Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue - UN12 #22 i UN12

If this is your first time picking up UN12, welcome aboard. For those who have been with us since the beginning, thanks for sticking with us. With Issue 22, we continue to bring together a mix of firearms, gear, and knowledge aimed at shooters who want more than the basics. This issue dives into several corners of the firearms community, starting with Chip Lasky, who breaks down tactical kit layouts and the essentials of mission-ready gear. It’s a no-nonsense look at what to pack, how to set it up, and why it matters. Holosun joins us for a special section focused on rifle red dot setups. We walk through four practical setups that show how to get the most out of your optic and targeting configuration—whether your goal is speed,…

What started life as a basic, secondhand AKM with generic plastic furniture has been re-imagined as a rifle that’s both practical and personalized. Its owner didn’t waste any time once taking possession—modifications began immediately, transforming an otherwise run-of-the-mill AK into a modernized setup suited for weekend plinking sessions and the occasional rifle match. It’s not built to be flashy, but rather to deliver consistent performance where it matters most. The rifle now wears a 15.2-inch AK Ion Lite EXT-S handguard from SLR Rifleworks, giving it a sleek, updated profile and ample rail space. At the end of its 16-inch barrel sits SLR’s Synergy Linear Hybrid Comp, finished in the company’s distinctive multicolor anodizing. The owner also took the time to improve how the rifle feels and runs—internals were polished for…

: : Sharps Bros. Showdown billet lower : : SOG BAR15T bayonet integration  : : Custom finish by Koted Arms & 2A Tactical AZ Readers of UN12 know that we’ve never shied away from themed builds. Some are subtle, others loud, but all have something unique that sparks conversation. The Samurai v2 556 rifle falls firmly in that category. It’s a sequel to the samurai-inspired rifle we featured back in Issue 15, but this isn’t just a rehash. The builder wanted to create something completely different while sticking with the warrior theme, and the result is a rifle that balances function with art. The challenge of doing a “Version 2” is always how to outdo the first without simply repeating it. That meant different parts, a new mix of materials,…

At this point in time, polymer magazines have proven their mettle, so to speak. While metallic mags got the job done for a long time, plastic is king of the battlefield. One of the biggest reasons for this is that polymer is more forgiving than metal. Magazines are crucial to the function of a weapon. And if a weapon malfunctions, the magazine is usually the culprit. Mags are consumable items and will not last forever. But better designed and built mags will last longer and increase the reliability of the weapon system. Today, the market is flooded with magazines. We have aluminum, polymer, steel, straight, curved, low capacity, high capacity, drums, and so on. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many different companies offer magazines. And while I’ve…

As a longtime reader of UN12, I never thought I would be published in these pages. My day job is CFO at Jake Wyatt Cigar Company, where we make premium cigars at our Dominican Republic factory. I knew eventually I would find a perfect fit between myself, the company I work for, and UN12. I’ve found that most gun guys are cigar guys—and vice versa. Being a seasoned hunter of hogs, it was a great surprise for me to see our Jake Wyatt cigars featured on an Instagram page whose main focus was Swine Hunting Instagram—@texas_swine_stoppers. Their content was mainly photos and video of successful nighttime hog hunts followed by celebratory bourbon and cigar smoking. All the things I love on one page. Another thing that jumped out immediately was…

Ballistic shields remain a vital tool for law enforcement and tactical teams, offering mobile cover in situations where traditional barricades are not an option. One limitation has always been illumination. Mounting a weapon light to a firearm does not always provide enough light coverage when a shield is in play, especially when the shield itself blocks or restricts the beam. SureFire has addressed this with its dedicated Ballistic Shield Light (BSL). The BSL is a purpose-built lighting system designed to attach directly to ballistic shields. Unlike improvised lighting solutions, this system provides wide-area illumination without compromising shield ergonomics. The light module is low-profile, adding minimal bulk to the shield’s face, and is powered by an external battery pack mounted on the shield’s inner surface. One standout feature is the user…

SOG BAR15T TANTO BAYONET Blending modern design with battlefield utility, the SOG BAR15T Tanto Bayonet is built for AR-15 platforms and beyond. Featuring a rugged 7-inch tanto blade crafted from durable AUS-8 stainless steel, it offers exceptional piercing strength and edge retention. The ergonomic handle ensures a secure grip, while the bayonet mounting system provides versatility for tactical applications. Complete with a molded sheath for safe carry, this bayonet is both a functional tool and a serious upgrade for modern rifle setups. $80 sogknives.com Pylon Syndicate MPX 5.56 The Pylon Syndicate MXP 5.56 is a precision-engineered muzzle device designed to tame recoil and reduce muzzle rise for faster, more controlled follow-up shots. Machined from heat-treated stainless steel and finished in black nitride, it delivers durability with a sleek look. Its…

: : Suppressor-optimized CQB build : : Tactical truck gun setup  : : Custom Ronin Arms Cerakote & laser finish When putting together a rifle intended for home defense, close-quarters work, or use as a compact truck gun, there’s no shortage of options on the market. Barrel length, caliber selection, gas systems, and accessory choices all play a role in shaping a truly effective weapon. With so many parts available, narrowing down the list to create a rifle that excels at its intended role requires discipline and experience. This project, called the SilencerCo CQB, was built with a clear goal in mind: Creating a short, suppressor-friendly carbine chambered in 5.56 that offers reliability, controllability, and practical functionality in confined spaces. Every component was chosen to support that purpose, from the…

Firearms once came in just a handful of finishes. Traditional bluing, parkerizing, anodizing, or a coat of paint were the norm. Today, that’s all changed. It’s no longer unusual to see rifles and pistols dressed in camouflage, bright color schemes, or custom multi-tone patterns. Paint, Cerakote, and other sprayed-on or baked-on coatings have made it possible to personalize just about any surface. But if you’re working with polymer, paint isn’t your only option. Fabric dye offers a different approach. Rather than building up a layer on top of the surface, dye penetrates the polymer itself. That means the color won’t chip, flake, or peel, because it’s not sitting on top of the material—it becomes part of it. The result is often more durable than paint and, depending on the application,…

In the pursuit of knife perfection, many bespoke companies have come and gone. Creating original designs and delivering high-quality pieces in a semi-production environment is difficult enough. Doing so while manufacturing more than 90 percent of the parts in the United States narrows the field even further. We had the opportunity to tour Medford Knife & Tool in Phoenix, Arizona, and sit down with its founder, Greg Medford. Anyone familiar with his social media presence knows he is outspoken, direct, and proudly pro-American. His approach can be polarizing, but he makes it clear that his brand reflects his convictions. For those who value American-made products and carry a knife daily, his message is straightforward: These knives are built for serious use, not fashion. BACKGROUND Greg Medford served in the U.S.…

Everyday carry is as personal as it gets. Beyond the universal staples we all pocket, our choices in tools, lights, blades, and other essentials show how each person balances readiness with practicality. Some keep it pared down to just the basics, while others build out a more robust loadout to cover a wider range of situations. In this feature, we dive into two distinct carry setups—different in approach, but each built with intention. You may find elements from either one worth adding to your own daily kit. Premium EDC Items 45 Nestout 5000mAh Power Bank MSRP: $45 URL: nestout.com Our 2¢: Compact and reliable, the Nestout 5000mAh Power Bank is built with EDC in mind. Its rugged, water-resistant housing makes it adventure-ready, while the slim form slips easily into a…

: : Keeps drinks cold and food frozen at the same time : : Compact, lightweight aluminum build fits easily in most vehicles : : Fast cooling with app and CarPlay integration Portable refrigeration isn’t just for overland rigs and road trips. For shooters and professionals alike, having a reliable way to keep refreshments cold and meals preserved can make a long day at the range—or even hours on duty—far more manageable. That’s where dual-zone units like Iceco’s APL35 come into play. At 35 liters (roughly 37 quarts), the APL35 isn’t oversized, but its twin compartments make it far more flexible than a single-zone unit. One side can run as a fridge for drinks, while the other stays at freezer temps for ice cream, frozen meals, or ice packs. For…

Drill. We use that word universally in the firearms training world. Before I lay out today’s drill, let’s first define the term, as well as gi ve you my own personal philosophy on the purpose and structure of a drill. The closest dictionary definition of the word “drill” that most closely relates to firearms training is something to the effect of “intense or structured training, typically by means of repeated exercise.” I don’t think that definition fully expresses how we use the word “drill” in the context of firearms training. Typically, a drill is a repeated exercise that involves a set pattern of movement, order of target engagement, and has an accuracy standard or time and accuracy standard (i.e., Hit Factor in USPSA, points divided by time) associated with it.…