I mentioned, the original Wedge has been a frequent carry of mine for quite a while. I switched over to the Wedge XT for several weeks. It took a little time to get used to deploying it, because while the hand feel was close to the original Wedge, the placement of the on/off was obviously different. Muscle memory kept looking for that thumb switch on the side. It didn’t take too long to adjust, though.
I found 500 lumens was more than enough for just about any routine use, including helping my son diagnose some engine trouble. While it might not be sufficient for exploring a pitch-black backyard at 2:00 AM, it’ll handle just about anything else. The lower setting was perfect for looking for dog toys under the couch without blinding myself.
I normally avoid putting lanyards on knives and such. However, I was curious, so I left the one in place on the Wedge XT. I found that having the lanyard dangle outside the pocket while the light is clipped in place makes pulling the light out very easy. It’s only a couple of inches long and isn’t likely to be noticed by many people.
Streamlight is one of my favorite flashlight brands, and the Wedge XT lived up to my expectations and then some. Check it out at their website.
The 12-gauge shotgun genre isn’t large but has left a lasting impression on the firearm industry. Since day one of the Shockwave, people have wanted a semi-auto model. A precious few TAC-13s leaked out from Remington before their bankruptcy, but that well is dry. Well, it was dry. Mossberg is now introducing the 990 Aftershock. We got to put a ton of lead down range with one at the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, and it was a total blast.
If you’re anything like me, you ask one question right away: Is it a chopped 940? It turns out they couldn’t chop the 940 because a portion of the operating system extended into the stock. They had to create a new gun with the gas system fully upfront and tucked under the forend. This gives us a super-short 12-gauge firearm with a dependable gas-operated action.
The 990 Aftershock – Banging Around
At the rear end, we notice the bootlegger-style grip, but it’s a bit different than the original Shockwave. This new grip is a little longer, with strategically placed pads to help reduce hand fatigue. It’s also seemingly thinner and, in the end, features a sharper angle that does two things. First, it helps keep your hand from slipping. Next, it allows you to pull back harder and establish a good push-pull.
What’s cool is that you can file a Form 1 and add stock, specifically a Mossberg 500 series stock. An approved Form 1 would allow you to mount any 500/590 stock you want. I’d personally toss a Magpul SGA there. I like the micro-sized design of the PGO-only setup, but I understand that these guns make great stamp fodder.
In keeping with Mossberg tradition, the Aftershock features a tang-mounted safety and is optics-ready. Up front, we get a radically different forend. It’s thin or thick at the right points and features a very aggressive texture. An included hand strap keeps you from drifting off the gun’s forend. Right in front of the grip are a pair of M-LOK slots.
Back on the receiver, we have a charging handle and bolt closure pulled directly off the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical series. They are large, easy to engage, and ready to rock and roll. It’s a nice touch, and the 990 Aftershock is a great blend of 590 and 940 features.
Blasting Away
This isn’t a full review of the gun because we simply didn’t have that much time with it. However, I got to shoot 50 rounds of birdshot through it and got a fairly good first impression. First, recoil is tame, and the gun is easy to control if you know what you’re doing. It’s not a beginner’s gun by any means, and you should have a solid grasp on the push/pull technique to handle the 990 Aftershock.
The Aftershock’s furniture design makes pushing and pulling easy, increasing control. The tight strap also helps reinforce your grip. The recoil impulse is upward rather than rearward, making it fine on the wrist, but the upward muzzle rise needs to be tamed. It’s really not bad, and it’s easier to shoot than a standard Shockwave.
It’s super easy to transition between targets, and I blasted three steel targets in quick succession. I was begging for a shot timer to measure my skill. Blasting through a five-round tube of 12-gauge is utterly addictive. It’s challenging but fun.
I’m insanely excited about the Aftershock. As a guy who loves shotguns and 12-gauge PGO firearms even more, this thing has captured me. I can’t wait to run drills with one and see what I can achieve.
Rossi released the single-shot LWC (Light Weight Carbine) last year, and it was a slick, light, compact brush gun. Now, they’re making it even more compact with the introduction of the LWC Folding Stock Rifle.
The LWC Folding Stock Rifle
I saw the folding stock on Rossi’s SS Survival Rifle at SHOT show this year and thought it was pretty slick. I hadn’t considered them adding it to the LWC line, but it makes sense. The new LWC carbine has a 16-inch threaded barrel and a Picatinny rail for optics mounting. The original models were 5.25 pounds and 31.5 inches in overall length. Pretty handy as is.
From the specs on Rossi’s website, it looks like the weight and overall length remain the same, but you’re knocking off maybe 10 inches or so with the stock folded. That makes for a very compact package for a pack or truck gun.
While the original LWC carbine comes in a pretty wide variety of calibers, the LWC Folding Stock Rifle comes in the two most popular calibers, .300 Blackout and 5.56. MSRP on the new rifles is a very reasonable $333.99. If you already have an LWC, though, you can also get the stock by itself for $59.99 to upgrade your existing rifle.
I have an LWC in .350 Legend already, and it’s been a great rifle. Light, compact, and handy. It’s a great suppressor platform, too. I’ve been using it in conjunction with a Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light HD .36 suppressor. The folding stock by itself is pretty reasonable, too, so I’ll probably grab one to try on my rifle soon.
If you want a light, economical, suppressor-ready carbine, the LWC was already a great deal. With the addition of the LWC Folding Rifle to the Rossi line, you can now get it in an even more compact package.
LWC Folding Rifle Key Features:
Folding Stock for Maximum Portability: Easy to deploy and lock, with a rugged build made for real-world use.
Available in .300 BLK and 5.56: Choose your folding-stock LWC in two of the most sought-after calibers.
Accessory for Existing LWCs: Retrofit any current LWC model—regardless of caliber.
Threaded Barrel Standard: Every LWC remains suppressor-ready right out of the box.
Same Legendary LWC Platform: Lightweight, dependable, and now more customizable than ever.
Ammo reviews are a rare thing. It has to be an interesting or new load, but I’m writing out of pure rage today. Rage at wasting money on what has proven to be one of the most unreliable ammo brands I’ve ever experienced. The company is called Magtech and is part of CBC Global Ammunition. CBC Global Ammunition seems to own several budget-friendly ammo brands.
I’m attracted to Magtech because it consistently produces .32 caliber ammunition, including affordable .32 ACP, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W. I’m a .32 nerd. While I complain about .30 Super Carry’s price, I will toss over handfuls of money at various other .32 caliber rounds. When I do so, I don’t expect a whole lot. I buy cheap ammo, and I expect cheap results.
Cheap results are the ammo, which at least goes bang. I don’t expect the most consistent velocities or accuracy. I expect it to fire, extract, eject, and feed again. That’s all I need from ammo that I put through antiques, oddities, and fun guns. If you can’t do that, I’m unsure why you exist.
My Magtech Experience
I’ve shot Magtech on and off for years. It’s fine in most cases. However, in the last few years, I’ve gotten into revolvers, which have consistently driven up the price of ammo. I’ve also gotten into .32 revolvers, guns like the S&W 432 UC, which can shoot .32 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W .32 S&W.
From there, I dived into older .32 revolvers because, well, why not? That’s where I found my first issue. After buying 500 rounds of Magtech .32 S&W, I learned about something called hard primers. About 25 percent of my ammo failed to fire on the first try. About 10% refused to fire at all. At 29 dollars a box, out of 500, 50 would not fire at all, which equals the cost of a box of ammo.
I also purchased a few uber-cheap and old .32 S&W revolvers. The old .32 S&W ammo is hard to find, and I’ve only been able to find Magtech ammo. I purchased a box at a dollar a round—fifty dollars for a 50-round box. I wish only ten percent had failed. Of that box, one of five would fire on the initial trigger pull.
It’s easy to say, well, that’s just old guns. I also tried this stuff in the 432 UC, a modern revolver that can safely handle the .32 S&W. It doesn’t fire in that modern revolver, either. It’s unacceptable to have this high failure rate when paying a dollar a round.
It all seems to come down to hard primers or primers that don’t ignite. Hard primers seem to be the problem with the S&W Long, while on the standard .32 S&W, it seems to be failure to ignite. I say this because I’ve had firing pins hammer a deep hole into these primers, and nothing happens. It’s certainly primer-based.
What About The Automatic Ammo?
I’ve also purchased a fair bit of Magtech .32 ACP. It’s an exposed lead round—not a jacket in sight. However, it works. It’s gone bang in several different semi-auto handguns. I can say that with over 300 rounds down the pipe of a P32, there have been zero problems.
Whatever is wrong with revolver ammunition doesn’t seem to translate to automatic ammunition—or at least the .32 automatic ammunition. I know I’ve fired Magtech 9mm and .45 ACP, but never in significant numbers, and I’ve never had any problems.
Fixing production
I hope Magtech can fix this primer problem, but I’m out. Aguila makes S&W long, and I’ll stick with the Mexican take on .32 S&W Long instead of the Brazilian take. It sucks to see a competitor knocked off the board, but sometimes you can’t do anything about it.
The Summit Combo includes the Summit drop point knife with a 3.75-inch blade and a stag handle, along with the Pinnacle II knife, which has a 2.55-inch blade.
Spring is here, and it’s time to prepare your Spring Hunting Knife Sets! The exciting gobbling sounds fill the air, tempting you to chase that elusive long-beard. Plus, small game like squirrels and rabbits are in season. Get ready for the thrill of the hunt!
Hunting Knife Sets
Choose your cutting tools for hunting like you’d pick teammates for a heist—make sure they’re reliable, sharp, and ready to complement each other. An all-star set includes a gut hook, a knife, a saw, and a small hatchet. Each brings a unique skill to the field.
The gut hook zips open the abdomen quickly, the knife shines for skinning and butchering, and the saw handles bones and branches effortlessly. Likewise, the hatchet splits bone or chops wood like a pro.
Quality, durability, and user-friendliness are key, but don’t forget how easily they can travel with you. Now, let’s break down the heavy hitters in the game—find out who’s sharp enough to make the cut!
Diamond Blade Hunting Set
Introducing the Summit Combo—a dream team for professional hunters, thoughtfully crafted with years of hunting and field dressing know-how. This all-in-one set features the award-winning Summit drop point knife and the Pinnacle II knife. Both are top-notch tools ready to tackle any challenge in the wild.
With its stunning Stag handle, the Summit knife sports a 3.750-inch blade and measures 8.750 inches overall. Meanwhile, the Pinnacle II knife is a trusty sidekick, boasting a 2.550-inch blade and a total length of 7.000 inches.
The small Boker 2.25-inch drop-point fixed blade knife has unique white and brown stag scales with a slight swell to fill in the palm if you’re right-handed.
With its long skinning radius, the Summit Drop Point Knife excels at quickly and cleanly breaking down game animals. The Pinnacle II, looking sharp in design and performance, is perfect for delicate tasks like caping and those all-important first cuts. This is thanks to its finger jimping and cutouts that offer exceptional grip.
Crafted for the seasoned hunter, this versatile field dressing kit pulls from decades of experience to deliver dependable tools. These are ideal for all your dressing needs. After an exhilarating day out in the field, you’ll find that the sturdy Summit Drop Point knife makes quick work of carving meat for a hearty stew or canning. Its generously sized handle allows for a comfortable grip, whether you’re wearing gloves or not.
On the other hand, the Pinnacle II shines at intricate tasks, effortlessly slicing herbs and peeling garlic like a pro.
Dual Kydex Leather Sheath
The Combo knife set features an American-crafted leather sheath with a Kydex insert that keeps the knives snug and protected. The double sheath holds the knives securely, even when the snaps are undone, thanks to the clever Kydex design. Plus, the stylish leather combines both style and function. This is my favorite sheath of the Spring Hunting Knife Sets!
Boker Arbolito Guide Hunting Set
Nestled in Buenos Aires, the Boker Arbolito Manufactory takes pride in crafting top-notch handmade knives from the finest materials. They focus primarily on hunting and outdoor knives, showcasing beautiful handle scales made from wood and stag. These traditional Argentine blades are perfect for various tasks—whether you’re a professional, a sports enthusiast, someone who carries a knife daily, or a collector with an eye for detail.
The Arbolito Guides Combo set features satin blades with genuine stag handles, including a 4.25-inch gut hook skinning blade and a 2.25-inch drop point fixed blade knife.
Among their standout products is the Arbolito Guides Combo set. This impressive duo features satin-finished blades and genuine stag handles, marrying form and function. The set includes a 4.25-inch gut hook skinning blade designed with a generous forward finger choil for exceptional control. The built-in gut hook keeps mishaps at bay during skinning.
Alongside it, you’ll find a 2.25-inch drop-point fixed blade knife. This is perfect for those delicate cutting tasks that require precision. Both knives boast genuine stag handles, giving them a rustic charm and a secure grip that feels just right in your hand.
And let’s not forget the slim drop point knife—it’s not just for show! This handy utility blade excels at slicing through cords, fishing lines, and packaging and doubles as your trusty small skinner.
Leather Pants
The Arbolito Guides Combo set is your go-to for outdoor fun, featuring a classic brown leather piggyback belt sheath for easy carrying. The gut hook skinning knife has a solid snap to prevent accidental openings. Meanwhile, the small knife fits snugly in its pouch sheath that attaches to the main sheath with a rivet. This combo blends style and practicality for processing trophy animals or tackling outdoor tasks.
Check out these Spring Hunting Knife Sets, and you be the wiser!
I’ve only had negative experiences with polymer AR lowers. It seems like it would be easy to conquer, but here I am, deep into the world of polymer lowers, and I only use them for rimfire purposes. When I saw the KE Arms KP-9 lower at a local pawn shop for forty bucks, I hesitated, but it was only forty bucks and came complete with a stock. I enjoy pistol-caliber carbines, and I took the chance.
Like most of us, I know about KE Arms through Sinistral Rifleman, Forgotten Weapons, and InRange TV. Specifically, the What Would Stoner Do project. Or, if you follow court cases, KE Arms has to defend itself against Calvary Arms and an anti-gun investor trying to shut them down for producing the KE-15 lowers. I settled on the KP9 lower and eventually built a 9mm platform.
The KP9 In Depth
This is a lower receiver review, so I won’t talk much about accuracy or reliability unless it concerns the lower. This all-polymer lower attempts to fix the problems with most AR lowers by making the lower receiver extension and stock one solid piece. This eliminates the weak point where the receiver extension attaches to the lower, often a weak point that turns polymer lowers sour.
If you’re addicted to adjustable stocks, the KP-9 isn’t for you. It uses a fixed stock that’s the same length as an M16A1. To me, the length is just right. The stock has a QD cup for skins and an M-LOK-sized slot for mounting a sling point or running a sling through the slot from one side to the other.
The KP-9 uses an injection-molded design made from 30% glass-filled nylon, giving it some unique features. The stripped lower comes with the proprietary parts needed to put things together. For example, it doesn’t use your normal takedown pins; you have non-captured pins.
In total, your stripped KP-9 comes with the following:
Pivot and Take-Down Pins
KP-9 Selector Detent
Buttplate
5/64″ Roll Pin to Retain Buffer Detent
Ambi Glock Magazine Catch Assembly
Adjustable 9mm Steel Ejector
The KP-9 works mostly with standard lower parts kits and can use MIL-SPEC trigger systems. However, you do have to use a carbine buffer spring and a heavy 9mm buffer. You can use a standard hammer pin, but KE Arms produces a longer one. I purchased a KE Arms lower parts kit to simplify my life, which all snapped right in.
The KP-9 – To The Range
The KP-9’s ergonomics are fairly solid. The stock length is fine for me, and the stock itself offers a solid and comfortable cheek weld that’s super beard-friendly. The point where the stock meets the pistol grip just feels odd. I want my hand to go higher but can’t get it higher. It’s odd, but it doesn’t necessarily affect my performance.
The controls are easy to reach, and the magazine release is surprisingly ambidextrous. That’s quite nice with Glock magazines, which have already changed your arms manual. The ambi magazine release allows your thumb to depress it as you grip the magazine. This makes it easy to reload with retention.
The rest of the controls are as easy to reach as any other AR option. The safety is fine, but it’s soft. It doesn’t click or snap when pressed from safe to fire and back again. This isn’t terrible, but when you are used to that snap of safety, it’s a bit distracting.
The magazine well took full advantage of the polymer design and has a massive magazine well that makes pushing the magazine inside the gun easy. Reloads with the KP-9 are rapid and intuitive. The magazine also drops straight out with the press of a button.
The spring provides a very loud and audible boing with each shot. It reminds me of the M16A2 I had in boot camp. The lower is set up for direct blowback. However, I don’t see why it couldn’t work with a radial delayed design, but don’t quote me.
Running and Gunning
What are most PCCs used for these days? Especially full-sized PCCs? They are used for plinking and competition in most cases. The KP-9 seems to lend itself well to the world of PCC competition with the big magwell and ambi magazine release. The stock is comfy, making getting behind the gun and the optic easy.
While it does deal with blowback recoil, it seems to do so well. The KP-9 doesn’t beat you up, and the heavy buffer keeps things well balanced and the recoil timid. It’s not as bad as other 9mm blowback guns, and maybe the fixed rigid stock helps.
You can gun through magazine after magazine, and the KP-9 with my home brew upper remained reliable.
Polymer Finally Works
Polymer AR lowers can work, but it does seem best to build them like the KP-9. It eliminates the weak points, shaves weight, and feels quite nice. There are some obvious downsides and a loss of customization, but the design holds up and can be extremely affordable. It might not be for everyone, but as a guy who likes things that are a little different, I like the KP-9.
