New American Truth

What if all you had was what you were WEARING and your guns. What would that consist of? Naturally this is radically different depending on what environment you are, or you expect to be, in. Still, it seemed an interesting enough challenge to contemplate that I thought I’d share.

I’ve enjoyed listening to some truly great minds in the firearms field debate the pros and cons of the .45ACP versus the 9mm. In the past few years the debate has grown to include the .40S&W, the .357Sig and now the .45GAP.

Recognizing that there are preventable deaths occurring from blood loss resulting from extremity wounds, the ability to control / stop bleeding is highlighted. This week I took a look at two products that are designed for just that purpose: the SWAT-T and QuikClot Combat Gauze.

Gerber’s Bullrush is a recent release that is basic, comfortable and relatively compact. It has what you need and not a bunch of stuff that you probably don’t.

I know there are still a lot of people in the law enforcement industry – and other warrior services as well – who feel that boot knives, hide-away knives, and other such tools don’t have a place in the profession. I think that the circumstances weigh greatly on that decision and would rather have it and not need it, rather than need it but not have it.

Off-body carry of a handgun – usually in a bag of some sort – isn’t the best option in terms of preparedness — you give up some weapon security and access time. But it is necessary on occasion. Sometimes the only other option is to not have a gun handy at all, and in some parts of the world, it may give you the option to suddenly “lose” an incriminating item.

All in all this knife is a good specimen of what I’ve come to expect from Blackhawk products. It looks good, carries well and performs as required.

The Manix 2 has a three-inch plain cutting edge on a blade that is 3.37” overall and does not have any option for a partially- or all-serrated edge. Closed the knife measures 4.66” and locked open it’s just over 8”.

The WINDSTOPPER® Patrol Soft Shell has quickly become one of my favorite jackets. The outer shell is a stretch nylon and the backer/liner is fleece. One thing I really like about the fleece backer is it covers the entire inside of the jacket to include the sleeves and collar.

From the team of RAT Cutlery and DPx Gear comes the H.E.S.T. knife. HEST is the acronym for “Hostile Environment Survival Tool”. RAT stands for “Randall’s Adventure & Training”. DPx alludes to the knife serving best in the world’s most “Dangerous Places.” I’m not quite sure why the X was added, but I THINK it means “extreme.”