Gun & Prepping News #67

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

• "HB 2763 and How Public Shooting Ranges Quietly Disappear"--The Truth About Guns.  How bureaucrats close down public shooting ranges without public input and a bill in Arizona intended to curb such behavior. You have to understand that there are conspiracies both large and small all throughout society to advance both small and large purposes contrary to the will of public. 
• "UK Launches Project Grayburn To Replace The SA80"--The Firearm Blog. The UK is looking for a new military rifle; or, rather, a rifle system with multiple variants for different missions and purposes. 

While further details of what the British military is seeking with Project Grayburn are yet to be publicly released, many of the major small arms manufacturers including Heckler & Koch, Beretta Defense Technologies, SIG Sauer, and FN Herstal are already positioning themselves to make strong industrial cases alongside submitting their weapons for testing. Weapons we can expect to see submitted to Grayburn include Beretta’s NARP and SAKO’s ARG, Heckler & Koch’s HK416 and HK433, FN’s next generation SCAR and SIG Sauer's MCX Spear as well as likely entries from manufacturers such as Colt Canada, LMT, Knights Armament, Glock and CZ.  

• "Unarmed But Still Dangerous"--Guns Magazine. The author begins by noting that it is a simple fact of life that there are times and places where we are not allowed to go armed or choose to not be armed. In that case, your number one self-defense tactic is to maintain situational awareness:

    Remaining relaxed yet alert about the people, places, and nuances of the things around you is arguably the number one key to a long and relatively quiet life. You can’t become so enthralled with your phone, the basketball game, or the school play in which your offspring is currently singing loudly off-key that you forget to do a periodic quick scan of your surroundings. Live life, enjoy yourself, but remember there is every chance evil is hiding in the faces around you. By staying a tiny bit wary, you’ll be one of the first to notice if the unthinkable happens.

    If so, you have given yourself more choices aside from “wild panic.”     

Your options after that are to run away or what he calls "Plan B": use an improvised weapon. Some ideas:

    There are many schools of thought on the subject, but to keep things simple, my own belief is that you should concentrate on two main types of weapons: impact and stabbing/cutting.

    There are a myriad of possibilities in your surroundings right now. Have you thought about using a full drink bottle or even a laptop computer to club a miscreant into submission? A stout flashlight doesn’t look like a weapon, but trust me, it is quite effective at putting people in a different frame of mind. There is always the old prison standby of putting batteries, rocks, or a handful of bolts in a sock and using it like a blackjack.

• More: "Less Lethal"--Guns Magazine. A look at batons, Tasers, stun guns, CS/CN gasses and pepper sprays.
• "Shotguns: Cleaning Tips for Your Shotgun"--Shooting Illustrated.  Some advice on cleaning plus this:

Although there are many products that are intended to clean, lubricate and protect (CLP is the trademarked name for this, and it is good if you can only choose one), cleaning—meaning degreasing and removing carbon fouling, protecting and lubricating—is best served by individual products specifically designed to perform these different tasks. For removing carbon, lead and degreasing metal parts, a solvent like Hoppe’s No. 9, Gun Scrubber and many others are recommended, but then a lubricant should be applied. For lubricating moving parts, a basic, high-temperature, machine-grade lubricating oil is best. And then, for the final wipe down (level 1 cleaning), a thin, protective, lubricating-but-not-too-sticky product like Ballistol (this German-engineered product can also be used on metal, rubber and leather), Rem Oil or Barricade is suggested. Finally, if your shotgun is used or stored in particularly dusty or freezing environments, a ceramic-based or dry lube product is recommended for all metal parts. (Ballistol’s ceramic GunCer product is great.) Conversely, if your shotgun is kept in humid or salty areas, use a thicker, heavier lubricant for the final wipe down.  

• An interesting piece of gear: "Devil Dog Concepts: Hard Charger. A Side Charging Conversion For AR’s"--The Truth About Guns. This device attaches to the  Picatinny rail on the top of an AR upper receiver and replaces the regular charging handle, giving you a left-side charging handle. Basically, you end up with a long U-shaped charger--one arm being the external charging handle and the other arm replacing the standard AR charging handle. It looks like you can still charge it from the rear should you desire. MSRP is  $97.30 – $102.20 depending on options, which is about what you would pay for good quality ambidextrous charging handle such as those from RISE Arms or a Raptor charging handle. 
• Speaking of gear: "The Importance of a Good Muzzle Device"--The Shooting Wire.  The article is specifically about muzzle devices for the "rifle caliber pistol" (RCP). 

    That name of game, particularly when it comes to semi-auto firearms is “gas control.” When we were using semi-autos with 20-inch barrels, as were standard on the original AR-15s, a simple flash hider/compensator, such as the ubiquitous “birdcage” design worked just fine. The split brake on the front of the XM16E1, despite being decried by troops in the jungle for catching on vines, actually worked very well. Gene Stoner and his team were smart guys.

    However, as the barrels got shorter and the noisy end got closer to the shooter’s face other options were explored. Keep in mind, for a relatively small caliber, the .223/5.56mm has a sharp report. Though a simple AR-15 birdcage flash hider might have worked, even with the short 16 and 14.5 inch barreled M4s, when the length drops down to sub 1 foot barrels, we need something out front to push the gas away from the shooter’s face and to help reduce the flash.     

The author goes on to discuss the XM177E2 Flash Hider, Spike’s Tactical Barking Spider, and Primary Weapons Systems CQB.  I have a Kaw Valley Precision linear compensator on my .300 BLK pistol which I like, but they also make them for other calibers. 

• "SilencerCo Glock 43x Threaded Barrel"--The Truth About Guns.  Short take:

It’s a simple part, so I won’t belabor the point. It’s a barrel, with threads. SilencerCo doesn’t use the same polygonal rifling Glock does, so shooting cast reloads aren’t going to be a problem.  

• ".380 Auto ballistic test, updated"--Range Hot.  Test guns were a Bersa Thunder .380 with a barrel length of 3.54″ and a Diamondback 380 with a barrel length of 2.8″ in order to have results with a couple barrel lengths that would probably be common in most .380 concealed carry pistols. Test were in bare gel and gel with 3 layers of clothing. The good quality defensive ammo all seemed to have good expansion. Penetration was borderline acceptable, generally coming in at the 10 or 11 inch mark, except for Hydrashok which was in excess of 13 inches. As the author notes, the data he collected indicates that with modern defensive ammunition, it is a viable defensive pistol. 
• Related: ".380 Auto pistol vs carbine"--Range Hot. This was a follow up test to the one above, but shooting the ammo through a Hi-Point carbine with a 16.5″ barrel. Velocity was appreciably higher, resulting in a bit more expansion, which made penetration a wash versus those fired from a pistol. But the expansion was truly impressive for most of the loads; nevertheless, there were a few rounds which performed substantially worse out of the carbine. 
• "Hybrid IWB Holsters – No More?"--Tactical Wire.  An excerpt:

    I reached out to a marketing professional who works for a large holster company. He mentioned “a confluence of events that caused the precipitous drop in sales for hybrid IWBs.”

     Among these was the rise in popularity of “appendix” (front of the hip) carry. That calls for synthetics with outboard stabilization devices (“wings” or “claws”). A number of people hide large “double-stack poly pistols adorned with huge (flashlights) and (optics)” in those holsters.

    No less an authority than Caleb Giddings of Taurus recently made a social media post about that very issue. Carrying his personally-owned, slightly modified Taurus TX9 duty-size pistol in a Galco Summer Comfort IWB on the strong side, he said he’d forgotten how comfortable that carry mode was – when he compared it to front-of-the-hip carry.

    My source noted that a number of “influencers” had expressed extreme dislike of hybrid IWB holsters, some alleging they were “dangerous.” If the “shield” of leather behind the upper part of the gun folded over, there was some fear it’d get into the trigger guard. I didn’t test every type of gun against every permutation of hybrid IWB holster – I didn’t have access – but when I tested against what I carried, it wasn’t an issue. 

• And for open carry: "Safariland Retention Holster Options: When Overkill is Just Right"--Breach Bang Clear.  
• "Holosun LS321G IR/Visible Laser and Illuminator"--The Truth About Guns. Something that might interest those of you using night vision gear. 
• "Browning BAR Mk 4 DBM Hunter: Full Review"--Guns & Ammo.  The BAR has long been a solid choice for a semi-auto hunting rifle with a wide selection of caliber choices including some long-action cartridges like the .30-06 or .300 Win Mag, although the particular model tested in this review was .308 and the Browning website only lists .308 as an option. This newest version apparently offers two major changes over earlier models: a barrel that screws into the receiver (it previously had been clamped according to the article) and a 10-round detachable box magazine. 
• "Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8, A Fast Shooting Wheelgun"--The Loadout Room (2024).  This is still listed on the S&W website so I assume it is still available. This is an 8-round .357 Magnum. What makes it truly special, though, is that it comes with Picatinny rail sections that can be screwed on below the muzzle and along the top of pistol. So, if you want a rail (or both) you can attach them; and if you don't, you can take them off. It seems a neat solution and it would instantly make S&W's revolvers more useful if it expanded this option to other models. Nevertheless, if you wanted a revolver for your "nightstand" gun, this looks like it would be a good choice because you could attach a weapon light and/or an optic to it. 
• "Coyote Hunting 101"--NRA Women.  Advice on appropriate rifle calibers, other useful gear, and, most importantly, when and how to hunt the critters. That said, I don't hunt coyotes. Most of the time, at least where I live, they are very wary of people, so if I see them, it is generally at a distance. However, I surprised one years ago when I walked up to the edge of a deep gully filled with tumble weed. I heard rustling down in the weed but couldn't see anything. I raised my rifle to my shoulder and clicked off the safety when suddenly a coyote jumped up on the other side of the gully and we stared at each other for few moments, I debating whether to shoot it and it probably wondering what I was going to do. Then it turned and raced off into the sage brush. When I reported what happened to my father, he was shocked I hadn't shot it and asked why. "Because I'm not a rancher," I replied. 
• "To Oil or not to Oil"--Everyday Commentary.  A discussion of the benefits of oiling micarta knife handles, what oils to use, and how to do it. The author comments:

Micarta is definitely one of my favorite, if not my single favorite, handle materials on a knife.  The process of oiling it makes it smoother and nicer to look at without compromising its grip.  And, I think that truly appreciating your stuff, you have to make it your own.  Oiling the handles is an easy way to do that.  Plus, if you are dude like me, you probably need a bit of moisturizer.  Especially right now in the winter time.   

• For those of you that travel or work overseas, but also good advice for "bug out" bags: "How to Pack a Go Bag"--Harvard Global Support Services.  The article explains that "[a] 'go bag'” is an easy-to-carry bag that holds everything you need if you have to leave in a hurry or in an emergency. Think of it like a small backpack or duffle bag with your essentials." And, when packing such bag:

Strike a balance between being well prepared and having a go bag that’s easy to maintain and carry. Exactly what you pack depends on you and your location (e.g., weather; cash-based economy; availability of food, water, and medicine).

It then has what appears to be a fairly complete checklist of items. 

• "DO IT YOURSELF !! Building a 3500-Watt Portable Battery Bank Solar Power Unit."--Jack Lawson.  
• "Prepping spring garden beds quickly and easily for planting"--Creative Vegetable Gardener. The author's first recommendation is to set up a permanent garden design if you haven't done so and install a no-till garden:

     I don’t recommend tilling because it can create more weeds by bringing seeds to the surface. The soil structure in your garden is also a complex web of bacteria and fungi that serves your plants better if it stays intact. And, wrestling with a tiller can be a lot of work.

    I’m all for simple and easy in my garden. That’s why I always install permanent beds and paths in my gardens.

[snip]

    Establishing permanent beds often means building wooden raised beds, but there are plenty of other options. What matters most is that you’re garden beds and paths are staying in the same place for many years in a row so you’re not changing the layout over and over every season.

 Also:

One of the best ways to cut down on the time it takes to prepare your spring garden for planting is to keep it weed-free. And the best way to keep those weeds at bay to make sure your garden beds and paths are mulched all year round. 

•  "A Fresh Start: Easy Ways To Prepare Your Garden for Spring"--Lucerne Farms. An excerpt:

The simplest method to prepare gardens for spring is to get rid of old growths and unwanted materials. Start by clearing away the remnants of winter. Remove fallen leaves, debris, and any dead plant material that may have accumulated. This not only improves the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also helps prevent the harboring of pests and diseases.

•  "Growing potatoes organically: when and how to plant, hill and harvest"--A Way To Garden. Probably time to order the seed potatoes. An excerpt:

Q. When is the right time to plant—is there a cue in nature to remind us, or a soil temperature or calendar date we’re looking for?

A. At the earliest, I recommend planting two to three weeks before your average last frost date. Seed potatoes can rot if planted too early in cold water-logged soil.  If your potatoes do get a heavy frost after they emerge, they will put up new shoots, but every time they die back they will produce a smaller and later harvest.

I like to wait for the soil to warm up a little at which point they emerge quickly and grow steadily without stress.  Late March to early May is a good time to plant potatoes in the northern states.  In the warmer areas of the South they can be planted in late fall or early winter.

Where I farm the local point of reference is to plant your potatoes when the snow is almost melted off the mountain.  Whether it’s the first dandelions blooming or a particular bug emerging; if you talk to gardeners where you live they will probably have a local reference, too. 

• "Government's secret plans for apocalyptic events included total takeover or shut down of citizens' communication networks."  Although I haven't read the specifics of the laws or orders that are referenced in this article, I've read plenty of material dealing with government continuity plans. The ostensible purpose of such laws/orders will be to ensure that the government has access to sufficient communication resources following a nuclear attack or nationwide disaster necessary for waging a war or coordinating rescue or assistance. But continuity of government really is more about continuing the government and maintaining its power and authority than it is about saving civilians, and I expect such authority over communications would also be used to prevent the spread of unauthorized or disfavored news or information. 

VIDEO: Evolution of Army Standing Shooting Stances and Holds

Although the bulk of the video discusses the evolution on Army doctrine on shooting stances while the host was serving, he does begin with WWII doctrine and the famous (or infamous) "chicken wing". But this is more than just a history because the video discusses why certain stances and holds fell out of favor and what are appropriate stances or holds now.

I do have to comment a bit on the "chicken wing" that is so often ridiculed by people that have never shot a rifle with appreciable recoil. The chicken wing, as the video discusses, give the best shoulder pocket into which to fit the stock. It works well with the older one-piece military wood stocks or similar stocks on hunting rifles. While I never used the most extreme version of the chicken wing--with the elbow actually higher than the shoulder--putting your elbow out a bit seems to work well with controlling recoil on bolt action hunting rifles. I think it is one of those topics where people knock the stance without really understanding how it came to be and why it was used. 

For more on the "chicken wing" see "The Tactical Chicken Wing" at the Mag Life blog and "Chicken Wings and Getting Your Arm Shot Off" at Everyday Marksman. 

 

 VIDEO: "From the M16 to M4 to the M7. History and evolution of the Army's shooting stance and grip."
Modern Tactical Shooting (22 min.)

"Fry The Brain" Available In PDF

 Fry The Brain is a book on guerilla urban sniping. Or rather, it is THE book on guerilla urban sniping. Not just about where to set up or how to take a shot, but how to avoid getting caught. And it examines some case studies, including sniping undertaken by the IRA and similar groups in Northern Ireland. In any event, the book is now available to download as a PDF at Wyoming Survival. It is also available from Amazon, although strangely the hardcover edition is much less expensive than the soft-cover version. 

    The article "On Urban Snipers And Their Reach In Modern Conflicts" also discusses urban sniping in Northern Ireland. A selection from the article:

    The PIRA (Provisional Irish Republican Army), a group labeled as a terrorist organization by numerous governments, ran a tight urban-clandestine sniping campaign for decades until the fighting was called off, (and Sinn Fein and Gerry Adams became legitimate in the late 1990s). PIRA, frankly was an innovator in modern terrorism tactics, and its urban sniping was considered paramount; it is not without reason why many terrorist groups imitate the tactics of PIRA. And this is not just limited to urban guerrilla sniping. They are responsible for the TTPs (tactics, techniques, procedures) of hijackings, bomb making, and other such violent acts in a modern context. In 1993, in South Armagh, Northern Ireland, British soldiers simply stopped doing their jobs after a PIRA sniper crew completed a string of successful attacks in the area. One Royal Scots platoon was reprimanded because they falsified information about vehicles passing through their assigned checkpoint; the soldiers matter-of-factly did not want to man their checkpoint since it was likely PIRA snipers would engage them. Checkpoints, with their highly visible and predictable nature tend to become a given target for guerrilla sniper attacks—enemy soldiers are often exposed and display the same patterns day after day.

    A notable way that PIRA cashed in on sniping-fear in Northern Ireland was to place [signs] that read “Sniper at Work” depicting the silhouette of a man with a rifle. According to a 2006 British military report, these signs along with media hype, aggrandized sniper fears and inherently affected British troops’ morale and performance — like in 1993 in South Armagh. Similarly, some insurgent factions in Iraq record their actual urban sniping operations and disseminate them through various media for propaganda purposes. They believe that broadcasting their footage generates fear and demoralizes Americans and other occupying Westerners.

And some other related articles: 

• "The Employment of Sniper in Modern Battlefield" (PDF) by Erdem Barışık and Gökhan Baltacıoğlu, Journal of Military and Information Science (2014).
• "Russian Urban Tactics: Lessons from the Battle for Grozny" (PDF) by Lester W. Grau, Institute for National Strategic Studies. Pay particular attention to the section on smoke and white phosphorus. 

Could You Abort A Trigger Pull?

In "Can You Stop a Trigger Pull?" Sensible Self Defense did some experiments to determine how fast people actually pull a trigger once they start the pull. The answer is about 0.02 to 0.03 seconds if the trigger is all of the way forward, but only .015 if the trigger was staged with a slight pressure on it. This was fairly consistent among all participants no matter their skill level. Why this matters, the article explains, is because "[r]esearch has shown that most people can stop an action that they had just started but have not completed in 200 – 250 milliseconds," and any shorter than that probably cannot be stopped once initiated. Looking at the times above, that means that it is unlikely that you would physically be able to stop a trigger pull even if the trigger was all of the way forward, and impossible if the trigger was staged. 

 

    What is the implication for the armed citizen? If you are committed to firing a shot and have started to pull the trigger, the speed with which you can pull the trigger likely precludes stopping that action. In 2000 and again in 2009, Bill Lewinski and others studied how fast someone can turn and how fast someone can stop shooting (reference 2 & 3). In the 2000 study they found that the average time for someone to turn in scenarios where the threat was firing at a fictional “police officer” was 0.0300 seconds from one starting position and 0.0900 seconds from another. If the threat turns in the instant you pull the trigger, the trigger pull speed when combined with turning speed (particularly the speed of a young, athletic person) could easily result in shooting the threat in the back.

    Given that at any given moment in our lives today we are probably being video recorded, that video recording may show the threat turning away as you fire making it look like you are intentionally shooting them in the back when they are no longer a threat. Knowing trigger pull speeds and the speed in which someone can turn could be very useful information for the defense in case of criminal charges.

Gun & Prepping News #66

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

• "Cold Weather Carry"--Handguns Magazine.  Richard Nance begins:

    As a native Californian, I sometimes forget the whole world doesn’t walk around in T-shirts, shorts and flip flops year-round. Recent trips to northern Illinois and central Pennsylvania reminded me not everyone has it so easy when it comes to concealed carry. Clearing a baggy T-shirt to draw your handgun is a lot different than having to fish your handgun out from under layer after cold-blocking layer of garments.

    Add a pair of cozy gloves to the mix and getting to your gun in a hurry can be next to impossible. Even worse, if your gun snags on a garment during the draw stroke, it can be dropped with the muzzle pointing who knows where. If moving to a warmer climate isn’t in your plans, here are a few tips for cold-weather concealed carry.

He has some tips for concealing, drawing, and reholstering a handgun. For instance, if you are wearing multiple layers, he recommends carrying the gun outside all but the outermost layer which will act as the concealing garment. 

• "Handguns: Carry Rotation Downside"--Shooting Illustrated.  The author discusses some of the difficulties had has experienced in switching between different firearms, and concludes: "For a pistol that’s intended as a lifesaving tool, there’s no reason to switch heaters because you’re in a 'different gun mood.' You don’t move the brake pedal around in your car on a whim, so why would you want to randomly cycle through carry handguns to essentially the same effect?" 
• "Underestimating Your Opponent"--Tactical Professor. He comments on a photograph circulating on social media showing an anti-ICE protestor with a an M&P 15-22 .22 rifle with a partially loaded magazine and the mocking comments:

 Within their performance envelope, which covers many urban situations, .22 rifles are incredibly lethal. One of my colleagues calls them ‘three step guns.’ After being shot with one, the shootee takes three steps and falls down dead as a hammer. Underestimating their lethality is a grave mistake. I have many incidents in my database of people killed by a single round to the chest from a .22 rifle.

• "How To Shoot Long-Range Consistently: Rifle Setup"--Rifle Shooter Magazine. An excerpt:

 Whether it’s a stock or a chassis, consider getting (or doing it yourself) the action bedded into that stock or chassis. A lot of stocks and chassis claim that they don’t need to be bedded but I’ve found that even those need to be to get the best, consistent performance out of your rifle system. This creates a 1 to 1 fit of your action to that stock or chassis. This will keep things from moving around under recoil or while you are driving down a bumpy road. This will help ensure first-shot accuracy. On top of bedding the action, make sure you have proper clearance in the barrel channel. The stock around the barrel must not contact (be free floated) the barrel for the most consistency.

• This looks fun: "Automatic For The People: Now You Can DIY A Gatling Gun"--The Firearm Blog.  The article explains:

The M1337 uses AR-pattern barrels and other parts, with all the mechanical hard parts held together by 3D-printed parts. The files for those 3D parts are freely given away online. The creator sells a parts kit that has some of the parts that you don’t make yourself, and you can source other bits yourself.   

It is belt fed according to the article. You can learn more at the designer's website here. Per the website and videos, it uses disintegrating belt links. Per the author's website, he has also been developing a suppressor for it to be used with .300 BLK. 

• "SAINT Victor 7.62 20": The Do-Everything Rifle?"--The Armory Life.  There seems to be a lot more interest in a "do-everything rifle"--truck gun, ranch rifle, scout rifle, are common types of rifles being thrown around in that regard. The author of this article offers both a review of the SAINT Victor rifle and an argument on why .308 makes an ideal "do-everything" round. The article doesn't mention it, but the rifle is 8 lbs. 1 oz. according to the manufacturer. 
• And Ruger re-imagines their scout rifle: "Ruger American Gen II Scout: Built For The Real World"--The Firearm Blog. The older Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle was based on the Ruger M77 rifle which used a Mauser style action, including push feed and large claw extractor. It was also more open at the top allowing better access to the chamber. As the name indicates, the newer rifle is based on the Gen II Ruger American rifle. Both feature 16 inch barrels, but the new rifle is lighter than the Gunsite Scout at about 6.5 lbs. The iron sights on the new rifle seem better than the older models, which were based on the sights of the Mini-30. 
• A different type of do-it-all weapon: "EAA Brings Back Affordable Combo Guns"--The Firearm Blog. Most of the article is about what is a combination gun and some of the models historically offered in the U.S. (they are far more popular in Europe than the U.S. and never achieved lasting success). But it mentions:

Now, EAA says it’s bringing combination guns in from Turkish manufacturer Balikli. We’ve seen these guns before; Balikli was exhibiting them in a corner of the SHOT Show basement in 2024. At that time, we noted that they had some unusual chambering choices, including .300 Winchester Magnum, .30-30 and .357 Magnum—not that there’s anything out of the ordinary with these calibers, but they’re rarely found in combination guns made in Europe. 

No word on what calibers or prices, yet.  

• And on the topic of "do-it-all" rifles: "Best Ranch Rifles: A Modern Ranch Rifle Revival"--Recoil. The author defines a "ranch rifle" as "a handy, compact, intermediate-caliber rifle, carried around all-day long from dawn to dusk while on a ranch." And, in that regard:

While an AR-15 fills the same role very capably, some might prefer the slim profile and feel of a traditionally stocked rifle. Many shooters find a traditional stock to point and handle very naturally and intuitively. When transporting your gun, such as in a scabbard on horseback, a ranch rifle is slimmer from top to bottom than typical pistol-gripped modern sporting rifles.

So of the four rifles that are considered, the author's top three picks are all AR variants that mate an AR to a standard style stock: the CMMG BR4 Dissent, the Fox Trot Mike Ranch Rifle, and the now discontinued SIG Sauer MCX Regulator. Rounding out the list is the Mini-14. 

• "Free SBRs Are Coming! A Horrible Idea"--Guns America.  The author warns: "Zero-dollar NFA transfers sound amazing until you hit the real costs. Before you turn that brace AR into an SBR, read the travel rules, trust traps, penalties, and long-term risks that most shooters ignore."
• Some firearms history: "First M16 Rifles in the Vietnam War"--The Armory Life. ARPA (now DARPA) and Project Agile.
• "AR-15 vs. Bullpup Rifles: Which One Is Right For You?"--American Rifleman. The author goes over the advantages and disadvantages of both. The bullpup has the edge with providing a full length barrel in an SBR length package. But it does not do as well shooting off a bench or from a bipod and I've heard complaints that they aren't as accurate as an AR with a free-floated barrel. The article also mentions that they aren't as easily accessorized. In fact, from a military perspective, one of the issues I've heard complaints of is that even with additional rails, most bullpups don't have the room to mount all the lights, lasers and emitters, optics, and other stuff that commonly show up on modern combat rifles. I'll admit up front that I have zero experience with bullpups, but I've long thought that they would be better for the home defender and prepper because they are more compact which will be a major benefit moving in and around a structure or in and out of vehicles, whereas the disadvantages won't be as significant to the majority of civilian shooters who will not be mounting the full panoply of gear to their rifles as military operators. 
• "The 6mm ARC Cartridge: Why the Military Needed It"--Guns & Ammo.  The reason it was developed:

    America’s military has been at war against terror for 20 years. We have certainly learned a lot along the way, but so have our enemies. For example, the Taliban in Afghanistan knew that most of our guys shoot carbines chambering 5.56 NATO; if they stay 600 yards away, there’s no need to fret small arms fire much.

    The unit that adopted the 6mm ARC decided that they still wanted to get good hits at 600 yards and beyond, so they started issuing more rifles chambered in .308 Winchester because it is capable of that kind of performance. The problem is that the rifles and ammunition are both heavier than their 5.56mm NATO counterparts.

The solution was the 6mm ARC which "can keep a 108-grain bullet above 1,800 fps out to 580 yards" and stays supersonic out to 1,350 yards from an 18-inch barrel at chamber pressures of just 52,000 psi. And it does this using the AR-15 platform. 

• "Fanny Packs Can Add Versatility to Everyday Carry"--Handguns Magazine. And one important point:

First impressions are important, and the goal is for your fanny pack not to make one. Avoid a pack that appears overtly tactical. A pack that hangs from your belly button to your knees, or one with MOLLE webbing and emblazoned with gun-themed patches, will garner unwanted attention. While the interior of your fanny pack should be specifically designed for carrying a handgun, the exterior should look like any other pack. 

And for goodness sake, please avoid black unless it is leather. To me, at least, nothing screams "gun" more than a black Cordura fanny pack. 

•  Knives: "Skallywag Tactical Riptide Review"--The Armory Blog. These look like they would be good tactical or survival knives. Blades are a little over 6 inches long with either a Tanto or spear point style, with either a partially serrated edge (which I dislike) or a plain edge. However, there are a lot of good knives out there, so for me I tend anymore to look more at the sheath than the knife. In this regard:

The Riptide family of knives comes with an ambidextrous, pancake-style Kydex sheath. The sheath features a unique dual-retention system. The form-fitted sheath provides a secure, rattle-free friction fit. It’s augmented by a spring-release tab that further secures the knife in the sheath. It’s easily released in a single motion when drawing the knife by simply pulling up on the ambidextrous button on the tab. Skallywag Tactical is incorporating the dual-retention system in the sheaths of all of its new knives. 

That sounds good. The question I always have to ask myself with gear anymore is "does it do anything better than what I already have or a less expensive option," and, if so, "is it that much better that it is worth spending the money on it"?

• And speaking of "does it do anything better" and "is it worth the added cost" is this article: "Gen 2 vs. Gen 3 Magpul PMAGs – New Tech Worth Extra Cash?"--The Shooter's Log. Probably not enough of a benefit unless you need to buy it because of the particular caliber of your weapon or you have a weapon that is not compatible with the Gen 2. 
• And on the topic of Magpul magazines: "Quick Magazine Tip"--Arctic Specter. Using luminescent tape so you can more easily locate your magazines in the dark. He recommends removing the floor plate, cutting out a bit of tape large enough to go across the tab at the bottom of the floor plate, and when you put the floor plate back on it will cover the extra bit and hold it in place. 
• "Best 243 Ammo for Deer & Other Hunts"--The Shooter's Log.  Some ballistic charts for different commercial loads. 
• "Why You Don't Need "Survival Food" Until You Have Months Worth of Regular Food"--The Late Prepper.  The author advises:

    It’s not a great situation if a family is already breaking into their survival food that has a 10+ year shelf-life a couple of weeks after a long-term emergency strikes. Instead, individuals or families should have several months worth of “regular” food rotating in their pantry. Much of this will be medium-term food such as canned meals, pastas, grains, and even dehydrated meat.

    Keep in mind that I own a long-term storage beef company, yet I still advise not buying any of it until a family has at least several months worth of normal foods. It doesn’t make sense to have to bust open a bucket of freeze dried lasagna on week 3 of bugging in.

    The reason is simple: Freeze-dried meals and meats are more expensive than their canned or boxed counterparts. Canned tuna, chicken, and beef can supply a lot more protein per dollar spent than survival meats. Granted, canned beef is, in my humble opinion, far less appetizing than tuna, chicken, or even Spam, but it fills its purpose.

• "How a Simple Piece of Advice from John “Shrek” McPhee Helped Me Drop 25 Pounds"--Fleeting Survival. The advise was simply to start walking. He has some tips to help you get into the habit and stick to it. 
• Related: "I lost 50lbs thanks to a tiny lifestyle change after years of failed diets and workout plans"--Daily Mail.  The woman in the article lost her weight by adopting a challenge of walking 20,000 steps per day. 
• "How to improve your flexibility – the body’s secret weapon for staying healthy and active"--The Conversation. The article discusses the benefits of stretching and flexibility and includes advice for different stages of life, e.g.:

    For older adults, flexibility is crucial for maintaining mobility and independence.

    Gentle stretching exercises, such as chair yoga, are great options for improving flexibility without putting too much strain on the body. These exercises can also prevent stiffness, which is common as we age. Research also shows older adults who regularly stretch have a lower risk of falls and better quality of life. Older adults should also aim to stretch 2-3 times weekly.

•  "The forgotten art of squatting is a revelation for bodies ruined by sitting"--Quartz. An excerpt:

    “Every joint in our body has synovial fluid in it. This is the oil in our body that provides nutrition to the cartilage,” Jam says. “Two things are required to produce that fluid: movement and compression. So if a joint doesn’t go through its full range—if the hips and knees never go past 90 degrees—the body says ‘I’m not being used’ and starts to degenerate and stops the production of synovial fluid.”

    A healthy musculoskeletal system doesn’t just make us feel lithe and juicy, it also has implications for our wider health. A 2014 study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that test subjects who showed difficulty getting up off the floor without support of hands, or an elbow, or leg (what’s called the “sitting-rising test”) resulted in a three-year-shorter life expectancy than subjects who got up with ease.  

•  "Are You Emotionally Ready for the Coming Collapse?" (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) by Peter Cannon. From the authors introduction:

     Much has been written about physical prepping for a future societal collapse. However, what about the mental and behavioral side of preparation? Is it possible that Christians will live through part or all of the Tribulation? If your children are crying due to hunger, would you accept the mark of the Beast to feed them? Are you willing to die for your faith and/or other convictions? These are tough questions, but we need to face them. In the future, whether it’s a grid-down blackout, an economic depression, riot-ravaged neighborhood, war-torn country or a pandemic-plagued world, are you emotionally ready for the coming collapse?
    
    This five-part article series will include excerpts from my book, “Revelation: Illustrated and Explained.” It is a study of the final book in the Bible, including verses, commentary, photos, and illustrations. ...

VIDEO: Using A Red Dot

 Advice on using a red dot sight and how using one is different than aiming with an iron sight.  

 VIDEO: "Aiming 101: Staying Target Focused with a Red Dot"
JagerWerks (4 min.)

VIDEO: One Handed Pistol Shooting

A video from Langdon Tactical with tips and advice for shooting one-handed.

 VIDEO: "One Handed Shooting (#8)"
Langdon Tactical (13 min.)

I agree with most of what is in the video, but I feel that the stance he demonstrates is more for the benefit of those using a Kevlar vest or body armor than the typical civilian shooter who probably won't have a vest or plate. 

I much prefer a more bladed stance when shooting one handed (almost like a fencer's stance, but with the feet and shoulders offset slightly to allow for better side-to-side mobility). It aligns the body giving you better accuracy, you have the body behind the shooting arm which IMHO helps absorb recoil, and you present less of a target (at least if you are skinny). Some gun designs (such as the old Western style revolvers with the plow handles) demand this type of stance for the best performance. The photo below, although it doesn't show the legs and feet, demonstrates what I'm talking about. 

But if you are using body armor, the disadvantage is that it exposes the armpit and side of the body which are generally unprotected. It also can align the lungs and the heart, so a hit could potentially be worse than if you were shot in the front.  

Source: "The Art of One-Handed Shooting"--The Armory Life.

VIDEOS: Shooting A Handgun

A couple videos on using a handgun. The first video, from Modern Tactical Shooting, shows how not to shoot a handgun as showcased with videos of military pistol training and practice showing poor stance, poor grip and presentation. However, the host demonstrates a correct hold and stance for using a handgun. (The handgun portion is only the first half of the video; the second half goes over some poor military training for using the rifle with host showing a correct stance).

The second video, from Make Ready Firearms Training, covers some common mistakes with shooting a handgun, discussing stance and grip (and why correct stance and grip is important), using sights, and the sight picture (with iron sights) for different situations.  

If you only have time to watch one of these videos, watch the second one.  

VIDEO: "Training Fails 02: Military's inability to teach pistol and rifle fundamentals."
Modern Tactical Shooting (18 min.)

 

 VIDEO: "Fix These Mistakes Will Save You Time and Money (MOST DON'T)"
Make Ready Firearms Training (11 min.)

Be Aware Of Your Target And What's Beyond

From the New York Post: "Oklahoma man hit with manslaughter charge after stray bullet from target practice kills woman sitting on porch on Christmas." The basic facts are that Cody Adams was testing out a new handgun he had purchased, shooting at a target on his property, when a round apparently ricocheted off some debris and subsequently struck a woman sitting on her porch. The distance is not mentioned in the article, but "[i]nvestigators determined the bullet entered Phelps’ upper right arm and traveled into her chest, consistent with a steep downward angle." He has been charged with first-degree manslaughter. Just a reminder to be aware of your target and what is beyond it, pick a place where the bullets will be stopped by a berm, hillside, or some other backstop, and avoid shooting at debris or rocks that could cause a ricochet. 

Gun & Prepping News #59

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

• "Ammo: What is a Lot Number?"--Shooting Illustrated. And, perhaps more importantly, why you should care. 
• "An Appendix-Carry Primer"--American Rifleman. The article has lots of tips and advice but also offers some history:

     What we call appendix carry today is something that would be familiar to pistoleros going back dozens, even hundreds, of years. In the early days of the semi-automatic, a style of firearm carry commonly referred to today as “Mexican carry” involved sticking an unholstered handgun behind the waist belt at the front of the body, where it would be quickly accessible by a shooter’s strong hand. It was a popular option for revolvers, too, as the butt of the gun could hook onto the belt. Casting aside, for a second, the safety considerations of carrying an unholstered gun this way, an obvious benefit was the immediate accessibility of the firearm, as well as the concealment benefits.

    Going back further, daguerreotype images from the Civil War show troopers, soldiers and guerillas with revolvers stashed into the belt at the front of the body, and illustrations going back even further show men with long-barreled flintlock pistols having the gun situated at the front of the body, albeit in more of a cross-draw position to accommodate the 9" to 12" barrels on such guns. Clearly, there were benefits even then to locating your sidearm on the front portion of the body.  

Lindy Beige did a video about holsters back in the 1800s and why they would use a cross-draw method of carry. And it was because people actually wore slacks that went up to the waist, no riding around the hips. At that height, it is very difficult to draw from a holster on the same side as your gun hand, necessitating cross body draw if you want any speed.  

• "Beginner’s Guide to Pistol Ownership and Everyday Carry" byAlex Costa, Range Hot. The author begins:

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of essential gear and equipment for new gun owners who want to carry a pistol for self-defense. While we emphasize the importance of professional firearms training and safety, this guide focuses specifically on holster selection, spare magazines, and other gear to enhance your concealed carry journey. We’ll explore how to choose the right holster for your needs, the importance of dry fire practice, and how to select quality gear that integrates seamlessly with your everyday wardrobe. Remember, responsible gun ownership starts with safety and consistent training, but having the right gear can significantly enhance your confidence and preparedness. 

• "Bolt-Action Versus ARs for Hunting: Choosing the Best One for You"--Guns & Ammo. Setting out the pros and cons of each for hunting. As the author notes, "[t]he biggest advantage to hunting with an AR, however, is higher capacity and the ability to make faster follow-up shots." While the author discusses some potential advantages that the bolt action might have in accuracy and shorter lock time, "[t]he real benefit of bolt-actions is their simplicity." Meaning, easier in theory to maintain and troubleshoot. Other advantages he lists for the bolt action are a greater variety of cartridges, and can (and I would emphasize the "can") be built lighter. But you can probably get almost as light using magnesium receivers from ROAM and using other lightweight components. ROAM, for instance, sells a sub-6 lbs. AR10, and I built an AR10 using their receivers that was, without scope, 6 lbs. 2 oz. I could have gotten it to 6 lbs. if I had used a pencil profile barrel. 
• "The Rimfire Report: Tips for Building an Off-Season Rimfire Trainer"--The Firearm Blog.  The author notes the importance of practice for successful competition or hunting, but that shooting the centerfire ammunition can be expensive. His suggestion is to use a rimfire rifle that mirrors (or, at least, mimics) your hunting or competition rifle. His favorite is the Bergara B‑14R which, he states, is "a customizable rifle that closely mimics a Bergara/700‑pattern centerfire in length, weight, stock shape, and magazine form factor," and "allows hard bolt cycling, safety manipulation, and position work that feels almost identical to their big‑game rig due to the sheer weight of the rifle’s barreled action alone...." But it comes at a steep price. He lists some other options are less expensive (relative to the Bergara) but still will cost as much as a good hunting rifle. 
• This one might work as an off-season trainer at a much lower price point: "The Savage B Series FV-SR .22 Magnum"--The Truth About Guns. This one is a bolt action rifle that uses a 10-round rotary magazine and has a threaded barrel. The author notes that for small game hunting, the .22 Magnum falls into a nice middle ground between the .22 LR and a centerfire cartridge like the .223. He also discusses the silencer (sound suppressor) for it. 
• "One Cool Custom Bearcat"--Guns Magazine. The author praises the engraving and case coloring abilities of Tyler Gun Works. 
• "The VTAC 1-5 Drill | Dynamic Rifle Shooting"--Ammo Land.  This drill was developed by Kyle Lamb. It uses 3 targets and its intended to practice close in shooting (the author of the article notes that it could, for that reason, also be used for handguns).
• "Glock Gen 6 First Look: Evolution, Not Revolution"--Guns America. Yet another review of the Glock Gen 6. Key bit:

     The simplest way to describe the shooting experience is this. It shoots like a Glock.

    Recoil impulse, sight tracking, and trigger behavior all feel familiar to anyone who has ever shot any generation of Glock. The improvements come from how the gun stays planted in your hands. The undercut, beavertail, improved texture, and slide stop fence make it easier to grip the gun correctly without fighting traditional Glock quirks. These are valid improvements.

    The flat trigger offers consistent finger placement but does not change the fundamental nature of the trigger itself.  

• "Inglis P-35B Hi-Power Review: Modern Take on Browning’s 9mm Legend"--The Truth About Guns. Notwithstanding the Inglis name, this is built in Turkey like so many other reproductions. It has some updates over the historical Hi-Power including a replaceable front sight and ambidextrous safety. It also lacks the magazine safety. 
• "The EDC Tool Roll: 711L Mini Ratchet Wrench"--Jerking The Trigger. This is a tiny ratcheting offset screwdriver that appears designed to take standard screwdriver bits. This also means that with a small adapter it can be used as a small socket wrench. It can also fit a bit into the end of the handle so it can be used like a standard screwdriver. The author says that it is about 2 inches long.  It looks to be selling for $25 on Amazon. The Amazon link in the article is dead, but the one I provided sees to be to the same product. 
• "Testing Your Bug Out Bag – Would Yours Survive the First 48 Hours?"--Modern Survival Blog. The gist of the article is that if you can't grab your bug out back and successfully camp for two or three days with it, you have some serious problems with your kit that you need to fix. The author will set up a testing weekend, then comes up with a scenario that would explain why they have to abandon vehicles and continue on foot. He shares his experience on one of these tests with his girlfriend and family. 
• "15 Pioneer Recipes That Still Taste Great"--Urban Survival Site. The author notes:

 Pioneers relied a great deal on Dutch ovens to cook their meals on the trail. Recipes didn't involve specific temperatures. Rather, it was just a matter of putting ingredients into the Dutch oven and letting it cook over a fire. [Ed: that is, over coals]

• "Best Oil Lamps for Indoor Use (2025): Safe, Bright & Reliable Picks"--Modern Survival Blog. His recommendation for indoor use is a hurricane style lamp, and he discusses a couple brands. He also mentions this about the lamp oil:

One gallon will last about 256 hours. If you burned 6 hours a day, one gallon of lamp oil would last you about 42 days (for example).  

 

He says that lamp oil will not go bad, and the hurricane lamps can also burn vegetable oil (even if rancid) and can also used citronella oil (which can be handy for keeping away insects). He has other advice wicks, safety, and more, so be sure to read the whole thing.  

Taking The Long Shot With A Handgun

In his article, "Long-Distance Handgun Shooting: How and Why to Take a Long Shot" at Handguns Magazine, Richard Nance discusses long distance (for a handgun) shooting. An excerpt:

    While the odds of having to make a long-distance shot with your handgun may be low, the stakes are unquestionably high, which is reason enough to add this important skill to your training regimen. But tactical relevance aside, developing the ability to fire your handgun accurately at distance is bound to make you a better shooter at more probable shooting distances.

    As a case in point, I reflect on my days as a karate student. Despite training in a traditional style of karate that emphasized kicking no higher than waist level, I spent countless hours working on high kicks. I could easily kick over my head with accuracy and power.

    In a real fight, the chances of delivering a kick to an attacker’s head in a fight are minimal, while at the same time leaving you vulnerable to having your kicking leg caught or having your support leg swept out from under you. However, high kicks helped me develop the flexibility, balance and technique that made me a much better all-around kicker.

    This logic can be applied to long- distance shooting. Being able to hit a target at distance will invariably make hitting a closer target that much easier. But there are some nuances specific to shooting a handgun at longer distances.

    When it comes to shooting, the more stable you are, the more accurate you will be. As such, when a long-distance handgun shot is required, taking a low kneeling or even a prone position is advantageous. Of course, any sort of available rest works as well.  

More:

• "How to Shoot a Handgun Long-Range"--Shooter's Log. 
• "15 Tips for Long Distance Pistol Shooting"--Shooters Global. 
• "Long-Range Pistol Shooting With Red Dots"--Gun Digest. "So why do it? Why shoot a close-range handgun at 150 yards? Because understanding what a setup can do at that distance makes a much closer shot—say 50 yards—seem more like point-blank range."

A New Defensive Pistolcraft Newsletter

 Jon Low has published his latest Defensive Pistolcraft newsletter. A lot of links and comments, as always. One issue that caught my attention because Jon discusses it at length has to do with right handed shooters hitting low and left. Jon writes:

     There are a lot of videos on the internet purporting to teach you how to solve the PROBLEM of right-handed pistol shooters scattering low left (or left-handed shooters scattering low right).  Almost all of these videos are wrong.  

     The REASON some right-handed shooters scatter low left is that they are anticipating the recoil, and pushing against it.  This push is an autonomic nervous system response to the learned recoil.  (It doesn't matter how small the recoil is.  The recoil is felt, because it exists in reality.)  

     The SOLUTION to this problem and all other autonomic nervous system responses (push, jerk, flinch, freeze, etc.) to the recoil and report of the firearm is the "surprise trigger break".  ...

 He then goes on to describe how to achieve and train for the surprise trigger break. He also notes a similar concept with archery. Check it out, as well as the many other links, tips and comments. 

Savage Arms: The Fundamentals of Long-Range Shooting

Savage Arm's blog has what appears to be a good article on "Long-Range Shooting Fundamentals: The Basics of Precision." Topics covered include:

• Trigger control
• Breathing control
• Body positioning
• Grip and rifle control
• Recoil management
• Follow through
• Maintaining mastery with off-range drills 

Be sure to check it out.

• More:  "Long Range Shooting: Skills, Gear, and Getting Started"--onX Hunting Blog. An excerpt:

    “The best snipers in the world don’t take no-fail shots beyond 400 meters,” Nelson says. “And they shoot for a living. So ask yourself: what’s your 100% hit distance? That’s your ethical hunting range.”

    Long-range training helps you find that distance and shrink your margin of error. But the goal is never to extend your lethal range on animals—it’s to tighten your confidence at the ranges you already shoot. 

New Defensive Pistolcraft Newsletter

Jon Low has published a new Defensive Pistolcraft newsletter (link here). He always has lots of good links and commentary and this newsletter is no different. But I always try to highlight something that jumped out for one reason or another, so here goes:

• Jon cites a piece by the Tactical Professor, Claude Werner, entitled "Another Mistaken Identity Shooting and Killing" wherein a woman who had been receiving threats from her son, heard the proverbial "bump in the night", and shot blindly at someone she thought was an intruder, killing her roommate. Werner notes that from his own research, only 3% of those "bumps in the night" are intruders--the remainder are a family member, friend, "or some harmless dumbass". I would add "your cat" to the list. His point is: "Calling out 'WHO’S THERE' would save many a life. The concept that using a flashlight and/or issuing a verbal challenge will ‘draw the intruder’s fire’ is foolish and unsupportable."
• Jon has included links to several training videos at Make Ready on topics such as using a red dot on a pistol, dynamic dry fire training, shooting on the move, and carry optics for combative pistols. He also includes in the same section of his news letter a couple YouTube videos on active shooters and shooting on the move. 
• And Jon links to an article on shooting fundamentals, adding:

     Do not be overly concerned with reducing your wobble.  The surprise trigger break will take care of ensuring you get a good hit, no matter how much you wobble.  Yes, as a matter of fact it is magic.  Any sufficiently advanced technology will appear to be magic to the ignorant.  God's masterpiece of creation, the human, is extremely advanced technology; far beyond the comprehension of man and his silly medical science.  

     God tells us not to worry.  So, do not worry about your wobble.  Rather, believe that you are holding steady and that there is a gremlin down range moving your target around.  There is nothing you can do about that gremlin, so don't worry about it.  Just strive for your surprise break and shoot.   

Daily Mail: Lieutenant Neville Methven, Britain's Top Sniper of World War I

The Daily Mail reports on Lieutenant Neville Methven who "led a crack sniper unit of 24 men who operated on the Western Front." According to the article, Methven killed more than 100 men, and his unit together killed more than 3,000 enemy troops in just two years. The article states that he was awarded the Military Cross for his exploits leading the Bailey's South African Sharpshooters. He was also awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the King George VI Coronation Medal. He was one of only four members of the unit that survived the war. 

    The article relates:

    Lieutenant Methven, the son of a linen manufacturer, was born in 1884 in Stirling, Scotland, but moved to Mozambique with his family as a child.

    He was initially hired as a private marksman for diamond and gold tycoon Sir Abe Bailey.

    In 1916, the British War Ministry approached South Africa to try and recruit skilled marksmen to bolster their ranks on the Western Front.

    At the time, the German snipers had been getting the upper hand on the battlefield, killing scores of British troops.

    Lieutenant Methven, owing to his exceptional marksmanship, was chosen to lead the S.A Sharpshooters who were deployed with the British 1st Division.

    He was in the thick of the action at the Battle of the Somme and in Passchendaele, where he received the Military Cross for 'distinguished service in the field'.

    Lieutenant Methven later recalled: 'One of their processes of operating was to go out, after reconnaissance, into no-man's land in the early hours of the morning, under an arranged and heavy bombardment.

    'At dawn we would be in position, invariably in old shell holes, overlooking the German trenches, our presence being unknown.

    'Again, by arrangement, a further heavy gun barrage would be laid across the German positions and, while the infernal din was going on, we would pick off the enemy in their trenches.

    'Their hats usually fell off or shot up in the air when hit'.

    Lieutenant Methven's skill was praised in a 1919 letter from General Peter Strickland, who told him: 'I have appreciated and valued the excellent services you and your men have rendered to the division.

    'I have known you all personally, and know of the grave hardships and dangers amid which you have served.

    'In the heavy fighting on the Somme your work was very marked, and you took a very heavy toll of the enemy in Belgium.

    'I call to mind the most distressing condition in the winters, and all this was borne by you all with the greatest determination and devotion.

    'Your duties called for great self-discipline, gallantry and coolness, qualities shown by you all in marked degrees.' 

The article goes on to state that, after the war, Methven worked as a game warden and trophy hunter, including killing 8 man-eating lions in the 1930s.  

Gun & Prepping News #50

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

• "Weekend Knowledge Dump"--Active Response Training. First, I want to thank Greg for his link to my recent compendium of articles on weapon retention. One thing I will note is that if some of these topics interest you, be sure to save or print out the articles because they can disappear. I had originally compiled those articles about a year ago but, for some reason I don't remember, had not immediately published the post. When I got ready to publish it, I discovered that several articles had been "retired"--the links were dead and searches did not pull up the titles. Moving on to Greg's Weekend Knowledge Dump, it has lots of great links, as always, but here are few that especially stood out to me:
• An article about shootings at houses of worship noting 379 such incidents in the 2000 to 2024 time frame. Since most of these attacks actually occur outside the building, the author has suggestions on focusing on countering threats early on.
• An article on prepping an apartment or suburban home for riots and civil unrest. One of the points raised is be prepared for fire. This is always a concern, not just from rioters throwing Molotov cocktails or setting things alight, but also generally in survival situations because fires can start from overturned candles of lamps (e.g., the Great Chicago Fire).
• On a related note, there is an article on the 10 best ways to defend yourself against civil unrest with some tips on how to avoid getting caught up in a protest and some tips if you do get caught out in the open.  
• An article from the Revolver Guy blog on rethinking the tactical reload for revolvers, recommending that you just dump the whole cylinder--fired and unfired rounds--and reload from a speed loader rather than try to pick out the two or three empty cases and reload with loose rounds. 
• Running CPAP machines off portable power sources.
• Preparing to defend yourself against vehicle attacks--i.e., when someone is trying to run you down with a vehicle. 
• An article on the legal implications of using a sap or blackjack. 

And more, so be sure to check out the whole thing.  

• "The Marlin Model 60: A True Workhorse Semi-Auto .22"--Guns Magazine. For a long time, this was the most popular model of .22 semi-auto rifle out there, and certain gave the Ruger 10/22 a run for its money with 11 million sold before Marlin ceased production of rimfire rifles in 2020. The article gives some history of the rifle, including various improvements over the years. An excerpt:

 A big part of the Model 60’s reputation comes from Marlin’s micro-groove rifling. Instead of a few deep grooves like typical rifling, Marlin cut a greater number of very shallow channels into the bore. The idea was to gently grip the bullet and stabilize it without the deformation that deeper lands can cause on the soft lead .22 bullets. The result—especially in a ballistically-forgiving cartridge like the .22 LR — is consistently good accuracy. The Micro-groove rifling was also much cheaper to manufacture, as fewer passes of a rifling tool are required. It was truly a win-win situation for this mass-market-appeal rifle.

•  "Parking Lot Tactics"--Tactical Professor. This article was prompted by a piece written by Greg Ellifritz, to which Claude Werner wanted to expand on a couple points made by Ellifritz, with the first being that you should walk against the traffic:

     Every time you go into a parking lot, you will see people who simply cannot put their cell phones down for ONE Minute between their cars and the store. As soon as they get out of the car, they start texting or talking, completely obvious to the two ton homicide machines moving all around them. When they leave the store, they continue blabbing even while they’re backing out of their parking space and driving down the lane.

    The title of Colonel Rex Applegate’s most famous book Kill Or Be Killed comes to mind. Such people are ready and willing to kill you as they distractedly put their manslaughter machines in motion or they’re ready to be killed while yapping about something of no importance.

    By walking against the traffic, you’ll have more chance to see the distracted driver before they run you down and then say “I’m so sorry” while you’re leaking and being loaded in the ambulance aka ‘amber lamps.’ https://youtu.be/53Bx5PLrOIk?si=zCk8BcJyDLOVFUS0&t=173 Note: in the first part of the video there “may be strong language used by those shown in the video. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for young children and sensitive viewers.”

• "Range vs Carry"--Tactical Wire. Using the Glock 19 and Glock 43X as examples, the author notes that they are roughly the same size, but the Glock 43X better lends itself to concealed carry because it is thinner; but the G19 is much easier to shoot. He also maintains that for concealed carry weapons, the speed of the first shot is more important than split times; and to work on shooting at a distance. For more on the latter topic: "Editor’s Notebook: The Distance Issue."
• "Optimizing the Small Frame EDC Revolver"--Shooting Illustrated. Another piece from Claude Werner. One of the biggest things you can do with a small frame revolver is to improve the visibility of the front sight. If you do not have a front sight which can be replaced, this limits you to painting the sight. Werner recommends using either nail polish or modeling paint (like the Testers model paint). He doesn't say it, but I will: the paints that you see for sale for painting sights are more expensive and don't seem to hold up over the long run. In any event, he recommends applying a white base coat and then adding a second coat with the high visibility color you are using. He goes on to discuss switching the stocks (grips) on the weapon. 
• More: "Optimizing the J Frame EDC Revolver"--Tactical Professor.  This article is to supplement the foregoing Shooting Illustrated article by adding some photographs that didn't make it into the Shooting Illustrated article.
•  "Revolver Reliability"--Shooting Illustrated. While revolvers can be extremely reliable, not being subject to feeding issues or problems from "limp wristing" the gun or shooting with less than ideal holds, Tamara Keel reminds us that there are things that can go wrong. For instance--and this is one I've experienced myself--higher recoiling rounds can actually start to pull the bullets out of cases where there has been insufficient crimp and binding the cylinder. She also mentions problems with moon clips and ejector rods backing out (the latter has also happened to me). And, although not mentioned in the article, I've also bits of grit get into the groove/opening where the cylinder hand extends and bind things up.
• "A Handgun is No Longer Enough: The Evolving Standard for Armed Self-Defense"--Ammo Land.  I'm including this article despite not fully agreeing with it. The author is correct when he points out that a handgun is a poor weapon to be using against a terrorist or mass shooting with a rifle and body armor. But I would point out a couple of things before you start packing around a small AR weapon system as the author recommends. First, if the terrorist is wearing hard body armor rated for rifles, you will still need to aim for vulnerable areas just as with a handgun. Second, if police are looking for one or more persons shooting a rifle, do you really want to be carrying a rifle? I suspect that your better option if you are worried about this situation is to carry a handgun capable of making longer range shots and then practice taking those longer range shots. 
• For you hunters, a reminder that you don't need the latest and fanciest rifle calibers: ".30-06 Springfield: Is it Still the Best All-Around Big-Game Hunting Cartridge?"--American Hunter.  Within 700 yards (and let's be honest, most hunters will probably never take a shot over 300 yards) the author believes that the .30-06 is still the best all-around big game cartridge due to its ability to launch big bullets (when needed), its versatility (i.e., it can shoot light weight bullets for varmints), better magazine capacity than some of the newer cartridges with fatter cases, and can easily reach out to 700 yards. And, perhaps most important, is its availability--you can pick up .30-06 at pretty much any place that sells ammo. The way I look at it, if you hand load, the .30-06 can do everything the .308 can do, but just a little bit better because you have the extra case capacity to bump up the muzzle velocity and it can handle heavier bullets for larger game.
• More: "This Is Why The Popular .30-06 Still Rules"--Petersen's Hunting.  
• "Mushroom picker, 70, has his head torn off in bear attack"--Daily Mail. This incident was in Japan, but a reminder that unless you have a firearm, bears are the apex predators. 
• "Morakniv Garberg Stainless Steel Knife is a Prepper’s Must-Have"--Modern Survival Blog. The two main differences I see with this knife versus some other offerings from Morakniv is that it is full tang and the sheath is set up where you could mount it on MOLLE webbing. The MSRP is about $110, but Amazon currently has it for $87. 
• "Neighbors, Friends and Enemies"--Survival Blog. A woman's experience in a rural setting where she generally gets along with her neighbors, but notes that recent events have really brought out the worst in some of her liberal neighbors. An excerpt:

 My neighbors are a sweet, older, couple.  They have a particular set of beliefs, obviously not Christian, and obviously more liberal than my own.  But they live a clean, quiet, productive life, and have a good reputation in the community.  Their families have been in this community for generations.  I am the newcomer.  Other than avoiding political discussions, I do not consider them a threat.  Would I keep them in my inner circle of friends?  No.  Do I want to keep good relations with them?  Yes.

While the aforementioned neighbors turned out to not be Christian and used a derogatory term to refer to MAGA supporters, she goes on to recount how another of her neighbors apparently had a complaint filed with the health department out of spite because that neighbor had organized a prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk's family. 

•  Since it is hunting season in most parts of the United States: "7 Serious Field-Dressing Mistakes"--RealTree. Some common mistakes. Most of them deal with not quickly locating and gutting the deer so the meat will quickly cool down. 
• More: "Pro Tips for Better Gutting Your Deer "--Meat Eater. A few tips for making the experience easier and get better results. One of them:

     For avoiding contamination, Terry Drury, of Drury Outdoors, recommends one more slightly customized tool to help with this job.

    “Take a good pull saw and round-off the end of it on a grinder, along with about two inches of the teeth to dull them. You can now use this to cut the pelvis bone and sternum without running the risk of puncturing or grabbing anything that might contaminate the meat.”

• "Dressing for Subzero Weather"--Mossy Oak.  This article is from the perspective of someone hunting from hunting stands. The author notes:

Most people believe that your outerwear is your best defense for cold weather. However, I am totally convinced that the base layer is far more important than the outer layer to capture and hold heat. On top of the base layer, I wear Nomad gear, which is a Harvester coat and pant. With those two types of clothing, I can hunt for about four hours without getting cold. I have learned that after four hours, a strong wind can cut through those two layers. So, now I carry a sleeping bag with me, and when I start to get a little cool I get inside that sleeping bag and zip it up. The sleeping bag is also washed in scent-free soap and stored in a scent-free bag. 

• One of the key factors underlying civil unrest according to Peter Turchin is popular immiseration--the economic decline of the general population. Something like this: "Only 48 Percent Of U.S. Adults Under The Age Of 30 Have A Full-Time Job?"--Citizen Watch Report. The article outlines some economic trends that suggest that it will only get worse.  

VIDEO: Snubby Crash Course

If you run a snubby or are thinking about it, this is a "must see" video. This video may only be 12 minutes long, but it has a lot of information crammed into it. It demonstrates how to run the heavy trigger on a snubby revolver including getting the best leverage and differences between reset with revolver and most semi-auto pistols. as well as some techniques for drawing and shooting from pocket carry without telegraphing your intention (well, except the fact that your hand is in your pocket) and punching it toward the target. As the presenter notes, "When somebody shoves a gun through your teeth and pulls the trigger with it in your mouth, it is not going to be a pleasant situation." 

 VIDEO: "10-1-25 Triggered: Snubby Crash Course!"
Triggered! (12 min.)

VIDEO: Introduction to Target Focused Shooting

 A method for faster shots on target at distances under 20 yards applying the same target focused approach used for handguns mounting a red dot. Here is an article from Shooting Illustrated that also explains the technique: "Front Sight vs Target Focus." And, if you have a pistol with an optic mounted on it, the following article discusses how to use that optic to teach yourself target focused shooting: "Target-Focused Shooting: The Power of Occluded Optics in Training." And "The Non-Technical Sight Picture: Hard Target Focus" from Tactical Hyve.  

 VIDEO: "Introduction to Target Focused Shooting"
Jay Kelley (8 min.)