Gear Review: 5.11 Tactical’s LV Covert Carry Pack
Having a handgun is great. They’re generally compact, you can carry them on you, and they’re absolutely a viable defense tool. With that said, if the crap really hits the fan, it’s nice to have something with more punch. A full sized rifle or a shotgun might be optimal, but that isn’t always easy to […]
Caldwell Is Making Seeing What You’re Hitting a Lot Easier
We tend to take targets for granted….until we get out to distances where we can’t see them. With diminutive calibers and aging eyes, that happens quickly, even with moderate distances. Last week in Louisiana, we were shooting small caliber carbines. At normal pistol distances, it wasn’t that big a deal. But a 5.7×28 at […]
Gear Review: Kershaw Livewire Double Edge OTF Knife
I struck gold geographically when I bought property in Northwest Oregon. I’m remote enough that I don’t see people unless I want to, but close enough to towns to enjoy the amenities. Even more enjoyable from a gear reviewer’s perspective is the wealth of blade manufacturers located along the Columbia river. CRKT, Gerber, Benchmade, and […]
Good Gear: Mission First Tactical Translucent EXD Mags
I’ve long been a fan of Mission First Tactical. They aren’t the flashiest company around, nor do they have the biggest marketing budget. They are, however, usually near the forefront of what new in holsters, backpacks, and as we see today, their new line of Extreme Duty Translucent magazines. Translucent mags aren’t a new item. […]
Hands On With the CIVIVI Praxis Folding Knife
Having a solid EDC knife doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. There are a lot of companies out there today that are putting out quality designs made from solid materials that just about anyone can afford. CIVIVI is one of those companies, and their Praxis is one of those designs. The CIVIVI Praxis The […]
Gear Review: Lucid E7 Enclosed Emitter Reflex Sight
I first reviewed a Lucid optic back in 2017. At the time, there were a ton of new companies hitting the market with a pretty similar lineup of products. The darwinian nature of capitalism meant I could expect 80% would be bankrupt in a year or two, and I was correct. Lucid however, stuck around […]
Good Gear: Streamlight MacroStream USB EDC Flashlight
SNW contributor Paul Markel says everyone needs to have the fundamental four with them on their daily rounds; something lethal, something sharp, something light, and something medical. That’s good advice and if you keep all four with you on a regular basis, you’ll be pretty well-fixed to handle most basic self-defense and other emergencies. My […]
Good Gear: Real Avid Master Bench Block Pro Kit
I do a lot of tinkering in the garage. It may be a stretch to call it gunsmithing, but it does involve a lot of building, and rebuilding AR’s, GLOCKs, and the occasional other oddball item. I’ve discovered over the years that having the right tools makes a big difference in the amount of blood […]
Gear Review: Bodyguard Elite Armored Backpack
I’ve never owned body armor before. I’m not opposed to it, I’ve just chosen to spend my dollars differently. If you own it, good on you. If that makes you feel more comfortable and more prepared, I say…why not? The only barrier should be the cost, which can be substantial, depending on the type of […]
Good Gear: Leupold’s Freedom RDS Red Dot Sight
I’ve owned the Leupold Freedom RDS red dot sight for years, since it first came out back in late 2019. I’ve used it off and on and it’s always worked well for me. But for some reason, I never took it out and really “stretched its legs,” spending much time shooting it in the way […]