Secure Your Valuables – Hiding in Plain Sight

By

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December 31, 2024

One approach to keeping your valuables secure is to squirrel them away in various locations within the home. I’m not suggesting that this is preferable to using a high-quality safe that’s been properly installed. However, not everyone has that as a feasible or practical option.

For many people, it’s instinctive to keep valuables, such as jewelry, cash, and firearms, in the master bedroom. Criminals know this, so that’s often their first stop during a burglary. Fortunately, there are many other places you can use.

Diversion Safes

These are safes that are disguised as common household items, like shaving cream or deodorant. They look neat, but most thieves are well aware of them, just like they know all about those fake rocks you can use to store an extra house key outside. Instead of spending money on them, you’re better off exploring other options.

Basement

Unless you have a drop ceiling installed down there, all of the wiring, pipes, and whatnot are visible, right? You could add another length of PVC, and nobody would likely notice. You can fit a pretty good amount of stuff in four-inch diameter PVC, even if it’s just a few feet long. Install a threaded cap on one end to make it easy to open and close.

While you’re down there, if you’re already using the basement for some amount of household storage, a couple of boxes labeled something like “Grandma’s Shoes” would blend right in. You could even go so far as to put your good stuff at the bottom of the box, then toss some old shoes over it.

One more twist on this would be to use a red marker to label every box that has something hidden inside, so those are easy to spot in a hurry. This same approach to securing valuables could also be used in the attic, if that’s more accessible or makes more sense for your situation.

Living Room

You could tape emergency cash inside photo frames. As long as the frames themselves aren’t expensive, nobody is going to grab them. There are a number of wall outlet safes on the market. These are diversion safes, yes, but they tend to blend in a lot easier than products on a shelf. These are easy to install for even the most inexperienced homeowner.

Kitchen

If you remove your utensil drawer completely, you can tape an envelope to the outside back surface or on the underside of the drawer.

Do not, however, secure valuables by hiding them inside the freezer. Experienced crooks know to look there, and they’ll find that box of frozen Brussels sprouts with the prize inside.

Caution

One word of warning regarding securing valuables by hiding them. Make sure you’re not the only person who knows what is hidden where. It would be a shame for you to be in an accident or something, and your family isn’t able to access the funds you’ve secreted away through the house. On top of that, you wouldn’t want them to get rid of anything without first removing the cash, jewelry, or whatever else is hidden inside.

Backpacking Lights!

By

Reuben Bolieu

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December 31, 2024

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Charge and hydrate with the SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern, featuring a built-in rechargeable LED light for a nice camping and backpacking light.

Backpacking lights illuminate the night, transforming the darkness into a canvas of opportunity. Headlamps offer hands-free convenience, perfect for setting up camp, navigating trails, or reading a map. Compact, powerful flashlights are ideal for close-up tasks like fixing gear or checking a map.

Whether exploring a forest at night or needing a reliable light source for your campsite, backpacking lights are essential for any outdoor adventure!

Streamlight MicroStream Backpacking Light

This small light fits in the palm of your hand but doesn’t compromise on power.

Put this light in your pocket or clip it to the brim of your hat and have light wherever you go.

The Streamlight MicroStream is a compact backpacking light that fits in the palm of your hand yet delivers impressive power.

Introducing the Streamlight Microstream flashlight—a compact powerhouse on a single AAA alkaline battery. Its user-friendly tail cap switch lets you easily toggle between momentary or constant light. This light offers convenience with its handy pocket/hat clip. Built from durable machined aluminum featuring a robust Type II Military Spec anodized finish.

Measuring just 3.6 inches in length and weighing only 1.10 ounces (with battery included), this flashlight is both lightweight and portable. The unbreakable polycarbonate lens houses advanced C4® LED technology, providing an impressive 420-candela peak beam intensity, a beam distance of 41 meters, and an output of 45 lumens. Enjoy a reliable run time of 2.25 hours, making it perfect for everyday use.

Illumination and Hydration

Introducing the SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern, a 24-ounce (700mL) BPA-FREE Eastman Tritan™ water bottle that doubles as a powerful LED lantern. With a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it offers versatile charging options via USB or sunlight, fully recharging in 2.5 hours or soaking up the sun in about 25 hours.

The SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern converts into an impressive lantern featuring a rechargeable LED light integrated into the cap.

Featuring three lighting modes, it adjusts brightness from 20 to 100 lumens and provides up to 10 hours of continuous light. Made from shatter-resistant Tritan, the bottle is safe, durable, and dishwasher safe (bottle only) with a convenient carrying handle.

Backpacking Lights Field Test

The designers created the Streamlight MicroStream without intending to make it a backpacking light. However, It’s been mine since I got it. It’s tough as nails and easy to buy AAA batteries worldwide.

I don’t hike at night because it invites injuries. But in camp, there’s much to do in the dark. The convenient hat clip works well and attaches the light in a stable position. However, I rarely wear a cap with a bill at night, especially in winter. So, I made a super simple headband holder from elastic and velcro to accommodate the MicroStream.

For quick checks to see what that noise was in camp or rummaging in a pack, it’s hard to beat the AAA wonder. And if you need both hands and don’t have a hat or headband for it, use your teeth. This light should be in the pockets of every EDC kit and the pack or pouch of every camper and backpacker!

The convenient hat clip works well and attaches the light in a stable position, making it one of the best backpacking lights available.

The SOL Venture was a piece of gimmicky gear at first. Then I used it. I took it to a hotel, and it was my quick grab light and my water on the nightstand. I took it to Georgia and Alabama, and it caught the attention of some hardened outdoors folks. They thought it was cool, and so did I.

We used it at night and in the many camps above the grill. When filled with water or a colored drink, it illuminates like a lantern. With the top removed, it becomes a mini-spotlight.

Powered By The Sun

The red light indicates that it is charging while you hike or relax in a hammock.

SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern charges via USB and by the sun while hiking or lounging around the woods. It needs UV rays and will charge on a cloudy day. I’ve seen it myself. Seeing is believing. Try it out.

Finale

Kids love the SOL Venture Solar Water Bottle Lantern, and parents like the functionality. The Streamlight MicroStream is a no-frills, hardcore, tough light weighing nearly nothing. Stay hydrated and illuminated with one of these mighty backpacking lights on your outdoor adventures!

For more information, please check out Streamlight and Survive Outdoors Longer.

The Legacy Of The Magpul CTR

By

P.E. Fitch

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December 30, 2024

^{Title Image: A Grey Magpul CTR stock with a green anodized Kratos Design Group 8-Position Receiver Extension}

In the beginning, AR-15s relied on the CAR-15 stock. And the CAR-15 designed morphed into the standard M4 Carbine stock. Both of these were a simple stock-shaped facsimile that draped over the AR’s receiver extension and angled 90 degrees down to provide a small butt-pad. The neatest thing about them is that they telescoped over the extension to adjust the length of pull, but that was about it.

When sitting over the receiver extension (buffer tube), they can be wobbly. Attaching a two-point sling involves either settling for a sub-par configuration or calling for some creativity and “redneck engineering.”

Sure, at least the M4 Carbine stock specifically has a metal sling swivel for the basic carry-strap sling, but how long has it been since those mattered?

Magpul Stock Genesis

The Magpul CTR stock wasn’t actually Magpul’s first stock (that would be the 2002 Magpul M93 stock). In fact, the CTR hit the scene a few years later, circa 2006, along with the standard Magpul MOE stock. The MOE looks identical to the CTR, save for the lack of the locking mechanism and built-in QD socket. Its goal is largely the same, just with a slightly simpler execution and a less expensive price tag.

The Magpul M93, the CTR, and the MOE all set out to offer the end-user a better option than the basic M4 Carbine stock. Again, the M4 Carbine’s lackluster sling mounting options and its sloppy play over the AR’s receiver extension aren’t ideal.

In fairness to the original Magpul M93, this product branched out in a different direction of the Magpul rifle stock family tree than the CTR. (Magpul UBR, anyone?) But the CTR’s straightforward design, lightweight, and practicality made it the definitive Magpul stock. It became an overnight sensation, becoming as iconic as the AR-15’s A2-pattern front sight base itself.

The Magpul M93 stock, image courtesy of Milspec Monkey

There is also the “being too vanilla” aspect. Remember that old joke about AR-15s being like Barbie dolls for men?

Magpul’s Prominence

Magpul’s rise to prominence converged during two important periods: the sunset of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban under the Clinton administration and the heyday of the GWOT (Global War On Terror). This is arguably the time when the AR-15 truly became America’s Rifle, and interest in these weapons was at an all-time high in both the military and civilian sector.

As with almost any other activity, people love accessorizing their gear and making it stand out from the norm. The Magpul M93 still needed improvements, and it gave way to the CTR. This stock not only added practical improvements to someone’s carbine, but it also looked different from the “boring” plain-jane A2 pattern accessories that were standardized with M4 carbines.

Talk about having one’s cake and eating too—cooler carbines with more practical features.

Compact/Type Restricted

The Magpul MOE and CTR take a KISS (keep it simple, stupid) approach to stock design with a straightforward triangular shape that keeps a low profile and works well in almost any carbine-related role. This is one of the reasons why the CTR has enjoyed such longevity as a product, not unlike other products that customers still flock to after decades. Think Glock 19. The Glock 19 is a thing, just like the Magpul CTR is a thing.

The upper comb area isn’t any thicker than it needs to be and it’s similar to the upper portion of an M4 carbine stock in this regard. Likewise, the CTR’s top surface isn’t as wide and comfortable as, say, the Magpul STR, with its wide sloping comb, or the SOPMOD stock, which also has a similar layout.

The CTR’s trade-off is less bulk and weight. With that said, the CTR still has slots to install cheek risers, its signature QD sling mount socket, and this stock even has a thin rubber buttpad. While the rubber buttpad isn’t in place to reduce recoil, Magpul does offer thicker rubber butt-pads for that purpose. The original intention of the CTR’s thin rubber butt-pad is to provide extra traction against the user’s clothes when a weapon is shouldered.

In addition to its smart layout and design, the Magpul CTR’s pièce de résistance is its friction locking system, which eliminates the wobble that’s part and parcel between M4 carbine stocks and the actual carbines—one of the biggest nuisances of AR-15 carbines. This system also marries the CTR stock to the receiver extension, allowing end-users to adjust the length of pull without accidentally removing the stock itself.

The Takeaway

A large portion of the American firearms industry revolves around AR-15s and their accessories. Naturally, from the different types of AR-15-specific accessories available, furniture sets are amongst the most popular categorical items as shooters quite literally dress up their AR-pattern firearms with different combinations of stocks, pistol grips, and handguards to suit their needs.

Companies spend time and resources designing furniture that caters to every type of shooter and their chosen disciplines, be it precision, tactical, competitive, or even general-purpose use. Magpul has been busy in 2024, releasing all kinds of new AR-15 stocks, so I couldn’t help but notice and reflect on how popular the Magpul CTR stock still is—even with 2006 being close to two decades ago.

In spite of all of the great stocks that Magpul and its competitors sell, the CTR’s combination of simplicity and features keeps it relevant today.

For more information, please visit Magpul.com.

Compact Mighty Folding Saws

By

Reuben Bolieu

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December 30, 2024

The famed Bahco and Corona Pruning folding saws are two saws that punch way out of their weight class. These compact mighty folding saws have been woods tested, and the result is different from what most people expect!

Folding Saws

Saws may lack the cool factor of folding knives or fixed blades. They are often the most practical tools for tasks in the backyard or for adventures in the wilderness. Many newcomers to survival romanticize the experience, envisioning themselves chopping through forests with machetes and building shelters. As a result, people often bring more gear than necessary, just to be prepared!

Bahco Expert Foldable Saw

Ask the bushcraft crowd what the best compact folding saw to add to your kit is, and about 90 percent will say the green Bahco folding saw. Many fellow woods people and students usually tote it, too.

Introducing the PG-72 7-inch Bahco Expert Foldable Pruning Saw, a must-have tool for homeowners, campers, survivalists, and bushcrafters alike. Designed with an innovative anti-friction coating, this compact folding saw delivers swift and efficient cutting, making it perfect when hand pruners or loppers just won’t cut it.

The special XT7-Toothing ensures fast performance, allowing you to tackle challenging and dry wood easily. Lightweight and compact, this saw folds neatly for easy storage and transport, making it an ideal companion for your outdoor adventures or home gardening tasks. Compact folding saws like this are very handy.

Two Compact Mighty Folding Saws doing battle with startling results.

Crafted in Sweden, the PG-72 combines quality craftsmanship with functionality, ensuring you have the reliable tools you need for occasional pruning. Enhance your toolkit with this versatile and practical saw!

Corona RazorTOOTH Saw

If you need to tackle brush or branches, check out the 7-inch Corona RazorTOOTH Arborist Folding Saw. This saw features special RazorTOOTH technology, enabling users to slice through green or dry branches up to 3 inches thick—and it cuts twice as fast as regular hand saws.

The straight-edge blade has teeth that are triple-ground, which means they cut through wood quickly and efficiently. Corona makes other compact folding saws, too.

It’s made from durable Japanese SK5 steel and has an impulse-hardened blade, so it’s built to last. The best part? The blade is fully replaceable, so you can keep it going season after season. When you fold it up, the ergonomic handle covers the teeth, making it safe for storage and easy to carry around. This tool is perfect for arborists, campers, backpackers, hikers, and ATV enthusiasts. MSRP: $32.99

Compact Mighty Folding Saws

In the field, these two compact mighty folding saws had work to do in the snowy woods. Testing these saws was exciting. The setting was the Northeast during a cold snap. There’s no better time to test gear and ourselves than harsh conditions. Both saws received similar diameter pieces of oak to saw through.

Realistically, 3-inch oak rounds are about the maximum width for saws this length. Anything over that, and a camper can call that fuel and throw it on the fire.

The Bahco was the first to bat. The small teeth quickly bit into the wood and proceeded to saw. Hardwood, in general, is a tough nut to crack. However, it’s an entirely different game when the wood is frozen. The Bahco remained comfortable, and the blade had minimal wobble. It got the job done!

Next up to the plate—the Corona RazorTOOTH. The larger aggressive teeth skipped a little as they found a place to bite into the wood. Once the sawing started, it was a whole new ball game. The Corona made short work of the hard frozen oak in a shorter time than its opponent. There was a distinct difference, and I knew the saw I would carry.

The winner was the Corona RazorTOOTH 7-inch Arborist Folding Saw. The large teeth were able to tame hard, frozen oak.

Making a small cook fire and keeping warm were the goals. I split the oak chunks with a tomahawk and a fixed-blade knife for manageable pieces. Mission accomplished!

Perhaps the Bahco would have won if it had been a contest of thinner, green wood.

Finale

A foldable saw effortlessly cuts through wood and often fits conveniently in a cargo pocket. How manufacturers cut the saw blades leaves the spine fairly sharp, allowing users to create sparks with a ferrocerium rod. A saw, alongside another tool for splitting and light to medium chopping, effectively covers all the bases for heavier wood processing.

Compact folding saws are regarded as the ultimate team player in a survival or camping situation!

For more information, please check out Bahco and Corona.

De-Escalation – Winning the Fight Before It Begins

By

Jim Cobb

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December 29, 2024

De-escalation techniques are sometimes given far too little attention in the self-defense world. The thing is, the easiest fight to win is the one that never happens. While there are certainly situations where violence is inevitable, those times are far outnumbered by situations where it can be avoided.

In large part, de-escalation comes down to communication, both verbal and non-verbal.

Verbal De-Escalation

Verbal communication is what is spoken and heard. It’s audible, and it starts with volume and tone. When we’re looking to dial things back a bit in a potentially bad situation, avoid raising your voice if possible. That may be difficult in some situations, such as if you’re in a bar or club. If you do have to shout to be heard, the goal is to shout to the person, not at the person.

In a crowded bar or club, shouting might be necessary, but temper it with careful word and phrase selection.

Something I’ve found works fairly well with calming tempers is to slow my speech pattern just a touch. Not to a ridiculous degree, of course, as that may come across as insulting and thus have the opposite effect.

Don’t dismiss their feelings or judge them, even if you feel that they’re being out of line or overreacting to what’s happening. Remember that just because you don’t agree with them, that doesn’t diminish how they feel.

What you say matters just as much as how you say it. Word and phrase choices matter. Think about it like this for a moment. If you and your significant other are arguing and one of you says to the other, “Calm down,” how often does that actually de-escalate the spat?

Exactly, and it works about that well outside the home, too. Instead, use I statements like, “I can see that you’re angry. What can I do to help?”

Non-Verbal De-Escalation

Non-verbal communication is pretty much everything that’s not verbal, such as body language and posture. As much as possible, keep a safe distance between you and the other person. This accomplishes a few things. It keeps you out of reach, so they can’t easily grab or punch you, at least not without moving toward you.

Keeping some space between you serves to make you less threatening and help lower their defensive attitude a bit. If you can stand a little off to the side, rather than straight on face to face, so much the better.

Some of us like to talk with our hands. That’s not a great way to defuse a possible altercation. Avoid sudden gestures, particularly ones involving swinging your hands and arms around. Just like with your voice, keep your movements slow and easy.

A clenched fist, even if it’s due to frustration rather than anger, is going to look threatening.

Fake smiles are easily spotted. Instead, keep your expression neutral. Eye contact is great, but don’t overdo it and stare them down.

It should go without saying that none of this is foolproof. Some people are bound and determined to escalate things until the confrontation turns physical. But they’re in the minority. Most people are more bark than bite. The goal with de-escalation is to talk them down and let cooler heads prevail.

Gunday Brunch 168: What Day Even Is It?

By

Keith Finch

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December 29, 2024

It’s after Christmas… not quite New Year’s Eve… I’m full of cheese and a bit of a tangent on the subject of “Weapons of War” but all of you wonderful listeners should have yourself a wonderful and recharged holiday season! We will see you next year.

Chiappa Releases the Big Badger

By

Tim Stetzer

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December 28, 2024

Chiappa Firearms surprised me with the release of the new Big Badger folding rifles on social media this past week. Following up on the success of their folding rimfire Little Badgers, they have a trio of new rifles chambered in centerfire rounds.

The .410 Big Badger

Okay, I guess the first one is actually a shotgun, not a rifle, being that it’s chambered in .410, 3-inch shells. The .410 Badger has a 20-inch barrel with a fiber optic front sight. It uses a Beretta/Benelli-style choke.

There’s no rear sight per se, but it looks like there’s a groove down the Picatinny rail that you line up with it. You can always mount a red dot or scope on the rail as well, obviously. In addition, the Picatinny rail extends down the forend of the rifle and there are M-LOK slots available as well.

The Big Badgers are single-shot, break-open designs with an exposed hammer and cross-bolt safety. The stock is made from steel rod and comes with an adjustable comb and rubber recoil pad. Overall length is 35 inches, and weight is just 5.3 pounds. The whole design folds in half to the length of the 20-inch barrel.

MSRP is a very reasonable $225.19.

Caliber	.410/76MM
Action	Break Open (Folding)
Barrel Length	20”
Capacity	1 Round
Feed In	Manual
Trigger System	Single Action
Stock	Steel Rod w/ Adj. Comb
Forend	Picatinny w/ M-LOK
Rear Sight	Picatinny Rail
Safety	Hammer Half Cock + Manual
Chokes	Beretta/Benelli Mobil Choke Threads, MC-1 (Modified)
Total Length	35” (889 mm)
Material	Steel
Net Weight	5.30 lb
Finishing	Black
Extraction	Extractor
MSRP	$225.19

The .350 Legend Big Badger

Next in line is the Big Badger chambered in the straight wall .350 Legend cartridge. I’m a fan of the .350 Legend, personally. It offers a nice mix of large bullet, heavy bullet weight, and reasonable recoil. Subsonic loads work great with a suppressor on it, too.

Specs on the .350 Legend Big Badger are largely the same as the .410 version, except that it substitutes a threaded barrel and thread protector in lieu of the front sight post. So, this is an optics-only proposition. The .350 still rocks a 20-inch barrel, and comes in slightly heavier at 5.5 pounds.

MSRP on this rifle is $362.96.

Caliber	350 Legend
Action	Break Open (Folding)
Barrel Length	20”
Capacity	1 Round
Feed In	Manual
Trigger System	Single Action
Stock	Steel Rod w/ Adj. Comb
Forend	Picatinny w/ M-LOK
Rear Sight	Picatinny Rail
Safety	Hammer Half Cock + Manual
Twist Rate	1:16 Twist Rate
Total Length	35” (889 mm)
Material	Steel
Net Weight	5.30 lb
Finishing	Black
Extraction	Extractor
MSRP	$362.96

.30-30 Big Badger

Last up is the big Badger in the venerable, yet still popular, .30-30 Winchester cartridge. Specs on the .30-30 are identical to the .350 Legend model. It uses the same 20-inch threaded barrel with Picatinny rail and has the same 5.5-pound weight. Like the rest of the Badgers, it folds in half for transport and storage.

MSRP is the same as the .350 Legend model, $362.96.

Caliber	30-30
Action	Break Open (Folding)
Barrel Length	20”
Capacity	1 Round
Feed In	Manual
Trigger System	Single Action
Stock	Steel Rod w/ Adj. Comb
Forend	Picatinny w/ M-LOK
Rear Sight	Picatinny Rail
Safety	Hammer Half Cock + Manual
Twist Rate	1:12 Twist Rate
Total Length	35” (889 mm)
Material	Steel
Net Weight	5.50 lb
Finishing	Black
Extraction	Extractor
MSRP	$362.96

Big Burly Badgers

The rimfire Little Badgers are neat rifles and fill a niche for survival and hunting. Having the option of a .410, .350 Legend, or .30-30 is a great option as well, though. The centerfire rounds give you a lot more options when it comes to taking game. They’d also be nice lightweight options for regular hunting, too.

The fact that they fold in half for easy storage in your pack, on an ATV or snowmobile, or in the back of a Jeep is a great feature, as well. Add in the solid construction and simple operation, along with the reasonable price tag, and I suspect these will be great sellers for Chiappa.

For more information, check out the Chiappa website at Chiappafirearms.com.

Pocket Bowie EDC Knife

By

Reuben Bolieu

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December 28, 2024

GAT_PB (1) — Introducing the Pocket Bowie EDC Knife, a modern interpretation of the classic American Bowie knife.

Meet the Pocket Bowie EDC Knife, a contemporary take on the iconic American Bowie knife. This compact, American-made knife is designed to tackle demanding utility tasks. It can also serve as a personal defense tool when needed. It’s ready to be your reliable everyday companion!

Who’s Auxiliary Manufacturing?

Reno, Nevada Auxiliary Manufacturing is the brainchild of Michael Jarvis. After spending 15 years working in restaurants—doing everything from washing dishes to being an executive chef, Michael made pocket tools like pry bars as a hobby. Over time, that hobby evolved into a passion for crafting knives.

When he left his last gig as a general manager to care for a sick family member, things changed. His hobby had transformed into a full-time job. With the support of his wife, he set up his shop in February 2016 and hasn’t looked back since. Now, Michael is a self-taught, full-time bladesmith, constantly honing his skills with every blade he creates.

Pocket Bowie EDC Knife

What sets it apart? It is an ultra-sharp AEB-L blade steel that’s tough as nails and impressively stainless, making it a real bargain for its performance. With solid wear resistance and the ability to sharpen on the fly, this blade truly shines in functionality. And let’s talk about the handle; meticulously sculpted to fit snugly in your grip, it ensures comfort in any orientation, whether you’re slicing through packages or impressing your friends.

Topping it off, the Pocket Bowie EDC Knife has a sleek black Boltaron polymer sheath, riveted for durability, and a reversible belt clip for easy right or left-hand carry. All this in a compact package: an overall length of 6.25 inches and a 3-inch blade of 3/16-inch AEB-L stainless at a sturdy 61.5 HRC. All paired with a G10 handle.

Whether you need a trusty tool or a stylish accessory, Pocket Bowie is all set to rise to the occasion!

Pocket Bowie Gauntlet

The author easily sliced through rubber tubing found on a trail, while nylon webbing and paracord proved ineffective with a chest-lever grip. The edge was made for both utility and chaos!

I love the grind of putting a hefty utility knife through its paces. Let’s get this out of the way first—it didn’t slice nylon rope well. It took several sawing cuts. Now for the good stuff.

I sliced rubber tubbing found on a trail with no issues. Nylon webbing and paracord also stood no chance in a chest-lever grip orientation. The edge was made for utility and mayhem!

Pocket Bowie EDC Multi-Grips

Referred to as the Ice-Pick Grip, the reverse grip edge out (RGEO) is often the most comfortable way to hold a knife due to the knife handle design. With this grip, the edge faces away from you, and the tip points down, enabling both vertical upward and horizontal slashes.

The Ice-Pick Grip, or reverse grip edge out (RGEO), is often the most comfortable way to hold a knife due to its handle design.

This grip enables powerful downward thrusts, similar to hammer-fist strikes, and allows for hooking and pulling techniques. The extended reach might be limited unless you actively use physical movements to extend your arm and knife. This technique would prove helpful for the next extreme test.

Extreme EDC Knife Test

As a dramatic finale, I plunged the PB into an ammo canister using an Ice-Pick Grip. For good measure, I opted for the assistance of a hardwood Beech baton to hammer the pommel into the ammo canister. I gave it the old back-and-forth levering to bless the entire blade with a little bit of the good stuff.

Plunged into an ammo canister, the blade and handle scales seemed unfazed after being hammered with a hardwood baton.

This test will most likely chip most blades. It’s natural. However, the AEB-L steel, with a 61.5 HRC, remained unphased. Bamn!

If you want a tough-as-nails EDC knife for work or play, look at an Auxiliary Manufacturing Pocket Bowie EDC Knife!

For more information, please check out Auxiliary Manufacturing.

Keeping Comfortable Outdoors – Merino Wool to the Rescue

By

Jim Cobb

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December 27, 2024

I live in the Upper Midwest, and it gets pretty darn cold here in the winter. Keeping warm outside during the winter months can be a challenge. One of the weapons in the cold weather arsenal is merino wool.

What is Merino Wool?

Right off the bat, let’s clear up a likely misconception. While this is wool, this isn’t the same kind of wool in the sweater that made you itch like crazy at Grandma’s on Christmas Eve.

Merino wool comes from merino sheep, believe it or not. Since about the 12^th century, merino sheep have been prized for their wool, which is much softer than other types of wool. It’s much finer than even human hair. It isn’t itchy or uncomfortable in the least.

Advantages of Merino Wool

There are several reasons why it is a great choice for garments intended for outdoor use. Keeping you warm is just the beginning.

Temperature Regulation – merino wool is kind of odd in this regard. In cold weather, it’ll keep you warmer. In hot weather, it’ll keep you cooler. Weird, right?

Absorbent – it will absorb somewhere near 30% of its weight in moisture while maintaining its warmth. Plus, it won’t feel wet against your skin. It wicks moisture incredibly well. This is particularly great if you have sweaty feet.

Odor-Resistant – it doesn’t retain odors. In fact, it seems to actively battle against them. Likewise, it is very resistant to bacteria. This guy wore a Merino wool T-shirt for 100 days in a row without washing it once and was amazed at the results. If you routinely take extended jaunts out into the field, having clothing that isn’t going to reek is definitely a bonus.

Anti-Wrinkle – merino wool garments don’t wrinkle. While this probably doesn’t matter much when you’re three days into a weeklong trek out beyond where the sidewalk ends, it’s nice to know that if you run across a nice diner, you won’t stand out as a slob.

UV-Resistant – unlike many other fabrics, merino wool is naturally UV-resistant. This means it will help to protect your skin from the sun.

Sustainable – if you’re someone who pays attention to their impact on the planet, you’ll be pleased to know that merino wool is a sustainable resource. Sheep provide a new fleece harvest twice a year.

Disadvantages of Merino Wool

The biggest disadvantage I’ve found is the price. Merino wool clothing tends to have a higher price tag than cotton or most synthetic fabrics. That said, it’s worth the expense, especially if you spend a fair amount of time outdoors.

Meindl Socks

Not too long ago, Meindl sent me a few different merino wool socks. I got them around the same time I got the Toskana Trail Walkers. I’ve since worn the socks on several occasions. They’re soft and comfortable, which is always a plus when it comes to socks. They’re also very warm without being obnoxious about it.

When you’re hiking in single-digit temperatures, you want to make sure to protect your feet, and these socks do the job quite well.

Pistol Basics: El Presidente

By

P.E. Fitch

-

December 27, 2024

Like the 1911 itself, El Presidente is a classic exercise that shooters have been flocking to for generations. It is shot from a distance of 10 yards and only takes 12 rounds. To execute it, one must turn, draw, and fire twice at three IPSC paper targets. This first volley is followed by a mandatory reload and then the shooter must fire another six rounds, bringing the total shots fired to 12 shots.

El Presidente continues to serve both the competitive shooting and the defense training universes because high performance and success on this drill entails solid fundamentals: a swift draw to first shot*, a proper two-handed firing grip, and flawless transitions.

It’s worth mentioning that in terms of action pistol competitions like IPSC or USPSA, El Presidente is one of the oldest and most important classifiers and top shooters hold world records. Top-tier runs take place in less than four seconds, while normal shooters would be doing well to shoot El Presidente clean in 10 seconds.

El Presidente Set-Up And Procedure

Setting up El Presidente can be done in nearly any pistol bay or firing line. This drill requires three different IPSC, USPSA, or IDPA* targets spaced 36 inches apart in their corresponding target stands. Beyond that, the shooter simply needs to stand 10 yards up range. In a formal competition setting like a USPSA classifier stage, participants must turn and stand inside a 3-foot by 3-foot box.

*For pure training purposes, there’s no harm in shooting IDPA targets, but El Presidente is traditionally scored IPSC/USPSA style.

Due to the straightforward nature of El Presidente and its basic course of fire, the drill is “low-capacity” friendly and can be shot with nearly any pistol or revolver that can hold at least six rounds. And not unlike the Carbine Bill Drill, El Presidente is also carbine / long-gun /CQB friendly, too. (It’s just that 9mm ammo costs less than 5.56mm rifle cartridges).

One more point: provided one has the space for the set up in their backyard or garage, El Presidente is a great exercise to carry out in dry-fire, too, since working transitions or magazine reloads doesn’t technically require detonating fresh primers and sending lead downrange. For mere mortals, 10 seconds with clean shots is a good standard to strive for.

Procedure

Shooters start with their handgun loaded and holstered while facing up-range with their back to the three targets. The hands must be held up above the shoulders in what’s called the surrender position.

On the start signal from the shot timer, shooters will turn, draw, and fire twice at each target. After the third target has been engaged, shooters will perform a mandatory reload and engage all three targets again with a total of 12 rounds. Each target needs to have four bullet holes (preferably all in the A-zone).

Shooting El Presidente

When I trained with Greybeard Actual, he dedicated a good amount of time to El Presidente on the second day of his Pistol Skill Development course since its curriculum placed an important emphasis on target transitions. Shooting transitions, which is the simple act of navigating from one target to the next [smoothly], are a core aspect of pistol-shooting competency that separates novice shooters from experienced ones.

Similarly, we spent time working on Blake Drills, which can be thought of as a “diet El Presidente.”

Besides the fact that El Presidente forces the shooter to draw and grip their pistol cleanly while also being efficient in their transitions, there’s also value in that El Presidente forces a mandatory reload under time pressure. That weekend, I shot El Presidente twice for score from concealment with the S&W Carry Comp.

Even though my transitions, split times, and raw times were respectable (nine point-something seconds), I suffered the most in reloading from concealment because I never work them and ended up burning too much time. What I took away from performing El Presidente at Greybeard’s class was that the single most important thing is to keep driving the transitions with one’s eyes.

Coordinating this movement with the rest of the body, the handgun, and its sighting system requires sweat equity, which is why I consider flawless transitions the hallmark of an advanced shooter.

Anyone can “hear” it, too, with their shots.

Compare shots sounding like this: pop-pop…pop-pop…pop-pop

Versus pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop.

The Takeaway

El Presidente means “the president” in Spanish. Legend has it that Col. Jeff Cooper developed this drill in order to ascertain the shooting skills of a presidential security detail from a South American country during the late 1970s. After that, El Presidente took a life of its own.

As I already mentioned, this drill became one of the quintessential stand-and-deliver IPSC/USPSA classifiers, and that’s how many shooters know about it today.

Along with the Bill Drill, El Presidente is another classic 20th-century pistol-shooting drill that’s still worth keeping in mind today. Even though the pistols found in the hands of both serious and amateur shooters alike today are wildly different from the handguns that were first around when the El Presidente drill came on the scene—with their modern polymer materials, reflex sights, compensators, and upgraded magazine capacities—the technique that drives the El Presidente hasn’t changed and remains relevant.

Three Signaling Must-Have Items

By

Reuben Bolieu

-

December 26, 2024

GAT_Signaling (1) — The most important signaling must-have items are whistles, according to the author.

Being lost and stranded in the wilderness is a frightening experience. Having the right signaling tools is crucial. These essential items can help you attract attention and increase your chances of rescue. Here are three signaling must-have items to add to your survival kit:

Signaling Must-Haves

There are various signaling tools available, such as whistles, mirrors, flares, and signaling panels, each offering unique benefits. By packing these essential signaling tools, you will prepare yourself better to handle unexpected situations and increase your chances of survival.

Flare Mini Signal Mirror

The Wazoo Gear Flare Mini Signal Mirror is an essential tool for signaling for help during emergencies, capable of attracting attention from planes or rescue teams up to 30 miles away. It fits perfectly in the Cache Belt buckle with its included Signal Mirror Sleeve, and is a valuable addition to any emergency kit.

You can attach the mirror to gear or PFDs. It floats and reflects highly, making it visible up to 10 miles. It features a one-handed reflective aimer, but you should use it with a flashlight at night. Besides signaling, it can also check for eye abrasions, perform tick checks, or help with grooming after a rescue.

Field Test

Signaling gets overlooked in survival programs, and many kits miss the mark. The Wazoo Gear Flare Mini Signal Mirror features a lightweight, shatterproof design specifically for the Cache Belt system. This makes it easy to carry. I believe in having at least two signaling methods while in the woods. I keep this mirror in my Cache Belt and also carry a small dog tag-sized mirror on my keychain.

What I like most about this compact mirror is its size. There’s no reason not to carry two, given its low weight. Its bright orange color makes it easy to find in low light with a flashlight. Besides signaling, it’s also useful for tick checks, which are important in warmer months across many US regions.

The Wazoo Flare Mini Signal Mirro is waterproof, freeze-proof, and shatter-proof, ensuring durability and usability in any environment, including fresh and salt water.

Signaling Must-Have Poncho

The SOL Heat Reflective Poncho is a game-changer in outdoor gear. This lightweight, compact, and versatile poncho keeps you warm, dry, and visible in any weather condition.

This innovative SOL Heat Reflective Poncho is made with 90% heat-reflective material, providing waterproof, windproof, and high tear-resistance.

Key features:

Heat Reflective Technology: The poncho’s 90% heat-reflective material maximizes warmth retention, making it ideal for emergency situations or chilly nights.
Waterproof and Windproof: Stay dry and protected from the elements, no matter the weather.
Durable and Lightweight: This poncho weighs only 2.7 ounces, making it easy to carry. You can use it as a ground cloth or an emergency shelter.
Spacious Design: Cover yourself and your gear, or even share it with a furry friend.

How to Use:

Emergency Shelter: Simply pull the poncho over yourself and your gear to create an instant shelter.
Heat Reflection: Position the poncho near a heat source, like a campfire, to maximize warmth.
Signal: Use the poncho’s reflective surface to signal for help in emergency situations.

The SOL Heat Reflective Poncho is the easiest shelter for hunkering down and waiting out a storm or until possible rescue.

With the SOL Heat Reflective Poncho, you’ll be prepared for any outdoor adventure. Stay warm, dry, and visible with this survival must-have.

TripleWhistle Signaling Must-Have

The Sun Company’s 3-in-1 Survival Whistle is a compact and reliable tool featuring a precise compass, a thermometer for temperature tracking, and an emergency whistle. Proudly designed and assembled in the USA, it guarantees quality and attention to detail.

Sun Company’s 3-in-1 Survival Whistle is a compact and reliable tool featuring a precise compass, a thermometer for temperature tracking, and an emergency whistle.

The luminous compass is ideal for navigating in low-light conditions, featuring a 20mm Grade A liquid-filled dial that illuminates in the dark. It’s perfect for hikers and campers who need to find their way at night.

The Japanese Dial Thermometer is a precise 20mm liquid-damped Grade AA thermometer that can read temperatures as low as -20°F. Its high-visibility Safety Orange color makes it easy to spot, and it includes a safety whistle and a lanyard for quick access, making it useful in emergencies.

Field Test

I’m a big fan of carrying a whistle instead of keeping it tucked away where it’s hard to reach or could get lost. The 17-inch lanyard provides good attachment options, and the bright orange color ensures it’s noticeable if dropped. I appreciate the general direction compass that lights up at night or when recharged with a flashlight. The TripleWhistle is a practical multi-tool survival item that offers great value without being gimmicky.

Having a thermometer adds fun to campfire chats as we guess the temperature. I especially liked its sturdy design, which resists damage from falls or steps. The pea is nearly impossible to freeze, ensuring the tool remains functional.

Beyond using the whistle in groups of three, the luminous compass can attract attention when swung on its 17-inch lanyard, especially when low-flying aircraft are nearby. Just be cautious not to lose grip on the lanyard!

For more information, check out Sun Company, Wazoo Gear, and SOL.

The Heritage Roscoe – A Hard Boiled Revolver

By

Travis Pike

-

December 26, 2024

This city is as cold and dark as the deep-blued finish on my Roscoe. It’s a couple of pounds of steel and wood loaded with five rounds of .38 Special. It sits heavy in a pocket, but heavy is good. Heavy is reliable. Heavy ensures you know it’s there and sitting, ready when needed.

Maybe you’re a Private Investigator on a case. Maybe you’re a dame on the run with a need for a piece. Perhaps you’re just another mook on the street, but you’re smarter and more prepared than the other mooks cause you have a Roscoe in your pocket. Or maybe, just maybe, you’re a guy or gal who likes classic revolvers but just can’t afford a real classic.

Even if you could afford a real classic, shooting it more than occasionally might make you feel like you’re damaging history. What’s a guy or gal to do? That’s why guns like the Heritage Manufacturing Roscoe exist. It’s a retro reissue of a classic snub-nose revolver.

The Roscoe At Its Core

This city is rotten, but the Roscoe isn’t. The Roscoe is a remake of the Taurus Model 85. Taurus owns Heritage Manufacturing, which allows them to share designs, guns, and facilities. A few years ago, Taurus stopped producing the Model 85 and replaced it with the six-shot Taurus 856. The Roscoe represents the first Model 85 produced in a long time.

The Roscoe isn’t your typical Model 85. In fact, even looking at the earliest Model 85s imported to the United States, we see that the Roscoe is new. It’s at least new in the sense that Taurus never made Model 85s in this configuration. The Roscoe and its design date back to the 1940s and 50s.

It inhibits the same spirit as the Colt Detective Special and early snub-nose revolvers. In particular, it looks more like the earliest S&W Model 36, which was released in 1950. We have things like the small, downright tiny wood grips. The grips are checkered and look fantastic.

The ejector rod is exposed and lacks a shroud. It’s just sitting there, exposed to the world around it. The finish appears to be blued but is listed as a high-gloss black finish. The frame’s finish is broken up by a large white H and marking stating the gun’s built in Brazil.

The Roscoe comes in two- and three-inch variants. I have the true two-inch snub-nose revolver. At the end of that barrel sits an all-black ramping front sight. The hammer sits exposed, ready to be thumbed back for those single-action shots. The cylinder holds five rounds of .38 Special.

Overall, it’s a solid little gun that inhibits the hard-boiled spirit.

Blasting Away With the Roscoe

The Heritage Roscoe isn’t much different than any other snub nose. In heading to the range, I knew today would be an ego killer. I suck with small revolvers. I’m barely competent with large revolvers. However, I take these challenges as learning opportunities. Me and Roscoe hit the range with a bit of optimism and an ammo can full of .38 Special.

I started with some basic slow-fire practice at ten yards. I worked the double-action trigger and resisted the urge to pull the hammer backward to get that lighter trigger pull. The double-action trigger proved to be surprisingly smooth and quite nice for a budget-worthy revolver. My group was hand-sized and sat about an inch above my point of aim.

It’s not terrible by any means, and my own skills hold me back. When I started hitting the rapid-fire strings of two to three rounds, the groups began to open up. They remained with an A-zone of an IPSC target, but only just barely. I focused hard on pulling trigger evenly and smoothly, and that smooth and nice trigger certainly helped with the accuracy I could achieve.

Just for fun, I tried single-action shots from 10, 15, and 20 yards. At 10 and 15 yards, I was able to hit gongs from four to eight inches easily enough. At 20 yards, things fell apart. I had a tougher time hitting anything but the eight-inch gong. The short sight radius and lack of a real rear sight means every small mistake is amplified.

Riding the Recoil

Small, lightweight guns with tiny grips don’t do much for recoil control. The Roscoe certainly doesn’t offer you much grip to grab. A standard pressure load of .38 Special will still rock your hands. You get that snappy, hand-slapping fun of a small revolver. The thin, small grips don’t do much to mitigate recoil and have the same effect a chisel does on rock.

While the recoil will tire your hand, it won’t cause any serious pain. The checkered grips do their best to keep the gun in hand. The recoil of two or three fast-fired shots will significantly alter where your sights sit if you let it. You’ll need a tight grip on the gun to keep control over it. If you apply that good tight grip, you can keep the gun on target.

On the Draw

The Roscoe is basically a J-frame. It fits most J-frame holsters, but not all. The trigger guard seems a bit thicker than a modern J-frame. In most holsters, this won’t matter, but it did with the MFT appendix holster. I stuck to using a pocket holster and practicing from a pocket carry position. The round nature of a revolver’s cylinder makes it an excellent pocket gun.

The small grip also helps prevent printing, and they sit away from your body, making them easy to grab and draw from a pocket carry position. I practiced some basic pocket draw drills and got quite quick. My ability to put a round in the chest of an IPSC target in less than a second became a reality. Of course, to get less than a second, I started with my hands in my pocket.

Outside the pocket, we got closer to three seconds, but I think more practice can trim that down. The Roscoe provides an excellent pocket gun, and when Fitz created the modern snub nose, he advocated pocket carry—not much changed from then until now with small revolvers.

Saving Lives and Cash

The Roscoe is a modern retro reissue of the snub noses from the period that made them famous. Still, it’s not all that different from a modern revolver. It might lack some features, but it still works as a very competent defensive revolver. Its street is under $300, and it is a solid little gun. If defensive use is your purpose, I’d swap the grips for something a bit bigger and easier to hold and paint the front sight white.

That’s all you need to have a competent pocket pistol for concealed carry. Heritage, by means of Taurus, has released a very nice little revolver for very little money. As a hard-boiled detective fan, I can’t help but think of the stories about Phillip Marlowe, Sam Spade, and Mike Hammer. It’s the perfect gun with the perfect name for bringing back a classic of concealed carry.

For more information, please visit HeritageMfg.com.

Pistol Basics: The IDPA 5×5 Classifier

By

P.E. Fitch

-

December 25, 2024

A neat fact I learned about IDPA is that one of its primary methods of classifying and evaluating students, the IDPA 5×5 Classifier, also happens to function quite well as a basic independent drill and shooting diagnostic test. I’ve only ever shot a single IDPA match in my life so far, so I’m not as familiar with this action pistol sport as I am with USPSA.

The IDPA 5×5 Classifier is the de facto way to determine a shooter’s classification in the sport of IDPA. According to instructor K. A. Clark of Citizens Defense Research, the IDPA 5×5 Classifier is also a great prognostic in evaluating 80% of the handgun shooting’s public skill level and pistol aptitudes.

In a nutshell, the IDPA 5×5 Classifier can perhaps be described as something that approximates a gentler version of Gabe White’s Standards—but nonetheless useful.

IDPA 5×5 Classifier Setup And Procedure

Setting up the IDPA 5×5 Classifier consists of placing an IDPA paper target on a stand 10 yards away. That’s it.

Unfortunately, I only keep USPSA targets around. (Seriously, I tried looking everywhere around the house on the off-chance I could find an old IDPA target until realizing I was wasting too much time before my hour-long drive to the range). So, I ended up improvising a USPSA target and traced a Down-0 eight-inch circle using the base of a cone. I traced the smaller “head” Down-0 portion with a four-inch coffee can. Official? Hardly, but it worked in a pinch.

The rest of the IDPA Down-1 areas mostly coincide with the C-Zones of USPSA targets. Don’t worry. The dismal shooting I carried out for the sake of this article won’t give me an official classification, either. To get a classification, one has to shoot the IDPA 5×5 Classifier at a valid IDPA match hosted by a sanctioned club and administered by a qualified range officer.

Like setup, the procedure for the IDPA 5×5 Classifier is also simple. In addition to the requisite IDPA-legal firearm and holster, this exercise only requires 25 rounds of ammunition and one spare magazine. Each of the four shooting procedures start at a shot-timer’s beep:

The Four Procedures

Draw and fire 5 rounds freestyle
Draw and fire 5 rounds strong-hand only
Start with only 5 rounds loaded, draw, and fire them freestyle. Perform an emergency reload from slide-lock and shoot the target 5 more rounds.
Draw and fire 4 rounds freestyle to the body and 1 round to the head

Shooting The IDPA 5×5 Classifier

Writing an article about the IDPA 5×5 Classifier is as good of an excuse as any to dust off an old friend from the back of the safe. Especially the kind of friend that the sport was literally built around back when its founders established it. It also helps that said dusted-off friend is IDPA match-ready and legal for the Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP) division.

Of course, I’m talking about the .45 ACP Colt Competition Series 1911. I can’t remember the last time I actually tried shooting that Colt, excluding its linked review I wrote this spring. So, I was due some trigger time with this pistol, without a doubt.

I wanted to observe the spirit of IDPA rules, so I donned an original OWB strongside Raven Concealment Phantom holster. Even though I don’t know the minutiae of IDPA rules, I do know that the Phantom is IDPA legal as it’s essentially a carry holster that tucks close to the body regardless of “which side of the waistband” it sits on.

As a rule of thumb, USPSA-style competition belts and holsters with hangers are a no-go at IDPA events. I’m so used to either drawing from concealment with an AIWB holster or from a USPSA style belt that I had to give myself time to re-familiarize myself with the OWB strongside draw of the closely tucked-in Raven Phantom.

Scoring The IDPA Classifier

After warming up with the Colt 1911 independently from the IDPA 5×5 Classifier, I gave myself two runs at the classifier itself. None of my scores or times here are official, and it’s also not like I got an IDPA Master (highest level) class run. I shot the classifier simply for the sake of this article, for educational purposes, and to have fun.

I’m used to USPSA style ‘hit factor’ scoring, which measures the ratio of points scored divided by the time. IDPA scoring is a little bit different. While time is still of the essence, misses, penalties, or shots that land in the different scoring zones add to the raw time. Shots that catch a target’s Down-1 zone add one whole second to the shooter’s raw time, and Down-2 shots add two seconds.

In IDPA, missing a target is catastrophic; every missed shot adds five seconds to the raw time. And in any action pistol shooting sport, five seconds is a long time. To score, one adds up their total raw times and factors in misses and penalties.

First Run

3.64 (-1)
6.06 (-1)
9.73 (-1)
3.79 (ouch, -7) I missed the very last shot of this string, and misses wreck scores.

Raw Time: 23.22

Final Score: 33.22 (Marksman)

Second Run

3.93 (-1)
5.30
8.09 (-2)
4.83 (-1)

Raw Time: 22.15

Final Score: 26.15 (Sharpshooter)

I’m not happy with my scores, but I won’t hammer myself too much because I hardly shoot that gun, and I’ve never shot this drill before. By all means, it is an easy drill, and any skilled shooter can crush it, especially one that regularly trains, dry fires, and practices.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is way too comfortable with taking the entire height of the A-zone on a USPSA target when shooting a Bill Drill. However, by virtue of the “shorter” 8-inch Down-0 scoring area on an IDPA paper target, I noticed that I had to shoot more deliberately to avoid catching time-consuming misses.

A picture of my target (along with Sharpie improvised circles) I took on the firing line.

IDPA Classification Stages: Standard Method vs Abbreviated Method

In the action pistol sport of IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association), there are two main ways for handgun shooters to get a classification—by the Standard Method or by the IDPA Abbreviated Method.

The IDPA Standard Method consists of four different stages totaling 72 rounds shot over the same array of three paper targets and a couple of barricades. On the other hand, the Abbreviated Method consists of the IDPA 5×5 Classifier, which is shot at 10 yards on a single target and only takes 25 rounds. The Abbreviated Method / IDPA 5×5 Classifier isn’t a stage like the Standard Method.

The Takeaway

Clark mentioned to me that he’s fond of the IDPA 5×5 Classifier for many reasons. It covers the better part of handgun shooting mechanics (except for support-hand-only shooting), and since the classifier only consists of one target at 10 yards, it’s very easy to set up in virtually any shooting venue.

As an instructor, he added that because the IDPA 5×5 classifier is so straightforward, it’s easy to shepherd his students through it and lets him gauge their “real-world” handgun talent. He did warn me that as a diagnostic tool, the IDPA 5×5 classifier may be “too easy” for the top 10% of shooters.

Clark’s only real critique of this shooting exercise is that it ignores support-hand only shooting even though drawing and shooting with the strong hand only is codified into the IDPA 5×5 Classifier’s shooting process.

H&R is the Best Thing to Happen in the AR World

By

Travis Pike

-

December 25, 2024

ARs are just kinda boring. At this point, I often have a hard time caring. The AR world is most certainly full. I came into this industry already, and I’m a bit bored with AR as a rifle. Five years in the Marine Corps would do that.

I’m rarely ever excited by something in the AR world. However, the revival of Harrington and Richardson, or H&R, by Palmetto State Armory has been the first thing I’ve ever been genuinely excited about in the AR world.

Remington drove the H&R name into the ground a few years ago. It, and most of Remington’s brands, went up for auction, and PSA got its hands on the H&R brand. At the same time, they also acquired a smaller brand called Nodak Spud.

Nodak Spud was known for creating incredibly accurate retro AR lowers, uppers, and more. Some internal movements turn H&R into PSA’s retro brand, which Mike Wetteland, the former owner of Nodak Spud, would helm.

We saw a small tease at SHOT Show 2023, where I was able to meet and chat with Mike, who seemed optimistic about the brand. By 2024, it’s easy to see why he’s so optimistic. H&R had a massive showing at SHOT Show 2024 with a ton of retro ARs, some that went into some very odd territory. This includes some esoteric ARs like the Colt DOE SMG and the M16 as a light machine gun. Since then, the brand has steadily grown.

Why Is H&R So Cool?

The first thing that makes H&R so damn interesting is that they are producing ARs we can’t get anywhere anytime soon. There are plenty of retro-style ARs out there, but they are mainly concerned with the M16A2 and maybe the M16A1. Anything outside of that can be tough to find. H&R is making the M16A2 and M16A1 for sure, but they’re going beyond those two full-sized retro rifles.

They are dropping into some more obscure weapons that haven’t been produced for decades. For example, the H&R 635 SMG is a 9mm Colt SMG clone that’s a direct clone of the original Colt 635 SMG. Except it’s not full auto and features a brace rather than a stock. Speaking of that brace, the HAR-15 brace attempts to look like a CAR-15-style stock while being a brace, and it’s a spectacular creation.

This allows us to get some of Colt’s old carbines without breaking the retro look. This includes the 733, which H&R calls the H&R 733. They aren’t shy about matching the model numbers to what Colt or the military called these weapons. The HAR-15 graces guns that clone the XM177E1, the 723, the 635 SMG, the 733, the 654, and more.

As you can see from all the models I’ve name-dropped, H&R is making a diverse number of weapons. These are carbines that have long been out of production, and some were rarely ever available to the average Joe. Let’s face it: NFA items weren’t that popular during the years Colt produced the 733 series.

The Past Is the Future

Most gun owners have the AR they need for self-defense, competition, and the end of the world. If they don’t, dozens of companies still produce fantastic guns for those more serious roles. I have my Colt/BCM clone, and it’s great, but it’s boring. At least to me it’s very boring. I need it, I have it, and I’m good with using it, but it doesn’t excite me.

Being able to obtain something new that’s also old is nice, especially when it may have never been available for the average Joe in the first place. How do I recreate Heat if I don’t have a 733? How do I get a 733? I could painstakingly find the parts and create one, or I just hit buy it now at H&R and PSA.

It’s nice to be able to step back and handle guns I’ve always wanted to own without having to spend a ton of money or time trying to hunt them down. I recently obtained an H&R 635 for review, and it blew me away. It’s a fun gun that’s painfully accurate in the world of the Colt SMG. If H&R is producing all of their guns as nicely as this 635, I have high hopes.

I think a 733 is next on my list, and it’s because of H&R that I can own such a gun. I can’t wait to see what’s next. (I really hope it’s the DOE SMG; I need it so badly.)

For more information, please visit PalmettoStateArmory.com.

Switches and Timers – Understanding Physical Defense Targets

By

Jim Cobb

-

December 24, 2024

When it comes to self-defense, it’s important to understand the concept of switches and timers. I’ve heard this discussed using other terms as well, but I’ve grown to like this approach to the topic the best.

In the real world, defense engagements don’t happen like they do in the movies. Between adrenaline and any number of other chemicals that might be floating through their bloodstream, even a bullet to center mass might not stop them. Don’t believe me? Check out any number of police-involved shooting videos online. They can fight through fatal wounds and injure or kill you while they’re going down.

In other words, you didn’t turn off a switch with your shot(s), you started a timer. On the other hand, there are targets on the body that you can exploit and sort of “switch off” those parts of the body nearly instantly. The trade-off is that those switches aren’t usually fatal.

Switches

For the purposes of our discussion, a switch has two settings—on or off. On means all systems are normal, and the aggressor has full range of movement. Off means you’ve caused an immediate physical reaction where one or more body parts are no longer working properly. If you slice through their bicep muscle, they’ll have difficulty raising and using that arm. Take out a knee, and that leg will no longer support their weight.

Most often, with switch attacks, you’re targeting things like ligaments, muscles, and tendons. There are also nerves and nerve clusters that can have an immediate effect. You’re affecting mobility and function.

However, while turning off a switch negatively impacts their ability to attack you and does so in a nearly instant manner, it doesn’t entirely eliminate it. For example, if you’re able to take one of their arms out of the equation, that doesn’t stop them in their tracks. They can still advance forward and use the other arm to swing or fire a weapon.

One of the advantages of using switch targets is that they are typically less than lethal. Depending on the threat level, that might be appropriate, as well as justifiable, from a legal perspective. The downside is this approach doesn’t decisively put the target down.

Timers

With a timer target, you can cause a fatal injury, which will definitely serve to end the threat. But that injury isn’t likely to have an immediate effect on the attack. It takes time for it to have an appreciable impact. If you sever an artery, the target will bleed out, absent intervention. However, it doesn’t happen in an instant, and the entire time that they’re bleeding, your safety could still be in danger.

Typical timer targets include the circulation and respiratory systems. Something to keep in mind is that attacking timer targets means you’re using lethal force. If you are concerned about legal ramifications, be sure you can justify your actions.

There are a few targets in the human body that act as both timers and switches. Meaning they are both fatal and instant. There aren’t many of these combined targets but think spine and brain. Traumatic injuries to them are going to be decisive as well as probably permanent.

At the end of the day, knowledge and training in the use of both switches and timers is advisable.