Category: Tacticool

July 22, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

July 22, 2021 /

Alright. a one week hiatus still doesn’t mean that I am going to talk about this subject every week again. I think that it means I am going to put it in if I have something to say. Today I want to talk about less than lethal self protection.

I am going to try and make the case that there is a place for carrying less than lethal options on a daily basis or at least in certain scenarios. The term less than lethal means as it says that these would be weapons that provide a deterrent rather than a potentially deadly outcome. Ideally, a person would carry multiple options because not everything works or is appropriate for every situation.

To compare and contrast the advantages, let us start with the positives. First of all, it is not desirable to use lethal force in every situation. It may be too crowded or unsafe for some reason. It may also be that you do not want to use lethal force. For instance, the idea for this post came from me walking the dog the other day. I carry pepper spray for the express purpose of walking the dog tends to draw other dogs toward us. I have had a pit bull attack my dog (before I was carrying pepper spray) and the owner had to beat the other dog off. Fortunately he was there to do it.

It probably seems evident that the downsides are that there is a chance that less than lethal works definitively. It is also the case that you often need to be closer than you want to be to use it. Last, it may not be the right tool for the specific scenario meaning that there are lots of different options and one might be more appropriate than another.

Speaking of options I thought that I would bring some up. When it comes to adding do-dads to carry on your person, I prefer to have items that can perform multiple roles or at least most effective.

  • Flashlight – I try to carry the Streamlight Stylus Pro pictured above. It is a useful tool, like when you need a light. A bright blast of light can be temporarily blinding or at least distracting. It can also be used as an improvised kubaton.
  • Pepper Spray – This comes in different sizes and concentrations. Based on anecdotal evidence interviews that I have heard from field biologists, bear spray (a form of pepper spray) is as effective of deterrent as there is.
  • Striking weapons – These would be things such as kubatons, batons or even improvised weapons like bats, golf clubs, walking sticks, etc.
  • Shocking weapons – There are various forms up taser or stun guns that provide momentary impairment.

There are others, for most practical purposes the list above is what are commonly available and appropriate for the everyday civilian. You could get into other chemicals like smoke or tear gas or even bean bag projectiles fired from a shotgun. You can see what I have, it is not that I don’t see value in the other things, it is mostly that I haven’t really had a need.

End Your Programming Routine: In the end, weapons are a subset of tools. There is an old saying that if the only tool you have is a hammer, then every situation is a nail. When you get into tools, there is always a specific widget for an application and it always works better for that one case. But, it is not practical to always carry everything so pick what you like.

July 8, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

July 8, 2021 /

If you are like me then you have kind of given up on looking for ammunition. After over a year of nothing on the shelves, the entire pursuit has dropped off my radar. I wrote about the struggles to buy enough to participate in the trap season. Luck was on our side with that.

I have heard via radio and other sources that it is starting to come back. I thought that I would take a look for myself. To be fully transparent, I heard that it was always available online but my searches were pretty spotty. For instance when looking for trap, I did find cases available at $16/box (3-4 times what it cost the previous year) and sold out within hours. I hesitated as I was working multiple other deals and watched the inventory disappear on the screen.

I checked a few of sources in the last couple of days. What I have seen is some of the most common choices were on the shelf. The options were limited and the prices are elevated, I would say that this is far from over. In quasi-reporter style, this is what I have seen consistently in the last three months

  • 7.62×39 FMJ
  • 28 gauge target
  • 20 gauge turkey loads

In my check over the last couple of days I saw

  • 7.62×51 FMJ
  • 223 FMJ
  • 9mm FMJ and HP
  • 30-06 hunting
  • 10 gauge hunting
  • 12 gauge target and hunting

I know there aren’t many people like me (that don’t own a 9mm and don’t really care) but that is a bellwether indicator that ammunition is on the shelf. Industry insider’s public statements indicate that it is going to be at least a year and a half before a return to normal. I give that a hard maybe because that presupposes that everything including politics stay status quo. However, it does seem as this years news cycle is much more calm then last years. It only takes one event to change everything again.

End Your Programming Routine: If you are looking for ammunition, now might be a time to start. I know that I have scaled my shooting down quite a bit from the the previous years so I am still sitting in a good spot other than trap. At some point, this will have to change. The market will market.

July 1, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

July 1, 2021 /

When did this segment devolve into everything not Tacticool? Originally, I came up with this idea to help me come up with daily topics. Lately, I have been thinking about putting it up on the shelf again because it seems like I have other things I want to say.

I have fumbled around with firearms and preparedness as topics in this area. I can try to shoehorn a lot of different topics like I will try to do today but I am not sure that I want to do it every week. I guess that is the luxury I have, I can do whatever I want.

For today I wanted to talk about vehicles. This week, our Navigator rolled over 200,000 miles. That means that both vehicles we own have are over the 200K mark.

My wife has been binge watching ‘Fear of the Walking Dead’ lately. I know that the show is just for fun but how many vehicles are still functioning and clear roads seem like a miracle. I would think that fuel and maintenance would be would quickly disappear.

I am in new territory myself as I intend to drive these vehicles as long as they are functioning reasonably. Both vehicles, both Ford have developed a tick or knock over time. I am sure that it is not good and I have had them looked at but without any resolution or even prognostication about diagnosis.

With my pickup, I think it has something to do with the valve train, but it may also be with the timing chain. I haven’t investigated it thoroughly but I have heard that it is impractical to repair due to the amount of labor to do so. I hate to tear into the valve covers, but it is probably something I should do before some real damage occurs.

On the Navigator, I think the tick is related to an exhaust leak at the manifold connection to the engine block. This is another common problem where the aluminum warps or cracks and you can hear the ticking of the valves. I do think it is not a need to fix as the studs are prone to breaking making much more work than I want to take on right now.

I pretty much hot swapped the alternator in the Navigator a few weeks ago. So that will be good for a while. But, all in all things have been pretty reliable given that the vehicle has so many miles. I wouldn’t have a hesitation to take off for a long road trip for the vehicles so hopefully the last for a couple more years.

End Your Programming Routine: You never know when you need to ‘bug out’. By definition, you get very little notice and you have to grab what you can in the time you have. Last year’s wildfires are a perfect example of why you would have to leave with a moment’s notice. Make sure to keep your vehicles in good working order in case you really need to use them.

June 24, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

June 24, 2021 /

There is no doubt that even in Oregon the Fourth of July is summer and will be here in a little over a week. Time is ticking and hunting season is rapidly approaching if you need to get into shape. I wish that I could say that I am taking advantage of the nice weather and just enjoy summer.

In just a few days we will be in the Portland area for the state Trap tournament. Apparently, if so inclined we are also invited to the national Trap tournament in Michigan in July. At this point, we got too little notice to plan on that one but this one will be a good first start.

Today I wanted to talk about youth and shooting sports. In my brief exposure, I have found a generous amount effort to make it happen. Here are some examples

  1. Friends of the NRA donated half a pallet of ammunition to our team. Remember that a box is 25 shells, a case is 10 boxes and half a pallet is 50 cases.
  2. Before we got the donated ammunition, I had another coach drive over 600 miles to get our team 15 cases of ammunition to buy. That was enough to make our season work.
  3. Oregon Hunter’s Association paid our team to draw raffle tickets. After it was done, one of the members bought every team member a box of ammunition
  4. We shot an ‘away’ match at another club. One of the club members that was also there paid the fee (for targets) for the entire day.
  5. One of our coaches was driving over 150 miles per practice to coach our team and then coach another team after we were done.
  6. Our team is shooting on a range that belongs to the Elks. The Elks have given carte blanche to use the range and all of the facilities at will.
  7. A target manufacturer has shipped a pallet of targets out of distribution for us to pick up at a local location at cost.

These are some of the examples of the efforts that others have made to enable this team to happen. That kind of generosity is astonishing to me, but that is the way it goes.

I am not totally naïve, there is a degree of self-service helping youth shooting sports. This can be a lifetime activity, so discounts and building positive memories can build a lifetime participants (customers). But, when I read the body language of those giving, I get the sense that the act is genuine.

Wish us luck. The forecast has the temperature over 100 degrees, this is our first organized tournament and we haven’t shot in over a month. But, these are the things that build memories.

End Your Programming Routine: If you have a youth or interest, consider looking into the shooting sports. The largest national program is through 4H. But almost always local ranges have knowledge of the different opportunities available and from there, you can get more information. From what I have seen, people are more than willing to go the extra mile to get you what you need.

June 17, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

June 17, 2021 /

Regardless of how you think you feel about the National Rifle Association (NRA), it is largely influenced by what side of the political spectrum that you subscribe to, whether you are a gun owner and if you have actually looked into the mission. I am here to say that there is the NRA that you think you know and the NRA that is.

First and foremost, the stated mission of the NRA is to promote safe firearm usage. That means it has to be accessible, which means that it must be permissible (legal) and affordable (to the majority). By far and away, they are the preeminent training the trainer organization, host organized competition and perform civil rights and legislation advocacy.

With that power comes corruption. Over the last four years or so the foundation has been crumbling. Some speculate that the NRA’s serious legal problems impacted the presidential election as well as critical legislator races because they did not participate at all in 2020. Many industry insiders are speculating that the existence of the organization is in question and criminal indictments are a forgone conclusion. News about all this can be found by searching the internet if you like to look it up for yourself.

There is a common saying: ‘A right not exercised is a right lost’. When is the last time you thought about the ninth amendment? Oh, you mean the one that says if it is not written in the constitution then it belongs to the people? Well there is one that we have lost isn’t it? To be 100% clear, it has to work with the tenth amendment which says anything the federal government doesn’t address (in the Constitution) is permissible for the states to address.

There is the concept of enumeration which means that some rights transcend the federal/state border, like the first, forth and fifth amendments. Non-enumerated rights only apply to the federal government. The second amendment is on the edge of both sides right now. This is where the NRA has been so valuable and why it is important to all active gun owners what is happening with this situation.

I know that your eyes might be rolling but civil rights have to be part of the overall discussion of exercising your rights. Without the right, I am discussing history or something else in this segment. I will be completely honest, I have not renewed my membership to the NRA in the last two years because of the situation.

This is a fight for the existence of the the NRA. The problem is that they are using all of their funds not to fight for the second amendment but to justify all of the legal problems. From everything that I have heard, malfeasance and fiscal irresponsibility are the reasons that they are in legal problems to begin with. I don’t want to fund the legal effort, I want to support the second amendment.

This hasn’t completely played out. There has been some very good work from The Second Amendment Foundation and the Citizens Committee to Keep and Bear Arms. These have largely been in the court and not on the legislative and lobbying side. They don’t replace the role of the NRA in the space, they supplement and enhance it.

End Your Programming Routine: For now, there is no heir apparent or resolution to the NRA debacle. Supporting organizations doing good work is part of the overall effort for sure. My point for writing this was to bring up what is happening in this space which seems to be quiet if you are not paying attention. Consequently, I don’t really have any good advice for the situation but to stay tuned to the overall battle and the changing landscape.

June 10, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

June 10, 2021 /

I took a stroll through all of my posts on this subject before deciding on what to write about. My intent was to write more on the firearms area when I started doing this. But, since I haven’t been doing much in that area in the last year, I have lost some of the mojo. It is why there have been posts on preparedness and mindset.

Did you know that you can have hypothermia in the middle of the summer? It is not likely, but possible. If your body temperature drops below 95 degF for whatever reason, then you will begin to experience hypothermia. In this scenario, it would be be from extended time in the water where the temperature of the water is below normal body temperature 98.6 degF.

Today, I thought that I would talk about sleeping bags and staying warm. Have you ever been really cold? It makes for a long night for sure. The last time I decided my sleeping bag was inadequate was a snowy night where the temperatures dropped down into the 20s. Fortunately, I had a wool blanket as well that kind of made it bearable, but I was still cold.

Here’s a picture of a few of our bags. Sleeping bags come in a wide variety of choices and prices. A lot of what you pay for is performance and weight. Starting in the upper left corner, that is a cheapo $15 bag that works for a temperate nights (no colder than 45 degF for sure). Below that is an ‘generic’ bag that was purchased at Amazon and rated for 30 degF. I haven’t used it, but my son says that it doesn’t perform to that temperature. Next to that (red) is a bag that was purchased at Costco. One son said that it works fine in the snow, the other says no. To the right are the performance and more costly sleeping bags rated to 20 degF.

In the picture, the prices range from $15-$180. The smallest and lightest is the Kelty (and most expensive) and the heaviest is the most inexpensive bag. As performance gets higher, so does the specificity of application For instance the North Face bag is marked as a Women’s bag making is shorter and smaller inside. I have not used it, but getting in it, I think it would work fine for me. It is also purple, but that doesn’t bother me either.

Why do we have so many sleeping bags? That is because we started with cheap ones and keep adding to our collection as needs dictate. My boys are in Boy Scouts and we are occasionally upgrading as the trip dictates. Having extras is nice when there is an occasional sleepover or even having options. A 20 degF bag can be too much during a casual summer overnighter, especially if you have a penchant for being hot at night.

I am not going to get technical but you can buy natural or synthetic materials as options. The naturals tend to have higher temperature ratings but are heavier and are less water resistant. They also are expensive. Unless you know exactly what you want, in which case you won’t need my advice, you will probably have a synthetic bag.

You generally get what you pay for. Not only are better performing bags more expensive, but they tend to be way more durable. Most of our $20 and under bags have broken zippers and straps. I still keep them around because they make a good insulation layer, or they are good to put down for a dirty dog in the car and things like that. But I have gone through and culled some of the worst of the worst in the last year.

End Your Programming Routine: You can never go wrong with quality. But, you may not want to toddler that wets the bed in your $200 bag. I think that there is a role for having different bags available if you are going to use them. Going to an authority on the subject like REI can give really helpful and insightful advice if you are a novice. If you think that you are going to run off into the woods to live when the SHTF, you better have some protection from the environment to keep you alive.

June 3, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

June 3, 2021 /

We are starting to get into a tough season. This weekend is the only free weekend we have this month. July has at least half of the weekends claimed already and at least one in August. I love the summer but it is hard to do the things that I want to do.

Since I haven’t been to the range since February, I am very delayed in my planned goals for the year. In my head, I am OK with it because I have shot trap a couple of times and there is no ammunition to refill once it is gone. But I thought that I would share my plan on how to make the most of my time.

I am going to do my best to get there this month. But just in case, I will call it my next range trip plan. I have two 20 gauges. Last year I purchased a shorter barrel and a red dot sight for one. Neither have I ever had on the rifle range to see how slugs would perform, let alone sighted in. I would like to see the difference that a longer barrel vs. a shorter barrel would make. I would like to switch brands of ammunition to verify effect.

Said another way, I plan to sight in the red dot with slugs at 50 yds. Then I plan to check the difference of ammunition. After that, I plan on checking the pattern of buckshot at that difference. Along the way, I am going to switch barrels and firearms to see if I can tell the difference of different variables on the same ammunition. Below is the breakdown of my plan.

870 20 – sight in red dot on 18″ barrel (15)
870 20 – slug test field barrel (5)
870 20 – brand change (5)
R22/20 – test fire on range (5)
870 20 – pattern buck on range
870 20 – field barrel buck pattern
R22/20 – test fire buck

If you look carefully at the picture, you can see that the Remington slugs are 5/8oz and the Winchester slugs are 3/4oz. Reportedly, both are at a muzzle velocity of 1600 fps. It is highly likely that they will not zero at the same point with the red dot. And certainly, the heavier slug will have more drop at distance. This is why it is important to take your check your hunting ammunition at the range.

This is a fairly simple plan. It will likely take a couple of hours to perform. And even at 40 shots at most, it is still $125 worth of ammunition. My dad wants to go as well, so it will probably go a little longer, I would say it will be a good half day,

If the cost (and availability) of ammunition wasn’t so much of a problem, I would also have liked to try more ammunition variations like 2 3/4″ vs 3″ shells of the same brand, standard vs reduced recoil of the same length shell and some different chokes. I would also like to move out to 100 yards and maybe even 200 yards. I would also like to do some similar variations with buckshot as well. I am just not going to be able to get this done at least at this time.

Change Your Programming Routine: When time and resources are limited, planning makes the most of both. Being deliberate with your actions is the most efficient training that you can perform. I don’t know anyone personally, but I have heard through podcasts and radio people that shoot 1000 rounds a session. I have never had the inclination to shoot that much from a cost and time standpoint. I just want to make everything count.

May 20, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

May 20, 2021 /

As I was trying to figure out what to write about today, I was cleaning up some miscellaneous stuff that I have drug out for various reasons. One was a tow strap that I loaned out a couple of weeks ago and the other was some ratchet straps that I was using to tighten the framing on my project. Both of those things belong in my vehicle kit which the contents were in a bit of disarray as a result.

Now, I should say that I used to carry this box around in my pick-up. When I moved to the Mustang, I took it out and never has it gone back permanently. It gets put back in for camping and hunting trips or if I have to grab and go to maybe help someone stuck. Truthfully, it is not much help if you don’t have it when you need it. But, I do make a point to carry some gear in each vehicle.

Vehicle preparedness gets some coverage, typically in the beginning of winter. Every couple of years, there seems to be a story about someone getting stuck with their vehicle for a couple of days. I really started considering the possibilities of being stuck with a vehicle about 15 years ago when a guy took a wrong turn and ended up freezing to death.

I did have one occasion where I did something kind of foolish and got my vehicle stuck in the woods. I left without saying where I was going and ended up getting my pickup stuck. My decision was to walk 12 miles out and eventually, I got some help. Mind you I was out of cell phone coverage, which is quite common when you get off of the paved roads here.

As with all topics in preparedness, it starts with what are we preparing for? In my case, I would say it is sort of a general preparedness. The categories I have made are getting stuck, mechanical problems, sheltering in place. I still do carry jumper cables and the like in the vehicle, but this box augments what I always carry. Lets take a deeper look at what is in here.

From the top, I see two wool blankets, a tarp, a fleece and a collapsible fishing pole (that is for fun mostly).

Things get a little more busy after the top layer. But from here there is a first aid kit, automotive tools, folding shovel, container with ratchet straps, tow strap, a spare jacket and then a bag containing who knows what. I think there are some matches, fire starter kit, cordage and other small things. I probably have a knife and multi-tool in there somewhere too.

I suppose the number one (and two) thing that is not in here is food and water. My original idea for that was to carry a separate bag, sometimes called a ‘get home’ bag where I would always have it with me. Because of temperature extremes and perishability, I wouldn’t want to leave that stuff in the car for an extended period of time.

One of the reasons that I haven’t put this back in my vehicle is that I realized having all of the tools in the world isn’t helpful if you also need parts. Sure, there are some field repairs that could be done but you have to have some knowledge about that stuff too. Other reasons include it is bulky and heavy and I don’t have a good way to secure it (to keep from being stolen). I needed my extra cab space for passengers at this point and it is too cumbersome to put in and take out all the time.

I will say that when I carried it, I probably got into it every month or so, mostly for tools. Despite not routinely carrying this box, items that are always in the car are a flashlight, a 110 voltage inverter, spare charge cords, small notebook with pens and tire gauge, flares, space blankets equal to the max number of passengers, fire extinguisher and a couple of tools.

Change Your Programming Routine: I have to say, it is not likely that this is going to back in the car full time. But the exercise is definitely valuable from a mental standpoint. I helps you visualize the possibilities and how you would adapt by what you have or not.

May 13, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

May 13, 2021 /

There are two things on my mind today and they sort of go together. The first one is an update on the belly band holster from December 17, 2020. I have tried it a number of times (maybe 20). I have ultimately stopped using it because the Velcro was rubbing raw spots on my body. I could wear it about three days in the same position and then I would have to move it. I don’t know if that is a function of the design or what.

At the time, I was doing a lot of moving. I would sit for two minutes and then get up and walk around. Maybe it was the up and down along with the bending and such, I don’t know but I suspect that it was the sitting that rubbed the Velcro more so than being upright. I won’t say that I am giving up on it, yet. I like the concept and the comfort (mostly). It may mean that I need to investigate a better built brand. The one that I have does work. As long as I am healed from the abrasions, I can wear it for a couple of days no problem until it starts scratching again.

The second thing I wanted to talk about is a concept that I have named ‘Running Dirty’. It implies that you are doing something that you should not do. Things like driving without a license or expired tags for instance. In this case, I am talking about carrying concealed when prohibited by policy at work. In my last three employment stints, policy expressly prohibited carrying concealed.

Now, this is a slightly sticky situation. On one hand, I absolutely endorse the right of companies to set their rules and policies as it has always been private property (in my case). But really, what is the aim? In my opinion, it is a liability play. The companies figure that it would be cheaper to pay off victims of some sort of crime rather than permit employees to potentially have the ability to defend themselves.

Let us analyze my recent stint as a driver for Amazon. When you pull up to the station, every door is marked with a ‘no firearms’ sign. It is expressly forbidden to carry a firearm, a knife or pepper spray. We were told as drivers that we did not have to make any delivery where we felt unsafe. I would argue, how do you know it is an unsafe situation? If I knew for a fact, of course I wouldn’t go into it policy or not. I am driving a loaded truck, alone into unknown situations.

During Christmas time, there was a UPS driver that was kidnapped and his truck was stolen in Portland. That could have just as easily been an Amazon driver. I was also bitten by a dog, not severely but it could have been worse. I heard of other drivers getting yelled at and threatened to be shot for trespassing when the accidently went down the wrong, poorly marked rural driveway. I would argue that drivers are some of the most vulnerable jobs out there. Sounds like a good case for ‘Running Dirty’ to me.

End Your Programming Routine: Ultimately, you have to assess your risks and rewards. I am always going to side on safety over policy. I doesn’t mean that I would or do carry everyday (or do I?). That’s the point. You might want to look at the Belly Band type holster if you need deep concealment because you cant get caught printing or brandishing.

May 6, 2021 – ‘Tacticool’ Thursday

May 6, 2021 /

Today is the 250th post. Just a warning, I am going to be all over the place today and not very Tacticool. First of all, when I was planning what I wanted to write about earlier this week, I was having trouble coming up with a relevant topic, or at least one that I wanted to write about. Part of the reason is that I have been actively out of the scene for several months now. With the ammunition and component shortages everywhere, I have moved my focus into other things for time being.

Second and more recently, Covid has struck the house. We are in quarantine but even more so, I am needed to perform all of the caretaking duties. I am finding it difficult to have any free time with all of the activities that the kids are involved in and where I am needed the most. I have plans and I have ammo, but I don’t have time. For all of you wondering, my wife was already vaccinated.

When I look at my families’ schedule (outside of work), every other Monday is a local youth group, Tuesday is Boy Scouts, Wednesday is another youth group, Friday I am playing city league softball with my wife, Saturday morning is trap and Sunday is church. One of my sons has been given the lead in a play to happen this summer, so we will see what commitment that entails. The other week he said, I need to find something to do on Thursday and I said as long as it doesn’t involve me having to drive you to get there or participate in some manner.

To be honest, not all of those things require active participation. It does however require planning and coordination of transportation and meals to be done on time as well as active management of the household on other fronts like chores, homework and pets. My silver lining is that Softball ends in two more weeks and Trap is officially over we are practicing until the state tournament at the end of June.

I should also like to mention that I am extremely bad about planning activities, like Mother’s Day. I have been thinking about it for a month but still haven’t gotten anything done. So, I guess tacticool is far from the mind. And I think that is how I want to end today.

End Your Programming Routine: I thought what I was going to say when I was going into this was that no one should be a one trick pony with interests because if it ever became non-accessible, you become crazy. I still think that is true, but now I am thinking that also evaluate your commitments to make sure they fall in line with your values and interest.