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CLOSE-QUARTERS BATTLE: You’re Doing It Wrong
Stacking up—entering a room to conduct close-quarters battle (CQB)—is one of the most dangerous tasks a Soldier or law enforcement officer may have to face. Some of the hardest CQB fighting U.S. forces faced was during the U.S occupation of Iraq in the mid-2000s, from the 1st and 2nd Battles of Fallujah to taking on
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GET THE MOST FLASHBANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Training With Distraction Devices
The noise flash diversionary device (NFDD), also commonly referred to as a flash sound diversionary device (FSDD), diversionary device, Distraction Device®, flash grenade, or flashbang, is an essential tool of the trade for tactical teams. NFDDs produce dramatic pyrotechnics that are intended to provide a brief distraction without causing permanent injury. Although often used generically,
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OFFBEAT: Zelos Mako Bronze Diver Watch
I have always been fascinated with firearms, watches, and flashlights, striving for better models as long as I have available funds. At times I’ll ask myself, “Do I really need another?” I’m sure many readers can identify with that, especially while perusing the tables at their local gun show. We all have our preferences and
SurvivalShow More
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OFFBEAT: C’mon Baby, Light My (Survival) Fire
The ability to start a fire is a key factor in surviving in the wild. It can mean the difference between life and death. The conditions won’t be ideal. You need redundant ignition methods to ensure at least one works in any environment. THE SURVIVAL LIGHTER A good lighter cannot be matched for its all-around
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AGAINST ALL ODDS Long-Range Throwsticks
The use of sticks to hunt small and medium game is thoroughly documented. Throwstick variants have been found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs but were truly made useful by many native tribes, especially the Australian Aboriginals. Throwsticks and rabbit sticks are variations of the more advanced kylie. While these hunting tools have been discovered
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AGAINST ALL ODDS: Shomer-Tec Travel-Ready Gear
A company that has caught my eye over the last couple of years claims to specialize in “merchandise for those looking for law enforcement and military products, as well as spy and revenge products.” This got my attention, and soon I was talking to Jeff from Shomer-Tec about some of these items. Previously, I’d seen
WeaponsShow More
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BACK TO THEIR ROOTS: Mossberg MC1sc Pistol
O.F. Mossberg & Sons is the oldest family-owned firearms manufacturer in the United States, having opened their doors in March 1919 and celebrating their centennial anniversary this year. In those 100 years, many product features pioneered by Mossberg have become the standards by which all modern firearms are judged. Best known for their shotguns and
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BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER: Subcaliber Training Weapons
Using a firearm chambered in .22 Long Rifle (LR) as a supplemental trainer for a larger caliber is nothing new. Now that the price of .22 ammunition has come back down, it is less expensive to shoot than center-fire cartridges. Due to the lesser recoil and muzzle blast, it increases the shooter’s awareness of the
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THE SPINNY TWINS: Custom Fighting Wheelguns
Dave Laubert of Defensive Creations is a name that may not be familiar to many, but if you appreciate the highest order of pistolsmithing, it should be. Dave is a pistolsmith in the most distinguished sense of the word. A member of the American Pistolsmiths’ Guild, he runs a one-man magic foundry out of Ohio.
Tactics & TrainingShow More
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CLOSE-QUARTERS BATTLE: You’re Doing It Wrong
Stacking up—entering a room to conduct close-quarters battle (CQB)—is one of the most dangerous tasks a Soldier or law enforcement officer may have to face. Some of the hardest CQB fighting U.S. forces faced was during the U.S occupation of Iraq in the mid-2000s, from the 1st and 2nd Battles of Fallujah to taking on
-
GET THE MOST FLASHBANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Training With Distraction Devices
The noise flash diversionary device (NFDD), also commonly referred to as a flash sound diversionary device (FSDD), diversionary device, Distraction Device®, flash grenade, or flashbang, is an essential tool of the trade for tactical teams. NFDDs produce dramatic pyrotechnics that are intended to provide a brief distraction without causing permanent injury. Although often used generically,
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LONG GUNS: Century Arms C39v2 Blade
It took a while, but I have become a convert to the rifle-caliber semi-auto pistol with arm brace. In a coming column, I’ll discuss what I see as their tactical pros and cons, the niches I feel they can fill and those for which I do not think they are well suited. But in this
GearShow More
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OFFBEAT: Zelos Mako Bronze Diver Watch
I have always been fascinated with firearms, watches, and flashlights, striving for better models as long as I have available funds. At times I’ll ask myself, “Do I really need another?” I’m sure many readers can identify with that, especially while perusing the tables at their local gun show. We all have our preferences and
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LAWFUL CARRY: Armed and Sneaky
I recently spent a weekend with LTC Dave Grossman, training at Thunder Ranch. As always happens when gun guys get together, we talked about all things guns. I recalled a comment the colonel had made the last time I was at his seminar, The Bulletproof Mind. He mentioned that we should all carry rifles close
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THE CUTTING EDGE: Spyderco Genzow HatchetHawk
Axes have served as a tool and weapon throughout history, from the dawn of toolmaking through today. The hand axe or tomahawk is a diverse instrument with multiple applications from general utility to tactical. It’s a true multi-mission tool. In a survival scenario, it can be your best friend. Tomahawk is a derivation of the
More from S.W.A.T.Show More
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AGAINST ALL ODDS: Gearward Escape Tools
We live in an age of increasing terrorism and criminal activity. Hostage taking and kidnapping have dramatically increased as preferred tactics. No country is totally safe. Those at greatest risk include military and government personnel, foreign aid workers, and journalists in conflict zones, as well as recreational and business travelers in countries with a high
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STREET SMARTS It’s a Good Time To Prepare for Bad Times
My buddy was depressed, seriously down in the dumps. We were meeting for our every-few-weeks beer at a local Mexican joint. He’s an old friend who has worked in the newspaper and communications business his entire life. He’s also a serious practicing liberal. I like him anyway. “Are you kidding me?” he asked incredulously, nearly
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GOOD GUYS WIN! Second Amendment in Action
Pepperoni, Anchovies, and Ambush It seemed like another routine Thursday night delivery run for the Beaver Run, Pennsylvania pizza driver. He pulled up to a house, knocked on the door, and exchanged the pie for payment. It wasn’t until he was returning to his vehicle that things went sideways. He was approached by a knife-wielding
