About Aaron

Aaron is a sergeant with a midwestern police department, where he serves as a trainer, supervisor and SWAT sniper. In addition to his broad tactical knowledge, Aaron is an experienced hunter using bow and both modern and blackpowder firearms.

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Magpul AK-47 Magazine

By Aaron on May 8, 2013 1 Comments

When you think of polymer AR-15 magazines, Magpul PMAGs are almost the universal image that comes to mind.  The company now aims to make you think “Magpul AK-47 magazine” when you need to feed your Eastern Bloc gun.

Magpul AK-47 magazine

I recently read an independent test in a tactical magazine that compared 5 different polymer magazines. Though several other brands scored high, the Magpul PMAG was still the reigning champ.  From dusty battlegrounds, to the mean streets, to home defense and beyond, Magpul has produced a great magazine that is enjoyed by many.

PMAG 30 AK MOE

Until recently Magpul has focused most of the PMAG magazines on the AR rifle market.  The most popular mag being for the AR-15, but also offering magazines for the  AR-10 in .308 caliber, and two options for the British SA80 and the H&K G36.

For the first time, however, Magpul has entered the increasingly popular AK-47 market with the new PMAG 30 AK MOE.  The new PMAG 30 for the AK-47 brings all the experience, expertise, and technical magic that has made the Magpul PMags so popular in the AR market to the Kalashnikov world.  Specifically designed to work in the AK-47, AKM, AKS, and similar patterned rifles chambered for the 7.62×39, the AK MOE is a 30-round lightweight polymer magazine that offers a removable base plate, constant curve, and the highly regarded and dependable Magpul follower.

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Categories : Magazine
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New Magpul All-Steel MBUS

By Aaron on April 29, 2013 No Comments

Magpul Industries Corporation has been in the news lately with their bold stand for gun owners and gun rights.  When the Colorado elected officials voted to limit law-abiding citizens use of high capacity magazines, Magpul immediately put out a press release stating that they would be moving their business out of state.

Magpul MBUS Pro sights

Now in the midst of their big move Magpul has announced the release of new furniture for AR-15 style rifles and the venerable 1911 pistols.

MBUS Gen II

Magpul has already produced a very popular AR-15 flip down sights in the original and Gen II MBUS (Magpul Back-Up Sight).  Made with the same high quality polymer construction as their extremely popular PMags, Magpul’s original MBUS sights have found great popularity and high reviews for durability and function.  The original MBUS was lightweight, yet sturdy, and used a nice spring-activated mechanism to flip the sight into shooting position.  The user could then simultaneously press two levers on opposite sides of the sight to fold the MBUS back into a low profile position.

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Categories : Optics and Sighting Systems
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CRKT Foresight Review

By Aaron on April 1, 2013 1 Comments

The CRKT Foresight from renowned knife designer Ken Onion is one of the company’s latest offerings.  The Foresight is a folding knife with several unique designs that a lot of knife enthusiasts will like.

CRKT Foresight Review

If you are not familiar with Onion, he has been producing knives since 1991 and was inducted into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame back in 2008.  He also holds 36 patents for his designs, and is credited with being the first knife designer to produce a commercially successful assisted opening mechanism in 1996.

The Foresight Blade

When starting this CRKT Foresight review, the blade jumped right out to me.  The shape of the blade reminded me of the Gurkha Khukuri knives.  The Foresight blade gradually gets larger the further it extends from the handle, until it begins a distinctive curve into the point.  This deep bellied drop point blade design is a Ken Onion signature item.

The top of the blade starts out level with the top of the handle, but then begins a downward curve in the last third of the blade.  The combination of larger mass on the bottom with distinctive curve up, and the downward curve from the top creates a visual of the old Khukuri knives.  I know it doesn’t have the trademark bend of the Khukuri, but that is the image jumped out at me when I first saw the Foresight.

The Foresight has two options for blade edge.  A standard razor-sharp cutting edge, and a combination razor-sharp and triple-point serration edge.  Both blade styles have a non-glare Titanium-Nitride finish, and are made with AUS-8, 58-59 HRC steel.

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Categories : knife
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Stark SE-5 Express Grip – New AR15 Foregrip

By Aaron on February 18, 2013 No Comments

Stark SE5 Foregrip review

Stark Equipment’s pistol grips have been praised by many, including the military and law enforcement, for their scientific approach to designing grips that fulfill the needs of the end user.  This year Stark has introduced a new product, and some additions to already produced products.

THE NEW SE-5 EXPRESS GRIP

Stark announced the new SE-5 Express Grip at SHOT Show, and I had the chance to speak with DJ Webber at their booth.

The SE-5 will be a fore grip for AR-platform rifles that is designed for shooters who grip the rail or hand guard at the same time as the grip when shooting.  The SE-5 is unlike other grips that hang straight down that predominately require the shooter to place their hand completely on the grip, or perhaps wrap their thumb onto the hand guard.  There have been several tactical trainers that have advocated this grip stance as a better way to control recoil and maintain accuracy even in rapid fire situations.

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Categories : 2013 SHOT Show, Misc Gear, Rifles
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Why So Many Guns – Long Guns

By Aaron on February 15, 2013 6 Comments
woman hunting ar15

Contrary to media reporting, AR-style guns, like this .22 rimfire, are often used for hunting.

Ed. note:  This is the final part of a three part series called Why So Many Guns? This installment covers long guns such as rifles and shotguns.  Part 1 is here and part 2 is here.

THE VENERABLE SHOTGUNS

Having begun archery hunting 3 years ago, I have really come to appreciate the skill, difficulty, and traditional means of taking game with a bow and arrow.  However, if I want to be certain of bringing home some meat I take a long gun into the field.  The same principles of selection are then easily applied to long guns.

In the area of shotguns, the 20-gauge and 12-gauge are by far the most popular, but are not exclusive.  For shooting smaller game at closer ranges a 410 shotgun can be just right, and is a great starter shotgun for younger shooters or smaller framed individuals.  And if you’re into shooting geese in the air, or zombies on the ground, there’s always the hard-hitting 10-gauge shotgun.

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Categories : General Information
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Browning Buck Mark Camper UFX

By Aaron on February 13, 2013 No Comments

Browning BuckMark Camper UFX review

Browning announced the release of the new Buck Mark Camper UFX at SHOT Show this year.  Sharing many of the qualities of the previous Buck Mark line of pistols, this addition will have an allow frame, with a matte blued finish.  The biggest addition to this pistol is the Ultragrip FX (UFX) pistol grips.

THE BARREL

The Camper UFX has a 5.5” tapered bull barrel that also comes with the matte blued finish.  The chambers are hand-reamed and the muzzle crowns are recessed for protection against damage.  The Camper UFX has a simple blowback operation design.   The slide has built in recesses with raised side panels for better grip.  There is also a manual slide release that can be operated by the shooting or support hand.

The Buck Mark Camper UFX also comes in a stainless steel version.

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Categories : 2013 SHOT Show, Pistols
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Why So Many Guns – Handguns

By Aaron on February 13, 2013 No Comments

father daughter pistol

Ed. note:  This is part two of a three part series called “Why so many guns?”  Click here to read part one of this series.

PISTOL OR REVOLVER?

Another consideration in handguns is that between revolvers and semi-automatic handguns.  Revolvers have been around since before the Civil War, but semi-auto handguns are only about 100 years old.  With a revolver the shooter has the ease of mind to know that all they have to do is point and shoot. Revolvers offer an ease of mind that pulling the trigger will get the desired result.  And in the extremely rare situation that a cartridge is bad and fails to fire, the shooter need only pull the trigger again to cycle the revolver to another cartridge to fire.

The .357 and .44 cartridge have been very popular and successful as a handgun cartridge, but many of the revolvers shooting these rounds have pushed their price tags up above $600.  The price of ammunition for these guns has also gone up, so their use as a target shooting gun is really diminished.  The .38 caliber offers a relatively inexpensive medium ground for gun and ammunition, but is definitely on the lower end of good self-defense gun selection.  However, the lightweight, and compact .38 revolvers from S&W, Ruger, and others have been very popular lately, due largely to their compact frame and easy concealment.  Any revolver calibers lower than .38 might be good for target practice, but haven’t faired well as good self-defense rounds.

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Categories : General Information
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