Vincent Hancock did it again. The 35-year-old won the Men’s Skeet Olympic gold medal, breaking a wildly-impressive 58 out of 60 clay targets and edging out his fellow teammate, competitor and student, Connor Prince, by just one shot.
Hancock became a four-time Olympic gold champion in his sport, having previously earned Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2021. He is the only skeet shooter to take home an Olympic gold medal more than once.
That should earn him some accolades. Maybe something like a Google-doodle. Don’t count on it, though. The Big Tech overlords celebrated in a much more sinister fashion. Meta shut him down. No Facebook. No Instagram. And no celebrations of American shooting gold.
Just last week, NSSF highlighted the Big Tech bias against the USA Shooting, when YouTube and Meta shadow-banned McKenna Geer, a Paralympic shooter who will represent Team USA in Paris for the 2024 Paralympics.
Geer even wrote that athletes like her in the shooting sports rely in social media to spread the word not just about their sport but also about firearm safety.
That wasn’t good enough for Meta. Just the News reported, “According to the Instagram notification, Geer’s account and the three flagged posts are not recommended to non-followers. ‘Your account and content won’t appear in places like Explore, Search, Suggested Users, Reels, and Feed Recommendations,’ the Instagram notification reads. The notification also tells Geer to consider editing her profile and either edit or remove the flagged posts. Geer said her Instagram account says that she ‘should have the option to appeal the decision,’ but the button to appeal it doesn’t work.”
NSSF isn’t alone in noting Big Tech’s silent treatment of the shooting sports. Tim Rupli authored an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal noting that Meta is censoring Olympic athletes. He quoted Kelly Reisdorf, USA Shooting’s CEO saying, “By silencing an athlete’s voice, you infringe not only on their freedom of expression but subtly on their right to bear arms as well, as these platforms are critical for educating and sharing the legitimate and safe use of firearms in sport.”
(Photo by USA Shooting/Brittany Nelson)
Target: Shooting Sports
Now, Hancock is getting similar treatment. It’s not that Hancock’s achievements aren’t noteworthy. Hancock joined an elite group of U.S. Olympians when he broke his final clay and clinched his most recent gold medal.
USA Shooting celebrated the achievement, noting in a press release that, “Hancock, of Eatonton, Georgia, is now the sixth Olympian ever to win four gold medals in the same event, joining Al Oerter (USA, discus), Paul Elvstrom (Denmark, sailing one-person class), Carl Lewis (USA, long jump), Michael Phelps (USA, 200m individual medley), and Mijain Lopez (Cuba, Greco-Roman heavyweight). He is the first shooting Olympian to accomplish this feat.”
Hancock is one of the most decorated shooting sports competitors of all time. He’s brough home 29 medals from a variety of world competitions, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics, 2020 Tokyo Olympics and now the 2024 Paris Olympics. That’s on top his medal-worthy performances at the World Championships, Pan American Games and World Cup Finals. He’s a U.S. Army veteran, having served with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
USA Shooting also noted that the first-and-second place finishes from Hancock and Prince also marked another “first” for the U.S. Olympic team.
“Hancock and Prince’s double podium marks the first time the U.S. has earned more than one medal in Men’s Skeet at an Olympic Games,” USA Shooting’s press release stated. “The was also the first time more than one U.S. athlete competed in an Olympic Men’s Skeet final.”
Very Little National Coverage
Hancock’s fourth Olympic gold medal was celebrated by The Guardian, a notoriously anti-gun United Kingdom publication. NPR – no friend to lawful firearm ownership – also headlined his achievement. ESPN, with its own anti-gun bias, also praised the victory.
Meta, instead gave Hancock their own salute. It was the same one they gave Geer just weeks ago.
“Your account and content won’t appear in places like Explore, Search, Suggested Users, Reels, and Feed Recommendations,” his Instagram page reads.
Meta and Google got the media spotlight treatment after they wrongly claimed that photos of former President Donald Trump raising his fist in the moments after an assassination attempt were “being marked as digitally altered” and censored. When they got caught in that censorship scheme, they quickly beat feet to reverse their policy, admitting that incorrect fact checks were being applied to the now-famous photo.
“Facebook has just admitted that it wrongly censored the Trump ‘attempted assassination photo,’ and got caught. Same thing for Google,” Fox News reported that former President Trump wrote on his proprietary social media platform Truth Social. “They made it virtually impossible to find pictures or anything about this heinous act. Both are facing BIG BACKLASH OVER CENSORSHIP CLAIMS.”
Big Tech Bias
NSSF has steadfastly held that Big Tech and social media giants hold hostile attitudes toward the lawful use of firearms. They’ve defunded YouTube channels and censored small businesses, even when ads didn’t have anything to do with firearms.
The firearm and ammunition industry has more than a few instances of documented antigun bias by social media companies. There’s a love-hate relationship with the social media platforms. They’ve become so ubiquitous that it’s nearly impossible to reach customers without them. NSSF has argued they’ve become the virtual public square, where people from every walk of life can not only see pictures and video of friends and family, but express ideas, debate topics and participate in civic discourse. That is, of course, if they’re allowed.
Olympic athletes like Hancock, Prince and Geer have taken their sport to the world stage and show what safe and responsible firearm ownership looks like. They demonstrate a competitive spirit, the ethos of Olympic competition and the American values for respect of rights and freedom.
They just can’t talk about it on their social media platforms.
A Montana man recently survived a harrowing grizzly bear attack. The 72-year-old man, whose full identity has not been revealed, was picking huckleberries in the Flathead National Forest, 2 miles from the town of Columbia Falls, on Thursday, July 18, when the attack occurred.
According to a Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks (FWP) press release, shortly after the man encountered the bear, the bruin charged at and attacked him. Thankfully, he escaped a worst-case scenario by shooting and killing the grizzly bear with his handgun. The FWP did not release details on the make or caliber of the firearm.
Authorities say the victim of the attack was hospitalized following the incident but have not released further information about his current condition. FWP wardens located a deceased grizzly sow at the scene of the attack. An FWP spokesperson told the Associated Press that the bear was likely reacting defensively to protect her cubs, though officials have yet to locate any cubs in the area.
Grizzly bear attacks in the Lower 48 are rare, though the species has increased its range throughout Montana and elsewhere in the Mountain West in recent years. Montana is one of several states petitioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to delist the species, arguing that recovery goals have been met. The USFWS has yet to decide on the petitions and is facing at least one lawsuit for failing to meet its deadlines.
5.11 Tactical offers tactical clothes and gear that is not just about style, but about functionality and practicality. From rugged outdoor adventures to urban settings, our experts often seek gear that enhances their mobility, preparedness, and comfort while blending seamlessly into various environments. Whether it’s a durable backpack for carrying essentials on the go, versatile clothing that offers both protection and flexibility, or tactical tools that aid in fieldwork, these selections reflect a writer’s keen eye for detail and readiness for any journey or challenge. Here are our experts’ must-have items from 5.11 Tactical.
A/T6 Boots — Fred Mastison
5.11 has been the gold standard for tactical wear since it opened its doors. Their offerings are extensive, yet everyone has their favorite piece of gear. While it’s a difficult task to choose just one, I too have a favorite. The 5.11 A/T6 boots have been my go-to work boots since I received them. Honestly, they see as much time in casual wear as they do at work. To say that I am tough on footwear is an understatement but the A/T6 boots have not even begun to see any noticeable wear.
These boots utilize the 5.11 A.T.L.A.S technology support plate that ensures a cushioned feel and exceptional energy return. The most noticeable part of the boot is the echo foam impact cushion. This makes long days on the range much more comfortable. I am a fanatic about high-performance foot wear, and 5.11 delivers with the A/T6 boots.
A/T MID WATERPROOF BOOTS — Todd Burgreen
While firearm, ammunition, rifle scope gets centerstage of many hunting articles, other items serve as important support functions. The many miles covered on foot in Texas would not have been as comfortable with the 5.11 Tactical A/T Mid Waterproof Boot. Think running shoes crossed with hiking boots. The A/T Mid’s light weight is a pleasant surprise, especially considering the rugged nature of the footwear. 5.11 Tactical combines 3D molded TPR toe and heel protection, a welded/mesh upper, and high performance, high traction outsole. The All-Terrain Load Assistance System (A.T.L.A.S.) built to handle your bodyweight with or without a pack also weighing you down.
BRAXTON JACKET — Joshua Swanagon
5.11 Tactical sits at the top of my list of outerwear brands, making it hard to come up with a favorite item. However, living in Michigan, you never know what kind of weather you are going to encounter. So, I always have my Braxton Jacket with me. Its 92% polyester/8% elastane body is warm and offers light rain protection. The lightweight jacket is feature-rich with plenty of pockets—my favorite being the two ReadyPocket compartments and RAPIDraw CCW access. Overall, it offers a nice blend of rugged functionality and good looks that fit into any social setting.
DEFENDER FLEX 2.0 — Sean Utley
5.11 Tactical is without a doubt one of the best clothing and accessories companies going right now. Narrow that down the the 2A community and they are indeed number one. Nearly everyday my entire wardrobe consists of 5.11 gear from my shirt and pants to my socks and shoes. While I love almost everything they put out, the new Defender Flex 2.0 pant is literally on point with amazing fit and comfort. They are tough, functional and I love the rear pockets for my mobile phone. They come in great colors too, just like their other lines of pants and range pants. I’m a 5.11 junkie, and I never saw it coming.
JACKSON LONG SLEEVE SHIRT — Frank Jardim
I travel a great deal, and the two most important requirements I have for the clothing I pack in my suitcase is that it be comfortable and practical. The 5.11 Jackson Long Sleeve shirt works for me in the field and in the city. I’ve worn mine all over Europe, Mexico and Peru. It’s great for hot climates when worn alone, and cold climates when layered.
The fabric is 98% cotton with 2% elastane that allows a surprising amount of stretch which makes it easier to move. With a necktie and jacket, I can get a table for dinner at Casa Botin in Madrid. My favorite thing about this shirt is the Ready Pocket inside the left breast with a Velcro closure running vertically along the shirt placket. This is where I carry my passport and wallet when I’m overseas to protect them from accidental loss in the field or the quick fingers of pickpockets.
KUBATON PEN — Michael D’Angona
One item from 5.11 Tactical that travels with me daily is their kubaton pen. This amalgamation of both a workable pen and a practical self-defense weapon is perfect to take just about everywhere. It can come in handy if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Personally, I hold a second degree black belt in Japanese Ju-Jitsu and have studied pressure points using traditional wooden kubatons in the past. Having one made from modern,durable materials on me at all times is extremely beneficial. The unit itself is built tough, with an aluminum outer body and two striking surfaces. It can conveniently clip to your shirt pocket like a normal pen and function like a normal pen when it’s time to jot down some notes. The kubotan pen offers a handy self-defense option discreetly disguised and will always be ready for action!
LV18 BACKPACK 2.0 30L — Kenzie Fitzpatrick
I can’t live without 5.11 backpacks or sling and waist packs. My favorite piece of gear is the LV18 Backpack 2.0 30L. I have used this bag for backpacking in the Smoky Mountains, as my range bag for shooting competitions, and as my go-to carry-on bag for flying. There is a dedicated laptop sleeve with a velcro strap to keep it in place. 5.11 includes a hidden velcro-compatible ambidextrous compartment where I always store a firearm when hiking. There is an expandable water bottle holder, multiple places to attach carabiners or gear to the outside of the bag, and, internally, smaller compartments for safely storing essential items. Best backpack ever made!
LVC8 SLING PACK 8L — Robert Jordan
I have long preferred the lower profile of a sling bag to a backpack. For years I carried the 5.11 COVRT Z.A.P. both on and off duty with a Glock 27, spare mag, badge, creds, cell phone, notebook, tourniquet and whatever I might need that day. These days the LVC8 Sling Pack is my first choice for everything from a plane carry-on (it holds my 11.6” travel laptop and headphones) to every day when I’m wearing shorts and flipflops and can’t conceal a gun on my hip. It is packed with pockets and organizational features. They thought of everything even down to being able to tuck away the 5.11 logo to make it extra low profile.
PTR DAILY GRIND SACK — Reuben Bolieu
The 5.11 PT-R Daily Grind Sack Pack 17L is the kind of gear that seamlessly fits into the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s the perfect companion for daily commutes on crowded trains, where its slim profile and ‘high-speed low drag’ design mean you’re not that person struggling to squeeze a bulky bag into a tight spot. The main compartment is a black hole for your essentials, quickly swallowing up shoes, shirts, and the day’s necessities.
The external stretch pockets are a godsend for water bottles or that extra pair of headphones, and the webbing closure that doubles as shoulder straps? Genius. It’s all about efficiency and adjustability. Plus, the laser-cut loop laminate MOLLE-compatible panel adds that touch of tactical chic, whether at the gym or grabbing coffee in the concrete jungle. It’s durable, versatile, and has that 5.11 attitude that says you’re ready for whatever the day delivers. I dare you to catch me without it!
PT-R INURE RUNNER (MEN’S) — Frank Melloni
The self-defense community is great at stressing the importance of weapons training, but when it comes to tempering our bodies to the same standards, we sadly fall short. Five-Eleven’s PT-R Inure Runners are the quintessential cross-training shoe built for high-endurance exercise routines. The INSITE footbed ensures your feet are properly supported, while the mesh upper provides the necessary ventilation to stave off blister-causing sweat. These are offered in two stylish patterns because, let’s face it, a good pair of gym shoes always finds use outside of the gym.
PT-R INURE RUNNER (WOMEN’S) — Madison Heim
When in a tactical situation one of the most important parts of your wardrobe is your footwear. The right pair of shoes will keep your feet protected, provide comfort, and be designed with durability in mind. When I go to the range, the footwear I choose to wear are the PT-R Inure Runner by 5.11 Tactical. These shoes are stylish, breathable, lightweight, and more importantly can be worn for long periods of time. Based on their comfortability and affordability alone, I cannot recommend these shoes enough.
PT-R KAIA CAPRI LEGGINGS — Tiffanie Kluchnik
Working out as often as I do, I am always looking for a reliable pair of capri pants to wear. Pants that can withstand the squats, the running, and yes, even the sitting when it’s time to take that much-needed water break. The fabric is made up of 69% nylon/ 31% elastane jersey, 6.6 ounces., wicking and anti-odor finish makes for a very breathable material whether you are in the gym or in the 115-degree weather I experience here in sunny Arizona. One of the best features is the Side seam drop pockets that fit my phone perfectly, so trying to find another apparatus just to carry my phone is something I don’t have to think about before running. These are great to just throw on to go to the store or to the gym for my hardest workout. The PT-R Kaia Capri are definitely a must-have for me.
RANGE MASTER BUCKET BAGS — Garrett Lucas
A few years ago, I acquired several of 5.11’s Rangemaster Bucket Bags. The main bags are made of 1050D Nylon and have an inner bag made of 500D Nylon, and they have a 4-liter capacity. They’ve made transporting ammo to and from the range more convenient and a little easier with the dual carry handles on top. So, when I get ammo sent to me, I can prep the bags with ammo in the comfort of my home and move them to the vehicle. Once I get to the range, it’s quick work to get the bags on the line with no time wasted standing around in the elements busting open boxes and dealing with trash.
The Bucket Bags make it easy to keep ammo types sorted and easy to move from one point to another when I’ve got other folks helping out with reviews. I can put over 1100 rounds of 9mm in a bag and still be a couple of inches from the top. The bags are robust but lightweight so I don’t have the extra bulk and weight of an ammo can, and the open tops provide easy access to the ammunition. After having used them for going on three years, I couldn’t go back to the old way ever again.
RAPID OPS SHIRT— Mike Detty
When the cold winter winds start to blow the first piece of gear I reach for is my 5.11 Rapid Ops Shirt. Besides keeping me warm, the shirt provides comfortable 4-way stretch along with moisture-wicking, quick-drying performance while keeping me looking sharp! Constructed with a special blend of Polyester and Elastane, the shirt’s low-profile makes it the perfect base layer for winter wear by trapping precious body heat. Its wrinkle-free material does not require ironing and possesses an anti-order finish designed to keep you fresh.
5.11 outfits the Rapid Ops Shirt with dual sleeve pockets, conveniently located at the biceps, for convenient storage of small items. For durability the elbows are reinforced, and the cuffs are easily adjusted with hook and loop fasteners. The pullover shirt has an easy-to-use ¼ zip center front and a tunic style collar. Warm, comfortable and maintenance-free, the 5.11 Rapid Ops Shirt should be a staple of everyone’s cold weather wardrobe! Available in Black, TDU Green and Dark Navy Blue.
RIDGE PANT & A/T MID BOOT — Alex Landeen
The Ridge pant was an update on the popular Apex line. Same pocket layout, including the IWB flex cuff tunnel, hidden cuff key pocket, and internal cargo pocket with magazine dividers. I have more hours in Ridge pants than any other brand or product line. Combined with The A/T Mid Boot, with 5.11’s A.T.L.A.S. System, Ortholite foam footbed, suede leather uppers and a high abrasion air mesh nylon lower, this has been my favorite work lower-half combo for a long time, as you can see.
RUSH 24 2.0 WOODLAND BACKPACK 37L— Barb Melloni
5.11 is a staple when it comes to my range gear… whether it be their ultra-comfortable Shella pants or cozy Donna hoodies you can’t go wrong. I’ve been traveling lately, and my Rush 24 2.0 Woodland Camo Backpack has been put to the test. This 37-liter pack has more pockets than I know what to do with. But boy does it ever keep me organized! Spacious, feature packed, and showing no signs of wear despite me lovingly cramming it under my seat on four different flights. It has quickly become my go to travel companion. Bonus points earned for the chest strap keeping things secure as I ran to catch my connecting flight!
By popular request, we take on the topic of using handguns for self-defense against bear attacks, drawing on 162 documented cases collected by Ammoland. We explore the effectiveness of warning shots, performance of various calibers, and stats on the likelihood of bear attacks by location.
Details are in the video below, or keep scrolling to read the full transcript.
Hey everybody, I am Chris Baker from LuckyGunner.com and today I’m going to talk about using a handgun to defend against a bear attack.
A lot of you guys have asked me to cover this topic over the years, but I’ve been reluctant. I’ve got a fairly deep well of knowledge on guns, ammo, ballistics, and self-defense. What I know about bears is more like a sippy cup of knowledge in comparison.
Fortunately, there is an excellent resource we can lean on here: the collection of handgun defenses against bear attacks compiled by the firearms news website Ammoland.com. Since 2018, they’ve been collecting every account they can find where someone has used a handgun in a bear attack. They just published their latest update in May of this year and they’re up to 162 documented cases. To be clear, we don’t have any relationship with Ammoland. I haven’t talked to them about this video and we’re not getting anything from them for doing it. I just think they’ve done some really good work on this topic.
The Ammoland stories come from news reports, books, Freedom of Information Act Requests, and their own interviews with involved parties. The 162 incidents do not include cases where the outcome was unknown or where a handgun was used in combination with another weapon like a rifle. They publish small excerpts from each case so you can get a little context, and provide links to the full stories when possible. The incidents come from all over the world with the majority from the US and a few from Canada and Norway.
Bear Attacks in Perspective
Before we dig into the gun stuff, I want to add some perspective here. Bear attacks are extremely rare. It’s hard to nail down exact figures. Estimates range between roughly one to three fatal attacks per year on average in North America, with a slight increase in recent years.
There are a ton of ways mother nature will try to kill you that are many times more likely than a bear attack. For example, since 2007, six people have been killed by bears in national parks. In that same time period, 10 people died from lightning strikes and 46 were poisoned. 74 died from stuff falling on them like avalanches, trees, branches, and rocks. 118 died from hyper and hypothermia. 428 fell to their deaths, and 830 people drowned.
If you like to play outside, underestimating the environment or the weather is usually what gets you. Dangerous animals are definitely a reality. But if you spend more time thinking about a bear gun than you do about how to handle getting lost in the woods, you might be doing it wrong.
Deterrence and Avoidance
Also keep in mind that unless you have the right hunting permits and they’re in season, you can’t shoot a bear just for being a bear. You could face legal trouble if you shoot one without a good reason. Personally, I don’t particularly want to shoot a bear. They’re amazing animals and they’re fun to watch… from a safe distance.
There are a lot of ways to avoid a bear confrontation altogether. The standard advice from the wilderness experts seems to be pretty effective. Travel in groups, make lots of noise, keep your food secure. If you do encounter a bear, don’t run away, but also don’t approach them.
Bear spray can be an excellent deterrent. It’s not 100%, but it’s worked really well for a lot of people and it requires far less skill to use than a handgun. It’s an especially attractive option when you can have one person ready with the bear spray while a skilled shooter backs them up with a handgun in case the spray fails.
So with that in mind, let’s look at five lessons we can learn about bear defense from Ammoland’s story collection.
Lesson 1: Bears Hate Getting Shot
The first lesson is that bears really hate getting shot, regardless of caliber. Out of 162 handgun bear defense incidents, only four were unsuccessful. Caliber was more or less irrelevant in those cases because in all four failures, the shooter either missed, or wasn’t sure if they hit the bear.
Now, I wouldn’t say that necessarily means caliber should be irrelevant in choosing a gun for bear defense. If you read through these stories, there are a lot of close calls. There were several incidents where the bear was shot but continued advancing until it was shot some more. But generally speaking, the most important factor in terms of hardware was just having the gun accessible and ready to fire.
Many of the incidents appear to be what we call “psychological stops” where the bear fled even though it was still physically capable of continuing the attack. Often, the bear was shot just once before running off and later on they found it dead just 30 or 40 yards away. More often than not, you don’t have to incapacitate a bear to get it to stop attacking.
Lesson 2: Warning Shots Are Often Effective
In many cases, the bear was not shot at all. 29 incidents involved warning shots to try to scare the bear away. That worked in 21 of those cases or 72% of the time.
When we’re talking about defense against a violent criminal, there are several reasons, both legal and practical, why warning shots are typically ill-advised. We might have to adjust that mindset for dangerous animals. In the wilderness, there’s a far smaller chance of accidentally hitting an innocent bystander with that warning shot. And it looks like there’s a pretty good chance it will actually work.
Of course, it’s a calculated risk. You have to consider how far away the animal is. Is it already aggressive? How much ammo do you have in your gun? In several of those cases where the warning shot worked, it took multiple shots to get the bear to leave. Oftentimes, the bear fled, but then came back later.
When the warning shots failed, sometimes the shooter waited way too long to transition from warning shots to trying to get actual hits. I understand the reluctance to shoot a bear, but I think you have to decide in advance where your line in the sand is going to be and stick to it. Maybe don’t wait until the bear is within hugging distance to start shooting.
Lesson 3: Carry a Reload
And that brings us to lesson three. If you’re going to carry a gun for bear defense, spare ammo might not be a bad idea.
I’m normally not a big advocate of carrying a reload with a daily carry gun. There’s nothing wrong with it, if that’s what you want to do. But it’s almost unheard of for an armed citizen to need a reload in defense against a violent human.
With bears, it’s a different story. I counted eight cases in the Ammoland incidents that mention a reload. In three of those cases, the reload was actually necessary to fend off the attack.
Three out of 162 is not a lot, but it’s a much higher percentage than we see in defensive gun uses against humans.
Revolvers make up more than half of the handguns used in these bear attacks, so most people are starting off with lower ammo capacity. Then they fire warning shots or miss with their first few shots. Bears often leave and return later, so you’re much more likely to have time to reload than in a street encounter.
If you carry a revolver for bear defense, I’d suggest carrying spare ammo on a speed strip. You probably won’t need it, but they’re flat and really easy to carry somewhere on your body within arm’s reach.
Having said that, it seems like the most common reason for running low on ammo is not hitting the bear. So if you’re trying to decide on a gun for bear defense, your ability to shoot it well is probably more important than caliber.
Lesson 4: .44 Magnum Has an Impressive Track Record
On the other hand, .44 Magnum seems to work really well on bears. I’m not saying it necessarily works better than any other specific cartridge, but we have a lot more cases to look at. For the incidents in which the caliber of the handgun was known, 35% were .44 Magnum. That’s over three times more than any other single cartridge.
In 25 of those cases, the shooter managed to hit the bear and the story specified the number of times. 13 bears stopped after a single shot. Ten stopped after two to three shots, and two stopped after five shots. That’s a pretty good track record.
It’s hard to draw any meaningful conclusions about the other cartridges because the number of incidents is so much smaller. The second most common cartridge was .357 Magnum with 13 cases. It seemed to do really well. I know there’s a lot of interest in 10mm as a bear cartridge, but there were only seven of those. And for whatever reason, a lot of the stories involving semi-autos did not specify the number of hits, so we don’t have a ton of info to go on.
Overall, one-shot stops were not uncommon except with .22. Again, the most important thing is to actually hit the target.
If we run with the assumption that .44 Magnum does perform better than other cartridges, it’s probably because it’s generally a good penetrator. It’s possible to get really deep penetration out of 9, .40, .45, 10mm, and .357 magnum, but you have to be more picky about ammo selection. Hard cast lead bullets are ideal, especially for the revolvers.
For the semi-autos, this is one of the few cases where I might consider something like Underwood X-Treme Defense or similar ammo designed for penetration.
Lesson 5: Brown Bears are More Dangerous
And finally, brown bears are a lot more aggressive than black bears. We don’t need the Ammoland project to tell us that. It’s common knowledge. But it does give us an idea of just how much more dangerous brown bears are.
In the United States, brown bears account for 7% of the overall bear population. They make up 64% of the attacks gathered by Ammoland that took place in the US.
Most of our country’s brown bears live in Alaska. About 30,000 or so. Only 2000 live in the lower 48, and those are all concentrated in three states: Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho.
If we look at the Ammoland bear attacks by state, Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana together make up 70% of the incidents. Alaska had a mix of brown and black bear attacks, but all of the attacks in Montana and Wyoming were from grizzly bears.
So if you don’t often hang out in the wilderness in those three states, your odds of being attacked by a bear go down pretty dramatically. There are about 400,000 black bears in the US. They encounter humans all the time and are generally happy to leave you alone unless you have food, or you wind up between a mama bear and her cubs. That’s bad.
The Best Handgun for Bear Defense
So with all of that in mind, what is the best gun for bear defense? As always, it depends. What kind of bears? What are your risk factors? Are you carrying openly or concealed? Are you trying to minimize weight for a long backpacking trip?
When I go out for a day hike here in the Smoky Mountains, I’m more than okay with a can of bear spray and a small 9mm. If I was hunting in Alaska and thought I might be dragging around a dead animal carcass for 20 miles, I’d probably want a 12 gauge and a .44 Magnum and a couple of buddies with the same.
Don’t overthink it. Spend some time learning about the bears in your area. Whatever gun you choose, just make sure it’s loaded, accessible, and that you’re a competent and confident shooter. And of course, when you need ammo for that gun, be sure to get it from us with lightning-fast shipping at LuckyGunner.com.
Two anglers and their fishing guide rescued 38 hounds that the men found desperately treading water in the middle of a 90,000-acre Mississippi lake earlier this month.
Bob Gist and Brad Carlisle set out for a day of crappie fishing on Grenada Lake on June 8 with Jordan Chrestman, who runs Tri-Lake Guide Service in Calhoun City, Mississippi. They’d been on the water only a short time when Gist spotted something odd in the distance. He asked Chrestman what he was seeing, according to Jonesboro Right Now, and Chrestman yelled, “I think those are dogs!”
Chrestman motored closer to investigate, and the men were astounded to find dozens of hounds wearing electronic collars and struggling to stay afloat as they paddled randomly in different directions. And they were a long way from dry ground.
“The dogs were at least a mile offshore,” Gist told the news organization. “The way their heads were in the water, there’s no way they could see the shore. They were dog paddling and completely lost.”
Gist estimated that the dogs had been in the water 15 or 20 minutes, and they weren’t going to survive without help. The men began hauling them into the small bass boat; when they got 27 of the hounds aboard, there was no room for more. So they made a run to shore and returned for the remaining 11. By then, some of the hounds had been in the water for 45 minutes to an hour.
Gist, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Carlisle, of Covington, Tennessee, are both State Farm Insurance agents. That led to a lot of jokes online quoting the company’s ad slogan about good neighbors being there when needed. But the real hero is Chrestman, Gist told the Associated Press. “If it wasn’t for Jordan, there would have been 38 dead dogs,” he said.
The hounds were reunited with their owners, who explained that they were in the middle of a fox hunt when a deer jumped up, plunged into the lake, and swam away with the dogs in hot pursuit. Gist said the grateful hunters offered reward money, but Chrestman declined, suggesting the men pay it forward by helping someone else in need.
Gist and Carlisle went back to crappie fishing, and even boated a few—though that must have seemed like small fry compared to a limit of hounds. “We didn’t reel in a lot of fish,” Gist told Rick Karle Good News, “but we reeled in a lot of dogs.”
An apparent shark attack recently occurred off the coast of Oahu’s North Shore, resulting in the death of 49-year-old Tamayo Perry. According to local authorities, Perry’s body was found in the early afternoon on Sunday, June 23. He was pronounced dead at the scene and had suffered multiple shark bites. According to Stab Magazine, he was reportedly missing an arm and leg when officials recovered his body.
Perry, who grew up in Hawaii, was a well-known surfer and lifeguard who had also been featured as an actor in movies and T.V. shows such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Lost, and Hawaii Five-0. “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a news conference.
The tragic incident marks the first fatal shark attack of 2024 in Hawaii—and any U.S. waters. The most recent similar incident occurred in December 2023 when a shark attacked and killed a 39-year-old surfer at Maui’s Paia Bay.
According to the International Shark Attack File, fatal shark attacks are extremely rare. Most attacks are considered cases of “mistaken identity,” in which sharks confuse humans for traditional prey items like seals and sea lions.
It’s not immediately clear what species of shark was responsible for the recent fatal attack. According to the State of Hawaii, tiger sharks “are considered the most dangerous sharks in Hawaiian waters,” while white sharks are rarely encountered in the area.
Following the incident, officials have posted shark warning signs at Malaekahana Beach, where Perry died.
The glamour and influence of Hollywood just ain’t what it used to be. That explains why Brady United for Gun Control’s recent announcement that they’re bringing on Hollywood executives and producers to help sell gun control makes perfect sense.
Hollywood Brought in to Sell Gun Control
Americans don’t want to be lectured to by out-of-touch actors who make millions and live in safe, gated communities and are protected by armed bodyguards. They don’t care what they think. They’re tired of paying good money to have “woke” movie directors bludgeon them with progressive politics in a movie theater.
The gun control industry, in the same light, continues to push an agenda that Americans aren’t buying. Recent history and polling has shown law-abiding Americans are fed up with the defund-the-police and soft-on-crime policies imposed on them in America’s biggest cities, including Los Angeles and Hollywood.
With their announcement, Brady is joining other national gun control groups in trying to sell Americans on giving up more of their rights. That agenda is not an award-winning one.
In The Tank
The abysmal viewership numbers of the various yearly Hollywood awards shows are in the dumps. Recently, the Academy Awards, or Oscars, had just 10.1 million viewers. That’s a plunge of more than 55 percent from the year prior.
Anyone recall the 2020 Ricky Gervais monologue? (Disclosure: not safe for workplace viewing.) “So, if you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a political platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything,” Gervaise chastised the live audience of actors and entertainment industry suits.
The feeling is similar among Americans who see gun control groups lecture them about community safety, endorse and support prosecutors and elected officials who go soft on criminals, and then work to deny law-abiding Americans from taking lawful steps to protect themselves and their families. No amount of Hollywood dress-up will help.
Brady announced the addition of three big Hollywood names to help them sell more gun control. In a release, the gun control group touted the hires. It states they will “bolster efforts and cultivate new relationships in the entertainment industry.”
The goal is to “ignite a movement among culture leaders and creators to spark positive norm and behavior change and reshape America’s relationship with guns.”
America’s relationship with guns certainly has changed dramatically over the past three years, too. So much so that Americans have lawfully purchased more than 1 million firearms every month for 50 straight months.
This historic stretch includes large percentages of women gun buyers, minority gun buyers, and first-time gun buyers. This makes the gun-owning community the most diverse ever.
Deep Gun Control Ties
Joining the Brady gun control outfit are Christy Callahan, a former motion picture creative executive and TV writer; Jared Milrad, an “award-winning filmmaker, actor, entrepreneur and advocate for inclusion and social impact in entertainment”; and Matt Littman, who is leaving his position at the gun control group 97 percent.
Previously, he served as then-Sen. Joe Biden’s chief speechwriter and is currently a senior advisor to President Biden’s reelection campaign. President Biden, of course, continues to repeat lies about the firearm industry in his speeches and public appearances calling for more gun control.
Callahan helped spearhead an “open letter” that was signed by more than 200 Hollywood writers, producers and actors. The letter demonstrated how one-sided the effort is.
“Guns are prominently featured in TV and movies in every corner of the globe, but only America has a gun violence epidemic. The responsibility lies with lax gun laws supported by those politicians more afraid of losing power than saving lives,” the letter reads.
Among other goals, the letter states the signatories support “Limiting scenes that include children and guns, bearing in mind that guns are now the leading cause of death for children and adolescents.”
The false statistic is repeated often by gun control groups, as well as President Biden. They knowingly ignore that most of the deaths included involve criminal firearm violence committed by persons aged 18 and 19. As such, they are legal adults.
I wonder how many acting gigs these signatories turned down because they depicted and glorified the misuse of gun violence. Let’s see them put their money where their mouth is.
Leading Real Change
The firearm industry supports safe and responsible gun ownership and has a proven track record of making a positive impact. NSSF’s Real Solutions. Safer Communities.® campaign has helped reduce unintentional firearm deaths to record low numbers since data was first tracked in 1903.
That includes supporting safe and secure firearm storage in the home and not in use. Through that effort, Project ChildSafe® has distributed more than 40 million free firearm safety kits. This includes locking devices, through partnerships with over 15,000 law enforcement agencies in all 50 states and five U.S. territories.
This campaign has been recognized by the National Safety Council’s Green Cross Awards and the Government Accountability Office for its efficacy in reducing the criminal and negligent misuse of firearms through voluntary safe storage.
Additionally, NSSF’s Operation Secure Store® and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy™ campaigns work with firearm retailers to provide educational resources and services to better secure their inventory and reduce robberies and burglaries and remind the public it is a serious crime to lie on the federal background check form to buy a firearm for someone else who cannot do so on their own. ATF data from this year confirms once again these programs help make communities safer.
Hollywood elites continue to ignore the real crime problems plaguing America’s cities. Gun control groups are no better and continue to advocate for policies that limit rights, leaving law-abiding Americans less safe. Hollywood and gun control working together won’t change anything.
Instead, the firearm industry will continue doing the hard work on safety initiatives that actually do make communities safer. All while protecting rights – not eliminating them.
Ball and Buck just announced a new clothing item in partnership with one of our favorite pro-gun fiction writers. The Ball and Buck X Jack Carr Limited Edition Shirt #002 brings a bit of that Terminal List swag into your next range shirt.
Ball and Buck Jack Carr Limited Edition Shirt
“Run to the sound of the guns!” Ball and Buck listened to that ethos when designing the do-everything hunting, field, range or everyday shirt. Designed with Jack Carr and military-inspired materials, including wetsuit neoprene, this shirt should hold up well to hard use. But the launch limits to just 400 bundled pairs of shirts with a sgined copy of Carr’s new book, Only the Dead. So you better act fact.
“It was a blast to work with Jack again designing this 2nd launch edition shirt,” said Mark Bollman, founder of Ball and Buck. “In order to tie in the storyline of Only the Dead, we incorporated military-inspired materials like wetsuit neoprene and ocean blue fabrics. Those fabrics combined with the iconic Jack Carr touches, makes this limited-edition shirt a must have for any loyalist.
The Carr shirt features Jack’s favorite martial, with the iconic crossed tomahawks subtly interwoven into the shirt’s design. The shirt also features “Long Live The Brotherhood,” printed inside the from placket. A curved bottom hem line makes this shirt wear well either tucked or untucked. A blaze orange bottom button hole, Tech Vent Underarm Ventilation and a 9mm Casting Rivet on the lower side seam round out the custom touches. For more info, visit ballandbuck.com.
Ball and Buck Jack Carr Limited Edition Shirt Features
4.5 OZ 100% cotton reverse french twill
“Long Live The Brotherhood” print inside front Placket
Curved bottom hem line for tucked or untucked wear
Blaze orange bottom button hole
Tech Vent underarm ventilation
9mm Casing Rivet on lower side seam
Crossed Tomahawk embroidery on elbow patches and front Placket
Back in May, I reported that a U.S. District Judge issued a preliminary injunction against the Illinois “assault weapons” ban. However, in a recent decision, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit overturned the decision. What’s more, they indicate that AR-15s are not protected by the Second Amendment.
Seventh Circuit Court Overturns Injunction Against Illinois “Assault Weapons” Ban
As reported below, the original injunction was issued by U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn in Barnett v. Raoul. Following his decision, an appeal was filed with the Seventh Circuit court. The three-judge panel is made up of Ronald Reagan appointee Frank Easterbook, Bill Clinton appointee Diane P. Wood, and Donald Trump appointee Michael P. Brennan.
According to Breitbart News, “Easterbrook and Wood constituted the panel majority in overturning the injunction. They noted that Heller (2008) held, ‘[l]ike most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited.’”
The panel noted that in Heller, the Supreme Court of the United States determined that machine guns are not protected by the Second Amendment. Specifically, because they are not “bearable” and can “be dedicated exclusively to military use.”
For this reason, Easterbrook and Wood worked to highlight the similarities between AR-15s and M16s. However, the similarities highlighted only occur when currently illegal modifications are made to the AR platform. Such as adding a “bump stock” or auto-sear. Likewise, they make the correlation between the two regarding the same ammunition and kinetic energy.
Breitbart News states, “Judge Brennan dissented from the majority decision, stressing that the Illinois ‘assault weapons’ ban fails if tested by Bruen (2022) because the ban has no historical precedent in American tradition.”
Fortunately, according to a post from the Firearms Policy Coalition on X, there is still a pathway to victory.
The post states that the court does “not rule out the possibility that the plaintiffs will find other evidence that shows a sharper distinction between AR-15s and M16s (and each one’s relatives) than the present record reveals.”
The Firearms Policy Coalition promises to fight forward.
To clarify, the Seventh Circuit reversed the preliminary injunction (halt of the law’s enforcement on the likelihood of victory) we secured at the District Court level. They claim there is still more to be learned as the case moves forward, leaving the door open that victory is…
We will continue to follow this case as it moves forward and will provide updates as they happen.
On May 2, 2023, Joshua Swanagon reported:
U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn apparently shares the views of many law-abiding American citizens. Specifically, there are already enough gun laws on the books that aren’t enforced, and there’s no need for more. For this reason, he issued a preliminary injunction against the Illinois “assault weapons” ban on Friday, April 28, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Illinois “Assault Weapons” Ban
Judge McGlynn presided over Barnett v. Raoul, which consolidated numerous suits against the Illinois “assault weapons” ban. The ban, known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), was brought about following the attack on an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois (details below). Occurring just weeks after the SCOTUS issued its Bruen decision, Democrats used the attack to justify PICA.
In his decision, McGlynn acknowledged the attack, and the Democrats attempt to take advantage of it:
“As Americans, we have every reason to celebrate our rights and freedoms, especially on Independence Day. Can the senseless crimes of a relative few be so despicable to justify the infringement of the constitutional rights of law-abiding individuals in hopes that such crimes will then abate or, at least, not be as horrific?
“More specifically, can PICA be harmonized with the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and with Bruen? That is the issue before this Court. The simple answer at this stage in the proceedings is ‘likely no.’”
Appropriately, McGlynn pointed to Bruen in his decision to block enforcement of PICA until a ruling on its constitutionality is finalized:
“Amongst other things, the Bruen Court reaffirmed that ‘the right to “bear arms” refers to the right to “wear, bear, or carry…upon the person or in the clothing or in a pocket, for the purpose…of being armed and ready for offensive or defensive action in a case of conflict with another person.”’ 142 S. Ct. at 2134 (quoting D.C. v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570, 584 (2008)).”
Likewise, he went on to say that the SCOTUS decision in Bruen states that “the Second Amendment protects the possession and use of weapons that are ‘in common use at the time.’”
McGlynn Suggests Enforcing Current Laws
Concluding his decision, McGlynn called attention to the fact that there are enough gun laws on the books. However, those laws are being ignored or diminished in severity. So, he suggests that Illinois look to enforce its current laws before trying to enact more:
“The Court recognizes that the issues with which it is confronted are highly contentious and provoke strong emotions. Again, the Court’s ruling today is not a final resolution of the merits of the cases. Nothing in this order prevents the State from confronting firearm-related violence.
“There is a wide array of civil and criminal laws that permit the commitment and prosecution of those who use or may use firearms to commit crimes. Law enforcement and prosecutors should take their obligations to enforce these laws seriously.
“Families and the public at large should report concerning behavior. Judges should exercise their prudent judgment in committing individuals that pose a threat to the public and imposing sentences that punish, not just lightly inconvenience, those guilty of firearm-related crimes.”
This really gets right to the heart of the issue. Law-abiding American citizens are punished for the crimes of a few, while criminals are “lightly inconvenienced” and walk free. So, while criminals become ever more emboldened, law-abiding citizens are being stripped of their Second Amendment rights. No country can survive this kind of lopsided justice.
Injunction Leads to Surge in Gun Sales
As you might have already guessed, the injunction led to an rapid surge in gun sales. In fact, immediately following the ruling, weekend crowds filled gun shops. One gun shop owner indicated that there was a line outside the door before he could open in the morning.
According to the Chicago Tribune, “Suburban gun shop owners were swamped with weekend crowds after a federal judge in the district court for the Southern District of Illinois issued an injunction Friday, blocking enforcement of the state’s January ban on military-style firearms.”
Some were just happy to enjoy their Second Amendment freedoms again:
“I’m fairly excited that I got my rights back,” Johnson said. “We live in the United States, we should follow the Constitution and be able to do what law-abiding citizens are able to do.”
Others expressed concerns over unsafe living conditions in Chicago:
“Living in Chicago raises obvious self-defense issues,” Eldridge said. “If somebody is ready to spend $250 and 16 hours of their time on a concealed carry class, that’s a pretty good indication that they do have some concerns about personal safety.”
Instead of paying attention to his constituents, Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed an appeal to McGlynn’s ruling. Likewise, he has filed a motion in federal court to stop the ruling from going into effect, pending the outcome of the appeal.
Until that time, the people of Illinois are taking advantage of the injunction and buying what they can now. Proving once again, Democrats make the best gun salesmen.
On January 13, 2023, PDW reported:
Well, that was fast. As it turns out, the new “assault weapons” ban in Illinois isn’t too popular among law enforcement or state representatives. The ink was barely even dry on the document before they voiced their opposition. Although this legislation mostly affects point of sale, current owners of banned firearms are supposed to register them (story below). But it doesn’t look like anyone will be enforcing it in at least two counties.
Opposition to Illinois “Assault Weapons” Ban Turning to Defiance
Quickly after the bill was signed, Edwards County Sheriff Darby Boewe issued a statement. In the statement, he makes it clear that he will not be supporting the bill at all. Specifically, he states that it is a violation of the constitution.
“Neither myself nor my office will be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, nor will we be arresting [or] housing individuals that have been charged solely with non-compliance of this act,” a statement from Sheriff Darby issued on Wednesday and reported by WEVV News, says.
According to the WEVV report, a nearly identical statement was issued by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office following Darby’s statement. The statement from Wabash County also opposes the bill and contains the same quote as above. Likewise, several other sheriffs in the area and around Illinois have issued similar statements.
Illinois State Representatives Chime In
The newly signed legislation did not sit well with members of the Illinois House or Senate either. Many called the legislation out for endangering Illinois citizens, highlighting that people who break the law are not going to register their firearms. However, some went on to openly defy the ban.
According to CBS News, Illinois State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) said, “We will not comply, and you’re not going to do a darn thing about it, because the law, the Constitution, and the founding principles are on our side.”
Likewise, outgoing Illinois State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) tweeted a message of defiance:
It looks like this legislation is heading for an uphill battle, and many opponents are confident of a win. It may be a long road, but as long as the constitution is upheld, as it should be, this should be struck down forthwith.
On January 11, 2023, PDW reported:
You might have already seen the headlines. Four dead and three wounded in a rash of criminal shootings in Chicago on Monday alone. What is Gov. Pritzker’s answer? Does he address the growing epidemic of violent crime in his state? Nope. Instead, he is focusing on making it harder for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. To be specific, on Tuesday night, he signed an “assault weapons” ban in Illinois.
Illinois “Assault Weapons” Ban Signed Tuesday
Illinois becomes the ninth state to enact an “assault weapon” ban. The legislation bans the sale of supposed “military style weapons” and high capacity magazines in the state of Illinois. The legislation banning “assault weapons” passed the Illinois House in a 68 to 41 victory.
According to Fox2Now, “The ban took effect immediately, so it is now illegal to sell assault weapons in the Land of Lincoln. The legislation also caps the purchase of ammunition magazines at 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns. Rapid-fire devices, known as “switches,” are also banned because they turn firearms into fully automatic weapons.”
ABC News states, “Just hours after the legislation’s passage in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the “Protect Illinois Communities Act” into law during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Springfield. Supporters, some of whom were gun violence survivors, erupted with applause and cheers as the governor presented the signed document.”
Reports indicate that pending sales will still be processed, but only if the required background checks have already been started. Gun owners who have any of the firearms affected by the legislation may keep them. However, they must register them with the Illinois state police by the beginning of next year.
The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) promises to fight the legislation in court, claiming it affects nearly 2.5 million legal firearm owners in the state.
ISRA executive director Richard A Pearson said in a statement Tuesday, “Challenge accepted. The Illinois State Rifle Association will see the State of Illinois in court.”
Firearms Effected by the Legislation
You can find the bill below, and the long list of firearms affected begins on page 84. It is too long to list here, and I recommend you take a look. Quite frankly, the list is so long that it’s quicker to look at what isn’t subject to the ban.
Specifically, the following are all that is still allowed:
Any firearm that is an unserviceable firearm or has been made permanently inoperable.
An antique firearm or a replica of an antique firearm.
A firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action, unless the firearm is a shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
Any air rifle as defined in Section 24.8-0.1 of this Code.
Any handgun, as defined under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, unless otherwise listed in this Section.
What you’ll find on the list of now unacceptable firearms are pistols with threaded barrels, AR pistols, AR-10s, AR-15s, AKs, .50 cals, some shotguns, “high capacity” magazines, and much more. Likewise, many firearms are listed specifically by name in the legislation. To be honest, it’s pretty much a gun lover’s wish list.
Read the entire list here:
Legislation Might Not Pass Muster
Fortunately, the Illinois State Rifle Association feels that this legislation will not pass constitutional muster and will be defeated. However, until that happens, Illinois residents are subject to it and are living at the whim of criminals. Until these myopic legislators decide to empower law enforcement to enforce current laws, things will continue to deteriorate.
But I wouldn’t count on that. They only care about dismantling the Second Amendment and disarming law-abiding citizens. All the while, they could care less about gangs and thugs like these guys:
These are members of the MBlock set of Black Disciples near 69th and Maplewood in Chicago.
Has anyone thought to inform these gentlemen of Chicago’s strict gun laws? I thought being a member of a violent gang would show up on a background check. How’d they get the guns?🤔 pic.twitter.com/kMbOEQvlOl
The sixth annual Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous brought together the Athlon Outdoors editorial team, contributors and some of the best firearm and accessory manufacturers in the business. The event offers the opportunity to mingle and get to know some of the latest products from approximately 30 companies. Thousands of rounds were sent downrange, and we came away with an informative sneak peek and will share some of the highlighted products here. The annual Rendezvous Roundup and linked stories package all the guns, gear and shooting from the annual Rendezvous event.
Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous Roundup
BURRIS/STEINER
The folks at Steiner were nice enough to let us shoot its Predator 8 riflescope, which was doped in at one mile with many hitting the target on their first or second shots. We also got to take a look at a new high-tech scope coming out at SHOT Show 2023. More to come on that in later issues and online. (burrisoptics.com) (steiner-optics.com)
CENTURY ARMS/US PALM/CANIK
Known for its tough and durable polymer AK mags, US Palm showcased its limited-edition AK Alien Green 30-round mag. The bright green AK mag stands out from the crowd, so beware of friends “borrowing” this little gem. Also at Rendezvous, US Palm’s sister brand Canik brought along its Steel Rival 9mm pistol, which enjoys the cover of this issue and can be found on page 26. (uspalm.com) (canikusa.com)
IWI
This Israeli company continues its line of Masada pistols with the Masada Slim 9mm pistol. The thin profile and compact design offer easy concealed carry. The striker-fired polymer pistol features a modular, serialized trigger mechanism housing that can be removed for cleaning. It comes with two 13-round mags and sports a slide cutout for mounting red-dot optics. IWI has some fantastic new rifles coming out later on in Q1. You won’t want to miss them. (iwi.us)
RISE ARMAMENT
While known for its superb triggers. Rise Armament also offers AR parts and accessories, including a mag release button, an M-Lok QD Sling Mount and Extended Charging Handle Latch. These parts can be had in a variety of colors for personalizing your AR-15. Also, you get a full rundown of Rise’s new Iconic independent two-stage trigger on page 20 of this issue of Tactical Life. (risearmament.com)
SAR USA
Among the many pistols SAR USA let us shoot was a competition-ready 9mm priced for just about any shooter. The K-12 Sport X features a 4.7-inch, match-grade ported barrel with a recessed crown for accuracy. Along with a forged alloy steel frame and slide, the pistol boasts an ergonomic grip, flared mag well for quick reloads, skeletonized hammer, low bore axis and ambi manual safety. (sarusa.com)
SILENCERCO
SilencerCo brought a plethora of cans and was nice enough to let us shoot until we were tired. In fact, there were too many suppressors to list here, but check out Karen Hunter’s piece on all things SilencerCo on page 14 of this issue of Tactical Life. (silencerco.com)
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Many are familiar with Springfield’s latest additions, the Prodigy pistol and Hellion bullpup rifle. The Prodigy enhances the proven 1911 design by building the pistol around its double-stack magazine for a whopping 20+1 capacity of 9mm. The wild-looking Hellion redefines the semi-auto rifle with its 16-inch barrel and a diminutive overall length of just over 18 inches. Although we can’t divulge any details right now, we did get some good intel about a new product coming soon that will make shooters smile. (springfield-armory.com)
VERSACARRY
Belts and holsters go together like peas and carrots. Versacarry offers its Classic Carry Belt in black and distressed brown. Fashionable looks combine with durable performance for everyday carry. Go covert with the Comfort Flex IWB Holster. The rig combines buffalo leather with a custom-molded front for secure retention. The raised padded backing gives all-day carry comfort. (versacarry.com)
5.11 TACTICAL
Just about everyone needs a pack when they hit the range or the field. The folks at 5.11 Tactical offer it the second iteration of its LV10 Sling Pack with the 2.0 version. The Duraflex buckles have been updated for easy use while the redesign of the bag provides the most versatility possible with a removable holster retention strap, securing strap to the tablet sleeve and a quick-release main crossbody strap. (511tactical.com)
BARRETT
A familiar sight at Rendezvous, the guys at Barrett once again brought their coveted MK22 rifles for us to test our shooting skills out to a mile. Shooting the civilian version of the USSOCOM’s Advanced Sniper Rifle made hits out that far easier. The rifle offers the ability to convert from 7.62x51mm to .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum using the same chassis. (barrett.net)
DANIEL DEFENSE
Along with some sweet-shooting rifles, Daniel Defense brought along their SoundGuard Suppressor Powered by KGM that emphasizes back pressure reduction. State-of-the-art KGM technology significantly lowers impulse noise levels, and a patent-pending baffle stack and proprietary coating on internal parts reduce a firearm’s flash signature to virtually zero. (danieldefense.com)
DEAD AIR SILENCERS
Among the ridiculous amount of quiet cans available to test, the Sierra-5 Xeno stood out to many shooters. Dedicated to the 5.56 round, this suppressor takes punishment and keeps going with its stainless steel baffles while also being full-auto rated. (deadairsilencers.com)
HORNADY
The team at Hornady continues to push the envelope on what a cartridge can do. This is exemplified by their latest offering—the 7mm PRC. Bridging the gap between the 6.5 PRC and the 300 PRC, the 7mm PRC features long, heavy-for-caliber bullets for a standard long-action rifle. You can get a more in-depth dive by checking out Jay Langston’s take on the new round at ballisticmag.com. (hornady.com)
NIGHTHAWK CUSTOM
Known for their painstaking attention to detail, Nighthawk Custom lived up to their reputation at Rendezvous. One favorite handgun was the Korth Mongoose .44 Magnum. Featuring a classic revolver design, the Mongoose comes in 3-, 4- and 6-inch barrels to suit different needs. While this piece brings power and performance, the ventilated rib, DLC finish and Turkish walnut grips give a striking aesthetic. (nighthawkcustom.com)
MOSSBERG
Mossberg was one of the first companies to offer a complete rifle chambered for Hornady’s new 7mm PRC with their proven Patriot Predator bolt-action rifle. Two synthetic-stocked models are available with a 24-inch barrel with a 1-in-8 twist to best take advantage of the new cartridge. You can get a thorough rundown of the rifle at ballisticmag.com. (mossberg.com)
SILENCER CENTRAL
Silencer Central has backcountry hunters covered with their Banish Backcountry new .30-caliber suppressor. Constructed from fully welded 100% titanium, the Banish Backcountry features a universal mount (1.375-24 HUB) for versatility and is safe shooting .300 Win Mag (approximately 138 dB). (silencercentral.com)
SMITH & WESSON
Athlon’s content creators got their hands on the new M&P9 M2.0 Metal pistol and the 350 Legend revolver. Both handguns were featured in the last issue of Tactical Life. A major crowd favorite this year was trigger time on Smith’s latest Volunteer X chambered in .308 Win. S&W also has some great other new firearms coming in the near future and will be featured in Athlon publications and websites soon. (smith-wesson.com)
WALTHER ARMS
Besides shooting the heck out of the new F-Series 9mm and the WMP in .22 Magnum, shooters really took to the new PDP Pro SD Full Size from Walther. Look for a future review in sister publication Combat Handguns. (waltherarms.com)
ZEV TECHNOLOGIES
If you want the advantages of a compensator without adding extra weight and length to a pistol, look no further than Zev Technologies’ OZ9C and OZ9X Hyper-Comp. The compact pistols feature four tapered vertical ports integrated into the top of the barrel along with a channel cut out in the slide to vent gas upward to reduce muzzle flip. Zev also pleased Rendezvous attendees by granting all plenty of trigger time on their high-speed, zero-drag AR-platform rifles. Several Zev OZ-9 pistol upgrades are also coming down the pike. (zevtechnologies.com)
CZ-USA
As you can see from the cover of this issue and the TL Night Shooter story on page 120, the new 600 Series Trail rifle was a real crowd-pleaser. And as always, CZ’s new shotguns were a blast. Their offerings included the new Bobwhite G2 Southpaw and Bobwhite G2 Intermediate. Some great videos will soon be posted at personaldefenseworld.com and ballisticmag.com. (cz-usa.com)
COLT
While Colt has some exciting guns set to debut soon, the King Cobra .22 revolver hit it out of the park in accuracy and pure fun. The “Baby Snake” features a 4- or 6-inch barrel and packs 10 rounds of .22 LR. The ventilated rib atop the full-lug barrel combines with an ergonomic Hogue grip to create an eye-pleasing look. Colt also showed off some of its newest AR variants that are shooter-friendly to the max. Big things are in store for Colt in 2023. (colt.com)
DARK STORM INDUSTRIES
Live in a state that restricts ARs? Dark Storm Industries may have a workaround for you. The company’s DSI Variant 1 non-NFA in 5.56 sports an SB Tactical Brace and, along with its overall length being longer than 26 inches, is not considered an “assault weapon” in many restrictive states. Its lightweight design and tight tolerances serve as a perfect foundation to add mil-spec AR-style parts. (dark-storm.com)
EOTECH
Red-dot optics ruled at Rendezvous and EOTech brought along their first ever red dot, the EFLX Mini Reflex Sight. This optic has been built to the same standards as their battle-tested sights. Constructed from aluminum, the housing takes on all comers in the dents and dings department. The large and crystal clear window gives super quick target acquisitions for shooters. EOTech’s newest magnifiers were also put to great use on the range. (eotechinc.com)
MAGPUL INDUSTRIES
While it is still in the works and not ready to come to market yet, we got to shoot the Magpul’s prototype FDP-9 Folding Gun. Other great products we got to test include the El Original Belt, BDA Arm Brace, Pro 700 Lite SA, MS1 Lite Sling, DAKA pouches and much more. (magpul.com)
PRIMARY WEAPONS SYSTEMS
New guns from PWS that are still under embargo are bound to get fans very excited. You’ll learn more after SHOT Show 2023. That said, we all got a taste of shooting PWS’ new BDE 762 suppressor and it was as sweet and quiet as can be. A real beast-taming beauty. (primaryweapons.com)
PULSAR/SELLMARK/SIGHTMARK
Both brands brought a ton of optics for us to check out. They included the Sellmark Presidio 3-18×50 LR2 Riflescope, Sightmark Latitude 6.25-25×56 PRS Riflescope, Sightmark Wraith 4K Mini 4-32×32 Digital Riflescope, Sightmark Volta Solar Red-Dot Sight (on 6.8 rifle) and Pulsar’s Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Thermal Riflescope. (pulsarnv.com) (sellmark.com) (sightmark.com)
RUGGED SUPPRESSORS
This was Rugged’s first year attending the AO Rendezvous. Taking center stage was its Alaskan360 suppressor that shines on the range and in the backcountry. This versatile can is full-auto rated and is multi-caliber for pistols and subguns up to 9mm and rifles up to .338 Lapua Magnum. Other great cans shooters got to run were Rugged’s Obsidian 9 and Razor 556. (ruggedsuppressors.com)
TAURUS/HERITAGE
Known for dependable guns at a great price point, Taurus gave us a look at some of the new up-and-coming guns that we will highlight down the road. Along with the Taurus guns, they brought along some of their Heritage rimfires, including the Rough Rider Revolver and Rancher Carbine. (taurususa.com) (heritagemfg.com)
WILSON COMBAT
The boys and girls from Arkansas brought along a boatload of firearms for us to shoot, including the SFT9, SFX9, 300 HAM’R Protector Carbine, Recon .308 Winchester and AR9X. Wilson Combat’s WCP320 and WCP365 Sig lower modules were also a big hit as well. Stay tuned for deeper dives more new Wilson Combat guns in the coming months. (wilsoncombat.com)
