Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2023 i Tactical Life

Unfortunately for Tactical Life readers, not everyone can go to the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show held each January in Las Vegas. Fortunately for you, however, our staff and trusted contributors were among the throngs of gun lovers walking those nearly 14 “miles of aisle” and uncovering the good stuff. In this issue, you’ll find many of those products that you would have been searching for had you been able to attend yourself. In fact, in our special 38-page SHOT coverage section beginning on page 54, you’ll find detailed information on 28 pieces of survival gear, 20 new concealed carry pistols, 21 new defensive loads, 21 hot, new red-dot sights and 19 new suppressor models. Not from SHOT, but still worthy of mention, check out our 12-product…

Dark Storm was born out of frustration by two people—Ed Newman and Peter Morrisey—who struggled to find local dealers that stocked AR parts and were annoyed with clunky websites selling parts with an unknown inventory. Hello, backorder. In 2012, they collaborated to open a business catering specifically to the AR platform modern sporting rifle enthusiasts. They offer a full range of rifles in various calibers and AR-style pistols while also selling DSI parts and accessories. Essentially, it’s a one-stop shop if you’re interested in a quality-built rifle or want to complete your own build. RIFLE SPECIFICS It is my opinion (and many others) that guns should come outfitted with ambidextrous controls. This isn’t just to appease left-handed shooters but to truly be prepared for any scenario you may find yourself…

Coming out swinging in 2023, FN America (FN) is debuting a few new products, including suppressors and the FN SCAR 15P pistol featured in TL March/April ’23. FN now expands its striker-fired handgun stable with the addition of the FN 510 Tactical. The 510 Tactical comes from the successful 9mm 509 series but is chambered in the powerful 10mm Auto. Also launched at SHOT Show ’23 was FN 545 Tactical. You are catching on to the labeling by now I imagine. 509 LEGACY The FN striker-fired handguns NEW BIG BORE guns trace their FN heritage back to the FNS that was introduced in 2012. The striker-fired FNS was a departure from other FN handguns, such as the hammer-fired FNX and FNP series. The FN 509 Tactical spawned from FN’s experience…

Trekking the maze of aisles at SHOT Show is, as any shooting junkie would agree, a blast. Seriously, who wouldn’t love getting up close and personal with all of the latest guns and gear heading to sporting goods dealers’ shelves? That said, you never know what sorta shit you might step in. This year, the good people at Condor Outdoor called a very cool audible by outfitting a select few (75 to be exact) media professionals with a SHOT Show 2023 “Survivalist Swag Bag,” which they dubbed the “Hell & Back Care Package.” This pack was chockful of gear from 20 different companies—some usual suspects, and some you may never have heard of. Without further ado, here’s a peek at the goodies and links to manufacturers for more info. CONDOR…

This year, the SHOT Show might as well have been called the dot show. With optics-ready pistols becoming the norm, it was to be expected that manufacturers would be introducing electronic sights on a large scale. The showroom floor did not disappoint, and here are 21 red-dot optics to check out. ADE ADVANCED OPTICS Artemis The ADE Artemis is claimed to be the only six-reticle micro reddot on the market. This unit gives users the choice of a 2-MOA dot, a 50-MOA circle and a 60-MOA reticle in just about any combination imaginable. It bears an RMR footprint, which makes it inherently compatible with nearly any slide cut, particularly when you consider the widespread availability of these plates. A two-minute auto-off with shake-awake makes for an extended battery life, which…

The double-stack, 9mm 1911 has been getting a little love lately with several companies releasing new and updated models that give their spin on the concept. And what’s not to love? Marrying full-capacity magazines and polymer construction from the modern era with the single-action operating system of an old-school 1911 results in a pistol that has some sweet advantages. For this review, we look at two examples of this genre of pistols. And while they are very similar in specs and build style, there are just enough differences between them to indicate they are intended for different applications. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911 DS PRODIGY The folks at Springfield surprised more than a few people with its introduction of the new DS Prodigy this past year. While Staccato—which makes fantastic pistols in…

Hello, my name is Fred, and I have a suppressor addiction. Few accessories in the firearms world impact your gun as much as adding a suppressor. The benefits of shooting suppressed are countless with the main ones being sound reduction and comfort. In most cases, suppressors are “hearing safe,” which means that you don’t generally need to wear ear protection while shooting. Of course, there is someone in legal right now clutching their pearls, so I will say that it is always advisable to protect your ears when shooting. One of the biggest hurdles in getting our beloved suppressors is the government. Suppressors fall under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and are regulated by the ATF. To get your tax stamp (and it literally is a glorified stamp), there is…

I’m old enough to remember that if you wanted an accurate and reliable 1911 you first had to buy a Colt or Springfield Armory gun and then drop it off with a knowledgeable pistolsmith. If you wanted to use the gun for competition, you’d also have to add extended ambi thumb safeties, a beavertail and improved sights. The rule of thumb, among savvy 1911 aficionados, was these modifications, parts and labor usually doubled your original gun investment. Times have changed, and I’m happy to report that Savage Arms is now producing a very accurate and unfailingly reliable 1911 with a suggested retail price of just $1,500! It’s a gun so good that no tuning, modifications or additions are needed to compete or carry this gun right out of the box.…

Suppressor use has never before been as popular for military, law enforcement and civilians as it is now. The benefits of suppressor use are hard to argue against. Rugged Suppressors did not seek to mimic other suppressor designs. Instead, they chose their own path backed by engineering, experience and science. Each type of Rugged suppressor—albeit rimfire, pistol or rifle—has unique characteristics, distinguishing it from competitor cans. I have had the pleasure of working with two Rugged suppressors to date—the Oculus22 and Obsidian45. The Oculus22 is a rimfire suppressor that’s intended to suppress .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, .17 WSM, and 5.7x28mm. It has a 1.06-inch diameter and is modular to be configured in two different lengths—5.25 inches on the long configuration and 3.25 in the short version. Constructed entirely…

Defensive carry options have been the gun du jour for the past few years, and 2023 has proven no different. This year we see countless options being released and with more features than you can shake a stick at. Read on for new releases that topped our list of carry guns to keep an eye out for this season. BERETTA 80X Cheetah Reimagining a timeless classic, Beretta has relaunched the Beretta 80X Cheetah, now with new designs and features to please even the most discerning shooter. The Vertec-style grip on the 80X has been slimmed down a bit, allowing it to comfortably fit in even more hands. An extended beavertail protects from slide bite while a two-slot Picatinny rail allows for options such as lasers or flashlights. Shoot right out…

There are countless interesting items to be seen at the SHOT Show each January, from unique rifles and handguns to backpacks and other outdoor-related gear. One item that I particularly enjoy searching out is new suppressors. I am a fan of all things quiet, and a walk through the miles of aisles paid off with the chance to see some new great suppressors hitting the shelves this year. DEAD AIR SILENCERS Mojave 9 SHOT Show wouldn’t be complete without a new suppressor from Dead Air. New this year is the Mojave 9. This suppressor has great performance, allowing shooters to have the benefits of both low blowback and supreme acoustic signature reduction. This is achieved by the all-new patent-pending, revolutionary Triskelion baffle design. Pushing the limits of performance through enhanced…

Of late, much attention seems to be focused on “improving” both the AR and personal-defense handgun platforms via compensator, suppressor, red-dot optic, laser and/or high-intensity light. This is not only for running more efficiently, i.e., deadlier, but also for increased flexibility/lethality in responding to threats. THE LONG Known for designing and manufacturing high-end AR components, Radian Weapons also offers a premier AR platform with their Model 1. Radian’s philosophy is to combine the highest quality raw materials, best CNC equipment and well-thought-out components all assembled by hand by trained gunsmiths one at a time. No assembly-line methods with the Model 1. The rifle has every edge rounded or chamfered while the fit and finish are beyond reproach. The upper and lower receivers, plus handguard, are Cerakoted together for an exact…

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just getting into the predator scene, there has always been a great debate on the best cartridges for predators. In recent years, new cartridges have been developed and offer some compelling data. However, are they worth the hype? Are you getting more bang for your buck over the tried-and-true classics? A quick poll taken through the social media platform Facebook found the following cartridges to be the top contenders for predator hunting. By order of most votes: Laser precision with great down-range performance is what we are looking for when predator hunting. The available time for using a rangefinder is generally not a luxury predator hunters have. Predators can show up in the blink of an eye…

Most shooters regard .22 LR as a casual target round, something that is only capable of tin-can accuracy within 25 yards. While this represents the rimfire’s most common use, specialized versions are capable of accuracy that will surpass backyard plinking. In our Long Range course at Renaissance Firearms Instruction, we offer a .22 side challenge that involves hitting a 6-inch target placed at 300 yards. Most don’t believe it can be done, but to this day, we haven’t had a single student miss out on this achievement. The trick is to use the proper ammunition, and just like their bigger brothers, .22s all have a preference. Join us as we take a look at eight different rounds that need to make your test list for that high-end precision .22 LR.…

From their red-dots to their scopes, I’m a big fan of Trijicon optics. As a competitive shooter who plays in 3-Gun, PRS and NRL22, a scope with a MIL reticle made sense for me to use across all sports. The glass is clear, the reticle is easy to hold for wind and elevation, and the scope is extremely durable. The Credo 1-8 is a first-focal-plane scope and features a 34mm tube and a dual red/green illuminated MRAD segmented circle reticle. For more information, visit trijicon.com.…

Having a carbine and handgun chambered for the same cartridge isn’t a new idea. Colt and Winchester manufactured carbines and handguns in the same calibers starting in 1877, and it’s still a good idea. That’s because the carbine delivers more muzzle velocity for personal protection at longer distances while the handgun is much more concealable and is designed for close-range defense. That’s why Ruger’s selection of the 5.7x28mm round for its carbine/handgun combination can be a good choice for many urban and suburban dwellers today. 5.7X28MM DETAILS Today, most of us live in highly populated urban or suburban areas where houses and apartments are often built close together, and the risk of collateral damage due to overpenetration is very real. Unfortunately, most of us are also living with levels of…

While we may differ on what we think is the perfect optic, I can confidently declare that I like and have had great success with EOTech’s Vudu lineup. And having shot with everything from their 5-25x50 FFP down to their 1-6x24 FFP, I know that they work well and deliver solid results. In fact, I used the 5-25x50 to shoot 6mm Creedmoor out to a mile while filming sister publication Ballistic magazine’s “Long Range Precision” series. And last year, I shot the 1-6x24 to 600 yards by only using the reticle and walking it out in 100-yard increments—all first-round impacts with a pretty standard AR-15. Yes, the Vudu line has delivered time and time again, so I was more than happy to take their latest model for a spin—the Vudu…

With the historic Bruen decision easing unconstitutional concealed carry laws across the land, naturally, demand for defensive ammunition went through the roof. Between a resurgence of 10mm Auto and a new interest in ammo that can defend against furry foes, the 2023 SHOT Show was ablaze with new offerings. In my typical fashion, I hustled to make my way through miles of displays to get a look at the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. Here are my top 21. BARNES Pioneer You are no longer at the top of the food chain when you enter the woods. If something decides that you would make a good lunch, you’ll want ammunition guaranteed to perform. Barnes’ new Pioneer line of loaded ammo is optimized for revolvers and lever guns…

Light is definitely a resource that is taken for granted by many. From switching on a light at nighttime to illuminating a path with a cell-phone flashlight to having your car automatically shine the road ahead, instant artificial light is normally omnipresent. However, this is where the problem lies. When the expected source of light is no longer available, due to either manmade or natural occurrences, many people may experience panic, fear, helplessness and often all three. A smart way to combat these horrific feelings is to be prepared for your time “in the dark” in the form of a variety of gear and equipment to help light the way. From flashlights and headlamps to night-vision goggles and motion-activated flood lamps, all forms of illumination instruments are included here. Take…

After the rights to the AR-15 had been sold to Colt, Eugene Stoner left ArmaLite in Costa Mesa, California, to go to work with nearby Cadillac Gage Company to design a new rifle for them to compete with the AR-15. Stoner, indeed, had a conceptual rifle in mind, but it was a modular weapon the likes of which the world had never seen. Nicknamed the M69W, the weapon would be able to fire from a box magazine or from a disintegrating belt and as a light machine gun by turning it upside down and changing a few parts. Thus, it would always read “M69W.” As with all Stoner-designed rifles up to that time, this one was chambered in .30 caliber, the 7.62x51mm NATO round to be exact. Only one example…

Throughout Drake Woolf’s operational career, he’d seen more than his share of combat and been in several precarious scrapes. Holding a partner nation’s military officer at gunpoint was an unfamiliar experience. He had the SERE training t-shirt, may as well add hostage-taking. Drake fumbled with electronic devices, wires, tubes and what looked like a chunk of wrapped Mackinac Island fudge with his free hand while thrusting the Hellion bullpup under the Pakistani officer’s chin. Add to the tasks, he set up the general’s sat phone in the event he needed an act of good faith to get out of Dodge once hell came down. Once complete, he closed the Pelican case and rested the ISI leader’s phone on top. “Well, pal, I think we are just about finished here,” Drake…