When the HK USP came out, I was an early adopter. So much so that holsters were hard to find. I did patrol work at the time and I needed a Low Ride – Jacket Slot rig. And at the time, no such rig existed for the USP. So I had to use a holster from one company, and the drop shank from another manufacturer (Safariland) and fit them together. It worked perfectly for about 8 months before a commercial offering was available.
The USP was a total pussycat to shoot, and extremely accurate. The trigger wasn’t the best, but it was perfectly adequate due to it being very consistent.
After I relocated about 2800 miles away, I sold the pistol to my eventual great regret. I’ve never replaced it with another one… and I probably never will… But I would like to, one day.
For the last 12 years I’ve been running MAC OS and Windows. I’ll be honest, I hated MAC OS, but I did see why some people like. I just wasn’t one of those persons. I’ve been running Windows because primarily I liked to Game and PC gaming meant Windows by default. These days I don’t game nearly as much as I used to… But once in awhile I will still play for a few minutes… So I’ve been stuck in the MS Eco System, just because of Games. And that was fine… for awhile. But with every Update, Windows became more and more uncomfortable. I noticed it when I went from Windows 10, to Windows 11 on my Alienware laptop (Rest in Peace) and all my games instantly started lagging. Updating Drivers and changing setting didn’t help much. Win 11 was a Resource Hog like we’ve just never seen before. This brings me to my MS Surface.
Because my Alienware was just too freaking big and heavy, it wasn’t mobile at all. I couldn’t take it anywhere. So I went on a bit of a journey to find a Portable content generation solution. Chromebooks and various Netbooks and Micro Laptops… None of them felt worth while and all of them irritated me beyond my capacity for tolerance. This is where the MS Surface came in. I decided to give it a shot, and it worked well… Until later Windows Updates butted heads with my full Silvershot Manuscript and suddenly I was typing full sentences before the characters appeared on the screen. Windows 11 was no longer working for me and my Surface Pro 7+ was no longer being used at all, for anything. Something had to be done.
After playing around with a number of Linux Distros, I decided Linux Mint was the way to go. It’s Ubuntu based, which itself is based on Debian, so it’s a rock solid foundation. Mint has a desktop environment called “Cinnamon”, which is simple and doesn’t guzzle resources. And it’s easily customizable to operate just how you want it to operate. Now, when I was living in Utah, I was running Linux as my daily driver and it worked great. Imagine to my surprise all the advances Linux has made between then and now. STEAM is now readily available for Linux and most games seem to work just fine on it. Multi-Player games with 3rd Party Anti-Cheat software do not work at all, but I don’t play League of Legends anyway.
Installing Linux Mint and getting all the hardware drivers to work was a process, but not too difficult as all the resources are available online. So in less time than it takes to install Windows 11 and Configure it, my MS Surface was already up and running. And running very well indeed. It no longer struggles to do the simple tasks like it used to. In fact, it’s running better than it did when it was brand new. Limited Hardware Resources are where Linux absolutely shines compared to Windows. The main differences is that Microsoft thinks your system exists just to run Windows so MS can feed you Advertisements. Linux isn’t like that at all. Linux sets your computer free.
The Becker BK 18 Becker Harpoon vs the Kronos Knives Flat Out. Similar quality in the blade steel. Similar pricing currently. The BK 18 is about an inch larger. But I hated – HATED – the coating. So I had to remove the scales, use a stripper, and then scrape the coating all off the blade. The plastic scales were atrocious, so 35 bucks for micarta replacements. After all that… I’m happy with the knife, and it feels good in the hand.
The Kronos came out of the box in a condition that I like, and it feels good in the hand too. Both blades have a good belly, and a sharp tip. But both also needed just a bit of stone work to have a hair shaving edge. Being smaller doesn’t hamper this knife at all. It has that “Just Right” feeling in the hand, no matter how you grip it. The BK 18 came with a standard KaBar type scabbard, made of nylon and injection molded plastic. It works just fine, but only allows tip down carry with a belt through the loop, low like a cowboy. If you like you could fashion other methods, but I’ve not done that yet. The Kronos comes with a Kydex sheath that is way too tight and drawing the knife is far too difficult, and there is no thumbshelf or such to help push out from that deathgrip. But it does come with the BladeTech attachment that allows you to carry it however you like. Being slightly smaller, it carries very well horizontally.
Both knives are winners, but I do like the Becker’s sheath better, simply because it doesn’t fight me. But the Kronos is just begging for a leather sheath. Maybe in a saddle brown, with a distressed finish.
For those unaware, Palmetto State Armory has an in-house Knife Brand… Kronos Knives. Now, I’ve bought a few to give away as gifts… But today something different happened. A friend sent one of them to me! I’m absolutely delighted with this blade, called the Crossfade.
From the Website: Introducing the Crossfade by Kronos Knives, a premium fixed blade knife designed for performance and durability. With an overall length of 7.3″, a 3.75″ drop point blade made from 154CM steel, and a stone-washed finish, this knife ensures superior sharpness and strength with a hardness of 60-61HRC. The black canvas Micarta handle offers a secure, ergonomic grip, while the flat grind enhances cutting efficiency. Weighing just 3.5 oz, it comes with a versatile Kydex sheath for universal carry. Proudly crafted in the USA, the semi-custom Crossfade knife is perfect for both outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.
The knife is rather small in overall size, so it carries well horizontally on the belt. I think I like it up front. I’ll get to know the knife a little more before I update this with more of a review.
New horse in the Stable: I was given a Gift this evening, and it is very appreciated. I will enjoy this! This is a Rock Island M1911, Double Stack. 14+1 rounds of God’s Caliber .45 Auto.
It’s essentially a GI 1911, but “Dummy Thicc”. Slide is heavy, but smooth. The trigger is heavy, but very crisp. The gun is all steel, heavy, but well-balanced when loaded. It’s not tricked out in any way… It’s just refreshingly honest about what it is, and what it isn’t. I like that. R.I.A. has fancier guns, with more expensive finishes, but they are not actually made any better. The slide is tight, but there is no binding and no play. The barrel is fit tight as well, with no play in the bushing or breach at all. In manipulating the slide, there are no hang-ups in the action at all. Inside, the machining is exceptionally well done. Every bit as fine as in a Kimber that would cost roughly 4 times as much. This is even better than my previous R.I.A. 1911 that went about 1400 rounds without a failure, amongst numerous shooters who wanted to try it out. Only difference is that this one is machined better, the muzzle is target crowned slightly, and it uses Para P14 magazines. Remember Para? Yeah, before STI/Staccato, Para Ordinance pioneered the Thicc 1911 style. And I bet a Para holster would fit it perfectly. I’ll report more on this when I get it out to shoot.
James Bond should be rocking the FN REFLEX. It’s about the same size as the Walther PPK, holds more ammo, lighter, and in a more potent caliber… Much more potent than James’ .32 caliber Walther.
I’ve carried mine for about a year now, as my main Concealed Carry weapon, and I’ve shot it enough to solidify my opinion of it. It’s a Winner. The gun is reliable, accurate, not difficult to shoot, and thanks to the good sights and great trigger, not difficult to shoot well with. I’ve had no problems with it using 115 grain range ammo and 124 grain and 147 grain defensive loads. Currently loaded with 124 grain Sierra JHPs, it groups well without a hint of issue. Using a Vedder IWB hybrid type rig, it conceals extremely well. Like I said… It’s become my main CCW piece. The alternate carry gun I use is my HK VP9SK, which is also excellent, but doesn’t hide as well. And since I travel into less than permissive environments, printing would cause unwanted drama, legal or not. As winter approaches, I’ll carry it more and other larger guns for fun and variety… But everywhere else, the little Reflex is my Go-To.
FN has confirmed the rumors that had been going around that the SCAR series of rifles has been discontinued. This comes as a shock to many, since the SCAR has been so iconic for so long!
But here’s the deal… As popular as it is in video games and works of fiction, the reality is that the rifle just isn’t worth the price of admission. The SCAR 17 is about 4 grand. Add a good optic and now you’re at 5.2 grand. Add in an appropriate number of spare mags, and you’re at 5.5 grand. A case of good ammo, and you’re now sitting on a 6 Grand Kit. Not including Lights, Lasers, Slings, Case, or any other piece of kit you want to attach to the gun, assuming you don’t already have them already that you can transfer over from whatever Peasant Class rifle you’re migrating from. For 6 Grand, you can buy a whole lot of other gun, and a good used motorcycle to go with them. And what does this really get you? A .30 cal semi-auto rifle with average accuracy and a lot of snobbery.
Look, I like the SCAR series. I love them. But they are at least twice the price they should be. The design is very clever. It’s well engineered… But it isn’t the Excalibur of Rifles some folks make it out to be, and other folks fantasize about it being… it just isn’t. I could spend all day giving you other options for launching .308, or the 5.56 if that’s the version you fancy… But I won’t, because I don’t have that kind of time. But there are tons of options that will cost you about half or even less that are going to be just as reliable, just as accurate or BETTER, and take standard/common magazines that you can get in abundance for a fraction of FN’s cost. Seriously, I found a .308 Magpul mag for only 12 bucks locally. Of course, I snagged it. You’re never going to find that for the FN. Ever. Well, maybe now you might, with the platform being tossed to the side.
There is no word on a SCAR replacement. The fact FN has refered to the series being the “LEGACY SCAR”, makes one think that there is a SCAR 2.0 in the works. But rumor has it that there is no such thing in the pipeline. Another rumor has it that FN is going to release civilian versions of their military guns… But this is not substantiated and indicators point to that being just wishful thinking. The other rumor is that FN is washing its hands of the civilian rifle market. And that is probably the most sensible approach for FN right now.
Anyone else remember FN’s outstanding bolt action rifles? Yeah, I miss those… those were great.
Warmaster Hegseth: “You guys are Fat. Get in Shape, or Get Out.”
Last week we learned about Warmaster Hegseth calling for a Meeting of all the Top Brass. We didn’t know what the Warmaster was going to bring out for this Big Meeting. Some were very afraid he was going to lay out plans for War on three fronts. I had guessed it was going to be Administrative in nature. And I was right. But it was more than I expected!
A Snapline back to Standards? Sure… sure… But calling out his Generals and Admirals too? DANG! I did NOT expect that!
I listened to the entire message the Warmaster delivered, and found it to be most impressive. Looking at the potential conflicts ahead of us… This was NEEDED. And I don’t disagree with anything he said. The DEI agenda has severely weakened our Armed Forces. And the Politicians running things instead of the Actual Military… This was a change we witnessed starting back with Obama, during the whole 13 Hours event. Let me remind folks…
The US Marines have within their Charter, the Mission to React and Respond to Threats against our Embassies. No orders have to be given or waited for… The Marines GO. The General Order was given ages ago. Supporting Assets automatically move to assist and support the Marines in that Mission. When the Call for help went out, the Marines and the Navy started to spool up. Ships changed course. Helicopter Rotor Blades started turning. Jet Engines started warming up. The Machine that is the US Military was reacting.
And then another call came in. STAND DOWN.
A Decision had been made and an order given to STOP. Military Leaders who didn’t were immediately relieved of duty. Cuss words were uttered. Fists hit desks and tables. And turbine engines were shut off. To save the Embassador, nothing had to be said. To let the Ambassador die, many orders had to be given and repeated. And Americans DIED.
After that event… things changed. There was a PURGE of Patriotic Military Leaders who took their Oaths seriously. Instead of Patriots, we had Political Loyalists installed into key positions… and it all went downhill… Until Warmaster Hegseth was raised up into his new role.
What do you guys think? How do you feel about this change back to proper standards?
I was asked my opinion on Walthers. I don’t own a Walther at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I’ve got anything against them. Far from. It just means my Gun Budget is too low.
Walther’s PDP has quietly and not so quietly become the Gun Guy’s If you know, you know gun. My Mom even has one. Lots of my friends have one, and those that don’t, many are saying they too want one. The PDP is now coming in a number of different variants, and each one is an outstanding pistol. Universally, they come with stellar ergonomics, great sights, and what is considered to be one of the very best triggers in the market – if not the best trigger on the market. The accuracy is right up there, and the reliability has proven to be exceptional.
The PDP is an evolution of the Walther P99, a gun that Walther put all its chips into and it paid off. BIG TIME. Before the P99, Walther was in serious trouble. I even said at the time that they were “Struggling to find relevance.” They had no presence in the US Market except for their skinny Importation deal with S&W, which gave S&W permission to make their own version of the P99 for a while.
Then Walther got SERIOUS. There was a PDQ pistol and some effort was made there… and then they finally developed the PDP and they really hit on something. The PDP has been developed with more focused engineering than almost any other pistol on the market… and it shows. Do this… Go to your Local Gun Store – your LGS – and examine a PDP first hand. Hold it. Ask to dry fire it just once… and while you do that… Watch those sights very carefully as the trigger breaks. Notice how the sights don’t even twitch? Not even slightly? That’s what I look for in a handgun – right there. HK, CZ, Echelon, and few others can match.
What’s the downside to the Walther PDP? Well, being out of the Market’s Mainstream means you’re going to have a lot fewer options for Holsters. Most LGSs won’t even have a holster for the PDP in stock, and if they do, it probably won’t be a good one. Pricing has the PDP at the more expensive end of factory production duty guns… right next to HK, if not more, depending on the version of PDP you’re looking at. And that’s another happy little problem… Picking which version of the PDP. And that’s a personal question nobody else can help you with. The last Downside to the PDP, is that if you take it to the range… Everyone there is going to want to try it. Whatever you do… don’t rent one at the Range and actually shoot one. Because if you do, you will end up buying one. It becomes fate to do so… and admittedly, I am destined to do so myself.
