The Packing Rat

Derek’s notes on the Ares Defense ACR.

Derek talks about Blue Force Gear’s belt pouch system.

Derek takes a lockpicking class in San Francisco through Triple Aught Design’s CORE program. He also gets cuffed and thrown inside a trunk.

This product was received to review with no arrangement to return it.  The product page and the manufacture’s website is linked in two locations of this post. The last time I donned on a hybrid holster, it was the Crossbreed SuperTuck with cowhide in a combat cut and metal clips for the Glock 19. I […]

Purpose accomplished. I didn’t catch the SHOT Show crud, had a good time, good food, and hung out with some great folks. While nothing in particular excited me, there were several products that caught my eye. For the last several years, Next Level Training only offered a Shot Indicating Resetting Pistol resembling a Glock 17.  However, in […]

FYI.  Reliable SHOT Show 2015 related product releases. RomeoTangoBravo Jerking the Trigger

I LOL’d, too.  Thanks, SayUncle.

As far as I’m concerned, it was another day at the range. My notable observations were isolated to Ruger’s LC9s, and Geissele’s AK-47 trigger. Ruger released the LC9s sometime in July 2014 and announced it’s Pro variation earlier in December 2014.  I haven’t shot either prior to this trip, so it’s new to me.  I’m aware there […]

Preparation for SHOT Show?  That’s funny. I just know I’ll be there Sunday through Wednesday attending Industry Day (Yes.  I’m surprised, too), take some photos, and reunite with some friends.  Just have fun.  I’ll be back at work the next day.  Woo. I’ve read about most of the rumors and anticipate it will be relatively […]

Derek fixes stuff on the go and needs a place to put his tools.

Derek discusses his force-on-force training progress and reaffirms his greatest weakness is not in physical or firearms training, but verbal acumen.

Derek buys another P3AT and observes some changes.

3rd quarter 2013, I was anticipating a single stack 9mm from GLOCK.  Imagine my disappointment when a retailer went live with their G42 accessories in December and leaked that it was a .380 ACP before GLOCK formally announced the release. GLOCK is a couple years behind, but I suppose no one was all that surprised.  […]

I’ve dabbled with magazine pouches for the Kahr PM9 and found I like Dale Fricke’s horizontal pouch, Joab.  I have it positioned on my left side with the bullet pointed up, at 9-10 o’clock – just behind the iliac crest.  Easy to attach on and detach from the belt.  I’m also using Fricke’s Jonathan concealment […]

After shopping on Amazon not looking for what I wanted, I stumbled upon Life Currents’ pot rack. Inspired what the couple did, I set off to Home Depot to make my own to mount under my unfinished cabinets. Instead of the 1 1/2″ malleable iron they used, I opted for the 1/2″ pipe. – 2 […]

Of the sexed Ameraucana chicks I purchased, one was rooster.  I had an some idea when its tail feathers were longer than the other and a prominent saddle at 14 weeks, but all doubt was removed when I heard his announcement of the sun’s arrival, and continued the celebration throughout the day. The rooster had to […]

TPR Note: I wrote this after action report soon after the class concluded – sometime in late January. This was RiftRecon’s first class, and had notable hiccups. You may notice RiftRecon continues to offer the class; however, please note that the original instructor, Kelly Alwood, is no longer associated with RiftRecon. For better or worse, […]

I came across an article written by Aaron Cowan at Moderno that really described a shift in my training paradigm three years ago.  Cowan writes, “All things considered, the case for a sedentary life or simply practicing the gun and not strengthening the body is not just weak, it’s effectively dead.” It’s particularly intriguing when […]

Aside stepping away from TPR and maintaining employment, I kept busy working on little projects. Among them was a chicken coop I’ve been meaning to build.  After reviewing other plans, I drafted my plan in SketchUp2013 and built it from January through April on the weekends – time permitting.  Most of the wood used was […]

Derek supplements Random Gun’s guide on how to remove the magazine disconnect on a Ruger SR22 pistol.