Viridian Optics: Scopes & Lights That Work

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I go back a ways in terms of firearms, but I wasn’t always knowledgeable about certain aspects of the hobby. For instance, scopes. When I started shooting, a scope was what my mom’s well-to-do cousin had on his fancy bolt-action Weatherby. I just didn’t have the wherewithal to add one to my .22 rifle. I … Read more

The Sionyx Opsin: Military Grade Night Vision is Finally Affordable

Almost two decades ago I decided I needed a PVS14 monocular. I had used PVS7’s on the U.S./Mexico border, then been issued a PVS14 in Afghanistan, and after I came home, I went down a rabbit hole. Eventually, I ended up with multiple PVS14s, multiple dual-tube goggles and more equipment for mounting them to your … Read more

Things That Don’t Suck: Clip-N-Shoot Dry Fire Training System

While dry fire practice is very beneficial, it’s always boring. Well, it can be. Ten reps often feel like 50. Just plain dry firing gets boring and doesn’t always offer the best practice. Yet, dry fire remains important. The world and firearm industry recognized this, and they’ve responded with numerous laser systems and targets to … Read more

New From Atibal Illumination: Ai-1 Light Head With 3,000 Feet of Reach

Mounting on the end of any flashlight body that uses an 18650 or 18350 battery, the Atibal Illumination Ai-1 Light Head employs a Class 3B laser emitter to throw 200,000 candela and put light on objects up to 3,000 feet away. Crazy! TTAG will sign Atibal Illumination’s Class 3B Laser Liability Waiver and get one … Read more

New from Viridian: E-Series Red Laser for Ruger Security-9

Security-9? Nein! Well that’s what laser lovers would have said if Ruger hadn’t tapped Viridian to offer a red laser for the debut of their new Security-9 semi-automatic pistol. [Viridian press release below.] The partner choice makes sense. The Security-9 is a budget-priced GLOCK 19 Gen4 alternative ($379 vs. $599 msrp). A Viridian E-Series red … Read more

Laser Blasters: Not Just Science Fiction? Maybe. Someday.

Joe Grine, Nick Leghorn and myself are amped up to cover the Joint Small Arms Conference of the National Defense Industry Association in May. I’m a complete noob when it comes to this kind of military-grade hardware, and I’m having trouble sleeping just thinking about shooting anything belt-fed, crew-served or rocket-propelled. Laser guns weren’t on the menu, or so I thought…

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The Yin and Yang of Home Defense

For those of you who’s only exposure to Eastern philosophy came from watching David Carradine just prior to reluctantly opening up a can of Oriental whoop-ass on some miscreant in Kung Fu, “yin” (阴) and “yang” (阳) are polarized or seemingly contrary forces that are nonetheless interconnected and interdependent. It also references how these contrary forces balance each other out, and implies that neither can exist without the other. We’re talking both “natural order of things” and the nature of paradox, here people. And home defense is all about the paradox.

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