In a recent video I showed installing a free float rail on an AR-15. In this video I explain the Keymod rail mounting system and why I like it.
I used a Keymod rail, which is a way to attach accessories.
The keyhole shaped mounting holes are secure. They are easy to slid the part in, and tighten it down.
This allows parts to be installed and removed easily. I have this rail on several rifles. It is inexpensive and holds my accessories easily.
I find the keymod system to be both easy to use and sturdy. A plus is that I like how it looks.
In conclusion, I would not pick a firearm accessory strictly on looks because I’m not a mall ninja, but it is nice when you can get function and looks.
There is a lot of confusion, miscommunication, misconceptions, and flat out lies in the gun world. This is especially true when it comes to the National Firearms Act and how it regulates things like suppressors, machine guns, destructive devices, short barrel rifles, and my favorite – Short Barrel Shotguns.
Today I want to clear up some of the confusion with some information on how the BATFE goes about measuring shotgun barrels for legality. This actually works for any firearm measurement so it also works for Short barrel rifles as well.
The length measurement has to be standardized so that different people won’t measure the same gun and come up with different measurements. Otherwise I can cut a gun and be 100 per cent certain I am legal and some agent can measure their way and arrest me.
The measurement is from the breech face of the closed bolt through the barrel to the muzzle.
I think that if I was doing this a lot, I would get me a dowel rod and paint a red mark at the exact legal limit, as long as I dripped it down the barrel on a closed and empty action and saw wood in between the mark and the muzzle I would know I was good on length.
Contact shooting is just what it sounds like. Putting the muzzle of the weapon in contact with the target and shooting it. This is done when you absolutely cannot afford to miss. An example of this would be your spouse or child being attacked and they are wrestling on the ground. Traditional aiming would be unsafe as there is too much movement and the good guy is too close to the bad guy.
The technique shown in the video is for locked breech guns that won’t fire when they are out of battery. Out of battery means the slide is depressed enough so that the gun is no longer locked.
This is particularly useful with Glocks, but it is applicable to many other makes and models.
Please take note that the gun not firing out of battery does not apply to all guns. I have owned semi-automatic pistols that would fire when the slide was depressed. Also, in class demonstrations with unloaded guns I have had the slide depresses, but not depressed enough so that the striker will fall.
Therefore:
Do not demonstrate the technique shown on the video with a loaded gun, mistakes can allow the gun to fire out of battery.
I have done this demonstration many times, and have guided students to do it hundreds of times. It is “scary” as many students are afraid the slide will come back and break their thumb.
This will not happen if pressure is placed on the back of the slide. This keeps the barrel locked and prevents the slide from moving under recoil. Do not let the slide move….
If you do not press the slide closed, and movement to the rear is started, it can hurt your thumb.
This is not a technique that needs a lot of practice, as it is a close proximity shot under extreme circumstances. Very few people will ever use this technique, but having it the tool box can be a lifesaver.
This is a guest post, I don’t agree that a bow is anywhere close to being the most effective self defense weapon, but in the spirit that people who don’t/can’t own firearms still need self defense tools I am posting it. Besides I still get comments on my video discussing why I don’t like the .410 Judge for a self defense gun.
Archery for home defense…hmmm… you think this is the silliest thing you’ve ever heard?
Let me give you a story:
In 1997, a tale was given of how Claude Gates successfully defends his shop against intruders with only a crossbow. He ordered the burglar to stop, but he refused to, prompting Mr. Gates to fire two shots at him. One of the bolts struck him on the side while the other hit his leg. Mr. Gates was hesitant to acquire a firearm in fear of it being used against him in the heat of the battle. The victim and was arrested!
More such incidents of people using the bow and arrow to defend themselves have been documented, making it clear that archery-based weapons are effective at defending yourself from a physical threat (when in the hands of the right person).
When put on a comparison table with a firearm, the most trusted self-defense weapon by man, archery for self-defense shows a number of benefits that I’ll be discussing with you in a few moments…
Advantages of Home Defense Bow
Portability
One of the things you’ll get to like about using home defense bow is the portability it gives you.
Take for instance the highly efficient takedown bow; it comes in three pieces – middle grip section and two limbs – which you can easily separate by twisting a few lug screws and bam! It becomes extremely portable, unlike most of the home defense options.
You can quickly stash the bag in your bug out bag for easy carry. Plus, it’s incredibly lightweight, adding to its portability.
Versatility
Modern bows have seen tremendous improvements, making them even more suitable for the self-defense task.
Most of the new carbon fiber arrows you’ll get on the market today come with a handy tip that works with a variety of screws in your arrow tips.
This means you’ll have an extensive selection of tips to pick from, from the standard practice tips, small games tips, broad head tips, hook tip, and so much more.
Home Defense Bows Works Silently
When in a self-defense situation, you’d need the convenience of a silent and deadly weapon.
Lucky for you, the bow and arrow makes an ultra-quiet but deadly weapon.
Imagine a scenario where you’re camping in a national forest, and you find yourself under attack in the middle of the night. If you’d just place yourself in a dark corner (where you can easily observe them) with your arrow docked on your bow, the attackers ill have a really hard time telling your exact location.
This will be a huge plus for you, as you’ll have an easy time taking them down, one by one.
Affordability
We’re living in hard economic times. That being said, you’d want to look for an effective self-defense weapon that does not cost you a fortune.
Despite their effectiveness, the bows come with pocket-friendly prices which make them affordable for all, including those on a tight budget.
Besides the bow, the ammunition (arrows) is also cost effective. Once you’ve fully cultivated your archery skills, you’ll find it easy to retrieve all your arrows after making shots and reuse them again and again.
Even better, you can practice making your own bow using readily available materials – like wooden dowels plant shafts, or even the natural found wood.
Legal Limitations
You’ll agree with me when I say the legal restrictions tend to be less strict on bows and arrows than with the guns and bullets.
With this in mind, you’ll enjoy the freedom of using an equally deadly weapon without having to deal with any permits and paperwork.
And the less you have to deal with all this paperwork, the better – particularly when things become messy.
The only (Main) downsides associated with using archery for self-defense:
You’ll need to undergo some intense practice to master archery skills for efficient shooting
The arrows might become a bit cumbersome to pack sometimes.
Powerful Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Home Defense Bow
Know the capabilities and limitations of your weapon.
For instance, the crossbows – the most popular home defense bows – come with different levels of strength.
The higher the power of your crossbow, the harder it might become to pull the string. A 50lb model will be the easiest to pull back as it comes with the least strength; the 150lb models have superior shooting power but will take time and energy to load.
Practice shooting with your bow regularly.
If you buy your home defense bow and keep in your basement, only to retrieve it when intruders come to your home, it might not offer you much help.
An experienced archer knows the importance of regular practicing with their equipment; it keeps them fully prepared to face any attack that comes their way.
Also, you’d want to consider investing in additional accessories, like a drop away arrow rest. They give you a better archery experience.
Use the Home Field Advantage
When under attack, always remember to use the familiarity of your home surroundings to your advantage.
No intruder knows your property more than you do. Exploiting this advantage in your strategy will give you an advantage over any intruder!
Always have a backup weapon.
Although it’s relatively rare, your bow might fail when you’re in the midst of an attack. To prevent such unfortunate incidents, I’d advise you to carry a backup weapon, pepper spray.
Having empty hand combat skills will also be a significant advantage. Know how to kick, throw a punch, escape common holds, and the pressure points. If you’ve already to shoot the intruder and it hasn’t weakened them, try exploiting their wound to your advantage in close range combat.
Know the laws of your region.
Despite the lax laws on archery weapons, some states don’t allow folks to use them.
They consider a bow as a deadly weapon, given its ability to kill a person.
Shooting a person who hasn’t been involved in illegal activity with your bow could lead to serious legal consequences.
Get an Alarm System
Do you have an early means of warning? This could be a home security system or a dog that barks to alert when your home is under attack. This will help you arm yourself in advance as well as secure your family.
Final Thoughts
With your home defense bow, you can easily fight any attackers at your home. As with any other home defense weapon, the effectiveness of your bow will largely depend on the archer (you). With the right strategy execution and preparedness level, you can easily defend your home, business, etc.
The best part about using archery for home defense is that it’s also a hobby that helps relieve stress while increasing your “archery IQ.”
Even if no intruder enters your home in your lifetime, you’ll have enjoyed a fun, inexpensive hobby!
Its cheaper to buy bulk, but you can click the picture to order 5
As I have talked about earlier I have a thief problem at the land. In this post I am Attaching Beams to Shipping Container Corners so I can add a palisade style gate between the two boxes so I can fence the area between them in.
Since I have 2 40 foot boxes, and they are siting parallel to each other and 20 feet apart, if I add gates to secure the area between them I will greatly increase my secure space.
Their are also other reasons you may want to add beams to the corners of your containers, one good one would be to add a roof. (which is also in the plan.
Now the way I did this is not the best way, I had bought a long slab of cold rolled steel that I was going to cut and make a long rectangular washer to securely attach the beams, but for much less I found large washers that when installed grabbed the edge of the holes in the corners of the boxes by about 1/8 in on each side.
This is not enough for long term, but since the boxes are only sited temporarily, and I plan on connecting the beams together over the top of the box, I feel this will work.
The Process
I set flat bricks next to each box corner, and measured the distances for the holes in the timbers.
Using a 1/2 drill bit I drilled through each timber – once at the bottom and another at the top.
By driving the bolts through the holes so that the threads went inside the corners of the boxes, I ensures I would not have bolt ends interfering with the travel of the gate.
The hard part was the bottom connections. The hole was too small for my hand and it was very difficult to ensure get the washers on the bolts, and then ensure they grabbed the sides of the corner box as I tightened them. After several hours of cursing my wife tried it and her small hand actually fit inside. She was able to set a pole in 10 minutes versus the hour it took me.
The top connections were simple because they were open and I could fit my hand down from the top.
I like this method because I do not want to modify the boxes in any way until they are sitting in the permanent location and I cover them with sandbags and cement. (not a bunker!).
Now you can see how I go about attaching beams to shipping container corners.
