Innehållsförteckning för Everday Carry SIP #4 från Gun Digest

“With street prices of less than a grand, this gun is a steal and one I’d bet my life on ... which is why it’s been on my side for several months now.” Does the world really need another 1911? After all, the 1911 is the most prolific handgun design of all time. It’s the most customizable, and it’s manufactured by more companies and in more configurations than any other pistol. So, the answer to that question is probably, “No” ... unless, of course, it’s a really, really good 1911. Somehow, the Remington R1 Ultra-Light Executive eased into production without my knowledge; I only discovered its existence while visiting my friend, Carlos Martinez, at Remington headquarters in July 2019. As with the plethora of hillbillies making moonshine during prohibition, sometimes,…

Should you ever have the need to draw your defensive handgun in order to save your own life or the life of a loved one, I hope you have the best ammunition possible in the gun. No matter how expensive the handgun, no matter how ornate the scroll engraving and no matter how fancy the color case-hardening, it’s the bullet—and the bullet’s placement—that will make the difference of whether the threat is neutralized. With a few exceptions, the tale of the modern handgun bullet has many parallels to that of the rifle bullet, but both share the benefits of the recent improvements in projectile design. Being completely honest, with the exception of the huge hunting cartridges such as the .460 and .500 Smith & Wesson, there really haven’t been any…

While there’s some disagreement over who invented the flipper blade-opening design—indeed, a case can be made for rattail friction folders—there’s no argument that BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame member Kit Carson popularized it, first on his custom knives, and later, through his M16 design for CRKT. Flippers caught on fast, and today, they’re a common feature on folders. So, what the flip’s going on with flippers? We thought you’d like to know, so we selected four of today’s latest offerings to find out. BIG, BAD BRUTE: KRUDO KARSINO10 Krudo knives tend to be overbuilt, with added features that are geared toward combat and self-defense. Krudo’s Karsino10 folder has all that in a slick-styled, 8-inch package. The 3.5-inch modified tanto blade of 9Cr8MoV stainless steel rolls out quickly and smoothly…

Holster selection can make many shutter, but there might be a new way on the horizon. Upstart Cute & Cocky has done away with trying to find the most comfortable on-body position to tote your gun and turned to someplace else—your overgarment. The company’s Sew-in Firearms Apparel Holster does exactly what it advertises: stitching into the lining of any outwear. Completely ambidextrous and capable of exact positioning, the system enhances primary and secondary carry and puts a firearm deep undercover. Made of industrial Velcro with three 1-inch bands, the Level-2 retention holster is as secure as they come—always a good thing for upper-body carry. As an aside, it should prove an excellent system for women, who often struggle to find a holster they can wear comfortably all the time. MSRP:…

Let’s be clear about what the world is: The “big dog”—the one everyone has been going up against for a long time—is Glock. Every time we gun writers receive a new polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol, we wonder, Is this one the Glock-killer? That’s what I was thinking when they finally let us see the new Taurus. It was at a writer’s event in Florida some months ago. The G3, or at least a pre-production prototype of it, was there for all to hold ... and shoot. I had a big match coming up in a few weeks, and they wanted us to put the firearms through their paces. So, why not? After I’d done my due diligence and tested all the others, I parked myself at the G3, pulled up a…

Screws come loose. Until we find a cure for entropy, that’s just the way things go. Nevertheless, you can keep your immediate universe from falling into disorder with undoubtedly one of the handiest pocket tools out there. The PB&J tool handles everything your EDC knife can’t—impressive for something smaller than your smartphone! Opening paint cans and tightening bicycle nuts are only the start of the story for this nine-function device: The pry bar, alone, has the potential to troubleshoot many, if not most, issues your carry gun might experience in the field. Made of titanium, the PB&J tool is tougher than steel but notably lighter. And, the addition of a spring-loaded bale makes it a cinch to attach to any belt loop or backpack. MSRP: $79…

My editor asked me, “Is the Performance Center upcharge worth it?” My reaction was “Well, yeah.” “Really?” So, I had to break the gun writer’s oath and actually do some real thinking and work. Just kidding, just kidding! Let’s put this in terms of something a lot of you will be familiar with: house upgrades. You’ll be told by contractors that upgrades are good. They increase the value of your home and make it more livable. Well, yes and no. Some are good, others are not so much. Let’s say you’re tired of the decades-old color scheme on the walls. You decide to have them washed and painted. You add onto that by having the hardwood floors sanded, stained and sealed. Add some new draperies, and voilà, you have a…

Long Live America’s Rifle There was a recent article in Gun Digest The Magazine covering all the AR-15 cartridges. What a great article! I remember the .30 Remington flub-up, and I agree that it’s a shame Remington didn’t properly market the cartridge and the necessary parts changes. It would truly have given the best of both worlds middle ground for the AR-15 platform. While not a cartridge, mentioning the .223 Wylde barrel change rather than a plain .223 Remington or 5.56x45 NATOchambered barrel not only allows the safe use of either cartridge, it also gives better accuracy in comparison to firing .223 in a 5.56 chamber—something I wish would have been available when I purchased my first AR years ago (a year or two before Bill Wylde released his modified…

Take it from us: The pen really is mightier than the sword ... especially if you wield the TG Tactical Pen. No mere writing utensil—although it will do a number on a crossword puzzle—this pen doubles as a defensive tool if the situation calls for it. Shaped like a spike and built from lightweight, sturdy, aircraft-grade aluminum, the ballpoint is fully capable of delivering a nasty blow and is an excellent less-than-lethal option to have at the ready. Because it’s textured, it won’t slip out of your mitts. And, if the bad guy gets away but leaves a blood trail, it even includes a DNA collector so the proper authorities can identify him/her. About the only thing it won’t do is improve your handwriting. MSRP: $19.99…

“Reliability is the baseline for performance. Only after reliability is conûrmed are other features considered.” The term, “tactical,” is defined as “gaining an advantage over an adversary or situation.” The revolver is a tactical tool with many advantages. A firearm that’s remained viable for so many years and has saved so many lives is worth your consideration as an EDC piece. Revolvers are far from outdated for personal defense and, in some situations, might be a better fit for you than a pistol. If you use a revolver for personal defense, there are many good choices. As with any handgun, the weight or heft of the piece, its balance and the level of recoil you’re willing to master are important considerations. Reliability is the baseline for performance. Only after reliability…

Even if you’re just talking about finding dropped keys, no EDC kit is complete without a dependable lighting source. Of course, it’s easy to run up the bill when you’re trying to find a solid torch. The Supernova Guardian 1300XL defuses some of this, offering shooters a high-performance tactical flashlight at an entry-level price. And, it doesn’t skimp: It’s capable of casting 1,600 lumens of light on whatever dusky situation you find yourself in. The zoomable flashlight features a larger head that creates a wide beam pattern and is zoomable for precise spotlighting. A rear activation switch makes it second nature to operate with your gun while drawn. Additionally, a sturdy outer casing gives it the ability to tackle any job. It’s rechargeable to boot. MSRP: $149.97…

Preparing for any eventuality, you soon run up against a brick wall. Where exactly do you stow all your kit? Recycled Firefighter irons out this wrinkle with its amazingly handy EDC Pocket Caddy. Seriously, this is a must-have. It’s sized perfectly to keep a multi-tool, pen, knives, flashlight, challenge coin, prophylactic—whatever you need—organized in one convenient pouch. Plus, it’s rounded at the bottom, making it a seamless addition to your front pocket. As its name suggests, the company makes its gear out of old smoke-eaters’ tools; in this case, spent fire hose. Ironwood isn’t as tough! MSRP: $29…