Gun & Prepping News #22

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

• Jon Low has published a new Defensive Pistolcraft newsletter. Lots of good stuff related to self-defense, and so funny memes to boot. One of the things that he notes is that the average person has a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year; and a 1 in 4 chance of being a victim of violent crime in their lifetime. That is the statistic. But, I would note, this is not a matter of pure chance--you have the ability to mitigate the risk in many ways. For instance, simply by choosing not to drink alcoholic beverages can considerably lower your risk of being a victim of a violent crime: you won't be hanging out in bars and nightclubs with impaired people that might pick fights, bar hopping through areas that predators congregate, or making late night runs to a liqueur store or a beer run to a convenience store. You probably will even spend less time around those that drink to excess. John Farnam has succinctly stated the solution: don't do stupid things, with stupid people, in stupid places.  Anyway, some other notable points:
• Jon recommends a video from Ben Stoeger entitled "How to manage recoil with your eyes."
• Jon writes:

     We teach to always carry concealed, even when not required to as in Tennessee.  The tactical advantage of surprise will give you seconds.  (Statistically, the typical civilian gunfight last 2 seconds and 1 or 2 rounds are fired from within 5 feet 50% of the time, and within 10 feet 75% of the time [citation:  Police Officer's Safety Association, Ralph Morz].  So, seconds are significant.)  If the bad guy doesn't know you have the pistol, he won't target you to get the pistol (a high value object).  And he won’t be prepared to respond to your presentation of the pistol.  

     If you open carry, you will be mistaken for a police officer or a courier of high value items.  Just like the armed guard in the bank, you will be the first one shot in any criminal scenario.  

• Also: 

      Run three miles a day. You must be in good physical condition to win in combat.  Five minutes to warm up, twenty minutes maintaining your pulse rate at 80% of maximum (Maximum pulse rate is that at which you are running so hard that you feel as though you are going to vomit.), and five minutes at an easy pace to cool down.  Stretch before to prevent injury and after to lengthen muscles.  It takes a great deal of self-discipline to run every day.  So, this is an exercise in self discipline as much as cardiovascular fitness. 

One thing I would add is that it isn't enough to be able to run (or jog) 3 miles. You must be able to sprint, which involves a different type of muscle than just jogging (something I learned to my regret years ago when I tore a ham string when I decided to participate in a foot race at a church picnic).

• Jon links to a paper from a paper on Hick's law: that reaction time slows the more decisions you have to make. Thus, Jon recommends that you minimize necessary decisions such as by always doing certain things the same way: "ALWAYS clear your concealment garment the same way (no matter what garment you are wearing), ALWAYS wear your equipment in the same place on your body, ALWAYS execute immediate action when the gun fails to fire (It will be obvious when something else needs to be done.), ALWAYS shoot to the center of mass of whatever the available target is."

• Greg Ellifritz has a new Weekend Knowledge Dump up at his Active Response Training blog. A few notable links: an article on using the press-out (i.e., "coordinat[ing] the movement of the gun with the trigger pull, so that as the gun gets to its final firing position (FFP), the shot breaks."); an article on the history of the riot gun (the numerous riots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries) and some of the ways they were employed to be less lethal including skipping shot off the ground and into legs; an article at another site, but written by Greg, that he considers his best article on travel; an article noting that, when responding to active shooter events, police are more likely to be shot outside a structure than once inside; an article on improving your situational awareness ("Lessons to Remember"); an good article on different types of eye contact; the March 2025 Rangemaster newsletter with a good defensive handgun drill and an article on keeping your level of force proportionate; and more. 

I found his article on homelessness in Portland ("Spending the night on the streets of Portland") interesting for several reasons--the types of people that are homeless, the community they form even with some ad hoc minimal "government," and so on. But, given all the news about how government and NGOs have been wasting (probably absconding with) our tax dollars, the comments in the article of how, on the coldest night of the year, no government workers or NGOs were to be found helping the homeless, piqued my interest:

 

    Getting warm by the fires was extremely welcome as by midnight we were feeling numb. It’s important to note too that by midnight we had yet to see one worker employed in social services on the streets. Why should this matter? On the coldest and worst day of the year to sleep outdoors you want to see some of the hundreds of millions of dollars we give to the Homeless Industrial Complex to be put to good use. We also made a point to ask every single homeless person if they too had seen anybody. Zero. You ask them and they will give reasons such as it’s a liability issue being outside in the middle of the night or more commonly they need more funding to do so. The general rule in social services is if a provider asks for more money they either don’t know how to spend it or ask because they know they will get it.

* * *

    By early morning Tara and I had walked over fifteen miles. We talked with over a hundred homeless people. Throughout our twenty-hour adventure, we did not see ONE trained professional on the streets. Why this matters is we spend billions funding the Homeless Industrial Complex and the public is demanding results. Results though are not in their game plan. What once was a cause has become a billion-dollar industry. Within this industry, if you truly cared you would at least divert some funds to helping this vulnerable population on the worst day of the year.

• "What's 'Plinking'?"--NRA Family. The article doesn't actually explain what is plinking beyond saying its a great way to introduce kids to shooting and then offering some tips to make it more enjoyable for kids. So let me try. The word "plink" means to "emit a short, sharp, metallic or ringing sound." Thus, plinking is a type of informal shooting at impromptu reactive targets (historically, small cans and, hence, the name)--although small steel targets and spinners are popular--that is intended to be fun (rather than serious "training") but builds skill because the shooter is either switching between different targets or shooting one target repeatedly that moves as it is shot (e.g., the can getting punched further away or in random directions).
  
• "Galco High Ready Chest Holster: Full Review"--The Mag Life.  Very similar in concept to the Kenai chest holster from Gun Fighters Inc. except that the Galco uses a hybrid holster with a padded backing. I also doubt that they have as many firearm options as offered by Gun Fighters Inc. The MSRP for the Galco is higher than the Kenai, but the street price might be lower. The reviewer notes some reasons to use a chest holster: 

    ... A chest holster serves a unique purpose that other types can’t quite match. For one, it’s perfect for outdoor activities. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or fishing, a chest holster keeps your firearm accessible while leaving your hands free and not interfering with your waist or legs.

    A chest holster is ideal for those who spend a lot of time driving, as it provides easy access to your weapon without adjusting your seating position. For those who carry larger handguns, a chest holster can be a more practical option, as it balances the weight better across your torso.

    I have found that the chest holster works best for hunting. If you want to carry a larger handgun in addition to a rifle, backpack, or other gear, the chest holster is the best way to keep your gun out of the way but within easy reach.

• "The Cobra FS 380: Will It Hold Up?"--The Mag Life. Cobra is apparently one of those companies like Jennings and Raven Arms that made cheap, pot-metal guns. The FS 380 apparently takes the standard .22 design (the designs are common to all these companies as best as I can tell) and enlarges it and beefs it up to shoot .380. So how did things go:

 I brought 100 rounds of .380 ACP to the range. If the gun could shoot through 100 rounds, I’d consider myself impressed by the $60 gun. So, did I get through all 100 rounds? Hell no. I didn’t make it through a single magazine without a malfunction. In fact, I didn’t even fire a hundred rounds because I didn’t have the time to sit out at the range that long fixing malfunctions.

In this case, I guess you get what you pay for. On the other hand, when I was younger I would occasionally go shooting with someone who owned a Jennings .22LR pistol and it seemed to run fine. So perhaps in this author's case, it was an issue of pushing a design beyond its limits.

• "Ruger LC Charger 5.7×28 Review | The Affordable PDW You Need"--Ammo Land. This appears to be a pistol version of the Ruger LC carbine: i.e., without a stock and with a shorter (10.3 inch) barrel. I've noticed that 5.7 ammo has become a lot more common at gun stores in my area. Coupled with the number of manufacturers making firearms in this caliber, including completely original designs, I am going to go out on a limb and say that I think this caliber has reached a tipping point where it will likely to see long term support--i.e., not as a "flash in the pan" or even a niche cartridge, but mainstream. 
• Another review: "TFB Review: G48 MOS – Could This Be Concealed Carry Perfection?" Key part:

With all the functionality boxes ticked as expected, the big question for me came down to concealability. How would it wear compared to my old gold standard, its big brother the G19, my more recent P365XL choice, or other options in the concealed space? To answer this question, let’s take a look at some of the 48s stats. It measures 7.28” long overall, with a 6.85” slide. Height including mag and excluding any red dot option comes to 5.04”. Width is a scant 1.1” – exactly the same as the P365 and approximately a quarter-inch skinnier than the G19. While the P365XL does squeeze two more rounds into a slightly shorter height with flush-fit mags, thanks primarily to the wall thickness required by the Glock mags’ polymer compared to SIG’s metal mags, for me it comes down to splitting hairs between the two. I have loved my 365, and I also love the G48. They both conceal phenomenally and shoot exquisitely. The only thing I can think of that might be considered a slight downside with the Glock is those 10-round factory mags. Although that’s better capacity than some competitor options, it still isn’t quite class-leading. That said, thankfully we are not constrained solely to 10 rounds. The aftermarket has provided an outstanding solution to this in the form of the Shield Arms S15 mags. Were I limited to OEM equipment only, I might have opted to stick with my old SIG. Since I’m not under that restriction, my test of the G48 MOS has since led me to purchase one, along with a pack of Shield 15-rounders and even a few +5 extensions. For me, that added capacity over factory tips the scales, and serves as the deal-maker on this gun when added to its inherent top-shelf value proposition.

I think the PSA magazines are a better choice.

• " 21st Century Steyr: Can The AUG Be Saved?"--Recoil. I can't tell from the article whether it is an upgrade to the latest versions of the AUG that have Picatinney rails, or an older version. In any event, the primary objection to the AUG that I've seen is that the rail space is too little for those wanting to run a light and IR laser, optic, etc. Of course, if you are going to go full in on night vision, it probably has more than enough rail space. The author also goes over some other nice-to-have upgrades. 
• "WHY YOUR KID SHOULD LEARN JUDO"--Warriors Krav Maga. The reasons he gives are: (1) to teach safe falling techniques; (2) its cheap (i.e., doesn't nickel and dime you to death like dojos for other systems seem to); (3) it teaches throws and pins that should result in less injury to an opponent (hopefully with less consequences to a kid involved in a fight with another kid); (4) it is a great workout; and (5) because it is an Olympic sport, it is respected.
  
• "How fast you should be able to run a mile at every age — and what it means for you if you can’t"--New York Post. 

    If you’re just starting out, Caronna recommends alternating between running for two or three minutes and walking for a minute or two to recover. Do that for 15 to 30 minutes, and build from there.

    Other strategies to boost your pace include perfecting your form, adding hills to your runs and working on endurance. He also suggests mixing in other types of exercise, such as swimming, cycling and strength training, into your workout routine.

    Mental strength is key, too. Caronna recommends staying focused, fueling up properly and taking rest days for recovery.

• "Hunting Stealth Mode: The E-Bike Advantage"--American Hunter. The author relates: "I’ve yet to try my e-bikes for big-game hunting [although he used it successfully in hunting coyotes], but I’m convinced they will be awesome for slipping silently around the whitetail woods, or for hunting limited-access areas like the big timber company lands on the West Coast. The bikes are almost effortless to ride, and, aside from a quiet hum from the electric motor and the sound of tires on the ground, silent. They’re absolutely killer when you need to get from here to there without anything knowing you’re in the territory." I see a lot more people using e-bikes and e-motor cycles for general transportation.
  
• "If 'masks work', why don't they work? New research suggests the reason."--Emily Burns. Although mechanical tests (i.e., tests using equipment to mimic people's breathing) suggests that masks should be effective in preventing the spread of viruses, real world studies suggest otherwise. The reason, according to new research cites two factors: First (and this is something I've pointed out before) is that masks are only intended to catch droplets from coughing or sneezing (above 5 microns) but are ineffective against small particles. Second, coronviruses don't actually spread via the droplets from caughing or sneaking, but are spread by the simple act of breathing--i.e., sub-5 micron sized particles--and so are not caught by masks. 
• "Best Ways to Secure Doors and Windows and Thwart Looters Effectively"--Alpha Survivalist. Some of the items he covers are reinforcing doors locks (better locks and deadbolts); installing security cameras, window security enhancements (better locks or reinforcement film); motion sensors and deterrent lighting; using landscaping and plants to deter intruders; and something like a neighborhood watch or community response. Check it out as these are good things to just generally harden your house against all types of criminals. Not mentioned in the article, but one of the best things for security an outer door after installing a good quality deadbolt is to make sure to replace the hing screws with screws that go deep into the door frame: experts generally recommend using 3-inch screws on the exterior doors. I would also point out that passive defenses like these merely make it harder for an intruder to get in--it will not stop someone determined to get in. Passive defenses must be backed up by active defenses. Unless you have a security team, this means you with appropriate weapons to defend yourself should it go that far (remember that as a general rule you cannot use lethal force to protect property).
• "America's future ghost towns where more people are dying than being born"--Daily Mail. Because of declining birth rates, "As many as 15,000 cities across America could depopulate and vanish in the coming decades, becoming ghost cities by 2100, researchers have warned." The major consequence for a prepper living in such areas is that declining populations will result in declining services: medical clinics or hospitals closing; cities disincorporating and special districts (e.g., sewer or fire) disappearing; and law enforcement cut back.
  
• "The First Criminal Trial That Used Fingerprints as Evidence"--Smithsonian Magazine. Not prepping related, but still interesting:

     Just after 2 a.m. on the night of September 19, 1910, Clarence Hiller woke to the screams of his wife and daughter in their home at 1837 West 104th Street in Chicago. After a spate of robberies, residents of this South Side neighborhood were already on edge. Hiller, a railroad clerk, raced to confront the intruder. In the ensuing scuffle, the two men fell down the staircase. His daughter, Clarice, later recalled hearing three shots, followed by her mother screaming upstairs. Neighbors came running but the man had fled the home, leaving a dying Hiller by his front door.

    The unknown assailant didn’t make it far. Thomas Jennings – an African-American man who had been paroled six weeks earlier - was stopped a half-mile away wearing a torn and bloodied coat and carrying a revolver. But it was what he left behind that would be the focal point of his trial—a fingerprint from a freshly painted railing that he used to hoist himself through a window at the Hiller house. Police photographed and cut off the railing itself, claiming it would prove the identity of the burglar. In the eyes of the court, they were right; Hiller’s murder would lead to the first conviction using fingerprint evidence in a criminal trial in the United States. At times controversial, this method of solving cases endures more than a century later.

Although Jennings' conviction was appealed on the grounds of reliance on fingerprinting, it was upheld on appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court with the Court noting the acceptance and research of the procedure in Europe and that the Illinois experts had been trained by Scotland Yard.