Gun & Prepping News #44

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

• "In the Modern Era, Iron Sights Aren’t Marksmanship Fundamentals"--Everyday Marksman. The author basically argues that using iron sights is a skill, not a fundamental of marksmanship. Thus he doesn't believe it is necessary to teach someone to use iron sights before "graduating" to optics. He writes:

Iron sights are tool for aligning the point of aim and point of impact. That is their sole purpose in life, the same as any other sighting device be it a red dot or a magnified optic. There is nothing special about them in that regard. In fact, they actually complicate the process by introducing additional variables.  

 

And, he adds: "The simple truth is that optics makes learning marksmanship easier. Optics remove a few variables from the equation, which simplifies the whole process." 

• "Shot Placement: Simple But Realistic Targeting"--Tactical Wire.  An excerpt:

    I came away with two “truths” regarding gunfights. One, every time you enter conflict you run the risk of losing. Being highly trained is an advantage, but it doesn’t mean you will always prevail. Two, while the human organism is not hard to kill, it can be difficult to stop quickly. To do this, you must violate specific areas of the body that are small and might require multiple hits. It’s true that any hit can stop an attacker, but there are few locations that ensure rapid incapacitation.

    The medulla oblongata, located in the back of the head connecting the brain and spinal cord, is the most critical. Face forward, it is behind the nose. It is a key conduit for nerve signals and controls vital processes like breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure and reflex actions like coughing and swallowing. It controls life functions. If damaged, incapacitation is almost instant.

    A head shot is not the same as shooting the medulla. The brain is the body’s most vital organ and it is well armored. Most everyone has heard of people shot in the head without penetration, especially with handgun rounds. I have seen it on several occasions and all looked quite similar; the victim went to the ground. A shot to the head, even without penetration, is a serious situation. The victim won’t likely have a round bounce off his head and keep going as if nothing happened. Head shots are “noticed.”

The author goes on to discuss heart shots before moving on to the size and types of targets he uses to simulate the size and location of vital organs. 

• "Real-World Testing Reveals Critical Safety Issues with Car Holsters"--Concealed Carry. Short take:

After subjecting these products to real-world testing conditions – all of which were less severe than actual vehicle accidents – the evidence is overwhelming: car holsters present unacceptable safety risks. They transform firearms into dangerous projectiles during accidents, potentially injuring occupants or making the firearm inaccessible when needed most.

And, the author adds, "[t]he safest and most reliable method for carrying in a vehicle remains on-body carry in a proper holster."

• "Safariland Gravity Holster 3-Month Review"--The Truth About Guns. A positive review. This holster uses an injected polymer material rather than Kydex, which the author liked because it gave a bit of flex. He also states:

    The Gravity is OWB style holster with an open top design. The low-cut sides are designed for an easy draw. The size of the holster is also compact, with no extra material to jab you when you move a certain way, and no extra bulk. It features a passive trigger guard detent with adjustable tension, ensuring the gun stays securely in the holster.

    One test is to insert an unloaded gun into the holster, turn it upside down, and shake it. The gun should stay in place and not free-fall. One screw adjusts retention. You should also be able to go about your normal routine while wearing the holster, regardless of the activity, and the gun should remain in place. 

    The paddle is a wide and smooth polymer that conforms to your body, pulling the pistols close to your body. It flares at the top to contour around your hip. A hook bolted to the back of the holster clips under your belt and locks it in place during a draw. It comes preinstalled for the strong side hip. The paddle can be adjusted to tilt the grip forward or backward via two screws located at the back of the holster.

• "Guest Shot: The Paddle Rig Returns"--The Tactical Wire. The author discusses the history of the paddle holster and then continues:

According to industry insiders, we are seeing a renewed interest in the paddle holster. Not everyone wants to carry forward of the hip, but they do like the on and off convenience offered by such rigs so shooters are looking, once again, at the paddle holster. Most holster manufacturers offer such a rig and they share similar features. I decided to look at two of the more popular rigs to get an idea of where this classic holster design stands today.

The two holsters he tried were the C & G Holsters Trinity holster and the Safariland Gravity holster with the paddle. 

• "Diamondback SDR Review | The 6-Shot Snub-Nose Done Right"--The Truth About Guns.  This is a 6-shot stainless steel snub-nosed revolver in .357 Magnum which sports modern fiber-optic sights (front and back), and is reasonably priced. The author indicates it will fit J-frame holsters. 
• "An Ode to the Old Ways: Returning to a 1911 Journey" by Matt Robertson, Everyday Marksman. I've seen a lot of articles and videos on my YouTube feed over the last couple of months on this topic: returning to using the 1911 style pistols. 
• "WHY CHOOSE 1911 – ONE MORE TIME"--Massad Ayoob, Backwoods Home Magazine. He comments:

The short, straight-back press of the 1911’s trigger is conducive to accuracy. Its .45 ACP cartridge – I use Federal HST 230 grain hollow points at the +P velocity of 950 feet per second – is ample for power. Speed is facilitated by the pistol’s natural pointing and low bore access, which reduces muzzle jump. 

He also links to a video he did for Wilson Combat on "Why Carry A 1911?" 

• "When Owning an AK-47 Becomes a Courtroom Liability" by Scott Witner, The Truth About Guns. The author points to a couple court cases where mere ownership of an AK, even though it was not related to any charges, were used as evidence that the owner was extraordinarily dangerous.
• "Africa 101: The Gear, Training and Know-How Needed for an African Safari"--American Hunter. I'll never be able to afford an African hunting trip, but it can still be interesting to read about the process.  
• "Is It Legal to Hunt With a Thermal Scope?"--The Truth About Guns. An overview of what states allow hunting with thermal scopes. Make sure to check the hunting regulations before you try it, though. For instance, the author lists Idaho as a state that allows thermal scopes, but I'm not sure how useful it would be since it is illegal to hunt before sunrise or after sunset. 
• "Thompson/Center Buys Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Company"--The Firearm Blog. Supposedly it will not impact Green Mountain's business or other customers.
• "Rook Armor Plates"--Guns & Ammo. A review of a couple models including this one:

 Rook Armor’s Bass Reeves is a Level 3++ plate that is rated for the M855 and M193 (5.56 NATO), M80 (7.62 NATO), mild steel core 7.62x39 rounds, as well as the M855A1. It was developed for a federal agency solicitation. It’s only a half-­inch thick and weighs just 3 to 3½ pounds. ...

• "Prepping Uses for Trash & Plastic Shopping Bags"--Blue Collar Prepping. The author has several uses for each beyond their obvious intended uses. For instance, trash bags can be used as impromptu rain gear or to make a solar still (plus additional uses); while the plastic shopping bags can be used as cordage, among other things. 
• "Best Survival Flashlight – The Ultimate Guide"--Modern Survival Blog. The features that the author looks for in a survival flashlight are: Brightness; Battery Life; Build Quality; and Utility. He discusses each of these in more detail. As to brightness, for instance, he discusses that brighter is not necessarily better, because brighter lights are generally bigger and heavier; and, sometimes, you want a more "normal" level of brightness (several hundred lumens) or even something fairly dim (to conserve power or to avoid being seen). He does recommend something water tight--IPX7 or better. He concludes with some recommendations both as to brands and for specific flashlights. 
• "My Experiment in Small-Scale Pig Farming" by SaraSue, Survival Blog. A look at what the author's experience including what she did wrong. An important learning resource for someone interested in raising pigs. 
• "Prudent Prepping: Building an EDC First Aid Kit"--Blue Collar Prepping.  An excerpt:

 The Contents

•     Generic triple antibiotic cream, for minor cuts.
•     6 band aids, 1" size, generic.
•     6 fingertip band aids, generic.
•     2 non-stick gauze pads, generic
•     Two Quick Clot sponge, 25g size. This is about 50% of the normal Celox Quick Clot size.
•     Small roll of duct tape, to replace any other tape.
•     Primacare CPR face Shield.
•     Two pair blue surgical gloves, from the 100 count box used for car maintenance.

Everything but the Quick Clot is contained in zip lock bags, since the phone case is not waterproof. Gauze is in a separate bag, band aids and antibiotic are together, gloves and duct tape are also separated. The smaller items are in small, 'snack size' zip lock baggies, and the 2"x 3" gauze pads are in regular sandwich bags. 

•  "How to Create a Bug Out Bike"--Urban Survival Site. A detailed article on putting together a survival bike, including accessories, upgrading parts (and tires), etc. It's lengthy but probably worth the read if you are interested in this type of thing. The author discusses the upsides:

    In many countries around the world a bike is the most common form of transportation for many people.  This seems to be particularly true in Asia. The fundamental benefit is that a bike can get you somewhere faster than walking and there’s no need for fuel or the cost of an expensive vehicle. 

    The challenge is that you can be limited with how much you can transport with you, but there are many clever solutions that can make bikes as effective as pack mules for transporting things. 

    The greatest benefit is that it can get you somewhere faster than walking when the roads are jammed or compromised by natural disasters. Bikes can go off road and off the beaten path to keep you going. It also helps that they don’t need gas at a time that may present a lot of challenges with fuel availability. 

    And it case you’re concerned about it –they are impervious to EMP’s.

 And the downsides:

•     You won’t be protected from the elements like you would be in a vehicle.
•     It may be harder to quickly flee a dangerous or threatening situation on a bike rather than in a car.
•     If you’re not in good physical condition or haven’t done any training for long-distance biking you may be limited by how far you can go on any given day.
•     Adding saddlebags and bike buggies can help you transport more gear in addition to other add-ons, but what happens when you get to that steep hill?
•     Like everything, bikes break and if you’re not prepared for repairs you’ll end up bugging out on foot.
•     Families bugging out on bikes versus a vehicle can be a challenge depending on the age and health of the family members. 

 Check it out.