Gun & Prepping News #48

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

• "Top Selling Guns | August 2025"--Guns & Ammo.  Per the article, the Sig P365 and P320 take the top two spots, respectively, in the new semi-auto handgun category and, swapping places, are also the top two spots in the used semi-auto pistol market; the Colt Python is #1 in the new revolver category; the S&W Model 10 is #1 in used revolver category; the top spot in new and used semi-auto rifle categories both go to the Ruger 10/22; the Ruger American Rifle is the top selling new bolt-action rifle; the top used bolt-action is the Winchester Model 70; the top new lever action is the Marlin 1895 SBL while the Winchester 94 tops the used lever actions. I'll skip over the single-shot rifles and the different shotgun categories. 
• Far out of my price range, but it is good to see continued innovations in handguns: "The Quest For The Low Bore Axis: Rideout Arsenal Dragon from the USA"--The Firearm Blog. An excerpt:

With the idea that a pistol using a fixed barrel and a retardation system based on mechanical disadvantage was the best solution, Travis ditched the rather cumbersome rollers in favor of a lever delay. This is a mechanically simple design that requires careful optimization and manufacturing to function properly; therefore, it’s quite uncommon in modern, mass-produced pistols. We can recall the rather obscure Hogue Avenger pistol and the more famous FAMAS assault rifle as examples of this approach.

• "REACTION TIME. HOW LONG IS A SECOND?"--Survival Centric.  The author begins:

A second is a second, you might say. But, in the martial and sports worlds (and even the stock markets), they worry about split second response times to incoming attacks. Response-reaction-time is defined as the time between a stimulus and a response. Through the years instructors belittled your survival chances to respond to an attack by scaring people about response times. After all,  the ambush lives and breathes inside the failure to respond. In the opposite realm, many instructors have ignored the subject. In the 1990s and 2000s the martial arts, the self defense and combatives worlds were riddled with some depressing, confusing myths on the topic of reaction time and it was treated like an ogre, almost impossible to overcome. 

• "Moats’ Notes: “Back to the Future” - Learning to Run a Snub-Nosed Revolver"--The Tactical Wire. An excerpt:

Darryl presented a thought-provoking discussion on “thinking triggers” versus “shooting triggers.”  In competitive shooting, most of your thinking is accomplished prior to the action; you know in advance that you’re going to shoot.  In a defensive altercation whether you’re going to shoot depends on your last second assessment of the threat; the first shot is an irrevocable commitment.  The 12 lb., long stroke of the double action revolver’s trigger gives added time for thinking and assessing. It’s not as conducive to marksmanship as the 4 lb. short stroke of a single action.  A double action revolver is a “thinking trigger” for every shot, your “splits” may be greater but so is your ability to assess when and if to start shooting and when to stop shooting.   

This also applies to the DA/SA or DAO trigger on a semi-auto pistol. 

• "Shooting Strong with Changing Vision"--A Girl And A Gun. I've seen a lot of articles over the past several months that have addressed vision issues for pistol shooters whether it is astigmatism, failing eyesight, or other issues. This article addresses common vision issues--astigmatism, eye dominance issues, progressive or bifocal glasses, cataracts, and split vision after surgery--and offers solutions for both red dot and iron sights. One thing my father did after he switched to trifocal lenses was to place a piece of tape (he used electrical tape, if I remember correctly) on the lens for this dominant eye with small aperture hole in it so that he was only looking through the part of the lens that was the correct focus. There are companies that sell products that work similarly, such as the Merit Optical Attachment or the EyePal system. (Note: I haven't used these products, but came across them doing a Google search and only include them as a convenience for readers). Here is a thread that discusses some downside to the Merit device and discusses a solution similar to what my father did.
• While we are on the topic of shooting and vision: "Maximizing Visibility and Protection: A Guide to Shooting Glasses"--Eclipse Optics. Information on different types of shooting glasses, features you should look for, how to choose one that is right for you, and care and maintenance.
• "Holosun 507 Comp – Best First Pistol Red Dot Sight?"--Jerking The Trigger.  The large window, reticle options (including ring-dot combo) and low price impressed the author. 
• "Barrel Bedding for the Precision AR-15: A How To Guide"--The New Rifleman. A how-to on "precisely fit the barrel extension to the upper receiver, making them function as one solid unit."
• "32 Auto Extreme Deep Carry"--The Tactical Wire. A review of the KelTec P32 including accuracy testing. Conclusion:

    I doubt I’m a better shot now, but I’d have to say that 3-4” at fifteen yards with no pressure is pretty good from this small a gun – understanding that it’s meant for extreme deep concealment. It more than “beats nothing.” 

    The Federal HydraShok Deep is quite accurate – this is a sub-7-ounce pistol, with little to hang onto. The bullet is under the 71-grain standard weight for ball, but not by much and the speed is right up there, faster than the lighter Silvertip.

    As to carry ammo, any of the ball rounds would work. Winchester has the flat-point FMJ bullet and I like that feature. As to carrying ball ammo, it’s risky in most handgun calibers because more time and attention is given to premium defense ammo. In the 32, I’m not sure that’s quite the factor – but reliability is. The previous P32 was reliable with ball and some hollowpoints, but not all. 

    It’s a decision each user will have to make.

• "Midwest Industries Releases AK Multi Tool"--The Truth About Guns.  The article doesn't mention a price, but it is $85 dollars. But for that you get a tool that handles front sight elevation and windage adjustments, handguard lever tool, and detent tool for a muzzle device. And it looks to be fairly sturdy. 
• "9 OTC Items To Help Fight Radiation Poisoning"--Urban Survival Site. Fortunately, one of the items that is still available over the counter are Iodine Pills (Potassium Iodide / IOSAT) which the author notes are "one of the only FDA-approved treatments for radiation exposure." The other items are foods and supplements that can either help reduce absorption of radioactive isotopes or aid in flushing them from your body. 
• "Confessions Of A Desert Rat — Life In The Boonies On $30 A Week"--Self Reliance. The author explains that he lives in the high desert of the American Southwest. The article is a mix of anecdotes, tips, and insights from living frugally. But even though the author describes himself as a bit of a hermit, he emphasizes the importance of strong relationships with neighbors. 
• "Run Your Generator Several Times a Year – How Long – Tips"--Modern Survival Blog. The author notes:

Generator maintenance at a minimum, involves simply running your generator from time to time. Why?

•     To keep its internal parts lubricated with oil
•     Charge the battery (if it has a battery)
•     To be sure the carburetor isn’t gummed up
•     Put it under load to verify output
•     To make sure that the generator actually works (before you ever need it for an emergency)

• "Prepper's Pantry: One-Pot Meals"--Blue Collar Prepping. The author relates:

Many years ago, when I still went camping, the only cooking pot I brought along was a steel wok. In that I could make nearly anything over the campfire, from hamburgers to stew to biscuits, though generally not all at the same time. It was extremely versatile and allowed me to travel lighter while still eating well. On trail drives, the cast iron Dutch oven served (and still serves) a similar purpose, allowing simple and hearty meals to be made with little need to carry a variety of cookware in the limited space of a chuck wagon. With some thought and preparation, a frying pan or skillet can serve the same purpose in the prepper's kitchen.  

 

He also includes a couple recipes: one for a dish he calls "Bachelor Chicken" and the other for "Chicken With Onions". My wife works late and I generally also work well past 5 pm, so we don't have a lot of time to prepare meals, and I often fall back on my own versions of one-pot meals: typically some type of stir fry or a pot of chicken and vegetable curry.  (Although I guess they are technically not one-pot because I also use a rice cooker to prepare rice).