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TaurusUSA.com BROWNELLS.COM/ESG • 800-741-0015 Sale Ends 10/25/16 CONTENTS BE READY! An Outdoor Sportsman Group Publication EDITORIAL MAY 2016 IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME EDITOR 964 Donata Ct. David M. Fortier MANAGING EDITOR 4 EDITOR’S LETTER David Hunter Jones David M. Fortier CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jim Benson Peggy Robinson Will Dabbs Doug Streeton 6 RIFLES TRUMP PISTOLS Tim Harmsen Jim Tarr SGM(R) Kyle E. Lamb Todd Jaderborg Richard Venola Sgt./Maj. Kyle E. Lamb (R) Mark Vorobiev 14 GOT THE DEAD Scott Moore Ben Winslett John Peterson Tim Yan BATTERY BLUES? DESIGN Doug Streeton GROUP ART DIRECTOR David A. Kleckner 18 DEFLATION ART DIRECTOR Richard Venola Bill Smalley ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Ashley N. Honea 22 ANTIBIOTIC SELECTION DESIGNER FOR DUMMIES Ashton Mertens Will Dabbs MD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Mike Anschuetz CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS 26 SAMBO Peter Draugalis Lukas Lamb Marco Vorobiev Laura Fortier Alfredo Rico Richard King Alexander Sergeev 30 PRAYER PRODUCTION Scott Moore PRODUCTION MANAGER Terry Boyer 36 ECONOMICAL HARD PLATES 6 ENDEMIC AD SALES NATIONAL ENDEMIC SALES MANAGER James Tarr Jim McConville (440) 791-7017 WESTERN REGION 40 FIGHTING THE SECOND Hutch Looney (818) 990-9000 CRYPTO WAR WEST REGION Tom Perrier (605) 348-4652 Ben Winslett SOUTHWEST REGION Michael Garrison (309) 679-5054 44 BROWNELLS: EVERYTHING MIDWEST REGION YOU NEED TO BE READY! Rob Walker (309) 679-5069 EAST REGION 48 CARJACKING Pat Bentzel (717) 695-8095 WHERE-TO-GO/MARKETPLACE COUNTERMEASURES, PART 2 Mark Thiffault (800) 200-7885 John M. Peterson III CORPORATE AD SALES EAST COAST STRATEGIC ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 56 EYE ON INDUSTRY Kathy Gross (678) 589-2065 MIDWEST ACCOUNT DIRECTOR 62 TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES Kevin Donley (248) 798-4458 WEST COAST STRATEGIC ACCOUNT MANAGER James Tarr Mark Hermanson (714) 306-9900 48 DIRECT RESPONSE ADVERTISING/NON-ENDEMIC 72 ZENITH’S Z-5RS PISTOL Anthony Smyth (914) 693-8700 David M. Fortier FOR REPRINTS: For Reprints/Eprints or Licensing/Permission, please contact: 76 BIOLITE Wright’s Media—Toll Free 1 (877) 652-5295. Todd Jaderborg BOOKS, DVD’S & BACK ISSUES: Toll Free 1 (800) 260-6397 or visit our online store at 82 DECEIVE www.imoutdoors.com/store David M. Fortier

86 LIVING WITH TERRORISM Jim Benson

90 AWARENESS Peggy Robinson

94 BAN THE BLUR

David M. Fortier Cover Photo by 62 Lukas Lamb

2 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM BE READY! MAY 2016 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jeff Paro EVP, GROUP PUBLISHER, HUNTING & SHOOTING Mike Carney SENIOR VP, TV OPERATIONS, GROUP PUBLISHER, FISHING FROM THE Steve Hoffman VP, FINANCE & OPERATIONS Derek Sevcik VP, CONSUMER MARKETING EDITOR’S DESK Peter Watt VP, MANUFACTURING Deb Daniels VP, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Todd Smith VP, DIGITAL SALES s we roll further into 2016, it’s shaping up to be David Plante a very interesting year. A lot has happened since The DIRECTOR, MARKETING & SALES DEVELOPMENT Aour Fall 2015 issue. Muslim terror attacks have John White rocked Europe with both Paris and Brussels being hit. SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION focus of Connie Mendoza Plus, Europe continues to struggle with the overwhelm- DIRECTOR, PUBLISHING TECHNOLOGIES ing mass of Muslim refugees threating to destabilize Be Ready! Kyle Morgan the entire EU. A matter of weeks after the November DIGITAL 13, 2015 Paris attack the United States itself was hit has Director, Digital Development Berry Blanton when two Muslim terrorists went on a rampage in San Director, Digital Ad Ops Reggie Hudson Editorial Director, Fishing Jeff Simpson Bernadino California. †ey killed 14 and wounded always Editorial Director, Hunting/Shooting Randy Hynes another 22 innocent people before being shot down in For questions regarding digital editions, the street by police. Muslim terrorists will continue to been to please contact [email protected] be a very real threat, not only abroad but here, well into OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GROUP NETWORKS the foreseeable future. provide outdoorsg.com Talk on the street in the US does not inspire con- TELEVISION ‰dence, either. †e country seems more divided today practical is outspoken in her desire to push gun control. Have no outdoorchannel.com thesportsmanchannel.com than at any time in my life. †ere are racial tensions, doubt, they will restrict your ability to protect yourself world shingnetwork.com protests, riots and violence. †ere is anger towards law and useful and your family. Plus, if a Democrat is elected President, HUNTING enforcement and authority. It is impossible not to see they will stack the Supreme Court with left-leaning bowhunter.com the growing chasm between right and left and the information progressive Justices. †eir goal is to strip you of your bowhuntingmag.com mounting hatred each feels towards the other. †e two rights, plain and simple. Both will push the country gundogmag.com petersenshunting.com sides have moved so far apart they now cheer the deaths to help further to the left towards socialism and communism. northamericanwhitetail.com of the ‰gureheads of the opposing party. An example †ey will continue to foster racial discord as it furthers wildfowlmag.com is the left’s rejoicing over the death of Justice prepare their agenda. †ey will push their war on Christians FISHING Scalia. Many on the conservative right are horri‰ed by and morality to another level. bassfan.com the direction the country is headed in. †ings which you for †e focus of Be Ready! has always been to provide oridasportsman.com y sherman.com would have been unbelievable ‰ction in the 1970s is practical and useful information to help prepare you for gameand shmag.com considered the accepted norm today. At the same time, whatever whatever may come. In this case, we know a storm is in- sherman.com a shocking number of progressive Democrats follow an brewing. Not just any storm, but a storm of the century. SHOOTING agenda to push the country even further to the left may come. My exhortation to you is to become informed, take a gunsandammo.com and openly embrace socialism and communism. Many stand and become involved. You can make a di˜erence handguns.com rieshootermag.com people across the country are worried about the future if you are willing to stand up and try. If you are not a shootingtimes.com due to all these things, not to mention a sluggish econ- member of the National Riše Association, this is also rearmsnews.com omy, staggering national debt and high unemployment. a good time to join. If they are too namby-pamby for †e year 2016 stands out though due to the you then consider Jews for the Preservation of Fire- Copyright 2016 By Outdoor Sportsman Group All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may Presidential election. If you are worried about any of arms Ownership (you don’t have to be Jewish to join). be reproduced without written permission. the items I mentioned, now is the time to act. Con- If you are a ‰rearm owner, get o˜ your butt and join an 1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor sider getting involved on the local level, and support organization to help protect your rights. New York, NY 10018-3703 your candidate of choice in the primaries and general Once again our editorial team has worked hard to The Publisher and authors make no representations or election. If you don’t like the direction the country is come up with a wide variety of informative articles warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness or time- liness of the information contained in this publication. Any headed, do something about it. Sitting home griping and our Art Department has labored hard to make reliance or use of the information is solely at your own risk, on a forum or blog on the Internet isn’t going to change them look good. Kyle Lamb’s cover article is especially and the authors and Publisher disclaim any and all liability relating thereto. Any prices given in this issue were suggest- anything. Get up, go out and get involved to be part of valuable thanks to both his knowledge and his clear ed prices at the press time and are subject to change. the solution. Plus, help get others involved as well. concise writing style. I have to say though, this issue is Some advertisements in this magazine may concern Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are out- chock full of information from one end to the other. I products that are not legally for sale to California residents spoken critics of the 2nd Amendment and would gladly hope you enjoy it. or residents in other jurisdictions. restrict your ability to own ‰rearms. If one of them gets ® is a registered trademark of Outdoor elected, they will push to ban so-called ‘assault weapons’, — David M. Fortier Sportsman Group in the United States. restrict high capacity magazines and attack ‰rearm and ammunition manufacturers. Clinton in particular PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

4 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 5 FIGHTING AROUND VEHICLES WITH LONG GUNS

By SGM(R) Kyle E. Lamb Photos by Lukas Lamb

lmost each and every day we spend minutes or Right out of the gate, let me state the not so obvious even hours inside or near our vehicles. Trav- to the average rearms owner. Vehicles are great piec- Aeling to and from work, or maybe using our es of cover and concealment. Vehicles may not always vehicle as a mobile oce. Even when the workweek is stop bullets, but in many cases the bullets are destroyed over, we seem to grab the wife and kids and load up to the point of being ine†ective once they exit the some sort of vehicle to get us to our desired recre- friendly side of the vehicle. e friendly side is the side ation spot. Why do we seem to skip the integration of that you are on, no matter where that might be. Many vehicles into our training regimen or often overlook the self-proclaimed tactical experts would ˆat out make a tactical training required to be successful in and around statement that all bullets to include shotgun slugs can’t our rolling bullet trap? possibly be stopped by a car door, let alone a modern Urban legend would lead us to believe that ghting compact car. Here is the cold hard fact: you don’t know. near a vehicle is likened to standing out in the middle No one knows. I have seen bullets including these mag- of a football eld just hoping we don’t get shot. is ical slugs stopped by a single compact and mid-size car couldn’t be any farther from the truth. In this article I door. Are the odds in your favor that a cute little Prius want to highlight several things. First, being prepared will save your life from a hail of AK or 12-gauge slug and where and how to properly use the vehicle as cover. ammo? Absolutely not, but if your vehicle is the only When it finally hits the fan you better have Next, how to use these positions in order to enhance form of cover available I would want to know how to the training and gear you need. If I had to pick the cover or concealment of the vehicle. Lastly, what use it as such. one or the other, I pick training above all other gear will help us be more successful in and around After shooting hundreds and hundreds of vehicles things. Train for the fight, not for the range. vehicles, or shooting through vehicles. during my career in the Army and more recently as a

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 7 RIFLES TRUMP PISTOLS RIFLES TRUMP PISTOLS

Some might frown on this setup, but when it is time to roll you might want to have that carbine handy. Jamming the magazine or pistol grip between the seats works well, even when driving erratically. The SIG MCX with VTAC Sling stowed, a quick pull of the buttstock and you are in action. tactical shooting instructor teaching our Streetghter bullet will nd it’s way through, so don’t dally. Next, stay training course, there are a few common occurrences. back from the door to give the bullet time to deect as If you sit Stay low when you shoot from the “V” of the door. Use all You won’t hear me speak in absolutes because we really well as any bullet that hits the door time to fragment case because when we’re being shot at it is common of the vehicles angles to your advantage. cannot predict what will happen. With that said, there and bleed o­ velocity before they impact your hide. You still long sense and human nature to crowd cover. Once close are a few things that seem to hold relatively true. One also have to keep the “threading of the needle” e­ect to the vehicle, you now need to eectively engage the is the use of angles to help deect bullets when they in your favor. What I mean by this is that the bad guy enough threat. When placing your carbine on top of the hood, is to use your sling as an anchor if possible. I like to are incoming. A couple examples of this are behind the has to thread the needle from a larger distance than lay it to one or the other side, this will allow you to keep grab the sling in my support hand and push the rie door and behind the engine compartment. you, therefore you have an advantage. You have to get eventually your head signicantly lower than a standard, vertical forward to press my knuckles against the vehicle. is If you have exited the vehicle and nd yourself your bullet through a small opening from 1–4 feet away, position. is does take practice so head to the range gets your shoulder to help with recoil control while behind the “V” of an open door, there are a few things while the bad guy has to thread the same needle from a bullet and be careful not to shoot your car. I personally prefer using the knuckles and sling to maintain muzzle you can do to make this position more e­ective. €e an extended distance, or at least more distance than you. to use dedicated range vehicles or wooden barricades to control. Another trick that works without a sling or in rst advice I would give you is to use the door as If you decide to use the hood and engine compart- will find imitate the battleeld. lieu of sling support is to actually grab your optic with cover; get low and stay low as you engage the threat. €e ment as cover, there are a few tricks here that can keep ere are a few tricks to being quick and having the support hand. A benet that comes from this tech- key is to use the angle of the door, windshield and car your head in one piece. Staying as low as possible is a it’s way control of your carbine from this position. e rst nique is that your eye naturally centers itself to the hood to help deect bullets over your head or around given, but sometimes we can’t get low because we are in your body. If you sit still long enough eventually a the wrong position. Crowding the cover is ne in this through so Kneeling around cover don’t dallY. with the shooting side knee up is much more stable for long shots and allows for better tactical team movements such as a two man corner clear.

If you decide to use a concealment device such as 5.11’s Covrt M4. I always prefer a 16 inch barrel which still works well in any vehicle.

8 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM RIFLES TRUMP PISTOLS RIFLES TRUMP PISTOLS

this position with body armor, helmet, and extra gear on the front of your vest. I use a vertical grip on my AR most of the time, actually all of the time if possible. e Brokeback Mountain position is one of the reasons for this. If you use the vertical grip as you get into this position by hooking it on your forearm to help with aiming and recoil management. You will be hooked. If you hook your forearm the butt stock doesn’t even need to be against your shoulder, all of the recoil is absorbed by your forearm and the vertical grip. You don’t need a long one, just enough to hook the arm and take up shock. I keep the lower portion of my forearm straight to hold the vertical grip in place, and then I apply rear- ward pressure as I lower my body into position until Junkyard Prone, staying as low as possible maximizing cover and concealment. Not much of a target for the bad guys to shoot at but a I can see the intended target. is position requires Keep the carbine flat, if you can see the target so can your bullet. helmet would be a better choice of headgear. practice most certainly from the support side. One of the mystical subjects in the tactical world is what happens when you shoot glass? Some will tell you Brokeback Mountain Prone; the name will make your mom blush, but it is the best proper location in order to see your reticle. I’m not sure exactly what they think happens but the truth of the position for shooting from under a low vehicle. why this is, but grabbing the optic immediately drives matter is that no one can predict 100% of the time. at your eye into the correct alignment in most cases. being said, it is best to have bullets that perform well Holding the optic will also help with recoil control as and use them as intended. If you ask me, I believe you tor out there. I like to have extremely simple gear that you re the carbine. I call this position Junkyard Prone, should simply use good bullets and engage the threat will get me through any situation. For starters, I am a since I am usually using junked vehicles and it is an easy until it is eliminated. e correct bullet of choice in the big fan of a 16-inch barrel. Oh no, how can this be, name to remember. ri e is either the Hornady GMX or Black Hills TSX aren’t ninja’s supposed to have cool gear that includes If you must engage a near target from the Junkyard Barnes Triple X loaded ammunition. Because of the SBR’s and Bullpups? Well in reality the 16-inch barrel Prone position, remember your oset. You can easily construction of these bullets, you will easily get payload requires no paperwork and tax stamp and makes the miss a head-shot if you don’t consider oset. An exam- onto the target. By payload I mean enough retained If you have a ri e I carry on a daily basis completely legal wherever ple is this; you lay the gun on it’s left side and engage a weight that the bullet will give the bad guy a good vertical grip on black guns are authorized. Beyond that, it allows me target at 5 yards or less, your bullet will impact at least owwee, for sure. e reason these bullets work is that your carbine, to have an aggressive shooting stance as well as use my 2.5 inches to the right of your intended target. As I said This is how most untrained tactical shooters shoot over a vehicle, much more expo- they are a solid construction there isn’t a jacket to peel hook it on your other appendages when need be to easily shoot the ri e this can be the dierence between a hit and a miss. ‚is sure than Junkyard Prone. It really doesn’t matter, until they are shooting at you. away, the bullet still mushrooms but doesn’t lose the forearm. This with one hand. A good example of this is if you have will steady the takes practice and concentration to quickly determine weight needed to penetrate to the vitals of our target. front of your to shoot under a low obstacle you are able to lay the your hold. As far as the rest of my kit and what works for me carbine and 16-inch gun across your shoe and hook the vertical grip As distances increase, the issue of oset and even- maneuver. Stay close and this won’t be as likely. If you I must say I am probably the most “Milk Toast” instruc- help with recoil to your leg for support. is allows you to control recoil tually hold os get even more di„cult. In the perfect If you are close enough to touch the vehicle I prefer to use a control. world all of the targets we shoot with our ri e would clamping grip on my ri e’s fore end to help eliminate be 25–50 yards away. ‚is would eliminate any hold o ask me, recoil and aid in follow through to quickly reengage the issues, but because we live in the real world we may threat. In addition to this I keep my rear knee up and let need to gure out at distance where we need to hold. I believe my shooting side elbow touch that knee, this will allow Once again, with the ri e on its left side and shooting for a more stable shooting position regardless of dis- at 100 yards, more than likely your bullets will impact you should tance to the target. Close or far engagements, I prefer 8 inches low and left at a 45 degree angle. To x this to use this position. If we always use the same position problem you should shoot repeatedly for practice and simply use we can attain a quick and steady position reliably. If you always remember when your ri e is on its side you must need to reduce your height, slide your elbow in front hold high to the magazine side to get the desired down good of your knee, this will help you with recoil control and range results. If I were shooting at 100 yards, I would lower your prole all at the same time. hold high right if the carbine is laying on it’s left side. bullets ‚e last position and by far my favorite is the Broke- ‚is sounds di„cult, but after shooting a few pieces of back Mountain Prone position. Don’t let the name fool steel at distance you will be dialed in. and you, this works well even for the heterosexual males If you must shoot around the front or rear of the in the tactical shooting arena. ‚e idea behind Broke vehicle or even down the side of the vehicle, there are engage Back Mountain Prone is to be able to quickly get into a a few things you can do to enhance this ring posi- shooting position under the vehicle while maintaining tion. Some would say to get away from the car because the threat some semblance of concealment all the while having of skipped rounds. When getting shot at, your natural a position that will allow you to shoot even under the reaction is to get close to the car so lets just deal with until it is lowest vehicles on the market. I prefer this position to that as we might. You should also consider that if there a fully laid out prone position because of the speed at are multiple assailants, leaving the cover of your vehicle eliminated. which you can get into and out of this position. It also or creating distance only allows the team of dirt bags to works better than standard prone because of the tighter get a better angle on your position, essentially a anking shooting position and the fact that you can still get into

10 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 11 RIFLES TRUMP PISTOLS RIFLES TRUMP PISTOLS

This sequence Black Hills’ TSX and shows how to get the Hornady’s GMX rifle loads So you are locked and loaded with the proper gear, gun into the fight penetrate well and hold you have checked your local regulations to ensure you quickly. Be ready for together to provide are not a criminal because of your choice of concealed the worst possible payload on target. weapon, you have thought through the process and re- scenario. hearsed with walk-throughs, dry
re, airsoft, and
nally live
re. Practice with your spouse so you know what the plan is. Make sure you have your trauma kit up to date and everyone you travel with knows how to use it. Remember we need a trauma kit, not a standard med- ical kit. ‹is should have the basics, tourniquet, nasal Drive the carbine to pharyngeal, and gauze, leave the Hello Kitty Band-Aids the position it needs at home. Now it is time to be vigilant — stay switched to be with your right on as you move through life. No doubt if you let your hand as you are isn’t an issue. As a Special Forces Instructor told me, guard down, that is when bad things transpire. It is a getting out of the vehicle. Do not cover Train as it is the only red dot out there that you can reliably great honor to be an American and have the ability to any part of your body make hits with at ranges out to 400 yards without using keep and bear arms as we do, and when it is time you with the muzzle as though a magni
er. better be prepared to use them. you get out. Practice deployment of your rie from your vehicle; — your life think about how and when this can happen. When you Sergeant Major (retired) Kyle Lamb is a veteran of least expect it you may need to get o­ the “X” and hit US Army Special Operations with over 15 years with depends the pavement, woods, or a nearby building. a Special Mission Unit. ‹e author of ‘Green Eyes and with the vertical grip and adjust elevation and windage this carbine in a standard pack, it is still a good idea to Train as though your life depends on it, because Black Ries’, ‘Stay in the Fight!!’ and ‘Leadership in the with your shoulder and your toe. is is actually a very use a gun sleeve or a dedicated compartment to keep on it, some day this might be the case. You don’t have to use a Shadows’, he is the President and Founder of Viking good position. snag hazards to a minimum. Murphy’s Law is bound vehicle at the range but it is much better training if Tactics, Inc. A highly sought after shooting and tactics If you are looking for a really slick car gun, the SIG to get you tangled in bungees and jacket hood strings if because you do. Talk to your local junk-yard and see what they instructor Lamb travels and teaches most of the year. MCX will t nicely — pun intended — into your you don’t plan ahead. will charge you to drain the uids and drop o­ a car at plans. e main reason is the folding stock. Above and My preferred optic for a vehicle carbine is a red dot some day your training location for a day or two or even a week if beyond that, it is extremely close to the feel and shoot- that has great battleeld of view. e Leupold LCO is they will do it. I have had tow truck drivers do this for ability of a standard AR. e stock can be folded just the optic. It also has a dormancy setting that shuts this might just gas money up to 300 dollars for some of the cars. If SOURCES and unfolded quickly but does not lock in the closed the sight down when it is not moving but immediately you can’t get junkers, then you may want to investigate Viking Tactics, Inc. position. Having a short package with a long barrel is comes to life when you move the gun. is sight also airsoft ries and pistols to use for this training, they add be the case. 910-987-5983 / www.VikingTactics.com perfect for just such a chore. is allows me to conceal has a very small dot so making longer, precise shots realism to any dry
re type work you do.

Grab the front of your magazine well with the Once you have finished engaging, transition the le hand and hand the carbine to the right side Get your sling on and be prepared for whatever Be ready to shoot from the support side if Stay low and maximize the use of cover. carbine back to your strong side while keeping shoulder. Ensure you safety is on when you When time permits grab your sling and pull comes next. Check the status of your weapon necessary. Engage as necessary. your focus sharp for any possible threat. make this move. it free. system and keep your head on a swivel.

12 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 13 GOT THE BLUES?

er supply inside a 12-volt vehicle, and an AC 100–240 volt 50/60 Hz wall adapter will keep it charged at home. A call to the Antigravity hotline assured me the pow- er supply could be charged with European 220v 50Hz outlets with the correct EU wall adapter. Although the The Micro-Start charger said it was OK, it’s still a good idea to check. XP-10 looks too small at’s good news for military personnel traveling to the to start a car or diesel EU. I will gripe about the instruction manual though. truck, but it can. The unit comes as a complete kit e manual is well written, easy to comprehend with allowing you to power tiny writing that good sighted people might nd OK, various electronics and but my eyes strained to read it. Often you can down- jump start a vehicle. load a manual you need from the product website but not the Antigravity Battery site at this time. I called the Antigravity hotline and Danny emailed me a PDF e XP-10 is a compact, lightweight lithium-ion copy seven minutes later. Now I can enlarge the print! powered personal jump starter and charging device What if Using the wall charger, I charged the power supply, that has been proven to start gasoline and some diesel and when all the LED lights were solid blue the charge engines after the engine battery has been discharged. you could was complete. Later, I unplugged the AC charger, With a little training, anyone who is able to sit behind attached the jump-start leads and went outside to start the steering wheel can rescue themselves or others jump start some equipment. I know I have at least ve batteries stranded with a dead battery. e XP-10 has a built-in that are weak and likely dead in some mildly used What’s the matter Lil Red? Dead battery le safety feature that almost eliminates incorrect hookup your own equipment around my shop. A few quick checks and you stranded, well no worries Antigravity’s providing easy use by the most inexperienced of the my assumption was correct, ve dead batteries. XP-10 will have you rolling in no time! mechanically inclined. vehicle I quickly learned that you should leave the battery If you are able to open your vehicle hood, nd the jumper pigtail unattached while walking to your dis- battery, attach the cable clamps to red + and black – and with a charged batteries as letting it swing freely wiggles it push a button on the jump pack, you are ready to turn out of the power supply. Mine landed in the mud. I the key and be on your way. Just how much does it cost device cleaned it up and started with a pair of riding mowers. to wield such power? I paid $167.98 on Amazon.com My thoughts were to intentionally start small and try to GOT THE for our test unit. not much tire the power supply out before going to harder tasks. I will admit I didn’t know anything about Antigravity Jumping to the big test wouldn’t be much of a challenge Battery until our editor mentioned them to me. I start- larger otherwise. ed to research the company and found many positive Following the tiny instruction book I successful- words regarding their motor sport battery replacement than your ly jump-started a 16-hp Briggs & Stratton single- line. Antigravity manufactures lightweight high perfor- cylinder gasoline engine and a 20 hp twin-cylinder mance lithium-ion batteries to replace OEM Lead-acid cellphone? Briggs & Stratton gasoline engine. is was followed batteries saving approximately 80% in weight. Not rest- by starting a military surplus air compressor powered ing on the motorsport arena, Antigravity also developed by a 4A032 4-cylinder gasoline engine. I took this BLUES? the Micro-Start Lithium battery powered jump starter, battery booster and personal power line in 2012. ese small power packs, like the XP-10 I purchased, can jump- start a few cars and power electronic gadgets afterwards. e question I had though was, could such a small unit By Doug Streeton actually jump-start a car or diesel truck reliably? Photos by David M. Fortier To nd out I purchased one of their XP-10 units for review. Antigravity o˜ers a few di˜erent sizes, but the XP-10 seemed right for my needs. It arrived in an imitation leather case that neatly holds all the parts ANTIGRAVITY BATTERIES XP-10 inside with nice thick elastic webbing. e kit includes: A set of short jumper cables provide 600 peak amp e have all been cursed with a dead battery in our vehicle A 9x3.2x1.5 inch portable lithium-ion power supply, jump start capability. A built in safety feature pre- WILL HAVE YOU BACK ON THE at one time or another. If we’re lucky, someone we call, jump start leads, wall and car chargers, 9-inch cable vents incorrect hookup making it very easy to use. W or a Good Samaritan will come to our rescue. Unlucky (for 12 volt devices) with eight adapters for charging ROAD IN NO TIME. people end up walking until help, or a set of jumper cables, is found. laptops and a 9-inch USB squid-looking cable to charge ings can get worse when you or a loved one is stranded and may various Android/Apple 5-volt devices. e power face a dangerous situation while looking for assistance. What if you supply itself weighs in at 1.13 pounds and has a rated didn’t need a set of jumper cables and another vehicle to rescue you? output of 600 Peak Amp jump-start ability. It features What if you could jump-start your own vehicle with a device not a 19 volt and 12 volt port and two 5-volt USB (2 amp much larger than your cellphone? Sound impossible or prohibi- and 1 amp) sockets along with an internal ¢ashlight tively expensive? Well Antigravity’s Micro-Start XP-10 just might with di˜erent ¢ashing modes of operation. e ciga- be the answer to a very bad day. rette lighter/power port adapter allows charging the pow-

14 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 15 GOT THE BLUES?

The XP-10 can also power on their website that some laptop computers are not small electronic devices, tablets and even laptops using able to be charged by the unit. ‡e various plug types the included adapters. likely have more to do with the issue than the ability for the XP-10 to charge your computer. Testing showed the unit could not only charge a Samsung Notebook NP-QX411P laptop, but it could do it while at the same time charging a Samsung tablet. So the unit is capable of charging your small portable electronics and will provide additional run time for your laptop. Is the XP-10 perfect? No. ‡e manual’s small font size makes it hard to read. ‡e jump-start cables work, but are really short. Antigravity’s website does provide good information on the product, but a few people I have been in contact with had issues with them replying to email (our editor included). I will say that they always answered their phone and gave me prompt and great service. Other than that though, it works very well. Antigravity Batteries XP-10 is a well-thought-out opportunity to attach the XP-10 leads backwards to powerhouse. I really like the multi-functional charging witness the safety function the power supply has. Sure A very cords and the e¢ortless jump-start incorrect polarity enough, a solid red LED light illuminated with audible safety feature. If you plan to travel with it, the XP-10 solid beep triggered instantly and only stopped when practical is a lithium-ion battery installed in a device under 100 the circuit was removed. Very nice feature! Afterwards watt hours and according to the US D.O.T. Website I started a 20-hp Miller gasoline welder and a Miller and useful http://phmsa.dot.gov/safetravel/batteries, it is able to Big Blue 251D diesel welder with a Deutz 3-cylinder be carried in checked and carry-on luggage. A very 29-hp diesel engine. ‡e XP-10 did very well, all ˆve tool… practical and useful tool, you may want to consider it engines started up just ˆne in 29 degree F weather. for your vehicle’s emergency kit. Now the big test, will it start a pickup truck after all this? I had to postpone the test a couple weeks after I started the smaller engines to attend to other issues. ‡e 50 degree morning of the V8 truck test I turned the headlights on and left them on for four hours. My 1996 pickup is equipped with a big-block 7.5-liter gasoline Antigravity Batteries Micro Start engine. ‡e engine was replaced 30,000 miles ago, so I Antigravity’s 1-310-527-2330 / themicrostart.com know cylinder compression is good. ‡e truck had not XP-10 turned Amazon been started in over two weeks, as it’s a backup vehi- Lil Red’s frown www.amazon.com cle and fuel hog. I turned the ignition key and nothing upside down by successfully US Department of Transportation Pipeline and happened. ‡e battery was dead. ‡is was likely the starting her F350 Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) ˆrst time I actually ever wanted a dead battery. I 7.3 liter IDI turbo http://phmsa.dot.gov/safetravel/batteries attached the jump-start leads of the XP-10 on the diesel. That’s correct battery posts and pushed the ‘boost’ button on impressive. the power box. On the next key turn the engine was noticeably labored, but it started! My XP-10 started ˆve progressively tougher items, sat two weeks without charging, and then started my V8 big block. (Editor’s note — To push the XP-10 a bit further, a known bad 12-volt car battery was installed in a 1994 Ford F-350 powered by a 7.3 liter IDI turbo diesel engine. ‡e battery measured just 10.4 volts with a load. I had pulled it four months previous due to starting issues in my 4.6-liter F150. With the battery installed the F350’s starter only let out a click when the key was turned. At an ambient tem- perature of 55 degrees F the XP-10 successfully started this large diesel, with zero issues.) How about the alternate charging features? Cell phone charging was e¢ortless. Use the white squid looking cable and after ˆnding the correct plug, connect to the power pack, push the button on the side and the charge begins. Nice! Antigravity posted

16 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM DEFLATIONBy Richard Venola AIRING DOWN YOUR TIRESS CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GETTING STUCKS AND GETTING THROUGH

er four-wheeling my entire life, I never believed it was any advantage to air down. Then, in 1997, on the morn- Aing of my first run through the rugged Rubicon trail, I confidently stated so in camp. “I’ve never been stuck before, so I’ll just go with standard 32 psi.” Friends exchanged glanc- es. Shortly a er, I was called o to attend a map conference. Odd, I thought, this is just a rehash of last night’s meeting. When we got underway, my confidence was justified. I went up The Slabs and through The Alligator obstacles with little eort. My re-worked ’42 GPW was getting some respect. “See,” I smiled at my jeep-mate, “road pressure is just fine. We haven’t had to be winched or jacked yet.” He returned my smile, “That’s because you’re at 17 pounds. We aired your tires down while you were away at that bogus map confer- ence.” I quickly glanced at the front sidewall and noticed a slight bulge. Bastards. I finished the Rubicon’s 12 miles with nothing more serious than tearing the steering box o the frame. But my ancient jeep didn’t get stuck and the sidewalls flexed like Gumby. It works. I’ve been airing down ever since. Follow along to learn the ins and outs of airing down your tires for increased traction. Photo by Remi Rundzio.

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 19 DEFLATION DEFLATION

01. Depending on soil and trail conditions, deflating isn’t always necessary or even wanted. This African Land Cruiser, living on firm dry dirt, is sporting 12-plys at 45 pounds and is only scared of antbear holes dug during the night.

02. On any terrain, the one advantage is the tread face can wrap around a surface, providing more square inches of contact than a rigid tire. 10 03. A tale of two treads: One tire is in- 01 flated to 40 pounds and the other at just under 10 pounds. This is safe for trail use but with a fully loaded pickup, might be very wobbly on the pavement. Determin- ing what is correct for your rig is a complex formula of vehicle weight, tire pressure, and terrain surface. The best way to figure out your needs is to play around before you really need to know. 05 04. You can air down quickly and safely with an old-fashioned valve wrench and 09 11 air gauge. However new high tech tools 02 like these can provide improved control and accuracy down to 1 psi, without the risk of “Crap, there goes the valve core!” 08. Another hazard is bead separation, Red Bull. Not to treat the reader like a It was a steep, rugged, but technically The ARB dial valve tool set me back $38 where the tire comes o the rim. Usually complete moron, but this is a dangerous easy drive. Maneuvering in the dark, at a specialty store. the result of a side load, this is sometimes emergency procedure that just might save I backed o a concrete slab, shearing caused by goosing the throttle while your your life — or end it. Thanks to Dan Dyer the rear drive sha. As an involuntary 05. This Staun four-valve set can be tire is nicely sticking to the rocks. You and Danny Quinn for technical assistance. “gonzo journalist,” I deflated the front tires 06 set for a given pressure, screwed on and can partially avoid this by learning how to and managed to get out of the canyon — ignored while you do other important tasks. drive two-footed, so that the brakes are 12. In collecting photos for this article, the but just barely. Yes, that’s what’s le of always being applied. If this happened to author went far into the Mojave, ending Anubis the Truck’s rear drivesha sitting 06. There are hazards to airing down. Your me, I’d probably just put on one of my two up at a remote mine site, China Garden. on the bumper. vulnerable sidewall sticks out, exposing it spares and air down once again. to sharp rocks. I’ve torn out several on steel stakes at cattle crossings and construction 9. One method of reseating the rim is to sites. Remember too that water is a cutting use a ratchet strap or rope tourniquet. lubricant. A dry sidewall might slide o a This constricts the tire, ideally sealing it dry sharp rock. But add water — and get enough to get air pressure. Some tires out the lug nut wrench. don’t like to play nice. In this photo, we improperly and unsafely used starting 07. 03 07 Once you get through the rough spot, fluid to try to pop the bead, but used too or you arrive back on pavement, you’ll much fluid. It needs oxygen to go poof. want to air back up. There are elaborate systems that you permanently add to your 10. Here, a small amount of brake cleaner rig. For most of us, cheaper solutions are was improperly and unsafely applied, leav- more practical. This self-contained air ing a small trail of the fluid over the tire. pump took 15 minutes to re-inflate an aired-down LT265/75R, running o 11. This is the improper and unsafe the cigarette lighter. It says clearly in the e ect that puts a tire back on the rim and instructions: “This pump is for occasion- removes hair from your hand. Safe- al use only. Do not operate for more than ty glasses were in fact used. Make sure 15 minutes at one time.” It’s compact to elevate the actual rim o the ground 04 08 and cheap and lives in my rig. (place on 2x4s, etc.) or the tire will 12 rebound, leap into the air and spill your

20 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 21 ANTIBIOTIC SELECTION ANTIBIOTIC SELECTION

Certain antibiotics are e ective for certain disease states while Traumatic wounds can be particularly nasty even when they are fresh. Add a little poor remaining worthless for others. Learning the nuances is the hygiene in a survival situation and subsequent infections can become life threatening. reason people go to medical school. CHOOSING THE RIGHT DRUG WHEN LIFE GOES SIDEWAYS antibiotics can be dangerous. Use this information as yet another family of bacteria. Infections of the bone, a guideline but do not administer these drugs without While blood, or central nervous system are particularly severe reliable advice from your doctor. and can be rapidly fatal. there are Know Your Enemy Respiratory Infections While there are indeed symbiotic bacteria with- indeed e human animal is obviously dependent moment out which we would be well and truly doomed, the to moment on gas exchange for life. Oxygen comes in nasty sorts can be simply wretched. Pneumonia, ear symbiotic and carbon dioxide goes out. If the process is interrupt- infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, gut ed, then very bad things happen in fairly short order. An infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and skin bacteria unfortunate side eƒect of this remarkable process is that structure infections are all adequate to ruin your day infectious organisms can gain entry to the otherwise ster- if caught away from formal medical support. e rub without ile portions of our bodies via this mechanism. e rst is that many of these infections are caused by specic and best line of defense against such infections is literally pathogens and many antibiotic drugs will treat certain which we washing your hands and avoiding touching your face. bugs while leaving others unscathed. Most respiratory infections are viral and utterly It is the widespread unnecessary use of antibiot- would unaƒected by antibiotics. In these cases supportive ics that spawns antibiotic resistance and threatens to treatment, rest, and ˆuids are the order of the day. catapult us back to the heady era of Coolidge with be well General indicators of a bacterial component to these its concomitant unchecked pestilence. e nuances of infections might include persistent fevers, dark the microbiological threat and the subsequent chem- and truly colored snot for a protracted period, facial pain, or a wet By Will Dabbs MD Photos by Sarah Dabbs ical defenses against them are the reasons people worsening cough. White streaks on beefy red tonsils are go to medical school. Dicult, disseminated, drug- doomed, also good general indicators of a bacterial infection. resistant, or unusual infections simply require formal medical support, and there is no way around this. the nasty Gut Infections n 1924, Calvin Coolidge was the sitting President still took years to produce the drug in quantity. As late However, there are some basic generalized guidelines Most nausea, vomiting and diarrhea infections are of the United States with access to the nest health as 1940, the entire national stockpile of penicillin was that can help the layman understand what lurks where sorts can viral and require patience, rest, and lots of ˆuids. Food- Icare on the planet. His otherwise-healthy 16-year- adequate to treat but 10 patients. It was World War and then perhaps select a medicine adequate to combat or water-borne bacterial GI illnesses can result in old son Calvin Jr. was playing tennis on the White II that drove the rapid production and distribution of the threat in a pinch. be simply copious diarrhea that is frequently bloody, as well as House lawn with his brother and developed a blister antibiotics. We have come a long way since then. Respiratory infections from the throat to the lungs severe abdominal pain. While these infections them- on the third toe of his right foot. Within a week the are frequently, but not always, caused by similar organ- wretched. selves might not be innately dangerous, the resulting boy was dead, a victim of generalized sepsis (blood The Obligatory Disclaimer isms. Bugs that cause infections of the urinary tract unchecked loss of water can kill in short order. infection) due to Staphylococcus aureus, a fairly What follows is not intended to be proper medical can be typically quite diƒerent from these respiratory Diverticulitis causes an inˆammatory condition in common bacterium that lives on human skin. Such was advice. Selection and dosage of antimicrobial drugs is pathogens, however. Skin infections are commonly en- the gut and can result in impressive abdominal pain. life and death in the days before antibiotics. still an art in large measure, and the e‡ects of drugs on countered in austere environments and are caused by Appendicitis or gallbladder disease cause belly pain Bacteria are an integral part of life. We actually organ systems as well as interactions with other medi- harbor ten times as many bacteria on our skin and in cines and potentially catastrophic allergic reactions are our gut than we possess cells, and without symbiotic well beyond the purview of this article. However, in the or useful bacteria we couldn’t digest our food. Translo- event of a protracted calamity or natural disaster, it is cate a few of those microscopic malcontents into your easily plausible that survivors might nd themselves in Abscesses are infected bloodstream, however, and the e‡ects are quickly lethal. possession of antibiotic drugs when infection strikes. pus collections that It is spooky if you think about it too hard. Under those circumstances some basic knowledge accumulate in the Nowadays we have such good drugs at our disposal concerning which drug best covers which infections skin. Antibiotics are important components that many infectious maladies can be considered fairly could be literally life-saving. of treatment but these pedestrian. Back in the days before antibiotic drugs, I will draw this information from respected sources maladies frequently however, even minor infections were frequently deadly. but nothing is ever a substitute for practical personal- Signs and symptoms of a wound infection include increased need to be drained for Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 but it ized advice from a licensed physician. Improper use of pain, redness, swelling and pus formation. proper healing.

22 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 23 ANTIBIOTIC SELECTION Quick and Dirty Anti- biotic Guide On July 2, 1881, a delusional lunatic named Charles Malady / Guiteau shot President James GarŠeld twice at close Anti-Infectives range with a Belgian-made .44-caliber Webley Brit- Dental ish Bulldog short-barreled revolver. One round grazed Infections the president’s shoulder while the second entered his Amoxicillin- back and came to rest behind his pancreas. e injured Clavulanate President remained conscious and lucid throughout the episode. Eleven weeks later the President Šnally suc- Middle Ear cumbed to generalized sepsis. is unfortunate turn of Infections events resulted from the contaminated nature of the Amoxicillin or wound as well as the e€orts of his physicians to probe Amoxicillin- his wound with both unsterilized instruments as well Certain injectable drugs have a decent shelf life in their Clavulanate unconstituted form but require specific training to dose and as dirty Šngers. e President’s wound was not acutely administer. Many to most commonly encountered maladies can Extenal Ear life threatening, but the secondary infection killed him be treated with oral medicines these days. Infections eventually. While there are other considerations, skin Ciprofloxacin drugs are a good place to start for prophylaxis in the Drops case of knife or gunshot wounds. as well, so severe abdominal pain is always a reason to Sinusitis seek formal medical help. However, if circumstances Miscellany Amoxicillin- are such that this is simply not practical then antibiotic ere are learned readers who will no doubt su€er Clavulanate or treatment might be appropriate. the gyrating fantods over some of the generalized ob- Levofloxacin servations I have made herein. However, antibiotics are Genito-Urinary Tract Infections Strep Throat available from a variety of sources, some more reliable Bladder infections are monotonously common in Penicillin or and safer than others, and the inappropriate use of women and range in severity from annoying to lethal with Clindamycin these delicate drugs in times of both peace and cha- everything in between. Prostatitis is the male counterpart Pneumonia os can cause a great deal of harm. Having some basic and it is typically a bit harder to eradicate. Symptoms can Azithromycin or guidelines handy can potentially minimize these risks. include painful urination, lower abdominal pain, or low Doxycycline or Also, don’t forget that a tetanus immunization is only back pain. Kidney stones can frequently mimic this pre- Levofloxacine good for a decade. sentation and both can result in visible blood in the urine. You can see God anywhere you look but He is par- Diverticulitis/ One American in four carries a sexually transmitted ticularly evident in the extraordinarily complex design Infectious disease. e most common is herpes. Genital herpes of the human immune system. Balance potential needs Colitis is a viral infection that is incurable and unresponsive against the speciŠc physiology, medical history, and drug Ciprofloxacin to antibiotics. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are bacterial allergies of the people involved and obtain proper reliable plus infections that can frequently produce painful urina- advice tailored to your speciŠc set of circumstances. Most Metronidazole tion, foul vaginal discharge, or frank pus from the penis. physicians will be receptive to these discussions and will While you treat these two bugs with di€erent drugs, Female Urinary help you prepare sensibly and safely. you typically treat both simultaneously. Tract Infections TMP-SMX or Skin Structure Infections and Gunshot Wounds Nitrofurantoin While there are literally scads of skin bugs, Staphy- Male lococcus aureus is probably the most common bad agent. Prostatitis Back in the old days Staph was readily susceptible to Ciprofloxacin or most everything but Methicillin-Resistant Staphy- TMP-SMX lococcus Aureus (MRSA) is now the norm rather than the exception in most places. Staph infections are Gonorrhea/ invariably painful and will typically produce localized Chlamydia redness, swelling, and pus. Draining the pus from a STDs purulent wound can be a critical aspect of healing but is Azithromycin obviously beyond the realm of this article. plus Cefixime We Americans are exquisitely well armed and gun- (this is shot wounds are an unfortunate fact of life, particular- controversial) ly in a survival situation. Beyond the obvious threats Skin Structure of hemorrhage and traumatic organ injury implicit in Infections gunshot wounds, there will always be a risk of second- TMP-SMX or ary infection from skin bacteria mashed into a wound Doxycycline by the impact of a bullet. Bullets themselves are typi- Note: TMP-SMX cally hot enough to be sterile but that little bit of cloth- =Trimethoprim Nothing is ever a substitute for practical personalized advice ing and skin underneath the bullet’s impact point will Sulfamethoxizole from a licensed physician. Remember, improper use of invariably be Šlthy. antibiotics can be dangerous.

24 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM day Pashkin’s Two-Sleeve Back throw hasn’t been performed by anyone with the precision matching that of Vladimir himself. Following a quick introduction, the leader of the brave band laid down their demands. Pashkin did not comply and the leader suddenly swung wildly at my coach. While dodging the punch Pashkin stepped to his left and with a quick back sweep had the leader of the pack ying in a perfectly horizontal position. Gravity soon brought the confused body mass to the ground with a thump. He appeared dead. In an instant, the braver of the two minions decided to avenge their lead- er by choking our coach to death. He lunged at Pashkin with both of his meaty paws extended. I have to say, SELF-DEFENSE this was a slight miscalculation on his part. Over years of tutelage I’ve learned one thing; you do not extend WITHOUT WEAPONS both hands toward Pashkin. So, the minion ew. He ew like a bird in a great arc before crashing down on the concrete tiles of the platform. At this moment, with his two crewmates barely alive the third minion forgot PERHAPS the initial demands and expressed a wish to depart for home. He did go home, but only after answering to a THIS SOVIET group of angry 14-year-old Sambo students. ˆis incident at the train station changed our MARTIAL lives. Without a punch thrown, my coach faced three attackers and took two of them out without so much as ART IS popping a button on his white shirt. From then on, every ‰ght that my teammates or I were involved in RIGHT (involuntarily of course) would have an element of a sweep or throw that usually ended a contest right then FOR YOU and there. ˆis became a point of pride and admiration among us, the Sambo-practicing teenage delinquents. Anyone can throw a punch or a kick, but not everyone Looking to learn a martial art for self-protection? One to consider is the can throw a person. By Marco Vorobiev highly e ective Soviet art of Sambo. Photo by Alfredo Rico. ˆe applicability of Sambo for real world scenarios can be seen in its name. SamBO is a Russian abbrevia- tion for Self-defense (Sam) Without (B) Weapons (O).

SamBO is a Russian s with many of my peers growing up in the enough to be coached by some of the best; by the abbreviation for Soviet Union, I played hockey. I was even good legends of the sport. I had the chance to work out with Self-defense (Sam) Without (B) Weapons Aenough to be the captain of our team. I loved amazing athletes and future legends. I had the honor to (O). Developed in the hockey as someone loves his rst girlfriend. Or at represent and compete for my country. 1920s, it teaches how least I did until a few years later when I found my rst I rst fully realized what a capable, yet practical to overcome multiple true love in the Soviet marital art of Sambo. I stum- hand-to-hand combat system Sambo was at the tender armed attackers. bled into Sambo quite by accident at the age of 13. age of 14. I and my teammates were at a train station A bunch of my classmates had joined a Karate Club headed to the Zone Competition training camp. As and I followed suit. At that time in the Soviet Union, we waited for the train to leave three dimwitted and Sambo was mandated by the regional Sports Commit- slightly intoxicated locals attempted to strong arm our tee as a preparatory discipline prior to beginning your coach and relieve him of his money to continue their Karate training. I did not mind and even competed at drinking. Unknown to them the clean-cut bookworm some local tournaments. ­en the Soviet Head Sports they were attempting to intimidate and rob was Committee decided to outlaw Karate and scrapped the Vladimir Pashkin. Pashkin, even at his just-past- training programs. It did not matter to me at that point; competitive-prime age of 31, was an awesome I was already hooked on Sambo. Eventually my career athlete and true master of the art. He was a three-time as a Sambo wrestler took me far and wide. It provided National Champion in Sambo, World Student for me, was partially responsible for my education and Games Champion in Judo, winner of several annual Hopefully you never need to defend yourself, but if you ever find yourself in a situation like shaped me into the man I am today. I was fortunate Moscow-Tokyo tournaments and more. To this this you’ll need to know what to do. Sambo will help prepare you. Photo by Alfredo Rico.

26 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 27 SAMBO SAMBO

Often athletes are bound to their coaches due to a lack of alternatives. But here in the US we have choices. A good place to start is with the American Sambo Association (ussambo.com).
ey can help with locating a qualied instructor. But ultimately getting the right instruction lays on the student’s shoulders. First and foremost I believe the instructor must possess the dedication and commitment to the discipline of Sambo.
ings like, “I am a 3rd degree Black Belt in Aikido, but I also teach Judo, Sambo and Jujitsu” would be the rst indication you will not learn Sambo at that gym.
e other pitfall is when the instructor tells you how many seminars he or she has taken with unashamed name-dropping. Due to its practical and
e instructor you are looking for is someone who
e e“ect of a properly executed Sambo throw is e ective nature has been practicing Sambo for several years. You want Sambo hand- absolutely devastating to the assailant. Especially for Sambo became someone who has trained under known Sambo instruc- is very capable hand-to-hand combat system was to-hand combat as quickly as possible to continue with their mission. those who have never trained in properly breaking a extremely tors, preferably abroad. I suggest someone who has actu- developed in the 1920s by several Russian combat system has been ese are the roots of Sambo as a system. fall.
e ght is usually over at this point. As a rule popular in ally competed in Sports or Combat Sambo competition. taught to the enthusiasts. First Victor Spiridonov, a renowned Jujitsu While developed by the Soviets for combat, Sambo and from my personal experience, after a throw the Russia both Someone who has accumulated and possesses the only Soviet Armed as a sport and master, started to develop a new system of hand-to-hand is equally practical for the American looking to pro- opponent no longer has the will or capacity to ght. thing that cannot be lost, experience. Experience, unlike Forces since its for practical combat by introducing into Jujitsu elements from adaption in the tect themselves and their family from the pitfalls of
e human brain does not react well to the loss of a self-defense. physical strength and conditioning, can be transferred. other styles of wrestling. In 1923, he started to teach late 1920s. everyday life. Robberies, assaults and rape are, base of reference, such as solid ground. It is easy for an Every town had Of course, one has to understand that not every coach his new system which he called ‘Self-defense’ at the unfortunately, everyday occurrences. Often these untrained person to get ‘lost in space’. While in ‘space’ a club. or instructor is or was a great athlete. Not all become NKVD Sports Club ‘Dynamo’ in Moscow. Later Vasiliy Posters like attacks involve weapons. Properly learned and practiced, an untrained person tends to assume a fetal position. a World or Olympic Champion. But more often than Oschepkov, a graduate of the Japanese Judo Universi- this one hung Sambo techniques can prevent you from becoming a
is makes the body and vital organs absorb the entire not a true scholar of the sport and outstanding coach ty ‘Kadokan’ and 2nd-degree Black Belt added his Judo in every gym at victim. In real life combat, there are no formal stands energy of a fall. Add to it the amplied acceleration comes from the ranks of former good, solid competitors, based elements to the new system. Anatoly Kharlampiev, every military or proscribed grips. Just remember the schoolyard generated by leverage and the e“ects are devastating. and rarely from the ranks of great champions.
ese are who studied ethnic styles of wrestling and hand-to-hand base in the ”ghts or bar brawls. After a few punches every ”ght In recent years Sambo as a combative system has the ones who made the champions great and continue Soviet Union. combat, contributed elements from those disciplines to They would eventually comes to grappling on the ground. Sambo risen in popularity here in the US.
is is due to the to do so year after year.
e great instructor with dedi- the newly developed martial art. By the 1930s Sambo even be hung teaches you what to do in particular situations and what Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community being exposed cation to Sambo and competitive experience would be was recognized as an e‘ective hand-to-hand system in the soldiers’ elements to deploy against single or multiple to the likes of Oleg Taktarov, Igor Zinoviev and Fedor able to introduce/teach a technique, and then break it of its own and was being taught to the Soviet Militia, barracks. opponents, even if they are armed. Emelyanenko.
ese Sambo ghters all have proven down to t any and all practitioners individually. He NKVD, OGPU and civil defense force. e bene”ts track records in Russia and around the world.
ey or she would break down an individual wrestler/ghter and e‘ectiveness of the new Soviet developed ”ghting have demonstrated the e“ectiveness and advantages of based on his or her physique and abilities.
en mold system soon led the Soviet military to train their elite the Sambo techniques in the ring and in the octagon. the Sambo elements around them making each one of reconnaissance and scout units in Sambo. Decades
e e“ectiveness of Sambo as a viable hand-to-hand them a unique ghter with his or her individual style. later, having proven to be a very e‘ective hand-to-hand combat system was quickly recognized by the MMA
at’s who I would want to be my coach. system combat Sambo techniques continue to be taught community at large. Every MMA gym in the US now Learning Sambo techniques and practicing them to the Russian Armed Forces. teaches ghters some elements of Sambo. However, just does not mean you have to drop everything and become Why is Sambo so e‘ective, more so than Judo, learning a few leg bars is not enough.
e instructor an athlete who competes at tournaments. But, one can Jujitsu, boxing or Karate? Because it was developed has to be a regular day-to-day Sambo practitioner to possess the knowledge that one day may come in handy, around real life-and-death struggles that take place in properly teach the techniques. Sambo as a system goes like an additional survival skill.
ink of it as another combat. Whether apprehending a criminal or capturing beyond just learning throws and grappling. It includes tool in your proverbial toolbox of knowledge. Except an enemy prisoner for interrogation, one had to possess physical preparation, understanding leverage and basic Sambo’s calling I’d like to think of Sambo as a multi-tool that one day card is its techniques which would allow him or her to complete physics. But, most of all it teaches condence and the devastating leg might save your life. the mission. In combat, you need to have an advantage ability to execute a technique even in a dire situation. bar techniques. For more information on Sambo training in the US: over your opponent. at advantage for Soviet Sambo is strength coupled with technique enhanced by This will not US Sambo Association www.ussambo.com soldiers was Sambo. Sambo as a system was born from speed and boiled in condence. Many think Sambo is bu out. accumulating only the most e‘ective moves and similar to Judo and if you practice Judo you can become elements, throws, trips, sweeps, chokes, holds, sub- a Sambo wrestler. You can, but that is the exception. In missions, kicks and punches, arm and leg bars from fact, a good Sambo player makes a very good Judoka, several martial art systems. At the same time, the less but not every exceptional Judoka can make a decent e‘ective elements were discarded. Sambo player. Sambo was designed for professionals who had to Like I said, there are many gyms and clubs now react to dynamic situations in a split second and quick- o“ering Sambo training here in the US. As a rule, most ly render an opponent incapacitated with only the these are ašliated with MMA training. Choosing a tools at hand. e only tools available might be just a good instructor can be problematic. As I’ve said earlier, shovel, ri™e butt, stool or only their bare hands. Often I had the fortune to be taught by many great coaches. they’d have to disarm or dispatch multiple opponents However, I have also come across some bad ones too.

28 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 29 PRAYER THE ULTIMATE WEAPON FOR PERILOUS TIMES EDITOR’S NOTE— Scott Moore is the founder of Wild About By Scott Moore Christ Ministries, which teaches archery and wilderness skills in a Christ-centered “I sought the LORD, atmosphere. I met Moore a number of years ago and He heard me, and have been impressed by his ministry, which and delivered me from all my fears” is a unique blend of God’s word, archery, primitive living skills and Psalms 34:4 wilderness adventure. He o ers an Archery Bootcamp for Hunting t has been said that if we live long enough, the day What is Prayer? and Survival Prepared- will come, when the last place on earth we will want Prayer is how we communicate with God. Prayer is ness class. This is a total Ito be is where we are standing at that very moment. how we express our needs, and how we tap into Gods immersion experience When that day of reckoning comes, we will not rise to power to handle things in our lives that are too big for into the world of tradi- tional archery and bow the occasion like a knight in shining armor. More than us to handle on our own. God “Gives power to the hunting. Plus, he o ers likely, we will fall to a level that is slightly below our weak, and strength to the powerless” (Isaiah 40:29). No a Wilderness Survival level of training and preparedness. If you are reading ritual or formality is required, just a candid conversa- Retreat and a Wilderness this article, you have more than likely already started tion where our wants, needs, desires and fears can be Awareness Retreat for to train and prepare. You have gathered the gear and Women. Throughout the provisions that you deemed necessary to withstand a years, I’ve found Moore to be a very knowledge- societal collapse, natural disaster, or things that go able and interesting bump in the night. at being said, what happens if we instructor and have come up against an adversary, or circumstance, which greatly enjoyed my time is so formidable, that nothing we have prepared can with him. One topic I’ve withstand it? wanted to cover for some roughout history, mankind has cried out to time in these pages is prayer, and Scott agreed a higher power in times of peril. is is commonly to write this piece for referred to as prayer. If prayer is going to be part of our me. I understand not arsenal, it deserves the same amount of forethought and everyone is a Christian, planning as the rest of our preps. So, what is prayer? To but you are free to flip whom should we pray? How should we pray, and why? to the next article. For If God hears our prayers, what does He promise? those that take the time to read it, there is a good message here too oen ignored or forgotten. Scott Moore is the founder of Wild About Christ Ministries Wild About Christ Ministries does a lot with children from David M. Fortier. which teaches archery and wilderness skills in a Christ-centered teaching them archery and survival skills to history about atmosphere. Here he talks about prayer in times of need. Native Americans.

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 31 PRAYER

name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9-13) is passage of scripture is known as the Lord’s Prayer, and is recited as such throughout the world. It is really a model prayer that Jesus used as an example, to teach his disciples how they should pray. e Lord’s Prayer provides a good foundation to help us under- stand how we should pray still today. We do not have to recite the Lord’s Prayer word for word. God is much more interested in the intentions of our heart than the exact words that we use when we pray. e Lord’s Prayer teaches us the proper order of things and how we should approach God with our needs. Topics covered “Our Father in heaven” Tells us who we should be on his weekend praying to, God who created us. “Have we not all one pray to God as our heavenly Father, in the name of his retreats include: father? Did not one God create us? (Malachi 2:10) e Son Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. is shelter building, fact that He is in heaven tells us that God is in a holy is why we often hear the phrase “Father, Son, and the fire making, place, a place of purity, so praying to God must be a water, food Holy Spirit” which is called the Trinity. preparation, spiritual experience. signaling, “Hallowed be your name” tells us that God has How Should We Pray? trapping and supremacy over all things. God is holy and should be “Lord, teach us to pray” Luke 11:1 tracking. worshiped and praised. And Jesus told his disciples, “ is, then, is how you “Your kingdom come, your will be done” tells us to should pray: Our father in heaven, hallowed be your seek ”rst the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Scott is an avid bowhunter who has expressed. And God truly cares about our lives. It is not depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to honed his stalking even necessary to know what to say. e Bible says that separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus and archery skills “e Spirit helps us in our weakness, we do not know our Lord” (Romans 8:39). So we pray to our heavenly throughout decades what we ought to pray for; but the Spirit himself inter- Father, God, the creator and redeemer of mankind. We of hard work. cedes for us” Romans 8:26 (NIV). If we cry out to God can pray to God through (in the name of ) his Son Jesus in our time of need, God will know our need, even if we Christ, “For there is one God, and one mediator be- are not able to verbally express it. By biblical de‡nition, tween God and man, the man Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy Scott hosts prayer is making a petition to God with the belief that 2:5). And we pray to God by the power of the Holy father/son weekend He will answer our needs. Spirit, “But you, dear friends, build yourself up in your retreats where he most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” So we can teaches wilderness To Whom Do We Pray? and primitive skills. So who, or what, do we pray to? e United States of America is a Christian Nation that was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. e Declaration of Inde- pendence mentions God four times. God is referred to as the “Creator of man,” the “God of nature,” “Devine Providence,” and “Supreme judge of the world.” As a reminder, Congress had the term “In God We Trust” put on all currency. Christians (myself included) pray to the one and only God of the Bible. God is Holy, God is the creator of the universe and redeemer of mankind. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, e God of Israel and all nations. For all eternity there has only been one God, “I am your God, and there is no other; besides me there is no other” (Isaiah 45:5). God has existed before time began as an in‡nite being. He is also a personal being that we call our heavenly Father because, we were created in Gods image (Genesis 1:26), we are Gods workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) and He loves us, “Neither height nor

32 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 33 PRAYER PRAYER

We should desire God’s plan for our life, not our own. Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and We can “In the name of Jesus.” God hears everyone’s prayers “Do not live the rest of your life for evil human desires, requests” (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is how we keep in because God is all knowing, but our lives must be right but rather for the will of God.” And we certainly want contact with our heavenly Father, it is a way for us to pray with God before He will answer our prayers “according God’s will ruling our lives and not Satan’s, for we are seek God’s wisdom, guidance and protection for our to His will”. We must remember, “Not my will, but your told that Satan is “a murderer from the beginning, not lives. If we have a concern, we can pray and ask God anytime, will be done” (Luke 22:42). holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When to direct our paths. “Do not be anxious about anything, Many people have prayed to God and feel that there he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanks- anywhere was no response. Sometimes God’s answer is “no” or the father of lies”. giving, present your request to God. And the peace of “wait”, God knows what is best for us, and when we need “On earth, as it is in heaven” earth is the place where God, which transcends all understanding, will guard and no it. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. we will ght our battles, both physical and spiritual. your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippi- ’ey are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a Heaven is a place of peace and rest. We want God’s will ans 4: 6-7). When we can do nothing else we can pray. one can future and a hope” ( Jeremiah 29:11). I can think of noth- to guide our lives here on earth so we do not displease We can pray anytime, anywhere and no one can take ing that could be more reassuring than having a heavenly God in anything we do. that away from us. For that reason, continual prayer can take that Father that wants us to have a future and hope! “Give us this day our daily bread” we ask for our daily protect us after every other weapon has failed and that Because prayer is readily available, we are able to tap bread to teach us to depend on God to supply and pro- is the reason we should “pray continually.” away from into God’s power when we are weak, and prayer is able vide for our daily needs. We should go to God in prayer to protect us from “spiritual forces of evil in the heaven- every day and ask for what we need both physically and What Does God Promise? us. ly realms,” prayer is truly the ultimate weapon for peril- spiritually. God can provide nourishment for our physi- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, ous times. “Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, cal bodies in the way of food. But God can also provide neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help for our spiritual needs with the “bread of life” which is future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor any- you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” the word of God and the body of Christ. thing else in all creation, will be able to separate us from (Isaiah 41: 9-10). “And forgive us our debts” our debts (or sins) the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8: 38-39) separate us from God. Any wrongdoing that we God promises to love us, to guide us, to protect us, commit against ourselves or anyone else we are commit- and to care for us. As a matter of fact, “God so loved the SOURCE ting against God because He created us. ƒis is called sin. world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever WILD ABOUT CHRIST MINISTIRES When we pray “forgive us our debts” we are asking that believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” www.wacoutdoors.com our debts be paid for us, that we are pardoned from wrong ( John 3:16). ’at is the reason that we pray to God doing, that our sin is removed. God’s forgiveness of our sins is there for the asking. If we sincerely ask for God’s Moore’s forgiveness of our sin, we receive it immediately, and are ministry is no longer separated from God. ƒe miracle is that God geared around us, and “our enemy the devil prowls around like a sent his son Jesus to die on the cross so that His blood getting people roaring lion looking for someone to devour” 1&PLTH]&]1í<6 would be the atonement (payment) for our sin (debt). out in the (1 Peter 5:8). ƒe only way to withstand this attack is 6/((3,1*%$*6 P<11!H ĈĈíď­ĬíĔćć wilderness where they can to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Why Should We Pray? get their hands Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your “ƒe prayer of a righteous man is powerful and dirty trying new stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is e†ective” James 5:16 skills. not against ˜esh and blood, but against the authori- /LJKWZHLJKW God’s word calls us to pray. We must prepare ties, against the powers of this dark world and against ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually for the the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” uncertain times to come. We can prepare physically and We must (Ephesians 6:10-12). &RPSDFW mentally under our own power, with the resources that Because our adversary is in the “heavenly realm,” our are available to us on a human level. But to prepare spir- prepare only e†ective weapon for defense is prayer. Even if we 'XUDEOH itually for perilous times, we must tap into the power feel too weak to ght a spiritual war, we can become supplied by God almighty. “ƒe Lord is my rock and ourselves strong in the spiritual realm when we pray for God to $YDLODEOHLQIRXU my fortress and my deliverer, ƒe God of my strength, give us power over evil. When we pray, no weapons WHPSHUDWXUHUDWLQJV in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my physically, formed against us will prevail (Isaiah 54:17). Woe to salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my savior, you the person who feels there is no need for prayer. ƒey save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who mentally, send a clear message to God that they can handle things ) is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my in their own strength and ability, often with disastrous enemies” (2 Samuel 22:2-4). God can handle situa- and results. Even Jesus felt the need for daily prayer while ) tions that are bigger than us and our earthly abilities. he was on this earth. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely “With man this is impossible, but with God all things spiritually places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). ) are possible” (Matthew 19:26). God is always ready to ) listen, regardless of our circumstances, but the only way for the How O en Should We Pray? to communicate with God is through prayer. “Watch “Pray continually” 1 ƒessalonians 5:17 therefore and pray always, that you may be counted uncertain To pray continually does not mean that we spend worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass” hours a day on our knees, head bowed, and hands fold- 70 (Luke 21:36). times to ed in prayer. To pray continually means that as we go 6859,9( 7+5,9( Prayer gives us power over evil. Make no mistake about our day to day lives, we communicate with God about it, there is a spiritual battle being waged against come. through our thoughts and spoken words. “Pray in the

34 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 35 ECONOMICAL

A PRIMER ON BUYING STEEL BODY ARMOR

By James Tarr Tarr recommends steel plates coated with Line-X to reduce spalling. Note the curve If you’re looking or a number of years now I’ve wanted to to fit your to protect against acquire hard body armor. I have a Kevlar soft body Modern torso and rifle rounds, only hard Farmor vest left over from my law enforcement shooter plates will do. The cutouts so basic setup is two days (a Second Chance Monarch,
reat Level II), but hard they don’t plates riding inside a I’m a worst-case scenario kind of guy when it comes interfere with plate carrier covering to preparation, and the title of this magazine isn’t plates… shouldering your vital organs. Be Kinda Ready. Soft body armor is both discreet and a rifle. e­ective against most handgun and shotgun rounds, but can stop it falls short when dealing with ri€e rounds. Basically, they zip right through. Modern hard plates though can many rifle stop many ri€e caliber threats. Not only that but they have become quite economical. I recently did some caliber extensive research before buying a set of hard plates and a plate carrier. Some of what I learned may help you if threats. you’re in the market for hard armor. in the commercial hard armor (steel plate) market are
e rst thing that surprised me was the cost of hard AR500 Armor (www.ar500armor.com; 602-501-9607) armor. I was expecting it to be more expensive than and Steel Defender (www.steeldefender.com; 870-210- soft body armor, but in fact it’s about the same price or 4041). Many other companies selling armor are just cheaper if you’re talking steel plates. Soft body armor vendors for AR500 Armor or Steel Defender. is a multi-layer weave of Kevlar or other proprietary Hard armor plates should have a NIJ (National bers, and many of the vests are designed to be as thin Institute of Justice) rating of III or IV. Level III plates and comfortable as possible for all day wear. Of course are rated to stop 7.62x51mm 147-grain M80 ball and the more comfortable the vest, the more expensive it lesser threats (including all pistol and shotgun rounds). becomes. By comparison new 10x12 inch (the most Level IV plates are rated to stop .30-’06 166-grain common size) steel plates run between $80 and $140 M2 Armor Piercing ammunition and lesser threats. apiece depending on options (more on that later).
is Di­erent materials — including ceramic, polyethylene means you can get two plates and a carrier for as low and steel — are used in hard plate manufacture and each as $200.
at’s less than what I paid for my soft body has certain advantages and disadvantages.
e main armor 20 years ago. advantage of a steel plate compared to ceramic or You’ll nd a number of retailers o­ering steel hard polyethylene is its economical nature. Due to their plates. Do your research and don’t just go for the cheap- a­ordable pricing I’ll concentrate solely on them here. est option. Two companies who seem to be very popular While economical and robust, steel plates do have two drawbacks.
e rst is their weight; they tend to be heavy.
e next is spalling. While bare steel plates are BALLISTIC PROTECTION LEVELS NIJ 0101.05 Standard Level Stops The Level III steel IIA 9x19mm FMJ @ 1,090 fps plates measure 10x12 inches and II .357 Magnum JSP @ 1,400 fps slide into pockets IIIA .44 Magnum SJHP @ 1,400 fps on the Condor car- rier. The plates will III 7.62x51mm NATO M80 ball @ 2,750 fps stop 7.62x51mm IV .30-’06 M2 AP @ 2,850 fps NATO M80 ball and lesser threats.

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 37 ECONOMICAL HARDPLATES

The Condor plate carrier features available (usually painted black to prevent corrosion) I padded shoulder straps and MOLLE do not recommend them. Bare steel plates lack the abil- webbing for attaching pouches ity to capture bullet/armor fragments (spall), which can and accessories. still wound or kill you. If you’ve spent any time shooting steel targets, you’ll have observed that the bullets just don’t stop and drop to the ground in one piece below the target. ey shatter and send shrapnel/spall in every High direction. e same thing happens when a high velocity projectile impacts a steel body armor plate. quality Ceramic and polyethylene plates eliminate spall, but they are much more expensive than steel plates. One steel body solution for steel plates is Line-X. If you’re unfamil- hat for about $300) through a third-party vendor (www. iar with Line-X it is a spray-on coating similar to a armor tacticalshit.com) that was having a Christmas sale. hard rubber. Some time ago the US military realized While not terribly expensive (they retail for about $40 it works very well to reduce shrapnel and spall. It has plates are separately), the Condor plate carrier seems well made actually been sprayed on the inside walls of buildings to and is coated with MOLLE for mounting gear. It has reduce fragmentation/disintegration in the event of an capable of heavily padded shoulder straps (which you’ll want) and explosive attack. Line-X coating also drastically reduces the insides of the plate pouches are lightly padded to spalling o„ of steel hard plate. Due to this, AR500 of- stopping protect your torso. fers two levels of Line-X protection, a basic coat and a While you can buy rectangular plates, most plates built-up option, which adds 1/4-inch to the thickness of multiple these days have angle cuts at the top so they won’t the plate and nearly eliminates spalling. I highly recom- interfere with the proper shouldering of a weapon. mend buying plates with a built-up coating of Line-X. hits from 10x12 inch plates will cover the heart and lungs of most Most armor companies o„er packages — i.e., two people, and a good section of the spine, but leave the plates plus a plate carrier all at a reduced price. Dozens pistols and head, pelvis, and sides of the ribcage exposed. 6x6-inch of companies make plate carriers, but one of the most side-plates are available for side coverage, but they add popular, and economical, seems to be from Condor rifles. bulk and weight. Larger 10x13.5 inch chest/back plates (which does not sell direct to the consumer). I ordered are also available, but they increase weight and you’re a package (two 10x12 inch coated plates plus an OD carrier must have a pocket large enough to accept them. green Condor carrier, triple AR mag pouch, gloves and Most standard plates are 1/4-inch thick 500 Brinell hardness steel, and a 10x12 inch bare plate weighs 7.8 pounds. is means a carrier with two plates will be roughly 17 pounds hanging o„ your shoulders. If ECONOMICAL SOFT BODY ARMOR you want to hang some pouches o„ your plate carri- BULLETSAFE’S LEVEL IIIA VEST er and ™ll them with loaded weapon magazines, you’ll be adding even more weight. Be aware that no matter what hard armor you buy, you’ll be adding a good bit Sta Report of weight and bulk. e weight and bulk is fatiguing, especially compared to soft armor. More so if you are or situations where you must keep a low out of shape, so keep this in mind. F profile, so body armor is oen the way to In addition to the weight, steel plates sandwich- go. If you are on a tight budget, one company to ing your torso also tend to trap heat. Have you ever be aware of is BulletSafe. They currently oer a seen cops standing outside in freezing weather wear- NIJ rated Level IIIA vest with so body armor ing nothing but their uniform shirts and wonder why panels capable of stopping a .44 Magnum and they’re not cold? It’s because they’re wearing body lesser handgun cartridges. The vest features a BulletSafe o ers this economical armor. I refer to wearing soft body armor as living large coverage area, is easy to don and is avail- Level IIIA so body armor vest, inside a Kevlar furnace. While they don’t tend to get the able in six sizes. Integral front/rear plate pock- which is proof against wearer as hot as a soft armor vest, hard plates inside a ets even allow you to add hard plates if you so .44 Magnums for just $299. thick carrier will trap heat. desire. Be Ready! received a vest in for testing For certain situations hard plates can provide a good and found the panels to be fairly thick and sti. Overall, the vest proved acceptably bit of peace of mind. High quality steel body armor plates comfortable in day in and day out usage. Quality was acceptable for its intended are capable of stopping multiple hits from pistols and purpose, civilian use. No issues were found with its manufacture, stitching or ri¡es. Just remember though, to be most e„ective you Velcro but the carrier material is fairly light and this unit is not intended for military need to include them in your training. Remember, steel use. What it is intended for is to provide a well-made and reliable IIIA vest to blue plates will add a noticeable amount of weight, which will collar Americans at a price they can aord. The BulletSafe Level IIIA vest successfully fatigue you and slow you down. If you are out of shape stopped multiple 124 grain 9x19mm FMJs fired from a Glock 17L at a range of two and unaccustomed to wearing them, the disadvantag- feet during our testing. Price is just $299. For more information visit their website es could outweigh the advantages in certain situations. www.bulletsafe.com or call 800-809-0610. However they could save your life, so choose wisely and above all else train with them if you buy a pair.

38 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIGHTING THE SECOND

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ENCRYPTION

By Ben Winslett

James Bond, not the average American. at is why the communications safe from prying eyes. Let’s explore State Department regulated encryption technology as a some of the options available to keep your private data Category XIII item on the US Munitions’ List. private. Until the advent of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) by Phil Zimmerman in 1991, the status quo was ‡ne Data at Rest to most Americans. is was the dawn of the First Data at rest refers to data that is not being transmit- Crypto War. Once Zimmerman ‡red a shot across the ted, received, or otherwise manipulated, it is just sitting bow of the US Government by freely distributing a there, waiting to be accessed. is data can be in the he first shots have been traded, attacks strong cryptographic program, the criminal charges form of a spinning platter hard drive, a USB memory and counters tried, and now we find our- began ‹ying (which were later dropped). e pundits stick, or in the form of papers scattered on a desk. is T selves in the grips of the Second Crypto War. started demanding backdoors and key escrow schemes is the state where the average person has the vast ma- The shots began ringing out far earlier than the be implemented. Long story short, the Clipper Chip jority of their data, and suŸcient attention should be American people first believed. Only aer Edward key escrow scheme was shot down in resounding paid to protecting it accordingly. Snowden’s revelations were made public did many defeat, strong cryptography was allowed to thrive, If we look at modern storage device capacity, it is Americans understand that a second war on data and backdoors were not mandated to be included in easy to focus on the gigabytes and terabytes and lose security had begun, and they had not even been cryptographic protocols. So imagine the surprise of the track of the scale of information that can be stored by invited. You need not look far to see politicians ask- American people when they realize the same agen- the average user. To put this capacity in more concrete ing for, nay demanding backdoors to the modern cy tasked with securing communications was, among terms, the largest Micro SD storage card available has implementations of encryption. Yet those same other things, working with the National Institute a capacity of 200 GB and is 11 x 15mm in size and The Crypto Wars are fought not politicians fail to realize the proliferation of mod- on the battlefield, but within of Standards and Technology (NIST) to undermine a millimeter thick. is tiny device, that sells for un- the confines of cyberspace and ern, consumer-grade cryptography is the direct the encryption standards being recommended to der $100 can hold 8.39 times the English contents of within the halls of Congress. result of the realization that the US Government Americans (For further reading on that particular Wikipedia as of November 2015. If printed, this data Photo by Tim Yan. was not just eavesdropping on foreigners, they kerfu”e, look at the inclusion of Dual_EC_DRBG in would ‡ll a collection of bookcases 7.5 feet tall and were listening to everyone. The rising proliferation NIST SP 800-90A). 435 feet long. Restated, you can carry a library of data of consumer crypto was practically a foregone So now, we collectively ‡nd ourselves in a cryp- conclusion aer the Snowden papers hit the public. tographic shooting war over what was believed to Unless you have been involved in a heavily tech- be a matter settled nearly 20 years ago. So naturally, nological field for the past few decades, you may when confronted with the reality that our government not have realized the American people fought, and may be deliberately undermining the security of our won the First Crypto War against its government. private communications sans warrant or even probable Until personal computers became commonplace, cause, what do we do? We demand the inclusion of Technology has advanced to the point computing power and, by extension, cryptogra- strong cryptography in any and every product that we that you can carry a phy remained firmly in the realm of academia, can ‡nd, and now we have the current stalemate that is library of information government and intelligence organizations. Secret playing out in the media. Never before has the average in a chip the size of a messages and cryptography was the business of American had such tools to keep their data and thumbnail.

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 41 a few vulnerabilities ‘xed in later follow-on software), Most of the encryption of data in transit TrueCrypt abruptly went dark on May 28, 2014 in an happens seamlessly to the user in the form of Transport apparent Warrant Canary scenario. Since going dark, Layer Security (TLS) when accessing secure web- VeraCrypt has emerged to be the front-runner for open pages. ankfully, keeping an updated browser and source encryption software built upon the TrueCrypt using HTTPS when available. A 200 GB Micro SD card can hold 8.39 times the contents of English Wikipedia entries. If printed, this would populate a collection of bookcases 7.5 feet tall codebase and has addressed the issues raised in the True- Applications promising data encryption in transit and 435 feet long. To prevent this image from wrapping around the page, this book case is 21.5 feet tall and only 145 feet long. Crypt audit. abound and change with the seasons. For the most Other software products, such as the BitLocker up to date information about applications promising whole-drive encryption scheme bundled with messaging, telephony, and video calling encryption, on a cheap device the size of your thumbnail. Entry- hardened Level 3 compliant drives if you are especially Enterprise-editions of the Windows operating system consult the Secure Messaging Scorecard maintained by level laptops routinely ship with drives of over twice concerned about the security of your data. Using any leverage Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) that are the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). that capacity. High-end desktop and server drives hardware bearing this certication doesn’t guarantee cryptographic processing chips integrated into many Getting top marks from the EFF is a mobile appli- topping 8TB of data can store enough volumes to ll a that your data is completely secure now or in the future, laptop and desktop computers. BitLocker, and other cation that provides encrypted messaging as well as collection of bookcases over 3.3 miles long. but it is a very good start and should secure your data commercial encryption products are trusted by numer- secure calling. Signal, available from both the Apple So, knowing how much data storage can be at our against anything short of a nation-state threat. ous corporations to protect sensitive company data and App Store and the Android Play Store provides an disposal for a very modest price, the question becomes In the external USB hard drive and USB ¡ash drive are assumed to be secure. at said, my preference goes easy to use interface that integrates well with both why we should encrypt this storage space. At rst, it may realm, I have had good experience with the IronKey to cryptographic software that has been independently Android phones and iPhones. Using that application be di cult to conceive lling an 8TB drive, or even a Personal S250 and Apricorn’s Aegis SecureKey drives. audited for the sole reason being that it is far more not only provides end to end encryption of calls and texts 200GB MicroSD card, but sometimes the most import- I’ve switched from the former to the latter due to the dišcult to hide any intentional backdoors or conceal between two people using the app, but also secures text ant data that is contained on a drive is data that you are SecureKey being unlocked with an external keypad any unintentional shortcomings if there are more eyes messages at rest when messaging someone that doesn’t not necessarily aware is there. Temporary les, debug- instead of being unlocked within an operating system. on the code. In short, if a product depends upon cryp- have the application. ging logs, error dumps, swap space, all may be foreign to ‹at makes the Apricorn SecureKey useful for booting tography or implementations that are trade secrets, it you but may contain very telling data about the device virtual machines oŒ of, adding a second layer of security warrants at least a raised eyebrow. Because with cryp- Closing Thoughts it is connected to, the user of the device or about other in a computing environment. tography, it does not depend upon the methodology is Crypto War is far from over, and we are all data contained on the drive itself. If you were carrying ‹e Apple iPhone and Android smartphones are being kept secret in order to maintain the secrecy of the involved whether we wish to be or not. e best way around a veritable library of books that contained your worthy of mention due to their use of dedicated cryp- data; in a properly implemented system, data security to defend all the rights a†orded us by our creator is to autobiography, could you be certain that none of those tographic processors and have continued to frustrate only depends upon keeping the keys secret. remain informed. Keeping abreast of current technol- pages contained anything that could be considered a federal, state, and local groups seeking unfettered access ogy can be a daunting challenge, and this short article crime in the eyes of a local, state, or federal prosecutor? to phones seized from their owners. Whether this is Data in Transit should only prompt you to go out and research all the Even if you absolutely positive that you have noth- done within the connes of judicial processes is entirely Protecting data where it sits is only part of the equa- options available. Supporting those that defend our ing to hide contained on your storage device, would you immaterial when it comes to the encryption used; the tion. Protecting the data as it is transmitted and received VeraCrypt allows rights to encrypt and communicate in the manner we want everything on your drive available to anyone for cryptography enabled by default on most modern smart is just as important and signi‘cantly more complicated. for not only so desire is important as well. Please consider spring- the taking? Lose your laptop that has your tax papers phones remains resolutely silent even when presented However, absent dedicated cryptographic devices that cryptographically ing for an EFF membership to fund all the e†orts to secure volumes, but or a local copy of your SF-86 security clearance paper- with a warrant. are nearly the sole realm of government organizations, plausible deniability. further our collective digital rights. work? Best not to have that kind of data falling in the the vast majority of solutions to protect data in motion A Matryoshka doll of As a parting thought to ponder, when the head of hands of any tech-savvy criminal. So ware are software-based. security, its turtles all the nation’s preeminent law enforcement organization If you want an encryption solution that doesn’t re- the way down here. states: “I am a huge believer in the rule of law, but I also Hardware Encryption quire carrying around a dedicated piece of storage hard- believe that no one in this country is beyond the law. ‹e oŒerings in the realm of hardware encrypted ware, you can always turn to a software-based solution. What concerns me about this is companies marketing drives are too numerous to mention and can change However, with a software encryption solution, overall something expressly to allow people to place them- with alarming regularity. So here are a few things to security then becomes dependent upon good computing selves beyond the law” it brings to question why the look for in order to ensure that anything you purchase architecture and operating system security as well as the government should fear a nation of citizens that want will adequately secure your data. implementation of the cryptographic software itself. to keep their business secret and desire their govern- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) — Cryp- In years past, TrueCrypt was the go-to open-source ment to mind their own. tographic algorithm that is the de facto standard. software encryption tool that worked on all computing Originally developed by two Belgian cryptopgraphers platforms and operating systems. You could use True- HELPFUL LINKS as the Rijndael cypher, AES may also be referred to as Crypt to create a secure volume that could be opened Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 197. on a Windows, Linux, or Mac machine and still have Wikipedia Size in Volumes AES 256 is the gold standard as far as consumer-grade the same security. Despite an exhaustive third-party en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Size_in_volumes crypto is concerned. ‹ough it may not be the best, independent audit nding TrueCrypt secure (save for FIPS 140-2 Standards from an academic standpoint, you want a cryptographic www.csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/standards.html standard that has been pored over with a ne-toothed comb, and AES is that. Something as simple VeraCrypt FIPS 140-2 — Federal Information Processing as an encrypted USB www.veracrypt.codeplex.com Standard 140-2 sets forth the standard for cryptograph- drive can serve as an Electronic Frontier Foundation— indispensable part ic modules used by the federal government. To summa- Secure Messaging Scorecard of emergency prepara- rize, FIPS 140-2 requires that any cryptographic device, tions. In the event www.e .org/secure-messaging-scorecard like those contained in a hardware encrypted hard drive, of disaster, critical Dual EC DRBG meddling be hardened against physical and side-channel attacks. documents can be en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_EC_DRBG Look for FIPS 140-2 Level 2 drives, or the further kept safe.

42 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 43 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE READY!

long and purifies most any water to EPA purity standards. It re- Radio, you can still be privy to important weather alerts and an- quires no batteries or power of any sort and oers no aertaste. nouncements with this manually powered radio. It’s also got a LED flashlight, an SOS flash beacon, an ultrasonic dog whistle, SAWYER MINI WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM and outlets to charge smartphones and the like. If you hand gets BROWNELLS HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO 4 The Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System might be the tired from cranking, it’ll also charge via solar power. most versatile water filtration system ever. Not only can you drink directly from it, you can attach it to Sawyer Squeeze Pouches, ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS a hydration pack, or put it on the top of most water bottles 8 TRAUMA PAK WITH QUICK CLOT for easy refilling. It also filters water down to 1 micron, which Medical emergencies are no fun even in the best of times, but exceeds the EPA’s purity standard. Plus, the Mini Water Filtration when it hits the fan, you might be in real trouble if you have an System will backflush almost indefinitely, so there are never any injury and are not prepared. Be ready with Adventure Medical BE READY! filters to replace. Kits Trauma Pak with Quick Clot. This trauma pack includes everything needed to stop major bleeding in a hurry and keep rownells is known as a one-stop shop for all things firearms BROWNELLS BVL530 VERSATILE LIGHT GOAL ZERO GUIDE 10 PLUS wounds clean for fast healing. It also includes instructions for related, but it’s also your best bet when it comes to survival 2 What’s the first thing you reach for when the power goes 5 If power is down, what will you do to recharge your treating severe wounds. Band preparedness. Below we’ve collected a smattering of out? A flashlight. You can never have too many stashed around electronic devices? Goal Zero’s Guide Plus 10 oers a handheld items that are great additions to any disaster preparedness kit. the house, but if you try and stock up on high-dollar lights, you solution that recharges AA and AAA batteries from the sun or ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS GRIZZLY FIRST AID KIT won’t have much coin le for other essentials. Brownells is oer- any USB port. It’ll also fully charge your smartphone in an hour. 9 If you’re looking for the be-all, end-all med kit, the BRICK STORAGE SOLUTIONS ing a flashlight that is compact, powerful, adaptable and aord- Grizzly First Aid Kit is a great option. It includes everything 1 When disaster strikes, water is likely going to be the first able in their Versatile Light. It’s 5½ inches long and 1 inch wide MIDLAND 30-MILE TWO-WAY RADIOS from bandage materials, blister/burn treatments, CPR gear, thing you and your loved ones need. Next is food, and then you and features a machined aluminum body that houses a CREE 6 If cell towers are down, most folks will be up a creek. With duct tape, and a splint to treat fractures and sprains. It also has hope that you won’t need ammo. But if you do need these three XM-L2 LED light that puts out 530 lumens on high, and 175 on Midland’s 30-mile Two-Way Radios, you can still be in con- everything needed to keep wounds clean as well as medication things, Waterbrick has you covered. Experts say that you’ll need the low setting. The CR123-A batteries will last 9 hours on the stant contact with your party within a 30-mile radius. You can for common ailments and a one gallon of water per person per day to comfortably survive low setting and 2½ on high. also pick up NOAA weather alerts automatically and operate on field trauma kit. an event. Waterbricks make storing emergency water easy and private lines to block unwanted ears. Hi and Lo power settings space-conscious with their stackable and durable design. You LIFESTRAW allows you to save the life of the AAA batteries. can also store up to 27 pounds of dry foods or whatever you 3 Time magazine called the LifeStraw one of the best inven- want in Waterbricks. tions of the year because it allows users to safely drink from con- MIDLAND ER310 Foodbricks are 3½-gallon containers that hold up to 264 taminated water sources, which is a common occurrence during 7 OK, so power is out and you’ve lost your batteries. Now adult servings of dry foods. These will even interlock with floods, when water supplies can become fouled. One LifeStraw what? If you’ve got Midland’s ER310 Emergency Crank Weather Waterbricks, which makes storing an impressive quantity of can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water and removes 99.9% of 8 consumable resources easier than ever. waterborne bacteria. It weighs a mere 2 ounces and can fit in 4 As the name implies, Ammobricks are airtight and water- most any pocket in your bug-out bag. resistant containers that are lighter than traditional .50-cal ammo If you’re looking for a more hardcore water purification solu- cans. Plus, they’re sturdier than ammo cans when stacked. tion, the LifeStraw Steel might be the ticket. It’s only 9 inches 6 2 1

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44 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 45 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE READY! EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE READY!

WISE FOODS reliable, they’re not immune from stoppages and malfunctions. STREAMLIGHT SIEGE family. Drago Gear’s 26-inch Expandable Baton is just the 10 You’ve gotta eat, right? If you truly are stranded or are bug- The best way to keep your rifle running right is to service it and 16 When you get back to camp a er dark, you want to rest, answer, allowing you to apply convincing blows to unruly ging out, food can be di cult to track down. Have some ready to clean it regularly, something that can be di cult in the field. prepare a meal and (with any luck) clean your game. Don’t fiddle combatants. When it’s stowed, the Baton is concealable, but go with Wise Foods’ 120-serving Freeze-Dried Fruit & Snack Now you can never be without the appropriate tools for clearing with trying to position a flashlight in just the right position; get a readily deployed. Grab and Go Food. In this handy pail are an assortment of major stoppages and maintenance with the Leatherman lamp that oers so light over a large area. The Siege has both bananas, strawberries, peaches, caramel sauce, yogurt, pudding, AR-15/M16 MUT. This multi-tool contains a scraper to remove white and red lights; the red is great for preserving your night 19 ADVENTURE MEDICAL SOL ESCAPE BIVVY and 24 servings of apples. Shelf life is 25 years. carbon fouling from those tricky spots, punches for takedown, vision. On high in white mode, the Siege runs for 30 hours, 70 in Many ultralight shelters are waterproof, but o en aren’t screws and Torx bits for optics adjustment, and a 420HC blade medium and 295 on the 33-lumen low mode. The Siege floats breathable. This leads to condensation buildup inside your GERBER LMF II SURVIVAL KNIFE that can be deployed without opening the tool. It also has a saw, if dropped in water, and runs on three D-cell batteries. A battery shelter, which can leave you wet and subsequently cold. The 11 A knife is an everyday tool for most of us, but survival and wire cutters and needle-nosed pliers, scerwdrivers, crimper, gauge lets you know how much juice you’ve got le , and it comes Adventure Medical SOL Escape Bivvy is lightweight, windproof emergency situations call for a dierent kind of knife. Gerber has carabiner and other must-haves. with D-rings for attaching almost anywhere. and waterproof, but it’s also breathable, so moisture exits the an ideal solution in the LMF II Survival Knife, which comes in shelter while reflecting your body heat back onto you. Even the a nylon sheath that attaches to your leg for quick and secure SWISS TECH MICRO-MAX XTREME STREAMLIGHT ARGO HEADLAMP zippers and closures are waterproof, and the bottom is made of access. It’s all business with a 420HC stainless steel 4.84-inch 14 This funky-looking multi-tool oers 22 dierent tools in 17 If you have to do chores or traveling on foot at night, a hard-wearing fabric that’s made to hold up under prolonged or blade and TPV handle molded over the full tang. Also included is one pocket-sized package. It’s made from stainless steel and you’ll likely need use of both of your hands. Free them up with heavy use. a sharpener that lives in the sheath. is designed to replace much of a normal toolbox with assorted the Streamlight Argo, a headlamp that can shine out to 190 Allen drivers, screwdivers, pliers, wire cutters, a file, bottle meters. It puts out 150 lumens on high and runs for 3 hours, and 20 GOAL ZERO LIGHTHOUSE 250 ONTARIO KNIFE CO. KUKRI opener a ruler, drill, wire stripper and more. in low mode will run for 30 hours while putting out 45 lumens, This handy little lantern is a battery-free unit that’s capable of 12 If you can only have one survival knife, a kukri isn’t a oering it great versatility. lighting up camp with 250 lumens of light, either focused or not. bad option. Ontario Knife Co.’s Kukri features a 12-inch blade SUREFIRE TITAN PLUS It recharges via USB power, a hand crank or solar power and can that’s made from 1095 carbon steel that’ll hack and whack its 15 Now there’s no excuse to ever be in the dark. Surefire’s DRAGO GEAR BATON also charge USB devices. way through most any challenging situation. Also included is a Titan Plus is small enough to live on a keychain, but boasts a 18 In situations of unrest that don’t call for deadly force, rugged nylon sheath. 300-lumen output on high. It also has two other outputs options you need another option for defending yourself and your that aren’t as retina scorching. When activated, it turns on in the LEATHERMAN AR-15/M16 MUT lowest setting so as to not blind you. Another twist ratchets the 13 The AR-15 platform is the gun of choice for many survival- output up a notch, and a third twist puts it on high. The body is ists for a multitude of reasons. While they’re generally extremely made of dense nickel-plated brass. 18 16

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46 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 47 CARJACKING FIGHTING BACK COUNTERMEASURES AND HANDGUN DEFENSE IN THE VEHICLE ENVIRONMENT PART 2 By John M. Peterson III

arjacking is a criminal phenomenon that shows vehicle, both statistically and tactically, is to be no sign of diminishing. In the midst of a routine DUPHG$¿UHDUPZKHWKHUGUDZQDQGSUHVHQWHG Cworkday, being stalked, or during a contingency RU ¿UHG WR VWRS WKH WKUHDW LV WKH PRVW SURYHQ situation, such as during an evacuation or riot, you are carjacking countermeasure. at risk of being attacked while in a vehicle. e desper- If the car is not ation and criminality that manifests quickly during a running, and Reasons Why Stationary Vehicles are the Worst Place to major disaster, plus random or planned violence over you are facing be in a Gunfight social issues, is enough to put you at risk of a carjacking an armed ,W¶VLPSHUIHFWFRYHU7KHPDWHULDOVXVHGLQDXWR or being attacked while in or near a vehicle. assailant and mobiles are anything but bulletproof, especial- unarmed, the O\ LQ OLJKWHU PRUH IXHO HI¿FLHQW YHKLFOHV ,Q Most armed attacks against vehicle occupants are best thing to do successful, but there are some ways to prevent being is run. Don’t go fact, most cars are fairly transparent to most victimized. In part 2 of our Carjacking Countermea- with them no small arms projectiles (especially high-caliber sures series we’ll cover ghting back, especially with matter what. rearms. If you missed part 1 (2015 #2 Fall issue) our Editor’s Letter in this issue tells you how to obtain print and electronic back issues.

Fight or Flight at the Vehicle e best way to deal with a carjacking or other vehicle attack is to prevent it altogether. If the car is running and operable, use it to ram your way out and escape. If the car is not running, and you are facing an armed assailant while unarmed, the best thing to do is abandon ship. Get out of the car as quickly as you can and get as far away as possible from it so that you do not become a hostage (and murder victim) or shot. But, what if none of this works?

Shots Fired — Fighting in the Vehicle Environment is is where we come to two of the most important points: 1. Most carjackers are armed with some type of weapon. Most victims are not. 2. The last place you would want to be when under ¿UHLVLQRUQH[WWRDQLQRSHUDEOHFDU,QDPR- ment, we will show that an immovable vehicle is the worst place that you can be during such an ambush. The best defense against carjack- ers and other assailants around an immovable

The best defense against carjackers and other assailants around an immovable vehicle is a firearm, whether drawn or fired it’s the most proven carjacking countermeasure.

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 49 CARJACKING COUNTERMEASURES CARJACKING COUNTERMEASURES

the glass itself. Even if the bullet misses, vari- ous sized pieces of material and atomized glass easily capable of penetrating the skin will y at you. ese can be fatal or blinding. If
ring from inside of your enclosed vehicle, the smoke and/or overpressure can obscure you (dust or particles of glass or other matter becoming airborne). e extreme noise (sonic crack and blast) and bright ash can cause ash dis- orientation or temporary blindness. If you have ever
red any type of
rearm from inside of an enclosed vehicle, you know what I am talking about. 4. Confusion and diŠculty drawing, identify- ing and engaging in a car: When in a vehicle, it’s very common to not be able to accurately pinpoint where the gun
re is coming from, especially handguns. Drawing from a concealed carry holster can be diŠcult and the seatbelt can get in the way. And, attempting to
re from inside of a vehicle from an awkward position, at a moving target amongst blind spots, and the limited range of motion from a car seat, are all similar to engaging from inside of a tank or sub- marine. reat identi
cation may be degraded by glare, lighting or the intermittent appearance of a moving threat. 5. “It’s like shooting
sh in a barrel”: e most common statement by assailant role players Peeking out from around the side of a vehicle is the preferred Some carjacking after countless force on force scenarios con- technique for use of cover. ULÀHEXOOHWV 7KH\ZHUHQHYHUGHVLJQHGWRVWRS situations are ducted simulating the most prevalent carjacking EXOOHWV 'XHWRWKHVKDSHDQGGHVLJQRIYHKLFOHV planned for tactics. ough there are a number of shooting If you absolutely HVSHFLDOO\FDUVWKH\DUHYHU\GLI¿FXOWWRSURSHU- locations where schools that teach shooting from vehicles, or must draw from 6. Stationary shooting tactics can be fatal: Either way, don’t sit there or stay in one spot for very you can be phys- O\KLGH\RXUERG\PRYHRUJHWLQWRDQ\W\SHRI inside the vehicle, ically trapped hugging against the vehicle when using it for Imagine trying to respond from your seat while long. At all cost, get out of the car and: JRRGVKRRWLQJSRVLWLRQ7KHDYHUDJHZKHHOZHOO cover, many don’t teach much more than that. engage the closest surrounded by armed moving assailants. 1. Move! Bail out when you see a weapon or hear or limited in armed attacker LVQRWHYHQODUJHHQRXJKWRFRYHUPRVWSHRSOH¶V your ability to So, don’t fool yourself that the really fun vehicle shooting your way it
ring. Not necessarily out your door, use WRUVR DQG KHDG:KDW \RX FDQ GR ,I \RX XVH respond. bailout drill in a shooting course is going to give out of the trap, then React to Attack — Movement and Cover whatever door or window that puts you closest DYHKLFOHIRUFRYHUSXWHLWKHUWKHHQJLQHEORFN you all that you need if end up in the kill zone. bail out of the car If you see a weapon, or are under
re and are in an to your
rst piece of cover or at least gets more DQGRU D ZKHHO ZHOO EHWZHHQ \RX DQG WKH DW- You are still in danger until you are far away right away. immovable vehicle, this situation requires split-second metal between you and them. If you are already WDFNHU 7UHDWHYHU\WKLQJHOVHDVLILWLVPDGHRXW from your car. Plus most of what is taught is decision making. ‰e decision to abandon ship may under
re, lay down on the seat and crawl to the RIWLQIRLO %XWHYHQWKHHQJLQHEORFNLVQRWD usually stationary on a static range. How much be the most prudent survival option. Whether or not opposite door and crawl out to either wheel well JXDUDQWHHGEXOOHWVWRSSHU $QGWKHEDGQHZVLV of your range time is devoted to
ring from you use a
rearm in this instance, the very fact that or the engine block. WKDWHYHQWKHVPDOOHVWRIWKHPLOLWDU\VW\OHULÀH inside of or using cover at a vehicle? you are moving may make yourself a more di’cult 2. Cover! FDOLEHUVLQFLUFXODWLRQZLOOSHQHWUDWHWKHEUDNH and confusing target. ‰e possibility that taking the a. At the car — Stay low and move to one corner GLVNVRIPRVWFDUVDIWHURQHWRWKUHHKLWV%XW vehicle itself may be the attacker’s goal, as in a real of the car quickly, not touching it, and putting \RXQHYHUUHDOO\NQRZZKDWZLOOKDSSHQ carjacking, could quite possibly a“ord you a better as much metal between you and the assail- 2. It’s a bullet magnet: Cars make a great sight chance of survival. If you are moving away from what ant(s). Draw as you exit and move to cover, or picture for someone aiming a weapon at you. the attacker really wants. ‰is also reduces the chances draw once at cover. ‰ey may be confused as ey are larger than the person associated with of being kidnapped while in your car. You might have you have dropped out of sight temporarily. As it, are easy to
nd in the dark and often contrast a chance to talk your way out of the car before soon as you get there and can do it,
nd your with the sights of many weapons. If you stay in using your
rearm, thereby delaying your draw and not next piece of cover that is away from the car. the car, you make it even easier for them. And, telegraphing your intent to use force if needed. You Or once bullets hit or penetrate a vehicle, they might be able to position yourself where you can keep b. Run! — Away from the car focused on your often will ricochet around inside until they
nd the mass of the car between you and the assailant(s)
rst piece of cover. Draw either on the way or something soft to stop in. while you are talking to them, looking for an escape once you get to cover. Scan for assailants and 3. Weapons eects that can disable you: More than route or cover all the while. If you absolutely must draw begin looking for new cover, as you more than bullets can kill/injure you. If a projectile hits and deter or engage from inside of the vehicle, make likely are still too close. Moving away from either type of the most common vehicle glass, an initial engagement on the closest armed attacker, the car may split their attention between you fragments, called spalling, will travel nearly the shooting your way out of the trap, then bail out of the and the car. At that point, they might just velocity of the bullet in a cone perpendicular to Firing from inside vehicles limits your range of motion and vision. car right away. focus on the car and take it.

50 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 51 CARJACKING COUNTERMEASURES

What About Multiple Occupants, Including Children? You run into a risk of not being able to get every- one moving, moving in the same direction or on the same sheet of music in terms of a response or resistance. Especially if you are the only one who is armed. Worse yet, you can risk a cross
re situation if fellow occupants are caught in the middle or taken hostage. We have studied these responses for years and reenacted some during scenario driven training. Based upon this, the best advice in this dicult situation is any of the following, as applicable: 1. e only armed person should never be the driver, if at all possible. is frees up the occu- pants for a possible combined
rearm / driving escape, or being able to have the armed person exit quickly and deal with the situation outside of an immovable car. 2. Attempt to talk your way out of the car ensuring that all of the occupants are out and grouped to- gether before going to guns. If you can exit out of one door and/or put the car between all of you and the assailant(s), that is preferable, then….. separate yourself laterally from the group and engage the armed assailant(s)
rst. is may LAR-15 NSP CAR AR1420B draw
re away from the unarmed passengers. If with RRA NSP CAR Stock you can push the occupants behind cover before MSRP: $1120*
ring, even better, but keep in mind that the assailants could quickly ‡ank the vehicle. 3. Draw covertly, keeping the weapon hidden and wait until you have a clear, accurate shot on the only armed attacker from either inside or out- side the vehicle. It is usually best if the other Slicing the pie is the preferred technique for any use of cover. occupants know you are armed, know not to give that fact away and have done some talk- through scenarios. cover than the car and causing them to react to you, INTRODUCINGINTRODUCING THE 4. If there are children or babies in the car, the only all may give you a distinct tactical advantage. Finally, 16" FLUTED R-4 CHROME MOLY option is to keep the assailants talking while distance may give you more time to assess the situa- 1:9 Twist Barrel LAR-15LAR-15 NNSPS CAR climbing into the seat that they are in, shield- tion, especially if it was not clear what the intent of the ing them with your body while unbuckling and individuals was. Ask yourself: would you rather wait Versatility can be the key to survival when confronting an physically moving them with you as you exit the to
nd out how well your
ghting skills work against unknown threat. With its RRA NSP flip sights, two-piece hand- vehicle. Keep the assailants talking while con- multiple armed assailants at close range, or be able tinuing to shield the youths while moving. If to thank yourself for bailing out and surviving from a guard, customizable accessory rails, NSP stock, pistol grip and it is a true carjacking, keep oŽering them the distance? car while begging them to leave the children magazine, the LAR-15 NSP is prepared to adapt and defend. alone. If you absolutely must shoot, then imme- Vehicle Cover Techniques diately separate yourself laterally or diagonal- Cover is material that might stop bullets. e use of ly and take the shot(s). Most importantly, get cover is a lifesaving skill whether you are armed or not. them all out of the car so that you and/or they Movement is what gets you to cover. What is more dif- are not taken hostage.
cult about vehicle cover selection is that it is harder Survival wisdom of movement and cover: Here is to use than walls or other manmade objects, and you more wisdom why getting as far away from the car as may have no way of knowing in advance how well (if at quickly as possible is the most proven survival option all) a vehicle will defeat incoming rounds. If you crouch — in most cases, you can usually run 5 to 20 yards away behind a car while under
re and they keep shooting at from a vehicle faster than you can draw from a con- you and taking better aim, there is a good chance that cealed belt level holster that is trapped by a safety belt a direct hit, ricochet or spalling material will eventually RRA Operator Muzzle Brake and clothing. e whole idea is to make them react to hit you. Don’t stay at the vehicle for very long if under you, not the other way around, while making yourself a
re. Bad Habits when using cover are rampant. Most dicult target. people have not been taught how to use a car properly LAR-15 NSPSP CCARA QUICK SPECS: CALIBER: 5.56MM NATO CHAMBER FOR 5.56 & .223 Distance will favor the trained shooter. at, plus for cover. e consequences of this are played out again taking away what might be the only good terrain, better and again during actual confrontations. WEIGHT: 7.0 POUNDS LENGTH: 33.75”

52 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM * Prices are subject to change.hange VISIT: WWW.ROCKRIVERARMS.COM PERFORMANCE TUNED. CARJACKING COUNTERMEASURES CARJACKING COUNTERMEASURES

e most important principles of vehicle use for of round ˆred and the glass, it may divert from cover and shooting are: your point of aim, lose some velocity, or begin The best 1. Create distance and don’t cling to it: Do not to expand, but at very close range you will be touch or lean upon the car unless you need to e’ective. way to because you are injured. Most people will over- expose when they do this. THE DRILL — bail out and run, or bail out to deal with a 2. Minimum exposure: Stay low, head up, moving, cover. Engage or assess, then run to the next piece of always scanning. All that your opponent should nearby cover. Repeat. carjacking or ever see of you is your eye that you need to see, and if necessary, the muzzle of your weap- Where to Use Cover at Vehicles other vehicle on. at’s it. Feet, knees, buttocks, elbows, and In tactical order or priority, use cover at a vehicle shoulders all need to be well behind cover. exterior by remembering this — S.U.O.T — side, attack is to 3. Maximum protection: Keep the longest axis of under, over, through. the car between you and the attacker. 1. Side: First choice is to appear/shoot from prevent it 4. No patterns: If you take ˆre where you have the sides. It o’ers the most protection while appeared once, then don’t appear at that same causing the least exposure. It’s awkward, but altogether. location again. If you have no other cover than lean out slicing the pie. the one vehicle that you are at, then choose 2. Under: is option is more applicable when another side and do it quick (while keeping an you are more distant from the threat. If you lay eye on the place you just left!). ˜at and look from underneath the vehicle, us- 5. Slice the pie: Always lean out from cover in ing the tires and wheel well for cover. You may increments, keeping extremities protected, have to actually lean sideways or upside down looking in small increments around the corner to employ a ˆrearm from underneath a vehicle Second to leaning versus just popping out and over exposing. with low clearance. Even if not armed, by look- around the sides 6. Shoot through the glass: Don’t be afraid to shoot ing underneath of a vehicle, you may be able of vehicle cover is through the glass. Depending upon the type to quickly determine the location of the assail- observing/firing from underneath. You can shoot through the vehicle, just be aware of fragments.

ant(s) and plan your next move. Advantages: (a) You will be very dicult to detect. e assailant Most relevant training. Getting it can often cost a great deal may even think that you disappeared or went of money and eŠort, but the cost of not having the right somewhere else. (b) It’s an unexpected avenue of carjackers training or mental preparation will always be higher. attack. (c) e prone position may often be the — most stable position. e main disadvantage of are armed John Peterson is a former Army Special Forces appearing from underneath is ricochets hitting soldier with service before and after 9/11 overseas both the pavement can bounce directly into you. with some as an SF troop and government contractor. Formerly 3. Over: Commonly referred to as the jack-in- with Smith & Wesson Academy then SIG Sauer Acad- the-box technique, this is popping up from over type of emy, he’s now an adjunct instructor for Center Mass the top of the vehicle. is is not recommend- Training Institute. Twitter: @jtfpeterson ed in most cases. It’s great for seeing, but bad weapon. for survival. You will see it in the movies and in some training scenarios, but what we are talking Most RECOMMENDED about here is something that you will have only one chance at and there are no re-runs. To do victims DEFENSIVE FIREARMS so, you are exposing your entire head and upper SCHOOLS: body. Plus, multiple assailants may all see you are not. Defense Training International (DTI, John S. Farnam) at once versus you being able to deal with them www.defense-training.com one at a time by slicing the pie. 4. rough: Looking through the vehicle windows. Viking Tactics (Kyle Lamb) is is the last option. A gunˆght works both www.vikingtactics.com ways, and if you are not the ˆrst to ˆre, through Big 3 East Training Center that glass, then your opponent’s ˆre may be www.big3east.com magniˆed by the spalling mentioned earlier. is Centermass Training Institute might be an option if you have the element of surprise, or to use it only for observation. www.centermassinc.com Future installments in the Be Ready! Carjacking Henk Iverson Tactical Systems, LLC Countermeasures series will include defensive driving www.henkiversontraining.com training, tactics, and more. Considering the contin- SIG Sauer Academy ued threat of terrorism, kidnapping, crime, and other www.sigsaueracademy.com threats across the globe, you cannot aŠord to be without

54 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 55 EYE ON INDUSTRY TACTICAL IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Be Ready! interviews Tim Matter for a sneak-peek at this interesting company.

hey can’t steal it if they can’t nd it,” is the “ uno cial motto of Tactical Walls. It pretty Twell sums up their unobtrusive product line.
roughout the past few years, the company has made a name for itself by producing products to hide things — like rearms — in plain sight. Not only do their products hide things so a thief can’t steal them, but they also provide the homeowner with instant access. In the case of a home invasion a rearm hidden out of view is still instantly accessible for self-protection. Seldom does life allow you to have your cake and eat it too. Tactical Walls does just that. I rst met Tim Matter, the founder of Tactical Walls, a couple years ago. At the time I was helping to recov- er a badly mired road grader.
e sun had long since set and while a crowd had gathered the rst person to actually step up to provide a helping hand was Matter. Down-to-earth, friendly with a certain Steve McQueen vibe to him Matter is simply put, good people. As you Tim Matter of Tactical Walls holds alo an award received get to know him you appreciate his drive and desire to from the Big 3 East Media design and build practical hidden-in-plain-view stor- Event and an emblem from age solutions. His work has been recognized including Matter founded Tactical Walls in 2012 with the idea of providing the burning BMW behind him. Tactical Walls receiving an industry award for innova- a means for people to store firearms in easy reach while hidden tion at the 2015 Fall Big 3 East Media event. More in plain sight.

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 57 TACTICAL WALLS

Tim Harmsen: Did you make these handy devices for yourself and for friends before starting the company? Tim Matter: No. Once I found a problem that I was having (keeping my guns hidden from bad guys) I thought it was probably a common problem for peo- ple like myself. So I built an initial run of 25 products. I took some pictures, and set o to have a website made with the help of my cousin.

Tactical Walls o ers a variety of storage solutions, such as this shelf. Tim Harmsen: Other companies have competing products, what makes Tactical Walls stand out? Tim Matter: For starters, the awards we’ve won as well as the recognition we have received from with- in various media outlets. There are competitors now and there are a few copycats as well. There are folks doing completely dierent things, and there are also several companies who oer custom one-o de- signs. Tactical Walls diers in that we lead the way. We work with our local community to produce the best handmade products we can. We source as many of our components as we can locally and we contin- ue to grow our line and listen to customer feedback. We have worked very hard to ensure that our brand is recognized as the industry leader for discreet home defense storage solutions and we look forward to continue leading the charge in discreet home defense weapons storage.

Pop it open and there’s space for a carbine, handgun, spare magazines and more! Tim Harmsen: What are some of the more crazy designs you’ve worked on, or conceptualized, but never brought to market? What killed those projects? importantly, Joe Consumer has found Tactical Walls’ product of interest and value. For this issue I asked my friend and colleague Tim Harmsen from e Military Arms Channel and www.full30.com to interview Mat- ter. Harmsen goes behind closed doors to provide an interesting behind the scenes look at Tim Matter and his company, Tactical Walls. — David M. Fortier

Tim Harmsen: What prompted you to create Tactical Walls? Tim Matter: In 2012 I was working for a plastics company and over the course of five and a half years had designed somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 to 30 parts for our clients, or for the company that I was working for. Walking around the shop during production was really surreal for me because I could watch people in various stages of production. Form- ing, trimming, assembling, packaging and so forth. It was a proud moment of reflection for me to think, “These are all MY parts” when in reality the parts belonged to the company, or any number of clients. It was then that I realized I needed to create parts that were truly mine. My initial goal was to become a client of the company I worked for. I thought it would be cool to be paid to design and produce parts that I, as the customer would then sell. So I began looking for a problem to solve to figure out what my parts What looks to be a simple mirror…opens to reveal a hidden compartment behind it would be. allowing a long gun, handgun and more to be stored.

58 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM TACTICAL WALLS SCCY CPX SERIES 9mm The Semi-Auto with the FULLY AUTOMATIC Warranty.

How about a wall clock with a removable concealed and are very hard to detect. Another face and a advantage is that they are simple and do not require Tactical Walls tries to design practical items which will blend hidden storage batteries. You can even conceal the magnetic key in a into your home, like this lamp. Pop one side o and there’s compartment. storage for a handgun inside. They can’t steal number of everyday items so that it is also undetect- it if they can’t able, but always available for deployment. The lock is find it! not a robust steel unit. But 99.9% of its security is Tim Matter: Early on I had about a dozen designs that they are totally hidden and our products function I thought could be great. Some were more fun than as useful furniture all the time. Available in a variety of others but may have only appealed to a very small colors and finishes. group of people. The reason we never ran with them Tim Harmsen: The primary objective is to hide Capacity: 10+1 • 9mm is our main product line was really growing and we defensive firearms in convenient places and in plain MSRP: $315 (CPX-2) needed to do what we could to streamline produc- sight. How durable are your products should someone tion and focus on those products instead. Without accidentally break a mirror for example? How much Includes two mags. revealing too many I will share two of the sillier ideas eort does it take to find or otherwise access what the that we will likely not pursue. The faux bowing ball wall mounted mirror products conceal? trophy and the stack of newspapers. Several of the Tim Matter: As I stated above, the security of our other ideas are still potential contenders as either full products lies in the fact that the firearms are hidden launch, or limited production items. within useful furniture. At the end of the day, it’s wood and glass. If an able-bodied adult knew what Tim Harmsen: Can you tell us about some of your it was and was determined to tear into the wall, they more popular products? could do it. If the mirror is broken as a result of an Tim Matter: Our more popular items are the accident or some malicious event, the mirror is backed full-length mirror, as well as the shelf line. “Moving with a vinyl safety coating that is designed to hold the glass together. Behind the glass there is an additional Tim Harmsen: What do you guys have planned going forward layer of plywood that would give the impression that forward? the mirror is just your basic wall mirror. Tim Matter: Moving forward we have some very we have exciting things on the horizon. We just purchased a Tim Harmsen: Who is this Rob Boss character in your new building that is going to give us a lot of flexibility some videos, and how does he fit into the Tactical Wall mix? and should streamline production considerably. We Tim Matter: Rob Boss is a character that we created are developing a new line of locking options that will very based loosely on the TV painter from the ’80s Bob give our customers even greater power to tailor our Ross. The idea being what would everyone think if If you ever need help with your SCCY, our warranty will take care of you. Fully and products to their needs. We have also launched a exciting they saw a mild mannered man that they think they automatically—at no charge. Breakage or damage? We’ll repair it automatically. custom shop to allow customers who would like know so well do things that are socially awkward, something specific to be built for them. things or maybe outside of the realm of what their pre- Even more amazing: our exclusive Perpetual Warranty never runs out. With all conceived notions of a man they really don’t know at Tim Harmsen: The magnetic locks are simple yet on the all are. We have a lot of fun with Rob. He takes us that in mind, your choice for a sub-compact 9mm should be automatic: SCCY. eective. Can you explain these locks in more detail? to many magical places and always seems to make Tim Matter: Magnetic locks are used with great horizon. people smile along the way. success in a variety of ways. One of the beauti- — The NEW American gun 1800 CONCEPT COURT, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114 ful things about them is that they can be 100% For more information visit www.tacticalwalls.com company founded on the radical LGHDWKDWWKHFXVWRPHUFRPHVîUVW 866.729.7599 | WWW.SCCY.COM 60 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM ” TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES If your life is on the line, which 7.62x39mm or 300 BLK load should you pick?

couple of issues back, with the help of By James Tarr Black Hills’ Ballistic Lab, we took an A in-depth look at the terminal performance of top 5.56x45mm and 9x19mm loads. For this issue, we are back in the ballistics lab checking the performance of loads for another two huge- ly popular cartridges, the 7.62x39mm and 300 AAC Blackout/Whisper. Both of these rounds Proper load are widely used by informed lawfully armed selection citizens interested in personal protection and for personal keeping their loved ones safe. This article is not protection is critical, so we intended to be a comparison between the two put a variety to prove one better than the other. Both are well of 7.62x39mm suited for self-protection. Rather, it is intended and 300 AAC to provide reliable data to users of each. The Blackout loads information gathered aims to help you make to the test at an informed choice on ammunition selection Black Hills’ Ballistic for self-protection/hunting. Carefully reviewing Laboratory. the test results will assist in the crucial task of Photo by selecting which load to thumb into your social Richard King. magazines.

62 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 63 TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES

Winchester Ammunition We tested three very di erent loads in each 7.62x39 120 Gr. Split Core HP, PDX1 Defender jacket for rapid expansion, but it also features a rear core caliber from six di erent manufacturers. 16" Barrel welded to the jacket, with a cannelure. is ammunition is sold in boxes of twenty and has nickel-plated cases, and Winchester states it is specically intended for semi-auto ries. Advertised velocity is 2,365 fps, and it clocked 2,310 fps out of Black Hills’ test AK. We’ve seen tests where this load performed exactly as adver- tised, but in Black Hills’ Ballistics Lab we got a little surprise. Winchester’s 7.62x39mm PDX1 had a short 1.5-inch neck and a large 14.2 x 6.6-inch First, the round did make a massive 14.25 inch x temporary cavity with 21 inches of penetration. 6.6-inch temporary cavity, which started less than 1.5 inches after the bullet entered the block. But the bullet 7.62x39mm loads consisted of (L to R) Hornady’s 123-grain did not appear to expand, per se; examination of the SST, Winchester’s 120-grain bonded core PDX1 and the old bullet fragments seems to indicate that the bullet yawed school 123-grain Wolf So Point. and then broke in half. e base penetrated a total of 21 inches and had a retained weight of 62.5 grains or 52%. e front half of the bullet came apart into seven To compare these two popular intermediate for your particular needs. ‡e following information pieces, four of them rather large, and they all penetrated cartridges, we enlisted the help of Black Hills Ammu- should aid you in your selection process. over seven inches. ere was no traditional expansion of nition’s Ballistics Lab to test three dierent loadings of the base or front end of the bullet. e end result was each caliber, with very interesting results. Black Hills 7.62X39MM a huge temporary cavity and the base penetrated over Ammunition’s Ballistic Laboratory is highly respected, Hornady 123-grain SST 20 inches, so for defensive purposes, this load hits all utterly professional and very capable. It is very respect- ‡is steel cased load is sold by Hornady in 50-round the right notes. Midway USA advertises a box of 20 Winchester Ammunition ed by its peers and colleagues both domestically and boxes. Hornady’s SST bullet has a polymer tip for 7.62x39 120 Gr. Split Core HP, PDX1 Defender for $29.99. abroad. Despite an extremely busy schedule of in-house an improved ballistic coeœcient, and upon impact, it 16" Barrel testing, they went out of their way to aid Be Ready! with is designed to initiate expansion. It has a cannelure The front half of the bullet came apart into seven pieces, four of them rather large while Wolf Performance Ammunition 125-grain So Point this project. All of the testing was performed using and boattail prožle. Unlike Hornady’s V-Max bullets, the base had a retained weight of 62.5 grains. Soft points are the original expanding bullets, and industry standard protocols and properly calibrated Wolf Performance Ammunition o“ers a 125-grain (per FBI Protocol) 10% Ordnance ballistic gel blocks. Soft Point in 7.62x39mm, which we thought would be ‡ese were placed 12 feet from the muzzle with veloc- which are usually designed for rapid expansion, the perfect for this evaluation. is economical steel-cased ities recorded for each shot. All testing was performed Hornady SST features an Interlock Ring below the cannelure to 7.62x39 123 Gr. SST using riŠes with 16-inch barrels. An AR-15 was used 16" barrel lock the core and jacket together during expansion. Ad- testing 300 Blackout/Whisper loads while an AK47 vertised muzzle velocity from a 20-inch barrel is 2,350 WPA Polyformance was used testing 7.62x39mm loads. fps. Out of Black Hills’ 16-inch test Kalashnikov, it 7.62x39 125 Gr. Soft Point 16" Barrel 10% Ordnance ballistic gelatin was developed by the delivered just 2,235 fps. is is 100 fps slower than the US military as a homogenous tissue simulant. It closely Soviet military specication for this cartridge. In fact, simulates the density and viscosity of human and Hornady ammunition in this caliber has a reputation animal muscle tissue and has been adopted as a for ho-hum velocities compared to competing brands. standard medium for testing the terminal performance Gel block performance was exactly as advertised. In of ammunition. Shooting into properly calibrated gel gel test lingo, the path of the bullet between entry into blocks allows one bullet’s performance to be directly the block and the beginning of the temporary cavity is compared to another in identical media. ‡is provides a Hornady’s 7.62x39mm 123-grain SST delivered rapid expansion with a very large called the ‘neck.’ For self-protection and thin-skinned true apples-to-apples comparison of how ammunition temporary cavity while the base penetrated over 16 inches. game animals the shorter the neck, the better. e neck will perform against a human body. on the SST was only one inch long, and after that one Comparison of the penetration into the gel block, inch of penetration, the SST bullet explosively frag- Wolf’s 7.62x39mm 125-grain SP load clocked 2,379 fps and produced a temporary cavity projectile expansion/fragmentation as well as retained mented. e front half of the bullet fractured into over measuring 11.5 inches by 7.25 inches and performed very well. weight is important. At riŠe velocities, the temporary twenty pieces as it created a temporary cavity 11 inches cavity also needs to be taken into account. As opposed long x 6 inches in diameter. e locked-core base of to the permanent cavity, which is the path cut through the bullet penetrated to a depth of 16.25 inches. e the gel block by the bullet, the temporary cavity is the projectile expanded to an average diameter of .533 inch boundary of the temporary displacement of tissue (gel) with the largest diameter measuring .589 inch. It had by the hydrostatic shock (Šuid pressure) of the bul- a retained weight of 85.1 grains or 69%. is is near let’s passage. ‡e larger the temporary cavity, the more textbook performance for this (expanding tip/bonded shock, and damage is thought to be inŠicted at impact. core) type of ammunition. Regarding price, Midway Dierent people have dierent needs based on their USA advertises a box of 50 for $34.99. particular circumstances and requirements. ‡e six WPA Polyformance Winchester 120-grain PDX1 loads tested are priced from very economical to very Hornady Ammunition 7.62x39 125 Gr. Soft Point expensive. ‡e performance of the six loads varies 7.62x39 123 Gr. SST Winchester’s PDX1 line is intended as premium per- 16" Barrel 16" barrel with some better for hunting big game and others sonal defense ammunition. e PDX1 is advertised as Wolf’s SP expanded almost .70 caliber, retained 85% of its weight (106.8 grains) and for self-protection. Only you can decide what is best Hornady’s SST had a retained weight of 85 grains and a recovered diameter of .589 inch. having a split core. It has a hollow point and a notched penetrated to a depth of 16.25 inches.

64 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 65 TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES

The Soviet 7.62x39mm load was the least expensive of all the 7.62x39mm loads cartridge has 300 AAC BLACKOUT/WHISPER tested. e bullet itself has a very minimal cannelure been very Black Hills 125-grain OTM and features a brass jacket and a non-bonded lead core successful e .300 Whisper and the 300 AAC Blackout with an exposed point. Nothing fancy, but sometimes around the cartridges are a bit like the 5.56x45mm and the .223 simple is better (or just as good and less expensive). e world and is Remington. e AAC Blackout is a SAAMI spec car- very popular question though was how would this imported load among tridge and is loaded to slightly higher pressures than actually perform? Would it expand at all? American the Whisper…but the .300 Whisper came ™rst and Out of the 16-inch test AK, the Wolf load surprised shooters. Photo dimensionally is basically identical. Black Hills labels us providing the highest velocity of all the 7.62x39mm by Richard King. their loads .300 Whisper, and all .300 Whisper ammo loads, clocking an impressive 2,379 fps. Upon impact is safe to ™re out of Blackout-chambered ™rearms. with the gel block, the bullet began expanding immedi- Black Hills Ammunition’s original supersonic load- ately as shown by a short .75-inch long neck. e bullet ing for the .300 Whisper/Blackout cartridge features a produced an impressive temporary cavity measuring 125-grain OTM Sierra bullet. We wanted to include it 11.5 inches by 7.25 inches, which is a bit shorter but in the roundup in part to remind people that OTM— fatter than the other loads, telling us the Wolf Soft Point smacked that block hard. e lead core soft nose bullet mushroomed as expected, expanding to an average diameter of .656 inch with the widest portion measuring an impressive .694 inch in diameter. ree small pieces of jacket and one tiny bit of lead peeled o‹ the bullet and were left behind, but they all penetrated over seven inches into the block. e retained bullet weight was 106.8 grains or 85%, and it penetrated to a depth of 16.25 inches. is is ideal performance for self-defense or hunting thin-skinned game like white-tailed deer. Average retail price of this load is under $6 for a box of 20. 300 AAC Blackout loads consisted of (L to R) Barnes’ 110-grain TAC-TX, HPR’s 150-grain SP and the Black Hills’ 125-grain OTM.

66 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES 7+(3(5)(&7

is a homogenous solid copper projectile with a hollow point, topped with a long black polymer tip to initiate &203$1,21)25 Black Hills Ammunition expansion and provide a better ballistic coešcient (not 300 Whisper to mention feed more smoothly into the chamber). As 125 Gr. OTM 16" Barrel there is no chance of jacket/core separation (important $1<6,78$7,21 when shooting through light cover), copper solid pro- jectiles tend to penetrate like bonded bullets (deeply) Black Hills’ 300 BLK load produced 2,281 fps and had a long 3.5-inch neck before initiating even though they are usually lighter than traditional lead a very respectable temporary wound cavity which measured 13.75 inches x 6.125 inches. bullets. Barnes copper bullets can be found in the loaded ammunition of dozens of manufacturers, but for this test we chose a load by Barnes itself. Out of the 16-inch test barrel, the Barnes 110-grain TAC-TX load produced a respectable 2,390 fps. Once in the gel block, bullet expansion happened almost immediately as seen by the very short .75-inch neck. is load produced a very nice 12 inch x 6-inch temporary cavity. Many people consider the Barnes copper solid bullets to be the best hunting bullets on the market, and it’s easy to see why. e bullet expand- Black Hills Ammunition 300 Whisper ed, and the four petals of the hollow point peeled back *(7025(,1)2#+'),5($506&20 125 Gr. OTM as designed. e plastic tip was recovered 4.5 inches 16" Barrel into the block, and one of the copper petals broke oœ The Black Hills’ OTM’s base had a retained weight of 66 grains and a maximum recovered seven inches into the block. e bullet penetrated to a diameter of .376 inch. depth of 18.1 inches and had a retained weight of 101 grains or 91.8%. It expanded to an average diameter of .763 inch with a maximum diameter of .876 inch. is Open Tip Match—bullets have an open tip but are not is excellent performance from such a small cartridge. designed to expand like hollow points. anks to its barrier blind performance, this load is e case of the Blackout cartridge is only 35mm particularly well suited for personal protection, espe- long compared to the 5.56’s 45mm, and as a result, the cially around vehicles. It is also well suited for hunting bullets tend to be as long as possible for their weight thin-skinned game like whitetail deer. Average retail to ll up the entire length of an AR-15 magazine and price for this load is $31.99 for a box of 20. not slop around under recoil. Most of that length is in the ogive (the curved part of the bullet between the point and the full diameter body) and as a result, bullets intended for the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge tend to be nose long. Out of Black Hills’ 16-inch test gun, their 125-grain OTM load produced 2,281 fps. If you want to compare that to 7.62x39mm exterior ballistics, it is about 50–75 Barnes TAC-TX Ammunition fps slower than the average AK 123–125 grain load 300 AAC Blackout 110 Gr. TAC-TX 16" Barrel (but still faster than the Hornady ammo). e bullet penetrated to a depth of 3.5 inches before initiating a very respectable temporary wound cavity which measured 13.75 inches x 6.125 inches. How- Barnes 110 grain TAC-TX shows why it’s so well respected, an impressive temporary cavity, ever, the bullet did not expand. It appeared to yaw and penetration of almost 18 inches and excellent expansion. 7+(3': then break apart at the base of the ogive into a total of four pieces—and this is very typical performance from µ727$//(1*7+ OTM projectiles. e base of the bullet penetrated to /%6 a depth of 24.6 inches and had a retained weight of 66 grains or 53%. It had expanded to an average diameter µ3529(&7865$,/ of .338 inch with a maximum diameter of .376 inch. %,//(7833(5$1'/2:(5 e three other fragments were large and penetrated 752<720$+$:.672&. deeply (two over 16 inches). So while this load exhibit- 5$3725&+$5*,1*+$1'/( ed a long neck, it penetrated deeply. Average retail price of this load is $30 for a box of 20. $0%,(5*2*5,3 Barnes TAC-TX Ammunition 300 AAC Blackout 110 Gr. TAC-TX Barnes 110-grain TAC-TX 16" Barrel e Barnes TAC-TX load is considered by many to be THE supersonic load for the 300 AAC Blackout. is The Barnes TAC-TX retained 101 grains and had a recovered diameter of .876 inch. 7+,6,6$11)$,7(0$/62$9$,/$%/(,1$3,672/&21),*85$7,21

68 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES TESTING THE INTERMEDIATES

HPR 150-grain So Point works just
ne, and that seems to be the philosophy of a at tip, and in that regard, it resembles a short-to and as a result has a higher sectional density. Exiting HPR is a relatively new company as ammunition behind HPR’s new 150-grain Soft Point 300 AAC mid-range hunting bullet more than it does anything the muzzle at an ‘unimpressive’ 1,913 fps this bullet manufacturers go, but their products are getting a lot Blackout load. ‚e bullet is a traditional lead core, else. 150 grains is heavy for supersonic loadings of the nevertheless brutalized the gel block. ˆe neck was of attention for all the right reasons. Sometimes simple copper jacketed slug with a cannelure. It also has a bit 300 AAC Blackout, and for the people who worship only .5 inch long before the temporary cavity began, at the altar of velocity, this load isn’t for you. However, and the temporary cavity measured an impressive the folks at HPR traded velocity for bullet weight, and 16.5 inches x 5.5 inches. ˆe soft nose of the bullet mass is hard to argue with. mushroomed as designed to an average diameter of At 150 grains it has noticeably more meat to it than .545 inch and a maximum diameter of .575 inch. While BLACK HILLS XTREME DEFENSE most of the +/-125-grain bullets seen in this review, it lost a few bits of jacket, the bullet had a retained weight of 143.6 grains or 95.7%. It penetrated the gel lack Hills Ammunition announced two new sharp. Because of this, the bullet impacts the Special +P load features a 100-grain bullet. Out block to an impressive 25.75 inches, the deepest of any Bpistol loads at the 2016 SHOT Show, and target not with four flats but instead four edges of the standard 1.875-inch snubbie barrel, it will load tested. they should be available by the time you read this. nearly knife sharp. do approximately 1,000 fps. In gel tests (out of a HPR Hyper Clean Cartridges Expansion, weight retention and deep penetration? 300 Blackout 150 Gr. SP You’re thinking “Ho, hum, more pistol ammo, Unlike just about every other type of ammo on snubbie!) this bullet penetrated 14.75 inches and 16" Barrel ˆat is excellent performance and shows that you don’t boring”…but Black Hills has a tradition of chal- the market designed for personal defense, these created a 6 inch x 3-inch temporary cavity. You’d necessarily need velocity to get the job done. Deep lenging preconceived notions and thinking outside bullets are not designed to expand. You read that be hard pressed to find another .38 Special load penetration is a plus when hunting big game animals. the box. This is why many new and interesting right—they aren’t designed to expand, and they that when fired out of a snubbie passes the FBI While the 300 AAC Blackout will never hit as hard as bullet designs from various manufacturers are don’t. Rather, the sharp edges of the nose cut and Protocol for defensive ammo. a .308, loads like this 150-grain SP allow it to punch first found loaded into Black Hills Ammunition— redirect the tissue radially as it penetrates, and it The .380 Auto Xtreme Defense load features above its weight class. Retail price on this load averages because Black Hills helped with their development won’t clog up going through clothing or light bar- a 60-grain bullet and will do over 1,100 fps out about $24 for a box of 20. or saw their potential before anyone else. riers such as drywall. In simpler terms, the edges of most carry-sized guns. In gel tests, this bullet HPR’s 150-grain SP is heavy for a 300 BLK supersonic and slow at barely more than 1900 Lehigh Defense is a small company whose rev- cut in and the curves on the body of the bullet penetrated over 10.5 inches while creating a 6.5 fps. However, it still performed well. olutionary bullet designs have been getting a lot of shove the tissue out of the way with such force inch x 2.5-inch temporary cavity. And once again, SOURCES attention. One of their more well-known bullets is that it provides more hydrostatic shock/tempo- because of the design of the bullet, it will not clog the Xtreme Penetrator. This bullet is not designed rary wound cavity than a traditional hollow point. up going through clothing or light barriers, and Black Hills Ammunition to expand, but rather the nose of the bullet fea- Black Hills’ testing on these bullets has been does not require a minimum velocity to expand 605-348-5150 / www.black-hills.com tures a cross with scalloped cuts inside the arms. impressive, and they claim they create a wound as it works without expansion. Yes, we know, Barnes Bullets It is designed to punch deeply, but not expand. channel superior to traditional hollow points in this sounds like typical ammo company/gun 800-574-9200 / www.barnesbullets.com The folks at Black Hills liked the concept be- both penetration depth and the diameter of the magazine BS, but this is Be Ready!—we practice HPR hind the Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator but had a few temporary cavity, especially when fired out of what we preach, and don’t recommend anything 928-468-0223 / www.hprammo.com ideas of their own. Working with Lehigh, they short-barreled pistols. Traditional hollow points that we don’t believe in. We’ve seen the gel tests helped design a new version of the Xtreme Pen- require velocity to initiate expansion and are and talked to Je Homan, President of Black Hornady Hills Ammunition, in person. Black Hills and Le- 800-338-3220 / www.hornady.com etrator specifically for their own Xtreme Defense handicapped in small guns—this isn’t an issue HPR Hyper Clean Cartridges line of pistol ammunition. These are copper solid with the Xtreme Defense bullets. high Defense seem to have just invented a better 300 Blackout 150 Gr. SP Winchester Ammunition 16" Barrel bullets and generally light for caliber. Instead of Currently, Black Hills oers these bullets mousetrap for your compact carry gun. www.winchester.com the front of the crossbars on the bullet being flat, in two of the most popular calibers among the The HPR 150-grain SP had a recovered diameter of .575 inch, retained over 95% of its Wolf Performance Ammunition and Optics on the Black Hills ammunition, they are actually CCW crowd, .38 Special and .380 Auto. The .38 weight and penetrated an impressive 25.75 inches. 888-757-9653 / www.wolfammo.com

7.62X39MM AMMUNITION PERFORMANCE IN 10% ORDNANCE GELATIN

Black Hills’ .380 Load Velocity Penetration Largest Recovered Retained Black Hills’ new Auto Xtreme (fps) (inches) Diameter (inches) Weight (grains) Defense load is de- 100-grain Xtreme Hornady 123 grain SST 2,235 16.25 .589 85.1 Defense round for signed to maximize the .38 Special the potential of the Winchester 120 grain PDX1 2,310 21 fragmented 62.5 diminutive round. is specifically Wolf 125 grain So Point 2,379 16.25 .694 106.8 designed for short-

barrel carry guns. Black Hills Ammuntion Loads were fired from a 16-inch barrel AK47 at a distance of 12 feet. Testing was performed at Black Hills Ammunition’s Ballistic .380 Auto 60 Gr. Xtreme Defense, Millennium Laboratory using properly calibrated 10% Ordnance Gelatin. 3.75" Barrel Black Hills Ammuntion Top View 300 AAC BLACKOUT/WHISPER AMMUNITION PERFORMANCE IN 10% ORDNANCE GELATIN .38 SPL+P 100 Gr. Max Defense, Millennium 1.875" Barrel Load Velocity Penetration Recovered Retained (fps) (inches) Diameter (inches) Weight (grains) Black Hills 125 grain OTM 2,281 24.6 .376 66 Barnes 110 grain TAC-XP 2,390 18.1 .876 101 HPR 150 grain So Point 1,913 25.75 .575 143.6 Black Hills’ .38 Special Xtreme Defense round fired from a snubbie; a Even though it weighs only 60 grains, the .380 Xtreme Defense bullet Loads were fired from a 16-inch barrel AR-15 at a distance of 12 feet. Testing was performed at Black Hills Ammunition’s Ballistic decent temporary cavity and nearly 15 inches of penetration. penetrated over ten inches and produced a respectable temporary cavity. Laboratory using properly calibrated 10% Ordnance Gelatin

70 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 71 ROLLEROLLER-LOCKED By David M. Fortier Photography by Laura A. Fortier WE TRAVEL TO TURKEY FOR A BEHIND THE Z-5RS5SCENES LOOK AT ZENITH’S Z-5RS PISTOL here are many new faces to choose from when it comes to pistol-caliber carbines T and pistols based on long gun designs. ese include CZ’s Skorpion and SIG Sauer’s MPX. However, as exciting as these new models are, many shooters remain interested in the classic roller-locked designs. One com- pany to o€er a variety of roller-locked pistols is Zenith Firearms. Zenith is note- worthy due to their close partnership with Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi (Mechanical and Chemical Industry) of Turkey. MKE is a licensed manufacturer of roller-locked ri‰es The Z-5RS is manufactured by MKE of and machine guns for the Turkish mili- Turkey and is chambered in 9x19mm. tary. is relationship allows Zenith to Barrel length is 8.9 inches and overall o€er a range of traditional roller-locked length with the Stabilizing Brace is just over 25 inches. semi-automatic designs. ese include the MKE built 7.62x51mm Z-41, 5.56x45mm Z-43 and 9x19mm Z-5 ri‰es currently headed to the US market. In addition to the ri‰es, though, Zenith also o€ers a number of learn to run eectively. Add a red dot sight and they’ll roller-locked 9x19mm pistols (Z-5P, Z-5K, be able to make rapid hits on a man-sized target out to While it Z-5RS). ese just beg to be turned into a legally 100 yards. is how well do the MKE manufacture pistols compare registered Short Barrel Ri‰e. e 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge has many may not and perform compared to other oerings? OK, so why the interest in a roller-locked pistol ne attributes including a diverse array of modern To better understand how the MKE roller-locked like the Zenith Z-5RS? Good question. e design expanding JHP loads available for it. Due to its use by look like a pistols are produced, I hopped a plane to Ankara, Turkey. appeals to many due to its proven performance over LE, an incredible amount of research and development From there I traveled to the MKE Small Arms Factory decades of use. It’s an established system that is has gone into designing modern projectiles that handgun, in Kirikkale. Mustafa Tanriverdi is the General Man- known to be very e€ective. Plus, parts and accessories provide reliable expansion and deep penetration, even ager of this plant which produces 7.62x51mm NATO are widely available for it. So it is easy to accessorize to after encountering automotive glass or other barriers. legally G3 riœes and MG3 machine guns under license by HK meet a shooter’s individual needs. Spare parts are also Plus, economical practice ammunition is also readily of Germany. During my visit, I had the opportunity to easy to acquire. e piece itself is short, light and easy available. e availability of inexpensive practice am- even with meet with management, interact with workers on the to handle. Plus it is accurate and very simple to use. munition is an important consideration as it provides œoor and explore the sprawling facility. Wandering e short length, light weight, mild recoil, and muzzle the ability to practice and shoot recreationally without the Arm about, I had the chance to see both their military and report also make it well suited for use by younger or interfering with a tight family budget. commercial production. smaller family members. e Zenith Z-5RS is a Because this is a pistol, it can be employed in con- Brace Going through the lines, I was reminded that the œrearm for your wife who’s not into guns, your junction with your CCW license. You can store it in roller-lock design we know today is an evolution of the 16-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter can all your vehicle the same as any handgun. You can conceal installed, World War II vintage StG 45(M) — developed for rapid it in a pack or bag using your CCW license. While it economical mass production. As such the various roll- may not look like a handgun, legally even with the arm it is just a er locked designs are built using simple stamped metal Looking for something shorter than a rifle but don’t want to brace installed, it is just a pistol. Yet at the same time, parts carefully welded together. While manufacturing jump through NFA hoops? Consider a Zenith Firearms’ Z-5RS it is also much easier to shoot eectively than a tradi- pistol. methods, especially welding have been modernized, pistol with an SB Tactical Stabilizing Brace. tional pistol. e question I know many shooters have it remains at heart a 1940s vintage design. Walking

72 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 73 ROLLER-LOCKED ROLLER-LOCKED

All in all the Z-5RS proved an Zenith Z-5RS Accuracy and Velocity Chart Load Velocity (fps) 50 yards (inches) impressive and fun piece. Black Hills 115 grain TAC-XP +P 1,275 2.5 ZQI 124 grain FMJ 1,283 2.8 HPR 147 grain EMCON 938 2 Putting the Z-5RS to work on the range revealed no Groups are an average of four 5-shot groups fired from a rest at 50 surprises. Magazines loaded easily, locked into place with yards. Velocity readings recorded 12 feet from the muzzle at an ambient a
rm upward push and rounds chambered smoothly. temperature of 78 degrees F 1,030 feet above Sea Level with an Oehler e safety is a bit of reach, but you get used to it. e 35P chronograph. trigger was relatively smooth and broke cleanly. Recoil is non-existent; it merely barks and spits Along with Z-5 pistols, like these barreled receivers waiting out an empty case. At barely over 25 inch- We traveled to the MKE Small Arms Factory in Kirikkale Turkey and found it an interesting for the next step in assembly, MKE also produces 5.56mm and es in length, the Z-5RS is very short and mix of start of the art CNC equipment and traditional machinery. 7.62mm rifles and MG3 machine guns. easy to maneuver. It’s easy to get in and out of a vehicle with and at approximately 6.5 pounds it’s light and quick to the shoulder. around the manufacturing and assembly area, I enjoyed currently being imported by Zenith Firearms. I came It swings fast and is easy to control. poking about as presses thumped and welders crackled. Shooting away impressed by the plant, employees and the rearms Shooting the Z-5RS is very pleasant and e manufacturing line is a mix of traditional machin- I test red. it proved a lot of fun on the range both ery and modern state of the art CNC equipment. ey the Z-5RS Upon my return to the US, I picked out a model slapping steel and poking holes in paper. are particularly proud of their brand new computer I thought would be of particular interest to Ameri- Accuracy is excellent, and it’s much easier controlled hammer forged barrel-making equipment is very can shooters, Zenith’s Z-5RS. A good looking piece, to make rapid hits with the Z-5RS than that is fully automated. After visiting the factory, I had it operates using the classic delayed blow-back with a conventional pistol. Once the dot the opportunity to test re all their various models at pleasant roller-lock system ring from the closed-bolt position. is on target, it’s easy to keep it there even a Turkish military range. is allowed me to exam- Feed is from standard HK MP5 pattern detachable
ring at a rapid rate. Magazine changes are ine and shoot a wide assortment of pistols and ries and it box magazines. ese are very well designed and a bit slower than an AR, due to the lack of feature dual columns with dual feed. is makes a bolt hold-open. So after changing mag- proved a loading them to capacity relatively easy. e Z-5RS is azines you must run the charging handle. tted with an 8.9-inch barrel which features a three-lug With 30 rounds on tap though, magazine lot of fun mounting system and 1/2x28 threads for tting a sound changes should seldom be required in suppressor. Sights consist of a front post centered in a your average personal protection scenario. on the round protector and a rear diopter. Better yet, Zenith Reliability was ‰awless. All in all the includes an optic mount so adding a red dot sight is Z-5RS proved an impressive and fun piece. Delivering the ultimate in accuracy and range. simple. Is the Z-5RS the perfect solution for consistency, is the ammunition A non-reciprocating charging handle is located on all your self-protection needs? No, I will that shooters can rely on. the left side, and a paddle release is located behind the be the
rst to say if you need an honest- magazine. is is easy to manipulate and ambidextrous. to-God ri‰e, get one. Plus a Z-5RS will Instantly recognizable with its patented A push-button magazine release is also located on not conceal like a traditional handgun. the right side of the receiver. Keep in mind the bolt For many, though, the Z-5RS is a viable  §ÂbF8OÊYÎbYO8µbo µ}V does not lock back on the last shot. However, it can be solution. e pistol seen here was also out- force™ is a high-velocity, semi-auto manually locked open by rotating the charging handle
tted with an SB Tactical Stablizing Brace .22LR round that delivers superior power, into a cut-out specically for this. Finish is the classic and a rail system handguard available The Z-5RS features a safety lever on the le side of the receiver accuracy and knock-down force. and a paddle magazine release. black ‘paint’ you would expect. separately. e Z-5RS ships in a hard plastic case and comes with a sling, cleaning kit, Designed to deliver exceptional optic mount, two spare take-down pins, three 30-round magazines, manual and a knock-down performance with minimal Black Hills Ammunition
ve-year warranty. MSRP is a bit steep at recoil, contact™ is a subsonic 9mm 115 Gr. TAC-XP +P 4.625" barrel $1,800, but it’s a well-made piece. force™ contact™ semi-auto .22LR round that provides }u}ÈbO½Ë subsonic ¢ÁÁ*µb8½ ¢ÁÁ*µb8½ extreme accuracy and quicker sight SOURCES picture recovery. ® Zenith Firearms µ8OO²8OËYbobY¢ www.zenithfirearms.com / 434-202-7790 SB Tactical www.sb-tactical.com Ammunition now available at all leading retailers. ZQI Ammo @EleyUSA /EleyUSA @eley_ltd Zenith includes an optic mount with each pistol making adding Performance of modern 9x19mm expanding ammunition like this Black Hills load is very www.zqiammo.com / 434-202-7790 optics a snap. good with consistent expansion. bËн¢O

74 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM COOKING,G, POWERPO AND LIGHT BIOLITE’S INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR COMMON TASKS

By Todd Jaderborg Photography by David M. Fortier

tend to be fussy about my kit and BioLite makes products to bring both power and light to areas lacking some tough, innovative stu designed to work in o it. ey rst made a name for themselves by bringing Igrid areas in 3rd World countries. Originally built a stove to market, called the CampStove, which for use in Africa and India, BioLite developed their produced electricity from the heat it produced. is electricity could then be used to charge a small electronic device, like a cell phone. Timothy Yan reviewed their CampStove in our rst issue, and we appreciated its possibilities. Over the last couple of years, BioLite has been hard at work and now has a diverse line of products of in- terest to both recreational campers and those looking to be prepared for whatever may come their way. So I decided to take a look at ve of their latest o erings. I picked their new PowerLight Mini, SolarPanel 5+,

Some of BioLite’s recent introductions include (L to R) BaseCamp stove, PowerLight Mini, CampStove with KettlePot and SolarPanel 5+.

BioLite o ers a number of inter- esting solutions for cooking, power generation and lighting such as their BaseCamp stove seen here.

FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 77 COOKING, POWER AND LIGHT COOKING, POWER AND LIGHT

CookStove and its matching KettlePot along with their BioLite refers to as their ‘Optimal Sun System’ used BaseCamp. Everything arrived well packed and nicely as an aiming point for proper orientation. Aim the packaged. Let the fun begin. cell at the sun and the dot will cast a shadow on the white eld. Simply center the dot for proper alignment PowerLight Mini to maximize eciency. Easily adjustable wire legs fold e PowerLight Mini serves two primary functions; out providing quick set-up even on uneven terrain. Plus it is both a light source and a power source for recharg- the SolarPanel 5+ has holes in the lower corners to ing small electronic devices. As a multi-function 135 The KettlePot attach it to a pack to allow charging while on the move. lumen lantern, it has ‚ve settings for both white and and CampStove Or it can be hung in a window or other convenient spot. red light. Plus a bicycle mount is included to increase are designed to „e SolarPanel 5+ can be used two ways. You its versatility. In addition to being used as a light, it work together can plug a device into it via a USB port using the features an internal rechargeable 1,350 mAh while the included high quality cord and charge it directly. Or you battery. On the side of the PowerLight Mini is a SolarPanel 5+ can use the panel to charge the onboard battery. „en and Powerlight covered Micro USB and USB port. ese industry Mini will keep modern cell phones but will not fully charge them. e after the sun has gone down, you can still recharge a standard ports allow trouble-free recharging of the the stove and unit is small, looks good and is well thought out in a device. Nicely made from high quality materials and PowerLight Mini as well as using the Mini to charge your electronic practical manner. It performed well during testing and well thought out in design, the SolarPanel 5+ received other devices, such as a cell phone. devices charged. would have been handy to have a while back when I high marks from everyone who used it. Price is $79.95 e unit is very well made from high quality mater- had a “at at 4 AM with heavy wet snow coming down. and a similar model, SolarPanel 5, is available without ials and has a folding metal ‘hoop’stand. is allows it It would have nicely illuminated my trunk looking for an onboard battery for $59.95. to be easily hung or stood up. Four light settings consist tools and then with its stand, it would have sat lighting of: white lantern, red night mode, red or white strobe up the whole side of my car. I like it. CookStove and a point light. Plus in the lantern mode, the light BioLite’s CookStove is a robust portable wood output can be easily adjusted, and it has a maximum SolarPanel 5+ burning stove with a fan unit to increase its eciency. run time of 52 hours. When used as a power supply Keeping the PowerLight Mini, and other small „e unit is designed to burn twigs, sticks, pine cones, the 1,350 mAh battery will provide a boost to most electronic devices charged, is easy with BioLite’s paper, pellets or whatever you might nd lying about. It SolarPanel 5+. is is a discreet and easily packed requires no gas or fuel canisters. Rather than being a 5-watt solar panel sporting an internal 2200 mAh simple ‘Hobo’ type stove though the BioLite Cook- battery. e solar cell body is rigid and well made. It Stove features a USB rechargeable power pack. „is appears it would take a beating if it had to. In the will power the fan for up to 30 hours on one charge. upper right-hand corner, it has a sundial which „e unit features four settings: Camp Fire, Simmer, Boil and Turbo. „e stove has three legs which fold out o˜ering a wide, very stable footprint. One of the legs retains the battery and blower fan housing onto the stove. Much of the unit’s 1.6 pound weight is in the blower and battery. While too heavy to appeal to The Power- ultra-light backpackers many others will love it. The CampStove How does it work? Once a re is established you worked well Biolite CookStove turn the fan on, and the re immediately increases its during testing Light Mini Fuel: Renewable biomass heat output by using the oxygen driven into the re to and boiled water BioLite’s PowerLight Mini acts as both a lantern and a power (sticks, twigs or pellets) supply. serves two burn faster increasing the heat output. Granted the fuel quick. At 1.6 pounds it’s on Battery Charge Time: 1.7 hours via wall outlet A 2,200 mAh battery allows the SolarPanel 5+ to store power usage is higher per minute of burn time than a normally the heavy side primary for use later. aspirated stove, but eciency is increased so cook time but requires no Boil time: 4.5 min for 1 liter PowerLight Mini store bought Burn Time: Turbo 8 hours functions; fuel. Light Output: 135 lumens SolarPanel 5+ Boil 16 hours Simmer 25 hours Battery: Lithium ion 1350 mAh it is both a Cell Type: Monocrystalline rechargeable Campfire 30 hours Inputs and outputs: Micro USB in; USB out Run Time: 52 hours light source Weight : 1.6 pounds Weather Resistance: IPx4 Inputs and outputs: Micro USB in; USB out Dimensions: Unpacked 8.2 x 4.5 and a power Power Output: 5 watts at peak sun inches, Packed 7.7 x 4.5 Colors: Teal, Black, Red and inches Yellow source for Battery: 2200 mAh lithium ion Weight: 13.7 ounces Compatible Biolite KettlePot, Weight: 2.8 ounces Accessories: Biolite Portable Grill recharging Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x .9 inches Dimensions: 3.3 x 2 x .5 inches Comes with: CookStove, Stu Sack, Comes with: Powerlight Micro USB small Panel Thickness: .26 inch Firestarter, Recharging The battery/blower cord and a 30 mm bike Comes with: SolarPanel 5+, USB cord, unit is easily removed micro USB Cord and mount electronic instructions from the CampStove instructions. Price: $44.95 Price: $79.95 and stores inside when Price: $99.95 devices. transporting.

78 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 79 COOKING, POWER AND LIGHT COOKING, POWER AND LIGHT

The BaseCamp is a KettlePot is reduced. Working in a manner similar to a forge, large stove designed the Biolite stove will boil a liter of water in a very €e CookStove has two useful accessories available for family/group use impressive four and a half minutes at. Once it’s going, for it, a PortableGrill and their KettlePot. €e Kettle- with a 13.2-inch it really rips, especially on Turbo mode. Pot serves as both a container to pack the CookStove cooking area. But what about when you want to do more than boil as well as a cooking unit. It has an impressive 1.5 half water as quickly as possible? To nd out I proceeded to liter capacity and is specically made to t on top of the cook black and brown rice with red quinoa, onions and CookStove. €e pot is made from one piece of swaged The powerpack on the side features a a tin of beef making for a nice meal and several lunches. stainless steel with a curved piece welded onto the 2,200 mAh battery, Simmering long cook rice on the Biolite can be kind of bottom which ts the top of the stove. €e bottom fan and USB port a trick as it takes constant stirring and removal from the piece acts as a windscreen and concentrates the heat for powering small heat for a few seconds to keep it from getting too hot. It electronic devices. did burn the bottom just a bit, but that was my fault as I didn’t stir it enough. All in all, it works well. I found sticks smaller than my thumb, broke into BaseCamp lengths shorter that the width of the rebox worked The e most exciting of BioLite’s new products just best. Once the re is going bigger branches cut with a IGLOO might be their BaseCamp stove. is is a large impres- saw will make for a longer burning re. Tightly twisted ON ICE SPORTSMAN 40 BaseCamp sive looking piece designed to meet the needs of families or braided dried grass stems will work to boil water, but or groups. What makes this stove of particular interest be prepared to have a good supply as they burn fast. quality ice cooler capable of holding ice for days can be a valuable asset when can grill is how it uses heat to generate 5 watts of power using a €is stove would be great for a group camping or in Athe power goes o . In recent years, ice coolers have been continually refined thermoelectric generator. e electricity is then used to a vehicle kit. €e BioLite stove is very well made and and improved to the point where the best models can reliably hold ice for a surprising burgers power a fan to increase the eciency of the stove, just will last for many years of tough use. Yes, the unit amount of time. Performance is counted not in hours but days. One hugely popular like the smaller CampStove. Surplus power is used to utilizes a rechargeable battery, but it is designed to brand is Igloo. The roots of this American company extend back to 1947 and a small relaxing charge an onboard 2,200 mAh lithium-ion battery as be recharged using the SolarPanel 5+ or PowerLight metal shop in Texas. Today Igloo has a diverse line of products, one of which is their well as your small electronic devices. e stove itself is BaseCamp Mini. Remember, a single charge will deliver 30 hours Sportsman line of ice coolers. The Sportsman line has high-end features without the on the well made and features folding legs. In design, it resem- of cooking, and it will boil a liter of water in less than heart attack inducing price-tag of some boutique brands. Fuel: Renewable biomass bles a rocket stove. Wood is fed in horizontally into the ve minutes. Is it for everyone? No, it’s on the heavy (sticks, twigs or pellets) weekend combustion chamber. A 13.2-inch cooktop provides a side, a bit of a chore to light and depends upon a Cooking Surface: 13.2 inches good bit of room for cooking and grilling. Flipping a battery powered fan. It will have its detractors. On the with lever allows you to grill over the entire surface or con- Battery: 2,200 mAh lithium ion ip side, it’s simple to use, requires no store bought fuel centrate the heat in just the center for boiling. and proved quite eŽcient. USB Output: 5 watts @ 5 Volts friends, e orange power pack on the side features a ‘smart Weight: 17.9 pounds dash board’ to allow users to see how hot the re is and feed and how much electricity is being generated. A USB The KettlePot consists Construction: Stainless steel, cast iron port is included on the front to allow easy charging of of a bowl, pot and and high temperature pouring lid and is your family electronic devices. Plus BioLite includes a ”exible USB designed to hold plastic light to illuminate the cook top at night or in low light. the stove. Comes with: BaseCamp, firestart- while e stove weighs in at 17.9 pounds and features a pail Igloo’s Sportsman 40 ice cooler is ers, fuel rack, ash tray, handle for easy transportation. a rugged piece gooseneck USB light and powering In use, the BaseCamp performed well. Once you capable of holding instructions have a re going, you simply feed wood in through the ice for 5+ days. your cell side. It takes a few minutes to heat up enough to pro- Price: $299.95 duce electricity, but then you’ll see its charging. With phone the fan running the stove’s eciency and performance To see how it performed we put one of their mid-size Sportsman 40 models to is greatly increased. Its design proved stable and easy to work. Featuring robust rotational-molded construction, it has two inches minimum for more ecient cooking. It has three holes that allow when the cook on with no issues encountered. e grill top is also of foam insulation in the lid and 1.5 to 2 inches of insulation in the body. As its name re and gasses to vent away from the stove blower and easy to remove for cleaning. Developed for daily use in implies, it has a 40-quart capacity and weighs 23 pounds. To allow easy draining, it pot handles. In operation, the re jets out of the three lights go 3rd World countries, the stove is designed to be almost has an oversized 1.7 inch tethered drain plug. The lid is locked securely shut by two holes like small jet engines making for a nice light show smoke-free when running. Again, this unit is not for over-sized rubberized T-Grip latches. Transporting it is easily accomplished by one or in the dark. out. everyone. However, its ability to run on readily available two people using its large swing-up handles. These fold neatly out of the way when e KettlePot features a high temp BPA free plastic biomass (twigs, wood, grass, pellets) combined with its not in use. Corrosion resistant hinge rods and latch pins are standard as are anti-skid kettle top with a silicone seal. is snaps securely into ability to generate electricity would make it very prac- KettlePot feet on the base. place to allow easy pouring. Or it can serve as a lift o tical for family sized groups. e BaseCamp can grill Capacity: 1.5 liters With outside dimensions measuring 23.8 x 18 x 16.5 inches, this model is fairly lid when cooking. Other features include vertical cool burgers relaxing on the weekend with friends, and feed Weight: 16.4 ounces easy to transport or load in/out of vehicles. Quality proved very good, and no issues of touch handles and an eating bowl which nests inside. your family while powering your cell phone when the any kind were experienced. Multiple third-party tests have shown the Igloo Sports- When put to use all of us were surprised at how fast it lights go out. Dimensions: 10.2 x 5.2 inches man series capable of holding ice for 5+ days in real world conditions. Performance boiled water. All in all BioLite’s KettlePot performed Comes with: Stainless steel pot, kettle like this can be a real asset keeping food or medicine from spoiling during a short very well. It’s robust, well thought out and nicely made. lid, stu sack term power-outage. Retail price is $259. For more information visit Igloo at www. Downside is its weight at 16.4 ounces. Like the Cook- SOURCE igloo-store.com. Stove for which it was designed, the KettlePot is not Price: $49.95 BioLite www.bioliteenergy.com for everyone.

80 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 81 PRACTICE TO DECEIVE PRACTICE TO DECEIVE

HEAD DOWN PRODUCTS’ DECEPTUS WEAPON SYSTEM

By David M. Fortier Assembly takes about 45 seconds. Start by Insert the gas tube into the receiver and then Photography by Laura A. Fortier removing the two major assemblies and ensure make sure the alignment pin on the barrel the bolt is locked to the rear. extension is properly indexed in the receiver. Thread the barrel nut on and hand tighten.

Pawing it over the piece is built using billet alumi- the upper receiver is a Mil-Spec Carpenter 158 bolt num upper and lower receivers. So the upper is a bit carrier assembly which is both HPT and MPI tested beeer than a standard unit. e lower receiver is tted and inspected with a properly staked gas key. with an A2 pistol grip, M4 type collapsible stock and What gives the Deceptus its name though is its GI type Mil-Spec trigger group. Poking about inside ability to quickly split in half. To do this, you start by I noted a standard weight buer was tted, and the removing the magazine and verifying the chamber is trigger broke at approximately 6 pounds. A 16-inch clear. Next, lock the bolt back. en you rotate the lever HDP prole barrel is standard. is is chambered in on the right side of the handguard 90 degrees and pull 5.56x45mm NATO and features a 1-7 inch RH twist. the now exposed pin to the right. e pin is captured so e barrel features a Salt Bath Nitride coating and it cannot be lost. Once this is done the handguard can here is a something special about take-down sports an A2 ‹ash suppressor at the muzzle. A carbine be slid towards the muzzle, or even removed entirely if guns which set them apart from the crowd. length gas system is utilized in conjunction with a low you so choose. Sliding the handguard forward exposes T Part of it has to do with the design work and prole gas block. Surrounding the gas system is a 13- a large knurled barrel nut. Simply unscrew this and the Looks like a engineering which goes into making a rie or shotgun inch Deceptus free-‹oating rail system. Riding inside barrel assembly with gas tube can be popped out of the regular AR which easily disassembles into a few basic components. doesn’t it? en there’s the practical usefulness of being able to While it eortlessly transport/store a long gun which neatly functions like breaks down. I’ve long been a fan of the Winchester one, Head Model 1897 and 1912 shotguns along with the Stevens Down Products’ 520 and 620 just for these reasons. All four of these Deceptus is a take-down older shotguns snap apart and go back together again design which easily, no tools required. Making a take-down rie splits neatly in though requires a bit more head scratching. half for discreet Being a fan of take-down guns I was very intrigued storage. when a small hard case arrived. Inside were two halves to an AR-15 type rie. A quick scan of the design and I quickly had it assembled. e rie in question is from Head Down Products and called their Deceptus Weap- on System. A neat name for a neat design. In certain scenarios, a take-down rie like the Deceptus could prove extremely valuable if one needed to remain The Deceptus arrives packed in a hard very discreet but still wanted to have a long gun. e case, but it can just Deceptus will easily ‘t into a small backpack or as easily be stored Slide the handguard towards the receiver, the top of the hand- messenger bag when taken down. To put into action in a small pack or guard has a piece which indexes into a cut-out in the top of the Push the captured pin all the way to the le and then rotate the locking lever 90 degrees takes about 45 seconds. messenger bag. receiver. This prevents it from rotating. until it snaps in place.

82 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 83 PRACTICE TO DECEIVE front of the receiver. It takes less than 45 seconds to the warranty being linked to the serial number of the Three take the ri e down or to reassemble it. ri e, not the owner. To assemble the ri e, you start by locking the bolt So why would you want a take-down AR-15? Many to the rear. Next, slide the gas tube into the small hole people will not, and some will say the AR-15 is already Rifles in the receiver and slide the barrel in so the alignment a take-down design by simply pushing two pins and pin in the receiver extension correctly indexes with the separating the upper from the lower. While this is notch in the receiver. en it’s a simple matter to thread true, the Deceptus does noticeably shorten the overall the barrel nut on and tighten it down by hand. Once it length of the upper receiver/barrel assembly. Keep in Eight is hand tight, slide the handguard down. You will notice mind; the upper receiver is over seven inches long, so the top of the rail on the handguard has a piece which the di–erence in length is quite a bit. I understand for Handguns indexes into a cut-out in the top of the receiver. is many people the di–erence in length is of no signi‰- prevents the handguard from rotating. With the hand- cance. For some, though, the ability to store a full-size guard pushed up against the receiver you simply slide 16-inch AR-15 carbine in a bag or package measuring the cross-pin on the handguard all the way through to just 17.5 inches will be very appealing. Also please note, the left. Finally rotate the locking lever 90 degrees until the Deceptus utilizes standard AR barrels. Due to this, Ten it locks forward. All in all the system is straightforward, di–erent length and calibers can be easily ‰tted. easy to learn and simple to operate. Plus no tools are Performance? Due to a tight deadline, I did not have Knives required as you tighten the barrel nut by hand and then the opportunity to perform more than initial testing it is locked in place by the handguard. on the Deceptus. However, it functions and performs Does it actually work? Yes, indeed it does. e basic like any normal 16 inch 5.56x45mm AR. e controls Stoner design lends itself to being con‰gured in this operate smoothly, rounds chambered easily and extract- fashion. For their part, Head Down markets the De- The Deceptus ed and ejected without issue. No problems of any kind ceptus as being capable of Sub-MOA accuracy. Plus it can be quickly were experienced. Accuracy with Black Hills 77 grain comes with their Ri e for Life Warranty. Basically, the assembled Match was just under one inch at 100 yards ‰ring o– a ri e is covered if anything should ever break on it, with providing a full- rest using a rear bag. Zero retention seems good, but I size carbine for haven’t done enough testing to see how it holds up in self-protection. Specifications Head Down Products’ The system also the long run. Expect a detailed review in our sister title Deceptus Weapon System provides fast Firearms News. Suggested retail price is a bit steep at caliber changes $1,649, but it is an interesting system. Action: Rotating bolt via direct gas as well. Protection Caliber: 5.56x45mm Barrel: 16 inch Salt Bath Nitride coated Hidden in Plain Sight. Rifling: 1-7 inch RH twist Overall length: 32.2 inches with stock collap- Make every room your “safe room” with discreet home defense sed, 17.5 inches taken down solutions by TacticalWalls. Designed to inconspicuously blend-in Trigger: Mil Spec Single-Stage with 6 pound pull with the décor of your home, yet provide lightning-quick access Feed: 30 Round Lancer magazine when needed. TacticalWalls offers a full range of concealed Stock: Six-position M4 style Weight: 6.9 pounds w/out mag storage options for every room in the house. Select models now Finish: Hardcoat anodized available with RFID locking technology. Price: $1,649 Manufacturer: Head Down Products, www.hdfirearms.com 770-485-7015

Accuracy Chart Head Down Products Deceptus Weapon System Load Velocity Standard 100 yards (fps) Deviation (inches) Black Hills 77 grain OTM 2,573 20 .98 Groups are an average of four 5 shot groups fired from a rest at 100 yards. Velocity readings measured 12 feet from the muzzle at an ambient tem- perature of 70 degrees F 1,030 feet above Sea Level with an Oehler 35P. TacticalWalls.com 84 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM alerts and travel warnings provide valuable informa- tion about places in the world where signi„cant dan- gers exist for travelers. Here at home, you need to be aware that attending public gatherings, such as sport- ing events, increases your risk of becoming involved in a terrorist attack. If you choose to attend such events, think about what might happen, what you might do to protect yourself, possible escape routes, etc. A number of websites, both government and private sector, provide unclassi„ed information on how to pro- tect yourself from various terrorist threats, such as from attacks with chemical or biological agents, or the pos- sibility of a nuclear incident. On some of these sites are LIVING WITH also listed books, DVDs and other media which oer valuable information on the subject and tips on how New York City to protect yourself and your loved ones regarding both firefighters avoiding attacks and coping when you become the tar- conducting response at home and abroad. e success of these eorts is evi- get of terrorist aggression. operations at the dent from the scores of foiled terrorist plots and attacks In July 2009, the New York City Police Department World Trade Center since 9/11. Still, given the complexity, diversity, sophis- published a 100-page handbook for landlords and secu- site on Sept. 14, tication and devotion of terrorists and their support- rity personnel titled, “Engineering Security,” providing 2001 aer the ing organizations worldwide, it will never be possible instructions on how to make buildings more resistant Sept. 11, 2001 to provide 100 percent eective government protection to terrorist attacks. “Police used the example of how terrorist attack which destroyed from the menace of terrorism. a truck bomb „lled with explosives can be loaded and the center. Photo What can we, as individuals, do to protect ourselves driven to a target to illustrate the continuing terrorist courtesy FEMA/ from terrorist attacks? To begin with, you can gather a threat,” said an article about the publication on the Dana Trytten. lot of valuable information on the subject of terrorism National Broadcasting Corporation’s (NBC) website, and self-protection by searching the Internet. Listed at www.nbcnewyork.com: “e report urged property the end of this article are some useful links to a few of owners to improve perimeter security, design buildings the related websites I’ve visited. that can better withstand a blast, step up screening of It’s also worthwhile to analyze your particular sit- visitors, design emergency evacuation plans and safe- uation and determine where and when you might be guard air systems in the event of a chemical attack.” at greater risk of becoming a victim of terrorist attacks “Other suggestions include using hard, „re-resistant Surveillance video screen captures of and what speci„c actions you could take to lessen that substances to build walls and œoors and posing glass Tamerlan (front) risk. For example, do you travel overseas for business or facades ‘away from [higher-risk] buildings,’ and install- TIPS FOR AVOIDING and Dzhokhar Tsar- pleasure? If so, what areas of the world are more dan- ing X-ray machines to scan packages.” AND SURVIVING THEM naev at the Boston gerous than others and what steps can you take to im- In another article posted on the FBI’s website, titled, Marathon where prove your safety when you visit those areas? “Preventing Terrorist Attack, How You Can Help,” the By Jim Benson they killed three e US State Department regularly puts out a list of bureau asks the public to assist the government in de- and wounded more countries where political instability and weak govern- tecting terrorist activity. than 260 others. Photo courtesy ments provide havens for terrorist activities. Its travel “is is a message that bears repeating, no matter www.fbi.gov. where you live in the world: Your assistance is needed edia images of the bloodshed and chaos result- Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev detonated the pres- in preventing terrorist acts,” the article stated. ing from two homemade bombs detonated at sure cooker bombs they learned to make from an online “It’s a fact that certain kinds of activities can in- Mthe Boston Marathon in April 2014 reminded al-Qaeda publication, former US Attorney General Al- dicate terrorist plans that are in the works, especially us that terrorism remains a signicant threat to our way berto Gonzales, commenting on the danger of home- when they occur at or near high pro„le sites or places of life. roughout the last two decades, thousands of grown terrorists, said: “Today, terrorist threats may come where large numbers of people gather — like govern- Americans have been killed and thousands more in- from smaller, more loosely dened cells who are not ment buildings, military facilities, utilities, bus or train jured in dozens of terrorist attacks around the country, a‘liated with al-Qaeda, but who are inspired by a violent stations, major public events. If you see or know about the most devastating of these being the coordinated jihadist message. And left unchecked, these homegrown suspicious activities, like the ones listed below, please jihadist assaults on 9/11/2001. terrorists may prove to be as dangerous as groups like report them immediately to the proper authorities. In With the combining and coordination of governmen- al-Qaeda.” e 2015 San Bernadino terrorist attack is the United States, that means your closest Joint Terror- tal intelligence, analysis and planning e‚orts after 9/11, an excellent example of a this. Today terror ist Task Force, located in an FBI Field O¥ce. In other scores of terrorist plots and attacks have been foiled. e A search of the Internet reveals dozens of govern- threats can countries, that means your closest law enforcement/ Boston Marathon bombings are among those that have ment agencies — as well as many private sector orga- come in the form counterterrorism agency.” succeeded, however. And they underscore the fact that nizations — devoted to countering the threat of ter- of a home grown e article points out speci„c activities that arouse ‘lone wolf’ not even with the massive government e‚orts directed today rorism. And notwithstanding intelligence failures like a liated with suspicion: toward preventing terrorist violence, it’s still possible for the Boston Marathon bombings, there is no question any terror net- Surveillance: Are you aware of anyone video record- terrorists to act undetected, and with devastating results. that great strides have been made in recent years in ef- work. Photo by ing or monitoring activities, taking notes, using camer- Long before the ethnic Chechen immigrant brothers forts to protect Americans from terrorist attacks, both Alfredo Rico. as, maps, binoculars, etc., near key facilities/events?

86 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 87 UNCLASSIFIED Bomb Threat Stand-Off Distances

Explosives Building Outdoor Suspicious Questioning: Are you aware of anyone Threat Description Capacity1 (TNT Evacuation Evacuation attempting to gain information in person, by phone, Equivalent) Distance2 Distance3 Pipe Bomb 5 LBS / 70 FT / 850 FT / mail, email, etc., regarding a key facility or people who 2.3 KG 21 M 259 M work there? Briefcase / 50 LBS / 150 FT / 1,850 FT / Tests of Security: Are you aware of any attempts to Suitcase Bomb 23 KG 46 M 564 M Compact Sedan 500 LBS / 320 FT / 1,500 FT / penetrate or test physical security or procedures at a key 227 KG 98 M 457 M Sedan 1,000 LBS / 400 FT / 1,750 FT / facility/event? 454 KG 122 M 533 M Acquiring Supplies: Are you aware of anyone Passenger / 4,000 LBS / 600 FT / 2,750 FT / attempting to improperly acquire explosives, weapons, Cargo Van 1,814 KG 183 M 838 M Small Moving Van / 10,000 LBS / 860 FT / 3,750 FT / ammunition, dangerous chemicals, uniforms, badges, Delivery Truck 4,536 KG 262 M 1,143 M
ight manuals, access cards or identication for a key Moving Van / 30,000 LBS / 1,240 FT / 6,500 FT / Water Truck 13,608 KG 378 M 1,981 M facility/event or to legally obtain items under suspicious Semi-Trailer 60,000 LBS / 1,500 FT / 7,000 FT / circumstances that could be used in a terrorist attack? 27,216 KG 457 M 2,134 M This table is for general emergency planning only. A given building’s vulnerability to explosions depends on its construction and composition. The Suspicious Persons: Are you aware of anyone who data in these tables may not accurately reflect these variables. Some risk will remain for any persons closer than the Outdoor Evacuation Distance. does not appear to belong in the workplace, neigh- door Evacuation Preferred area (beyond this line) for evacuation of people in buildings borhood, business establishment or near a key facility/ Out Dis tan and mandatory for people outdoors. event? ce All personnel in this area should seek shelter immediately inside a ‘Dry Runs’: Have you observed any behavior that building away from windows and exterior walls. Avoid having 4 appears to be preparation for a terrorist act, such as anyone outside—including those evcuating—in this area. mapping out routes, playing out scenarios with other All personnel must evacuate (both inside of buildings and out). 1: Based on maximum volume or weight of explosive (TNT equivalent) that people, monitoring key facilities/events, timing trac could reasonably t in a suitcase or vehicle. uilding lights or trac
ow, or other suspicious activities? B Ev 2: Governed by the ability of typical US commercial construction to resist ac severe damage or collapse following a blast. Performances can vary signi - u Deploying Assets: Have you observed abandoned a cantly, however, and buildings should be analyzed by quali ed parties when t possible. io Terrorism vehicles, stockpiling of suspicious materials, or persons n D 3: Governed by the greater of fragment throw distance or glass breakage / can happen

i falling glass hazard distance. Note that pipe and briefcase bombs assume s being deployed near a key facility/event? t cased charges that throw fragments farther than vehicle bombs. suspicious items, and report them to airport anywhere, • Don’t tell a stranger too many details about

a n

“If you answered yes to any of the above...if you have c 4: A known terrorist tactic is to attract bystanders to windows, doorways, and authorities. ‡en leave immediately. especially your life or your plans.

e the outside with gun re, small bombs, or other methods and then detonate a observed any suspicious activity that may relate to ter- larger, more destructive device signi cantly increasing human caualties. popular tourist • When in conversation with someone you do rorism...again, please contact the Joint Terrorist Task | NCTC General Rules For Personal Security attractions like trust, be aware of people around you who may this one in UNCLASSIFIED 000841ID 10-05 Force or law enforcement/counterterrorism agency • If possible, travel with others. ‡ere is safety Istanbul Turkey. be listening. closest to you immediately. Your tip could save the in numbers. Be on your • If you see something or someone suspicious, lives of innocent people, just like you and yours.” This chart from the National Counterterrorism Center shows • Avoid places that are popular with Western guard. Photo by report it to the police and the nearest US In an article posted on its website, www.popsci.com, bomb threat safety stand o and evacuation distances. travelers, who are obvious targets for terror- David Fortier. Embassy or consulate immediately. the magazine Popular Science noted that trac conges- Don’t tell ism. Everywhere you go, have a plan, so you • Select your own taxi, and vary the place for tion could be a disaster in itself after a terrorist attack. It can act automatically in case of a bomb or ter- doing that. Never get into a vehicle that is not said University of Arizona engineer Yi-Chiang Chu “is Precautions For Travelers to a stranger rorist attack. clearly marked as a taxi. When you get in, take developing a software package that could smooth out Avoid Becoming Terrorist Victims • Memorize the locations and phone numbers the opportunity to study the driver’s face and the evacuation process. Working from real-time data †e US Travel Insurance Association o‰ers advice too many of possible safe places to go, such as hospitals, compare it with the photo on the license dis- collected by city and state transportation departments, on travel safety. Its website, (http://trip.ustia.org/ hotels, and police stations. It’s highly played in the car. the software suggests the best options for re-routing security/tips/1190/precautions-to-avoid-being-being- details • Watch for suspicious activity and report it to recommended the cars and ensuring that everyone can get out of town the-target-of-a-terrorist-attack/) has the following the local police or the nearest US embassy or to have a trauma Security Inside Your Hotel as quickly as possible.” suggestions based on information from the US State about consulate. kit available • If someone knocks at your hotel room door, †ere was no word as to when this software would Department to help travelers reduce their risks of • Be careful with strangers — any stranger, for when you never open it if you don’t know who it is and travel, just in be available or to whom. But it’s an important concept becoming targets of terrorists: your life example, even taxi drivers. case. Photo by can verify their identity. and one that would be sorely needed during mass evac- Alfredo Rico. • Arrange meetings with strangers in the public uations. As you can see, monumental e‰orts are indeed • Schedule non-stop
ights, or at least avoid or your areas of your hotel, never in your room. underway in the both public and private sectors to help
ights that stop in high-risk locales. • If a package is delivered that you were not ex- protect us in the war on terrorism. But we can do a • Wear clothing that doesn’t stand out. Dress for plans. pecting, refuse it. lot individually as well to help ourselves avoid and if invisibility. • Before driving, check your car to make sure it necessary live through attacks by terrorists; and while • Avoid adding distinctive markings to your lug- is in good condition and that nothing looks we’re at it, help protect and preserve our nation, and gage, even though this is a recommended way obviously changed. our way of life. to discourage luggage theft. Bright markings • When tra€c slows, lock your doors and close on your luggage make you more visible and the windows of the car. mark you as a tourist at a time when it’s better to avoid being noticed. If an Attack Does Occur SUGGESTED LINKS • After checking in for your
ight, go immedi- Lie ƒat on the ƒoor and behind any solid object that ately to the secured areas of the airport. might protect you from gun re. Stay put until the dan- www.iacsp.com • When you arrive at a destination, get your bag- ger passes. If you have to move, do it on your stomach. www.investigativeproject.org gage and leave the airport as quickly as possible. When it’s safe to get up, don’t stop for any reason, even www.terrorism-research.com • Scan your surroundings whenever in an airport, to help police or rescue personnel. Just leave the area www.peterbergen.com looking for abandoned briefcases, packages or right away.

88 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 89 AWARENESS

must remember to provide information that is right for them at their age. As young as age four, a child can begin to be equipped with vital data. A child who can count to 10 and knows his colors and shapes has the mental capacity to remem- ber certain information. If asked to describe a person he has encountered, he can tell you basic details. “†e woman had on a red dress” or “†e man wore a blue hat.” You can start developing your child’s sense of awareness in a manner that feels like a game. Try this exercise: When you go to a mall or a busy store, ask your child to look around for a minute and then close her eyes and tell you details of what they saw. Did they see any other children? Did they see a mom pushing a stroller? †is game of remembering helps to build recollection skills as well as teach her at an early age to be observant of her surroundings. A ve-year-old can tell you his parent’s names. Not just mommy and daddy, but he will have an under- standing that just as he has a name, so do both of his You can play games to parents. †ey can also start practicing his mother’s or AWARENESS must evolve with them. What you do to protect a ve- develop your father’s cell phone number. year-old from harm is very dierent from what you do child’s sense of By the age of six, a child can remember his or her street for your 14-year-old. At some point, you have to equip awareness such address and phone number. †is is must-have informa- THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR YOUR CHILD your children with the ability to protect themselves. I as by asking tion in emergency situations. If they become separated am not suggesting that we all sign our children up for them to look from a parent in a crowd, they can go to an authority By Peggy Robinson Photography by Ancel Robinson around for a Taekwondo or kickboxing lessons. While these are great minute and then gure or store employee and provide important details discipline building exercises, and a wonderful form of close their eyes to that person to help the child reunite with a parent. Let’s face it, bad self-defense, they are not for everyone. Knowledge and and tell you Does your small child know what to do if separat- things happen. awareness are the tools we can ensure our children are what they saw. ed from his or her parent or caretaker? It’s important our breath catches in your throat. You are in- are not at arm’s length. As small children, we tend to Here are some ways armed with. You do not need physical prowess to have to equip the child with knowledge that no matter the stantly chilled, but sweating at the same time. keep the little ones close. Inside our home, they are safe. to help keep your awareness. You don’t need to achieve a level and get a geographical location, the same rules apply. No mat- Ye loud noises around you fade into an incom- We have resources to maintain their security. We have children safe when belt to have knowledge of your surroundings. ter where you travel, the “don’t leave the store” rule is you’re not there. prehensible buzz. You can see everything and nothing an alarm system. We have ‡rearms and are trained to A major concern for every parent should be the lev- in eect. If you are shopping at a mall or at a grocery at all. Your mind is racing and so is your pulse. You can safely use them. When we are out, we still have one eye el of preparedness that they have given their children. hear your heartbeat in your ears, but little else. You can on our youngest child at all times. We are holding her Have you only equipped your children with a solid see dozens of people, but not the one person you are hand or she is in a shopping cart, no more than two feet fear of all strangers, or have you given them some real looking for. She’s gone. You just turned your back for a from one of us. We are aware of the dangers around us. common-sense ideas about what they need to be pay- FIVE POINTS TO SHARE moment to pay the cashier and she slipped out of sight. She is not. ing attention to? For each child at any age, there is a Where is she? As our daughters get older, and develop a sense of wealth of information that can be provided to keep WITH YOUR CHILD Almost every parent has had this happen to them. independence, the level of care for their well-being him or her safe. ey turn their back for just a second, and the little one Do your children know what to be aware of in a 1. Be alert: Listen and watch the people around you. Your best chance at saving disappears around a corner or behind a rack of clothes crowded mall? Do your children know that at a play- yourself when danger strikes is by realizing something is wrong. and is in every sense of the word, gone. e experience ground, someone hanging out by the fence watching can be nerve wracking and heartbreaking but almost them is a possible threat? †ere is age-appropriate 2. Don’t try to be a hero or a peacemaker: People are going to fight. Give them a always turns out to be O.K. She was simply in the next knowledge, and we as parents have a responsibility to wide berth and get yourself a safe distance from it. lane at the checkout, or on the other side of the candy impart this information to our children in order to keep display. Even so we have to prepare ourselves and our them safe. Our job is not to frighten them and render 3. If someone pulls out a gun, run: As a child you cannot defend yourself from children for the times when they get separated from us them incapable of functioning without fear. Our job is someone with a gun. Get as far away from the shooter or armed person as and we are not within earshot. We know what to do, but to empower our children to help themselves keep safe possible. Distance, not shelter is your best bet for safety. they need to be taught what to do. in all situations. My husband and I are the parents of three beautiful daughters. I’m not just saying that. ey are lovely little A major concern for When Do We Start Teaching Children About Safe 4. Never get into a car with someone you don’t know: Shout, scream and run. creatures. As I write this, they range in age from 5 to every parent should and Unsafe Environments and Behaviors? Draw attention to what is going on. Never stop fighting to avoid being forced into a car. 20. We have had our hands full for quite some time. be the level of We live in a world where stranger danger is no longer preparedness that We have had the pleasure of watching them grow, and they have given accurate or enough. We need to teach small children to the daunting task of keeping them safe and protected watch for signs of strange behavior being exhibited in 5. Above all, pay attention and listen to your gut: If it feels wrong or o it probably their children. It’s is. Someone who gives you a bad vibe is someone you need to get away from. for many years. My chief concern as they grow older is up to you to equip those around them that would clue them in to some- how I venture to protect them from harm when they them for the world. thing that is dangerous or not right. Of course, we still

90 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 91 AWARENESS AWARENESS

Does your small child know what to do if You do She wants to go to the movies without us. She is how- than he or she really is while online. I have seen young separated from you, ever, always looking down; her phone is her world. As children with social media pro les using a favorite star and who to ask for not need a parent who is concerned for her safety, I have had to or model as their pro le picture. A child of 13 can easily help? Make sure no start asking her to pay attention to what is going on. On appear 18 on social media. It is imperative that we not matter where you physical trips to places we frequent, I ask her which way to turn only regularly monitor our children’s cyber activity, but travel, the don’t-leave- next, or what is the name of the street we are traveling that we teach them what to be on the lookout for. In- the-store rule is prowess on. It was shocking to me how little she actually knew terest in an online persona may be very attering for a in e ect. about her surroundings when we rst started these ex- young person, but he or she has to be aware of the dan- to have ercises. It’s something that will require work to reverse, gers associated with social media, and how to navigate and we’re doing just that. away from threats. You have to be frank and honest with A modern smart phone can be a great tool for awareness. your children. You are the best tool they have to ght a responsible child, Things To Think About against outside threats. but it can also be a Does your child have a network of people who they All this can seem rather frightening or overwhelming, dangerous distraction. know they can trust in any situation? How would they but the best way to face a problem is head on. Knowl- contact them if there was an emergency? Does your edge is the best safeguard against having to deal with a child have a set schedule where they know if their threat to your children. Equipping your children with store, the same rules apply. Never leave the store to try they tend to travel in larger groups, it’s harder to pick day deviates from their normal schedule something is the means to detect and self-protect against dangerous to nd the person you are separated from. We must one oŠ from the herd at this age. In 2014, 84% of chil- wrong and they need to seek guidance from one of their circumstances is the right thing to do. ­ey will be glad teach our children to go to the nearest cash register; to dren reported missing to the National Center for Miss- trusted network contacts? you loved them enough to take the time to do it. only speak to an employee at the register; and stay put ing and Exploited Children were endangered runaways. ­ere is also now another battleground to be until you are located. is is universal information that Statistically speaking, at this age, they are much more fought on. Cyber threats to children are becoming every parent should be teaching every child. Because we likely to run away than to be abducted. It’s not that ab- increasingly common. We buy them cool technology National Center for Missing spend so much of our time in grocery or other stores, duction is not a possibility, but older children, generally because we don’t want them to be left behind. iPads, & Exploited Children we have ample opportunities to practice and build this speaking, are a lower risk group. mobile phones and game systems with online play. We 24-hour call center: skill with our children. Of concern to me right now is my 14-year-old. She is are equipping them with this technology and often 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) Remember, the information each child is being at the age where she requires less supervision, but wants unwittingly exposing them to additional threats. It is far Phone: 703-224-2150, www.missingkids.com taught needs to be age appropriate. ey need to be to reach out into the world and be more independent. too easy for a child to make themselves appear older able to properly absorb it and employ it. It also has to She wants to be dropped oŠ at the mall with friends. be practiced. Just like drawing from your holster and dry-re builds muscle memory, repetition of useful information is needed to ensure it is there, ready for recollection when necessary. Small children are easily portable and often ignored even when they’re making a great amount of noise. If approached by someone outside of the child’s approved list of contacts, does your child know to say “I don’t know this person”, or “You’re not my father!” or “You’re not my mother!” and/or “I’m afraid of you, someone please help me!” at the top of his or her lungs while moving away from the threat? Children embarrass easily. Have you talked to your child and let them know that there is nothing embarrassing about asking for help? Does your child know which way to run if they have to get away from an aggressor? Do they know who they 9” Medium Profile should run to? Your small children likely have a lim- • .300 Blackout Caliber (7.62 x 35mm) Chrome Lined Barrel ited amount of contact with the world at large. ey Cyber threats to • 7.25” Carbine Free Float Forend should have a routine schedule and contact with routine children are becoming • Hogue Overmolded Rubber Pistol Grip Total Weight increasingly common. people. It’s our job as parents to go through this list of • Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum Receivers only 4.85 lbs. If you are going to give people and places, and teach them the safest routes and • 30 Round Magazine allies in each place where they may be on any given them the technology you need to give them • Transferable Lifetime Warranty day. is is often easier said than done, but with proper the tools to stay safe. planning, and the involvement of the necessary school or childcare personnel, it can be accomplished.

What About Older Children? Made In Although they manage to get themselves in trouble It is imperative that we not only regularly The U.S.A. quite often, teenagers are the least likely group of chil- monitor our children’s dren to be in harm’s way from an outside threat. ey cyber activity, but that may harm themselves at times, but in general they are we teach them what to a less likely target for abduction or physical harm. As be on the lookout for. WWW.WINDHAMWEAPONRY.COM 92 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM optimized for each eye, you end up being able to de‡ne both target and sight surprisingly well. In practice, it works great. If you so desire, they can also cut a bifocal into the lower part of the lens to allow you to read/see near objects. With this in mind, I had them cut a bi- focal into the upper part of the right lens and the lower part of the left. So there are a number of options to consider. Keep in mind these are custom lenses built speci‡cally for your needs. What about frames? Quality frames are almost as important as the lenses themselves. In this regard, Tac- tical Rx oers a number of modern and classic look- ing frames on their website. ese include frames by Wiley-X, Smith Elite, Dragon Alliance, Numa Optics, Randolph Engineering and Spy Optics. However, your choices are not limited to the frames they list. Keep in Master Optician mind Tactical Rx is custom grinding your lenses in- Bret Hunter, Unfortunately, I found no-line bifocals to work great le , fills the house speci‡cally for you. is means they can grind for everything except shooting with iron sights. e author in on lenses to ‡t most frames out there. lens design is the reverse of what I, and most people how his What about lens coatings or color tinting? To be If your front sight need for shooting. With progressive lenses, you view handcra ed blunt Tactical Rx has more options than you can shake near objects, such as a front sight, through the bot- lenses can a stick at. For use in daylight and low light conditions has grown fuzzy, tom of the lens. But in a shooting stance, this requires remedy a Tactical Rx can provide a clear lens or one with a yellow common lifting my head, noticeably, which is the opposite of problem tint and anti-reˆective coating. However if you will be Tactical Rx may how I shoot. Instead, I needed to be able to see near encountered in very bright conditions, such as the Middle East, they objects through the top of my lens. While speaking to my by aging oer polarized grey and brown lenses which will block have the answer. optometrist, he oered no solution. “ey just don’t shooters. approximately 80% of visible light. ese are well-suited make lenses like that,” was his reply. for situations with strong sunlight as the polarized ‡lter My frustration came to an end when I found out does an excellent job of reducing glare. If you’d like an By David M. Fortier my optometrist was dead wrong. A Master Optician even darker lens they can take their polarized grey lens Photography by Laura A. Fortier named Bret Hunter does indeed make lenses like that. and by applying an extra dark tint, they can provide a lens e owner of Tactical Rx, he custom grinds what he which will block approximately 90% of visible light. ey Hit middle-age calls his Almost Lens speci‡cally for shooters. is is also oer Transition lenses which will automatically shift et me ask you a question; are you middle-aged and suddenly First, I played with the sights on my pistols, making basically an inverted bifocal. While Bret did not invent depending upon the conditions. Plus they oer scratch or older and starting to have problems with your having trouble them bigger and bolder. Next, I played with the this concept, his execution is ˆawless and a boon to resistant coatings, anti-fog coatings and much more. L near vision? Do you carry a handgun for self- seeing the front prescription in my glasses. As my vision declined aging shooters. What does the Almost Lens consist So how exactly do you go about ordering your glass- The Almost protection or keep a rearm in the house, just in case? sight on your further, I nally resorted to trying a red dot on a of? Bret custom grinds a lined bifocal directly into the es? e ‡rst thing you will need is a recent prescrip- Lens features Has the change in your vision led to you seeing a fuzzy carry gun? pistol. None of these Band-Aid xes solved the problem. upper part of the lens. You use this section of the lens tion from your optometrist. Take your time when doing Think it’s just a special blur now instead of a crisp front blade? Does it ever part of life? Speaking with my optometrist trying to nd a solution when looking at your sights. A lined-bifocal is ideal for lined-bifocal this and get it right. Along with this, you will also need cross your mind that you may not be able to protect Tactical Rx has led to a prescription for glasses with progressive lenses, this application because it provides a large, single-focus ground into the your pupillary distance. I didn’t receive this with my your loved ones as well as you used to, simply due to a solution you sometimes called ‘no-line bifocals’. Progressive lenses area to acquire your sight picture quickly and easily. e upper part of prescription, so I stopped in at a Wal-Mart eye center your eyesight? Perhaps your vision hasn’t faded, but you should consider. are true multifocal lenses in that they provide a seam- line provides a clear demarcation of the focal shift from the lens. This and had it measured for free. en I highly recommend know someone whose has, and you’d like to help. Well, less progression of many lens powers allowing viewing your distance vision to your near vision. is carefully you spend some time reading Tactical Rx’s website calibrated to if you know what I’m talking about, I just might have a at all distances. A lens corridor provides viewing of near Now, rather than being randomly placed the bifocal place your front www.tacticalrx.com. is will ‡ll you in on your options straightforward, practical solution for you. objects in the bottom of the lens, intermediate in the is custom-placed for your speci‡c needs. We all have sight in perfect and things to be aware of and how the process will prog- Like many of you, I began to have a problem with center and distant objects through the top of the lens. dierent eye-dominance/shooting-hand combinations, focus. It works ress. en contact them and they will begin the process. my near vision after my odometer swung past 40 and shooting stances and positions, and of course, not all great! Presbyopia reared its ugly head. Presbyopia is far- frames sit the same way on various faces. So Tactical sightedness caused by a loss of elasticity in the lens Rx sends you an actual frame (or a few) to try on along of the eye. It typically occurs in middle and old age. with a marking kit and instructions to show them Unfortunately, Presbyopia is a normal part of aging exactly where the bifocal lens needs to be cut in the which happens slowly over a lifetime. While it’s an lens. Plus, they will have you measure the distance from ongoing process, most do not notice any change in their your eye to the front sight of your riˆe/pistol. ey will vision until around age 40. „en one day you suddenly then adjust the focal distance of your prescription, so realize you can no longer read the ne print or see near it’s precisely tuned for the distance of your front sights. objects as before. „is is when shooters suddenly start In my case, I had them place the bifocal in the upper to have a hard time clearly seeing their front sight. part of my right lens. Doing so allows me to clearly see As I carry a pistol to protect myself, family and my sights with my right eye, and my target with my friends I took the deterioration of my vision very Old School or Tacticool, Tactical Rx o ers a wide variety of modern frames to match any left eye. Both images are then combined into one clear- seriously. When Presbyopia set in, I did what most do. style along with their ‘Almost Lens’ developed specifically for iron sight shooters. ly de‡ned image by the brain. As the optical image is

94 BE READY! | FIREARMSNEWS.COM FIREARMSNEWS.COM | BE READY! 95 ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.JGSALES.COM In my case, I worked with a very knowledgeable SOURCE military range in Turkey. Gone is the middle-age 928.445.9650 young man named Kyle who made the process very blurry front sight syndrome.
ese things really work, 440 Miller Valley Road, Prescott, Arizona 86301 simple. I provided him with my prescription and other Tactical Rx and work great. It’s like turning back the clock. Now I information, and he helped me select a frame for range/ 888-807-5165 can clearly see my sights again, and it has allowed me training use and one for everyday wear with my CCW. www.tacticalrx.com to improve my shooting. I am very impressed by both
ey then custom ground my lenses to my specica- Tactical Rx and the lenses they are custom grinding. tions, polished, coated and installed them in the frames For me, Tactical Rx’s Almost Lens is a game changer. TULAMMO BY THE I had selected. After passing QC, they shipped them These It’s a no BS solution to a problem many face. If you out to me.
e entire process from start to nish took are middle-aged and having trouble seeing your sights, about three to four weeks. If this sounds like a long things then I highly recommend you consider their custom TRUCKLOAD AT J&G SALES time, please remember they are custom grinding a set of lenses. Cost?
at depends upon your individual pre- lenses specically for you and building a set of custom really work, scription, frames, what you want, lens coatings or tint glasses to meet your particular needs. and a few other factors. Just like any other glasses you Over the last ve months or so I’ve used them and work buy. However, they are not too far out of line with extensively. I’ve worn them training at Gunsite Academy, traditional glasses. Personally, I think their pricing is shooting on my home range and testing rearms on a great. reasonable and only wish I had found them sooner. Pallets of bulk TULAMMO are unloading at J&G Sales. 5-SHOT +P THE TAURUS MODEL 85 Now is the time to save big! ou’re wise enough to know the score. Bad Currently, Taurus oers a wide variety of hand- firing on silhouettes from 2 to 15 yards mainly, but Ythings can and do happen, occasionally even guns intended for personal protection. One of the also out to 25 yards. Drills were run reloading both on a Biblical scale. From a flat tire in a depraved largest producers of handguns in the world, this with speed-loaders and with single rounds. The part of town to an unforeseen cataclysm that Brazilian company has a diverse line to choose cylinder latch is easy to reach, and the cylinder aects millions. Life brings many challenges from. Models include both pistols and revolvers popped open with a firm push. Hit the ejector rod with it. A little sweat and toil will get you through in rimfire and centerfire calibers. Over the years, hard to clean the fired cases from the cylinder. The most diculties. However, some will try to run I’ve had so-so luck with Taurus pistols, but their sights worked well in bright light, with the front roughshod over you, breaking you both mentally revolvers have a solid reputation. One to consider being fairly wide. However in low light, they dis- and physically. If given the chance they will leave is the Model 85. This was developed for personal appeared. Recoil is easy to control, and I had no Pricing you, or perhaps a loved one, broken and lifeless in protection and is a conventional five-shot double- trouble rapid firing the entire cylinder into the head some forlorn place. You just never know when such action design with a swing-out cylinder. The model of a B-27 target at 7 yards and the center-chest at as low as an event will rear its ugly head. While the hour or seen here features a 2-inch barrel, is rated for .38 25 yards. What more do you want out of a 21-ounce scope of future events is a mystery, being prepared Special +P ammunition and utilizes a transfer bar snubby? The Model 85 would make a good back- for their onset will certainly ease their arrival. safety. It comes fitted with round-butt style rubber up gun or a gun for those days you don’t feel like $159.90 If you have the will to defend yourself and your combat grips, a wide serrated front sight and fixed carrying one, but carry anyways. Retail price on loved ones and are merely looking for the means, square notch rear. The Taurus Security System is this model is $356. For more information call per 1000rds I highly recommend starting with a mainstream also standard which allows the piece to be locked 800-327-3776 or visit www.taurususa.com. mid-size self-loading pistol. However, for certain so it will not fire, preventing unauthorized use. situations, I do carry a compact five-shot snub- Our review pistol looked good out of the box. The nose revolver. Why an archaic wheel gun? matte blue finish had no issues while the single- 9mm, 40, Because they are very compact, easy to carry, stur- action trigger was crisp, breaking at just over 4 dy, reliable, simple to use and quick into action. pounds. The double-action pull was also quite It’s not fancy, but it shoots to 45ACP, 223, Plus, with the right loads the old .38 Special packs decent, smooth and very usable for its intended point of aim, has a good enough punch to get the job done. Something like purpose. In use the rubber grips proved comfort- trigger and hits hard. 7.62x39, 308, a Smith J-frame, or the much more economical able, helping to soak up the recoil and no problems A piece like this could save your life. Taurus Model 85 seen here. were encountered. The Model 85 was put to work 38Spl, & Five shots and you are done. You can reload 357Mag using single rounds, speed strips or speed loaders as seen here.

The Taurus Model 85 is a simple no frills double-action swing-out cylinder revolver Don’t feel like carrying a reload? Carry one chambered in .38 Special +P which anyways, and another one so it doesn’t J&G Sales is your one stop shop for surplus and bulk ammo. is easy to carry and quick into action. get lonely. Subscribe to our email newsletter to find the latest deals.

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