Best Pump Action Shotguns of 2020 Ultimate Review
The 4 Best Hunting Spotlights – Reviews 2020 Photo by Stròlic Furlàn / CC BY When you think of hunting with a light, you might think of the cliché of a couple of poachers with spotlights sitting in the woods gunning down deer out in the boonies, but the reality is, in many parts of the US there are ample opportunities to legally hunt animals with a light. Typically, these are species considered a pest by virtue of population size, and it is in the best interest of all to thin the population by any humane means. Enter night hunting. A good hunting light makes it easier than ever to locate predators like coyotes when they are most active, and of course the classic “deer in the headlights” look applies here as well. Either way, night hunting is a popular way to hunt where legal, and there are a ton of lights out there to look over (and we go over what criteria you should look for in the best hunting spotlights after our recommendations). Anyways, we’ve waded through the good, the bad, and the ugly and found 4 great lights for yuo, from handheld to weapon mounted. Take a look! Streamlight Waypoint Spotlight Streamlight 44902 Waypoint Spotlight with 12V DC Power Cord, Black - 550 Lumens Price: $56.17 Price as of 08/14/2020 03:33 PDT (more info) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Streamlight is known for high quality weapon-mounted flashlights, so it’s no wonder they bring their years of experience in building combat proven lights to making a top-notch spotlight. This bad boy can off a standard 12v outlet or from four standard C-sized batteries, throws a bright 210 lumen beam off a specially designed parabolic reflector to get maximum range and intensity, and features a shockproof LED bulb with a 50,000 hour rated runtime. In other words, this is a hardcore little handheld spotlight. Get one for hunting or for your car emergency kit or to keep at home when the lights go out. This is a valuable tool and an affordable one too. It’s one of the best hunting spotlights for the money. Orion Predator Rechargeable Hunting Light Orion H30 Red Premium 273 Yards Long Range Predator Hog Varmint Hunting Flashlight Light Kit with Remote Pressure Switch, Rechargeable Battery and Charger Price: $129.95 Price as of 08/14/2020 03:33 PDT (more info) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. How about getting a nice red or green high intensity hunting light that mounts to your favorite scope? Great idea, right? This light ( see full specs ) is just the ticket for an intense night of coyote hunting. Featuring a powerful 300 lumen red or green light, rechargeable battery, rings to mount on a standard 1” rifle scope, variable power output, rugged titanium finished steel bezel, a 273 yard range, and military grade construction, and a remote pressure switch, this is one tough light. Personally, it’s my top choice for night hog or coyote hunts, and at this price, there is little reason not to invest in this tough little number. WindFire Barrel Mounted Light WINDFIRE WF-802 350 Lumens Waterproof Tactical Flashlight 250 "Yards Long Range" Throwing RED LED Coyote Hog Hunting Torch with Pressure Switch & Barrel Mount & 18650 Rechargeable Battery and Charger Price: $36.98 Price as of 08/14/2020 03:33 PDT (more info) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. On a budget? Spent all your money on premium ammo and building the ultimate varmint gun? Forgot the light? Got some spare dough in your pocket? Well, here is a powerful and elegant solution. The WindFire waterproof tactical flashlight throws a powerful 350 lumen red beam that cuts through the night out to 250 yards. Comes complete with barrel mounting hardware, a rechargeable battery, remote pressure switch, and can even be used as a standalone flashlight when not mounted on your rifle. The absolute best spotlight for hunting at night that you can get on a budget. Might even be worth getting two; one for the rifle and one in case an upright, two-legged coyote decides to break into your house. Kohree Hunting Headlamp Kohree 80000Lux Cree XML U2 LED Coyote Hunting Light K111Lm Mining Headlamp Lighting 20Hours with 4 Optical Filters, 10W, 11000 mAh Price: Price as of 08/14/2020 03:33 PDT (more info) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Rounding out our run on the best hunting spotlights, we think this headlamp is a fantastic choice. Nothing beats throwing a powerful beam of light exactly where you are looking. This feature-rich and wallet-friendly light ( see full specs ) comes with four different color filters, a high power, long life battery, 1.2 meter cable so you can mount this light anywhere on your person, a powerful 10w Cree LED, four brightness settings, and attaches to most any hat designed to take an attached light. For hunting, construction work, walking at night, or most any application where a powerful headlamp is useful, this is the light for you! The Low Down on Hunting Spotlights Hunting lights are typically glorified flashlights. What sets them apart from other lights is their more rugged construction, light color, and sometimes the ability to mount on a weapon or hat. You want a hunting light that can stand up to the rigors of hard outdoor use, and still turn on as long as the battery has a charge. The predator-hunting spotlights will mount to your rifle or hat, while others prefer a handheld spotlight. Hunting lights will be mostly (legally) used on predator and varmint hunts. If you want to play Bubba spotlighting a deer, we don’t want to hear about it! The needs of a raccoon, coyote, or hog hunter neatly overlap to the point where you could use the same gear for any of it. Typically, night hunting involves going after predator animals when they are most active and catching them in the act so to speak. A good hunting light will help you find your quarry by illuminating their eyes or lighting them up in a tree. The best hunting lights are red or green, as this preserves your night vision, while still serving as a useful and effective light. After all, nobody wants to be in the woods and blinded by their own light. Ultimately, choosing the best spotlights for hunting comes down to power output and batteries. Some lights require special rechargeable batteries, although spares can be had, and they typically have an output of up to ten hours, which ensures a long hunt. When in doubt, carry a spare charged battery and you are good to go. Power and range of beam are two other topics, both of which have resulted in much spilled ink. I wouldn’t bother with a light that couldn’t throw a solid beam at least 150 yards, and many will do two or three times that with ease. The focus of the beam is important too, as you don’t want too narrow, nor too broad a beam. When in doubt, go into a dark room and turn on the light to see for yourself how it works. After that, it’s just a question of if you are mounting it on top of your rifle scope (I like this method) or on the barrel of your rifle (tidier but more muzzle heavy) or on your person. The best hunting spotlight will bring joy and success to your hunt, and should be carefully studied on before buying. Boyd Smith Owner of Reloaderaddict.com, Boyd Smith is a major handgun enthusiast, and although he owns Glocks, he prefers the revolving wheel type. His go-to guns are a Smith & Wesson 642 Performance Center for carry and a Ruger GP100 in the nightstand biometric safe (he has kids). He loads both revolvers with old-school 148-grain Federal Gold Medal .38 wadcutters. It’s OK if you think he’s a wimp. Email him . Share the Post and Images Related Posts The 4 Best Hunting Watches "– Reviews 2020" The 4 Best Hunting Sunglasses – Reviews 2020 The 4 Best Hunting Rifle Slings – Reviews 2020
[Review] Escape from Tarkov: Hardcore Shooter for Gun Nerds
Trending: Best Places to Buy Ammo Online and [Buyer's Guide] 7 Best AR-15s If you’re anything like us, you probably waste a good amount of your life playing first-person shooters when you’re not shitposting about guns online. So strap on those carpal tunnel braces and grab your mountain dew, fellow nerds, because today we’re going to tell you why you should be playing Escape From Tarkov ! Wait, You’re a Gaming Site Now? Absolutely not – however, it’s probably reasonable to suspect that a lot of us first got into firearms through early exposure to vidyagames – be that Goldeneye 64, the Battlefield franchise, Call of Duty (when it was good), etc. Gun reviews and gear guides are always going to be our bread and butter, but it’s fun to take a break occasionally and tell you guys about some of the other things we have fun with that tie into our normal content reasonably well. Who’s It For? Tarkov is an incredibly realistic first-person shooter that’s definitely not for the faint of heart. Compared to many other FPS franchises out there, Tarkov rewards players who move through their environment tactically and efficiently and also punishes you for dying by making you forfeit every piece of gear you had on you when killed. Yeah, it sucks – but the end result of tension makes it quite unlike any other shooter we’ve ever played. Combined with an absurdly detailed gun customization system, incredible sound design, and an intricate armor, ammo and trauma mechanic – "Escape From Tarkov" has easily become one of our favorite ways to waste time when we’re not playing with real guns. Check out our full video review below!
Survival Shotgun Part 6: Cleaning and Maintenance
Many shotguns, especially pump guns, can run well for long periods of time between cleanings. However, in a survival situation your life may depend on that gun and you need to know it’s in perfect working order every time. Part 1: 6 Reasons You Need One Part 2: Choosing Gauge and Type Part 3: Choosing The Gun Part 4: Understanding Loads Part 5: Myths Explained Quick Navigation Survival Maintenance Boresnake Cleaning Kit Autoloaders Alternative Cleaners Lubricants Survival Maintenance When you fire a shotgun, you are not only leaving primer and powder residue, but also plastic residue from wads or lead from slugs . There are many products available to clean the bore of all these residues using nylon coated rods, brass brushes, and cotton patches. For the prepper, this is largely unnecessary. Boresnake For a survival pump you really don’t need much more than a Hoppe’s BoreSnake . The boresnake is a long cloth tube that has brush bristles and cloth wipe that you slide through the bore of your gun. That’s basically all you need to clean up a pump shotgun in one go and it’s around $20 . The package is small, light and cheap enough to pack an extra in your But Out Bag . To be honest, sometimes I don’t even clean my pump gun until I notice slug accuracy falling off. Cleaning Kit It may be a good idea to invest in a larger cleaning kit with rods and brushes once your setup and comfortable with the BoreSnake. You will get better slug accuracy if you can clean the barrel thoroughly, but you must if the cost, extra weight, and effort are worth this. Do You Have Concealed Carry Weapon Insurance? Self-defense can land you into major legal battles, or even jail . USCCA provides top-class CCW insurance plus training for you and your family at $22/mo with $2,000,000 in coverage. Join USCCA As a shooter who puts a large volume of buck and slugs through my shotgun, I have a dedicated shotgun rod with jags and brushes, but I typically use them for a 6 months- 1 year deep cleaning that a BoreSnake can not perform. Autoloaders I have an autoloader that is gas operated and requires a full detail strip after each trip. It’s a solid design and well made, and I anticipate many years of service from it, as long as I keep up the preventative maintenance and watch a few parts for wear. If you have chosen to run an autoloader, expect to do the same. Recoil operated guns do not require as much maintenance, but gas operated guns may have o-rings and springs that need to be watched. Find out which parts are prone to breaking down and keep backups, so that you do not have to engineer or rig a solution later. Keep a backup to the backup part if possible, and keep a paper and electronic copy of the manual so you know how to install the part. Alternative Cleaners In a survival situation you can use some dual-use products to clean and maintain your shotgun. WD-40 , ATF, or kerosene will clean fouling from the barrel. If you can mix the ATF and kerosene, it will work even better; there is a recipe for a home brew gun cleaning solvent called “ Ed’s Red ” where ATF and kerosene are major components. To apply the solvent a tampon with some fishing line will do nicely as an improvised bore snake. If you cannot get your hands on a tampon, pieces of worn out t-shirt tied to a line will work as well. The key is to saturate the barrel, let the solvent stand, and then wipe out the fouling. Lubricants You will then need to lubricate the inside of the barrel, moving parts, and lightly coat the outside metal. Too much lubrication is bad, concentrate on where metal moves against metal. Standard motor oil in a heavy viscosity or 3-in-1 oil can be used to lubricate moving parts and prevent surface rust. If you have dropped your shotgun in some dirt, with no resources and a non-functional weapon, you can do a quick field strip, brush off the dirt, and lubricate the key points with the dipstick of an automobile. The shotgun is rugged and simple enough that you can be back in action that easily. Top photo by: Jon Whitton Other interesting articles: Survival Shotgun Part 2: Choosing Gauge and Type "Survival Shotgun Part" 3: Choosing the Gun Survival Shotgun Part 1: 6 Reasons You Need One Survival Shotgun Part 4: Understanding Loads
Top 9 Best Survival Flashlight Reviews for 2020
Whether you are shopping for a flashlight for your everyday carry, your bug-out bag , or just an emergency survival flashlight for around the house, you want to make sure you have the most dependable light possible. You typically reach for a flashlight when things are not as they should be. The situation may be as simple as a burned-out light bulb in a dark closet or as dire as an area-wide disaster that has left all the public utilities compromised. Either way, when you reach for that flashlight, you want it to work. Depending on the situation, different flashlights fill different roles in a survival situation. There are also considerations about the type of light source, the battery, and the size that are important. Choosing that flashlight is crucial and, in some circumstances, can be lifesaving. Before we get into it, check out hand-picked products that I recommend: #1 Recommended Our Top Pick The EVATAC Pro-XML Flashlight Rated at 1200 lumens LED. Compact size will fit anywhere Comes with battery charger, and tactical storage case View Latest Price Multi-Purpose Multi-Purpose Procharge Survival Flashlight Charge battery using USB or Solar Includes belt cutter, glass breaker, and phone charger Perfect to place in your bag, vehicle, or home "View Latest Price" Quick Navigation Best Survival Flashlight: Our Top 9 Picks 1. Top Recommendation – EVATAC Pro-XML Flashlight Review 2. Multi-tool Flashlight – Procharge Review 3. Best EDC Survival Flashlight – Fenix PD35 Tactical Flashlight Review 4. EDC Survival Flashlight (2nd Place) – Surefire E2D Defender Ultra Review 5. Best Standard Battery Survival Flashlight – Nitecore EA41 Review 6. Best Budget Survival Flashlight – Smith and Wesson Galaxy Review 7. Best Full-Sized Survival Flashlight – Maglight LED 3-Cell D Flashlight Review 8. Best Right-Angle Survival Flashlight – Streamlight 90540 LED Right Angle Flashlight Review 9. Best Headlamp Survival Flashlight – Fenix HM23 Review What We Look for in a Survival Flashlight Survival Flashlight Questions What are Lumens? How do LEDs Work? If LEDs Run Cooler Than Conventional Lights, How Come my LED Light Gets Hot? Before You Choose a Survival Flashlight "Best Survival Flashlight" : Our Top 9 Picks Let’s get into the reviews! 1. Top Recommendation – EVATAC Pro-XML Flashlight Review The EVATAC Pro-XML is our #1 recommendation. Rated at 1200 lumens, this is a super bright LED flashlight at only around 4 inches in length. It’s jam-packed with brightness but small enough to fit into an EDC, or go-bag. The flashlight is powered by 18650 lithium-ion batteries. Overall, lithium baterries have a much longer life than typical lead acid batteries. You can change the settings to 5-different modes of operation: Full Light, Half Light, Low Light, SOS (perfect for emergency situations), and Strobe. I really love the fact they add a SOS feature; in critical situations, most people tend to “freeze” and having such a feature can really save you! Compact at only 3.77 inches long and 1.3 inches wide Made out of aircraft-grade aluminum body Waterproof, freeze-proof, stainless, and rustproof! Comes with a battery charger (no more dead batteries!), and a lock down hard case for storage. SurvivalCache.com Exclusive Discount: EVATAC has provided our visitors with a special offer. For a limited time, these are on a liquidation sale! EVATAC ordered way too many and they want to sell them quickly. Get the discount by going here , or clicking below as well. #1 Recommended Recommended The EVATAC Pro-XML Flashlight Rated at 1200 lumens LED. Compact size will fit anywhere Comes with battery charger, and tactical storage case View Latest Price 2. Multi-tool Flashlight "– Procharge Review" Multi-tool flashlights are becoming the norm. The Procharge light has a built-in battery that can be charged via USB or it’s solar panels on the siding of the handle ! You won’t run of batter anytime soon with this one. The body of the flashlight is made of aircraft-grade aluminum. It also has a built-in belt cutter, glass breaker, and phone charger. This is the #1 device to have in a crisis situation. The Procharge has three modes of operations: high light, low light, and strobe light. We at SurvivalCache.com recommend that if you are to buy a flashlight, it should have other features built-in to it. The Procharge fits our criteria perfectly! Multi-Purpose Multi-Purpose "Procharge Survival Flashlight" Charge battery using USB or Solar Includes belt cutter, glass breaker, and phone charger Perfect to place in your bag, vehicle, or home View Latest Price 3. Best EDC Survival Flashlight – Fenix PD35 "Tactical Flashlight Review" For many of us, carrying a small tactical style flashlight as part of our everyday carry has become second nature. In our world where light is available at the flick of a switch, many of us forget that darkness can happen almost instantly. Large buildings, subways, movie theaters are just some of the places you may find yourself in the dark and with a need to find your way out. Fenix came to the US market in 2005 and immediately caught the attention of the military and law enforcement community. Attention to detail and the production of high lumen lights at a reasonable garnered Fenix a solid market share. Fenix has continued to lead the industry with its innovative designs and engineering. Fenix delivers on its reputation with some impressive features. Produces 1,000 lumens for up to 2.75 hours Low-level usage at 8 lumens can run for up to 140 hours CREE XP-L(V5) LED 125 inches in diameter and 5.6 inches long, the PD35 flashlight is the perfect size for everyday carry. Weighs only 4.2 ounces with the batteries Waterproof Advanced digitally control to regulate power output for consistent brightness Multiple modes of operation for the best efficiency Users consistently rate Fenix flashlights well. The PD35 is no exception. Pros Incredibly bright. Tough and durable all-aluminum construction Can use rechargeable or regular batteries Cons Gets hot in a hurry at the highest illumination Two-button controls can be confusing In extremely cold weather, the LED may flicker We chose the Fenix PD35 as our Best Overall EDC Survival Flashlight because it offers the best performance, durability, and features at the best price. If you can only afford one survival flashlight to carry every day, the Fenix PD35 tactical flashlight should be in your pocket. Fenix PD35 TAC 1000 Lumen CREE XP-L LED Tactical Flashlight with Two... 1000 Lumen max utilizing Cree XP-L (V5) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours Uses one rechargeable Li-ion battery or two 3V CR123A Lithium batteries See Price on Amazon Last update on 2020-08-14 at 06:18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 4. EDC Survival Flashlight (2nd Place) – Surefire E2D "Defender Ultra Review" Without a doubt, the choice of lights by most military operators is the Surefire E2D Defender. Across the board, when asked, law enforcement, military, and emergency first responders will choose the Surefire E2D to carry at work and at play. Surefire has a long history of high-quality engineering and manufacturing, using only the best materials. The E2D is no exception. This flashlight is often the standard against which other EDC flashlights are measured. The list against which other flashlights face in the challenge is impressive. Dual output functions for energy conservation Delivers 1,000 lumens for 2.75 ours At 5 lumens runtime is 63 hours Crenelated strike bezel and scalloped tail cap for strike surface use Mil-Spec hard-anodized aluminum construction Dual function pocket clip Single tail button control for easy manipulation even with gloves You don’t find many complaints about the Surefire E3D Ultra. When you do, you almost always find that Surefire customer service was on top of the issue with a quick solution. Pros Can be rifle mounted with optional accessories Intense bright light on high setting with a long runtime Perfect size for everyday carry. Fits in a shirt pocket easily Great distance and reach. Cons No Strobe Expensive If you want the best, you can’t get much better than the Surefire E2D Defender Ultra. The only reason that the Surefire E2D isn’t our overall top pick is the price. You are going to pay a bit more to carry the Surefire E2D Ultra. A lot of people do make that choice making the Surefire E2D a top seller. SureFire E2D Defender Ultra E2DLU-A Dual-Output 1000 Lumens Tactical LED... POWERFUL & BRIGHT - E2D Defender Tactical utilizes virtually indestructible high-performance LED. It... TACTICAL - The E2D Defender Tactical's design provides enhanced self-defense capabilities. See Price on Amazon Last update on 2020-08-14 at 06:28 / Affiliate links / Images from "Amazon Product Advertising" API 5. "Best Standard Battery" Survival Flashlight – Nitecore EA41 Review Nitecore isn’t as well-known as some of the other brands of survival flashlights, but they have quickly gained a reputation for producing gold flashlights with solid engineering. The many designs and engineering awards the brand has garnered over the past few years is a testament to the emphasis Nitecore puts on quality and customer service. The Nitecore EA41 offers the same sorts of features with one bonus. Many users complain about the difficulty in finding the specialty batteries that many tactical EDC flashlights require. Nitecore addresses that problem directly. The Nitecore EA41 is designed to use standard AA batteries as its power source. No more searching specialty stores for batteries. The convenience of buying standard AA batteries makes the Nitecore EA41 a prime choice for many who are looking for an EDC survival flashlight. Easy to find batteries is not the only standout feature of the Nitecore EA41 flashlight. CREE XM-L2 US cool white or neutral white LED light Uses 4 AA batteries 1020 lumens output with 1.75 hours of runtime 520 lumens yields 2.75 hours of runtime Strobe, SOS and location beacon features built-in Weighs only 5.33 ounces Aircraft-grade aluminum construction Dual switch operation Integrated power indicator While not too many people are familiar with the Nitecore line of flashlights. Those who have become users of these lights praise the durability and quality of these flashlights. Pros Switches offer an easy to use one-handed way to control the functions of the flashlight Well-constructed and designed. Fits nicely in hand. Very bright and gets good distance Cons Can’t use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Careful when using the included holster that you don’t accidentally turn on the light putting it back in. The convenience of using standard AA batteries in your EDC flashlight is attractive to many people. Unfortunately, many of the low-end, tactical style flashlights that use AA batteries just don’t offer the light or the runtime necessary for an ESC flashlight. The Nitecore EA41 has met that challenge and in a package that doesn’t bust your budget. Nitecore EA41 1020 Lumen Cree XM-L2 U2 LED Flashlight Compact Searchlight 1020 lumens maximum brightness and 366 yards beam Easy to use dual mode switch and power switch; Five output levels & Strobe SoS See Price on Amazon Last update on 2020-08-14 at 06:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 6. "Best Budget Survival" Flashlight – Smith and "Wesson Galaxy Review" Say Smith and Wesson and almost everyone immediately thinks of guns with good reason. With a history dating back to the early years of this country, Smith and Wesson have a proud history of producing some of the most iconic firearms in history. Their reputation for quality is at the top of the ladder. What most people don’t realize is that Smith and Wesson also produce some of the best lines of tactical gear as well. This includes flashlights. Their Galaxy mid-sized flashlight is one of the most popular. If you need a flashlight a bit bigger than a tactical EDC flashlight for your car, home, or gear bag, the Smith and Wesson Galaxy should fit the bill. The Galaxy flashlight features a 12 LED array in a durable aluminum housing. In addition to the 15-lumen flashlight, the LED array also houses red, blue, and green LEDs to allow just the right color setting for the conditions without having to fumble for lens filters. Other features make this the best budget buy in a mid-sized flashlight. Impact-resistant aluminum construction Waterproof to 6 meters Dual function switch system for mounted on the barrel of the flashlight for easy use. 5-hour runtime Uses 3 AAA batteries Limited Lifetime Warranty Pros Great flashlight for utility purposes. The color LEDs a handy, especially the red for reading maps at night without ruining night vision Uses AAA batteries which are easy to find Cons The light can be a little dim when using only the color mode LEDs The design requires you to cycle through all the modes to get to a specific color. This can be distracting, especially at night. The Smith and Wesson Galaxy is a great addition to a bug-out bag, get-home bag, or just to have handy for utility purposes. It is not by any stretch of the imagination a tactical light. However, everyone should have a good utility light in their kit. The Smith and Wesson Galaxy handles that chore perfectly at a minimal cost. Smith & Wesson Galaxy 12 LED 15 Lumen Flashlight with Dual Beam Function... SPECS: 3-hour 30-minute runtime, 6.25” overall length and weighs 7.6 oz BRIGHTNESS: Battery powered, LED flashlight (3xAAA included) See Price on Amazon Last update on 2020-08-14 at 06:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 7. Best Full- "Sized Survival Flashlight" – Maglight LED 3-Cell D Flashlight Review Until the advent of LEDs and high capacity batteries, the mainstay of the flashlight industry was the D-cell flashlight. The Maglite 3 D-cell flashlight was the choice of most emergency responders. Law enforcement officers prized them because of their quality and dependability and the rugged construction that allowed the hefty flashlights to break windows as a self-defense weapon when necessary. Now Maglite offers that same all-around useful flashlight in a modern version complete with multi-functional LED light. The Maglite LED 3-Cell D light maintains the same utilitarian design and ruggedness with the capabilities for long run time and extremely bright lights. To make the Maglite 3 D-cell light even more functional, Maglite offers three different configurations of features to fit the needs of almost any profession. The function sets are designed for outdoor use, military use, and law enforcement use. Water-resistant 625 lumens High power setting gives 16 hours of runtime Low power setting offers 77 hours of runtime Eco mode runs up to 117 hours Spot to flood adjustment in ¼ turn of the focusing head Pros Rugged and almost indestructible construction Made 100% in the USA The focus ability is essential in a full-sized flashlight. It makes this light much more versatile than comparable lights. Cons Heavy The Maglite LED #-Cell D Flashlight is the perfect flashlight to keep nearby in your home or in your vehicle. It feels good in your hand and adds a measure of comfort, not just because it is a dependable and functional flashlight, but also because it has enough heft and strength to survive some intense encounters. Sale Maglite LED 3-Cell D Flashlight, Black Superior quality craftsmanship with weather-resistant seals and anodized inside and out for improved... A premium drop resistant and water resistant flashlight renowned for its quality, durability and... See Price on Amazon Last update on 2020-08-14 at 06:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 8. Best Right- "Angle Survival Flashlight" – Streamlight 90540 LED "Right Angle Flashlight" Review Sometimes an unconventional flashlight is a better solution and the Streamlight 90540 LED Right Angle Flashlight is a perfect example. Designed for firefighters who need dependable and tough equipment that can survive extreme conditions, the Streamlight 90540 could also be the answer to your needs in a survival light. Firefighters need to have light in early impenetrable smoke conditions and keep their hands free for other work. The Streamlight is designed to hang from firefighter’s protective gear, project light forward, and survive conditions most flashlights would find deadly. These same sorts of conditions might be what you anticipate and having those capabilities in a flashlight the features you want. You won’t find yourself lacking if you chose the Streamlight 90540 flashlight. Rubber protected push button is easy to manipulate with gloves Uses either rechargeable NiCd batteries or 4 AA Alkaline batteries C4 LED light source High power, low power, emergency flash, and moonlight modes 175 lumens provide 405 meters of distance 5 hours runtime Lexan lens Waterproof Pros Tough and resilient Bright orange case makes it easy to find Bright beam on high and the moonlight mode is great in the tent when camping Cons No charging dock Sale Streamlight 90540 Survivor LED Right Angle Flashlight, Orange - 175 Lumens Rubber dome push button switch easy to use with gloves Dual power source: Rechargeable NiCd battery; also accepts 4 “AA” alkaline batteries See Price on Amazon Last update on 2020-08-14 at 09:08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 9. "Best Headlamp Survival" Flashlight – Fenix HM23 Review Hand-free light is essential, especially in a survival situation. Some jobs just require that you keep both hands free but have light exactly where you need it. Often, the solution to the dilemma of hands-free with light is to employ a good headlamp. No bug-out bag or get-home bag should be without a dependable headlamp. The Fenix HM23 is a great solution to the problem of keeping hands free with available light. This headlamp from Fenix brings all the qualities we have come to expect from Fenix flashlights in an ergonomic design at a reasonable price. The Fenix HM23 uses the same long-lasting LED system as the other Fenix flashlights. Fenix lights are noted for their durability and quality construction. This has made them a mainstay in many people’s EDC kits. The Fenix HM23 doesn’t lack the features we expect from Fenix lights. CREE neutral white LED Lightweight and compact 180-degree adjustable beam Uses one AA Alkaline Battery Waterproof 240 lumens on high setting with 8 hours of runtime Digitally regulated output One switch controls Pros Simple and easy to use controls Lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods Great bright light and good distance on the beam Cons Don’t expect 8 hours of runtime at full light output Whether you are out fishing and need to tie on a new lure or deep in the wilderness and needing both hands to fix a broken backpack strap or administer first aid, a solid and dependable headlamp can be the difference in success or failure. The Fenix HM23 is a superb choice for a headlamp whether the situation is recreation or survival. Fenix HM23 240 Lumen Compact Ultralight Single AA Headlamp and LumenTac AA... BRIGHT OUTDOOR HEADLAMP - The Fenix HM23 produces up to 240 lumens of neutral light giving you peace... COMPACT ULTRALIGHT HEADLAMP - The HM23 headlamp weighs in under 1.5 oz not including battery making... See Price on Amazon Last update on 2020-08-14 at 09:08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API What We Look for in a Survival Flashlight Picking a survival flashlight can be an overwhelming job. The market is flooded with LED flashlights, all claiming to be ‘tactical,’ ‘survival,’ or ‘mil-spec.” In truth, very few of them should be assumed to meet any of these classifications. As we considered our picks for the best survival flashlights, we looked at several criteria. Lumen output Features and modes Quality of construction Type of LED Price Our objective is to find the best combination of all these criteria in one package. However, making such choices always involves compromise. There may be areas in your needs for a survival flashlight that require no compromise in certain features or capabilities. Always consider your needs above any other recommendations. "Survival Flashlight Questions" What are Lumens? To keep the answer simple, think of lumens as a measure of light that you can see. The higher the lumen count, the brighter the light will appear to your eye. Lumens have nothing to do with power, often associated with ratings in watts such as 60w. How do LEDs Work? LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes are a product of the semiconductor industry. These small electronic parts have an interesting capability. When electricity flows in a specific direction through the material of which the LED is made, the LED emits light. LED’s consume less power than conventional incandescent bulbs and produce much less heat. Their life expectancy is many times that of conventional bulbs. If LEDs Run "Cooler Than Conventional" Lights, How Come my LED Light Gets Hot? Anything that produces light will get hot if driven hard enough. When your LED flashlight is used at the highest setting, the lamp will produce heat, which is taken away from the bulb and the electronics by the body of the flashlight, which serves as a heat sink. This is why good LED flashlights have a limiting technology that will only allow the flashlight to operate for a limited time at peak power. Before You Choose a Survival Flashlight Everyone’s needs and expectations of what a survival flashlight should do are different. We feel that the selections we have made bring the best possible combination of features, capabilities, and prices to our list. Before you choose from one of the best survival flashlights listed above, consider your own expectations, needs, and budget. We hope that our suggestions make your decision easier and more informed. Our recommendation is the EVATAC Pro-XML Flashlight . The high lumen output and the features for the price make this tactical survival flashlight our choice for everyday carry and inclusion in our gear bags. #1 Recommended Our Top Pick The EVATAC Pro-XML Flashlight Rated at 1200 lumens LED. Compact size will fit anywhere Comes with battery charger, and tactical storage case View Latest Price Multi-Purpose Multi-Purpose Procharge Survival Flashlight Charge battery using USB or Solar Includes belt cutter, glass breaker, and phone charger Perfect to place in your bag, vehicle, or home View Latest Price Other interesting articles: Top 5 Best Survival Poncho Reviews for 2020 Top 7 Best Survival Hatchet Reviews for 2020 Top 7 Best Folding Survival Knife Reviews for 2020
3 Best Bond Arms Derringers [Hands-On]
Trending: Best Places to Buy Ammo Online and [Buyer's Guide] 7 Best AR-15s Derringers. In a gun world of Glocks, HKs, and M&Ps derringers tend to be snubbed – pun intended – as small and useless . .410-loaded Bond Arms Snake Slayer It’s true that they’re tiny and their self-defense applications are extremely limited but that doesn’t mean they have no use whatsoever. Every gun owner should have a well-made derringer in their collection. Why? I’ll tell you why. Check out these awesome guns from derringer maker Bond Arms. Table of Contents Loading... History But first…some quick history! It was sometime between 1852 and 1868 when a tiny percussion pistol, the Philadelphia Deringer, was produced by gunsmith by the name of Henry Deringer. Henry Deringer Deringer didn’t patent his design, though, and a rather impressive number of copies flooded the market. Those copies included counterfeits bearing the gunsmith’s proofmark (a proofmark was a gunsmith’s unique stamp identifying his firearms). Those copies were derringers – yeah, there’s your second “R” – the additional “r” actually being a misspelling by the guys who stole his work. John Wilkes Booth’s Deringer used to assassinate Lincoln. Today the derringer is spelled with two R’s and tends to be associated with the Old West. There’s way more to them than that, though. For example, did you realize a .44 caliber Philadelphia Deringer was used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln? Never say a derringer can’t be lethal. Why Bond Arms? Quite a few manufacturers make derringers but as with any gun on the market they’re not created equal. Not even close. Bond Arms just might be the market’s premier derringer manufacturer and that’s why we’re focusing on them today. The company was founded in 1995 by Gordon Bond (who is pretty awesome himself). Bond Arms Bond has put a lot of work into carving out his company’s place in what is an admittedly niche market and the results speak for themselves. A lot of other manufacturers produce derringers by using cheap alloys but Bond Arms derringers are manufactured using the lost wax casting process to produce stainless steel components. Put simply, his guns are extremely well made. Check out this trio of pint-sized pistols. Best Bond Arms Derringers 1. Bond Arms Mama Bear Called the Mama Bear and for good reason. When you get a mental picture of this derringer just go ahead and picture an actual female grizzly: diminutive compared to the boys but ferocious as all get out. It has rosy-pink grips – and no, I am not a fan of pink, but some people are – and it ships with a .357 Magnum barrel (more on this feature later). The Bond Arms Mama Bear chambered in .357 Magnum and yes, those are pink grips. It has an overall length of 4.5-inches making it 0.5-inches smaller and a few ounces lighter than the Papa Bear model (of course there is a Papa Bear). Barrel side note: Bond Arms derringers are made using interchangeable over/under style barrels that are compatible with every Bond Arms derringer. How that works is the Mama Bear ships with a .357 Magnum/.38 Special barrel but if you want to you can buy a different barrel to run it with different chamberings. Other options include 9mm, .45 ACP, .45 Long Colt, and .410. Barrel length varies between 2.5-inches and 4.25-inches depending on caliber. This derringer – all their derringers – feature multiple safeties. There’s the obvious push-button cross-bolt safety but there’s also a rebounding hammer. The hammer, firing pin, and crossbolt safety on the Mama Bear. And unlike many manufacturers, Bond Arms derringers have a rotating mechanism to keep the barrel locked in place while you’re shooting. The cross-bolt safety is located behind the barrel at its center and is easy to manipulate engaged with your thumb or forefinger. The barrel-locking mechanism can be unlocked by pressing down on a cylindrical metal arm on the left side of the gun behind the trigger. Opening the barrel with this mechanism is how you load and unload the gun. Loading and unloading is done by open the barrel using the lever. All you have to do to lock it back down is press the barrel back in place; there is an audible “click” when it engages. The hammer of the Mama Bear was pretty stiff at first but it did smooth out with use; once I ran it for awhile I could manipulate it one-handed. Front blade and fixed rear sights come standard on these derringers but you do need to remember that shot placement depends on which of the two barrels you’re using. Point of aim versus point of impact, anyone? Gripping a derringer “properly” is a kind of a misnomer. It’s seriously small pistol so gripping it in a way that gives you the best-possible control and shot placement is going to vary by shooter. Yes, it’s a little gun, but loaded with .357 Magnum the Mama Bear packs a big punch. You can try a classic thumbs-down grip and it might work for you but I’ve found a tightly thumbs-forward grip works, too. One rather important detail: make sure your thumb doesn’t activate the barrel-locking arm during recoil or you’re going to be staring down the flipped-back barrel of the gun. Ask me how I know. Accuracy is another story altogether with derringers. These are pistols meant for super-close-range shooting. It’s possible to get a bull’s eye hit were at 3 yards using .38 Special and you can get in the general vicinity of the bull’s eye at that distance with .357 Magnum. As soon as you move back to four yards you can stay in an 8-inch circle with .38 Special. If it’s .357 Magnum, accuracy drops a lot faster. Remington Golden Saber .357 Magnum 125 Grain JHP 16.75 at Lucky Gunner Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 16.75 at Lucky Gunner Prices accurate at time of writing The Mama Bear delivers 0.25-inch and 0.5-inch four-shot groups with .38 Special and .357 Magnum, respectively, at three yards. Pairs fired with .38 Special at 12 yards stayed were accurate but not precise. Basically the further out you go the more difficult it gets to control point of aim and point of impact. Practice helps but come on, this is a teensy little gun. Best .38 Spl Training Ammo American Eagle .38 Spl 130 Grain FMJ 18.75 at Lucky Gunner Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 18.75 at Lucky Gunner Prices accurate at time of writing Bottom line? If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times. Bond Arms manufactures high-quality, reliable derringers. They’re fun to shoot although I do recommend moderation but they have some uses, too. They make great little guns for snakes while hunting and can certainly be used as backup guns if that’s your jam. Above all, they really are one of those guns collectors should have. As Gordon Bond says, try a hand cannon (believe me, you’ll feel its recoil like a diminutive cannon). They can pack a lethal punch, up close and personal. "Bond Arms Mama" Bear 420 at Sportsman's Warehouse Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 420 at Sportsman's Warehouse Prices accurate at time of writing What’s your take on the Mama Bear? Readers' Ratings 4.85/5 (26) Your Rating? 2. "Bond Arms Snake" Slayer Moving on to the gun I have used for what it’s named after: the Bond Arms Snake Slayer . This one just might be my favorite of all their derringers. The Snake Slayer is a great derringer for venomous reptiles in general. One thing I will say: if you’re going to shoot a snake make it a venomous one. Don’t shoot harmless snakes like rat snakes or eastern indigo snakes; there are a ton of snakes out there that help us rather than harming us. Anyway, back to the gun. "The Snake Slayer" sports a set of beautiful extended rosewood grips etched with the Bond Arms name and, yes, a snake. Its overall length is 5.5 inches and its empty weight is 22 ounces. The Bond Arms Snake Slayer with a .45 Colt/.410 barrel. That gives it a tiny bit of heft which helps somewhat offsetting recoil. Like I said before, each of the company’s derringers has an interchangeable over/under type barrels compatible with every frame. This one ships with either a .38 Special/.357 Magnum barrel or a .45 Long Colt/.410 barrel, the latter of which being what I have. Similar to the Mama Bear, the hammer of the Snake Slayer was stiff when the gun was new but did improve with use. Fixed blade sights are standard. The trigger on this derringer is curved and a little heavy, at least considering the size and shape of the gun giving me a measured pull weight of seven pounds, five ounces. That .410-loaded Bond Arms Snake Slayer, though… The way the trigger is made means you’re pulling the trigger slightly downward and backward simultaneously, a motion that can throw shots low. It takes practice but you can master it. Over time I’ve put several hundred rounds through the Snake Slayer in an uneven balance of .410s and .45 Long Colts. If this was any other handgun I’d say several hundred isn’t much but since it’s a derringer I’m cool with this round count. Remington .45 Long Colt, 250gr - 500 rounds 300 at Lucky Gunner Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 300 at Lucky Gunner Prices accurate at time of writing Bull’s eye hits can be accomplished at three yards using .45 Colt; trying to make precise shots at ten yards resulted in shots within the 8-inch circle that didn’t really group at all. Running it with .410 was a different story altogether. It did hit the paper and shots were generally sort-of-kind-of centered but the derringer only patterned tightly at extremely close range. Think point-blank. If you’re using this gun to shoot a rattlesnake the muzzle of the gun is going to do its best work about eight to ten feet away from their heads. You might have enough velocity and accuracy to kill one at longer distances but it’s iffy. There is an expected loss of velocity which .45 Colt (short little barrel, guys). It is extreme enough I would suggest the Snake Slayer is not a good candidate for shooting any living thing loaded with .45 Colt (that and the accuracy issue). Impossible? No, but it’s a gray enough area I’ve refrained from doing it. Loaded with Fiocchi High-Velocity 3-inch 11/16 ounces #9 shot the Snake Slayer does create a mighty slam into your hand but it is controllable. Fiocchi High Velocity .410ga, 3" 11.50 at Palmetto State Armory Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 11.50 at "Palmetto State Armory" Prices accurate at time of writing Even with a pair of rapid-fire shots I’ve had no problems hitting my target with those shotshells although I will say again that distance matters like crazy with derringers. As for .45 Long Colt I like Inceptor 158 grain ARX rounds partly because I do like frangibles and also because there’s less felt recoil than with other loads. Bond Arms Snake Slayer 500 at Sportsman's Warehouse Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 500 at Sportsman's Warehouse Prices accurate at time of writing If you want to diversify your handgun hunting collection in a unique, species-specific way, consider a derringer. Nothing like a well-rounded gun owner. It’s a cool little gun in general, too. 3. Bond Arms Roughneck This is a sort of honorable mention I’m listing because it was introduced in 2019 and Bond Arms put it out specifically to be more budget-friendly. Gordon Bond and his team decided the ideal way to come out with a derringer with a lower price point was to cut back on the level of aesthetic finish. He refused to reduce quality, so this is the same high-quality stainless steel derringer as the rest, just more basic. Simple, but effective It’s still stainless steel and it’s still put through rigorous quality control. Instead of hand-polishing the guns and making them visually gorgeous – face it, a lot of Bond Arms’ derringers are seriously gorgeous – the Rough Series takes a simpler approach. The frame is smoothed to be sure there are no burrs and it’s bead-blasted, but it isn’t hand polished. This one’s shipped with a 2.5-inch 9mm barrel, unsurprisingly, given the popularity of the cartridge. There’s also a Rough-N-Rowdy offered with a three-inch .45 Colt/.410 barrel priced a tiny bit higher (but still a lower price point than the majority). Best 9mm Self-Defense (124 gr) Federal HST 9mm 124 gr 25.75 at Lucky Gunner Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 25.75 at Lucky Gunner Compare prices (2 found) Lucky Gunner (See Price) Brownells (See Price) Prices accurate at time of writing Trigger, hammer, and trigger guard – which is removable – are MIM. Bond Arms does give the trigger a nice finish to ensure it’s comfortable to press. The hammer is polished over the upper surface where it contacts your finger during manipulation. Grip panels are rubber. Barrels are still interchangeable, just like the rest of Bond Arms’ derringers. Accuracy with the Rough Series pistol mirrors that of the company’s other derringers. These are meant for close-range work and when I say close, I mean reach-out-and-touch-you distance. If you’re using it as BUG it’ll quite literally be your last resort firearm. It’s nice to see that just because this model – and series – isn’t as eye-catching as the rest doesn’t mean it doesn’t maintain the same level of performance. So if you want to take a leap into the kickass world of derringers, this particular Bond Arms model might be for you. It isn’t as sexy as, say, the Snake Slayer, but it runs just fine. "Bond Arms Roughneck" 260 at Sportsman's Warehouse Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 260 at Sportsman's Warehouse Prices accurate at time of writing Not a bad way to get started in teensy-tiny guns. Parting Shots Don’t get me wrong — derringers should not be your daily carry guns. They have limited capacity, wildly short range, and majorly restricted capacity. That doesn’t mean they don’t have their uses or that you shouldn’t know how to shoot one accurately. Being a well-rounded shooter is about more than claiming you can shoot both a Glock and a 1911. You should also be cool running revolvers, bolt pistols, and derringers (among others). Broadening your horizons benefits you overall. And it’s just fun! Options are always fun! Bond Arms makes fantastic quality guns and I absolutely recommend them to anyone interested in derringers. Do you have a derringer? Was it for real use or just for funsies? Let us know in the comments! For some more CCW oriented sub-compact offerings, take a look at the Best Sub-Compact Single Stack Pistols !