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
If ever there was a quantum advance in Infantry weapons, it was the M16 rifle. The StG44 and AK-47 were undeniably revolutionary. These two rugged combat weapons ran scaled-down versions of standard rifle rounds that pushed relatively big, heavy bullets to modest velocities. They put automatic-fire capability into the hands of individual Infantry soldiers, while
I recently ran into an acquaintance at a gun show. He moved here a couple years ago from the east coast, bought 60 acres and a nice house up in the hills, and got interested in preparedness. He launched into telling me about his newest purchase, a .338 Lapua with the Hubble Telescope mounted on
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
