May 31, 1930 was the birthday of actor/director/producer Clint Eastwood.  Happy 96th birthday! — On the 31st of May 1970, an earthquake off the coast of Peru caused a substantial section of the north slope of Mt. Huascaran to collapse. The avalanche moved downhill at a speed estimated at 175 to 210 mph. with a mass of roughly 80 million cubic meters of ice, mud, and rock. The avalanche traveled nearly 11 miles, burying the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca in up to 300 feet of rock and debris. It is estimated that this earthquake and avalanche killed more than…

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The lever-action renaissance is not slowing down, with new models introduced that both celebrate the heritage and history of the design and those that attempt to take the lever gun to its most modern and tactical extremes. Derya Arms got its start importing firearms from its parent company in Turkey and now has a manufacturing base in the U.S. as well. The company’s latest entry in the lever-action market, the RAN series of rifles and pistols, seeks to “reimagine” the modern lever gun. Derya Arms new RAN series of lever-action rifles combine traditional and modern features. The basis of the…

Among today’s firearm platforms, the shotgun remains one of the most time-tested, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Today’s new crop of shotguns runs the gamut, giving modern shotgunners new options in nearly every conceivable category. From break-action designs with a third barrel to modernized semi-automatics that provide more reliable operation than ever before, it’s a good time to be a shotgun fan. Check out 18 of the latest and greatest new shotguns on the market today. American Tactical | Cavalry 3B Tasteful scrollwork on the receiver, checkering on the wrist and fore-end and internal chokes with…

Most shooters don’t need a “war belt.” While enthusiasts like the idea of preparing for every contingency, the vast majority of us need a reliable platform for a range session, a training class or a local club match. In a true emergency, a belt that we regularly use and train with is superior to a complex rig gathered only for a worst-case scenario. The war-belt concept gets complicated. Social media often suggests that anything less than a direct-action rig with a dozen pouches is insufficient. For the everyday marksman, we need to scale back to something simple, streamlined and effective:…

For the last six years, I have been supplementing my retirement income by working as a rideshare driver. At first, I was a little apprehensive about picking up complete strangers and all of the potential danger that might entail. After almost 20,000 rides, I can honestly say that there was only one experience where I thought my personal safety was at risk and it was relatively minor. Since those early days, rideshare companies have greatly improved their safety tools for both drivers and riders. Although I did not begin driving as an exercise in preparedness, it quickly became one. The…

On May 30, 1626, an explosion at the Wanggongchang Gunpowder Factory in Beijing destroyed part of the city and killed and estimated 20,000 people. Pictured above are ancient  Chinese cannon, near the Forbidden City. — And on May 30, 1806, future US President Andrew Jackson killed Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson accused Jackson’s wife of bigamy. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 124 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. This is the final round of the contest. There will not be a “Round 125”! — Take Note: Our editorial calendar is now filled…

  The Ruger Super Wrangler has become one of my favorite rimfires. Chambered in both .22 LR and .22 Magnum, equipped with adjustable sights and typically selling for around $300, it’s hard to argue with the value. Recently, my friend Andy Larsson — yes, the same Andy Larsson behind Skinner Sights — sent me one of his new Ruger Super Wrangler Optics Mounts. The concept is wonderfully simple. Remove the factory front and rear sights, bolt on the rail, and you’re in business. Installation took all of about a minute. I happened to have an old 2X Redfield pistol scope…

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So, the Maryland “Glock ban” legislation’s  (SB 334) synopsis says: “Prohibiting, on or after January 1, 2027, a person from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, purchasing, receiving, or transferring a certain machine gun convertible pistol, subject to certain exceptions; requiring the Department of State Police to adopt regulations to implement the requirements of the Act, including publishing a list of prohibited machine gun convertible pistols; etc.” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed the legislation into law. The “certain machine gun convertible pistol(s)” they are referring to are, essentially, Glocks; specifically, however, the Maryland statute excludes hammer-fired semiautomatic pistols and striker-fired…