Category: Weapons

Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Savage Arms AXIS II XP

I’m one of these people who doesn’t brag very often about my accomplishments in life. The walls in my office are lined with various certificates I’ve earned over the years, from all types of training, too, and I only have about half of my certificates displayed. One of my few military training certificates I’ve managed to hang onto over the years is from the United States Army Marksmanship Training Unit. It’s from April, 1970 and certified me as completing the Rifle Instructor and Coaches clinic. I’m extremely proud of this earned diploma. Oh, it’s not that I didn’t know how …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Springfield Armory MC Operator 1911

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I first saw one of the very first Springfield Armory MC Operator 1911s at a gun shop in Idaho some years ago. The MC Stands for Marine Corps, and this particular 1911 was designed with the specs laid out based on what the US Marine Corps wanted in a 1911 for their special ops guys. It wasn’t until just recently that the Corps was even allowed to refer to their special ops guys by the term Special Operators! Like many in the military SpecOps community, they prefer the proven stopping power of the .45 ACP FMJ round in the 1911 …


Esee-4, by Pat Cascio

My long-time friend and fellow gun writer, John Taffin, has been on a life-long search for what he calls the “Perfect Packin’ Pistol”, and it has been a long but fun search for him. I suspect that each and every one of us has also been on that search, even if we didn’t know it or want to admit it. There is that “one” handgun that we all are searching for– that one handgun that will fulfill every chore we’d need it for. I’m sure there is a Perfect Packin’ Pistol for each and every one of us, but the …


Letter Re: Sharp Shooter 22LR Reloader

Dear Sir, I have to throw my two cents in the ring on the 22LR reloader. Actually, there is a very good and available alternative. I love the 22LR. So, when the shortage of ammo hit, I searched for and found the near perfect solution! Voila’! It’s the .22 Hornet. This centerfire cartridge can be loaded for same velocities as 22 Long Rifle, 22 Magnum, or simply 22 Hornet +. It can be souped up just a little and come close to the .223! The rifles are available in single shot or bolt action by several manufacturers. So, in essence, …


Letter Re: Sharp Shooter 22LR Reloader

Dear Sir: While looking through a magazine the other day, I came across an advertisement for the Sharp Shooter 22LR Reloader tool. According to the ad, this kit includes everything you need to reload spent 22 shells. Due to the unavailability of 22lr in my neck of the woods, I thought this might be a good option. (I have large amounts of empty shells that I have been saving for another project.) My question is: Have you, or any of the SurvivalBlog readers, had any experience with this tool and kit? Is it an easy process? How reliable are the …


Two Letters Re: The Long and Short of Bolt Action Rifle Magazines

Mr. Latimer, Thank you to Mr. Rawles for his post with the helpful information. In addition to those noted, the relatively new Mossberg MVP bolt-action rifles chambered in .308 accept magazines from the Springfield M1A. If you already have one of those platforms, you could purchase the other and the magazines will be interchangeable between platforms. – J.L. o o o JWR, Just a few more bolt action rifles that use standard magazines– the Mossberg MVP 308 uses M1A/M14 or AR-10 magazines, and the 5.56 uses an AR-15 magazine. I have both calibers, and they work great and are light …


The Long and Short of Bolt Action Rifle Magazines

I often hear from consulting clients and other SurvivalBlog readers with bolt action rifles who are looking for a magazine with more than the standard 3 or 4 round capacity. (“Just in case”, they say.) Thankfully, there are now several aftermarket extended detachable magazine systems available. Here are some examples: Remington M700 Most Model 700 Remington rifle owners are probably already familiar with the Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS) detachable magazine bottom metal and magazines, available from Brownells and several other vendors. (Note: The steel magazines are fairly expensive, but the great news is that MagPul now makes both long …


Letter Re: EoTech

Fitzy in PA is worried about his EoTechs. There really isn’t anything to be worried about unless he finds himself in extremely cold weather. The zero shift that is the subject of the military’s concern only happens in extremely cold environments. It has recently come to light that Trijicon’s MRO also suffers from Thermal drift. Since Thermal drift is across almost all optics, anything you put on your rifle has the potential to have the same problem as the EoTech. My EoTechs have served me well in any weather I have had them in in SW PA. Keep your EoTechs …


Letter: AR-15 Improvements

Hugh, When the M16A2 was introduced, many of us felt it was not an improvement. The heavy match barrel made the rifle feel about the same weight loaded as the old M1 Garand. Additionally, it offered no real improvement in accuracy. I could argue that many shot worse, due to the additional weight. The need for a heavy barrel is non existent unless you are doing about 10 or so full auto mag dumps. The heavy barrel came to be when somebody, most likely the USMC, wanted to use a heavier grained bullet for further range and accuracy. Combat effectiveness …


Letter Re: The Survival Battery

Sir: ‘The Survival Battery’ is an entertaining read, but the writer has overlooked several vital concerns. For one thing, even the budget plan requires stocking nine different calibers. I also don’t agree with the mix of operating systems. It includes a mix of single-action and double-action revolvers, DAO and/or single-action semi-auto pistols, pump shotguns, bolt-action rifles, air guns, and modern semi-auto rifles. Maintaining proficiency with all these systems will be very difficult. In a SHTF situation, every-day and “social” firearms should be the same. Just don’t expect a handgun to do a long-gun’s job. Shoot the bear with your rifle/shotgun. …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Pat Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter

I still remember, arriving at Ft. Lewis, WA in the Fall of 1969 and being issued the M-16 for my Infantry School training. It was a real joy to carry that rifle, especially after having carried the M-14, which weighed at 10 ½-lbs, in my Basic Training. The M-16 was only about 5½ lbs, so it was about half the weight of the M-14. There were some flaws in the early M-16, one of which was that the first ones to go to Viet Nam didn’t have chromed barrels, and the barrels themselves were considered “pencil” barrels, because they were …


Off-Paper: The Importance of Making Private Arms Purchases

Firearms sales in the United States, as measured by the number of completed National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background checks, are near an all-time high. In February, 2016, there were a whopping 2.6 million background checks! But those sales numbers only reflect the sales of new guns sold by Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders. The bigger and largely unreported news is of the upswing in the sales of used guns (“secondary sales”) by private parties. At a recent gun show, I observed that the folks who were there selling guns from their private collections were met by very …


Letter: Long Question About Eotech Lawsuit

James and Hugh, A while back I was reading The Reluctant Partisan from John Mosby. One of the suggestions was getting an optic on your AR or battle rifle. (The whole book is really good info from someone who was special forces, so I respect what the guy was saying!) Long story short, I went out and picked up a Eotech for my AR and another one with magnifier for the PS90 carbine, well because the FN sight on the PS90 is a joke. so yeah I have about $2000 tied up in optics on my two weapon systems. Just …


The Survival Battery- Part 3, by B.F.

Mid-Level Battery The mid-level battery I will recommend is as follows, with four each in most categories of guns for redundancy and so that they don’t have to be shared. Mid-Level Everyday Battery There are two choices here for a handgun– one semi auto and one revolver. Four Glock Gen four model 21 in 45acp. The 45acp may not be quite as powerful as a 44 magnum, but the 13+1 rounds it carries should compensate. If you don’t mind stocking a less popular more expensive caliber, then the Glock model 20 in 10mm gives you 15+1 rounds that have close …


The Survival Battery- Part 2, by B.F.

On to the firearms batteries. I am a big fan of used guns. Most of the time, a used gun has not been shot much and you can pick it up for a significant savings over a new one. Right now is a great time to pick up trade-in police department handguns. Police trade-ins make an especially good deal for the person who is buying a gun to use rather than to show off. Even though the finish may be worn and the grips in need of replacement, they may only have been shot 100 rounds per year at annual …