CTS Target: The ring of steel

CTS Target: The ring of steel

The year was 2003; I was standing in what looked to be a cowboy town made out of fence post lumber, and I was being directed to shoot the steel targets in front of me. The place was a range called Tac2 in East TN. The targets were in various configurations; I recall a steel […]

Dan Henry’s 1963 offers accessible vintage pilot watch

Dan Henry’s 1963 offers accessible vintage pilot watch

What do you do when you have collected watches for over three decades and have curated a massive online timepiece catalog that spans more than a century?  If you are Dan Henry, you take a risk and manufacture your own collection of vintage style watches that are affordable and accessible to everyone.  His Timeline.Watch site […]

CMMG’s MkGs GUARD 9mm 3000 rounds later: Spoiler Alert… Feeds everything

CMMG’s MkGs GUARD 9mm 3000 rounds later: Spoiler Alert… Feeds everything

The 9mm GUARD from CMMG is an AR-15 pistol caliber carbine (PCC). Not just another Colt clone, the GUARD uses CMMG’s patent pending Radial Delayed Blowback system and is fed from Glock 33 round magazines. The Guard has fully functional AR-15 controls, including last round bolt hold open. The 9mm Guard is available in six […]

The ESEE 4 | Not the best survival knife, but a damn good one!

The ESEE 4 | Not the best survival knife, but a damn good one!

I wiped my brow and looked at my students going through S-V80A, more commonly known as SERE training or Survival school. It was a bitter, cold afternoon in mid-February, the snow was a minimum 4 feet deep and we had pulled into camp several hours before for our first day of Survival training in the field. I […]

Atibal MROC 3x Optic: A rugged light weight sight

Atibal MROC 3x Optic: A rugged light weight sight

The Atibal MROC (modern rifle optic component) is another entry in the short but growing list of optics based on the same patent as the venerable Trijicon ACOG.  That patent (having lapsed in 2008) has opened up a big niche in the optics market for those who want something close to what the ACOG provides, but without the big […]

Sintercore Tripwire SCV | Simplified charging handle

Sintercore Tripwire SCV | Simplified charging handle

When a writer/reviewer sees dozens of variations of the same part, it becomes clear that there are two major design theories at play when trying to develop a newer and better mousetrap.  1. Engineer the crap out of a part or 2. simplify it as much as possible.  This reminds me of a quote often […]

AlumaGrip Beretta 92 checkered grips: Good looks meet improved function

AlumaGrip Beretta 92 checkered grips: Good looks meet improved function

At AlumaGrips, they start with T-6 aircraft aluminum and use precision CNC machining to assure precise fit and finish. Alumagrips are designed to fit the whole spectrum of handguns. They cover the Beretta 92, the entire range 1911s, Rugers, Sigs and even the AR-15 . They offer the strength and durability of an aluminum grip […]

Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen | Let’s talk about EDC considerations

Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen | Let’s talk about EDC considerations

Whether you’re an action star who regularly deals deathblows with pencils or just an ordinary guy like the rest of us, the Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen is worth some consideration for your everyday-carry (EDC). Most students and professionals carry a pen, but carrying a tactical pen is a somewhat peculiar concept. If you have a pen on you […]

M&P 22 Compact by Smith & Wesson: The perfect tool for training

M&P 22 Compact by Smith & Wesson: The perfect tool for training

The M&P 22 Compact by Smith & Wesson is the perfect tool for teaching new shooters. The price is right, ammunition is cheap and the low recoil of a .22 caliber firearm makes it the perfect teaching tool. The M&P has the quality and feel of a full size gun making the transition to defensive […]

Service rifle mods: The BAD Lever

Service rifle mods: The BAD Lever

A more effective rifle makes a more effective rifleman. Seeing as how the U.S. Army has decided against fielding a new service rifle, anyone deploying with the U.S. Military is going to have to make do with what they have. While special operations troops often have leeway as to what they use and access to […]

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp | They upgraded, so should you

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp | They upgraded, so should you

I refrain from giving any gear too much praise, but I have to applaud Black Diamond for coming up with one of the best headlamps available on the market. The Black Diamond Spot Headlamp comes equipped with more features than your standard headlamp, yet its price rivals those without them. Before we get started with its review, know that […]