You know Hera, even if you think you don’t, you do. Have you seen The Tomorrow War? You’ve seen the AR grip and stock from Hera. That furniture is not the only weird thing they’ve ever made. The Hera H6 is plenty weird. It combines a bolt action platform with an AR to crate a bizarre rifle straight out of those odd German minds.
The weirdest part of the H6 is how it takes magazines. The gun uses AR-mags, which isn’t that uncommon. However, the H6 plugs them into the side of the receiver. It’s like a Sten gun or a Johnson M1941. The benefits come down to getting super low to the dirt with the rifle. You can also swap mags without disturbing the rifle.
With a 30-round magazine, it looks interesting. I wish they brought out a D-60, but a man can only dream. Theoretically, a ten or even 20 rounder might make it better balanced. The magazine placement is odd and arguably the oddest feature, but not the only odd feature for a bolt gun.
The H6 – It Gets Weird
The Hera H6 also comes with an AR-like rail system. It’s a long M-LOK handguard that covers most of the gun’s 18-inch barrel. I couldn’t get a solid answer if it was interchangeable with other AR handguards. Mostly because the wind was so fierce that the booth fellas and I had a hard time communicating.
The safety is placed above and behind the bolt. It’s easy to reach, odd, but accessible. The stock looks a bit like a Magpul SGA-type design with an aggressive pistol grip and traditional stock. The stock is adjustable with a cheek riser. Oh, and it folds. Folding stocks are nothing new, but the H6’s stock doesn’t look like it should fold. With the stock folded, you have a light, short, and sweet bolt action rifle. It weighs less than six pounds.
The gun comes in .223 and .223 Wylde with a .300 Blackout model en route. Imagine this thing with a can and some subsonic .300 Blackout. It will be uber quiet and easy to feed. The built-in optics rail provides plenty of room for magnified optics, but examples at the show included red dots and AR iron sights.
Shooting the H6
I shot about twenty rounds through the H6. The recoil was light and sweet, which you’d expect from a .223 rifle. The gun was equipped with an LPVO, and sadly, we could only go out to maybe fifty yards on a plate. I didn’t have any issues hitting those targets quickly and consistently. It wasn’t a real test of accuracy.
The trigger excited me. It was light, short, and sweet. However, the bolt wasn’t remarkably smooth. It wasn’t grimy or gritty, but not tight. Bolt feeling doesn’t mean much, but it’s worth noting. The AR-like front end made me feel right at home when firing the rifle. Imagine how weird we can make it with one of those Hera foregrips.
In terms of reliability, it was great until the last round of the second magazine refused to feed. I wiggled the magazine, popped it in and out, and moved the bolt back and forth. It wouldn’t feed. The magazines do feel like they can move back and forth a lot in the magwell, and I wonder if that will affect reliability with the wide gamut of AR magazines out there.
I think the most important factor is the fun factor. I had fun shooting it. I shoot a lot of guns, so it’s noteworthy when one feels fun. I envision this thing equipped with a thermal and a suppressor and making hogs quake in fear.
Money, Money, Money
What might stop that fun is the $1,600 price point. It’s not a cheap rifle, and you can get a very nice, dare I say nicer, bolt gun for the same amount, but it lacks the wacky design. Outside of the wacky design, are the two benefits offered by the side-mounted magazine worth the cost?
It’s an oddity, and I hope to get more time and ammo downrange.
In the preparedness world, we focus a lot on hard skills, like making a fire or building a shelter. While these and similar skillsets are absolutely important, don’t overlook soft skills. They might not be as dynamic or visible, but they’re just as important.
For those who aren’t sure of the difference between hard skills and soft skills, here’s how to tell them apart. Think of hard skills as producing a definable, quantifiable result. They will help you complete a specific task or achieve a measurable goal. Processing firewood, cooking a meal from scratch, communicating via radio, or preserving food through home canning are all hard skills.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are more akin to personality traits, though ones that you can develop and improve through study and practice. They often tend to smooth things out when you hit bumps in the road, in a metaphorical sense.
Here are some examples of soft skills.
Problem-Solving
When presented with a situation they cannot easily overcome, many people experience “vapor lock.” They freeze up as they struggle to apply reason and logic to the situation. Those adept with problem-solving skills can use whatever tools and resources are available to come up with a workable solution.
Interpersonal Communication
One of the most common issues we face daily is communication. Most arguments we experience stem from simple miscommunication. Being able to share your thoughts with others in a way that is easily understood seems like a rare skill today, at least as evidenced on social media. We’ve talked before about the importance of being able to make yourself understood in stressful situations. But communication skills go beyond just that and extend to being able to listen as well.
Critical Thinking
Again, looking at social media, this is an area where many people seem to falter or struggle. We tend to see what we want to see and look for perspectives that agree with our own, which is called confirmation bias. In a way, critical thinking is sort of a kissing cousin to situational awareness (SA). We use SA to watch for potential threats to our safety.
The more observant we are for anomalies, the better. That same sort of mindset applies to critical thinking. As you read posts on social media, as well as stories posted elsewhere online, or found in print for that matter, look for things that don’t make logical sense. Look for the anomalies and avoid sharing stories that don’t pass the sniff test, even if they happen to agree with your established opinion or perspective.
Conflict Resolution
This is a subset of the interpersonal communication skillset but deserves a separate mention. We all experience conflicts, such as with family members and coworkers. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Conflict means things are running smoothly, and sometimes, that can lead to positive changes. But it’s critical to resolve the conflicts in the right way so as to avoid animosity or regret. People don’t thrive in environments where there is constant bickering or sniping. Which brings us to….
Leadership
Not everyone is a born leader. And a lot of people who think they’re born to lead truly aren’t. True leadership isn’t about being the best in the group. It’s about making every person in the group better. This includes sometimes acting as a referee when conflicts arise. As most parents know, that’s not always easy. But it does get easier with practice.
Bear in mind that there are many different leadership styles, from autocratic to coaching and more. The best leaders are the ones that tailor the style to the specific instance, understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Soft skills might not get much attention in most survival literature, but they’re definitely important. Don’t discount them because they don’t seem as exciting as range time or testing new gear. The thing is, all of these soft skills are useful in daily life as well as in a crisis or disaster.
Revolvers are the oldest style of “repeating” handgun, predating semi-automatic designs by several decades. Wheelguns have been around for such a long time that they even pre-date metallic cartridge ammunition. And yet, in 2025, we still saw several new revolvers announced on the SHOT Show floor. This year was arguably dominated by Smith & Wesson (Lipsey’s gets major credit here too). They released a trove of models, including a new run of No-Lock classic models. At this rate, the industry will be launching revolvers right until energy weapons make handguns obsolete.
Taurus 850, .38 Special +P
For SHOT Show 2025, Taurus brought back the five-shot .38 Special +P 850 compact frame revolver. This compact revolver has a “Centennial” style frame completely eliminating exposed hammers seen across Taurus 856 models. When it comes to defensive revolvers, hammers remain a liability that can snag on garments and fumble the draw during a critical moment.
The Taurus 850 isn’t technically a “new” model. It is a product relaunch as Taurus used to offer the “850 CIA” models several years ago. The new Taurus 850 was formally announced on Tuesday at SHOT Show week, which is always the event’s official opening day, and is available with 2 or 3-inch barrels.
The Taurus 850’s launch comes only weeks after Taurus also announced the Model 650. It is another 5-shot model with a “Centennial” style hammerless frame whose cylinder holds five rounds of .357 Magnum.
Smith & Wesson Classic No-Lock Revolvers, Models 19, 10, and 36, .357 Magnum / .38 Special
The theme for 2025’s revolvers seems to zero in on the classics and their traditions. You’ll notice that the rest of this list also includes Lipsey’s Mountain Guns, and there’s the continued resurgence of .32 H&R Magnum compact carry revolvers. But most importantly (ok, I’m biased; I love their history), Smith & Wesson is finally selling new-production double-action revolvers that have done away with the infamous internal lock.
At this year’s show, Smith & Wesson showcased a “retro” Model 10, Model 19 and Model 36. Of course, none of these models are anything new. For one, the K-Frame .38 Special Model 10 is quite literally the cornerstone of Smith & Wesson double-action service revolver legacy dating back to 1899.
The same could be said for both the Model 19 and Model 36, both of which had been part of Smith’s catalog before they switched to the numbering system. In the past, these guns were known as the Combat Magnum and Chief’s Special, respectively.
That Smith & Wesson is now selling “retro” versions of these revolvers with a faithful attempt at capturing the accents and details of yesteryear while eliminating the much-protested internal frame locks (notice the tapered barrel and half-moon sight that was part and parcel of old-school Model 10s), is rather neat.
Smith & Wesson/Lipsey’s 432/632 Ultimate Carry Titanium, .32 H&R Mag
At SHOT Show 2024, one of the head turners was the Lipsey’s/Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry J-frame snubs. These guns were not only outfitted with usable sights but sensible stocks from VZ Grips. They were chambered for .38 Special and .32 H&R Magnum. Arguably, the .32-caliber Ultimate Carry snubs helped reignite the newfound interest in this ancient but useful defensive revolver caliber.
For SHOT Show 2025, Lipsey’s launched an even lighter titanium frame version of the hit Ultimate Carry available both with a black or matte stainless finish. Their overall weight comes in at only 13 ounces.
Smith & Wesson/Lipsey’s 629 and 686-Plus Mountain Guns, .44 and .357 Magnum
In the world of Smith & Wesson revolvers, “Mountain Gun” refers to a concept conjured by diehard revolver fans back in the 1980s. Prior to 1950, N-frame/Hand-Ejector Smith & Wesson revolvers were all equipped with tapered, lighter contoured barrels, which gave them wonderful handling attributes.
With the advent of .44 Remington Magnum revolvers proper during the mid-century, Smith & Wesson drifted away and began barreling all of its .44 Rem Mag revolvers with thicker, front-heavy bull-barrels. While they helped with recoil management, these mid-century N-frames lost that easy-handling ability from years past.
The original Mountain Guns were responsible for preserving the trend of marrying a large-frame revolver to a thinner barrel for better handling and weight distribution. This revolver configuration has a rich history, and for 2025, Smith & Wesson and Lipsey’s unveiled two brand new Mountain Gun models—a .44 Rem Mag Model 629 and a .357 Magnum Model 686 Plus.
It’s worth pointing out that neither of these new Lipsey’s Exclusive revolvers uses the controversial S&W internal frame lock.
Ruger/Lipsey’s LCR, .32 H&R Mag
Smith & Wesson’s recent .32 H&R Magnum offerings aren’t the only revolvers basking in the glory of .32-caliber carry revolvers. This year, Lipsey’s also announced an exclusive run of 6-shot capacity Ruger LCR snub-nosed revolvers chambered for the .32 H&R Magnum cartridge.
Since its original launch, Ruger has done very well with the sales of its modern designed Light Carry Revolver, whose mission lies directly in the name. LCRs are offered in various calibers ranging from .22 LR, 9mm Luger, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .327 Federal Magnum. However, this new Lipsey’s exclusive LCR is the only model that specifically fires .32 H&R ammunition.
To distinguish this exclusive model from other Ruger LCR versions, its frame wears a distinctive FDE Cerakote finish.
Charter Arms announced the new .380 ACP Coyote snub-nosed revolver right before Christmas ahead of SHOT Show proper. The gist of this compact and lightweight revolver is to offer defensive revolver carriers a light-recoil gun with a cartridge that’s still viable for personal protection.
The majority of .380 ACP projectiles weigh between 80 to 95 grains. At their typical muzzle velocities out of two-inch revolver barrels, they will not produce the same jumpy felt-recoil that even shooting 148-grain .38 Special wadcutters from a similar snub revolver will.
To further aid in recoil mitigation, all Charter Arms Coyote revolvers include two small ports on either side of the front sight (similar in layout to those found on the .44-caliber Charter Arms Boomer). The end product is a revolver that weighs less than one pound fully loaded and still has a very pleasant recoil impulse.
Charter Arms Double-Dog
In addition to the easy-carrying Coyote .380, Charter Arms also launched the Double-Dog revolver this year. The Charter Arms Double-Dog capitalizes on the fact that both 9mm Luger and .357 Magnum share the same nominal diameter of .35-inch. As such, the Charter Arms Double-Dog ships with two cylinders, one chambered for 9mm and the other chambered for .357 Magnum—both are fitted to their respective frame.
Even though most revolvers that shoot 9mm Luger do so with the aid of moon clips, Charter Arms designed the Double-Dog’s cylinder to fire without them. This adds another level of convenience for the shooter. In the same vein, instead of moon clips, the Double-Dog relies on small claw-like protrusions that grab the rim of the case. Double-Dog revolvers are available with different barrel lengths and finishes.
What happens when you mix the venerable .44 Remington Magnum big-bore revolver cartridge with a modernized 2020-era Colt Python? You get the new Colt Kodiak. (Actually, in 1993, Colt produced a very small run of Kodiaks, with numbers totaling about 2,000 units).
The new 2025 version is equipped with a 4.25-inch barrel and is marketed as a strong-side hip carry field gun for backcountry personal protection against dangerous predators. The Colt Kodiak shares the same basic frame as the .44 Rem Mag Colt Anaconda, but it includes the classic Python-esque barrel ribbing.
Also adding some visual pop (and a little extra mass) is the new Colt Kodiak’s unfluted cylinder. More importantly, this big-bore wheel gun also has a factory-ported barrel to mitigate muzzle flip when shooting powerful .44 Magnum cartridges.
Daddy Van's beeswax blend enhances wood surfaces, providing a rich glow, and is safe for food contact.
Hard-use gear requires proper maintenance for longevity. Most outdoor gear is made of or has wood, leather, and steel. Stick around as we share our tips to Maintain Wood, Leather, and Steel like a Pro!
Daddy Van’s
Daddy Van’s natural beeswax wood conditioning blend rejuvenates and enhances the beauty of all wood types, providing a rich glow for both finished and unfinished surfaces. The non-toxic formula is safe for food contact, ensuring that wooden toys and cribs remain in top condition. Daddy Van’s Unscented Polish is a clear, odorless sealing wax that easily applies to and provides a durable matte finish over chalk and milk paint.
With zero odor and zero VOCs, this naturally non-toxic furniture polish is USDA Certified 100% Biobased. To use, apply a small amount with a soft cloth in a circular motion, then buff it with a clean, dry cloth for a radiant shine that appears to shine from within. This helps maintain wood and leather accessories as well.
Daddy Van’s beeswax blend enhances wood surfaces, providing a rich glow, and is safe for food contact.
I’ve used this on axe/tomahawk handles, kuksa cups, and all my wood crafts.
Wicked Wax
Revitalize your tools with Wicked Wax Edge Cleaner and Wax. This powerful solution keeps tool handles and leather sheaths clean and protected.
To preserve the quality of leather knife sheaths, you should regularly clean and condition them. Start by gently wiping the sheath with a moist cloth to remove any grime. Avoid strong detergents or soaps that could damage the leather.
After cleaning, nourish the leather with a conditioner to keep it flexible and prevent dryness and cracks. I recommend using Wicked Wax, which is 100% safe for food contact and made from natural ingredients. It works well on wood, steel, epoxy, plastic, and leather, enhancing their appearance and protection.
If you’re looking to maintain leather gear effectively, this product is essential. Plus, it prevents rust on metals and seals leather effectively without compromising grip. You can wash Kydex sheaths with soap and water, but dry them thoroughly to protect the knife from rust.
Maintain Steel Like A Pro with KPL
The author used KPL products to clean and lubricate their much-neglected favorite folders. It felt like giving our hard-working tools a spa treatment!
Folding knife maintenance ensures you keep your folding knife in top condition. Clean the blade and hard-to-reach areas with a cloth and brush. Apply a small amount of oil, like Knife Pivot Lube or KPL Original, to the pivot and blade to prevent rust. Lubricate all moving parts, including flipper knives, detent tracks, and bearings. Periodically tighten screws and pivots, and replace worn components as needed. It’s crucial to maintain steel components properly for the best performance.
Knife Shield
The KPL Knife Shield prevents corrosion by forming a protective layer on metal surfaces. This formula disrupts the galvanic corrosion process and creates a barrier against moisture, which helps maintain the blade’s longevity. It also cleans and polishes your knife, leaving a residue-free shine. The non-toxic, water-based formula keeps it safe for food-related knives, adding to its versatility.
The KPL Knife Shield prevents corrosion, cleans, polishes, and protects knives without residue. It’s safe for food-related knives.
Following these care instructions, you can extend the life of your knife and Maintain Wood, Leather, and Steel Like a Pro!
I think machine pistols are super neat. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted a Beretta 93R. I understand that a machine pistol isn’t all that effective, but c’mon, a full auto pistol just seems like so much fun. I’ve even thought of joining one of the Chicago Shooting Clubs, and those guys all have switches. With that said, one day, I was researching the Glock 18 and users of the Glock 18, and imagine my surprise when I found a note that the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department issued the gun.
This Oregon-based police agency polices about 111,000 people, according to the 2020 census. It’s a moderately sized area, and the Sheriff’s Department is quite large. I could locate an article from 1993 in the Gun Digest on 9mm Handguns that detailed the Department’s use of the gun.
The Glock 18 and Practicality
If you’re not familiar with the Glock 18, it’s the Glock you can’t get. It’s a Glock 17 but features a selector switch that allows the user to fire in semi-auto or full-auto. The gun comes with a 19-round magazine, but as we all know, Glock makes a 33-round fun stick. It’s not a practical weapon for police forces, even though it has a history with the Austrian EKO Cobra Counter Terrorism force.
It’s not practical because the recoil of a full auto weapon is intense. Shrink that down to a handgun, and it’s downright dangerous. The Glock 18 fires 20 rounds a second, or 1,200 rounds per minute. That high rate of fire makes it extremely difficult to control. If you are in a gunfight as a police officer, you need to control your weapon, or you risk hurting an innocent person.
The best application for full auto fire is for suppression. That is how most military forces use it. Police forces don’t have a whole lot of need for suppressive fire and if they did, a handgun would be the last weapon you’d want providing suppressive fire. The Glock 18, like most machine pistols, doesn’t make much sense for any practical purpose.
With that said, the NFA and the Hughes Amendment are atrocious, and I should have a Glock 18 on my nightstand cause it’s my right.
The Police Use of the Glock 18
The article details that the Glock 18 is used by entry teams dealing with armed drug dealers. The gun replaced the MP5s entry teams were previously using. That’s absolutely absurd because both are 9mm, and both could be automatic, but the MP5 is much easier to control. There is one logical place for a handgun over the MP5 in an entry team, and that’s the shield guy.
The article does show a shield guy with a Glock 18. That’s still downright silly because the article even admits firing the gun with one hand in full auto is extremely difficult. We are given a brief rundown of the trained users and how they can fire controlled bursts effectively. I believe it, but I imagine it took much training and practice to learn.
Even with a lot of training, the gun is still much more difficult to fire than an MP5 or an M4 in any case. The training spent with the stocked MP5 would have been much more beneficial. The Glock 18 is much harder to control and handle in automatic.
They list off benefits like the ability to swap mags with their Glock 17s. Commonality is great, but is it necessary for an entry team on a police force?
A Crazy Grip
The article also portrays an odd two-handed grip, where the police officer holds the gun by the grip and the extended magazine. They claim this offers more leverage. I don’t buy it. I grabbed a handgun with a long 33-round Glock mag and gave it a try.
It didn’t have a full auto mode, but I have a Mk1 finger that moves pretty fast. I felt a serious lack of control versus a standard two-handed grip. I also felt stupid and made sure no one was watching as I fired five rounds as fast as I could. It’s a small part of the article, but it’s an actionable part I could fuss around with.
Why the Glock 18?
Part of me thinks the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department just wanted a Glock 18 or two. Maybe it was an experiment, or maybe Glock had a great sales guy, or maybe someone was like me and wanted to shoot a Glock 18 and was in law enforcement. I couldn’t say I wouldn’t give the gun a try if I had a Sheriff who signed off on it.
As is often the case, it was Jason Thoune at DLT Trading who introduced me to the Argali Carbon Stealth. He has a knack for finding great blades, which makes sense given his business. For my part, I’m always on the hunt for practical knives that have a high cool factor. This one hits a lot of marks, that’s for sure.
Who is Argali?
Argali is a designer and manufacturer of high-quality hunting and outdoor gear. They are hunters first and business second. Their designs are borne from real-world experience out in the field.
As they say on their website, “We make the best hunting gear we can, with the best materials we can find, for people that want the best gear on the market, and try to do it at a fair price. We’ll never make something we wouldn’t use ourselves, and we believe in our products and stand by them.”
Argali Carbon Stealth
The Argali Carbon Stealth punches way above its weight class. It tips the scales at less than two ounces. For comparison, that’s about the same as two AA batteries. The Carbon Stealth is slim, too, just 0.375 inches wide across the back of the skeletonized handle.
To illustrate the thickness, here’s a Buck 110 (left) compared to the Argali Carbon Stealth (right). Author photo.
It’s a tremendous slicer, which makes sense, given that it was designed as a game-processing knife. The Carbon Stealth is made from S35VN steel with removable G10 handle scales. It has orange liners on the handle, which really pop against the black. They chose S35VN due to its corrosion resistance, edge holding, and durability.
It comes with a well-made Kydex sheath. The knife is very secure in the sheath, and I’d have no qualms about carrying it as a neck knife. Tek Lok makes an aftermarket sheath clip that’s available for purchase separately. Out of the box, the sheath has no way to hang it on a belt, though it would be easy enough to tie it to a pack strap or something along those lines. I tend to just carry it in my pocket.
Photo credit: Argali Outdoors.
To give you an idea of how well thought out this overall design is, they’ve included a small weep hole on the sheath. This is a feature that I don’t see all that often, but it can be important as it allows moisture to flow out of the sheath and away from the blade.
Performance
I’ve had the Argali Carbon Stealth for well over a year at this point. It’s become one of my favorite knives. Because it’s so slim and lightweight, it’s easy to carry pretty much anywhere without weighing me down.
The knife is incredibly ergonomic. I have large hands, and I was concerned about the thinness of the knife. I don’t like it when a knife handle feels like it’s lost in my fist. That is so not the case here. There is plenty of real estate for a solid grip.
There is jimping in two spots along the spine, providing excellent control for detail work. Photo credit: Argali Outdoors.
The S35VN steel keeps a great edge with minimal maintenance. I’ve been using the Argali Carbon Stealth for all manner of common knife chores, from breaking down boxes to slicing sausage and cheese for my granddaughter’s lunch. It’s truly a great design that’s been well-executed.
If you’re on the hunt for a do-it-all EDC knife that’s going to last, you could do far worse than the Argali Carbon Stealth.
I recently researched the history of the term riot gun and specifically why shotguns became riot guns versus any other gun. The answer was ultimately munitions and what you could do with them. Part of the strength of the riot gun in an era before real less lethal ammo existed was its ability to disperse crowds with a little less chance of killing or permanently harming anyone. Ammo was one part of the equation, but the other part was skipping shot.
Skipping shot isn’t taught to police anymore, and I’m not sure when it stopped. The earliest police shotgun manuals I can find don’t list the technique and go back to the 1960s. The method is old and might have never been formally written down. Skipping shot seems dangerous enough to kill a police department lawyer.
What’s Skipping Shot
Shipping shot is the act of firing shot at one surface and having it bounce in the direction of your threat. In the riot gun scenario, the police would skip light loads of birdshot off the ground and into the crowd. Shot doesn’t act like a rubber ball and bounce at the same angle it lands. It tends to ricochet low and follow the ground in a parallel fashion.
This allows the shooter to direct the birdshot. This technique was popular enough that The Peters Riot Cartridge, a .45 ACP loaded with No. 8 shot, was explicitly designed to be skipped against threats. The skipping shot did two things to help prevent serious injury and death.
First, it dropped the velocity significantly. This crap is hitting the ground and hitting it hard. While the ricochets are still dangerous, painful, and even deadly, it’s at least less likely. Second, the shot was mostly directed into the legs of the crowd, which, again, helped prevent death.
Beyond Birdshot
There is nothing that says you can’t skip buckshot. It just seemed a lot deadlier and riskier for riot control. In fact, you can skip handguns and rifle rounds, but since shotguns fired multiple projectiles, it helped ensure hits. With buckshot, you are still losing velocity but throwing a lot of lead per trigger pull.
Theoretically, in some situations, you could skip buckshot under a car or even around a somewhat narrow corner. This helps hit threats behind cover. There are a few factors that will ultimately affect your performance with skipping shot.
Out of curiosity, I went to my range with birdshot and buckshot and practiced skipping shot off the ground. The joy of owning a private range will never dampen. The rule seems to be: the harder the ground, the better. However, you can skip shot off soft dirt, it just tends to work better off concrete. I have soft sand.
I started with birdshot and sent dozens and dozens of No. 8 pellets into an FBI Q Target. The first shot peppered the entire bottom of the target with birdshot. I quickly switched to Number 4 buckshot, gave it a try, and went two for two with eight pellets striking the target. I did it again with 00 Buckshot and landed two pellets into the target.
Cover? What Cover?
I folded another target over the FBI Q Target to act as ‘cover.’ The purpose was to test angles to see how predictable the shot would fly. I found hardly any room to experiment. Too close to the shooter, and the angle didn’t allow for skipping shot. You had a few feet in front of the threat to work with.
When firing within that working zone, I noticed that if you fired the shot closer to you, it would go higher on the target. Closer to the target, and it hit low. I also found that number four buckshot worked best.
I moved to steel poppers, and it became clear that it takes a lot of speed out of the buckshot. The large steel popper got hit and just barely fell over. Lower velocity and likely fewer pellets hitting the target created less force to knock the target over. I’d be curious to do some skipping shots into gel to see how deep it would penetrate.
Skipping Shot – Worth It?
It seems like it’s not exactly science. It took several shots of 00 buckshot to lay down the popper because the pellets kept missing. This calls for additional practice, but I have a hard time seeing how this would be a worthwhile technique for home defense. If I need to shoot around a car with a shotgun, things have gotten really, really bad.
Still, it’s a fun old tactic and just another thing shotguns can do.
CRKT (Top) and CobraTec–Two Slick EDC Flippers for Work & Play!
Several months ago, I got the chance to use a multitude of modern folding knives for a project. Two knives stuck out in my mind: CobraTec and CRKT. Let’s delve deeper into these–Two Slick EDC Flippers for Work & Play!
CobraTec Olympian Flipper
The Olympian frame lock knife combines precision engineering with a sleek, ergonomic design. Its lightweight yet durable titanium handle offers superior strength and easy handling. Featuring a right-hand carry clip, it’s perfect for daily tasks. These tasks make it an excellent fit for EDC flippers for work and play.
At its core is a premium M390 steel drop point blade known for excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance, which is ideal for precision cutting. The advanced ball-bearing pivot system allows for quick and reliable blade deployment.
The Olympian frame lock knife features a titanium handle, a M390 steel blade, and a lanyard/glass breaker.
Enhanced with a robust glass breaker and lanyard loop, the Olympian is versatile for everyday and tactical use. It comes with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. Easy maintenance through regular cleaning and sharpening keeps it performing at its best for years.
CRKT Ibis Frame Lock
The Ibis is an essential EDC folding knife inspired by the elegant wading bird. Its blade showcases a striking curve along the spine, making it a standout piece. Designed by Lucas Burnley, this knife is made from top-tier materials, ensuring it’s a dependable partner for all your cutting needs.
The S35VN steel drop point blade features a prominent belly that excels at slicing, while the black stonewash finish perfectly complements the titanium handle. As Burnley succinctly puts it, “It just looks good.” This makes it an excellent EDC flipper.
The Ibis features a strong frame lock and a lightweight titanium handle at 2.90 oz. It has a low-profile pocket clip for easy carry.
With a swift flipper deployment, the Ibis opens effortlessly thanks to the IKBS™ ball bearing pivot. The durable frame lock secures the blade firmly, providing strength and assurance. Weighing a mere 2.90 oz., the lightweight titanium handle makes it easy to carry, while the discreet pocket clip keeps it conveniently within reach.
Carry Mode
Carrying a knife in your pants or pocket is essential, including when wearing your dinner jacket. The Olympian stands out as the gentleman’s knife, designed to sit deep and easily grab without feeling bulky. The Ibis also carried deep but was slightly less sleek, with a subdued black color that attracted less attention. Both fit into the category of discreet EDC flippers.
EDC Flippers for Work & Play
The Olympian snaps into action with fierce energy, showing a genuine readiness to perform. Featuring a flipper-style opener, the Olympian operates smoothly and sleekly. Meanwhile, the Ibis has thumb studs in addition to the flipper. The Ibis deployed almost as smoothly as the Olympian.
Despite the flipper’s smooth operation, the thumb studs posed a challenge. CRKT should consider eliminating them. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t open the knife using the thumb studs, even after multiple attempts. It’s a flipper!
Liner locks for both Flippers and sleek lanyard holes, too.
Both flippers sliced well and can easily fit the role of a gentleman’s carry knife. Packaging peanuts, leather, light phone cords, 550 paracord, cardboard, and nylon webbing are all part of my cutting gauntlet for folding knives.
The Ibis sliced all materials with authority. It ranked second place in knife tasks. The Olympian was a step ahead in several ways. The narrow blade added to its ability to slice through material, and the generous-sized handle didn’t hurt.
The author’s cutting gauntlet ranking is as follows: CobraTec Olympian (Bottom), CRKT Ibis.
For more information, please check out CRKT and CobraTec.
As a shotgun nut, I’m always fascinated to see gauges larger than 12. I once owned a ten gauge goose gun, which was a blast, and I have handled a Browning BPS 10 gauge, but neither of those offered thrills or chills. They are incredible, and I want an Ithaca Mag-10 Roadblocker, but what’s bigger? In fact, what are the world’s biggest shotguns? Let’s start small and work our way up to the most absurd shotguns or shotgun-like weapons.
The Industrial Shotguns
Both Remington and Winchester have produced what’s called industrial shotguns. These are the smallest of our biggest shotguns. Industrial shotguns are eight-gauge designs and are used to blast away buildup from kilns, boilers, silos, and more. They launch up to 3-ounce loads, including 3-ounce slugs and zinc loads.
These massive machines hang from a tripod or are mounted to a table. They certainly aren’t shoulder-fired. These big things are rare and expensive. I wouldn’t be surprised if they require a tax stamp. I can’t find a price or means to buy one without being involved in the industrial industry.
The KS-23
Believe it or not, a few KS-23s were imported to the United States in sporting configurations. The KS-23 series are Russian shotguns that use blemished 23mm anti-aircraft barrels. This translates to approximately 6.27 gauge. While these guns can be loaded with buckshot, they were often used more like 40mm less lethal launchers for riot control.
The KS-23 is our pump action selection for the biggest shotgun. The TOS-123 was the American import option but was banned during the Clinton admin. A few survive and fetch a high price. Owners are forced to reload their own ammo.
The Punt Gun
Punt guns were a genre of massive shotguns that were used to fire massive loads of shot at massive flocks of game birds, typically waterfowl of one sort or another. These guns were mounted to boats and swiveled easily to track flocks. These massive shotguns fired up to a pound of shot!
Punt guns make it to the third slot of our biggest shotguns list but could alternate depending on the punt gun in question. The eight gauge shotgun was common, but punt guns as large as four gauge existed. These days, they are prohibited for hunting and aren’t in production, but you could still buy one.
The Beehive Anti-Personnel Round
Let’s get well out of the realm of normal and get into some massive weapons that fire shotgun-like rounds but aren’t shotguns. For example, 105mm artillery pieces. These massive guns can load rounds like the Beehive Anti-Personnel round, turning an artillery piece into an artillery shotgun that could be direct fired at the enemy.
The round held approximately 8,000 metal flechettes in a 105mm round. The Beehive Anti-Personnel round was used in Vietnam and was likely handy for shotguns. A person smarter than me on Quora did the math of converting the 105mm and figured out it would be .066 gauge.
The M1A1 Abrams
The main gun on the M1A1 Abrams is known for being able to kill absolutely everything! The 120mm main gun has an effective range of 2.2 miles. That same 120mm bore can launch the General Dynamics M1028 canister, which is loaded with 1100 10mm tungsten balls. This modern grapeshot load will turn enemy infantry into a light pink mist.
The same gentleman who did the math on Quora for the 105mm did the gauge math for the 120mm gun and it’s a .044 gauge. That makes the M1A1 Abrams, loaded with the M1028, the biggest scattergun I can find.
The Biggest Shotguns Ever
I’ve sent an inquiry to an industrial shotgun dealer, but I don’t think I’ll live my dream of destroying a trailer full of watermelons with an eight-gauge shotgun. Realistically, I’m going to go back to the Ithaca Road Blocker as my choice of oversized absurd shotguns because it seems like the world’s biggest shotguns are going to be a little tougher to acquire.
It’s not just Tikka, but most companies that sell and market hunting rifles will boast about their products’ 3-shot group sub-MOA capabilities. On the one hand, this is fine for hunting rifles since hunters don’t really take several shots on game during hunting. Conversely, a sample size of three bullet holes in a group is statistically insufficient.
In statistics, a larger sample size always yields better results. This is why I printed two 10-shot groups for the 6.5mm Creedmoor hunting ammo I fired through this Tikka T3X Lite. Even though larger groups are likely to include a wider extreme spread between shots, they also demonstrate a more comprehensive picture of the “cone of fire” that pertains to a specific rifle and bullet combination.
A 20-shot group would be even better than a 10-shot group, and a 30-shot group would beat out a 20-shot group. Unfortunately, rifle ammo isn’t cheap, and shooting careful groups takes a long time. With this Tikka T3X Lite, I fired my 10-shot groups at a very slow pace, about 3 minutes in between shots, while also ensuring that the barrel never got truly hot.
The other data-related benefit of larger rifle groups is that they provide shooters with a more realistic margin of error when determining what their rifle and bullet are truly capable of. Technically, this wouldn’t matter at closer distances. However, being off by 0.25 MOA or 0.10 MOA at longer ranges could mean missing a shot by a few inches or a few feet, depending on that distance. Good rifle shooting is predicated on having good data.
Tikka guarantees its rifles to print 3-shot sub-MOA groups. Is this claim true?
I think so. I shot a cold-bore 0.5-inch 3-shot group with the Winchester Copper Impact ammo with ease. I couldn’t quite do it with the Sig Venari SP and even though the Hornady American Gunner group is approximately. 0.16 inches over the sub-MOA threshold, I’d argue its 10-shot group suggests that the American Gunner has the capability to print smaller groups.
I don’t think this accuracy claim from Tikka is hollow. Again, I would have loved to group other ammo through it, but everything mentioned in Part 3 of this review was product that I previously purchased and already had on hand.
It would be insane to expect that the rifle would print little pretty groups with every cartridge on the market; there would be too much variability. Given my observations with both the Winchester 125-grain Copper Impact and the Hornady American Gunner and the way they grouped, it suggests that Tikka T3X Lite favors bullets that are longer (or heavier).
From my experience, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to proclaim the Tikka T3X Lite in 6.5 mm Creedmoor to be a 1.5 MOA rifle in real-world conditions in its standard configuration. And that’s hard to complain about vis-a-vis a Finnish budget rifle.
Tikka T3X Lite Shootability
Shooting with the Leupold Mark4 HD fully magnified on 18x at a distance of 100 yards really facilitated the process. Not only does this scope have great glass and an extremely comfortable eyebox, but I love the Leupold PR1 reticle’s central aiming point. However, at this magnification level, I could clearly see how things like my heartbeat or the aggregate [lack] stability of the Tikka T3X Lite’s stock made the reticle move.
From a pure precision or target-shooting perspective, the standard synthetic stock, though decent and useful in the context of a field gun, leaves something to be desired when it comes to printing neat little groups. Not only is it too light, but the triangular sloping bottom portion tends to slip against rear bags. I found that stabilizing this rifle in the rear requires some finesse. Is it a deal breaker? Hardly.
I’m being nitpicky, and this is a basic hunting rifle, not a target rifle. Hunters don’t need a benchrest rifle to harvest game. However, I have little doubt that removing the synthetic stock and laying down the Tikka T3X Lite’s barreled action in a heavier, better purpose-designed chassis could shrink down groups using the same ammo I showcased in Part 3. The Tikka T3X Lite barreled action harbors a lot of potential.
Not a New Issue
When I reviewed that .22 LR Tikka T1X MTR, I had a similar experience with its basic stock. The barrel and action were capable of printing truly phenomenal ragged-hole groups at 50 yards with match ammo, but I found myself fighting that the stock. The Tikka T1X MTR and the Tikka T3X Lite share the same stock, save for the action’s footprint.
It could be argued that the stock is this rifle’s “weakest” link for this reason, but it also serves to keep Tikka T3X Lite prices reasonable. After all, the best aftermarket riflestocks are anything but cheap.
Recoil-wise, it’s hard to complain about the Tikka T3X Lite, especially because its chambered for 6.5mm Creedmoor, which has fairly mild felt-recoil. A hunter isn’t likely going to shoot 40-60 rounds of expensive hunting ammo every time they hunt. I have no complaints about the included rubber buttpad.
Cycling the Tikka T3X Lite Action
Keeping in mind that this was the first centerfire Tikka of any kind that I’ve ever shot, I thought that the action felt surprisingly smooth, even out of the box, prior to shooting it for the first time.
Physically moving the bolt fore and aft in the raceway yielded no friction points nor did the action need to mildly wear in the way it does in other bolt-action rifles when they’re brand new. Likewise, the interior of the Tikka’s receiver is machined in such a way that it is impossible to bind it.
According to this video I watched while conducting some background research about Tikka rifles, the actions feel slick because the factory in Finland uses a broach-cutting technique that renders work surfaces very smooth during the machining process. The end result of this manufacturing technique is a bolt that can slide smoothly inside the receiver without ever feeling like it could bind while not feeling loose, sloppy, or cheap.
Tangentially, when cycling the Tikka T3X Lite’s action, the ejection of empty casings was also very positive. The Tikka bolt’s ejection mechanism reliably expels empty cases away from the rifle cleanly, regardless of how swift or soft the shooter is moving the bolt.
Because this action is so frictionless, it hardly needs any lubricant. It makes me wonder if Tikka receiver raceways are designed with this smoothness to account for harsh Finnish winter conditions, given the country’s location in the Arctic Circle. Historically, Finnish gunmakers have been some of the most adept at winterizing rifles, especially before the advent of weatherproof synthetic stocks and or other modern materials.
The Takeaway
Tikka T3X Lite rifles are neither the cheapest nor most expensive hunting rifles on the market. But they do have an excellent price-to-performance ratio. They might actually rate their hype, especially since hunters can own this rifle in a variety of calibers, not just 6.5mm Creedmoor.
After taking the time to shoot and look over this rifle for my review, I can clearly see why they have a cult following and why many shooters are even using Tikka actions as the basis of their customized hunting or precision rifle builds. While the Tikka T3X pattern isn’t as pervasive as anything that resembles the classic Remington 700 action, it’s very clear that the industry is changing that. Tikka rifles are here to stay.
Where did the term riot gun come from? That was my question, and I couldn’t find many resources explaining how riot guns came to be. The term riot gun typically applies to a shotgun, but in the modern world, you might call 40mm less-lethal launchers riot guns as well. Historically, a riot gun referred to a shotgun, specifically a shotgun with a shorter-than-average barrel.
Riot shotguns are typically very similar to a traditional sporting shotgun, but the barrel is trimmed to 18 to 20 inches. Most guns that wear the riot moniker are pump action guns. Winchester, Remington, Marlin, and more have attached the name Riot to their short-barrel shotguns.
The most obvious answer to my question is that they were used during riots, right? However, were riots the main reason police had shotguns in the early 1900s? Was it that bad of a problem? I know police used riot guns for all sorts of problems. Holloways Radiers in Texas formed shotgun squads with riot guns to prevent armed robberies, but they didn’t call them armed robbery guns.
The Origin of the Riot Gun
I tracked down the first use of the term to 1886. The Logansport Daily Journal, a newspaper in Indiana. However, I can’t find much more than that. In 1886, it would have very likely been a double-barrel shotgun. The term comes to use by Winchester to describe the 1897 riot gun, and numerous other companies producing short-barreled pump shotguns call their guns riot guns as well.
The use by manufacturers was by default marketing that tried to sell the gun for riot control. How many riots were police dealing with in this era? Luckily, it’s pretty well recorded. It turns out a lot. We have riots every so often these days, but in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s, we had a lot.
There were race riots, anti-immigrant riots, Union riots, and more. Riots these days often result in a lot of property damage, but deaths are seemingly fairly rare. In this era, these riots were intense, with dozens of deaths. There were 28 killed in the 1900 New Orleans riot. The 1905 Chicago Teamster strike resulted in 21 deaths and over 400 injuries. A riot in East St. Louis resulted in an estimated 160 deaths.
It seems like a dozen riots a year was fairly average, and most had multiple deaths and a ton of injuries. Not to mention property destruction. Riots were a serious threat in the newly urbanized parts of America. This meant that the police needed more than their revolvers to exercise control.
Why The Shotgun?
Shotguns were common, fairly cheap, and sturdy guns. They are powerful and intimidating, but mostly, they fired a multitude of munitions. You could field an M1903 in .30-06, but you’re only getting one result, and that’s death. Shotguns could be loaded with a variety of munitions. Remember, this era wasn’t one where safety and risk mitigation reigned supreme.
Birdshot was a daily common round to use when you didn’t want to kill someone. They made a conversion for Tommy guns to fire small birdshot rounds for riot control. That was an expensive option. A shotgun with eight shots wasn’t expensive. Let’s be clear, birdshot can kill, but the likelihood gets lower and lower the smaller shot you use and the more range applied.
These days, we know birdshot is a terrible cartridge for self-defense and equally terrible for ‘less’ lethal roles. This was a different era, and cops seemed content to use birdshot to quell riots or to at least contain them. It sounds insane, but remember Dick Cheney shot an elderly man in the face with birdshot, and the man who was shot apologized to Dick Cheney.
Police could use shot skipping to bounce various shot off the ground and into the legs of rioters. This decreased velocity even further and prevented direct shots from being taken.
Shipping shot is really easy
Police of the era could also use rock salt to deter rioters. It would hurt but was even less likely to cause permanent damage than light birdshot. Wood baton rounds existed as far back as the 1880s, but I can’t find any reference to their use in American riot guns.
The Riot Gun
As munitions evolved, the idea of a shotgun as a less lethal alternative continued. We saw the development of rubber bullets, bean bags, and even taser rounds. The riot gun stuck around, although tactics and deployment changed. We are likely seeing the sunset of the riot shotgun, and the larger and more capable 40mm and 37mm weapons are replacing them.
I’m not totally satisfied with the conclusions I’ve come to, but it’s the closest I can come to explaining the riot gun as a genre and where they came from.
I recently received the new XTU LT3 Jacket from 5.11 Tactical. It’s part of their V.XI™ line, which we’ll get to in a minute. What you need to know right off the bat is that this is one of the most comfortable jackets I’ve ever worn. And this is coming from a guy who lives in the upper Midwest, where outerwear is serious business.
What is the V.XI™ Collection?
5.11 Tactical has built a reputation for innovation and functionality, and the XTU LT3 Jacket embodies those traits perfectly. Their goal has long been to design and create high-quality gear that will function well in demanding situations. The V.XI™ line was designed in collaboration with top-tier teams. The products are durable and well-suited for professionals who demand high-performing gear.
XTU LT3 Jacket Specs
The jacket is available in five colors: Black, Range Red, Storm (gray), Ranger Green, or Dark Navy. I went with basic black for mine. The XTU LT3 has an adjustable hem with an internal shock cord system. Something I appreciate is that the back hem dips low enough to cover my butt, which helps with warmth.
Notice the posterior protection. Photo credit: Jim Cobb.
The body is 100% nylon dobby, with durable taffeta panels located at high-wear areas. There’s a bit of swish noise as you walk about, but nothing obnoxious. The insulation is 100% polyester quilted PrimaLoft Gold. Grid fleece panels along the side body and underarm allow for breathability.
The ReadyPocket is great for a wallet or cell phone. Photo credit: 5.11 Tactical.
There are hand pockets on either side, along with a left chest pocket called a ReadyPocket™. All three are secured by low-profile YKK zippers. There are loop patch platforms (4” x 6”) on both upper sleeves. Personally, I’m not much of a patch guy, but I know plenty of folks who collect and display them.
Two loop patch platforms allow for plenty of patch opportunities. Photo credit: Jim Cobb.
How Does It Perform?
I’ve had the XTU LT3 Jacket for a few weeks now. As I noted at the outset, this jacket is immensely comfortable. I’ve reached the age where comfort is more important than style, but fortunately, the XTU LT3 features both.
My wife and I went on a hike last weekend, and it was about 22F with the wind chill. And it was fairly windy for most of the hike, just for the record. I paired the XTU LT3 with a lightweight hoodie and T-shirt and I was plenty warm the entire time. I probably could have gotten away with just a thick flannel shirt under the jacket, but I pretty much live in hoodies all fall and winter.
Just today, we got about seven inches of snow. I ended up shoveling the driveway three separate times to keep up with the snowfall. Not only was I warm enough with the LT3, but its water-resistant construction kept me dry. I love the breathability of the jacket, too.
While this is definitely a winter coat, I wouldn’t toss out the Michelin Man puffy jacket. The XTU LT3 is warm enough for mild winter days, but if the temps drop down to zero or below, you’ll want to add more layers.
All in all, the XTU LT3 is definitely a winner. It retails for $180 at the 5.11 Tactical website.
The Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag is perfect for traveling in the woods or a crowded city!
Drawing inspiration from WWII gas mask bags, the EDC Transit Bag offers a versatile and durable way to carry your essential gear. This compact bag keeps you prepared for smart travel, whether you’re in the woods or navigating the concrete jungle!
The EDC Transit Bag
This design blends seamlessly into various environments while maximizing utility. It includes Velcro for attaching patches or extra pouches, along with diagonal MOLLE webbing that adds a unique style. The flap pocket offers easy access to your most frequently used items. On the back, you’ll discover more webbing loops and an additional exterior pocket for convenience.
The Transit Bag features XPAC material, which is lightweight, durable, and highly water-resistant. The rear sleeve provides an ideal spot to stash a tablet, notebook, or other flat items. The main compartment features Velcro fields that allow space for EDC accessories or extra pouches. The front inner panel is equipped with hidden sleeves that are perfect for your pens, lights, multitools, and other small essentials.
Packed up, the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag has ample room for all your EDC needs.
The Woods Monkey Exclusive version stands out with its sleek Coyote Brown exterior and striking goldenrod interior, ensuring maximum visibility. It features a custom sleeve, expertly explicitly designed for your Banana Peel folder, making it practical and stylish.
Overbuilt Transit Bag
The Transit Bag, part of Blue Ridge Overland Gear’s Triple Run product line, is expertly crafted to organize outdoor and off-road gear. It is designed to withstand a lifetime of use and abuse. With enhanced attachment options and superior modularity, this bag is an essential companion for all your adventures.
The back of the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag has a zippered pocket and a convenient handle.
It measures 10.5 x 10.5 x 4 inches and is constructed from durable X-Pac material. The adjustable Mil-spec 2-inch webbing shoulder strap has a quick-release buckle for convenience. Proudly made in Virginia, U.S.A., by Blue Ridge Overland Gear, the Transit Bag also comes with a lifetime warranty, affirming its quality and commitment to performance.
When I first received the EDC Transit Bag, it was winter in the Northeast. I packed the contents of my day hiking pack into the EDC Transit Bag with no issues with space. It was super convenient when I needed to retrieve my trail gaiters, water, or possibles pouch. One remarkable fact about using a Transit Bag (sachel, haversack) is the absence of a sweaty back. More ventilation and versatility than a backpack gets a vote in my book.
Here’s the author’s EDC loadout using the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag.
EDC mode was fulfilling. I used it for errands, grocery shopping, and short travel trips. This bag style easily blends with the environment and doesn’t attract unnecessary attention. It’s much easier to maneuver crowds, buses, trains, and airplanes with a transit-style bag than a backpack.
For versatility, ditch the shoulder strap and use the sturdy, comfortable handle for briefcase carry. You can’t go wrong with the Woods Monkey EDC Transit Bag! MSRP: $139.00.
I’m a huge fan of movies. I love good action movies and bad action movies, and like any guy, even if it is just a little into guns, I like movies with guns. I’ve watched lots and lots of gun movies and have come to a few conclusions on what makes a good gun movie. There are three distinct ways gun movies can be good. Sometimes, these three features can crisscross between movies, but just one of these factors can make a great gun movie.
It’s Just Fun
One of my favorite gun movies is Shoot ’em Up. It has this weird anti-gun theme, but it’s also glorifying guns to an extreme degree. Is this a clever satire? No, it’s just dumb and fun. It’s an adult version of Bugs Bunny with the main character killing enough bad guys to fill a Communist’s mass grave.
These movies are over the top, they’re crazy, and they use real guns. They can be silly, like Shoot’ Em Up, or serious, like The Matrix, but they are fun. Movies like John Wick cross into this territory as well. We see gratuitous action, tons of guns, and lots and lots of bad guys getting what they deserve.
The fun gun movie genre makes up most of our favorite gun movies. The guns are often a hero or star, like the 336 in Streets of Fire or the various Taran Tactical Guns in John Wick. These movies send you searching for the gun used by characters and patiently waiting for the nerds at IMFDB to update the site.
It’s Kinda Realistic
Gun guys and gals like realistic gun handling. The movie doesn’t have to be realistic, but we want the way the actors handle the guns to be somewhat realistic. John Wick comes into this territory. Wick might be incredibly over-the-top in terms of action, but it delivers excellent gun handling. Keanu Reeves was famously trained extensively in firearms to look good in the movie.
Michael Mann champions realistic gun handling in the gun movie genre. Flicks like Collateral, Heat, Miami Vice, and more take the gunplay seriously. It’s loud, the actors are skilled with their weapons, and the weapon handling is rock solid.
Gun nerds like me lose it when we see a proper reload, a Mozambique drill, or something that is part of gun culture that doesn’t always escape the gun culture. To me, the best part of Wonder Woman was when Chris Pine port-loaded an M1897. Seeing it on the big screen is huge, and it always makes us happy.
The Gun Matters
The rarest of these three factors in making a good gun movie is making the gun matter. Oftentimes, the hero needs a gun, but it rarely matters which one. It doesn’t make a difference if Wick uses a P30L or a Pit Viper, he’s going to win and his skills give him an advantage more than anything else.
Movies where the gun makes a difference are the best, to me, anyway. For example, in The Expendables, Terry Crews wields an AA-12. It’s used to shred the bad guys that have our heroes cornered and used to blow up a tower with a FRAG-12, and the noise even scares the bad guys. Rambo and his M2 .50 Cal in Burma is another example.
The best example comes from a little-known movie called The Dark Valley. It’s a German western where a young man seeking vengeance returns to his small village with a Winchester rifle. The bad guys are used to single-shot rifles and double-barrel shotguns, and the Winchester rifle makes a huge difference in the film.
Good Gun Movies
These are the three factors I think make a good gun movie. They can swerve and work together or be alone in one film. Just one can make a fun and exciting movie that tickles the interests of gun guys and gals.
Benchmade’s Gold Class is a high-end category of premium knife manufacturing. These custom knives are the best of the best that they have to offer. They feature hand-finished elements, premium materials, and top-of-the-line packaging.
Let’s be clear, right up front. The knives in the Gold Class are high-quality productions and look as well as they function. In some cases, it might be difficult to bring yourself to actually use the knife simply because you don’t want to muck up the finish or something. While that’s certainly up to personal choice, make no mistake. These knives are made to work. They’ll just look amazing while doing it.
The 2025 Gold Class 585BK-251 Mini Barrage is the latest offering in this lineup.
Features
Photo credit: Benchmade.
The Mini Barrage model has been around for a bit. It was the debut platform for Benchmade’s AXIS Assist mechanism. Simply flick the thumb stud, and the assisted open takes over, snapping the blade into position and locking it into place with authority. To close the knife, pull back on the safety switch, then fold the blade into position.
This Gold Class iteration adds eye-catching visuals to a truly practical design. The handle features premium purple haze Fatcarbon scales. More on that material in a moment.
The blade is CPM-S90V stainless steel with a DCL Battlewash coating. As a practical matter, this means that the knife is ready for real-world use and abuse rather than strictly being a safe queen. The S90V is a true super steel and has corrosion resistance superior to 440C. This is a drop point blade, which is one of the most versatile blade profiles available.
Photo credit: Benchmade.
This Gold Class Mini Barrage is equipped with a reversible pocket clip, so you can swap it around for right- or left-handed carry. There’s also a lanyard attachment point at the base. Adding to the ambidextrousness, the thumb stud is present on both sides of the knife, and the AXIS lock is accessible from either side as well.
What is Fatcarbon?
Standard carbon fiber is available in black or gray. Fatcarbon involves integrated colored polymers or metals that are layered during the manufacturing process. This results in truly stunning patterns. The material isn’t just eye candy, either. It’s very strong, yet lightweight. It is also highly resistant to impact and delamination. It’s a popular choice for handle scales because it’s relatively easy to machine and looks amazing when it’s done.
Assisted vs. Automatic
Assisted open knives bridge the gap between manual and automatic. They’re a great option for those who need a reliable way to open a folding knife with one hand but for whom automatic knives might not be practical, ideal, or legal. They’re designed such that an internal spring encourages the blade into the open position once it has been manually pushed beyond a certain point.
Limited Availability
The Gold Class 525BK-251 Mini Barrage is limited to just 3,500 pieces. They are only available in 2025. In many respects, this is the ultimate EDC knife for someone who favors visual appeal as much as practicality.
