Table of contents for Winter 2019 in Ballistic

HOLLYWOOD HAS A gun problem. Or, rather, many Hollywood elites have a problem with guns and support stricter gun-control laws and even the repeal of the Second Amendment. This is somewhat ironic, as there seems to be no shortage of gunfights in films these days. Firearms are expected in the traditional action/adventure and crime drama genres, but the hypocrisy is notable, as guns are even showing up in romantic comedies and in many family-friendly films. The connection between guns and movies is hardly new. Firearms have been a staple in movies since the earliest days of filmmaking. It is widely believed that the first action sequences that involved firearms were in the 1903 film The Great Train Robbery. Gunfights would become a staple of filmmakers, and over the past century,…

The early 1980s were interesting for me. In one fell swoop, a friend introduced me to law enforcement, the shooting sports and John Moses Browning’s Government Model 1911. I got to meet a top IPSC at the range in the basement of the local justice center, and seeing him put 14 rounds into a group just a few inches wide at 25 yards opened my eyes. And watching him reload those 1911 magazines was equally amazing. I couldn’t help but think, “I need one of those.” MAGNUM INFLUENCE Of course, social media wasn’t a thing back then, either. Television was the “influencer,” and nothing sold guns like your favorite character. To this day, I remember watching the pilot for Magnum P.I. and that iconic scene where Tom Selleck loads his…

TARAN BUTLER IS A shooting legend and the founder of Taran Tactical Innovations (TTI). He has also become one of the most sought-after gun trainers and prop consultants for major motion picture and television projects. So we sat down with Taran to learn what it’s like teaching gunfighting skills to Hollywood’s elite superstars. What sparked your interest in guns and shooting? Films had a lot to do with it. I’ve always enjoyed action movies, and I love the ones that showcase cool guns and shooting. Back in the day, I was into things like the Dirty Harry series, especially Magnum Force. There’s a police shooting contest in that one with cops trying to show up each other’s skills. This was the kind of thing that influenced the formation of shooting…

IN THE LATE 1900s, HAROLD “KIT” CARSON, an iconic figure in the knife community, created a new knife design in collaboration with CRKT. Dubbed the M16, this new design popularized a distinct method of opening a folding knife with one hand that is both fast and reliable. Such knives are now known simply as “flippers.” In the past couple of decades, many knife companies have gotten into the flipper game, and just about every style, steel and price range is covered in today’s market. So, after the 2018 Blade Show, we contacted a few different companies to see what’s currently available in this niche. For this article, we didn’t look at the least expensive folders available, nor did we shoot for the moon and look only at high-end custom pieces.…

BERRYVILLE, ARKANSAS, is a sleepy town of just over 5,000 people. Located close to the center of the state, Berryville was founded in 1850 by settler Blackburn Berry, who would go on to serve as governor of the state. For most people, Berryville is not really a destination that is high on the bucket list—that is, unless you are a 1911 gun guy or gal. In that case, Berryville is as close to heaven as you might get. You see, Berryville is the home of both Nighthawk Custom and Wilson Combat. I have traveled to Berryville on three occasions, and each time it was at the invitation of a specific company. As the Southern gentleman I attempt to be, I understand that you dance with the date you brought to…

EVER WONDER WHY so many shots fired in self-defense miss their targets? Even people who shoot 90 percent or better on qualification courses are lucky to hit with 25 percent of the rounds they fire at an assailant. Why? Physical and psychological stress contributes to the low hit ratio, but stress alone can’t explain why even highly trained shooters miss so often. There has to be another explanation, and it’s really quite simple. Rarely do law enforcement, military and legally armed civilians train to neutralize assailants that move rather than stand still and wait to be shot like paper targets. This spring I took a class on shooting animated targets from John Holschen at the 2018 Rangemaster Tactical Conference using my new Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact and ICC…

Spies have to be well versed in all types of survival tactics and strategies. After all, they find themselves in all kinds of situations and in all kinds of environments. So, while you might not be a spy, you can still use these 10 skills to keep yourself safer as you go about your daily activities. In fact, even though I no longer work for the CIA, I still use many of these skills often. 1. Show up early to every meeting. Recently, a buddy of mine had a confidential meeting that I can’t elaborate on. He showed up two hours early. This gave him time to watch the counterintelligence team sent to watch him, who only showed up one hour early. He knew how many people were there and…

Depending on where you live, winter can mean different things. Up north, the cold months bring out snow shovels, board games and proper layering. Down here in the desert, things are a little different, like sandals in January, grilling out in February and memes throwing shade at our snowed-in brethren. The winter months are truly some of the best to be outside. That being said, here is some good-to-go gear for cool evenings and mild range days. 1› MAGPUL COMMANDO ZIP Whether you’re looking casual in the city or staying warm in the field, the Magpul Commando sweater has your back. Available in New Charcoal and Rifle Green, this lightweight, zip-neck outer layer is manufactured from a heavy stretch wool-blend twill and gusseted for freedom of movement. (magpul.com) 2› MAGPUL…

It’s undeniable. The AR is king in the rifle world, and every day we’re seeing new versions hit the market. It’s even making a big splash in the pistol world, too. But why stop with just the gun? Whether you want to trick out your new AR, refurbish your old favorite or make it ready for a specific mission, there are literally thousands of accessories available. Here are some of the best that you should consider bringing home. 1> BLACKHAWK MULTIPOINT SLING A sling that’s comfy to wear, versatile, quick to deploy and built like a tank—what’s not to love? Black-Hawk has really stepped up its game by introducing the MultiPoint Sling. It’s made from high-quality nylon, and the rapid-adjust slider enables the user to make lightning-fast transitions. This sling…

IT ISN’T JUST Hollywood that often treats firearms with a double standard. The mainstream media often paints a very one-sided picture of firearms, and in doing so, it offers de facto support for gun control. One notable example of this overt bias came about in July of 2018 in a piece for USA Today titled, “Yorktown sheds olde light on modern gun debate,” by John Bordsen. In his article, Bordsen described the complexity of loading a Revolutionary War musket, including prepping the weapon by half-cocking the lock, pouring the powder and ramming a musket ball, then adding that “there was always a chance your 10-pound musket would not fire.” Not exactly subtle! While Bordsen didn’t contrast this to the relative ease of loading an AR-15 or other modern firearms, many…

How’d you get started in the prop business? I am fourth-generation Hollywood and third-generation prop master. My family has been working in motion pictures for over 100 yards. I’ve been on and around film sets since I was a little kid. How’d you first get into the world of guns? My father introduced me to firearms and firearm safety at an early age, and the family always shot recreationally. Rimfire rifles, .410 shotguns and boxes of ammo were regular Christmas gifts. How often do you get out to the range? Between projects and if I’m not fishing—I love fishing—you can find me at the range two or three days a week. But it’s work, like test-firing new weapons or training actors for a future project. What types of guns do…

IF THERE IS ANY COMPANY qualified to bring out a new AR-based cartridge, it’s Wilson Combat. It is a leading authority on the AR platform. If you want a high-end AR, Wilson is the first place to look. The company offers rifles in a staggering array of chamberings, including the new .224 Valkyrie and .458 HAM’R, and now it’s time to add the .300 HAM’R to that long list. But before we can fully understand the “what” aspect of the .300 HAM’R, we need to study a little history and comprehend the “why.” If we went back in time 124 years, this article would be singing the praises of the new Winchester Model 1894. Just a year later, the .30 WCF cartridge, later known as the .30-30 Winchester, hit the…

There is no weapon more personal than a knife. Cold steel laying in the palm, waiting to be commanded. In some cultures, blades are even seen as being endowed by spirits and having their own will. They are prayed over and passed on from generation to generation. Blades have been part of the human equation for over 2.5 million years, and that obviously won’t be changing anytime soon. What has changed, however, is how the knives are made and the resulting variety of designs. Yet something primal calls to us as we handle a well-made knife. This is especially true when that knife is dedicated as a warrior’s tool. I have been a blade aficionado since I handled my first well-worn and used KA-BAR nearly 45 years ago. While I…

EUREKA SPRINGS IS A sleepy little town located in the northwest corner of Arkansas. It is known for its hot springs, bath houses, Victorian buildings and historic district. In fact, the entire historic district is on the National Register of Historic Places. Being situated in the Ozark Mountains, the scenery both in and around the city is breathtaking. We stayed in the historic Basin Park Hotel. Located in the middle of the downtown area, the hotel features a full spa, balcony bar and upgraded suites. It was a mix of old and new that was tastefully done. The downtown area is a mix of upscale gift shops, restaurants and tourist destinations. The area around Eureka Springs also features a number of great tourist attractions to enjoy. These range from sights…

WHEN I WAS TOLD that I was going to be shipped a pair of mare’s legs, I was a little confused. Images from The Godfather flashed through my brain. If a horse head between the sheets was retaliation for disrespect against the family, what do legs in the mailbox signify? Obviously, I am joking. Kind of. I knew from context that I’d be receiving a pair of cut-down lever-action rifles, in this case modified Henry Big Boys, but where did the name come from? There is obviously some history here. HORSE TALE Created by artist and gunsmith Kenneth “Von Dutch” Howard, the “Mare’s Leg” was a cut-down Winchester Model 1892. It first made its appearance in the hands of Steve McQueen in the 1957 television show Trackdown. The following year,…

In July of 2017, DoubleStar announced that it would be collaborating with well-known knife designer Darrin Sirois, a retired U.S. Army sergeant major and the owner, operator and founder of Tactical Combat Tools (TCT). Asked about the endeavor, Sirois said, “Joining DoubleStar on this collaboration is an absolute honor. My work ethic and ethos embolden a no-fail mentality in anything I do. I strive for excellence and understand the complexities of the knife industry and look forward to being an asset to the DoubleStar Edged Weapons Division.” Sirois has some very unique insight into the blade world. He served for 25 years in the military, where he got his start in knife-making as an outlet for combat-related stresses. His past assignments included the Ranger Regiment, Special Forces and special operations.…

Molly Stevens was a cute, slight woman with a gentle disposition. She enjoyed the occasional recreational trip to the range with her husband but, for the most part, was content to homeschool her two young kids, Mitch and Marni. Her minivan was littered with old French fries and smelled pervasively of children. Between church responsibilities, T-ball practice and volunteer time at the homeless shelter, she was always on the go. A day in the shelter would likely be good for the kids. The turn into the long alleyway had been an accident. Her exasperation flirted with fear as a muscular young man in a red bandana stepped in front of her van and slapped the hood loudly, forcing her to stop. She glanced behind only to find two of his…

It takes a special kind of person to turn a passion into a career—someone with an entrepreneurial spirt, a lot of drive and incredible discipline. Heath Williams is one such person. Heath is a Michigan boy who spent his years after high school in the U.S. Army before joining the Michigan National Guard. When he got out of the military, he didn’t know exactly what he wanted to do, so he took a job washing dishes in a restaurant. In just a few short years, he worked his way up to general manager of the small Italian restaurant. Then he made the choice to stop working for other people and start paving his own way. He saved some money and purchased his first business, a Dairy Queen, in 1999. Since…

SINCE THE END OF TRENCH warfare, military knives have morphed more into all-purpose, jack-of-all-trade-type utility blades. But for this column, we wanted to make a combat blade that was made specifically for dispatching an enemy as quickly as possible. I know a little about knife combat—enough to hold my own—but I am not an expert by any means. So, along with some ideas in my head about the design of this blade, I called upon Fred Mastro of Mastro Defence System and martial arts grand master Felix Roiles. When it comes to combat with knives, you’d be hard pressed to find two more legit men than these two. END THE THREAT Now, I’ve always hated the term “knife fighting.” Why? Because people with experience don’t want to get into a…

THE TRADITIONAL after-dinner drink has been a staple of the human race since fermentation was discovered. However, today there seems to be some wandering in regard to this classic event. In my opinion, it has been hijacked by what I have dubbed the “Zima Crowd” of hipsters and others pontificating about the virtues of gluten-free drinks. With this as the background, I feel compelled to offer some suggestions on how to get back to the Golden Age of after-dinner drinks—a time when men and women alike retired to rooms with leather chairs, world-class conversation and drinks that were as deep as the people in the room. A time when Goodfellas sipped libations and discussed life. So, pull up a chair, light a cigar and soak up what have proven to…