The Most Popular Firearms vs. The Kevlar Vest

Colt Python

The Colt Python was first made in 1955 by Colt, and is often referred to as a ‘combat magnum’. Colt stopped production in 1999, and the final release of the Python was in 2005. This revolver was originally favored by law enforcement, with different variants used for different roles. However, the modern need for semi-automatic pistols meant it fell out of favor. To protect against the Colt Python you will need a Level II bullet proof vest.

Smith & Wesson 686

The Smith & Wesson 686 double action revolver was first introduced in 1980, and gained fame and popularity thanks to its adoption by the US Navy Special Operations. This revolver is popular for waterborne missions in particular because of its durability in the face of exposure to the elements, and it is easy to maintain compared to similar weapons. The Smith & Wesson 686 is also famed for its use by Luxembourg’s Grand Ducal Police. Protection against this weapon requires a vest at Level II.

Sig Sauer P226

The SIG Sauer P226 follows the same basic design of the SIG Sauer P220, but was developed to use higher capacity staggered-column magazines. It was originally conceived as a replacement to the M1911A1 used by the US Army, but it was eventually beaten by the Beretta 92F. However, the SIG Sauer P226 still gained fame thanks to its adoption by the Navy SEALs. A bullet proof vest at Level II is needed to protect against this weapon.

Ruger 10/22

The Ruger 10/22 is a semi-automatic rimfire rifle, designed as an ‘adult gun’ that could nevertheless provide easy handling. This, coupled with low recoil, made the Ruger 10/22 popular with young and inexperienced shooters, as well as being popular among small game hunters. It is also known for its compatibility with modifications, which are relatively easy to create and equip compared to other rifles. Protection from this rifle would require a Level II bullet proof vest.

FN SCAR

Constructed to be extremely modular, the FN SCAR became incredibly popular thanks to its use by the US Military. It is available in two common variants; the SCAR-L for ‘light’ ammo (5.56x45mm NATO) and the SCAR-H for ‘heavy’ ammo (7.62x51mm NATO). The first rifles were issued in April 2009, and given to a battalion of the US 75th Ranger Regiment. However, US Special Ops Command would later drop the SCAR-L in favor of the SCAR-H, and plan on adopting conversion kits for the MK17 SCAR-H to enable their use of 5.56mm ammo. As of early 2015 the FN SCAR in various types was used by special ops/police in over 20 countries. The FN SCAR-L requires a Level III bullet proof vest, though only a Level IV vest can protect against the SCAR-H.

HK416

Named for the makers (Heckler & Koch), the HK416 is based on the AR-15 platform and was designed as an improvement on the M4 Carbine for the US army. This Automatic was made famous as the rifle used by the Navy Seals to kill Osama Bin Laden. The HK416 was adopted as the standard rifle of the Norwegian Armed Forces and is in official use by countries all over the world. This famous weapon uses a gas system which reduces malfunction and increases the longevity of its parts. A Level III bullet proof vest is necessary to protect against this weapon.

AK-47

Designed in 1945, finished in 1946, and adopted by the Soviet Army in 1948. In 1949 it became the official weapon of the Soviet Armed Forces. The AK-47 is one of the most famous weapons in the world, and there is little that can be said about it that hasn’t already been said. The AK-47 is renowned for its reliability, accessibility, and its low production costs. The AK-47 is so popular that they make up approximately 15% of all firearms in the world. Protection against an AK-47 requires the highest level of protection at Level IV.

M16

A US military adaptation of the AR-15, the M16 is another incredibly famous and popular rifle. The M16 was most famously used in Vietnam from 1963, and in 1969 the M16A1 replaced the M14 rifle to become the US military’s standard service rifle. In 1983, the USMC adopted it as their official weapon, and three years later the US army did the same. The M16 is the most produced firearm of its 5.56mm caliber, and total worldwide production of the rifle is approximately 8 million. The M16 was originally designed as part of an effort to replace the M1 Garand and other similar weapons, but also as a direct US competitor to the AK-47. Protecting against this famous weapon will require a vest at Level III.

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The Survival Shovel

So let’s take a look at this survival shovel. I’m telling you right now….it’s quality.

Many other survival shovels sacrifice durability and quality for convenience and price. They’ll use plastic parts instead of metal, which always end up breaking. The only plastic you’ll find on this survival shovel is in the washer between the head of the shovel and the handle.

It adjusts into three different positions. The first position, straight out, is for digging, sawing and using the blade side of the shovel head. The second position is with the head at a ninety degree angle and most likely used for a hoe, or pick. The third position is angled down and away from the handle and could be used for climbing or or easier storage.

I used it, and I like it!

I took the shovel out for a spin, at night. I wanted to test it out on a dead apricot tree I had out towards the back of my property. My target of choice for the axe was a branch around two to three inches in diameter. With a mediocre swing, I nearly chopped half way through the limb. You’ll have to watch the video to see what happened on my second attempt. Totally unexpected.

After hacking away at the tree, I took it into the front yard from some good ole night time digging. I’ve been replacing some sprinkler lines and put the survival shovel and hoe into action. Due to the length of the shovel, it’s not something you want to use for a full day of work, but it can get the job done. And when switched to the hoe/pick position, it works exactly like it should.

In conclusion, I was impressed. It’s a quality built survival shovel will last me for a very long time. Great addition for your camping, hunting or prepping gear!

Here’s my quick YouTube review as well if you’d like to check it out:

If this review was helpful, take a look at carseatexperts.com for other helpful reviews.

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No matter how much experience handling a rifle you have, you should never become complacent: safety and caution is paramount for shooters of all levels. Body armor is, of course, essential when firing guns in any situation: whether due to ricochets or someone taking control of your weapon, bullet proof vests can mean the difference between life and death.

Bullet proof vests stop rounds by absorbing their energy on impact, slowing them to a halt – but vests can only protect against specific rounds. With five levels of protection available on today’s market (according to the NIJ’s current standard, 0101.6), how can you know which vest to use with your rifle? Below, we take a look at three of the most commonly-used rifle-round types, and which armor is best-suited to staying safe when firing them, or being fired upon.

.223 Remington

As one of the most popular rifle cartridges used in the United States, the .223 Remington is used in two types of firearm: varmint rifles and semi-automatic rifles (such as the AR-15). Typically, this type of round is used in home defense and law enforcement, being one of the cheapest available. Survival rifles also use .223 ammo. Numerous types of bullet are used with this cartridge, including Montana Gold 55 grain FMJ and Sierra 55 grain Spitzer Boat Tail.

To stay as safe as possible handling a rifle firing .223 Remington ammunition (across its various types), you need to wear a vest at level III or IV, featuring steel and ceramic plates respectively: depending on the specific type of .223 Remington, its velocity may be between 840 and 1,140 meters-per-second, and so could be too fast for safe use even with ballistic plates. Always be sure you have a firm understanding of your chosen rounds’ velocity before use.

.308 Winchester

This cartridge has been in use since 1952, and was designed to provide more reliable case-feeding and removal from machine guns and bolt-action rifles than other firearms – hugely beneficial when in high-pressure, life-or-death situations.

While numerous bullet-types can be used with this cartridge, wearing level III armor when firing .308 Winchester rounds will provide enough defense, with most fired at around 800 – 820 m/s. The 150gr Nosler tip round has a velocity of 860 m/s, so level IV vests should be used with these for maximum safety.

30-06 Springfield

The .30 caliber cartridge was first used in 1906, which is where the ’06’ originates from. There are various bullets in this caliber, include the armor-piercing M2, Ball M1906, Frangible M22 and Tracer M2. Multiple military firearms have used 30-06 cartridges in the past century, including the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle and the M1941 Johnson Rifle.

Depending on the bullet used with your 30-06 cartridges, you may be able to wear a level III vest, with some velocities as low as 760 m/s (220gr RN). However, it’s generally recommended to wear armor at level IV to protect against all rounds of this caliber, with the highest velocity reaching 890 m/s. The ceramic plates will stop the round upon impact, but likely shatter – meaning replacements should be on hand. The force of such gunfire is likely to cause severe swelling and/or bruising.

Always take time to familiarize yourself with the velocity of you chosen ammunition in every shooting situation, to ensure you wear the right bullet proof vest to match it. For more info on body armor protection levels, click here.

The post What Bullet Proof Vest Would Stop High Powered Rifle Ammo? appeared first on The Gunsman.

You have to know where I’m coming from though. I’m used to the big, bulky, clanky, military issued survival shovels. With it connected to your belt, those things can pull a mans pants down with as heavy as they are. However, I know from experience that you can dig a 6 ft deep foxhole with one. So they’re durable, to say the least.

However, for you doomsday preppers, campers and emergency preparedness people, this is an item you might as well add to your list. It’s small enough, smaller than my hand (when in it’s case), and light enough to add to any bug out bag or 72 hour kit. For some basic use, it’s also a very diverse tool. With the mini shovel having a pick on one end and a shovel on the other, it’s very handy when digging a small trench, working in the garden or even prospecting.

The mini shovel comes in two separate pieces. To assemble, all that is required is to screw the handle into the pick shovel end and you’re good to go. It comes equipped with a little compass embedded in the end of the handle grip. It’s not the greatest compass in the world, but hey, when you’re lost, a compass is a compass, and this one will do the trick.

The only thing I’d change on this folding shovel is the plastic coupling used to tighten the pick and/or shovel into place. I’d rather see it built out of the same metal as the rest of the shovel.

As a side note, some may agree while others won’t, but I feel it is important to teach your kids survival tactics and skills, such as how to protect themselves in dangerous situations. Whether for sport or survival, check out fightingreport.com.

The post Mini Folding Pick Shovel Review – Great Prepper Item appeared first on The Gunsman.

When that happens, grab your GOOD (Get Out Of Dodge) bag, hit your BOV (Bug Out Vehicle) wearing some effective body armor, and head to your hidden disaster bunker in the (not revealed for security reasons) mountains. You have limited time and space, so you know you have to quickly choose just a few guns to facilitate a safe escape as you hear the moaning, scratching and clawing zombies just outside your door.

Here is the question … if you were forced to choose just 3 guns, handguns, rifles or shotguns, to survive a zombie apocalypse or some other Armageddon-type event which delivers The End of the World As We Know It (TEOTWAWKI), what 3 would you choose?

While entertaining the idea of a zombie apocalypse is usually (but not always) done in jest at sites like EmergencyReviewer.com, the topic of self-defense is one to take seriously. Considering the need to protect yourself in close quarters combat, from medium range and long range, here are our 3 choices for the perfect guns for a long-term disaster survival situation.

Mossberg 100 ATR in .308

We know what you are thinking. There is no need to shoot a zombie from 300 yards out. But that is exactly what this rugged under-$350 rifle can consistently allow you to do. Add a Primary Arms 3-9×40 scope and a Winchester 6 to 9 inch bipod and you have still spent under $500. Produced right here in the USA, this gives you the reliability and long-term range of the Remington 700 at a much more attractive price point. Shots up to 1,000 yards have been achieved by amateur shooters with this rugged, long-range rifle.

Catamount Fury 12 Gauge

Our real pick here is the Benelli M1014/M4 Super 90. But since not everyone has well over $1,000 to spend on a single gun, the more affordable but still excellent shotgun choice is the Catamount Fury 12 gauge. For right under $500, you can outfit this shotgun with extra chokes, magazines and cleaning rods. Features include a fully adjustable gas system, a dust cover with rail and a bolt hold open. The natural born enemy of zombies everywhere.

Ruger SP101

The logical choice here is a high capacity automatic. But revolvers have stood the test of time because they are durable, reliable and inexpensive. They can be fired by a novice or expert, ammo is cheap and they can be customized extensively. Our pick here is the Ruger SP101. You can send this gun through a cement mixer, hose it off, and it will still shoot true. This rugged and simple self defense pistol is available in barrel lengths of 2.25 to 4.2 inches, and in .22 long rifle, 357 Magnum or 38 Special calibers. Versatile, straightforward zombie stopper.

Don’t think zombies are a real world worry? Not everyone is so sure. According to a news story at Guns.com, a man ran over someone wearing a zombie costume that was so realistic, the frightened driver ran the zombie clad victim over and kept right on going. Clearly it doesn’t’ take a lot to get some folks panicked. If you’d rather be safe than sorry, these 3 affordable and extremely capable guns will get your family though any type of disaster survival scenario. So before a solar flare, economic collapse, civil unrest or tidal wave heads to your town, start stocking emergency food supplies. Prepare bug out bags (BOBs) for each member of your family. Take a few survival courses, and learn how to make fire. And add these 3 affordable guns to your home arsenal, because you just never know.

The post 3 Guns You Absolutely Must Own To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse appeared first on The Gunsman.

Of course, there’s a wide range of bullet proof vests available on today’s market, each designed to protect against specific threats. You need to wear armor which is, at least, suitable to stop the bullets you (or a shooting partner) intend to use, but if you expect to engage in a gunfight – for whatever reason – you should be well-equipped for the level of danger you expect. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) tests and rates bulletproof vests to evaluate the amount of protection they offer, and then place them in their respective levels to help you find the right one for your needs.

Guide to Choosing the Correct Body Armor

Soft Armors

Bullet proof vests in the soft armor range are designed to stop various lower-velocity rounds, climbing from level I through to level IIIA. Multiple layers of Kevlar are used in each one, which absorb and redistribute a bullet’s energy on impact, flattening the round to stop it penetrating. Armor at level I protects against 380 ACP FMJ RN (with an impact velocity of 312 meters per second) and .22 caliber LR LRN rounds (320 meters per second). Level IIA bullet proof vests stop 9mm FMJ RN and .40 Smith & Wesson caliber FMJ rounds.

Level II vests are designed to stop bullets of a higher velocity, from the common 9mm to .357 Magnum range, while vests at level IIIA will stop 9mm submachine gun and .44 Magnum rounds. This is the toughest type of armor still able to be concealed – as we shift to the harder armors, the weight of the vests increases, given the stronger materials used in their construction.

Hard Armors

To defend against weapons of a higher velocity, hard armors are essential. Combining multiple layers of Kevlar (as used in the soft armors) with hard plates of steel, titanium, or ceramics, these can stop the most lethal of ammunition.

Level III vests protect against such rifle rounds as 7.62mm FMJ, 223 Remington (5.56mm FMJ), 30 Carbine FMJ, and 12-gauge slugs. The strongest armor available is of level IV rating, featuring panels for additional plating on the front and rear if needed: these defend against armor-piercing rounds, such as .30-06 caliber bullets, keeping you safe in the most extreme situations.

You should always have bullet proof armor available, to make sure you stay protected against your own bullets (should someone else take control of your gun) and those of a potential attacker.

Always seek expert advice from companies such as SafeGuard Clothing if you’re ever in doubt of which vest is best.

The post Staying Safe with every Shot: A Guide to Body Armor Protection Levels appeared first on The Gunsman.

If you are, then somewhere in the back of your mind, you’re always thinking of ways to better prepare yourself, and your family, for the day when all hell breaks loose and someone drops a bomb! With all the crazies in the world, you just never know.

So in the case that something does happen, it’s always better to be prepared than to be sorry. Right!?

I don’t know if you’re already doing this or not, but since I was a boy, I’ve been taught that I should to have a years supply of not just food, but everything else I require to live comfortably. Now, I’m not one of those extreme doomsday survivalists, but I know how important it is to be prepared for calamity, which can come in many different forms.

Survival Shelters

And quite frankly, I don’t know a better way to prepare for the worst than getting a survival shelter. Not only can it hold my years supply of food, it can house my entire family.

These survival shelters, depending on the package you order, come complete with toilet, shower, bedroom, bunk beds, washer and dryer, flat screen TV, recliner couch, kitchen table…and yes, even the kitchen sink! They’re also equipped with an NBC air filtration system. With a 200 year life span, these galvanized corrugated pipe shelters are built to last long enough to keep your family safe for generations.

So if you’re thinking of building a new home, instead of adding that basement, you might think about adding a survival shelter instead. All I know is that my kids would have a blast with one of these things. It’s like the ultimate kid retreat!

Anyway, enough typing already…..check out these pictures!

(Click on any image to enlarge it)

The post Pick Up One of These Bad Boys – Survival Shelters appeared first on The Gunsman.

For example, this one will really throw you for a loop…. there’s a non-profit organization in existence today trying to make everyone pay for their utilities, even if they’re living completely off the grid. In their view, everyone, by law, should have to pay a percentage of the utilities, regardless of whether they’re using them or not.

Crazy right? More details on that non-profit coming soon.

I ran across this video earlier today. After you watch the video, I hope you’ll realize how important it is to know your rights and what the government can and cannot do. Oh, and also, I hope you realize why you should never move to California. Even though we’re a neighboring state, Arizona and California are nothing alike!

You might also look up Agenda 21 after you watch this video. It’s a UN agenda which many states in the US have banned or are working on banning, one of those being Arizona.

The post It’s Your Land, Until the Government Wants It! appeared first on The Gunsman.

Wanted:

Orion Entertainment, the world’s leader in outdoor-adventure television, is currently casting for a new docu-reality television pilot that explores weapon-savvy Americans and their families.  These regular and everyday citizens are armed and prepared for when the fabric of society unravels in the wake of any major cataclysmic event.

The weapons preppers featured in the television pilot will be armed with the latest in firearms technology, ammunitions, night vision optics, vehicles and security systems.  They believe their preparedness and armament is to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones for catastrophic events such as terrorist attacks, economic meltdowns, global pandemics and natural disasters.

Potential candidates would need to be available for approximately 4 days of filming and provide camera access for a full 360-view of their defensive strategies:

• On-camera interviews with preppers and their family and friends (when applicable).  Need to hear of any past incidents and events that have shaped their mindset today.  What motivates them now, and what are their biggest fears and thoughts on the future of the world?
•  An “all-access tour” of their security items – firearms, ammo, knives, night vision, etc.  What do they have, and more importantly, why?  We want audiences to be wowed by the collection!
• Access to test-firing weapons – our preppers will show our host and audiences what their firepower can do.
• A sneak-peak into their security and safety plans and strategies.  What is the plan for an economic crisis? Tornados that wiped out the states power grids? A terrorist attack on U.S. soil?
•  What is their training of real-world scenarios and situations to keep their skills up-to-date?  The preppers and our host will run the drills.
• We want to see it all, hear it all and feel it all.

Orion Entertainment has a reputable and long standing relationship with the firearms and accessories industry as well as a proven track record in successful awareness and preparedness programming through the likes of our Don’t Be a Victim series on Spike TV.  We take the need for personal protection, preparedness and awareness very seriously and our end goal is to educate the public on this vital need.  Our mission is to showcase the people that are smart and are prepared.  This is their insurance policy, and they’re on the right track to keeping themselves and their loved ones safe for when society unravels and for whatever the future may hold.

This is an exciting opportunity to explore the harsh realities of society today, told through the lives of the most armed people in America.

Together these American citizens – and their chilling motivations – establish the fundamental premise of this series: nothing matters if the society unravels and you can’t defend yourself, your family, and your survival cache.

PLEASE NOTE: We fully understand the need for anonymity and respect that.  Only first names will be used when requested (or can be changed for protection) and only general locations will be used – i.e. south, east coast, mid-west.

This open casting call is for a limited time only, filming will begin very soon, so it is important to take action now. To submit yourself or someone you know for the program, please send contact information, a brief bio and a “preview” of what security items you have to gunshowcasting(at)gmail.com or call 720-259-1547 for more information.

The post Orion Entertainment is Casting for Preppers in Personal Security appeared first on The Gunsman.

The Obvious Places to Conceal a Weapon

There are some obvious places and not so obvious places to conceal a firearm in your vehicle. Some of the obvious spots are:

• The glove box
• The console
• Under the seat
• Between the seat and the console
• In the drivers side or passenger side door compartments

Most of these places are obvious spots to conceal a weapon because they’re the easiest places. It doesn’t take much effort to toss a pistol and a few magazines into the glove box before a road trip. Nor does it take much effort to place a weapon under the seat. Easy equals obvious.

Now, I’m not implying that it’s a bad thing to conceal a weapon in any of these places. Having a weapon in the car is better than not having a weapon in the car. However, you have to think about keeping that firearm out of the wrong hands should your car fall victim to vandalism. Burglars are looking for things of value to quickly snag as they walk past your vehicle. A pistol would make a mighty nice prize and turn an average car thief into a more dangerous threat.

Here recently, our neighborhood was frequently hit by a burglar. His primary targets were vehicles. When he was finally caught, he had a knife in his coat pocket, a pistol in his back pocket and a backpack containing four other pistols and enough ammunition to start a small war. It all came from his streak of vandalism.

He was caught by a man leaving on an archery hunt at 4am. When approached, the burglar went for his pocket but before he could draw his weapon, the hunter whacked him on the head with his revolver. Just awesome!

If you’re going to secure a pistol in an obvious place in your car, just make sure it’s out of site. If you can help it, make sure someone can’t steal it. For example, you can use a vehicle console vault shown in the picture. You can order them with a key lock or combination lock.

Less Obvious Places to Conceal a Weapon

Depending on the vehicle you drive, there are several places to mount a pistol while keeping it out of site and in a less obvious spot. The dilemma I always face in choosing to carry a weapon in my vehicle is ease of use versus security. On one hand, I want to make sure my pistol is hidden well enough so that it doesn’t get stolen. On the other hand, in case of an emergency, I want to be able to access my weapon very quickly.

With a holster such as the picture below, a pistol can be mounted just about anywhere in your vehicle.

Under the Dashboard

Mounting a pistol under the drivers side dashboard is possibly your best option. Depending on the positioning, your weapon will be completely out of site when peering in through the window while being completely accessible in case of an emergency.

In the Headrest

I’ve also heard of those who have successful concealed a small pistol in the headrest of their seats. The compartment would have to be custom work and sealed with Velcro to appear normal. But hey, if a TV monitor can be mounted in a headrest, so can a small pistol.

In the Ceiling

Another place to conceal a pistol would be in the ceiling matting. I’ve seen pistols mounted behind ceiling lights, TV monitors and in random locations on the ceilings of vehicles with thicker padding.

On the Ceiling

Just mount your weapon on the ceiling of your vehicle. There are a ton of mounting systems and gun racks on the market that can be easily attached to the ceiling of your car. They come with or without locking systems. This probably isn’t the best option when trying to hide your weapon from a burglar, but you’d be surprised by how many people never look up when robbing a car.

In the Trunk

In the trunk is a great place to conceal your weapons. The only downfall is the accessibility. Most trunks can be accessed from inside the vehicles within a few seconds, but sometimes a few seconds is all you have. Plus, most burglars won’t look in the trunk of a car and are more interested in the eye candy. If they can see it through the window, the more likely they’ll break in to get it.

Behind the Back Seat Console

Many vehicles are now equipped with a console for the back seat. It flips up and down to hold drinks and miscellaneous items. When up, it looks like the rest of the seat. It’s very easy to access from anywhere in the car and most burglars won’t check it, or even notice it.

Behind a Fake Stereo Faceplate

Anyone who has ever installed a new stereo knows that many of them come with detachable face plates. I’ve seen pictures of a compartment behind that faceplate, just big enough for a pistol. The only problem with this….many burglars try to steal stereos. Last time I checked, guns are worth more than stereos!

On the Side of the Console

Depending on the vehicle, a great place for easy access would be to mount the pistol to the side of the front console. Again, depending on the vehicle, it may be extremely visible to anyone passing by or it may be fairly concealed. In the case of this picture, it would probably be hidden fairly well.

Inserted in Drivers Side Seat

Another great spot would be inside the front side of the drivers side seat. Depending on the design of the seat, there should be enough room to carve out a little compartment into the front of the seat for safe concealment of a weapon.

Conclusion

In case of an emergency, carrying a pistol in your vehicle can get you out of jam. Creativity is the key and you’re life or those of who you love are the prize. Make sure that you are in accordance with your local and state laws when you conceal any weapon in your vehicle. In my humble opinion, when it comes to my safety, it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

I’m curious to know where you have placed your weapon in your vehicles. What has worked for you? Please leave a comment below.

The post Concealed Weapons – Concealing a Firearm in Your Vehicle appeared first on The Gunsman.