Most of us have seen the stovepipe drill. You know, the one where you close the bolt on a piece of spent brass so it’s sticking out perpendicular to the gun. It’s supposed to simulate a failure to eject (FTE), which you can then clear to prepare you for when the real thing hits you.
Two views of the Failure to Eject (FTE) or Stovepipe malfunction.
Daniel Shaw from Gun Mag Warehouse demonstrates for us how many people get it wrong and then moves on to how to run the drill correctly. This is important because, if you’re doing it the wrong way as he shows, you will not be prepared to do it for real.
Daniel starts by showing the drill he was taught, of all places, in the Marine Corps. It consists of closing the bolt on the spent brass, as noted above, while there is a round in the chamber. To clear it, all you have to do is use the charging handle to cycle the action. The chambered round, being already engaged with the extractor, kicks out the spent casing with no problem and chambers another round. Good to go.
The problem is that this is physically impossible. An FTE is generally caused when the extractor doesn’t kick out a spent casing, thus preventing the bolt from chambering a new round as it moves forward. There is no reason whatsoever for a spent casing to be hung up in the bolt on top of a chambered round.
A Failure to Eject, or Stovepipe, can damage the casing of the following round.
A correct simulation of an FTE looks like this:
With the chamber empty and a mag inserted, lock the bolt to the rear.
Insert your spent casing at the front of the ejection port, perpendicular to the gun.
Close the bolt on the spent casing.
A view of a stovepipe looking up through the mag well. Note how the extractor has not fully engaged the partially chambered round.
This is what an FTE, or stovepipe, really looks like. Now, the clearing drill:
Some folks say to turn the gun on its side and “karate chop” the stovepiped casing to get it out of the chamber. Daniel prefers to “jiggle” it with his thumb and forefinger. You do you.
Cycle the action to clear the chamber. The brass on the round that was prevented from being chambered may be bent.
Insert the mag and drop the bolt if necessary.
Back in action.
After locking the bolt to the rear and dropping the mag, you can remove the spent casing.
Running this drill properly is critical to performing it when you get a for-real FTE. If you’ve been doing it wrong, don’t worry about it. Stuff like that happens and there is misinformation everywhere. The key here is understanding how the gun works and what is realistic and what is not. It kinda bothers me that at least some people in the Marine Corps teach, or have taught, this drill in a way that shows a lack of understanding of how the gun functions. Nothing I can do about that, but hopefully, they will get it fixed.
Anyhow, this drill should be part of your regular training. It happens to almost everyone, eventually. It’s not a big deal if you’ve practiced for it. As with many other drills, it can be done at home with snap caps and a spent casing. A few practice runs each week and you’re good to go with no precious ammo expended. If you want to see it demonstrated, click the video link. Either way, make sure you’re doing it right. It matters.
We all need to train. Me, you, everyone. That includes what to do when you expect a “bang,” but get a “click” instead. I readily admit that I don’t work on this enough. Do you? Fortunately, it’s something we can easily train for with dry fire and snap caps. In this video, Daniel Shaw from Gun Mag Warehouse takes us through the simple progression:
Failure to fire (FTF, which can also mean Failure to Feed) can be caused by a number of things:
Bad ammo
Bad primer
Bad magazine follower
Accidentally hitting the mag release while firing
Perhaps your gun needs to be serviced
These can be addressed using a simple procedure that Daniel demonstrates for us: the Tap Rack Bang drill.
Tap: Actually, it should be more like “smack the crap out of” to make sure your mag is properly seated in the magazine well.
“Tap” (more like smack the crap of) your mag to seat it properly.
Rack: Rack the slide to chamber a round and reset the striker or hammer.
“Rack” the slide to load a round and reset your striker or hammer. “Bang.” Fire the gun.
Tap Rack Bang will solve most FTF situations.
At the very least, it will help you diagnose your problem. If you have bad ammo, racking the slide will eject the unfired round and chamber another. If it still won’t fire, maybe you have a bad batch with faulty primers or perhaps there is a problem with your gun. If the problem was with your magazine, smacking the bottom may reseat the mag, allowing you to strip off another round when racking the slide. If it still won’t chamber a round, you may have a bad magazine follower. “Bang,” obviously, is the final step and the signal that you’ve most likely solved your problem. This is a great procedure to clear what is often referred to as a “Level 1 Stoppage” or begin to diagnose what your problem is.
If you get the “click” and your gun does not fire, MAKE CERTAIN TO KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION WHILE YOU CLEAR IT. I cannot emphasize that enough, which is why I put it in all caps. That should be the case anyway, but people tend to turn around and start fiddling with their guns. This is particularly prominent with new shooters who may be looking for help. I expect most of us have witnessed such things at the range. Don’t be that guy. Keep the gun pointed downrange while clearing the malfunction.
But check your gear, too.
Obviously, part of this can be avoided by purchasing quality ammo, but with things the way they’ve been the last couple of years, we often take what we can get. Just be aware of the potential for problems when shooting old or cheap ammo. Another step you can take to minimize these problems is to buy quality mags. Look, I get it. Mags are often expensive, especially if you buy them from the manufacturer. Life would be a lot simpler if everything took Glock mags, but they don’t.
When I first got into autoloading pistols and modern sporting rifles, I had to learn the hard way that you get what you pay for with mags, just as you do with guns and ammo. Spending a little more on quality mags and keeping your eyes open for good mags on sale will save you some trouble. It will also save you money in the long run since you won’t be spending your dough on crappy mags before having to buy the good ones.
Also, remember that mags are a commodity.
They wear out and have to be replaced. Checking your mags occasionally and rotating them often can extend their life. Nor does it hurt to clean them every once in a while. Personally, I have all my mags numbered and labeled by gun. That helps me keep up with the rotation and lets me easily identify one that may be ready for replacement. I just use a silver paint marker. That also helps me keep up with them if I’m working in a training class and have to go back and pick them up off the ground.
Dry Fire Training
The “Tap, Rack, Bang” drill is easily done with Snap Caps in dry fire exercises. Just watch the quick video above to see how it’s done. It doesn’t take long to get in a bunch of reps, and you may save yourself headaches on the range, and, just maybe, it might save your life in the real world.
Concealed carry can be a hot-button topic. Whether it comes down to types of holsters, if you need a gun belt or not, or the perfect carry caliber, there’s a lot to argue about. In this video, Mike Pannone goes over his personal experience with concealed carry and gives you, the viewer, some tips for success.
Interested in concealed carry? Mike Pannone is here to tell you all about it. (Photo credit: Mike Pannone)
Noner’s Concealed Carry Background
Mike “Noner” Pannone started his concealed carry journey in the military, which is something of a surprise considering the vast majority of military members open carry. Here’s his background in his own words:
“I was carrying a…full-sized 1911, or I was carrying…basically an off-duty gun…a Glock 26. In hindsight, I should have just carried a Glock 19…because I think I can conceal it on my frame just about as well, but I can shoot it a lot better [than the Glock 26]. …it was relatively basic training-wise, it was just drawing from concealment, reloading from concealment, normal stuff that a basic course would do.
“Then we would integrate that concealment…into what we called our ‘black book standard’; we had…different courses of fire that we shot that were standardized and scored and graded against the historical data [we had collected]. …it was a secondary task unless you were within specialized elements within that unit that were in non-standard uniforms.
“But, it was a good block [of training]…but it wasn’t a primary task for your normal assaulter, so we didn’t go…in-depth on [concealed carry]. …in JOSC [Joint Operations Special Command]…there were a couple places we went where you couldn’t be seen carrying a gun, you couldn’t be caught carrying a gun, where we’re not supposed to be armed, but we were. …I learned to be tuned in to the different tells people were carrying.”
See what else Noner had to say about his early concealed carry experiences in the video below.
Tips for Concealed Carry Success
AIWB with a Glock 43X is a good way to conceal your handgun. (Photo credit: Kat Ainsworth Stevens)
Have I considered the mental aspects of what it would take to defend myself against a lethal threat?
Is this a reliable gun?
Is this an accurate gun?
Does my holster protect the trigger guard and provide sufficient retention?
Do I have a good gun belt to use with my high-quality holster?
Do I have or want carry coverage from a company like US LawShield or USCCA?
Am I dressing and carrying myself as a gray man? In other words, don’t wear gun logo shirts or other clothing that makes it obvious you’re likely to be a gun owner. Blend in.
Also, remember not to inadvertently signal to others that you’re carrying a gun. That means you shouldn’t be constantly touching your gun to make sure it’s where you left it — a good holster and belt will keep it in place — and severe printing shouldn’t be occurring. It can take time to find the right holster and belt combination for your gun and body shape, so be patient. Concealed carry is a fantastic way to be prepared to defend yourself against a potentially deadly attack. Doing it right is what could save you in the end.
What’s your favorite concealed carry setup? Tell us about it in the comments below.
CZ-USA announced the release of their 600 Series bolt-action rifles today. The company says the additions are part of a radical generational upgrade of [their] centerfire rifle product line.
About the CZ 600 Series rifles
The CZ 600 series bolt action rifles were designed to deliver features that matter to shooters, all with the traditionally high CZ standards of accuracy, reliability, durability and versatility in mind. The result is a rifle that stands out from the others and differentiates itself through performance and features that really make a difference on the range and in the field.
In this entirely new generation of rifles, we combined innovative technology, top of the line materials, and design that takes true ingenuity to deliver a firearm that meets the needs of every shooter from the hunt to the competition and everything in between.
CZ 600 Series Rifle Features
Steel (ST) and Alloy (AL) Actions
Three action size options
Three barrel profile options: light, semi-heavy and heavy
Accuracy guarantees for all models: 3/4 MOA (Range), 1 MOA (Alpha, Lux) and 2 MOA (Trail)
Controlled round feed with short extractor
Caliber conversions kit (sold separately)
Vertical two-position safety. Safety on (Depress the bolt release and you can cycle the bolt), Off.
Adjustable trigger – no disassembly needed, 4 weights
60 Degree Bolt throw
Picatinny Rail or Remington 700 scope bases
Detachable magazine with optional lock
Ability to top off magazine through the ejection port or detachable mag
CZ 600 Trail compact bolt-action model. [Photo courtesy of CZ-USA]
Chambering: 223 REM, 7.62×39
Rate of Twist: 1:9, 1:9.5
Magazine Type: Detachable, AR-15, Bren 2 7.62×39
Magazine Capacity: 10-round
Stock: PDW, 4-position, adj
Length of Pull: 14-inches (extended)
Sights: None, Picatinny Rail
Barrel: Cold Hammer Forged, Suppressor-Ready
Barrel Length: 16-inches
Trigger Mech: 4-Point Adjustable
Overall Length: 39.26-inches
Safety: 2-Position
MSRP: $1,155
About CZ-USA
Since 1997, CZ-USA has offered American shooters and hunters the best firearms the Czech Republic has to offer. In 2019, CZ-USA completed yet another milestone by producing CZ firearms here in the United States at CZ-USA’s Kansas City, Kansas, facility. With the aid of this new production capability, CZ-USA will continue to improve, innovate, and add to the CZ-USA line-up of high-quality, affordable handguns, rifles, shotguns and suppressors, plus custom-quality handguns from Dan Wesson.
Strike Industries recently announced the release of their new AR Picatinny Stock Adapter. They say this provides the ability to mount a 1913 Picatinny interface stock/stabilizer assembly where normally the receiver extension is attached.
For ARs that do not need an in-line buffer and buffer spring to function, this is a simple, fast and budget friendly conversion that works on both AR-15 and AR-10 lower receivers. The Strike AR Picatinny Stock Adapter mechanism threads into a standard AR rear 1 3/16″-16 HSS right hand thread and has an anti-loosening detent that is very positive and tactile while keeping the rear detent spring captured for the rear takedown pin. The 1913 Picatinny section of this adapter includes a 4-slot rail section. As an added feature, there is a 360° free swivel QD socket that the user can orientate to either left or right side to best configure the preferred setup. Compatible with majority of folding stocks or stabilizers on the market. When you want to use an upper receiver where everything is self-contained, quickly convert your AR lower receiver to mount a Picatinny stock or stabilizer with the Strike AR Picatinny Stock Adapter.
AR Picatinny Stock Adapter in black, red or FDE. [Photo courtesy of Strike Industries]
AR Picatinny Stock Adapter Features
Mount a 1913 Picatinny interface stock/stabilizer
4-Slot Picatinny rail section
Retains rear detent spring captured for the rear takedown pin
Quick and easy to install
Includes everything needed to convert your AR lower receiver
Orientate steel QD socket to desired side
Strike AR Picatinny Stock Adapter. [Photo courtesy of Strike Industries]
Compatibility
Mil-Spec AR-15 and AR-10 ArmaLite/DPMS pattern lower receivers
For use with upper where everything is contained in the upper
Disclaimer
Anodized areas (including anodized area around Torx T25 screw hole) that touch between end plate and castle nut will have expected minor scratches from torqueing of castle nut
Due to numerous factors that take place during the anodization process, the color lines from batch to batch of a certain product may vary
Package Contents
x1 Strike AR Picatinny Stock Adapter (fully assembled)
x1 Torx tool [T25]
Package contents. [Photo courtesy of Strike Industries]
Bullpup shotguns used to be a rather weird, niche type of shotgun that would pop up and then fade away. Mossberg made a bullpup 500 series gun, High Standard had the Model 10, but then KelTec came along with the KSG. When the KSG came around, something clicked, and the concept became much more accepted. As a shotgun nerd, I’ve experimented with a variety of bullpup shotguns, and today we are doing a bullpup shotgun shootout with four of the best bullpup shotguns on the market.
Bullpup Shotguns — Why?
Bullpup shotguns make a lot of sense. Shotguns are close-quarters weapons that excel in bad breath ranges. In CQB, the smaller your weapon, the more maneuverable it is and the easier it is to use. With shotguns, you can see two routes to get a short shotgun. First, get a tax stamp, trim the barrel down a bit at the cost of ammo capacity, and call it a day.
Bullpup Shotguns keep things short and powerful.
That’s one way, but bullpup shotguns are the other. They shrink the platform to short barrel shotgun levels without the need for a tax stamp and without the need to trim ammo capacity. In fact, three of the four bullpup shotguns on this list have expanded capacity compared to most shotguns. These shotguns are shrunk to SBS levels but don’t require a tax stamp.
Into the Breach
So today, we have four of what I think are the best bullpup shotguns currently on the market. We are looking at the KelTec KS7, the Smith and Wesson M&P 12, the IWI TS 12, and the SRM 1216. We have two pump actions and two semi-autos with capacity varying from 7 to 16 rounds.
These 12 gauge blasters keep things short and sweet.
Unlike bullpup rifles, which tend to follow a similar layout, bullpup shotguns are all over the place in design and function. This makes them rather fascinating, and it feels like bullpup shotguns are at a phase where experimenting and the market will drive what becomes the best overall model that will drive the market in the future. So without further ado, let’s get down to our bullpup shotgun shootout.
1. KelTec KS7
The wee little KS7 is a descendant from the KSG and simplifies the design rather nicely. This single tube gun holds seven rounds and presents a very affordable bullpup blaster. This is about as close to a regular shotgun as you get on this list. The KS7 is super lightweight and shorter than a Mossberg Shockwave, yet you get a stock, seven rounds, and a weird but efficient mounting system for accessories.
The KS7 keeps things simple…and affordable
Bullpup shotguns are rarely this simple, but the KS7 is a nice break from more complicated guns. Simply load the tube, rack the pump, and you’re set. The controls are ambidextrous, and ejection is done through the bottom of the gun, ensuring both righties and lefties get their day in the sun.
Bottom feeding makes it tough to load quickly, but makes it ambidextrous.
Bullpup shotguns, much like bullpup rifles, are often slow and awkward to reload. That is an issue here with the loading port in front of your armpit. It’s slow to reload and awkward to reload while on target. However, the little 5.9-pound shotgun handles well and is so damn short it’s easy to use in a phone booth.
Pros Extremely Lightweight Extremely Short Holds 7 Rounds Downright Affordable
Cons Awkward to reload No stock optics options
2. S&W M&P 12
Of all the bullpup shotguns, the M&P 12 surprised me the most. First, Smith and Wesson isn’t a shotgun company. Second, this is an odd shotgun to make. This is a pump-action, dual tube design with a bullpup layout. The M&P 12 holds fourteen 2.75 inch shells, and that’s a ton of lead for a shotgun.
Shotgun go BOOM!
The barrel is 19 inches long, but the overall length is only 27.8 inches total. It’s a super short design that took the KSG’s initial idea and then refined it into a much more ergonomic shotgun. The M&P 12’s tube selector is mounted on the pump, and the controls are ambidextrous, an optics mount and M-LOK rail are also included. It’s a well-built shotgun that’s filled to gills with ammo.
I love the Cyberpunk appeal.
The weapon feeds and ejects from the bottom, making it quite handy for lefties. While it’s short, the M&P bullpup shotguns are quite hefty when fully loaded and weigh over ten pounds. S&W solved a problem if the weapon jams by making the ejection port expand at will to dump jammed shells.
Pros Optics/Accessory ready Short and CQB ready 14 rounds with mini shell compatibility Awesome ergonomics.
Cons Long Length of Pull Heavy
3. IWI TS12
The IWI TS 12 produced a concept I fell in love with at first sight. As far as bullpup shotguns go, this one shocked me with how cool the design is. IWI utilizes three rotating tube magazines that each hold five rounds. The total capacity of this weapon is 15 rounds of 2.75-inch shells. The shell release is located in the trigger guard and makes rotating tubes fast and easy.
The new Hebrew Hammer
The IWI TS 12 is also semi-automatic and uses a gas operating system for the utmost reliability. The gas operating system also helps reduce recoil significantly and makes controlling the weapon very easy. The IWI TS 12 is only 28.34 inches long with an 18.5-inch barrel, making it extremely efficient.
Three five-round tubes give you 15 rounds total.
The IWI TS 12 can be loaded like a normal shotgun with loading ports on the left and right side. You can very easily continually load the gun like a normal shotgun and keep the gun running. The downside of the gun is that it tends to be ammo picky, with a requirement for ammunition loaded to 1 1/8th of an ounce at least 1,200 FPS. My first TS 12 was unreliable, but IWI seems to have figured it out in the later generations.
Pros Soft recoiling Semi-auto 15 rounds Easy to load
Cons Ammo Picky Must be sold/set up for left-handed use at the factory.
4. SRM 1216
This is a quasi bullpup shotgun, but I’m including it on my list of bullpup shotguns. The SRM 1216 utilizes a unique feeding system that predates the IWI TS 12 but also uses rotating tubes. This shotgun utilizes four rotating tubes that hold a total of sixteen 2.75 inch 12 gauge shells. These tubes also rotate in both directions, and when a loaded tube meets the empty chamber, the weapon automatically loads the round and closes the bolt.
See that big tab beneath the barrel? That releases the magazine.
Those four tubes combined are also a removable magazine that makes quick reloads a reality. The SRM 1216 reloads faster than any other shotgun on this list and gives you an immediate 16 rounds on tap. The SRM 1216 utilizes a roller delayed blowback system that makes it easy to fly through those 16 rounds.
Reliability was outstanding.
The controls are ambidextrous, and users can swap the ejection port and charging handle to accommodate righties or lefties. This isn’t super simple, but it can be done by users at home with some simple tools. The SRM 1216 is a blast to shoot, and I mean that literally and figuratively, and is my personal favorite of all these bullpup shotguns.
Who doesn’t love a good shotgun? Who doesn’t love bullpups? Combine the two, and you get a shotgun concept that makes a lot of sense. It’s short and easy to maneuver inside a building, which makes them well suited for defensive use. Of course, you need to load them up with Federal Flitecontrol as well.
Which one is for you? Well, hell, I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me below which you prefer? Let us know why as well.
I love PCCs and Subguns. Something about these little fellas just makes me happy. As a kid, I loved submachines in movies and video games, so maybe it comes from that. Maybe it’s the fact that 9mm ammo is cheap. Or maybe it’s because my home range only goes out to 100 yards. I have a blast shooting them, and when I got the offer to review the APC9K, I jumped on it.
The APC9K is the Lexus of subgun pistols, and the SMG variant won the Army’s recent SCW contest. Accuracy is spooky good with this thing.
I waited anxiously for the gun to come to my FFL. I love guns, and if you hand me a budget-tier weapon, I’m still going to have fun with it. I was so excited with the APC9K that I was checking the tracking two or three times an hour the day it was scheduled to be delivered. I already dedicated a healthy chunk of my 9mm stash to the gun and was waiting eagerly for the little fella to fall into my lap.
This is one of many brace options available for the APC9K.
Once it arrived, I could help but be impressed. The APC9K comes in a massive hard case, complete with foam. Sadly, it only comes with one magazine, but we also get a cleaning kit and a one-point sling. With that said, let’s break down the APC9K.
Breaking Down the APC9K
The APC9 is the standard variant of this gun, and the K model follows that European meme of applying K to the shorter models. As far as I know, this meme comes from the Germans and the MP5K. K stands for Kurz, and Kurz means short in German. APC stands for Advanced Police Carbine, which makes sense for the SMG variant, but not so much for a civilian-made pistol.
With the right lower the APC9K can use Glock or SIG mags. This image shows it with the standard B&T 30-round mag.
How short? Well, the barrel is a mere 5.4 inches, which is a hair longer than your standard 1911. Heck, my long slide 1911 provides more barrel than the APC9K. The overall length without the brace extended is only 13.5 inches. With the telescoping brace extended, the APC9K is 21.25 inches total.
Weight-wise it’s 5 pounds and 15 ounces. The short nature certainly makes it seem heftier. However, the gun is lighter than the CZ Scorpion and just a tad heavier than the SIG MPX. The magazine holds 30 rounds with the standard B&T magazine. Users can also purchase separate lowers to use Glock magazines or SIG P320 magazines. The upper receiver is the serialized portion, and the lowers can be ordered direct to your home.
The magazine is translucent and features visible countdown markers.
The APC9K packs a full-length optics rail, a smaller bottom rail, and two M-LOK slots. You can toss on various rials, accessories, and whatnot. The barrel is also threaded with a 1/2×28 pitch for adding suppressors or other fun muzzle devices.
The Wonderful World of Swiss Ergonomics
B&T absolutely kills it in the ergonomics department. Every control is perfectly ambidextrous. The safety, charging handle, magazine release, and bolt release are all represented on both sides of the gun. Heck, we even get ambidextrous sling mounts on the gun! Not only is everything ambidextrous, but it’s all large and easy to engage with.
Ergonomics are wonderful and are completely ambidextrous.
The safety has a short throw and delivers a big lever that makes it easy to engage and disengage at will. The magazine release buttons are located in a position that’s easy to reach with a hand around the magazine well or located on the main pistol grip. The same goes for the ambidextrous bolt release.
The pistol grip is also fantastic, and if I could, I would put this grip on all my other rifles. It fits my hand, but it is still thin and easy to grasp. I do have one complaint, though, and it comes in regards to charging the weapon.
The APC9K features an LRBHO (last round bolt hold open)…eat your heart out MP5.
The charging handles are great! They are large but fold forward when not gripped. The downside is the amount of effort required to charge the weapon. Blowback systems do require a hefty spring and bolt, and you feel it as you attempt to charge the gun. That’s my only ergonomic complaint.
Accuracy On the Range
With a range bag full of ammo and a heart full of hope, I hit the range running. I have an Aimpoint mounted, so my first step was some slow fire to zero the weapon. I zeroed the gun at 25 yards and began my real shooting tests. First, I started with some simple accuracy testing, but from a practical starting point.
Check that 3 shot group!
Offhand, in the standing at 25 yards, I created a single shot group of three rounds with the APC9K. The trigger is superb. I would go as far as saying it’s the best trigger in the PCC market. On my trigger gauge, it comes in at a little over 4 pounds. It blows away the Scorpion and SUB 2000 and even edges out the Sig MPX and CMMG Banshee.
This short fella won the Army’s recent SCW Program.
I dropped back to 50 yards and used my gong rack. I have an 8, 6, and 4-inch gong. From the standing, I moved from big to small and cut each one down in less than 4 seconds from the low ready. I experienced this consistent accuracy for round after round. It’s absurdly accurate, and I got really sick of walking downrange to unwrap the 4-inch gong from around the post. Even 9mm makes that thing spin over the top.
Man, this is a good-looking gun!
Just for fun, I moved back to 100 yards with an ISPC sized steel target bearing down on me. That shiny scum squared up with me and felt the pain. At 100 yards, 9mm has some drop, so I aimed at his head and dropped round after round into his chest. I’m not talking slow fire either, but ten shots in 8 seconds, and all ten went ding.
What About Recoil?
One of the biggest reasons people dislike straight blowback operations is due to the recoil. Recoil is often more than you’d expect and closer to that of a 5.56 rifle, which seems a fair bit much for a 9mm. However, B&T found some way to make it easier to handle and have a much lower perceived recoil than other blowback actions. Maybe it’s that pesky and extremely stiff buffer spring.
ACP9KThe blowback design has surprisingly light recoil.When the Army adopted the APC9K, I thought it was odd to choose a weapon with a straight blowback action. However, I get it now. The APC9K doesn’t have a ton of recoil and is pleasant to shoot.
Yeah, but does the APC9K Eat?
Oh, boy, does it. The APC9K doesn’t care what you feed it. Steel-cased garbage ammo like Winchester Forged creates zero issues. Neither did 124-grain +P loads or 147-grain subsonic loads. While it was costly, I fed the gun 20 rounds of JHPs, and it ate its way through them without issue.
The APC9K sports a very short profile totaling 13.5 inches with the brace collapsed.
Hundreds of rounds from various companies delivered not a single issue occurred. If I pulled the trigger, the APC9K went bang. Interestingly enough, the handguard barely got past warm even after hundreds of rounds.
B&T has done a fantastic job of producing one helluva awesome subgun. Everything about the gun shows nothing but the highest quality imaginable. It’s superbly capable, accurate, and easy to shoot and control. Plus, it won’t tap out when you need it most. The downside most will face is the MSRP of $2,450 dollars. That’s an expensive pill to swallow, but it is most certainly a premium experience wrapped up in metal and polymer.
Four years ago and some change, authors Jason Anspach and Nick Cole released Galaxy’s Edge Book 1: Legionnaire. The Galaxy’s Edge series, done in what you might call an “episodic epic mini-series” format1 quickly took off. And for good reason. Written, as fans are quick to point out, “by veterans for veterans”, the books2 do present a level of verisimilitude that’ll be familiar to readers who’ve spent any time at all deployed.
Now, in November (fittingly enough), the series has released its 13th novel: Convergence. It’s the thirteenth book in the series and the midpoint of the saga where multiple plot lines come together (hence the title). I’m writing about this not just because this series is an impressive achievement (and a good read), but because they’re marking the occasion with a big month-long push to support the fight against the epidemic of veteran suicide.
Here’s how Anspach and Cole explain it:
2021 marks the third year we’ve partnered with Mission 22 to make a difference in the epidemic of veteran suicide.More amazing is that the Galaxy’s Edge community has donated tens of thousands of dollars to this worthy cause.
It’s our hope that you’ll consider helping again.
All month long, we will be donating 22% of the proceeds from items sold in the Galaxy’s Edge shop to Mission 22.
Some specially marked items will have 100% of the proceeds donated.
Galaxy’s Edge has grown a lot since the ambush on Kublar [a planet that provided the setting for Book 1: Legionnaire, ed]. You’ve been there every step of the way. Please consider following us in support of our veterans this month. Together, we will remind those who have served that they are not forgotten.
Galaxy’s Edge Books
Galaxy’s Edge is online at galaxyedge.us, by the way. You can get books and loot online there. Not a fan of military sci-fi? No worries, hippie, you can visit Mission 22 directly at mission22.com.
Now, you might think that I’d tell you more about Convergence in this article since that’s the title that hit this month. But I’m not gonna. If you’re far enough along to track what I’d tell you about it, then you’re far enough along to know already know you like it.
So I’m gonna tell you about Book 1: Legionnaire. Here’s how it opens up.
The galaxy is a dumpster fire.
That’s not the way the Senate and House of Reason want you to hear it. They want me—or one of my brothers—to remove my helmet and stand in front of a holocam, all smiles. They want you to see me without my N-4 rifle (I’m never without my N-4) holding a unit of water while a bunch of raggedy kids from Morobii or Grevulo, you can pick whatever ass-backward planet garners the most sympathy this week, dance around me smiling right back. They want me to give a thumbs-up and say, “At the edge of the galaxy, the Republic is making a difference!”
But the galaxy is a dumpster fire.
A hot, stinking dumpster fire. And most days I don’t know if the legionnaires are putting out the flames, or fanning them into an inferno.
It’s hard not to like an opening like that.
I’m also a big fan of how they describe boredom and isolated examples of the “tyranny of the moment”. If you’ve ever been bored out of your mind in some shitty place, and/or immersed in unpleasant weather and/or terrain, all while waiting on a fight…well, the way these guys write might just speak to you.
There’s more laughter, then the men settle into a quiet vigil. The dust storm swells into a rolling mass of tan, arid topsoil that boils up to the silver cloud sky. The noise is intense, my ears filled with the howling of the wind and the pounding of dirt and pebbles. I’m not sure that even with a bucket on I’d be able to hear anything other than the storm. From within the roiling wall that sweeps across the field, my eyes continually spot shapes that prove to be phantoms. Like a child seeing animals in the clouds, I keep thinking a koob truck or MCR tank is moving my way.
The wind changes directions and blows stiffly at our backs. The storm pushes away from us, the sudden crosswind halting its intensity. Most of the open field lying beyond our line is still hidden from us, but our visibility is improved. We can see reliably to one hundred meters, with the promise of more if the clean wind continues to push down from the cliffs and over our backs.
But where they really shine is, as you might expect from former action guys writing action sequences, is the action. And of course the tactics and gunhandling.
The scene outside is unreal. I’ve been in combat multiple times, but I’ve never seen anything like this. The air is thick with blaster fire and my bucket’s ventilators are working overtime to keep the smoke and hot smell of ozone from overpowering me. Bodies from the command sled are strewn all over the place, and the sleds behind it, blocked in the road, are getting pelted with small-arms fire while their twin guns blaze at koobs. The aliens are firing from behind stone and mortar huts, rock walls, berms, you name it. An old-model tank, the type that still fires explosive projectiles, is laboriously rotating its main gun toward the convoy.
To prepare an ambush and not be zeroed in already is a sign of amateurism. Not that I’m complaining. Obvious mistakes aside, the place is still danger hot, and it’s going to take some hard fighting to regain control of the situation.
I’m not worried, though. The Chiasm is still in orbit—I can see its massive bulk in the sky, pale like a moon in daylight—and a wing of tri-bombers will be down in short order. The guerrilla positions will be vaporized, and we’ll check Pappy’s sled for survivors, clear the wreckage, and continue on to Moona Village.
I don’t know why, but I keep watching the Chiasm. There’s thick blaster fire everywhere, and my focus should be on the koob threats surrounding us. But I just… stare at the destroyer. Almost transfixed. Call it a premonition.
I see a flash erupt in the center of the Chiasm. Moments later, I hear a sharp crack. I watch, frozen in place, at the turret, as the Chiasm splits in half and slowly sinks into the atmosphere, its sharp prow glowing red as it burns in reentry.
We’re all going to die.
You can find the Galaxy’s Edge series on Amazon here: [ https:// ] bit.ly/Galaxys-Edge.
Follow ’em on Instagram, @galaxysedgebooks. Some of what they post is about their various series. Occasionally you’ll see various authors and their friends shooting the kind of ammunition you’re likely more familiar with.
1 That’s what I call it anyway. You can call it whatever the hell you want.
2 This doesn’t just apply to the initial series. Galaxy’s Edge has spawned a number of offshoots, supporting stories and timelines, prequels (e.g. Savage Wars), midquels (which I’ve included because I no shit just learned this term yesterday), and stand-alone novels.
Recently, Agilite announced their new line of AG Pouches, the AG1 5.56 single mag pouch, and the AG3 5.56 triple mag pouch. They released a video about them yesterday; Jumpable Pouches THAT AREN’T ANNOYING.
Agilite AG Pouches
Agilite AG Mag Pouches are bungee retention pouches that allow you to draw or reindex magazines easily and quickly with just one hand and without bungee retention tabs getting in your way.
Bungee retention mag pouches have been in service for over a decade due to how well they retain mags. but they have an inherent, annoying flaw. They make removing or returning a mag a clumsy, two-handed, two motion process because the magazine snags on the bungee tabs. This is especially problematic on “tac reloads”.
AG1 in multicam. [Photo courtesy of Agilite]
AG pouches solve this age-old problem and go from HALO jump-level retention to safety off, mag draw, mag re-index and back without ever removing your dominant hand from your weapon. We don’t believe in ever taking both hands off your weapon in a firefight because we come from a place where time off-target and off-weapon when the bullets are flying can easily cost you your life. Sometimes you can’t spare that time to re-engage because snagging causes you to look down or remove your second hand from your weapon. AG pouches use a proprietary combination of purposely-built polymer pull tabs and several stiffened materials that work together to give you the retention level of closed-top pouches but the quick-draw, snag-free capability of open-topped pouches.
Open-topped pouches. [Photo courtesy of Agilite]
Your gear needs to enable you and allow you to focus on the threat- it shouldn’t impede or annoy you. The custom-polymer pull tabs also allow both mechanical and friction grip to get the perfect grab, with or without gloves. We don’t believe in normal, just because we’ve always done something a certain way doesn’t mean we can’t re-think it and evolve it to give small but critical advantages that improve your performance, comfort and safety.
AG3 in multicam. [Photo courtesy of Agilite]
Whether you’re defending your country at the tip of the spear or defending your family, AG pouches will give you an edge.
Both the AG1 and the AG3 are available in MultiCam, ranger green, or black.
Sig judi online Sauer’s line of MCX pistols and rifles has attained an almost cult-like status thanks to its versatility and reliable function. The MCX Patrol in 5.56 NATO is one of the rifles of the line, and it’s the focus of this video review from TFBTV. Interested in learning more about the MCX line, or about gas piston rifles in particular? You’ve come to the right place.
TFBTV reviews the Sig MCX in 5.56 NATO. (Photo credit: TFBTV)
Sig MCX Features
It’s always nice when someone reviewing a rifle (or any firearm) gets into the details of a particular gun, and that’s exactly what’s done in this TFBTV review:
“So, the Sig MCX was actually designed in 300 BLK and intended to be used with a suppressor, so you have a setting for subsonic ammo as well as supersonic ammo.
“It’s got some pretty nice features, like an [ambidextrous] magazine release and large, oversized bolt catch/bolt release as well as [an] ambi safety and an ambi charging handle. Now, I did find the [ambidextrous] charging handle does kind of get in the way with the mount on the Sig Bravo Four optic they sent over. Now, I admit that I would like to see this [KeyMod handguard] in MLOK, but that’s just my preference; the KeyMod is just fine.
“The folding stock allows you to pack the gun in a place you would not normally be able to put an AR with a 16-inch barrel. I actually quite like it a lot. You do get a brass deflector and a forward assist but it is made out of some sort of plastic material, but I’m sure it’s fine.”
Check out the video to learn more about the Sig MCX and how it performs on the range:
What are some uses for the Sig MCX?
This specific Sig MCX is the Patrol, chambered in 5.56 NATO. Its 16-inch barrel means it is technically a carbine, not a rifle, and also means it’s going to be easier to manipulate. There are a lot of solid reasons to have a gun like this on hand:
Home defense
Truck gun
Hog hunting
Range time
CQB (close quarters battle) work
The Sig MCX has a KeyMod handguard. (Photo credit: TFBTV)
Interestingly, the Sig MCX is not an AR, it just looks like one. This is a gas piston rifle with a rotating bolt, which is a bit different and preferred by some shooters. It’s proven itself to many shooters as an accurate, reliable gun – the entire MCX line has done that – so it’s no surprise it’s so popular.
