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Coho Fishing The Egegik River
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Included in your fishing trip:
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• Home cooked meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages.
• Transportation from the lodge to prime fishing holes on the Egegik River.
• Freezing and vacuum sealing of your fish, up to 50 lbs., per angler.
$4,850per person Includes round trip charter from King Salmon. Call for more details.
FEATURES
24 JUMPING INTO HISTORY
This year’s 80th anniversary of D-Day saw airborne reenactor Rick Stafford and team memorialize and meet some of the brave paratroopers who helped free Europe from the Nazis.
30 ACROSS THE RHINE WITH DRY FEET
A battle-weary American tank platoon’s night crossing helped secure the capture of the last intact bridge over the German river in World War II and led to the creation of a famous sign. Frank Jardim recalls March 1945’s historic events at Remagen.
39 LEADER OF RANGERS
Colonel Danny McKnight (retired) led a Ranger battalion from the front during the Battle of Mogadishu, and he still lays flowers on the graves of soldiers who served with him.
61 TACTICAL TRAINING: DANGEROUS OLD MEN
Are you a dangerous old man? It takes more than basic self-defense and firearms-handling skills to actually be someone others won’t want to mess with. Ash Hess shares the tools and tactics vital at any age.
65 TACTICAL TRAINING: WHAT I LEARNED AS A FIREARMS TRAINER WHILE RECOVERING FROM HAND SURGERY
Even though Graciela Casillas could not use her left hand, she still practiced shooting with her dominant one and she kept on training firearms students. She shares insights from being down a paw.
71 BULLE T BULLETIN: A LOOK AT LEAD-FREE HANDGUN AMMO
Though lead has been a traditional material for handgun projectiles, copper monolithic designs have firmly taken root. Phil Massaro walks us through today’s offerings.
Her capture and rescue during the Iraq War and book about it was far from the last chapter for Jessica Lynch. Paul Pawela caught up to the mother, teacher, actress, women’s veterans program administrator and motivational speaker at a recent retreat for female vets.
89 R OAD HUNTER: HUNTING THE MULE DEER RUT
Yes, those wide-racked bucks of the American West are dumber this time of year. No, they’re not pushovers, but Scott Haugen shares tips for notching your bow or rifle tag this month.
96 SC ATTERGUN ALLEY: IT’S A BEAUTY AND A BEAST
Oftentimes, a commemorative gun is heavy on fancy engraving but not something you want to carry afield. Not so with the Stoeger Model 3000 Signature, reports our Larry Case, who put the shotgun to the test.
(PJF MILITARY COLLECTION / ALAMY STOCK)
Our flavor blends are as unique as Crayon Eaters are. Not your normal mix, but when paired together, make something pretty awesome.
83 MAKING THE CUT: KNIVES FROM THE REAL WORLD
Decades of experience in law enforcement, military and self-defense training are forged into the blades of Brian Hoffner and Hoffner Knives. Learn why his tactical and self-defense knives make the cut.
105 LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT: GOLD MEDAL RESCUE
Oakland, California, Police Department Sergeant Frank Negrete might not exactly pass for Olympian Michael Phelps, but he dove right into a fast-moving canal to try and save a distressed person.
107 BL ACK POWDER: REPEAT AFTER ME ...
A friendly club competition saw shooting buddies Mike Nesbitt and Mike Holeman and their .44-40 lever-guns go neck and neck over three courses of targets. Mike N. recounts how things played out.
115 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
44 RUGER .45 ACP LC CARBINE
Looking for a versatile and compact pistol-caliber carbine for fun and self-defense? The Ruger .45 ACP LC is “one of the better PCC deals on the market” – check out its specs and results from the range in Frank Jardim’s review!
55 MAKE MINE A SIDE CHARGER!
Camaron Hillman details the thinking behind Devil Dog Concepts’ side charging handle that can be mounted to an AR’s upper receiver and replace the existing one without having to go to an armorer, as well as some of the other innovative products his company makes.
(DEVIL DOG CONCEPTS)
C&E Gun Shows cegunshows.com
Crossroads Of The West Gun Shows crossroadsgunshows.com
Florida Gun Shows floridagunshows.com
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RK Shows rkshows.com
Real Texas Gun Shows therealtexasgunshow.com
Tanner Gun Shows tannergunshow.com
Wes Knodel Gun Shows wesknodelgunshows.com
GUN SHOW CALENDAR
November 16-17
November 23-24
Dayton, Ohio Montgomery County Event Center
Winston-Salem, N.C. Winston-Salem Fairgrounds
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Columbus, Ohio Ohio Expo Center
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Concord, N.C. Cabarrus Arena & Event Center
November 9-10
November 9-10
November 9-10
Mesa, Ariz. Centennial Hall
Hurricane, Utah Legacy Park
San Bernardino, Calif. National Orange Show Grounds
November 16-17 Las Vegas, Nev. Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Costa Mesa, Calif. OC Fair & Event Center
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Orlando, Fla.
December 7-8 Tampa, Fla.
Central Florida Fair Grounds
Florida State Fairgrounds
December 14-15 Fort Myers, Fla. Lee Civic Center
November 15-17
Glendale, Ariz.
Glendale Civic Center
November 16-17 Santa Clara, Calif. American Legion
December 14-15
November 8-10
Tucson, Ariz. Tucson Expo Center
Washington, Mo. N-Sports Rec Center
November 9-10 Perry, Ga.
Georgia National Fairgrounds
November 16-17 Topeka, Kan. Stormont Vail Events Center
November 16-17 Gray, Tenn. Appalachian Fairgrounds
November 15-17 Pueblo, Colo. Colorado State Fairgrounds
Nov. 30-Dec. 1
November 16-17 Centralia, Wash. Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
December 14-15 Redmond, Ore. Deschutes County Fairgrounds
CALENDAR
usashooting.org
November 8-10
MidwayUSA Rifle and Pistol Camp Colorado Springs, Colo.
uspsa.org
November 6-10
Desert Classic Area 2 Championship Mesa, Ariz.
December 13-15
Winter Air Gun Championships Colorado Springs, Colo./ Camp Perry, Ohio
November 8-10
South Florida Section Championship Okeechobee, Fla.
gssfonline.com
November 9-10
Palo Alto Glock Showdown
Donaldsonville, La.
November 16-17
Glocks in the Pines Pollok, Texas
November 16-17
The Route 66 Glock Challenge San Bernardino, Calif.
November 23-24
Southern Alabama Regional Classic
Midland City, Ala.
cmsaevents.com
November 9-10
Landmark Shootout Anthony, N.M.
November 15-16
Osage County Border War Pawhuska, Okla.
idpa.com
November 8-10
Space Coast Challenge Palm Bay, Fla.
November 16
Pima Pistol Club State IDPA Championship Catalina, Ariz.
December 6-8
North Florida Section Championship New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
December 7-8
“Remember the Alamo” Ballistic Challenge Atascosa, Texas
November 30
Colorado Regulators Turkey Shoot Eaton, Colo.
November 23
IDPA Austin Rifle Club Manor, Texas To
SALUTE TO VETERANS
Weathering The Storm: The Jessica Lynch Story
Being captured and rescued during the Iraq War was far from her last chapter.
ISTORY BY PAUL PAWELA • PHOTOS COURTESY OF JESSICA LYNCH
n the pages of American Shooting Journal, we have introduced readers to great American heroes who were prisoners of war and who documented their experiences in memoirs and books. These include former Navy SEAL Don Mann (Inside SEAL Team Six), Special Forces legend Colonel Nick Rowe (Five Years to Freedom), and Special Forces legend Gary O’Neal (American Warrior), among others. Every one of these books is inspirational and motivating and should be required reading. I have read all these great books, but none moved me like I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story.
Jessica Dawn Lynch is a former United States Army soldier who served as a private first class in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On March 23, 2003, she was serving as a unit supply specialist with the 507th Maintenance Company when Iraqi troops ambushed her convoy during the Battle of Nasiriyah. In the ambush, Lynch was seriously injured and was subsequently captured by Iraqi
soldiers. Initially she was listed as missing in action, along with five other soldiers who were also captured. Eleven soldiers in Lynch’s company were killed in that ambush, including Lynch’s best friend, Lori Piestewa, who died from a head wound.
Lynch was rescued on April 1, 2003, by special operations forces. Her recovery received significant news coverage, as it was the first successful
rescue of an American prisoner of war since World War II and the first ever of a female POW. A few weeks later, on April 13, the other five POWs from the Nasiriyah ambush were rescued. All were hailed as heroes upon their return home.
AROUND THE END of May of this year, one of my brothers in training, Pablo Martinez, informed me he was
Lynch (left and this
joined the US Army in 2001 and on September 19, 2001, entered basic training at Fort
South Carolina. Her book, I Am a Soldier, Too, details her experience of being captured in Iraq, as well as her life growing up in West Virginia, where she returned to and now works for the state Department of Veterans Assistance.
Jessica
image)
Jackson,
working on a film project with writer/ director Christopher Martini. In casual conversation, I asked Martinez what the film was about and where it would be shot. He told me he’d be traveling to Rockport, Texas, and the subject of the film was a retreat for women veterans, and Lynch would also be there.
I was trying, surreptitiously, to figure out how to invite myself on his trip, even knowing the full hazards
of Martinez’s music selection from Florida to Texas and back. Let’s say I’m just a glutton for punishment. He checked with all the right people (those filming, hosting and participating in the retreat), and all gave an approving thumbs-up to me attending, including Lynch herself!
On the trip to Texas, we encountered an ominous storm. I could only ponder how fitting this would be with my upcoming interviews with Lynch and her female comrades.
First, I was introduced to Martini. It was an honor to meet the man who
directed the films The Man You Don’t Know, The Relentless Patriot, The Deplorable and What the Night Can Do. Before it was all said and done, we would become good friends. (Sir, I apologize for leaving that gift in your carry-on bag going through TSA security. It was Pablo’s idea!)
I would also become friends with the retreat’s hosts, Justin Patterson and Rob Langston. Both are retired veterans committed to wounded warriors and have done much charity through their respective 501(c)(3) organizations. Langston’s book, It’s
Lynch discusses being the first rescued prisoner of war since World War II.
Okay to Be Broken, is a must-read for anyone who is suffering from PTSD.
WHEN I FINALLY got the chance to interview these outstanding women service members, well, to be honest, it was the first time I had ever done it. Some of these women were married to service members while serving themselves; some were not. I just let them tell their stories. Some were heartbreaking, some were gutwrenching, everyone had PTSD, and here are their stories as to why.
Several of these women had to deal with partners who were alpha males and who had violent PTSD themselves. They dealt with physical abuse, sexual harassment, anger and threats from their husbands or from friends. At times, the abuse was relentless – the shouting and the screaming, the intimidation, the violence.
The long deployments away from family, and the fact that service members don’t make much money, meant the paycheck had to be stretched as far as possible. Alcohol, painkillers, or both, doused the long hours of the day.
All the women knew the pain and suffering of seeing the coffins draped
with flags – either husbands, friends or someone from the community. Everyone attended more than their share of funerals, and a couple of them knew about instances where someone close to them was blown up. Many times, those service members lost arms or legs or suffered a traumatic brain injury.
I thank those women who shared their stories with me and I salute their courage. God bless you all.
I WAS ALSO able to interview Lynch. She is around the same age as my own two daughters and throughout the entire time I spent with her, knowing of the horrors she went through in
Lynch and Lori Piestewa were best friends and fellow soldiers who were both involved in the Iraq War.
A combat camera video shows footage of Lynch on a stretcher during her April 1, 2003, rescue in Iraq.
(ABACA PRESS / ALAMY STOCK)
war – compounded even more by her experiences as a POW – I could not get out of my head that she too was someone’s daughter. All these women were someone’s daughters, and they all shined with a special glow.
Lynch was very polite and wellpoised; she radiated confidence. She discussed all the darkest moments of the war outlined in her book, but what was stunning and admirable was how she honored the lives of her best friend, Piestewa, and her 10 comrades who lost their lives. The beautiful way Lynch described her best friend was so heartwarming; she made me feel like I knew Piestewa personally. The conversation was an outstanding tribute to the fallen.
That is the accurate measure of a war hero. Lynch is one of the most honest people I have ever met. She did not have the combat experience others had, but others did not go through the
brutality and torture that she did. One cannot help but see her pain from the severe injuries that are still with her to the present day, but you will never catch her complaining about it.
Today, Lynch is a mother, teacher, actress and motivational speaker who often travels to events at her own expense to speak about her experience as a prisoner of war. She, along with her fellow female veterans, past and present, is a symbol of American patriotism and endurance. We should all take the time to thank our veterans for their dedicated service.
Finally, I want to thank Lynch for giving my twin granddaughters, who proudly serve in the military, autographed copies of her book. Both granddaughters treasure this book in ways many of us will never understand. For a copy of Lynch’s book, go to powjessicalynch.com. ★
Editor’s note: The author would like to dedicate this article to those whose lives were lost during the Battle of Nasiriyah ambush: Private First Class Lori Piestewa; Specialist Jamaal R. Addison; Specialist Edward J. Anguiano; Sergeant George E. Buggs; First Sergeant Robert J. Dowdy; Private Ruben Estrella-Soto; Private First Class Howard Johnson II; Specialist James M. Kiehl; Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata; Private Brandon U. Sloan; and Sergeant Donald R. Walters. We can never thank you enough for your service and sacrifice.
Private First Class Lynch receives the Purple Heart from Lieutenant General James B. Peake, the US Army surgeon general, at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC, on Monday, July 21, 2003. (ABACA PRESS / ALAMY STOCK)
Today, Lynch is a mother, teacher, actress and motivational speaker who often travels to events at her own expense to speak about her experience as a prisoner of war.
SALUTE TO VETERANS
Jumping Into History
Airborne reenactors memorialize brave paratroopers of D-Day invasion.
STORY BY PAUL PAWELA • PHOTOS BY RICK STAFFORD
At American Shooting Journal, we celebrate all the veterans who have served in our armed forces, both presently and in the past. In this article we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the airborne assault into Normandy as part of the D-Day Allied invasion of Europe during World War II.
Paratroopers of the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, the British Army’s 6th Division, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and other attached Allied units took part in the assault. On the night before the Normandy invasion, the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions would land by parachute and glider near the towns of Sainte-Mère-Église and Carentan, securing the roads leading from the shoreline and then obstructing enemy efforts to reinforce beach defenses.
According to a brochure from the US Army Center of Military History, some American airborne troops landed near their objectives but the majority ended up across a wide area. Some drowned in flooded lowlands, while others were killed or captured after landing among German forces. Still, 101st Airborne paratroopers were able to clear most of the way for American VII Corps forces landing at Utah Beach to attack further inland. As for the 82nd, its 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry, was able to capture Sainte-Mère-Église and cut the main communications cable to Cherbourg, a key port held by the Germans.
The airborne assault into Normandy was the largest use of airborne troops up to that point. Around 13,000 American paratroopers were deployed, jumping from 925 C-47 airplanes and an additional 500 gliders.
AS I HAVE stated before in these pages, my father was part of that airborne engagement, and while I hope to someday see those historic areas where our brave soldiers fought, I haven’t yet had the honor.
However, my good friend Rick Stafford got the chance earlier this year. Stafford wears many different hats (including being internationally known for his cosplay as the DC comic book character Aquaman), and one of them is that he is a certified airborne reenactor. This year he participated in the D-Day 80th anniversary celebration by making several parachute jumps, along with his civilian reenactment team the Round Canopy Parachuting Team – USA, in the skies over Normandy. Also participating
Rick Stafford, a certified airborne reenactor who participated in this year’s 80th anniversary of D-Day by making several jumps over Normandy, France, as part of a larger reenactment team.
in the jump were US Armed Forces members stationed in Europe and those from US base units with historical links to World War II, among other participants.
In addition to the parachuting display, the D-Day celebration also included music and parades, honoring the heroic action and sacrifices of Allied troops during World War II.
Stafford received the coveted Normandy 80th anniversary jump wings, he was given a certificate for participating in the campaign, and was able to tour the great Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église.
He also walked the hallowed ground where brave paratroopers fought so hard. He walked the same footsteps where my father ran into and out of battle, as many others did in the war.
AS A YOUNG man, my father took me to a blockbuster movie at the time called A Bridge Too Far, which was based on Operation Market Garden, in which American Airborne troops (including the 82nd Airborne) in Nazi-occupied Netherlands tried to take and hold the Nijmegen bridge from the Germans. All my father said throughout the entire movie was, “Son, see that man?” “Yes, sir,” was my response. “Remember him as long as you can,” he said. “Also, if you would remember that guy as well.” Wondering why, I just responded, “OK, yes, sir.”
Twenty-two years later, my dad came to visit me when I was a young paratrooper then stationed at Fort Bragg. As we visited the 82nd Airborne Division, we looked at all the WWII memorabilia and he showed me a picture of a man. In his quiet voice, my father asked once again, fighting back a tear, which
Airborne reenactors by an actual C-47 that was used as the main transport plane for paratroopers in World War II.
A WWII airborne demonstration team in action.
Reenactors help personify the story of what was at the time the largest airborne assault ever attempted. Some 13,000 American paratroopers carried by 925 C-47s and 500 gliders landed in enemy territory ahead of the storming of the beaches on June 6, 1944, securing routes inland.
Stafford performs a parachute landing fall in front of a live crowd.
was an emotion I had never witnessed in this man ever, “Son, do you remember when you were small, I took you to the movie A Bridge Too Far and I told you to remember the man in the movie?” I responded, “Yes, sir, I do. Who was he?” My father replied, “He was my commanding officer.” I then asked, “Sir, who was the other man you wanted me to remember?” My dad responded, “That man was me, Son.”
As I look at Stafford’s photos that are now proudly displayed in this magazine, I am going to do everything possible to get these great photos into
all the appropriate museums, so we can all cherish this great history of so many brave men. I cannot thank him enough for the photos he contributed to this article.
I wish to dedicate this article to all those veterans who were there, to my dad who was there, and a special thank you to Christian Richard Stafford. Thank you, young man, for pushing your father to do all the great things he does for humanity in your name. If you run into my dad in Heaven, tell him I miss him. ★
Airborne combat vets Floyd Blair (left) and Geoff Roberts (right) with Stafford.
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, just above Omaha Beach.
Normandy 80th anniversary jump wings.
The reenactment team gathers for a photo in front of what’s regarded as the last flyable B-17G Flying Fortress in Europe, the Sally B
SALUTE TO VETERANS
Across The Rhine With Dry Feet
Recalling how a battle-weary World War II tank commander and his platoon's brave night crossing helped secure the capture of the last intact bridge over the German river.
STORY BY FRANK JARDIM PHOTOS COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPS
The big sign read: “CROSS THE RHINE WITH DRY FEET COURTESY OF 9TH ARM’D DIV.” Painted on sheet metal, it hung for decades in my museum, The Patton Museum of Cavalry & Armor at Fort Knox. It had nothing to do with Patton, of course, but it had everything to do with American armored units in World War II and how they used their speed, firepower and initiative to win fights big and small. Capturing the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen on March 7, 1945, was a magnificently bold move that epitomizes the armored soldier in action. Before I took over as director at the museum, the sign, made famous in newspaper photographs nationwide, was badly in need of conservation. Fortunately, I was able to get a professional conservator to stabilize it before all its white lettering flaked off.
When I later became well acquainted with one of the 9th Armored Division veterans who made history at Remagen, it felt like fate was rewarding me for being a good steward of the legendary sign. I was honored to share many hours of conversation with Charles Windsor Miller, then a First Lieutenant commanding the five M4A3 Sherman tanks of 3rd Platoon, A Company, 14th Tank Battalion, Combat Command B (CCB), 9th Armored Division. He’d seen a great deal of fighting and violent death, and many times
On March 7, 1945, attacking
elements of the 9th Armored Division saw and seized an opportunity to capture the last intact bridge over the Rhine River. Proud of their achievement, they made the sign in this photo to let their fellow GIs know. It became world famous when newspapers ran photos of it.
had to push himself, and his men, to the limits of their physical and mental strength. His experiences were like those of other tank crewmen, but circumstances happened to put him in a place where he at least got a little recognition for his skill, endurance and courage.
On April 5, 1945, he was pulled from the front line for an hour for an award ceremony where the 9th Armored Division Commander, Major General John W. Leonard, pinned a Distinguished Service Cross on his chest. That is the second highest award for valor a person can receive in military service. Only the Congressional Medal of Honor is
higher. His citation reads:
“… for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy of 7 March 1945, in Germany. Upon approaching the Ludendorff railroad bridge across the Rhine River, First Lieutenant Miller immediately placed his tank platoon in a commanding position and directed fire upon hostile emplacements on the opposite bank covering the crossing of the infantry and engineer units. That night, despite the extreme darkness and the fact that the strength of the bridge was unknown, First Lieutenant Miller, in the face of intense machine gun and artillery fire, personally led his platoon across the span. By his daring courage and unhesitating action, First Lieutenant Miller succeeded
in leading the first American armor across the Rhine River, providing invaluable support for the foot troops on the opposite bank.”
The Rhine River was the last major natural obstacle in the way of an Allied drive deep into the industrial heart of Germany. Over 1,000 feet across, swift-flowing and deep, it cannot be forded. It can only be crossed with bridges or boats.
The Rhine River is a formidable natural obstacle. Over 1,000 feet wide, deep and fast-flowing, it could not be forded. If the Germans had had more troops at Remagen, they could have made the capture of the bridge a much bloodier engagement than it was.
With the railway bridge secured, an M4A3 Sherman tank is seen emerging onto the eastern shore. The approaches to the bridge were defended with machine guns from these castle-like stone towers on each end, but American infantry rooted them out. Today, these towers are all that remain of the bridge.
The Germans planned to leave neither at the disposal of the Allies; they fought vigorously to hold off their advancing armies, and were expected to defend the Rhine with all their might. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces, or SHAEF, hoped to avoid the heavy casualties that forcing a crossing against a determined enemy
would entail and supported a plan to use paratroopers to take the key crossing points on the northern end of the Allied front from the rear. It wasn’t a bad plan, but it was somewhat overcome by events thanks to the aggressive leadership of American armored units in the south.
The 9th Armored Division’s capture of the only intact bridge across the Rhine got them across
first. Though it was not a grand strategic accomplishment from a purely military standpoint – since neither the terrain nor the limited road network beyond the bridge was suited to a speedy Allied advance –news of American tanks east of the Rhine had to be a heavy psychological blow to the Germans. How much it undermined their morale and will to resist is difficult to measure, but
Most of the demolition charges placed by the Germans failed to detonate and only one major hole was blasted through the bridge deck. However, the structural integrity of the bridge was seriously compromised. Engineer troops worked furiously, continuously and often under enemy attack to shore it up for vehicular traffic.
it’s hard to imagine that it didn’t expedite their ultimate surrender. Sixty-two days after the 9th Armored seized a bridgehead at Remagen, Adolf Hitler was dead and the Nazis surrendered unconditionally.
LIEUTENANT MILLER’S RECOLLECTIONS of his platoon’s role in the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge weren’t nearly as heroic as his DSC citation reads. They were more about grinding exhaustion and the cumulative effects of facing danger day after day. The attack that set up his date with destiny was launched on February 28 and took him across 54 miles of enemy-contested ground. Lieutenant Miller’s platoon was the leading force for the first 33 hours, the literal point of the spear. Against regulations but with the silent acquiesce of his company commander, Lieutenant Miller rode
in the lead tank, where he felt he belonged. His men got little sleep. Lieutenant Miller got none. To give them a break from the stress of being repeatedly under enemy fire, the company commander had the second platoon take over at the front of the column. Inside of 20 minutes, three of its five tanks were destroyed, several men, including the platoon leader, were dead, and many more wounded by well concealed 88mm anti-tank guns. Once again, Lieutenant Miller’s platoon took the lead. They stayed there for the next six days, drawing small arms and artillery fire, destroying enemy resistance, and taking casualties. The driver of Lieutenant Miller’s tank was killed by a shell burst.
Later, an armor-piercing shell narrowly missed Lieutenant Miller’s tank, striking a tree next to it and shattering it to splinters. Shards of wood struck him forcefully in the face. This combined with the terrific
noise of the impact made him think his tank had taken a hit from a Panzerfaust. The Panzerfaust was a small and utterly dreaded handheld anti-tank weapon whose shaped charged projectile could easily burn through the Sherman tank’s thickest armor in a split second, blasting a spray of high-velocity molten metal inside. The tanker’s greatest fear was burning up in his tank, and before wet stowage of main gun ammunition was introduced, Shermans had such a reputation for catching fire when hit that they were nicknamed “Ronsons” after the popular cigarette lighter. With this foremost in his mind, Lieutenant Miller instantly ordered his crew to bail out of the tank. In less than a minute, realizing what had actually happened, the driver, bow machinegunner, main gunner, loader and commander were back on board resuming their advance. There was no embarrassment in the mistake.
In this photo, you can see the mangled girders from a German demolition charge. The bridge was repeatedly attacked after its capture and suffered more damage, which ultimately led to its collapse 10 days later, and the death and injury of many of the engineers working to repair it.
When Lieutenant Miller’s platoon was assigned to a new task force for the final miles of their advance to the Rhine, he was greatly relieved to learn that elements of the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion were leading the attack. Later that afternoon, when their column topped a hillcrest giving them their first view of the Rhine River Valley, they were surprised to see an intact bridge. Lieutenant Miller described his emotions, and those of his men, as mixed. They were feeling the fatigue of eight days of continuous action and hoped for a rest, but they realized the bridge was a great prize. Orders to capture it were not long in coming. Everyone expected the Germans to blow it up, and they did, but not well enough.
MOST OF THE credit for the capture of the bridge belongs to the infantrymen and engineers who charged across it under enemy fire, fighting back the German defenders in the bridge towers while
searching out and dismantling the unexploded demolition charges. Lieutenant Miller’s tanks did what they could to support them from the western shore, firing at enemy gun positions on the other side that weren’t on the bridge itself. Once on the eastern shore, the infantry pursued the enemy into the town and the high ground just beyond.
Expecting a German counterattack during the night, the task force commander ordered Lieutenant Miller to take his five tanks across the damaged bridge to support the single infantry company holding the first Allied bridgehead over the Rhine. Lieutenant Miller recalled that the bridge decking was seriously damaged, and the night so dark that it was impossible to see the front of your own tank from the turret. At an agonizingly slow crawl, he got all five tanks across at once without falling through or driving off the bridge, though they did bump into each other. They were the first Allied tanks to cross the Rhine.
Once on the other side, the tankers could not find the American infantry, but they did find the enemy. Throughout the night, they drew fire and Germans tried to coax them out of their tanks to accept their “surrender.” The tankers knew this was a ploy, and tossed out grenades to keep them from getting too close. Fortunately, the expected counterattack never came. Resistance was scattered and less than determined. In fact, the Germans were taken completely by surprise at Remagen. While they redeployed their forces to block the Americans, US Army engineer units erected three additional temporary bridges. It was a good thing they did because 10 days after its capture, the damaged Ludendorff Bridge collapsed into the river. By then, 25,000 Allied troops had crossed, expanding the bridgehead 25 miles along the riverfront and 8 miles inland.
Lieutenant Miller and his platoon kept right on going, taking the fight to the enemy. ★
Lieutenant Charles Windsor Miller is presented the Distinguished Service Cross by Major General John Leonard, commander of the 9th Armored Division. His tank platoon was the first to cross the Rhine.
SALUTE TO VETERANS
Leader Of Rangers
Colonel Danny McKnight (retired) led the 3rd Battalion of the 75th Rangers from
STORY BY PAUL PAWELA PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANNY McKNIGHT
When the US Army’s Chief of Staff, General Creighton Abrams, ordered the formation of the Ranger Battalion in 1974, he instructed that these soldiers would be elite, setting standards for the Army.
The 75th Ranger Regiment is a small but lethal unit of highly trained soldiers who are all qualified as paratroopers and capable of conducting complex missions. With the motto “Sua Sponte” – Latin for “of their own accord” – Rangers accomplish tasks with little or no prompting. They do not sit idle waiting to be told what to do.
This fall marks the 31st anniversary of the hard-fought Battle of Mogadishu, better known as Black Hawk Down, where Army Rangers proved their mettle. To honor the bravery of those outstanding Ranger warriors, I could think of no one better to highlight in this month’s column than their leader, retired Colonel Danny McKnight.
COLONEL MCKNIGHT SPENT 29 years of his life in distinguished service to his country, but he is best known for his role as the commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment during the Battle of
the front during the Battle of Mogadishu.
Colonel Danny McKnight, the now retired commander of US Ranger ground forces during the Battle of Mogadishu, also known as the Black Hawk Down incident.
Mogadishu. The film Black Hawk Down heavily portrayed his participation and leadership in this battle.
You could always find Colonel McKnight leading from the front; in Mogadishu, he sat in the passenger
commanding 450 soldiers through the violent streets. He was shot twice in the neck and arm, and survived.
Colonel McKnight discusses the art of leadership in his book, Streets of Mogadishu: Leadership At Its Best, Political Correctness At Its Worst!
“Leadership is without a doubt the most dynamic art in existence today and one of the most important aspects, if not the most important, of the success of our great country. I believe that the American way of life, although not perfect, is the greatest in the world today. Why is it so successful? Because of our ideal of leadership that was formally established in July 1776 by brilliant leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and many others. These great leaders believed there was a better and more just way of life than that which existed under the tyrannical government
of King George III of England. Thus, the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress – a hard right decision made by great leaders. These men knew and understood that this pursuit of independence was not going to be easy, and it was not. However, they mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. The pursuit of independence was extremely difficult but successful – the Treaty of Paris in 1783 ended the war and recognized the sovereignty of the United States. The personal courage exhibited by our Founding Fathers was intrinsic to the good leadership necessary for us to become the greatest nation in the world.”
“The art of leadership is so dynamic because of the interaction of many principles and concepts like values, commitment, professionalism, trust, responsibility, accountability, and decision-making. Leadership is actually an oxymoron of sorts in that it is simple but difficult. Leading is only easy on the days when everything goes as planned, but even those days require strength because things happen that make the plan irrelevant and ineffective; that is when good leadership is called upon to make decisions necessary to adjust and ensure success in the end.”
IN HIS BOOK, Colonel McKnight discusses our founding fathers’ courage in what they endured in the American Revolutionary War, but
Above: McKnight’s book.
Right: A few Task Force Ranger members.
Below: Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, in Somalia in 1993.
what is hardly ever discussed is the enemy combatants that they fought. In the Battle of Mogadishu, the Somalis had decades of combat experience. They were famous for braving enemy fire and for almost suicidal frontal assaults. They were brought up in clans and named for their fathers and grandfathers. They entered a fight with cunning and courage and gave themselves over to its savage emotion. Retreat, even before an overwhelming enemy fire, was considered unmanly. The clan was
always ready to die.
Consider the courage that Colonel McKnight and his men had, knowing this about their enemy before going into that fight. Not to mention that their target to pick up the prisoners initially was only a few blocks from Bakara Market, considered the most dangerous city in the world at the time.
Those in the fight have described the Battle of Mogadishu as a tale of miscalculation, bad luck and personal valor. It was the most intense combat by US infantrymen since Vietnam. Many in the chain of command in that engagement were considered failures by their peers or superiors, and careers were either ended or stifled.
Colonel McKnight has suffered a political injustice by being denied entry into the Ranger Hall of Fame, which was allegedly blocked by the vote of a Ranger/Delta officer general who was there in Mogadishu. Having talked to many who served with Colonel McKnight, this is incomprehensible to them.
What kind of leader was Colonel McKnight – and still is to this day? He is the absolute best, and you know why? It has been 31 years since that fateful day, and every five years, on the anniversary of that day, he travels across the country to lay flowers on the graves of those men who served with him during the battle. That is a man of honor. ★
Part of the helicopter Super 61 that went down in the Battle of Mogadishu and led to the battle cry, “We have a Black Hawk down.”
Above: A plaque in the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in North Carolina showcases the events in Mogadishu, Somalia. Below: Memorial for the battle’s fallen.
McKnight (right) with author Paul Pawela.
RUGER .45 ACP LC
Ruger has done just about everything right with their LC Carbine, blending the defining concept of the pistol-caliber carbine, or PCC, with some old-school design principles drawn from the famous (and nigh indestructible) Israeli Uzi submachine gun, with modern materials and accessory mounting capability. To my mind, this is among the best PCCs made today. It comes in three chamberings: 5 7x28mm, .45 ACP and 10mm.
The PCC has always had a lot of merit as a self-defense gun. They are smaller and lighter than full-size rifles and shotguns, quicker-handling, and also easier for people of small stature and limited upper body strength to use. They are also easier to shoot accurately than a handgun, thanks to a longer sight radius and a long gun’s four points of contact hold, and offer a little more velocity (and thus range and energy) than a comparably chambered handgun. Before
World War II, lever-actions filled the greater part of the PCC niche, some of the most famous being the Winchester Models of 1873 and 1892. These vintage PCCs often did double duty as close-range hunting guns for small and large game. Today, with so many action shooting sports to participate in, a PCC is as likely to be bought for fun as it is for serious defense.
In recent times the AR-15 platform was cobbled into a PCC, a role I always thought it was particularly ill-suited for, as it was designed for a considerably longer rifle cartridge
STORY AND PHOTOS BY FRANK JARDIM
With the side folding stock deployed and fully extended, Ruger’s 16-inch-barrel .45 ACP LC Carbine measures only 30.3 inches.
CARBINE
Just over 7 pounds with an empty 13-round Glock-style magazine, the folded length is a compact 22.5 inches. It has ambidextrous thumb safety and slide lock releases, and the charging handle and magazine catch can be reversed for left-handers.
gun review
The Ruger has a very nice polymer and steel buttstock. There’s no wiggle in this stock when deployed or folded. The latch is steel and clamps to a small section of Picatinny rail at the rear of the receiver, allowing the user the option of installing a stock of their own choosing.
2.25 inches of length-of-pull range. Folded, the gun’s overall length drops to 22.5 inches for easier storage.
The gun is blowback-operated, and exceptionally compact thanks to its Uzi-inspired telescoping bolt that enshrouds the 6.5 inches of barrel that protrudes into the middle of the aluminum receiver. This is a 16-inchbarrel gun that looks like it has an 11inch barrel. Moving the barrel back into the receiver locates the chamber above the pistol grip, which does double duty as a magazine well. There are several advantages to this besides reducing the overall length of the gun. Changing magazines becomes a simple, organic, hand-finds-hand affair, the magazine is closer to the body and not dangling out in front of the shooting hand where it might get hung up on an obstacle when presenting the gun for firing, and the recoiling mass of the bolt is closer to the body where it can be better controlled.
The length of pull is quickly adjusted by depressing the lever at the bottom elbow of the stock and moving the rear portion forward or back over the five possible positions spanning 2.25 inches.
and was already overly large for that purpose. The AR as a PCC gives up the advantages of compact size and light weight for the real or perceived advantage of familiar controls and components. I say, “No, thanks.” If I need to carry something as big as an AR-15, it will be in a rifle caliber.
THE .45 ACP Ruger LC Carbine is a sleeklooking gun that weighs 7 pounds, 1 2 ounces unloaded, with a 13-round magazine. The LC Carbine’s folding buttstock has a sturdy steel latch that is clamped to a small section of Picatinny rail at the rear of the receiver and can be easily changed if there’s something you like better. The Ruger stock is polymer and well made, with an adequate cheekpiece and soft, nonslip, rubber buttplate. Deployed, it measures from 28 5 to 30 4 inches long. It has five adjustments that span
The Ruger LC Carbine comes with nice polymer adjustable folding sights. Spring-loaded, they flip up with the touch of a button. The muzzle is threaded at .578x28 threads per inch and protected by a knurled cap that stays secure with an O ring.
The LC Carbine can be configured for right- or left-handers by switching the magazine release and cocking handle from one side to the other, but that isn’t a field DIY operation. The thumb safety and bolt lock release
To get the bolt clear of the breech end of the barrel during disassembly, Ruger made it in two parts that are joined together via their slotted ends when installed.
The grip frame/magazine housing/fire control group is polymer, aluminum and steel. It’s sturdy and the lockup with the receiver is tight when assembled.
Here you can see how the bolt enshrouds the rear portion of the barrel inside the aluminum receiver. Also note the tabs on the aluminum base of the grip frame that mate with matching slots cut in the receiver. The single disassembly/ assembly, captive push pin is sticking out of the receiver.
gun review
(a small lever on the left side and a button above the front of the trigger guard on the right side) are easy to use. Takedown for cleaning is exceptionally simple. A single captive push pin holds the grip frame/fire control group in place. The exterior of the grip frame is polymer pinned to an aluminum base reinforced with steel inserts for the feed ramp and ejector.
You can probably use any Glock pattern magazine in the LC Carbine with the ejector set up for righthanded use. A left-hander will need to make sure to get magazines with dual magazine catch cuts on the front face. Without that extra cut, the magazine will just fall out of the gun.
The LC Carbine is a hammer-fired gun. Ruger proudly advertises that they employed their Secure Action fire-control mechanism in it. Its design appears both reliable and likely to resist breakage. While I agree with them that this mechanism – which uses some rather small, complex and cleverly designed parts that could only be economically made by metal injection molding, or MIM – has ample safeguards against unintentional discharge, I didn’t think it yielded a
particularly great trigger pull. The weight varied from 6.25 to 7.5 pounds when measured at the point where my fingertip was centered.
Trigger pull is one of the hardest things to describe because there’s always a subjective element to it.
I found the LC Carbine’s trigger pull somewhat spongy, like those of older striker-fired pistols. I am not surprised since it also employs a lengthy stamped steel trigger bar. The more linkage between trigger and sear, the more slack that needs to be
The LC Carbine’s handguard is loaded with M-Lok slots. Author Frank Jardim installed this Streamlight TRL-2 HL G combination highlumen tactical light and green targeting laser up front to own the darkness and allow for targeting without the weapon shouldered. It also acts as a handstop in this position.
This is a pleasant gun to shoot. It’s sleeker than an AR platform, fast-handling and the recoil is mild.
gun review
taken up and the spongier the feel. I also observed some lateral play in the sear that surely contributed to this. The trigger pull was not particularly long, but it was not what I would ever describe as crisp. Creep was frequently evident shooting for accuracy from the bench. Nor was the reset quick since the trigger needed to return nearly fully forward to reset. Overall, the LC Carbine has a better trigger pull than
The LC Carbine has ambidextrous thumb safety and bolt lock release controls. It uses Glock-type magazines. Lefthanders will need to make sure they get magazines with the double-notched front face if they plan to reverse the magazine release button.
many contemporary firearms using similar engineering features, but I don’t see it as a standout feature of this otherwise outstanding gun.
UNLIKE A LOT of their contemporaries, Ruger supplies their LC Carbine with a set of sights so it’s ready to shoot right out of the box. They are the fold-down/ pop-up type made of sturdy polymer and deploy instantly with the touch
of a button. The front has a metal square post adjustable for elevation and the rear peep sight is adjustable for windage. They are mounted on the Picatinny rail to maximize the sight radius. As plastic sights go, they’re nice, but I chose not to use them for my accuracy testing.
To minimize sighting error with my old eyes, I installed a Meprolight Mepro RDS Pro V2 military-grade red dot, though I chose a green reticle because it’s easier for the human eye to pick out. This is a battlefield-rugged and simple-to-operate optic that you can find for around $490. It runs about 3,000 hours on a single common 1.5-volt AA battery. It has dual adjustable tension, mounting levers for a rock-solid hold on the rail, and a big (1 3x0 79-inch) viewing window for the bull’s-eye reticle, which consists of a 2 MOA dot inside a 55 MOA circle. Brightness is controlled manually with a small five-position rotary switch, which takes you from the “off” position through four brightness levels, the last of which is for use with night vision gear. Each brightness level can be further refined with the push button in the center of the switch.
I DID MY testing at 50 yards, shooting five-shot strings from the bench off a Caldwell Shooting Supplies The Rock rest in front and a sandbag in the rear. To record velocity, I set up a Competition Electronics Pro Chrono digital chronograph 15 feet from the muzzle. Thinking in terms of home defense, I selected three types of .45 ACP hollowpoints for testing. I determined group size by measuring the center-to-center distance of the two most separated bullet holes for each group. Overall, the LC Carbine averaged five-shot groups of less than 2 inches and all loads fed perfectly from the SGM Tactical 13-round magazine supplied with the gun. A longer magazine would be my choice for defense, but the 13-round type fits flush and is easy to use from a bench rest.
While all the loads tested shot very well, the most accurate was
Jardim installed a battle-tested reflex sight to improve his accuracy. Meprolight’s Mepro RDS Pro V2 is the civilian model of their military sight and runs up to 3,000 hours on one common, and cheap, AA battery. It’s also just about bomb-proof.
The cocking handle is nonreciprocating and can be switched to the other side. A Picatinny rail runs along the top of the receiver and front handguard.
The Ruger LC Carbine can be fired with the stock folded, but it’s not very comfortable. To allow clearance for your trigger finger, you need to fully extend the stock before folding it, as shown here.
gun review
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 200-grain JHP, which averaged groups of 1.71 inches and a velocity of 1,019 feet per second. Hornady’s reliably expanding Critical Defense 185-grain FTX JHP averaged groups of 1 99 inches and a speedy 1,216 fps. Winchester Win1911 230-grain JHP averaged groups of 2.11 inches and 1,026 fps. As one might expect, the Winchester and Fiocchi loads, having virtually identical velocity, had the same point of impact at 50 yards. The Hornady load, just about 200 fps faster, impacted 3 2 inches higher.
Having already tested two of these loads in a handgun (the 4.25-inchbarrel Springfield Armory TRP Contour Carry 1911), I checked my files to see how much velocity I was gaining with the LC Carbine’s 16-inch barrel. In the case of the Hornady Critical Defense load, it was a gain of 195 fps (1,021 versus 1,216), while the Fiocchi Defense Dynamics load showed only a gain of 129 fps (890 versus 1,019).
MSRP OF THE .45 ACP Ruger LC Carbine is $1,009; however, a survey of online retail prices show most falling between $750 and $850, which includes shipping. For its accuracy, the quality of the build and materials, and its general sturdiness, safety and accessorizing flexibility, this looks to be one of the
better PCC deals on the market in .45 ACP, 10mm and 5 7x28mm. While shooting it, I couldn’t help but think it would make a hell of a submachine gun. For more info on this and other LC Carbine models, visit ruger.com. For info on Meprolight Optics, visit meprolight.com. ★
The three brands of self-defense ammunition used in Jardim’s testing.
This Winchester Win1911 230-grain JHP load piled 15 shots into a group less than 2.5 inches at 50 yards, and it wasn’t even the most accurate load tested!
The LC Carbine showed itself to be flawlessly reliable with the hollowpoint ammunition the author tested, and also very accurate.
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
MAKE MINE A SIDE CHARGER!
knocks with Recon going after highvalue targets, the first elections, Operation River Blitz, and the second Battle of Fallujah. After leaving the Marine Corps, Hillman went into law enforcement, and after a short time on patrol, he became a SWAT team member on a local part-time, multijurisdictional SWAT team.
Running failure drills one day and getting tired of the ineffectiveness of the standard charging handle, Hillman began to wonder how to make the AR platform more effective for tactical operations. He tried extended release levers but they constantly got snagged on gear and pulled the rifle out of battery. Then he had the idea to make
Building a better mousetrap – in this case, a side charging handle that can be mounted to a rifle’s upper receiver and replace the existing one without having to go to an armorer – was the idea behind Devil Dog Concepts.
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
the rifle a side charger without having to rebuild or modify the rifle, yet durable enough for law enforcement or military operation.
Originally, the plan was to create one unit that Hillman could use himself. Starting a company and venturing into entrepreneurship was never a thought. However, the final product spoke for itself and after showing his design to some friends, it was clear they needed to figure out how to bring this to market. Devil Dog Concepts and the Hard Charger Side Charging Handle System were born.
“There was quite a few things to consider when designing the side charging handle system,” says Hillman. “First of all, it needed to be able to mount to the rifle and not require any rebuilding, machining or modifications to the rifle. When the final design was created for the side charging handle, it simply now mounts to the rifle’s upper
receiver and replaces the existing charging handle. Simple and easy. You do not need to be an armorer or have armorer knowledge to turn your rifle into a side charger.”
“There has always been concerns of the charging handle release lever roll pin breaking and the tooth on the release lever shearing off,” he continues. “This former weak roll pin actually caused many aftermarket charging handle manufacturers to come up with designs using roll pins with extra strength. The self-thinking system design of the side charging handle actually disengages the release lever for you when you pull back on the handle so you don’t have to worry about making sure it is disengaged properly. Also, all the former pressure applied to the roll pin is now moved into the side charging handle receiver and is tripled encased, making it extremely durable.”
BUT THEY DIDN’T stop there. The Hard Charger was designed to work around large optics and mounts to reduce the concerns of “knuckle busting” when trying to charge rapidly with these mounts and optics installed. The system is even designed so you can charge your rifle, one-handed, off static objects like door frames, a shield or your pants pocket, without worrying about the optics or mounts getting in the way. This was found to be an issue with built-in side chargers and Devil Dog Concepts was able to fix this problem with their design.
The design is interchangeable – you can switch out handles and mounts with ease – and field-strippable, and there’s also a backup charging option that can be employed by manually disengaging the release lever and pulling the charging handle to the rear.
“So ultimately, with the side charging handle from Devil Dog
The Hard Charger Side Charging Handle System is designed to work around large optics and mounts and be usable with leverage from static objects like door frames.
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Concepts, you get a multitude of benefits that will set you above the rest,” explains Hillman. “And you get all this without having to modify or rebuild your rifle. Better ergonomics. Increased gross motor skills. Increased structural integrity and strength. Fully interchangeable. Multiple mounting options. Fieldstrippable and a backup charging option. All in one product.”
New from Devil Dog Concepts are the HCT2 and HCR2, which are their Gen 2 Hard Charger Tactical and Hard Charger Rears. The original side charging handle was designed to only work with forged, Mil-Spec upper receivers, but these two new variants will work with billet, CNC upper receivers.
Also new on the market are the AR-10 side charging handles, which Hillman says was almost seven years in the making.
“AR-10s are not standardized at all, so the product needed to function in all
the same capacities but be adjustable for different upper widths, different upper rails heights and different upper rails slot orientation cuts,” he says. “The new HC-10 and HC-10R (rearward mount version) work in all the same ways as the AR-15 versions with all the same benefits, just now for your big-boy AR-10 rifle.”
HILLMAN SAYS THE side charging handle has filled more niches than they originally imagined. From law enforcement and military operations to competitive shooting, the benefits of the Hard Charger have been proven over and over again.
“The evolution of the side charging handle has been pretty amazing with much more to go,” he says. “We have many options that are in high demand (that) we are working on creating and making available. For the AR armorers out there, they should check out our Advanced Armorer’s Wrench with its
unique patented design of the barrel nut wrench being moved to the center of the tool, creating a T-handle design, which gives you equal pressure and centrifugal force on the barrel nut. Incredible tool to have, plus it has many other special design features that sets it above the rest.”
And for those coffee lovers, check out Crayon Eater Coffee from the team at Devil Dog Concepts.
“We bring you high-end Arabica coffee roasted from over 20 years of experience,” says Hillman. “Flavor mixes of uniqueness, just like us crayon eaters out there on the front lines in law enforcement and the military. Check it out and see what your favorite color is.” ★
Editor’s note: Visit devildogconcepts .com for more information, and be sure to go to sidecharger.com to get on the mailing list for newsletters, product giveaways and more.
Devil Dog Concepts’ initial side charging handle has led to several more products, including handles for AR-10s, an armorer’s wrench and even a line of high-end Arabica coffee.
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TACTICAL TRAINING
DANGEROUS OLD MEN
Why the right self-defense tools and tactics are vital at any age.
On April 19, 1775, a man named Samuel Whittemore directly engaged the 47th Regiment of Foot. Armed with a musket, dueling pistols and a saber, Whittemore caused them to deploy by killing three and forced them to execute actions on contact. He in turn was shot in the face, bayoneted, beaten and then left for dead. These actions slowed the advance of the Regulars and assisted colonial forces in the area along Battle Road. Whittemore was 78 years old and lived despite his wounds.
This month’s article is about “dangerous old men” like Whittemore. As an old man myself, I recognize the signs and see them in my friends and people around me. We all like to say we are dangerous old men, but are we really? Until recently, I can tell you that I was not. I was just an old man. Here is why.
I spent time thinking about what it means to be dangerous. I tied it to the dangerous things that I could do back when I was in combat operations. I do not claim to be a high-tier, super-fit warfighter, but I was able to do all the tasks and actions that were required in combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. These included long movements in combat gear followed by sprints, fighting, shooting and basic medical tasks, all while having the
mental capacity to make decisions. Combine this with days of minimal sleep plus nutrition that was based on space, time and weight choices.
FITNESS
Battles are not won by defense, so having an offensive capability is important to be dangerous. By this I mean the ability to go somewhere and conduct actions. You must be able to go up multiple stairs, clear rooms and be able to make good decisions when you get there. All day and all night. This requires a base level of fitness
and stamina; in other words, there are some basic things you should be able to do. Now, this list is not allencompassing, but it is a good start to make my point.
• Do 100 yards of three- to fivesecond rushes with no breaks, in kit, and be able to recover in 30 to 45 seconds at the end.
• Be able to carry 50 pounds in each hand for 50 yards.
• Run a mile in 10 minutes or less and recover in 90 seconds.
• Be able to lift and carry an adult male for at least 50 yards.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ASH HESS
Building and maintaining physical fitness is imperative for stamina and durability during a fight.
TACTICAL TRAINING
• Walk indefinitely carrying your fighting and sustainment load.
These are just some basic things that are part of any modern fighting scenario and tactics set. There is way more to it, but if you cannot do these things, your value on a modern battlefield is limited in the offense. Sure, you can sit there and guard something, but I cannot think of any scenario that involves having a force where we can just sit around on guard all the time. You are going to have to move and fight at some point in this context. Additionally, you are only dangerous to those who wander into your line of sight.
Stamina during a fight is important. It does not matter if it’s
hand-to-hand or a gunfight, your cardio and stamina will matter. If you run out of gas, an opponent with less skill and ability will be victorious. A spiked heart rate will affect your accuracy, decision-making capabilities and make you less effective.
We have known this from the beginning of time and it’s not new. Fitness is a major component in combat and while the techniques have changed, this fact has not. Indeed, loads have gotten heavier, and speeds needed for things like sprints have increased.
To be dangerous, you must work harder than ever.
TOOLS
Simply owning a firearm is not enough. There is no magic spell that you can turn to in times of danger to get the skills needed to win. You may get lucky and draw an opponent that is less prepared than you, but the odds of that happening twice are lower than getting rich in Vegas. You need to be able to hit short exposure targets in whatever environment you find yourself. In a fight everyone is moving, getting in and out of cover, and those targets that hang out a long time are dispatched
Regular exercises that get your heart rate up will make you durable and increase your stamina.
Are you a dangerous old man? It takes more than basic self-defense and firearms-handling skills to actually be someone others won’t want to mess with. (PAUL PAWELA)
TACTICAL TRAINING
quickly (see the fitness section above). You need to be able to shoot fast and accurately while moving in urban environments. Most of the population lives in proximity to one another and urban operations are going to be part of the deal in any scenario where you need to be dangerous.
I also highly recommend getting some basic knife fighting skills under your belt. Knife fighting is a dangerous business, and you are simply not going to pull the blade from your kit and know what to do with it. If you carry a firearm or a knife in a protection role, you need the skills to go with it.
TACTICS
I am not going to spend a lot of time on tactics, but you should know the basic components of an attack, ambush and the defense. Most tactics are team-based and without some help, most are ineffective. Having an understanding will make you more
dangerous if they are needed, though. If you look at many violent crimes committed by multiple perpetrators, they are using the components of an attack, so knowing these things will help you spot them.
CONCLUSION
Age is not an excuse for not being able to do these things. Humans have been required to be dangerous since the beginning. It doesn’t matter if it was a saber-toothed tiger or a different tribe attempting to gain resources, the need for powerful and dangerous men to oppose them has always been vital to our survival.
Having the capabilities to bring controlled violence into the equation never goes out of style and will always be important. With our lifespans now reaching into the 80s, a 40-year-old man is still expected to be able to provide those capabilities. If you cannot, you are not an asset to
your family/tribe/community – you are a liability. You are yet another mouth to feed in dangerous times. Worst of all, regardless of all the chest thumping and social media posts, you know you are not ready to fight today. In that moment of danger, you will not follow Sam Whittemore’s example and willingly oppose a superior force; you will cower and let someone impose their will upon you or your family.
Editor’s note: Ash Hess is a highly seasoned combat veteran of 22 years with four combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, totaling 52 months. His military training includes the US Army Master Marksman Trainer course, as well as rifle marksman instructor, urban combat leaders’, senior leaders’, army basic instructor, high-angle marksman and unit armor courses. He also wrote TC3-22.9, the Army’s marksmanship manual.
WHAT I LEARNED AS A FIREARMS TRAINER WHILE RECOVERING FROM HAND SURGERY
Being down a paw led to new insights on how to better reach and teach students.
CASILLAS
When it comes to firearms training, the skill to handle a weapon effectively and responsibly often comes with a deep personal connection, which is more than just technique. Confidence, discipline and the feeling of security come from mastery. But what happens when the body, your instrument in this example, goes through a period of recuperation? How does one continue to teach and train others when recovering from something as basic as hand surgery?
I found myself asking this question not long ago when I underwent a surgery on my left hand. For anyone who relies on their hands to instruct, guide and demonstrate techniques, this presents a unique challenge. A hand injury or surgery can feel like a setback, but it’s also an opportunity to adapt, reflect and even deepen your understanding of the art of firearms training. This is the approach I took.
THE FIRST AND perhaps most important realization when recovering from surgery is that your ability to train or teach doesn’t disappear just because
STORY AND PHOTOS BY GRACIELA
Even though author Graciela Casillas could not use her left hand, she still practiced shooting with her dominant hand and she kept on training firearms students, helping her to improve her observational and communication skills.
TACTICAL TRAINING
you can’t physically demonstrate all aspects of training. I quickly realized that the ability to communicate and explain was just as important as the physical aspect of training. While I couldn’t physically load my magazines or rack the slide back with my left hand after my surgery, I could use my belt or even my boot to rack the slide.
The “why” behind the movements became the new focal point of my instruction. Why is grip so important? What does stance do for your balance and control? How does the proper trigger press enhance accuracy and prevent misfires? Explaining these key concepts verbally, with precision and clarity, became the core of my teaching during this recovery period.
I focused on verbally communicating these ideas. I found that principles such as the draw stroke, getting off the X and weapon retention could be practiced without a single round going down range. While marksmanship is important, in a life-threatening situation, you won’t have time to perfectly align your sights. You’ll most
likely be point shooting.
The reality is that most firefights take place within 3 to 6 feet. According to Force Science, experts were only 10 percent more accurate than a complete novice within 3 to 15 feet. By articulating to students that in the event of a firefight, they will most likely be at this distance and may need to shoot one-handed, I enabled them to visualize the physical mechanics of firearm use. Additionally, teaching firearms isn’t just about demonstrating the mechanics; it’s about cultivating the mindset that accompanies responsible use. This is the perfect opportunity to emphasize the mental aspects of training – awareness, focus and discipline. In fact, teaching these elements may become even more critical when you’re not physically able to perform the tasks yourself. You can encourage your students to explore their own techniques, elevating selfawareness and confidence, and offering them a new perspective.
FIREARMS TRAINING IS not just about physical execution. The mental and
emotional aspects of shooting are just as critical, if not more so. Situational awareness, focus and discipline are foundational to responsible gun ownership. In fact, these aspects of training became even more critical during my recovery, as my demonstrations of firearm handling were limited to one-handed shooting.
This shift allowed me to focus on developing these mental habits in my students. I made it my priority to ask questions that forced them to think critically about their decisions and their reactions to various training scenarios.
I found this shift also provided space for students to explore and experiment with their own techniques. During the rush of a live-fire range session, the focus can often unintentionally shift from internal development to external performance. But during my period of recovery, I had the time and the mental clarity to ask them questions that allowed them to explore their own thinking and decision-making. “Why do you think your grip isn’t consistent?” or “What are you doing to maintain focus during this drill?” Encouraging selfassessment and self-awareness became a central part of my instruction.
It’s easy to get caught up in the need to perform perfectly – both as an instructor and as a student. Sometimes setbacks, whether physical or mental, are the very things that allow us to grow. By discussing this challenge, the importance of perseverance and resolve, and the patience it takes to overcome obstacles, I found that students were more receptive to the challenges they faced in their own training.
WHEN HANDS ARE temporarily out of commission, it can be incredibly difficult to engage in live-fire exercises. More than ever, it’s not safe to risk using a firearm in a less-than-optimal physical state. So what can an instructor do when they can’t physically perform the necessary tasks to train their students?
Technology is a great tool in a firearms trainer’s arsenal during
The author found that there is still a lot one can do even when unable to use both hands. Here, she helps a student who is having trouble aligning her sights.
TACTICAL TRAINING
a recovery period. Training aids, such as laser training systems and simulators, allow for the same type of practice without the need for live rounds or even a fully functioning hand. These tools help students focus on trigger control, sight alignment and shot placement without needing to physically handle a live firearm.
Many simulators offer realistic, interactive environments where students can practice target acquisition, rapid response and decision-making under pressure. These simulated situations allow students to engage with a wide range of training scenarios – from home defense to tactical drills. As a trainer, you can offer guidance and make real-time adjustments based on their actions within the simulation, all while being able to focus on coaching their decision-making rather than their physical execution.
Dry-fire drills were an essential tool for me as well. Without needing to fire live rounds, one can still practice critical elements of firearms handling, including drawing, grip, stance, trigger press and sight alignment. I also
worked alongside students in realtime, giving corrections, guiding them through the motions, and offering insight into how their body mechanics could improve. A student can still build muscle memory, strengthen their grip and trigger control, and improve their familiarity with their firearm.
PERHAPS ONE OF the most valuable skills I refined during my recovery was the power of observation. With my hand sidelined, I had no choice but to watch more closely than ever before. In a livefire environment, it’s easy to get caught up in demonstrating or even physically correcting a student’s movements. But when I couldn’t do that, I became more observant. I started to pick up on the smallest details – subtle shifts in grip, stance, or even the mental state of a student as they approached a drill. This heightened level of awareness allowed me to correct in ways I hadn’t previously considered. Instead of physically adjusting someone’s grip, I focused on giving them clear, specific instructions from a distance. I learned to articulate what I was observing, so that
they could adjust their technique without needing me to intervene physically. This experience sharpened my sense of what makes for effective instruction. By relying more on observation and communication, I also learned to trust in my ability to guide students without needing to physically show them what to do. As I became more adept at verbal correction and offering feedback from a distance, I realized that effective training isn’t always about doing – it’s about observing and communicating.
ULTIMATELY, RECOVERY FROM surgery does not signify the end of one’s role as a firearms instructor. Instead, it presents the opportunity to evolve and refine one’s approach to teaching and training. It reminds us that firearms mastery is not just physical – it’s intellectual and emotional as well. Because of hand surgery, I learned to navigate physical limitations, and in doing so, I discovered new ways to connect with my students, to more closely observe their learning process, and cultivate their mental discipline. In focusing on the mental, strategic and emotional elements of firearms training, I learned that we grow not just by executing perfect techniques, but by developing awareness, patience and resilience.
Recovery gave me the opportunity to broaden my understanding of training, which reinforced the notion that mastery in firearms, as in life, is a holistic process. ★
Editor’s note: Author Graciela Casillas is a certified personal protection specialist who works as a staff instructor with Executive Security International bodyguard school (esibodyguardschool .com). She is also an advanced firearms trainer and has worked with many world-class firearms instructors. She has authored many articles on the subject for various publications and holds a bachelor’s degree in law and society, master’s degrees in education and physical education, and lifetime teaching credentials in psychology.
Casillas works with a student who is having trouble with her gun.
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A LOOK AT LEAD-FREE HANDGUN AMMO
Copper just may be the wave of the future for more than
STORY BY PHIL MASSARO • PHOTOS BY MASSARO MEDIA GROUP
As a young man, one of my favorite pastimes was casting lead round balls for my father’s cap-and-ball pistol; it evoked an era of pioneers, adventurers and cowboys – all folks who were self-reliant and had to make the things they couldn’t get, including their projectiles.
Ol’ Grumpy Pants and I would melt
hunting rifles.
surplus lead ingots, fishing sinkers or whatever we could get, and his two-cavity mould would get quite the workout, with an old hickory hammer handle used to whack the sprue cutter. Lead projectiles were the norm in the .22 Long Rifle ammo we used, and I’m old enough to remember when it was legal to shoot waterfowl with lead shot. Bottom line: lead was the go-to material for projectiles, as it was affordable, available and malleable. But times change …
Lead remains the most affordable material for projectiles, and it is the most cost-effective material to work with when making projectiles. Yet, lead comes with health hazards – and I’m not just talking about who or what is on the receiving end – if you are overexposed. Spending time at gun ranges, whether public or private, reloading ammunition with lead projectiles, or even just the daily handling of lead or lead-core ammunition can bring a level of toxicity. Lead can be absorbed
Though lead has been a traditional material for handgun projectiles, copper monolithic designs have firmly taken root.
through your skin, and if you handle it with bare hands, you run the risk of rubbing it into your eyes, ears, lips, etc., during the “daily fidgets.” That’s not to say that lead is a nightmare, but it isn’t exactly friendly to the body.
Where lead was undoubtedly the most common projectile material from the inception of the firearm up until the turn of the 21st century, the Barnes X bullet – the brainchild of Mr. Randy Brooks – was the impetus for a definite shift in the ammunition market.
Brooks had the brilliant idea to remove the lead core from the traditional projectile, and use only the copper jacket material. In his hollowpoint design, the bullet would expand upon impact, but because the monolithic construction (copper is a harder material than lead) wouldn’t come apart, retained weight and penetration would both be excellent. While it took a bit to sort out the rifle bullet with no core, the lead-free era was born, and it wasn’t all that long before the copper projectiles made it to the handgunning world. Whether you prefer the performance of lead-free projectiles,
The Barnes XPB – much like its sibling the TSX – has no lead core, and therefore no parts to separate. The deep hollow cavity ensures reliable expansion, often twice original caliber.
For the deer hunter who enjoys spending time with their .357 Magnum, a Barnes XPB is an excellent option. It’ll easily handle the enhanced velocity, and deliver quick kills.
Want to take your S&W 49 to a new level? Load it with the 225-grain XPB, bump up the velocity, and let that tough bullet do the work.
BULLET BULLETIN
or your particular shooting situation makes the design a sound choice for you (indoor shooting ranges are a great example), there are plenty of neat designs for the handgunner. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite models.
THE BARNES XPB is the monometal counterpart to the famed Barnes X family of rifle bullets, designed for
use in handgun cartridges. If you want the robust hunting performance associated with the Barnes Bullet family of projectiles from your handgun, look no further than the XPB. For fans of the speedy .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .460 S&W and the beastly .500 S&W – not to mention the Linebaugh
cartridges – the XPB can enhance the velocities generated by those designs, by delivering the structural integrity needed for proper terminal performance.
With a deep hollow cavity, the Barnes XPB is designed to have its nose section expand into six sections, giving the expansion desired to cause
Cutting Edge Bullets’ HG Raptor is a copper monometal bullet with a skived ogive and deep hollowpoint; the bullet is designed to break into parts for maximum trauma.
The Cutting Edge Bullets PHD ammo line – standing for Personal Handgun Defense –includes the 150-grain .45 ACP load. It’s a lighter, frangible bullet with increased velocity that creates a two-stage trauma channel.
This Tangfolio 9mm Luger was a bit finicky in the feeding department, but it sure would stack those CEB HG Raptors on top of one another.
This 90-grain 9mm HG Raptor from Cutting Edge Bullets recovered from ballistic gel demonstrates the design principles of the bullet. The ogive breaks into small blades, resulting in a star-shaped wound channel, while the base remains at caliber diameter for deeper penetration.
maximum trauma on a game animal. In my experiences, this projectile can be wonderfully accurate, though I will confess I have only used this bullet in handloaded form. Barnes does offer the projectile in their Pioneer ammunition line (along with several other projectiles) for the handgunner who wants to employ the XPB without loading their own ammo. With no core to separate, and a nose specifically designed for consistent expansion, the XPB operates just fine in most of the beefier handgun cartridges. Retained weight is high, and penetration is deep, so the hunters will certainly be happy.
THE LEHIGH DEFENSE Xtreme Penetrator
Fluid Transfer Monolithic is a nasty defensive bullet, closely resembling a Phillips-head drill bit. Being of copper monometal construction, and designed not to expand but rather to give the utmost penetration, the X-shaped meplat relies on the rotation of the bullet to destroy tissue. The flat-base design has a couple of cannelures, or crimping grooves, and bullet weights tend to run lighter than the traditional lead-core designs. Because there is no hollow cavity used for expansion,
The “little” .380 Auto makes a great choice for a concealed carry rig, and the performance is only enhanced by the Cutting Edge PHD ammunition.
the XP FTM will handle the various barriers with ease: drywall, heavy clothing, even glass. The brainchild of Bill Wilson, Lehigh Defense offers this bullet in both component form, as well as in their proprietary loaded ammunition, in calibers from 9mm up to .500-inch.
Though initially perceived as a defensive projectile, Lehigh also
produced this design in rifle bullets, and clearly indicates that the trauma channel is perfectly suited for hunting. Lehigh indicates that the wound channel created by the Xtreme Penetrator can be two to four times that of a conventional flat- or round-nose bullet in the terminal phase, so for the handgun hunter wanting a lead-free projectile capable of both deep penetration and tissue destruction,
the XP makes a damned fine choice. Both Lehigh Defense and Underwood Ammunition load this projectile in their ammunition, and it is readily available as a component bullet for the handloader.
CUTTING EDGE BULLETS – whose frangible projectiles are now embraced in both rifle and handgun forms – offers their HG Raptor projectiles in the PHD (Personal Handgun Defense) line of ammunition, as well as a component for the handloaders. With a skived ogive section designed to break away from the base of the bullet, the frangible nature of the HG Raptor is intentional. The small sections of the skived ogive – Cutting Edge refers to these as “blades” – spin off the solid copper base upon impact, causing relatively shallow trauma near the impact site. The remainder of the projectile, referred to as the Blunt Trauma Base, will continue on, at caliber-dimension, acting as a nonexpanding solid and offering deep penetration.
The idea of a projectile designed to break apart might seem foreign to you, and rightfully so, considering the myriad efforts put forth to keep our projectiles together. But the HG Raptor – like its
Resembling a Phillips-head screwdriver bit, the 135-grain Lehigh Defense Enhanced Xtreme Defense bullet is designed to maintain its shape upon impact (not to expand), but the bullet’s rotation will create a massive wound channel. They fed and shot very well in author Phil Massaro’s Sig 1911.
The Lehigh Defense Enhanced Xtreme Defense 9mm 90-grain bullet is a nasty little hunk of copper, which will assuredly ruin the day of any ne’er-dowell. The X-shaped meplat feeds well, prints well at the target and hits very hard.
rifle counterparts – simply works. The terminal phase of these projectiles is very impressive, though I will admit there have been a couple autoloading pistols that didn’t like to feed this ammo. That said, it has been wonderfully accurate in all of my testing.
Like the majority of lead-free projectiles, you’ll see bullet weights coming in lighter than what we may consider the norm, but the unique design more than makes up for this.
The 90-grain 9mm Luger, 150-grain .45 ACP and 75-grain .380 Auto – these are the type of bullet weights most associated with the HG Raptor and the PHD line of ammunition. If they print well in your gun, you’ll be well served by this ammunition. It doesn’t perform like a lead or jacketed-lead bullet, and it’s not supposed to.
LAST IS A relative newcomer on the scene, but no less a potent and reliable design. Velocitas Bullets is the brainchild of Trey Barrientos, and his projectiles are among the most unique of the lead-free designs.
His VX9 projectile is a 9mmdiameter, 96-grain copper hollowpoint, but where other bullets are designed for traditional expansion, ultimate penetration or intentional frangibility, the VX9 plays a number of roles.
Depending upon the barrier, whether
it is hard like a glass windshield or soft like a heavy sweatshirt over a torso, the bullet may behave differently. In those situations where the projectile strikes a hard surface, the skived ogive of the projectile will essentially collapse upon itself, with the nose
This little Walther PPS is a solid concealed carry choice, made even better by the all-copper Velocitas VX9 ammunition. High weight retention (nearly 100 percent) and routine expansion on soft targets will engender plenty of confidence.
Whether in a handgun or pistol-caliber carbine like this Ruger PC Carbine, Velocitas ammunition makes an excellent choice as a defensive round.
section folding inward, creating a nonexpanding projectile that will still give excellent penetration. Should the projectile strike the softer mediums, such as flesh, the skived ogive section of the bullet will expand outward, resulting in the classic expansion we’re all familiar with.
I tested the Velocitas ammunition in two different handguns, as well as a pistol-caliber carbine, and was very impressed with the results. Accuracy was better than most other varieties of factory ammo, and the velocities were very consistent. In fact, of all the leadfree defensive designs I’ve come across, I feel the Velocitas VX9 projectile may be the best design yet. I asked Barrientos for a bit of insight into the development of his pet projectile, and he had this to offer:
“The VX9 was created for military and law enforcement to provide the most accurate and effective 9mm through all barriers and situations,” he
said. “The solid, pure copper material allows the VX9 to be machined to tight tolerances, ensuring consistency from projectile to projectile. This consistency creates a more accurate shooting performance throughout a batch of ammo. The design goal of the bullet was to increase accuracy and performance. Its light weight allows the bullet to fly faster while still having less felt recoil, which gives a quicker reacquisition time between shots. The VX9 flies faster than most 9mms to deliver the same or more ballistic energy of other 9mms. The sharp angle of the nose will enable it to cut through the barrier, creating low deviation in the trajectory. This ensures the bullet cuts or breaks through a barrier and continues to fly straight toward the intended target.”
“The VX9 avoids collateral damage, as it does not break apart through barriers,” Barrientos added. “The lowest weight retention seen in testing
has been 99.4 percent going through a windshield, which was a loss of 0.6 grains. It usually has 100 percent weight retention or more, taking barrier materials with it. Nonsolid copper can break apart before passing through a barrier or break apart after creating collateral damage beyond the desired target. The nose of the VX9 opens into three petals that do not break off to ensure the most efficient energy transfer from the bullet to the target. This expansion of the petals allows for 14 to 17 inches of penetration in ballistic gel from 10 feet with a large cavitation from the energy transfer.”
To Barrientos’ point, the lowered recoil factor did allow for faster reacquisition of the target. If you enjoy the latest technology in projectile development, hop over to velocitasbullets.com, and give their stuff an audition in your favorite 9mm handgun; you may just find the optimum ammunition for that gun. ★
Velocitas’ 96-grain VX9 bullet is a unique design, engineered to both expand in a traditional manner, and collapse upon striking a hard barrier. Note the three deep skives on the ogive.
KNIVES FROM THE REAL WORLD
Decades of experience in law enforcement, military and self-defense training are forged into the blades of Hoffner Knives.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA
rian Hoffner is not a new name in the self-defense industry. He has been a rock-solid law enforcement/ civilian training icon for over four decades. Hoffner has over 30 years of dedicated law enforcement experience and five years of military service. His knowledge, training and expertise have led him to become an engineer and designer of some of the world’s best tactical and folding knives.
BBefore getting into Hoffner’s knife designs, it is incumbent to understand his mindset first. Unlike many knife trainers, who have zero real-world experience with practical applications of using a knife as a tool or defensive weapon, Hoffner has plenty of it, especially in street applications from a law enforcement standpoint. As such, he designs his knives so that the user survives not only a selfdefense situation but also a courtroom proceeding, which separates Hoffner
MAKING THE CUT
from 95 percent of knife instructors who are teaching today.
Too many individuals dismiss this important fact, not truly understanding the implications of using edged weapons in a life-or-death deadly force encounter. Knife usage for selfdefense is a hard road to win. Hoffner is well-versed in this area, and this is why both his knives and his entire training curriculum are designed for court survivability. I highly recommend training with him to have documented
proof that you have trained with an individual who has established a legitimate and outstanding track record on the subject.
MANY KNIVES DESIGNED by today’s modern engineers are just refurbished doovers without any original concepts to the knife itself. The Hoffner Snap liner-lock flatline G10 folding knife is a different animal altogether. Featuring a 3 5-inch, VG-10 steel blade (either plain or serrated), the Snap comes
Brian Hoffner demonstrates how to hold one of his self-defense-focused knives.
MAKING THE CUT
in many different stylish colors. If you pay particular attention to the G10 handle, you’ll notice all kinds of strategic ridges. These ridges serve as pressure points for different body parts for pain compliance techniques when lethal force is not warranted. Another brilliant design feature is that the butt of the handle can serve as an excellent striking pummel if need be.
Hoffner believes the knife safety rescue tool should be positioned on the nondominant side of the body, with the primary firearm on the strong side. For this reason, the knife is designed with pocket clips that can be used for either left- or right-hand carry. The knife handle also has a lanyard hole, which makes it easy to thread different types of cords through it. The knife design is a linerlock, a kind of knife built for extreme safety for the user. However, what makes the Snap different from other knives is that once the knife is deployed from the pockets, the blade can be opened by simply snapping the wrist in a downward motion. It can also be easily opened under duress, which was the intent of this knife design all along.
One of the great things about this special knife is that Hoffner makes a red tactical trainer so users can practice with it in many ways to stay proficient. As you may well know, I love trainers to accompany the original.
The Hoffner Snap liner-lock is built to be both a practical and tactical knife. It is designed to work hard for you as long as you have it. It comes in several popular blade styles, and the most crucial part is that it is reasonably priced.
THE NEXT KNIFE in the Hoffner arsenal is the Hand Spear fixed-blade. There is no question that this knife could be used to cut seat belts in an accident emergency,
The Hoffner Snap flatline G10 folding knife with serrated steel blade.
Hoffner also makes a red tactical trainer (shown here), so users can practice selfdefense techniques.
inches long and ³/8 inch thick, for a total length of 12 inches. It is made with a full tang of 440C stainless steel tantopoint blade hardened to 56-58 HRC.
This knife was designed with chaos in mind to help responders get through obstacles and barricades during an active shooter event. It has been put through the paces to guarantee it will work all the time, every time. When a true professional needs a tool he or she can count on, call on the Beast to get the job done.
I have known Brian Hoffner personally for over 20 years; truth be told, it may be longer than that. He is a man of great integrity and honor. All his training classes for surviving deadly force encounters are top-notch. All the equipment he designs is for tactical purposes and has a lifelong history behind it. And these knives are true fighters in every sense of the word. Yes, they make the cut! ★
Editor’s note: For more information about Brian Hoffner and his knives, visit hoffners.com. Author Paul Pawela is a nationally recognized firearms and self-defense expert. For his realistic self-defense training, see assaultcountertactics.com.
The Hoffner Knives display at this year’s Blade Show in Atlanta.
The Beast.
Hand Spear.
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Be prepared for a fair chase hunt! With over 3 square miles of prime natural habitat, our ranch provides challenges to even the most seasoned hunter, but our experienced guides and “No Game, No Pay” policy practically ensure that you won’t go home empty handed. In addition, High Adventure’s hunting season is year-round, allowing ample time to fit the most demanding schedule.
While our whitetail, elk, wild boar and red stag hunts top our hunter’s most popular lists, hunters from around the world have visited our ranch, hunting everything from American bison, black buck, fallow deer to Spanish goats and African game.
So, whether you desire a 10-point whitetail mount for your trophy room or simply the thrill and challenge of taking down one of our many elusive big game animals, High Adventure Ranch guarantees memories of an unparalleled hunting experience that will bring you back again and again.
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ROAD HUNTER
HUNTING THE MULE DEER RUT
Yes, bucks are dumber this time of year; no, they’re not pushovers, but here’s how to notch your tag.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN
As dawn broke across the sagebrush-studded hills, a four-point muley lay bedded where the sun would soon shine. Quickly, I made a move. It was 13 degrees Fahrenheit and snow covered the ground. The closer I moved to the buck in the bottom of a draw, the more I realized I couldn’t get within bow range. The snow was crunchy in the still morning air and there were six does with the buck.
I moved to another place, searching for a different buck but hoping the ground would soon thaw where those seven mule deer hung out. At midday I returned but the four-point and does were gone. I picked up their tracks and followed them in the snow for a quarter mile to where they’d bedded on a barren hillside. They faced the sun and were protected from the wind. They were safe. I watched from afar, waiting for the deer to move. Finally, nearly four hours later, two does got up and slowly moved toward a wooded draw that held some grass. The snow thinned in
the bottom of the gully, but was still crunchy. I got to within 70 yards. All I could do was wait.
Moments before dark, the two does fed away, so I followed, hoping to find the buck. The does heard me and when they ran over a knoll, they scared a doe that came running right at me. Behind the doe was the fourpoint. The doe was stotting and I ranged it at 35 yards as it passed. The buck was slowly shuffling, nose to the ground. When the buck got to where I’d ranged the doe, I bleated with my mouth. I was already at full draw and
There are few thrills greater than hunting mule deer during the rut in the snow, where anything can happen at any moment.
ROAD HUNTER
let an arrow fly. Minutes later I was breaking down the buck.
Hunting mule deer in the rut – with bow or rifle – is one of the most exciting hunts the West has to offer. The key to notching a tag is being prepared, and being in the right place at the right time.
PREPARE FOR THE CONDITIONS
November can be a challenging time to hunt mule deer. Daylight hours are short, temperatures can rapidly plummet, and layers of snow become frozen. The bonechilling wind can be relentless. Then again, if you’re dressed for it, a strong wind can be your best cover.
High winds dampen sound, allowing you a chance to stalk in for a shot. Since bucks often bed in protected pockets in high winds, steadying your bow isn’t the main hurdle; it’s getting close without being seen. Bucks usually bed with their back against a steep bank or hillside, which allows them to see everything
in front of and below them. Working for a shot angle can require time and patience as you’re moving uphill against dropping thermals, smack in the buck’s line of sight.
If rifle hunting in stiff winds, it’s ideal to reach high points and glass across canyons into protective locations where bucks bed. If winds keep pounding for hours, or through the night, setting up on a ridge with a spotting scope at first light can be the ticket to locating bucks.
Hunting in snow has its pros and cons. It’s great because it allows you to read and follow fresh sign. It’s easy to see where bucks have chased does, and fought other bucks, too, all of which is valuable information. Tracks reveal where deer are feeding and the routes taken to reach bedding areas. You can also locate beds in the snow, which are often on the leeward side of open hills, in wooded draws or under tall brush.
If bowhunting in frozen, noisy snow, setting up ground blinds or treestands, where there’s a fit, can be effective. These can be long days of waiting.
Rifle hunting offers obvious advantages over bowhunting in frozen, snowy conditions. Be sure and have tripod shooting sticks, as the shot can be long, the winds swift, and you might find yourself sitting for extended periods waiting for a buck to present a clear shot. A tripod ensures accurate shot placement.
THE POWER OF THE RUT
There are few experiences more enjoyable in the world of big game hunting than pursuing animals during the rut. At this time, testosterone levels are high and bucks have one thing on their mind. This is when big bucks make mistakes, and when sighting a monster buck becomes a high possibility.
When a doe comes into heat, it lasts
Dress for bad weather, hunt all day, and you may find success, just as this happy hunter did late in the evening toward the end of his hunt.
ROAD HUNTER
about 24 hours. If missed being bred, the doe will cycle into heat about 24 days later, give or take a few days. This is why the rut can start in late October and continue into December.
The rut is triggered by waning daylight hours, which increases hormone levels in deer. It’s photoperiodism that triggers the rut, not cold weather. But cold temperatures make it more comfortable for a buck to cover ground without overheating, which means they’re more visible and active longer when it’s cold.
This time of year, keep checking on doe herds every day. Doing so multiple times a day is not too much because bucks can cover miles a day in search of a receptive doe.
If a doe’s hormone levels are low, a buck will keep searching for one in heat. Bucks can be moody during this transition time. Catch one that’s rutcrazed and the hunt could quickly end in your favor. Encounter a buck that’s in search mode and it can still outwit
you. Don’t think all bucks are dumb in November. Their temperament is situational and ever-changing, especially if pressured by hunters.
THE MULEY MIGRATION
November mule deer hunts take place in a range of elevations. Hunters might be targeting deer in the high country during their migration, or going after them on lower-elevation wintering grounds.
While shorter daylight hours trigger big game migrations, snow and severe storms can also put them on the move. Then again, if there’s no snow and temperatures are mild, migrations can be delayed even amid dwindling daylight. Should a mild winter come on the heels of a dry fall and scorching summer, food sources can dry up at high elevations, which causes deer to migrate earlier than normal to lower points where food can be found.
Using horses on migration hunts can be a game changer. If you don’t have horses, hiring a packer to get
you to where the deer are can make a big difference. There’s nothing more frustrating than going on a migration hunt only to find no deer on the move.
Be sure to have the proper clothing to keep you comfortable, safe, and hunting all day in cold conditions. Winter storms can be unforgiving, but they can also be a benefit and keep bucks moving.
Seek high points and cover ground with your eyes, always searching for does. In November, no matter what the conditions are like, if you find does, a mature buck won’t be far.
THE WINTER BREAKDOWN
The winter coat of a mule deer is a thick insulator. If heat can’t quickly escape from the internal organs, big bones and large muscle groups, the meat will spoil, even in winter.
If you’re able to transport the buck whole from the kill site to home or camp, remove the entrails before doing so. Prop the body cavity open with a heavy stick
Author Scott Haugen with the buck mentioned in the first part of this story. Hunting late-season mule deer can be cold and challenging, but during the rut anything can happen.
ROAD HUNTER
Snow allows you to read sign and learn what’s happening with the deer you’re hunting. You can also track deer a long way, which is one of the great thrills of late-season muley hunting.
so heat can escape during the drive. If you have to break down the buck and pack it out, you can apply the gutless method, which is clean and quick. Skin the buck with the entrails
FIELD CARE TOOLS
Kin, and as you go, remove the four quarters. These are the biggest muscle groups and retain a lot of heat. Filet the neck, backstraps and ribs, then slit the stomach to allow the entrails to loosen
nives and packs are essential tools for efficient field care. I was a big fan of Benchmade’s Taggedout, then the mini version came out. I first took the Mini Taggedout ($190; benchmade.com) to Africa and ran it through the hides of various antelopes. I’ve used it for breaking down game in the field and it’s become my everyday carry knife. It’s durable despite the lightweight feel, holds an edge incredibly well and touches up fast and easy on a steel. The orange Grivory handle is easy to see when laid on the ground and the scales offer additional gripping pressure when your hands are covered in blood and slippery animal fat. It’s great for skinning, breaking down game and caping, and it also makes a great camp knife. I also put Kuiu’s Pro Pack model 3600 ($642; kuiu.com) to the test and instantly appreciated the easy-to-adjust fitting options. It’s a comfortable pack that sits tight to the torso, doesn’t sway on uneven ground and lets you keep going all day long. The waist belt and shoulder straps provide the ultimate in comfort and don’t slip. The Kuiu Pro Pack series comes in five sizes. One frame and suspension fits all the pack bags in this modular system. I like the insert that offers additional lumbar support and weight-bearing relief too.
and expose the tenderloins. Remove any excess meat, and you’re done.
If there’s snow on the ground, laying the meat on it as you go will get it cooling quickly and keep it clean. If there’s no snow, place the meat in game bags and hang it in a tree or prop it in tall brush so air can circulate and cool it.
Be prepared to handle the carcass in cold, dark conditions. Have extra batteries for your headlamp and rubber gloves if your hands are sensitive to cold. The more prepared you are, start to finish, the greater the odds of punching a tag on an exceptional lateseason mule deer. ★
Editor’s note: If you are new to breaking down big game, check out Scott’s comprehensive DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game ($20; scotthaugen.com). Featured in the twohour video are six strategies for field dressing and skinning big game and three approaches to caping big game. Here’s what Jim Shockey had to say about it: “Scott Haugen has produced in this DVD, the most comprehensive study on field dressing, skinning and caping big game the hunting world has ever seen.”
IT’S A BEAUTY AND A BEAST
Stoeger’s Model 3000 Signature is far from just a commemorative shotgun.
Iknew this girl in high school. Yes, before you say anything, I can remember back that far. She was one of the ladies from your school days that all the boys loved and the girls not so much. She was the head cheerleader, very athletic, tall, blonde
and beautiful. When I say athletic, I mean she was probably off the scale for high school girls at the time. She ran long-distance on the track team, played
basketball, and I remember the talk was always about how she could easily compete with the boys.
She had two older brothers and word was that she could whip both of them. Her greatest legacy from high school may have been when a local bully
STORY AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE
insulted her about something and she took him behind the gym after school and beat him like a rented mule. By now maybe you are starting to get the idea. This girl was beautiful and tough. If you will allow me to transition here, that young lady from a time long
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
ago came to mind when I was first exposed to the Stoeger Model 3000 Signature shotgun.
WE HAVE TALKED about Stoeger shotguns here before and probably will again. As a quick sidebar, sometimes a gun writer
is “damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.” If we don’t like a gun, the public wants us to say so. But if we do like a firearm, we seem to get chastised for saying so. All manner of criticism is heaped upon us for showing any positive spin on a gun. “You’re just catering to the
The Stoeger Model 3000 Signature pays homage to the company’s 100th anniversary and legacy of fine guns and quality craftsmanship that have been an integral part of its history since being founded by an immigrant as a mail order catalog.
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
company!” “You writer guys just say that to get all the free stuff!” (I haven’t seen it yet.) So it’s OK to be negative, but it’s not OK to be positive? I ain’t buying it. I said what I said.
Stoeger, in case you didn’t know, has been around for a while. They didn’t just get off the turnip truck yesterday. Stoeger makes some great shotguns and now a line of very functional semiauto pistols. In the 1920s, an immigrant from Austria named Alexander F. Stoeger opened a mail order gun store in New York City. Stoeger’s catalog grew to be a book featuring guns that were available all over the world. His book went on to become what we know today as the Shooter’s Bible
Stoeger was a visionary and shrewd entrepreneur. Soon he was importing German Luger pistols (the only authorized importer at the time) and he also imported Mauser actions from Germany. His early manufacturing ventures included making a slide, barrel and magazine to convert Colt Government Model 1911 pistols into 22 Long Rifle caliber.
The company continued to grow
over the decades, and by the 1990s they were importing guns from Sako and IGA. In the year 2000, Stoeger was bought by the Beretta Holding Group and came under the direction of Benelli USA (which imports Benelli, Franchi and Uberti firearms). Versan, a shotgun manufacturer in Turkey, was making good semiauto shotguns and Beretta acquired this company and changed the name to Stoeger. Beretta invested heavily in this factory and made a good thing better, and this is where the excellent
Stoeger shotguns are coming from today. There aren’t many firearms companies that can say they have been around for a century. To celebrate this proud history, Stoeger has unveiled the Stoeger Model 3000 Signature shotgun. This shotgun is based on Stoeger’s proven 12-gauge M3000 semiauto chambered in 3-inch, and pays homage to the 100th anniversary and legacy of fine guns and quality craftsmanship that have been an integral part of the company’s history since its founding.
This is meant to be a showpiece, and it is. The receiver is satin-finished nickel and features a fleur-de-lis engraving in the spirit of European shotgun design.
This shotgun would not be complete without fancy grade A walnut furniture and that is exactly what Stoeger put on the M3000 Signature. The forend is slim with expansive finger grooves and texturing for a comfortable hold. The checkering on the grip is pretty and provides a good hold on the shotgun.
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
The Model 3000 Signature blends classic styling with the contemporary design and performance found across the Stoeger M3000 shotgun series, and distinguishes itself with great eye appeal and a nod to the tradition of fine sporting arms.
THIS IS MEANT to be a showpiece shotgun, and it is. The receiver is satin-finished nickel and features a fleur-de-lis engraving in the spirit of European shotgun design. In a nod to conventional use, the receiver is drilled and tapped for optic mounting. The M3000 Signature is an inertiadriven shotgun that provides extremely reliable cycling and clean operation. An enlarged and knurled bolt handle and bolt release ensure positive control in field environments, even when wearing gloves. The nickel receiver is accented by a polished blue 28-inch barrel. (I believe we have talked here before about a longer barrel helping you make shots on leading birds and clays.) The barrel on the M3000 Signature sports a stepped rib and fiber-optic front bead sight. The receiver aesthetics are further complemented by black controls, bolt, trigger guard and lifter.
This shotgun would not be complete without fancy grade A walnut furniture and that is exactly what Stoeger put on the M3000 Signature. The forend is slim with expansive finger grooves and texturing for a comfortable hold. The checkering on the grip is pretty and provides a good hold on the shotgun. Included is a drop and cast shim kit, which allows the shooter to achieve a custom shotgun feel. The gun also comes with preinstalled sling swivel studs for carry convenience. The magazine capacity is four-plus-one and the shotgun ships with three chokes: extra full, modified and improved cylinder.
Thinking again of the blonde from high school days (I think her name was Carla), I have good reason to admire the ruggedness of Stoeger shotguns. I have sat in more than a couple of flooded blinds and ditches
clutching a Stoeger, watching the skyline for ducks and geese. I have also trudged a few miles on the upland scene doing the same thing, Stoeger shotgun in hand. I always appreciated how the gun went bang every time I slapped the trigger and stood up to the terrible conditions commonly found on waterfowl hunts. Mud, water, snow and Labrador drool didn’t seem to faze the gun one bit. One instance involved a Stoeger M3000 being dropped in the aforementioned flooded ditch we were hiding in. We poured out the
water, shuffled the action a few times, reloaded and resumed banging away at some resident Canada honkers.
STOEGER SEMIAUTOS USE the inertia-driven operating system that Swede Carl Sjögren developed in the early 1900s and Italian engineer Bruno Civolani later refined. This simple design includes a two-part bolt with a spring that compresses after the gun is fired and recoil sends the gun backward into your shoulder. Just after that push back occurs, the bolt is released so
Shotgunners, especially duck and goose hunters, know how reliable an inertia-driven shotgun is. There are waterfowl guys who would not go to the swamps and duck blinds with anything else.
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
The M3000 Signature handled everything from magnum duck and turkey shells to reloads and many shells in between “so well that it was almost boring,” writes author Larry Case.
the shotshell can eject. The bolt then returns forward and collects another shell, placing it into battery. Benelli and Franchi autos utilize this same platform. Shotgunners, especially duck and goose hunters, know how reliable the inertia-driven shotgun is. There are waterfowl guys who would not go to the swamps and duck blinds with anything else. Gas-operated shotguns will shoot softer, with less recoil than inertia guns, but they require a lot more attention to cleaning to stay running. Inertia guns don’t require near the cleaning that gas guns do. Most waterfowlers like this; I sure do.
Knowing all this, I went to the range to test the Model 3000 Signature thinking there was no reason to really put it through the mill as far as firing a lot of rounds. I mean, this is just a pretty commemorative shotgun, right? Most shooters are probably going to get the gun to look at it a lot and shoot it a little. Then I thought again. This is a Stoeger, an M3000; these guns are workhorses in the field and shooters know them for their ruggedness and reliability. Pretty or not, this shotgun needed to pick up its end of the log. So I went to the range with a grimace on my face, and a bunch of shotgun shells in hand.
I started with three rounds of trap
and I shot as fast as I could. I wasn’t really trying for any records or 25 straights; I just wanted to see the shotgun go boom, boom, boom. (The stepped rib was a real plus here.) The trap shooting was just a warmup, and warm up it did because we were still getting summer temperatures here during the day. The M3000 Signature handled well and, as I have said before, the longer 28-inch barrel is a great help on moving targets. Again, this is an inertia gun and there is some recoil. However, with the buttstock pad that Stoeger has added to this gun, it takes out a lot of the felt recoil. This pad is new on Stoeger shotguns, and it works.
After the trap rounds, I consented to shoot one round of skeet. (I hate the game of skeet, mostly because I stink at shooting it.) I did a little better this time with the M3000 Signature, after I went to the improved cylinder choke supplied with the gun.
After that it was a matter of putting rounds through the gun to see for myself if the shotgun would hold up to multiple rounds shot quickly, with several different ammo brands. I may have succeeded in breaking my own record of different rounds used in a shotgun test. I shot Winchester, Federal, Fiocchi, Remington, Kent,
Monarch, Estate, and a few more I wasn’t familiar with beforehand. My purpose as always was to show that the shotgun could eat all of these different brands with no problems with feeding, firing and ejecting.
The M3000 Signature handled the different loads – including some magnum duck and turkey loads, and some really ugly reloads – so well that it was almost boring.
If a really tough and functional shotgun that is also a true beauty is in your plans, this may be the one for you. I have no idea where Carla, the tougher-than-nails blonde bombshell from high school, is these days, but I hope she has held up as well as the Stoeger M3000 Signature shotgun surely will.
Editor’s note: Larry Case has been a devoted outdoorsman since he was a child. He will admit to an addiction to turkey hunting (spring and fall), but refuses any treatment. He enjoys the company of gobblers and cur dogs that are loud and people who speak the truth softly. Case served 36 years as a game warden in West Virginia and retired with the rank of district captain. You can check out his podcast and other stories at gunsandcornbred.com.
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L.E. SPOTLIGHT
GOLD MEDAL RESCUE
Cop pulls a Michael Phelps to save person struggling in a canal.
Like most folks, I like being around water. I am an avid freshwater fisherman and spend a lot of my free time trying to hook largemouth bass, crappie, trout and whatever else I can catch in my local pond or river. I do most of my fishing from the shore, but will on occasion venture offshore in a boat to fish in fresh- or saltwater.
I like swimming too, but if I am being completely honest, I am not a great swimmer. I work out a lot, trying to pack
on muscle, which isn’t the best body type for keeping your head above water.
The jurisdiction where I work opens up to the San Francisco Bay. There is plenty of coastline here, so in theory, there should have been occasions where I entered the water to rescue someone, but it hasn’t happened yet. In fact, other than a few pool rescues, I cannot recall anyone at my department jumping in the water to rescue someone. I do remember at least one instance where a suspect jumped into the bay to avoid arrest. Like me, he was not a great swimmer, so he eventually tired, returned to shore, got arrested and went to jail wet.
That being said, when I see another officer performing a water rescue, I am impressed.
ON SEPTEMBER 29, shortly after midnight, officers from Oakland, California, responded to the call of a person in mental crisis who had jumped into the swift-moving waters of a Lake Merritt canal. Sergeant Frank Negrete and Officer Jessica Menezes responded to the scene and tried to help the man before he got swept away. They tried to assist the victim by lowering him an extension cord to pull him out, but they were unsuccessful.
Then something incredible
STORY BY NICK PERNA • PHOTO
This screenshot from a fellow officer’s bodycam shows Oakland, California, Police Department Sergeant Frank Negrete (left, without shirt) after swimming out and rescuing a distressed person from a canal.
happened. Sergeant Negrete shed his gun belt, shoes and shirt and jumped into the water. I don’t know if he was a lifeguard before he became a cop but, as the other officer’s body camera shows, he glided through the water like Michael Phelps. He quickly got the victim to the shore, with the assistance of Officer Menezes, who also jumped into the canal. The unidentified subject was taken to a local hospital and treated for water inhalation.
Oakland PD released the body camera video of the water rescue on their Facebook page.
In a press conference with Sergeant Negrete and Officer Menezes at his side, OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell said, “These are the types of stories as chief of police that I just love to talk about – the hard work and dedication these officers have.”
Excellent work by all involved and it is probably a good thing that it was Sergeant Negrete out there and not me.
Editor’s note: Author Nick Perna is a sergeant with the Redwood City Police Department in Northern California. He previously served as a paratrooper in the US Army and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also has a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. He is a frequent contributor to multiple print and online forums on topics related to law enforcement, firearms, tactics and veterans issues.
BLACK POWDER
REPEAT AFTER ME ...
Friendly club competition sees shooting buddies and their .44-40 lever-guns neck and neck over three courses of targets.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT
There is one shooter whom I’ve been partnering with recently that I probably haven’t said enough about, and that is Mike Holeman. Mike and I share a number of things in common, more than just our first names. For one thing, Mike is also a right-
handed man who must shoot left-handed because of his eyes. In fact, he’s been shooting left-handed since he started shooting, which was many years ago, so he’s more experienced than I am at “shooting southpaw.”
Another thing we share in common is our fondness for the Uberti copies of the Model 1873 Winchester rifle in 44-40 shooting black powder loads
with the 30-inch barrels, as offered by Cimarron Firearms. Those longbarreled ’73s are really fine guns and it is with those rifles that Mike and I enjoy the best of our friendly competition. The copies of both the Model ’73 and the Model ’66 are real favorites for our lever-gun matches, which require black powder loads in their cartridges. I have both of those
An 1866 Winchester copy in .44-40, ready for a lever-gun match.
BLACK POWDER
rifles but I’ll admit to using the Model ’73 version much more than the ’66 –just my preference.
Back to Mike and me for a bit. We’ve known each other for several years and enjoyed the same muzzleloading events many times, although at that time we were not members of the same club. We really didn’t team up or develop a partnership until we began shooting with black powder cartridge rifles. This included shooting in the silhouette matches at least a couple of times, where targets are posted at 200 to 500 meters. All of that shooting is good, of course, but where we really have fun is in our lever-gun matches with the Black River Buffalo Runners at the Capitol City Rifle & Pistol Club near Olympia, Washington.
JUST RECENTLY WE enjoyed another of those matches and in this particular event, we really paired off. Here’s how the event was laid out. First was a gong shoot with five individual targets posted at 25 and 50 yards. We loaded our repeating lever-guns with 10 rounds and attempted to shoot each of the gongs twice, going for 10 good hits with a time limit of 60 seconds.
Next, after all of our shooters had tried their luck on the gongs, we shot the buffalo target again, at 50 yards from the sitting position while using crosssticks. Following that was a standard bull’s-eye target posted at 75 yards, again shot from the sitting position while resting the rifles’ barrels over cross-sticks. Our small group had 11 shooters taking part, with very good
weather and, as you might guess, high hopes for good scores.
Simply because I was the first to register for this match, which put my name at the top of the list, I was invited to be the first to take shots at the gongs. In response to that invitation, I grabbed my ’73 with 10 rounds and stepped to the shooting station. While loading the magazine, I reflected just a bit on what I was about to do. One might think that 10 shots in 60 seconds is very easy to do. Well, it isn’t actually hard, but when you are trying to be serious and aim for every shot, it can quickly get close. And having that time limit is enough to put some shooters on edge, perhaps enough to make them shoot faster than necessary. All I knew at that time was that I’d
Mike Holeman fires offhand shots at the gongs with his 30-inch Model ’73.
Author Mike Nesbitt’s Cimarron 1873 Long Range rifle in .44-40 and with a Lyman tang sight.
BLACK POWDER
certainly try my best.
The first target was a raccoon at 25 yards, and I nailed that with two good shots. Next was a small circle, again at 25 yards, and I hit it with both shots. Following that was a narrow target, like a standing prairie dog, at 25 yards and I got two hits again. Then the other targets were posted at 50 yards and the first was a standing bear, nowhere near full-size, but I got it with a pair of gut shots. And the final gong was in the shape of a ham or a pork chop and I hit it with my ninth shot but for some reason missed it by just shooting too high on my final shot.
That gave me a score of 9 hits for 90 points, and my shooting took a full 58 seconds to complete. Only 2 seconds remained on the clock.
Then Mike, second on the list, gave it his best try. Mike’s rifle is just like mine but we did differ just a bit in our loads. While I favor shooting 35 grains of Olde Eynsford 3F under the 205-grain bullets, he was shooting with 34 grains of Schuetzen 2Fg powder in his .44-40 loads, and we could hear the difference. His bullets did not have the same velocity as mine, but that didn’t get in the way of his accuracy. I watched as Mike started on
those targets in the same order that I had shot, shooting quickly and hitting everything until, just like I had done, missing his last shot on the steel pork chop, with 23 seconds to spare. That put us in a tie.
The other shooters all got their chances, one at a time. This appears to be a bottleneck as far as timing for the match goes, but it is fun and exciting to watch, so there were certainly no complaints. And two of our shooters, Allen Cunniff and Tom Witt, both hit
every target for 100 points each.
WHEN THE GONG shooting was completed, those targets were taken down and that’s when each shooter posted the paper buffalo target at 50 yards. This is a target that I’ve done very well on before but I didn’t do quite as good this time. Mike and I were shooting side by side and he finished with his 10 shots just a shot or two before I did. I could complain that the smoke from his rifle had obscured my target but that’s black powder shooting for you. Soon enough, the firing line was quiet and Tom, our match director, called, “Cease fire!” so we could fetch the targets we’d just shot and post our next targets as well.
The score on my target wasn’t bad (see photo), and Mike’s target was almost the same. In fact, while my target carried a score of 79 points, Mike’s target held a score of 80. That broke our tie, with Mike now being one whole point ahead of me.
Next was the last target of our short match, the standard 100-yard bull’seye target, which we posted at 75 yards. Mike and I discussed our sight picture just for a moment before the shooting started again. My shots on the buffalo had gone a bit high, so I planned on a 6 o’clock hold on the bull’s-eye, trying for a better score. I think Mike was going
Nesbitt fires a shot over crosssticks at the buffalo target.
A fair group on the buffalo for a score of 79.
BLACK POWDER
to do the same.
When we are shooting at those paper targets, either from the offhand or sitting position, our shooting is not timed. Only our shooting at the
gongs had a time limit. And with these repeating rifles, the shooting seems to go pretty fast. After the match director said the firing line was “hot,” we loaded, usually five rounds at a time in the rifles’
magazines, and went to work on those 75-yard bull’s-eyes. Almost too soon, the firing line got quiet again because all shooters had completed their shots, and the ceasefire was called.
Mike and I were both eager to see how we had done. I actually expected to see better shooting than what I found; turned out that holding at 6 o’clock was just a bit low. But my target did hold a score of 83. Back at the shooting area, Mike scored his target and I must admit that I was eager to hear what he got. He gave me a treasured grin and said he had shot an 82.
That meant we were tied for the day. Tom used our scores on the 75yard target as the tiebreaker, being the longest-distance target for the match, which broke the tie in my favor. Next time, if we’re tied again, things will probably go in Mike’s favor. As it was, I placed fifth and he placed sixth in the match. And we are both looking forward to next time. ★
Shooters at this lever-gun match, with Nesbitt and Holeman in the foreground.
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Gentry Custom LLC
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New quiet muzzle brakes with suppressor-length threads. Available in ½x28 or 5/8x24 threads, straight or custom contours. Call Gentry Custom today at 406-388-4867 or visit their web store at the above address.
Black Hills Ammunition
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The Black Hills 6mm ARC 90-grain Dual Performance load is designed to shoot flatter to 600 yards compared to the 103-grain ELD-X introduced last year, plus open immediately upon impact to create a large, 7-inch-diameter wound channel.
Velocity is 2,650 feet per second with over 1,400 foot-pounds of energy.
God’ A Grip
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God’ A Grip Cheek Pads and Grips provide a custom fit. Their self-customizing gun grips enhance comfort and increase reliability, while the molded finger grooves allow for consistent hand placement for more accurate shots. The grips retain their comfort feel in the winter or summer. Call 321-242-0200 or visit the above website.
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Exquisiteknives.com
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Selling some of the finest and most collectible custom knives in the world. Owner Dave Ellis is a retired ABS mastersmith as well as a lifelong collector of valuable custom knives. Specializing in Bob Loveless, Bill Moran, Michael Walker and CAS of Argentina. Pictured is the Dragonfly Knife by Dr. Fred Carter. See more on Instagram @daveellis44.
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The stocking-stuffer-size Half Calf is the tiniest mini hoist offered by Pocket Ox. A cut-down version of their 1,000-pound 8:1 Calf hoist, hence the name, the Half Calf is truly a block and tackle that will fit in a pocket. Standard 50 feet of “rope” has a block-to-block reach of 12 feet. May be ordered with 100 feet, doubling that distance while adding less than an ounce of carry weight.
Luth-AR
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In precision shooting, every detail counts. The new 1-8½ Fractional Twist Barrel has gained popularity for its ability to stabilize a wide range of bullet weights. This versatile twist rate offers a balance between stability and accuracy, making it ideal for target shooting, hunting and long-range competitions. Complete uppers available.
Hi-Point Firearms
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MKS Supply is excited to announce the latest additions to the Hi-Point Firearms lineup: the 995P and 4595P pistols. The 995P, a pistol version of the popular Model 995 Carbine, is perfect for backpack carry, ensuring that you have a reliable firearm at your side wherever you go. A machined addition on the rear of the pistol includes a Picatinny rail, allowing for the attachment of various accessories, as well as compatibility for buffer tubes and folding braces, adding to the versatility of these firearms.
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The Holiday Dream Box includes two ribeyes, two filets and four burgers. The perfect gift for anyone who likes beef for $149.99.
Davis Tent
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The sleeping bag cover from Davis Tent is a great way to protect your sleeping bag and add a little warmth. You can even sleep under the stars on a starry night! Roll your sleeping bag, pillow and sleeping pad up and it’s a perfect bedroll to keep all your sleeping gear organized.
Comer’s Gunworks
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Comer’s Gunworks is a dealer for all the major black powder gun manufacturers – Pedersoli, Chiappa, Uberti and Pietta – and they are priced better than the competition. Gunsmithing is also available. Check the website for holiday sale prices starting in November.
Henry Repeating Arms
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Everybody’s got a little cowboy in them. Unleash it with the gift of a Henry Golden Boy rifle – the rifle that brings out the West in you. Pick one up, work the buttery smooth action, and you’ll quickly find that there’s more to the Golden Boy than good looks alone.
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Redding Reloading offers accessory Metric Bullet Seating Micrometers for rifle and handgun cartridges. These allow you to update your Standard or Premium Redding seating dies, providing you the convenience of fast and accurate changes in bullet seating depth in the metric scale. The “world” of reloading keeps changing; Redding makes it easier than ever to fine-tune your favorite metric loads.
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Is that an Aholster in your pocket or are you happy to see me? Everyone knows that the best gun is the one that you have with you. Above is Aholster’s flagship holster that put them on the map 20-plus years ago. Used by everyday gun toters and professionals.
Harvester Muzzleloading
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Scorpion PT Gold bullets are electroplated with copper plating that does not separate from lead core like most jacketed bullets. The end result is better penetration needed for one-shot kills. The PT Gold offers greater accuracy at longer ranges than a hollowpoint. The 3 percent antimony makes the bullet harder than pure lead and is intended for the shooter who wants a bone-breaking, pass-through shot. It is packaged with patented Crush Rib Sabots.
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Triple K Manufacturing
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The K-Max Chest holster features a dual over-the-shoulders harness system that provides balance, comfort and maximum retention. Their innovative chest plate design allows for holster angle adjustment that best meets your style of carry. Adjustable holster angles allow for canted 45-degree-, horizontal- or vertical-style carry. Rugged and reliable with easy-to-personalize adjustments for all torso sizes. Constructed of premium saddle-grade vegetable-tanned leather, solid brass rings and Chicago screws that are resistant to the most diverse elements. Comes in Havana brown. MSRP: $310.
October Country Muzzleloading
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Back in 1977 when the company was in its infancy, October Country Muzzleloading was a hunting bag. One product. Today, the northern Idaho-based outfit offers a complete and thorough line of muzzleloaders and muzzleloading accessories, including ramrods, Pushing Daisies patches, Blue Thunder solvent, Bumblin’ Bear Grease, quality leather shooting bags, powder horns and hand-forged shooting tools. All exceptional quality goods for the hunter, shooter, collector and history reenactor enthusiast. October Country products are made in the USA, and are designed and manufactured for muzzleloading, cowboy action and black powder cartridge shooters.
Clinger Holsters
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The Clinger Cushion is the ultimate comfort upgrade for your holster. Designed with soft, durable materials, it creates a thin, breathable, padded barrier between you and your gun, reducing pressure and irritation during all-day wear. Whether you’re sitting, standing or moving, the Clinger Cushion ensures discreet carry without sacrificing comfort. The best stocking stuffer for gun owners this Christmas.
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The Desert Eagle grips from AlumaGrips have undergone a redesign with improvements that are second to none. First, almost 1/8 inch was removed from the thickness of each grip, then the radius on the back edge of the grip was enlarged to reduce the overall circumference. Finally, AlumaGrips eliminated the need for two screws, as well as the plastic insert that traditionally is needed for mounting the grips. Excellence in design and function – that is the goal of AlumaGrips.
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Safeguard your satellite phone with the GoDark Faraday Bag, designed to be highly water- and puncture-resistant. This innovative bag effectively blocks satellite signals, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 5G and EMP interference. It features MOLLE straps on the back for convenient attachment to belts or bags, along with a secure magnetic buckle that allows for easy one-handed access.
True Blue
truebluegunlube.com
• The most diverse selection of firearm care products over other brands.
• The smartest gun oil applicator caps.
• Suppressor Syrup is the only product like it on the market.
• Cleaner Concentrate is their proven suppressor cleaner.
• Tested. Proven. Trusted.
Remora Holsters
remoraholsters.com
Customize your holster with the perfect clip modification for your carry style. Many styles to choose from.
Liberty Game Calls
libertygamecalls.com
Devil Dog Concepts
devildogconcepts.com
No longer do you have to rebuild your rifle or buy new to have the side charging capability!
Turn your rifle into a side charger without rebuilding or modifying. Simply swap out the charging handle and install the Hard Charger. Takes only a minute or less!
Liberty Game Calls are predominantly made of rubber, setting them apart from plastic game calls on the market. Rubber is soft and flexible and has exceptional sound transmission properties. Rubber’s high elasticity enables it to absorb and dissipate sound energy more effectively. This ensures that sound waves are not reflected or prematurely absorbed, allowing them to carry further and more efficient ly. Rubber’s low density and significant internal damping produce deeper, more resonant sounds. Rubber is the perfect material for calling game where the highest sound transmission and quality are essential for attracting game.
Made of durable steel construction - heavyduty, sealed ball bearing motors - thermally protected - fast, quiet operation - 3/4 to 4 3/4 gallon capacity - industrial and rotary models available. Send for our free brochure!
TRU-SQUARE METAL PRODUCTS, INC.
P.O. Box 585, Auburn, Washington 98071
TEL (253) 833-2310 or Toll Free 1-(800) 225-1017 www.thumlerstumbler.com t-tumbler@thumlerstumbler.com
“Manufacturers of quality case cleaners, deburring and tumbling equipment since 1959”
Holiday GIFT GUIDE
Dead Foot Arms
deadfootarms.com
The Dead Foot Arms Gen 3 Folding Adaptor includes everything you need for firewhile-folded capability on your AR-platform firearm. QD Snap for enhanced side retention while still allowing for button-free deployment. Includes low-profile block with end-user-adjustable swing tension.
Michlitch Company
spokanespice.com
Michlitch Company offers a wide variety of jerky and sausage-making seasonings and supplies. For the holiday season, they have gift boxes available for $30 each. Each box includes three seasoning blends and one sauce. Visit the website to see their variety of products and gift boxes.
