Gun & Prepping News #20

 Just some articles that caught my attention for one reason or another: 

• First up, Jon Low has a new Defensive Pistolcraft newsletter that you should check out.  Jon includes a lengthy excerpt from Gabe Suarez on why super fast split times are not that important and might actually be detrimental in a gun fight. I like to think of it like driving too fast at night where you are actually "outrunning your headlights"--driving so fast that you cannot perceive let alone react to something that comes within the range of your headlights. In this regard, Jon quotes Suarez as follows:

In my experience, street gunfighting performance doesn’t benefit from lightning fast split times and focusing on them may detract from success.  A student that is focusing on getting the predetermined number of rounds out of his pistol, ostensibly as fast as possible, is not able to read what his adversary is doing (notice I didn’t say “target”) and adapt.  Shooting at the precipice of failure requires mental focus on staying on the trigger and the sights to the exclusion of everything else.  And therein lies the problem. 

Suarez also notes that the speed shooting impairs accuracy. 

     Now because we are not advocating lightning fast shooting and lighting split times does not mean we are advocating being slow.  Read that again if you didn’t get it the first time.  But I am advocating heavily for accuracy over speed.  

     The other matter is that the focus on sub .20/.25 split times require both the shooter and the target to be in fixed points and stationary.  And those of us who’ve done this for real as well as watched videos of real fights know that is extremely unlikely.  If you stand still at such intervals, you will either get shot, or both of you get shot.  When everyone is moving those split times hover as long as .50, and that is just fine.  

     So my opinion on split times - ignore them as they are irrelevant for street fighting.  Focus on perfect accuracy and physical smoothness and you will develop the skills to win the street gunfight with confidence and grace.  

On a completely different subject, Jon includes a lengthy excerpt from a discussion on electronic warfare in the Ukraine conflict used to protect infantry from drones. 

For all the technological progress, war is circling back to its comfort zone:  infantry battles.  You’ll see a difference today, of course.  The infantryman moving on the battlefield in 2025 is more likely than not to be carrying bulky tech-laden contraptions strapped to his back.  These electronic-warfare boxes, equipped with cooling fans, batteries and protruding aerials, are modern-day flak jackets.  Without them, soldiers would be defenceless against the drones that hover and hunt from above.  Similar arrays of mushroom-like boxes and aerials stick out from the roofs of any vehicle approaching the front lines.  

It is a counter-point to an essay I saw yesterday arguing that the era of the infantry is over because of drones. 

    In any event, Jon has many more tips, links, advice, and so on, so be sure to check it out.

• "Fudd Friday: Bring Back Pump-Action Rifles"--The Firearm Blog. Since the successful designs seem to be built off of or modeled on shotgun actions, it shouldn't be too hard. The advantage is a fast and fairly compact action for a woods rifle compared to using a semi-auto; and you don't have to break your shooting hand grip to cycle the action as with a lever action. The article doesn't discuss the disadvantages, but I've read from other sources that the actions can loosen up over time depending on the amount of shooting and the power of the round. 
• "The Best Two .380 Carry Loads?"--Firearms News. The author recommends the 99-grain Federal Tactical HST load ("which," he notes, "is the load which will pass the FBI Ammunition Protocol") and the 60-grain Black Hills HoneyBadger. The author clarifies:

When I write “passes the FBI Protocol”, know that I mean the bullet will penetrate ballistic gel blocks a minimum of twelve inches, whether you’re shooting them into bare gel blocks, blocks covered with the FBI standard “heavy clothing”, or through various barriers (plywood, drywall, sheet metal, auto glass) into the gel blocks. 

The HST Micro also seems to do well in the tests I've watched, although it has a lower velocity than the Tactical loading. The Tools & Targets YouTube channel has done quite a few gel tests of .380 ammo, using both a full sized .380 and pocket sized .380s if this is a topic that interests you. (He tests a lot of other handgun calibers and loads, too).

• "A 25 Round Shotgun Practice Routine"--That Shotgun Blog. Since most shotgun shells are sold in 25-round boxes, the author developed a series of defensive shotgun drills that, together, use 25 rounds. The author has linked to videos illustrating a couple of the drills.
• "Tips & Techniques: A Speedloader For .22s"--American Rifleman. For those who have to singly load shells into a .22 rifle or revolver, the author suggests using the magazine for an M1911-style .22 Long Rifle pistol as a way to carry spare ammo in the field. "The slim magazine can be conveniently carried in a pouch or pocket, with the rounds protected, and individual cartridges can be thumbed into a single-shot chamber, the magazine tube of a rifle or the loading gate of a single-action rimfire revolver," the author writes, adding: "Many popular rimfire pistol magazines do not lend themselves to easily thumbing the top round out into a tube or cylinder, but I have found the M1911 conversion magazines to be ideal." He recommends the 14-round ProMag magazines.
• "Shots Fired with GLOCK-Aimpoint"--The Tactical Wire. Years ago, Glock had adopted the Shield RMSc footprint as the standard for mounting optics to its handguns. But Glock apparently partnered with Aimpoint to develop a new proprietary mounting method where the optic housing "noses into the front slide cut, drops into the slide cut and it’s retained by a non-optic rear sight that has a clamping ledge," tightened down with a pair of screws. In other words, because it is wedged in under slanted cuts in the slide, the slide bears most of the force upon recoil rather than a set of screws as with standard mounting cuts. The question I have is how common is it for the mounting screws of a pistol sight to shear off?
• "Senior Citizen Handguns"--Guns Magazine. The author has some suggestions for those with impaired hand strength and dexterity, such as those suffering from arthritis, on issues such as recoil (e.g., switching from a .45 to a 9mm), weight (selecting a light weight revolver like the Ruger LCR), and some suggestions as to different sights (e.g., Advantage Tactical sights or an optic) and methods of carry (e.g., moving from a strong side carry behind the hip to a cross-draw or using a different type of shoulder holster). 
• "Learn About Body Armor"--Shooting Illustrated. Basically just an overview of the advantages to body armor and changing public perception toward civilian ownership and use of body armor.
• "Soft Loops for Fixed Blade EDC"--Jerking The Trigger.  The author writes: "Soft Loops, especially those with Pull-the-Dot snaps, are an oft-forgotten and VERY underrated way to carry small to medium-sized EDC fixed blades" as it allows the author to "move the knife to my belt, freeing up space in my pockets or on my waistband for other tools." 

There are also other great upsides to soft loops. They are compatible with almost any sheath as long as it has a single rivet or hole that can accept a Chicago screw and is narrow enough to wrap the loop. They can also be used as dangling belt loops for larger knives. They last pretty much forever as long as they have real Pull-the-Dot snaps. 

• "Preview: Lunatec Mist, Shower & Drink Bundle"--American Rifleman. A camping/hiking water bottle that can be pressurized and sprayed through a hose and nozzle to help with cleanup and personal hygiene. It comes in three sizes: 750 ml, 1000 ml, and 1,500 ml.
• "Portable Propane Heaters"--Blue Collar Prepping. A review of the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater for use in camping. 
• "Best Manual Hand Crank Grain Mill Choices versus Budget"--Modern Survival Blog. The author gives his recommendations for hand cranked grain mills--an expensive option (roughly $600), a medium priced option (roughly $300) and a more budget friendly version (about $100 or so)--as well as an electric grain mill.
  
• "6 Uphill Hiking Tips to Prevent Your Legs From Turning Into Jelly"--Popular Science (via Get Pocket). The tips are: (i) take a trail using switchbacks over a straight trail; (ii) take shorter steps; (iii) use trekking poles; (iv) take a break when you need it instead of pushing yourself too hard; (v) don't forget to eat; and (vi) train for your hike by practicing on real hills or, at least, a step machine. 
• "The 12 Best Pocket Knives, According to Our Editors"--Field & Stream. Some different options, some of which you may not have considered before. The article discusses the general criteria they used and provides advice on what you might want to consider when picking out a knife for yourself. 
• "The Best Walkie Talkies of 2025, Tested and Reviewed"--Outdoor Life. Short version:

•     Best Overall: Oxbow Gear Renegade 2.0
•     Best Long Range: Rocky Talkie 5 Watt
•     Best Value: BAOFENG GT-18
•     Best for Emergencies: Cobra RX680
•     Best for Kids: Moico
•     Best for Hiking: Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio

•  "Chilling map reveals where 75% of US population could perish in event of a nuclear attack"--Daily Mail. 

    Every populated city on the East Coast, Midwest, West Coast and South could be targeted, killing up to 250 million Americans - about 75 percent of the country's population, according to the map.

    Parts of California, most of the East Coast and regions in the Midwest would experience severe fallout, radioactive debris that falls to the ground, forcing them to shelter in place for more than three weeks to survive.

    Only Western Texas, parts of Nevada, Michigan and Wisconsin would avoid being instantly obliterated on impact.

The far northern California, far southern Oregon area still looks pretty good. Most of California, however, looks like it will become dead lands.