Warrior Hits

SHOT Show
Runnin

An AR Built for
a Warrior, by
the Warrior

One-on-One
with Marcus
Luttrell

Greg Jordan:
1 Cop vs.
the World

A Warrior
Perspective:
Esquires Fall

This Truck is
SEAL Tough

American Warrior
THE NRA MAGAZINE FOR
THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR

NUMBER 18

WarriorWare

A lot of magazines might show you the best new

gear from SHOT Show or teach you how to build
an AR. Were gonna do bothbecause were cool
like that, and because you deserve it.

Virtual Warrior

Games, apps and more for the modern warrior.

WAR R IOR FEATU R ES
P R ES E N T E D

BY

C O LT

Marcus Luttrell:
The Exclusive Warrior Interview

We go beyond the screen and behind the scenes of

Lone Survivor with the man himself.

1 Cop Vs. the World

The worlds best 3-gun shooters went toe to toe in Vegas at

Rumble on the Range. Meet the guy who came out on top:
Officer Greg Jordan.

Esquire Magazines
Fall from Grace

The magazine that claims to be all

men jumps on the gun-banning ba
Thats not very manly, in our opinio

SEAL Tough

The Operation Raptor Navy SEAL pi

great causeand looks completely

l things to all
andwagon.
on.

ickup supports a
boss doing it.

Welcome to the Warrior.

ON THE COVER:

Officer and firearms instructor for the Harford County, Md., Sheriffs
Department, and reigning 3-Gun Nation Champion, Greg Jordan reloads his
Browning shotgun during a preliminary 3-Gun Nation match held last summer
at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, Okla. Photo courtesy Aegis Atlanta.
THIS SPREAD:

NRANews correspondent, frequent NRA American Warrior Contributor

and former Navy SEAL Dom Raso takes aim during a training session.
Catch Dom Rasos commentaries at NRANews.com/commentators.
Photo by Cody Johnson.

W E L C O M E

T O

T H E

TEAM WARRIOR:
Editor
Mark Chesnut
Managing Editor
Steven M. Brown
Guns & Gear Editor
Frank Winn
Creative Director
Clay Turner
Photography/Videography Team
Dennis Azato
Michael Ives
J.R. Salzman
Rick Stewart
Writing Team
Tom Hoser Freeman
Chuck Holton
Dom Raso
J.R. Salzman
Rick Stewart
National Rifle Association of America
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
Wayne LaPierre
Executive Vice President
Chris W. Cox
Executive Director, NRA-ILA
Kyle Weaver
Executive Director, General Operations
WARNING: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reflect the limited experience of individuals
using specific tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily
reported in the article and over which the National Rifle Association (NRA) has no control. The data have not otherwise
been tested or verified by the NRA. The NRA, its agents, officers and employees accept no responsibility for the results
obtained by persons using such data and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. No advertised
item is intended for sale in those states or in those areas where local restrictions may limit or prohibit the purchase,
carrying or use of certain items. Check local laws before purchasing. Mention of a product or service in advertisements or
text does not necessarily mean that it has been tested or approved by the NRA.

W O R

>>

WA R R I O R

B Y

S P O N S O R

P R E S E N T E D

P R E S E N T I N G

P R E S E N T I N G

S P O N S O R

>>

WA R R I O R

P R E S E N T I N G

S P O N S O R

>>

W A R R I O R

WA R R I O R

T H E

>>

O F

P O N S O R

R L D
WA R

NRALifeofDuty.tv
is brought to you by

PATRIOT PROFILES SPONSORED BY

Highest Honor:
Part 2

At the age of 21, Dakota

Meyer had experienced
combat, but nothing like
what he encountered the
morning of Sept. 8, 2009.
Ambushed by insurgents
near the Afghan village
of Ganjgal, Meyers fellow
warriors were outgunned,
outnumbered, and needed
helpimmediately.
What happened next
defines heroism.

Preview: Defending Our America

Something BIG is coming to the NRA Life of Duty Network, and we have the preview.
NRA Life of Dutys newest program, sponsored by SIG SAUER, dissects three words:
Defending Our America. In this upcoming series, we aim to share what this
phrase meansnot to politicians or talking heads, but to the people
with their boots on the ground. No scripts; no prompts; no retakes;
just eight men offering their raw opinions based on their shared
FRONTLINES SPONSORED BY
service to America.

Frontlines:
Transit Terror

As metro and light rail train

ridership grows, so does the
threat of terrorism. Travel
underground with the NRA
Life of Duty Frontlines team
to a repurposed tunnel
system in West Virginia
where first responders are
learning how to react if
transit terror ever comes
to Americas front door.

G L O C K

BIG
N NS

WI

SCORE!

G L O C K

4 2

4 1

A M E R I C A N WA R R I O R

WA R R I O R WA R E
GUNS, GEAR & GADGETS FOR
THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR

SHOT SHOW

A TOUR OF THE ULTIMATE

WARRIORS WAREHOUSE:

HOT
FROM
SHOT
2014
BY

FRANK WINN |

GLOCK
Arguing what constitutes the biggest news
from SHOT is a reliable way to start a
fistfight, but a new Glock pistol would be
a contender at any weight. And two new
pistols? Well, you be the judge.
Answering the bell first, at
least model-number-wise, is
the G41. The new model,
according to the official press
release, is built with a G34
slide width on a G21 Gen4
frame and is ideally suited
for tactical use on and off
the range. With all the Gen4
features (see NRA American
Warrior 14) and at 1.5 ounces
lighter on the belt than previous
large-frame .45 ACPs, this
easily topped our list of stops
for Media Day at the Range. And it was well
worth the wait in line, we might addsmooth,
accurate, and the nose of the pistol stays
down exceptionally well, just as promised.
Using standard magazines is a bonus, too.
Expect to see lots of G41s in duty rigs and on
the competition circuit soon.
The G42the long awaited .380 ACP
pocket carry Glockwas second on the
card, and the new bantamweight didnt
disappoint. Glocks smallest pistol retains the
Safe Action System (though there are internal
changes), and at an extremely modest 14.5
ounces (loaded, 6+1) and .94 inches thin,
its sized, textured, sprung and sighted so that
youll want to practice with it.
Our wait to test fire the new Glocks left us
with two other observations: First, we saw lots
of shooters of obviously varying technique
and ability saunter up to try the new pistols,
and we observed not a single malfunction.
Second, we profoundly hope theres a
warehouse full of both pistols somewhere.
No split decisions or TKOs here: Expect early
round knockouts!

TOM FREEMAN |

MARK CHESNUT

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014
HECKLER & KOCH

HK MAGS

Heckler & Koch needs no

introduction to American shooters:
Their famed G3 and HK33 rifles
were arguably the class of their
generations, a tradition continued
with their G36 and HK416, 516
and 556 models. For 2014, HK
has introduced a feature-laden
5.56 A1 competition riflea
maneuverable (37 inches with
stock extended), accurate platform
for any shooter who wants to add
3-gun style competition to their
training regimen without varying
too much from their duty arm.
Factory fit with top-quality
add-ons like an HK/OSS comp,
Magpul CTR buttstock and
smooth-surfaced, lightweight long
rail (14-inch) keyhole hand guard,
you wont need to spend a year
or sonot to mention hundreds
of dollarson missteps. The heart
of the rifle remains true to HKs
vaunted standards as well: A
hammer-forged 16.5-inch barrel
tapers from barrel nut to muzzle,
adding stiffness and improving
velocity, while short-stroke piston
operation eases the maintenance
load. Other touches we particularly
like include close tolerance target
takedown pins, extended mag
release button, and a charging
handle that eliminates that (slow)
tight-quarters reach under the optic.
Outta the box, its ready to roll.

HK mags have long been known for

their high quality. In fact, for many
years weve made poor-feeding
5.56 autoloaders work to perfection
just by switching to the uber-tough
and beautifully crafted HK steel
SA80 mags. For 2014, HK adds a
value-priced polymer magazine
to the fray. An anti-tilt follower
tops the advanced spring inside
a rib-reinforced, translucent body.
Disassembly is toolless, and round
count can be confirmed with a
glance. The mag loads to capacity
with notable ease, and the smooth
upper third slides easily in and out
of lowers with all types of finishes.
Its a 5.1-ounce gem.

H K

H K

M A G S

5 . 5 6

A 1

RHINO ARMS
Rhino Arms of St. Louis has offered their all-U.S.-made AR pattern rifles for several years, complete
with a somewhat unusualand impressive.5 MOA accuracy guarantee. Their duty and sporting rifles
offer many advanced features, including high-lubricity nickel-boron surfaces on trigger, bolt and bolt
carrier. Uppers and lowers are machined from billets, and CMV barrels are reamed, honed and finished
to the extent that they do not need to be broken in. Currently available in .308/7.62 and .223/5.56,
Rhino is adding .300 Blackout and a 12 gauge upper (for .308 lowers) in 2014. Watch future issues for
a range report!
R H I N O

1 2

G A .

BIG
N NS

WI

SCORE!

A R - 1 5

T R I G G E R

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014
Email the Editor

W A L T H E R

P P Q

M 2

WALTHER
Few firearms manufacturing
companies can claim a pedigree
like that of Carl Walther, original
designer of the semi-automatic
pistol. Walther Arms of Fort Smith,
Ark., moves the mark again with
the introduction of the 5-inch PPQ
M2. Carrying forward the excellent
ergonomics of previous Walther
designs, the M2 adds striker-based
ignition (quick-defense trigger)
to a low-bore line and long sight
radius (7.2 inches on an 8.1-inch
pistol). In a refreshing moment of
candor, Peter Dallhammer, project
manager for law enforcement,

conceded the three-dot sights are

a minimalist expedient: We know
everyone will replace them anyway.
With swappable backstraps,
the M2 will fit a large variety of
hand sizes. And a true ambi slide
release and reversible button-style
mag release means pretty much
anyonelefties, et alcan arrive
at a configuration they like. A
particular pet peeve of ourslack
of forward cocking serrationsis
handsomely addressed on the
PPQs: Deep but not too sharp,
cycling the action will be surehanded in all weather, gloves or

no. The centerfire M2 is available

in 9 mm or .40 S&W.
Catch the hint there? Yup, we
said centerfire M2. In a stroke we
think qualifies as genius, Walther
is also offering a full-sized rimfire
complement to the 9 mm and
.40 caliber M2s. It has the same
external dimensions, features
and operation, but is optimized
for rimfire practice without
compromise. We sincerely hope
we wont have to hurt anybody to
get you an in-depth range report
on the PPQs, but well do what
we must.

R E P L A C E M E N T

K I T

BROWNELLS

For 75 years Brownells has been selling gunsmithing

products to folks around the world. Now Brownells sells
just about anything and everything that a gunsmithor
shootercould ever need or want.
One item that caught my eye was their AR-15 trigger
replacement kit. With so many people swapping out the
so-so factory trigger for a custom trigger, this kit makes
the chore easy. Consisting of a bench block, hammer drop
block, magnetic-tipped screwdriver and a pin alignment
punch, it has everything you need to swap a trigger and
not break something along the way. Brownells also owns
the Police Store, with tons of products for LEO and military members. Note: Sinclair has always
carried precision reloading products, and several years ago Sinclair was bought by Brownells. 2014
was Sinclairs first trip to the SHOT Show, and I walked around their booth amazed at everything.
Looking at something in a catalog or online is one thing, but being able to actually hold something
before buying it is another. This booth put a hurting on my wallet.

R E D

S W I V E L

BIG
M A N S

BLUE FORCE GEAR

FREE

M I
N U
S

SCORE!

P L
A T
E

One of the coolest things I saw this

year was also one of the simplest
and smallest thingsthe Rapid
Emergency Detachment (RED)
swivel attachment for slings. Instead
of trying to push a small button to
release or attach a sling, you just
pull a small steel cable with a knob
on the end, and off comes the sling.
It is so cool that Ashley Burnsed of
Blue Force Gear applied for, and
was granted, a patent late last year.
Also new was their new
PLATEminus plate carrier vest. The
lightweight high-tech material is
cut with a laser and is completely
adjustable for most body types. The
large PLATEminus carrier weighs just
13 ounces.
Blue Force was also displaying
their Raptor wearing NVG-18s.
Theyre very cool indeed.

COLT
This year Colt had all their
competition rifles on display. What
really caught my eye was their Pro
rifles. Featuring 8-twist stainless
match barrels, muzzle brakes,
free-float tubes and Geissele
triggers, they have everything you
need to hit a local 3-gun match.
Available with 16-, 18- or 20-inch
barrels that can shoot 40-77 grain
bullets, they come with an accuracy
guarantee of less than one inch for
5 shots. A test target is included
with every rifle.
Another standout at the booth
this year was their model 2012
bolt-action rifle chambered in
.260 and set up to use magazines.
Featuring a stock made by
Manners Composites (I think the
best choice in fiberglass stocks)
and a Timney trigger, they are
great for getting into the Precision
Rifle game.

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014
BUST A CAP
We cant say wed have been excited to name our product
like the guys at Bust A Cap did, but we see the problem: Its
exactly what their product does. Whats an entrepreneur to
do? Simple and effective, this product is as straight-forward
as can be. Take the existing butt cap off a host of devices
from Streamlight, Maglite, ASP and Surefire, replace it with
the appropriate Bust A Cap, and youve got an entry and
exit tool for virtually any glass-covered opening. Patented,
U.S.-made and reasonably priced, Bust A Cap could be a
one-tap lifesaver.

B U S T

C A P

C O L T

C O L T

P R O

M A R X M A N

C R P - 1 8

C R X - 1 6

THE WARRIOR TEAM:

MARK
CHESNUT
EDITOR,
BIG
NRA AMERICAN
C H E S N U T S
WARRIOR
SCORE!
A professional
journalist for nearly 30 years,
Chesnut is a lifelong shooter and
avid hunter. This was his 21st
trip to the Shooting, Hunting and
Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show.

FRANK WINN
GUNS & GEAR EDITOR,
NRA AMERICAN
BIG
WARRIOR
W I N NS
An active competitive
SCORE!
shooter and NRA
Instructor with a lifelong interest
in shooting, Winn holds several
state and regional action shooting
titles, as well as a GSSF Master
classification.

TOM FREEMAN
A 20-plus-year veteran
of the United States
BIG
Air Force as a C-130
F R E E M A N S
flight crew member,
SCORE!
Freeman started
competitive shooting, hunting and
reloading when he was 11 years old.
He is an NRA Firearms Instructor
and has numerous top-3 finishes
at state, regional and national
championships.

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014

S M I T H

&

W E S S O N

FN
News out of FN is they are getting into the AR-15 game. FN has
been making M-16s for the military for years, but it was not until
2014 that they started making them for the civilian sector.
The one thing that really caught my eye was the fact they are
making a straight-up 20-inch rifle with an A2 buttstock and a
flat-top upper. Its nice and simple, has a borderline retro look,
with nothing to break or look oddball. They also introduced a
16-inch version of an M4 carbine. Its truly nice to see FN get in
the game with some solid rifles.

F N 1 5

9 2 9

SMITH & WESSON

My first stop at the 2014 SHOT Show was the Smith & Wesson booth. I
wanted to verify that the new 8-shot revolver chambered in 9 mm was
real and not an Internet unicorn. Turns out they are real and going into
production. Based on the large frame Model 627, the new 929 has a
6.5-inch barrel and titanium cylinder. As the 9 mm is a rimless case,
moon clips are included. Revolver shooters have begged for this 8-shot
for years. I cant wait to get the two I ordered. Also on display was its
little brother, the 7-shot Model 986. With the cost of 38 Special ammo
being almost twice what 9 mm ammo is, these two revolvers are sure to
be big hits.

2 6

N O S L E R

WA R R I O R WA R E

HOT
FROM
SHOT
2014

NOSLER
Big news this year at Nosler was the 26 Noslera new 6.5-caliber cartridge that
is able to push a 140-grain bullet at 3,200 fps. That is even faster than the old
6.5 wildcat favorite, the 6.5x284. Barrel life with this new hotrod is expected to be
over 1,000 rounds. The 26 Nosler should make an excellent long-range hunting round,
as well as appealing to long-range target shooters. Nosler also introduced some new
custom rifles. With custom actions and stocks, they are sure to make any rifleman
happy. The standout for me was their NCR (Nosler Custom Rifle) with a nice walnut
stock. This rifle in .280 Ackley Improved was just calling out to me.

LONDON BRIDGE TRADING

New from London Bridge is their 2 Vets Arms Covert Pack. This slim backpack features an inner bag
that easily holds a broken down 16-inch AR with room for several smaller pouches on the other half
of the bag. Both halves of the bag are covered with Velcro to allow you to completely customize the
interior however you want. As with everything that London Bridge makes, it is completely first-rate
craftsmanship and materials, made 100 percent in the USA. This new bag is available in several
different colors and camo designs. I have been dragging London Bridge gear around the globe for a
long time, and it always holds up better than it should.
2

V E T S

A R M S

C O V E R T

P A C K

H U N T E R

New this year at the Browning Camping booth was a

really cool shooting stool. Their Shadow Hunter Blind
Chair swivels 360 degrees and each leg is adjustable
for height in case you are on uneven ground. The back
and seat are made of a mesh material to make it
more comfortable than a typical dove hunting stool.
While aimed at hunters, this stool would also be at
home behind a shooting bench or around a campfire.
Its light weight is also a huge plus for those looking to
shave a few pounds off their gear.

S H A D O W

BROWNING CAMPING

SCHMIDT & BENDER

S C H M I D T

&

We saw lots of cool scopes again this year at the S&B booth. The
3-20 and 5-20 compact scopes were on display. Right at 12 inches
long and weighing less than 32 ounces, these first focal plane
scopes give you lots of power in a compact scope. Their 3-27 scope,
also on display, won the US Militarys Ultra Long Range Scope. The
retail price tag on this scope isnt cheap. In fact it was expensive
enough to scare me away, even though I typically have deep
pockets when it comes to scopes. The Stormtrooper Edition of the
companys 5-25 was also very cool. Its an all white scope with black
engraving and lettering.

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014
D I L L O N

6 5 0

DILLON PRECISION
Any avid reloader knows the name Dillon.
Swinging by the Dillon Precision booth is
always a mandatory stop for me to see
some friends and take a look at the new
stuff. For 2014, Dillon has embraced the
.300 Blackout with a trim die and new
high power trimmer. The RT-500 trimmer
is designed around the .300 Blackout
and the huge stress that cutting off all
that brass creates. The older RT-1200 is
only designed to trim off a small amount
of brass. You can easily kill a RT-1200
forming .300 Blackout brass.
Also new is the reintroduction of
carbide trim dies in 223 and 308. I have
heard people talk of carbide trim dies in
the past, but I have never actually held
one, until now. While not mandatory for
trimming, a carbide die will make the
chore of trimming brass much easier on
my 1050and my shoulder.

E N D E R

3 - 2 0

C O M P A C T

S T I

D U T Y

S T I

O N E

T R O J A N

STI
Swinging by the STI booth was an expensive jaunt. STI is an employee-owned Texas company that makes
some of the finest 1911s around. New for 2014 is an aluminum-framed single stack. The single stack
Trojan has always been a steel-framed pistol that some smaller statured shooters could find a bit on the
heavy side for casual use. The new alloy framed version is much lighter and balances well. Also new on
the 1911 single stack front was a 10 mm called the Nitro 10. It is a great-looking blued 1911 with some
very aggressive slide serrations and fixed sights to put up with the pounding full power 10 mm ammo
puts out. Also new is a high-capacity 1911 aimed at the 3-gun shooting community. This 2011 is called
the Marauder and combines the best attributes of the STI Tactical and Eagle. Chambered in 9x19 with a
bushing barrel, it is sure to go over well.

BERGER BULLETS
The big news for Berger in 2014 is, of course, more bullets. Berger has
purchased more bullet making machines to double their bullet making
capability. If you have not tried Bergers new Hybrid bullets, you are
missing out. I have been shooting them in my 338 Lapua and 308,
and could not be happier. Knowing that more bullets will be hitting the
shelves soon warms my heart.

3 0 P S

3 0 P S S

THUNDERBEAST ARMS
Ray Sanchez and Zak Smith were again at
the show with all their new quiet products.
Their new short .308 titanium suppressors,
the 30PS and 30PSS, were standouts.
These new cans are aimed at people that
want sound reduction and short length.
The 30PSS adds only 5 inches
and 9 ounces, while removing
less than $750 from your wallet.
Add the PSS on to the end of
your SBR .300 Blackout and you
still have a complete gun that
is incredibly quiet and the size
of a 16-inch AR-15. I was not
F R E E M A N S
able to leave this booth without
SCORE!
spending money.

BIG

WA R R I O R WA R E

HOT FROM
SHOT 2014

LARUE TACTICAL

L A R U E

O B R

Mark LaRue did something different this year: He came to the show without guns! Instead, he
brought coffee that he gave away to anyone in need. Mark and his staff had lots of products
on display, and they were more than happy to answer all questions that were thrown at them.
Good news for 2014 for LaRue customers is that Mark is now making his own barrels in-house.
This new barrel making capability is already helping get orders for his outstanding OBR 7.62
and OBR 5.56 rifles out the door sooner rather than later.

ELEY AMMUNITION
Eley ammunition from England makes
some of the best rimfire ammo
available. I know that firsthand,
as I shoot thousands of rounds of
Eley each year at the U.S. Olympic
Training Center. While the big news
was not free ammo for me, it was a
new indoor testing facility in Winters,
Texas, which is almost as good. At
their new 50-meter range you will
be able to lock your firearm into a
machine rest, shoot on electronic
targets and test it with every type
of Eley ammo with multiple lots
available for testing. All of this is just
to help you make the best choice of
ammo for your rifle and budget.
Road trip!

MICROTECH
For those who can own
automatic knives, Microtech
does some really neat things.
Their new MSG2 is a double
action knifedouble action
as in you can manually open
it with your thumb like most
pocket knives, or you can hit
the button and it opens like
a switch-blade. The MSG2 is
made from aluminum and
it will have carbon fiber or
skateboard tape inserts. It
also features a liner lock and
a pocket clip. Expect this
knife to hit the market within
the next few months.

E L E Y

T E S T

FA C I L I T Y

M I C R O T E C H

M S G 2

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014

ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL
Great things are afoot at AI of England, the
makers of some of the finest sniper rifles
in the world. Just like the quick-change
capability of the Uber-Cool PSR, the entire
AI short-action and long-action family
of rifles will have it now, as well. This is
an excellent change, and a huge benefit
to shooters. Just call AI and order a new
barrelno gunsmith needed.

A I

8 - 4 0

A R - 1 X

X T R

P S R

BURRIS
For 2014 Burris released a one-power prismatic
scope. Called the AR-1X, it is like a dot scope with a
reticle etched in. You can turn the scope on and the
reticle will glow red or green. Should your battery die,
the reticle is black. The scope runs on a single AA
battery. The scopes mount also houses the battery,
and the height of the mount is perfect for a 1/3
co-witness. A 5,000-hour battery life is yet another
reason why it pays to buy a better scope.
Also released is their 8-40 XTR scope. This
high-powered scope features 1/8 MOA clicks
and first focal plane. Inside the scope is 70 MOA
of elevation, allowing you to do some long range
shooting without resorting to Kentucky windage to
get on a target. The F-Class MOA reticle will serve
the long range target shooter well.

MAGPUL

A K

M A G

New from the gang at Magpul is their MBUS Pro sights. Small, light,
simple and easy to use, these sights dont take up a lot of room on
a rifle and actually work. Plus, they wont break the bank. Magpul
has also embraced the AK style of rifles. They are now shipping
30-round AK mags. Pricing on their AK mags is right along with their
AR-15 mags. Lots of cool AK rifles were on display at their booth.
Of course, the huge news from Magpul is the fact they are
leaving my home state of Colorado. In the days leading up to the
Colorado legislature adopting stupid firearms legislation, Magpul
said they would move if the laws were passed, taking millions
of dollars and hundreds of jobs out of the Colorado economy. I
was hoping the successful recall of two senators would convince
Magpul to stay, but they have found new homes in Wyoming and
Texas. I hate to see them leave, but I respect their decision and will
continue to support them.

M B U S

M A G P U L

M O V E S

P R O

S I G H T

SAFARILAND

WA R R I O R WA R E

HOT
FROM
SHOT
2014
CZ
One of the interesting
things at the CZ booth
this year was the
companys model 455
Varmint Precision Rimfire
Trainer rifle. Using
detachable mags, this
full-size .22 rifle will be
an excellent training
rifle for those who want
to train with a rimfire
instead of sending lots
of expensive centerfire
ammo downrange.
Available with a Manners
fiberglass stock and a
threaded barrel, this rifle
will shoot some excellent
groups and should be a
hit with young and old
shooters, alike.

A long-time leader in the military, law enforcement

and competitive markets, Safariland introduced a new
concealment holster line featuring the companys new
Grip Locking System. The GLS holster line features a
patent-pending retention device that securely holds
the firearm in place once holstered, yet is quickly and
intuitively deactivated with the middle finger during
the draw. The GLS series consists of three hip carry
modelsthe Model 5378 Paddle/Belt Loop Combo,
the Model 5377 with the belt loop only and available
in four widths, and the Model 5379, which features a
secure belt clip that fits belt widths from 1.5 to 2.25
inches. All three models feature Safarilands standard
3-hole mounting platform, making them compatible
with all attachment systems, including the popular
QLS (Quick Locking System).
5 3 7 7

B E LT

5 3 7 8
B E LT
L O O P/
P A D D L E

4 5 5
VA R M I N T
P R E C I S I O N

L O O P

5 3 7 9

R I M F I R E

B E LT

T R A I N E R

C L I P

FA S T F I T

O R I G I N A L

I M P A C T

MECHANIX WEAR
Mechanix Wear representatives didnt have much time to rest at SHOT, as the companys
introduction of three of their hottest glove models in MultiCam kept the companys booth hopping.
A leader in high-performance hand protection, Mechanix Wear introduced its FastFit, Original and
M-Pact glove models in MultiCam. The integration of MultiCam into Mechanix Wear hand protection
helps maintain the patterns effectiveness in the operating environment by covering the hands, too.
Remember, Mechanix Wear is a Life Of Duty equipment provider, and offers exclusive discounts for
NRA Life of Duty members.

C R I M S O N

T R A C E

G R E E N

CRIMSON TRACE
1911 shooters who love Crimson Traces new green
lasers will be glad to hear that the company, which
is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2014, has
introduced a green model of its popular Lasergrip
for compact and full-size 1911s. Using the smallest
green laser diode available, the new unit emits a
powerful green beam yet still provides over two
hours of run time on a set of batteries. Featuring the
companys Instinctive Activation technology, the laser
is activated when the pistol is held in a normal firing
grip. Plus, a master on/off switch allows the shooter to
power down the unit for use without the laser.
M A G

C H A R G E R

HOT FROM

WA R R I O R WA R E

SHOT 2014
BATTENFIELD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

One of the hottest products at SHOT wasnt a gun, optics or ammo. Battenfeld Technologies
new Caldwell AR Mag Charger was drawing rave reviews from nearly everyone I spoke to, so I
had to claw my way through the crowd at their booth and take a look for myself.
What I saw will likely live up to the companys hype of a product that revolutionizes the
way ammo is handled and loaded into AR-15 magazines. The unit accepts 50 loaded
rounds directly from any common 50-round ammo manufacturer box or from aftermarket
50-round plastic storage boxes. Dump a box of ammo into the Mag Charger, and the
ammo is automatically aligned without touching a single round. Then insert any AR
magazine into the Mag Charger and actuate the plunger back and forth, loading 5 rounds
per stroke. The entire process of filling the Mag Charger with ammo and loading all 50
S
T
U
N
S
rounds into two magazines takes less than 15 seconds. The only downside was I sure felt
E
H
C
bad for the guy at the booth who had to unload all those magazines, over and over and
SCORE!
over again.

BIG

OAKLEY
Oakley Standard
Issue, a division
of Oakley Inc.,
is offering its
SI Ballistic M
Frame shooting
C H E S N U T S
glasses with the
SCORE!
companys new SI
Prizm technology.
Developed with direct input and in
conjunction with the United States Armys
elite competitive shooters, SI Prizm uses a
formulated dye compounding technology
to produce a color-tuned lens specifically
for shooting. The glasses are touted
to boost visual recognition of targets
while blocking a variety of neighboring
backgrounds such as dirt, trees and sky.
And while I only had the opportunity
to wear them for a few hours at Media
Day at the Range, I found that to be an
accurate assessment. The SI Ballistic M
Frame 3.0 with Prizm blocks 100 percent
of UVA, UVB and harmful violet-blue light
up to 400nm wavelength, and is fully
compatible with helmets and helmetmounted night vision devices. The glasses
also meet or exceed MIL-PRF-31013
Ballistic Fragmentation Protection and
MIL-PRF-32432 (GL) MCEPS.

BIG

S I

P R I Z M

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014
Email the Editor

M O S S B E R G

M V P

F L E X

B O LT- A C T I O N

OTIS

STREAMLIGHT

A leader in weapons cleaning products,

Otis Technology introduces the Ripcord
for those times when you really need
to clean your rifle or pistol but just
dont have access to your regular
cleaning system. The convenient tool
cleans from breech to muzzle in one
quick, easy pass. And the molded
rubberized core, Nomex fibers and
10 inches of cleaning surface create a
more effective way to trap and remove
fouling. The Ripcords helix shape
engages rifling through the barrel,
and the unit is heat resistant up to
700 degrees F. The Ripcord is available
in .223 cal/5.56 mm, .30 cal, 9 mm,
.40 cal & .45 cal.

It doesnt take long in the Streamlight booth to figure out that

40 years in the lighting tools business has been put to very
good use. Out of the 30 or so things we couldnt put down, a
few did particularly fascinate:
CLIPMATE USB
Nifty doesnt cover this clever clipable quad-mode personal
light. Ten or 70 lumens of white light are available for normal
illumination, with 24 and 3.5 hours of runtime, respectively.
Night-vision sparing red comprises the other two modes at
.5 lumens/16 hours, and .2 lumens/65 hours. While not
immersible, it is IPX4 water resistant. Best of all is the charging
method: 300 cycles on the Li battery in approximately 4 hours,
from any available USB port. Need raw power instead, but
with all the same conveniences? Try the brand new Stylus Pro
USBa 70 lumen barrel-style hot rod. Optional AC charging
is available for both.

STYLUS

PRO

R I P C O R D

BIG
N NS

WI

SCORE!

C L I P M AT E
U S B

USB

O.F. MOSSBERG & SONS

One of the most recognized names in American shootingparticularly in field shotgunningMossberg
enters its 95th year in 2014. Get it out of your head, however, that any moss is gathering: Getting a word
in edgewise was a (worthwhile) challenge at the busy Mossberg booth. First announced in 2012, the FLEX
series continues to grow in 2014, with TLS (tool-less locking system) stock, recoil/butt pad, and forend
options reaching 20 gauge shotguns and the MVP bolt action rifles (new in 7.62/.308) this year. The
latter item is slick by any standard: 1-10 twist rates, M1a or LR-308 mags, and the LBA adjustable trigger
system. They join their .223 and 12 gauge brethren in the FLEX line. Next we were intrigued by the 500
series Tactical Tri-Rail shotguns,
which sport the Center Mass
laser sight. This red laser
Laserlyte features a central
dot, surrounded by a halo of
eight others and illustrates the
approximate size of the shot
pattern as distance increases.
Its a clever aid to safety and
accuracy in already high-stress
defensive engagements. Well
keep an eye on the folks from
New Haven, and have some
range reports soon.
PORTABLE SCENE LIGHT
Lets make it easy: This is the T-Rex of portable lighting. It provides 3,600 lumens at top output from six C4
LEDs for 5 hours from the self-contained battery. Dialed down to four LEDs, you get 2,400 lumens for 9 hours,
or 1,100 lumens with 18-hour endurance. And it gets better: The sealed, lead-acid battery is good for 500
charging cycles, and permits indefinite runtimeor chargingfrom a 12v DC power source. AC charging is
available as well. Between the battery and light source is the best feature of alla built-in rough-duty tripod
with a 72-inch extendable pillar that allows 90 degrees of neck swivel for the dual beam-width head.

P O R TA B L E
S C E N E
L I G H T

HORNADY
Full disclosure: Weve owned virtually every rapid access handgun safe out there, and weve got
almost nothing good to say about any of them. Too slow, too complicated, too power-hungryyou get
the idea. Soeven backed by the Hornady reputationit was with a jaundiced eye that we took a
look at the RAPiD Safe. And its a big, big step forward. Sleek (15.5 inches x 9 inches x 3.5 inches)
and tough (15 pounds, 16 guage steel and -inch dual-lug locks), its the first safe in the industry to
boast essentially instant open functionality. Through the use of RFID technology, a simple swipe of
the encoded card, key fob or bracelet opens the lid to present your handgun at an ideal angle
for both safety and speed, independent of handedness, and for barrel lengths up to 6 inches.
Programmable keypad and keyed back-ups supplement the AC powered mechanism, which itself has
battery back-up. The RAPiD Safe exceeds ASTM performance standards for youth-resistant firearms
containers, and comes with a 1,500 pound rated cable for additional theft protection.

WA R R I O R WA R E

HOT
FROM
SHOT
2014
R A P I D

S A F E

FAB DEFENSE/MAKO GROUP

We found a huge variety of interesting
components in the Mako Group booth, many
from FAB Defense of Israel. There are lots of light
mounts out there, but few as versatile as the
PLS1. While it wont likely replace a true fixed
mount (thumb-screw or other tooled attachment)
light mount, thats the beauty of the PLS1no
tools required. Simply press the ergonomic
paddle and move any 1-inch light to another
weapon or rail. Thats great for a back-up light,
should a primary fail or be broken and rapid
deployment of replacement be necessary. It
looks to us like it will even work on some pistol
rails, placing that rear activation switch in the
perfect position for the weak-hand thumb.
Round-count limited shooters in many states
should take note of the OMC from FAB. The OMC
couples FABs Ultimag polymer mags at the
basepad, creating a one-piece unit. Sounds
trivial perhaps, but wed argue such an argument
is short-sighted, or at least unimaginative.
Consider that you now have a one-piece unit
that fits most mag pouches in a way a single
10-rounder wont. I havent tried it on the
range (yet!), but our simulated flip/swap only
took about three seconds. OMCs are available
separately, or as a kit.
Another nifty tidbit from FAB, this may, at
first glance, look like a purely cosmetic gewgaw.
Not so, wed suggest. A simple, tough skin for
the slide of a Glock 17, 22, 31 or 19, 23, 25,
32 or 38, the TacticSkin is available in several
colors (black, OD, tan, orange or red are stock,
but paintable as well). Right out of the box,
it will enhance slide manipulation due to the
relatively heavy ribbing, though it may require
up-sizing your holster if you intend to leave it
on. But beyond that, it can ID opposing teams
in force-on-force exercises by color, indicate
differential ammunition loading (the original
purpose in Israel, we understand) or other
user-defined differences in a particular pistol vs.
stock (disabled for demonstration, for instance,
or a different ignition set up). Anyway, its clever.
And it snaps right onor offwithout any sight
movement or modification.

P L S 1

O M C

TA C T I C S K I N

MEPROLIGHT

M E P R O

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014

Meprolight is a seasoned player in the

sight/optic business. Tough and versatile,
their product lines have traditionally
changed little, or at least slowly, and with
good reasonthey arrive in the marketplace
thoroughly ready for action. As a result, we
pay attention when something new (at least
in the U.S.) does appear, as in the case of
the Mepro 5 red dot/reflex sight. The most
noticeable difference in the M5 is its departure
from the rounded, optics-forward appearance
of its predecessors. The lens has now moved
to the rear, and the hood has a markedly
squared-off shape. But theres no question the
rest is pure Meprolight, with a host of great
features: That enlarged hood presents a huge
sighting aperture (33x22 mm) relative to body
size and weight (only 280 grams/9.8 ounces
including the integral Picatinny QD base),
and the power source is a mundaneand
desirableAA, with up to 8,000 hours of
auto on/off endurance. Compatible with
Gen II and III night vision, the 2 mm dot
remains sharp even when coupled with a
magnifier. It looks like another winner from
Meprolight. Hopefully well be able to do a
full analysis soon!

S H I E L D
S M S /
J P O I N T

SHIELD
There are a lot of red dots out there. Thats the good news. The bad newsand as we observed last
SHOTis that some of them need to stay home. One that doesnt, however, is the Shield SMS. Widely
known in its U.S. livery as the JPoint, it remains one of our favorites, we think with very good reason: Its
tough (5000G shock rating), astonishingly elements-proof, and continuously adjustable for very precise
shot positioning. Shield has added an excellent reticle that will find lots of applicationthe Ring and Dot.
Shield says it best: The 1 MOA dot can be supplied with a 65 MOA surrounding ring, which makes the
dot easier to find. The large ring is also suitable for shotgun use as it represents a spread of approximately
20 inches at 30 yards. Take a look here, and we think youll understand our enthusiasm. Weve got dibs on
one, and will report back soon.

LONE WOLF
Widely known for a variety of aftermarket Glock parts, and particularly for their conventionally rifled barrels,
caliber conversion barrels and enhanced slides, Lone Wolf had a lot to show us. We recently reviewed one
of their aftermarket slide/red dot optic combinations with excellent results, and stopped in for a detailed
explanation of a remarkable finishing process they are using. Suffice to say it was an education. Though not
quite new anymore, their all-metal Timberwolf frames are very appealing to those that want more heft for
Glock uppers combined with a more 1911-like grip angle, extended beavertail and full-spec accessory
rail among many other features. We also got an early peek at their new cutaway Glock. A translucent
plastic and stainless gem,
this invaluable training
aid de-mystifies the
workings of striker-fire
and internal safeties like
nothing else.

L O N E

W O L F

ARMALITE
Nobody has been in the AR business longer, and they aim not to let anyone forget it: AR stands for
ArmaLite. Long known for keeping the AR platform alive in its original caliber (.308), an interesting step
was evident in the introduction of the AR-10A Super SASS, Carbine and Low Profile Carbine, all of which
accept non-proprietary polymer magazines (can you say Magpunever mind); a smart move, however
spun. Also in evidence was the new AR-31 in .308 Win, a short action variant of the AR-30A1 (of .338
Lapua and .300 Win Mag calibration). The aluminum-stocked, magazine-fed (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 round,
proprietary 10B double stack), bolt rifle uses the same patented, V-block bedding system as the
predecessors, and boasts sub-MOA accuracy.
A R - 1 0 A

A R - 3 1

WA R R I O R WA R E

HOT FROM SHOT 2014

A D VA N C E D

TA C T I C A L

S O C

KIMBER AMERICA
Kimber is a name well known in 1911 circles, but the discriminating rifle aficionado has
long held the companys Model 84 and variants in similarly high regard. At SHOT, we saw
the introduction of a fourth tactical rifle: the Advanced Tactical SOC. Based on the 8400
Mauser-style claw extractor action, the AT SOC adds a detachable box magazine (5- or
10-round), extended heavy-duty bolt handle, SureFire muzzle brake/suppressor adapter
and an adjustable, Cerakoted aluminum side-folding stock and chassis. Available in either
.308 Win (22-inch barrel, ~11.5 pounds) or .300 Win Mag (27-inch barrel, ~12 pounds),
both have a rear monopod in the stock. Essentially, they are hand-built rifles, and leave the
factory with both a 3-3.5 pounds trigger (adjustable), and the assurance that each and
every one has fired a .5 MOA or smaller group. Sigh. Whine. Sigh.

MAGNUM ANTIBALLISTIC SYSTEMS

While duty and combat body
armor have come a long
way, they remain impractical
and cost prohibitive for most
everyone outside the Mil/
LE community. Thats where
MABS products may be just
what youve been looking for.
A sensible set of products at
accessible prices but which still
offer substantial protectionto
the IIIA level (.44 magnum)is
their specialty. MABS offerings
start with simple panelsto line
a briefcase, for instanceto
backpacks, messenger bags,
computer rollables, and frontand-back panel complete vests
(only 43 ounces). MABS can
also custom make panels up to
4 x 8 feet.

M A B S

I I I A

P A N E L

WA R R I O R WA R E

S I G

HOT FROM
SHOT 2014

P 3 2 0

SIG SAUER
You can wander the SIG both for an hour at least, and bounce off something cool about every three
seconds. OK, thats an exaggerationits really every six or seven seconds. But even with those odds,
we left about 85 percent of it unvisited, because we bumped into Pistols Product Manager Tim
Butler and the new SIG 320 early on. To give us the full rundown on the 320, Tim shanghaied Senior
Instructor Scott Reidy of the SIG Sauer Academy (take a look at the video). Quick reprise is simple:
SIG has had a lot of things right for a long time, but in terms of pistols, we expect the 320 to be a
spectacular success. Borrowing a page from the 250, the 320 sports the same serialized interior guts,
and changeable everything else. These include grip modules (S, M and L diameter), caliber (9 mm,
.357 SIG, and .40 S&W), ambi controls, optional trigger safety, short reset trigger, SIG night sights, no
trigger pull take-down, Nitron finish and fabled SIG accuracy. And yes, were already cheating to get to
the front of the review lineon your behalf, of course.

BENCHMADE
New folders for Benchmade this year are the 710-141 and the 7505-131/132.
The 710 is their original axis knife with some new high tech scalescarbon fiber
scales with a clear blue honeycomb insert. Its one of the coolest knives I have
seen in a long time. The 7505 is a dual-action automatic folder with a liner lock.
You can use the thumb stud to flip open the blade or you can activate the hidden
automatic opening by shifting the right side bolster. Its very coola switchblade
that does not look like a switchblade.
Other news this year was the addition of a hunting line of knives. These new
knives, both fixed and folding, have laminated wood scales and come with
leather sheaths. Theyre not what you would call old school, but very classic
looking. Add a touch of damascus to them, and they would look right at home at
elk camp.
B E N C H M A D E

7 1 0

GG&G
As a long-time player in the tactical rifle accessories arena, GG&G is always worth
a visit. The Tucson-based firm manufactures more than 230 products, but this
year it was their XDS-2 and XDS-2 QD bipods that really caught our attention.
The tension-adjustable bipod heads pan 20 degrees left and right, and cant
from center up to 25 degrees in both directions. Legs have the typical stowed
and 90-degree (down) positions, but also can be locked at 45 degrees forward
for severe down-angle shots, or from behind very low cover. QD is the only
difference, adding rail-based quick-detach capability (versus sling stud). Theyre
15-ounce masterpieces, and an advance even on what GG&G supplies to U.S.
government customers.
X D S - 2

Q D

TAC-CON

3 M R

T R I G G E R

Rapid, precise follow-up shots are the holy grail of

semi-automatic firearms, but notoriously difficult to
produce except the old-fashioned waypractice, practice,
practice. And with ammunition availability and cost
remaining problematic, this threat-ending (not to mention
ammunition-saving) skill remains difficult to acquire.
Tac-Cons 3MR trigger is a gigantic step forward: A drop-in,
3-mode fire control system consisting of Safe, match-grade
Semi-Automatic, and the Tac-Con patented 3rd Mode of
operation (which) provides a positive reset that dramatically
reduces the split times between shots. On Media Day
at the Range, we had a chance to try the Tac-Con, and
were impressed. While there is definite skill acquisition
to be done, what the Tac-Con folks describe as a flutter
technique, we saw none of the disadvantages of competing
systemsno delicate external gadgetry, compromised or
limited shooting positions, etc. The Tac-Con modular unit
drops into any mil-spec AR and replaces the selector, and
youre done. Its a non-NFA part, and each trigger arrives
accompanied by the BATFE letter certifying it as a one
press/one shot device. Tac-Con has also announced a
360-degree, ambidextrous selector for the 3MR.

HOT
WA R R I O R WA R EFROM
SHOT
2014

2 5 - 4 5

S H A R P S

SRC ARMS
Sharps Rifle Company of Wyoming has a fascinating development project going for the modern sporting
rifle (read AR). Does more energy than 6.8 PPC, .300 AAC or 7.62x39 sound good? How about using the
bolt face and mags you already own? Well, it sounds good to us too: So meet the 25-45 Sharps. Based
on necking a 5.56 x 45 case to accept a .257 caliber bullet, it makes hunting with an AR an even better
option. Now the bad news: While the cartridge has been around for several years, getting one running
remains a fully custom undertaking for an appropriately barreled AR upper. Well, phooey! Well keep
you posted.
But 25-45 isnt the only reason we stopped by to see the SRC folks. Their new Relia-Bolt looks to be a
real step forward in AR reliability. Made of S7 tool steel, its 75 percent stronger than normal mil-spec, and
uses specially tapered lugs designed to cut through fouling to achieve lock-up in dirty and out-of-time rifles.
Its slickno, slick as in self-lubricating NP3 slickand comes with a lifetime warranty.

VA R M I N T

S N O W FA L L

T I M B E R T E C

C A R B O N

F I B E R

WINDHAM WEAPONRY
Take a peek at an old Bushmaster AR lower, and you get the first half of the Windham story. Take
a look at the Windham website under Meet our Team, and you get the second half. Youll also
understand why nobody in the AR business is taking Windham lightly: Much of the management
team and mindset that built the civilian AR business (as Bushmaster) in the 70s and 80s is back
at work as Windham Weaponry. Top quality parts and materialslike 4150 chrome moly vanadium
steel/chrome-lined barrels and 7075 T6 aluminum receiversare backed by the strongest warranty
in the industry, and not just to the original purchaser. Now only three years back into the business,
Windham showed an impressive number of rifles at SHOT: M4s to varmint models, 5.56 and .308,
a carbon fiber rifle that tips the scales at under 6 pounds, and camo patterns for everybody. If you
dont see something you like, you just havent look hard enough! One last thing: Any AR fan should
take a peak at the Windham newsletters published on the companys website.

WA R R I O R WA R E

SHOT 2014:
WARRIOR APPRECIATION NIGHT
As SHOT Show was winding down for the evening on Jan. 16, just around the corner at Dal Toro in the
Palazzo, Warrior Appreciation Night attendees were gathering to pay tribute and raise funds for our
nations heroes.
The event gathers together charities in support of wounded or fallen troops, law enforcement,
emergency responders and their families, said Mark Christianson, president of the Stars and Stripes
Foundation. The main goal is to raise money for our charities, so we can continue improving the lives
of those who serve.
About 650 people attended the event, which featured a mixer, dinner, and live and silent auctions.
Many of the items up for grabs were one of a kind, such as a knife created specifically for the event
with former Green Beret Al Mars signature etched into the blade. Beretta also donated an impressive
package that included a shotgun, vest, hat, electronic ears and glasses. But the item that raised
the most money was the Ranger Hall of Fame package. Produced by Texas Tactical in collaboration

STARS AND STRIPES FOUNDATION | HONOR THE FALLEN | NSW KIDS | OPERATION K9 | STAND BY THE WOUNDED | AM

NIGHT

OF

WA R R I O R S

Clockwise from far left: Medal of Honor

Recipients Tom Norris (left) and Mike Thornton
(right) with former Navy SEAL James Bargas
(center); Vietnam veteran Gary ONeal and Iraq
War veteran Michael Schlitz; WWII veteran
and one of the original Band of Brothers
Al Mampre with his daughter; Michael Rooker,
actor from TVs The Walking Dead; the
Ranger Hall of Fame package, built by Trey
Trosclair at Texas
Tactical; Michael
Gregory, Stars and
Stripes Foundation
Hollywood Liaison and
emcee for the evening.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON HECHT

with author and Army Ranger Hall of Famer Gary ONeal, the package included a custom-built .45 pistol, a
replica of the CAR-15 ONeal carried in Vietnam and a custom knife, all signed by ONeal. The package sold for
$22,000roughly 25 percent of the evenings proceeds.
Along with food and fundraising, the event featured several impactful speakers.
It was very emotional, especially when Debbie Lee spoke about losing her son, Navy SEAL Marc Alan Lee,
Christianson said. As she talked about his sacrifice, there wasnt a dry eye in the house.
Many veterans spoke about their experiences as well, including Medal of Honor recipients Mike Thornton
and Tom Norris. As stories were shared, bonds were formed among the heroes in attendance, and all had the
chance to be recognized by the volunteers and civilian patriots for their sacrifices.
We want to let them know there are people who support and stand behind them, Christianson said. Thats
why we bring all the charities togetherour foundation cant do everything, but if each of us does something,
we have made a better country for our wounded and their families.

MERICAS MIGHT Y WARRIORS | LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITED | LONE SURVIVOR FOUNDATION | AMERICAN LEGION CHARIIES

THE WARRIOR AR BUILD PART TWO:

WA R R I O R WA R E

PHOTO BY DON JONES

BOXES, BLISTER PACKS AND

MUMBLED CURSING GIVE WAY
TO ONE BADASS RIFLE

WA R R I O R WA R E
Email the Editor
Visit the Gear Channel

BY FRANK WINN

e ended Part 1 with an excellent, even elegant,

collection of partseighty-plus, all told. But the truth is, even world-class
assemblies and components are a long chalk from the first shot, and even
further from that elusive harmony that culminates in, Now thats a rifle!

THE AR BUILD PT.2

No rifleperhaps no rifle designis capable of doing absolutely everything well. The

same can be said for caliber. But the long, effective and continuing service of the Eugene
Stoner AR design leaves plenty of elbow room.
Because were after a duty (or duty-proxy) rifle, were sticking with 5.56/.223. Because
its a rifle were expecting to carry and transport, it needs to be less than 36 inches long
and less than 7 pounds, sans optic. Because we want a smooth-running rifle that gets as
much as possible out of our cartridge at distance without becoming too unwieldy in the CQB
role, we want a free-floated match-grade 18-inch barrel in a middling twist rate, running a
rifle-length gas system. And because we want maximum versatility in sighting technologies,
weve chosen a flat-topped rifle.
So lets build it. Step-by-step procedures are available in lots of places, so we wont rehash
those. But there are many considerations as you go. Together, well get there.

PHOTOS BY DON JONES

IMPOSING, ISNT IT,

PERCHED ON THAT
SINCLAIR TAC BIPOD
FROM BROWNELLS?
STOP DROOLING, AND
BUILD YOUR OWN.

TOOLS

The tool count you need for an assembly is reasonable. Were recommending a
middle-of-the-road set. You can spend more, but it isnt really necessary.One or
two builds wont wear them out, and with care you can do many more.
First and foremost, you must have safety glasses.Second, a solid bench and
vise.We also recommend the following:

PHOTOS BY DON JONES

PUNCHES: Youll

need a set of traditional

punches. If you dont own a set, project sponsor
Brownells has many options (354-007-000WB,
539-000-018WB or 539-703-129WB).
Youll also need roll-pin punches, since roll pins
are used widely in the AR. They are much cheaper
to manufacture than conventional pins, and account
better for variations in the overall manufacturing process. They also are less likely
to walk (move due to vibration).

WA R R I O R WA R E
Email the Editor

TOP: STANDARD PUNCH (LEFT) COMPARED

TO A ROLL PIN PUNCH (RIGHT).
ABOVE: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: UPPER RECEIVER
BENCH BLOCK WITH PINS, LOWER RECEIVER BENCH BLOCK,
TWO ROLL PIN PUNCHES, STANDARD AND LONG HANDLE
PUNCHES, 1/2" DRIVE TORQUE WRENCH, CROWFOOT
WRENCH (FOR USE WITH TORQUE WRENCH), FLAT JAW
PLIERS WITH CHANNELED JAWS (FOR STARTING ROLL PINS),
NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS, DPMS AR COMBO WRENCH.

They have potential downsides, however. First, they arent as strong as

a machined pin. Second, driving them into position improperly damages
the pin, reducing its other benefits. Its tempting to improvise, but dont.
Many folks are exasperated by the need for punches as well as a pin
punch starter. The latter is a help (Brownells, part 080-685-125WB),
but not absolutely necessary. With care, a channel in a set of small
plier jaws works just fine. Roll pin punches themselves are part number
230-112-105WB, or 354-000-025WB. Dont substitute brass punches,
as theyre too soft.
VISE BLOCKS: A

lower receiver vise block (Brownells,

080-000-662WB) can be used to hold the lower for many procedures.
A comparable upper receiver vise block is essentially a must-have
(Brownells, 080-000-661WB, 714-000-006WB or 231-000-157WB;
but be sure your upper receiver is compatible with the block you order).
Improvising here can mean a partially crushed or twisted upper receiver.
The only specialized tools remaining are wrenches
and their accoutrements.
If youre assembling a more conventional AR, a solid combo wrench/
multi-tool is the way to go. It can be used to install/remove free float
tubes, peg-style or standard barrel nuts, and perform several stockrelated tasks. Many comps and flash hiders can be installed or removed.
Most also have a -inch torque wrench cut, which allows for barrel
installation (231-000-007WB or 100-012-248WB).
Our YHM handguard required an additional item that was a bit
of a beara 11/8-inch crowfoot to torque the specialized barrel
nut/handguard mount. In the end, our local Grainger bailed us out.
Seriously consider a dedicated pivot pin tool; it makes a fumble-prone
task staight-forward (Brownells 100-003-308WB).
You likely have most of the other tools youll need. One exception may
be padded vice jaws, but many gun guys already own them (if not:
080-827-000WB or 100-002-397WB). In case you have any doubts or
questions, take a look here (tool recap and suggestions).
Starting to get worried? Dont. Nobody has gotten this all right the first
time. We sure didnt. Remember there are superb resources available to
you, including more than 50 videos from Brownells. (go here).
WRENCHES:

PH
OT
O
BY
DO
N
JO
NE
S

WA R R I O R WA R E

PHOTO COURTESY OF
GLEN ZEDIKER

Email the Editor

Sponsor an LOD Membership

INSET ABOVE: YEAH, WE THOUGH

AN 11-TIME NATIONAL HIGH POWER
RIFLE CHAMP MIGHT KNOW A LITTLE
ABOUT SPRINGS TOO: LONG-LIFE,
FLAT WIRE BUFFER SPRING EASILY
MADE OUR CUT.
RIGHT: OUR LOWER, ALL IN ONE
PIECE. MAGPUL MOE GRIP PLUS YHM
EZ PULL PINS ARE EASY TO SPOT.
THE JP ENTERPRISES LOWER TIES
IT ALL TOGETHER.
INSET RIGHT: THE SIX-POSITION
STR ACCOMMODATES CHANGES IN
WARM-WEATHER CLOTHING AND
TIGHT CONFINES. O-RING SEALED
COMPARTMENTS KEEP BATTERIES
OR SMALL TOOLS WHERE YOU WANT
EM. AND ITS MAGPUL TOUGH.

PHOTO BY DON JONES

PULL FOR BODY ARMOR, COLD- OR

THE LOWER

As it contains the trigger, selector/safety and most other controls,

you might logically think of the lower as the brains of your AR. To this
traditional definition, we add the buffer tube and stock assembly for a
practical reason: it makes the lower easier to handle through several of
the manipulations which will follow.
Step order
matters when attaching the buffer tube to the lower receiver. Our parts
complement, however, have several changes from stock: Weve substituted
the traditional takedown pin with a Yankee Hill Machine EZ Pull pin (YHM
here, or from Brownells 100-003-690WB). This gives us a pull-out rather
than push-through pin action.
The next enhancement is a David Tubb/Superior Shooting Systems Flat
Wire chrome silicon buffer spring. The new spring has a far longer service
life (only a 2 percent change in spring loading at 500,000 compressions),
slows unlocking of the bolt (softening recoil) and improves brass life.
Our last substitution is the Magpul STR collapsible stock. The adjustable
length of pull and large cheek weld area tipped us to the STR in the end.
Here are your procedures: Installing a collapsible/telescoping buttstock
video. We place a little grease on the small springs, and in the detent race
of the takedown pin. We also lubricate the buffer spring.
BUFFER TUBE AND BUTTSTOCK:

MAGAZINE CATCH: The

mag catch is only a minor puzzle

once youve done it, youll wonder why it was. We used the stock part for
our build. But there are many more elaborate choices. (Installing the
magazine catch video.)
The pivot pin is a trifle three-handed,
perhaps, but only without purchasing the correct tool. One
thing we do is add a little lithium grease to the spring
itself (100-004-080WB, or 100-001-578WB). As
this assembly is essentially sealed, theres no risk
of attracting contaminants. And lubricating the
spring, detent and detent race in the pin
makes actuation easier to a surprising
degree. We love the YHM EZ Pull pins.
(Installing the pivot pin video.)

PIVOT PIN:

WA R R I O R WA R E
Email the Editor

BOLT CATCH AND TRIGGER

GUARD CONSIDERATIONS.
As youre tapping in roll pins for both, make sure you have the
starter punches you need, or a set of pliers modified as suggested
to hold the pins. While a tapper hammer (generally 4 ounces,
Brownells 818-600-100WB, brass/nylon, or 956-000-002WB,
steel) is not strictly required, remember that delicate blows are all
thats needed.
For protection of the lowers finish, we liberally masking-tape areas
around where we will be using tools on our aluminum/finished
lower. Its no fun having an avoidable
blemish on your rifle before you ever
pull the trigger.
You might also find it beneficial to
put a very slight bevel on the end
of the pin you plan to drive as this
makes them more self-aligning/
centering. (Special punch for driving
the bolt catch pin: 080-216-012WB).
Weve stayed with the stock bolt
release, but that doesnt mean
you must. Many other options are
available: 100-004-899WB,
100-004-755WB or 231-000-027WB. (Installing the bolt catch video.)
The trigger guard looks like it will be a cinch, but pay attention.
Other than misaligned gas blocks, this used to be the most common
foul-up, and a bad oneas in buy a new lower and start over.
The best way around this is to always install the front of the trigger
guard first. The trigger guard then supports the weaker rear, right-side
ear as you start the pin. The left-side ear is where things most often
go wrong as you are finishing the pin. Support the left-side ear either
with a bench block, or if youre working flat on your bench (remember
to protect the finish), with a shim. We often shim this with a pad of
paper peeled open to fit: Beyond a certain point, stacked paper is
extremely incompressible, wont mar your finish, and can be adjusted
for very precise height in ~.0025-inch increments. (Installing the
trigger guard video.)

LEFT: JP ANTI-WALK TRIGGER PINS AND MAGPUL

ENHANCED TRIGGER GUARD. MIND THOSE
DELICATE TRIGGER GUARD EARS DURING YOUR
OWN INSTALL.
BELOW: JP LOCKWORK AND SPRINGS WERE
DROPPED IN AT THE FACTORY, AS THE QUALITY
OF THE TRIGGER PULL ATTESTS. OUR INSTALLED
MAG AND BOLT CATCH AT UPPER AND LOWER

TRIGGER, HAMMER AND DISCONNECTOR:

We were extremely fortunate when JP Enterprises provided us with a lower and

superb dropped in trigger, and you can surely do the same (JP, JP15-UR-LWT3.5).
You may want something different. Whichever, there are a couple of things to
consider. Most important is to remember that major structural parts on the rifle,
except for the barrel, are aluminum. This is critical because the first thing you will
want to do when you have your trigger installed is test it. But since your trigger
is made of steel, the last thing you want to do is slam it into the rear of that
aluminum magwell, even once. While you can safely restrain this impact with your
thumb, the JPFC-HS is a great $10 insurance policy.
Theres nothing tricky in the trigger group installation if you understand the concept
of the slave pin. In our case, its a punch used for alignment and positioning, with the
actual installation of the pin sliding into place as it pushes the slave (punch) out. Pay
special attention to spring orientation/positioning. (Installing the trigger group video.)

PHOTOS BY DON JONES

LEFT, RESPECTIVELY.

WA R R I O R WA R E

Email the Editor

Visit the Gear Channel

PHOTOS BY DON JONES

SAFETY/SELECTOR
(AND GRIP): This installation is

fairly easy. We chose a standard version,

but there are many choices.
The selector lever must go in first,
then flip the lower over to complete the
selector detent, spring and grip install.
We also grease this spring a little to
hold it in position when we flip the grip for install, and to keep the detent
functioning smoothly long-term.
We went with Magpuls MOE because we like the large diameter and
storage. When you install the grip screw, wrap a piece of masking tape
over your screwdriver blade. Youll have to press the grip screw onto the
blade a little, but the screw wont fall off the blade before you can start it
in the threaded hole. (Installing the safety selector and pistol grip video.)

ABOVE RIGHT: FIELD USE WILL PROVIDE THE REAL

ANSWER, BUT THE YHM ATTACHMENT SYSTEM IS OUR
NEW FAVORITE.
TOP LEFT: ATTACHMENT OF
ABOVE: THE COMPLETED UPPER: YHM SLR HANDGUARD

THE MOE FINISHES OFF THE

IS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: HIGHLY GRIPABLE AND

SAFETY/SELECTOR INSTALL.

CONFIGURABLE, BUT WITHOUT THE CHEESE-GRATER

GRIP STORAGE COMPARTMENT

DOWNSIDE OF RAILS-EVERYWHERE DESIGNS. DOESNT

IS CONFIGURABLE WITH GRIP

QUIIIIITE COVER OUR GAS BLOCK AS PLANNED, BUT

CORES AND EASILY HOLDS A

PLENTY LONG ENOUGH FOR THE GRIP WE PREFER.

SPARE BOLT AND BROKEN CASE

MAGPUL POLYMER BACK-UP SIGHTS IN THE UP POSITION

REMOVER (SHOWN).

THE UPPER
Now for the brawn. The upper is where the action happens. Yet many choices for the
upper are actually simpler. Considerations like carry-handle vs. flattop, free float vs.
conventional hand guard, and barrel length were driven by our specifications. The
remaining components are by-and-large commodities, with simple tool requirements.
EJECTION PORT COVER AND FORWARD ASSIST
PLUNGER: These assemblies are both simple, and we used parts kit

components (Installing the ejection port cover video; Assembling the forward assist
plunder video; Installing the forward assist video) One note: The pawlthe part of the
plunger assembly that actually pushes on the notches cut into the side of the bolt
carrier to drive it forward into batteryhas a hooked side and a flat side. The hooked
side should point inward toward the bolt carrier.
Barrel installation often
creates the most jitters in a first-time build, but its actually
straightforward. While this video is excellent, it doesnt apply
especially well to our barrel, barrel nut and handguardours is
easier! The YHM SLRs original instructions can be found here.
Start this procedure with your upper, sans bolt carrier, securely
attached to your upper receiver block and the block securely in
your bench vise. Insert the chambered end of the barrel in the threaded end of the
upper, matching the pin on the barrel to the slot in the receiver (both pointing up).
Put the barrel nut carefully on the barrel with the slotted end toward the muzzle, and
hand-tighten. Follow this with the SLR wrench (supplied with your handguard), lugs in,
toward the receiver and nut.
At this point, YHMs instructions left us slightly at a loss:
We didnt see exactly how to torque the barrel nut to
the recommended 80 pounds with a 11/8-inch
wrench. As we mentioned earlier, Grainger
saved us with a -inch drive 11/8-inch
Crowfoot wrench (part # 19C307).
BARREL & BARREL NUT:

GAS BLOCK:

Remember, your gas block

has a slightly oversized hole to
help account for small angular
errors if you dont arrive at
dead vertical. Make sure the
hole for the gas tube faces
toward the upper receiver, that
is, toward the rear of the rifle
and away from the muzzle.
Ours was a very tight fit, so
we used an oak block to patiently tap the gas block into position on
the journal. Our low profile YHM-9383 is intended to butt up against the
barrel shoulder, but some are not. Be sure to check your instructions.
We did the vertical alignment by eye. Hold the upper/barrel assembly
in roughly a shooting position and look down the barrel as though
aiming. Serious errors will be immediately obvious. If you reverse the
perspectivelook down the muzzle, then reverse again, etc.you can
get your gas block easily within a degree or two. Do not over-tighten the
gas block set screws, as enough pressure can be exerted to deform the
bore of your barrel.
Its easy to slip the gas tube into the upper until the far end is
past the gas block, then pull it forward into the hole in the
rear of the block. Install the roll pin gently, and re-check
that the gas block is still vertical.

ABOVE: IT TOOK PATIENCE TO GET

THE GAS BLOCK ON, BUT THATS
BECAUSE THE TOLERANCES ARE
SO CLOSEA GREAT THING IN OUR
BOOK. CAN YOU SAY R-E-L-I-A-B-L-E?
RIGHT: GORGEOUS JP BOLT IN THE
SHOT-PEENED AND MPI-INSPECTED
BROWNELLS CARRIER. SEE THE
STAKING DIMPLE IN THE EDGE AT
UPPER RIGHT ON THE GAS KEY?
TRUST, BUT VERIFY THAT THE KEY
REMAINS IMMOVABLE.

PHOTOS BY DON JONES

Email the Editor

Like Us on Facebook

WA R R I O R WA R E
BOLT & BOLT CARRIER:

Again, our selection was simplified by a top-quality sponsored

partthe JP Enhanced Bolt (JPBC-EB223). We combined it with a
Brownells bolt carrier (078-000-175WB).
Its worth checking to see if your gas key is staked and tight during
your build. They dont often loosen on modern carrier assemblies,
but a slowly loosening key can create functional problems.
We recommend getting to know the bolt and bolt carrier assembly
very well. Sooner or later, an extractor will go, or a spring or gas
rings will need replacement. This collection of videos will be well
worth your time.

WA R R I O R WA R E
Email the Editor
Sponsor an LOD Membership

ABOVE: A GOOD LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE

UPPER RIGHT: TSD

LOWER RIGHT: WHATS

OF THE UPPER/BARREL ASSEMBLY: YHM

COMPRESSOR LOOKS

NEXT? BURRIS 332

BARREL NUT, SLR CLAMP AND HANDGUARD.

READY TO GO. MORE ON

PRISMATIC AND

LOTS OF LOCK-UP AREA HERE, BUT

THIS WHEN WE SHOOT

EVERYTHING ELSE

REMEMBER NOT TO OVER-TIGHTEN THE

THE RIFLE, BUT WE CAN

REALLY GO TO WORK IN

SCREWS. NOTE THE FINISH POLISHED OUT

SURE AVER IT WAS A

WARRIOR NUMBER 19.

OF THE INSIDE OF THE WRENCH: LOVE

PEACH TO INSTALL.

STAY TUNED.

THOSE CLOSE TOLERANCES.

This was straightforward on the YHM because of the

male ridge on the underside of the handguard and SLR clamp, and the
female groove in the barrel nut. We aligned and tapped the handguard
down (with a nylon head on our hammer) as suggested. We followed up
with a Picatinny-based riser to proof our alignment of the receiver top rail
and handguard railhalf on one, half on the other.
We attached the SLR clamp with the upper assembly removed from
the vise block and flipped over to rest on a protective cloth, tightening
the screws in the order noted. If you dont have an inch-lb torque wrench
(100-012-250WB), keep in mind that 18 inch-lbs isnt very tight.
HANDGUARD:

PHOTOS BY DON JONES

COMPENSATOR: The three different

thicknesses of lock washers that were provided

made our TSD Combat Systems Kompressor
simple to install. The tool to use here was our
combination wrench.
After affixing the comp, all that remains is the insertion of the Rainier
Arms charging handle (100-011-154WB) and assembled bolt/bolt
carrier into the upper, and were done.Grab a few action-proving dummies
(367-223-005WB)not live ammo!and follow this final video to check
out your masterpiece.
SAFETY, AGAIN
Congratulations. If youre this far, you have a complete AR. Nows the
time for additional caution. As we suggested in Part 1, find a local
gunsmith to inspect your masterpiece. Our go-to guy, Gary Kimball,
charges only $40 for this service, and we consider it an exceptional
value in the protection of a considerable investment. Its also a
responsible-gun-owner thing to do.
WHATS NEXT
Well, duhshoot it! Weve test-mounted all our optics, and everything
looks correctas well as damn cool. Weve even pulled the trigger some,
with outstanding functional results. Soon well be at the range shooting
for precision, and testing our Vortex and
Burris optics, as well as our Magpul BUS
and JP Enterprises JPoint.
An active competitive shooter and NRA
instructor with a lifelong interest in
shooting, Frank Winn holds several state
and regional action shooting titles, as well
as a GSSF Master classification.

WARNING: Technical data and information contained in NRA American Warrior are intended to provide information based on the limited
experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures,
techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the
contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures,
techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity.

W
RIOR | VIRTUAL
R
A
W
L
A
U
T
IR
V
IOR |
VIRTUAL WARR

V I R T U A L WA R R I O R
MAXIMUM STRENGTH VIDEO, GAMES, APPS

VEHICLE
IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEM
Cost: $1.99
Made by police for police, the
V.I.S. app is a handy reference
tool for use on patrol or especially while interviewing
witnesses. The app contains a database of photos
of nearly every make and model vehicle made in the
last decade. Say you have an eyewitness to a crime
involving a vehicle, but the witness has only a vague
recollection of the vehicle they saw. Fire up this app
and you can provide them a quick visual reference to
support their memory.

GUNBROKER
Cost: Free
GunBroker.com, the
worlds largest gun auction
website now has an app.
The mobile appcurrently
available only for Android devices, with an iPhone/
iPad version in the worksmakes it possible to
search, watch, bid and buy items up for auction
on GunBroker.com from pretty much anywhere.

POCKET WOD
Cost: Free
The CrossFit core strength and
conditioning program has become a
part of many law enforcement and
military training regimens. The Pocket
WOD (Workout of the Day) app gives you everything you need
to turn your phone or tablet into a CrossFit training tracker,
including daily workouts, Hero workouts, instructional videos
and a variety of workout timers.

OPEN LANGUAGE
Cost: Free
+ optional
subscription

|V

Military men and women serving

or getting ready to serve in
Arabic-speaking countries
would do well to check out this app from the reputable
OpenLanguage learning site. You can download the app
and try a free lesson; if you like it, you can subscribe to
a full library of language lessons for as little as $20 a
month. Its a great way to become conversational in a
foreign language very quickly.
T UA L
RRIOR | VIR
A
W
L
A
U
T
RRIOR | VIR
IRTUAL WA

VIDEOS

Little
Help?

Dash cam vids

can be heartstopping ... and,
occasionally,
heartwarming.

T-Shirt
Gatling Gun

Pretty cool, but were

waiting for the hot
dog Gatling gun.

Dom Raso:
No Way to
Treat Vets

NRANews commentator
and Warrior contributor
Dom Raso brings a
bureaucratic problem
to light.

50 YardLine
Reunion

Weve seen a lot

of these types of
reunions, but this
ones truly inspiring.

GAMES

he Forza franchise has always held the pole position for race simulation
games, and with the release of Forza Motorsport 5 exclusively for the
next generation Xbox One console, the series shows no sign of skidding
off the trackat least as far as looks, feel and sound go. Forza 5 does
introduce a troubling money-grab component with which we take
issue, but well get to that later.
First and foremost, if youve invested in the next-gen Xbox One
console and youre even remotely moved by automotive beauty, you
should race (safely and sanely, of course) to your nearest game store and fork
over the money for Forza 5. The hopped-up graphics engine of the Xbox One
lends this game a level of detail, realism and visual precision that is absolutely
jaw dropping. The Forzavista mode gives gamers a chance to bask in the
exterior and interior beauty of their cars in a virtual garage before they even
take to the track (see Forzavista Demo video, next page).

AL

WA

RR

IOR

//

//

//

VIR

TU

AL

Email the Editor

Like Us on Facebook

FOR

Availability: Xbox One ($59.99)

Forza 5s photorealism extends from the garage to the track, too. The
sun glistening off your cars hood, the puffs of smoke from a fellow racers
tires and the beautiful scenery surrounding various tracks all serve to
provide a more immersive experience than weve ever witnessed in a race
simulation game.
The audio, too, is stellar. The commentary provided by Top Gears UK
hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May is both fun
and informative. And, the purr and roar of each individual cars engine
makes investment in a surround sound system almost mandatory. Forza
5s developers have not ignored the sense of touch either: The rumble and
vibration of the Xbox Ones
triggers provide tactile
cues that further enhance
the gaming experience.
Theres a lot to like
about Forza 5. The list of
cars and tracks available
is impressive (click here to check out
the cars) although there arent as
many cars available as there were in
Forza 4. There is, however, one knock
against Forza 5 thats been pretty well publicized. In previous versions of the
game, the player was able to unlock new cars fairly easily after completing
individual achievements. In Forza 5, players can buy new cars using credits
earned by winning races, but the race payouts are pretty meager. In other
words, youre going to have to play a long time to earn enough in-game
money to buy some of the more impressive cars. Impatient players have
the option to spend real moneyvia their credit cardson new cars.
Having already shelled out more than $50 for the game, we have a bit of a
problem with that.
But Forza 5s positives far outweigh this one negative. Beautiful cars,
lush visuals and teeth-rattling audio make this a must-buy for car lovers
among the Warrior readership. Take Forza Motorsport 5 for a spin; you wont
regret it.

FORZA

ZA

ORZ
::::: F

A 5

O
::::: F

RRI
A
W
AL

OR

5
RZA

//
////

//

::::: F

TU
R
I
V
////

AL

V I R T U A L WA R R I O R

Email the Editor

Visit NRA Life of Duty Network

REKOIL IS A FAST-PACED
ARENA SHOOTER THAT
PITS TWO CLASSES OF
CHARACTERS AGAINST
ONE ANOTHER.

ekoil: Liberator is a new and fairly

interesting team-based, first-person
shooter thats just become available for
download on PCs and on the Xbox Live
Arcade. Make no mistakes; Rekoil is no
Call of Duty. But as a fairly inexpensive
and fairly well put togetherdownload,
its worth a look if youve already burned
through Call of Duty: Ghosts.
Set in a world devastated by a
pandemic, Rekoil is a fast-paced
arena shooter that pits two classes of
charactersthe Minutemen and the
oppressive Darkwater Inc.against one
another. The objective of each class
of character? Blast the other class of
character into oblivion.
For a downloadable game, Rekoil
offers an impressive total of seven
different game modes, 10 different maps
(a subway map, a prison map and a
city park map among them) and 40
weapons, including a variety of rifles,
submachine guns, shotguns and pistols.
Again, Rekoil is no Call of Duty, but if
youre a fan of multiplayer shoot-em-ups,
Rekoil is certainly worth the relatively
inexpensive download.
Availability: Xbox 360 and PC ($14.99)

WARRIOR ////// VIRTUAL WARRIOR ////// VIRTUAL WARRIOR ////// VIRTUAL WARRIOR //////

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Email the Editor

Like Us on Facebook

s fans of The Walking Dead TV show await

its return from hiatus, Telltale games has
released Season 2 of The Walking Dead
video game for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as
iOS mobile devices.
Like Season One of the game, Telltale is releasing this
game in an episodic format. At the time of this writing,
weve only had a chance to play
Season Twos first episode, All
That Remains, but were looking
forward to downloading the
rest of the episodes as soon as
theyre available through Xbox Live Arcade.
If you played Season One, youll recognize the main
character of the Season Two Game: Its Clementine, a young
survivor trying to stay alive in a world thats gone completely
to zombie hell. In Season One, Clementine was a secondary
character, albeit a very important one. In Season Two, the
young survivor takes center stage. But despite the fact that
the games main character is a child, note that the game
carries an M ratingfor good reason. Warrior recommends
not playing this one until the kids are in bed.
Just like Season One, The Walking Dead Season Two
video game is very much story-driven. Character interactions
within the game drive the action forward. How your character
responds to other characters will have a significant impact
on how the game turns out. In that regard, this is less of an
action game and more of a choose your own adventure
game. Its a different kind of game play than what you might
be used to, but if you like a good story, it can be just as
satisfying as a more action-oriented game.
And if you like zombie movie gore, its really a no-brainer
(zombie pun intended). Shell out the money and download
Episode 1 of The Walking Dead: Season Two. Chances are,
youll be hooked.
Availability: Xbox 360 and PS3
($4.99/episode), PC ($24.99 for all
five episodes)

VI

RT

AL

AR

RI

//

//

//

//

//

The commemorative first-edition

Mustang XSP may be slim and sexy but
make no mistake: This polymer-framed
.380 is tough, too. Weighing less than
12 ounces and measuring 5.5" overall,
the Mustang XSP is tailor-made for
concealed carry. This pistol sits low and
comfortably in the hand, and an integral
3/8" accessory rail below the dust cover
combined with a squared-off trigger guard
makes mounting of lasers and lights easy.
Svelte, stylish and ready for servicethis
little Colt has it all.

MODEL NUMBER:
O6790FE
CALIBER:
.380 AUTO
BARREL LENGTH:
2.75"
OVERALL LENGTH:
5.5"
WEIGHT:
UNDER 12 OZ.
MAGAZINE CAPACITY:
6 ROUNDS
MSRP:
$797

IMAGE COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES

SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURE:

LONE
SURVIVOR
MARCUS
LUTTREL
BY R I C K ST EWA RT

THE EXCLUSIVE WARRIOR INTERVIEW

LL

LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL

PHOTO BY MICHAEL IVES

MARCUS LUTTRELL

IMAGE COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES

OR:
| LONE SURVIVOR MARCU

| LONE S
LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL
|
LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL

SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURE

Marcus Luttrell
sat down with
NRA American
Warrior for a look
inside the making
of Lone Survivor.

IMAGE COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Lone Survivor
depicts the hardhitting, life-anddeath realities of
war like few other
films ever have.

PHOTO COURTESY MARCUS LUTTRELL

SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURE

Marcus Luttrell
(far right) with
other SEALs
down range.

ARCUS LUTTRELL
HAS BEEN WORKING
AT AN EXHAUSTING
PACE OF LATE, MAKING THE ROUNDS TO PROMOTE
THE MOVIE BEARING THE SAME TITLE AND
STORYLINE AS HIS BESTSELLING BIOGRAPHY,
LONE SURVIVOR: THE EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF
OPERATION REDWING AND THE LOST HEROES OF
SEAL TEAM 10.

| LONE SU
LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL
|
LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL

Email the Editor

Sponsor an LOD Membership

Not since The Passion of the Christ have I witnessed an audience so

silently reverent at the end of a movie, where those exiting the theater
gathered in small groups to discuss what they had seen rather than loudly
racing for their cars in the theater parking lot. Much like the whipping scene
in the aforementioned movie, director Peter Berg went to great lengths to
immerse the audience in every tumble off the mountain and every bullet
strike on the tree as an enemy gunman walks the rounds of his AK-47 to
the violent finish of an American hero.
Honored that Marcus Luttrell and his wife, Melanie, would sit down
with our Life of Duty/NRA American Warrior team for an interview, we used
the opportunity to get a real sense of what the book, the movie and the
experience of working on both has meant to him.
Contrary to the critical commentary of some within the media, the
anti-military crowd and the jealous naysayers who arise with any project,
Luttrell said that he never had the slightest inkling or desire to write a
bookor make a movie about it, for that
matter. But with the U.S. militarys release
of information regarding the mission and
IT BECAME
the declassification of findings related to
CLEAR TO
Operation Red Wings, it became clear to
Luttrell, the military and others that if he
LUTTRELL,
didnt tell the story somebody would.
The military came to me and said that
THE MILITARY
getting it right was in the best interest of
AND OTHERS
the Navy, myself and all parties, Luttrell
said. If he had his way, Luttrell would have
THAT IF HE
remained a SEAL and gone about his
business, serving with his brothers in arms. DIDNT TELL
But a medical discharge for injuries he
THE STORY,
sustained in combat ended that possibility.
The book came about only to ensure the
SOMEBODY
accuracy of the story surrounding the
sacrifice of his teammates and those killed WOULD.
while trying to rescue them.
Although the legal rights to the movie
were established shortly after the books release, it still took several years
to get it to the big screen. Luttrell worked hard to select people that would
honor the story so masterfully laid out in the book with as little Hollywood
exaggeration as possible. Of course, there were some deviations from the
book and a little bit of creative license taken in a few areas of the movie
to move the story along and condense an almost 400-page book into a
two-hour movie. Those subtleties, however, do not discredit those who serve,
those who died, or the truthful integrity of the story as a whole.

|
| LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL
LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL
|
TRELL

Email the Editor

View Patriot Profiles

SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURE

Keeping things accurate and authentic was critical to Luttrell, not only
for the families of the fallen, but also to honor his brothers still serving. That
same mindset was evident in the actions and words of every member of the
cast and crew during filming, and even after its release.
Luttrell assisted director Berg with technical details about the event and
even enlisted the support of former Navy SEALs to help deliver
performances that were as real-life as they were riveting.
When you first meet Marcus Luttrell, you witness the same
contradictions you find in most Navy SEALsconfident, unapologetic
swagger tempered with humility and an inherent tendency to deflect
attention. SEALs tend to be confident in their abilities and training, yet
committed to the ethos of their profession as silent professionals. Most
shun credit or attention paid to them even when it is well deservedwanting
either no focus on their community at all, or only upon those who have paid
the ultimate sacrifice when the attention seems unavoidable, as it was with
Luttrell and his team.
Marcus Luttrell is a what you see is what you get kind of guy. He
is patient and respectful of questions asked in ignorance and naivety
regarding his community and military service in general. But he is willing
to directly confront those who confront him, or who call into question the
sacrifice of those lost.
A true professional, Luttrell has weathered the critics, the naysayers and
the media nitwitsthose that want to suggest that the 19 men who died
during Operation Red Wings died in vain, died for an unjust war or died
for no good reason at all. Mystified by their stupidity and aggravated by
the utter lack of respect they show for those sent into harms way, Luttrell
can flip a switch when he is pushed by the dishonorable tone some take
in connection to those whove died to make their mouthing off possible.
Luttrell knows that some are simply blinded by various causes of their own
and will never comprehend the measure of those who risk everything for the
cause of liberty.
As for those who say the movie is a propaganda film or pro-war, Luttrell
says, I dont even know what in the hell that means. Its like people going to
a movie about a bunch of firefighters and saying that the guys who battled
the blaze were pro-fire. We are warriors sent to war to complete the mission of
those who send uswe are not instruments of war or tools of propaganda.
When I asked Luttrell what message he wished people would get from
reading the book or watching the movie, his one-word response spoke
volumes to everyone on set.
Nothing he said. The importance of sharing the truth and honoring my
brothers was my only motive. What others glean from it, choose to believe
or not, is up to them. I put the story out there, and people can take from it
what they want.

PHOTOS COURTESY MARCUS LUTTRELL

Village tribesman Sarawa (shown below with

Luttrell and at right with Luttrells son) offered
lokhay to Luttrel on the mountain. Lokhay
warkawal is a section of Pashtun tribal law that
says that once a Pashtun offers sanctuary the tribe
must protect their guest to the death.

ITS LIKE PEOPLE GOING TO

A MOVIE ABOUT A BUNCH OF
FIREFIGHTERS AND SAYING THAT
THE GUYS WHO BATTLED THE
BLAZE WERE PRO-FIRE.

Sponsor an LOD Membership

The hardest part of producing a movie like this, Luttrell added, is

that there was no way to give complete justice and equal time to everyone
involved and every branch of service that participated in my rescue.
The overall reaction from those in his community has been very positive.
The fact that the families of his fallen teammates approved is what has
mattered most of all to Luttrell.
Lone Survivor is a movie full of self-debasing humor, acronyms, off-color
jokes, and the things true American warriors say to one another out of love
and respect. It is a story that shows the sacrifice and hard-hitting realities
of life and death that warriors face.
When Luttrell came home and first visited the
families of those who perished during this event, he
was reluctant to share the details of exactly how their loved ones passed
away. Who in their right mind would want to compound the grief of those
wanting some sense of hope and justice that their husband, son or brother
passed as quickly and painlessly as possible?
The movie clearly reveals what most over time have come to know: that
death in combat is violent, frightening and often traumatic. Yet, if one line
from the movie best sums up the feeling a warrior has as he stares into the
face of death with his brothers on both his right and left, it has to be the
words of Matt Axleson as he asks Luttrell to tell others that I died with a
full heart.
What could be more worthy, Luttrell asks, than to die in a pile of spent
brass with your boots on doing what you do best?
Lone Survivor is a must-see movie for those who admire the sacrifice
and courage of the warriors who serve this great nation. It is not a movie
for the timid or the faint of heart. It is not for the handwringers or the head
hiders who would rather bury all thought of wars realities than face the
real truth.
Its a movie definitely deserving of much praise, told by a real American
hero about real American heroes of the best kind!

Marcus and his wife, Melanie, spend a significant amount of time

raising money for their charities and others that benefit those who
served in uniform or the families theyve left behind. If you would
like to support warfighters, veterans and their causes, you can visit
The Lone Survivor Foundation lonesurvivorfoundation.org to find
out about this and other worthy causes.
If youd like to learn about the Patriot Tour and Marcus
Luttrells speaking engagements, see www.patriottour.com.

PHOTO COURTESY MARCUS LUTTRELL

Email the Editor

W
AP
DO

|
| LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL
LONE SURVIVOR MARCUS LUTTRELL

Luttrell and friends and fellow warriors from the brotherhood

take in a little R&R.

WHAT COULD BE MORE WORTHY THAN TO DIE IN

PILE OF SPENT BRASS WITH YOUR BOOTS ON ...
OING WHAT YOU DO BEST?

TRELL

SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURE

________

_____ ___ _

PHOTO COURTESY AEGIS ATLANTA

/rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range

_ ___ __ _ _

__ _

Greg Jordan, an officer

with the Harford
County, Md., Sheriffs
Department, faced off
against the worlds best
3-gun shooters last
month in Las Vegas,
knowing full well that
theres only room for
one at the top.

____ ___ _

By Mark Chesnut, Editor

>
>

e///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Ran

>
>
>
>
>
>

mble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///r

____ ___ _ _
Email the Editor
View Patriot Profiles

_ ___ __ _

Greg Jordan:
cop, instructor,
fierce competitor.

>

1 COP VS. THE WORLD

>
>
>
>
>

>
>

>

hen Greg Jordan stepped into the starting box on

Jan. 12 at the Rumble on the Range in Las Vegas,
Nev., he was shooting for high stakesthe 2013/2014
3-Gun Nation championship and a $50,000 payoff
from Leupold Tactical Optics and NRA Sports. But
those stakes werent nearly as high as those Jordan
encounters when he answers the call in his real job,
as an officer and firearms instructor for the Harford
County, Md., Sheriffs Department.
As a member of the departments community action response
team tasked to patrol the countys crime hotspots, assistant leader on
the departments special response team and a department firearms
instructor, Jordan is accustomed to plenty of action.
Throw in becoming one of the best shooters on the professional
3-gun tour, and youll understand why his life often seems to be a
whirlwind of activity.
Its an excellent job, Jordan says of his sheriff department career.
Everybody in my unit is attached to a special response team. In that
capacity, we do all kinds of different details. And we support all of our
other divisions.
Jordan has worked for the Sheriffs Department for eight years. He
began competitive shooting back in 2007, primarily in local U.S. Practical
Shooting Association (USPSA) matches, working his way to a top-15 finish at
Nationals and a Grand Master Ranking in Production Class.
Then he discovered something he liked even better.
That kind of evolved into 3-gun, he said. A bunch of friends kind of
pushed me into it. In 2009, I shot my first 3-gun match at Fort Benning,
Ga., and placed 23rd.

Email the Editor

Sponsor an LOD Membership

The next year I shot a couple more major matches, and I started to
place better and better. It just kind of grew from there.
Testament to Jordans success at setting lofty goals and then working
diligently to attain those goals, he decided to do everything he could to
master this exciting, fast-growing, and often difficult shooting sport.
Ive always been a goal setter, he said. And Ive always had goals to
Fired up at last
months Rumble
on the Range in
Las Vegas.

____ ___ _ ___ __ __ _

>
>
>
>
>
>

kind of be the best at whatever I do. I had just stepped into the sport. My
gear wasnt where it needed to be and I wasnt where I needed to be. I
knew I had some work to do.
In fact, Jordan largely credits dedication and hard work for his rapid
rise from beginner to 3-Gun Nation champion in just over four years.
I dedicate a lot of time to the sport and to training, he said. I read
a lot. Im constantly researching how to get better and faster. And Ill take
tips from anybody.
The 3-Gun Nation tour has been great because you have the top 50
or 60 guys in the country right there with you. You can bounce ideas off
them. They have a ton of experience, and you can learn from them every
single match.
Shooting with the very best on tour has greatly helped Jordan in the
competitive shooting arena. And, he says, it has also been instrumental in
helping him become a better law enforcement officer.
Competitive shooting helps me by giving me a lot of confidence, he

1 COP VS. THE WORLD

said. As a shooter, its very hard to simulate the stress of what we do in

law enforcement. And 3-gun is about as stressful as it can get. It helps you
know you can handle stress and handle your weapons under stress.
Jordan warns, however, that no kind of competitive shooting match puts
the same pressure on a shooter as a confrontation with an armed bad guy
on the street does. There are marked differences in those activities.
On the 3-gun range, at end of the day you know youre going
home, he said. On the street, a lot of things can happen pretty quickly.
Officers have to realize that if things dont go the way they want, it could
be a dire outcome.
Still, performing against world-class shooters while on the clock for
thousands of dollars of prize moneyand top bragging rightscan get
your heart rate up and make you more than a little shaky. In fact, training

on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumb

As a shooter, its very hard to simulate the

stress of what we do in law enforcement.
And 3-gun is about as stressful as it can
get. It helps you know you can handle stress
and handle your weapons under stress.

Jordan takes aim

at a 3-Gun Nation
match in Tulsa, Okla.,
last summer.

_ ___ __ _ _ _ _____ _

///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Ran

_ ___ __ _ _

_ ___ __ _ _

Email the Editor

Like Us on Facebook

>

>

_ ___ _ __ _ __ _

>
>
>

nge///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the R

Competitive shooting
helps me by giving me
a lot of confidence.

>

>
>

>

1 COP VS. THE WORLD

Email the Editor

View Patriot Profiles

_ ___ __ _ _

//rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Rang

Rockin the
scattergun
scary fast.

_____ ___ _ _ _

ge///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Ra

1 COP VS. THE WORLD

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

1 COP VS. THE WORLD

_____
>
>

>
>

_ ___ __ _ _

>

>

100 percent
concentration with
the pistolone-third
of the 3-gun equation.

>
>

///rumble on the Range///r

_ ___ _ _
Email the Editor
Like Us on Facebook

Jordan warns, however,

that no kind of
competitive shooting
match puts the same
pressure on a shooter as
a confrontation with an
armed bad guy on the
street does.

_ ___ __ _ _

umble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range//

_ ___ __ _ _
>
>
>
>
>

>

_ ___

1 COP VS. THE WORLD

>

_____ ___ _ _
Following the
Rumble on the Range
victory, is that a look
of relief we spy?

///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rum

__ _ _

Email the Editor

Sponsor an LOD Membership

for and competing in matches has taught Jordan some

things that have made him a better trainer for the other
officers he instructs.
A lot of what I do now while instructing is Ill set up
courses of fire that kind of simulate a 3-gun match, but I
also add in officer safety tactics and other skills they need
to work on as well, he said. Now, a lot of it is coming from
what Ive seen, and what Ive done, in 3-gun.
Back to the Rumble on the Range mentioned
earlier, Jordan wasnt the favorite going into that fiercely
competitive match. Team Army shooter Daniel Horner
had dominated the 3-Gun Nation pro series in 2013 and
was seeded first going into the Rumbles head-to-head
shoot-off format. Jordan knocked him out in a very close
semifinals match.
Winning it was a goal I set after last years Rumble,
Jordan said. I finished third there last year. Immediately
after that, I set goals. My first goal was to make it back
there. Goal number two, once I locked that spot in, was
to win it.

>
>
>
>
>

Email the Editor

Visit NRA Life of Duty Network

///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Ran

Jordan acknowledges that the shoot-off features some pretty tough

guys to go up against head to headnamely the top 30 shooters at the
end of the 3-Gun Nation regular pro series schedule. In Las Vegas, he
defeated B.J. Norris, Burton Thompson, Horner (the 2011 winner), and
then Taran Butler (also a past champion) in the final.
I was very happy with my performance, Jordan said. Coming off
the win against Daniel, that gave me a huge boost of confidence. I was
feeling pretty good going up against Taran. He had a good night as
>
>
>
>

>
>

>

I think 95 percent of that

sportthe shoot-offis mental.
well, but I try not to watch too many of the shoot-offs because theres
nothing I could do about it anyway.
Most of the 3-Gun Nation Pro Series matches throughout the year
feature a more typical format of shooters navigating their way through
several different stages with rifle, shotgun and pistol. But the shoot-off
format featured at the Rumble is an entirely different animal, so to
speakman-to-man, knock em down, and the first one to finish wins.
I think 95 percent of that sportthe shoot-offis mental, Jordan
said. You cant get wrapped up in who your opponents are. I have to
just not worry about them and concentrate on performing as well as I
can perform.
The easy thing about the shoot-off is the practice, because we
knew the course of fire, he added. So we can run it a month or two
ahead of time. But all that changes when another shooter is right next
to you, firing away. Thats the hardest thing to block outwhat they
are doing and where they are at during the course of fire. If you start
thinking about that, you change your own performance. That usually
doesnt work out well.
Consequently, a top competitor like Jordan has to put in many,
many long hours at the range, then trust his training when the chips
are down and the championship is on the line.
For the last couple of months before the Rumble, I was practicing
about five to six days a week, he said. Not all of it was live fire. I

_ ____ __ ___ _ _ _
>

1 COP VS. THE WORLD

nge///rumble on the Range///rumble on the Range///rumble on the R

GREG JORDAN Sponsors

Loudoun Guns
PWS
Velocity Systems
Leupold
Sport EAR
Safariland
Deployable Systems
MGM Targets
XRAIL
Predator Tactical
Taran Tactical

____ _ _ __ _ _

did dry fire and Airsoft, as well. I tried

to spend as much time as I could with
guns in my hands.
Trying to balance all that with work
and family is difficult. I work a lot of
nights. In the morning when everyone
else has gone to work and school, then
I go out and train.
While Jordan obviously has tons
of talent and trains very hard on rifle,
pistol and shotgun, he is also quick to
give credit to the top-quality equipment
he uses in competition. And that
invariably leads him to talking about his
sponsors (see box to the right).
We (he and Team Loudon Guns
teammate, Tommy Thacker) couldnt do
this without our sponsorson lots of
levels, he said. Our sponsors were great.
All year long, they offered the support
we needed, the products we needed and
they assisted us in any way. Tommy and I
couldnt ask for better sponsors.
So whats a guy to do, who in such a
short time has climbed from his very first
3-gun match to the top of the pro circuit?
For Jordan, the answer is easywork even
harder to stay on top.
The biggest goal that I have
now is to repeat, he said. Nobody
has been able to repeat the 3-Gun
Nation championship. When you win
a championship, or win an event, you
want to stay consistent. You want to be
there all the time.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MORRIS

THE MAGAZINE
FOR MEN WEVE
NEVER MET.

Welcome to todays Esquire, the magazine for

men who shouldnt be allowed anywhere near a
handgun ... and who apparently wear pajamas
made from their mothers curtains.

B AT T L E S

BY J.R. SALZ MAN

n December, Esquire magazine

published an online article written
by Lt. Col. Robert Bateman titled,
Its Time We Talk About Guns. Col. Bateman began
his article on the weak premise that because
one person acted stupidly, all gun owners should
be condemned and have their rights taken away
through confiscation.

Like a child throwing a

temper tantrum, Bateman
wants to ignore the facts,
telling readers, You do
not have to read this full
Supreme Court ruling, and,
Do not even try to tell me that Britains gun culture is different than ours.
As someone who thinks hes more intelligent than a Supreme Court Justice,
one would think Col. Bateman would at least look at the Constitution and Second
Amendment within the historical context in which it was written. Regulated during
the time of the writing was not typically used within the context of something
well-controlled or supervised, rather it meant something in good working order, a
well-oiled machine. And Col. Bateman is painfully wrong when he stated that the
militia referenced in the Second Amendment refers only to the National Guard.
As NRAs Institute for Legislative Action pointed out in response to the piece:
The well-regulated militia consists of the citizenry at large. The Dick
Act of 1903 divided the Militia of the United Statesthe subset of the
well-regulated militia that is obligated to serve if called uponinto its
organized and unorganized components, the former being the National
Guard and Naval Militia (when not in federal service), and the latter
being all able-bodied males of age and some females who are not
members of the National Guard or Naval Militia. We could spell it out
for you in 10 seconds, but you can see for yourself by reading Title
10, Section 311 of the United States Code.

B AT T L E S

Its certainly hard to take someones opinion on the Second Amendment seriously when
he doesnt possess even some basic historical context and knowledge about the topic
at hand. It is clear to those of us who served in the militaryespecially in the infantry,
as I didthat Col. Bateman is all but alone in this anti-gun fantasy. It is hard to fathom
that anyone who once took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United
States could so callously attack the very liberties, rights and freedoms he swore to defend.
The more one analyzes the article, though, the less it becomes about Col. Bateman, and
the more it becomes about the grotesque transformation of Esquire magazine. Those with
an obvious agenda will go to any length to get their opinions heard. But typically they are not
given a substantial voice or a platform for their views in a so-called mens magazine.
Esquire was founded in October 1933 to become the common denominator of
masculine intereststo be all things to all men. This is a magazine that was founded
on the principles of being a magazine for sophisticated, intelligent, stylish men. But
somewhere along the line, the purveyor of all things masculine took a turn for the worse.
To delve into the history of Esquire is to witness a fall from a magazine of relevance to
one now aimed at men with $600 haircuts, $700 scarves and $800 colognemen weve
never met, who exist only in digitally altered pages produced by an elite literati.
One does not have to look all the way back to the days of Ernest Hemingway and
F. Scott Fitzgerald to witness this tumble. The September 1981 issue of Esquire had the
following cover: The Case For GunsHe Owns a
Gun, So Does His Wife. Theyve Stopped Being
Victims. What about YOU?
WHAT
The Case for Guns began as a letter to the
HAPPENED
editor that turned into a cover story. An author
TO THE
named Chip Elliott wrote the letter, giving viewers
MENS
an in-depth look at his life in America in the
MAGAZINE
late 1970s. What started as an exciting new life
THAT RAN
built on hopes and dreams in California quickly
THIS COVER descended into one grounded by the realities of
IN 1981?
Americas vicious underworld.
Elliott and his wifes California apartment was
broken into multiple times, and their possessions
stolen. Residents of the neighborhood were raped and assaulted. Maintaining control over
even the most basic possessions they needed to work and survive was a pipe dream.
The couple eventually realized if they were to stop being victims, they would have to take
responsibility for their own personal safety and become gun owners.

ESQUIRE | THE MAGAZ

Guns became a normal and necessary part of their lives, like

putting on their shoes before walking outside. Elliotts mindset
and determination to no longer be a victim paid dividends while
walking home from dinner one early evening. Faced with the
choice of either being stabbed for the $35 in his wallet or shooting PHOTO BY MICHAEL IVES
one of his attackers in the leg, he chose the latter.
Although the article was written more than three decades ago, the harsh realities it
personifies are just as relevant today. The vast majority of Americans do not live in gated
communities, have personal chauffeurs nor armed response security guarding their homes.
They live in flyover country, where police are minutes away when seconds count. Personal
defense is not merely a choice; its a way of self-preservationa way to protect ones slice
of the American dream from those who would like to acquire it through nefarious means.
Your average gun owner is not the idiot Col. Bateman says would pull his gun over any
petty disagreement. Most gun owners are normal people who would like to go about their
daily lives without becoming a crime statistic or a soon-forgotten headline.
Defending yourself, your family and your possessions against the threat of violence
is a natural human instinctexistent since the dawn of mankind. Yet somehow Esquire
moved away from this principal to a more grotesque and perverse stance. Theyve
drifted further and further on guns and male culture to where they teeter on the brink
of irrelevancy.
Defending oneself and others from the threat of personal harm now takes a
backseat to ideology and a flawed, utterly absurd moral stance that its morally
superior to be a defenseless victim. Pardon me for interjecting on behalf of my fellow
men, but we dont need to be lectured on personal safety and guns by magazine
editors who likely cant tell the difference between an AR-15 and a shotgun, or a
semi-automatic pistol and a revolver.
Its not the definition of men that has changed; its the self-proclaimed magazine of
all things masculine that has. One needs no further evidence than Esquires recent list of
79 Things We Can All Agree On, published on its 79th anniversary. Number 58 reads,
Most people really shouldnt be allowed anywhere near a handgun.
To say no one needs a pistol or gun is equivalent to saying no one needs a Bugatti
Veyron when a Toyota Prius will suffice. To say no one needs a gun is on the same level as
saying that hockey and football are too violent for civilized society, and hunting and fishing
are unnecessary when there are supermarkets right around the corner.
When Esquire publishes Bateman, weve finally reached the point where being a man
without a copy of Esquire is like going to war without an accordion.

ESQUIRE | THE MAGAZINE FOR MEN WEVE NEVER MET

In addition to being an Iraq War veteran and Purple

Heart recipient, J.R. Salzman is also a nine-time world
champion log roller in lumberjack sports and a frequent
contributor to NRA American Warrior magazine.

B AT T L E S

The battle
for your
firearms
freedom
rages
every day.
Heres
how to
enlist in
the fight:

NRAs Institute for Legislative Action can keep you updated on

the fight for freedom here at home, no matter where duty takes you. Visit the
NRA-ILA website to register to vote, write your lawmakers or to sign up
for email alerts detailing timely political and legislative information.
And come back oftentheres always new information of interest.

NRANews.com offers live daily programming featuring the latest Second

Amendment news, as well as a bevy of new, young commentators who offer
a unique take on the right to keep and bear arms. Find the latest from Cam
Edwards, Ginny Simone, and NRA Commentators Colion Noir, Dom
Raso, Natalie Foster, Billy Johnson and Austin Weiss at NRANews.com.

RAPTOR + OPERATION
RAPTOR + OPERATION
RAPTOR + OPERATION
RAPTOR +

PHOTOS BY NAT HAN STR

UCK , INNOVATI VE CRE ATIV

E INC.

SEALT

If you dont like this

truck, perhaps a Prius
would suit you.

OPERATION RAPTOR +
OPERATION RAPTOR +
OPERATION RAPTOR +
OPERATION

TOUGH

When you build a truck to

ce
anniversary of the SEALs, lebrate the golden
it
look sharp and it better be better be tough, it better
tr
business. Mission accompl icked out like nobodys
ished.
By Mark Chesnut
Photos By Nathan Struck
, Innovative Creative In
c.

he words
bitchin truck!
can mean
different things
to different
people.
describing the Operation
to
se
clo
me
co
nt
do
y
the
t
Bu
rrently on tour benefitting
cu
p
ku
pic
AL
SE
vy
Na
or
pt
Ra
for
wounded warfighters.
raise awareness and funds
to
is
ck
tru
the
for
e
os
rp
pu
The
nt and
said Randy Hayes, preside
s,
rce
Fo
ial
ec
Sp
d
ure
inj
y
all
critic
rm to
Heroes. This truck is a platfo ents,
founder of Americas Fallen
ents such as sporting ev
ev
at
le
op
pe
of
n
tio
en
att
capture the
community events.
auto races, NRA events and
13 SVT Raptor Supercrew,
The Navy SEAL Raptor is a 20 t Mickey Harris. Celebrating
by artis
entirely airbrushed by hand
r the country through 2015.
tou
ll
wi
ck
tru
the
s,
AL
SE
the 50th anniversary of the
primarily going to the Phoenix
ds
fun
th
wi
,
ed
on
cti
au
be
ll
After touring, the truck wi
Patriot Foundation.
ross the country, weve
ac
ts
en
ev
ral
ve
se
gh
ou
thr
Just in the last two months, vy SEAL double amputee Bo Reichenbach,
for Na
already raised over $90,000
e
Hayes said.
r Reed Medical Center. Thes ch
lte
Wa
to
d
ne
sig
as
y
ntl
rre
cu
enba
Reichenbach is
st account to help build Reich
tru
a
o
int
go
ll
wi
s,
ye
Ha
to
funds, according
a home after he leaves there. one of the purposes of the truck, Hayes added.
VA
This is a prime example of
t either the government or the
tha
ion
pt
ce
on
sc
mi
the
s
ha
care of
The general public
use, and that they are taken
ho
or
r
ca
a
ys
gu
ed
pp
ica
buys these hand
t the case.
completely. But thats just no
first in a series of six trucks,
the
is
p
ku
pic
AL
SE
vy
Na
or
The Operation Rapt
s year. Others will include:
thi
t
ou
led
rol
be
to
t
res
the
with

ATION RAPTOR + O
ATION RAPTOR + OPER
ATION RAPTOR + OPER
ATION RAPTOR + OPER
ATION RAPTOR + OPER

Email the Editor

View Patriot Profiles

SEAL history
in living color,
and all for a
great cause.

allow the
rces warriors, the tours also
Fo
ial
ec
Sp
d
de
un
wo
for
ss
orting.
Along with raising awarene
ow the people they are supp o will set up and display
kn
to
t
ge
d
an
et
me
to
c
bli
ans wh
general pu
red by critically injured veter
le to
tou
be
lly
tua
ac
ll
wi
s
ck
tru
e
Th
nt the general public to be ab
wa
e
W
id.
sa
s
ye
Ha

,
try
un
the co
s directly from them.
lem
ob
pr
d
an
the trucks at events around
s
rie
sto
ir
the
ar
th them, and he
will
talk to these guys, interact wi n through 2014, and 100 percent of those proceeds
Our goal is to raise $1 millio s, Hayes added. Thats possible because our money for
Force
go to critically injured Special m our sponsors.
s fro
r Care
logistics and overhead come Raptor include Buck Knives, NEMO Arms, Meguiars Ca
AL
Wheels.
Sponsors of the Navy SE
r 55, ICI, Goodyear and BMF
cto
Fa
ts,
un
Mo
e
op
Sc
e
rn
Products, MagnaFlow, Wa
ericas Fallen Heroes at:
Am
it
vis
n,
tio
ma
or
inf
re
mo
r
Fo
.
www.USAFallenHeroes.com

Photos by Randy Hayes

s and Delta Force);

er
ng
Ra
y
m
Ar
,
ts
re
Be
n
ee
Gr
es
Army Special Forces (includ s Forces Special Operations Command);
MARSOC (Marine Corp
Air Force Commandos;
ns Aviation Regiment);
Army SOAR (Special Operatiorv
e military.
100 years of canine se ice to th

ERATION RAPTO
+
OP
OR
PT
RA
N
IO
AT
ION RAPTOR + OPER
TION RAPTOR + OPERAT

Pretty is as pretty
does. But this truck
is tough, too!

Email the Editor

hip
Sponsor an LOD Members

RAPTOR +
N
IO
AT
ER
+OP
OR
PT
OR + OPERATION RA
OR + OPERATION RAPT

ck
This Operation Raptor tru
comes standard with SEAL.
od
Trident insignia on the ho

PERATION RAPTOR + OP
ERATION RAPTOR + OP
ERATION RAPTOR + OP
ERATION

Email the Editor

Visit NRA Life of Duty Networ
k

RAPTOR + OPERATION
RAPTOR + OPERATION
RAPTOR +OPERATION
RAPTOR +
Nothing but
SEAL, bumper
to bumper.

Follow too closely at your

own

risk.

ON RAPTOR + OPERAT
ION RAPTOR + OPERAT
ION RAPTOR + OPERAT
ION RAPTOR

R + OPERATION RAPTOR
+ OPERATION RAPT
OR + OPERATION RAPT
OR +OPERAT

BEFORE YOU GO! TEXT

PATRIOT
TO

50555

AND GIVE $5
FOR THOSE WHO LIVE THE

LIFE OF DUTY.

$5.00 donation to NRA Foundation. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance.
All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Message and data rates may apply. Must be 18 years of age or have
parental permission to participate. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full Terms: mGive.org/T