Gun & Prepping News #80

Some links that may be of interest:

• "Are Sub-Machine Guns Really Becoming a Thing of the Past?"--Shooting News Weekly. This is a short excerpt of an article from The Telegraph (which is, unfortunately, behind a paywall). The article appears to address the issue from a military perspective--particularly main line units. But it really comes down to how you define "submachine gun". Because an argument could be made that personal defense weapons (PDWs) for the military are submachine guns. And if it weren't for federal laws on automatic weapons, the strong interest in pistol caliber carbines suggests to me that many civilians would opt for a submachine gun if they could afford them. The lack of range which the article cites as a reason they have fallen out of use with the military is of little consequence to the civilian defender faced with short distances inside a house or business. 
• "Three-Dot Sights Suck and This is Why . . ."--Shooting News Weekly.  I'm not convinced. The theory advanced by the author is that the dots on the rear sight momentarily draw your attention from the front sight and might be confusing. He appears to be arguing for nothing on the rear sight. Perhaps there is some merit to his argument when shooting in daylight, but it is a different story when using tritium in very dim light. 

Chris Baker at Lucky Gunner addressed this same issue in an article entitled "Three-Dot Pistol Sights: Just Say No." He does not push for getting rid of all three-dot systems, "just the miserable little non-illuminated white-on-black 3-dot sights that come stock with almost every new handgun." Why?

 

    The main issue that I have with white three-dot sights is a lack of contrast. All three dots are the same color, and they’re usually about the same size, too. There’s too much competing for my attention.

    This isn’t good for quick sight acquisition or sight tracking during rapid fire. I want some visual aid to help my eyes distinguish that front sight from the rear. Ideally, that means a front sight with some kind of bright, contrasting color to help it stand out.

 

[snip]

 

    ... When I’m pulling the trigger five times per second on a rapid fire string, my eyes need as much help as they can get to see what’s going on. Following the front sight because “it’s in the middle” is a whole lot easier when it doesn’t look identical to the rear sights. In fact, plain black sights would even be preferable to the dots. If they all look the same, they’re more of a distraction than anything. 

 

His recommendation: "Personally, I prefer a two-dot setup with a bright fluorescent front sight and a small dot in the middle of the rear sight notch." But, he adds: "Three dot sights are just fine as long as there is contrast and something that will stand out in low light."

• "Fifty Years Of Pyrodex"--The Firearm Blog. The author begins:

Silly as it might seem, the world of muzzleloaders is constantly upgrading and changing to new technologies (similar to the world of bowhunting—try to figure that one out). But one thing has stayed constant over the past five decades. Pyrodex, the black powder substitute that many front-stuffer shooters prefer for its convenience, is celebrating 50 years on the market.

 The rest of the article discusses the history of Pyrodex. 

• "ATF Rolls Back Biden-Era Gun Rules in Sweeping 34-Policy Shift"--Guns America. The article mentions:

 Among the most notable moves:

•     Rescinding the “Engaged in the Business” rule
•     Rolling back the pistol brace rule
•     Eliminating certain record retention requirements
•     Clarifying what constitutes a “willful” violation of federal law
•     Removing CLEO notification requirements for NFA purchases

• "The Stenzel Industries SAK-21: A Uniquely American AK"--American Rifleman.  An AK for the 21st Century:

While maintaining some basic design features and aesthetics of the Kalashnikov, the SAK-21 makes significant departures. Its receiver is machined out of billet aluminum with a steel trunnion insert, and it has a user-changeable barrel. This design allows for cartridge conversion by swapping out the barrel, bolt and magazine. While currently offered in 7.62x39 mm, there are plans to add 5.56 NATO and other chambering options in the future. Its two-lug rotating bolt that operates in a carrier mimics the AK, but Stenzel has opted to go with a short-stroke gas piston operating system for softer felt recoil and better accuracy. The system is adjustable and tunable for optimized use with suppressors.  

The rifle looks good but out of my price range: it has an MSRP of $4,000. 

• "Ruger LCP MAX Gets Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip Treatment"--The Firearms Blog.  

Ruger has teamed up with Magpul to deliver a new variant of the LCP MAX chambered in .380 Auto, this time wearing Magpul's Enhanced Handgun Grip (EHG). The collaboration brings a purpose-built grip module to one of the smallest and lightest pocket pistols on the market, wrapping it in a package that Ruger says improves control and shootability without growing the platform's footprint.

• "Review: Diamondback 9 mm SDR"--American Rifleman.  The author explains why offer a snub-nosed revolver in 9mm:

As of today, the 9 mm semi-automatic-pistol cartridge is among the most commonly used calibers in the U.S. and worldwide. This contributes to practice-grade and defensive ammunition being readily available and more affordable than some calibers. In fact, shooting a wheelgun chambered in 9 mm can save revolver aficionados money, as 9 mm practice ammo currently costs less than similar .38 Spl. loads.

• "Why Your Holster Retention Feels Too Tight or Too Loose"--Guerilla Tactical.  This article focuses on Kydex holsters. The author notes:

Holster retention can make or break your concealed carry setup, especially in apparel like athletic shorts. If it’s too tight, your draw becomes slow, inconsistent, and frustrating; not to mention it can cause wear on your firearm’s finish. If your holster retention is too loose, your firearm may not stay secure—creating a serious safety concern, especially in a situation where you need to be able to draw comfortably.  

 

He then discusses tips on why your holster retention might be too tight or too loose and tips on adjusting it. 

• "Concealed Carry Corner: Should You Carry The Same Position Every Time?"--The Firearm Blog.  Here is the issue:

There are a number of people who think you should carry the same handgun in the same position no matter what. Others think it's important to be flexible and carry various guns in various positions. Both arguments have their valid points, but what's best?  

For those that believe that you should carry in the same position all the time, I have a one word response: winter.  

• "Skills All Preppers Should Be Learning Today Before Something Devastating Happens"--The Late Prepper. The author lists categories of skills (medicine without a doctor; food from the land not a store; water; mechanical and trade skills; fire, shelter, and navigation; grid down communication) and list several skills for each. For instance, "medicine without a doctor" lists wound care, infection and fever, respiratory illness, and pain management; while the food from the land includes foraging, gardening, hunting, fishing, trapping, and food preservation. I know very bright people that are good at anything they put their hands to and pick up skills quickly. Most of us are not like that. But we can try to learn a bit about each general category and have some basic books and tools, while doing a deep dive into several of the others. For instance, for "medicine without a doctor" we can take a first aid class or two, store and become knowledgeable on how to use a first aid kit and trauma kit, as well as common over the counter medications; and some will take a deep dive in procuring and using antibiotics, or herbal remedies, or advanced medical skills. For the food category, the outdoorsman can learn hunting, fishing and foraging; the gardener can learn to preserve what they grow. 
• "Bugging Out Is the Last Option, So Prepare to Bug In for as Long as Possible"--The Late Prepper. A good article outlining the benefits to bugging in when possible versus bugging out to parts unknown (with the "bugging out" essentially becoming a refugee). The advantages to bugging in basically come down to already having shelter and the resources you have stocked up versus limited resources and not knowing where you will lay your head. 
• "Hunting Boot 101"--American Hunter. A deep dive into hunting boots--different boots for different environments, some brands and materials the author recommends. 
• "Protein Powder as a Survival Food: Is it Any Good?"--Modern Survival Online.  Short take: "Yes, protein powder is a pretty good survival food. It’s an easy and convenient way to carry plenty of easily digested protein and calories with you, and is versatile enough to be prepared and drunk as is or mixed in with other foods. It isn’t, though, nutritionally complete."
• "Roasting coffee on a wood stove"--Backwoods Home Magazine.  I don't drink coffee but some of you may find this useful. The author remarks:

     If you’re just looking for a hot cup of caffeine, instant coffee is the most practical option for storage; it lasts for decades. But if you love a rich cup of coffee and are concerned about the possibility of being without electricity, buy a small manual coffee grinder, an inexpensive pour-over coffee maker, and a selection of green coffee beans.

    Why green coffee beans? They can be purchased online for about half the price of roasted designer coffee beans. They store for at least a year, and if they’re kept cool and dry they can last three years or more.

    Even if there is no electricity, the beans can be roasted on a wood stove. All you need is a cast-iron skillet, a heat-resistant utensil for stirring, a hot wood stove, and a little patience. Be prepared for some smoke. It helps to have a heat-powered stove fan or an open window while roasting.

•  "Mother Nature’s Best Home Remedies"--Homesteading Magazine. The author lists 10 medicinal plants to grow including Great Burdock, Marsh Mallow, and Aloe Vera. The article also includes 10 weeds that have medicinal purposes.