Gun and Prepping News #45

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

•  "The Rossi Princess – Pocket Sized Redefined"--Guns America. As this article observes, before the .38 Special came to dominate both police and civilian markets, firearms manufacturers actually produced smaller framed revolvers for smaller (and shorter) cartridges, such as Smith & Wesson's M- and I-framed revolvers. The author reviews an M-frame sized clone from Rossi in .22 LR, manufactured sometime between the late 1950s and mid-'60s. It does raise the question, however, why American manufacturers don't make use of smaller and/or shorter frames to take advantage of cartridges such as the .22 LR (even Smith & Wesson's .22 LR revolvers intended for concealed carry are built on the J-frame, which was intended for .38 Special) or the 9mm. 
• "High Desert Cartridge Company’s Revolver Ammunition"--The Revolver Guy. A review of the Company's products in various calibers. The conclusion:

 Across the board, I was thoroughly impressed with the High Desert Cartridge Company’s ammo. The attention to detail in loading was evident, as was the quality of components used. Shields’ formula for practical working ammo fills a much-needed niche with many of the cartridges for which he loads. The best examples of that for me are the .357, .41, and .44 Magnum loads he offers.

And, the author adds, the prices make it an exceptional value. 

• "The Evolution of Military Revolver Training"--Shooting Illustrated.  The author traces the evolution of revolver training by what was discussed in military manuals (although I suspect that misses a lot of the advanced training that certain groups would receive; for instance, Rex Applegate published "Kill or Get Killed" in 1943 and surely reflects what he would have been teaching to combatants).
• Some more history: "Guns of the Cold War: The Czech VZ-58 Rifle"--Shooting Wire. While the AKM was a fine weapon for its time, Czechoslovakia thought that it could build something better which was the VZ-58. It is not just a tweak of the AKM design but a completely different rifle. Most significant to the end user, "[t]he VZ-58 was designed with an empty magazine hold open and if the end user desired, rather than switch magazines, they could use 10 round stripper clips of M43 and top load the gun. There is a stripper clip guide built into the bolt, a la the SKS." Although the author indicates that the magazine were not interchangeable with those for the AKM, it is my understanding from other sources that you could, in fact, use AKM magazines in the VZ-58, but simply lost the hold open feature.
• "At What Distance Should I Zero My AR-15"--Ammo Land.  The author discusses a few different distances to use for your zero, but believes that the 50/200 yard is the best overall, especially for those using a red dot, because "you can aim center mass and expect effective hits from 0–250 yards without needing to compensate for bullet drop." However, he notes that most telescopic sights assume a 100-yard zero.
• "Best Pistol Lock Box"--The Firearm Blog. The author rates lock boxes that he has bought and used into various categories including best overall, best bedside model, best for travel, best 'high tech" model, and the best budget friendly model. Most people probably would be looking for one to use by the bedside, and the top one in this category was the Hornady RAPiD Safe Night Guard which sells for just under $200 at Amazon. 
• "Reloading The Stalwart .308 Winchester"--American Rifleman. The author mentions some specific loads, but also gives an overview of the options available to the handloader when it comes to the .308, with bullet weights ranging from 100 grains up to 220 grains (although the bullets on the upper end are better used out of a .30-06). 
• "The Middle Path"--Shooting Illustrated. Some advice on training or practice for those recuperating from an injury or ailment. The author recommends reading or watching videos demonstrating techniques and, when you practice those techniques or conduct exercises to test your mastery, modifying your practice or exercises as necessary to accommodate your physical limitations.  
• "A Primer On Pepper Spray"--Shooting Illustrated. Another take on pepper spray from those I've linked to in recent posts. An excerpt:

    “When it comes to pepper spray,” Haggard said, “there are three things you want to look for. The first is the MCC: or Major Capsaicin Content. Capasicin is the active ingredient in pepper spray, and 1.3 or 1.4 percent strength is preferred, with .7 percent being the bottom end of effectiveness. Sprays above 1.4 percent strength have issues with solid capsaicin grains clogging the nozzle.”

    “Secondly,” Haggard went on, “Look for an expiration date or a creation date. The chemicals inside the canister won’t lose their potency, but the propellant that delivers them will slowly leak out over time. The canister may feel full, but no propellant means it goes nowhere.”

    “Lastly,” he said, “Make sure it has a spray pattern and spray type (gel, foam, etc) stated on the packaging or the canister. When it comes to spray patterns, a stream is less affected by wind as it is more forceful, while cone patterns and gel are shorter ranged and more affected by wind. Gel OC spray has limited effect on the respiratory system and delayed activation. Mace is a tear gas such as CS or CN and it works well to break up a riot, but it is not as effective as a defensive tool as there is a longer delay on its effects. Also avoid blends of Mace and pepper spray, as doing so diminishes the effects of both the CS/CN and OC.”  

• "California DOJ Declares Microstamping ‘Viable’"--Guns America. The article notes that this "finding clears the path for California’s 2028 mandate requiring all new semiautomatic handguns sold by licensed dealers to be equipped with microstamping components." Consequently, "assuming DOJ also determines the components are commercially available at 'reasonable prices'," California could start requiring new semi-auto firearms to be sold with microstamping features as early as 2028. 
• From Andy Ngo: "Disturbing decoded parts of the Minneapolis trans mass sh—ter’s manifesto reveals he picked the Annunciation Catholic Church and school, where he once went and where his mother had worked, because it’s a “liberal school [that] does not allow teachers to carry [firearms].”
• "Palmetto State Armory Wins Micro Dagger Magazine Defense Against Shield Arms"--The Truth About Guns. As some background, the Glock 43X and 48 come from the factory with 10-round magazines. Shield Arms realized that if the plastic body of the magazine was switched to steel, however, the capacity could be increased to 15 rounds (but required you also switch the magazine catch to a metal part because the metal magazine tore up the plastic part from Glock). PSA developed their own 43X sized handgun which used a magazine with a mostly metal body, but the front of the magazine incorporated a plastic overmold, which magazine could also be used in the 43X and 48. Its design gave you 15 rounds, but because of the plastic front, didn't require you to replace the magazine catch. Apparently Shield Arms believed that PSA had violated its patent and the matter went to court, which rules in favor of PSA. 
• "How to Build a Balcony Garden for Food & Self-Reliance"--Apartment Prepper. Too late for this year, but something to keep in mind for next spring. As you would expect, this essentially will be some type of container gardening. The author suggests plants to grow and links to more detailed resources for specific topics. 
• "Survival Fishing – How to Catch Fish in Survival Situations"--Alpha Survivalist. You have to think outside the box in a survival situation, so the author briefly discusses improvised hooks, lines, and bait; fishing spears; fish traps; noodling (catching with your hands); using nets; and even using poison.
• "Wheat Grinders 101"--Blue Collar Prepping.  Having a large store of wheat or other grains does you no good if you can't process them into a usable form. This article discusses different types of grinders. If you have electricity, the electric grinders are great; but you should also have some sort of manual backup. Of course, you don't need to grind large quantities of flour at once--in fact, you don't want to because flour doesn't last as long--but can grind it as you need it. 
• "Best Survival Binoculars: Top Picks for Extreme Conditions"--Modern Survival Blog. The author discusses binoculars generally and some key attributes to look for and the uses for binoculers; and then he moves on to discuss three particular brands and models: the Steiner MM1050 Military-Marine 10×50 Tactical Binocular, the Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Binocular (10x42mm), and the Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 Binocular.