Wednesday Wisdom: 22 July 2026

Medal of Honor: Luther Skaggs Jr.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader with a mortar section of a rifle company in the 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup beachhead, Guam, Mariana Islands, 21-22 July 1944. When the section leader became a casualty under a heavy mortar barrage shortly after landing, Private First Class Skaggs promptly assumed command and led the section through intense fire for a distance of 200 yards to a position from which to deliver effective coverage of the assault on a strategic cliff. Valiantly defending this vital position against strong enemy counterattacks during the night, Private First Class Skaggs was critically wounded when a Japanese grenade lodged in his foxhole and exploded, shattering the lower part of one leg. Quick to act, he applied an improvised tourniquet and, while propped up in his foxhole, gallantly returned the enemy's fire with his rifle and hand grenades for a period of eight hours.

 ____________________

What Instructors Should Know About Jacketed Frangible 5.56 Ammo

During a recent NLEFIA Shoot House Instructor Certification Course, instructors discussed frangible ammunition and its compatibility with suppressors. Students using suppressed rifles reported that some suppressor manufacturers explicitly warn against “conventional” (non-jacketed) frangible ammunition. The cited risk: projectile breakup inside the barrel, which could damage the suppressor and void the warranty.

Warranty concerns appear to stem from a reported (though unverified) incident involving three 30-round magazines of unjacketed frangible ammunition fired full-auto through a suppressed M4 until the system overheated, allegedly causing baffle strikes. (Note: Sustained full-auto fire of this volume is rarely — if ever — necessary or realistic in law enforcement training or operations.)

 ____________________

Explore the Secrets of Thermal Imaging Sights-How do they work?

In low-light nighttime environments, traditional optics are limited and struggle to perform effectively, while night vision goggles rely on visible light to amplify for observation. There is a better solution in such conditions—thermal imaging sights. Thermal imaging has become a powerful tool for shooters in complete darkness. Whether for night outdoor, range shooting at night, or home defense, thermal sights significantly enhance your shooting capabilities and reduce safety threats. So, how does thermal imaging work, and why is it important?

 ____________________

Bullet Expansion Testing: What Gel Tests Actually Tell You (and What They Don't)

Ballistic gelatin is a standardized testing medium designed to approximate the density and resistance of human soft tissue. The FBI protocol uses 10% ordnance gelatin calibrated to a specific density at a specific temperature.

The key word is "approximate." Gel is a uniform, consistent medium. Human tissue is not. Gel doesn't have bones, organs, fat layers, clothing, or varying density. It provides a controlled baseline for comparison, not a prediction of real-world performance. Think of gel testing like a standardized test for ammunition. It measures specific things under specific conditions. It's useful for comparing one load to another. It's not useful for predicting exactly what will happen in an uncontrolled real-world scenario.

 ____________________

The Nielsen Device: How it Works and Why it's Necessary for Some Pistols

The Nielsen Device is a type of suppressor mount that allows a suppressor to move forward upon firing and thus allow a recoil-operated firearms to cycle reliably despite the added weight of a suppressor. Popularized by Doug Olsen in the 1980s, they allow pistols to be readily suppressed without needing to tinker with spring strength, slide weight, and suppressor weight. They are not necessary or useful on fixed-barrel pistols, carbines, or rifles however. (opens to a video)

If you'd rather read an in-depth article: Silencer Central's article: What is a Nielsen Device? is very informative.

 ____________________

What Does the O-Ring on an AR-15 Extractor Do?

 

The O-ring on an AR-15 extractor significantly enhances the firearm’s reliability by providing increased extractor tension and improving its ability to grip and hold onto spent cartridges during the extraction cycle. This added tension helps prevent failures to extract, especially when the rifle is dirty, heavily used, or experiencing fluctuations in ammunition pressure.

 ____________________

John Farnam Quips – August 2002

Per a student: I was coming to the end of my day shift. Our department runs all one-man, beat cars. I fell in behind a speeder, got a radar fix, and attempted to pull him over in traffic. It was late afternoon but still light. I became suspicions and concerned when the driver was slow to respond and started moving things around in the front seat with his right hand and arm. Eventually, he pulled over and stopped.

The moment the vehicle stopped, the driver (an extremely large, Hispanic male) hopped out and started walking back toward me. I ordered him to get back in his car, but he continued to walk as he put his hand in his right pocket, all the time saying, “License, license!” in Spanish.

 ____________________

Ayoob: My Take on the SA-3 

The Hi Power, known generically as P-35 because it was introduced in 1935, is a modern classic. Conceived by the incomparable John Moses Browning and finalized into the form we know it by his protégé Dieudonne Saive after Browning’s death, the P-35 was adopted by many nations, and it was manufactured in multiple countries — sometimes with a license, and sometimes not.

It was the first popular double-stack 9mm, its magazine holding 13 rounds of 9mm. Many considered it John Browning’s ultimate handgun design. The grip shape fit both small and large hands. It was reliable with the full metal jacket 9mm Luger it was designed for. However, it had its shortcomings. Its burr hammer often bit the web of the shooter’s hand. The thumb safety was small and flat with a mushy feel that made it hard for the hand to know whether it was “on” or “off” safe. It was iffy in terms of feeding most hollow point rounds.

 ____________________

 Reviewing the S&W 500 Revolver 

Big wheel guns inspire many feelings in firearm enthusiasts, whether it’s historical yearning or just a desire for power in your hand. The smooth metallic clicking as a cylinder rolls cartridges into place is a soothing sound.

Large revolvers have always been an American custom, and Smith & Wesson has been part of it for more than 170 years. One of S&W’s masterpieces is the mighty X-frame, built to carry the massive .500 S&W cartridge. The Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model S&W500 7.5-inch pistol is built for shooting its mighty cartridges comfortably and accurately.

 ____________________

Iran’s Unarmed Citizens Show Why the Second Amendment Still Matters

Once government decides who may possess the means of self-defense, and who may not, political favor replaces individual rights. Those trusted by the controlling regime remain armed. Those who resist are disarmed, or worse. That does not mean every government disagreement should become an armed confrontation. It means the balance of power matters. The ability to throw off the yoke of a despotic and tyrannical government matters. Elections, courts and constitutional institutions remain essential safeguards. The Second Amendment ensures those protections are backed by an independent citizenry that is never entirely dependent on government for personal security or liberty.

 ____________________

The Revamped, Redesigned BANISH 30-V2 .30 Caliber Suppressor

 

The original BANISH 30 suppressor was one of the best-selling cans in America for a goodly amount of time. In 2025, BANISH gave the suppressor a thorough makeover. The result — the BANISH 30-V2 — is lighter, shorter and quieter than version 1.0. It’s a modular design that’s rated for use on everything from .17 HMR to .300 Weatherby. It has a titanium baffle stack inside a titanium tube that makes it light weight and completely user serviceable.

 ____________________

This Common Travel Convenience Is Becoming One of Scammers’ Favorite Tools, According to Cybersecurity Experts

 

According to a recent 2026 McAfee report on travel scam experiences and digital behaviors, 62% of travelers are putting themselves at risk by scanning QR codes while they’re in transit or in a new place. When you mindlessly pull out your phone and scan the QR code for a restaurant menu or to download a hotel’s app, there’s a chance you could expose your personal data to scammers or malicious websites.

 ____________________

If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed. 

 

Rusted Shut? Maintain Your EDC Pistol

I recently attended Dustin Salomon’s 2-day class titled Understanding the Terrain: An Overview of Brain-Based Tactical Training Design. A good class by the way; however, this note is not about the class although I do intend to write an after-class review. This note is about maintaining your everyday carry (EDC) pistol.

This was not a shooting class, and our shooting performance was not graded beyond what you might expect from a group of type-A instructors. We fired a couple of hundred rounds during the class and I used one of my EDC pistols, a SIG P365 9mm and it performed flawlessly.

A busy week followed and I planned to clean the pistol the next week. I carried the pistol concealed during the class (it was very hot outside) and traveling home afterward. I also carried it several times when I was outside the next week including for a couple of hours setting up steel targets for a Steel Challenge match.

One thing south-central Texas does not lack in the summer is high humidity and heat. It is not unusual to literally be soaked in perspiration when working outside. My EDC holster is a made from Kydex and it has a sweat guard. I normally carry outside the waistband with a closed-front shirt.

When I got around to cleaning the pistol, I removed the magazine and started to pull the slide back to eject the live round. The slide would not budge; it was completely frozen in place. After a bit of tapping with a rawhide mallet, I was finally able to retract it and eject the live round. I was surprised to discover that the slide interior rails and frame rails were very rusted—particularly since the slide and the frame rails are made of stainless steel (see below).

I researched the SIG website and from what I saw, all P365 slides are made from stainless steel. My P365 pistol also has a SIG NITRON finish on the slide and barrel. The SIG NITRON finish is a proprietary surface treatment using the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) process that is supposed to enhance corrosion and wear resistance. Clearly “enhance” corrosion resistance does not mean preclude corrosion resistance.

My father once pointed out the fact that “stainless” does not mean stain free. The stainless that SIG uses for their modular P365 fire control unit and slide is clearly not stain free and, in my case, did rust to an extent even though I use protective lubricant on my firearms. I normally use thin film of high temperature grease to lubricate my EDC firearms since it tends to stay where you put it. This precludes staining your clothing with firearms lubricant. However, in this instance it was not enough.

So how do we prevent this? Obviously disassembling and cleaning your EDC pistol every time you carry it would become tedious. Probably the most straight forward way to prevent corrosion/rust from forming is to ensure that you (at a minimum) wipe down the pistol and remove the slide and quickly relubricate the slide and rails anytime the firearm has been exposed to high levels of perspiration.

 ____________________

If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed. 

Wednesday Wisdom: 15 July 2026

Medal of Honor: George Price Hays 

George Price Hays was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1917, and by July 14, 1918, was a first lieutenant serving in France with the 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Division. On that day, during the Second Battle of the Marne near Greves Farm, his unit came under a heavy German artillery barrage and the communication lines were destroyed. Despite the intense fire, Hays rode on horseback between his unit, the command post, and two French batteries for the rest of that day and the next. Although he was severely wounded and had seven horses shot out from under him, his efforts contributed to the halt of the German advance.

 ____________________

Law Allows Texas Residents to Carry Swords and Knives

Since September 1, 2017, Texans over the age of 18 have been allowed to carry knives, spears, sabers, machetes, and swords in most places statewide. H.B. 1935 (Texas Knife Law Reform Bill) eliminated ownership and restrictions on knives with blades longer than 5.5 inches, including daggers, double-edged knives, swords, dirks, poniards, dirks, stilettos, and Bowie knives.

If you’ve never heard of these types of knives, you’re not alone. Knife Rights, a national pro-knife advocacy group, said that the bill was 95 percent intact when Governor Abbott signed it. Advocates promised to continue fighting until all “minor restrictions” concerning knives are cleared in Texas.

 ____________________

Trijicon RMRcc: Concealed Carry Excellence

The RMRcc comes in two versions, one with a 3.25 MOA dot and another with a larger 6.5 MOA dot. While many folks get deep into the weeds over dot size, I’m not one of those people. If I can see it quickly, based on the lighting conditions of the moment, I’m good to go. At that point, I am going to superimpose the dot and depress the trigger.

Sights of all styles have long been something contested by shooters of all ages. Irons versus dots, black sight versus colored sights, tritium versus fiber optic, and so on. I don’t get it. All any sight system does is tell you where the muzzle is pointed. How you wish to receive this information is a personal choice. Pick what works for you and ignore all the outside clutter.

 ____________________

Carrying a Backup Gun – Do You Need One?

 

More thoughts on the backup gun. The main reason often given for carrying a backup gun is the possibility of your main gun failing. Should it break or malfunction so seriously that you can’t fix it, a spare gun comes in handy. Some may also see the backup gun as their reload. If your main gun goes dry, you can swap to your backup and continue to fight. A standard reload is typically faster, but if you’re carrying a backup gun, you might not feel the need for a spare magazine.

 ____________________

Reconsidering the Backup Gun

Carrying a second handgun is a practice that literally goes back centuries. In the days of flintlock pistols, which provided a single shot, multiple guns were often carried on body. In the old west, cap and ball revolvers, and even the later single-action revolvers that used contained cartridges, proved slow to reload; therefore, multiple guns were often carried by those expecting trouble. Even in 20th Century law enforcement, the majority of which witnessed the dominance of the double-action revolver, multiple guns were often carried by law enforcement as reloading a wheel gun simply proves too slow under fire. And, even now, although law enforcement carries modern, high capacity, auto loading pistols, those who know what they are doing still carry a BUG (backup gun). A small auto or revolver strapped to an ankle or tucked in a pocket proves standard.

 ____________________

Review of the Glock Gen6 G45 9mm

 

 

Glock brought a surprising number of changes with the new Gen 6 guns, making the already well-liked G45 crossover 9mm an all-around improved platform. Diving deeper into the feature set of the Gen 6 G45, the pistol field strips just like every other Glock generation, but very few parts interchange between the Gen 6 and Glock’s older models. Just the mags, sights, locking block, mag release, firing pin and spring, slide lock/spring, trigger pin/housing, trigger bar, recoil spring assembly, and connector are backward compatible. Almost everything else is Gen 6 only.

 ____________________

SIG’s Everyday Carry Optic

Pistol red dots are here to stay. If you’re still on the fence about the validity of red dots on a handgun or still holding out on making the transition, you probably just haven’t received the right education on it. Ten years ago, if someone showed you their go-to defensive carbine with just iron sights, you would question the validity of that build. The same applies to a solid defensive handgun today.

 ____________________

Pistol Red Dot Footprints Explained (2026 Guide)

If you’re mounting a micro red dot to a handgun, pistol red dot footprints determine whether the optic fits your slide or plate. This 2026 guide demystifies the major patterns (RMR, RMSc/Shield, Holosun “K,” Docter/Noblex, DeltaPoint Pro, and ACRO), how plate systems and direct-mill slides change the equation, and what to check before you buy. You’ll leave with a clear compatibility checklist, a comparison table, and links to brand hubs and category pages on GunGenius to continue your research.

 ____________________

Full-sized, Compact and Subcompact: What’s the Difference?

Today’s handgun buyers are spoiled for choice — to a degree that the number of options becomes almost bewildering. As a result, consumers often rely on any number of heuristics that help simplify their purchase decisions. Witness today the number of novice shooters who approach buying their first handgun as they would a pair of pants: “Will I be best served by big, medium, or small?”

 ____________________

Thugs in the Dark: A Low Light Practice Session

Student Hits Shown in Red Circle

Police say a husband opened fire on two home invasion suspects as they tried to hold his wife at gunpoint as she arrived home around 10:30 p.m. According to the Houston Police, it started when the man’s wife pulled into their driveway. Two armed suspects ran up and tried to rob her. They took her purse and then tried to force her into the house. However, her husband inside the house heard the commotion, grabbed his gun, and ended up exchanging gunfire with the intruders. Fortunately, the couple weren’t hit; however, the husband shot one of the suspects in the head, the other suspect took off running. 

This real-life incident is exactly like the decision-based scenarios that we use during the Sensible Self Defense Academy low light classes, matches, and practice sessions. I ran this during our final practice session in 2017 and several participants found it difficult, so we did it once again for our first session in 2018.

We will start low light classes and low light matches again this fall (2026) once daylight savings time ends. 

 ____________________

If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed. 

The SYMTAC Consulting Shotgun Skills Class--an After Class Report

Rob Discussing Loading

In early 2026 I attended both the Shotgun Skills course and the Advanced Shotgun course that Rob and Matt Haught’s SYMTAC Consulting conducted.

This after class report covers the Shotgun Skills class SYMTAC held at the Camp Villere National Guard Training Center in Slidell, Louisiana in February 2026. The weather was quite chilly in the mornings but warmed up in the afternoon with the sun generally at our backs—hence the unique garments in some of the pictures.

The Shotgun Skills course primarily focuses on the Push/Pull method of recoil control that Rob Haught developed in the 1980s. Rob’s Push/Pull technique is a recoil management method that significantly reduces felt recoil and enables the shooter to fire rapid follow-up shots. When executed correctly, a competent shooter can accurately fire a 12-gauge shotgun as fast as most shooters can fire their pistols.

I had received (fifth hand+) instruction on the Haught push/pull technique many years ago when I worked with DEA in Lima, Peru and I was looking forward to receiving instruction directly from Rob and Matt Haught. I had wanted to attend these classes for some time and was pleased with the opportunity--I was not disappointed.

During the Shotgun Skills class, Rob and Matt demonstrated the push/pull technique and described the felt recoil reduction advantage the technique provides. Students then received one-on-one instruction from Rob, Matt, or one of the two other assistant instructors as they perfected their use of the technique. Rob and Matt also discussed loading techniques and methods of carrying spare ammunition.*

Engaging from Outdoor or High Ready

Rob and Matt discussed two ready positions. One they characterized as “outdoor” ready, commonly known as high ready, and low ready. Once the class was executing the push/pull correctly, Matt demonstrated how to safely execute 90 and 180-degree pivots and turns from the left, right, and rear using the low ready position (for safety reasons, we did not execute turns using high ready). We then practiced forward and rearward movement with the shotgun firing on command from high and low ready and drills where we moved in various directions while engaging targets at the appropriate moment.

Rob and Matt also taught the shotgun short-range engagement (SRE) technique (also known as “short-stocking”) which is a method that allows the shotgun operator to effectively shorten the shotgun’s profile by one third. A typical home defense shotgun has an 18-inch barrel and a stock that’s about two inches too long. If we use a normal high or low ready position with this gun, it is very difficult to maneuver through tight hallways, around corners, up or down stairs, or around obstacles such as furniture without completely dismounting the gun. If you leave the gun mounted, you also announce your presence with the barrel sticking out as you maneuver around corners, through doorways, etc. If you have the gun dismounted, it is difficult to get the gun on target if confronted with a short-range threat.

The SRE Technique

The SRE technique enables the shooter to maneuver in extremely tight quarters and accurately engage targets at close range. This is one of my favorite techniques. I had seen several videos discussing the SRE technique; however, I had never had the opportunity to learn from Rob and Matt. Note: you should seek competent instruction before trying this technique, otherwise your shotgun might give you an unpleasant smack in the face.

In addition to the techniques I mentioned above, we discussed shotgun marksmanship fundamentals, patterning zones, ammunition selection, manual of arms, equipment selection, low light considerations, malfunction clearances and other topics. We also fired the SymTac School Drill and the Shotgun Skills Gauge Test.

Rob designed the School Drill to enable the shooter to get the highest possible value out of a box of birdshot. Per Rob: "Each shot fired during the School Drill requires a separate push/pull and sight picture." The target for the School Drill can be a common USPSA, IDPA, Shoot Steel or similar cardboard/paper target or you can use a steel target. 

Distance for stages one-three is ten yards and the distance for stage four is five yards with a cardboard/paper target or seven yards with a steel target. (Note: NEVER shoot slugs or any shot other than lead shot on steel targets. In other words, no steel, bismuth, or tungsten shot (which is too expensive anyway) on steel targets. There is a high probability of direct bounce-back from the target which can cause serious injury or death).

The School Drill is a 25-round skill-maintenance exercise that practices all the shotgun manual of arms as follows:

-- Stage #1: A single shot executed from outdoor ready or low ready (5 times--5 rounds)

-- Stage #2: Two shots starting from outdoor ready or low ready (5 times--10 rounds total)

-- Stage #3: With an empty chamber, shotgun aimed at target, pull the trigger. Upon the "click" of an empty gun, conduct an emergency/chamber load of one round, shoot one round (5 times--5 rounds)

-- Stage #4: A single shot executed using the SRE technique (5 times--5 rounds)

In contrast, the SymTac Shotgun Skills Gauge Test is a one-stage, five-round test of your shotgun skills using shotgun slugs. No steel targets for the Skills Gauge. Instead, they use a common IDPA cardboard target, one at three yards and one at ten yards offset as needed to accommodate left or right-handed shooters. The SymTac Shotgun Skills Gauge tests all the shotgun manual of arms taught in the class including SRE, multiple-shot engagement, target transitions, reloading, and a precision shot. 

Scoring for the Skills Gauge is anatomically relevant with zero seconds added for the body shots in the 8-inch scoring zone, and head shots. One second is added to the total time for hits outside the 8-inch scoring zone and five seconds for a miss.

With the shotgun loaded with four slugs, at the start signal, the shooter fires one round from the SRE position at the three-yard target and then transitions to a shoulder mount and fires three rounds at the body of the 10-yard target. After the four rounds and a now-empty gun, the shooter conducts an emergency (chamber) reload, then engages the 10-yard target with one head shot.

Matt stated that they consider a time under ten seconds as a competent skill level. They consider a time of under eight seconds as advanced and under six for a pump and under five for a semi is outstanding. The Haughts award a coin to anyone able to do this drill in under six seconds in class with a pump or five with a semi. My Skills Gauge time in class with my Beretta 1301 was 5.74 seconds—not bad and the fastest student time in this particular class, but no coin for me.

If you have the opportunity to attend a SymTac Shotgun Skills class, I would highly recommend it--your time and money will be well spent.  I enjoyed this class so much that I jumped at the chance to attend SymTac’s first advanced shotgun class offered publicly. I will discuss the advanced class in another after class report.

 ____________________

If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed. 

* The shotgun is often criticized for being a “low capacity” weapon. I personally think that ammunition capacity for a home defense weapon is a non-issue. Each round of 00 buckshot delivers eight or nine 33-caliber bullets at an average velocity of 1250 – 1600 feet per second depending upon the load. A quick look at the ballistics of fifty-two commercial 9mm loads on ammotogo.com showed that the fastest commercial 9mm round was 1265 feet per second. My Beretta 1301 home defense shotgun holds 7+1 for a total of eight rounds which equates to sixty-four individual “bullets” with an eight pellet 00 buckshot load. I cannot imagine a posse of home invaders willing to stand up and engage in a gunfight facing a competently wielded shotgun.

Wednesday Wisdom: 8 July 2026

Medal of Honor: Sergeant Grant Frederick Timmerman

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as tank commander serving with the 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 8 July 1944. Advancing with his tank a few yards ahead of the infantry in support of a vigorous attack on hostile positions, Sgt. Timmerman maintained steady fire from his antiaircraft sky-mount machine gun until progress was impeded by a series of enemy trenches and pillboxes. Observing a target of opportunity, he immediately ordered the tank stopped and, mindful of the danger from the muzzle blast as he prepared to open fire with the 75-mm, fearlessly stood up in the exposed turret and ordered the infantry to hit the deck. Quick to act, as a grenade, hurled by the Japanese, was about to drop into the open turret hatch, Sgt. Timmerman unhesitatingly blocked the opening with his body, holding the grenade against his chest and taking the brunt of the explosion. His exceptional valor and loyalty in saving his men at the cost of his own life reflect the highest credit upon Sgt. Timmerman and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

____________________

The Army has Another New Rifle, The XM8 Carbine

The Army is about to roll out a smaller carbine as part of its new, multi-billion-dollar rifle system. A slightly shorter and lighter carbine version of the M7 rifle, the Army confirmed, is now close enough to fielding that it has been given its own name: the XM8.

Troops tapped for early testing of the new carbine should start to get their hands on the first XM8s as soon as October, an Army spokesperson told Task & Purpose. The XM8 shares internal firing components with the Army’s new M7 rifle, firing a 6.8 x 51mm round.

____________________

Pistol Caliber Carbines: The Best or Worst of Both Worlds?

Why do pistol caliber carbines even exist? We’ve got a plethora of AR, AK, and other carbines chambered for intermediate rifle cartridges like 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39, and 300 Blackout. They are affordable and come in all shapes and sizes. They have proven, time and again, to be more effective on target than anything chambered for a pistol cartridge. What good is a PCC other than as a range toy? If you’ve already decided to use a long gun, why would you get one chambered for the weaker cartridge of a pistol? Pistol caliber carbines are the worst of both worlds. They are feeble and anemic like pistols but carry the size penalty of a rifle.

 ____________________

Lubrication and Ammunition: How Oil Affects Cycling

There are two camps in the lubrication debate: people who run their guns practically dripping wet, and people who barely touch them with oil. Both camps experience malfunctions and blame the ammunition. In reality, how you lubricate your firearm directly affects how ammunition cycles through it. Here's what actually matters.

____________________

The Problem with “Anchor Shots”

I recently attended a class where someone mentioned that (what was described as a “well-known”) force on force trainer was teaching “anchor shots” in their classes. In this video, Massad Ayoob address the concept of anchor shots — and why it is both legally problematic and ethically unsound. While the idea is sometimes discussed in theoretical or tactical conversations, strict legal standards and responsibilities govern real-world use of force. The notion of intentionally delivering a specific type of shot outside of justified necessity can quickly cross legal boundaries and lead to serious consequences.

 ____________________

In Addition to Anchor Shots: Think Before Shooting--Fleeing Suspects

Suspected Burglar

This article recounts a burglary incident and shooting that happened in German Township, Ohio in 2019. Richard Winegardner’s unoccupied home has been burglarized numerous times over the last few months; however, this time it happened while Winegardner was home and in the shower. Winegardner calls 911 while he is confronting the person in his house and simultaneously providing the dispatcher information. It seems that the suspected burglar at some point decided to flee and Winegardner apparently gave chase, ultimately firing numerous shots at the burglar’s SUV. The news reports that police found the SUV with the back window shot out, bullet holes in the interior, and the rear bumper.

 ____________________

SIG’s Full-Size 1911-X Blends Classic Design with Contemporary Feel

The SIG Sauer 1911-X full-size is a great example of a modern production 1911 done correctly. It blends traditional styling and handling with SIG’s modern design and practical upgrades. The result is a pistol that feels classic but offers modern features like optics compatibility, accessory rail support, and enhanced reliability.

 ____________________

The Best (and Worst) Quick Access Safes for Rifles and Shotguns

Secure storage devices for keeping a single home-defense carbine or shotgun close at hand are tough to come by, especially if you want something both small and affordable. I decided to set a limit of $400 for this batch of gun safes. If you’re willing to spend more than that for a small quick-access storage solution, you might consider looking into the “incognito” storage options like shelves, cabinets, and other furniture with hidden compartments. Whatever your budget happens to be, before you go safe shopping, be sure to read the article linked below about avoiding gun theft.

 ____________________

Gun Theft Happens: How to Reduce Your Risk

One concern we all share as responsible gun owners is keeping our guns out of the wrong hands. That can range from children who aren’t ready to handle the responsibility of gun safety to violent criminals looking to arm themselves.

Criminals gain access to firearms in several ways, the two most common being vehicle break-ins and residential burglaries. While guns are sometimes stolen from gun stores (often by driving a car into the building) and by robbing someone known to be carrying a gun, today we’re focusing on how the average armed citizen can avoid the theft of an unattended firearm. Here some ways you can protect against unauthorized access and loss of a firearm.

 ____________________

Hackers Abuse DocuSign API to Send Genuine Looking Invoices

Cybercriminals have started leveraging DocuSign’s API to send fraudulent invoices that appear shockingly authentic.

Unlike traditional phishing schemes that rely on poorly crafted emails and malicious links, these attacks use legitimate DocuSign accounts and templates to impersonate well-known companies, making them difficult for users and security systems to detect.

Traditional phishing attacks often involve fake emails that mimic trusted brands, tricking victims into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive information such as passwords or banking details.

While email filters and anti-spam measures have become more adept at identifying these attacks, the new tactic of using trusted services like DocuSign makes detection significantly more challenging.

 ____________________

Review: Heritage Manufacturing’s Badlander Double Barrel Shotgun

Heritage Manufacturing Co. jumped on the coach gun bandwagon in 2024 with the release of the Bandlander series. In late 18th century England, Richard Bolton developed a double-barrel, 10-ga. "scattergun" designed with the challenges of defending a moving coach from galloping highwaymen in mind. These defensive double-barrel shotguns, or "coach guns," continued to evolve and eventually migrated to America, where they became a fixture in the settlement of the Old West. In those days, a second person often rode up top next to a stagecoach driver to fend off horse-mounted bandits with double-barrel shotguns. It's where the term "riding shotgun" originated.

 ____________________

If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.