Gun & Prepping News #43

 Just some gun and prepping related links that I thought interesting or useful:  

• "'Time is Always on Your Side' — The Lie That Can Get People Killed"--Calibre Press.  The author warns:

    ... There’s a dangerous myth floating through briefing rooms, locker rooms, and field training manuals across the country—”Time is always on your side.”

    It’s a comforting thought. It implies that patience, control, and de-escalation will always win. In certain scenarios—like true barricaded suspects or stable hostage negotiations—taking time may be an asset. But in adversarial situations, where opponents are maneuvering against us, that phrase isn’t just false. It can be lethal. 

And:

    In a non-adversarial setting—say, talking a mentally ill person down from a ledge—taking time may be fine. But when someone intends to do harm, they have a OODA loop too. They’re processing, planning, adapting. This is where tactical cunning comes into play—recognizing that your adversary is not static but actively maneuvering against you. Tactical cunning requires not only understanding your options but anticipating theirs, staying one step ahead in both thought and action. You make reasonable inferences to do so.

    Every second you hesitate isn’t “time on your side”—it’s time in their hands. In an adversarial setting, time is fuel for maneuver. 

• "Cover vs. Concealment: Don’t Let Cover Become Your Coffin"--ITS Tactical. Two main concepts here. First, the author reminds the reader that true cover that can stop bullets may not be that easy to find, and your returning fire may be the best cover you can find. Second:

Sometimes folks get sucked into cover and it becomes what we call the “vertical fetal position.” You get right up on the corner with no room to do much of anything. The way you need to look at it is that cover is always temporary, I don’t care if you’re buried deep in some presidential bunker, it’s only temporary. Movement is life. If you don’t have a plan for what you’re going to do once you’re behind cover, then it’s only a matter of time before someone decides to take the fight to you. Add quick peeks and it’s just a major recipe for disaster. If you have reason to believe danger is around the corner, don’t do a quick peek. Ever. 

• "How to Use Cover, Tactics for Self-Defense"--Ammo Land. The author begins with the difference between cover and concealment (what is sometimes referred to as hard cover versus soft cover). He then warns against cozying up to your cover, but allowing yourself some room; but also keep as much of your body behind cover as you can. And more tips and advice. So read the whole thing. 
• "Types Of Holsters, Explained"--The Firearm Blog.  For someone just getting into concealed carry, this article has basic information as to locations/methods of carry. It doesn't really get into holster materials or styles other a short comment about why the author thinks Kydex holsters are better than leather (he warns of leather holsters softening over time and potentially pushing or catching on he trigger of a pistol, although it shouldn't be an issue with a good quality leather holster). The author also discusses a couple of models of holsters that he likes. 
• "MAC MEUSOC Pistol"--Shooting Wire. An excerpt:

    Now, I found the SDS Arms/Military Armament Corporation MEUSOC replica.

    For those not into initialism, that’s Marine Expeditionary Unit-Special Operations Capable. It’s supposed to copy “the finest close quarters battle weapon,” to quote a mentor.

    This just-over-37 ounce 45 Auto has the QPQ finish (think “Tenifer”), vertical slide serrations, target-crowned barrel, and “enhanced GI style sights” (more like high fixed Micro rear with the corners rounded – a nice touch) with a ramp front sight.

    The MEUSOC modified GI 1911 pistols of that era (1985) had Pachmayr rubber wrap-around stocks. This gun has period-correct Pachs – and they are thick as I remember them, with no thinned channel to the mag catch. 

• "Urban Rifle Setup for Low-Profile Operations"--The Truth About Guns. A look at something that could be stowed and carried in something like a day pack. Contrary to the title, though, the author suggests a .300 BLK pistol. He also mentions some "support gear" to carry. 
• "The Ultimate .22 Revolver for Hard-Working Outdoorsmen (and Why Semi-Autos Aren’t Up to the Job)"--Field & Stream. An ode to the S&W 63 J-frame kit guns. This is the stainless steel version and not the aluminum version that seems favored by backpackers. But why this particle firearm? The author explains:

    ... But lots of us who spend the majority of our time outside need working guns—ones that stay on hips or in packs year-around, on fishing trips, on the tractor, scouting for elk, or running a trapline. And for all of that, it needs to be a revolver, because the hard truth is, semi-auto .22s are too finicky for the job.

    Rimfire semi-autos run best with quality ammunition, and they need to be kept clean—something that’s not always easy to do when you’re planting food plots or trapping coyotes. Quality revolvers, on the other hand, will shoot through whatever bargain brick of ammo you have available, and stainless-steel models can be subjected to shameful neglect without much consequence. So, the ideal working gun ought to be stainless and should wear adjustable sights, and yet be handy enough to drop into a coat pocket and rarely left behind.   

He also explains why the Ruger Single-Six, Ruger Bearcat, Ruger SP101 (in .22) and the larger S&W 617 don't make the cut. He also likes that the Model 63 is more shootable than the aluminum Model 317 kit gun because the greater weight makes it easier to shoot in double action without pulling the weapon off target.

• "TFB Review: Savage MARK II FV-SR - Cheap Fun"--The Firearm Blog. I have one of these and they are, indeed, fun. They are also lightweight and easily packed along. My one complaint is that the comb on the stock is designed for shooting with iron sights although the rifle does not have iron sights but is only set up to mount an optic. Thus, you need to get some sort of a cheek riser. 
• "Revisiting an Old Concept: A Common-Cartridge Long Gun and Revolver"--Revolver Guy. Clay Spencer begins his piece (footnotes omitted):

     Chambering a long gun and handgun for the same metallic centerfire cartridge is not a new inspiration. In fact, the concept took root roughly 150 years ago.

    The initial stage was set by Winchester with the introduction of its Model 1873 rifle in a centerfire cartridge it brought out that same year, the .44-40. By 1877, Colt, nervous about Winchester’s threat to manufacture their own .44-40 revolver, adapted its Single Action Army revolver for that cartridge.

    It was thus that many folks on the late 19th-century American frontier–especially lawmen like the Texas Rangers—-had the option of carrying a rifle and revolver using the same round.

     Likely to help boost the sales of their Model 1873 rifle, Winchester offered .44-40 reloading tools so people in the isolated areas of the Far West could “roll their own” and not have to rely on scarce, expensive factory ammo. In any event, the shared cartridge concept proved to be a popular design that makes good sense today for many gun owners who don’t need or want the power of a hunting or military-style rifle.

Spencer's combo, however, is a stainless steel .44 Magnum, 5½-inch barrel Ruger Bisley Vaquero handgun and a stainless, short-barrel Model 1894 SBL Marlin lever action also in .44 Magnum (this being one of the newer models produced by Ruger). As to the rifle, he comments:

 The SBL appears to be almost identical to Ruger’s 1894 Trapper model except it has a picatinny rail, allowing one to mount a scope or other optic, though for me the iron sights are all that are needed for a woods gun. With its 16.1-inch barrel the rifle is noticeably shorter than a Remington 870 riot shotgun. Sporting a bright tritium front sight and large rear peep sight, the rifle is easy to aim in poor light conditions and quickly line up targets.

I wish the author has discussed the advantages to such an arrangement for someone today. One of the comments to the article noted that it made sense to have common cartridges when carrying on horseback. I could see the combination being useful for the prepper who wants to minimize his or her ammunition logistics. But it also means that you are having to give up range and power in a rifle or carbine on one hand, but are using a more powerful handgun round than you might otherwise choose.

• "The VTAC 1-5 Drill | Dynamic Rifle Shooting"--Ammo Land.  This drill was designed by Kyle Lamb. It uses three targets and a timer. It teaches target transitions and accurate shooting under the stress of time. It also teaches longer strings of fire since the number of shots increases to 4 and 5 round strings. 
• "Silencer Saturday #393: Deep Dive Into The SAAMI Silencer Standard"--The Firearm Blog.  To take some of the guess work out of comparing between different silencers, SAAMI has developed standards for testing silencers. This article explains what those are.
• "Armed Self-Defense: ‘Father of 20’ Committed His Last Armed Robbery Outside the Atlanta Bus Station"--Shooting News Weekly. Idiocracy in action. The dead robber, 44 year old D’Anthony Reaves, fathered 12 biological children and also had eight stepchildren. But his luck ran out when he tried armed robbery on an armed bus passenger and was shot twice in the face. 
• "This Is the Future of Home Defense…"--Guns America. The author argues that the near future will probably see domestic drones specifically manufactured and sold for home defense to augment a home security system (although he envisions that such drones could eventually be equipped with some non-lethal weapon. Of course, such drones would only be affordable to those with higher incomes, which are more likely to be targeted by better prepared thieves. I have to admit that in reading this, I was reminded of Jon Low's recent warnings about criminals using jammers.
• "Which Canned Chicken Is Best? Swanson, Kirkland, Wellsley Farms Compared"--Modern Survival Blog. Canned chicken is a relatively inexpensive way to store a high protein food, and something that you can use in everyday dishes. The author gives nutritional information for each as well as a summary of reviews, presumably from Amazon, before providing his own thoughts. But if you want the short take, the author concludes that the Kirkland Signature Premium Chunk Chicken Breast is the best for the prepper "due to its lower cost per ounce, higher protein content (13g vs. 10g per serving), more calories (80 vs. 53 per 2 oz serving), and strong customer reviews praising its flavor and versatility." 
• "15 Toilet Paper Alternatives to Stay Clean Post-Collapse"--Modern Survival Online.  The issue I see with this and many other similar articles is that they don't seem to distinguish between shortages like we saw under the Covid lockdowns and an actual collapse where manufactured products of any and all sorts will be in short supply. For instance, some of the alternatives listed, such as using coffee filters or Kleenex or even newspaper, assume that there is still some source of those products (or perhaps you are robbing one part of your stores to use for a different purpose). The author mentions a few alternatives that would apply to a pre-industrial/post collapse setting, including leaves, corn cobs and a stone, but those really need their own separate treatment. 
• A couple of water filter reviews from Alpha Survivalist:
• "Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review (updated 2024)"
• "LifeStraw Review (updated 2024)"

These serve slightly different purposes. The LifeStraw is a survival filter that is really only intended for filtering water that you are drinking because you have to suck the water through the filter. It is small and stupid simple to use, though. On the other hand, the author explains:

 The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is suitable for a number of uses and it is this adaptability that makes it amazingly versatile. For instance, you can attach it to a straw or a bottle as you drink water. You could also fill the squeeze bag it comes with to get clean water. Or, alternatively, you could add it to your hydration bag.

One thing of note, however, is that both of these filters only filter out debris, bacteria, and parasites, but not viruses. Thus, the author indicates, they should only be relied upon in the first world countries. Each article has much more information on the respective filters, so be sure to read both. 

• "10 First Aid Kit Ad-on Items – Best Tweezers, Better Scissors…"--Modern Survival Blog. Even if your kit has scissors or tweezers, they may not be the best quality. He gives some recommendations for what he looks for in tweezers and better scissors or EMT sheers. He also recommends adding Steri strips to close wounds, a clotting sponge, a SAM splint, tourniquet, stretch wrap to hold a gauze bandage in place, Telfa non-stick pads, Micropore paper tape, and antibiotic ointment. 

•  "13 Things to Expect When The Economy Collapses"--Urban Survival Site. If I were to sum this up, it would be to expect that the crime will increase and public/social services will decline in quantity and quality. Basically, the country will become more like a third world country.