The Empire is going strong

by TPOL Nathan in The Price of Liberty on 2026-01-07T02:00:00Z

Way back in 1972, your publisher and editor heard and listened to a fellow high school student in Colorado give an “original oratory” speech at a speech meet proclaiming the need for a “Pax Americana.” What’s that? A recreation from … Continue reading

Q Fix Rifle 16" - First 100 Rounds

by Patrik O in The Firearm Blog on 2026-01-07T01:00:00Z

What happens when you take a few engineers from Q, a 60-year-old bolt gun design, a few cases of beer, and lock them in a room? You might get something like the Q Fix Rifle. By the way, I'm told this is 100 percent how the Fix was developed. A few months ago, I was able to build my own Fix rifle at Q in New Hampshire and had a blast interacting with all the guys that work there. Today, I bring you my initial impressions on the rifle after 100 rounds through it. I'll also layout how I have the rifle currently set up.
This Photo of the Day centers on a modern precision-oriented hunting setup built around a Schmeisser Pro Hunter  finished in FDE, shown working through both daylight and thermal conditions. This is a setup a lot of people are looking for, to be able to work day and night, and to be able to swiftly change from one advanced setting to another without losing optical quality.

Small Business Spotlight: Mystery Operations

by Hrachya H in The Firearm Blog on 2026-01-07T00:00:00Z

Welcome back to TFB’s Small Business Spotlight ! In this weekly column, we take a look at small firearm-related businesses. Today, the spotlight's on Mystery Operations, a company from Marfa, Texas that hosts Run & Gun matches.

Who Was That Masked Man?

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T22:26:41Z

Funny, how the commies are all against federal agents being masked. Thing is, so am I.

The post Who Was That Masked Man? first appeared on The War on Guns.

Disaster Averted

by Pawpaw in PawPaw's House on 2026-01-06T22:11:00Z

 I walked out into the carport this morning and saw a little water on the floor near the carport door.  I wasn't really concerned, thinking it was condensation dripping from the humid weather and heavy dews we have had lately.  Looked closer and wasn't convinced, so I went inside and looked at the hot water heater. Found a drip, a very small drip, coming from the lie that brins hot water to the house.  Well, hell. Verdigris corrosion, that line was about to fail.

A trip to the lumber yard and an hour later, everything is fine.  Disaster averted.

Belle is prepping for a cruise.  She has an old friend, Sue, who recently won a cruise.  Sue's husband didn't want to go.  Belle knew Sue before she met me.  Old friends. So, Belle is going on the cruise with Sue.  Five days out of Galveston.  They'll drive to Galveston on Friday, spend the night in a motel, then meet the boat Saturday morning.  

I'm going to stay home and keep the dawg out of trouble.  I have no motivation to go on a cruise of any kind.

I don't even like to say the word "plumbing". Can't live without it, never learned to like it.  Maybe I'm done for this calendar year.  Hope springs eternal.

Busy

by Clayton Cramer in Clayton Cramer. on 2026-01-06T21:25:42Z

I finished preparing my online class thst starts January 20th.  I am now reading my daughter's forthcoming book about prisons and rehabilitation. 

Rehabilitation is one of those goals that even if impossible is a laudable goal.  Far better to repair broken people if there is any way to do so.  It is valuable both because criminals are people and deserve a chance to rejoin civilization and because you can pay a lot for rehab for what we spend on police, jails, and prisons.

Riotously Funny Mechanical Engineering Video

by Clayton Cramer in Clayton Cramer. on 2026-01-06T21:20:43Z

No, really. Go watch it 

By Dave Workman The National Rifle Association on Monday filed a federal lawsuit against its own charitable foundation—the NRA Foundation—alleging the misuse of millions of dollars in donations, and that the foundation has been “seized by a disgruntled faction of former NRA directors” who are now attempting to regain power via the foundation. According to […]

The post NRA Sues Own Charitable Foundation, Alleges Attempted Power Grab appeared first on Liberty Park Press.

Is Dow 50K Coming?

by Clayton Cramer in Clayton Cramer. on 2026-01-06T19:11:00Z

As I write this, the DJIA (Dow Jones 30 Industrials Average is at 49,419.  I can remember when delusionally optimistic analysts were talking about DJIA breaking through $20,000.  Admittedly, inflation has made that equivalent to about $38,000 today.

Still upward progress.
Kimber Manufacturing has expanded its 2K11 lineup with the introduction of the new 2K11 Comp series, answering one of the most common requests since the platform’s debut in late 2024. Just over a year after the original 2K11 launch, the addition of compensated variants marks the next evolutionary step for Kimber’s high-capacity, 1911-style handgun family.

Speaking of Seditious Conspiracy…

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T18:45:29Z

Here’s the damning email that confirms the CIA overthrew the US govt. in 2020… [More] Seems compelling. It actually would be if accompanied by arrests and indictments.

The post Speaking of Seditious Conspiracy… first appeared on The War on Guns.

We’re the Only Ones Circumscribed Enough

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T18:31:00Z

‘Police can’t be everywhere’: Columbia police chief responds to weekend gun violence [More] Perhaps a prominent gun-grabber ought to field this one. Especially since, even if they were, police have no duty to protect. And time was, being in a Dick’s would have presented a deterrent. [Via Michael G]

The post We’re the Only Ones Circumscribed Enough first appeared on The War on Guns.

Follow the Money

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T18:20:28Z

Where Did Those Rent-a-Mob Protests for Maduro Come From? Here Are the Receipts… None of this is organic. It’s all planned and paid for. It’s agitprop. Or, if you prefer, a psy-op.  [More] Why is it the left never holds “No Commissars” rallies? [Via Michael G]

The post Follow the Money first appeared on The War on Guns.

This Day in History

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T18:02:27Z

Thousands of Americans paid the price for political failures they did not create. [More] Millions of us are still paying for it.

The post This Day in History first appeared on The War on Guns.

FN UK has been awarded the UK Police Primary Carbine System (PPCS) Framework Agreement with its FN 15 Advanced Semi-Automatic Rifle (ASR), making the platform available for adoption across UK police forces. With the framework now in place, all UK police services are able to procure the FN 15 ASR as an approved primary carbine option.

Imams Demand Action

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T17:36:36Z

State television reported the arrest of an unspecified number of people in another western city, Kermanshah, accused of manufacturing petrol bombs and homemade pistols. [More] So… ghost guns? Every terrible implement of the soldier… this is what it’s all about. This is what the Democrats and Swamp Republicans want to deny to us. This is … Continue reading "Imams Demand Action"

The post Imams Demand Action first appeared on The War on Guns.

And There Was War in Heaven

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T17:25:16Z

National Rifle Association Sues Sister Organization NRA Foundation [More] Some of us have been noticing shaky foundations for some time, including Nicholas at 2A White Rook, who has been asking questions of people who don’t want to answer. John Petrolino peels back some layers and shows us we’ve been right to raise concerns.

The post And There Was War in Heaven first appeared on The War on Guns.

We’re the Only Ones Caring Enough

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T17:10:40Z

Have the licensing officials ensured all gun rules for daycare been complied with, and do “Only Ones” exemptions apply if he’s not conducting official business? [Via Michael G] Related UPDATE Is being “unaccredited” a factor?

The post We’re the Only Ones Caring Enough first appeared on The War on Guns.

The Thinning Margin

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T16:59:44Z

House GOP Rep Doug LaMalfa dead at 65 – House Republicans’ majority is now 218 to 213 [More] He evidently was good on guns. As I understand it, Newsom will now need to announce a special election. What I don’t know is what effect redistricting will have and what any likely GOP contender is prepared … Continue reading "The Thinning Margin"

The post The Thinning Margin first appeared on The War on Guns.

We’re the Only Ones Out of Uniform Enough

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T16:45:58Z

Box full of NYPD uniforms mysteriously abandoned on Brooklyn sidewalk [More] My first thought was how things could be exploited with Fauxnly Ones… [Via bondmen]

The post We’re the Only Ones Out of Uniform Enough first appeared on The War on Guns.

When Seconds Count

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T16:40:33Z

A beloved North Carolina science teacher was killed by a career criminal home intruder while she was on the phone with 911, begging for help. [More] What have we learned? [Via bondmen]

The post When Seconds Count first appeared on The War on Guns.

All in the (Democrat) Family

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T16:22:41Z

Alleged JD Vance home vandal is son of wealthy doctor, Dem donor — who recently changed name to Julia [More] Join in the fun while it lasts. [Via bondmen]

The post All in the (Democrat) Family first appeared on The War on Guns.

Their Own Resources

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T16:13:10Z

What happened in Venezuela was not about democracy. It was about oil chemistry, diesel scarcity, and strategic minerals. [Watch] Here’s that 3D chess masterclass I was wondering about. Except if the economy tanks along with the midterms, it makes me wonder about the assumptions we’ve been led to believe about the players and the pawns. … Continue reading "Their Own Resources"

The post Their Own Resources first appeared on The War on Guns.

The 2025 most dangerous software exploits list

by Borepatch in Borepatch on 2026-01-06T16:02:00Z


 Dad (who was a history professor) liked to say that History repeats itself because nobody listens the first time.  I get an incredible sense of deja vu all over again looking at Mitre's list of top 25 exploits for 2025.

The top 4 are all very, very old.  I myself demonstrated #4 when I taught a computer security class (with corporate IT Security present) back in 1994.  That's three decades ago.

And what's with numbers 11 and 14?  One of the classic papers on software security is Smashing The Stack For Fun And Profit - from 1996.

Numbers 3, 6, and 22 are web server vulnerabilities that are over 20 years old, and I've posted about them before. 

17, 19, and 21 have been known since before I was in this industry.  Call it the 1980s, although it's likely older.

I guess it's nice to see a shout-out to DoS (number 25) although geez, this is depressing.

So that's half the list having been known for literally multiple decades. So what gives?

I blame Agile Software Development.   I guess I'm the cranky old guy yelling at the sky here, because this is how all software is developed these days.  Product Managers (my old field) are to blame here, having spent the last 20 or 30 years pushing Go Ugly Early - get working product shipping as soon as possible and let customers tell you how to improve it.  Essentially, a lot of what you would have the developers spend their time fixing are things that customers just don't care about.

This has led to a pushback of sorts from software professionals, particularly the Software Craftsmanship movement.  Their manifesto is interesting:

As aspiring Software Craftsmen we are raising the bar of professional software development by practicing it and helping others learn the craft. Through this work we have come to value:

  • Not only working software, but also well-crafted software
  • Not only responding to change, but also steadily adding value
  • Not only individuals and interactions, but also a community of professionals
  • Not only customer collaboration, but also productive partnerships

So what's missing from this?  How about don't keep making the same dumb security mistakes that people have been making for decades?

And what do Product Managers miss in their rush to go ugly early? How about don't keep making the same dumb security mistakes that people have been making for decades?

And so here we are.  The IT infrastructure of the 21st Century has been constructed out of moonbeams and cotton candy.

I don't see anything changing here, as the incentive structures are all stacked against good security. 

Derya Arms has announced the launch of the TM22 Flash, a new tactical variant of its popular TM22 rimfire platform. Designed to emphasize speed, precision, and modularity, the TM22 Flash becomes the flagship model of the TM22 series and is now shipping through authorized dealers with an MSRP of $249.

And for Other Purposes

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T15:15:53Z

S. 3544: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to require licenses to acquire or receive firearms, and for other purposes. [More] The same old treasonous tyrants who want it all… I see some hyperventilating. Keep in mind: 2% chance of being enacted And 0% chance at least 3% of gun owners will … Continue reading "And for Other Purposes"

The post And for Other Purposes first appeared on The War on Guns.

What Can Brown Do to You?

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T14:59:32Z

Washington State AG Warns Citizen Journalists to Stop Investigating Somali Daycares or Face Potential Hate Crime Charges [More] Only “Authorized Journalists” are allowed to do that! Which side are the fascists, again…? [Via Michael G]

The post What Can Brown Do to You? first appeared on The War on Guns.

Meanwhile, Across the Pond…

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T14:50:55Z

Islamist killer wins £240k battle over his human rights… He claimed this segregation – designed to prevent him harming officers and radicalising other inmates – had breached his right to a private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Awale claimed that he had suffered “severe depression” as a result … Continue reading "Meanwhile, Across the Pond…"

The post Meanwhile, Across the Pond… first appeared on The War on Guns.

Meme Dump!

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-01-06T14:45:00Z




What’s in an Aptronym?

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T14:34:16Z

…by Jude Folly [More] I think I’ve found a “male” counterpart to Sallie Tisdale. Lee Williams distills things so we don’t have to immerse ourselves in muck. Feel free to stop in and say “Hello.“

The post What’s in an Aptronym? first appeared on The War on Guns.

Avoiding the Issue

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-06T14:02:41Z

The Court selects what it will hear. It grants or denies petitions for writs of certiorari at its discretion. And although Supreme Court Rule 10 pretends to supply a neutral architecture for that discretion, the reality is that Rule 10 functions as a judicial escape hatch—a convenient justification for declining the very cases that demand … Continue reading "Avoiding the Issue"

The post Avoiding the Issue first appeared on The War on Guns.

Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom describes the challenges of shooting chandelles, rabbits and other clay oddities. Find out how to master these tricky presentations on the clays range.

INTERESTING STUDY FROM THE FBI

by Mas in on 2026-01-06T14:00:00Z

The Prohibitionists say you don’t need guns for self-defense because murders outnumber bad guys killed by armed citizens in self-defense. Those Prohibitionists are a bloody-minded lot, aren’t they? They prefer to ignore the fact that most citizen defensive gun usages end without anyone being killed, when the bad guy(s) flee or occasionally surrender. They also […]
Quote of the Day Breaking news:Teacher Arrested At Pearson Airport A high school teacher was arrested today at Toronto’s Pearson Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule … Continue reading
In a 2-1 decision issued Friday , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that California's ban on openly carrying firearms in counties with populations exceeding 200,000 is unconstitutional. The ruling affects roughly 95% of California's population and represents one of the most significant Second Amendment decisions since the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

Garcia was previously convicted of murder in 2013 and later released. He is accused of killing a 58-year-old man in Philadelphia on Nov. 12 and is also wanted for questioning in a Nov. 28 homicide in Florida.

Garcia suffered stab and gunshot wounds during Sunday's incident and is in critical condition. A second victim, a 34-year-old man, arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm and was listed in stable condition.

Police said another man told investigators he shot Garcia after Garcia allegedly shot the 34-year-old victim during a physical altercation. The man said he struck and stabbed Garcia while trying to protect others and during a struggle over a gun.


More Here


IN: Anderson - Occupant shoots 1 of 4 Home Invasion Suspects

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-01-06T12:54:00Z

According to investigators, four suspects kicked in the rear door of the residence and forced their way inside. During the break-in, one of the occupants inside the home shot and wounded one of the intruders.

The suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Anderson Police later located and arrested three of the four suspects, while the fourth was located when a medical facility notified officers that someone was being treated for a gunshot wound.

More Here


That '70s Show: Armor Edition

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-01-06T12:24:00Z

The recent fighting between Thailand and Cambodia saw US-supplied Thai M48A5 tanks take on Russian-built Cambodian T-55s.

A lot of obsolescent hardware is still putting in work in various corners of the globe.


The M48A5 took out T-55s. This clash between the two is a very classic matchup, but the Cambodian side was at a serious disadvantage due to being in lower ground.@joeblillib4090 @Rattapoom_K @AnnQuann @ArmyMilitaryHD @T_55AM1_ pic.twitter.com/88MiAlq9VJ

— Нем🥖 (@wuthi11_) December 29, 2025

If she resigns, she keeps her pension, right?

by Midwest Chick in Midwest Chick's Place on 2026-01-06T11:30:00Z

The judge who took an illegal out a back door to prevent him from being taken into ICE custody in Wisconsin has resigned. After being convicted for ‘obstructing an official proceeding’. Of course she’s playing both the victim card as well as the ‘independent judiciary’ card, which has now come to mean that the judiciary […]

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 6, 2026

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-06T11:04:11Z

January 6, 1799 was the birthday of Jedediah Strong Smith, one of America’s greatest trapper-explorers. He was born in Bainbridge, New York. Smith explored a huge area of the American West during his short life. “He began his western voyages in 1822, when he joined the pioneering fur trader William Ashley on a trip up the Missouri River. Unlike earlier fur traders, who depended on Native Americans to actually trap or hunt the furs, Ashley eliminated the Natives as middlemen and instead sent out independent white trappers like Smith to do the job. To escape dependence on Native Americans, though, …

The post Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 6, 2026 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

Lessons From a Fight at a Restaurant, by Robert E. Downing

by SurvivalBlog Contributor in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-06T11:03:26Z

(The photo above, courtesy of Openverse, was taken by “Terren in Virginia“, a witness to a 2008 baseball team “fan rivalry” brawl at a New York sports stadium.) The following is what I learned about security at lunch one day: Scenario One Tuesday, about six weeks ago, I stopped for a late lunch at a local upscale family restaurant in Virginia Beach, Virginia, that is part of a well-known chain.  It was about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and it seemed to be a quiet place to have lunch and prepare my Sunday school lesson. I selected a seat near …

The post Lessons From a Fight at a Restaurant, by Robert E. Downing appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

SurvivalBlog’s American Redoubt Media of the Week

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-06T11:02:40Z

This weekly column features media from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. The photo above was shot from the east side of the Snake River Canyon. The United States Congress designated the Hells Canyon Wilderness in 1975. It measures 217,927 acres, with about 83,811 acres in Idaho, and 134,116 acres Oregon. The wilderness is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. (Photo courtesy of the BLM.) Redoubt News Links: Adventuring down the deepest …

The post SurvivalBlog’s American Redoubt Media of the Week appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

The worst anti-gun story of 2026 … so far

by Lee Williams in The Gun Writer on 2026-01-06T11:02:02Z

The Good Men Project published "Guns Don’t Kill, Gun Owners Do."

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-06T11:01:59Z

“Without sovereignty, a nation cannot exist. Without borders, it can’t be defined or protected.” – Geert Wilders

The post The Editors’ Quote Of The Day: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

The Kestrel 5700X WEZ is the 5700X family member equipped with Applied Ballistics’ Elite solver, plus a built-in Weapon Employment Zone  (WEZ) analysis. It keeps all the weather measuring and basic ballistics features Kestrel is known for, but adds a statistical layer that quantifies the probability of hit (P HIT) and shows how different uncertainties (wind, range, muzzle velocity, shooter consistency, etc.) drive that probability. That makes this unit aimed squarely at long-range shooters, instructors and system evaluators who want to move beyond single-shot solutions and into error budgeting and decision-making. You can use it as a beginner, and probably to infinity in terms of how advanced you’d like things to be.

Politics versus principle

by TPOL Nathan in The Price of Liberty on 2026-01-06T01:00:00Z

This commentary could also be entitled “Just ’cause it’s legal doesn’t mean it is right.” That is, morally right. First we discuss the new NYC regime. Then we touch on the raid into Venezuela. Both are examples of what is … Continue reading

POTD: Lancer Systems Meets SIG Sauer MPX

by Eric B in The Firearm Blog on 2026-01-06T00:30:00Z

Photo Of The Day: You could say that my appreciation for carbon fiber parts, especially from Lancer Systems, comes from the way the material balances form, function, and durability in a way few materials can match. Carbon fiber offers strength without the penalty of weight, and on a rifle, that translates directly into quicker handling, less fatigue, and a more responsive feel. Things that could mean faster transitions from target to target, and give me an edge over other competitors. Going to the gym and keeping fit sometimes only helps you so much, and you need more components to win.
Happy New Year to everyone! As we settle into 2026, many of us are probably either already in the process of acquiring or have already acquired some brand-new suppressors or, perhaps even other NFA items. Whatever it was on your wishlist, one that has been on mine for quite a while is Angstadt Arms’ Vanquish AR-22, which was announced just a few months ago in 2025. While no single component of this complete SBR is a “new” item, what Rich and his team have done over at Angstadt Arms is nothing short of awesome in my opinion, and today I’m happy to be able to give you my initial impressions on the SBR version of the new Vanquish AR-22 rifle.  

UN-Care

by Pawpaw in PawPaw's House on 2026-01-05T22:05:00Z

 Other than the usual Democrat handwringing about President Trump's flawless warrant sweep this weekend, the only thing that I see is that Tampon Tim is dropping out of the Minnesota governor's race.

Normally I would not care who the governor of Minnesota might be.  I just don't give a shit.  And now that I think about it, I really don't care.  It's just not something that gets on my radar. The only reason I know who Tampon Tim is, is because he ran a disastrous race with whatshername in 24.

Kudos to our folks in the Caribbean.  They did a bang-up  job this weekend.  No casualties in a very complicated evolution. Lots of aircraft moving around in hostile skies, and everyone came home safe.



Shameless Plug

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-05T19:40:14Z

The Jan. 2026 issue of Firearms News is now available at diverse and inclusive newsstands throughout the Republic or via subscription (digital only or digital and print). We’ve talked about how Guns and American Handgunner have gone out of print, and how even NRA is reducing print issues to save costs, and me, I do … Continue reading "Shameless Plug"

The post Shameless Plug first appeared on The War on Guns.

No Room at the Inn

by admin in The War on Guns on 2026-01-05T19:37:37Z

Rope-selling capitalists an employee intent on career implosion…?

The post No Room at the Inn first appeared on The War on Guns.

Budget 2011 Shootout: Springfield, Bersa, Girsan, Tisas

by Nick Saiti in Recoil on 2026-01-05T18:29:43Z

Four of the budget 2011-style pistols on the market, but is there a winner? We take a close look to find out!
Palmetto State Armory has expanded with a suppressor lineup with two new BT5-pattern units designed around Inconel construction: the Sabre BT5 5.56 Inconel and the Sabre Compact BT5 Mini 5.56 Inconel. Both models are offered in flat dark earth (FDE) and black finishes, giving shooters a choice in appearance while maintaining consistent materials and internal geometry across the series.

My latest Substack article, "Protecting PCs, Macs and Your Home Network Against Malicious Software" is now available. Go check it out.

CMP To Start Selling Surplus Shotguns?

by Daniel Y in The Firearm Blog on 2026-01-05T16:00:00Z

"SEC. 1062. MODIFICATIONS TO AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER AND SALE OF CERTAIN SURPLUS FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, AND PARTS." is an incredibly dry and bureaucratic title. Still, it may represent some exciting news for American gun collectors. Keep reading for all the details.
The personalized license plate on my car offers a subtle hint at my enjoyment of cigars. Recently, while pumping gas, the guy behind me called out, “What’s your favorite cigar?” I hesitated, then stumbled through a reply listing a few brands I’ve enjoyed lately. In truth, my usual answer to that question — whether it’s about beer, bourbon, or cigars — is simply, “The one I’m enjoying at the moment.” It may sound flippant, but it’s also the most honest answer I have.

In my 2025 year-in-review post, I went out on a limb and declared a couple “favorites” of the year: the El Pulpo by Artesano del Tobacco and a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Wegmans Private Selection. If I could distinctly recall every cigar smoked and every whiskey poured over the past year, would I still choose those two? I’m not entirely sure — but they clearly left a lasting impression. Reflecting on that choice, I decided to enjoy them together as my first sip and smoke of the new year.



Somewhat surprisingly, the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked store pick doesn’t appear to have been mentioned previously in these Musings, though it has shown up more than once on my Instagram feed. Compared to the standard bottling, this pick leans less on peppery spice and more toward a sweeter profile of caramel and oak. It’s an easy, enjoyable pour — and since no trips back to New Jersey are planned (or desired), I’ll be savoring this bottle while it lasts.

The El Pulpo, on the other hand, has been mentioned here before. Although it debuted in January 2023, it wasn’t until the summer of 2025 that I picked up a five-pack — and promptly followed that with a full box in the Robusto size. It’s a balanced and flavorful cigar, offering notes of dark chocolate, coffee, roasted nuts, and earth, capped by a pleasingly spicy-sweet finish.



After revisiting these two “favorites” together, I’m comfortable standing by my 2025 declarations. Still, the next time someone asks, “What’s your favorite cigar?” I'll prepared to answer a bit more quickly — with my usual reply: “The one I’m having at the moment.”

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

By Dave Workman Friday’s 2-1 ruling by a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals striking down California’s ban on open carry in counties with populations of more than 200,000 is a significant victory for Second Amendment rights, but the battle is not likely to end there. The Los Angeles Times quoted attorney Jason Davis, described […]

The post Court Says CA Open Carry Ban Unconstitutional, but Fight Not Over appeared first on Liberty Park Press.

Welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals 169! We’re back with more deals on guns, gear, ammunition, and accessories from some of our most frequented online retailers like Primary Arms, Natchez Shooters Supply, Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, and more. Whether you’re looking for deals on new or used guns, ammo to add to your reserves, or specific accessories like flashlights, range bags, optics, bipods, and magazines, each week we’ll have new sets of deals that might fulfill one of those needs and save you a few dollars.
Quote of the Day SCOTUS’s current practice of deciding like 50 cases a year may have worked in a system where the lower courts acted in good faith. SCOTUS would decide Bruen, and then lower courts would do their best … Continue reading
In this Ascend episode, country music artist Priscilla Block explains how she finds her “quiet” in the outdoors.

Automotif DCVIII...

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-01-05T13:32:00Z


The ZB II platform was in production from the 2008 through 2010 model years. Displacement had been bumped up to 511 cubes (8.4 liters) and output rose to 600 horsepower. When it was discontinued after 2010, it was assumed that was the end of the Viper but, like Palpatine, it made an implausible comeback a few years later.

.

The Real T26 “Tanker” M1 Garand

by Ian McCollum in Forgotten Weapons on 2026-01-05T13:27:58Z

Check out Headstamp Publishing’s extensive catalog of excellent books: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/home-forgotten The name “tanker” has been applied to shortened M1 Garand rifles for a long time and today we are looking at one of the rifle [...]

The post The Real T26 “Tanker” M1 Garand first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.

Tab Clearing...

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-01-05T12:28:00Z



*The tl;dr is that not only is Venezuela's oil infrastructure decades old and dilapidated from lack of maintenance, even if you fix it, Venezuela's oil reserves are sulfur-rich sludge, what is known as "heavy sour" as opposed to the "light sweet" crude preferred for easier pumping and refining. Also, demand is not rising at old rates and we're actually in a global overproduction scenario at the moment to the tune of several million barrels.

GA: Macon - Armed Victim Shot Suspect who Attempted Robbery

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-01-05T12:11:00Z

Deputies say the investigation, including a review of video surveillance, revealed the reported victim “was discovered to be the primary aggressor in the incident that led to him being critically wounded.”

Deputies say the “primary aggressor” pulled out a firearm in an attempt to rob the person of interest of a firearm in his possession and that the person of interest legally defended himself against the “imminent threat imposed against him.”


More Here


GA: Savannah - Domestic Defense, Woman Shoots Man

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-01-05T12:07:00Z

Witnesses reported seeing DuBois assaulting a female, who then fired a weapon to stop the attack. The female victim called in to 9-1-1 and reported the incident. Upon further investigation, the female and DuBois were in a previous relationship, and the shooting was found to be in self-defense.

More Here


Monday Memeday!

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-01-05T11:46:00Z




Like a Well-Oiled Machine

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-01-05T11:34:00Z

Y’ever watch a whole school of fish suddenly change direction all at once? Thousands of creatures with less brainpower than a smartwatch all executing a one-eighty simultaneously with a level of precision that makes the finest human drill team look shambolic? 

Well, if a foolish consistency truly is the hobgoblin of little minds, as Emerson famously wrote, then the right wing grifterverse has some galaxy brains indeed. What's the wildest part is that any random MAGA-on-the-street will still give you an earful about neocons and John Bolton and regime change.





My little mind was agin' it when Bush did it in Iraq in '03, and was agin' it when Obama did it in Libya in '11, and I'm still agin' it now.

.

The Best of What I Read-2025

by Greg Ellifritz in Active Response Training on 2026-01-05T11:31:44Z

I’m going to be honest with you.  In 2025, I had a horrible year for reading.  All in all, I read 72 total books.  That’s the smallest total number of books I’ve read in any given year since I started keeping track way back in 1996.      I’m not making excuses, but my cancer […]

Somalia, the UN, and Ohio

by Midwest Chick in Midwest Chick's Place on 2026-01-05T11:30:00Z

What do all of these things have in common?? The very month that massive fraud by Somalis colonizing the US, the rotating president of the UN is a dude from Somalia. Oddly enough, the same guy is the president and CEO of a ‘home health care company’ in Ohio. His business has been convicted of […]
In This Episode Erin is away, so David joins Weer’d to discuss: Hawaii citing Louisiana Black Code as justification for carry bans; the DOJ attacking assault weapon bans, but supporting switchblade bans; an anti-gun hit piece written by a firearm … Continue reading

Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 5, 2026

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-05T07:06:40Z

On January 5, 1477, the Battle of Nancy (now in France) was won by the Lorraine-Swiss forces led by René II, Duke of Lorraine. More than 7,000 Burgundians were killed, including Duke Charles The Bold. Thus ended the Burgundian Wars and the Burgundian State. — On January 5, 1914, industrialist Henry Ford announced his $5 minimum per-day wage. This doubled most workers’ pay from $2.40 for a 9-hour workday to $5 for an 8-hour workday. — January 5th is the birthday of the late John Pugsley (born 1934, died April 8, 2011), libertarian and economics author. Pugsley was well known …

The post Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 5, 2026 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

Annual Reminder: The Ten Cent Challenge

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-05T07:05:28Z

Each year, I only post one reminder, encouraging voluntary Ten Cent Challenge tip subscriptions, and this is it. Back in August, we celebrated our 20th blogiversary. Thanks for making SurvivalBlog such a success! There are now more than 41,400 archived articles and columns. SurvivalBlog is well-established as the world’s most widely-read daily blog on family preparedness. Hopefully, some readers appreciate the fact that I only post an appeal once a year. And I’m confident that most readers appreciate that SurvivalBlog is one of the last of the “Old School” blogs that is still posted with fresh content from blog readers …

The post Annual Reminder: The Ten Cent Challenge appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

TriStar KR22, by Thomas Christianson

by Thomas Christianson in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-05T07:04:05Z

The TriStar KR22 rifle has many excellent features. It is well-balanced and feeds smoothly. The synthetic stock is nicely weather resistant. It comes with two magazines. The comb can be adjusted for height, making it easy to get a good cheek weld while using optics. The receiver includes an integrated Picatinny rail. The stock comes with sling studs installed. The barrel is threaded to accept muzzle devices. The magazine-well accepts Ruger BX-series magazines. For me, the KR22 functioned most effectively with a red dot sight. To be useful for pest control, a rifle should be capable of consistently shooting two-inch …

The post TriStar KR22, by Thomas Christianson appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

Recipe of the Week:

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-05T07:03:47Z

The following recipe for Old Fashioned Boiled Dinner is from The New Butterick Cook Book, copyright 1924, now in the public domain. That is just one of the dozens of bonus books included in the 2005-2025 20th Anniversary Edition of the waterproof SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick that is now available to pre-order. Ingredients 6 pounds corned-beef brisket 1 cabbage 3 white turnips 4 carrots 6 potatoes 6 beets Vinegar Directions Put the meat into the pot over a brisk lire with enough cold water to cover it. Bring it rapldly just to the boiling-point, then remove the scum, set the …

The post Recipe of the Week: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-05T07:02:36Z

Today’s graphic: A map showing the Overlap of the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, as of January, 2026. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) The thumbnail below is click-expandable.           — Please send your graphics or graphics links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

The post SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-05T07:01:56Z

“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism. It cannot be expected, that America would yield, without a magnanimous persevering and bloody struggle. The testimony of past ages, and the least knowledge of mankind, must suffice to convince us of the contrary.” – Alexander Hamilton

The post The Editors’ Quote Of The Day: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

Politics, combat, and the Christ

by TPOL Nathan in The Price of Liberty on 2026-01-05T02:00:00Z

Who would Jesus bomb? That question, of course, is meant less literally than morally. To answer it, we must first understand who Jesus Christ was—the revered preacher, teacher, radical, prophet and (to those of us who follow Him) the Son … Continue reading

Venezuela: An Anatomy of Regime Change

by Recoil Staff in Recoil on 2026-01-04T19:46:30Z

A bit of breaking news that occured the first weekend of the new year, we take a peak at what might have gone into Operation Absolute Resolve

Consignment Gun Sales

by Clayton Cramer in Clayton Cramer. on 2026-01-04T17:28:45Z

Has anyone done consignment gun sales through a Boise operation?  I can better afford to pay someone else than spend the time selling it directly. 

New Orleans

by Clayton Cramer in Clayton Cramer. on 2026-01-04T17:20:16Z

I confessthat i had low expectations for New Orleans.   To my surprise, the streets were clean, with little garbage, no human excrement, and about the same homeless population as Paris.  Also they were not showing vulgar signs like Nashville homeless. 

People were friendly and polite. But like all big cities, benches or other places to sit were rare, because otherwise the homeless would sleep on them.

I hate big cities.   Too noisy, too crowded.   But much nicer than Nashville. 

The Scone Ranger

by Unknown in Home on the Range on 2026-01-04T17:04:00Z

The Quitter (1912) When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child, And Death looks you bang in the eye, And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle To cock your revolver and . . . die. But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can," And self-dissolution is barred. In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . . It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard. "You're sick of the game!" Well, now that's a shame. You're young and you're brave and you're bright. "You've had a raw deal!" I know--but don't squeal, Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight. It's the plugging away that will win you the day, So don't be a piker, old pard! Just draw on your grit, it's so easy to quit. It's the keeping-your chin-up that's hard. It's easy to cry that you're beaten--and die; It's easy to crawfish and crawl; But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight-- Why that's the best game of them all! And though you come out of each gruelling bout, All broken and battered and scarred, Just have one more try--it's dead easy to die, It's the keeping-on-living that's hard. - Robert Service

Good words to live by. Keep your revolver in good repair, keep on living, and freshly baked Scones in the morning with homemade blackberry jam. It's much preferred over "hell served for breakfast".

- Brigid 


Quote of the Day Wanna piss of a Eurocrat (or a US based wannabe Eurocrat)? Tell them that you spend money, time and effort to be capable of armed self defense because what you defend is worth it, and at … Continue reading

Meme Dump!

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-01-04T12:58:00Z




OR: Newport - Armed Samaritan Stops Stabbing, Shoots Suspect

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-01-04T12:13:00Z

NEWPORT, Ore. (KATU) — Police are investigating the scenes of two deadly incidents in Newport. One scene involved a man shooting another man who was allegedly in the process of stabbing a third man.

Later, police found a fourth man stabbed to death at a second scene just a few blocks away from the first incident.

The investigation began just before 1 a.m. on Friday when the Newport Police Department received a 911 call to a home on Northwest Grove Street near 13th Street about a block west of Highway 101. The caller told police someone was pounding on the door to their home. When they opened the door, they saw a man actively stabbing another man.


More Here


CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE) – The Clovis Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that took place in an apparent home break-in.

On Friday, around 12:31 a.m., officers received a call from a 20-year-old man who stated that someone had broken into his home and shot him. The caller also said he shot the person who allegedly broke into the home.


More Here


NC: Winston - Salem, Justified Homicide on January 1, 2026

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-01-04T12:09:00Z

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — A 54-year-old man was killed in a shooting that the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office described as “a justifiable self-defense homicide” on New Year’s Day in Winston-Salem.

At around 11:01 p.m. on Thursday, deputies came to the 1600 block of Hartman Plaza Court after getting a report of shots being fired. At the scene, deputies found Floyd Leonard Denney, 54, of Winston-Salem, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Denney died as a result of his injuries while being taken to the hospital.

 

More Here 



Sunday Meme Drop

by Midwest Chick in Midwest Chick's Place on 2026-01-04T11:30:00Z

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 4, 2026

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-04T07:04:11Z

On January 4, 871, the Viking Great Heathen Army defeated a Wessex force led by King Æthelred and his brother Alfred, in the First Battle of Reading. — January 4, 1896: Following Mormon abandonment of sanctioned polygamy, Utah was belatedly admitted as the 45th US state.  Settlers had first petitioned Congress for statehood in 1849. Several of Utah’s less populous neighboring territories had been admitted to statehood years earlier than Utah. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 122 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy …

The post Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 4, 2026 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

Balancing Farm Life for Success, by SaraSue

by SurvivalBlog Contributor in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-04T07:03:33Z

2025 was a difficult year to get through.  By the end of the year, I was not enjoying any of it.  In fact, I wanted to quit (do I feel this way at the end of every year?).  You have to laugh and find your sense of humor or you won’t make it through anything that is slightly difficult.  There were so many things that went wrong, so I had to sit down and list accomplishments to remind myself that a lot of things went right.  And once reminded of all the good, I can face the next year in …

The post Balancing Farm Life for Success, by SaraSue appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-04T07:02:16Z

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: A Reality Check: The “Asian Guy” Giving Advice on the Global Silver Market Is About as Believable as “Unbiased” PBS News News Link: Yes, AGAsianGuy is widely regarded as an AI-generated persona, often called “AI Asian Guy“.  (Ironically, this gray propaganda source’s AI-generation was confirmed by Grok, which is another AI.) Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided …

The post JWR’s Meme Of The Week: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

by James Wesley Rawles in SurvivalBlog.com on 2026-01-04T07:01:13Z

“Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, …

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