The Packing Rat

Why he hates 1911s. He has many good points. I also laughed.

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

I needed some work on my AK rifle reloads, and still do.  Mike with CS Tactical was giving me some pointers and put together this video.  What do you folks think? Rig in the video is a Special Operations Equipment Micro M4/AK Rig.

Derek closes out the SHOT Show coverage and uploads his remaining Vegas photos.

Derek found an excellent video demonstrating why carrying a firearm with an empty chamber is not favorable.

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 [...]

My version of TMZ gossip.  After reading Paul Barrett’s GLOCK:  The Rise of America’s Gun, the thread at m4carbine.net piqued my interest. My initial thoughts and question pertains to legal capacity, but who’s to say you can’t do wtfever you want if you’re as financially succussful as Glock?

If my count is correct, I’ve distributed 26 Packing Rats.  If you don’t know what they are, they’re a souvenir rifle rear rest bag made out of 1000D Cordura, with 1.5″ loop on each side, filled with California Calrose rice, and equipped with a miniature GLOCK 17.  They look like these: I know a few [...]