Trijicon has announced the REAP-IR-50 thermal riflescope series, an all-new platform combining high-resolution thermal imaging, media capture, wireless connectivity and an available integrated laser rangefinder. The REAP-IR line has until now been offered with 24mm and 35mm objective lenses. The REAP-IR-50 steps up to 50mm, increasing the ability to collect more thermal energy from the scene.
LTT CEO Ernest Langdon says the ATD caught the team's attention because Steyr approached the DA/SA platform with a fresh perspective instead of simply updating an existing pistol. It gives LTT the chance to apply decades of experience with these systems to a platform built for where shooters are today.
HUXWRX Safety Co. has launched the FLOW 9 M, a lightweight modular suppressor designed to adapt across a range of compatible firearm platforms. It is built around short and long configurations, so shooters can prioritize compact handling or a full-length setup depending on the platform and the application.

Silly Memes

by Pawpaw in PawPaw's House on 2026-10-02T14:36:39Z

 So I was watching this meme, asking how "country" this respondent might be.

Have you ever fired a shotgun?

Have you ever waded barefoot in a creek?

Have you ever used a slingshot?

Have you ever started a vehicle with a manual choke?

Have you ever taken ashes out of a wood stove?

Have you ever carved you initials in a tree?

Have you ever siphoned gas with a hose?

Have you ever split wood with an ax?

Have you ever eaten fried bologna?

Have you ever hanged laundry on a clothesline?

Nonsense.  Those questions don't determine "country".  I did all of that before I was age 12.  I wasn't reared in the country; I was reared in a subdivision. on the edge of town.  I raised my kids in the country, deep in the woods, and they also did all that before they were 12.

Lercker M53 Experimental .380 Italian SMG (or PDW?)

by Ian McCollum in Forgotten Weapons on 2026-10-02T13:27:26Z

Between 1952 and 1956 an Italian designer named Cesare Lercker from Bologna developed a series of pistols and submachine guns. He worked with Beretta, although it is unclear if he did the work at their [...]

The post Lercker M53 Experimental .380 Italian SMG (or PDW?) first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.

Quote of the Day Seven hours before the law was set to take effect, a federal judge late Wednesday blocked Connecticut’s new ban on the sale of “convertible pistols” that users can easily turn into hand-held machine guns firing 1,000 rounds per … Continue reading →
In this Ascend episode, we meet the Mud Minnows and see why sometimes the best thing you catch on the water is the community that keeps bringing you back.
Welcome back to Front Line Friday. This week is an editorial, and the topic is the wave of drones, license plate readers, and other technology moving into patrol work, and what actually changes officer capability versus what just moves money around. Front Line Friday is brought to you by Dead Air Silencers , whose support keeps this column going every week.

Handguns have been shown to be extremely effective at stopping bear attacks. This correspondent and colleagues have documented over 200 cases in North America where handguns were fired in defense against bears.  Handguns have been effective in about 98% of the cases. 

One objection to these findings is often stated this way: If a person is killed before the handgun is fired, you will not include the incident in your statistics, because the handgun was not fired. Fair enough. It is a limitation worth exploring. 

Wikipedia and others maintain a database of all the people who have been recorded as having been killed by bears in North America. It cannot include those who were killed by bears in pre-history. There is no reason to look for handgun incidents before the availability of cartridge handguns, about 1870. 

All the fatal bear attacks in North America which could be documented from 1870 on were examined by this correspondent.  From 1870 to present, there were 204. There was a single case where a handgun was present at the scene when the person was killed by a bear. This was the terrible case of Mark Uptain. He had a Glock Model 20 in a holster by his pack, without a round in the chamber. He was a professional guide processing an elk. The Glock was never fired because his client, who was able to access the handgun, did not know how to chamber a round. Mark Uptain was not able to access the Glock pistol. He was able to access a can of bear spray and was able to empty it. He was killed by the bear. 

Only one case out of over 200, and the handgun was not available to the victim. It was a remarkable finding.  

Everyone who has access to the Internet is welcome to check the Wikipedia listings and or any other documentation. Please let us know if you find any incident where a handgun was present when a bear killed a person in North America. The Uptain case is not included in our database of incidents where a handgun was fired in defense against a bear or bears. No weapon can be effective if it is not deployed. The difficulties of deploying handguns, bear spray, or other weapons are relatively similar. They can all be deployed in under two seconds with a little instruction and practice.

If a person does not have their defensive weapon on their person when they are attacked by a bear, the odds of a successful defense are greatly reduced. If they have practiced accessing their weapon and deploying it quickly, their odds of a successful defense are enhanced. The most recent defensive use of a handgun against a bear, by Lori Price near Skilak lake in Alaska, illustrated the advantage of practice. 

Modern handguns are extremely effective as defensive arms against both animal and human attackers. They are not magic talismans. The capabilities of modern handguns are greatly enhanced with practice and training. A single afternoon's training increases the capability of a defender enormously. Spending time training after that increases a defender's capability, with most gains being in the early stages. 

In today's society, much capability can be gained by practice with a laser simulator, or simply by dry firing (practice without live ammunition), or by practice in drawing a handgun from a holster while the handgun is not loaded. We are fortunate that ammunition is relatively cheap compared to a hundred years ago. 

If you are going to carry a handgun for defense, spend some time and practice drawing the handgun from a holster without any ammunition in the firearm. It costs you very little. An afternoon's practice will pay extreme dividends in capability and confidence. Instruction (often offered for free at local gun clubs) can help increase your ability to shoot accurately, in just a few hours. The more you do, the better you will become. Those first few hours are the most beneficial and the most cost effective. It can be a pleasant and interesting afternoon, well worth the effort.

 

©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch
  

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pre-Weekend Meme Dump!

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-10-02T12:12:03Z




When officers arrived on scene, they said they found a man who was shot. IMPD said he was in stable condition.

Police said the shooter was a woman who was detained on scene, however, she was later released following consultation with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office because the man allegedly hit her with a car before she shot him.


More Here


TX: Houston - Smoke Shop Burglary ends with Shooting

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-10-02T11:58:42Z

A relative staying overnight at a North Harris County smoke shop shot one of two masked men he found looting the store, sending the wounded suspect stumbling across Ella Boulevard to a carwash begging for help while his accomplice vanished.

More Here


A man was detained after a shooting incident in Litchfield Park on Sunday, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.

Around 1 a.m., deputies were sent to the scene near Camelback and El Mirage roads for reports of a shooting. According to officials, the complainant said his wife tried to attack him with a knife, so he shot her.

More Here


For our Sunday afternoon cocktails last weekend, I decided to make some Coffee Negronis. The coffee-flavored cocktail seemed particularly fitting for the cool afternoon.

The Coffee Negroni is based on a recipe from Anders Erickson.
Coffee Negroni
1 oz Dry Gin 
¾ oz Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur
¾ oz Campari
¼ oz Sweet Vermouth

Stir the ingredients with ice and serve up or over a large rock.
Express orange oil over the cocktail and discard the peel.
The cocktail has a darker, more roasted dimension than a classic Negroni. The Campari’s orange bitterness remains prominent, while the coffee adds espresso-like notes of roasted beans, dark chocolate, and a slight char. The roasted bitterness is nicely offset by the dark sweetness of the sweet vermouth, with everything accented by a bright citrus note. I took a small sip before expressing the orange oil, and that seemingly small addition made a noticeable difference, adding a fresh citrus note that brightened the entire drink.



I was also planning to enjoy an Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Chef Special 2025 Toro, which seemed like it would be a natural accompaniment. The cigar came from a box I purchased in June 2025. It’s been a while since I’ve grabbed a stick from that box, and I’d been thinking about lighting another one for some time.

The Knuckle Sandwich line is the result of a collaboration between chef Guy Fieri and Erik Espinosa. The Chef’s Special edition is released annually. The 2025 version features a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, presented as a 6 x 55 box-pressed Toro. The wrapper feels dry in the hand, but every one I’ve smoked has performed flawlessly.

The cigar is full-bodied, with earthy spice and espresso predominating. Layers of dark chocolate and dark fruit sweetness provide some balance to the bitter coffee notes.



The pairing offered a nice overlap of espresso and dark chocolate, along with some welcome contrast. The bitterness of the Campari stood up to the cigar’s richness, while the sweet vermouth and coffee notes seemed to amplify the chocolate and espresso flavors coming from the cigar. The flavors were familiar without being repetitive. The Knuckle Sandwich and Coffee Negroni didn’t simply duplicate each other, but instead seemed to lift and complement one another.

I’ve enjoyed cigars from the Knuckle Sandwich lineup with various bourbons, ryes, and ales. This Coffee Negroni and Knuckle Sandwich pairing has me excited to trying similar cocktails with other cigars as we move into the cooler — and eventually cold — weather of the coming months. 

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Weekend Knowledge Dump- October 2, 2026

by Greg Ellifritz in Active Response Training on 2026-10-02T10:59:01Z

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.   Teaching Your Brain to Look Through the Dot Jeff Gonzalez has some tips for better shooting with a pistol mounted optic.     The Biomechanical Reality of Incapacitation   In the last few knowledge […]

Phoning it in…

by Midwest Chick in Midwest Chick's Place on 2026-10-02T10:30:00Z

Ok, this is not the column I’ve been planning to write. But sometimes something so amazing happens, you’ve just got to write. I worked today and I asked a couple of co-workers what they knew about the attempted terrorist hijacking of the flyDubai airplane. Nothing. So I told them what I knew and both were … Continue reading Fly The Friendly Skies…AHHHHH….Whoa! How About Those Israelis?! →

Thoughts on the New Benelli M-2 G1

by Greg Ellifritz in Active Response Training on 2026-10-02T03:16:35Z

“I don’t need a new shotgun.”  “I don’t need a new shotgun.”  “I don’t need a new shotgun.”   That was my inner dialogue for three days as I was teaching and filming for “The Benelli Experience” at Range Ready a few weeks ago.     I should be perfectly content with my Beretta 1301, two […]

The 30 Year Search for the Army’s Squad Automatic Weapon

by Lynndon Schooler in The Firearm Blog on 2026-10-02T00:00:00Z

As the introduction of the SIG M250 potentially opens a new chapter in the U.S. Army's squad automatic weapon story, or more accurately, the GPMG role, it is worth looking back at the excitement around the M249 when it was adopted. The U.S. Army type-classified the M249 on February 1, 1982, filling a long-standing gap in U.S. squad-level firepower.

POTD: BFE+ Officers with H&K G36s and MP5s

by Eric B in The Firearm Blog on 2026-10-01T23:30:00Z

Everyone recognizes GSG 9. Fewer people have heard of the BFE+, the specialized unit that exists precisely to fill the gap between Germany's standard federal riot police and its famous counterterrorism unit. Officers don't arrive at the BFE+ directly. They first serve in a standard evidence-gathering and arrest unit, and only after proving themselves physically and personally qualified do they earn the additional certification needed to advance.
Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner . Last week, we talked about the basics of finding the right optic for your carry gun. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here  to check it out. This week, I wanted to take a look at how the Glock 19 rose to the gold standard of the carry gun market. I am well aware this article spot is sponsored by Glock, but if you go into the comment section of any top carry gun article, you will always see random people continuously say the Glock 19 is the absolute best. How did we get to this point and is it still true? Let's take a closer look at how the Glock 19 became the standard.

Oops

by Pawpaw in PawPaw's House on 2026-10-01T19:26:33Z

 Are y'all seeing this bullshit about this woman in Tennessee who was supposed to be executed last night?  Something or someone botched the execution and she is in the hospital following the procedure.

I'm generally a proponent for the death penalty.  We have to make sure that the penalty is quick and effective.  Whatever happened last night in Tennessee was neither.  The follow-up investigation will be fun to follow.

Camera catches

by Commander Zero in Notes From The Bunker on 2026-10-01T19:22:56Z

Well, its gonna be a long weekend at the Beta Site, thats pretty much a guarantee. As you know, I installed some new cameras up at the Beta Site, but I left the old ones in place as well. More … Continue reading →

Shop Coming Together

by Clayton Cramer in Clayton Cramer. on 2026-10-01T19:19:30Z

There were some cabinets in the wall that I had not bothered to open. When I did, they were ugly dirty. So I cleaned them out (spider webs, dead spiders, spider egg sacks). A number of items that so not regularly get used (a fine sander for example) will go in there getting space on the workbenches for power tools.  All the hand tools are now on pegboards. There is still some organizing needed.  

I have out together two of the Losmandy mounts and put the 5" refractor on one of them. The box collection that looked like a student film project version of the last scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark is largely gone 

Banish Unveils Dedicated Competition Silencer

by Daniel Y in The Firearm Blog on 2026-10-01T18:00:00Z

6.5mm shooters have something to celebrate. The COMP 6.5 series  of suppressors is optimized for competition use. They are in stock and ready to order today.
Over the past few years, marketing has been one of the flashpoints of legal battles in the firearms world. In 2022, Bushmaster’s militaristic advertising was one of the sticking points in the Sandy Hook lawsuits that saw Remington forced to pay $73M in a lawsuit. However, the SAF says that’s unfair, and in the Daniel Defense v. Lowy case, they say a manufacturer’s advertising shouldn’t be held responsible for a third party’s actions. Quoting from the SAF’s press release describing their legal intervention:

Skin Graft Graft (Or Is That Skin Graft Squared?)

by Clayton Cramer in Clayton Cramer. on 2026-10-01T15:40:17Z

 The report from the Trump Administration is old news but the prosecutions below are not. 7/8/26 Fox News:

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration revealed new figures that show a drastic 7,100% spike in Medicare claims for skin substitutes in just six years as the task force led by Vice President JD Vance continues to crack down on fraud across the country.

The staggering increase in claims occurred between 2019 and 2025, surging from $200 million to $14.4 billion, prompting the anti-fraud task force and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify potentially fraudulent claims and deny 96% of claims made since March.

The CMS, which is led by Administrator Mehmet Oz, identified 4,200 suspicious claims for skin substitutes, known as allografts, totaling $224 million in charges through May of this year.

"That's a lot of money," Oz said during a press conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday. "And that bankrupts not just hospital systems and physician groups, but it causes major problems across the entire landscape."

The agency also found alleged fraudulent claims for Durable Medical Equipment (DME), which includes wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds and other essential equipment. The agency says that payments have been suspended to 102 suppliers and revoked billing privileges for an additional 725 suppliers.

"In just six months, the task force has effectively wiped out Durable Medical Equipment fraud in America," a spokesperson for Vance’s office told Fox News Digital. "After the vice president and Dr. Oz announced a moratorium on new DME companies, paired with aggressive enforcement actions by DOJ and HHS, this kind of fraud has effectively ended."

The suppliers who were suspected of fraud and had payments suspended represented 8.6% of all Medicare-funded Durable Medical Equipment in 2025.

That is not a small problem: 8.6%. So where are the prosecutions? 7/1/26 Las Vegas channel 3:

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A Las Vegas nurse practitioner has been indicted in federal court in Houston, accused of ordering unnecessary skin grafts for hospice patients who were already close to death.

Prosecutors allege the procedures were performed on patients who did not need them and that some of those patients died within days of the grafts. Authorities also allege $297 million in payouts tied to the scheme went toward luxury purchases and projects, including a Ferrari, an $865,000 necklace and a resort under construction in the Philippines.

If a patient is a few days from death, this makes even less sense than unneeded grafts for those who are going to live.

4/28/26 Los Angeles Times:

Federal prosecutors seized more than $2 million from a Pasadena wound-care clinic bank account “suspected of scamming millions of dollars from Medicare” through reimbursements for skin grafts that patients allegedly never received, federal officials announced Tuesday.

Working with Department of Homeland Security Investigations, First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli revealed that Expert Wound Care, which does business as St. Victoria Home Health Care, is the target of a federal inquiry. The Pasadena-based clinic is accused of fraud, according to a seizure warrant affidavit that federal prosecutors filed Monday and that a federal magistrate in Los Angeles approved.

The clinic received more than $34 million in federal payouts, with claims involving a single patient totaling more than $6 million, according to a U.S. Secret Service agent affidavit in the investigation. Expert Wound Care and its principals could be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday. 

 

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Life is short, add some Sci-Fi flair to your boring AR. If you grew up in the '80s, this is for you.

KUGS Introduces Bipods For SIG 550 Rifles

by Hrachya H in The Firearm Blog on 2026-10-01T15:00:00Z

Swiss small arms and accessories manufacturer KUGS  has introduced a new bipod line for the SIG 550 series of rifles. The KUGS bipods  are designed to provide greater stability, which is primarily achieved by increasing the leg angle from the standard 60 degrees to 90 degrees.
To help spread the word during Breast Health Awareness Month, we are sharing this article from Casting for Recovery.
Quote of the Day The biggest thing I’ve learned is to ask: Do our detectives have every available resource to investigate and make an arrest? We have reached more than a 90 percent clearance rate. That means if you kill … Continue reading →
More TFB Behind the Gun Podcast Episodes:

You guys are a bunch of nerds

by Borepatch in Borepatch on 2026-10-01T12:59:42Z

The comments to yesterday's post were simply hilarious.  I clearly am not the only nerrd around here.

Oh, and Rick T - sometime I will have to tell you about watching a guy install a vampire tap but forgetting to use the spacer while drilling into the cable.  Drilled right through the center wire ...

Tab Clearing...

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-10-01T12:42:18Z


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CA: San Francisco - Intruder is shot, Wounded, Leaves Dog Behind

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-10-01T11:37:47Z

The Army vet said he suffered minor scrapes to his hands and knees during the physical confrontation with the intruder. He said he fired one shot at the suspected burglar.

"I believe I hit him somewhere here, somewhere in the buttocks," he said.

The man ran off. Blood-stained shoe prints outside the home showed the suspect running toward Golden Gate Park, leaving his dog behind.

In a neighbor's security video obtained by CBS News San Francisco, the abandoned dog could be heard repeatedly barking.


More Here


TX: Pampa - Man Forces way Into Home, is Shot, Killed

by Dean Weingarten in GUN WATCH on 2026-10-01T11:34:23Z

After investigating, PPD discovered that the residents knew the man and reported that he arrived uninvited and forced his way inside. PPD said, “Fearing for their safety, one of the occupants inside the home obtained a handgun and fired at the subject.”

PPD said officers and other emergency personnel on scene began treating the man’s injuries before transporting him to Pampa Regional Medical Center. He was then transferred to a hospital in Amarillo in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries.


More Here


Thursday’s Almost the Weekend Meme Drop 10-1-26

by Midwest Chick in Midwest Chick's Place on 2026-10-01T10:30:00Z

Demetrio Daga will be sentenced later this month.

What happened? Or rather, what did NOT happen?

by TPOL Nathan in The Price of Liberty on 2026-10-01T01:00:00Z

On 31 January 2025, just a few days after The Donald took office for his second term and nominated his various cabinet officers, this graphic was published by some MAGA/MAHA types. People worried about the overall state of “health care” … Continue reading →

TFB Review: Springfield Armory 1911 TRP COA .45 ACP

by Adam Scepaniak in The Firearm Blog on 2026-10-01T00:00:00Z

When you envision “bulletproof” firearms your mind might immediately leap to something steel, forged for strength, and with countless years of experience. We’re talking millions of guns made and billions of rounds fired through them. That firearm is the Model 1911. I can hear the two World War jokes coming from the peanut gallery already. Yet, without the timeless Model 1911, we don’t get the legendary TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) or the tricked, modern version that is the 2011. Next, if you want to tie in a bulletproof optic, most people would argue for something like an enclosed emitter red dot, or more specifically, the increasingly-popular Aimpoint COA . So, if we want to make ourselves a bulletproof combo, the logical combination is the Springfield Armory TRP  topped off with an Aimpoint COA , and that is exactly what we are going to be reviewing here today. Let’s dive in!
Ok, this is big and thoughtful. This TFB Photo of the Day pairs an 1870 canvas with its modern answer. Alphonse de Neuville's "Les Dernières Cartouches" captured French marine and artillery troops making their final stand inside the Bourgerie inn during the Battle of Bazeilles, fought August 31 and September 1, 1870, as far larger Bavarian forces closed in. Outnumbered and running low on ammunition, the soldiers held the position until the cartridges ran out. More than a century later, the French Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment restaged the same composition, swapping period rifles for modern carbines and turning a rubble-strewn room into a near shot-for-shot recreation, right down to the wounded man propped against the wall.
North American Arms’ revolvers are very well-known for their ability to offer self-defense in a micro package. Not everyone wants to stake their life on a rimfire round, but sometimes you’ve got no other choice. I remember reading about one undercover narcotics cop who hauled an NAA revolver to beachside meet-ups hidden away in a soft drink cup, because that’s all they could bring for a SHTF scenario. Other owners will tell you similar stories. There’s no smaller, more discreet firepower available.
A good spotting scope can mean a huge difference when it comes to zeroing or getting those long-range hits exactly where you want them on the target. Leupold has announced the MX-6HD family of spotting scopes, a first focal plane design aimed at spotter and shooter teams, or for anyone calling impacts, scanning terrain or identifying targets at a distance. Leupold's product manager John Snodgrass says the goal is for a team to be "seeing the same thing and speaking the same language." If you’ve ever seen a sniper team work together, you know what it means.
Back in 2022, when MDT released the ACC Elite chassis for the first time, Hrachya wrote it up  and told us:

Ain't Dogging

by Pawpaw in PawPaw's House on 2026-09-30T15:47:18Z

 In yesterday's post, I talked about the Hornady LeverEvolution bullet, and I'm not dogging on that ammunition.  It is my opinion that these new bullets did several things very well.  They split the difference between the tadeonal 150 and 170 grain load with a 160-grain bullet.  They upgraded a 19th century cartridge and brought it into the 21st century.  The big thing these newfangled bullets did was to get grandpa's old rifle out of the safe and back into the range, where it could bark the other dogs.

I bought my first lever gun in 1973, where at the tender age of 19 I walked into Howard Brothers department store and put down $87.50 on a brand-new Marlin 336.  It was on sale the week before deer season, down from $94.99 and I thought it was a pretty good deal.  I still have that rifle, though it lives at my son's house.

Junior Doughty and I played with Handi-rifles for a time in 2008-10.  As such, I loaded a bunch of ammo for the .30-30 with pointy bullets, specifically the Sierra Game King.  These bullets would be dangerous in a tube fed levergun, because pointed tips and recoil are a thing.  Junior and I put them through their paces and they performed well in the Handi-rifle, which we all know is a single shot.

The Hornady ammo is a good thing, if only for the reasons stated above.  For my shooting, and I suspect for many of us, the old ammo still suits us fine. My preferred factory load in the .30-30 is the old Remington green box load with the 170 grain round nose soft point. For deer, hogs, black bear, it is entirely sufficient as long as the range is under 125 yards and you can put the bullet in the vitals.

The cartridge is a handloaders dream.  It has a long sleek neck that is perfect for cast bullets and a moderate charge of the old IMR 3031. It can be loaded with a hand press on the kitchen table.  Crimp the bullet so that it doesn't set back in the tube magazine under recoil and you will be fine.

Happy Birthday, Ethernet

by Borepatch in Borepatch on 2026-09-30T15:47:14Z

Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel, and Xerox released the Ethernet spec on this day in 1980.  This is why old timers sometimes refer to it as "DIX Ethernet".

And yes, I am one of those old timers. 

It’s all in the perspective

by Midwest Chick in Midwest Chick's Place on 2026-09-30T15:30:00Z

At the grocery store the other day and B was buying some corn chips. I asked the guy to be careful with the bag because we wanted the chips to be mainly intact. He laughed and said, “I’ll be careful, but look on the bright side if something happens. At least you’ll have more chips.” […]

SIG Sauer Introduces M17-SOF

by Eric B in The Firearm Blog on 2026-09-30T15:00:00Z

Almost ten years ago, when the U.S. Army announced that a customized version of the P320 had won the XM17 Modular Handgun System competition, the pistol that emerged became one of the most recognizable sidearms in the world. Now SIG Sauer is taking that platform in a more purpose-built direction with the M17-SOF, which the company describes as "A Mission-Focused Evolution of the M17."
Part professor and part gunslinger, Hearne has carved out a unique and underserved niche in today’s go-fast social-media-forward training market.
https://youtu.be/PwOZXF5c-nw The Tavor has a history of being popular in service with high-end Indian military and security forces, and a deal was made to manufacture the X95 domestically. What makes it unusual is that it [...]

The post India’s Unique X95 Tavor “Zittara” (I Did Not Expect the Magazine) first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.

Jackie Richardson recreates a spooky version of a classic dirt and worms cake for Halloween. This sugar rush is so good, it's scary!
 Franklin Armory, are getting into the ammunition business and its not just a typical 55gr 5.56 round. They’ve launched out the gate with something pretty interesting - Rabbit Rounds. A new multiple-projectile cartridge designed to more effectively harvest smaller game with the ubiquitous AR-15-style modern sporting rifle.
Quote of the Day Via: The best response in the thread was from Entropy Generator who uploaded some quotes from the Everytown paper to ChatGTP, asked its opinion, and asked for an image with its quote to post. The result … Continue reading →
I picked up this Rocky Patel Year of the Horse when visiting a cigar lounge back in June. I’ve been looking forward to smoking it, and after more than three months of rest in the humidor, the time had finally come. We were experiencing some early fall cool weather, with the thermometer reading 60° and a “feels like” temperature of just 53°. A bold cigar and drink seemed like just the ticket.

The Year of the Horse is a limited-edition, box-pressed 7 x 48 Churchill made for the Chinese Zodiac’s Year of the Horse. It features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Honduran and Nicaraguan filler leaves. The black, gold, and red sleeve and band give the cigar an impressive appearance. Sliding off the large sleeve reveals a chocolatey brown San Andrés wrapper that’s a bit rustic in appearance. The roll is neat and even, although the tobacco has some visible veins.



I was a little apprehensive about the draw through the long, slender Churchill, but the airflow had just the right amount of resistance. Smoke production was good, and the burn remained even, requiring no touch-ups throughout the long 95-minute smoking time.

After some deliberation, I decided on an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (Batch A124) pairing. This particular pour is one of my favorite non-cigar-blend bourbons to sip with a full-flavored cigar. Eventually, I’ll have to look for another choice, as the level in the bottle is steadily dropping.

Batch A124 was the first of Elijah Craig’s three annual barrel-proof releases from 2024. Bottled at 119 proof and carrying a 10-year, 9-month age statement, it’s one of the younger and lower-proof releases in the series. It delivers a robust sipping experience of brown sugar, dark caramel, vanilla, and charred oak, with lively cinnamon and rye spice building toward the finish. Vanilla and a hint of tobacco linger alongside the oak and spice, resulting in a long, sweet finish that’s satisfying without becoming syrupy.

I figured the dark, rich combination would provide a nice counterpoint to the chilly, steady rain of an early fall evening.



The cigar kicked off with earth, espresso, and some sweet spice notes, jumping out of the gate solidly in the medium-bodied range. The initial sips of the bourbon, with its caramel, vanilla, and oak, were more pronounced, and the Elijah Craig took the lead despite the richness of the cigar.

The pairing became more balanced as the Year of the Horse progressed and the flavors continued to develop. The cigar moved into the full-bodied range as a more roasted and spicy character evolved. I started sipping the bourbon a bit more frequently as the cigar gained strength. The components were working in harmony now.



As the smoke neared its conclusion, the pairing took on even more intensity, with the Elijah Craig’s 119 proof providing a long, warming counterpoint to the espresso, cocoa, and toasted flavors of the Year of the Horse.

Indeed, this was a near-perfect combination for a dark and damp early fall evening. There’s warmer weather predicted for the upcoming week, but the evening was a reminder that more cool nights are on the way.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Just Say Flock It

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-09-30T10:41:02Z

Apparently a woman in Florida spent almost four days locked up despite not even driving the same color car the Flock cameras recorded.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Flock doesn't like to be photographed.

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Social Media Influencers

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-09-30T10:36:49Z

I see the Russian bots are at it again on Xitter...


US-linked AI slopsites are supposedly pulling the same sort of shenanigans in Alberta.

.

You know these guys had to be jazzed

by Midwest Chick in Midwest Chick's Place on 2026-09-30T10:30:00Z

A small plane crashed in Wisconsin. Oddly enough, there was a plane with three sky divers that saw it and the sky divers offered to dive out and get to the site ASAP to render aid. Even odder, the three sky divers are also EMTs. Only one of the four people in the plane ended […]

Midweek Memes!

by Tam in View From The Porch on 2026-09-30T10:21:53Z




9/23/26 Daily Mail:

Kemi Badenoch on Wednesday night launched plans for a tough crackdown on Britain's ballooning benefits bill.

The jobless who have paid little in taxes will see their handouts docked and be banned from spending them on vices such as drinking, smoking or gambling if the Tories return to power.

Under the proposals, targeting those who can work but choose not to, the long-term unemployed who have not contributed enough to the system would see their Universal Credit payments cut by 30 per cent.

And instead of receiving the reduced welfare support in cash, claimants would be given money on a 'Back To Work' card that could not be used to buy alcohol or cigarettes, withdraw cash or gamble. 

More than 300,000 people would be moved on to the lower 'Subsistence Allowance', saving taxpayers half a billion pounds a year by the end of the decade, it is claimed. 

On Wednesday night, Mrs Badenoch said: 'If you can work, you should work. Helping people into work is not punishment.

'The best welfare is a well-paid job. So, we will be tough on those who exploit the system because the current system is unfair to workers, taxpayers and those who truly need support.

'Welfare must be a safety net for those who genuinely need it, not a lifestyle choice for those who can't be bothered.'

Surely all our readers have heard this meme more than once from the politicians, the influencers, the celebrities, the talk show hosts and callers… and no doubt family, friends, and neighbors. “Get out! Vote! It’s important!” We are told the … Continue reading →
First, before buying and using the weapon, visually inspect the rifle for damage to better assess its condition. Begin with an overall examination of the rifle. Inspect for obvious damage, corrosion, contamination, missing components, and other visible deficiencies. During this inspection, you also conduct a function check to ensure everything works. If a gunsmith or maintainer can check the headspace, that's beneficial.
Ask any photographer who tried; muzzle flashes rarely come out as well as this one. At Kapaun Air Station, Germany, an Airman with the 86th Airlift Wing fired an M4A1 carbine during a NATO training exchange focused on interoperability between Allied and partner forces, and the resulting flash looked bright enough to double as an aircraft landing light guiding a C-130 down through fog.

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