Category: Review

SAR 9 Pistol, by Pat Cascio

Turkey is producing some outstanding firearms, at great prices. I think they are making some of the best shotguns, and the prices are crazy low for these quality firearms. Make no mistake, I’m no fan of the dictator Erdogan, who is the president of Turkey. He is a “Mad Turk” if you ask me – so save the hate mail, please.  Over the years, I’ve owned several shotguns and handguns produced in Turkey, and have zero problems with them. They are well-made and priced “oh-so-right”. I’ve been attempting to add a few more firearms to my meager gun collection now …


Zero Tolerance 0230, by Pat Cascio

Today, we’re looking at something a bit different from Zero Tolerance knives. Zero Tolerance used to say their knives were built for use by “Professionals” and they were rock-solid designs, meant to take on the harshest battlefields, or the meanest streets of any city in the world, or meant for survival situations. The ZT-0230 is about as far removed from the above as you can possibly get. Many of you are old enough to remember way back in the day when almost all folding knives had a “detent” ball system, and that kept the blade opened under most circumstances, and …


Polymer 80 9mm Pistols, by Pat Cascio

No, it’s not a Glock, and many people refer the P80 pistols to a Glock, and we often refer to this fine handgun as a “Not-a-Glock” However, for most purposes, these effectively are Glocks, with a few changes. Polymer 80  has been around a few years now, and they didn’t start out producing complete pistols. P80 was, and still is, producing 80% frames, that have to be completed by the buyer, and once the buyer does this, they can assemble the P80 into a complete firearm, and this was approved by the BATF, however…things have changed, the rules have changed …


A Sweater and a Knife, by The Novice

This is my gear review of a German Army Wool Commando Sweater Reproduction and Opinel No. 8 Outdoor Sea-Mountain Knife I love wool sweaters. For roughly nine months out of the year, I wear one pretty much every day. An inventory of my closet reveals a total of 21 wool sweaters: nine “cold-weather-office” sweaters, five “manual-labor” sweaters, and seven “cool-weather-office” sweaters. Norwegian Sweaters My love affair with wool sweaters began in Norway, where I lived for ten years. In Norway, wool sweaters are more than just a practical item of clothing. They are an art form. My first “Norwegian” sweater …


Review: Tortoise Gear Firefly, by The Novice

For decades, I carried a Victorinox MiniChamp in my left front pants pocket. There it shared space with a Maglite Solitaire LED and an ink pen. The ink pens came and went. They could not stand up to the wear and tear of pocket carry. The Solitaire and the MiniChamp endured, battered but unbroken. Sometime during the course of those decades, I noticed a Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD at a garage sale. It cost one dollar if I remember right. I bought it as a backup in case I should happen to lose the MiniChamp. I took it home, …


CRKT M40-03 Knife, by Pat Cascio

I couldn’t tell you, dear readers, just how many knives have passed through my hands in the last 28 years, as a writer. However, I’m sure it has been several thousand knives. And, I can only write about a very few of them. So, I’m very particular about which knives I choose to test and write about – and it is only the best of the best, for the most part. But every now and then, I’ll get a knife that is so poorly made, that I feel the need to let folks know about it – and to steer …


Rossi RS22 Semiauto .22 Rifle, by Pat Cascio

I’ve neglected covering .22 Long Rifle (LR) firearms over the years. My apologies. It wasn’t intentional, believe me. I just get so many centerfire firearms to test, that I’ve been concentrating on them. For many years, I recommended that folks who were starting out as Preppers – or Survivalist – make their first purchase as a pump-action 12 Gauge shotgun – as their main firearm, until such time, as finances permitted, to move on to other firearms, if possible. I was wrong! Today, when new preppers ask me what to get as a first firearm, I recommend a .22 LR …


SIG P239 9 TAC, by Pat Cascio

Anyone who is the least bit familiar with the SIG-Sauer line of handguns, knows that they are outstanding firearms, and in demand. The only downside to this is that all SIG firearms are expensive. They are now made in the USA – thankfully – before that, they were made in Germany, and there was a big price to pay for those guns – with import fees, currency exchange rates, and taxes. Now made in the USA, the price came down quite a bit, but they are still expensive. Keep in-mind that you usually get what you pay for, and SIG firearms …


Kershaw Knives Natrix CF, by Pat Cascio

Kershaw Knives has been in business since around 1974, if memory serves me correctly. The company is here, in my home state of Oregon – my chosen home state. Kershaw isn’t too far from my digs, and I’ve toured their factory several times – but I’m overdue for another visit, as they have grown a lot since my last visit. Kershaw is a division of KAI USA, and they also own Zero Tolerance knives – also made in the same factory, where many of the Kershaw products are made. But note that some Kershaw knives are made overseas, and that …


Springfield XDs 9mm Mod 2 Red Dot, by Pat Cascio

In 2016, I reviewed the then-new Springfield Armory Mod 2 version of their outstanding XDs 9mm pistol – and it was, indeed, an improvement over the original version. Springfield is not a company to sit back and enjoy what they just did, they are always improving on various guns, and in many other cases, they are coming out with completely new versions and model. I like that about a company, if you sit back, you will get left in the dust by competing companies. I’m sure many readers will remember the first Terminator movie, and the “Long slide .45 with …


Kimber America Stainless LW 1911, by Pat Cascio

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Long-time SurvivalBlog readers will know that I’m a sucker for a well-made 1911 – in any configuration. However, my thinking has changed over the years. And, with the current climate all around the world, meaning political, and of course, the many wars taking place. I wouldn’t pick any 1911 as my one and only handgun for an End Of The World situation. As I’ve mentioned before, I’d go with a handgun with a larger magazine. Still, I love the 1911, and have carried one on and off duty in law enforcement, and as a civilian. Even to this day, I’ll …


Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF, by Pat Cascio

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Some knife designs only last about a year on the market, or so I was told, by the owner of a large knife company.  So, whenever I see a “new” design, that really isn’t new at all, but an updated version, it catches my attention. It takes a lot – a big gamble – for a knife company to come out with the basic same design, it did years ago, but with some updates and improvements. So, it is with the Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF folder that I’ve been testing. Zero Tolerance is a division of KAI Corporation, and they also …


Nutrient Survival Foods, by Pat Cascio

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I’m not sure how each of us, lists our priorities for survival. However, I believe we all can agree that, we need water, food, medical gear, and weapons/ammo – and how you prioritize your list, is a personal thing. When (not if) things go “bad” and they are going bad with each passing day – if you get your news off the ‘net, instead of the lamestream “news” media, you will readily recognize that things are going south, a little bit more with each passing day. Riots are a main focus – and much of the “news” media still continues …


Rock Island Armory GI Standard 1911, by Pat Cascio

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Most folks don’t realize that more 1911 style of handguns are manufactured in the Philippines than are now being made in the USA. There are actually three main companies making most of the 1911s that come out of the Philippines, but there are a few other smaller manufacturers. Owning 1911s made in Philippines isn’t new to me. I’ve owned more than a dozen, and they came marked with various names on them. Today, we are looking at the Rock Island Armory 1911 GI standard model 1911. It is imported by Armscorp in Nevada. For many years, I carried stock (full-size, 5-inch-barreled) …


Mossberg MC2c, by Pat Cascio

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Believe it or not, Mossberg hasn’t made a handgun in about a hundred years. Of course, they are known for their shotguns and rifles, but not for their handguns. Some time ago, I did a review on their MC1sc 9mm handgun, and it is one sweet little shooter in 9mm. It comes with a flat bottom magazine that holds 6-rounds as well as an extended mag that holds 7-rounds, and I much preferred the extended mag for a better grip on the gun. Mossberg promised another 9mm was coming, and it was about a year before I saw the first …