The Packing Rat

Derek likes the Beltman’s belt. You will, too.

Instead of a wooden sword, I’ll take the semi-automatic pistol. This is a phrase coined in 1986 in the Nintendo Entertainment System video game, The Legend of Zelda.  Check out the Know Your Meme website for further detail.  It’s dangerous to go alone.  Take this. Tyler, 1791apparel.com, sent me a shirt of my choice and [...]

Made in the Motherfucking USA. There’s no other company that’s synonymous with a prideful, patriotic slogan. Little else can be said about Original Special Operations Equipment if you’re well aware of their products. Otherwise, if you’re a stranger to OSOE, they’re a no-nonsense, manufacturer, innovator of Cordura equipment for military, law enforcement, and civilian marksman, [...]

Media Day 2012 – Synopsis SHOT Show 2012 – Day 1 Synopsis SHOT Show 2012 – Day 2 Synopsis SHOT SHOW 2012 – Day 4   Leatherman – OneHandTool and Style PS The Leatherman OHT (One Hand Tool) is a new release this year. MSRP $80-ish released around the 3rd quarter. MOLLE sheath will be [...]

Media Day 2012 – Synopsis SHOT Show 2012 – Day 1 Synopsis SHOT Show 2013 – Day 3 Synopsis SHOT SHOW 2012 – Day 4 For more photos, click on the the header links.  If you made it here from an outside link and are new, please consider subscribing to the RSS feed. Wild West [...]

Coonan Inc. – .357 Magnum Automatic In a classic 1911 style, Coonan Inc. is manufacturing a gun not meant for the first time shooter.  The steel pistol is capable of using .38 special and .357 magnum, with a magazine capacity of 7 rounds. Coonan Inc. has a variety of colors the firearm may be coated [...]

The sleek new Leatherman Skeletool CX gets you back to basics… very cool basics. The Skeletool CX has only the most necessary of multi-tool features, because sometimes that’s all you need. With a 154CM stainless steel blade, pliers, bit driver, pocket clip and carabiner/bottle opener, you’re set. Lightweight, low volume, perfect size. The Skeletool CX: [...]

Derek misses dead animal hide, but the Flowfold Billfold is an acceptable replacement.

The P-3AT (pee-three-eighty) is a semi-automatic, locked breech pistol, chambered for the .380 Auto cartridge. It has been developed from our highly successful P-32 pistol with negligible increase in weight and size. The slidestop has been eliminated and the magazine capacity reduced to 6 rounds due to the larger cartridge. The firing mechanism is double [...]

Compact and absurdly bright. Six levels of output including three special modes. Lightweight and elegant. The world’s first AAA powered, CREE XP-G flashlight! Do you know what a CREE XP-G is?  Unless you’re a candlepower geek, then it’s unlikely. Don’t sweat it, I’ve got you covered. The XLamp XP-G LED is capable of up to [...]

Derek discusses why the Gun Casket handgun safe would make a great gift, but not so much for practical keeping of a firearm.

Vortex Razor HD 1-4×24 Riflescope. EBR-556 MOA Reticle Vortex breaks new ground with the introduction of our Razor HD tactical riflescopes—built literally from the ground up to meet the demands of law enforcement, 3-Gun competition, and the discriminating tactical enthusiast. The precision-etched first focal plane reticle is ideal for rapid close and mid-range shooting. Expect [...]

At SHOT Show 2011, I met the gentleman behind Original Special Operations Equipment, John Willis.  I can’t say I’m a cordura whore, but I certainly do appreciate functional gear that are well made, with ingenuity and manufactured “in the Motherfucking USA.”  The company’s origins can be heard in an interview with John last year, but [...]