OTW bag open after a one hand motion away from the body.

Kifaru “Urban Line” in the works?

Check out this interview with Mel Terkla at Kifaru International, from Carryology. It would great to buy a high quality bag without the milspec identifiers on it. The interview has ...

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“Tactical” Jazz

Training has provided me a level of competency to shoot consistently well; well enough to safely respond to generic stimuli to execute a satisfactory shot for self-defense purposes from concealment. ...

I prefer to drift the pin in further to provide a semi-snug fit before driving the pin home.  It took me a few tries to get it to protrude appropriately.

APEX Tactical Specialties AEK Trigger Install

This afternoon, I stayed in and installed an AEK Trigger on Shenanigun’s Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm pistol.  Courtesy of APEX Tactical Specialties, the addition of the AEK trigger provides ...

Spotlight

tuff speed strips

Less optimistic

Assuming a five shot revolver with a speed strip reload is the ...
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CLEAN ALL THE GUNS!

I used to enjoy cleaning my firearms, but then a took an ...
one hand revolver reload

One Hand Revolver Reload

Yay! The sun was out, and so was I. Went to the ...
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GoogleMaps – 8 Bit Version

All blog posts, facebook updates, online promotions – or just Internet browsing ...
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Hollowed Apple with Vanilla Ice Cream and Bacon Bits, Drizzled with Caramel Sauce

No shooting today — too sissy to hang out in the rain.  ...
Winchester, 5.11 Tactical, Sig Sauer, EOTech, XD ballcaps.  $10 + shipping, ea.

For Sale Page Updated

Boring post. Accomplished week. http://thepackingrat.net/for-sale/

Latest Posts

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Table Mountain – Oroville, CA. Flag/Phantom Falls

We were really itching for a day hike, so we went to Table Mountain – rain or shine. Flag Falls is located another 1.5 miles from Phantom Falls, hiking on familiar ground. I still managed to punch in the wrong GPS coordinates; we were off 1 mile north west of our intended mark. I will [...]

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Range Day and Suppressors in CA

The .22LRs were Remington subsonic rounds. Sounds like a sewing machine.

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TRP at Wrigley Field.

Operation: TPR USA – Chicago, IL

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Photo from http://mooncliptool.com

Moon Clip Tool – A Speed Loader for your Speed Loader

As a gift, I purchased a Moon Clip Tool several months ago.  The Moon Clip Tool strips and loads moon clips! One arbor is provided for the caliber of your choice.  Extra arbors are $5.00 each.  Clint Walker, the gentleman behind the Moon Clip Tool, makes a quality product and ships out fast.  I may [...]

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Ruger LCR .357 Magnum QuickStrips Optimism.

Rainy Day Revolver Training

The rainy days were bound to show up.  It’s been a wet week and it appears some drivers forget what it’s like operating their vehicle in not-so-sunny weather.  My commute home on Friday took 1 hour and 45 minutes as opposed to the normal 40 minutes. On rainy days, or most days for that matter, [...]

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Approximately 975 miles between Lake Mead and Lake Powell,  Hociota was short a few days hike from Lake Mead.

Grand Canyon Hiker Dies at 24

Photograph taken from NASA’s image catalog, Visible Earth. Picked this up from my brother. Ioana Hociota, described as an experienced hiker, died just short of reaching her goal of hiking the length of the Grand Canyon from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Her hiking partner’s description of the events following her mis-step is rather chilling. [...]

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The Packing Rat, the Alamo, San Antonio

Operation: TPR USA, The Alamo

Operation: TPR USA, Oahu. En-route to Cook County, Illinois. Whoever correctly predicts TPR’s next landmark wins a TPR patch (I don’t even know what it is). Guess in the comments below!

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Perspective

“Never before have I lived through a storm like the one this night… The sea has a look of indescribable grandeur, especially when the sun falls on it. One feels as if one is dissolved and merged into Nature. Even more than usual, one feels the insignificance of the individual, and it makes one happy.” [...]

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New Shooter – Spouse Mandated Training

A long time friend finally got the “go ahead” from the missus to purchase an appropriate handgun for personal protection in the home.  She acknowledged the old .22 LR Derringer won’t cut it. Same ol’ story:  I introduced him to a series of semi-automatics and revolvers.  Discussions concerning shotguns and rifles were brief.  I provided [...]

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Operation: TPR USA

One handmade rat constructed out of 1000D Cordura, filled with California calrose rice, will travel all over the USA.  Several folks have already volunteered to take photos of the rat at notable landmarks of their choice. The rat has quite an adventure ahead!  Stay tuned to see more photos of the TPR token traveling all [...]

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Referred to as the M1 Bowl.

River City Food Bank’s 9th Annual Empty Bowls

In the Sacramento area, River City Food Bank’s Empty Bowls event is their largest annual fundraiser.  I had the pleasure to attend this evening’s dinner at the Sacramento Convention Center.  According to their press release, “this is the ninth year of Sacramento’s Empty Bowls event.  The original concept of a “simple soup lunch” – recreating [...]

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Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Bullet Proof Mind with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Thanks to Cal-Tac, a FFL in Roseville, CA, for sponsoring the event and donating several goodies (including a lever action rifle).  Thank you Public Safety Training Institute for bringing Lt. Col. Dave Grossman to Sacramento, CA. If you read the books, On Killing, On Combat, and Warrior Mindset, then you may already agree that seeing [...]

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OK Go – Needing/Getting

Flippin’ cool car instrument on a dirt track.

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Leap Day

I’ve heard some folks took this day off work.  Any of you folks partake? I spent the day around the CA east bay for work and managed to catch up with David Whitewolf from Random Nuclear Strikes over some popcorn shrimp and buffalo wing sauce.  Not a bad day. Be advised this post is primarily [...]

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Gun Blogger Rendezvous 2012

The Gun Blogger Rendezvous is a little over six months away, so if you haven’t made plans already, now is a great time to mark your calendars on September 5-8 to attend this fun filled event in Reno, NV.  Registration forms aren’t available yet, so sit tight and watch what a few other bloggers have [...]

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I have nimble fingers.

Dating and “Whipping it Out”

I recently came across one of Andrew’s older blog posts at Vuurwapen Blog; it’s a well written piece imparting his knowledge and experience when it comes to carrying a concealed firearm and dating.  Your mileage my vary, but I identify with his experience — even as a Californian resident. Four years of dating following a [...]

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Range Day with the Marlin 25MN

Derek takes the Marlin 25MN on a range trip.

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Might Mo

TPR Sighting in Hawaii

US Army service member/brother-in-arms took photos of his rat and patch for me.  Flippin’ awesome!

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New Shooter – My Dad

The weekend before SHOT Show 2012, I visited my Dad in Arizona.  Met new family, and went shooting at Caswells in Mesa, AZ.  Turned out to be a good facility, so be sure to check them out if you’re in the area. Aside from a shotgun, Dad never shot a pistol.  Though his wife shot [...]

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TPR Sightings Page

Just created a new page, “TPR Sightings,” with links and photos of folks with their The Packing Rat gear; we’re all “packing rats” of guns, gear and grub.  Check it out at the tab located above!  Are you a TPR fan?  Get your patch (via PayPal)!  Folks can send MO, or personal checks, but should [...]

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