Gun & Prepping News #42

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

• "Passings; and the Loss of Faith"--Tactical Wire. The first bit concerns the passing of competitive shooter, Dave Harrington. But the bulk of the article is about how easy it is to lose faith in a firearm that, whether the fault of the firearm or the shooter, fails that shooter. Although the P320 is not specifically mentioned, I have to wonder if that was the motivation to write the article.
• Speaking of the P320: "Industry Carousel"--Shooting Wire. Discussing the arrest of someone in connection with the death of the Airman killed by (with?) his M18, and generally warning about jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence. He also discusses some other Internet gun rumors that are false, including the rumor that Glock was going to cease civilian sales. 
• "Top Selling Guns | July 2025"--Guns & Ammo.  Interestingly, the P320 was the #2 top selling new semiauto pistol (the #1 spot went to the P365) and #1 in the used semiauto pistol category. But another one that surprised me was that the Ruger Mini-14 was #2 on the new semiauto rifle list (#1 was the Ruger 10/22) and #2 on the used semiauto rifle list (#1 again being the 10/22). 
• Some firearms history: "Guns of the Cold War: The Beretta M9 Pistol"--Shooting Wire. Of course, you can't discuss the M9 without discussing why the U.S. switched from the .45 ACP to the 9mm, which the author begins with. He then discusses the requirements the military had for a 9mm handgun in the 1980s, its adoption and, most interestingly to me, that the adoption of the M9 also lead to changes in how the military trained soldiers to use handguns. Apparently with the 1911, there was little training beyond shooting accurately. 

    That all changed with the M9. The Marine Corps came up with an M9 pistol training course. Instead of paper bullseye targets, we engaged OD green human-sized silhouettes. We loaded our guns, holstered them in the new Bianchi OD green nylon holsters and all of our shooter drills began with drawing our pistols.

    We actually had movement drills where we walked forward while shooting. To modern shooters with training experience that might seem mundane, but it was a BFD back then. We also practiced sweeping the safety off and then de-cocking when we returned to the holster. No armorers were standing over our shoulders watching us.

    Also, just as important, we started carrying our M9 pistols with a round chambered from the 15-round magazine and the safety lever engaged. Our duty load-out for the M9 was now two 15-round magazines as opposed to three five-round mags with the 1911. We still performed the 50-round Qualification Course at least annually with the M9, but we were far more skilled and competent with the M9s than we ever were with the M1911A1s, particularly in regards to tactics. 

• "Home Defense: Why You Should Use an AR-15"--SOFREP.  The primary reasons are that, with the right ammo, it won't over penetrate; the higher magazine capacity makes it better for dealing with a group of home invaders; and it is easy to shoot. Not mentioned is that the blast will probably really mess with your hearing unless you have ear protection or a sound suppressor.
• "Practical Testing of the Cooper Scout Rifle Concept"--The Shooter's Log.  The author discusses the general requirements for a scout rifle, but also notes the importance of the shooter's abilities in operating such a rifle:

Some writers inaccurately note a precision accuracy requirement for a scout rifle. This was not true, as Cooper’s definition was a rifle and shooter capable of field accurate 4-inch groups at 200 yards. This is not particularly accurate for today’s modern factory rifles from the bench. However, delivering that accuracy in the field under less than optimal situations is a bit harder. From the specs, any of these rifles should be capable of this accuracy, but let’s see if I am.   

He then tests his ability using the Ruger Gunsite rifle in .308, a Ruger American Compact in .308, and a Ruger Mini-30, as well as describing his targets and course of fire. Significantly:

The Mini-30’s performance shocked and stunned me. The Mini-30 was the clear stopwatch winner. This was true, even though I had to send a couple extra rounds downrange on the 200-yard target for two runs and one extra shot on the 100-yard can on what would have otherwise been a perfect run. With all the extra bullets downrange, two of the runs were under 30 seconds, and one was under 40. It required the highest round count but delivered the best times.

• "Skills Check: Rifle Check In"--Shooting Illustrated.  A drill to test/practice recoil control. As the article notes:

For us, “Drill Practice” is isolating an individual part of a skill and focusing intently on improving or mastering said skill. The  overall goal with good drill practice is to maximize one’s improvement while minimizing overall effort. Success equals consistency over time. 

• "Shotguns vs. Drones: A Clay Shooter’s Guide to Defeating Enemy Swarms"--Soldier of Fortune.  The best shotgun was the new Benelli Defense M4 AI Drone Guardian shotgun, which was designed for shooting down drones; the best ammo was that loaded with military-grade tungsten; and to be really effective, you needed an RF detector and night vision (preferably thermal). It also discusses the best way to train using clays. There is a lot more, so read the whole thing.
• "The Ins And Outs Of Pepper Spray"--Shooting Illustrated.  "Because," the article notes, "there are some self-defense problems which require something other than 'BANG!'" An excerpt:

    Self-defense pepper sprays are popular and increasingly employed by people for backup or as an alternative in certain locations. Their performance varies, though, so we nagged a pair of experts and convinced them to spill their secrets. Depending on the version, that chemical irritant can jettison downrange as a gel, stream or fog. FN America even makes a pepper-ball system that allows law enforcement to deny access or disperse crowds. Deciding which one is the right system is not easy. In fact, experts don’t agree.

    “Typical stream or gel-type sprays often quote extended ranges, but they need to be aimed to hit a target—face/mucous membranes,” said Michael Hess, vice president of Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP), a company that entered the pepper-spray market in 1995. “Not ideal in the hands of untrained civilians, especially under massive stress. Our system employs a cone-shaped mist—we call it an ‘OC Shield’—that is designed to create a cloud between would-be victim and assailant. Rather than needing to hit the assailant in the face, the bad guy needs to move through this OC barrier.”

    David Nance, CEO of SABRE, the company established by his father in 1975, that is now the largest pepper-spray manufacturer in the United States—disagrees. “Our recommendation is stream or gel because it reduces if not eliminates cross contamination/wind blow-back. Gel sticks to the attacker and does not atomize like traditional pepper spray—it only affects what it directly contacts, which is a preference among many users. Fog is designed more to create the loss of breath sensation.” 

• "How To Use An Israeli Bandage To Stop Traumatic Bleeding"--Modern Survival Blog. If you don't know what is an Israeli bandage, it is a compression bandage used to control bleeding, with a plastic closure bar to hold it tight and in place once wrapped around a limb. The article describes it as an "all-in-one design combines a sterile dressing, elastic wrap, and pressure applicator, making it ideal for military personnel, first responders, hikers, and anyone preparing for emergencies." The article discusses why you should carry the Israeli bandage, its history, unique features, how to use one (including an embedded video), advantages over traditional bandages, real world applications, and training and availability. 
• No: "We Asked Gardeners If Diatomaceous Earth Really Kills Ticks, and They All Said the Same Thing"--The Spruce.  The article notes that diatomaceous earth can kill ticks in dry, sheltered areas but is generally ineffective in outdoor settings. Instead, the author recommends planting lavender, rosemary, mint, and marigolds; make your yard less inviting to rodents and other animals; and keep your grass trimmed short and remove old leaves and brush. 
• "Take a Moment to Breathe"--The Firearm Blog.  No, this article is not discussing breath control when taking a shot. Rather, it is discussing the importance of filters and gas masks in times of disaster or an emergency. As the author notes:

In any emergency—natural disaster, civil unrest, or toxic environmental exposure—gas masks and filtration systems are not luxuries; they are lifesaving tools. Without breathable air, survival and self-defense become impossible. The false pretence [sic] brought on by motion pictures that a bandana or medical mask will provide sufficient filtration may suffice on the silver screen, but reality has a different and ugly agenda waiting for those naive enough to attempt such thoughts. A small investment now will pay dividends later. 

It is a rather detailed and lengthy article, so be sure to read the whole thing.

•  "Discover The Best Waterproof Boots For Any Adventure"--Modern Survival Blog. A discussion and review of Muck Boots, a genuinely water proof boots widely used by farmers and hunters. They come in different heights and are available in camo for hunters. The article doesn't mention prices, but I see them locally starting at about $80 or $90 per pair and going up, depending on the features and height of the boot. 
• "A Guide to Solo Camping: Know the Safety Rules Before You Go"--Survival Life.  Although the article discusses each in more detail, the rules are: 

1. Inform Someone Else Of Your Plans
2. Choose Campsites With Service or Supervision
3. Pack for Safety, Not Just Comfort
4. Secure Food and Lock Up Your Gear
5. Protect Yourself From UV Rays and Insects 

The author also includes some additional advice for solo camping. 

• "How to Be a Prepper While Living on the Road"--Urban Survival Site. The author views living on the road (i.e., out of a camper, trailer or van) as a middle ground between "bugging in" and "bugging out" and discusses the pros and cons, and offers some tips. 
• "Pack Your Memories Into Your Disaster Bag"--The Atlantic.  While the author acknowledges it is important to pack survival items and financial documents, she also discusses the importance of mental health. Thus, she suggests packing a few personal mementos like family photographs, journals, or items with sentimental value. For instance, she writes:

This April, when a 1,000-year storm drenched South Florida, my father and older sister were among the thousands of people abruptly hit with severe flash flooding. They made it out physically unscathed, but many of their possessions were reduced to waterlogged piles of debris. Among those ruined mementos were sets of baby clothes, which my sister had painstakingly preserved for the future but forgotten during the rush of the flood. More than half a year later, she’s still grieving them. “Stuff is stuff,” she told me. But those pieces of clothing had been in the family for decades; she had worn them, and so had her 2-year-old. She just wished, she told me, that she could have held on to those outfits, “and my daughter could have had them for her kids.” 

• "Lost man spent 9 days living off dirty pond water until rescuers spotted ‘HELP’ carved into rock"--New York Post. 

    Andrew Barber, 39, was finally found Friday when a helicopter spotted his sign — as well as “SOS” on the ground — more than a week into the search sparked by his truck breaking down in a remote part of British Columbia’s vast Cariboo region.

    The trained survivalist — who ironically has “I am still here” tattooed on an arm — was found sheltering under a makeshift mud lean-to next to the signs, rescuers said.

    “He sustained some injuries and was severely dehydrated. We found him at the right time,” Staff Sgt. Brad McKinnon of the Williams Lake RCMP told the Vancouver Island Free Daily. 

Not sure why the man was so dehydrated if he had access to plentiful water--diarrhea, maybe?