The Strong Silent Type: Straight Scoop on Suppressors
Silencer: A device designed to muffle the report of a firearm. Suppressors, or silencers, also colloquially known as…
Long Guns: Shotgun Shell Pouches
I bought my first U.S. military shotgun more than 40 years ago. An M97 Trench Gun, it was the most iconic of the U.S. fighting shotguns—and still is, for that matter. Ever since then, I have retained my interest in GI shotguns and their accouterments.
Double-Deuce Drills: Real-Deal Rimfire Training
Rimfire ammo is slowly reappearing on shelves after several years of famine. I’m not sure it will come back to truly regular availability for bulk packs anytime soon, but with a little shopping, you can find the rimfire stuff—well, at least for a few minutes before it gets purchased.
Scope it Out: Follow-Through Consulting Scoped Carbine Class
Working with various instructors allows me to weed out the training that is more marketing than substance. The training market is flooded with “experts” who attended one class at a major academy or watched a bunch of videos on the Internet and hung out a shingle.
AR Magazines: Separating the Good From the Bad
No matter how much money you spend on an AR, if you want it to run reliably, you must use quality magazines. This sounds like common sense, but many times I have found shooters using old, worn-out or low-quality magazines. It’s frustrating to watch a shooter fight through clearing a double feed only to re-insert the same magazine, potentially setting himself up for another double feed. (Not the ideal technique in the middle of a gunfight.)
Long Guns: Meprolight FRBS Back-Up Iron Sights
In any case, if you use optical sights on your M4 or other combat carbine, I highly recommend that a set of BUIS (Back-Up Iron Sights) be installed. I use Trijicon, ELCAN, EOTech, and Aimpoint optical sights because I test a lot of carbines and like to stay familiar with the optical sights I’m likely to encounter.
Lights, Sights and Lasers: Police Low-Light Training
I first met Wes Doss a few years ago when we were both traveling to the United Arab Emirates as guests of Caracal. The long trip to Abu Dhabi to test Caracal’s precision rifle and prototype pistols provided ample opportunity for us to get to know each other.
Smart HD Optic: ATN X-Sight HD
I’ll begin this report with the one shortcoming of the American Technologies Network (ATN) X-Sight day/night scopes: they do not have an on-board laser rangefinder. That said, let me explain why I consider this a minor issue. If we get in the “Way Back” machine and plant ourselves a few decades in the past, we’ll discover there are lots of ways to closely estimate shooting distances.
The Cutting Edge: Gerber Short Stack AR Multi-Tool
The Gerber Short Stack is an ingenious new modular AR multi-tool sized to stow away in Magpul® MOE® and MIAD® pistol grip compartments. The Short Stack is equipped with 15 different tools designed to simplify weapons maintenance and take the chore out of cleaning your AR-15/M4/M16 weapon system. It is compatible with Magpul M-LOK® accessories.
Economical Rifle Practice: One Box Rifle Workout
Rifle shooters often have a problem working on their skills. First, the ammo is prohibitively expensive. Second, the drills and courses of fire that exist are either tilted toward specific competitions such as high-powered rifle or toward rat-a-tat close-range carbine skills.