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When the movie “Lone Survivor” came out in 2013, it wasn’t just about entertainment, it was about relaying a real-life story of sacrifice and brotherhood. The movie’s based on Operation Red Wings, a mission involving four Navy SEALs that took place in June of 2005 and resulted in significant loss of life. And while the movie did educate some people, it also depicted a number of guns, and there was and is understandable interest in those firearms. Here’s our list of guns used in the movie “Lone Survivor” along with a reminder to never forget the men who gave their lives for our country during that mission.

Mk 12 Mod 1 SPR (Matt Axelson)

The Mk 12 Mod 1 SPR makes a lengthy appearance in the hands of Ben Foster, who portrays the late Matt Axelson. Every gun use by the men portraying service members could be deemed heroic, famous, or otherwise important, but there’s something specific worth mentioning about the use of Axe’s rifle.

Marcus Luttrell, who is quite literally the Lone Survivor, had a hand in the making of the movie, so although it isn’t precisely accurate, it’s relatively close. During the firefight where Matt Axelson was killed, the movie shows him continuing to fight even after having been shot in the head. It’s his Mk 12 Mod 1 SPR, with some mods, he’s wielding in that scene. Some viewers probably watch that part and feel it’s highly unlikely Axe could get shot in the head, have his eyes fill with blood, and continue firing. Hollywood dramatics, they say. Here’s the thing: according to Marcus Luttrell, that’s exactly what happened.

For the most part, the rifle Axe is shown using in the movie is accurate. He also had a handgun, as did all the men. Petty Officer Second Class Matthew “Axe” Axelson was killed in combat on Jun 28, 2005.

FN M240D

This one might seem to be a random add, but the FN M240D shown mounted to a few helicopters in the movie is worth a mention (specifically, this is a machine gun mounted to Chinooks). While helicopters might not seem as relevant as the firefight that took place on the ground, they definitely are. A rescue attempt was made during Operation Red Wings, and the Chinook packed with men was shot down by a terrorist with an RPG-7. So this addition isn’t really about the gun, it’s about the men who gave their lives trying to save the SEALs on the ground.

Sixteen men were killed when the helicopter was shot down by the RPG:

• SOC Jacques Fontan
• SOCS Daniel R. Healy
• LCDR Erik Kristensen
• SO1 Jeffrey Lucas
• LT Michael McGreevy, Jr.
• SO2 James Suh
• SO1 Jeffrey Taylor
• SO2 Shane Patton
• SSG Shamus Goare
• CW3 Corey Goodnature
• SGT Kip Jacoby
• SFC Marcus Muralles
• MSG James Ponder III
• MAJ Stephen Reich
• SFC Michael Russell
• CW4 Chris Scherkenbach

M203A1 Grenade Launcher (Mike Murphy)

An M203A1 Grenade Launcher is mounted to Mike Murphy’s gun in the movie. This grenade launcher is breech loaded and designed to fit to the rifle. It fires a single 40mm grenade. The grenades themselves are carried in a pouch as part of the user’s kit. In “Lone Survivor,” Murph is shown firing his grenade launcher during the battle with the Taliban.

The movie shows Murph’s heroism in multiple instances including the way he pushed himself to high ground to get a call for help through on a satellite phone, even knowing that very act would mean his death. He was shot more than 14 times and dropped the phone, only to pick it back up to finish the call.

The late Mike Murphy has been remembered in many ways including the creation of The Murph Challenge, which is a tough test of physical and mental toughness. It takes place every year and the proceeds go to the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation. LT. Michael “Murph” Murphy was killed in combat on June 28, 2005.

M67 Fragmentation Hand Grenade (Marcus Luttrell)

Marcus Luttrell, who was the only SEAL to survive, is played in the movie by Mark Wahlberg. There’s a scene at the end of the main firefight where Marcus has fallen down the mountain and broken his back in several places. He slides into a creek, and when someone who could be friend or foe approaches him, the Marcus in the movie threatens the man with an M67 Fragmentation Hand Grenade.

In the movie, it’s a dramatic scene and does fit the moment. Reality was a bit different, although the only major difference is really the whole threatening with a grenade thing. Marcus really did get blown off the side of the mountain by the Taliban, did break his back, and did fall into a creek/river.

Sadly, Marcus Luttrell is the only man who survived that day. He’s pretty awesome, and a badass, but the events of that day will haunt him the rest of his life. The fact that he relayed his story and spoke of the incredible bravery of his teammates is a gift. None of us should ever forget Operation Red Wings.

M4A1 With a Grenade Launcher

Another rifle shown in the movie is the M4A1. It’s used by Danny Dietz, who is played by Emile Hirsch. The M4A1 is the standard weapon for SEALs. It’s chambered in 5.56 NATO, has a 14.5-inch barrel, and has a cyclic rate of fire on full-auto of between 700 and 950 rounds per minute.

In the movie, we see Danny Dietz fight courageously even as he’s repeatedly shot. When Marcus Luttrell tried to drag him to a safer location during the fight, Danny continued laying down cover fire and fighting while he was pulled backward, horribly injured, over the rock and shale. This was repeated as Marcus tried to drag and carry Danny down the mountain. No matter what, Danny was always in the fight.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Dietz was killed in combat on June 28, 2005.

There’s no denying the stunning acts of courage that took place that day almost two decades ago.  A lot of different guns are shown in the movie and if you’re wondering where the AKs and RPGs used by members of the Taliban are, well, it may be a movie, but personally, I’d rather focus on our own men.

If you’ve never seen “Lone Survivor,” it’s well worth watching just as the book is worth taking the time to read. If you have seen it, tell us what moment stuck with you in the comments section below.

The Ak-47 is by far the most popular rifle in the world. Even if someone knew nothing about guns at all, it would be hard to find anyone who never heard the name AK-47. The AR-15 may not win the popularity contest over the AK worldwide, but it’s probably close. It does have the title, however, of the most popular rifle in the United States.

Both rifles are legendary, and both have been used in countless battles. I grew up watching war movies with iconic guns like the M1 Garan, Thompson Submachinegun, and the BAR. But the AK-47 was the staple of combat rifles, and the AR-15 was the symbol of freedom rushing in to save the day. Of course, when I was a kid, I saw little difference between both rifles. One had a magazine that was curved more and the other had a plastic handguard instead of a wooden one.

Little did I know how different they really were. Even though they are two completely different types of weapons, they do have some things in common. People are often divided between these two iconic guns with some being in the AK corner and some in the AR’s corner. While I drift toward the AR-15, I admire the AK-47 too. There is far more history involving these guns to cover today, but here is a brief history of both rifles.

History of the AK-47

The history of the AK-47 starts long before the gun itself was invented. It goes back to the early 1930s when a young boy in Kur’ya, Russia, started working as a tractor mechanic. He was poor and had recently returned from Siberia after being displaced by the Soviet Union along with thousands of other families. His name was Mikhail Kalashnikov.

Working on tractors sparked an interest in machinery. By the late 1930s, Kalashnikov had joined the Russian army as a tank mechanic. He was appointed a tank commander by WWII, when he served in the 24^th regiment. By now he had begun inventing small weapons, but it was not until he overheard soldiers complaining about their weapons that he started work on the AK-47. At the time, Russian soldiers used submachine guns that fired pistol rounds.

Their rifles were bolt action and took longer to fire. His goal was to develop a mixture of the two. Something light and maneuverable that was automatic but fired a rifle caliber. Like most inventors, he did not design the AK on his first try. Kalashnikov designed several rifles that were presented at competitions and several of them failed. But in 1946 he developed the first version of the AK.

He made additional improvements to it in 1947, and in 1949 it was officially adopted as the standard issue rifle for the Soviet Army. To the Russian Army it was known as the “7.62mm Avtomat Kalashnikova”, or automatic Kalashnikov.

History of the AR-15

Unlike the AK-47, more than one person was involved in the creation of the AR-15. A company called the Armalite Company was formed by several people in the early 1950s. Their goal was to focus on weapons designs. The originating designer of the AR-15 was a man named Eugene Stoner. The company’s founder, George Sullivan promoted Stoner to Chief Design Engineer.

Their first rifle produced and adopted by the US Airforce was the AR-5. This was a .22 caliber bolt-action rifle that would come apart so it could be stored and carried easier by flight crew. The military gave it the name “MA-1.” By the mid-1950s, the US military was looking for a new rifle to replace the legendary M1 Garand. Armalite produced a few prototypes that were known as the AR-10 for the US military.

It was chambered in .308 and held more rounds than the M1 Garand. While people received the AR-10s well, the guns didn’t pass the military’s torture tests for the barrel. Instead, a different rifle was selected as the US military weapon, the T44, or better known today as the M-14. But as the saying goes, when you fall, get up and try again. Armalite was not deterred by the loss of the contract for their AR-10 rifle.

They continued to improve and develop the design and in 1959, Armalite sold two rifle designs to Colt, the AR-10 and AR-15. The US Airforce adopted the AR-15 first and named it the “M-16” rifle. This got the attention of the US Department of Defense and in 1965, the M-16 was adopted by the US military for all branches. It was the USA’s response to the AK-47.

What’s the difference between the two rifles?

The AK-47 and AR-15 differ in their chamberings and operating systems. The AK-47 fires a 7.62X39 round and the AR-15 fires a 5.56 NATO round. The 7.62 is the larger bullet, but the 5.56 is faster (2400 fps vs 3000fps). The AK-47 is a gas-operated rifle with a long-stoke gas piston. The AR-15 is a direct impingement, meaning the gas directly pushes the bolt back when it is fired. Both rifles are magazine fed by 30-round mags.

Another major difference between the two rifles is the recoil system. The AR-15 uses a buffer system which means the power from the bolt is absorbed into a long spring with a buffer weight on the end of it. This greatly reduces the recoil of the gun. The AK-47 on the other hand, uses a recoil spring behind the bolt. When the force of the bolt compresses the spring all the way, the rifle and shoulder of the person holding it absorb the rest of the force.

Each one is the answer to a country’s need for a superior weapon. The AR-15 is more accurate than an AK-47, but an AK is more reliable. Some will argue about this point, but I have had plenty of AR-15s fail to cycle over the years. I have never had an AK fail on me. They are called mud guns for a reason. The AR-15 is reliable but needs far more maintenance and attention than an AK. In the end, both rifles are battle proven and to this day, the question of superiority is debated.

Which is better, the AR-15 or the AK-47?

I drift towards the AR-15 because they are so easy to build and customizable. I enjoy putting one together, upgrading parts, and trying out new designs. The AK-47 does not offer many opportunities when it comes to customizing and upgrading. Having said that, I have an AK-47 and I love it. It wasn’t made to be a customized gun; it was made to be a battle gun that is cheap to build and runs forever.

Because of this, I’m not going to say one is better than the other. I’ll let the AK and AR experts fight over that one. But both rifles have a long, interesting history. They are both legendary guns that will be compared, scrutinized, and championed as the world’s best rifles for years to come. They both have pros and cons. The real question is, will you be an AR-15 or an AK-47 guy? Or you can choose to be unbiased and buy one of each!

Last winter I talked about my top five favorite guns for CCW in cold weather. For some, the weather doesn’t make any difference when deciding what gun to carry. They either live in a place with consistent weather, or they like to carry the same gun year-round. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that either. But my goal is to always carry a gun that is full-size or as close to it as I can get. In the winter, I tend to carry full-size guns because they are easy to conceal. Jackets and coats are so roomy, I could hide a Desert Eagle under there if I wanted to. The reason behind this is that a full-size gun is just better in a gunfight than a smaller, compact gun.

But the summer months bring hot weather with T-shirts and shorts, not jackets or coats. Warm weather makes carrying a full-size gun challenging. So that brings us to warm-weather guns. I have said many times before, I am not a fan of micro-sized guns. They are hard to control when shooting, hard to shoot fast, and they don’t hold much ammo. Having said that, I do carry a micro-sized gun every now and then. Even though I am not a fan, they still serve a purpose. I don’t recommend carrying a micro-sized gun all the time, but a small gun is better than no gun.

Why are larger guns better for self-defense?

Larger guns are easier for most people to shoot and stay on target. Now, don’t get caliber and the size of the gun confused. I’m still talking about common self-defense rounds. If you shoot a small gun chambered in 9mm and then a full-size 9mm handgun, the larger gun is more accurate, holds more ammo, and has less recoil. But we can’t carry full-sized firearms around with us all the time. So, we make some compromises to keep it concealed.

I carry the largest gun that my wardrobe will conceal. Where I live, it’s not uncommon for the temperature to exceed more than 100° F during the summer months. That’s just too hot to wear extra layers to cover up larger guns. Inside the Waistband holsters (IWB) are great for concealment, but they work best with medium to small guns in the summer.

This is not a perfect list because everyone has different tastes, wears different clothing, and lives in different environments. But here is my list of the top five guns I carry during the summer months.

1. Kimber Micro-9, 1911

The 9mm Kimber Micro-9 is one of my favorite compact guns. It keeps the 1911 feel even though it is shrunk down. It is on the smaller side, but I can get a good two-handed grip on it. I like 1911 pistols, so this gun feels comfortable to me. It holds 7 + 1 in the mag, which is on the lower side, but all 1911 weapons are. The Micro-9 is not a heavy gun, but the metal frame does give it a little more heft than a polymer handgun. This helps with recoil and allows the gun to be fired faster.

Because it’s a 1911-style gun, the Micro-9 must be carried with the hammer back and the safety on. This makes some people uncomfortable. As you draw, the safety on the Micro-9 must be pushed down with the thumb, so it does take practice to become familiar with it. For 1911 lovers, this is a perfect compact gun for summer carry. Polymer molded holsters for IWB carry are easy to find and inexpensive.

2. Masada Slim 9

I love the Masada S9, and except for 1911 pistols, this is one of my favorite CCW guns. I consider this 9mm pistol more of a medium-sized gun and not compact. My shirt needs to be a little loose to conceal it, but the grip is on the slim side. The Israeli-made gun is reliable, easy to shoot, and a perfect cross between full-sized and compact. Ammo capacity is 13 + 1, so nearly double the Kimber’s capacity. It comes optic-ready to attach a red dot and you have a good setup. I use Vortex’s new Defender CCW red dot with this gun. The sights are tall enough to see through the red dot in case the optic fails.

The only complaint I have with this gun is the lack of holsters. I’m hoping the holster companies catch up someday and give us some options. For now, I use a soft IWB generic holster which does the job. The grip on the S9 is thin so this is a good option for those who don’t like thick or bulky grips. This is a budget-friendly gun, but the reliability and accuracy are far beyond entry-level.

3. Glock 48

Anyone who owns a gun and most who don’t are familiar with Glock. The Glock 43 and 43x are some great options for those Glock lovers. One of my favorite Glocks for CCW is the Glock 48. If you want the best of both worlds, the 48 is a combination of Glock 19 and 43x. It’s thin like the 43x but has the same barrel length as the 19. It’s on the long side for a CCW gun, but it’s thin and works great with some wardrobes.

The magazine capacity in Glock 48 is ten rounds because Glock used a single stack mag. If you want a higher capacity, however, Shield Arms makes a metal 15-round mag that is staggered. This is a nice size weapon for holding 15 +1 rounds of 9mm. It’s a Glock so you already know it will be reliable and accurate. Some 43x holsters will fit the 48, but the barrel will stick out at the end. Glock offers an MOS version if you want to mount an optic to it.

4. Springfield Hellcat

The 9mm Hellcat turned out to be a rockstar for Springfield Armory. It is a worthy contender to the Glock 43 and 43x, and other small-frame handguns. It’s not as thin as some others but it holds 11 + 1 and is not much bigger than the Glock 43 which holds 6 + 1. The angle and shape of the grip make this gun surprisingly comfortable to shoot even though it’s a smaller framed gun. They offer MOS versions and the sights that come standard are impressive as well.

The trigger is a little stiff after you take up the slack, but this doesn’t bother me on a CCW weapon. Springfield is offering multiple versions of the Hellcat including the larger Hellcat Pro for those wanting a larger weapon. I use a polymer IWB holster and an OWB leather pancake belt holster on occasion. I have shot my Hellcat a lot and I have nothing to complain about with this one.

5. Ruger LCP Max .380

Even though I prefer not to carry a small micro-sized gun if I can help it, sometimes I don’t have a choice. If I can’t conceal anything larger, this is better than nothing. And I’m not knocking Ruger’s LCP. This is a great gun for the size and is not bad to shoot. The Max version holds 10 + 1 which is a lot of ammo for such a small gun. Run some drills with a full-sized gun and this one though and you will see what I mean by weapon control. Shot placement will not be as good and speed will be slower.

That’s why I go with the largest gun I can. But if your clothing doesn’t allow you to hide anything larger, the Ruger LCP Max is a good option. Once I broke the gun in, I haven’t had any feeding or cycling issues. It has a good set of sights, with post on the front and U-shape on the back. My molded inside-the-waist holster hides this thing with any t-shirt I want to wear. It’s a good option to have, but I don’t recommend using it as a regular CCW gun.

What’s the best summertime CCW gun for you?

You may have a different list, or maybe you’re looking for one gun to carry year around. If you are, find one that fits your lifestyle. You may want to go with something that’s not full-sized or too small like the Masada S9 or Glock 48. If the way you dress each day doesn’t leave room for concealing a gun, a compact version like the Ruger LCP Max may be your only option. Whatever choice you make, be sure to train, buy extra ammo, extra mags, and then carry it every day.

A lot of us really appreciate good gun handling in films. “John Wick,” “Heat,” “The Way of the Gun,” and more elevate their status as action films by taking gun handling somewhat seriously. Movies will always be movies, but gun guys and gals can appreciate it when a film takes what they know seriously. It elevates the film and avoids laziness. When you see a film that takes itself seriously with poor gun handling, it just feels lazy. On the flip side, when a movie is over the top in gun-handling skills and lacks any attempt at being a serious film, it can be a fun romp.

Today we are looking at the best over-the-top action flicks for gun guys and gals. While we can all enjoy a good film with good gun handling, we can also enjoy the crazy over the top action of less serious films. Some of these guns are absolutely full of firearms and well worth a watch, so let’s dive in with a little mental junk food.

Going Over the Top

We are going to focus on films that have no ties to reality. Arguably these films are just fun action flicks. They try their hardest to be as extreme as possible, and you won’t see anything practical, and that’s the point. Sometimes you just need a 90-minute violent romp to entertain the caveman part of your brain. Here are my five favorites when I need a dose of fun dopamine that I only half need to pay attention to.

Wanted

Who didn’t watch “Wanted” and suddenly desired to be so skilled with a firearm to be able to cause bullets to curve in midair? The film taught us that with enough training, defying physics is entirely possible, and if you just think hard enough, you can swing a gun while firing and cause the bullet to curve. That sounds like a great way to win a gunfight. Who needs cover when you can be a bullet bender?

“Wanted” was gloriously over the top with excessive violence, out-of-this-world gunfights, and a great weapon selection. The film is about a desk-bound loser who just happens to be the son of a master assassin, and somehow, he can inherit his father’s gun-handling skills. He’s recruited and trained in the way of bending bullets, martial arts, and jumping through the air while yelling AAHH and firing a gun.

The movie has all manner of cool guns. Angelina Jolie wields a Cornershot that’s pretty cool to see but also silly when you can bend bullets. There is also the highly customized Safari Arms Matchmaster, an MP7, and a number of wheellock, flintlock, and rolling block pistols that are customized to be somewhat modern. It’s a silly but fun movie that embraces the over-the-top nature.

Shoot ‘Em Up

“Shoot ‘Em Up” lives up to its name. It’s chock full of gunfights, violence, and lots and lots of ammo gets expended. It’s a simple movie but a fun one with some gloriously over-the-top action. It’s one of two movies to blend a gunfight with a sex scene and one of the few that makes a parachuting gunfight fun. It feels like a video game they turned into a movie. There are tons of bad guys, and they all receive a dose of lead from our hero Smith, a drifter and former black ops soldier who just so happens to save the baby that a bunch of bad guys are trying to kill.

The man cuts an umbilical cord with a gun, so you know you’re in for a good time. The movie also faithfully represents Hollywood’s feelings on gun rights. The bad guys are a gun company somehow, and the main hero is anti-gun…but he uses guns to do anything, literally. As mentioned, he cuts an umbilical cord with a gun and uses a trigger guard as an engagement ring. The movie’s entire basis is on good guys using guns to stop bad guys, but guns are bad.

Luckily, the film features enough cool guns and crazy action scenes to make up for the stupidity. The bad guy carries a Desert Eagle, which is pretty typical of films. We see USPs, a Micro Galil, Uzis, and shotguns and rifles turned into traps for Smith’s enemies to meet their fate. It’s about as zany as you get without defying physics.

Hardcore Henry

I’ve seen “Hardcore Henry” twice and have no idea what it is actually about. The wife of a dude with robot parts is kidnapped by a bad guy with psychic powers, and the main character can’t speak or something. I don’t know. The loosely connected plot is just a reason to create a fun, violent movie with awesome and epic shootouts. Filming from the first person is an interesting choice and one I haven’t seen replicated. It gives the movie speed and weight and makes it feel like a first-person shooter.

“Hardcore Henry” is somewhat devoid of character. He doesn’t talk, and he interacts with the world via a gun, but hey, it’s an action flick. What does stand out is the many versions of a man named Jimmy and his often varying attitudes and personalities. He’s hilarious, and my favorite is the WW2-era Jimmy that carries a PPSH-41.

The film and director are Russian, so we get a lot of Russian firearms we often don’t see in American movies. This includes the Molot Bekas Shotgun, a Stetchin APS, and the Fort 17. It’s got tons of guns, and we get to see lots of them in first-person view, which is pretty freaking sweet. It’s a 90-minute music video feel of gunplay and violence.

Crank (and Crank 2)

“Crank,” and by extension “Crank 2,” are primetime Jason Statham. It’s an insane premise that sets up the movie for total over-the-top success. A British hitman Chev Chelios works in California and raises hell. He gets poisoned with a drug that blocks adrenaline or something, I don’t know, but basically, if Chev Chelios stops kicking ass, he will die. To keep his heart rate up, he does whatever he has to until someone finds a cure or until he can get revenge.

This involves martial arts, a defibrillator, and plenty of gunfights, car crashes, and beyond. “Crank 2” has a similar theme, but this time he has to keep his battery charged…literally. The movies are just an excuse to have a nonstop action film with Jason Statham doing Jason Statham things.

Chev uses an Xd for most of the movie, which is an odd one we don’t see often. He also carries a Glock, a SIG P226, and many others throughout the film. We get Mossbergs, Serbu Super shorties, and the UMP45, and the sequel gives us the Thunder 5, a Swedish K, and many more. Tons and tons of guns fuel the film, much like the caffeine that keeps Chev’s heart beating.

Predator

Finally, we get to one of my favorites of all time, “Predator.” The film follows a black ops team inserted into a Central American country to retrieve a foreign cabinet minister and kill some terrorists. They arrive kick-ass and are seemingly victorious, although something is amiss. It turns out they are being stalked by an alien hunter. The film is fantastic and one of my favorite action flicks.

It’s one of the most over-the-top action flicks out there and really represents the 1980s action film. This is mirrored from the characters down to their firearms. Everyone carries something different and unique. The most obvious is Blaine’s handheld minigun, but there is an M60, an M16 with an attached Mossberg 500, a flare launcher disguised as a grenade launcher, and more.

The action is over the top with glorious hip firing techniques, and accuracy is seemingly perfect regardless. Grenades are launched, shotguns fired, and miniguns do minigun things. Even so, they can’t touch the alien hunting them down.

My Favorite Over the Top Action

My favorite on this list is “Predator,” but I love them all! These are fun flicks with tons of awesome guns and all the action you can shake a stick at. Just as we can glorify “Heat” for its realism, we can embrace these films because of just how much fun they can be. What’s your favorite?

Over the past six years, I have tested different stripes of 25 ACP ammunition to see if there is enough difference to make a difference in the performance of a cartridge most would consider marginal. A few folks will give the .25 the nod for being more reliable than the 22 LR in pocket guns. But much of the current advice and scant media testing that is out there are consistent in their disapproval of the 25 ACP as perhaps the most underpowered round one can select for personal protection.

But my own primary sources tell me that it depends on your equipment. A cheaply made pistol like a Raven Arms or Jennings might be more of a liability than an asset compared to finely made Euro pistols like the Beretta Bobcat and the Baby Browning. The same goes for the ammunition. Most non-expanding full metal jacket loads are going to give adequate penetration, while hollow points in 25 ACP give neither expansion nor penetration. But from the time I started my research until now, a few new offerings have come onto the market. Buffalo Bore now offers two loadings for the little 25, one of which we have tested.  Likewise, Hornady has expanded its Critical Defense line to include a 25 ACP 35-grain FTX load. It is an offering I was most excited to test.

The Load

The 25 ACP Hornady Critical Defense load, like all of the company’s line, comes in boxes of twenty-five rounds. The round itself consists of a nickel-plated case for better corrosion resistance and a 35-grain FTX projectile. The FTX is a jacketed hollow point with a small polymer tip in the cavity. Hornady developed the tip to act as a wedge to encourage bullet expansion. In my own testing, I liked to think of the Critical Defense load as a pre-clogged hollow point. Some hollow-point loadings will pick up clothing in the cavity, which can prevent expansion. The wedge already takes up that space and it does a remarkable job of ensuring bullet expansion without concern for clothing. Of all the loads I have tested in my .380 ACP series, the Critical Defense 90-grain hollow-point provided the best balance of expansion and penetration.

I had high hopes for the same load miniaturized for the little 25 ACP cartridge. Like most defensive 25 ACP ammunition, the Hornady load uses a 35-grain bullet rather than a standard 50-grain load with the hope of increasing the 25 ACP’s sedate velocity.

I fired a string of five rounds over my chronograph using the Hornady load. The handgun I used is a Beretta 21A Bobcat with a 2.4-inch barrel. From a distance of ten feet, those 35-grain pills clocked in at an average velocity of 950 feet per second. That is about 200 feet per second faster than most 50-grain full metal jacket loads, albeit accomplished with a lighter projectile. However, the velocity deviation was unusually wide. My lowest velocity in the string was 911 feet per second. The highest was 982. At velocities this low, a loss of one round to the next of 71 feet per second can be material.

To test for function and reliability, I shot much of the box through my Beretta on paper targets. I could reliably turn in eight-shot groups within two inches at ten yards. Recoil was sedate and there were no failures to fire or feed. However, when I was loading my magazines, I noticed the round was substantially shorter than the feed lips of my magazines. A conventional full-metal jacket would completely fill the void. The Hornady Critical Defense load, when fully seated, leaves about a quarter-inch gap between the face of the projectile and the front of the magazine. This is likely due to the lighter, flatter projectile being used. The added dwell time while cycling might induce malfunctions in some pistols, so test this and other hollow-point loads in your pistol for function before you carry.

Testing the .25 ACP Load

I shot the Hornady Critical Defense load from a distance of ten feet into a pair of 10% Clear Ballistics gelatin blocks fronted by four layers of denim to simulate a worst-case scenario of a winterized attacker. While I hoped for expansion, I had to temper my expectations. If no expansion was achieved, certainly these light-for-caliber rounds would not penetrate as deeply as conventional 50-grain ammunition. The results were a bit of a surprise.

The first round traversed the denim, mushroomed, and shed its polymer plug before tumbling and coming to rest at the nine-inch mark. The other three rounds failed to expand, causing some limited tumbling damage before stopping at the 12, 12¼, and 13¾ inch marks respectively.

I puzzled over the results for a moment before I found myself thinking about the deviation seen in the chronograph test. I surmised that the first round was the highest velocity of those fired. The first round’s jacket and core peeled at the nose to a diameter of .277 inches. The ensuing drag retarded penetration. The last three rounds were likely lower powered and did not expand. Without any drag, these three sailed on to give decent penetration on par with 50-grain full metal jacket ammunition like the PMC Bronze.

Parting Shots

While I would prefer to carry 50-grain full metal jacket ammunition in 25 ACP handguns, the Hornady Critical Defense 35-grain load is perhaps the best defensive-oriented round out there. Other 35-grain defensive hollow points are simply too low velocity to give expansion. Indeed, the exposed hollow-point cavities of those rounds simply slow them down even faster, resulting in shallow penetration that can have fatal consequences for the self-defender. Despite its drawbacks, the Hornady load is measurably higher velocity and can at least translate it to a level of good penetration with the remote possibility of expansion as an added bonus.

Stanley Kubrick was an American director known for several classics such as “The Shining”, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” and several others I’ll get to later. One of his major film themes for quite a while was war, whether that be storytelling or critical of attitudes within as he used satire. He was by far one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, so it is no surprise that his movies are on-topic. Though not all his films include firearms, several of his war-based films do (as well as a few random others). Today we’re looking at the best guns in some of his films.

Full Metal Jacket — M14

You can’t talk about Stanley Kubrick films without mentioning “Full Metal Jacket.” If somehow you haven’t heard of it, this cult classic follows marines through basic training which eventually leads to not only witnessing but fighting in the Battle of Hue during the Vietnam War. “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival should immediately come to mind as soldiers are shown storming into battle. This movie has truly become a major part of American culture and the view of the Vietnam War. 

Among the several guns, you’ll see the M14 rifle the most. As Private Leonard (played by Vincent D’Onofrio) states: “There are many like it, but this one is mine.” Yes, we know what happens to Leonard, but it’s still a classic line.

Throughout basic training, while troops are still stateside, all the trainees are seen carrying, training with, and caring for their M14s. They are then transitioned to M16 rifles when they arrive in Vietnam later in the film.

• Type: Rifle
• Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
• Capacity: 5, 10, 15, 20 round detachable magazine (or more)
• Fire Modes: Select fire

A Clockwork Orange — Winchester Model 1897 

“A Clockwork Orange” is another one of Kubrick’s, however, it faced controversy due to the violent content. In this film, Alex DeLarge (played by Malcolm McDowell) is the young leader of a gang. Together the gang commits heinous acts across a dystopian England while drugged up and seeking more thrills. Eventually, Alex gets arrested and imprisoned.

In an effort to get out two years into his sentence, he decides to participate in a new rehabilitation program dubbed the “Ludovico Technique” which promises he will be released after two weeks. After his release, he has a horrible reaction to violence, which is an effect of his new conditioning. It makes it difficult to return to his old life.  

There are surprisingly few guns in this film. (Well, maybe it’s not surprising since it’s set in England.) The Winchester Model 1897 appears the most when Alex is sentenced and then transferred to be conditioned. It’s carried by the guards during Alex’s introduction to the new facility, and the Minister happens to visit.

• Type: Shotgun
• Weight: 8 lb
• Length: 39.25 in
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Action: Pump-action
• Capacity: 5-round tubular magazine (and 1 more with it chambered)

Paths of Glory — Lewis Gun

Set in 1916 during World War One, “Paths of Glory” is based on the true story of a fight between the French and the Germans. However, this film takes a close look at war by being critical of power, and the idea that soldiers are pawns to the general. 

While striving for glory and witnessing several casualties, French General George Broulard (played by Adolphe Menjou) decides his men should try to take Ant Hill, which is a vital part of the Germans’ position. Broulard chooses his subordinate General Paul Mireau (played by George Macready) to lead this attempt (he is hesitant as it sounds like a death trap, but then finds out there’s a promotion waiting for him if he follows along). 

Colonel Dax (played by Kirk Douglas) leads the regiment assigned to take Ant Hill, and Dax is more hesitant than the others. He cares for his men, while Broulard and Mireau have their own success in mind. This creates the main conflict as the battle, death, and other atrocities ensue. 

The Lewis Gun is definitely an interesting gun for this film. Sadly, it only appears briefly as it is carried by a French Soldier. If you aren’t aware of what exactly this gun is, it’s a machine gun commonly used by the British around this time. It’s often taken from aircraft and altered for soldiers to use on the ground, giving it some crazy power. Aside from its other features, its eye-catching pan magazine sits on top of the gun, making it stand out to audiences at first glance. 

• Type: Machine Gun
• Caliber: .303 British
• Feed System: 47- or 97-round pan magazine
• Fire Modes: Full-Auto, of course

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb: Luger P08

Dr. Strangelove is another great Stanley Kubrick war film, however, this is heavily satirical (making it one of my favorites). Deranged US Air Force General Jack D. Ripper (played by Sterling Hayden) believes that fluoride is Russia’s plan to poison America, so he decides to launch a nuclear missile on Russia in an effort to protect America’s “precious bodily fluids.” He does this without asking or talking to anyone else, and he, in summary, just threw the ‘key’ away to disable the bomb.

Once others become aware they scramble to try and disable it. They logically understand that this would bring an all-out nuclear war. Among the chaos, an ex-Nazi now nuclear scientist and advisor work with the others to stop the bomb, but typically his suggestions are…interesting.

One of the best guns is a Luger P08. During an alternate ending a pie fight breaks out between the generals, scientists, a Russian Ambassador (played by Peter Bull), the President (played by Peter Sellers), and others in the war room. This ironically mimics an actual war, as the President has been ‘wounded’ in the prime of his life by a creme pie. During the fight, Strangelove is still trying to get back into his wheelchair (as he had fallen before the fight began). His totally-not-sentient leather-gloved hand pulls a Luger P08 from his pocket, leading to him — quite literally — wrestling with his hand as it aims for his temple. 

This ending was cut due to the fact that around the time of filming, President Kennedy was assassinated. Stanley Kubrick decided the scene with the President getting struck down with a pie was inappropriate. The ending was made available to the public years later as an alternate ending to the existing nuclear holocaust ending. 

• Type: Pistol
• Caliber: 9x19mm
• Weight: 1.92 lbs
• Barrel length: 4 in
• Capacity: 8-round detachable box magazine
• Fire Mode: Semi-Auto

Let’s hear from our readers. Have we missed any cool guns in the Stanley Kubrick films? Let us know in the comments section.