Table of contents for March 2021 in Tactical Life

In June 2015 two convicted killers, Richard Matt and David Sweet, escaped from the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility in rural upstate New York, resulting in a massive search by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Frustrated by the thick wooded and mountainous landscape, the call went out by New York State Police to mobilize BORTAC, the U.S. Border Patrol’s enigmatic tactical special operations team whose officers are experts in the agency’s traditional skill set of tracking humans, also known as sign cutting. BORTAC is effectively U.S. law enforcement’s quick-reaction force that enjoys a certain degree of anonymity—an aura they prefer to maintain. They’re ready at a moment’s notice from their inconspicuous headquarters at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, to respond to emergencies, not only around the U.S. but…

Quick, name a high-capacity 9mm handgun. For sure, many of the models coming to mind are striker-fired and polymer. Steel-framed Browning Hi-Power or CZ-75 variants might also sneak in there, along with some Double-Action/Single-Action models—especially if you were born before 1970. Few would think to name a 1911 derivative considering the plethora of high-capacity polymer 9mm models. Staccato and Nighthawk Custom are actively working on changing this trend with their fine C² Tactical and TRS Commander offerings. Both the Staccato C² Tactical and Nighthawk TRS have the 2011 frame at their core. The patented 2011 frame arrived in 1994 via STI. The 2011 offers a unique, modular twopiece design consisting of a 4140 steel subframe and polymer grip. The steel frame contains the rails that the slide runs on, fire…

Without a doubt, the most enjoyable reloading I do is in preparation for the fall hunting season. Since I can’t leave well enough alone each year, I develop new loads with new powders, bullets or new cartridges altogether for the fall seasons. Even though loading for new cartridges is part of what makes handloading rewarding, going back to those few favorites I’ve developed over the years is ultimately satisfying. One of my favorites is the 300 Blackout. While the dumpster fire of 2020 may have knocked a considerable amount of shine off of the 300 Blackout (have you seen factory 300 Blackout ammo prices lately, assuming you can even find factory Blackout ammo?) as an option for the recreational AR-15 shooter, the performance of the little cartridge as a tactical…

Last summer I ran across a new rifle chassis system that presented several ironic twists. A fan of the 6.5 Grendel cartridge and bolt-action rifles in general, I have had recent success in pairing the two. When the Heatseeker chassis system came to my attention, temperatures outside hovering in the low triple digits made me anything but a “heat seeker. During the Dog Days of summer, it was time to make a third and final hay cutting before all of the nutrients got scorched from the grass. Towing a hay mower behind my tractor to go from one field to another, I slowly negotiated the tight squeeze of a field gate. When I turned my attention from what was behind me to what lay spread out before me, I caught…

Suppressing your rifle can be a game changer. I’ve been using suppressors for more than 25 years, and one sits on most of my rifles. Sound suppression is important, lack of muzzle blast and perceived recoil reduction more so. Quiet enough to use without hearing protection in a fight or on a hunt, you can stay focused on the threat or game. Suppressors are a must for defense or duty applications where close quarters or confined spaces are the norm. Rifles with flash suppressors are loud, and adding a muzzle brake can be punishing. Suppressors mitigate that noise significantly, but there are a few drawbacks. Suppressors add back pressure and while not a huge deal on bolt rifles, it can make your AR unreliable and harsh to shoot. Gas adjustment…

Our tale begins at the USAF Armament Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in 1968. The war in Vietnam dominated the headlines, while the frenetic race to the moon drove unprecedented advances in technology. Amid this remarkable national milieu, the USAF contracted with Colt to produce a radical new aircrew survival gun called the Individual Multi-Purpose Weapon or IMP-221. The USAF nomenclature was GUU-4/ Chambered for the .221 Fireball/5.56x36mm wildcat cartridge, this novel bullpup design was intended to equip Air Force bomber crews operating over hostile territory. The original specifications demanded a gun less than 13 inches long that weighed less than 1.5 pounds while retaining an effective range of at least 100 meters. While the program itself did not result in a general-issue survival arm, the IMP-221 was the…

Compact and powerful are words used to describe all sorts of things. Sometimes the things being described live up to the hype and other times, not so much. Hatsan airguns have been around for decades and their products definitely fit that description. Hatsan Arms Company is a Turkish manufacturer that began its legacy in the airgun arena in 1976 when the founder purchased a new air rifle that turned out to be junk. A teenager at the time, he knew he could build a better airgun and soon came up with a design he was able to bring to market. Also known for quality shotguns, this family-owned company is very proud of their 100 percent vertically integrated manufacturing. Every part is produced in-house so quality control can be assured. Today,…

Nighthawk Custom is known for high-end guns and quality craftsmanship. Since its inception in 2004, Nighthawk has grown to become one of the most sought-after gun manufacturers in the industry. They now offer over 40 unique and custom versions of their 1911 pistols and have expanded beyond the 1911 platform to offer topof-the-line tactical shotguns and an exquisite line of Korth revolvers. Recently I was invited by Mark Stone, CEO and owner of Nighthawk Custom, for a personal tour of the facility and a behindthe-scenes look at what makes Nighthawk Custom the success that it is today. The Nighthawk facility in itself is quite impressive. The reception area, complete with magazines, comfortable seating and fresh coffee, gives you that “at home” feeling right away. To the right of the entrance…

3RD GEN TACTICAL AR-15S 3RD Gen Tactical has introduced its new AR-15 rifle and pistol platforms—the Patriot Combat Rifle (PCR) and Ultralight Combat Pistol (UCP). The Humboldt receiver set is machined out of 7075-T651 billet and features several groundbreaking features, including a built-in finger rest and ultra-flared magwell for easy transition in loading and reloading. A flat, CMC single-stage trigger ensures outstanding accuracy. Weighing 5.8 pounds and 5.4 pounds, respectively, both guns are chambered in .223 Wylde with 16- or 10.5-inch pencil barrels. (3rdgentactical.com) AMMO ARMOR AND AMMO CLIP FOR GLOCKS Several new models of mag carriers are available from Ammo Armor. Additions to the line include both the Ammo Armor and Ammo Klip for the Glock 43X/48, Glock 19, M&P Shield EZ 380, M&P Shield EZ 9mm and Springfield…

The AR-15 platform has a lot going for it, but it always lacked something critical—stopping power. Don’t let the liberal media fool you, the 5.56 NATO round is regarded as underpowered and in many cases unable to humanely dispatch game. Sadly, it doesn’t do that great of a job on two-legged beasts either, which quickly became the basis for a discussion among members of the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Just like the civilian hunter and defender, they wanted more power out of the widely fielded M4/AR platform without having to change more than the upper receiver. They also wanted something that could run suppressed so they could quietly drop bad guys inside of a structure with one shot. A few 50-caliber parent cases showed promise, however with the lack…

If you live in the Northeast, then taking a long shot also usually means taking a long trip. While ranges that reach out to and beyond 1,000 yards are rare in general, there are none more exceptionally rare than the Mifflin County Sportsmen’s Association. Situated among 400 acres of prime hunting, fishing and shooting land is a 16-position rifle range that extends out to 1,040 yards. Camping is permitted on the club grounds, and at least one weekend a year I am proud to call the rifle range my home. Many a day has been lost to smoking cigars with friends around a campfire as we retell stories of shots that we have made and hope that the rest of the group can’t recall the ones that we’ve missed. With…

I am never bashful about my love of the pistol-caliber carbine platform. They are easy to aim, shoot fast and are simply all-around joys to run. The SAR USA 109T showed up in the pistol configuration without an arm brace. My first thought was, “I will just throw a SKB Arm brace on it by swapping out the buffer tube.” Then, I noticed that the castle nut, which holds the buffer tube on, had been staked, and staked well. Sure I could still take it off, but it would have required a few minutes with a punch and then the castle nut would have certainly ended up with a few scratches, so I decided to forego the arm brace. I would run the gun as a true pistol, sans the…

The motors hum, tires bite into dirt, the turns come fast and obstacles that could flip a car are everywhere, not to mention other side-by-sides on the trail in hot pursuit. It’s the driver’s job to pay attention to the 10 feet in front of the car. It’s up to the co-driver to look beyond that for hazards and turns, calling them out and navigating via GPS. They both have one mission: win the race, or at least, make it through in one piece. This is the kind of adrenaline therapy Desert Vets Racing is bring to veterans, and it’s making a huge difference in their day-to-day lives. Transitioning from a life in the military, especially a combat role, to a 24/7 civilian life is difficult for a number of…

Innovation in the AR market is a bit of an oxymoron. Having tested dozens, maybe hundreds over the years, what’s claimed as innovation is more alteration, improvement, imitation or downright snake oil. Given imitation is the greatest flattery, most AR companies flatter each other a ton. It’s a proven system for sure, with clear and demonstrable improvements over the years. However, little true innovation has occurred, at least until now. Blackwater Worldwide has picked up a line of rifles originally developed by Iron Horse Firearms that is truly different—the TOR, or Thumb Operated Rifle. Iron Horse rifles was started by former infantry Marine Ryan McDonald in 2016. Ryan wanted to be different, and his invention of the TOR fits that bill well. Starting with lower receivers, their proprietary trigger system…

SIONYX is a Massachusetts company producing an excellent, compact day/night color video camera at an attractive price point. Named the Aurora, it was introduced at the 2020 SHOT Show. Two models in the lineup are weapons rated up to .223 caliber, and I had the opportunity to try one on the .35-caliber Hatsan Hercules Bully. Utilizing proprietary “Black Silicon,” invented by a couple of Harvard PhDs, to build a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) chip, the company initially focused on supplying the chips to other manufacturers. A decision to use the technology in direct-to-consumer electronics led to development of the Aurora camera in 2017. Currently sales are via the web and their partner network is growing globally. The Aurora has excellent light gathering capabilities in extremely low light. Yet, this…

“SINCE THE RA-535 IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE TRIGGER, INSTALLATION IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT AS WELL.” Sometimes the best products in the firearms industry make their way in via a completely different arena. Take Simeon North and his simple farming equipment factory back in the late 1700s. What started as a simple scythe manufacturing plant became an all-out pistol factory in just 20 years. What forced the change? North’s invention of the modern milling machine, that’s what. Being able to build better parts opened the door to “precision” firearms production and with the new tooling, they were some of the first built with interchangeable parts. Not much changes in the firearms industry, and history always seems to repeat itself. For instance, if we fast forward 200 years or so and zero…

The saying goes that 5.56 is the “screw you” round. The 7.62 is the “screw you way over there” round. Lastly, the .50 BMG is the “screw you and that armored vehicle you are driving” round. While tongue-in-cheek, all have an essence of truth to them. That is why I have always been drawn to .50 BMG rifles. They are the ultimate man-portable boom stick and capable of decimating a helicopter, let alone an armed assailant. That brings me to the GM6 Lynx bullpup rifle. The air around the semi-auto 50 world is thin, to say the least, which is why I was so interested in a new rifle from a manufacturer in Hungary called SERO International. I came across the GM6 Lynx several years ago at SHOT Show. The…

Bushnell is known for giving shooters the most bang for their bucks. The AR Optics line is an extension of this principle and addresses the needs of those who prefer the black rifle. The author used the 4.5-18x optic to see how well a $220 optic could withstand the recoil of one of the hardest kicking AR-15 cartridges in the world. Features like the Throw Down foldable throw lever and interchangeable ballistic turrets made it ideal for hunting, as one can switch from a wide field of vision to precision shot placement with the flick of a finger. Should an elevation adjustment need to take place in a hurry, the distance-marked knobs make that exceptionally easy as well. For more information, visit bushnell.com.…

MagnetoSpeed is known to be among the best problem solvers in the firearms industry. They solved the problem of having to go downrange to set up a chronograph with the V3, they solved the problem of barrel heat with the RifleKuhl barrel cooler and now they have solved the problem of unconfirmed hits with the T1000 Target Hit Indicator. The T1000 is an ingenious device that attaches to the rear of a steel target via hook and loop fastener strips. The unit flashes a red light through a rubberized prism when it detects significant vibration. There is also the option of enabling a miss indicator that flashes yellow when it detects a round that passes by without impact. There is no worry of hitting it as it is protected by…

SPEC BOX CENTURY ARMS VSKA CALIBER: 7.62x39mm BARREL: 16 inches OA LENGTH: 37.25 inches WEIGHT: 7.5 pounds STOCK: American Maple SIGHTS: Iron ACTION: Semi-auto FINISH: Magnesium phosphate CAPACITY: 30+1 MSRP: $800 Pretty much everyone today knows what the infamous AK-47 main battle rifle looks like. They might not know what it’s called, but they will recognize it. Especially, if anyone has seen the movie “Red Dawn.” “WOLVERINES!!!” The AK-47 has been made by many countries, some better than others. Nobody has been able to successfully make a 100 percent U.S.-made AK-47 though. There is one, but it came after Century Arms, and took three generations to get “right.” Many companies have tried, ultimately failing. That is, until Century Arms released its 100-percent U.S.-made RAS-47. Then the second generation of their…

The 609 Racing / DVR Southeast car is a 2019 Can Am Maverick X3 XRS Turbo R model that runs on shorter motocross style tracks as well as on endurance courses on longer, narrow tracks that cut through the Georgia pines. The short course consists of 12 laps with anywhere between six and 12 other cars. “It’s kind of like NASCAR motocross for side-by-sides,” Goldsmith says. At the moment, the DVR SE car is optimized for this type of racing. All the cars in the Competitive Off-Road Racing Series (CORS) class in which the DVR cars race have stock motors with turbochargers. The main mods made to the stock UTVs for the short course include a stiffer suspension and a shorter ground clearance, along with smaller tires and wheels, plus…

“THIS IS VICTOR AVILA FROM ICE! WE ARE SHOT! WE ARE SHOT!” the man screamed at the U.S. Embassy switchboard in Mexico City. “We are at a highway in Mexico; we’ve been shot and attacked on the highway!” The armored blue Chevrolet Suburban driven by Special Agent Jaime Zapata, which included Special Agent Victor Avila, lay shattered on the highway with more than 100 rounds of ammunition critically disabling the vehicle. It was shortly after 2 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2011, and Avila’s partner, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Jaime J. Zapata, lay dying in the driver’s seat. Victor yelled, “Jaime! Look at me, stay awake. Please don’t die.” The death of Jaime Zapata, the first U.S. law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Mexico…

Broken hearts, broken souls and broken minds all plague sufferers of PTSD, and some military veterans bare up under painful memories that all too often shouldn’t be carried alone. The pain goes deeper than just those who were deployed. The families who lost loved ones serving in the military are all too often forgotten. To help vets and their families share their burden, a Nashville-based group offers help with a lyrical twist. Operation Song puts Nashville’s professional song writers together with vets to help them talk about their traumatic experiences and put them into verse. At the end of the day, these singer-songwriters perform those songs for audiences of the program’s participants and their families. OPERATION SONG “We actually started in 2012,” Operation Song co-founder Bob Regan said. “The impetus…