One of the fundamentals of fighting well is to know your enemy. When we’re talking about fighting violent crime and criminals, there are a lot of varied opinions. Some people see violent criminals as victims of a flawed economic system or argue they’re just mentally ill, while others see them as cunning rational actors engaged in rational acts. Hopefully, the essay that follows will give you a quick summary of who criminals are, how criminals think, how they pick their victims, and how to truly win confrontations with them. Any time we’re generalizing, we must be careful to remember there are ..read more

The term “technical” is often used to describe a civilian vehicle — usually a 4×4 pickup like the venerable Toyota Hilux — that has been modified to carry an onboard weapon system such as a heavy machine gun, anti-aircraft cannon, or anti-tank rocket launcher. The underlying light, mobile weapon concept dates back far beyond the automobile to horse-drawn tachanka carts of the First World War and carroballistas (essentially huge crossbows mounted on carriages) of the Roman Empire. However, according to the book Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great War to Modern Special Forc ..read more

For all of life’s biggest and heaviest decisions — changing careers, moving out of state, choosing a college to attend, proposing to a spouse, and so on — it’s wise to take a moment to consider your options. Some of us make lists of pros and cons, ask friends or mentors for insight, or “sleep on it” before committing to a choice. But no matter what, we avoid making split-second decisions about any situation that’s likely to change our lives for years or decades. There is, however, one instance where this level of deliberation will not be possible: deciding to pull the trigger in a self-defense ..read more

In a true case of “what’s old is new again” the last several years have seen not only a resurgence of the lever action rifle, but an evolution of it. Although this platform was once reserved for ranchers and cowboy action shooters, well-known companies like Midwest Industries have committed significant resources to developing accessories that modernize this oft-overshadowed platform. Smaller custom houses like Mad Pig Customs go even further, offering complete boutique tactical lever gun builds with selectable furniture, accessories, and colorways. With all this effort expended to teach an old ..read more

What do you own that costs upward of $10,000 but is fragile enough to break if it’s dropped a few feet onto a hard surface? Unless you’re a collector of Ming vases, antique Waterford crystal, or high-end camera equipment, it’s probably a very short list. But there’s one thing that many military members, law enforcement officers, and shooting enthusiasts wear that fits this category: night vision. A set of dual-tube night vision goggles (NVGs) can easily set you back $8K to $15K, and this equipment is extremely sensitive to hard impacts, long-term light exposure, and other environmental damage ..read more

Welcome back to our dive into the world of gear! In this edition of Gear Up, we explore the latest innovations and reliable classics that are key to staying prepared for any challenge. From cutting-edge technology to time-tested tools, our focus is on equipping you with insights and information that keep you one step ahead wherever the journey of life may take you. Whether you're bracing for the unknown or fine-tuning your preparedness kit, join us as we unpack the must-haves for this month. PLANO: Rustrictor All Weather 2 1-Pistol Case Notes: Safely transporting sensitive items requires ..read more

In the high-stakes chess game of modern warfare, the action often takes place within the concrete jungles of urban environments. Both history and the present day foreshadows that future conflicts will inevitably spill into city streets, requiring battlefield planners to develop a mastery of urban defense. This strategic forecast is explored by John Spencer and Jayson Geroux of the Modern War Institute at the West Point Military Academy. They posit, if leveraged effectively, a solid urban defense can decisively tip the scales of war. Why Fighting in Cities is a Big Deal Cities are not ..read more

Talk to enough folks who are passionate about self-reliance and you'll stumble into a wealth of strategies on how to endure should the day-to-day systems we lean on vanish. Some swear by hoarding essentials—think provisions and hydration—anticipating the day when convenience becomes chaos. Then there are the stealthy few who suggest stashing supplies in multiple hideouts, always staying a step ahead of troublemakers or dodging temporary danger zones. You'll find voices in the crowd who champion farming with your own hands as the ticket to survival, urging a return to the land. And inevitably ..read more

Picture this: while vast armies in blue and gray faced off on well-known battlefields, a different, shadowy war raged across the South. This wasn't the orderly combat of soldiers in formation but a brutal, chaotic struggle of ambushes, surprise raids, and irregular tactics. From 1861 to 1865, guerrilla warfare tore through the Confederate states, leaving a profound mark on the American Civil War's outcome. By looking into the savage world of the Confederate guerrillas and Unionist fighters of the American Civil War, we can see a pattern that continues to repeat itself into the modern era. The ..read more

In the annals of human innovation, few inventions shine as brightly in our daily lives as the flashlight. Its inception dates back to January 10, 1899, when David Misell, a British inventor based in New York, patented a device that would cast light on the future of portable illumination. This device, characterized by its tubular shape, a bulb at one end, and the alignment of three D batteries, was not merely an invention, it was a beacon of progress. Misell's vision was recognized by Conrad Hubert, a Russian immigrant and fellow inventor, who acquired the rights to this invention for his compa ..read more