tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37326455848548364152024-03-21T14:38:27.538-07:005 Rings TacticalIt's too close for guns. I'm switching to Karate.Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-38604915783748222792011-05-09T12:13:00.001-07:002011-05-09T12:13:50.611-07:00New WebsiteWe have moved!<br />
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Please go to www.5ringstactical.comReal Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-65117513300116502732011-05-02T22:45:00.000-07:002011-05-02T22:45:33.309-07:00FDE 5-3-2011<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">READER SUBMITTED FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE OF THE DAY</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsRb3Ow4qccn2cM4eOpAIUVEP-UdwV5Y-Zl2iFJVakCWOmj76ZBs7dZlB4szMfsFug745f-a4Lbb6PwHuV6XBaC0-n7-mw-kXD4zRz5EmWM30aP3Fze_TPaQrJztBGqn3pH0DuXVkxVq1/s1600/RobertKFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsRb3Ow4qccn2cM4eOpAIUVEP-UdwV5Y-Zl2iFJVakCWOmj76ZBs7dZlB4szMfsFug745f-a4Lbb6PwHuV6XBaC0-n7-mw-kXD4zRz5EmWM30aP3Fze_TPaQrJztBGqn3pH0DuXVkxVq1/s400/RobertKFDE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's FDE was submitted by a good friend of mine who I've known for over 13 years. I can't say anything too mean about him in this FDE post because he possess incredibly embarrassing photos of me from our high school prom. Our reader is a law school graduate working in the field of patent law. He also happens to be a heavy drinker. He and I may differ in certain political views, but we tend to see eye to eye when it comes to life saving equipment. Our reader chooses to carry a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SureFire-G2-BK-Surefire-Nitrolon-Flashlight/dp/B0002XCJEA?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Surefire G2</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002XCJEA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> flashlight in black. It matches most suits better than oliver drab green or desert tan. The crazy contraption over the lens is a<a href="http://www.amazon.com/SureFire-Filter-Clamp-Flip-Up-Fits/dp/B0048KDLNQ?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SureFire-Filter-Clamp-Flip-Up-Fits/dp/B0048KDLNQ?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">red flip-up filter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0048KDLNQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. This comes in particularly useful during office espionage missions where a low profile is needed. The red light is more subdued and will not attract as much attention or adversely effect night vision like a white light would. I imagine this red filter gets a lot of use after a night of binge drinking then trying to locate those contracts for his morning meeting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since alcohol often means being obnoxious and hitting on other peoples' girlfriends, my buddy is a likely target for morning-after assaults. Lost, hungover, and in a state of mental disarray puts him at a slight disadvantage when people are trying to kick his ass for whatever expensive suit he puked on the night before. For this reason, my old chum is rarely without his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-PKal-Folding-Plain-Knife/dp/B001OA231Y?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Spyderco P'Kal</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001OA231Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> folding knife. The exact same blade I am usually carrying. Razor sharp S30V steel in a reverse, edge-in grip is available at lightning speed with the built in "wave" feature of the knife. It's the perfect tool for defending your life against a butt-naked Ken Jeong that comes flying out of your car trunk armed with a golf club that you didn't know was there because you roofied yourself the night before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since kidnapping a small Korean doctor often leads to abducting Mike Tyson's pets... a knife may not be enough. Our reader's pistol of choice is a Series 80 Colt Combat Commander. This was actually my personal gun for several years before I sold it to our FDE submitter. Naturally the pistol is a single-stack, 45 caliber piece. The frame and slide are all steel. The gun was worked over by a pistol-smith to my personal specifications. The sights are modified Novak's with a green tritium dot in the front and tritium bars in the rear. The feed ramp was polished, the ejection port flared, and the springs replaced with a Wolf spring kit to ensure reliability. Truly a gentleman's weapon, I decided it needed a French boarder and hi-power cuts milled in to the slide. The top of the slide was also flattened and serrated to prevent glare, and well because I thought it looked cool. The magazine well was flared to facilitate smoother reloads, the grip was hand checkered, and a high relief cut was made at the back of the trigger guard to allow for the gun to really mate with the user's hand. Finally a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Combat-Stainless-Beaver-429SG/dp/B0009J8RD4?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Wilson Combat beavertail grip safety</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0009J8RD4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> was hand fit to the pistol.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-36002959944037536172011-05-02T11:57:00.000-07:002011-05-05T10:28:55.363-07:00OSAMA BIN DEAD<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>US Threat Level drops from ORANGE to DISCO-BALL</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XxDFbSVw6N6N48M3uh5o4Y-tvTnm5oHF50OM3-qu20Xv72RtgDIpdl_kdx5_kWToj-iBgercaTwcBtigS7VJwQR4IlFnNSfRB-05FdBh50j8z9xGW2hXerhUbR6vQ4EzsdNz5kp98wa8/s1600/OsamaKilled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XxDFbSVw6N6N48M3uh5o4Y-tvTnm5oHF50OM3-qu20Xv72RtgDIpdl_kdx5_kWToj-iBgercaTwcBtigS7VJwQR4IlFnNSfRB-05FdBh50j8z9xGW2hXerhUbR6vQ4EzsdNz5kp98wa8/s320/OsamaKilled.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div><div><br />
</div>It's been over a decade since the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden began. Last night, our President was finally able to declare that the hunt was over and that Bin Laden, the super-turd himself was dead, apparently killed by a team of SEALs and Delta Force operatives. This is likely the last frightful image Osama saw before meeting his maker:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCq4WoB46MLTy53tTjXgdKsjnUuAgW0gX1xTbFjRr3klgDbF8Lrq2CmpHqPpnGdG9XPvbRtD72L9-b1N9cXah_ndOhQQehMxprxjqf-uLgDwx25Pb36CglruIIAqVazevSzYTrAR2wn6AK/s1600/NavySeals.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCq4WoB46MLTy53tTjXgdKsjnUuAgW0gX1xTbFjRr3klgDbF8Lrq2CmpHqPpnGdG9XPvbRtD72L9-b1N9cXah_ndOhQQehMxprxjqf-uLgDwx25Pb36CglruIIAqVazevSzYTrAR2wn6AK/s1600/NavySeals.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmnASrt-zo26Il1MQi6L7rZL4YrBgOmqkyt580IaJjTBuzEPuHKqOx1nUo-AJJdLP-ZkBp2aaujR83kN5BcotPdyxfcYPUmSBbYHUYEIl4iJmadbGtX2MyYGqDKQePCsBpJ9nwiPb9nGV/s1600/chucknorris-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmnASrt-zo26Il1MQi6L7rZL4YrBgOmqkyt580IaJjTBuzEPuHKqOx1nUo-AJJdLP-ZkBp2aaujR83kN5BcotPdyxfcYPUmSBbYHUYEIl4iJmadbGtX2MyYGqDKQePCsBpJ9nwiPb9nGV/s320/chucknorris-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><div><br />
</div><div>While I immediately imagined President Obama running around the White House bumping chests and barking at his staff while blasting DMX songs (And no... not because he's black, that's just how I party), I took a moment to remember that Osama was a person too and that the way of the Tao teaches us that we are all part of the same natural spirit. THEN I remembered what he did to all those people on 9/11. I put my DMX album on full blast and started break-dancing in my living room.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-z9FMLMgIA7u7gT6MvqC_A0j6U342JNONRmBpJPKJENVeQvU2UR2D_0w8SsnBfEK9m__LYcxDgJN8z6ntvFo5zqkwYFQWjh1dzh91JNkObHShGKetx25iY5QOQyETWoLzMpkSvj3uY1Q/s1600/human-centipede-sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-z9FMLMgIA7u7gT6MvqC_A0j6U342JNONRmBpJPKJENVeQvU2UR2D_0w8SsnBfEK9m__LYcxDgJN8z6ntvFo5zqkwYFQWjh1dzh91JNkObHShGKetx25iY5QOQyETWoLzMpkSvj3uY1Q/s320/human-centipede-sketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>We have to remember though that Osama was just one of the first heads in the human centipede that is al Queda. The war isn't over. As Chuck Norris leads our men and women of the US military to fight enemies in foreign lands, we have to remember that the enemy is also here on our soil already. Navy Seals won't be here to stop the next terrorist that tries to shoot up a school or bomb a building. An armed citizen or an off-duty police officer might be though. So let's not forget our responsibilities to our fellow citizens and most importantly, our family. Train, train, train, and always have your weapons with you! When it goes down, you want to have the physical ability, skills, tools, and proper mindset to take care of business. </div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9RP0pyx9iPBtFS4Ag4UehNpFGHeecI_nLJPko9w2vJJUyw8aPzfDEEKkUqI6_-Bzv7DY6aQgK3-dHuDNFpeC9FTDEWjHicjere7WacNaHwDrFXQgcIpVwV7tgq4EulbE8ylv2Aati6ma/s1600/JayZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9RP0pyx9iPBtFS4Ag4UehNpFGHeecI_nLJPko9w2vJJUyw8aPzfDEEKkUqI6_-Bzv7DY6aQgK3-dHuDNFpeC9FTDEWjHicjere7WacNaHwDrFXQgcIpVwV7tgq4EulbE8ylv2Aati6ma/s320/JayZ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Celebrate today, but the war continues. Eject your DMX disc and swap in the Jay-Z, because it's "On to the Next One" baby. Rot in hell Osama. The rest of your boys will be joining you soon. Thank you President Bush, President Obama, and the heroic members of our United States military. TEAM AMERICA! F*CK YEAH.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVgDuQHvi93Z5oB6Kg47_Fk_Fm4Xoj5DOojOp8jQEbkv78pQwlkTGu1a1n7h2ZANt3G5nj0o4tKh1sf9svHbEzPJdq5oMVCtmnPQd1hNVKZYisMYqSQOIfyO7e1oycbV_-7y04BVtMx3J/s1600/W.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVgDuQHvi93Z5oB6Kg47_Fk_Fm4Xoj5DOojOp8jQEbkv78pQwlkTGu1a1n7h2ZANt3G5nj0o4tKh1sf9svHbEzPJdq5oMVCtmnPQd1hNVKZYisMYqSQOIfyO7e1oycbV_-7y04BVtMx3J/s1600/W.jpeg" /></a></div><div>WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!</div><div><br />
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</div></div></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-82967835575349672162011-04-23T17:12:00.000-07:002011-05-05T15:38:58.206-07:00GEAR REVIEW: 5.11 Tactical - "Active Shooter Bail Out Bag"<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>PART I </i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGxIYCoijUX4yQv8uLyFBfs-EMCh9vJLyk6J5OryyyKtPaV2b6y-fJeXNC1H5tmZv0yaloBP7y7lBhAFbze-fggREjC5gK3Y3vGXT8KOLJgCul3loaYNxckxtVJVDgFKMBUrVMcQvvpT7/s1600/5.11BailOutBag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGxIYCoijUX4yQv8uLyFBfs-EMCh9vJLyk6J5OryyyKtPaV2b6y-fJeXNC1H5tmZv0yaloBP7y7lBhAFbze-fggREjC5gK3Y3vGXT8KOLJgCul3loaYNxckxtVJVDgFKMBUrVMcQvvpT7/s400/5.11BailOutBag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIuYhX85eTSAKE9TVlWJ0XfElIDkQBSjtjk9n8vQ7J7HPfoK1m3vtMBODg0zxeEMH8jE4kGVZ15_nzz0mkhxoZLsfLeKRrkDLm0zxBePw62e8pMQQla082pA9sD1-s6y3E27t75jneHeL/s1600/Pikachu.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIuYhX85eTSAKE9TVlWJ0XfElIDkQBSjtjk9n8vQ7J7HPfoK1m3vtMBODg0zxeEMH8jE4kGVZ15_nzz0mkhxoZLsfLeKRrkDLm0zxBePw62e8pMQQla082pA9sD1-s6y3E27t75jneHeL/s200/Pikachu.gif" width="165" /></a> "Active Shooter Bags" or "Bail Out Bags" have become very popular in recent years. These are simply bags containing important survival items that can be snatched up and taken with you in a hurry. The specific contents of each individual bag will differ from person to person. You may load up a bag with water and protein bars to prepare for a natural disaster. A police officer may configure his or her bag to carry spare ammunition and extra handcuffs to handle active shooter situations like Columbine or Virginia Tech. If you're a long time virgin and fervently wish to stay that way, you may decide to load your bag with sweater vests and your <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Assorted-Pokemon-Trading-Cards-Bonus/dp/B000WD3XBI?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Pokemon card</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000WD3XBI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> collection. Take only the essentials though. In case of a disaster it's important to travel light. Pikachu can go but Charmander may not be worth lugging around, <i>unles</i>s he's evolved to at least a level 16 Charmeleon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> If you have a trash bag and fill it with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/PowerBar-Triple-Threat-Chocolate-1-94-Ounce/dp/B000EBZVYA?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Power Bars</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000EBZVYA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and jugs of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gatorade-Lemon-Lime-76oz-Makes-Gallons/dp/B0025WGHEE?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Gatorade</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0025WGHEE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, you technically have yourself a bail out bag geared for survival during a possible disaster, it just won't last very long. But before you go out and just switch from the off brand trash can liners to the premium <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hefty-E8-6720-39-Gallon-Cinch-18-Count/dp/B00009EFEI?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hefty</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00009EFEI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> sacks and call it a day, you may want to consider a purpose built bag that is durable and easy to grab and go in a hurry. There are a lot of great bags on the market right now. I wanted to buy a few of the more popular models out there to do a comparison review, but I ran into a few hurdles, like being poor. I noticed that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/5-11-Bail-Flat-Dark-Earth/dp/B002BP53FY?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">5.11 Active Shooter Bail Out Bag</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002BP53FY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> was conservatively priced and seemed to offer a lot of great features for what I needed. So I decided to try it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 5.11 Tactical is a company that makes affordable, quality products geared towards law enforcement, military, and people wanting to dress like G.I. Joe. Don't be ashamed. It's not like owning a Justin Bieber CD or anything. 5.11 makes everything from tactical pants and shirts to boots, glasses, gloves, vests, holsters, gear bags, etc. They even partnered up with retired special forces badass Sgt. Kyle Lamb of <a href="http://www.vikingtactics.com/">Viking Tactics</a> for many of their product designs. Here is a promo they recently shot with Mr. Lamb decked out in 5.11 from head to toe:</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z2r_32E2-Dw?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've run some 5.11 nylon gear in the past and it has always held up well. So I felt confident the 5.11 Bail Out Bag would also be of decent quality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYjUCB-5Q9ZzHZ3W5CgnESFx8P0rynIr2nM2uexapwaHrvVGdXz851CSICA6WzzPex0Jx9tjhixyJaC3v6LgVs7GrhIg99itNREHJR9KqVl5FxM_ObZxk_0BhpHuv95em9h2K_q0OgGKA/s1600/SWATAndNinja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYjUCB-5Q9ZzHZ3W5CgnESFx8P0rynIr2nM2uexapwaHrvVGdXz851CSICA6WzzPex0Jx9tjhixyJaC3v6LgVs7GrhIg99itNREHJR9KqVl5FxM_ObZxk_0BhpHuv95em9h2K_q0OgGKA/s320/SWATAndNinja.jpg" width="320" /></a>Being a law enforcement officer, I decided to configure my bag as an active shooter bag. We used to think that if a couple of turds armed themselves with assault rifles and started blazing away at innocent citizens, we could just call a SWAT team. Then a ninja and 20 commandos with armored vests, machine guns, and barbed wire tattoos would pile out of a black tank and start throwing grenades at the bad guys while chugging Mountain Dew and chopping wooden boards. The problem was that it takes time for these SWAT guys to finish bench pressing 18-wheelers, get assembled, and make it out to the shooting. Sometimes it can take an hour or more to get a special team to respond. A lot of innocent people can get killed in an hour. In the Virginia Tech incident, 30 people were killed and 25 were wounded, all within 7 minutes. That is 7.9 murder attempts per minute. The math is right. I'm Asian. The law enforcement community is coming to believe that in some cases, there may not be time to wait for SWAT and whatever officers get on the scene first may have to go in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmR2kOP2xlZV5SzYHPdfpygbF_ySdoPlRYPCID50xuYzTdmkOOzF9OsACohXHCxTG05YINQ48Ko3RFyfUwcT5-ZYKYB6YwnKpRelMRs3KdFMSQXLgyU_DYeBlFMT5ZgAqsXlyISDQ5DAO/s1600/5.11BailOutBagLoaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmR2kOP2xlZV5SzYHPdfpygbF_ySdoPlRYPCID50xuYzTdmkOOzF9OsACohXHCxTG05YINQ48Ko3RFyfUwcT5-ZYKYB6YwnKpRelMRs3KdFMSQXLgyU_DYeBlFMT5ZgAqsXlyISDQ5DAO/s400/5.11BailOutBagLoaded.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now I don't think anyone plans on running into a gunfight with a little pistol where bad guys have AK-47s and shotguns. We are going to grab a long gun of our own right? The problem is that a typical carbine holds about 30 rounds in a magazine. You may need a lot more than that in an active shooter scenario. You may also need medical supplies to administer first aid to a citizen, a fellow officer, or even yourself. What if there is a long stand off and you are stuck behind cover for hours and hours? You might need a granola bar and water, or maybe a Klondike. A bag with the proper provisions comes in handy. Everyone is going to set their bags up a little differently and only you can determine what is right for you. I tried to set mine up so that if I had to walk into a bad situation, I could just grab my rifle and my 5.11 bag and be decently prepared. After filling my new shoulder pack with goodies, I grabbed my rifle and hit the range where I ran through some tactical shooting drills. I ran through lots of drills including reloads, transition to handgun, move and shoot, and unconventional shooting positions, all utilizing the 5.11 bag.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PART II</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Sorry it has taken me so long to get the second part of this review posted. I was having trouble with pictures and ended up just retaking them inside of my house, which explains the orange walls. Yes, my house has orange walls. No I was not at the Gap store in the Galleria mall waving my guns around. And yes I am barefoot in some of the these pictures. I'm Asian. We don't allow the wearing of shoes in our cribs. It's savage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> First of all, the construction of the bag is standard 5.11 quality, and that's a good thing. The stitching is straight and feels strong. The bag itself is made of 1050D nylon. This is a ballistic weave nylon that has an incredible level of strength and durability for its weight (This is according to Wikipedia, I'm not no seamstress). The zippers, of course are heavy duty YKK zippers. Quality components stitched together correctly mean that when you are running into that elementary school to save those children, your bag won't fall apart and spill your deviant porn collection all over the floor. That would be incredibly inappropriate during an active shooter situation... especially when young children are present. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrH7UVsmYXggMNC64kFYkQsKnqsSiYsxFKqDXb2stZJxAzcolgGBCRYncaNy4C5lQ2qQS9t-UwPKcJvl7FWXPA6xOjsc45ELXYsOGo4yzIGDVkJV2WwQGBdi4Y3faWv4ELhh_6BanlQPk/s1600/jack-bauer-manpurse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrH7UVsmYXggMNC64kFYkQsKnqsSiYsxFKqDXb2stZJxAzcolgGBCRYncaNy4C5lQ2qQS9t-UwPKcJvl7FWXPA6xOjsc45ELXYsOGo4yzIGDVkJV2WwQGBdi4Y3faWv4ELhh_6BanlQPk/s320/jack-bauer-manpurse.jpg" width="212" /></a> The bag is a shoulder bag or messenger style bag. Though a backpack is more stable, it would be impossible to access the contents of a backpack as quickly as a shoulder bag. Jack Bauer uses a shoulder bag and he saved America like 7 times. Do you really need to question it? I am not sure if 5.11 designed the bag specifically to be worn on the right or left side, but I ran the bag in both configurations and both seemed to work fine. One of the biggest problems with these types of bags is stability. Sure you can get to the contents easily, but in a dynamic situation where you are dodging bullets and roundhouse kicking terrorists, your man-purse is going to be flying around all over the place. 5.11 makes a noteworthy attempt at solving this problem with an added velcro belt strap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8OWdAVf7srvLIov1Ht2Ym6OpZgbw_7W2gku7QeaqgT1ECCsciyFf5vdrg9rmxeFLy3BjkFxFcmUrslVHvJm37-kgze_NlH08si9m-KZaT4tJCyzB-m93fq4W7t_J6EnWA3edYken7fjk/s1600/BeltAttachment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8OWdAVf7srvLIov1Ht2Ym6OpZgbw_7W2gku7QeaqgT1ECCsciyFf5vdrg9rmxeFLy3BjkFxFcmUrslVHvJm37-kgze_NlH08si9m-KZaT4tJCyzB-m93fq4W7t_J6EnWA3edYken7fjk/s320/BeltAttachment.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The back of the bag features a belt strap and aero-mesh </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>material to help keep the bag comfortable against your body.</i></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table> The belt strap is located on the back side of the bag. To use the strap you just adjust the bag so that it hangs off your shoulder and rests next to your belt line. You then open the velcro strap and feed it under your belt. Fasten the velcro and presto, the bag is now attached to your hip like an emotionally needy girlfriend (or boyfriend). The strap works okay, but it still has some shortcomings. If you are a police officer using this bag as your "go bag", you will probably not be able to use this belt strap. It is not long enough to fit over the 2" and 2.25" duty belts that most police officers wear. My other problem with this strap is that it is not that fast to put on. When attaching the strap to my shooting belt, it was a little difficult to feed the velcro through and then close the strap. If people were getting shot and I was grabbing this bag I doubt I would even bother fiddling with the strap. I'd just grab and go. Then things would just go flying everywhere like on a regular shoulder bag. I think this piece of gear would be better served with a thigh strap and a quick-release buckle. This way you would be able to throw the bag on and just clasp the thigh strap around your leg. Fastening a large buckle is much faster and simpler than trying to weave nylon and velcro through your belt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The bag's shoulder strap is easily adjusted and features a quick-release buckle so you can drop the bag easily if needed. The shoulder strap also comes with a pad to make wearing the bag more comfortable. A heavy load with all your guns, bullets, and claymore mines is going to take its toll on your shoulder. The pad does a great job spreading out the weight a little and also comes with molle on the top side so you can add even more pouches if you choose.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdLEAQd5zsOcr2K2sUVm4jNtOqWk1Qqb7n7yX0DXd6rAONOOsYFdw3h-MpHk1BasMDi8FQKnkynrdXh5U8_Z9V-hB-wzvfNGv8boDrdVCiB-AnM_tGmIjZiSp34IueS8yHozAx2UjvnwS/s1600/QuickReleaseBuckle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdLEAQd5zsOcr2K2sUVm4jNtOqWk1Qqb7n7yX0DXd6rAONOOsYFdw3h-MpHk1BasMDi8FQKnkynrdXh5U8_Z9V-hB-wzvfNGv8boDrdVCiB-AnM_tGmIjZiSp34IueS8yHozAx2UjvnwS/s400/QuickReleaseBuckle.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i>Quick-Release Shoulder Strap Buckle</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ot4BorMmm9qlGYEpzBy2IbYu-e3f0y9J1Ser90eMBcriIyWe-HQm6ooAHRSD5wcr5JlOSuJciE0ENJZ6ppO3oDjo33ULtyxRxFeH1jP9LedYVsi5YGAmYI9Wd4yG9yXWdR3C0FHhbTk/s1600/NinjaStarPocket.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ot4BorMmm9qlGYEpzBy2IbYu-e3f0y9J1Ser90eMBcriIyWe-HQm6ooAHRSD5wcr5JlOSuJciE0ENJZ6ppO3oDjo33ULtyxRxFeH1jP9LedYVsi5YGAmYI9Wd4yG9yXWdR3C0FHhbTk/s320/NinjaStarPocket.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>For REAL urban ninjas</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>At the base of the shoulder strap is a small pocket. I really can't tell what it is for, to be honest. I tried clipping a folding knife in there and even shoving my keys into the pocket, but it just didn't feel secure. From what I can gather, it's a pocket for stowing folded notes that you plan on passing to that cute girl in homeroom. Either that or 5.11 actually designed a bag with a built in ninja throwing star pouch. I guess if the situation gets really bad and you run out of bullets, you can now switch to shuriken. Even if you choose NOT to use this feature (although why you WOULDN'T want to carry ninja stars is beyond me) it doesn't get in the way at all.</div><div><br />
<br />
The main compartment of the bag is big enough to fit anything you might need to bring to a gunfight. Chem lights, flashlights, grenades, and urine filled water balloons will all fit inside the 5.11 bag. Just throwing all your equipment into a cavernous void isn't really efficient though. You don't want to reach into the bag for your pistol and pull out that banana you packed for lunch. To aid with organization, 5.11 has added a wall of MOLLE webbing on one side of the interior of the bag. This allows you to attach any MOLLE compatible pouches to help keep your handcuffs, radio, and other items where you want them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIrdtoWuAtHE8yCj2D4fP85unhwHJYdWWnNGFRJOp2MmcIP-MEv8X-DgZV3x0gFv6vYEF6cfG03c0kEF2FfGVQLov7MZwxn37w6Jdhri-aaORwjfYOGZZAsSPFvGzcWP9S6W-8io6IGiJ/s1600/InsideMolle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIrdtoWuAtHE8yCj2D4fP85unhwHJYdWWnNGFRJOp2MmcIP-MEv8X-DgZV3x0gFv6vYEF6cfG03c0kEF2FfGVQLov7MZwxn37w6Jdhri-aaORwjfYOGZZAsSPFvGzcWP9S6W-8io6IGiJ/s320/InsideMolle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Rows of MOLLE inside the bag</i></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I used the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/5-11-Tactical-Holster-Earth-Universal/dp/B0048KMPJC?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">5.11 LBE Universal Holster</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0048KMPJC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and an Eagle Industries double magazine pouch to hold my full-sized M&P handgun and two extra magazines. An idea I would pitch to 5.11 would be to add velcro to the opposite side of the interior of the bag. This would give the user even more options when attaching pouches. Maxpedition makes some great velcro pouches that I think would have worked great in this type of set up.</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK9-WJbHpG8a7YslBQQgRNT-oKei3d1PH9M5UrhV9vOm0R6vDKzBwjwC3RMyEpKYzropY4Rl5n_mOt3UAVO8KT8Cg-gfb8k-7FEi1VHcxF7PtfVd4wbUAiusWhX1i_tFEu8YiXHT9zgPK/s1600/MolleHolster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK9-WJbHpG8a7YslBQQgRNT-oKei3d1PH9M5UrhV9vOm0R6vDKzBwjwC3RMyEpKYzropY4Rl5n_mOt3UAVO8KT8Cg-gfb8k-7FEi1VHcxF7PtfVd4wbUAiusWhX1i_tFEu8YiXHT9zgPK/s320/MolleHolster.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>5.11 LBE Holster attached to interior MOLLE</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">On both sides of the bag are zip-open pockets that are great for additional items like notepads, pens, GPS, or whatever else you can think of. I shoved my Android smart phone, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Apple-touch-Generation-NEWEST-MODEL/dp/B001FA1O18?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Ipod Touch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001FA1O18" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, notepad, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SureFire-E2D-Defender-Dual-Output-Lumens/dp/B001EJI4B8?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Surefire E2d</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001EJI4B8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Defender flashlight, and digital voice recorder into one of these pockets and it still had room for more. There are also several rows of MOLLE webbing on the exterior of the pocket so you can add even more pouches if for some crazy reason you actually need more.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfeWJc-Q00-XzukOlZPtB_kfng8AquQMfNk_bGJ3z250hmSk5RE1YwRqvoFSNFbN4KjQdndmSjw3y6LlwqDep7tEp7d374Xb0eG4ne53u2reYzrdTmIMY8RYsEJ2WdI-pbsSQqueFepUr/s1600/SidePocketMolle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfeWJc-Q00-XzukOlZPtB_kfng8AquQMfNk_bGJ3z250hmSk5RE1YwRqvoFSNFbN4KjQdndmSjw3y6LlwqDep7tEp7d374Xb0eG4ne53u2reYzrdTmIMY8RYsEJ2WdI-pbsSQqueFepUr/s400/SidePocketMolle.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I shoved light sticks into the exterior MOLLE. The zippered pocket was easily<br />
closed all the way even with all my crap inside of it. Clipped to one of the magazine<br />
pouches is my Surefire flashlight.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfzzASjlILjo3pi6hac1CkYQMv7bst_X-KAE8AgxXTEqTYFuiw0cPxXfifxoXCwgxphm0wnZgVMROaQDNkT6mqwC980TI-DYjh36tyXxcXq6PF_6SG2zNsMbOnBYMBozh04jgk_hBqNU-/s1600/PistolDraw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfzzASjlILjo3pi6hac1CkYQMv7bst_X-KAE8AgxXTEqTYFuiw0cPxXfifxoXCwgxphm0wnZgVMROaQDNkT6mqwC980TI-DYjh36tyXxcXq6PF_6SG2zNsMbOnBYMBozh04jgk_hBqNU-/s320/PistolDraw.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When running the bag as a concealed carry "man purse" on my weapon hand side, I was able to effectively use the velcro belt strap. Drawing my pistol from the bag was easy and surprisingly similar to drawing from a standard belt holster since the position of the gun was basically the same. I did not find that the bag got in the way of movement when shooting and even re-holstering was not as difficult as I originally thought it would be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNEPfBKlPRt79F2qDkFFhme5an-vDNppmqfM9-k1mApgpgADXUoKY1wHyjXtQnAetOIo5-NJJG7TXWgACUB0Og_o-UjCm7oo06et9I5e2Zxlax99-pxe4yDqXaiQiboR5HLBQz1G0EBvT/s1600/PistolExtended.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNEPfBKlPRt79F2qDkFFhme5an-vDNppmqfM9-k1mApgpgADXUoKY1wHyjXtQnAetOIo5-NJJG7TXWgACUB0Og_o-UjCm7oo06et9I5e2Zxlax99-pxe4yDqXaiQiboR5HLBQz1G0EBvT/s320/PistolExtended.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm not a messenger bag kind of guy, but I can see how this bag would come in handy as an alternative to carrying your gun on your belt then trying to cover it with another garment. Using this bag allows you to go out in just a t-shirt when it's hot and it even carries spare magazines and other everyday carry items.<br />
<br />
I did have to make one major adjustment when using my handgun with this bag set up however. Most of the time I wear my magazines on the support side of my waist. This way I can easily grab the magazines with my left hand and feed my pistol, which is held in my right hand. Since all of my gear was inside the bag, including my spare magazines, I had to reach my left hand across my body to get into the bag and access my reloads. It was definitely slower and a little awkward, but probably something that a little bit of training could cure. If this is the way you choose to carry, then train that way often.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94IxmQKzgq45jGBIdivav2Xr_JRZAmHYfXlci3sL_2yDf4Yo_XhFHc-lKjC6d2QPfhk7mgXUbxW8YzmIaLd_pqVl9smy-GZbDPi51sAitKGBYIMbHm4TAecQd5Ef_jiY4uhDC9-j2OoMg/s1600/PistolReload.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94IxmQKzgq45jGBIdivav2Xr_JRZAmHYfXlci3sL_2yDf4Yo_XhFHc-lKjC6d2QPfhk7mgXUbxW8YzmIaLd_pqVl9smy-GZbDPi51sAitKGBYIMbHm4TAecQd5Ef_jiY4uhDC9-j2OoMg/s320/PistolReload.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The 5.11 Bail Out Bag also features three built-in magazine pockets on the exterior of the bag. Each pocket holds two AR-15 magazines making a total of six mags. There is no divider between the magazines when two are placed into the same pocket. I thought that this would cause problems during magazine extraction, but reloads were smooth. I was able to pull out one magazine without disturbing the other that was in the same pocket. When running the bag as a support bag for my rifle, I wore it on my support side. My thinking was that I would probably already be wearing a pistol on my right side so throwing the bag on the left just seemed to make sense. This also made reloading rifle magazines from the bag more intuitive by simulating the wearing of magazines on the support hand side.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiugI8N80MK_7xWKqjCF_bA7MX3OzJ2aUPotAVLO4g3tHpw7XMO41va0wEU4E5nt_PbikbsDctiEbiPj28RGsMXw6FbyRe2R9ZN5Xw6bRZxIvasqxkZhpAF25MLHyGYmVj5EwHaj9CKdb3/s1600/ARReload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiugI8N80MK_7xWKqjCF_bA7MX3OzJ2aUPotAVLO4g3tHpw7XMO41va0wEU4E5nt_PbikbsDctiEbiPj28RGsMXw6FbyRe2R9ZN5Xw6bRZxIvasqxkZhpAF25MLHyGYmVj5EwHaj9CKdb3/s320/ARReload.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Be aware that you may have to adjust the bag to ride OVER<br />
your belt if you are running a police duty belt with lots of gear.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With six fully loaded magazines the bag had a slight tendency to pull out and away from the body. This and the tall pouches made it a <i>little</i> difficult to get a good grasp of a magazine when doing a reload. You can see in the picture above that I don't have a great grip on my mag. This was more prominent with an empty bag. Having the main compartment filled seemed to help balance things out a little bit. The magazine pouches work very well and hold your AR mags securely, even if you choose to just put one mag in each pouch. The velcro flaps are great for added security but are not necessary. The elastic in the pouch does an adequate job of securing your spare ammo. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi8ukhPP44d8dG6wJCj72EFef9r5-4p5McsFDCFlQcmGOwDRqRy23VWNJFwE7XxFcaPMUK8dTH8v0Lxv1SJ2R7DcJO9ci1wuEG4M3xgWcvhc56PGFKW_LzxmmCkEQhOhI4YtbO8G4M-qQ/s1600/SixMagsFlapClosed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUi8ukhPP44d8dG6wJCj72EFef9r5-4p5McsFDCFlQcmGOwDRqRy23VWNJFwE7XxFcaPMUK8dTH8v0Lxv1SJ2R7DcJO9ci1wuEG4M3xgWcvhc56PGFKW_LzxmmCkEQhOhI4YtbO8G4M-qQ/s400/SixMagsFlapClosed.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>6 magazines with the flaps closed for security and discretion. Note that the <br />
flaps will not close properly if you are running Magpul plates on your mags.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY2Xa777ls18br1cvN0zFROe5WDpRtix6kEJw2XiHbffU1eDNCTvwwJayypBTNkzF5-iBFUck6s9csVQmwq8zNN7Utyu9WUPTwSG_MwAK9LUiDr63jWo42ne0s7HSn2DJe-BwU8XyKzWq/s400/SixMagsFlapOpen.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>6 magazines exposed.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni7Tzn0merYzfQcQuneK6DT-Yt844j-gL9yBDocrb9o6lJkfiCwbuK3ta9b7xgEOd5r2eQuTCxrwRKxSTy74T1Ow04M1H6ZsZ8G45gnCrvwXNgq16H3klXC6j1V5RfcbD-AlIsv21i0H2/s1600/RifleProne.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni7Tzn0merYzfQcQuneK6DT-Yt844j-gL9yBDocrb9o6lJkfiCwbuK3ta9b7xgEOd5r2eQuTCxrwRKxSTy74T1Ow04M1H6ZsZ8G45gnCrvwXNgq16H3klXC6j1V5RfcbD-AlIsv21i0H2/s320/RifleProne.jpeg" width="320" /></a>When deploying a rifle, I think it's easier to reload from a tactical vest. Shooting from awkward positions is also smoother with a vest as opposed to a bail out bag. However using the bag is plenty effective for times when you just don't have a vest. I suggest you actually train using the bag though so you know what to do when it gets in the way of shooting from prone positions. It may also fly around and land in awkward places during dynamic movement if you aren't able to secure the bag with the belt strap. When quickly transitioning to prone positions, especially roll over prone, I found that I had to push the bag out of the way with my support hand before dropping to the ground. If I didn't, I'd end up trying to lay on top of the bag. This felt like belly-flopping on to a rectangular shaped rock. Once I got used to maneuvering with shoulder bag, it didn't present much of a problem. Another plus is that the shoulder strap does not get in the way of a rifle sling during transitions. I tried this with a single point and a 2-point sling and everything was smooth. This is of course if you put on your rifle and sling OVER the bag... and not the other way around.<br />
<br />
Overall I think 5.11 has put out a great product with this Bail Out/Active Shooter Bag. The only modification I would make is to add a leg strap to the back of the bag to aid in quickly strapping my gear on. There are a lot of different styles of bail out bags on the market, but I don't think anyone would be disappointed with the 5.11 version. It's well made and is of a decent size without being so big it's clumsy. It is also competitively priced, retailing at $59.99. What more can you ask for? Besides the leg strap.... So whether you are looking for an active shooter bag, an emergency supply bag, or a manlier way to carry your baby's diapers and bottle, give the 5.11 Bail Out Bag a chance.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuVuNMSCjQDTTMXihSfgBqC7qUBwJZhxeSq__b15X1bDqi0YMpzW5cYMIXKMabDq1b0F4Fdhvan9LPwySTh0ahWQpLZnhKBbpH69x2bamzOxpUhy-qAmkpTWZlcv7vGxiMmovuI5dlb8L/s1600/PotatoApproved.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuVuNMSCjQDTTMXihSfgBqC7qUBwJZhxeSq__b15X1bDqi0YMpzW5cYMIXKMabDq1b0F4Fdhvan9LPwySTh0ahWQpLZnhKBbpH69x2bamzOxpUhy-qAmkpTWZlcv7vGxiMmovuI5dlb8L/s400/PotatoApproved.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Police Potato Approved</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-4990442021321618982011-04-21T14:37:00.000-07:002011-04-21T14:45:57.982-07:00Top Shot: Season 4 Auditions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fpwZWFWkaJ_OX0hKpJMPgQR-jYXkRFjtylsnMzxEPj26oyJlNG72ysVggHGNg0RfX_jmjAT5ZNDtFP0oUbFs6_uFGNLfqSg8wRM56CTfbl2THcTesqJsK1TeI70X2j-VZNkyYIZjGXc6/s1600/TopShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fpwZWFWkaJ_OX0hKpJMPgQR-jYXkRFjtylsnMzxEPj26oyJlNG72ysVggHGNg0RfX_jmjAT5ZNDtFP0oUbFs6_uFGNLfqSg8wRM56CTfbl2THcTesqJsK1TeI70X2j-VZNkyYIZjGXc6/s400/TopShot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Yes, yes. I know I owe you guys the second part of the 5.11 Bail Out Bag review... I'm having trouble with the pictures and I apologize for my tardiness. It will be posted soon.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I just wanted to let everyone know that Top Shot, the History Channel's shooting-based reality show is looking for participants for season 4. If you haven't seen the show, it pits some of the country's top marksmen against each other in some of the most ridiculous shooting competitions you can imagine. It isn't combat shooting by any means, but it's still fun to watch. If you think you have what it takes, you can apply here: http://www.history.com/shows/top-shot/articles/now-casting-top-shot<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaejgX0NEt0hkjn72SyLirau7Do8L56ad2luzWrSEEMMdArjwvfGyox4heQMHV4iAIFyHTHQg8Bltxo_r2b60JyUlt4oj8XUJzli89RBDyixG8uQfCwUh6L9SCZADPT0xz5L1vXVoGCpPA/s1600/Lui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaejgX0NEt0hkjn72SyLirau7Do8L56ad2luzWrSEEMMdArjwvfGyox4heQMHV4iAIFyHTHQg8Bltxo_r2b60JyUlt4oj8XUJzli89RBDyixG8uQfCwUh6L9SCZADPT0xz5L1vXVoGCpPA/s320/Lui.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The man in the photo is a good friend of mine and a fellow law enforcement officer who has just submitted his application video. I think he'd be great for the show since he's skilled at slinging bullets and is also one of the most ridiculous people I know. So when the time comes, vote for Officer Jonathan Lui for the next season of Top Shot! Check out his audition reel:<br />
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<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-89809257742107196892011-04-04T11:54:00.000-07:002011-04-04T17:03:37.969-07:00FDE 4-4-2011<div style="text-align: center;">READER SUBMITTED FDE (FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PART I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJo64zrK1G6iREBupG_E7oOaPgiFNUj_F-zf7sLEbetnkKRnctudjjP1ig8sXozhoYUa8oRyUl9K5FI4Ne9zL6HWnVhFS02VdRGngHD3qJCmbiMCXT2DxAiZRa0nxMPW8x6YGmbZEIr7Ld/s1600/DavidPaiFDE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJo64zrK1G6iREBupG_E7oOaPgiFNUj_F-zf7sLEbetnkKRnctudjjP1ig8sXozhoYUa8oRyUl9K5FI4Ne9zL6HWnVhFS02VdRGngHD3qJCmbiMCXT2DxAiZRa0nxMPW8x6YGmbZEIr7Ld/s400/DavidPaiFDE.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's FDE was submitted by a grad school student and social worker who is in the process of obtaining his masters in social work. We'll call him "Dizzle Peezy". When this young warrior is not in class or helping the less fortunate, he can be found at the gun range making ragged holes in the faces of paper bad guys. An avid shooter and gun enthusiast, Dizzle wields an all black, generation 3, Glock 19 with a custom grip modification he did himself. Affectionately known in some regions of the hood as a "nine", this mid-size pistol is loaded with 9mm 124 grain HST. Fast, reliable, and accurate, the Glock possesses traits not normally associated with your average government worker. But then again Dizzle isn't average. If you ever find yourself staring at the barrel of his gun and don't already know "what time it is", our scholar warrior can tell you after glancing down at his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-Samurai-Automatic-Stainless-SNM031/dp/B003WM0AOO?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Seiko 200m</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003WM0AOO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> dive watch, complete with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/22mm-Black-Nylon-Watch-Strap/dp/B0046X497W?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Maratac Zulu</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0046X497W" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> NATO wristband. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The social worker's primary war is waged against stacks and stacks of paperwork and government mail. Bullets are great for the occasional, stress-relieving office pop, but envelopes are better handled with a blade. Dizzle's blade of choice is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-The-Wasp/dp/B000B58876?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">CRKT Wasp</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000B58876" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, a stylish folder with a 3 inch, drop point blade, and a liner lock. Plenty sturdy and sharp for any paper-cut retaliation stabbings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PART II</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEYfye_jHePTb8zxwzUrW4QqZed_lPy4eBDOxg1zrR2DAgYzXkn4yvn0w-RiB9S1epGpjWaE1sxXbIIt5bc8BoMtRbJmb9iKyWc3NxCZ5tyZbH3nt-BiTwM5tG-SRvY8-uwKdmlaMChkk/s1600/DavidPaiLoadOutFDE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEYfye_jHePTb8zxwzUrW4QqZed_lPy4eBDOxg1zrR2DAgYzXkn4yvn0w-RiB9S1epGpjWaE1sxXbIIt5bc8BoMtRbJmb9iKyWc3NxCZ5tyZbH3nt-BiTwM5tG-SRvY8-uwKdmlaMChkk/s400/DavidPaiLoadOutFDE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This second picture is what Dizzle sent as part of his FDE. I'm not sure what school he is getting his degree at, but it looks like the university needs the help of Morgan Freeman and a giant baseball bat. Dizzle wears a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BlackHawk-Plate-Carrier-Large-32PC12OD/dp/B001QJEBHM?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Blackhawk Low Vis</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001QJEBHM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Plate Carrier holding <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Armor-BulletProof-Ceramic-Plates-Level/dp/B0042SL672?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">armor plates</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0042SL672" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. This rig is so low profile that bad guys don't even realize Dizzle is wearing armor. This level of secrecy only costs around $30 and the awkwardness of hugging a girl and having a stiffy in your chest. The matching belt supports 5.11 brand <a href="http://www.amazon.com/5-11-Double-Black-Pistol-Magazine/dp/B0019MM1EQ?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">pistol</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0019MM1EQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/5-11-Double-Mag-Cover-Black/dp/B0019MM182?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">rifle magazine pouches</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0019MM182" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/6280-Holster-Plain-Black-Glock/dp/B001D83Y9M?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Safariland 6280</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001D83Y9M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> holster for the Glock 19 with attached <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-69210-TLR-1-Strobe/dp/B0037CJCMK?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Streamlight TLR-1</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0037CJCMK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> pistol light. The piece that truly pulls the outfit together though is the color matched AR-15 rifle. The long gun is accessorized with a tactical light, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magpul-Industries-Mil-Spec-Adjustable-MAG310-BLK/dp/B000U68YU2?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Magpul CTR</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000U68YU2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> stock, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magpul-Rail-Vertical-Grip-Black/dp/B003LNR7TK?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">vertical foregrip</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003LNR7TK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, redi-mag for quick magazine changes, an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/EOTech-512-A65-Tactical-HOLOgraphic-Batteries/dp/B000KKFVRC?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Eotech</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000KKFVRC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> sight, and tactical sling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Though some may accuse today's FDE submitter as having seen <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Red-Dawn-Collectors-Patrick-Swayze/dp/B000PMFS14?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Red Dawn</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000PMFS14" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i> one too many times, he just may be the world's most prepared social worker/grad school student. I only have one question for Dizzle. Which molle pouch on your war belt carries your homework?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-7016770807912117532011-03-31T12:06:00.000-07:002011-03-31T14:07:36.765-07:00FDE 3-31-2011<div style="text-align: center;"><b>READER SUBMITTED FDE (FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE OF THE DAY)</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gmFw9a9h9UP4PjVe8smDQvc6ae2mzngCl9S32NZgv_qjaxZ8ZD8w5W3_WxBF_2nkpateHbhAeIUgEa9Wcpx2x8domjInPPIMwCBc9dt36xMgO6U1telLge2fYcBN0h3ESzeV1XDNPOnE/s1600/JasonFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gmFw9a9h9UP4PjVe8smDQvc6ae2mzngCl9S32NZgv_qjaxZ8ZD8w5W3_WxBF_2nkpateHbhAeIUgEa9Wcpx2x8domjInPPIMwCBc9dt36xMgO6U1telLge2fYcBN0h3ESzeV1XDNPOnE/s400/JasonFDE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's FDE was kindly submitted by the digital media manager for a large jewelry store. His Twitter code name: @elegantmachines. A self-proclaimed nerd, today's hero keeps it geeky but chic with his love of Apple products. He is never without his silver <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MC505LL-11-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0047DVRQW?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">MacBook Air</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0047DVRQW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. It's light, compact, and sleek yet still packs a raw 11 inches of screen that would put Ron Jeremy to shame. Nerd or not, @elegantmachines knows that not all problems are virtual. So he packs a trusty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830039-Multitool-Leather-Combination/dp/B0002H49BC?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Leatherman multi-tool</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002H49BC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for those times when you have to adjust some computer circuits, recalibrate the commodulator for the flux-capacitor, or pull out a bad guy's tooth every time he answers that Star Wars was cooler than Star Trek. This digital media guru is also a family man and a cat owner, but not the creepy kind. According to his blog bio, @elegantmachinese is a lover of sci-fi and technology but chugs the hater-ade when it comes to cigarettes, melting butter, and mean people. To protect his family and feline friends from cigarette smoking douche-bags wielding sticks of butter in the summer time, @elegantmachines sets his phaser to .40 cal with his Glock 23. The compact Glock slide wears a tenifer and black oxide finish. The frame of the gun is made of a light-weight but incredibly strong polymer. The business end spits hollow-points instead of laser beams, but if Darth Vader ever traded his light-saber in for handgun I'm guessing he'd have a Glock. Bad guys beware, do not mess with the geeky. There are members of the Nerd Herd that work for the CIA, and digital media managers with Sith Lord pistols. Lay a hand on his ipod and @elegantmachines just might hurt you, than post an imovie of it on youtube and blog about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out @elegantmachine's blog at <a href="http://www.elegantmachines.com/">www.elegantmachines.com</a> and follow him on Twitter: @elegantmachines</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-27735291163705687362011-03-26T23:22:00.000-07:002011-03-26T23:38:10.627-07:00FDE 3-27-2011<div style="text-align: center;"><b>READER SUBMITTED FDE (FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE) OF THE DAY</b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw8bhgujQrRRaY4qAz8cvMUYh58Vav5W8v-wCRC5AlVzifnrvSDqmbP0DStCqonXmb8P3tAMw6Atz7ldtDEgPwZoi4Iqrf8wpzU9Z_TylcrqXwZ5WsYrk80fRJMz0qEtOQetVDd5Ng0je/s1600/MikeFDE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw8bhgujQrRRaY4qAz8cvMUYh58Vav5W8v-wCRC5AlVzifnrvSDqmbP0DStCqonXmb8P3tAMw6Atz7ldtDEgPwZoi4Iqrf8wpzU9Z_TylcrqXwZ5WsYrk80fRJMz0qEtOQetVDd5Ng0je/s400/MikeFDE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today's FDE is brought to you by a talented young man who is a grad student studying psychology, a gifted song-writer/musician, and also my younger brother. He is known in my circle of friends as "2.0", for being the younger and more improved version of me... He came out taller and got all the talent, but I have more guns than he does. My brother, being also smarter than I am, is not a member of the military or any law enforcement agency. However, he is a well trained and responsible citizen with whom I would clear a house with any day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He carries his trusty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-M16-10KZ/dp/B0017UV9W0?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">CRKT M16</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0017UV9W0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> tanto blade folding knife with him wherever he goes. The blade is just the right length for 2.0 to cut seat belts, guitar strings, or defend himself from swarms of lady-fans after they hear his guitar solos. Since my brother is an avid motorcyclist and bicyclist, he is rarely without a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SKL-03-28-SpokeLit-Safety-Light-Wheels/dp/B001DZMAAY?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Nite Ize</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001DZMAAY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> LED Reflector equipped backpack containing his trusty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SureFire-Flashlight-TAN-POLYMER-1-25/dp/B000E1DR96?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Surefire G2</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000E1DR96" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> flashlight. Its 65 lumens of light output and sturdy construction are more than adequate for outdoor trekking, late night engine repair, and shining under his face while telling ghost stories. A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNA411-Flight-Alarm-Chronograph/dp/B00068TJM6?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Seiko</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00068TJM6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Chronograph watch goes with his corncob pipes and elbow patched blazers, while keeping 2.0 on time for his classroom discussions where he uses words like "<i>biopsychosocial</i>", "<i>cognitivism</i>", and "<i>penis envy</i>". My brother claims that the panda hat and the black <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Armortip-Puncture-Protective-Gloves-Large/dp/B000BOJ04C?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hatch gloves</a> are just to keep him warm during outings in cold weather. I think he just likes looking like a furry animal. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht16Ijm7qqtCv5_dyhMcsgGjZfuZlJ-EZWvfLFDb3fR-oCepWActD-vcVx6mRbU0xRhfPeoGRrNA7SrJHYM-mYjVU1vsnJrqrnG3bGvXQ1Va7GDvNMcHJjGy9BD74AvXoN1S5z16l5y_QQ/s1600/MichaelPistolFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht16Ijm7qqtCv5_dyhMcsgGjZfuZlJ-EZWvfLFDb3fR-oCepWActD-vcVx6mRbU0xRhfPeoGRrNA7SrJHYM-mYjVU1vsnJrqrnG3bGvXQ1Va7GDvNMcHJjGy9BD74AvXoN1S5z16l5y_QQ/s320/MichaelPistolFDE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When not burning rubber on two wheels, my brother likes to train Muay Thai and practice zombie-killing at the range and on his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-4GB-Console-Kinect/dp/B003O6EE4U?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">X-Box</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003O6EE4U" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. His game of choice? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Rising-2-Xbox-360/dp/B002EE5ROO?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dead Rising</a>. His monster slaying pistol of choice? The Smith and Wesson Commander, which is a compact 1911 chambered in 45 ACP. The frame is made out of scandium which is a special blend of alloys, which allows for the gun to be lighter than an all-steel 1911, but stronger than a gun with an aluminum frame.<br />
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Despite having guns, knives, and animal heads, 2.0 also wields a mean, but sensitive axe:</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ty6EkNNbafc" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mess with this musician and the last thing you may ever hear is, "<i>Analyze this... BOOOOOM!</i>"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-19571178993091534602011-03-24T22:48:00.000-07:002011-03-24T23:08:41.630-07:00FDE 3-25-2011<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>READER SUBMITTED FDE (FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE) </b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTeMn56cHrMcqJba42hRwsCmUHjlFSP_V8Uuw-s59_q1uixBMLmC5J-0RD8NRccaSYtSawNV-1eQSfPTuYErBCq7U0ffB3f1lpi14Ml2djncckHi7V0zfiQDEbTnxP-EGHtFqOQY08aSY/s1600/BrandonFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTeMn56cHrMcqJba42hRwsCmUHjlFSP_V8Uuw-s59_q1uixBMLmC5J-0RD8NRccaSYtSawNV-1eQSfPTuYErBCq7U0ffB3f1lpi14Ml2djncckHi7V0zfiQDEbTnxP-EGHtFqOQY08aSY/s400/BrandonFDE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's FDE was submitted by a 5 Rings Tactical reader who goes by the Twitter handle, "b_C_d". A recent spike in the number of armed robberies, home invasions, and burglaries in his area have convinced him to arm himself with reliable tools with which to defend himself and his family. As a proud father, b_C_d understands that he is responsible for both the safety of his children and their understanding of proper fashion accessorizing. A real man should look good but not <i>pretty</i>, and he should know the proper balance of form and function. Wanting to lead by example, b_C_d has chosen a soft and supple pair of Tod's driving moccasins in a dull blue hue to match his blue belt, effectively fusing comfort and fashion. A real man is also ready to defend those he loves, so b_C_d's eye-catching belt both looks good and supports the weight of his semi-compact sized "Baby Glock" pistol. The gun rides in a Comp-Tac Minotaur holster. Sticking with b_C_d's theme of balance, the Minotaur is a hybrid holster made of both kydex plastic and leather. This combination offers the beauty and comfort of leather with the low maintenance and toughness of properly formed kydex. Complimenting the 40 caliber Glock is Benchmade's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-McHenry-Design-Mini-Infidel-BK1-Coated/dp/B003Z388OO?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Mini-Infidel</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003Z388OO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> knife, because you never know if it's a knife or a gun fight, and a gentleman always dresses for the occasion. Thank you b_C_d, for showing your kids that you can show up for your photo shoots for GQ <i>and</i> Guns and Ammo, and never have to even change clothes. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-4640858924334028232011-03-21T01:51:00.000-07:002011-04-04T12:18:06.426-07:00Kahr P40 (aka The Noisy Cricket) - ALMOST the Perfect Carry Gun<div><b>GUN REVIEW - KAHR P40 PISTOL</b><br />
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Several years ago I was in the market for an off-duty pistol that I could carry concealed. At the time my duty gun was a Glock 22, which is a full-sized weapon. I'm not a big guy and trying to hide that pistol was not easy for me. Naturally I picked up a Glock 27. It was a 40 caliber Glock, just like my duty gun only it was a sub-compact size, affectionately called a "Baby Glock". The smaller Glock was a great pistol. It was reliable, accurate, and could even accept magazines from my full-sized gun. It was still too thick though. I wanted something with a slimmer profile that would make concealment easy. Carrying the Glock inside my waistband made me look like I was trying to smuggle a bratwurst sausage in my pants. If I needed that kind of self-esteem boost, I'd have just gotten a roll of quarters or shoved some socks down my crotch.<br />
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</div><div></div><div>My search for a concealed carry gun continued and I ended up with a Kahr P40. The P40 is another 40 caliber pistol but is thinner than the Glock, just like I wanted. It has a short, 3.6 inch barrel but comes with a grip that is long enough to wrap your entire hand around. Many sub-compact pistols are chopped short and you have to curl your pinky finger underneath the handle when gripping the gun. Not the case with this stainless steel bad boy.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnUDb_vClvk0FTjz0MyN05vCLWog6zRsMM5NlzrjRvQq3ywLnx8DPd4_BUIiA37KkyzE-5xJy-Q_rjf-ezpdbf_i4d7WD4_F_HG5ogS5iUFkwC2K-bLLgOUmuUEZfjfSPq8geYtGY5JHI/s1600/KahrGrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnUDb_vClvk0FTjz0MyN05vCLWog6zRsMM5NlzrjRvQq3ywLnx8DPd4_BUIiA37KkyzE-5xJy-Q_rjf-ezpdbf_i4d7WD4_F_HG5ogS5iUFkwC2K-bLLgOUmuUEZfjfSPq8geYtGY5JHI/s320/KahrGrip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>The P40's frame is made of polymer, resulting in a lightweight firearm that is comfortably carried, even when fully loaded with all seven rounds. That's right, it only holds seven. Part of the reason the gun is so slim is because it uses a single-stack magazine. So the gun only holds six rounds in the mag and one in the chamber. That's only one more than a snub-nosed revolver, but at least it reloads faster. The factory sights are white bar-dot combat sights, which are fine. XS makes a great night sight with a giant front dot for this gun though. If I choose to continue carrying my Kahr, the XS will be my next upgrade. <i>Just a side note, there is a "budget" version of this gun that Kahr manufactures called the CW40. It's a great gun too but if you plan on upgrading the sights, get the P40. The dovetails are apparently friendly to aftermarket products where with the CW40, you may be stuck with the factory units.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The trigger is nothing to write home about. It's a fairly standard DAO (double action only) trigger. There is a lot of take up, then a break. Completely acceptable for a defense gun. You pull the trigger, the gun goes bang, and hopefully you had it pointed at this: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt1X6UHZxR6vUaLuzfKdwgcENqX_lCBrSYN9tZx8crqmtaiZnhkkzBo6KITZS68x6QgY3aOn2Q5TIA0wfTsczutzwmJtYapkJzXIBt-iMaaE5cXj9zvNTmtBwu80QFFy4jPdd2_sl9Cpp/s1600/Skeletor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt1X6UHZxR6vUaLuzfKdwgcENqX_lCBrSYN9tZx8crqmtaiZnhkkzBo6KITZS68x6QgY3aOn2Q5TIA0wfTsczutzwmJtYapkJzXIBt-iMaaE5cXj9zvNTmtBwu80QFFy4jPdd2_sl9Cpp/s320/Skeletor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and not this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_y25UJ8RqWof_AGN-Y4P4WyfpjUnJTexLIth94Hm82vvRK_7f1uU4wNZkf7dw1CAHL2NGEwWXykbMDyZISFuPHi8ZOIUZ2Ly5g0v7fnmb-Amcxv4aVE-jFYxu3-D8WC-1k6ipNwrnRMo/s1600/3LegPuppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_y25UJ8RqWof_AGN-Y4P4WyfpjUnJTexLIth94Hm82vvRK_7f1uU4wNZkf7dw1CAHL2NGEwWXykbMDyZISFuPHi8ZOIUZ2Ly5g0v7fnmb-Amcxv4aVE-jFYxu3-D8WC-1k6ipNwrnRMo/s320/3LegPuppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><div><b>Shooting the P40</b></div><div><div>So I had found a gun that was small enough for me to carry concealed, but still packed 7 rounds of a decent sized bullet. I had to see how it would shoot though. I grabbed several hundred rounds of mixed practice ammo, Winchester, UMC, Wolf, whatever I could get my hands on. I also brought a few boxes of hollow-point duty ammunition to test in the gun; Hornady TAP, Ranger SXT, Speer Gold Dot, and Federal Hydra-shocks. Then I hit the range.</div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRVzBRB2qQiFSUj_mK7IbPEr03MZg1i1UNDWM3pX9Mq3dd5UOe0fWfPN2S6cP7ierfSeU4MRhcxEwLBABOvpiSKB5GiedgDV-4fxuojAF1RCDFABwrqETzbhwoG2ZWXRaJ-Fgew9vnZNh/s1600/KahrHollowPoints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRVzBRB2qQiFSUj_mK7IbPEr03MZg1i1UNDWM3pX9Mq3dd5UOe0fWfPN2S6cP7ierfSeU4MRhcxEwLBABOvpiSKB5GiedgDV-4fxuojAF1RCDFABwrqETzbhwoG2ZWXRaJ-Fgew9vnZNh/s320/KahrHollowPoints.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; clear: left; color: black; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Kahr suggests that you put 200 rounds through the P40 to break it in. I loaded up the magazines with some practice ammo and began by firing slow, steady shots. The first thing I noticed was the recoil. It was definitely snappier than my Glock 22 and any of my 1911's. It was nothing overwhelming though. It didn't hurt my hand and the gun didn't go jumping out of my fingers with each shot. It was just a 40 caliber bullet being fired out of a light, tiny gun. I did notice that at distances of over 15 yards, my shots were landing just a little high. At 25 yards, I was shooting almost an inch high of my point of aim. The shot groupings were about 3.5 inches at their widest though, which is pretty good for a short barreled gun at 25 yards. Someone with more skills could probably have done much better. Not many gunfights occur at distances as great as 25 yards anyway.</span></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FbPPkeXebx250mZTb27gIk_U8cycdBhFdxrCYHHZdQtRPR51tV92ecpfbcV7ooWrcxZ1DuP7KSis7rbozV0IdmtmEfyK4r3QBv9Mf67SOGhm3gaqbaW0VfUUNv2W7cL_xn8qXGDP060l/s1600/TopGunVolleyball.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FbPPkeXebx250mZTb27gIk_U8cycdBhFdxrCYHHZdQtRPR51tV92ecpfbcV7ooWrcxZ1DuP7KSis7rbozV0IdmtmEfyK4r3QBv9Mf67SOGhm3gaqbaW0VfUUNv2W7cL_xn8qXGDP060l/s1600/TopGunVolleyball.jpeg" /></a>After a 200 round break in period, another 100 rounds of practice ammo, and 100 rounds of hollow-point ammunition, I had experienced only one jam. I had a stove pipe which occurred in the first 40 shots. It was easily cleared and the gun kept running. Now, I say only one jam but I have to put this out there. Each time I reloaded the pistol, it would fail to feed if I chambered a round using the "power stroke technique" of pulling back the slide and releasing it. At least 50% of the time, the gun failed to feed when I did this technique (The Kahr slide release was very sharp so I opted for an alternative method of dropping the slide). I did not count these as jams because after my shooting session I contacted Kahr about the problem. A representative informed me that the gun was not <i>designed </i>to chamber a round by pulling back the slide. I was told that Kahr pistols will only reliably chamber a new round when you hit the slide release. This sounded really strange to me but I went back to the range later and gave it a try. Sure enough, no problems chambering a round when using the slide release. I set my Ipod to Kenny Loggins, cranked up the volume, and fired off rounds as fast as the Danger Zone would allow me to. This gun shot great, and was small enough I could probably have carried it through a rigorous game of men only, shirtless volleyball.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllJx5Z0aqBOv7bW9yii9mHl1GXVHA0M8W9-oUxb8Ti675z2KsjzVPE2dIDnnkXjla9_lVr0SINio9NnSg7N4LnemrvClNLAnZkeQS1qhOX_n5EtKpqPQ13hmI49Qd3ZhWM4CS1Qg6X-9i/s1600/KahrNinja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllJx5Z0aqBOv7bW9yii9mHl1GXVHA0M8W9-oUxb8Ti675z2KsjzVPE2dIDnnkXjla9_lVr0SINio9NnSg7N4LnemrvClNLAnZkeQS1qhOX_n5EtKpqPQ13hmI49Qd3ZhWM4CS1Qg6X-9i/s400/KahrNinja.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Earning the nickname "Noisy Cricket", the P40 has now been with me for several years. After over 4000 rounds, it has proven to be very reliable and I have faith that the little pistol will run when I need it to. It has been my primary concealed carry gun, usually worn in a holster tucked into the front of my waistband. The P40 is a stealthy gun and makes for perfect urban ninja-ing equipment. I would not hesitate to recommend this gun to any friends, but there are a few complaints I would have to make known to them.<br />
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1. The gun comes with very sharp edges. Particularly the sights and the slide release. I can shoot the gun for hours without the recoil hurting my hand, but using that slide release cuts up my thumb after a while. It's like playing Game Boy... with a cactus. I could probably fix this problem with a file, but I've been lazy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRsOK5eFliJXPN6iPYjtvnO6qL4DKVs48RvIMMJFguoMRZ1AwAraI3hFWO7ntAX9YeSI-8dDm99bCv63AzLzPBmuVIPnGww506sVA1UBpiIJ0RFV99sauVOKy1xrkmbZRmTh_-_21op-W/s1600/KahrSlideRelease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRsOK5eFliJXPN6iPYjtvnO6qL4DKVs48RvIMMJFguoMRZ1AwAraI3hFWO7ntAX9YeSI-8dDm99bCv63AzLzPBmuVIPnGww506sVA1UBpiIJ0RFV99sauVOKy1xrkmbZRmTh_-_21op-W/s400/KahrSlideRelease.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
2. Field stripping can be a little bit annoying. Definitely not a deal breaker, but I hate cleaning my guns as it is. Having to line up two little, invisible dots in order to take the gun apart is just one more obnoxious part of shooting. Glocks, Sigs, M&Ps, and XD's are all easier to strip.<br />
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3. It really irritates me that I cannot chamber a round by pulling back and releasing the slide on this gun. That is the way I train and feel it is probably the best method for most pistols (<i>for me</i>). Yes, yes, I know the slide release is "faster" etc. If the slide release works better for you then great, I just tend to prefer the power stroke for my personal use, though I will probably incorporate more slide release training in my drills from now on. I worry if I ever have to perform a reload in a stressed situation, I will default back to what I've drilled the most and I'll rack the Kahr slide, causing a failure to feed. I'll be stuck there with a little gun that won't shoot and Skeletor will be able to conquer Castle Gray Skull.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBltYc7SBIVXrKAw2UkjbflaOXgswn9Fa7yRpYIXVA9g91ZzKXa5VGS6IekqFGjdPzP4MLq7ufIzpQXEvqVPZRjOL0BTDjzJC0dzbb2rKeiw7gNxXf_ESDLnbgaM39258zVuKzhivHCIAZ/s1600/KahrJam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBltYc7SBIVXrKAw2UkjbflaOXgswn9Fa7yRpYIXVA9g91ZzKXa5VGS6IekqFGjdPzP4MLq7ufIzpQXEvqVPZRjOL0BTDjzJC0dzbb2rKeiw7gNxXf_ESDLnbgaM39258zVuKzhivHCIAZ/s320/KahrJam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>The P40 is shown here with a failure to feed from power-stroking the slide to chamber a round.</i><br />
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If you can live with using the slide release to drop the slide, the Kahr might be for you. It hides well, rides well, shoots well, and serves it's purpose as an effective self-defense gun. If this were the only gun I carried, I would just train myself to drop the slide with the slide release and call it a day. It would be nice if Kahr could redesign their guns to work with either method of dropping the slide. Overall though, I have to give the P40 a thumbs up. I'm sure Maverick would agree.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLXHfvE_cFgyI0inHAXlVKuoH2laOJu9VwfkpvdRtUXiZLJflLPWwywGFlvsNIAi1_2IMRiCMXMsOJ5ISGEz71tugKlkEhyphenhyphenhDz7m-fUwez-pbhdc4q3UIC029u52lmDYQmJvInYpVX5g0/s1600/TopGunThumbsUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLXHfvE_cFgyI0inHAXlVKuoH2laOJu9VwfkpvdRtUXiZLJflLPWwywGFlvsNIAi1_2IMRiCMXMsOJ5ISGEz71tugKlkEhyphenhyphenhDz7m-fUwez-pbhdc4q3UIC029u52lmDYQmJvInYpVX5g0/s320/TopGunThumbsUp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-13783695634677206982011-03-10T11:31:00.000-08:002011-03-10T19:42:02.252-08:00FDE 3-10-2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLwcVM5a1wIXU22coeEc5awT9g7PWtmPk_UZjwjywpezGO2chHEZ5QdwKWtshMYn4W5oXoar0y1RCfs72NSKM5sw8cMNSzPANy6j2oIPASOVkgqj5B33ic-lTDqMtx4f6MOiQ3Rgzjnr4/s1600/NoreenFDE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLwcVM5a1wIXU22coeEc5awT9g7PWtmPk_UZjwjywpezGO2chHEZ5QdwKWtshMYn4W5oXoar0y1RCfs72NSKM5sw8cMNSzPANy6j2oIPASOVkgqj5B33ic-lTDqMtx4f6MOiQ3Rgzjnr4/s400/NoreenFDE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">USER SUBMITTED FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE OF THE DAY</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's FDE was submitted by a female reader who is a professional in the medical field. Since she is not always able to carry her handgun with her, she has a back up plan, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Volt-Built-Charger-Safety-Strip/dp/B004QEB10Y?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Cheetah Stun Gun</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004QEB10Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> in this season's stylish lavender. It rides in a black leather carrying case, always at the ready. The Cheetah packs 350,000 volts for any would-be shoe thieves or obnoxious hospital patients. She shows us that we don't <em>have</em> to sacrifice style for safety with several finger rings adorned with decorative points. These seemingly harmless rings are great for scratching a mugger's face and creating just enough of a distraction to facilitate an escape. Showing off her practical side, our reader rocks studded "Gucci variant" heels, because who wants to pay full price for REAL Gucci's when you're just going to get mugger blood all over them? Sharp like stilettos and covered in metal, these babies are just as appropriate for fighting as they are for the runway. Our doctor of disaster knows that she refuses to be victimized by a violent attacker, so she keeps her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/HTC-HD2-Unlocked-T-Mobile-Branded/dp/B003DM8MHA?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">HTC phone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003DM8MHA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> with her to call emergency services to clean up what's left of the assailant. Police only. She can administer medical care to her attacker all by herself... if she chooses to. The phone rides in a zebra print protective case to keep it invisible... from lions. </div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-12519690405028435512011-03-04T15:24:00.000-08:002011-03-04T15:24:06.685-08:00FDE 3-4-2011<div style="text-align: center;">READER SUBMITTED FDE OF THE DAY (Keep them coming guys!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtw4YT-VT1ksvEKnDJMCbMXs2b6hke1LTJWQLrTrI1P30aonsNF_QTn_KpLvbaNEmtwHAD5rylo3rENjCc2o4uVFcgv9NwJDk21AUpZdl0iQJQYfSRvumaOtwgU_npPgQmVjj4cBLvfD3/s1600/YoonFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtw4YT-VT1ksvEKnDJMCbMXs2b6hke1LTJWQLrTrI1P30aonsNF_QTn_KpLvbaNEmtwHAD5rylo3rENjCc2o4uVFcgv9NwJDk21AUpZdl0iQJQYfSRvumaOtwgU_npPgQmVjj4cBLvfD3/s400/YoonFDE.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Fasionable Defense Ensemble pictured above was sent in by an educated man who is very familiar with the laws of weapon usage and self-defense. Once one of Obi Wan's most promising disciples, this prosecutor for a district attorney's office used his abnormally high midichlorian count to convict violent felons and gang members. Unfortunately, he recently traded in his blue light-saber for a red one and now serves the dark side as a criminal defense attorney. Despite turning evil and relying on a robotic breathing apparatus, he remains a respectable southern gentleman and a close friend of mine. This future character in a John Grisham novel wears suits in the courtroom but raises the bar in lounge wear when he isn't defending the lives of the innocent. Keeping things comfortable and simple, he is often seen in a pair of thong sandles, accompanied by camo cargo shorts, and his trusty pocket pistol. The camo shorts allow him to blend into jungle surroundings, fooling would-be attackers into thinking his torso and thighs have just disappeared. The pistol is a KelTec P3AT that rides in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DESANTIS-Nemesis-Holster-Ambidextrous-N38BJG3Z0/dp/B00266AHQ8?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Desantis Nemesis</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00266AHQ8" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> pocket holster. And the sandals? They just feel good between his toes.</div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-71880282243451690142011-03-03T12:10:00.000-08:002011-03-03T12:10:57.545-08:00FDE 3-3-2011<div style="text-align: center;">READER SUBMITTED FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE (FDE) OF THE DAY</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyghRuUlabTuypv4AlhUlI9bxoq8_EhJNrCO1YMDHl8uz82YczRDFh-PYkI6HIns4jdv9YVvMGXJWRPGtpfcCEZbcwAsfkG4UXIJCGUa6iXCdFRETq7u81bpO-f16aKOTgPFaKwtVAwhJ_/s1600/DerekFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyghRuUlabTuypv4AlhUlI9bxoq8_EhJNrCO1YMDHl8uz82YczRDFh-PYkI6HIns4jdv9YVvMGXJWRPGtpfcCEZbcwAsfkG4UXIJCGUa6iXCdFRETq7u81bpO-f16aKOTgPFaKwtVAwhJ_/s640/DerekFDE.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's FDE submission is from a professional in the jewelry industry. As a man running his own business and dealing in the exchange of expensive watches, fine jewelry, and rare stones, our reader is often placed in a position where he is in the care of of high-dollar items. To protect his business, his employees, and those that he loves, this young professional got some firearms training, obtained his concealed handgun license, and now carries a Springfield Armory XD with a silver slide. The gun is filled with 9mm hollow-points and rides in a Comp-Tac holster. It's the perfect combination for fighting off jewel thieves or flesh-eating zombies. With "16 in the clip and 1 in the hole", the XD can handle Danny Ocean's entire crew and still have rounds left over for anything George Romero can dream up. Since our reader sells accessories to some of the biggest ballers in Houston, he's got to keep his chrome clean and his watch game up. This armed, dealer of all-things-bling can often be seen wearing his Breitling Superocean. This watch features a self-winding mechanical movement and is certified as a chronometer. Made of surgical steel grade metals and utilizing an anti-glare sapphire crystal, this water resistant Breitling is strictly for ballers only. Scrubs need not apply. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Ballers and ballers on a budget interested in watches and jewelry can check </i>Modern Times<i> (www.moderntimejewelers.com/) and </i>Joia Jeweler<i>s (www.joiajewelers.com/) inside the Galleria for great prices on quality items.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-60153280208876525252011-03-02T04:24:00.000-08:002011-03-02T04:28:45.043-08:00READER SUBMITTED FDE 3-2-2011<div style="text-align: center;">READER SUBMITTED FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5ihKwKUY0C_iWxqjZ2H2Wl54e81QlhV0GSPfBuPq0dpfE5djGO536yguwrVsRhuYXOPHvvYMPq_NbYP9IJ7xMKaDb9y0NuSl0Kxhr1vkajxgcmxpVBqdc5WBke-H-NRR3mseQzLbTssS/s1600/JeffChenFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5ihKwKUY0C_iWxqjZ2H2Wl54e81QlhV0GSPfBuPq0dpfE5djGO536yguwrVsRhuYXOPHvvYMPq_NbYP9IJ7xMKaDb9y0NuSl0Kxhr1vkajxgcmxpVBqdc5WBke-H-NRR3mseQzLbTssS/s400/JeffChenFDE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's reader submitted FDE comes from an old friend of mine who is a professional DJ at some of the hottest spots in Houston, and a fellow sneaker-head. This spinner of hot tracks carries an all black H&K P30 in .40 caliber in his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Mikes-Off-Duty-Concealment-Holster/dp/B000PW7M8G?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Uncle Mikes holster</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000PW7M8G" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. He says he chose the P30 for it's ergonomic grip, compact size, and safety/decocker. Since a black gun goes with anything, he throws on a pair of Nike Tiffany SB Dunks to pull the outfit together. This armed mix-master is ready for anything from project runway or the projects alleyways. Reason for carrying? To protect himself, his friends, and his pricey kicks. Pimping isn't easy fool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-28804685143124841422011-03-01T10:16:00.000-08:002011-03-02T13:03:23.221-08:00FDE 3-1-2011<div style="text-align: center;">FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE OF THE DAY</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVgthR8QAIhiJY5askmJQHRmSkRVOsqYhnwmdjPS3Fo67Ee9KIM4kMURLrOY1H17sFKF4qGZDu5ECid2przJntBRWXF0M9UvYFdZ2F4C-jDnyWZd9vMqxBlGO0EamUhgZ7K_PB5VpvF0Q/s1600/JudyFDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVgthR8QAIhiJY5askmJQHRmSkRVOsqYhnwmdjPS3Fo67Ee9KIM4kMURLrOY1H17sFKF4qGZDu5ECid2przJntBRWXF0M9UvYFdZ2F4C-jDnyWZd9vMqxBlGO0EamUhgZ7K_PB5VpvF0Q/s400/JudyFDE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's very special FDE was submitted by a lovely and intelligent woman, who also happens to be the co-founder of 5 Rings Tactical. This beautiful young lady works in the field of news radio and believes in staying in shape, preparation, and the element of surprise when it comes to self-defense. Though she has yet to decide on her daily carry firearm of choice, she is always accompanied by her large chef's blade, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kimber-Guardian-Angel-Pepper-Single/dp/B0021XAQSK?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kimber Guardian Angel</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0021XAQSK" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> pepper blaster, and a giant, chrome wrench. To promote comfortable ass kicking, her feet are covered with soft sock-monkey house shoes. The Kimber fires two blasts of OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) spray at 90 miles per hour into the bad guy's face. Projecting the OC so forcefully aids in stopping the attacker and helps prevent cross-contamination (that's fancy talk for getting your own pepper spray all over your own face). The chef's knife is a simple, full-tang blade, made from stainless steel. Though optimized for chopping meats and vegetables, and made with soft stainless steel, it's still a freaking knife... The wrench is chrome plated and provides enough handle for a two-handed, baseball bat grip. This tool is weighted toward the top, which facilitates momentum during the swing. It's not a fast weapon, but speed isn't a necessity when the bad guy is writhing in pain from the pepper blast, the Ginsu in the arm, and multiple sock-monkey kicks to the groin, and thinks you might be trying to fix his car. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Though technically not defensive tools that are "carried", this fine young professional is generally found protected by her two body guards as well: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rgPG5KYpKdMUvu8mDToC51jr2KroMUrDf2ROlKF-_RHwnJtblvFcuhiiFYx3zs60pUq84H6OLjAKOeTYLDSGNH1DoKI2r-wpWy1zSIDtXWQqCvSFM8fzth7zgW5p_sg_CsMcJPWdY8I6/s1600/DiabloShoppingCart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rgPG5KYpKdMUvu8mDToC51jr2KroMUrDf2ROlKF-_RHwnJtblvFcuhiiFYx3zs60pUq84H6OLjAKOeTYLDSGNH1DoKI2r-wpWy1zSIDtXWQqCvSFM8fzth7zgW5p_sg_CsMcJPWdY8I6/s400/DiabloShoppingCart.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pablo "El Diablo" Pequeno appears to be a small rat/dog hybrid creature. Though old, like a new-born Benjamin Button and armed only with blurred vision and 3 teeth, do not be fooled. This fierce creature is compact enough to stay hidden in a purse or backpack but still possesses the speed of bowel movements after devouring a cheese burrito from Taco Bell. Believed by some experts to be responsible for the legends and stories of "chupacabra", Pablo has an unyielding hunger for destruction and a weak bladder. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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Though dangerous enough by himself, Pablo never works alone. His partner is a mysterious warrior, known only as "Darkness". She is silent and deadly, like a ninja's flatulence. Described in some circles as a "furry, four-legged Beyonce", the Darkness's perniciousness is rivaled only by her beauty. Bad guys aren't ready for this jelly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakRH8myBJdr789iAxwVvi7sQyes0bV5895j77G_5Uuug9FfxxOZGEQhZUZCnEBq3arOoiqY9NForJv0_Kj6Mrw-3iJ8sQuqT-LGnYo0zb4MW3ffOHiTeKgLgViy1-knxfSzuyNP7Xorg4/s1600/DeDeDarkness.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakRH8myBJdr789iAxwVvi7sQyes0bV5895j77G_5Uuug9FfxxOZGEQhZUZCnEBq3arOoiqY9NForJv0_Kj6Mrw-3iJ8sQuqT-LGnYo0zb4MW3ffOHiTeKgLgViy1-knxfSzuyNP7Xorg4/s1600/DeDeDarkness.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-59675066211695708742011-02-27T22:11:00.000-08:002011-02-28T14:33:16.604-08:00Physical Fitness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it comes to self-defense, I think people mistakenly see carrying a gun as an immediate shortcut. This kind of thinking permeates through all different groups of people, including armed professionals. I am constantly trying to persuade other police officers I work with to participate in some type of serious martial arts training like Brazilian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jiu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jitsu</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Muay</span> Thai, or Boxing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aLzBPCLPItufGRd9YovfYGp-pcYxqGJJPFjh31sqoGehKOoGmCJBxJD2QIQKw9ZXuH_iCITwFB4vh8Y-HL1XdY3iN6pqhioLIDc5LFTaR73-J3gXfC8QvDtsWNNI8Ikv6rRFic9-Hdz2/s1600/RandyPunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aLzBPCLPItufGRd9YovfYGp-pcYxqGJJPFjh31sqoGehKOoGmCJBxJD2QIQKw9ZXuH_iCITwFB4vh8Y-HL1XdY3iN6pqhioLIDc5LFTaR73-J3gXfC8QvDtsWNNI8Ikv6rRFic9-Hdz2/s320/RandyPunch.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*Photo is of my Muay Thai coach and good friend, Randy Vera of <a href="http://southaustingym.com/wiki/SAG/HomePage">South Austin Gym</a> in Austin, TX. He's the one on the left, administering the beat down. If you're in the Austin area, go check out http://southaustingym.com/wiki/SAG/HomePage</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If nothing else, join a gym and stick to a workout regimen. Check out a Crossfit gym. Do something. After all, cops are one of the few groups of people that run <i>towards</i> gun fire and fighting, not away from it. This means that the likelihood of a police officer getting into a deadly confrontation is much higher than that of the average person. We hear stories daily about other cops that have been shot, stabbed, or beaten and yet many officers don't feel compelled to exercise or train. The gun on the hip gives a false sense of security.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now I won't argue that harming someone with a gun is probably easier and faster than using one's fists, or a sock with a pool ball inside of it. It doesn't mean that just having a gun in our pocket is going to keep us alive though. Sure some of us also go to the gun range every few weeks and shoot a pretty decent group. Ten ringing the target at 50 yards with a pistol? Not bad. Hell, I know a competitive target shooter who can probably shoot the left testicle off a fly at 50 yards. That same guy will tell you though, that he is not ready to use his gun in a fight. If you ask him about it, he'll look down bashfully and tell you two very hard-hitting facts. </div><div><br />
</div><div>1. <i>"I can't shoot under stress.</i>"</div><div><br />
</div><div>And...</div><div><br />
</div><div>2. <i>"I wish I could see my penis without two mirrors."</i></div><div><i> <br />
</i></div><div>Despite being such an awesome shot, my acquaintance admits he is overweight and realizes that physical fitness is incredibly important when it comes to defending yourself. I've met guys who never leave the house with less than two guns, five knives, and ninety-seven pounds of spare ammunition. I can't knock someone for being overly prepared... but some of these guys can't walk up the stairs without tossing enough cookies to feed a small continent of baby pigeons. What good are all those guns and knives if you are going to have a heart-attack ten seconds into the fight?<br />
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<div>I'm not saying we need be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">UFC</span> fighters or wear one strap singlets and grow handlebar mustaches. But we need to stay healthy. A fight, whether it be a gun fight, knife fight, or just a good old-fashioned beat down, is going to be stressful and physically straining. If you're heart is weak, your arteries are clogged, you have chronic diarrhea, or all three, it's going to adversely affect your chances of coming out of the fight alive. Can you imagine? Some deranged lunatic jumps on you and begins wailing away with a knife or club. Your heart is going to kick into overdrive. If your body isn't used to the adrenaline dump and the increased blood flow, your heart is going to stop... and you'll probably die before the bad guy even kills you. Plus, you have irritable bowl syndrome. So more than likely, you pooped your pants too. What good is that gun if you aren't in shape enough to handle the fight? What if you shoot and stop the bad guy, but you have a stroke or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">shart</span> during the excitement? The gun did you little good.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Keeping our bodies maintained is every bit as important as having weapons when it comes to protecting ourselves and our families. We don't need to run marathons. God knows I could use a little extra exercise myself. But we do need to get regular exercise. So go put your sweatbands on and play those <a href="http://www.amazon.com/HIP-HOP-ABS-DVD-Set/dp/B001M508N6?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">HIP HOP ABS<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=5ringst-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0012J33OS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beachbody-P90X-Plus-Workout-DVD/dp/B0012J33OS?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">P90X</a> Dvds. Your $3000 Wilson Combat .45 can protect you from a mugger, but it won't do anything against diabetes. Stay safe everyone. It's time for my own workout. Now where's my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shake-Weight-for-Men-Dumbbell/dp/B003LQVYGO?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">shake weight</a>?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578635904549632514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIX1VcFhxIu1H4F3LHuRJsnhAmfSsuSEM-xe3vE8-MHO58H4UjgmkLVgJOYvKLjOMphlf90tETscbw6FvHvtrRh3bknea1phzrsItJio3ed7HGKBmCa2d8JoUEIY2tpiS5K3LLbKFdKlo/s320/ShakeWeight.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 225px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</div></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-66158338184401243622011-02-27T19:15:00.000-08:002011-02-27T21:31:29.413-08:00Reader Submitted FDE 2-27-2011 (First Reader FDE)<div style="text-align: center;">READER SUBMITTED FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAJv7JZDmH-CZrrElavJ01J-njPrWHuG1tR6eOQ_0oNItZpmOZfH6Kpi70fi8qDcO3XKtb4wmzxuDV4MhdbP3EQnOTjsNCJVNm_pyUMeMw2CfrCheN7ZnPhumTPxEeV-M9cJ7MBDAroED/s1600/TonyFDEP2000LEM.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAJv7JZDmH-CZrrElavJ01J-njPrWHuG1tR6eOQ_0oNItZpmOZfH6Kpi70fi8qDcO3XKtb4wmzxuDV4MhdbP3EQnOTjsNCJVNm_pyUMeMw2CfrCheN7ZnPhumTPxEeV-M9cJ7MBDAroED/s400/TonyFDEP2000LEM.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578574146830676610" /></a>This is the first reader submitted FDE that 5 Rings Tactical has received! Our reader has chosen to remain nameless. However I can say that he is a mild-mannered, financial analyst and a responsible US citizen. He considers himself to be a moderate liberal, but believes in being legally armed to protect himself and his loved ones. This cubicle commando wears subdued black work shoes to blend into the urban jungle, but unlike most of the other nine-to-fivers around him, he's got a Heckler and Koch P2000 in his waist. Equipped with the H&K LEM trigger and filled to the brim with Federal 9mm +P hollow-point ammunition, this hand cannon is ready to defend the office from terrorists, disgruntled ex-employees, and uncooperative copy machines. That Xerox can't blink "PC Load Letter" if it's leaking toner from 8 different holes.<div><br /></div><div>5 Rings Tactical salutes this anonymous hero for being our first reader submitted FDE. Good day sir!</div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-69319810213182357802011-02-27T13:30:00.000-08:002011-02-28T14:35:26.389-08:00FDE 2-27-2011<div>I was the only guy invited to a wedding shower for a close friend today. The occasion called for a slightly nicer shoe. I also picked a smaller gun to carry since I couldn't wear a large t-shirt. This was my first (and will probably be my only) wedding shower ever and I did not know what to expect. Wishing to always be prepared for the unknown, my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Z2-S-BK-WH-CombatLight-Single-Output-160-Lumen-Flashlight/dp/B003M5KGYK?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Surefire Z2-S</a> combat light rode closely by my side. You know, just in case there was a power outage or an opportunity to tell scary ghost stories. Just as a side note, I learned that no one tells ghost stories at wedding showers... but there are lots of pastel colored cookies... and glitter.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE OF THE DAY</div><div><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14YXslFMfkjjeTFIBjZC13N1F4z-E73qLYzzuKq38l8uHCN0gERbQy92lE_6EsYFWSTNtStBr9SLOM3WBJuBE_ni6p1VXiDOTqfzYKCvpqom826-1C_C2YwRcIcgodHwu7gjgHhznp1a8/s1600/2011-02-27+12.06.27.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578485558500527794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14YXslFMfkjjeTFIBjZC13N1F4z-E73qLYzzuKq38l8uHCN0gERbQy92lE_6EsYFWSTNtStBr9SLOM3WBJuBE_ni6p1VXiDOTqfzYKCvpqom826-1C_C2YwRcIcgodHwu7gjgHhznp1a8/s400/2011-02-27+12.06.27.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-4288745420054006702011-02-26T09:44:00.000-08:002011-02-28T14:36:25.876-08:00FDE 2-26-2011<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE OF THE DAY</div><div><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0t81zoqtJGJQ-AXBCUn8kuAdFlRpuiyONXUoa08d4DRsDwv9jtwfSX4EcHvYA1MPUOABYcDeNSIlJ1fsjJRRAmqj0MOiOuPxrtkzQ0olKIqG_oc9VBjF3vzPLq9BTIhmFhm4mDisL55I/s1600/2011-02-26+10.52.50.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578056789673087778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0t81zoqtJGJQ-AXBCUn8kuAdFlRpuiyONXUoa08d4DRsDwv9jtwfSX4EcHvYA1MPUOABYcDeNSIlJ1fsjJRRAmqj0MOiOuPxrtkzQ0olKIqG_oc9VBjF3vzPLq9BTIhmFhm4mDisL55I/s400/2011-02-26+10.52.50.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Today's fashionable defense ensemble consists of my Nighthawk 1911 and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-PKal-Folding-Plain-Knife/dp/B001OA231Y?ie=UTF8&tag=5ringst-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Spyderco P'Kal </a>folding knife, matched with basketweave, cream colored Air Force I's. What are YOU carrying?Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-1364475942954728582011-02-25T10:10:00.001-08:002011-02-27T17:08:21.242-08:00FDE 2-25-2011 (First FDE)This is 5 Ring Tactical's first FDE (Fashionable Defensive Ensemble) of the Day. I will try to post a picture every day of what defensive tools I have chosen to wear, or what other defense-minded individuals are carrying.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">FASHIONABLE DEFENSE ENSEMBLE OF THE DAY</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXCnlYnHgVvSdmArJ_N3xhrRZUcyKUcItMZMAfTuHgT9z8yo27p0ByE85ioJk8H6GaYYbBlLlPrWFgWvpHEa5YpY2iS1CCMspKTWduUMYbzDSBN4WaVXwxu_RhXvcj3MF7vU0e3bnjPsG/s1600/FDE.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXCnlYnHgVvSdmArJ_N3xhrRZUcyKUcItMZMAfTuHgT9z8yo27p0ByE85ioJk8H6GaYYbBlLlPrWFgWvpHEa5YpY2iS1CCMspKTWduUMYbzDSBN4WaVXwxu_RhXvcj3MF7vU0e3bnjPsG/s400/FDE.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577692774569555010" /></a></div><div>The gun is a Kahr P40, worn in the appendix position, inside the waistband. The knife is a Spyderco P'Kal. The shoes are Jordan XIs in cool grey. Got to step the shoe game up! Should I find myself in a bad spot, they will help me run faster and jump higher. Mugger pulls a gun on me, I'm dunking on him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please feel free to post your own FDE. We want to know what the well dressed good guys are wearing!<br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732645584854836415.post-75883842400971323662011-02-24T13:19:00.000-08:002011-03-01T13:12:20.102-08:00ShivWorks: Reverse Edge Methods DVD Volume I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoZjb5h_9DgwooHzVCHBy6ZOtnIhrbVpPo9QOyiRqaB9JfqUw6Sr84ovOgSmkxPZ8YATsSguD86wDAnLL1h3YjRkOvGL2oZm6OFeQVfZcRNermcgv3qyeoySNQ6t5Glrgs-i4P_5RrQVP/s1600/Cover.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577713789245818114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoZjb5h_9DgwooHzVCHBy6ZOtnIhrbVpPo9QOyiRqaB9JfqUw6Sr84ovOgSmkxPZ8YATsSguD86wDAnLL1h3YjRkOvGL2oZm6OFeQVfZcRNermcgv3qyeoySNQ6t5Glrgs-i4P_5RrQVP/s400/Cover.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I believe that if you are a law abiding citizen and can handle the responsibility, you should obtain a concealed handgun license, and discreetly tote around your hand-cannon whenever legal. Bad guys don't follow the rules and you never know when you or your loved ones will fall victim to a mugger, hijacker, rapist, murderer, psycho-path, hired assassin, gun wielding gang-banger, or a violent samurai that fell into a time portal and ended up in your neighborhood and century. That being said, I realize that some areas will not allow civilians to carry. Also, a lot of us are too lazy to go out and get the proper training and licensing for a gun, or we just don't want to lug the iron around. Whatever our excuse, we need to have SOME way of protecting ourselves. A knife is almost always legal to carry, and when used correctly, can be even more advantageous than a gun in certain situations. A knife is small, easily carried, and comes in handy for all sorts of chores as well as self-defense. There are not a lot of good excuses for not having a blade. I almost always have a knife on me, even when I'm carrying my gun.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I can hear the questions from some people now:</div><div><br />
</div><div>"What kind of knife should I buy?"</div><div><br />
</div><div>"Can I carry a sword?"</div><div><br />
</div><div>"Does it need to have blood grooves in the blade for efficient killing?"</div><div><br />
</div><div>"Who farted?"</div><div><br />
</div><div>At ease ladies and gentlemen. Before getting into the "hardware", it's important to look at the "software". Using a knife is not as simple as grab and stab. Well... actually it is... But using a knife efficiently and effectively for self-defense requires some actual training. You have to practice with your knife, just like with a gun or nunchuks. There are plenty of knife fighting systems out there, but the problem is that many of them are based on fancy, flashy moves, and are centered around "knife dueling". The ShivWorks system is direct and practical. It will not take years of meditating on mountains or waxing cars to learn. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I won't spend a lot of time talking about ShivWorks themselves. You can learn all you want by going to their website at www.shivworks.com. All I'll say is I have plenty of respect for the head guy "South Narc" and his methods. I carry a ShivWorks P'Kal knife, have watched and learned from most of their DVDs, and am enrolled in one of their upcoming Extreme Close Quarters Combat courses later this year. Compared to several other blade systems I've been exposed to, this method is simple and devastating, which is how defending your life with a knife should be.</div><div><br />
</div><div><charset="utf-8"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiF_tlH1FWfWUT7c7S3ztRMz2snybA0Sq1jMmqrpQySW8aNQCEPvroSt8ALO88I0XH1O_mXXaDeHgzViBVSK86ReuqDJs23DWhY0waSpa43at-hUZ1CU3Hu4OdOy8sGhnmqpJQl6U78xQ/s1600/ShivWorksREM.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577701250693746482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiF_tlH1FWfWUT7c7S3ztRMz2snybA0Sq1jMmqrpQySW8aNQCEPvroSt8ALO88I0XH1O_mXXaDeHgzViBVSK86ReuqDJs23DWhY0waSpa43at-hUZ1CU3Hu4OdOy8sGhnmqpJQl6U78xQ/s320/ShivWorksREM.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></charset="utf-8"></div><div>The production quality of the DVD itself is nothing to write home about. It is simple and consists primarily of one stationary camera angle depicting the instructor, South Narc. I don't know if it is just a flaw with my personal copy, but there is a section near the end where the audio goes slightly out of sync. It makes South Narc look like he is teaching knife fighting to Shaolin monks in a Shaw Brothers movie. There is also no real DVD menu. It is only broken up into 4 sections. It would have been nice if the DVD had been broken up into techniques in case you wanted to review a certain move or section. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Those are all very minor flaws that I am only bringing up to give a fair assessment of the product. The information is presented in a concise and easy to understand way. South Narc knows what he is talking about and it shows in his instruction and demonstration. Here is what each section of the DVD gives you:</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Reverse Edge Method</div><div>In this section, South Narc gives a brief bio about himself so you know he isn't some "mall ninja" that is going to teach you to rip out hearts and catch bullets. He also spends time going over the basic concepts of the Reverse Edge Method. This particular system utilizes a grip that those unfamiliar with Filipino martial arts would consider unconventional. The knife is held with either the tip up or tip down, but the sharp edge of the knife faces inwards. This means the sharp part of the blade is actually facing you and not your opponent.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj92GR_pjmSx1SrIYTr60IMbs5-9kh8MA-3WHpfwvIZ4lfCpbAJrj-LiFnKup4lXh4kwDEqQblSuE-F7vW_CXNIRrDzmUC1KRL71qsmYionp3pnH3vSZWQrwLAhEZtg5LJ4eg6W3iwc-UP/s1600/Point+Down.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577709625516185314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj92GR_pjmSx1SrIYTr60IMbs5-9kh8MA-3WHpfwvIZ4lfCpbAJrj-LiFnKup4lXh4kwDEqQblSuE-F7vW_CXNIRrDzmUC1KRL71qsmYionp3pnH3vSZWQrwLAhEZtg5LJ4eg6W3iwc-UP/s320/Point+Down.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></div><div>2. Pikal Point Down Edge In</div><div>In this chapter, South Narc goes over techniques and applications specifically from the point down grip. He covers grip mechanics for the drawing of the knife and shares defensive and offensive strikes with the knife. You will learn how to deploy the blade from close quarters as well as use the knife to cut your attacker even when he/she is blocking your strikes. South Narc demonstrates strikes and combinations on his assistant who is wearing a giant helmet. Watching him get smacked around is informative and amusing.</div><div><br />
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3. Forward Grip Edge Up</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577709957913611698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH19S2X-N9wiVm2J8D4VS0SloFSp1QEo69iYZdHE-GCOzfURi0Kp-OYoPduXL4pZg4CR5zSNFrE47-EerhwjUMar9ebc-bKO37pJkEvvTIWOZu1wyjrcxwicfJsH1OBeR9r0bloNbET5jC/s320/Point+Up.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 240px;" /></span><br />
<div><div>Like the title demonstrates, this section is about techniques from the point up grip. South Narc wears his knives along his belt in different orientations, each one lends itself to a quick draw in either the tip up or tip down grip. Learning the movements from both grips will let you take complete advantage of the system. South Narc also covers engaging your attacker with your knife when your assailant is already on top of you or clinching you. Oh, and more giant helmet punching.</div><div><br />
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4. ShivWorks Tools</div><div>This section covers some of the tools that ShivWorks has put out and made available to the public. South Narc shows off some of the ShivWorks custom knives like the Disciple and the Clinch Pick. All of the ShivWork knives are are ergonomically designed for the reverse edge grip, are razor sharp, and easily carried.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vbHX69Kuv6DyuWwlkcdWKD7TSBoosKgfOBWM3yLi5vS49EQbNKr6mI4JhOh-Uq4SGRGxxL3Q7vtMUWEjXPdmfjqBYQU5dq9rlQc7NlGAqOYocEAPCLWTfqnviLueikYtdtzzCY1-IGKH/s1600/ClinchPick.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577710346815661970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vbHX69Kuv6DyuWwlkcdWKD7TSBoosKgfOBWM3yLi5vS49EQbNKr6mI4JhOh-Uq4SGRGxxL3Q7vtMUWEjXPdmfjqBYQU5dq9rlQc7NlGAqOYocEAPCLWTfqnviLueikYtdtzzCY1-IGKH/s320/ClinchPick.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 122px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 173px;" /></a>(Pictures are from ShivWorks website http://shivworks.com/products.asp)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaMmHRsCr_jHThPIDg7rFc407n5-5pFnhH4iMKdFYTAchs37zKGbxZaFXoWGJCF32CsjxvPBEQRKAgG5Fhj59bOusT4DAbqPOxY4Eyq34OjjQPhiayRLhV9v8NNL29PFWCBoQysMARUOF/s1600/disciple.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaMmHRsCr_jHThPIDg7rFc407n5-5pFnhH4iMKdFYTAchs37zKGbxZaFXoWGJCF32CsjxvPBEQRKAgG5Fhj59bOusT4DAbqPOxY4Eyq34OjjQPhiayRLhV9v8NNL29PFWCBoQysMARUOF/s1600/disciple.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577710344660281698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaMmHRsCr_jHThPIDg7rFc407n5-5pFnhH4iMKdFYTAchs37zKGbxZaFXoWGJCF32CsjxvPBEQRKAgG5Fhj59bOusT4DAbqPOxY4Eyq34OjjQPhiayRLhV9v8NNL29PFWCBoQysMARUOF/s320/disciple.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Overall I really liked this DVD and the ShivWorks system. You don't have to be Jet Li to learn and use the techniques taught on this video. I have drilled many of these moves over and over with friends and co-workers interested in learning. We all feel confident that we would be able to use our blades more effectively now based on this training. Even those of us that are small, weak, or fat and out of shape. South Narc is a great instructor and gets all his points across in the video. It would have been nice for the DVD to include specific drills. The information is mostly given in a lecture format, but you will absorb what you are supposed to learn. The focus of the system is on the extreme close quarters distance. You will learn to get your knife into play even while you are defending yourself from your opponent's strikes already. Many knife fighting systems show two guys squaring off with knives in hand. There is a lot of dancing around and complicated footwork. It looks good, but that isn't realistic. Most of the time, the bad guy is going to be on you before you have a weapon in your hand. South Narc realizes this and addresses the problem accordingly.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Defending oneself with a knife is something that is incredibly violent. In today's society, most of us are distanced from this level of violence and it is no longer natural. You don't want to suddenly find yourself in a situation where you have to protect your family with nothing but a sharp piece of metal and you haven't taken any steps to prepare yourself. Mentally prepare yourself for bad situations and tough decisions, then get this DVD or enroll in a class.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I have to throw in a few warnings here. DO NOT PRACTICE WITH A LIVE BLADE! There are plenty of training knives out there. In fact, every knife that ShivWorks has put out also comes in a "trainer". It is bad enough that there are bad guys out there trying to cut us up and take our wallets. Let us not do it to each other please. Also, no video or book is ever going to replace real instruction from a qualified teacher. I know. I read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I'm still just moderately effective. Having a martial arts and defensive tactics background, I was able to take a lot from watching this video, however I am still seeking training from certified ShivWorks instructors.</div></div>Real Vic Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767845224938290862noreply@blogger.com0