Author: Braxton Taylor
The AR platform’s versatility makes it a dominant choice in both combat and competition environments. However, the demands of these contexts differ significantly, driving distinct configurations for combat ARs versus competition ARs. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between a combat configured AR and a competition AR, focusing on modifications, their purposes, and the philosophy that every addition should enhance shooter efficiency and accuracy. We’ll also emphasize a critical principle: just because you can add a modification doesn’t mean you should. Every change or accessory must be intentional, justified, and supported by dedicated training to avoid turning your…
U.S. military cyber spending—offensive and defensive capabilities, worker development, and more—will get a boost from the giant Republican policy-and-spending law signed over the weekend.The law establishes a $250 million pool for AI-related efforts at U.S. Cyber Command; a $90 million pool for cybersecurity support “for non-traditional contractors”; $20 million for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; and $1 million for offensive cyber capabilities at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, whose territory includes China, Russia, and North Korea.Meanwhile, the Coast Guard, a military service primarily managed by the Department of Homeland Security, would get $2.2 billion for cyber asset upkeep. It would also get $170 million for cyber-related maritime-domain-awareness assets: the…
Steelhead Outdoors has engineered an American-made gun safe solution that fits under beds to keep firearms safely secured, accessible and out of sight. The Undercover 48E features a biometric Securam Scanlogic Lock that has both fingerprint and combination access, ensuring you’ll have access to your gun when you need it. This UL-listed high security lock is paired with dual-hard-plate protection. The safe body and door are built with full 12-gauge American steel with a textured, durable black powdercoat finish. The anti-pry drawer door is recessed to protect the lock dial and improve pry resistance. The Undercover horizontal safe features a…
Civilian members of the U.S. intelligence community will get a benefit long afforded to troops: a tax break to help defray the cost of moving from one duty station to another.The measure is part of the policy-and-spending package passed in the House Thursday afternoon. It was inserted last month through efforts led by Senate Intelligence Committee leaders Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Mark Warner, D-Va.The intelligence community includes thousands of non-uniformed intelligence officers, analysts and support staff assigned to posts overseas, sometimes for years at a time, where they can represent top offices like the CIA or NSA. But under current tax laws, they don’t automatically receive…
Mesa Tactical is now offering accessory upgrade bundles, called Pro Packages, that consist of the company’s best and most relevant products to suit many of the industry’s most popular shotgun makes and models. In addition to offering a level of curated practicality, Mesa Tactical’s customers also get to enjoy a bundled discount, compared to buying each piece individually. “The Pro Packages are not just collections of parts. They’re integrated tactical solutions built from the ground up for professionals,” said Mitch Barrie, founder and president of Mesa Tactical. “We’ve combined our most trusted components to create a one-stop upgrade solution that…
Across the federal government, tens of thousands of blue-collar federal employees are still waiting on their 2025 pay raise, all because of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s purge of advisory committees as the Pentagon.For most federal employees, receiving their share of the (mostly) annual across-the-board pay increase is a simple process. The president issues an alternative pay plan—to avoid massive automatic increases due to the Federal Pay Comparability Act—or Congress stipulates in appropriations legislation how it would override the president, and then the Office of Personnel Management publishes new pay tables in time for the first full pay period in January.Raises…
Unitarily with safety and gun handling, marksmanship includes both the mastery of speed–which is a byproduct efficiency, and accuracy—which is a byproduct of control. The greater your efficiency the greater your speed. The better your control the better your accuracy. The only remaining problem to solve, provided you can place a round anywhere you want on the range at any distance, is how to compress the time in which you can perform that task. When challenged with performing a task in a compressed timeframe, the first and most critical step is prioritization. This means identifying the core objective—what must be…
Anti-immigration spending soars as 200 Marines have been sent to support ICE in Florida. The new troops will provide “strictly non-law enforcement duties within [Immigrations and Customs Enforcement] facilities,” according to a July 3 U.S. Northern Command press release cited by Reuters, which said the Marines would provide administrative and logistical support and are “the first wave of U.S. Northern Command’s support to the immigration enforcement agency’s mission.” More, here.That follows last month’s deployment of 700 Marines to protect immigration agents during raids in Los Angeles, and the further authorization to send up to 700 Defense Department personnel to support ICE…
The Savage Arms 110 Magpul Scout is a modern rendition of Jeff Cooper’s scout-rifle concept. Built on Savage’s classic 110 short action, the Savage 110 Magpul Scout also “bends” some of the original scout rifle’s stipulations, and for the better, I’d argue. Besides making these rifles available with left-handed actions, Savage also offers the 110 Magpul Scout in various chamberings—not just the quintessential .308 Win. Not only does the Savage 110 Magpul Scout ship with a modern and utilitarian Magpul Hunter stock, but instead of having the traditionally slim contour barrel, the 110 Magpul Scout has a slightly thicker barrel…
On this episode of Backwoods University we’ll delve into the future of bobwhite quail and their potential as a species. We will hear from quail hunter and landowner, Jimmy Bryan, as he walks us through restoring quail on his family land. Quail Biologist, Dr. James Martin walks us through the many things people can practically do to help quail and help keep them around. Everything from land management practices, such as prescribed burning and timber management, to getting involved with conservation organizations like Quail Forever, we cover it all. Read the full article here