Category: Guns & Stuff

Having Options Is A Wonderful Thing: AR Optics

I’ve built many AR’s. I’ve used quite a few optics. No doubt many are more experienced with different optics than I, and some less experienced. Some I liked, some I loved, and some I hated.

When equipping an AR the choices are mainly between iron sights, red dots/holographic, and magnified. There are there numerous variables to consider for just what role the AR will fill and what the deal optic will be needed to fulfill that role the best.

Here are a few examples:

HOLOGRAPHIC: A holographic weapon sight is a non-magnifying gunsight that allows the user to look through a glass optical window and see a holographic reticle image superimposed on the target.

The EOTech below is a popular example and sits atop my Stag Arms LH 5.56 AR. It is my favorite weapons sight. The round reticle with middle impact dot provides very fast target acquisition and the 1 MOA center dot is small enough for detailed work at longer distances.

RED DOT: Any non-magnified, illuminated sight that can be mounted to a shotgun, rifle, or handgun is considered a red dot sight. The reticle or “red dot” is created by an LED or a laser diode light that is reflected or superimposed onto the target.

While most commonly using a dot that is colored red, other colors including green are available.

An important consideration when looking at red dot optics is the size of the dot itself. A 3 MOA dot will cover approx 3″ of the target at 100 yards. A 1 MOA dot at 100 yards is around 1″ coverage of the target. When it comes to precision shooting at a variety of distances the dot size is important.

Generally, I stick to 2 MOA and under.

The optic in the picture below is the Bushnell TRS-25. I have this mounted atop my SHTF gun which I named, “VENOM”. The Bushnell in this configuration runs around $120 and has been around for many years. It is reliable, rugged, and absolutely a great value.

Red dots do a great job, especially for “seasoned” eyes, to get on target quickly.

MAGNIFIED: A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is an optical sighting device similar to a telescope. It’s equipped with some form of a referencing pattern (a reticle) to give an accurate point of aim.

I’m not much of a long-distance shooter and my experience with scopes is minimal. What I will tell you is you get what you pay for. The cheap scopes are not very clear and often have distortion that is distracting when shooting. Higher-end optics provide excellent clarity and brighter targets. The difference can truly be astounding.

As I am always budget-conscious I have grown fond of Vortex optics. The Crossfire II scope below is excellent for under $300. Very clear and what I really like about it is when dialed to 1X it is a true 1X. This means there is NO magnification and for close quarters the scope crosshairs can be used much like a red dot. This provides great versatility. Lesser scopes simply do not offer this feature.

The right tool for the job is important, however, when it comes to AR’s, one tool can allow the completion of a variety of tasks.

Options are great, right?

Take care everyone.

Rourke

May 5, 2021
Camper Security

A recent addition to the camper is the Stevens Model 320 below. This is a 12 gauge shotgun.

I had Fred Choate from Choa te, Machine and Tool send me a magazine extension for it which I need to install. If you are not familiar with Choate – a great company! Fred Choate is an avid shooter, Patriot, and prepper as well.

[Read more about our life living in a camper….follow this link]

With the difficulty of obtaining ammunition, many new gun buyers are going to shotguns. With that said shotgun ammunition is also in short supply.

I keep my eye out whenever I venture into any business that carries ammunition and I’ve grabbed some 00-Buck and slugs recently.

Stack it high and stack it deep!

Rourke

Tula .223 Rem Ammunition

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Fantastic Car Pack and EDC Bag

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Smith & Wesson 10.6in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife with 5.2in Tanto Blade and TPE Handle – less than $40

May 1, 2021
Video: Military Arms Channel “Rifle Penetration Test”

Great video comparing the 7.62×39, .308, 5.45 x 39, and the 5.56 penetration in random trees. Granted – he confuses diameter and circumference and there is no method used to determine the hardness of the wood but it is still a great comparison and educational. Great information worthy of taking the time to watch, and learn.

Don’t forget to vote for this website over at the Top Prepper Sites. Click HERE to vote.

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From the Supply Depot: RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

Seek Thermal Cell Phone Adapter

RTIC 30 oz. Double Wall Tumbler

Streamlight PolyTac 600-Lumen Flashlight

Offset Weapons Flashlight Mount

Firefox DVD – great Clint Eastwood movie

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Recommended reading for every Patriot?

April 28, 2021
Razor Electronic Hearing

I picked up a couple of pairs of Walker Electronic Hearing Ear Muff about 6 weeks ago. So far I’ve gone shooting four times. I’m very impressed. Beyond the hearing protection aspect of the Razors – I was incredibly impressed with the ability for it to bring in regular conversations so your not, “HEY, I’M GONNA GO CHECK MY GROUP!!!”, while the other person says, “YOU WANT TO GO SHOOT SOME HOOP???”

Carrying on a regular conversation is just so easy. What I didn’t expect was an added benefit – amplified hearing.

While I was at my brother’s land approx 150 yards from the house at the range I could hear a conversation up at the house – literally. Yes – if I turned the volume up I could hear two people talking word for word. Now, maybe I’m a bit wacky but I’m thinking that is a valuable characteristic.

Check ’em out here – – – > LINK

So – hearing protection with a benefit.

Cool!!!

Rourke

April 22, 2021
Weapons Light on a Budget

With rising inflation and COVID-related economic suppression preparing on a budget has its challenges. Adding a light to a long gun can cost hundreds of dollars – if you listen to the “experts.”

On one of my AR’s I have a really nice Olight Odin Mini 1200-lumen weapons light. Cost was around $110 on sale. Another I have an Inforce 400-lumen. Cost was about the same. My first AR – a Stag Arms LH model – sports a dropdown mount with a Streamlight Polytac flashlight. Total cost today would run you about $55.

Here are a few pics:

This particular Polytac is no longer made. Today the latest version is much brighter. Here is the link to the latest version.

The flashlight mount is simple and very rugged. It will hold nearly any standard 1″ inch flashlight.

Budget options. Nice to have.

Rourke

April 21, 2021
In-Stock Ammunition at Best CURRENT Prices
Yeah, I know – – ammo prices are ridiculous. True. I was chatting with a follower of the website yesterday and he just bought his first-ever AR-15. Since this is his first he has no .223 or 5.56 ammunition for it. He certainly doesn’t want to wait until prices come back to “normal” – if that ever happens. I sent him some links to try to help.

Here are a few:
- Tula .223 Rem 55-grain Steel – 1,000 round case ($699.99)
- 20-rd Australian Outback 55-grain .223 Remington ($17.99)
- Belom 124-grain Brass 9mm / 1,000-rd case ($599.99)
- Tula 7.62 x 39 122-grain Steel-Case / 1,000 rds ($438.99)
One of the best deals going is these steel 30-rd AR magazines. Very nice. I have close to 40 of them and they have worked great.

$6.99 – do not hesitate.

Take care all.

Rourke
April 12, 2021
Ammo Storage

This past weekend I made sure the majority of my ammunition supply was stored in metal ammo cans. I performed an inventory to see exactly where I’m at. I pretty much knew already and my estimations were very close.

I have ammunition stored for a “rainy day” or otherwise known as the zombie apocalypse. In addition, I’ve got a box of misc ammo that I call “range ammo”. These are misc boxes – many of which are partials – that I use when I go to the range.

Each ammo can is labeled with the caliber and round count. Desiccant packs were added to help protect from moisture. I have both brass and steel-cased ammunition.

Thinking of ammo storage that damn question of, “How much ammo should you store?” comes to mind. Here’s my answer: As much as possible. ’nuff said.

How are you sitting with your ammunition supply? I know, tough market. I suspect it’s not going to improve much anytime soon.

Rourke

April 12, 2021
Cheap Build Continues to Perform

Several weeks ago visited a buddy up in Maine. Over a year ago we got together and I helped him build his first AR-15. It was put together from Palmetto State Armory parts – mostly. At the time the total cost was around $500. Lower priced, budget-friendly parts were used throughout. Since then he’s added a Bushnell TRS-25 optic. The TRS-25 is one of my favorite red dots. It has proven itself extremely reliable and rugged at a fantastic price of around $100 when set up for the AR platform.

We went to the range and sighted in the TRS. Over the last year, he’s shot several hundred rounds of mixed steel and brass through the budget build. No failures of any kind. I was not surprised to hear this as my own experience has been the same.

He’s added several magazines to his stash and built up a decent ammo supply along the way.

This gun can be built today, although it’s going to be a little more expensive.

I’m looking forward to my new build…..the RECCE rifle. I’m collecting all the components and then I need to find the time to get it done. Once started I’ll document it here.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Rourke

April 2, 2021
So this happened…..

Picked up a Sig P365 just a bit ago. I’ve heard so much about this pistol I wanted to see for myself what all the hype was about.

I’ve had two range sessions with the P365 so far. From an initial impression perspective, the ergonomics are fantastic. Very small grip(I don’t have large hands) with a 12 round capacity for the 9mm is impressive. By far this is the smallest compact 9mm pistol with this capacity in existence. Other manufacturers are scurrying to not just beat it but at least match it. The gun just feels fantastic in the hand.

Accuracy is nothing spectacular and pretty much what was expected from a short sight radius pistol. Very much acceptable. My initial range sessions have me shooting low at 10-15 yards. As this is a new gun in my arsenal it may very well be me – not the gun. Every gun I own will shoot more accurately than me.

Trigger is good. Not great. Better than most, not as good as others. While trigger pull can be dissected in many ways to show one gun superior to another – I feel trigger pull “quality” is subjective and over-emphasized when it comes to self-defense. Bottomline – trigger pull is more than acceptable.

The reason the Sig P365 is so popular and why I bought it is the capacity. It’s the size of many .380’s and even smaller – with a larger capacity. Hat’s off to Sig!!! I have 10, 12, and 15 round mags. The versatility is a huge plus.

I picked up a small belt-mounted pouch to carry the P365. Why this over a holster? Comfort and no one knows what’s in the pouch.

I’ll update as more experience is gained with the Sig.

Rourke

March 27, 2021
What To Do If You Need a Gun…..and Don’t Have One

Hundreds of thousands…maybe even millions of people are “waking up” and acknowledging circumstances are such that being armed seems like a good idea. Regardless of the reasons firearms are under high demand and prices hover right around suggested retail. This means great deals are rare.

There is hope!

If you do not have a firearm and want to get one I have a few suggestions.

1. Order a gun

For most, the option of what kind of gun to get will end with the selection of a pistol. Reasons are numerous and there are pros and cons. Whatever. For someone who finds themselves gunless and looking to get something – a pistol it is(at least for this article).

Example:

AREX Delta Gen 2 Semi-Auto 9mm pistol from Global Ordnance

Price: $515

Comes with 1 x 15rd magazine, 1 x 17rd magazine

2. Order Ammunition

It’s a tough market right now, especially for someone who has absolutely no ammunition. Visiting local gun shops(LGS) and grabbing their limit will usually be the best bet to get decent prices – but not always. Most common calibers right now are running around $1 a round. If you find it cheaper count yourself lucky.

The most reliable manner to obtain ammunition is online. Pricing is all over the place. For this article – and for the AREX 9mm pistol above I have two online suggestions for 9mm ammunition:

Palmetto State Armory & Global Ordnance

If found out of stock keep checking back.

3. Order Magazines

Whatever firearm you chose extra magazines are needed. For a pistol, a total of 5-6 magazines is the minimum.

Example:

AREX Delta Gen 2 Semi-Auto 9mm pistol from Global Ordnance – – $515

500 rds 9mm ammunition – 10 bxs of 50 @ $34.99 = $349.90

3 17-rd Delta magazins @ $29.99 = $89.97

TOTAL: $954.87

This gives us the Delta 9mm pistol, 5 magazines in total, and 500 rounds of 9mm ammo.

It’s a start. A good start.

Summary:

Regardless if it’s a rifle, shotgun, or pistol that’s chosen now is the time to start the journey into gun ownership.

The last and possibly most important step involves training. Learning how to use your firearm safely and proficiently is critically important. Paying a hundred bucks or so to get some firearms training is well worth it. Make it happen.

Take care folks. Crazy times we are living in. Might get crazier.

Rourke

February 15, 2021

Kel-Tec PMR 30…..Ultimate Bug Out Gun?

NOTE: This review was originally written back in 2016 and has now been updated with information current to January 2021. I’ve owned the PMR-30 now for over 5 years.

Kel-Tec PMR-30 22 Magnum Semi-Automatic Pistol

I have wanted the PMR-30 since it’s release in 2011. Having been an owner of the Automag II – which was a horribly performing 22 Magnum semi-auto pistol from many years ago – I was intrigued with the PMR. At a proposed $415 suggested retail and a magazine holding 30 rounds, I imagined hours of plinking fun with this futuristic-looking pistol. Well – reality slapped all of us in the face when typical Kel-Tec production failed to keep up with demand and secondary suppliers jacked the price up.

I purchased the PMR in early 2015 for $600. An insane amount, but, I have been known for going insane now and again.

Many look at the PMR-30 as a “poor man’s” 5.7×28 FN Five Seven. I concur.

FIT, FINISH & FEEL

From a fit and finish perspective, the Kel-Tec resembles something that can be found in the toy department at Wally World. It is really the weight of the PMR that causes immediate comparisons to toys by most everyone that has handled mine. It’s incredibly light at only 13.6 ounces empty and right under 20 ounces with a full magazine of 30 rounds. Compare this to a Glock 17 weighing 25.06 ounces it is understandable the utter shock when it is first picked up.

The overall quality of the PMR is good – not fantastic. This is no Kimber. There are minor molding marks where the two halves of the frame are joined together. Other than that looks on par with any other polymer-framed modern pistol.

Grip feels good in my average-sized hands. The raised textured squares on the grip do little to increase gripping and would like to see an improvement there. Many place strips of grip tape on the grip. Regardless, no issues with holding the gun. The slide is easy to grip near the rear sights for pulling the slide back. There is little to grab upfront past the ejection port. There is a long picatinny rail for the attachment of lights and lasers. It is very robust and rugged.

Overall the fit, finish, and feel are great.

FEATURES & FUNCTION

The PMR-30 is fitted with high visibility TruGlo-type sights front and rear. They are excellent and are very easy to acquire in low light conditions. I plan on adding similar sights to my M&P9.

The safety is ambidextrous and functions much like a 1911. Flip up to put on safe and down to fire. It’s color-coded to show red when off safe(red is dead). The safety fits almost flush against the slide and is not very easy to engage. It’s smooth and round which certainly is an advantage as far catching on clothes but activating while under pressure – I’ll pass.

The magazine release is European-style in that it is located at the heel of the grip. I found the magazine release very easy to operate and although two hands are needed very quick. The opening of the mag well provides for easy and quick insertion.

The PMR’s 30 round magazine works phenomenally. The magazine is double stacked and is polymer constructed. The construction provides a very stiff and rigid magazine which at first glance appears to be aluminum. Per Kel-Tec’s owner’s manual the magazine requires a special technique to load. Basically, insert the first 5 rounds, slap the back of the magazine against a hard surface to seat the rounds. After that, every couple of rounds loaded tap it, and load some more.

The single-action trigger is fantastic with a very smooth let off and lightweight pull.nReset is short.

ACCURACY & PERFORMANCE

Shooting the PMR is an absolute ball. While aiming this super light handgun downrange while pulling the trigger it seems as though the magazine is never going to run empty. Sending a target to the maximum of 25 yards at the local indoor range I was amazed at the accuracy. Groups around 3-3.5″ are not uncommon as long as I do my part. The excellent trigger really helps with the accuracy.

Reliability is not on par with most modern combat pistols. Then again, the PMR is not a modern combat pistol. The rimmed feature of the .22 Magnum does not lend itself to reliable feeding in a magazine-fed semi-auto. Due to some excellent engineering from Kel-Tec the PMR is extremely reliable.

In addition to the already mentioned proper magazine loading ammunition selection is important when it comes to reliable feeding. In my testing, the absolute most reliable ammunition has been Hornady Critical Defense. In over 150 rounds the Critical Defense has been perfect. I have shot several hundred rounds of CCI Maxi-Mags and it has done well but not perfect. I would have to say out of approx 400 rounds I have had 4 failures. All failures were a jam coming out of the magazine going into the chamber. All 4 could very well have been from misloading the magazines. I also have shot some Federal 30-grain hollow points and all 100 rounds went off without a hitch.

UPDATE 2020: I’ve owned this pistol for several years and it’s one of the funest guns to shoot. It is absolutely accurate. As far as reliability it has been inconsistent. As mentioned with Critical Defense ammunition it has performed well. The Federal 30-grain loads it has also performed well even though many sources will say the PMR likes heavier bullets. The biggest factor to reliability comes down to how the magazine is loaded and how many rounds are in the mag. Loading 20 rounds versus trying to stuff 30 rounds have in my experience proven more reliable.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Is the PMR-30 the ultimate bug out gun? Many look at the extreme lightweight, magazine capacity, and ability to carry hundreds of rounds with little added weight as good reasons to consider it. I don’t think it’s the ultimate anything. It is a great option for a bug out bag/survival kit. Consider that the gun along with 3 magazines provides 90 rounds of capacity. Its lightweight makes it natural for inclusion in a bug out bag where longer distances have to be traveled. The reliability is not the most desirable when it comes to defense unless the proper ammunition is used. Even then far better options exist.

The PMR-30 is an absolute blast to shoot. Fun factor is way up there.

Final thought? I love it!

SPECS

Calibers:	.22 Magnum	(.22WMR)
Weight unloaded:	13.6oz.	386g
Loaded Magazine:	6oz.	170g
Length:	7.9″	201mm
Height:	5.8″	147mm
Width:	1.3″	33.0mm
Barrel length:	4.3″	109mm
Sight radius:	6.9″	175mm
Energy (40gr):	138ft-lbs	187J
Capacity:	30 + 1 rounds
Trigger pull:	4-6 lbs	17.8-26.7N

MSRP

$454.55

February 11, 2021

Fight Like A Girl….With A Gun

Fight like a girl….with a gun.

It would be a perfect world if all bad guys or girls with a gun could be stopped by nonlethal means, be rehabilitated, and then go on to lead a wonderful life. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world and bad people with guns exist. That is why I decided I needed a gun.

My personal story about how I came to become a gun owner started when I got divorced back in 2017. We had been separated for a year and both my kids had gone away to college about 2 hours away. Oh, what a time! I was living in a big beautiful house in the middle of nowhere, Maine. I felt relatively safe however, the fact that I was alone made things a little scarier. I am not sure how I would have been more protected with my 18 and 19-year-olds or the ex-husband for that matter, but simply being around someone else can give you a false sense of security. Never having been around guns I was completely oblivious as to what to get. I contacted a friend who is a law enforcement officer (LEO) and he recommended a revolver. I immediately said Okay! I felt better knowing I had at least started the process. As soon as I got my brand new shiny .38 Special my LEO friend showed me the basics, helped me shoot at targets, and educated me on what type of ammunition I would need. Carrying it home that day made me feel safer, stronger, and more independent than ever.

Fast forward a couple of years when I met my (insert term for boyfriend at the ripe age of 44 here) and he showed me a plethora of guns. He has been wonderful in teaching me about different types and what they are used for. After trying many of his at the local range, I quickly realized that racking the slide was difficult. Hand strength reaches its peak between the age of 30-40 and despite me being in great shape my hand strength was not there. I think some of it had to do with it being a new movement for my hands, however, it was evident that it was a difficult task. Enter the Smith and Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ. Let me just say that this gun is awesome. I found it fun to shoot and easy to rack the slide. Everyone who has shot it has purchased one.

Although I loved my .380 EZ I wanted something smaller to carry in my purse. I am not a girly girl and am not a fan of big purses. My daily purse is a small crossbody so I wanted something that might fit in that. Enter the Ruger LCP .380. This gun is small and fierce. It has more kickback when I shoot it due to its smaller size but I definitely feel more comfortable carrying it. My next purchase will be a concealed carry purse that has a holster sewn in. I have seen a few but the price tag has had me leaving the store empty-handed.

Other things to consider when looking to buy your firearm are the laws in the state in which you are in. I got my concealed carry license in Georgia. It is for five years and several other states observe it. Other states like Maine do not require a license. Just always be responsible and keep your firearm in a safe and secure place at all times. Always tell any law enforcement officer that you have a firearm in the car if you get pulled over.

Presently, you should consider what kind of ammunition is available before purchasing a gun. Many stores have a low inventory and limit how many boxes you can purchase if they even have some.

Talk to friends you can trust and ask lots of questions. Good luck!

Maine Prepper Girl

January 7, 2021
DEAL ALERT!!!! MTM 15 AR Magazine Storage Can’s – only $12.30 each!!!

Wanted to shoot this out real quick: Just came across this deal. MTM AR Magazine Can’s for only $12.30 each. These hold 15 mags plus you can fit an additional 4-5 in-between rows.

Price is likely to change within next few hours.

https://amzn.to/3pP46v6

Rourke

January 4, 2021
The Ruger P345
Over the years there have been many guns I planned to get and it just never happened. I could name off 30-40 guns which I added to a list or two and are no longer available. Incredibly many of them were fairly inexpensive at the time and are now selling – if you can find them – for much more than brand new back in the day.

The Ruger P345 was one of the guns I wanted the most.

I checked a few out at local gun shops. A full-sized 45ACP running around $379 with Ruger ruggedness and reliability made it attractive. Loved the two-tone color scheme. Unfortunately, sales did not make Ruger happy and they ended the model and moved on to the SR45 and other follow-ups.

RUGER P345 SPECS:
- Caliber: .45 Auto (ACP)
- Action: recoil operated semi-automatic
- Length: 7.625 in
- Width: 1.2 in (with slide lever)
- Height: 5.75 in
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Barrel Length: 4.25 in
- Rifling: 6-grooves, 1:16 in RH twist
- Trigger: double-action
- Sights: White 3-dot, fixed front, drift adjustable rear
- Weight without magazine: 26.8 oz
- Weight with empty magazine: 29.4 oz
- Weight loaded (1+8 rd magazine): 35.7 oz
I’m always on the lookout for the P345 – as well as several others. Gunbroker has them selling at around $600. Yeah, I don’t think so.

What’s on your gun wish list from the past?

Rourke

I extend this invitation to join us over at Patreon. At $1.00 per month, I cover my efforts towards my own American Exit Strategy, as well as offer numerous downloads including free movies and preparedness information.

Hope to see you there!!!
December 20, 2020
Review: Tac-Mag Gun Magnet

The Tac-Mag Gun Magnet is a great solution for carrying a gun in a car or positioning it – well, pretty much anywhere you want. Using a very strong magnet it is capable of holding up to 25 pounds. Mounting takes place via 2 holes – one on each end.

Potential uses include the aforementioned vehicle mounting(check local laws), under tables, door frames, side of a nightstand, inside gun safe, inside a footlocker, on a wall, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Something to consider is the Tac-Mag Gun Magnet can be used for more than just guns. As long as whatever you are placing on the magnet is made of ferrous metal(steel) and not plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel you’re good.

Here are a few pictures of how people are using the Tac-Mag.

[slideshow_deploy id=’9319′]

Available as low as $14.99 for two with Free Shipping, it’s affordable and should last a lifetime.

Click HERE for more information.

November 14, 2020
(UPDATE) AR Magazines available now for $6.99 each

UPDATE 11/14/2020: These are still available. No better time than right now to grab them.

With the threat of major gun control right around the corner stocking up on those items that may get hard to get just makes sense. Looking for inexpensive AR magazines? Click RIGHT HERE and they are available for $6.99 each. Do some research on the ‘net to see what people think of them. Yeah – they work just fine.

Here are a few pics of my latest shipment:

The construction and finish appear to be excellent. In two billet lowers they fit fairly snug, which is not uncommon. In a regular AR lower – no problem – smooth.

With the high likelihood of significant gun control measures being taken over the coming few years this deal should not be passed up. Those that remember what it was like after the “Assault Weapons Ban” back in the 90’s – not fun.

For more info click this link.

Rourke

November 14, 2020
URGENT: Sources for Ammunition & Magazines

Over the past months, there’s been a run on firearms and ammunition. This is not news. With the current uncertainty in the results of the election, magazines are beginning to sell out and prices are going up.

Last night I spent some time research places to grab magazines – primarily for the AR platform. Below you will find links for magazines, and then also republishing links for ammunition. Yes – ammunition is on backorder. however, I am trying to provide sources with fair below-market pricing and shorter estimated wait times.

I implore you – act now or if you may find prices higher and supplies even shorter.

Magazines:

MAGPUL PMAG’s Gen 2 30-rd – CLICK HERE

****Note: If you sign up for their newsletter you will get instantly a $10 coupon. 10 packs of PMag’s drop the cost per magazine as well.

GLOCK 17/19 Magazines – CLICK HERE

****Note: Same regarding the $10 coupon for signing up.

AR Lowers/Stripped Lowers/Uppers:

AR-15/AR-9 Stripped Lowers – CLICK HERE

AR Uppers – CLICK HERE (many sold out but many available as well)

Complete AR Lowers – CLICK HERE

Ammunition:

9mm: OpticsPlanet has 124-gr 9mm NATO ammunition on sale right now for $17.99. This is well below market pricing. This is a backorder with an estimated 5-7 week delivery.

Here is the link: https://shrsl.com/2kxa4

.223 Remington: Aguila Ammo .223rem 55gr. Fmj 300-box for $147.99 with Free Shipping. That’s less than .50 cents per round which is well below the current market. This pre-order is expecting shipping in 6-8 weeks.

Here’s the link: https://shrsl.com/2l9we

.380ACP: Talking to several gun shops I heard that .380ACP is more difficult to get than 9mm. This deal is on a 100-round box of Winchester USA HANDGUN .380 ACP 95-grain FMJ Brass for $45.99. My local gun shop is selling this same ammunition for over $1.00 per round. Crazy. The current pre-order shipping estimate is 5-7 weeks. Not bad.

Here’s the link:

https://shrsl.com/2l9yz

45ACP: 230-gr Brass FMJ – 100 rounds/box – $49.29 Current estimated wait time is listed as 1-3 months. You are not charged until the item ships. Throw your order in the queue and keep searching for other sources as well.

Here is the link:

https://shrsl.com/2lm9y

November 5, 2020
Can’t Find Ammo? Best Pre-Order’s Found

Last week I published a source to order some 9mm at $17.99 per box as a pre-order. I’ve scoured the Internet and looked for not just the best prices but the best-estimated delivery times. OpticsPlanet at this time seems to be doing the best job.

9mm: OpticsPlanet has 124-gr 9mm NATO ammunition on sale right now for $17.99. This is well below market pricing. This is a backorder with an estimated 5-7 week delivery.

Grab some now.

Here is the link:

https://shrsl.com/2kxa4

.223 Remington: Aguila Ammo .223rem 55gr. Fmj 300-box for $147.99 with Free Shipping. That’s less than .50 cents per round which is well below the current market. This pre-order is expecting shipping in 6-8 weeks.

Here’s the link:

https://shrsl.com/2l9we

.380ACP: Talking to several gun shops I heard that .380ACP is more difficult to get than 9mm. This deal is on a 100-round box of Winchester USA HANDGUN .380 ACP 95-grain FMJ Brass for $45.99. My local gun shop is selling this same ammunition for over $1.00 per round. Crazy.

The current pre-order shipping estimate is 5-7 weeks. Not bad.

Here’s the link:

https://shrsl.com/2l9yz

If I come across anything else I’ll share ASAP.

Stack it high. Stack it deep.

Rourke

November 1, 2020
124-gr 9mm ON SALE – $17.99/box

9mm ammunition is extremely difficult to find. Opticsplanet has 124-gr 9mm ammunition on sale right now for $17.99. This is well below market pricing. This is a backorder with an estimated 6-8 week delivery.

Grab some now.

Here is the link:

https://shrsl.com/2kxa4

Stack it high. Stack it deep.

Rourke

October 27, 2020
AR Magazines available now for $6.99 each

With the threat of major gun control right around the corner stocking up on those items that may get hard to get just makes sense. Looking for inexpensive AR magazines? Click RIGHT HERE and they are available for $6.99 each. Do some research on the ‘net to see what people think of them. Yeah – they work just fine.

Here are a few pics of my latest shipment:

The construction and finish appear to be excellent. In two billet lowers they fit fairly snug, which is not uncommon. In a regular AR lower – no problem – smooth.

For more info click this link.

Rourke

October 20, 2020
[PATREON]Ammunition Scarcity

NOTE: Every so often we’ll share a Patreon exclusive post here on 1776PatriotUSA. The following was posted two weeks ago on our Patreon page. If interested in more content such as this – consider signing up for $1.00 per month. Click HERE for more information.

While the headline is a bit of an exaggeration there is no doubt the availability of common calibers is extremely low. I’ve been saying it for over a decade to stock up on firearms and ammunition – now.

After Sandy Hook, many of us were caught with our proverbial pants down. Lessons not learned back then are being taught now.

My prediction is regardless of the outcome of the upcoming elections ammunition will continue to be scarce. What does this mean for you? If your ammunition supply is satisfactory then nothing. If you are in need – then be ready to do some work scouring for in-stock sources – both online and local.

Over the past few weeks, I have traveled upwards of 3,000 miles. Along the way, I’ve seen 9mm ammunition for .90 cents/round – down to .38 cents/round. I’ve seen .380 ammo for $37.50 for a box of 50, down to $16.99.

AmmoSeek.com is a good place to search for online deals.

In summary – you can’t go back in time. With the level of uncertainty, we are all feeling, stocking up needs to happen starting right now.

Rourke

September 5, 2020
NO GUNS? Here’s a Few Ideas to Arm Yourself NOW

These are unprecedented times we find ourselves in and with civil unrest in many areas of the country and so much uncertainty much of the firearms and ammunition supply has dried up. While we can point fingers to all those that failed to stock up and prepare accordingly, that not very productive. So this article is dealing with the current situation NOW – not 6 months or 6 years ago. There are many who are just now looking to purchase a firearm. Available choices are slim.

For those wishing to purchase a firearm for the first time here are a few ideas in no particular order:

.22LR Semi-Auto Rifle

When it comes to self-defense the #1 rule is to be armed. Next – being able to hit your target while engaging the threat is a must. The topic of the .22LR being used for self-defense has been discussed numerous times. It’s not the best self-defense round. Everyone knows it. ‘Nuff said.

Why?

Ruger 10/22’s are still available online for purchase and at some Wal-Marts and other sporting goods stores. They are inexpensive and immensely reliable. While .22LR ammunition has become more difficult to find, it is available and inexpensive compared to all other calibers. Magazines with capacities ranging from 10 to 25 rounds are readily available and can function very reliably.

Shotgun

Shotguns of various configurations are available from most gun dealers, online, and at Wal-Mart and other stores that carry firearms. The most versatile firearm made, the shotgun is an extremely capable firearm for medium to short distance self-defense. Shotgun ammunition is still readily available.

Lever Action/Bolt Action Hunting Rifle

Take a gander at your local gun shop long gun area and it will still be filled with lever action and bolt action rifles. These are most often looked at as hunting firearms. Lever actions have an advantage over bolt actions in reloading speed. This is the case for most people. Bolt actions generally have an accuracy advantage due to their longer barrels and better triggers.

Numerous calibers in lever actions are available and include .30-30 Winchester as the most common. This ammunition can be found on shelves right now. Bolt actions can be found in a variety of calibers including .243, .270, and .308 which all can be found readily available in most gun shops.

None of these are perfect for self-defense. Some have advantages where others do not. No pistol is represented. This is on purpose as most ammunition in pistol calibers have skyrocketed in price and are difficult to find.

So – comment below. What would you recommend?

Take care all!

Rourke

July 22, 2020
Rourke’s SHTF Go To Gun[2020]

“So, what’s your SHTF gun?”

This might be a question you hear from a fellow prepper sorta like – “What do you do for work?” at a neighborhood cookout. Like choosing a car, firearms are highly personal and there is no perfect gun or guns for everyone. I’ve owned many firearms in my 50 years and can tell you that my “SHTF gun” changes from time to time.

Right now my current “kit” is based on an AR-variant and the S&W M&P9 2.0 9mm pistol.

Let’s start with my AR. This is not an off-the-shelf AR. I built it. I used a Mid State Firearms 10.5 upper and melonite BCG. It has performed flawlessly and although the barrel is only 10.5″ it has been extremely accurate. Hitting tannerite at 85 yards shot after shot is good enough for me. The Mid State upper is mounted atop a New Frontier Armory billet lower. A Shockwave AR pistol stabilizer and Hypertouch EDT trigger group round out the list of the major parts. I’ve run a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot up top for several years and it does what I need it to. Notice that little piece of duct tape? Extra CR2032 battery for the TRS-25 sits underneath.

The end result of this build is a lightweight, rugged, accurate, and reliable weapon. Did I mention it is compact? 29.5″ long and moving the stock(ok….the brace) would decrease that further.

Here are a few pictures:

I’ve been asked many times what the best SHTF gun is. Nowadays my answer is – “The one you have with you when you need one.”

As mentioned my gun of choice can and will change from time to time. After my upcoming test on the Springfield SAINT Edge pistol, that time may arrive sooner rather than later.

Rourke

July 20, 2020
[2020]The Argument FOR Uncommon Calibers
It’s often recommended that a weapons stockpile should consist of firearms in common calibers for one very important reason: Resupply. Due to the sheer volume of rounds with calibers such as 9mm, 45ACP, .223, .308, and .22LR if things get bad these calibers will always be readily available.

Well, maybe not.

Remember the months and months that followed Sandy Hook? It was extremely difficult to find ANY common calibers unless one was willing to pay some extremely inflated prices. I would visit my local gun shop, Academy, Wal-Mart, and DICK’s and there was no 9mm, no .223/5.56, no .22LR. Those were the calibers at the time I was searching for. There was also no 45ACP, no .308, and no .380. I also could not find any .30 Carbine. I did see 10mm sitting on the shelves. There sitting lonely covered with dust were other calibers such as .270, .300 Winchester Magnum, and even .30-06 occasionally. Back then even the .22 Magnum was readily available for quite some time.

Over the last few months since the pandemic ramped up ammo firearm and ammo sales have gone through the roof. A very similar situation has occurred although ammunition is in better supply and prices are more favorable than after Sandy Hook. Look around enough and ammunition can be had just a bit higher than pre-pandemic.

I totally understand the theory that the chances of coming across common ammunition such as 9mm and .223 anywhere in the United States are much greater than finding .41 Magnum. I agree. With that in mind, there are some advantages to the less-popular calibers.

I remember after Sandy Hook two things:
1. I wish I had stocked up on more ammunition when I had the chance.
2. I wish I had owned a couple of guns such a .22 Magnum and 10mm.
Lessons learned. Next time – and there will be a next time – be stocked up on what you need BEFORE a shortage happens.

Take care all –

JR
July 14, 2020
Tabletop Review: Springfield Saint Edge 5.56 Pistol
I recently had the opportunity to get a close look at a Springfield Saint Edge AR pistol. This 5.56mm “pistol” is the top of the line, high-end AR offered by Springfield Armory. The Edge series of forearms offer billet lowers and premium components. Springfields goal is to provide the highest end forearms with the utmost reliability and accuracy. After handling the Saint Edge I have to say from the looks of it they reached their goal.

Below is a photo slideshow of the gun as I take a look at it. A full review is coming up as I take I to the range and send some Freedom Seeds downrange. Of note – Ammo.com was gracious enough to donate some ammunition for the upcoming review. Thank you Ammo.com!!

[slideshow_deploy id=’12353′]

A few words from the Springfield Armory website:

The SAINT® Edge pistol combines the most popular features of the premium Edge rifle with the compact shootability of a pistol platform.

The newest self-defense legend, the SAINT Edge pistol in 5.56 gives maximum portability and ease of use in close quarters, where it matters most. The Maxim Defense™ CQB adjustable pistol brace reduces size, stabilizes recoil, and enhances accuracy, so the next time you need to deliver in a pinch, you’ll be in good hands.

The SAINT® Edge pistol features a 10.3″ lightweight 1:8 twist CMV barrel and delivers a comfortable, quick-handling and versatile platform. Brace yourself — fully collapsed the pistol measures in at just 24.6″.
- Machined Billet Lower
- 10.3″ Barrel(CMV)
- Nickel Boron Coated Flat Trigger
- Enhanced M16 BCG
- Mid-Size Charging Handle
- Ambi Safety
- Maxim Defense CQB Brace
I can’t wait to get to the range and get some rounds through the Saint Edge pistol.

Rourke
July 6, 2020
Rourke’s Favorite AR Magazines

It seems every time I turn around there is a new manufacturer of AR-type weapons as well as magazines. Magazines are incredibly important and can render the nicest weapon almost useless if it won’t feed correctly. A $750 paperweight is not really needed….is it? Maybe it’s just me.

Here are my favorite magazines:

1. Lancer L5 Advanced Warfighter 30-round Magazines – Surprised? I love the Lancer. They are extremely reliable and the metal feed lips are reassuring. When pulling from a chest rig or a belt they are easy to grab. The translucent ones provide feedback as to how many rounds are left. Click HERE for more information.

2. Magpul PMAG 30-round Magazine – Generation 2 or 3 I don’t care. These things work and have proven super reliable and the absolute best bang for the buck. By far I have more PMAG’s than any other mag. This is primarily due to their price. Click HERE for more information.

3. Brownells USGI Aluminum 30-round Magazine – excellent quality control and superb reliability. Advantage of these aluminum magazines is they will fit just fine where some polymer magazines are a tight fit. Click HERE for more information.

4. D&H Aluminum 30-rd. Magazines – These magazines are traditionally less expensive than others and work great. I have over 10 of them and have no issues. D&H magazines are aluminum and have proven to be reliable – at least for me.

5. Hexmag 30-round Magazine – Newer on the market the Hexmag is an excellent magazine. I have experienced a couple of issues with these being snug in certain lowers. For the most part these are right on par with PMAG’s. Click HERE for more information.

There you have it. Only 5? Yes – those are the ones that made the cut.

Now I know what your thinking – Which ones didn’t make the cut? I’ll mention a couple.

The SureFire 60-round aluminum magazine is terrible. I have performed limited testing and while function was ALMOST perfect – loading it was horrible. I hated the thing. ProMag polymer 30-rounders look very similar to PMAG’s and functioned fantastic. The problem is out of 3 AR’s I tested them in they would not cleanly exit the magazine well. Seems that the magazine catch was catching on a logo or something on the side of the magazine. I filed the edges down to fix it. Still – that is ridiculous.

Keep your powder dry!

Rourke

June 2, 2020
COVID-19 Data Study: Ammunition Sales Continue to Soar in Response to Coronavirus Panic
Rourke: The following is an excerpt from Ammo.com. The folks over there not only offer a great selection of ammunition at great prices but also have numerous articles on all things related to Civil Liberties and Freedom. Check out their Resistance Library HERE.

This article leaves little doubt that whenever ANY threat to our way of life occurs, people stock up on guns and ammo.

Updated May 24, 2020: According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), consumer spending drove about 70% of the U.S. GDP in 2019. Where this money goes is another story. As Visual Capitalist’s Iman Ghosh notes, in the first and second quarters of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has initiated a transformation of where consumers spend their money in lieu of widespread shelter-at-home orders.

Here at Ammo.com, our growth in sales has directly correlated with the public’s increasing leeriness of COVID-19. Starting on February 23, sales began to increase as the search term “coronavirus” gained traction, according to Google Trends. This increase in sales over the past 90 days has continued as follows:
- 592% increase in revenue
- 502% increase in transactions
- 235% increase in site traffic
- 80% increase in conversion rate
- 14% increase in average order value
Note: These figures compare 90 days of sales, February 23 to May 23, to the previous 90 day time period, November 24, 2019 to February 22, 2020. November 24 was the Sunday before Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

…….read the rest of the article here
May 31, 2020
Thoughts on the .22LR for self defense
I know – “Why would anyone in their right mind ever consider the .22LR for self-defense?” Using the .22 for self-defense is a frequently discussed topic and often creates huge augments. I try to base my opinions on facts and logic with a dash of common sense thrown in.

Here are a few thoughts:
- An extremely high volume of .22LR rounds can be thrown down range upwards of 100 yards give or take – accurately.
- Generally, most .22LR firearms are lighter than larger caliber firearms.
- Semi-auto .22LR firearms are less reliable than their centerfire counterpart.
- Many that are scared or apprehensive to shoot larger caliber firearms find it easier to shoot the .22LR – thus the “First rule of a gunfight is to have a gun.”
- Many real-life self-defense encounter videos have the criminal element running at the first sight or sound of a firearm.
- Statistics show that the .22LR provides a one-shot stop nearly 40% of the time.
- Many .22LR firearms are less expensive than their larger-caliber counterparts. This increases the chances of actual firearm ownership.
- While compared to other handgun calibers velocity of the .22LR is on par or even higher in many cases.
- The mass of the .22LR is significantly less than typical self-defense calibers such as 9mm, 45ACP, and 40S&W.
Let’s just cut to the chase – the .22LR is not the ideal round for self-defense whether at 7 feet or 70 yards. What it most certainly is is an option. It’s an option that in thousands of cases has worked – and in others, it hasn’t – just like every other caliber.

Not everyone is cut out to be Rambo. Not to be sexist, however, it is typically women that are apprehensive to firing larger caliber firearms. .22LR’s? Usually not a problem once they actually get just a little trigger time. This is advantageous in that preparing for any defensive plan requires as many people behind a gun as possible – even if some of those guns are .22LR’s.

I’ll take my S&W M&P9 2.0 9mm or my Stag Arms 5.56 carbine over any .22LR any day. I’ll take my Mossberg Shockwave or my Ruger .45ACP Lightweight Commander as well. I would also prefer one of my M&P15-22’s loaded up with 25 CCI Mini-Mag’s over being unarmed every day of the week.

Rourke

Shop Palmetto State Armory for the best deals on .22LR firearms – and anything else you can think of.

[UPDATED for 2020]
April 28, 2020
Review: Lightnin’ Grip Loader for .22LR Magazines

The .22lr is by far my favorite caliber. The reasons are simple – very inexpensive and super fun to shoot. The drawback of shooting the .22lr – especially in higher capacity semi-auto’s – is the constant loading after blowing through 15-30 rounds.

ENTER: The Lightnin’ Grip Loader

The Lightnin’ Grip Loader is a device used to rapidly load a variety of magazines with .22lr ammunition. Supported firearms include the Ruger 10/22 and S&W M&P15-22(and many more). The main device can be used with different adapters(currently 24 available) so that one loader can be used to fill more than one model of the magazine.

How Does the Lightnin’ Grip Loader Work?

After attaching the correct magazine adapter, open the top door by sliding it rearward.

Next – dump 50 or so rounds of .22lr into the loader.

Now – slide the top door on the loader closed.

At this point, the loader needs to be shaken which will cause the .22lr rounds to drop into the feed slot and align themselves. Only a few shakes are necessary and they line up quickly.

Next – the magazine is attached. At this point, the loader is tilted up to keep the rounds aligned towards the magazine.

Last – the “trigger” on the Lightnin’ Grip Loader is actuated. Every squeeze of the trigger will load one round. See video below:

While I squeezed the trigger in the video slowly to show how it works – the rounds can be loaded into the magazine extremely fast.

Bottomline:

The Lightnin’ Grip Loader is fantastic. It is rare that I come across something that provides this much value. The loader costs only $32.50 and each magazine adapter costs $13.95. Having this device increases the fun factor big time allowing more shooting – less loading.

To get more information on the loader and/or to order – click HERE.

To get more information on the adapter for your particular forearms – click HERE.

HAVE FUN!!!

Recommended

April 26, 2020
Project: Ruger 10/22 X-Hunter

The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular .22 long gun sold in the United States and for some very good reasons. The Ruger is inexpensive, accurate, extremely reliable, and highly customizable. The aftermarket support for the 10/22 is second to no other gun.

Project: Ruger 10/22 was created from the concept of building a compact but highly accurate rimfire carbine with an awesome, modern appearance. More of an assembly than a build, this project gun has little in common with the stock factory Ruger 10/22.

I present…..Project: Ruger 10/22.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I started with a standard, run-of-the-mill Ruger 10/22. Nothing special but highly capable. This particular gun was purchased locally for $209.00.

Project Total: $209.00

Next up I settled on a Tactical Solutions 16″ fluted barrel. I chose the Tactical Solutions due to cost as well as overall reputation. I read a few reviews online that were negative, however, by far they were positive. I was not expecting a tremendous gain in accuracy with the barrel as in stock condition the 10/22 does quite well. To complete the project as envisioned the Tactical Solutions barrel fit perfectly. I paid $179.99 on sale at a local Cabela’s. No doubt better pricing can be found elsewhere.

Project Total: $388.99

Right from the start I knew I wanted the Magpul X-Hunter Stock for this project. Having seen and handled it previously it was a must have. I love the way it handles and its ergonomics. Unique with this stock is its compatibility with either the stock barrel or a standard bull barrel. Ordered from Amazon for $126.97.

Project Total: $515.96

Accuracy is the result of numerous specific conditions from cartridge, barrel, wind conditions, temperature, lubrication, trigger, and more. The new Ruger BX-Trigger drops the trigger pull down to around 2.5 pounds and making it extremely crisp. Instant accuracy improvement. Purchased at Cabela’s on sale for $59.99.

Project Total: $575.95

Next up was to install a scope mount atop the Ruger’s receiver. I went with the Tactical Solutions 15 MOA Rail. What makes this rail unique is it actually angles the scope slightly in an upwards direction thus reducing the amount of scope elevation adjustment needed for shooting longer ranges with the .22LR. May not have needed the 15 MOA raise but I have it. Purchased at Cabela’s for $29.99.

Project Total: $605.94

To maximize accuracy I installed a BSA Sweet .22 3-9 x 40mm scope. The BSA comes with different turrets depending on your rimfire ammunition. I have not utilized the turrets but understand the concept. I am pleased with the level of clarity, however, would like to have a higher level of magnification. Possible upgrade in the future. Purchased from Amazon for $69.99.

Project Total: $675.93

Lastly, an extended charging handle was purchased off eBay. I have no idea of the brand. Took a look and found something cool and bought it. Works great. A charging handle isn’t rocket science. The factory one works fine, however, I wanted a more secure grip and add to the look.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Final Results:

$675 for a Ruger 10/22 is a lot of money and with that level of funding I could have bought a variety of firearms or other supplies. This was a project I wanted to do, so I did it.

So – how accurate is it?

I have yet to test the true capability of this project gun and will update as I get more results. Close to 1″ 3 shot groups at 50 yards so far using CCI Mini-Mags. Every gun I have will shoot better than me and this is no exception. I have shot standard carbines close to 1″ groups at 50 so the increase in accuracy is minimal however it exists.

It has been 100% reliable with no jams, failures to eject, misfires – nothing. The trigger is sweet.

Shooting this gun is a pleasure. It’s highly accurate, lightweight and very compact. Handles like a dream and its ergonomics fits me extremely well.

NOTE: This was a project gun I put together a few years ago. Unfortunately “life happens” and I was forced to sell it. Once I am in a position to do so I have every intention to recreate in a very similar fashion.

Rourke

April 21, 2020

Category: Guns & Stuff

RUGER P345 SPECS:

“So, what’s your SHTF gun?”

ENTER: The Lightnin’ Grip Loader

How Does the Lightnin’ Grip Loader Work?

Bottomline: