The Packing Rat

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 a bunch of other wonderful information about the company, too! Well worth the read. None of Kifaru’s offerings are particularly work-oriented, have you thought about [...]

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. At least I like to think so. With some practice, it’s pretty darned easy to unholster a firearm from concealment. Speed, accuracy, and movement can [...]

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 a reduction in pre-travel and over-travel resulting in a perception of an improved trigger pull.  This trigger may stand alone, or further enhance APEX Tactical [...]

Assuming a five shot revolver with a speed strip reload is the definition of an optimist, I’ve shed bit a off. After a recommendation from a TPR reader and Gun Blogger Rendezvous attendee, I picked up the 8-round Tuff Quickstrip to replace my 6-round speed strips.  Instead of 4 rounds on a 6-round Quickstrip with my [...]

I used to enjoy cleaning my firearms, but then a took an arrow to the knee. Don’t shoot me in the knee; I know this/that meme is old (Internet time). If you’re a new gun owner, or have few firearms, cleaning firearms post range-time isn’t an issue. For some, it’s an enjoyable experience. Then there [...]

Yay! The sun was out, and so was I. Went to the range and did more revolver work based on Southnarc’s PDF on the snubbie.  Watching the video, my biggest challenge will be maintaining movement and scanning my surroundings for possible threats. I can already hear the folks crying, “MOOOON CLIPPPPS!”

All blog posts, facebook updates, online promotions – or just Internet browsing in general, will be viewed with careful scrutiny. At least more than usual.

No shooting today — too sissy to hang out in the rain.  Just imagine my regret when the sun came out.  That’s ok;  I still have bacon. Lady Pirate post inspired creation. Just add bacon. Caramel: – Brown 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar – 3/4 cup water – 1 cup heavy cream – 2 tbs [...]

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

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 [...]

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

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 [...]

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, [...]

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. [...]

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!

“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.” [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]