Table of contents for February - March 2023 in Ballistic

THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT that manufacturers are producing more and better guns today than ever before, and some that are quite unique and futuristic. Take the Magpul/Zev foldaway FDP-9, featured on page 20, as a great example: One second it’s an inconspicuous black box, the next a fighting firearm with a 9mm payload of 17+1 rounds. Or how about the E-Shotgun Coil Accelerator featured on page 28. Without the use of gunpowder or compressed air, this “gun” uses magnets to sling 275-grain metal discs at a rate of about 10 rounds per second, and there’s no doubt further technological advances will only improve upon it from here. The future seems bright, right? Not so fast. While technology gets ever greater and firearms are improving year by year, there’s another side…

Beer in the winter never quenches the way it does in summer. I tend to lean more toward sipping a mixed drink when it is chilly outside. When I do have a pint, it better be something pretty good all by itself. I found myself in Vegas with an afternoon to kill last winter and happened upon Hop Nuts Brewing. They have two locations, but I was at the one in Tivoli Village that was a little upscale for my taste. The place had a few dogs in the place, so I figured they would let me in, too. Angela talked me into the Green Mamba, a green tea-infused double IPA. It’s a truly unusual beer. It was very smooth, hoppy, but not bitter. The green tea finish was what…

During my time in Afghanistan, I wasn’t working for big ol’ DoD, so our little agency contracted a lot of stuff like Hilux trucks, diesel fuel and food off the local market. We also didn’t work for OGA, which had mad money and always had the best including their own private hangar for aircraft at Kabul International Airport. Instead, we hired a defunct company called Tryco with two Russian Mi-8 helicopters to ferry us and our Afghan trainees downrange. They lacked proper maintenance or any kind of safety equipment and used to drip fuel on the shag carpet from the aftermarket gas tanks they strapped inside the cargo area. The Russian pilots kept a small cooler between them up front that was filled with beer and refused to take off…

The FN SCAR series—Mk 16 (5.56mm) and Mk 17 (7.62x51mm)—is recognized by many as being the current epitome of battle rifle design. Ergonomics, modularity, adaptability and reliability are all present in the series. SCAR devotees will be thrilled that their go-to rifle platform now comes in a rifle-caliber pistol format—the SCAR 15P Pistol. SCAR stands for Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle. FN designed the rifle in response to the United States Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) request for a weapon to supersede the M16/M4 platform. Here is an example of a smaller U.S. military entity—SOCOM—being a driving force of improvement for the “Big Green” main force. SOCOM’s conglomeration of elite units is constantly engaged in active operations. SOCOM is more flexible in terms of procurement where effectiveness is the benchmark…

The Athlon Outdoors Annual Rendezvous is the pinnacle of new product releases within the firearms industry. I have been fortunate enough to be invited to the last three consecutive events, and I am never let down by what 30-some companies bring to the firing line. Naturally, there are impressive new offerings within the realms of guns and ammunition; however, the tech that shows up is also typically mind-blowing. As with all tech, new components and manufacturing methods produce items that weigh less and perform better than their predecessors. The Sightmark Wraith 4K Mini easily meets both of these claims, and I was one of the first people to lay hands on it. Amazed with its clarity and ease of use, I was destined to get one back home to see…

The Ninja have fascinated modern culture for decades. Steeped in legend from centuries ago, Ninja, or Shinobi as they were also called, were covert agents or mercenaries found throughout feudal Japan. Not unlike James Bond, these agents were sent on missions centered around assassinations, espionage and surprise attacks upon anyone unfortunate enough to become a target in the Ninja’s eyes. Ninja were specially trained in a wide variety of tactics based upon stealth, weapon use, disguise and unorthodox methods of assassination and killing. From the 17th Century and forward, Ninja faded into obscurity—no longer a factor after the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate. Jumping ahead centuries to the early to mid-1980s, the Ninja reemerged into society. However, it wasn’t as one might think. Replaced with the stealthy killers…

I have always rejected the idea that a small-game rifle doesn’t need to be accurate. I cringe whenever I hear a blubbering idiot behind a gun counter say, “You don’t need anything great for squirrel.” These guys spew nonsense like this because they have obviously never chased these wily tree rats. Bagging them can be exceptionally challenging for a few different reasons. For starters, landing a good headshot only leaves you about an inch on either side for error, and that’s assuming the little bastard isn’t bouncing from limb to limb. Popping a squirrel or a rabbit is far more challenging than harvesting a slow-moving whitetail that is likely to be at a dead stop when you squeeze off the shot. For these reasons, you owe it to yourself to…

Good optics don’t need to cost a fortune. Primary Arms has proven this time and time again with scopes, and now they are proving it with red dots. The SLx RS-10 represents PA’s first optic to be designed 100% in-house. Built with a 7075 aluminum body, this 3-MOA beast is up to the rigors of field and duty use while carrying a list price of only $200. During my test, I found the glass clear, the dot clean and, most importantly, its existence didn’t influence function. The rim of a fired cartridge case was all I needed to dial it in once it was zeroed. It didn’t walk an inch. Overall, it’s an easy-to-use optic that is easy on your wallet too. For more information, visit primaryarms.com.…

Have you ever wanted to get professional firearms training, but don’t know where to start? It’s a fair question, especially given the record number of firearms purchased over the last few years. Anyone can do an internet search and come up with your local Bob the Ninja Delta SEAL Gun Plumber who will teach you everything that you shouldn’t do. That brings me to my next question. Have you ever heard of Thunder Ranch (TR) before? Okay, how about Clint Smith? Clint Smith is a no-BS, hard-charging instructor who is about as subtle as a runaway freight train. That is exactly the best type of instructor to learn from. His resume includes two direct-action combat tours in Vietnam (USMC), a SWAT cop and a firearms instructor. During my first course…

The firearms market is notorious for being demanding and sometimes irrational. Gun companies work to develop a new product to meet consumer demands only to ultimately hope it is a hit. When the product is released, there is the inevitable wave of social media commentaries from people that have never even seen the new gun in person. This has been the way of things for a very long time, yet serious companies are unphased by it. In fact, some companies have the courage to develop products that others would not simply because they get stuck in the status quo mindset. A company that breaks this mold is Patriot Ordnance Factory. Over the years, POF has brought us some really innovative designs and recently decided to even push its own boundaries.…

THE IDEAS FOR ROUNDTABLE confrontations, I mean discussions, keep coming in, which leads us to believe this country is even more divided than we thought. Rather than getting into another round of mudslinging over types of guns or preferred brands, this time we decided to go with real mudslinging—mainly dirt, carbon and gunk buildup. I have found there are generally two philosophies when it comes to cleaning guns: The shooter who says, “My life/hunt/reputation depends on this firearm functioning flawlessly, and I will maintain it at the highest level possible,” and the shooter who simply stares back blankly when you mention that firearms are supposed to be cleaned regularly. My first order of business was finding two representatives with opposing viewpoints for this debate. While my dad was my first…

The world of wine is replete with terms like “nose” and “vintage.” True wine connoisseurs are stone-cold serious about every detail of the fermented grape juice they swish around in their mouths. While I can appreciate their obsession, for many of us, it is a journey we are not willing to take. However, that does not mean we do not enjoy some vino like the well-dressed wine crowd. Many of us cut our teeth on wine as we were coming of age. Well, at least the bottle said it was wine. These were not exactly bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. These were more focused on their bargain prices than they were on bouquets and aromas. In fact, as I write this, something in my memory is stirring, and I can…

Electric bikes are relatively new to the outdoor scene, but once you experience one on the trails, you will understand why they are becoming more and more popular. Simply put, they are the quickest and quietest way on wheels to get you and your gear into the field. TRAIL TOUGH Some models of e-bikes utilize a rear-wheel hub motor, which is fine for cruising streets and mild trails but does not have the torque necessary to assist on steep or rough terrain. QuietKat offers e-bikes with hub drives, but the Warrior bike utilizes a mid-drive motor. When combined with the SCRAM 8-speed sprocket, the mid-drive supplies the turning power necessary to tackle mountains as well as extend the battery life due to selectable gearing. The fully enclosed, long-range battery can…

History buffs have had mixed opinions about the recent Netflix adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s epic All Quiet on The Western Front. Even those who found it visually stunning were less than impressed with the departures it took from the novel and prior movie versions. However, one thing most viewers could agree on was that the French tanks featured in the film’s epic battle sequence were certainly imposing. It would be easy to see why the German soldiers turned tail and ran for their lives. Three of the 23-ton Saint-Chamond tanks could be seen lumbering across the battlefield, literally shaking the ground as they approached. The heavy tank, which required a well-trained team of eight to operate, was well-armed with a 75mm main gun and four 8mm Hotchkiss machine guns…

After 21 years of solid, personal service, my Tacoma finally needed more in repairs over the last year than it would cost for a year of car payments. My wife, who is equally unsentimental about me, said it had to go. The dealership had zero new Tacomas, but about a dozen used ones. The salesman said the only way to get a new one was if someone who ordered it a year ago decided to back out of buying it. Fortunately, this happens semiregularly. On the plus side, the new ones cost less at full sticker than the used ones with 15K-30K miles. “Simple supply and demand,” the salesman told us. So, I decided to buy a new one each month and then sell it the following month for more…

Just like firearms, the technology has improved upon the commercially available flamethrowers. Before we get into it, we’re talking about flamethrowers, and personally, I think they are awesome. Everyone who has tried one in my presence just grins from ear to ear. But if you must have a purpose for one, you can use it to light bonfires, remove snow and ice, get rid of weeds, pest control, for land management, create special effects and so much more. You get the idea. PULSEFIRE LRT Exothermic Technologies offers two flamethrowers that are unique to say the least. The first one to come out from them is the Pulsefire LRT. Unlike other flamethrowers, the LRT does not need a pilot torch, which can be a pain, but instead uses a continuous electric…

Mid-April last year, I was sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with long-time friend Eddie Stevenson before sunrise listening to a longbeard hammer the day awake. Before long, the tom was gobbling so close to us we could smell his breath. Problem was that the tom was directly behind us. He skirted behind us and walked off in the direction of a real hen while never presenting a shot. As the first morning’s hunt wound down, a band of feral hogs moseyed into a corn feeder about 120 yards distant. Always willing to help thin wild hog populations, I snuck downwind to about 30 yards of the troupe. They finally spotted me in the open mesquite and began trotting off. The last of 13 pigs turned and faced me at 33 paces, so I…

If variety is the spice of life, well-constructed edged weapons and tools are the ghost peppers and curry of any outdoor enthusiast, soldier, LEO or other brand of tactical operator. Visit any reputable knife store and you will find a cornucopia of rugged and attractive knives, hatchets, axes, tactical tomahawks and other related tools. The trick to getting the most bang for your buck is basing your purchase on a working knowledge of the environment in which your edged weapons and tools will be used and what tasks they will be expected to accomplish. Here’s a rundown of basic knife and edged tool configurations partnered up with their primary applications. 1. SURVIVAL KNIVES: Just like the name implies, this type of knife has to be tough, stout and multi-purpose. It…

The Octagon (1980) Starring Chuck Norris at his best and the imposing and talented Tadashi Yamashita, the ’80s started off strong with this story of a highly talented martial artist who had to infiltrate a highly fortified Ninja’s stronghold. Enter the Ninja (1981) An early entry into the Ninja craze of the ’80s, this film showcases the wonderful talents of Sho Kosugi, an actual martial artist with decades of experience, which shows wonderfully on screen. Revenge of the Ninja (1983) The follow-up to Enter the Ninja, this tale steps up the action and the Ninja gadgets with Sho Kosugi as the “good” guy. It’s a definite solid entry and one not to miss on your next Ninja movie binge session. American Ninja (1985) Michael Dudikoff takes the lead as a…

It seems Turkish-made firearms are slowly taking over the market. I now own several imported pistols from Turkey that are rock solid in terms of performance, and the price is unbeatable for the value. One such company importing Turkish guns is SAR USA. They are the exclusive importer for Sarsilmaz Silah Sanayi of Istanbul, Turkey, which has been manufacturing firearms since 1880. SAR USA aims to work with Sarsilmaz to develop firearms specifically made for the American market. HEAVY METAL One of the most recent innovations of the K-12 series of guns is the K-12 Sport X, which I first got to check out at Athlon Outdoors’ 2022 Rendezvous held in Victor, Idaho. Designed with competitive shooters in mind, this single-action, metal-framed gun is built to race. Most entry-level competition…

A New Hope. OK yes, I started this article out with a Star Wars reference. I can’t promise it will be the last one in this article. Hope is hands-down one of the most important emotions we have as human beings. Hope is a big reason why every year we try a new fitness program, diet plan, a new way of trying to make money, a “new me, a new life, new year” way of thinking. I don’t want to diminish hope. If anything, I want to encourage hope. However, when misguided or without long-term consistent action, hope can leave you disappointed. This article is to assist or, perhaps, replace disappointment with achievement, satisfaction and inner happiness. LET IT GO The first thing we need to do is to let…

According to a recent survey conducted by Reader’s Digest, among the five most popular foods in America, tacos occupy third place—second only to pizza and burgers. As with any food, trying to pinpoint the origins of the taco is as futile as it is moot, but let’s do it anyway. Culinary historians seem to agree that what most of us envision as a taco originated with Mexican silver miners in the early 19th century; they would wrap black powder in paper to make a primitive form of dynamite, which they called “tacos.” However, if those miners had been more concerned with etymology, they would have called them “burritos” because a burrito wraps completely around the filling forming a tube, whereas a taco is simply folded to form a cup. THEN…