Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i Tactical Life

Spyderco is an iconic knife manufacturer that stands out for many reasons. It’s still a family-run business after 40 years, and the original founders keep a hand in corporate affairs. Spyderco was also the first company to place a hole in the blade of its folding knives for quick one-handed opening, the first to use fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) in a production knife and the first to install a pocket clip on a production folding knife, among many other innovations. A proud American company founded in 1976, Spyderco is nestled in the foothills west of Denver, not far from the Coors brewery in Golden, Colorado. What began as an itinerant knife sharpener sales business operating out of an old bread truck converted into a mobile home and warehouse has blossomed into…

When Jeff Hoffman of Black Hills Ammunition joined forces with Dave Fricke of Lehigh Defense to produce a radical new line of defensive ammunition, they threw away the textbook and started from scratch. Their mission was to create a truly barrier-blind bullet that would achieve breathtaking penetration and terminal performance independent of intervening stuff like glass, clothing, wallboard or automotive body panels. To get there, they rethought what it meant to build bullets. This patented Black Hills ammo pushes Fluid Transfer Monolithic (FTM) projectiles. Each CNC-machined, solid-copper bullet is custom-designed for the particular weight and velocity unique to the caliber. These premium defensive rounds are offered in eight different calibers and nine different loadings. They call these nasty little monsters HoneyBadger rounds. THE NAMESAKE The 2002 Guinness Book of World…

Of all the elements in the AR system that can fail during the firing sequence, the bolt has the smallest pieces and endures a tremendous amount of rotational, compression and shear forces. The extractor is part of the bolt head and sits opposite the ejector. Its curved shape sits at the 10 o’clock position (as viewed from the front) and completes the circle of the bolt face. It has a lug on the back and a claw underneath. Though my existing bolt parts remained in spec, I elected to invest in $30 worth of preventive maintenance. BCM sells a SOPMOD Bolt Upgrade/Rebuild Kit that includes a shot-peened, USGI-spec extractor, three gas rings, a mil-spec Crane Industries rubber O-ring, a chrome-silicon extractor spring and a black extractor insert. You can also…

From September 1942 to December 1944, a special branch of the U.S. Federal Civil Service played a crucial role in the American war effort. This unit had no official military standing, but its pilots flew more than 60 million miles, transporting every type of military aircraft, and they even took part in live anti-aircraft gunfire practice and simulated strafing missions. Sadly, 38 pilots were killed in the line of duty, and one was lost and presumed killed while on a ferrying mission during World War II. All of these pilots were women, and in August 5, 1943, they were given the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) label to fly military aircraft and free up male pilots for combat and other duties. Despite their contributions, it was only in 1977 that…

It’s pretty easy to look back through history and see that military rifles and cartridges often become standard for sporting use. Just in the last century or so, we can see bolt-action rifles based on M1903 Springfields and Mauser 98s replacing military-inspired lever-action rifles (which replaced older military designs) and semi-automatic rifles based on the M1 Garand, M14 and M16 becoming ubiquitous. Today, the AR-15 is the most popular rifle in America. Millions of us used M16 rifles and M4 Carbines while in uniform and immediately recognized the sporting applications of the guns. Lightweight, handy, reliable, accurate and highly modular, the AR-15 can be just about anything you want it to be, including a great hunting rifle. The firearms industry has developed cartridges that are intended solely to enhance the…

In the 1980s, Colt 9mm submachine guns served as the primary long arms of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Some people had Vietnam-era M16s with pencil-thin barrels and full-auto or three-round-burst capabilities. A few lucky agents carried the Heckler & Koch HK53. Fast-forward to the early 2000s, when the DEA’s Firearms Training Unit (FTU), working with the FBI Special Testing Unit, recognized that the 9mm rounds being carried in the submachine guns had a tendency to overpenetrate when their hollow points filled up with drywall or clothing. The 5.56mm round worked better because it didn’t have the same problems with overpenetration, plus it made a much larger wound channel due to its high velocity. It still seems strange that a faster, smaller bullet would overpenetrate less, but ballistics don’t always…

For decades, Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) has been quietly making some of the finest ARs you can buy. The company started building rifles for government and law enforcement agencies in the 1980s, focusing on attention to detail and reliability in every condition. LMT’s Defender (semi-auto) and Guardian (select-fire) rifles included various improvements over standard models, including better bolts and other small parts. Many military and law enforcement professionals, including myself, spent their own money on these rifles, creating a very quiet but incredibly loyal customer base. Then, in 2004, LMT unveiled its Monolithic Rail Platform (MRP), a switch-barrel upper receiver suitable for duty use. The barrel floated freely using a simplified attachment system and could be changed easily for length or caliber. In 2009, a .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO version,…

The new Canik ONE Series TP9SF has all of the TP9 awesome without any of the fluff. The gun ships in a plain plastic case with one magazine and one extra backstrap, but without the standard holster and cleaning gear. The gun also features indestructible Warren Tactical steel sights. The magazine catch is reversible, and the slide release is on the left side. Altogether, it runs like the Energizer Bunny and looks as cool as Sigourney Weaver in Aliens. The ONE Series TP9SF is marketed for the first-time handgun buyer on a budget or for the seasoned shooter who has not yet had a taste of the Canik experience. With this gun, you’ll find all that is righteous and wholesome about the TP9 series without any frills and an MSRP…

BIRCHWOOD CASEY GUN PLUMBER The new Gun Plumber from Birchwood Casey has all the utensils you need to keep your revolvers, 1911s and striker-fired handguns operating at a high level. This compact and easy-to-use multi-tool features an integral patch loop and a separate internal threaded rod for quick and effective bore cleaning. There are also several helpful screwdriver blades, a pin/sight pusher and a bushing wrench. (birchwoodcasey.com) BIG FRIG TUMBLER There is no denying the popularity of stainless steel, vacuum-formed tumblers. They’re a durable way to keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold. The 20-ounce Big Frig Tumbler is the perfectly portable way to enjoy your beverages all day long, whether you’re out hunting, fishing, enjoying a baseball game or just lounging in the backyard. Engineered from…

Purpose driven, reliable and a damn good time. No, I’m not describing your best friend or the qualities you look for in a mate. I’m talking about the unmatched innovation of the Tri-Modular Prism Riflescope, or TMPR, from Burris. When it comes to attention to detail, the new Burris TMPR sighting system doesn’t miss a single feature, no matter how small. Upon seeing it for the first time, I immediately knew that this was an optic I would want in any situation. You can tell right away that it was made to be reliable and to withstand a hell of a beating if required. But calling it an optic is misleading; it’s an entire system. With the TMPR 3 Kit that I had the pleasure of testing, the 3x32mm TMPR…

There has been a revolution of late in solid, non-expanding defensive handgun ammunition. Where previous efforts have focused on malleable materials that deformed upon impact, these new bullets typically use hydraulic act ion to ruin the day of the bad guy on the receiving end. Here are a couple of examples. The ARX from Inceptor Ammunition features an injection-molded bullet formed from powdered copper suspended within a polymer matrix. This extremely lightweight design minimizes the possibility of ricochets and produces blistering velocities in a range-safe, lead-free product. The fluted design of the ARX harnesses the Venturi effect for controlled terminal performance without overpenetrating. (inceptorammo.com) NovX ammunition also uses a fluted polymer/copper bullet in its handgun loadings, but the company utilizes a radical binary stainless steel case that offers utterly reliable…

The U.S. Air Force recently equipped all of its combat aircraft with new GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapons (ASDWs) made by Cry Havoc Tactical. Compact, powerful and effective out to 300 meters, these tidy little takedown guns are small enough to ride inside a standard 40-pound ejection seat survival kit. The logic behind this inspired acquisition and the passion driving this remarkable design are comparably powerful. INCENDIARY MOTIVATION On January 23, 2015, ISIS terrorists placed a 26-year-old Jordanian F-16 pilot named Muath al-Kasasbeh inside a steel cage and doused him with gasoline. Al-Kasasbeh’s fighter jet had suffered a mechanical failure during an airstrike against ISIS positions in Syria the previous Christmas Eve, and he was captured after ejecting into a nearby lake. With four different cameras carefully arrayed to preserve…

As the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, the National Museum of the Air Force doesn’t disappoint when it comes to its collection. Spread out into four main galleries that cover 19 acres, the museum is located on the grounds of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside Dayton, Ohio. Housed inside the hangar-like buildings are aircraft dating from World War I to modern spacecraft, including rare Cold-War-era spy satellites. Among the crown jewels of the collection are a WWI SPAD S.VII, the B-17 Memphis Belle, the B-29 Superfortress Bock-scar that dropped the Fat Man atomic bomb on Nagasaki, one of the four surviving B-36 Peacemakers, and the only North American XB-70 Valkyrie. The museum also has several presidential aircraft, including the Boeing 707 that President Kennedy flew to…

“THE NEW LOCATION, WORKFORCE AND VISION WILL MAKE FOR EXCITING TIMES IN THE FUTURE FOR WEATHERBY FANS.” On June 13, 2019, Weatherby officially relocated to Sheridan, Wyoming, from California. Why? “The Second Amendment is very important to us and our customers,” said the company’s third-generation owner, Adam Weatherby. “California was a different place when my grandfather started the business in 1945. Unfortunately, too many restrictive laws have been passed in recent years at the state level to continue doing business there, and it was only a matter of time before it would have been nearly impossible for us to operate in California.” Simply put, Wyoming is Weatherby’s future. According to Adam, the company has an aggressive product timeline for the future. “The new location, workforce and vision will make for…

THE POPULARITY OF PISTOL-CALIBER carbines is obvious in today’s market. However, a few stand out for the unique features they offer. In this article, I’ll take a look at three 9mm takedown carbines that can be stowed for additional protection on the hiking trail, as part of a get-home bag or kept as part of a vehicle’s survival gear. All three guns feed from Glock magazines, making them compatible with many self-defense pistols being carried today. Let’s take a look. THE CONTENDERS Just Right Carbines (JRC) produces American-made pistol-caliber carbines that are available in a range of cham-berings. In addition to the Takedown model tested here, the company also offers models with accessory rails and others designed for harsh marine environments. JRC rifles appear similar to AR-15s but operate on…

The Fourth of July is a time when we traditionally celebrate our independence. Nothing is more symbolic of freedom than our nation’s most popular long gun, the AR-15. So, it’s only fitting that July 4, 2019, also marked the 30th anniversary of Guntec USA—a company whose focus centers on accessories and parts for this iconic platform. Owned and operated by a North African immigrant, Guntec USA is the epitome of the American Dream. I recently had the opportunity to visit Guntec USA’s headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was a reunion of sorts for me and the Guntec USA principals. For many years, I worked the Arizona gun show circuit and was a distributor for several large AR-15 companies. Naturally, we shared many common customers and spent more weekends inside fairground…

Another year, another list of gifts for your loved ones, friends and associates at work. But this time is different. This time you have Tactical Life magazine in hand, and this alone will make shopping a breeze for the gun enthusiast, hunter, survivalist or weekend warrior in your life. Packed within these pages is everything you need to choose just the right gift for the right person. From novelty items sure to produce a chuckle, to practical self-defense weapons that could very well save a person’s life, to decorative knickknacks that complement a recipient’s personal style and taste, you’ll have a wide variety of gifts to choose from. Let’s get started. 1.»5.11 TACTICAL RANGE MASTER DUFFEL SET The 5.11 Tactical Range Master Duffel holds an immense number of items and…

Incorporating the favorite elements of different Beretta pistols into one dream gun is a luxury most of us will never have. Not so for Bill Wilson of Wilson Combat, who has enjoyed a long and productive list of collaborative efforts with Beretta. Wilson Combat’s new offering, the 92G Brigadier Tactical with a Vertec grip frame, is an example of Wilson’s unique relationship with the world-renowned gun-maker. “Being a serious Beretta collector, I have always considered the 92G-SD the best model ever produced, but it’s almost too expensive and rare to shoot. I feel fortunate to have been able to work with the fine people at Beretta USA to produce a pistol that, in my opinion, is an improved 92G-SD. Having Beretta USA build my dream 92 series pistol is awesome,…

Every time a deranged madman indiscriminately shoots into a crowd of innocent people—regardless of where he got his guns and ammo, or how many times officials have been warned about him—a small but vocal segment of society yells, “We’ve got to do something!” Unfortunately for gun owners and other lovers of freedom, that “something” usually further erodes our right to keep and bear arms as protected by the Second Amendment. Such is the case with Walmart’s recent announcement that it would no longer sell ammunition for handguns and AR-style rifles. In a statement to associates, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the company would institute several new measures. “After selling through our current inventory commitments, we will discontinue sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition, such as the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber,…

I’m a shameless subscriber to the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” school of thinking. I would add a caveat to that statement, though: “But always maintain it.” Setting aside that I’ve racked up some impressive bills to actual gunsmiths, regular maintenance without undue meddling on any machine is one of the keys to a long and reliable lifespan. But with most firearms generally, and ARs in particular, heat and pressure, combined with internal and external contaminants, wear parts that will eventually fail. With this in mind, I took my original AR back to its birthplace at Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) in Hartland, Wisconsin, to measure the impact of more than 10,000 rounds and 11 years of faithful service. OLD FAITHFUL The 16.5-inch-barreled, mid-length BCM carbine in 5.56mm NATO was…

The same high-speed attributes that make the Cry Havoc Tactical GAU-5A the go-to survival iron for America’s most elite combat aircrews make it a desirable solution for civilian survival applications as well. But maximizing the effectiveness of this radical firearm requires some dedicated support gear. Let’s take a look. 1. 5.11 TACTICAL AMP72 Part of 5.11 Tactical’s All Missions Pack (AMP) series, the AMP72 is the Swiss Army knife of tactical carry gear. Sporting a side-opening, quick-access rifle pocket along with a CCW handgun compartment and hydration/laptop space, this pack is comfortable, versatile, rugged and cool. There are pockets for eyewear, quick-release shoulder and waist straps with copious padding, and a substantial thermoformed back panel. 5.11’s mission-adaptable gear sets (eight types are available) optimize the pack’s utility by adding medical…

Imagine being an experienced hunter intimately familiar with conditions in the Appalachian Mountains or Carolina swamplands, where 300-yard shots are considered long. Now you have an opportunity to hunt in Montana, where distances can be much greater. They don’t call it Big Sky Country for nothing. No matter how many deer or other animals you’ve harvested, a Rocky Mountain elk or Texas whitetail will most likely surpass all prior experiences in terms of engagement distances. The Outdoor Solutions Long Range Shooting Schools in Utah, Texas and Michigan cater to hunters for just this situation. Working in the hunting and fishing destination industry since 2003, the Outdoor Solutions team understands what it takes to put together successful adventures. For example, any destination booked via Outdoor Solutions has been thoroughly vetted by…

INCOMING!” screamed the men on the battlefield as they ran for cover. The heat was unbearable, and the humidity hung in the air, adding weight to the already desperate situation. The enemy was close, the smell of sweat pronounced while the battle grew intense. It was 1965, and Operation Silver Bayonet was supposed to take the battle to the North Vietnamese Army. But as the shells and mortar fire rained down, the odds became overwhelming. Helicopter after helicopter touched down, dropped men off and “dusted off” to ferry more men and gear to this spot on the map. As the firefight intensified, men and battle lines began to spread apart. Lieutenant Herrick’s 2nd Platoon, B Company was quickly spread out over 50 meters and became separated from the main unit. As…

The humanitarian aid convoy included UNICEF officials as well as a team from Doctors Without Borders, most of whom were French nationals. The radical Boko Haram terrorists had killed a few to prove they were serious and dragged the rest to their camp in the remote Nigerian wastelands. Their subsequent demands were liberally populated with apocalyptic allusions and images of hooded terrorists with knives. The French president watched the video and made the call. Since its inception in 1974, the French GIGN special operations unit has run 1,800 missions and rescued more than 800 hostages. Six hours after getting the call, these operators were embedded alongside elements of the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment (13e RDP) and wheels up in their transport aircraft. At 0200 Nigerian time, the aircraft were depressurized…

WHAT HAPPENS when you take a superb combat handgun, subject it to an extreme makeover by some of the best custom gunsmiths in the business and then offer it to American gun nerds at half the price of comparable weapons? Nobody knows quite yet, but I’d suspect something awesome. In the Canik TP9 Elite Combat Executive, we see reliability, aesthetics and function all packed into a single hardcore handgun available for hundreds less than the competition. The result really is extraordinary. A disclaimer is in order: I really, really like Canik handguns. I was an early adopter and have added new models to my collection as they hit the marketplace. This is a bit embarrassing, but I’m up to eight thus far. I write for gun magazines, and my personal…