Innholdsfortegnelse for #228 i Personal Defense World

Securing your home and developing a well-organized defensive plan is crucial. But what happens when Hollywood attempts to depict home-defense situations? Sometimes these stories turn out to be unintentionally realistic. At other times they’re utterly outlandish. And every once in a while film producers and directors get it pretty close to right. Here we present several movies that have great home or area fortification and defense scenes—using firearms, improvised booby traps or both—and discuss whether the scenarios presented could work in the real world. HALLOWEEN (2018) Laurie Strode has been preparing for the return of Michael Myers since the original Halloween came out in 1978, and in this sequel/reboot, she lives like it, residing in a house modified for an inevitable attack by the dogged and silent masked serial killer.…

■ FEATURES Remote monitoring system Five-year warranty Corrosion resistant (powder coated) 100-amp transfer switch ■ SPECIFICATIONS SOURCE: KohlerPower.com / RATED WATTS: 8kW (propane), 7kW (natural gas) AMPS: 33.3 (propane), 29.2 (natural gas) / ENGINE: Kohler SV620 ENGINE DISPLACEMENT: 597cc / VOLTS: 120/240 / ENGINE COOLING: Air PHASE: Single / NOISE LEVEL: 66/72 dB / FUEL TYPE: Natural gas or liquid propane DIMENSIONS: 28x30x32.4 inches / MSRP: $2,999…

Nobody wants to suck at anything they do. We all want to be the best at backyard football, Texas hold ’em or 8-Ball at the corner bar. Whether we go to the local range shooting match or down by the railroad tracks, we want to hit what we are aiming at. That skill gives us the ability and confidence to carry our handgun every day to protect ourselves, our families and our homes. We all want to kick ass with our pistol, but very few of us have the time or resources to take class after class at the private academies across the nation. Solution? Read on. First, if you have the resources, find a class at a reputable training facility and go in like a sponge, ready to absorb…

Forty years ago, the topic of concealed-carry revolvers would have been rare. After all, back in mid to late 1970s, only a few states recognized the right of citizens to carry concealed firearms for defense of themselves and their families. The best nightstand revolvers were undoubtedly hashed back and forth in the pages of gun magazines, but widespread concealed carry of firearms by millions of law-abiding Americans was just a dream that few thought would ever become a reality. Then came Florida. Through a major effort by National Rifle Association members and gun-rights supporters in that state’s legislature—and much to the chagrin of anti-gun groups—Florida passed a law in 1987 that made it legal for law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm. It’s important to note that it was a…

.44 MAGNUM FEDERAL AMERICAN EAGLE Weight: 240-grain • Bullet: JHP Best For: Target Notes: Excellent round, performed very consistently (federalpremium.com) HORNADY LEVEREVOLUTION Weight: 225-Grain • Bullet: FTX Best For: Lever-action rifles Notes: Was the most accurate round with a 1.5-inch group (hornady.com) HSM BEAR LOAD Weight: 305-Grain • Bullet: WFN Best For: Hunting Notes: Was the hardest kicking round, but it wasn’t unpleasant (hsmammunition.com) SIG SAUER ELITE PERFORMANCE Weight: 240-Grain • Bullet: V-Crown JHP Best For: Personal-defense, hunting Notes: Great round and was second for accuracy (sigsauer.com) .44 SPECIAL HORNADY CRITICAL DEFENSE Weight: 165-Grain • Bullet: FTX Best For: Self-defense Notes: This was the softest shooting load out of the bunch (hornady.com) HSM COWBOY ACTION Weight: 240-Grain • Bullet: SWC Best For: Cowboy Action, target Notes: These were a hoot…

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) statistics show that a home burglary happens in America every 15 seconds, and that more than $13 billion worth of personal property is stolen each year. According to the police departments of several Southern California cities, the most common items taken during home burglaries are cash, electronics/computers, jewelry, firearms and medications. Also on the list are bills (and other personal paperwork), credit cards and clothing/shoes. Most crimes can be prevented with a little forethought, an examination of your situation and a few basic planning steps. By increasing the lighting outside your home (with static lights and motion detection) you can eliminate any dark spots where a criminal could find refuge while attempting to break in. Planting thorny bushes under windows and locking gates that offer…

With modern society’s reliance on electricity in virtually all facets of its existence, it is very difficult for civilization to cut cords and function properly without electricity for any length of time. This holds especially true if the power is cut suddenly, either via natural disaster or a neighborhood power failure at the source. Our indoor climates, food storage and prep, communications, lighting, utilities, entertainment and health all depend on the juice streaming through the circuits. When that disappears, it leaves an awfully dark hole in our daily lives. It doesn’t matter where the next emergency will come from—earthquake, hurricane, terrorist attack—or even if there is a short-term grid failure because of routine maintenance on the equipment (or an accident), having a reliable back-up generator with enough watts to keep…

Safes, safe storage items and other lockable devices are among the most overlooked accessories when it comes to security for your firearms. Unfortunately, more than 50 percent of gun owners get very lazy when it comes to locking up their guns. Safes and safe storage devices have definitely come a long way from the basic lock-and-key steel boxes of the past. SHOT Show 2020 proved that the safe market is evolving right alongside the firearms industry. New locking technologies, innovative market-changing products, new styles of the original locks and some very unique and clever products are taking the market by storm this year. Here are some of the best new products, and some revamped classics that impressed me. LIBERTY SAFE MODERN LINCOLN SERIES Liberty Safe Modern Lincoln Series safes are…

Everyone knows that dry-firing helps shooters improve. But what if you’re doing it wrong? That’s where the Mantis X Elite comes in. Not only will this system provide you feedback during dry-fire sessions, but it can also do so during live-fire and CO2 - fire training. The Mantis X Elite is a small device that attaches to your Pica-tinny rail. It is designed to work with pistols, rifles, shotguns and even bows. If your gun doesn’t have a Picatinny rail, the Mantis X can be attached to the bottom of the magazine or via the included BR6 Barrel Mount Picatinny rail. Simply download the Mantis X Pistol/Rifle app to your phone, connect the phone to the Mantis X via Bluetooth, and then you are on your way. VERSATILITY The nice…

While many people might think putting a sign like “Protected by Smith & Wesson” on the front door will detour the bad guys, the truth remains that firearms should always be the tool of last resort. A good security system can help guard your home and help you keep what is yours. Security systems that were once the domain of the wealthy and powerful are now far more readily available to the working man. Today’s off-the-shelf offerings are even a step up from what the military and major corporations had access to only a few years ago. This includes alarm systems, security cameras, motion sensors and even a drone that could provide you a full view of your surroundings. Of course, a reliable firearm should still be part of any…

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines tolerance as “the allowable deviation from a standard; especially: the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece.” When I think of Zero Tolerance (ZT) Knives the above definition comes to mind. Having used ZT products for many years now, I can honestly say that their quality is a testament to their name. I had the pleasure of taking a look at ZT’s new lineup, and while the company doesn’t have a lot of new items coming out this year, every piece is a solid example of the ZT brand. Particularly interesting is the fact that each of the three new knives covers a different demographic—from the woods to the boardroom—and level of dress. 0308 For some people, the 0308 will…

■ While revolvers for concealed carry are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence, they, like other firearm types, have their good and bad points. “...loading a revolver is very simple, and with a speed loader, reloading can be nearly as fast as switching mags in a semi-auto pistol.” Revolvers are considered by many concealed-carry practitioners to be a substandard offering when compared to the plethora of pocket-sized semi-automatics on the market, but revolvers still hold some advantages over those semi-autos. While they don’t have as much ammo capacity as most compact semi-auto pistols, revolvers are considered by many to be more reliable since they aren’t magazine fed, reducing the number of moving parts and opportunity for misfeeds. Furthermore, loading a revolver is very simple, and with a speed loader, reloading can…

The firearms world can be an interesting arena. Like any other corner of culture, there are those who strive to be seen as experts and go-to gurus. Some earn their spot and some simply throw up a sign reading “Expert on Duty.” For those just stepping onto the firearms field, it can be difficult to tell who’s who. Through all of this, however, there is a voice that cuts through the din, a voice laced with reason, experience and humility. It is the voice of Karen Hunter, and she is a woman changing the game. Karen Hunter is an exceptional person. With that statement, I feel it’s time for full disclosure: I am close friends with her. However, this is not simply a “buddy” piece where I sing the praises…

There are dozens of security systems on the market that run the gamut of price, perks and performance. Some are better than others in one way, but may lack specific solutions you need for your home. ■ ADT This is the most popular home security system in America. ADT has been in business for more than 140 years, starting with a network of telegraph-operated call boxes attached to residential homes, invented by the same guy who invented the stock price ticker. With your voice, through Alexa, you can arm and disarm the system and control any connected devices, such as thermostats and lights. All levels of service include a digital keypad, wireless remote, three door/ window sensors and an infrared motion detector. However, only the Premium Protection level of services…

■ FEATURES Aluminum, corrosion-resistant enclosure Patented Quiet-Test low-speed exercise mode Automotive-grade liquid-cooled engines run at lower speed for reduced noise Automatic safety shutdowns and exerciser Transfer switch required (sold separately) ■ SPECIFICATIONS SOURCE: NorthernTool.com / RATED WATTS: 48kW / AMPS: 200 / ENGINE: V8 ENGINE DISPLACEMENT: 4.5L / VOLTS: 120/240 / ENGINE COOLING: Liquid / PHASE: Single NOISE LEVEL: 63/68 dB / FUEL TYPE: Natural gas or liquid propane DIMENSIONS: 76.8x35x46 inches / MSRP: $17,277…

When we were kids we’d lie awake fretting about what manner of beasties might be lurking out in the darkness waiting to get us. Back then our parents told us there were no monsters. Nowadays it turns out mom and dad weren’t being completely forthright. It seems there really are monsters. Today we are going to chat about how to keep them out of your house. As I type these words, we are about two months into the COVID-19 era. SARS-CoV-2 has changed just about everything about life in America. Sporting events are canceled, businesses are shuttered and folks are sequestered at home, fearful for their lives. The media is wall-to-wall coronavirus, and it can be tough to separate the facts from the fluff. While the Rona is indeed a…

Springfield Armor y has exploded onto the AR scene in a big way in the last few years. Springfield Armory might not the be first to the AR party, but they certainly redefined the AR party scene. Take, for example, the Saint Victor braced pistol chambered in 300 Black out. It cannot be ignored that a growing number of people are seriously contemplating various “end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it” scenarios involving economic meltdown, pandemics and natural or man-made disasters. What advice would you give if someone mentions wanting to get a weapon for a little insurance if these predictions take shape, even in minor form? Certain characteristics would be essential, such as reliability, portability, ruggedness and, of course, effective firepower. I bet most people in the U.S. would first consider an AR chamber ed…

➤ Passive Infrared (PIR) – These detect body heat and movement, and are the type used most widely in home security systems. When an object blocks too many grid zones, the sensor is tripped. ➤ MicroWave (MV) – These send out microwave pulses that measure the reflection of a moving object and cover a larger area than infrared. However, they are vulnerable to electrical interference and tend to be more expensive. ➤ Dual Technology Motion Sensors – These combine the features of PIR and MV and are less susceptible to false alarms since both sensors must be tripped. ➤ Area Reflective Type These utilize infrared rays from an LED that measure the distance from various sensors. When a person breaks the ray, the alarm is tripped. ➤ Ultrasonic – This…

0308 BLADE MATERIAL: CPM 20CV / BLADE LENGTH: 3.75 inches CLOSED LENGTH: 5.2 inches / OA LENGTH: 8.9 inches BLADE THICKNESS: 0.156 inches / BLADE FINISH: Stonewashed finish HANDLE MATERIAL: G10 front, titanium back HANDLE COLOR: Brown / HANDLE FINISH: Bead-blasted finish HANDLE THICKNESS: 0.61 inches / WEIGHT: 6.9 ounces / MSRP: $300 0223 BLADE MATERIAL: CPM 20CV / BLADE LENGTH: 3.5 inches CLOSED LENGTH: 5 inches / OA LENGTH: 8.6 inches BLADE THICKNESS: 0.156 inches / BLADE FINISH: DLC coating HANDLE MATERIAL: Titanium, G10 overlay HANDLE COLOR: Brown and black / HANDLE FINISH: DLC coating HANDLE THICKNESS: 0.55 inches / WEIGHT: 4.7 ounces / MSRP: $300 0230 BLADE MATERIAL: CPM 20CV / BLADE LENGTH: 2.6 inches CLOSED LENGTH: 3.7 inches / OA LENGTH: 6.2 inches BLADE THICKNESS: 0.121 inches…

■ While modern concealed-carry revolvers have only been around for the last 30 or 40 years, their predecessors have a nearly 200-year history. Gatling guns aside, Elisha Collier, an English inventor, developed a weapon with a revolving cylinder back in 1818. But being of flintlock design, it was limited by its use of black powder. “None other than Samuel Colt himself patented the first true 'revolving gun' back in 1836.” None other than Samuel Colt himself patented the first true “revolving gun” back in 1836. But it didn’t gain much popularity until the famed Texas Rangers placed an order for 1,000 of them nine years later. The rest, as they say, is history. Revolvers have been popular with shooters ever since, largely because of their simplicity, reliability and accuracy—three traits…

If you’re a woman seeking to be empowered in the Second Amendment community, trust me, you’ve got plenty of options. As far as guns, apparel and gear are concerned, there’s never been a time when the market for women has offered so much to choose from. It’s amazing to see so many companies focusing on the areas of concern that apply specifically to female shooters. Responding to the physical differences between women and men, manufacturers are creating products tailored to meet women’s needs. Also, in recognizing these differences, in general it seems more and more manufacturers are treating female and male shooters as equals. There has never been a more exciting time to be a woman in the firearms industry! GALCO CARRYSAFE GEN 2 The CarrySafe Gen 2 is designed…