Blasting Away With the Streamlight Wedge

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September 7, 2023

This is more of an initial impressions piece than a full on review, but review is what people search, and search engines need keywords, so here we are. The IWI Carmel review, ten magazines in.

IWI began shipping the Carmel this past month, August 2023, and the rifle has been popping up around social media circles and in both the store and hand as the first several thousand units hit the distribution streams.

What is the Carmel?

The International Carmel Variant you can currently find on IWI.net

The Carmel is a competitor to rifles like the SCAR and ACR. It was developed in that late 2000’s and 2010s turn-of-the-century timeframe and the design philosophy and its international intent is reflected in the design choices. Shorter handguards for shorter barrels, differences in sling mounts, gas settings, etc.

If it looks like the FN SCAR, Bushmaster/Remington ACR, and HK433, that is because it was meant to compete with them inside and out.

It was first “leaked” to the world in 2019 at LAAD in Brazil, the US Market got hungry for it and… there were no plans on the table to bring it to the US. The international division was then baffled as to why the US Market wanted their cool new carbine. Sure it was cool. Sure it was new. Sure it was a carbine, even. But what about those traits spoke to a market in the United States that is ravenous for cool, new, high quality 5.56 carbines?

Who could guess. We may never know.

Snark about understanding the US market aside, the IWI US Team knew and quickly moved to remedy the situation. Which was not easy…

Getting into the weeds on getting items approved for import with the ATF would be a whole lotta (this is a specific measurement of effort) sighing and frustration, sufficient here to say the original version and several modified versions of the original version weren’t cutting it with ATF, because they have a silly rulebook full of silly scoring metrics for imported firearms. The rules are made up and the points don’t matter.

Except when ATF says no, no it is.

So a United States specific variant was designed and produced. It is the full production model and the only one available.

With the production update, engineers took the opportunity to input some product improvements and features that the US Market specifically enjoys and move the design forward. The US variant has a marked increase in accuracy over the original international thanks to a redesigned and improved receiver/barrel interface. Gone too is the ‘quick change’ fad of the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, what a silly thing that was. Quick change at the ‘armorer’ level is very different than at the ‘operator’ level, yes a lot of us at home are both but we want the ease at the armorer level.

The barrel is still simple and easy for an armorer to change with a torque wrench and proper bits, but thankfully we’ve shelved the obsession with needing it on demand, on the fly, in the field. What a weird time. Literally nobody needed that.

Anyway, back to the Carmel. The handguard was lengthened and brought to M-LOK standard to conform more to modern barrel and ancillary standards. It will still be able to take a chopped or shorter barrel in the future. The lower receiver was modified to take AR pattern grips and comes with one of my favorites, the B5 Systems. Quick detach points for a sling replaced some of the HK/Cord hard points and an M-LOK QD point is included for the handguard, bringing the sling point total to five. Four fixed points, two mirrored QD on the receiver and two mirrored hooks on the stock, and one M-LOK QD placed by the operator or armorer.

Finally, the gas system on the 16″ CHF chrome-lined and floated barrel was simplified from the three position of the original into a two position, suppressed and normal operation. Time and experience indicate that having an ‘adverse’ gas setting breaks more rifles through increased wear than tear (and accidently selecting it) than it has saved lives by allowing a sluggish rifle to function. The near universal standard for the modern piston gun is to over gas the ‘normal’ operating setting just a small amount and accept the mild increase in recoil in exchange for absurdly boring levels of reliability with almost all ammunition. The US Carmel also foregoes iron sights, as the US Market is extremely preferential on our optic suites.

The Carmel retains the fully ambidextrous control suite, the tool-less quick reverse charging handle, and the folding stock design with its multi-position length of pull and cheek comb height. The muzzle device is in classic IWI fashion, with a torqued counter nut, and replacing and timing a suppressor host or personal preference of muzzle device is simple.

That’s the new US variant.

Add sight.

Add sling.

Go to work.

So I did.

Shooting the new Carmel

I zeroed it up with a simple adjusted 25/100 for the Primary Arms PLXc and the offset EPS at 50. I haven’t confirmed at 100 and beyond yet but that will come later. It was sufficient for the short distance drills I was planning to run.

A few magazine changes, a few target transitions, a few soft and hard stoppages clearances and I was quite satisfied with how the Carmel was performing ergonomically. It out of the box was offering me the feel and flexibility of rifles I had to tune up a bit with parts swaps. None of that here.

Next I brought it out to an informal range session with some veteran friends. They’re drilling up for the Michigan Governor’s 20 match and we used the opportunity to run some structured practice. Shooting faster under time and distance standards brought the real mettle of this carbine out and it is rapidly solidifying my opinions from handling the prototypes.

This thing slaps. The Carmel is every bit of the uncomplicated, reliable, and accommodating fighting rifle I expect from IWI US. It is holding its own against every premium current Gen 5.56 NATO carbine being offered, with comparable or superior features as factory standard.

The price tag is legit too, saving between 20-100% of its sticker against competitive offerings.

Beretta 92 XI SAO 9mm Pistol

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September 6, 2023

Conversion to SAO has resulted in a handgun with greater accuracy potential.

Variations on a proven handgun may be very interesting. In this case Beretta has managed to introduce a pistol maintaining the good accuracy and reliability of the original Beretta 92 while incorporating several important improvements. The degree of improvement depends on your point of view. Some will prefer the original double action first shot Beretta others will find the new pistol’s single action trigger and reshaped grip frame an improvement. The Beretta 92 is among the most combat proven pistols in the world. The Beretta Model 92 was introduced more than forty five years ago. The pistol owes mot of its design excellence to the pace setting Walther P 38. Modifications to the locking block recoil system and magazine resulted in what was at the time of its development in the 1970s a very modern pistol.

The Model 92XI SAO pistol is a single action only trigger version of the 92X. This pistol features a modern flat faced trigger. The frame mounted ambidextrous safety is a speed type. This safety firmly locks up with a positive ident. The pistol features an anodized black aluminum frame and natural finish stainless steel slide. The slide features well designed forward cocking serrations. The pistol features a light rail in the aluminum frame. I ordered an Inforce combat light from Cheaperthandirt.com for evaluation purposes. The light fit well and provided a solid lockup.

This is a reliable and well finished pistol

The Beretta Vertac frame is part of the redesign of the 92X to single action. This is a straight backstrap grip similar to the 1911 pistol. While wide enough to accommodate the Beretta’s double column 9mm magazine the Vertac grip frame is more similar to the 1911 than the original model 92 in feel when firing. Both front and rear grip strap are nicely serrated. The grip panels are checkered black plastic. The barrel is 4.7 inches long. In common with other Beretta 92 variants this longer than most barrel offers good velocity. A full powder burn is desirable as this makes for lessened muzzle signature. The rear sight is serrated on the rear face while a red fiber optic front sight offers rapid sight acquisition. The pistol is supplied with two 18 round magazines. During testing I drew the Beretta from the DeSantis Speed Scabbard. This is an excellent all around holster offering real utility and a good balance of speed and retention.

I had some adjustment to make in quickly actuating the safety compared to a 1911. It isn’t quite as ergonomic but may be learned. I usually moved the safety to fire as the pistol cleared leather just in front of the holster with the muzzle clear of my body. With the 1911 you may wait until you are on target. This safety isn’t quite as easily to manipulate as a modern High Power variant or a SIG P210.

Combat shooting results are excellent. The pistol responds well to a trained shooter with the typical Beretta modest muzzle flip and fast recovery. Most of the 400 cartridges I have fired over the past few months have been expended in rapid fire at 7, 10, and 15 yards- slowing down the further the target. The pistol has been proofed with a good mix of expanding bullet loads. I find the Beretta 92XSAO a good choice for those who appreciate the reliability of the Beretta platform but would prefer the Vertac grip and a single action trigger.

The author executed a few cranio ocular shots. The pistol has potential!

Accuracy results- fired from the MTM Caseguard K Zone shooting rest from a benchrest firing position at 75 feet. Accuracy is expressed in the form of a five shot group measured from the inside of the most widely spaced bullet holes one to the other.

Accuracy	Load	Velocity
Winchester 115 grain Silvertip	1201 fps	3.0 inch
Winchester 124 grain +P	1198 fps	1.8 inch
Remington 115 grain JHP	1166 fps	2.5 inch
Remington 147 grain Golden Sabre	990 fps	2.0 inch
Federal 124 grain American Eagle FMJ	1150 fps	1.95 inch
Federal 124 grain Hydra Shock	1170 fps	2.45 inch
Hornady 124 grain XTP	1160 fps	1.75 inch
Hornady American Gunner 124 grain +P	1221 fps	2.4 inch

Beretta 92XI SAO Specs

Caliber: 9mm
Action: Single
Barrel Length: 4.7 inches
Firing Mechanism: Semi-automatic
Grip Width: 1.5 inches
Historical: N
Magazine: 18, 15, or 10
Overall Height: 5.4 inches
Width: 1.5 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Rail: Yes
Safety: Frame Mounted Safety
Sight Radius: 6.1 inches
Sights: Fiber Optic Front Sight + Full Serrated Black Rear Sight
Slide Finish: Stainless/ Cerakote Weight Unloaded: 33.3 ounces

Musings on Firearm Advertisements

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September 6, 2023

If you watch any Youtube gun channels, you’re likely being hit with targeted advertisements from gun companies, right? I’m sure you are, and you’ve likely seen one of the worst. You know, the one where a gruff voice says something along the lines of “Some people say dogs are a man’s best friend, but this bad boy is my best friend!” And he’s holding a Glock. It’s almost as if you can judge a company’s products by its advertising. However, that’s not entirely true.

The World Of Gun Advertisements

EAA has those very bizarre print ads where women are some odd form of cyborg and CZ clone. While the ads are odd, the EAA-imported Witness series are very nice firearms. Gun advertising itself is a bit of an interesting topic. It’s been somewhat controversial over the years. This is especially true when gun companies are directly advertising to the average everyday Joe.

Advertising to police, military, and security has always been fairly straightforward. Advertising to the civilian firearm market has always been tricky. It’s certainly not getting any better. Some companies have certainly leaned into their reputation, and Intrate, makers of the TEC-9, used to advertise it as having a fingerprint-resistant texture and that it’s as tough as your toughest customer.

Sometimes firearms companies advertise in somewhat cringy ways. Bushmaster’s famous “Consider your man card reissued” advertisements still make me sigh. Worse than that, the ad was part of the lawsuit filed by the families of Newtown. Remington settled for $73 million with the families. They claimed the ad targeted young, at-risk males. That seems a bit of a stretch but it still cost $73 million.

More recently, Daniel Defense came under fire for an ad they tweeted. It showed a Daniel Defense AR and a child with the phrase stating, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” That attracted a ton of negative attention from the antigun folks. The media tried to somehow imply that such an ad would cause mass shootings.

Another company, Wee 1 Tactical, produces a rifle called the JR-15. It’s a very basic .22LR rifle that looks like an AR-15. It’s no more an AR-15 than every other straight blowback .22LR rifle. However, the very idea of a safe, ergonomic platform to teach kids to shoot caused quite a bit of malarkey. Enough to attract the attention of Senators and Congressmen. There are calls to investigate Wee 1 Tactical by the FTC. It’s absurd, but it’s the world we are living in.

The Changing World of Gun Ads

I know a friend who works at Mossberg, and they recently changed some terminology to avoid the ire of the antigun, lawsuit-friendly crowd. The Newtown suit was a wake-up call to the industry. They’ve since changed the name of their youth model stocks to Bantam.

Firearms advertising seems to have become a field of land mines these days. It’s easy to trip up and find yourself on the front page of CNN’s website as they gleefully proclaim your work caused death in some odd way. I know people who say they aren’t affected by advertising, they typically don’t know what they are talking about. The reason so much is spent on advertising is simple, it works and we have a ton of data showing the how’s and why’s.

However, I highly doubt advertisements implying kids can be taught to shoot responsibly can cause a mass shooting. The same goes for the cringe ads. Sure, they are cringe, but they aren’t going to cause a monstrous reaction.

Trying to say they are is an absolute farce. The firearms industry as a whole is very dedicated to firearm safety. Enough so that the firearm industry actively shames unsafe firearm handling and the people that do it. Firearm advertisements are dog whistles to mass hooters. It’s just the antigun industry finding a new way to fund itself.

Note from the Editor: Efforts by antigun politicians and organizations are themselves advertisements. Advertising works by keeping a brand in the mind of the general population and building certain associations about it. Antigun politicos use a variety of techniques to try and broadly appeal the guns bad message, luckily for us they are often juvenile and imbecilic which tends to improve the credibility of progun messages and advertising.

Firearm ads have to walk a fine line in targeting the right customers, selling their features, and standing out. All the while being blackballed from anything but gun-related websites, magazines, and television networks. On top of that, they have to avoid being cringe and being the subject of a future litigious mob.

With that said, maybe EAA has something with the gunleg lady. It’s so bizarre and absurd that maybe that’s the way to go. Who dares call out the gun leg lady? Hell, we all remember it to this day, so maybe it’s effective.

Adams Arms AR 15

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September 4, 2023

The Adams Arms rifle seems well made of good material.

First- the Adams Arms AR 15 illustrated is a basic AR available for less than eight hundred dollars at Cheaperthandirt.com. There are much better equipped rifles for more money from Adams Arms. My gun was purchased as a lark but ended up involved in a serious two year ammunition test program. The Adams Arms rifle never failed to feed chamber fire or eject. Accuracy has been more than acceptable. The big difference in this and other rifles is that the Adams Arms rifle is a piston driven rifle. The AR 15 rifle has been in use for decades and has become America’s rifle. Military and law enforcement use is often the primary focus. But my thoughts are that in the civilian market ten to one the rifles are purchased for recreation target shooting and hunting. Pride of ownership is another important reason for owning and AR 15 rifle. I own several and enjoy them very much. I really never give a thought to personal defense use- my home defense long gun is a 12 gauge shotgun. Just same if gangs or a takeover robbery were a threat the AR 15 would be at the top of my list. Low recoil proven wound ballistics and complete reliability are a big plus.

The AR 15 has undergone many changes and upgrades. Some of these upgrades are for concerns more perceived than real. Barrel twist rates heavy barrels and superior means of mounting optics and lights have been addressed. Some of the changes have been beneficial. Some just too much for me and others but a reasonably upgraded rifle is a joy to fire and use. The rifle features a gas system known as gas impingement. This system has seen as dirty- but it takes a lot of shooting to prove this out as you know- and the gas impingement system is seen as simple enough and reliable. An alternative to the gas impingement system is the piston driven system.

Reliability was never a concern with this rifle.

The Adams Arms rifle is a standout as the rifle is affordable while most rifles of the type are more expensive. The piston driven rifle may have benefits over the gas impingement rifle. A gas impingement rifle vents a small amount of gas into a gas port in the barrel as the rifle fires. The gas block is located on the barrel. The gas bled off through the gas port is sent down a stainless steel tube and into upper receiver. The tube transfers gas to the bolt carrier. The carrier is sent to the rear to cycle the bolt during the firing cycle. This is a simple enough system. I hesitate to call any system fool proof but millions of rifles have proven extremely reliable in harsh conditions and high round counts. I don’t mind doing maintenance to my rifle and find the system easily maintained. But then I am not a solider and I don’t engage in 3gun competition to be fair.

A pistol drive system is more similar to the AK 47 or Garand gas system. The basic change is that the hollow gas tube of the gas impingement system is replaced by a piston driven system using a solid rod. This rod is actuated by gas pressure to move the bolt carrier. There have been early experiments with the AR type piston design but for the most part the AR’s primary focus has been gas impingement.

So does piston operation make for a more efficient function? Perhaps. The piston drive AR 15 rifle doesn’t vent powder gas into the upper receiver. This makes for cleaner operation. The piston driven gun does indeed run cleaner. I suppose I could clean my guns more often and again they are not on the edge of service or on the point. If they were then I would take more time with maintenance. I am not one of those writers to pretend I confront danger on a regular basis. Not that I have not had an active life I hesitate to call it adventure. The piston driven rifle more of the ejecta is accumulated in the barrel extension than the bolt. A reason the rifles are more expensive is that all piston systems are not the same and also that production isn’t as universal as the gas impingement type resulting in more manufacturing cost.

The Burris Optics red dot gave excellent results.

It is beyond my scope of experience but an experienced association tells me that the shorter the barrel the more you need a piston driven system, especially if you intended to add a suppressor. It is proven that piston driven guns do not heat up as quickly as gas impingement guns. Perhaps lube will not cooks off as quickly and running cooler can be a good thing. And then we have the disadvantage of greater cost and weight. I don’t consider the slightly greater weight a drawback but then I don’t carry a rifle on my back all day. It is a toss up in some ways but depending on exactly the requirements you have and the use the rifle will be put to the piston system may be best.

I chose a base rifle for my testing. The goal was to fire 500 rounds in the rifle and test reliability. Despite burnouts and test of rather dubious value and validity 500 cartridges is a goodly amount of ammunition. I would fire these cartridges for reliability and accuracy. I felt that this is a good test of a rifle in the get your feet wet category. The base gun is sometimes found for sale for six hundred dollars or so. This is an affordable AR for the quality and a good test bed for piston operation. I added a Burris Strike Fire red to the rifle. I have enjoyed good results with this red dot on a half dozen rifles. In firing this ammunition the rifle proved reliable. Accuracy was good for an entry level AR 15. Perhaps a scope with a reticule rather than using the Burris red dot on the lowest dot setting would have given superior accuracy. But the Burris certainly provides good accuracy potential and real both eyes open speed.

Firing tests

Load	Velocity	100 yard group
Black Hills 36 grain Varmint Grenade	3590 fps	2.3 in.
Fiocchi 40 grain V Max	3701 fps	2.4 in.
Fiocchi 50 grain Field Dynamics	3,313 fps	2.0 in.
Black Hills 55 grain JSP	3,001 fps	2.0 in.
Reminton UMC 55 grain FMJ	2999 fps	1.95 in.
Tula 55 gr. FMJ	2732 fps	3.9 in.
Federal American Eagle 55 grain FMJ	3020 fps	2.3 in.
Federal Green Tip 62 grain	3111 fps	1.75 in.
Fiocchi 69 gr. SMK	2589 fps	1.9 in.
Hornady 75 grain TAP	2650 fps	2.0 in.
Black Hills 77 grain	2689 fps	1.65 in.

The dirtiest loads were steel cased variants no surprises there. The Adams Arms rifle offers a gas adjustment to tune function with light or heavy loads and suppressor use. We used the factory setting and did not adjust the settings.

After the test the gun was dirty but never was no instance in which the bolt slowed or malfunctioned. The Adams Arms rifle- their entry level rifle- with a stock 7.0 pound trigger and red dot sight is accurate enough for most chores.

Much of the ammunition was fired in rapid fire and off hand testing. Results were good.

SPECS

Upper Receiver: A4 Flat-Top, Forged
Barrel Length: 16″
Barrel Contour: M4
Barrel Material: 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel
Muzzle Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Chrome Lined: No
Barrel Finish: QPQ Melonite / Black Nitride
Twist Rate: 1 in 7″
Chamber: 5.56x45mm NATO
M4 Feed Ramps: Yes
Bolt Carrier: Full-Auto Rated 1-Piece w/Integral Piston Strike Face
Sights: Williams Adams Arms Flip Up sights
Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider
Gas System Length: Midlength, Short Stroke Piston Operated
Gas Block Diameter: 0.750″
Handguard: M4 Handguards
Grip: A2 Grip
Trigger: Standard G.I.
Stock: 6-position Collapsible
Weight: 6.2 lbs
OAL: 32.5″ collapsed
Lifetime Warranty: Yes

Another Shameless Galil Post?

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September 2, 2023

I’m currently on vacation and this is publishing on a timer but whenever I see good Galil content I enjoy sharing it, sharing the creators, and sharing the fact the IWI produces the finest modern AK evolution currently available.

Especially if you want a 5.56.

As many are aware, 5.56 is a finicky cartridge to make work in AK receivers, similar to 7.62x39mm being rather persnickety in AR receivers. The dimensions being worked on and with don’t always do what we’d like.

In AK’s, the space available that usually isn’t any issue with the more aggressively tapered rounds suddenly gives little pathways for the 5.56 to just tuck itself into on occasion unless internals were very closely toleranced to avoid that. Yes, several AKs are properly made to run 5.56. The Polish make an excellent example.

The other way around has 7.62 stretching the space limits of barrel extensions and chambers meant for 5.56, this too can lead to problems.

The Galil is neatly and smartly designed to handle all four calibers it runs, the two NATO and the two x39 Russian rounds. The 5.56 and 7.62 NATO guns add common western magazine compatibility, bolt lock/release, and dimensionally deal with the operation through smart receiver design. That piston, bold, recoil system, and trunnion are still all classic AK though. The guns’ cores are largely unaltered. Free-float M-LOK rails adding the wide ancillary compatibility round it all out.

I will however cede that the Gen I Galil ACE series did look cooler. Much more a vibe as we way nowadays.

5.11 Tactical Releases New Footwear for Fall 2023

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September 1, 2023

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2023) – 5.11 Tactical, the global innovator of Purpose-Built Gear™, today announced the release of a wide range of new footwear for fall 2023.

“Footwear is an essential piece of gear for being comfortable, protected and efficient during any task,” said 5.11’s Brendan Rynne, Senior Category Manager, Footwear. “Our end users and product team also understand the importance, which is why we strive to design footwear that allows our customers to perform at their best in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in the gym, on duty, exploring a trail, or just day-to-day life, we want to offer reliable performance footwear that lives up to our Purpose-Built Gear™ motto.”

Fans of 5.11’s A/T Series® of footwear will be pleased to see the new A/T™ Trainer 2.0 ($110). An amazing choice for fitness training, hiking, or even as a duty shoe for bicycle police and other high-milage positions, it features a new, highly durable TPU exoskeleton as well as 5.11’s All Terrain Load Assistance System Technology plate for maximum support. Newly integrated mesh construction in strategic locations adds a nice touch of breathability and comfort to this durable and comfortable option.

A new option for training enthusiasts will also be offered by the Max Grip Trainer ($100) that’s built for breathability and durability while providing a stable platform during any workout. It features a protective TPU exoskeleton, a mesh upper to prevent overheating, and a new MaxGrip outsole designed to create a stable platform and reliable traction for any workout while also supplying comfort and cushioning from the midsole. The TPU heel reinforcement creates added durability to withstand the most intense training sessions.

**Max Grip Trainer in Black / Titan Gray**

The Foley Mid ($80) andFoley Low ($75) are new additions to the brand’s everyday-ready Norris family of shoes. In addition to improved fit and size extension to now offer wide shoes, both Foley styles feature a newly updated Vibram Hexgrip outsole providing better traction in all environments. Both versions also include increased cushioning and comfort with the addition of a drop-in X-40 Ortholite® footbed. They also have a ballistic nylon upper for added durability.

Through utilizing end-user feedback, 5.11 designed the McClane Mid ($100) as the next generation of the Norris Sneaker family. Similarly to the Foley styles, the new McClane Mid features an improved fit and extended sizing to include wide options. The McClane features a new breathable tongue for all-day comfort and an updated Vibram Hexgrip outsole with better traction in all environments. The new drop-in X-40 Ortholite® footbed provides for more cushioning and comfort while the ASTM puncture-resistant board has also been added and certified to US standards.

5.11’s first two AR 670-1 complaint boots have been introduced to the line for this Fall; the EVO 2.0 8” AR 670-1 and the Speed 4.0 8” AR 670-1. The EVO 2.0 8” AR 670-1 ($160) is equipped with Force Foam® cushioning and an Ortholite® footbed for comfort and support that endures. These EVO 2.0 8” Boots are Army Regulation 670-1 compliant for U.S. Army Wear with MultiCam and Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms.

5.11’s other AR 670-1 compliant option is offered in the Speed 4.0 8” AR 670-1 ($120). These lightweight boots provide outstanding features and value. Crafted with suede leather and 1200D nylon, Force Foam® heel cushioning, and an Ortholite® footbed, they will make sure feet are feeling good no matter the job. Additionally, the ASTM slip- and oil-resistant outsole is stitched for hard use and the brand’s heat deflect material helps shield feet from radiant heat from the ground. Like the EVO 2.0 8” Boots, these Speed 4.0 8” Boots are Army Regulation 670-1 compliant for US Army Wear with MultiCam and OCP uniforms.

**Speed 4.0 8” AR 670-1 in Dark Coyote**

For more information about 5.11 Tactical and its product offering, or to find a 5.11 Tactical store near you, visit www.511tactical.com.

# # #

About 5.11, Inc.

With offices around the globe, 5.11 works directly with end users to create Purpose-Built Gear™ to enhance the safety, accuracy, speed, and performance of tactical professionals and technical enthusiasts worldwide. 5.11 products exceed rigorous standards, which have allowed the brand to establish a reputation for innovation and authenticity, and become the premier choice for those who always have to be ready. 5.11 products can be purchased online, through authorized dealers and retailers, as well as at 5.11 company-owned retail stores.

Learn more about 5.11’s best-selling gear and accessories at www.511tactical.com. Find a full list of 5.11 company-owned retail stores at https://www.511tactical.com/locations/. Connect with 5.11 on Facebook, Twitter @511Tactical and on Instagram @511Tactical and #511tactical

5.11, Inc. is a subsidiary of Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI).

Operation Dragonfire

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September 1, 2023

Operation Dragonfire is a sweet name. Perfect for a video game or cheesy movie. Oh, wait, G.I. Joe actually had an episode called Operation Dragonfire, which will dominate your search results if you use the term. Operation Dragonfire was also the name of a U.S. Customs undercover operation to bust Chinese businessmen looking to smuggle in and sell everything from AKs to surface-to-air missiles to criminal elements. If you’ve ever wondered why Canada can get those sweet Chinese arms imports and we can’t? It’s because of Operation Dragonfire.

Operation Dragonfire – How It Started

Operation Dragonfire started the way most things do. Someone blabbed. They blabbed to U.S. Customs Agent Gary Hipple that a Chinese Arms Dealer named Hammond Ku was looking for a way to get around customs to bring in firearms. Specifically firearms from Norinco and PolyTechnologies.

Hipple went undercover as a member of organized crime with a fellow custom agent and former Green Bay Packer lineman named Byron Braggs. The 350-pound, six-foot, six-inch tall lineman played his bodyguard and likely did it convincingly.

Talk is one thing, but Ku wanted to see what Hipple could do. Ku had gun parts flown in from China to California. Hipple picked them up, walked right past Customs, and stashed them in a locker, leaving a key hidden in a potted plant for Ku to retrieve.

Rolling Deep

From there, the next phase of Operation Dragonfire worked on importing gun parts. Eventually, Hipple stated he wanted to buy guns to sell to criminals. Ku gave instructions for Hipple to fax his secretary with things he wanted. They used code words like Alpha Kings for AKs and poppers for grenades. Customs teamed up with the ATF, and they placed an order for 2,000 AKs for 700,000 dollars. Not a bad deal.

Ku wasn’t some enterprising Arms Dealer. He said out loud he worked for Robert Ma, the head of PolyTehcnologies in the United States, and Richard Chen, the head US rep for Norinco. PolyTechnologies and Norinco are both directly owned by the Chinese Communist government. Ma even arranged for the shipment of AK via a freight ship to California. The salesman claimed the guns could come in clean and devoid of markings.

To me, that implies they would be produced at Chinese-owned factories devoid of markings. The rifles arrived in boxes marked as hand tools and were promptly seized by the United States government. This wasn’t all that was offered. The Chinese were offering bigger and better munitions, including surface-to-air missiles. Ku claimed they could shoot a 747 down.

Customs wanted to continue Operation Dragonfire, but guess what? Someone blabbed. Media outlets got wind of Operation Dragonfire, and to avoid tipping off the Chinese, arrest warrants were issued. Ku and Chen were snatched, but Ma was in the wind. A half dozen other collaborators were arrested along the way.

The End Result

Operation Dragonfire ended with a string of arrests, weapon seizures, and sanctions on Chinese arms imports. We can import shotguns and commonly do, as well as shotgun ammo. However, handgun and rifle imports were killed in the cradle. Great Chinese AKs dried up and are now worth a fortune. Hell, we can’t even import Chinese SKS rifles anymore. It’s interesting to think that Norinco would have probably sold way more guns to the American market if they didn’t try to sell a couple thousand to gang bangers.

Review: Sig Sauer P365 XMacro TACOPS

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August 31, 2023

The SIG XMARCO TACOPS is an efficient handgun.

A good thing is something we cannot get enough of. I own enough SIG pistols to cause matrimonial disharmony- although my wife owns two as well! Some are different types and a couple are 1911 types. But I own more P365 9mm SIG handguns than any other type of SIG. They are not all the same and the one I carry on a daily basis is the P365 XMACRO TACOPS. For my situation this 9mm is as close to an ideal concealed carry handgun as I am able to find. The P365 is modular accepting aftermarket parts such as the Wilson Combat grip module. The P365 came first followed by the long slide XL. Then came the XMACRO with compensator. This pistol features a compensator and lengthened slide and grip frame. It shoots well. Sometimes folks say a little gun shoots like a big gun. The truth is the little gun shoots better than most little gun- in this case the SIG shooters about as well as a Glock 19 or SIG P320 but with a bit more recoil push. An easy gun to shoot well and an easy gun to love. A lengthened grip frame and 17 round capacity make for excellent control compared to the original pistol. But all is not perfect- the compensator does reduce recoil but also expels powder and gas upward. This is a concern when the pistol is fired from retention position. The 3.1 inch barrel exhibits less velocity than the P365XL. I suppose other shooters came to the same conclusion. The SIG P365 XMACRO TACOPS 9mm was developed.

This pistol is only two ounces heavier than a P365XL. With 16 rounds on tap and a 3.7 inch barrel this is another great shooter. This pistol really isn’t much larger than a P365 XL but delivers a lot of shootability.

Compared to the P365XL, top, the TACOPS is slightly larger and shoots a little softer.

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 17+1 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.7 inches
Dimensions: Overall Length 6.6 inches
Height: 5.2 inches
Maximum width: 1.4 inches
Weight Unloaded: 20.7 oz
Grip Frame: Polymer
Chassis: Stainless Steel
Slide: Nitride coated stainless
Sights: SIG X-RAY 3 three-dot, tritium
Optics: Romeo Zero/ RMS optic cut
Trigger: Flat trigger shoe 5 lbs. 1 oz.

My hand is average size. I find the TACOPS is a good fit for my hand and the grip treatment makes for good adhesion and abrasion. A modest magazine well makes for fast speed loads. Four magazines are supplied with the pistol a nice set up. A magazine loader, lock, and grip inserts are part of the kit. The trigger breaks at just over five pounds as issued. After some weeks of use and just less than 1,000 rounds of ammunition the trigger has settled into a smooth 4.8 pounds and very clean.

If desired you may change out the fire control unit into a number of frame sizes- I have no need to do so. Just the same my needs may change and refreshing the pistol at a later date may be a desire. The pistol features forward cocking serrations making for easy handling. SIG X Ray sights are excellent all around sights for personal defense. I did not explore the optics option, perhaps I will at a later date. I have hammered a lot of ammunition through this handgun. This wasn’t simply for shooting reviews but to sharpen myself up with a carry gun. While one gun or the other performs well and the shooter makes the difference there are notable differences in handling among handguns. A Glock 19 or similar pistol will outshoot a smaller gun in most cases. In absolute accuracy firing from a rest at 15 yards the SIG P365 XMACRO TACOPS holds its own against many larger handguns. There have been no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject in creating a buck of brass. As for ammunition choices- the 9mm offers performance out of proportion to its size. Factory loads start at 30,000 PSI in most practice loads to nd 35,000 PSI for defense loads. +P loads may register 38,500 PSI. +P or the largely unregulated +P+ will not blow a gun up but the small parts take a beating. In second rate guns +P loads often cause malfunctions in the feed cycle. I tested two defense loads extensively in the SIG P365 XMACRO TACOPS.

DeSantis offers the new Transit IWB for concealed carry.

Federal Train and Protect 115 grain JHP

Velocity	Penetration	Expansion
1169 fps	12 inches	.68

Accuracy, five shots, from a benchrest at 15 yards 2.0 inch.

SIG Elite 147 grain V Crown

Velocity	Penetration	Expansion
1001 fps	20 inches	.56

Accuracy, 2.2 inch

The pistol has proven reliable and will serve well for personal defense. It is clearly a much improved P 365. If you need a pocket gun or vest gun, well, the original is still the slimmer lighter shorter gun. If you want a very efficient belt gun-try the TACOPS.

Packing the SIG P365XMACRO Tacops

I turned to one of your most respected makers for a high quality inside the waistband holster. The DeSantis Transit is an old school IWB holster with a new school twist. It is built from firm, sueded center cut steerhide and reinforced at the top with both Kydex® and premium saddle leather to aid in easy re-holstering. The holster also has a heavy-duty spring steel clip which can easily be moved over to either side making this holster ambidextrous. Most models of the holster are red dot compatible.

Why Gun Reviews All Come out At the Same Time

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August 31, 2023

Every so often, you might see all of your favorite Youtubers or Guntubers. All seem to release a gun review at the exact same time. It seems odd. The one I remember most recently is the S&W FCU. The little folding carbine got a media blitz because all of a sudden, there were tens of reviews hitting the information super highway. This leads to the question of why, why do all gun reviews get released at the same time.

Beyond that question, it leads to the accusation that these guntubers are ‘shills.’ Shills is the cry of the people who still watch these channels but deeply believe that they are completely owned by the gun industry. The accusation is that these guntubers are participating in the media blitz by all aggressing to release reviews at the same time to get a specific firearm to get a massive influx of popularity. The term shill infers that opinions are bought and paid for.

The idea comes from the gun rags of old who needed advertisements to keep the lights on. How do you write a bad review about a gun if the same company is keeping your lights on via ads? Some high-profile examples of this included a few magazine-based reviews of Remington’s R51, which was praised highly by magazines but was a terrible gun upon release.

This corruption of the gun media is why it becomes so suspicious that all of these reviews are released at the exact same time. But the answer is fairly simple and has nothing to do with being paid by the gun companies.

Why Are Gun Reviews Released All At Once?

Gun companies have their firearms produced and made well before they ever announce the thing. Most want their gun to be debugged, working and have a suitable stock to release to distributors. Distributors then release the guns to gun stores. With that in mind, they’ve known about the gun for quite some time. Sometimes major releases are done at SHOT or right before SHOT; sometimes, it’s NRAAM, and other times it’s seemingly random.

At those random times, they want to get a pump of popularity. They send out sample guns to gun reviewers, oftentimes months before they are released. This gives the reviewers time to create a review, to shoot their gun, and to film or write reviews. These reviewers are given a bit of trust and often agree to an embargo date. An embargo date states you cannot post reviews, pictures, or even talk about this new gun until a specific date.

Too Soo, or Too Late

If you’ve sent the guns to a dozen different review channels, then those channels all want to publish their review, and they are competing with the 11 other reviewers. Once that embargo date comes, you want to release that review as fast as possible. If you release it early, you’ve undermined the marketing team at XYZ gun company and likely won’t have much contact with that company again.

If you release the review late, then you’ll be too late. The 11 other companies released the same review at the same time, and they’ve already been watched, so yours likely won’t receive a crazy amount of views. As someone who has written a gun review or two, I’ve always abided by the embargo date for better or worse. I remember one company moving the embargo date up a week, meaning the release date was the actual day they notified us of the embargo update. Why did they do this? Because earlier that morning, someone broke the review embargo, and we all had to play catchup.

The leaker hasn’t reviewed a gun from that company since, and I can only wonder why. You might say that free guns are basically a bribe. That would be true if that was a common occurrence. In my experience, the best offer you’ll get is a discount on the purchase price. Maybe I’m just not big enough to get those free guns.

Do Shills Exist?

I’m sure they do. Plenty of influencer types release ads for companies, but as long as they are upfront with the fact it’s an ad, I don’t think it’s shilling. Is shilling common? I really don’t think so, at least not amongst major gun and accessory companies. If XYZ gun company offered me a certain amount of money for a review, then guess what?

That review might get a few peeks. I might cash that check, but do you know what would blow up? If I wrote a story about XYZ company offering me money to review their product and provide receipts, I would have a massive story. That story would be worth more than the cash they offered.

Have I been offered money to review products? Sure, but by overseas companies selling crap tier red dots. The folks contacting me are never American. They are brands are fly-by-name relabel of the junk tier red dots you can find on Amazon.

Ultimately, most gun reviews these days are going to be honest because the internet forces them to be. It’s too easy to gossip, and there is too much competition to be the company that takes money for reviews. Gun reviews get released at the same time because of embargos and a race to be first, not because XYZ gun company pays to make it happen.

The USMC’s Practical Shotgun Shooting Course

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August 30, 2023

I love my beloved Marine Corps, and I love shotguns. When I stumbled across a Youtube video of Marines training with shotguns, I spent two minutes watching it. After watching, I can certainly say those Marines need more scattergun training, but at least they were getting it. In the video, I learned about something called the Shotgun Practical Weapons Course. I went searching for the full course, and after an hour poking around the Military Police training manuals, I found it and promptly shot it.

What do we need for the Shotgun Practical Weapons Course? A shotgun, of course, and I used my own Benelli M4, which matched what the Marines in the video utilized. Shooters will need 18 rounds of buckshot for the course of fire. I also recommend something to carry the spare ammo for easy reloading.

We need three targets total and a barrier that you can stand or kneel behind. You don’t need a shot timer, but you do need a stopwatch of some type. The course of fire has to be completed in three minutes total, but there is no individual time requirement for each of the four stations.

The targets will be placed in a row and numbered 1, 2, and 3. The different stations require the targets to be shot in a particular order, so you’ll need to pay attention or have a buddy calling them out for you.

Prior to starting the Shotgun Practical Weapons Course, you’ll need to get your blood flowing. The Marine Corps loves PT, and they love shooting, so today, we get to combine it. They recommend two minutes of strenuous activity. I did two minutes of jump rope.

Shooting the Shotgun Practical Weapons Course

After getting a sweat in, I grabbed my Benelli and got to shooting.

Station 1 – 25 Yards – Standing Barricade

The three-minute time starts as soon as you hit Station 1. You approach with an empty gun with the action opened. As soon as you arrive behind cover, you port load a round directly into the chamber and close the action. You then load four more rounds into the magazine tube.

After you load, you lean around the barrier and fire one round per target for five engagements. You shoot the targets in the following order if you are right-handed, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2. If you are left-handed, you fire 1, 2, 3, 1, 2. After firing five rounds, load the magazine tube with four rounds, but leave the chamber empty. Move to Station 2.

Station 2 – 20 Yards – Kneeling Barricade

Take a knee behind the cover and charge your weapon. Lean outside from cover and fire one round at each target in the following order for right-handed shooters, 3, 2, 1, 3. Left-handed shooters will engage targets 1, 2, 3, 1. Load four rounds into the magazine tube, but leave the action clear and advance to Station 3 of the Shotgun Practical Weapons Course.

Station 3 – 15 Yards – No Barricade

At Station 3, charge your weapon and engage all targets with one round for four engagements. If right-handed, you’ll fire in the following order, targets 1, 2, 3, 1. If you are left-handed, fire 3, 2, 1, 3. All shots are fired in the shouldered standing position. After engaging, load three rounds into the tube, and leave the chamber empty. Advance to Station 4.

Station 4 – 10 Yards – No Barricade

At the ten-yard line, you’ll engage from the standing underarm hip position. Essentially you chicken wing the gun and point aim at the targets. In this position, fire three rounds, one per target. Right-handed shooters will shoot targets 1, 2, and 3. Left-handed shooters will shoot targets 3, 2, 1.

With an empty gun, port load and fire on target 2, port load again, and fire on target 3. (If left-handed, do the same, but shoot targets 2 and 1.) After that, the Shotgun Practical Weapons Course is complete.

Rounds Fired

If we use standard nine pellet 00 buckshot, that means you’ve fired 162 pellets. I did Math for Marines, so I know! You need to have at least 30 rounds on each target for a total of 90 pellets on target. Not too tough, honestly. After shooting paper targets this many times, it’s pretty tough to count pellets.

The Shotgun Practical Weapons Course is fairly simple. It does have you engage at various distances, with the shooter constantly advancing on the threat. It’s fairly simple to complete but does stress lots of loading and multiple target engagements. It’s fun to shoot, but I’m not exactly convinced of the underarm hip position. At ultra-close ranges, sure, but ten yards is silly. That’s a range I can still aim the gun from the shoulder.

I do like the use of cover too, and it’s smart to implement it. Overall, I like the Shotgun Practical Weapons Course and think it’s great for new shotgun shooters. Try it out, and get after it.

Ruger SR 1911 LW Government Model

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August 30, 2023

The pistol is accurate enough for defense use.

I enjoy firing the Government Model .45. This 1911 is all steel and balances well and kicks little enough for good control. When carrying a 1911 all day I like something a little lighter in the hip. Some compromise is made and the pistol much be reliable but I realize it will kick a bit more than a Government Model .45- which weighs about 40 ounces loaded. Dropping ten to twelve ounces off is noticeable on the hip and also when you fire the beastly kicking piece! But it can be controlled with enough practice. A Commander is a 1911 handgun with the slide and barrel shortened from the original 5 inch Government Model to a 4.25 inch barrel. The dust cover is shorter while the grip frame is the same. An aluminum frame Commander size pistol will weigh 28 to 30 ounces depending on the features and the maker. A steel frame Commander is at about 35 ounces and while popular isn’t the best choice for all day packing. Ruger offers their t SR 1911 in steel and LW aluminum frame models. Recently I picked up a new rendition- a LW aluminum frame Government Model. The pistol is about ten ounces lighter than a Government Model with steel frame but retains the long slide and long sight radius of the Government Model. It concealed as well as a Commander- in my opinion- as the slide snugs to the body in a well designed inside the waistband holster. These pistols are also offered at an attractive price. Mine was considerably less than seven hundred dollars at Cheaperthandirt.com. Lets see how the pistol performed.

The slide is stainless a type of matte polished treatment, while the frame is anodized. An extended slide lock safety is fast in operation and locks in in a positive manner. The beavertail type memory groove grip safety properly releases it’s hold on the trigger about half way into compression. The pistol is properly carried hammer to the rear and safety on. The grips are G10 and well checkered. The pistol features Novak Lo Mount sights. These are still the world standard with a non snag profile and good sight picture. Trigger compression is smooth at 6.0 pounds even without creep or backlash. The pistol looked like it would be good to go for personal defense and a good fit for the task of packing in and out of the woods and also wearing in town on a daily basis. Ruger means quality rugged durability- but this is a new model so I proofed it well.

The Ruger LW 1911 is a good looking pistol.

My favorite defense cartridge is the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol. The .45 ACP operates at low pressure compared to many cartridges and offers a full powder burn limited muzzle signature and excellent wound ballistics. Just the same while I handle the .45 well recoil is a factor in the LW frame pistol. Ruger supplies two magazines with the gun, I also used a half dozen Wilson Combat magazines. These are top flight proven magazines excellent design execution and reputation. For the initial firing I used standard 230 grain full metal jacketed ammunition. This is the most affordable .45 ACP loading and the most feed reliable. If the pistol doesn’t function and feed with this load something is terribly wrong. I used Federal American Eagle 230 grain loads for the initial test. After lubricating the pistol I began firing at 7 yards. The pistol seems to have less muzzle flip than a Commander .45. The long slide and heavier recoil spring have less snap. Just the same fifty rounds is plenty in a firing test. The first few magazines you don’t notice- after four or five magazines the wrist tell you that you are firing a pistol that kicks more than a Government Model .45. When you consider the pistol will be more easily carried and will come out shooting and you will not be in an extended gunfight- I hope not- the LW Government Model is a good trade off. I fired a magazine of the Speer Gold Dot 200 grain +P. This is a formidable loading screaming out of the Ruger’s five inch barrel at 1039 fps. It functioned and I controlled the string and I don’t care to do it often. I will reserve this loading for steel frame .45s. I also fired two good defense loads for accuracy. Firing from a standing braced barricade position I fired the Federal Hydra Shock 230 grain load and the Speer Gold Dot 230 grain load. Each printed a 2 inch group at 15 yards.

During the course of fire I had two failures to fully go into battery the typical 1911 break in that is seldom seen in modern guns. Today after several range sessions and 240 mixed rounds there have been no further malfunctions. What do I think of the LW SR1911? For recreation and most shooting chores I prefer a Government Model with steel frame. The LW Government Model shoots noticeably better than a Commander .45 and would make a good choice for constant carry. If you don’t like the recoil of a steel frame .45 don’t purchase this gun. If you don’t mind a Commander with LW frame and its recoil the LW Government model will not be a difficult gun to use well. The piece is reliable and accurate and certainly affordable.

Packing out the LW Ruger .45.

For carry under a pulled out shirt as I wear most of the year an inside the waistband holster is a good choice. The body of the handgun is concealed in the pants. This means the holster isn’t visible below the belt line. A modest length covering garment will conceal this handgun. The thin 1911 is a good choice for this carry mode. I deployed the DeSantis Cozy Partner with several of my 1911 handguns with good results. This is a good kit.

Capacity: 8+1
Slide Material: Stainless Steel
Barrel Length: 5″
Grip Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
Grip Panels: G10

Model Type: Lightweight
Slide Finish: Low-Glare Stainless
Width: 1.34″
Sights: Drift Adjustable Novak^® 3-Dot
Weight: 31.1 oz.

Overall Length: 8.67″
Height: 5.45″
Grooves: 6
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Available in CA: No
Available in MA: No
UPC: 7-36676-06792-3
Suggested Retail: $799.00 Actual price much lower!

The Lupara – The Mafia’s Favorite Shotgun

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August 29, 2023

Sometimes firearms get nicknames like the Colt SAA being called the Peacemaker. Other times a specific type of firearm gets a name shared amongst a variety of civilian firearms. The Lupara is the latter. Any fan of mid-century Mafia books and movies will recognize the word Lupara. It’s most commonly associated with the Mafia, especially Cosa Nostra in Italy.

The Lupara is a term applied to what we’d typically call a sawn-off shotgun. In Italy, these were often twelve gauges, and the stereotypical Lupara is a double-barrel shotgun. However, the more common model was likely, the cheaper and much more common single-barrel variants.

Fans of the Godfather series will remember Michael’s bodyguards in Italy carrying double-barrel shotguns. These are luparas. While the weapon has had a fearsome reputation amongst crime fiction fans, the Lupara wasn’t invented by the Mafia. It was farmers who had a need for a light and handy weapon that was plenty powerful. Lupara translates to ‘for the wolf,’ which is quite the name. These guns were used primarily by farmers to defend their animals from predators and their vineyards from thieves.

Why The Lupara

The why behind the lupara is two questions, but they have similar answers. The first is why did farmers adopt the Lupara over other options? A shotgun certainly has its advantages for taking down predators on two legs or four. It does fire a spread of shot that makes hitting moving targets a bit easier, which is certainly a consideration when shooting at four-legged predators.

They are plenty powerful as well. However, one of the main reasons the shotgun was likely chosen was because they are cheap. Shotguns have pretty much always been cheaper than rifles and handguns. There was a period when Belgium was a lot like Turkey, and they were exporting single and double-barrel shotguns en masse for some low, low prices.

I’m no expert on Italian firearm law, but I know with current law, shotguns are easier to acquire than certain rifles and handguns. However, hunting rifles don’t seem difficult to acquire. Shotguns are still cheaper and likely more useful for their situations, plus owning shotgun ammo is easier than other ammo types. It’s convenient, affordable, and commonplace.

Why did the shotgun or lupara become a mafia weapon? The commonality is most certainly the main reason. These guns were common, cheap, and easy to acquire. Criminals aren’t often rich, and Tommy guns weren’t cheap. Thus this led to them being a very popular option for criminals. Plus, to be completely fair, a sawn-off shotgun in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s would likely be a compact and capable weapon. Criminals tend to prefer weapons they can hide, and a sawn-off shotgun offers a lot more firepower than a handgun.

Famous Uses of the Lupara

The Lupara goes beyond pop culture. In 1890 a handful of organized crime members used four luparas to gun down the New Orleans chief of Police. They left the guns behind after their successful assassination.

The gun was used extensively by the criminal elements in both Italy and the United States. In Italy, the Mafia used them to resist Mussolini’s forces, as did the Italian resistance movement. Mobster Joe Bonanno owned a single-barrel shotgun that had the barrel and stock trimmed neatly, and it currently resides in the Mob Museum.

Carmine Galante was killed in 1979 by a shotgun, and Joseph Barboza was gunned down by several men wielding shotguns. Whether or not these were luparas is unknown, but they showed a modern appreciation for the shotgun. For the wolf certainly seems to remain accurate, be it in the hands of farmers or in the hands of mafia soldiers.

Buffalo Bore 9mm High Performance Ammunition

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August 29, 2023

The Springfield Echelon gave good results.

I enjoy testing ammunition and handguns and try to wring the most performance from my handloads. I have been disappointed by quality control and performance in some of the makers that were the darling of the popular press. Choosing a wide mouth hollowpoint that doesn’t feed well or failing to achieve the advertised velocity is a sure way to lose my business. I have clocked .380 ACP loads I knew would never reach the claimed velocity and sure enough they were 188 fps off! Another concern manufactures frangible ammunition that only expanded if you hit a brick wall with it. If I were not in the business I would have an ammunition larder with far less diversity. A maker I originally sought for hunting loads and full power .357 Magnum loads also offers among the best if not the best 9mm defense loads available. These loads offer a balance of expansion and penetration that is ideal in my opinion, with different levels of penetration depending on the shooters needs. One load makes the 9mm viable for animal defense as well. Lets look at some of Buffalo Bore’s 9mm loads. I used the new Springfield Echelon in testing some loads and also a SIG P210 when things got interesting.

It didn’t take long in the early years as a young epistles and journalistic pilgrim to realize that a lot of the shooting done in the popular press seems done with the type writer. As I slowly sequed to expert status- not to mention Professor- I took my own counsel and developed a test program. Each loading has been chronographed over an RCBS chrono and also a Competetion Electronics unit to double check figures. Ethically there is no other way. I am something of a crank concerning ammunition. While guns and ammunition are important don’t forget a failure to see the whole picture is the leading cause of death in a defensive encounter.

Expanded 9mm loads in different bullet weights.

The first load I tested may be the most effective and a top choice for service and institutional use. Don’t use this load in second rate pistols. They wont blow up but small parts take a beat and slide velocity may outstrip the ability of the magazine to feed. The 124 grain +P+ load is advertised at 1,300 fps. This loading actually clocked 1,344 fps in the SIG and 1299 fps in the Springfield. Recoil is more than the average 1200 fps training load of the same weight but not uncomortable. The Hornady XTP bullet expands well while refusing to fragment. I like this load a great deal. I don’t really feel the average .357 Magnum load in a three inch barrel concealed carry revolver has an advantage in wound ballistics over this loading.

Many years ago when +P+ ammunition was developed police agencies were desperate to find a 9mm load that would be effective. Most 9mm loads of the day gave poor performance. Most were inferior to .38 Special defense loads. Makers supplied a hold harmless agreement. This meant if your gun cracks a frame the ammo manufacturer was not responsible. Don’t use these loads in a SCCY, small frame Kel Tec, or a Hi Point. The Model 39 and Model 59 at my old agency were not well suited to these loads. An old Ruger P 89 as digested hundreds. These loads are the result of a great deal of development and of course they are safe and reliable. The 115 grain +P+ is 100 fps faster than the 124 grain. This load clocks 1413 fps in the SIG. That is fast very fast. I have fired a great deal of high performance ammunition and loaded quite a bit of comparable handloads. This load offers a full powder burn and excellent accuracy. I fired a 2 inch 25 yard group, five shots in a tight group with the 115 grain loading. Importantly in institutional service similar loads have a very good record.

The 147 grain outdoorsman load provided excellent results.

If recoil is a concern and it certainly can be in lightweight handguns the +P loads are viable. Perhaps +P+ in the SIG P226 and +P in the SIG P365 XMACRO. The 124 grain +P load clocks a solid 1210 fps in the Springfield. The Springfield is a nice shooting gun that handles recoil better than most and I have to admit this load was greeted with ballistic skepticism until I clocked the loading. It didn’t feel that fast! This is an excellent all around choice. If you prefer something a little more fast opening, also using the proven XTP bullet, the 115 grain +P clocks a true 1300 fps in most 9mm guns beginning with the Glock 19. I carry a Shadow Systems MR920 often as it is a very reliable but very light handgun. I clocked the 115 grain +P at 1289 fps in the MR920, versus 1321 in the SIG P210, statistically meaningless.

Next up is the Outdoorsman load. This isn’t a load for home defense or general purpose concealed carry use. Like the other calibers offered in the Oudoorsman genre the 9mm Outdoorsman uses a hard cast bullet. Hard cast bullets are NOT lead bullets. They are a mix of material including tin and antimony. The 147 grain loading breaks just under 1100 fps in the Springfield. This is a powerful loading but in firing this heavyweight loading reoil was lightest of the bunch- perhaps partly due to the Springfield’s recoil spring design. There was some smoke as is expected with hard cast bullets and bullet lube. Buffalo Bore has a video posted of a real outdoorsman using the Outdoorsman load in 9mm to kill a dangerous bear. You know I carry a .357 Magnum with 180 grain Buffalo Bore loads when hiking. (1334 fps) But if you only own a 9mm- and there are only small bears in my area, big cats and feral dogs are more likely- this deep penetrating load is a good option. I tried to test penetration and ran out of water jugs at 42 inches penetration more than twice the penetration of a 124 grain JHP.

Buffalo Bore offers a 124 grain penetrator load at 1300 fps. I think I would prefer the 147 grain load for animal defense. I have not tested the 124 rain Penetrator so I must not comment save to note it is available.

I have never cared for the 9mm 147 grain hollow point for personal defense. These loads are very accurate and make a great choice for long range accuracy. They have given poor results in personal defense. Too little expansion and too much penetration. If a load short cycles it is most often a 9mm 147 grain loading. Most clock 880 to 990 fps. But they have not been given the Buffalo Bore treatment. Buffalo Bore offers a +P+ loading that jolts a 147 grain XTP to a solid 1140 fps in the Springfield. If you live in a true four season climate and your adversary may be heavily bundled in winter clothing or likely behind cover this is an outstanding loading. Accuracy was superb with the SIG P210 turning in a 2.0 inch 25 yard group.

Even at longer range and after penetrating heavy clothing the Hornady XTP bullet provides excellent results.

Lightweight loads in 9mm have usually failed to offer adequate penetration. Some of the JSP types intended for use in agencies in which hollow points were politically incorrect failed to expand. Barnes Bullets and their TAC bullets changed this. The bullet is solid one piece copper. The nose is scalloped and these cuts cause the softer nose to peel back and expand. The solid base insures expansion. At 1500 fps the Buffalo Bore 95 grain load is a speedy loading. Penetration is in line with most 115 grain loads while expansion is excellent. I need to explore this performance a bit more but at present it seems a very good loading. Feed, function, and accuracy are good. Recoil is the lightest of any of the loads tested. There loads offer the best performance available in America’s most popular caliber. Practice with generic loads but proof you gun with Buffalo Bore and carry these loads in harm’s way.

CQC Rifle Round Physics

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