Pulsar Thermion XQ38 Thermal Riflescope shooting 4
Night Vision Scopes

Pulsar Trail LRF XQ50 Thermal Riflescope

Let’s take a look at the Pulsar Trail LRF XQ50 Thermal Riflescope from Pulsar. Night-time hunting adventure has become a trend to some hunters, and using thermal scopes are supremely suited for that purpose. Thermal scopes use infrared light, hidden to people, to pick up heat signs. They can distinguish animals even when hidden from our eyes by identifying the [READ MORE…]

Lead Exposure While Shooting
Prepper Life

Lead Exposure While Shooting

Let’s talk about lead exposure while shooting. Lead exposure is a big concern in all modern industrial societies in general, and especially when it comes to firing guns, that is a very large concern. So without further ado, I want to talk about how we can identify the certain factors that add to lead exposure. We’ll also cover ways to [READ MORE…]

Magazines & Mag Pouches

Rules of Gun Safety

Let’s get started right by talking about firearm safety. I think everything needs to start there, no matter how experienced or inexperienced you are. There are some very basic rules that you need to keep in mind. When going into your firearm use, I don’t care how confident you are. Everybody messes up. These rules are here to make sure [READ MORE…]

AK-74 Rifle in use
Magazines & Mag Pouches

AK-74 Magazine Buyers Guide

Let’s look at high-capacity magazines for the AK-74 rifle. Here’s some of the models we are going to look at: AK-74 Magazines – Overview Several of these magazines are high-capacity. As such, please check with your state regulations for ownership of high capacity magazines. Several states restrict ownership or possession of high capacity mags! Let’s talk about construction first. AK [READ MORE…]

ak-47 magazines
Magazines & Mag Pouches

AK Magazine Buyer’s Guide

Got AK? Then you need AK magazines. We’ll be reviewing AK-47 and AKM magazines in this article. Here’s some of the models we are going to look at: AK-47 Magazines – Overview Several of these magazines are high-capacity. As such, please check with your state regulations for ownership of high capacity magazines. Several states restrict ownership or possession of high [READ MORE…]

WWSD 2020 Rifle - What Would Stoner Do 2020 AR-15 style rifle
Shoot

WWSD2020 Rifle – What Would Stoner Do 2020

Let’s talk about the WWSD 2020 Rifle. WWSD stands for What Would Stoner Do 2020. This is an attempt to create an AR-15 style rifle using the most reliable and advanced gun technology here in the year 2020. In other words – What Would Stoner Do? It’s going to be available soon, and you can pre-order from Brownells now: WWSD [READ MORE…]

shooting safety
Magazines & Mag Pouches

Firearm Safety Rules and Weapon Carrying Conditions

Remember these basic firearm safety rules – whether at home, at the range, or in the field. FIREARM SAFETY RULES The following rules apply to all weapon systems. Treat every weapon as if it were loaded Never trust your memory or make any assumptions about a weapon’s safety status. Always confirm what condition your weapon is in if there is [READ MORE…]

Brownells AR-15 Magazine
Magazines & Mag Pouches

AR-15 Magazine Buyer’s Guide

Let’s look at some options for AR-15 magazines. We’re going to look at 30 round and 60 round magazines for the AR-15/M-4 series of rifles (like the soon to be released WWSD2020 Rifle. Here’s some of the models we are going to look at: AR-15 Magazines – Overview Several of these magazines are high-capacity. As such, please check with your [READ MORE…]

Radio Comms & GPS

FCC Licensing for Radio Operators

What is the FCC? The Federal Communication Commission, or FCC, is an independent agency created by the United States Federal government to regulate communications via radio, television, wire, satellite, cable and internet. Why does the FCC require that certain radio frequencies are only used by licensed and trained operators? The FCC was initially created in 1934 for the purposes of: [READ MORE…]

AN/PVS-30 Night Vision Scope
Night Vision Scopes

AN/PVS-30 Clip-On Night Vision Sight

In this article we’re going to take a close look at the AN/PVS-30 Clip-on Sniper Night Sight (COSNS) as used by the U.S. Army and other armed forces. A Night Vision Scope let’s you see in the dark – and in particular accurately aim a weapon in the darkness. Here’s the gear we’re going to review: These types of sights [READ MORE…]

AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapon Sight mounted on an M240B machine gun.
Night Vision Scopes

Thermal Weapon Sight – AN/PAS-13

There’s more than one way to see in the dark. In this article, we’re going to take a close look at a thermal weapon sight used by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and others. The AN/PAS-13 is a Thermal Weapon Sight used in the US military. It enables night vision capabilities, although thermal sights are useful in the daytime too. [READ MORE…]

AN/PEQ-15A - the DBAL-A2 - the latest version of the PEQ-15
Night Vision Scopes

Dual Beam Aiming Lasers

In this article we’ll take a close look at Dual Beam Aiming Lasers (DBAL), such as those from Steiner Defense. First of all – what is a Dual Beam Aiming Laser? It’s a laser pointing device that contains both a day-light visible red or green laser combined with a co-aligned Infrared (IR) laser that is visible only with night vision. [READ MORE…]

AN/PEQ-16B mounted on an M4 carbine.
Night Vision Scopes

US Army Aiming Lasers

The US Army and US Marine Corps use a variety of weapon sights and scopes. We’re going to review the current crop of sights and scopes – and explain what they are used for. We’re going to start with aiming lasers – also called laser pointers, target pointers, or target designators. The US armed forces consider optics, sensors and lasers [READ MORE…]

A DAGR military GPS device.
Radio Comms & GPS

Understanding GPS and the Future of Positioning Tech

What Is The Global Positioning System? The Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is a U.S-owned and operated system that can give precise, relative, or general location information. Officially, information about location is called Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) because those three elements come together to provide GPS services. For most people, GPS is a way to figure out where they are [READ MORE…]

Stream water should be purified before drinking.
Prepper Life

Outdoor Water Purification Techniques

If you’re an outdoors enthusiast then you know that there’s an endless list of activities that you can enjoy. From hiking through the mountains to camping along the plains, there’s something for everyone. However, it’s important that you have keen survival skills when spending time in nature. This is especially the case when it comes to water. While you may [READ MORE…]

A cell phone tower
Radio Comms & GPS

Emergency Communications for Civilians

Have you ever thought about how dependent modern society is on the cellular phone? We’ve reaped the benefits of having “always on” connectivity and the ability to contact anyone and just about anywhere at our finger tips. But the truth is that the cellular system is quite fragile – and it is not something we can count on to be [READ MORE…]

The Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) being used to send a message from a patrol vehicle.
Radio Comms & GPS

What is ATAK?

ATAK is the Android Tactical Assault Kit. It is a smartphone geospatial application originally developed for Android phones and tablets. It is sometimes referred to as the Android Team Awareness Kit or the Awesome Team Awareness Kit – because there are versions for Windows and iOS as well as Android. Tactical uses include mission planning, situational awareness (SA), mission execution, [READ MORE…]

Radio Comms & GPS

Best Military Grade Phone Cases

Let’s look at the best military grade phone cases available for iPhone and Android. Why take your phone on the mission? Because modern smartphones are amazing devices – they can leverage GPS, GLONASS, Galileo satnav systems for precise location finding – in a fraction of the space of a dedicated GPS unit. Secondly, there are some cool new Situational Awareness [READ MORE…]

Advanced Night Vision Goggles like the AN/PVS-21 show that night vision technology just keeps getting better and better.
Night Vision Goggles

Fusion Night Vision Goggles

Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) are game-changing tactical gear and in 2019 the prices are coming down and capabilities are better than ever. But at the same time there is some really cool new high-end gear coming out. Advanced Night Vision Goggles include low-profile night vision goggles and those that combine thermal imagery with light amplification – so called fused or [READ MORE…]

Magazines & Mag Pouches

Best Mag Pouches

Let’s look at the best mag pouches (magazine pouches). We’ll look at some popular tactical gear options that work great with your plate carrier, chest rig, or battle belt. We’re going to compare Blue Force Gear’s Ten-Speed line of mag pouches to High Speed Gear’s (HSGI) Taco mag pouches against Esstac’s Kywi line. Let’s get started. Here’s some of the [READ MORE…]

Night Vision Goggles

Night Vision Trail Cameras for Hunting

Game trail cameras have come a long way – there’s a ton of new, high-tech options you can get for cheap. We’ll take a look at those here. Here’s the gear we are going to review. Basic Features of Trail Cameras Here’s some things that are “table stakes” in trail cameras today. It’s gotta have night vision – of course. [READ MORE…]

A robust handheld GPS device - rugged, with long battery life - this has many advantages over your smartphone
Radio Comms & GPS

Handheld GPS Devices for 2020

GPS, short for Global Positioning System, devices are everywhere. The tech needed to give you a quick readout on your location anywhere in the world is smaller and cheaper than ever. GPS, and the navigating efficiency it enables, is truly one of the wonders of modern life. Your phone, your watch, even your fitness tracker – all these things can [READ MORE…]

First Aid Kit
Rucking

First Aid Kit for Rucking

If you are participating in a ruck march training or event (like a GORUCK event) you probably don’t need to pack an IFAK or trauma kit. Why not? Because you are already going to have to pack the minimum required weight – so why add more to that? Here’s the items we recommend you have in your GORUCK first aid [READ MORE…]

Visible light green chemlight being spun for high visibility
Night Vision Goggles

IR Strobes, Beacons, and Chemlights

Got Night Vision? Then you might need an IR beacon, IR Strobe, or IR Chemlight. What are these things and what are they used for? That’s what we’ll talk about here. Why IR is used with Night Vision First of all, let’s talk about IR (Infrared) and why it is related to night vision. The “near infra-red” (NIR) spectrum of [READ MORE…]