Innehållsförteckning för April/May 2021 från Ballistic

Every honest, red-blooded, law-abiding, gun-carrying citizen who purchased this issue believes that defending the U.S. Constitution, ourselves and our loved ones, and the police is vital to the preservation of a free and civil society. We earnestly do all of those things by way of our First Amendment right, first and foremost, along with our Second Amendment right. It’s pathetic when we see activists attacking—verbally and physically—the finest men and women who swore oaths to protect and serve in our communities. It’s sadder still to see media outlets and statist politicians propagandize while big-tech/big-business leaders silence and outright cancel conservative voices promoting law enforcement and 2A rights, and shedding light on the truth. That was the “where we stand” part of this “Load Up” page. Here’s where we’re headed… As…

When I first began pondering the question of who is a better law enforcer, Dirty Harry or RoboCop, it turned out to be a deeper conundrum than I had originally anticipated. What does it mean to be a better cop? There are many aspects of policing that need to be taken into account. For example, I don’t see Harry Callahan being really efficient with paperwork, which is a large percentage of the day-to-day aspects of enforcing the law (I am told). On the other hand, Alex Murphy, aka RoboCop, has a data spike that he can plug directly into a computer. He can probably churn out reports fast enough to make that old dot matrix printer smoke its guts. He also seems just fine plugging that data spike into the…

“Do you feel lucky, punk?” That classic movie line has been on posters and t-shirts for years, and continues to be a social media meme. Along with “I’ll be back,” and “Say hello to my little friend,” “Do you feel lucky, punk” is among the most famous action movie quotes of all time. In fact, much like, “Play it again Sam,” the quote is actually wrong. In 1971’s Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood’s title character “Dirty” Harry Callahan didn’t actually utter the words, “Do you feel lucky, punk?” Rather, mere minutes into the film and after shooting several bank robbers, Callahan faced a potential standoff with one, and said, “I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth, in all this…

“The Ease Of Install Can’t Be Stressed Enough…” SINCE ITS RELEASE, the Ruger American bolt action rifle platform from Sturm, Ruger & Co. has become synonymous with providing consumers with outstanding quality and accuracy at a shockingly low retail price. Seriously, how a rifle with an MSRP of $449 performs as well as it does out of the box is striking to even some of the most seasoned long-distance precision instructors and pros I know. Perhaps it’s the distillation of 72 years of engineering refinements and manufacturing savvy. Then we have Sharps Bros., a relatively young company by comparison, founded in 2012 by John Sharps. Sharps Bros. is undoubtedly best-known throughout the industry for their uniquely designed AR lower receivers, like The Jack, Overthrow, Warthog and Hellbreaker, each sporting a…

The gun world is replete with interesting and desirable weapons. From antique muskets to modern-day submachine guns, our individual wish lists are long. There is one gun, however, that is pretty much on any serious shooter’s dream list: the M134 Minigun. From its appearance in thrilling movies like The Matrix and Act of Valor to its use in the military, the M134 has become an iconic weapon. The sound of a Minigun firing with its sustained b’rrrrraaapppp is very distinct and guaranteed to catch the attention of anyone nearby. MODERNIZED GATLING The modern Minigun can trace its DNA all the way back to the 1860s when Richard Gatling replaced the hand crank mechanism on his famous gatling gun with an electric motor. This was a new invention at the time…

If there is one lesson that we have learned over the last several years, it is that we need to be able to take care of ourselves. While many people have known this for generations, the ongoing turmoil has brought it into sharp focus. One specific area we need to have some skill in is first aid. I will go one step further for those in the firearms world and say that if you carry, you need to have the fundamental trauma skills to deal with gunshot wounds. Be it selfcare or treating someone else, knowing how to treat an unwelcome hole in the body is a must. A gunshot wound is a serious injury and should be treated as such. Immediate medical attention can determine if a person lives…

There’s no textbook way to prepare for a long-term power outage. However, there are many ways to improvise and make sure that you have both the preparation plan in place and equipment to do the job. Also, depending on where you live in the world, this could determine just what you need, where to store it or when you will need it. Preparing for this type of event is almost like preparing for the apocalypse—it’s better to have and not need, than need and not have. • Determine how to handle your climate. If it’s going to be blistering hot, plan on circulation of the air that you have unless you have backup power. In cold climates, plan on having an alternate heat source. If your heat is electric, having…

I’m at the point in my shooting career where expensive equipment just doesn’t impress me anymore. While it’s fantastic if a gun shoots sub-MOA or if a scope is crystal clear and repeatable, the point is moot if it costs a month’s salary. Let’s face it, you can make anything work well if you aren’t afraid to throw a ton of money into it. Many manufacturers go this route with the intention of only being able to reach a small portion of the market. I mean, yeah, that works, but for me to be impressed it takes a product that functions well while still being affordable. At the 2020 Athlon Rendezvous, the Sightmark Latitude impressed me in this way, so I reached out for a sample to conduct a thorough…

PULSAR THERMION XG50 Pulsar’s new Thermion XG50 boasts 640x480 microbolometer strength and 12-micron pixel detail to detect heat signatures up to 2,400 yards. It is also the first-ever riflescope to combine a BAE sensor, onboard recording and multiple color palettes. Its 1024x768 AMOLED display gives users stunningly clear images, and its continuous, digital zoom ensures varmint, hogs and big game animals are easily located. The scope also boasts a stadiametric rangefinder and a defective pixel repair feature. (pulsarnv.com) AERO PRECISION EPC Aero Precision’s new Enhanced Pistol Caliber represents the company’s leap into the world of pistol-caliber AR platforms and features a full lineup of AR9-style parts and accessories. Product offerings include receiver sets, 9mm black nitride bolt assemblies, lower parts kits, 9mm barrels (5.5, 8.3, 11 and 16 inches) and…

Most would be surprised to find out that my childhood wasn’t typical for a gun writer and professional firearms instructor. Where most beguile their readers and students with tales of hunting and plinking with their dad, my stories are quite the opposite. As my parents were from New York City, the only exposure they ever had to firearms has been in conjunction with a crime. So throughout childhood, I was told that guns were “no good” and that, “Only criminals had a reason to have them.” However, by the ripe old age of five, I was able to deduce that the “good guys” also carry guns, so maybe it’s not the gun but the person holding it that determines the device’s morality. I guess if Congress was able to think as…

Along with the AK-47, the Israeli-made Uzi may be one of the most infamous firearms ever produced. To gun-grabbing activists and anti-Second Amendment politicians, all submachine guns are often described as Uzis. Yet, the fact remains there might be similar looking weapons, and even variations based on the original, but there is reallyonly one true Uzi. The Backstory Developed after World War II by Major Uziel “Uzi” Gal of the Israel Defense Force (IDF), the compact submachine gun (SMG) was among the first domestically designed and produced firearms in the newly independent Middle Eastern state. While not the first weapon to use a telescoping bolt design, which allowed for the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip, it was certainly the first gun to successfully utilize the design. The…

With the “Defund the Police” exercise in stupidity still in full D.C. Swamp swing, I say we start a new trend—defund the lousy filmmakers in Hollywood that pump out remakes of classic cop movies. Back in my day (insert angry old man voice here), there used to be a formula for good action films. The cops were tough and gritty, the women were smoking hot, the explosions were big and no one ran out of ammo. These days, if your lead character isn’t a social justice warrior who identifies as a pansexual dinosaur, your film probably isn’t going to see the light of day. Now, if you ask someone who grew up before the internet and 64 genders to list their top-10 cop movies, you’re more than likely to get…

There are off-road pickups, four-by-four jeeps and all-terrain vehicles that tackle rigorous terrain. But these crushers of Mother Nature’s turf stand in the shadow of the mighty Sherp Pro 1000. This behemoth, at first glance, appears to be an amalgamation of an armored transport and a monster truck from the 1980s. But in reality, it is a powerhouse of an off roader that tackles nearly anything that sits in its path. Furthermore, the Sherp Pro isn’t restricted to good old Terra Firma—not by a long shot. When solid earth turns to mud, then to knee-high water and deeper, this vehicle floats and becomes fully amphibious! Here we dissect the beast, explore its ingenuous advanced technology and marvel at its brute strength when nature leaves us with no choice but to take…

In total transparency, I’m happy, if not elated, that SHOT (Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade) Show was cancelled this year. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge supporter of NSSF and, of course, the industry as a whole. But to be candid, I could do without a case of any manner of “SHOT Show Flu.” After being in lockdown for the past God-only-knows-how-many months, I’m socially inept and I’m not too sure I could weather the walk down the main hall with the thousands of other poor souls squeezed into a lane like cattle. But I will miss the Vegas food scene. The first week of January for the past 15 years or more, I’ve made reservations at my favorite eateries in all the cities that host all the shows, and…

SHIELD REPUBLIC “Guns Beer Whiskey Freedom” and “Shove Gun Control” Founded in 2016 outside Raleigh, North Carolina, Shield Republic produces apparel for lovers of liberty and freedom. Founders Barrett Johnson and Ryan Carter feel it’s important to bring a general voice to blue-collar Americans and to “give them something they can wear and feel proud of while putting out products that aren’t going to be influenced by what’s considered politically correct.” All the products from Shield Republic embody the spirit of American Pride, are designed in-house and manufactured in the United States. With their strong pro-2A messaging, Johnson and Carter are making a commitment to not be swayed by political correctness. “We are staying tried and true to what we believe in,” Carter said. “We’re not jumping on the politically…

When I was in high school there was a mechanic that lived down the street from our house. He had a small shop that would make a hoarder feel right at home. There were massive piles of parts for a multitude of projects existing in every conceivable stage of completion. Behind his small desk and just visible over a stack of dusty papers was a metal sign that read, “Shall I Rush your Rush Job before I Start the Rush Job I was Rushing when you Rushed in?” I think of this sign every time I talk to Chip “Cheeto” Pierce and Nakia “Nacho” Jackson at Outlaw Ordnance about a Ballistic magazine Custom Challenge. But, admittedly, they love it. *No purchase required. Open to U.S. residents only and void where…

PRO-SHOT If you’re like me, you’ve probably got caught up in the notion that cleaning kits are meant to be replaced frequently. While it’s true that you should check and replace certain components, it shouldn’t mean that you are scrapping every part after just a few cleanings. The Damarin family has always felt that way, and in 1982 brought precision craftsmanship to the gun cleaning industry with the Pro-Shot Brand. Pro-Shot is based on one of the most important principles of maintaining accuracy—not hurting your gun while you are cleaning it! Pro-Shot’s cleaning rods are made out of a special stainless steel that is harder than conventional aluminum or brass, yet is still softer than the metal that comprises your gun barrel. Through micro-polishing and burnishing, a tough-as-nails, smooth-as-silk finish…

I doubt there is a gun fan alive that doesn’t like the MP5. It has stood the test of time with proper design in function and aesthetics. As a teen in the ’80s I was exposed to unrelenting levels of testosterone-fueled action flicks that glorified guns of every sort. I don’t know how you could come out of that era not a fan of guns like the MP5. At the tender age of 13, my best friend and I made a pact that the first one to become a millionaire would buy one MP5 for each of us. Since you’re reading this from me, it’s evident I didn’t become a millionaire (I’m sure he did, though). Of course the versions that we lusted for back then (and now) were full-auto…

Huron Valley Guns, located in Huron Valley, Michigan, can only be described as a “super range.” Huron Valley goes above and beyond. Its facility is state-of-art and offers “extras” in spades.  RANGE PARTICULARS There is so much fun packed into this 39,500 square feet. There are four indoor ranges in total. There’s an eight-lane 25-yard range that can allow for 240-degree shooting and a placement of a squad car. There’s another eight-lane 25-yard range and a third six-lane 50-yard range. All of these can be used for tactical training. The fourth range features a three-lane 100-yard range that is .50 BMG rated. All the ranges feature Action Target systems. It is an easy-to-use interface that allows for 27 different games and training scenarios for all skill levels. You can even…

Unbeknownst to most Americans, the United States electrical grid is not a simple standalone plane that blankets the entire country. Sure, there are segmented portions to serve dedicated areas, but the “grid” is actually three parts in total—kind of. This consists of the Western Interconnection, Texas Interconnection and the Eastern Interconnection. From these major segments, the grid is then divided up into smaller regions of service delivery. Obviously, this layout was not chosen because of availability and need, but simply how the grid was being built. Texas, of course, is the outlier, having its own grid. This is due to a political choice to keep the federal government from intervention, but really doesn’t change much in terms of vulnerability, as Texas can be exposed to all of the same events…

“How the heck can I tow my camper and my ATV at the same time?” When I go on hunting trips or trail-riding expeditions, 90 percent of the time I am bringing my camper along to sleep in. Well, that posed a huge issue once I got my Can-Am Outlander. I drive a short bed F-150, so the ATV doesn’t fit in the bed with the tailgate up. Also, the tongue on my trailer is short, making it impossible to drop the tailgate while towing the camper. Consequently, hauling the ATV in the bed was out. Plus, putting the ATV in the bed means losing all of that bed space for other gear that I don’t want in the cab or in the camper—gas cans, dirty riding gear, ATV ramps,…

TIMEPIECE So you’re wearing your favorite T-shirt; clearly that leaves your wrists fully exposed. You need a watch that’s Ballistic-approved. No, we’re not saying you want to pin Blackwater Worldwide watches to your range target to see if they can take a .308 licking. But, you do owe it to yourself to check out Blackwater’s Dead Of Night’piece. Ballistic editors like the Dead Of Night because it’s not flashy and not loaded with too many bells and whistles. Hell, we barely know how to work smartphones. Plus, we get lots of shit done under the cover of darkness, so its luminous indicators on the hour, minute and second hands, and luminous bezel ring index and a date window, keep us in the know no matter what. Also very appealing is…