The KE Arms KP-9 Polymer AR Lower

By

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April 21, 2025

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.

The Bianchi 19L And My Little Beretta

By

Travis Pike

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April 20, 2025

It’s surprisingly hard to find holsters for old guns. Especially if that gun has been out of production for a few years. One of my dream guns is the Beretta 81. It’s a mid-size handgun that chambers the .32 ACP cartridge. It has a double-stack magazine and gives me twelve rounds of John Browning’s most underrated cartridge. I love it, but it took me forever to find a holster. Then, the Bianchi 19L came across my browser.

The Bianchi 19L is a classic, old-school holster that fits the classic, old-school design of the Beretta 81 very well. The Beretta 81 is roughly Glock 19-sized but has all the Beretta stylings you’d imagine. The open barrel, the DA/SA design, the hammer-fired nature, and the general controls.

It won’t work in any suitable universal holster, like the Safariland 578 GLS series. It’s different, and I felt lucky to find a known name in the holster world making holsters for it.

Bianchi provided the holster for this review.

First Impressions of the Bianchi 19L

I entered the world of guns in a post-leather world. I never carried a firearm professionally with a leather rig, and most of my leather experience is limited to a Galco Miami Classic 2. Maybe that’s why I love the look and feel of the Bianchi 19L. It looks slick and old school, like something a detective in the 1990s would carry.

The Beretta 81 looks like a miniature version of something Martin Riggs from Lethal Weapon would carry. It’s a classic belt-loop-style leather holster that’s formed specifically for each gun. Bianchi makes the 19L for a ton of different guns, from old-school Berettas to the most modern Glocks.

It features a classic thumb snap that locks the gun in the holster via a simple button. A single wide belt loop secures the gun to your body and keeps it positioned on your waist. At first glance, lights are a no-go, and optics would vary wildly. I don’t think many guns would work in the 19L with optics.

I think it’s best to consider the 19L an old-school holster for old-school guns. As such, there isn’t a need for optics or lights. My Beretta 81 certainly won’t fit with any.

Riding With Bianchi

It’s not exactly a complicated holster. Put your belt through the loop, strap it to the 3 or 4 o’clock position, and enjoy. The single belt loop is massive and does a good job of supporting and balancing the holster. It’s positioned on the back of the holster, pushing the gun away from the body.

The good news is that with the gun pressed away from the body, it’s easy to grip and rip. Grabbing and drawing from the 19L is smooth—well, smoothish. I’m used to using the ALS, the SLS, and press button releases. I’m not used to breaking a thumb snap. That’s new to me, but with a little practice of just flexing that thumb, the snap breaks, and I can draw.

Draw up, orient forward, present, and bang. It’s not tough and not restricted in any way by the 19L. The holster encompasses the entire gun and covers the trigger entirely. This keeps things safe, and while the snap retention is old school, it’s functional and will keep the gun locked in place.

The Bianchi 19L started out feeling quite tight but loosened a bit with use. It’s reached a great middle ground where the gun is easy to draw but doesn’t flop around. After mounting it, I carried it all day as I worked in the yard and around the house. The heavy gun feels well-supported and provides a solid, unmoving carry method.

What About Concealment?

I tried it once, but man, did it print harder than Johannes Gutenberg. It sticks out from the body a long way and is evident when just wearing a shirt. A pancake-style rig would be the better option for concealed carry. This might be reserved for winter carry, but I don’t see myself carrying a big .32 ACP for winter carry.

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t buy the Beretta 81 to carry it, anyway. I just wanted a holster to carry the gun…because why not? Concealment might not be the best role of the 19L, but it’s a great holster for a gun with very few holster options.

The Quill – A Unique EDC Tool from Wingard Wearables

By

Jim Cobb

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April 19, 2025

I can’t remember where or when I first stumbled on Wingard Wearables. I wish I could, so I could thank the source properly. Zac Wingard knows his stuff when it comes to designing multi-function tools that can also serve as defense weapons.

I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for offbeat stuff like his. I’m always on the hunt for unique EDC tools, and the Quill ticks several boxes for me.

Quill Specs

This Wingard Wearables product is simplicity itself. It consists of just one piece of steel that’s curved into a shape that’s rather reminiscent of one-half of a drawn heart. He uses 303 stainless steel for the Quill. It has a diamond cross-section that comes to a sharp pyramidal point at the trailing end.

It’s sharp but not needle-sharp. The other end has a flat wedge shape at the tip. The inner surface of the Quill is left just slightly rough, while the outer surface is smooth.

Quill - wedge end — At the short end, the tip is wedge-shaped. You can also see the rough texture along the inner surface of the Quill.

Wingard Wearables offers the Quill in three sizes. To determine which model to order, put your middle and ring fingers together. Measure the circumference around the widest portion of these two fingers. If it’s less than four inches, order the Slim Quill. If it’s between four and five inches, get the Original Quill. If it’s more than five inches, go with the Quill XL. Each of these is available in a black version as well as stainless.

Quill - different sizes — The Quill comes in three sizes, and each size is available in stainless or black. Photo credit: Wingard Wearables.

They also have a couple of different trainers available, which is a nice bonus. They come as a pair, one blue and one red. The Quill trainers are the size of the Original Quill. The blue trainer is rigid and used for practicing full-speed movements against body opponent bags or similar targets. The red trainer is flexible and has internal voids at the tips so as to cushion impacts when you’re sparring with a partner.

Wedge - pointed end — The end of the long side of the Quill terminates in a pyramidal point.

Quill Uses

As a tool, the Quill can be used as a light pry bar as well as for picking and scraping jobs. The curve in the tool packs a lot of leverage into a small size. Slip the wedge at the end of the short side, and you’re good to go.

If someone starts to get squirrely, the Quill can be used as a spike or as a percussive instrument, depending on how it’s held. While it’s a fairly intuitive tool, they’ve created a short video showcasing some of these grips.

Why Carry the Quill?

Admittedly, it looks a little strange as far as a tool or weapon goes. But that’s one of the appeals. Carrying it isn’t likely to raise an eyebrow or cause a trip to see the HR Department at work. That said, I think I’d still hesitate to be a test case with TSA.

No sheath is provided, nor is one truly necessary. The Quill can be carried on the belt, with the long side tucked behind the leather and the short side on the front. You could also just dump it in a pocket, though deploying it in a hurry might be problematic.

Quill - size comparison — Just to provide a size comparison, here is the Original Quill next to a Buck 110 Folding Hunter.

The Quill is a unique EDC option and one that’s definitely worth adding to the rotation. Find it at Wingard Wearables. While you’re there, check out some of their other products. The Empress is next on my list.

Springfield Armory Announces the Kuna PDW

By

Tim Stetzer

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April 19, 2025

Springfield Armory just released a new PDW—the 9mm Kuna. The Kuna PDW is a roller-delayed action built by Springfield’s partners in Croatia. It’s a slick-looking setup, so let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

The Kuna PDW

The Kuna is named after the European Pine Marten, which is known in Croatia as the Kuna. In fact, it’s Croatia’s national animal. It shows up on Croatian currency and even has military units named after it. Springfield Armory named the new PDW the Kuna as a tribute to HS Produkt, their manufacturing partner in Croatia.

The Kuna PDW is built around a monolithic aluminum upper that houses the roller-delayed operating system that dramatically reduces felt recoil. The integrated handguard has M-LOK slots for accessory mounting. The Kuna features a 6-inch cold radial hammer-forged barrel with 1/2×28 threading and a multi-port muzzle brake.

There’s a full-length Picatinny rail on top with integrated flip-up front and rear sights. The Kuna comes with a reversible, non-reciprocating charging handle that automatically folds down out of the way after using it.

The Kuna PDW’s lower is made from injection molded glass-filled polymer and has fully ambidextrous controls. It uses an AR pattern grip with an adaptive grip texture. I’d need to get it in hand to say for sure, but I like the look of it. It’ll take any AR grip, though, so if you have a favorite, you can swap it out. There’s a rear Picatinny mount for adding a brace or stock.

The Roller Delay System

The Kuna PDW’s heart is its roller-delayed operating system. The roller delay system is simple and reliable. It eliminates the need for a heavy bolt like with a blowback system, or extra components for a gas system. This results in a lighter firearm while minimizing muzzle flip and enhancing controllability.

Options and Pricing

The Kuna PDW comes in two versions: a base model and a model with the optional Strike Industries FSA brace installed. Both models ship with two 30-round translucent magazines with metal feed lips. The base model has an MSRP of $999, and the model with the Strike Industries Brace goes for $1,149.

It’s a slick-looking package and should make a great suppressor platform. I haven’t worked with a roller-delayed system much, and this one is quite tempting. It’s got a great set of features, and is light and compact. I won’t say it’s cheap, but it’s a very competitive price for a roller delay system.

Springfield Kuna PDW Specs:

Caliber	9mm
Color	Black
Barrel	6″ Cold Radial Hammer Forged, Melonite®, 1:10, 1/2×28
Sights	Hybrid Flip-Up
Upper Receiver	Monolithic Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized
Lower Receiver	Injection Molded Glass-Filled Polymer
Gas System	Roller-Delayed
Handguard	Integral, M-Lok®
Pistol Brace	Strike Industries FSA
Trigger	Flat Aluminum
Muzzle Device	Multi-Port Muzzle Brake
Receiver End Plate	Picatinny
Charging Handle	Reversible, Non-Reciprocating
Safety Switch	Ambidextrous
Trigger Guard	Integral to Receiver
Grip	AR-Pattern w/Adaptive Grip Texture
Magazines	(2) 30-Round
Weight	5 lbs 5 oz
Length	15.5″ – 24.5″
MSRP	$999 or $1,149

The ROTO 12 Compact Shotgun

By

Tim Stetzer

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April 18, 2025

If you ever wanted a rotary shotgun like the old Armsel Striker or Cobray Street Sweeper, you have the fun spoilers at ATF to thank for making them tough to get. They arbitrarily decided they were NFA items and pretty much killed the market. Well, thanks to American Gun Craft, you have another chance. Their new ROTO 12 is a short-barreled rotary shotgun without any of the tedious NFA paperwork. It can even be shipped right to your door.

American Gun Craft

If you aren’t familiar with American Gun Craft, they make short-barreled black powder muzzle-loading shotguns with modern touches. Their Diablo and Desperado double-barrel shotguns have been on my radar for a while now. There’s even a newer AR Tactical Shotgun Pistol that uses AR grips and will take an AR receiver extension for mounting a stock.

Because these are black powder muzzle-loading firearms, they don’t fall under the purview of the National Firearms Act. They are classified as “antique firearms.” So, even though the American Gun Craft offerings have some pretty modern touches, they still fall under that antique firearm category. This means that they aren’t regulated like cartridge firearms. They don’t require an FFL and can be ordered online and shipped right to your door.

The ROTO 12 Compact Shotgun

While their double-barrel models are pretty slick, the new ROTO 12 is something else altogether. As the name implies, it’s a rotary cylinder-fed shotgun. It’s 12-gauge bore and each of the eight chambers acts as an individual barrel as well. Think about it kind of like a giant pepperbox revolver. Like a revolver, it uses a double-action trigger and can be fired as fast as you can pull it.

Just like the AR Tactical Shotgun, the ROTO 12 will take an AR receiver extension and stock. It also uses an AR pistol grip, so you can swap that out for your grip of choice if you want. Bet you didn’t think you’d ever see Magpul furniture on a muzzleloader. The overall length (without a receiver extension) is just 8 inches. The weight is 5.2 pounds.

The 8-round cylinder is front-loading. Although it is a muzzle loader, it can be loaded quickly using AGC fast load slugs. The ROTO 12 uses conventional 209 inline primer Breech Plug Design BP for ignition. The suggested load is a 50gr ffg pellet with AGC fast load slugs.

There’s no mention of actual shot loads yet, but I’d be curious about those as well. Not that eight slugs as fast as you pull the trigger is anything to scoff at. It is a shotgun, though, so I’d like to see what it would do with a buck or buck and ball load, too. The cylinder, or drum as AGC calls it, is quick change as well. You can buy spare cylinders and have them pre-loaded for a relatively rapid reload.

Price and Availability

The ROTO 12 is currently available for pre-order with an expected delivery date of early summer 2025. MSRP is $1,255.00. I’m not going to say that’s inexpensive, but this is a unique product. There’s a lot of machine work that goes into a design like that. It’s also a pretty unique niche item.

You are saving on a tax stamp as well, plus transfer fees at an FFL. There’s the convenience of having it delivered right to your door as well. Spare 8 round drums are an additional $219.00 each.

How practical is an American Gun Crafter ROTO 12? I’m not sure, honestly, but I love the idea. AGC is marketing them for defense, and eight rounds of 12 gauge, even in blackpowder mode, is some serious stuff.

I can’t see myself picking a muzzle loader over a conventional shotgun, personally. However, for folks in restricted areas, it might be an option. Heck, this thing is even legal in California. It would also be a lot of fun, I suspect, and that’s good enough reason to get one right there.

Hang Your Cookpot Like a Champ!

By

Reuben Bolieu

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April 18, 2025

GAT_Hang_pot (1) — This is a picture of a dovetail cooking rig from the front. The arm features a knot at the top to ensure that pots and kettles don’t slip off.

For me, cook systems are one of the highlights of any camping trip, day camp trip, or wilderness adventure. Hang your cookpot like a champ with these out-of-the-box tips, and wow your friends and family!

Cook Systems

When it comes to outdoor cooking, you might envision those classic tripods with a pot swinging from them. These setups are likely among the oldest cooking contraptions around, appearing in countless period films, TV shows, novels, and instruction manuals.

But why stick to the same old routine? Besides a tripod, which is versatile for hanging a pot or used to create a smoker, there are countless other tried-and-true cooking methods.

Hang Your Cookpot: Dovetail Rig

I discovered an old Boy Scout manual that explained how to use a dovetail notch to hold a support stick and pot over a fire, referred to as the One-Legged Fire Crane. Inspired by the single notch it showed, I decided to modernize the design for adjustable heights to suspend pots, meat, or kettles.

I got to work using a 24-inch bucksaw, a 15-inch bolo knife, and my Victorinox Swiss Army Camper knife. A pilot stick—a sturdy stake for drilling holes—was essential. I cut a vertical pole about 28 to 30 inches tall and a shorter horizontal piece. The vertical piece was thick like a wrist, while the horizontal was a broomstick thin. The horizontal arm is where you’ll hang your cookpot.

The dovetail rig has three settings, with a kettle on high flames.

I shaped one end of the vertical pole into a chisel tip with the bolo, then chamfered the top while it rested upside down on wood. Next, used the pilot stick to create a hole and marked where I wanted the notches. I sawed diagonal cuts—three in total—before cutting down the middle of those to outline the dovetail notch.

With the bolo, I pried out the wood from the notch easily. Then, I shaped the dovetail fitting using the bolo for a three-sided triangle. I left a small knot at the opposite end to prevent the cookpot from slipping. And just like that, my project was complete!

Cookpot Hanging Arm

This cooking setup is more complex than simpler rigs. I first learned about it from Dan Wowoak in a Coalcracker Bushcraft video, and it’s great for those who enjoy crafting with tools.

The author used a Dan Wowak-inspired cook system that uses a suspended branch over a fire.

To create this system, you’ll need some cordage, two sticks about two feet long, and a “Y” stick. Using greenwood is best since it handles heat well and has the strength to hang your cookpot.

Start by finding the center of the “Y” stick and carving two flat spots. Drill holes into these flats to connect them, which you can do with a knife or awl. Dan used a gimlet in his video.

Drive the straight stick into the ground with help from a pilot stick. To set it up, thread cordage through the hole and place the “Y” on the upright pole. Level the stick, wrap the cord around the top, angle it up for stretch, and tie it off. Carve a notch at the top to secure the cord, then create a “V” notch on the end of the “Y” stick to keep cookpots from sliding off.

The author secured the “Y” stick to the vertical piece using a plastic cord they picked up in the Philippines.

Now Hang Your Cookpot Like a Champ!

With these two reliable methods, you’ll add adventure while warming your water and cooking your food. Come on—give them a try!

Lock It Tight – Door Security You Can Carry with You

By

Jim Cobb

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April 17, 2025

Keeping yourself and your family safe when you’re away from home is top of mind for many of us. Door security is one aspect that we may overlook if we’re not careful. There are a couple of reasons why this is important.

The first reason for door security is intruder prevention. A disgruntled current or former employee at a hotel could have access to a master key and use it to enter the room while you’re sleeping. Short-term rentals are a popular alternative to hotels and motels. What’s to stop a former guest from making a copy of the keys and returning to the property for nefarious purposes?

Another reason is an active shooter. You may find it necessary to hunker down in a room to hide, and you’ll want to secure the door to prevent the shooter from gaining access.

Sure, the odds of any of these things are pretty remote. But the door security measures we’re going to discuss are inexpensive, easy to use, and won’t add much to your pack or suitcase.

Wedge Door Security

Find this door stopper wedge here at Amazon. Photo credit: Amazon.

Many of us have at least one of these kicking around at home already. They work well for door security in many cases. Just close the door and jam the wedge under it. They’re cheap, and you can buy them at most big box retailers as well as online. They’re also light enough that you can carry a few of them in your pack in case, for some reason, you need to secure multiple doors.

However, they don’t work on all door configurations. The wedge might not be tall enough to work, and the door will just go right over the wedge.

Portable Door Lock

The Addalock system works well. Photo credit: Amazon.

These started cropping up on the market a few years back. There are a few different makers out there producing similar setups. The one shown here on Amazon gets pretty high marks from reviewers.

The way the lock works is pretty simple. A metal piece fits into the strike plate in the door frame. You hold that in place as you close the door. Then, you slip the plastic piece into the exposed metal flange. The door is then effectively locked and will stay that way until you undo the lock.

These cost a bit more than the rubber wedges, but they’re even more effective with door security. However, like the wedges, these aren’t universal. Some users have reported that they don’t work with certain hotel doors. There needs to be enough space between the door and the jamb for the lock to fit.

Belt Improvisation

If you’re dealing with a door with an automatic closer, which you’ll find in many businesses, you can use a belt or purse strap as an improvised lock. At the top of the door, you’ll see the door closing arms. They are in kind of a V shape. What you’ll do is loop your belt tightly around those arms, clamping them together. This provides a pretty decent level of door security on the fly.

The process is something that’s perhaps better explained visually than via text, so check out this video for more details

Clamp the arms on the closing mechanism with a belt or strap to secure the door. Photo credit: Uline.

At the end of the day, while most of us already probably carry around too much stuff as it is, staying safe and secure when we’re away from home is important. Tossing a couple of rubber wedges or a portable door lock into a bag won’t add much weight at all, nor take up much space, but can dramatically increase your ability to keep doors secure.

One word of caution. While these measures will prevent those with bad intentions from entering, they’ll also prevent first responders and others who might be needed in an emergency. For example, if you fall and are injured in your hotel room, it’ll be difficult for EMTs to get inside to help you if you’ve used a wedge or portable door lock to secure the door.

Go into this with both eyes wide open and weigh the risks for your individual situation.

Things I’ve Learned From the Comment Section

By

Travis Pike

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April 17, 2025

MASS-3 Shotgun Range — (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

If you write, create videos, or are any kind of media, you’ll constantly hear your peers say, “Don’t read the comments.” That can be very valuable for your mental health if you’re a content creator. I’ve gained a bit of a thick skin, so I wade into the comments here and there, and I’ve learned a thing or two about portions of the gun community that leave a comment. Enough to make a few generalizing statements about these fine folks.

Revolver Guys Read the Entire Article

Say what you want about the wheel gun bubbas, but they read the entire article before commenting. One of the things that drives me crazy is people making comments without reading the article. I don’t have to worry about that when it comes to revolvers. The revolver guys will read the entire article, and if they disagree, they tend to leave a reasonable, well-thought-out comment.

My pop-psych view of the situation is simple. If you are a revolver guy (or gal), you likely have a nuanced view of your firearm and are aware of its strengths and weaknesses. You think about the gun a lot, so you don’t rush to the comments section to scream into the void. You have thoughts, opinions, and reasoning you’ve taken the time to explore.

PCCs Are Great Rage Bait

If you want engagement with your comments section, vaguely suggest that a pistol caliber carbine could be a great home defense weapon. In short order, you’ll have tons of comments about how dumb PCCs are and how you need an AR in 5.56. If you claim you want a gun that’s easy to suppress, those same people will scream about the .300 Blackout, ignoring the price difference between 9mm and .300 Blackout as a whole.

Pistol caliber carbines are a little silly for home defense, especially straight blowback designs. It’s not that these people are wrong; it’s just that they’re annoying about it. They remind me of the advanced version of the guy who rages and foams at the mouth when someone says clips instead of magazines.

Shotgun Guys Are Either Super Dumb or Super Smart – No In-between

As a shotgun guy, I often wonder where I fall in this category. I assure myself I’m not dumb, but I also dated a stripper when I was 19. Luckily, I tend to stay out of comment sections, and this article is making generalizations about comment sections. The dumb side of the shotgun guy world will talk about using birdshot for home defense, Dutch-loading rounds, rock salt, and how red dots are dumb on shotguns!

The super-smart guys will talk about patterning, how buckshot terminal ballistics work, engagement angles, wads, buffering material, plated shot, and more. Some shotgun guys have spent a very long time thinking about how these guns work and the best way for them to work. Those guys leave great comments explaining why you’re wrong or what you don’t quite understand.

Handgun Red Dot Hate Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)

If you want to drive engagement in the gun world, there are two solid strategies. First, get something minor wrong, and the comment section will correct you. Second, put a red dot on a handgun you’re reviewing. That seems to drive a certain crowd wild, especially if it’s a small handgun.

You’ll hear claims of how useless they are, how iron sights are more reliable, and how you don’t need crap attached to your guns! This could expand to WMLs, but at this point in time, there is a huge focus on handgun red dot hate. It’s a nutty situation that seems to bring out certain people who can’t stand red dots on handguns for one reason or another. (Bonus points if it’s a revolver.)

AR Guys Cannot Take Criticism Of Their Platform

I will tell you right now that the AR platform is the best semi-auto, intermediate cartridge rifle on the market. It’s reliable, lightweight, accurate, ergonomic, and beyond. However, nothing is perfect. I’d call myself an AR guy; if I had to go to war, I’d grab an AR. However, AR guys in the comment sections cannot take any criticism of their platform.

Mention how the AR tends to be gassy when suppressed, or that the Marines swapped to the M27 because piston guns handle extended full auto fire longer, and you’ll bring out the AR guys. It’s as if you were insulting them directly. It’s almost rageful, and they treat you as if you were cursing Eugene Stoner himself.

The Comment Section

Remember that this article is about these types of people in the comment section. If you are an AR guy, and you’re not leaving comments, it’s not talking about you. The comment sections in the gun community can be absolutely poisonous and brutal. I see why people stay out of them. But I can’t help it sometimes because every so often, you learn something, and knowing is half the battle.

Elevated Instant Camp Food

By

Reuben Bolieu

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April 16, 2025

GAT_Instant_Food (1) — This instant Indonesian pack of noodles was transformed into a camp culinary classic by the author by adding a few fresh ingredients.

Up your instant game! These elevated instant camp food ideas will have you impressing your friends and family with some clever twists. Say goodbye to your old campfire meals and get ready to enjoy the fun of cooking outdoors!

Simple Instant Camp Food

The saying “Simple is Best” confidently strides into many life situations, especially when it comes to fueling up in emergencies like bugging out or racing through the backcountry. Keeping things simple is key in these scenarios—less fuss, less mess. When time is tight, it’s wise to reach for foods that require no cooking or just need a splash of hot water to rehydrate.

So, let’s dive into the world of easy meals that only demand a metal container for boiling water, whether you’re whipping up some rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, soups, or sipping on flavored hot drinks. It’s all about keeping it uncomplicated and delicious!

Just Add Water

If you’re looking for budget-friendly meal options, I recommend rice, mashed potatoes, and Knorr Sides—they’re simple and delicious. Add hot water to the packages, and you have a meal without the mess of pots. Each pack feeds 3-4 people and costs under two bucks. The key is to add cooked ham, SPAM, or whatever protein you like.

The author makes small wooden clamps to keep the heat sealed inside for the best results when rehydrating food. The green sticks are split and fitted over the folded package.

I use a couple of green sticks as makeshift clamps to seal the hot water during rehydration (which takes about 7-10 minutes). You can even add veggies or meat to spice things up.

Instant Japanese Miso soup is a winner for quick snacks—it’s easy to drink straight from the container.

Elevated Instant Camp Food

Some typical, quick meals globally are instant noodles. However, since we’re working on raising the bar on our instant camp cooking, check these out.

Many types of instant ramen noodles will work here. This instant noodle recipe works well in cooler months. I like to make it after Thanksgiving using leftover turkey. It requires green onions, a slice of turkey, and an egg.

A healthy slice of Thanksgiving turkey, fried egg, and green onions is what the author added to this mundane top ramen instant package.

I make the noodles as usual with boiling water. Meanwhile, I fry an egg and dice green onions. When the noodles are ready, I add a healthy slice of turkey and fried egg and garnish it with green onions. It looks like the next best thing to restaurant-style ramen in the woods!

Seafood Camp Instant Pasta

As simple as they come. Rotini pasta or whatever you’ve got will work. There’s no hard and fast recipe. I grabbed a handful of pasta and took it to camp. Then, I used a pack of roasted garlic tuna. I took a few gobs of spaghetti sauce in a container and a few spinach leaves to make the colors pop!

The pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente, giving it the right amount of chew. I stirred in the sauce after draining the water from my trusty Boy Scout pot using a lid (a little trick you pick up over the years). Next, I tossed a packet of roasted garlic tuna and mixed it all up before adding fresh spinach.

A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top finished it off nicely. I put the lid back on and let it sit for a moment. Voilà! An elegant meal in the woods, whipped up in no time and without breaking the bank!

Indonesian Spicy Camp Food

This Indonesian instant favorite is a more involved, elevated, instant camp food idea. I was fresh back from Southeast Asia and was passionate about recreating some impressionable dishes in the woods. It all started with an instant Mi Goreng Instant Stir Fry Noodles pack.

However, I added the good stuff. Fresh carrots, onions, Thai chilies, spinach, garlic, wild spring chives, a can of spicy roasted eel, and an egg were perfect for this camp dish!

Adding some ingredients to a typical instant meal is how you can elevate your instant camp food and have fun in the process.

I made the noodles as instructed on the package and set them aside. Meanwhile, I prepped the support ingredients and fried the egg. Then, I stir-fried the onions, carrots, chilies, and garlic in a small camp wok. I added the drained noodles and tossed them evenly. Finally, I added the fried egg and roasted spicy eel.

The presentation was spot on, and got an A+ for taste and appearance. What more could you want for a dish made in the wilderness?

Try These Camp Dishes

As always, feel free to change the formula, recipe, and ingredients. The idea is to share new, exciting ideas for your camp experience and a bit of flair!

The Krummlauf – And America’s Response To It

By

Travis Pike

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April 16, 2025

The age-old problem with military arms is that cover is a blessed thing, but to shoot your enemy, you have to break cover, right? Exposing yourself to potential enemy fire is terrifying. What if you could shoot around corners? Or, what if you could engage threats with small arms fire from inside your tank? The Germans must have thought that sounded revolutionary and designed the Krummlauf.

The Krummlauf is one of the variants of an already rare gun, the STG 44. The STG 44 series are arguably the first assault rifles widely fielded and produced. The rifle was never a massive success, but it cemented the concept. The German military liked the weapon and adopted it for numerous roles after finding a fair bit of success on the Eastern front. The Krummlauf was just one of those roles.

The Krummlauf and Corners

How do you shoot around corners? Specifically, how do you shoot around corners and out of tanks in 1944? That is what the Nazi engineers were trying to accomplish. Their solution was rather simple for people known for enjoying complications. They just bent the barrel.

Yep, they bent the barrel so you could aim it around corners and, more commonly, out of an armored vehicle. The Krummlauf was produced in I and P variants. I for infantry and P for, I assume, Panzer since it was the tanker variant. The I version had a simple 30-degree bend, and that was it. Tanker variants utilized a 30, 45, 60, and even a 90-degree bent barrel.

For infantry, the job was simple. Push it around the cover and spray. You could hose down an alley, a trench, or a pill box at close range without exposing yourself to the enemy. The 30-degree bend was sufficient to fire around most cover. The infantry variant was the only model ever produced in any great numbers.

The tankers’ guns were designed to be fired from inside the tank. The barrels were bent outside the tank, and the gun could spray 7.92x33mm to clear off attacking infantry and protect the tank.

Infantry Krummlauf rifles even came with a periscope to help aim the gun, while tankers seemed to have had hope and prayer.

Did the Krummlauf Work?

The easy answer is….kind of. It works, as it didn’t blow up when fired, and bullets did, in fact, leave the barrel. However, it didn’t work well. First, the bent barrel significantly impacted barrel life. The infantry version was good for about 300 rounds. The 45-degree model might last about half that. Barrel life on the 90-degree models could be expected to be extremely low.

Bullets had a habit of breaking and fragmenting inside the barrel, giving the gun a shotgun-like effect. To be honest, that might have helped improve its capability, at least at close range. The 30-degree variants produced a 13-inch group at 100 yards. That’s not impressive, but surprisingly, it’s better than I assumed.

The design simply didn’t work the way the Germans assumed it would. Their production numbers were never high, and I can’t find any information on fielding the Krummlauf. I’ve searched for a firsthand account or even some kind of after-action, yet my search remains empty.

Beyond the STG 44

The Americans and Russians observed the Krummlauf platform, which stoked their curiosity. Both sides ended up experimenting with a similar idea. The Americans produced a bent barrel for the M3, which had a very easily removable and replaceable barrel. The Russians attempted to field bent barrels on their PPSh-41.

Neither experiment was successful, and both seemingly went the route of the Krummlauf. Bending barrels simply isn’t going to be a successful means of shooting around corners. Maybe we need some kind of stocked pistol with a camera and a cat? Just maybe….

Bug Out Locations – Where Will You Go in a Hurry?

By

Jim Cobb

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April 15, 2025

In the event you need to bug out, you’ll be glad you took the time to figure out a plan in advance. We rarely make great decisions when we’re under a lot of stress. If you need to beat feet, the odds are you’ll feel under pressure, right?

We’ve already talked about what to bring when you bug out. Here, we’re going to concentrate on where you’ll go and how you’ll get there.

For the purposes of our discussion, the reason for the bug out is immaterial. It could be anything from encroaching wildfire to an extended power outage. The concept is essentially the same.

Choosing Bug Out Locations

The first step in bug-out planning is to determine your intended destination. There are a few considerations to bear in mind. Heading to a state or national forest or some other wild area probably isn’t the best idea. There are very few realistic disaster scenarios where you’ll be best served by fleeing to the woods.

Bug out - parks and campgrounds — Campgrounds may fill up quickly, as will many national and state parks.

Instead, think along the lines of friends and family who live far enough away that they’re not likely to be impacted by local emergencies but are close enough to realistically get to in a day or less of travel. Talk to them about the possibility of you and your family crashing with them for a day or two in a crisis. It’s better to have the conversation now rather than when you’re standing on their porch with your fingers crossed.

Depending on your relationship with these folks, you might go so far as to ask about stashing a tote at their place. Nothing huge or elaborate, just some extra clothes and other things that you’d want to have available if you had to bug out with nothing more than the clothes on your back.

My recommendation is to choose 2-3 locations, each in a different direction from your home. The reason being, you don’t know what it is that might cause you to bug out. If that reason lies between you and your planned destination, you might run into trouble. Give yourself a couple of options.

Motels are another option to consider for a bug out location. If you want to go that route, save the local phone number for the motel in your phone as well as jotting it down on your list of emergency phone numbers. Don’t bother with the chain’s primary 800 number for reservations. If you’re headed their way during an emergency, you’ll want to talk to the people actually working the front desk to make a reservation. And that phone call should happen as soon as you’ve determined you need to evacuate.

No matter where you plan to go, make sure that any pets you’ll have with you will be welcome.

How Will You Get There?

Once you know where you’ll be headed, you need to figure out your bug-out routes. Do what you can to avoid interstates and other busy highways. Those are likely to turn into slow moving parking lots, and you want no part of that. While it might sound counterintuitive, hitting the back roads might get you out of town quicker.

Bug out - traffic — Plan to avoid heavy traffic as best you can.

Take the time to drive these routes occasionally. Get to know them well during all four seasons as well as at night. By all means, make sure you have paper maps in the glove box so you can refer to them if necessary, as GPS on your phone might not be an option. But the goal is to know the route from Point A to Point B by heart.

Always keep your gas tank at least half full. We aren’t in charge of deciding when disasters will impact us. The last thing you want is to have to stop for gas in an emergency. I mean, imagine having to gas up in order to get to the hospital with your wife who is in labor. That’s not nearly as much fun as it sounds, and it’s a lesson you only need to learn once. Ask me how I know.

The Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous

By

Travis Pike

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April 15, 2025

Athlon Outdoors and Bleeker Street Publications are kicking off their yearly Rendezvous in the mountains of Wyoming. The event brings together a breadth of writers and firearms companies for a weekend of range time and deep, in-depth examination of some of the latest and greatest guns coming out this year.

This is no SHOT Show. As much as we love SHOT Show, it’s like the Walmart of firearms events. It’s huge, open to many people, and you don’t get much one-on-one time or even a close examination of most products. The Rendezvous is more like a custom tailor who sees only a few folks. You get all the time you need to get hands-on with the guns.

Not just the guns but the companies behind the guns. As writers, we can pick their brains and talk about their designs and get a more personalized experience. In turn, this allows us to bring you the best information possible.

This year, the event will be hosted at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming, the first for both Brush Creek and Athlon. Over a dozen companies will be showing off their products, ranging from guns to optics and beyond. After seeing the list, I couldn’t be more excited.

The Rendezvous – It’s Time

Sadly, some of the new products will have to wait for official announcements, but you can bet that the day I’m allowed to show and tell you, you’ll be as psyched as I am. Some of these guns and products are going to make serious waves. Athlon Outdoor, GAT, and Bleeker Street Publications will be here to provide you with real, hands-on information.

Buckle up and stay tuned as we bring the hottest new guns, optics, and more to hit the market. There are some serious surprises coming this year, and the Rendezvous won’t be boring!

Nomad Outdoor Turkey Vests

By

Reuben Bolieu

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April 14, 2025

GAT_Nomad_Vests (1) — The Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest includes a roll-top stowable game bag, ideal for carrying decoys or your trophy bird.

Regarding early turkey hunting, serious hunters know that Nomad Hunting apparel is a game-changer. Nomad Outdoor Turkey Vests provide you with the competitive edge you need to bag your prized gobbler successfully!

Nomad Outdoor

The brand offers a range of clothing designed to maximize comfort and mobility, essential during long hours of stalking or waiting in a stand. With features like moisture-wicking fabrics and a design that allows for a full range of motion, hunters can maintain focus and endurance throughout their expedition. Moreover, the strategic use of camouflage helps conceal the hunter from their prey, making Nomad’s gear an intelligent choice for those looking to optimize their hunting experience.

Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest

Using a good turkey vest during turkey hunting season is important because of its organizational features. These features provide comfort and mobility, enhance concealment, ensure safety, and offer convenient additional features. The vest can improve the overall hunting experience and increase the chances of a successful hunt.

Get ready to elevate your hunting experience with the versatile Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest. This innovative design transforms from a comfortable vest to a convenient fanny pack, offering exceptional functionality throughout your hunting expedition. With additional zippered cargo pockets, a specialized pocket for Thermacell, and a chest pocket for your rangefinder or cell phone, you’ll have quick and easy access to your essential gear when it matters most.

Enjoy the added comfort of a double-padded, high-density foam seat and the convenience of a removable, stowable game bag. Enhance your hunting organization and adaptability with the Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest, ensuring you’re ready for any scenario that comes your way!

Nomad Killin’ Time Turkey Vest

Intelligent, Versatile Turkey Vest. Are you a turkey hunter looking to make your next hunt the best yet? Look no further than the Killin’ Time Turkey Vest! With its cutting-edge design and versatile features, it’s exactly what you need to maximize your hunting experience.

Two versatile Nomad Turkey Vests that cater to all styles: the smart Killin’ Time (Left) and the Convertible Turkey Vest. Whether you prefer a classic look or appreciate extra functionality, these vests have you covered.

The vest has 28 pockets for all your gear – ammo, snacks, and other essentials. Plus, it’s got a removable stadium seat so you can scope out the perfect place for maximum success. There’s also a high-density foam seat cushion with magnet attachments and an adjustable handle, which is ideal for ensuring you have the most comfortable sitting spot.

A mesh morel mushroom pocket ensures that whatever goodies you find on your way will be secure and safe. And last but not least, the adjustable rear game pouch offers plenty of space with decoy stake pockets and three accessory pockets. When the time comes to make that shot, you’ll be ready! With the Killin’ Time Turkey Vest, nothing can stand in the way of your incredible hunt.

Let the hunt begin with these Nomad Outdoor Turkey Vests!

For more information, please check out Nomad Outdoor!

The Benelli Nova 3 – No One Saw It Coming

By

Travis Pike

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April 14, 2025

People either love or hate the Benelli Nova series. Benelli is a semi-auto shotgun company that made a pump gun that was certainly different. As the owner of a SuperNova, I put myself in the love category. I have some complaints, but overall, I think the Nova series is a solid shotgun at a great price point and is doing things a little differently. Let’s be real; the 870 and 500 are stuck in the 1960s. Benelli just released the Nova 3, which was a total surprise to me.

I didn’t see it at SHOT. I don’t remember reading any press releases or reviews, but there it was, out and proud. A little research showed scattered reviews that escaped me and that the gun was in stock. After scouring the internet, I decided I wanted one, but while I waited, let me share what I learned about the Nova 3 and how it differs from the Nova and SuperNova.

What They Changed on the Nova 3

Interestingly enough, they eliminated the ability to shoot 3.5-inch rounds. The Nova series has always encapsulated both sporting and tactical guns. For bird hunters, the 3.5-inch rounds were handy. I liked the 3.5-inch loading and ejecting port for the tactical guns because it made them bigger. By reducing the chambering to 3 inches, they created a shorter pump stroke, which they say will prevent short strokes.

Benelli ditched the recoil-reducing stock in favor of a big recoil pad. They also added M-LOK slots to the pump for mounting accessories. The Benelli Nova series has a shell cut-off on the pump action, making the pump proprietary. Attaching accessories has historically been difficult, making things much more manageable. There are slots on both sides and the bottom. They also use the M4 bolt head to keep the rotating action.

The Nova 3 series integrated a QD cup on the stock for slings, which is a nice touch since there aren’t many aftermarket stocks. They also widened the loading gate, which I love and appreciate. All the polymer textures have been updated and made more aggressive and easier to grip. It also seems like several factory guns have a capacity of 7 +1.

This means Benelli ensured these guns were 922R compatible. Historically, Benelli has not done that. You just get a neutered version of the weapon and must figure it out yourself. The Nova 3 has several different configurations, including multiple tactical models.

What’s impressive is that they’ve reduced the weight to 5.9 pounds with the lightest models and 6.1 pounds with the heaviest models. That’s a 20-gauge weight, and it makes the gun quite handy.

What I Like About The Nova 3

I love that they added M-LOK slots on the pump. That smart move makes this a weapon I could use for home defense because I can finally add a light. Numerous variants of the tactical model include a rail for adding an optic, which is nice to see. From what I understand, the gun uses the Benelli M4 optics footprint, which opens you up to some awesome mounting options.

I’m psyched that they widened the loading port. Loading is key to keeping a shotgun running. The 3.5-inch loading and ejection port could have been left even with a 3-inch chambering. The problem there is that people will inevitably load a 3.5-inch round and wonder why it doesn’t chamber properly.

Optic readiness is a solid take, as is making the gun 922R compliant. That makes life easier when upgrading the gun and removes the headache from the consumer. As always, I like the polymer coating, the magazine cutoff, and the ghost ring sights.

Ultimately, the Benelli Nova 3 seems to be a fantastic and highly advanced pump shotgun. However, it has one big flaw that needs to be fixed!

What I Don’t Like

The Benelli Nova 3 features the famed 14 ⅛ inch length of pull stock. I can’t understand why the Benelli Nova 3, in 2025, is still rocking an ultra-long length of pull stock. That length of pull stock is absurd for a tactical shotgun. Most modern shotguns come with adjustable stocks that use spacers to adjust the LOP.

Most people prefer the 12.5 to 13.5-inch length of pull stock for tactical use. The over 14-inch-long stock is way too long for most people. I’m a certified gorilla and feel the stock is too long. Just trim the stock or offer to use adjustable options.

Overall, I want the Nova 3 in my hands. I want to run the gun fast and hard. I can’t wait to get my hands on one. I hope it lives up to the SuperNova I’ve come to love. Hopefully, you’ll be seeing a review soon.

The .44 Special – An Underrated Option

By

Travis Pike

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April 13, 2025

Keith Finch, former editor of Gat Daily, once said something that stuck with me:

“I don’t believe in stopping power, but when I load a 250-grain .45 Colt round into a revolver, I almost believe.”

I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point. I share that same sentiment with Keith, extending to the .44 Special. I love the little .44 Special round. It’s the 10mm of revolver cartridges, not necessarily in power, but in its popularity and use.

The .44 Special has a cult following that loves the cartridge. It has a rich history, and you’re also very unlikely to see many new guns produced using it. Also, like 10mm, there are tons of .44 Special loads that are too weak to serve a purpose. Yet, if you try it once, you’ll be hooked.

The History of the .44 Special

The .44 Special is an old round. It dates back to 1907 and was initially created by Smith and Wesson. It descends from the cartridges that start with .4 and were popular in the western United States. In the early 1900s, the advent of smokeless powder was supercharging rounds, and black powder loads were on their way out.

S&W initially introduced the cartridge with the Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century. Elmer Keither declared the New Century the finest revolver ever made. That’s excellent praise from the father of the .44 Magnum. The .44 Special was intended to be a big selling point of the new revolver.

S&W based the .44 SPC on the .44 Russian. The .44 Russian was developed for the Russian military and their S&W Model 3 revolvers. The .44 Russian proved to be an accurate and popular round, so it seemed like an excellent place to start. To help improve the cartridge ballistics, the case was slightly lengthened. This also kept the .44 Special smokeless powder rounds from chambering in .44 Russian guns.

The downside is that S&W didn’t use that extra case capacity. Instead, they essentially duplicated the .44 Russian round ballistically, using a 246-grain projectile moving at 755 feet per second.

Handloaders would change this and start hot-rodding the cartridge a fair bit. They developed much more capable loads and surpassed the .44 Russian by a large margin. These handloaders eventually helped develop the .44 Magnum, but that’s a different conversation.

The .44 SPC Today

The .44 Special is still kicking around. Hornady has a modern defensive round that I used to love…until I learned a little more about the .44 Special’s potential. Hornady’s load is a 165-grain FTX round moving at 900 feet per second. I liked the round, low recoil nature and accuracy, but what’s the point of a slow-moving, rather lightweight cartridge? Without a doubt, it would be a capable self-defense round for two-legged vermin.

However, the .44 Special can do so much more. It’s capable of being an animal defense round and a two-legged vermin cartridge. Unlike the .44 Magnum, the .44 Special can be light and compact. It strikes an excellent middle ground where it can defend you from most critters while still being a capable defensive round.

Sure, I wouldn’t carry it to a bear hunt with a .44 Special for a humane kill, but it will be capable of defending you from bears with the right ammo. Buffalo Bore makes a 255-grain round moving at 1,000 feet per second that ought to solve any outdoor problems.

If you’re like me and bears aren’t an issue, but wild hogs, dogs, and coyotes are, and you want a viable self-defense option, Underwood makes a semi-wadcutter that weighs 190 grains and moves at 1,150 feet per second.

Shooting the .44 SPC

I own a Charter Arms Bulldog, a 1980s vintage of Charter Arms’ most famed gun. The Bulldog packs five rounds of .44 Special and is a compact gun with a three-inch barrel. It’s fairly simple and an interesting gun. The Bulldog is not quite pocket-carryable and is considerably larger than my 856 Defender.

It’s most certainly a vibes gun. It’s not the most efficient gun, but it’s certainly effective. The Charter Arms Bulldog shoots straight and is fun to shoot. Recoil is mild, even with some hotter, faster rounds. I’d compare it to a .357 Magnum through a medium-frame gun.

I’m not smart enough to know what exactly makes a cartridge inherently accurate. Why are the .44 Special and .32 S&W Long known for their accuracy? It’s a magic that escapes me, but it’s true. This thing makes it easy to stack rounds into a target. I can put all five rounds inside a two-inch circle at 15 yards, and I suck with revolvers.

The .44 SPC is ridiculously underrated, but it’s easy to see why. It limits your capacity and doesn’t perform at Magnum levels, but it has a magnum cost. I still like it, and I keep my eyes peeled for cheap ammo so I can continue to enjoy it and even occasionally carry my Bulldog.