Ballistic Vol.8 №4 2022

SH TGU ? FM: Well, that is certainly a nice theory, but probably only going to get about a 12-inch let me play devil’s advocate for a minute spread at 7 yards, the average room width and say in this case the bad guy is deaf and inside a house? continues the fight. FM gives a blank stare as Pew Pew Swifferton GM (excited): Even better! Then you just pull opens the door and hobbles into the room on the trigger and you win the fight. crutches. FM: Where do you aim? FM: Pew Pew! I see you made it back! I hope nothing was broken. Can you please GM: I don’t know how to aim. The loud bang I enlighten us by describing your favorite heard the one time I fired one of these scared AR-15 and why you believe it is the ultimate me, so I don’t pull the trigger anymore. But home-defense weapon? if I did, it would kill every bad guy for a two- square-block radius because of the spread of PPS: I don’t technically have a favorite since I the birdshot. am not allowed to own an assault weapon in the state of Massachusetts. FM: (setting down his cell phone): I’m sorry, I was just accepting a position at dental FM: I wouldn’t call it an “assault weapon,” hygienist school because guns are interest- but I will let that slide. Of the black rifles ing me less and less these days. Did you you have shot, which was your favorite and 90 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 Ballisticmag.com

GM: Does my gun have a “kill ’em all” button? FM: I believe No. 10 shot is the smallest I bet it has two of ’em. shot they make for shotgun shells. FM: I can certainly think of two I’d like to GM: They should make it smaller. Much kill… Now that we have had such a rigor- smaller. Coarsely ground flour is still too large. ous debate about the weapons of choice, perhaps you would each like to talk a little FM: I see your point, and it seems as valid about the type of ammunition you think is as all of your other points. While I am not best suited for home defense. Pew Pew? sure we have come any closer to settling this debate or bridging the gap between PPS: Any type of ammunition is fine as long you two, I think it is time we brought this as you spray it with Teflon, Pam, or WD-40. “Roundtable” to a close. Ballistic was kind That way if the bad guy is wearing body armor, enough to pay for some range time and pri- it will zip right through. I saw it on Ronin. vate instructors for both of you so you don’t have any accidents. Gunther, in your case, FM: Of course you did. Gunther, you we found an 80-pound, 12-year-old girl to mentioned birdshot earlier, but don’t you stand in and fire the shotgun for you so think traditional slugs or buckshot might your shoulder won’t get bruised. I can’t say be a better choice for your 12, I mean .410 the same about your ego. Pew Pew, let me shotgun? know if you find that “kill ’em all” button. If anyone needs me, I will be down the street GM: Absolutely not. They hurt too much to at a bar contemplating my life choices and shoot! Besides, we need lots of little projec- where exactly I went wrong. tiles so they spread out and you don’t need to aim the gun. Didn’t I cover this already? I only Editor’s Note: We hope you load my gun with No. 20 shot. enjoyed this installment of Ballistic’s Roundtable. If you care to shoot us over some other “gun debate ideas” we’d love to entertain them. Hit us at editdesk@ athlonoutdoors.com. “IF ANYONE NEEDS ME, I WILL BE DOWN THE STREET AT A BAR CONTEM- PLATING MY LIFE CHOICES AND WHERE EXACTLY I WENT WRONG.” Ballisticmag.com BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 91

AIR IT OUT 92 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 Ballisticmag.com

TWANGOB → life we simply just want more. Umarex isn’t centuries, and they are far less com- O numb to this idea, and the company surely plicated. However, they all have one has its audience dialed in if you ask me. thing in common, they push the arrow from the rear. Consider pushing a box across the floor as This is apparent through the introduction of opposed to pulling it in the direction that you want the AirSaber Elite X2, a double-barreled version it to go. You’ll likely agree that there’s less work of its hit arrow-firing PCP…rifle? Yep, that’s right. involved with keeping in straight if you pull, par- It’s an airgun that shoots freakin’ arrows (again, ticularly if the majority of the weight is in the front. something probably dreamed up by a five-year- Both the original AirSaber and the X2 fire a hollow old), and it has a surprising amount of utility, plus arrow that receives its blow from directly behind a grin factor that is hard to ignore. I first tried one the arrowhead, allowing it to leave completely at the 2021 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous event in straight. This is opposed to stringed weapons, Victor, Idaho, several months before it went into full which brutally bend the arrow, leaving you with the production, and I just had to get one back home for MEET UMAREX’S NEW GAME-BUSTING, Alex Landeen Photo DOUBLE-BARREL AIRSABER ELITE X2 Ballisticmag.com BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 93

TW G G hope that it’ll straighten out to its original form game and small game overlap, you might want got started with what I had on hand. In my mid-flight. to fill one side with a broadhead and the other basement, I began range day by pumping up with a squirrel thumper. the new AirSaber with the Umarex ReadyAir, The second reason that this device should a handy oil-free, high-pressure air compressor speak to you is that it only requires 8 pounds DOUBLE THE ACCURACY that I may or may not have been “forgetting” of strength to operate, and that is only to cock to return. I decided to only go to 3,850 psi to the lever. This is a stark contrast to the 35 After waiting three excruciatingly long leave a little wiggle room just in case—some- pounds or more needed to draw a bow, which months, my sample finally showed up. Now I thing that followed me from my background pales in comparison to the cocking effort would finally have my opportunity to test the in making ammunition. Although, with the needed for a crossbow. Once charged, all one “25 lethal shots per fill” claim as well as to tank being marked to 5,000 psi, there is likely needs to do is slip an arrow over each sleeve, measure any displacement that might be a no issue with going to the full 4,000 psi that cock the aforementioned lever and squeeze result of having one barrel beside the other. Umarex rates the X2. the trigger. That means that even those with As I unpacked the X2, I was happy to see that dexterity issues can get arrows in the air, and the gun included three arrows and a 4x32mm With my archery target 12 yards away, I the workload is so light that one can enjoy archery scope, which used to cost extra on fired my first of 10 shots over a Caldwell G2 practice sessions that are several hours long the original. As I knew I was going to need chronograph. After firing the first shot into the without experiencing fatigue. more, I ordered some from the website and bag, I had a penetration concern, as the arrow As you might have imagined, the X2 offers ›› more than just a second barrel over the origi- nal—375 psi more to be exact. This increase The X2 comes with a in pressure allows for more shots in between scope, giving you ev- fills and because this is an unregulated device, erything you need to more energy. Additionally, the X2’s side cock- get started (sans air). ing handle utilizes a bit of leverage, making it Of course, that can be even easier to reset the trigger and chamber a easily remedied using fresh burst of air. Lastly, the AirSaber Elite X2 the Umarex ReadyAir features a simple push-button selector to allow the shooter to choose which arrow fires first, system, which can just like a quality double-barrel shotgun. If big run off of 12v DC or standard 110 AC. Two barrels allow for rapid follow-up shots with exceptional consistency between barrels. In his testing the author found only 2 inches difference between the barrels at 25 yards. 94 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 Ballisticmag.com

Pre-charged Pneumatic air guns need a source of high-pressure air to run. Let’s just say that Harbor Freight auto compressor buried itself into the target, almost passing to my delight, it was less than 2 inches. As I only during firearms seasons, which is still great completely through. Clocking 465 fps, the continued, I would soon learn that groups at for those looking to keep things quiet and/or 376-grain arrow generated 180 foot-pounds that distance were around the same size telling hunt in a more densely populated location. of energy (fpe), which was already beating me that there probably isn’t any shot displace- what is advertised and a great start. My ment due to the barrel configuration at all. If It also pays to note that foam is open coast second shot came dangerously close to the you think about it, the Picatinny rail that the to coast, all year long, and doesn’t require any first, so I had to start using the other bullseyes scope is mounted to is smack in between the licensing to shoot. This is how I spent my last out of fear of Robin Hooding an arrow. From two tubes, so when you zero (using both) you range day with the AirSaber Elite X2 before shot number one to shot number 10, I only are, in a way, setting it to the average between getting behind a camera and the obligatory observed a 129-fps drop, and only around the two. My day finished with measuring keyboard. I took a bit of a walk in the woods 1,600 psi of pressure loss with superb vertical displacement from the first shot to while engaging some 3D archery targets just accuracy along the way. This was telling me the twenty-fifth, and impressively it was only to get a feel for using it in field positions. As that it was time to go outside and stretch around 4 inches. It’s not enough to matter on I already knew, it felt just like shooting a rifle things out a bit. most game animals, and that’s only in the odd except I had to remember and account for event that you had taken 24 shots previously. arrow trajectories. Aside from trajectories, Along the back of our home, I have a I kept forgetting to switch barrels between 25-yard lane that is nestled neatly between the LEGALITY FOR HUNTING shots, something I would have liked to see henhouse and the vinyl shed that houses awful happen automatically. A little practice proved things like snowblowers and lawnmowers. So where can we use this and during which to be an effortless cure, and it just gave me yet Knowing that I was doubling the shooting season? Well, it depends on the animal and another reason to shoot it more! For more info distance, I figured that the arrows would stop the state. At the time of this writing, Georgia is visit umarexusa.com. within the confines of the bag. I was wrong. leading the charge and treating this technol- Nope, even though the bag was more than a ogy as a primitive weapon, allowing it during SO WHERE CAN YOU foot away from the shed, that first arrow poked archery season for black bear, turkey and HUNT WITH IT? right through with enough energy left over to whitetail. It makes sense to me—after all, it’s get through both sides of the plastic material still just an arrow. Hunters using it have the We here at Ballistic want to that comprises the shed’s walls. I’ve never same range and require the same set of skills make sure you’re always on the been both pissed off and impressed at the as a conventional archer. Does it really matter up and up. Stay clear of breaking any game same time, but there is a first for everything. how the projectile is put into the air? Georgia laws. Click over to ballisticmag.com (or shoot also allows it during its regular firearm season, the bejesus out of this QR code with your After firing my second shot, I took a trip drastically opening up its use. Dozens of other smartphone) to see a list of states and regs downrange to see how far the horizontal states like Texas and Arizona allow them but for said states where you can hunt with an spread would be due to the two barrels, and arrow-shooting airgun. Ballisticmag.com BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 95

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Salt & Pepper T he average human is born with more than 9,000 taste buds that work side by side with your sense of smell. Your taste buds decrease in your 40s and 50s, even more so in your 60s, and by your 70s your sense of smell checks out too. It is not exactly known why this takes place in your body, but it does start to explain how all those Golden Corrals stay in operation. What A Psycho! Shout At The Devil A lfred Hitchcock was iStock Photos frightened of eggs. L eft-handed people comprised only about 5% of the The master of suspense population in the 1800s and were seen as being in union with himself revealed this in an the devil. As of today, lefties have only increased their numbers interview back in 1963. “I’m on the planet to about 12%. Over time, studies have concluded frightened of eggs, worse that left-handed people are more prone to autoimmune than frightened; they revolt diseases, allergies, migraines and even sleep deprivation. Oddly me. That white round thing enough, lefties use mostly the right side of their brains, the part without any holes, and when that’s best known for creativity. This leads them to become you break it, inside there’s some of mankind’s biggest artists, sculptors and even guitarists. that yellow thing, round, Guess these rock-n-rollers really are in a league with Satan! without any hole. Blood is jolly, red. But egg yolk is 98 #SKILLSETMAG yellow, revolting. I’ve never tasted it.” What a psycho! SKILLSETMAG.COM

Mystery Box of Y ou may have heard of a mysterious place often referred to as the dark web, but have you ever heard of a dark web mystery box? Youtubers the world over are trying to boost their numbers by purchasing these mysterious gift boxes and then doing unboxing videos of them for all to see. These boxes vary in price from $100 to many thousands of dollars. But what are they getting, you ask? Well, anything from unlabeled VHS tapes, bloody screwdrivers, child backpacks and, yes, even drugs. The creepiest? How about handwritten suicide notes and broken cell phones that when powered on display the cryptic message, “I see you.” Reef-er Madness Y ou aren’t a selfish person, it’s always been your dream to help others even long after you’re gone. Well, thanks to a Florida- based company, now you can. That’s right, I’m talking about doing some good for Mother Earth by turning your cremated remains into a coral reef. Since 1998, the company has been responsible for about 2,500 new coral reefs off the east coast of the United States, and you too can become one of them. Holier Than Thou Sleep With One C yber security giant Symantec reports that religious sites on the Eye Open internet are three times more likely to be infected with malware than your favorite adult content site. While 20% of religious blogs seem to be infected, only about 2.4% of porn sites are infected with malware. Why might you ask? Simple, it’s bad for business. Most adult site owners need you to keep on coming back and you’re less likely to do that if Mom’s Apple 2+ is offline in the basement. SKILLSETMAG.COM A pparently, people aren’t the most untrusting species on the planet. Dolphins can maintain partial consciousness even as part of their brain sleeps. This neat little parlor trick came about due to the need to constantly be on the lookout for predators. As for getting a good night’s sleep, researchers have concluded that after five days of testing, they remain surprisingly perceptive and alert. #SKILLSETMAG 99

Mama 50% Said Knock T he percentage You Out! of the Icelandic population that F inally, a sport where we can see if brains overpower brawn. Starting officially back in still believes in the 1992, the sport of Chessboxing is exactly what it sounds like. Competitors try to win existence of elves. by either checkmate or knockout while competing in alternating rounds of each, consisting of five rounds of boxing and six rounds of chess with one-minute rest periods in between. Are All That’s Left Athletes must have a basic understanding of both sports and a chess rating of over 1,800 to compete. Somebody better tell Jake Paul to quit wasting time on checkers. Blood The E ver find yourself waking up covered in sweat from a terrific nightmare? Turns In water out that sleeping on your left-hand side is more likely to create nightmares than dreams. A research group consisting of around 60 participants concluded that the way you sleep may actually affect the type of sleep you’re getting. This could explain those horrible visions you experience while falling asleep at your workplace? T he Taylor Glacier in Antarctica has an unusual secret. Approximately two million years ago, it sealed beneath it a small body of water containing ancient microbes. Trapped beneath the surface, the lake is rich in iron, which leads to its reddish color, and its appropriate nickname “Blood Falls.” A crack in the glacier, known as a fissure, allows a five-story high waterfall of blood to slowly pour out and into nearby Lake Bonney. I’ll Take D ue to military regulations not 8% T he percentage That allowing soldiers to wear their of people who To-Go! uniforms in public, a McDonald’s pronounce Wi-Fi restaurant became the first to “wiffy.” 100 #SKILLSETMAG feature a drive-thru. Located in Sierra Vista, Arizona, near the Fort iStock Photos Huachuca military installation, this one rule would forever change Americans’ relationship with fast food. Who knew cutting a hole in the wall and allowing soldiers to order from their cars, would forever change the way we eat! SKILLSETMAG.COM

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Leaky Duck, Duck, Oh No Pipes E ver wonder exactly how much we rely on Google in our everyday lives? Whether it’s for finding an address, a place to grab a bite to eat or when the latest issue of Skillset Magazine goes on sale, no doubt you turn to Google for the answer. Back on August 16, 2003, the information giant went down for a whole five minutes. In that short amount of time, worldwide internet usage dropped 40%. P eeing in the shower isn’t just a poor hygiene habit, it can also lead to bladder control issues. If you are someone who turns on the faucet to pee, doctors warn you could be accidentally programming yourself to pee on command. The brain will now associate the sound of running water with having to urinate. Side note: Seventy-five percent of females admit to peeing in the shower; men chose to plead the fifth. Google That Sh*t There is a city in Japan that is facing a ninja shortage. The Just how prepared for an emergency are you really? iStock Photos city is looking to hire “ninja performers” by offering annual Dolly Parton wears makeup to bed in case of nighttime salaries upwards of $85,000. emergencies. A blue cross was once awarded to a Great Dane named The first known vegetable on the planet was the pea. Juliana for peeing on an incendiary bomb in World War II. Scientists have traced its early origins as far back as Ketchup leaves the bottle at a rate of 25 miles per year. 8,000 years ago. Sony Entertainment originally released the Gran Turismo Roller coasters were created to stop Americans from 2 video game as a “scratch and sniff” version. The two- becoming sinners. Coney Island in New York was the first disc set didn’t come with a new car smell, but instead a sinful playground to get a coaster. burning tire scent. Due to heat expansion during the summer months, the BILLIONS. The amount of bananas Wal-Mart sells annually. world-famous Eiffel tower grows approximately six inches. The most popular item at Walmart is bananas. They sell In 1916, Jeanette Rankin became the first woman in the more bananas than any other single item they have in stock. U.S. federal office, therefore becoming elected before According to a study conducted in 2020, one in five men women’s suffrage. would give up sex for a year to grow the perfect beard. It is impossible for a human being to hum while holding It is illegal to hunt camels in the state of Arizona. his or her nose. Olympic silver medalists live approximately one year Five: The number of Five-Star Generals that have ever longer than gold medalists. been in the Army. We may soon get to meet Harambe Jr., as scientists There are fewer stars in the galaxy than there are harvested Harambe’s sperm not long after he was killed. synapses in the brain. Many young men used to break into a Greek temple to Nine out of the Top-10 people on the planet have birthdays have sex with a statue. Yes, we are talking about the life- in the month of September. size statue of Aphrodite of Knidos. The percentage of people who can’t get through a 10-minute conversation without lying is roughly 60%. Every episode of Seinfeld contains a Superman. This is due in part to Jerry Seinfeld being a huge Superman fan. Backrub was the original name for Google. 102 #SKILLSETMAG SKILLSETMAG.COM

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ON FREEDOM he waves crashed and boards An American tale BREW HISTORY creaked as men went about of drinking their daily duties aboard their Alcohol has been around for millennia. It may ship during the age of sail. Men and defiance even have been the catalyst for civilization swabbed the decks while others as we know it. Some evidence suggests that stood watch. The boatswain By Jerome New ancient farmers began to grow barley more called for the sails to be adjusted as they than 10,000 years ago, not to create bread but prepared to come about. Just then the call to actually brew beer. This shift from hunter- iStock Photos rang out, “Up spirits!” The men immediately began to gather on deck knowing that they gatherer to farmer marked the beginning of would soon receive their daily tot the agricultural revolution, and I believe we of rum. The rum had replaced beer, have beer to thank for it. The world’s oldest which was carried in place of water brewery was discovered in a prehistoric as both would spoil at sea. The purser cave near Haifa in Israel. It contains the distributed the rum, and the men quickly scattered to enjoy their ration. residue of 13,000-year-old beer that may The less-trusting sailors, fearful of have been intentionally brewed to go along being shorted, mixed small amounts of with ritual feasts for the dead. Talk about their rum with gunpowder and set it to a love affair with beer and thousands of flame. If the rum ignited then it would be considered “proof” of alcohol and if years of brewing experience. Armed with not, a mutiny could ensue. Little did these that knowledge, I feel like someone owes sailors know that soon their rum would me an explanation for Natty Light. be replaced with grog—a watered-down version of rum mixed with sugar and lime Alcohol has always had its place juice. It did wonders for scurvy and was in American history from the earliest meant to reduce the overall drunkenness days of the colonies in North America. of the crew but would not be nearly as It is said that the Mayflower contained appreciated as the current tots of rum. The men would have to save the grog until they more beer than water when it left had enough for a proper drunk, leaving them for the new world. This is hardly groggy in the morning. surprising, given the lack of modern water sanitation, making beer and 104 #SKILLSETMAG wine safer than drinking water. This was due in part to the fact that many common water sources were also used to dispose of sewage and garbage. SKILLSETMAG.COM

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DRUNK ON FREEDOM Politicians have always understood the battalions but would eventually Rum was value of alcohol to their constituents and it come to be known as the United the libation was common for politicians to buy votes with States Marine Corps. Given the booze. Early in his career, George Washington Marines’ love of strong drink, it of choice used all of his campaign funds to buy enough only makes sense that they would liquor to ensure his voters elected him to have been founded in a tavern. in early the House of Burgesses in 1758. This helped America. It propel Washington toward the presidency. Our American revolutionaries likely was Without the booze, it’s possible he would have not served lost that election and faded into obscurity. on the rocks. Taverns were of great importance during this time. The Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg loved to drink, and there was one hosted members of the House of Burgesses like Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as libation that reigned supreme— they attempted to organize boycotts of British imports. Another event of great importance rum. This appears to have come was the raising of a fighting force at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. This force consisted of just two from the Caribbean sugar trade and made its way into the colonies. One observer stated that rum was, “much adored by the American English as the comforter of their souls, preserver of their bodies, remover of their cares and promoter of mirth.” Legend has it that rum played a role in Paul Revere’s ride in 1775. He is said to have stopped in Medford, Massachusetts, to toss back a slug or two of rum before proceeding, and who can blame him because the British were coming. Medford was in the midst of the rum boom at the time and was the home of a distillery that produced a rum strong enough to make a “rabbit bite a bulldog.” “tIthaisnswaiadtetrhawt htehne iMt alyeffltowfoerrtchoenntaewinewd omrolrde.”beer iStock Photos saAilntohteorev’tserorewfadorsouroknmneis.ias PrbsmiadytureaaolkwnRseglaeuavsegernharooeebful’bsprguiehtmdb“ittoe 106 #SKILLSETMAG a bulldog.” SKILLSETMAG.COM

Flappers (left) enjoyed newfound freedoms during the prohibition era. (Right) McSorley’s in NYC... our old editorial stomping grounds. iStock Photos MORE MODERN TIMES took up less space than beer and offered more repealed the 18th Amendment, and American’s bang for the buck. This is where the cocktail rejoiced. Roosevelt, known for his love of Fast forward to the Temperance movement, was born, as liquor was mixed with soft drinks martinis and manhattans, could finally enjoy which blamed alcohol for all of America’s and fruit juices to make it more palatable for them legally again. ills. This led to the 18th Amendment and the flappers and to keep the drinks and the Prohibition, which started everything both good party flowing. BOTTOMS UP and bad about the Roaring 20s. As alcohol went underground, America saw the rise of Prohibition also fueled the growth of Alcohol has been a part of America since the speakeasies and gin joints that popped up organized crime. Figures like Al “Scarface” the beginning and having a beer out with across the nation. Women were welcomed into Capone in Chicago and Lucky Luciano in friends is as American as apple pie. In our these illegal establishments, and with their New York supplied and ran most of the culture, alcohol is used for celebration and newfound freedoms, the “flapper” was born. speakeasies in their respective cities. They commiseration alike. Having a brew at a They tossed their corsets and moved to short paid off the cops and politicians to avoid raids sporting event, a kegger at college, cocktail skirts and bobbed hair. They began to dance to or to receive advance notice before a raid parties with friends or just a nice straight jazz played by greats like Louis Armstrong and bourbon after a hard day’s work allows us to Duke Ellington. Liquor was in great supply as occurred. Organized crime groups got into blow off steam and grow our social bonds. turf wars, which lead to gang murders There’s nothing like a shot of courage to like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of help you talk to the pretty girl at the bar, and who hasn’t received a dare to do something and his Untouchables became icons stupid and replied with, “Hold my beer and in their fight against Capone and their watch this!” We’re Americans and we enjoy a good stiff drink on occasion, so let’s raise our blame. By 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt glasses and toast to this great country and backed the repeal of prohibition. The to all that have celebrated with drinks before us. Cheers and God bless America! #SKILLSETMAG 107

By Blake Stilwell . TachteioFno.uAnldcionhgoFl abtlhaezresdma atrdaeiltwheeisrtn, kuet pbtytbhreecwoiunngtaryndtosgteatrhteedr a whole new country when King George tried to get a piece of their and eventually helped cement our . . Britain’s domination of America was doomed the moment we put down our daily teacups and started knocking back some cold ones. A few well-placed drinks along the way have changed the tides of wars, elected presidents and changed the way we think about what it means to be American. Raise your glasses to the one thing we all have in common— survived those early days without 108 #SKILLSETMAG After the Revolution, colonists still enjoyed imbibing alcoholic beverages, but the usual rum, gin and brandy weren’t readily available anymore. Britain shut off the supplies needed to make them, so Americans turned to making whiskey from corn—a widely available (and fully ’Merican) grain. They never looked back. Whiskey became the drink of choice for U.S. farmers, who could grow corn and distilled it easily on their own with the corn left over from sales and food. When farmers grew too much corn, they turned it into whiskey, which became a huge cash crop. It also led to the first taxes and the first anti-tax uprising. When the new government realized how profitable whiskey had become, it tried to implement a tax on whiskey to pay Revolutionary War debts, clearly learning nothing from the start of their own revolution. Almost everyone in America had a still and many relied on it. They even used whiskey as currency. Americans refused to pay and began tarring and feathering tax collectors, which quickly turned into a full-on rebellion. President Washington put down the anti-tax Whiskey Rebellion, the one time the Commander-In-Chief led the troops himself, and cemented federal authority. After the uprising, the remaining anti-tax fighters moved west, America’s first move in that direction. SKILLSETMAG.COM

LIQUOR-FUELED MOUNTAIN MEN THE DRUNKEN STAB WOUND BLAZED A TRAIL WESTWARD THAT LED TO PROHIBITION Alcohol was used as a trade good for decades While working on a farm as a young man before American independence, but the hard stuff in the late 1800s, Wayne Wheeler was didn’t stop being a valuable commodity afterward. stabbed by a drunken farmhand with Mountain men working in the wilds of the frontier a pitchfork. Unfortunately (or maybe, used it to trade to native populations and thirsty fur trappers. They would fortunately, keep reading), he didn’t capture and skin the animals and trade them to fur companies for liquor, die. He just turned into an anti-booze who would then sell furs overseas at a huge profit. crusader. As an adult, he led the Anti- Saloon League—the ultimate buzzkill—in The chief byproduct of the liquor-fueled mountain man’s occupation convincing Congress to outlaw alcohol. wasn’t just a boom to the economy, it was the drunken path they took to get Prohibition took effect in January 1920, furs. The trails they blazed would later become the paths taken by settlers but only a handful of people cared. moving West and, eventually, the railroads that connected the United States. Organized crime popped up to take the place of a once-legitimate business and A RAGING Before 1863, the Union Army was saddled the Feds employed everyone they could ALCOHOLIC SAVED again and again with Army commanders to stop the bootleggers and rum runners. THE UNION DURING who were too timid to decisively end the One of those was a codebreaker by the THE CIVIL WAR Confederate threat and preserve the Union. On name of Elizabeth Friedman. July 4, 1863, a brigadier general in Mississippi “I wish some of forced the surrender of the rebel stronghold Friedman helped put away dozens of you would tell me at Vicksburg, giving the Union control of the gangsters by breaking their secret codes. the brand of whiskey She was so successful that her husband that Grant drinks. I Mississippi River, splitting the South in got her help in breaking the Japanese would like to send two. It was Ulysses S. Grant, a well- Purple Code during World War II. The a barrel of it to my known alcoholic who struggled with cryptanalysis work that started by busting other generals.” the discipline to stay off the sauce. gangs during Prohibition led to the U.S. — Abraham Lincoln, Everyone already thought he learning the Japanese would attack allegedly. was a useless drunk, so he had Midway in 1942, turning a potential defeat nothing to lose and no reason into a win, serving as a major turning to fear failure. President Lincoln point in the war and shaping the modern didn’t drink but owned three taverns American defense system. himself and was paying for the war with taxes on booze. He had no problem with Grant drinking. So, Lincoln put Grant in charge of the entire Union Army, despite his supposed alcoholism. Less than a year later, Grant was in charge and immediately took the war to the South. #SKILLSETMAG 109

What to expect when you’re expecting your one and only vasectomy By Morgan Lerette U nless you’re the Duggar family, every couple with children will have the dreaded conversation—who’s going to sacrifice their reproductive organs for the greater good? Unless your wife had a C-section and the doctor can fix the fallopian generator while removing the engine block, it’s you. Suck it up. It’s not a slight on your manhood. Here’s what to expect when you man up and get the snip. THE START OF V DAY I walk into the urologist’s office, and the waiting area is full of old dudes. I’m 30 years younger than them. They must be here for their erectile dysfunction or cancer treatment. I slink to the front desk and the lady behind the counter whispers, “Hello sir. How can I help you?” Me: (Whispering back) I’m here for an appointment. Her: (Still whispering) Ok. What’s your name and what’s it for?

Me: (Whispering) Why are we whispering? iStock Photos dominatrix to begin insulting me. Her: ??? Brunhilda grabs my manhood like she’s Me: (In a loud voice so all the old men can The doc compliments my shave job while hear) I’m here for the vasectomy. Hook it up! noodling around my sack to find my vas catching a fish barehanded and flings it on my I’m not ashamed. I’ve procreated twice. deferens—the tube he’s about to cut and burn stomach. She tapes it down to my stomach Plus, it feels good to let the old men know my like it’s a dry-aged steak. Vas equals baby- like a bank hostage (count to 100 and don’t dong is performing as designed; in short bursts making tube. Ectomy equals removal. Put look up). She tapes it again in case it is thinking of spousal disappointment. these together, and we get vasectomy. of doing any funny business. Secretly, I’m I give her my insurance card, and she hands glad she looks like a third-place hog at the me a prescription for two Valium, 30 pounds Doctor: There it is. Yep. This will be easy. county fair. If she looked like Brooklyn Decker, I of Codeine and antibiotics explaining it will be I smile and try not to blush as he instructs me wouldn’t be able to get the procedure. easier to walk and get them now as opposed to to pull up my shorts, head to the waiting area, after the procedure. This is not a good omen, take the two Valium and wait 45 minutes to Brunhilda puts a tarp over my sack much but it’s too late to back out. I walk The Green be called in again sitting next to the Vietnam like a raincoat. It leaves the balls exposed Mile to the pharmacy, retrieve my prescriptions Veteran. Within 10 minutes, I’m stoned and but the shaft, stomach, and thighs covered. It and take a seat next to an old man wearing a we’re talking war. Well, I’m talking about how makes me want to visit Seattle. She squeezes Vietnam Veteran hat. Iraq was a cake walk compared to what he an iodine solution over the boys and rubs A cute nurse pops her head out a door like saw in Vietnam, and he’s ignoring me. A door around the area to ensure I am thoroughly a gopher and says, “Mr. Lerette, the doctor opens and a booming voice calls my name. freaked out. She leaves. I lay there with orange will see you now.” The doctor starts the balls questioning every decision I’ve made in consultation. DOWN TO BIZ life bringing me to this point Doctor: To confirm, you understand this is permanent birth control? I say goodbye to my The doctor comes in with Brunhilda. He Me: Hell yes! new friend and walk has a mechanism to numb the area. It looks Doctor: There is a chance it can through the door like one of the pens John Nash is given in A be reversed but you should… half expecting to see Beautiful Mind except on the side is a cocking Me: I get it. Let’s roll. Saint Peter (hehe) at the mechanism. He begins on Ol’ Lefty. His magic Doctor: Ok. Go ahead and drop pearly gates. I’m escorted pen shoots Novocain down the boys. The your shorts and underwear so I can to the emasculation room by first shot is like having a rubber band snap take a look. Brunhilda—a 300-pound beast tasked the scrotum. To reload, he extends his hand Me: (With pride in my voice) I don’t with preparing me for the operation. to Brunhilda to cock it like a single-action believe in underwear. What the hell happened to revolver. This happens five times. My sack is Doctor: (Not amused) Ok. Did you the cute nurse? Her scrubs numb. What little pride I had left exited the shave? If not, I have a single-blade exuded professionalism, but room shaking its head in disappointment. razor you can use. the tattoos on her forearm Me: (Pants around my ankles and behind her ear exuded Orange I’m not sure what happens next, but there’s and berries flopped out) I shaved. Is the New Black. She tells me to strip a needle with more numbing fluid repeatedly everything below the waist. I fight the injected into areas. The pressure gives me SKILLSETMAG.COM power and leave on my socks—the the urge to pee and crap. I have no time to do Rosa Parks of Urology. I lay either before I feel a slice, a tug, a snip and on the bed and await my the smell of burning flesh and seminal fluid. I watch as the stitches are put in. I wonder if I’ve been tricked into being on Hidden Camera— Shame Edition. Now the doc moves to Ol’ Righty. Same five pen shots, but the Novocain didn’t kick in before the incision. How can I describe this? Well, imagine a pair of scissors cutting a hole in your scrotum with no dulling medicine. I sat up and reached to grab (strangle) the doctor. He got the hint and told me to “count to 10.” I watch as he inserts the needle into my man- bits 10 times. Screw the number 10. In fact, screw 1-10. I will never watch Sesame Street again. Repeat the tug, snip and burn. It’s over within five minutes. He tells me to take the Codeine for pain as necessary and not to lift anything over 10 pounds for the next two days as Brunhilda takes off my cock raincoat and hands me a jockstrap. He leaves the room as I put on the jockstrap over my orange balls and pull my shorts over it to hide my shame. Worst one-night stand ever. #SKILLSETMAG 111

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SKILLSETMAG.COM Over the centuries of human existence, one constant has always remained even to this day—change. Weather, economics and politics, the whole of our very existence is based on the changing tides of time. What we are faced with today, although it may seem troubling in entirely new ways, is simply indicative of what we’ve always faced. One could even make the argument that’s how things have always been; we just now have greater access to the information. With that in mind, a solid group of people that you are integral to has become more than a passing interest, it’s now a necessity. In the age of information, it’s no longer what you know. It’s who you know that gives power and meaning. Surrounding yourself with others who are compassionate, reliable, honest and positive can help you through life’s hardships. #SKILLSETMAG 113

PICKIN’ APOCALYPSE PALS MAN IN THE MIRROR GOT TO HAVE GRIT you make the cut. Being open to seeing people for whom they are based on their actions, not As a first step to finding the right people Now not all friends come as you think they their physical qualities, is a powerful choice. in your life, a healthy dose of introspection will. They quite literally come in all shapes It opens opportunities you might not have needs to happen. Are you a good person? and sizes! As an example, let’s have a look been able to perceive before. Also, be honest Not as in do you follow the Golden Rule, but at the recruitment processes of some of the internally, you must also be able to meet are you someone who can be counted on and most elite military and law enforcement whatever standards you ask of anyone else. trusted when things get hard? Do you exhibit units in the world. A recurring theme in these Never ask someone to do something you’re qualities others want to emulate? Are you processes is using stress to bring out the unwilling or unable to do yourself. comfortable consistently putting the needs of truest characters of their candidates. Then others before your own when it matters? The the group decides whether that person is quality of a person is measured through the answers to these questions coupled with the action of living them out. In the insanity of 2020, one thing was made abundantly clear: We are a communal species, and as such, extended periods of isolation are unhealthy. The overarching theme in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman makes it a fantastic read to put this all into context. Loss of identity and man’s inability to accept change is dangerous. Now that the world is choosing to head back toward some kind of normalcy, it’s prime time to reevaluate what’s important in your life. Has the status quo done well for you? Has the way you’ve been conducting yourself for years given you the fulfillment you want? Or rather, is this the perfect opportunity to take a step forward into seeing something beyond yourself? Being a worthy friend begins with a profound understanding of humility and the desire to 114 #SKILLSETMAG

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PICKIN’ APOCALYPSE PALS path. That is also a uniquely American way of ones that overcome the worst will be there and able to laugh with your people—raucous, thinking. As this seemingly crushing monster you can count on them unequivocally. uncontrollable laughter, to the point of tears that is “The Message” seems to encompass and a sore stomach the next day. In times of everything we see and hear, being able to fall THE GLUE true hardship, laughter is a balm for all that back to a core group of quality people becomes ails and seeks to end you. There’s a reason infinitely more important. Lastly, when times get the hardest, as arctic that those with the hardest jobs tend to have explorer Ernest Shackleton so eloquently the darkest senses of humor. It’s a way to SEEK AND CONNECT put it, “The trappings of civilization are soon cope and handle what seems insurmountable. cast aside in the face of stern realities and Laughter binds us all together. Now the question is of where these unique given the barest opportunity of winning people reside. One would think that when food and shelter, man can live and even IN SUMMARY we are surrounded by people, they should find his laughter ringing true.” You must be be everywhere. This is only true in a small part. They are all around us, but we are so fundamentally separated from each other in terms of real human interaction that they are seemingly impossible to find. The solution here is going back to the roots of how humans thrive. As mentioned previously, stress is a great way to sort through a person’s character. To that end, it’s time to stress yourself a bit. Get out of the domicile and go do something! Join a kickball or volleyball team (drunk or sober), try out geocaching, join a book club, find an urban garden, start volunteering at a homeless shelter and participate. These are the places you find the best people—where there is something to be done, a challenge to overcome or a game to win. Go to somewhere your participation and contributions are valued. Where you become essential to a positive “fIonrtaimllesthoafttariules haanrddsseheikp,sltaougehntdeyroius.”a balm 116 #SKILLSETMAG

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Meet Allen Elishewitz, a living weapon that makes weapons By Hank Greenberg 118 #SKILLSETMAG

W e have all heard the expression, other fiberglass space-age materials. An art HITS KEEP COMING “You can do anything you set knife will combine meteorite, pearl, gold your mind to,” but can we or other natural materials combined And if all of that wasn’t enough, Elishewitz really do that? In short, the with space-age materials as well. started a separate company called answer is no. Humans are all The average cost of a tactical knife is Tactician Concepts. The company was built differently and with different skill sets. $900 to $1,500, while the art knives can designed to offer civilians and law Sadly, some have none. Allen Elishewitz is one range from $3,500 to $5,000. From a manual enforcement new tools to strategically of those rare people with the ability to put his folder and a fixed blade to a Balisong and a mind to something and get it done. So, with that switchblade, Elishewitz has done it all. handle a bad situation. Elishewitz holds being said, Elishewitz’s claim to fame is that private courses along with having the repeat he is a knife-making veteran of 33 years that is ADDITIONAL TALENTS opportunity to teach at the Sig Academy. So considered one of the founding fathers of the what makes a knife maker, gunsmith and tactical knife boom in the 1990s along with Now keep in mind, that just because someone machinist qualified to train people? As you being a tier-one machinist. knows how to build knives from scratch know, Elishewitz has been traveling the world doesn’t make them qualified to work on training multiple types of martial arts, but what Since Elishewitz was a young boy living in firearms. Being the type of person he is, you don’t know is that he has been doing the Texas, he was always fascinated with martial Elishewitz had to tinker with firearms, more same thing regarding training with knives and arts and weapons. Motivated by Black Belt specifically customizing his favorite fighting firearms. He is almost like a real-life Bruce Magazine, he had the internal drive to make his sidearm—a Glock. Like most other enthusiasts, Wayne but without the billions of dollars, mark in that community. From doing traditional Elishewitz junks all of the internals and costume or good looks. karate, all the way to living in Thailand, to replaces them with the best products training in Muay Thai, Elishewitz gave all his available, but that’s where the “average” part From training with Travis Haley, Pat Mac, efforts to be as well-rounded as he could. of Elishewitz ends. After the internals have Kyle Lamb and Craig Douglas (to name a few), He ended up in the Southwest Texas State been changed, Elishewitz will then re-do the Elishewitz made sure he has trained with the University of Martial Arts Hall of Fame. entire slide with manual millwork to lighten up best of the best to be able to create his own the overall weight. Again, this is not something tailored mission-specific courses. No matter BACKGROUND that just anyone can do, especially so because whether it’s fighting with a knife, pistol, empty he is taking a slide that has been heat-treated, hands or even vehicle tactics, Tactician Concepts Elishewitz is a true patriot. He served in the which makes the steel extra hard. has you covered. For more, visit elishewitzknives. United States Marine Corp as a team leader com and tacticianconcepts.com. of a Deep Recon Platoon (a job not handed out After the millwork is complete, he will easily). In the tactical community, Elishewitz then make a custom compensator from #SKILLSETMAG 119 has hand-made, designed and enhanced pretty scratch. The Elishewitz compensator has much all of it. He hand makes his knives, re- a ton of research and development behind machines and enhances firearms, and hand it to separate itself from the average makes pens and watches. He also founded gun store compensator that you can Tactician Concepts where he runs hands-on buy over the counter. The compensator defensive courses at Sig Sauer Academy and alone has about 20 hours of machining private seminars for gun and knife fighting. and refinement. Outside of just looking awesome, the compensator is extremely Elishewitz Knives is his flagship business light and can dissipate every little bit of where he produces his utility tool and weapon gas coming out of the barrel, which will lines. His knives are nothing less than tier-one and always have a defensive purpose to them. follow-up shots. In a His folders and fixed blades are made by hand, nutshell, Elishewitz uses which means no CNC machines. One of the his years of firearm training things separating his company from other knife to create what he feels is makers is that every year he introduces new the ultimate fighting pistol. models while retiring older ones, no matter how the option of bringing older models out of retirement for upgrades and enhancements. One of the other things that take a special skill set that not many knife makers have is knowing how to turn a tactical knife into a high-end art piece for a particular type of clientele, as not everyone buying a custom knife uses it. To give you an example, the average tactical knife will have manmade materials like carbon fiber and SKILLSETMAG.COM

let’s be clear about what this list is and its a better job, then stop reading this and go and make your own list. purpose. This is for one of two groups of Send it to us via @skillsetmag. Here are eight movies that you must people. You are either the spouse of a crazy watch so that you can hold a conversation with your partner and not martial arts fanatic or you are that crazy feel foolish. martial arts fanatic. If you are the spouse, the purpose of the top-eight martial arts movies is Now, a good martial arts film will usually have the following to give you some insight and some education on what these crazy to guarantee it’s pretty good. It has an evil bad guy as the martial art movies are all about. If you are a martial arts fanatic and antagonist, a good guy as the protagonist (I love writing those you’re trying to get your spouse yet again to watch some of your words, they make me feel like a real writer) who’s not sure that favorite martial arts movies, then hopefully this article and the list he’s a good guy, and phenomenal very unrealistic fight scenes. will encourage them to watch these movies. The story is irrelevant, I mean, it’s entertainment that is providing Now before any of you start busting my balls over my choices, your escape. At the end of the day, the bad guy gets his ass I will say this. If you have a better choice and you think you can do kicked or killed, and the good guy triumphs all because of his martial arts training. Enough chit-chat. Here we go! ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) FIST OF LEGEND (1994) Jet Li Bruce Lee This movie also has a Bruce Lee legacy. This is Bruce Lee’s first American-backed It’s a different version of Bruce Lee’s movie and a sheer legend of a movie. Here we second movie, The Chinese Connection, also known as Fists of Fury. You may iiMhSnYspiatpesrmr.yorinLgs!iolioueTernneeehrja?iaotgshtlnoLheiaseetrrnsehetn!jeeaohuA-ntapsledjtsdluatrakbstnaeitemecmreakthaaa.ntasLssmoYrgatoiersatsuieveecuieeitsarsentaesnnsf’l,gsclitrotagilao.-aytyupsmhb’Cretsriretitynsamtesetephvsnhsttnrpaetceomoaotyyrges,mtttfootonimwoianiimguvmgeeugahhuiaferoottwpitecntchintvfoiehahehaoroierslneremnrtthttendhra.b,mheee-aWenMuaelnmheagttvOhtrdotrote.asetlatorloLynei.datwdamdegrwLsmrhlheeeuapapaae—iaegglrttiprvec?ehcetyepgd,sivhenesCreoaeacoyatkineaatitsyfhlis.sfnlnsloim,blbnitiayIouguneogatkovrhtgcrnuHetttyafthro,oroeiauafaehfwreeansflehfeveer‘eiasisilcnvdslrH,,ktedothersa?eeyr.ns. want to watch The Chinese Connection to understand what I’m talking about. The aoinbvteserorleeusvttiel,.lrySeenaeell,eyIdatotmoldaszyeiane,gtphfriiegsthmttyocmvhiouerc.ehoagrcaopmhymaonndtghoeomdet.rYiuomu phs 120 #SKILLSETMAG SKILLSETMAG.COM

A beginner’s iStock Photo guide to kickassery on the big screen By Marcus Torgerson ABOVE THE LAW (1988) THE OCTAGON (1980) Steven Seagal This was Seagal’s first movie, and it was a few Chuck Norris Norris, the famous martial arts Here you have Chuck here’s the bottom line. Nico is a good cop with a gfsmhsircgooooehmwusntpteechsbsoip.s.aooTTdhlphhaahceseleofns-rsibsnaatro.cawoMrtntyohhadrioyesswlnbarobheenenefeatavobovdtctleItefhucotwr-wtrhenh.bmhiIchferlwtaielchohna?tdoottidaosehbruItflaoeawrlhmddseturde.ohtcot,bwAur.hovawelfTfredimnfcetihhctedoh.cmeakerEmahitrtaahevpaehehenepmwfsaaaradewpyrhpsmaneybpoiasoLonioelsmlneeuitydnnhdeayekdafjaoanidaVingwftiynraftdhtca,erignoltamatyrl,eeoiuoCobCnanvlsufleeh’neietergrCuyhresahsfchafirgopthn—kupterroiipcmectorguth,kylanoeseaa.’tteresentorafsofodispbgagofriaohthmoiftsrufitwhsttaittleniyot,dh PwyawtaorhhmheueicarTsshtGtho,cirimeSesmietnsereraetavoanisrserdye.nyadF,asiiiSgrngsoteoghmiscaototlgdeose-ascsmctloehooi,onseonavemlatishef.lilo.gaeeHwrhagoestiftwtaslbayecwlkoevaeyuencsreSkwo,stymbieolaelveunleg,tdnheainatPnSvdsaaeeomialkmeagitdGaes’solrkgiibisesnieogr,n,gIhtya’lmhoneSendstrneeedaosv’unstte,rygntinnhomoSganoetnms.vaaoTiagemwhtatweleae,rsireotthfe #SKILLSETMAG 121

TOP 8 MARTIAL ARTS FLIX THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1982) Jet Li A young boy training in the Shaolin Temple gets some very THE WAY OF THE DRAGON GYMKATA (1985) aka RETURN OF THE DRAGON Kurt Thomas (1972)—Bruce Lee, Chuck OK, this movie has Kurt Thomas, an Olympic-level gymnast and the Norris, Bob Wall (R.I.P.) creator of the Thomas flair. Why am I going into such great length about This movie is filmed in beautiful Rome the actor and not the story of the movie? Because this movie sucks. I with phenomenal scenery and some figured I’d put a really bad one in the mix so that when you watch the of the best fight choreography scenes others you will appreciate the other ones much more. This movie is for ever. Bruce Lee comes to Europe to help entertainment and educational purposes only. That is all: Now go watch friends who own Chinese food restaurants the other seven movies—they’re way better. that are being extorted. He teaches them some Kung fu and completely crushes kicked or killed, and the good guy triumphs all the extortion ring. You will witness hands because of his martial arts training.\" down some of the best martial arts choreography ever put on film. Grab the lastkicks popcorn, a beverage and enjoy. These movies are very much like THE 36TH CHAMBER when you may watch an old John OF SHAOLIN (1978) Wayne, Cary Grant or Katharine Gordon Liu Hepburn movie. It’s from a That should be enough said. bygone era where you get But honestly speaking, here popcorn, put in the videotape are more reasons this movie (yes, I’m that old) and escape is legendary. Shaw Brothers for a few hours. It’s about Studio made some badass pausing our everyday life with classics and for me, this all the good and bad that comes with it while enjoying, escaping and deliver the entire storyline, however, just Google ingesting movies that will never be that shit and watch this movie. I will give you a made like that ever again. Have fun! very small understanding of this classic film. I hope that your significant other Bottom line, it’s filmed at the actual Shaolin ends up taking some martial arts temple (I’ve been there; it’s a cash cow tourist so that you guys have one more trap now, but still cool as all get out). Watch this thing in common. adventure and you won’t ever regret the time invested. It’s about a guy who loses everything, SKILLSETMAG.COM goes through trials and testing tribulations, and kicks a ton of ass. Did I mention the martial arts fight scenes are incredible? 122 #SKILLSETMAG

A R M A S I G H T. C O M

Turn fear SKILLSETMAG.COM into fuel and your life will never be the same again By Tony Blauer 124 #SKILLSETMAG

SKILLSETMAG.COM fy fsayrmhtaiholiwseoLemylamuutmeunwksigoancrTrtWevrhdaa,irelItwtsyhaddphehkli.ylu“ruTwnHIemeegaadPsierelelatoWOIrtydsdlliilinea’eeasAhwdtsffhudlassplhsunp..ea,dddenkeroFeolioooir’peaWWkgtgder,netttorw,pahIrnywtrhnbunhronangpwrltraeIriooekeeoodobooaeoentruidetrrkuftnrgsaoeuuiuoclwnrldrdesor,estniGriohatsoslatiktcetfatetstodfoiwetttnaaelthstnslfaftrnidfih?yirsyhwetemirdptsfieG’hcnssdcgeiaeceteaaatidCno.shacraseohhpngansetftrrteakricmoviainh.x.eeftdlrodnltgGtcoeiheferrieIpoIisadaasimgahb’srrrfepeoawnddtecbtclbeyenttpehsFtofn,hpo!irheiaoohepmcywnssonrmidagioerttaerrnu,eeteogcyauuhtneeaueeiocrbbdtnnoismncaetrgenswdsts,dgpheueetconhdrchptv.eS“eh.elsoeet”eer(rhheoepefetRimdttehdernntvhididlemTserftesfssuotdeia.aeehtyvo”otohttkimIswgharnmtafraen’eshpoi.IdieodmheiirnsruenottrsseotlIuleeaip”aloateehorgfutabywttfPdrfytiowssgwwSvrhrclr).eauomtofrd.,oaeeehDotrttrdteiefwSwfa-hwh’mloeuafhuvoatetmfPslmiehnhenwistrhbesomnetsbteiuyeoagatoethfierwlf’ope.cspTetsiorftirv,rbcyelue..AMhttawrtiehnbltletoboomlllSteaihiaroysdaaeufiiuedutDrsacoteneimv,ondrt,atlatfasoh,r’gscdeeohwwAtrbtnwfyeemwahy,oeterrrili.omhacane,”daegeeoigednahfneoaorrksailueoycMdosaahsdetmmmnlomeGnnlhuwred“ttm.isuadef’suedegfmoideypisBrrnnkeiftri.rgrogoeafftlwhauleagfteeei“vhehipmheithtngtesAftgaeareofhwoteontedIhoteefhtoi,kudwsl.daeesrdahtnranel“tIegesa,Tn,asrceotaAlrttwsdmtae?banhohuarolsneystoyyaltlotge.nhssupte,ugHc”yliesohyyzxteraotlenpecas:emou,Te?we,eeferbnrohnaaoUw,rtaihrrpcoIittoechtcftsnona’abeFhfluhsrhsemahretndlyeCaeatfhehik.yrpeemartnasfieeihlgngcenndua?eetehdagyry,.ir,erht,othehfies #SKILLSETMAG 125

FEAR THIS! Dan Millman, the author self-defense and martial arts. There is no such Way of the Peaceful thing as “no fear,” but there sure is a way to get 126 #SKILLSETMAG to [k]no[w] fear and have it guide you. , wrote, “If you face When you don’t understand “fear,” it’s the Self-doubt creates hesitation. If you’re weapon. When you study fear, it takes on a sparring or fighting, you’ve already missed metaphorical nutritional role…You eat your the target. fears. You learn to look fear in the eyes, it feeds you…When you consume fear as “fuel,” you Hesitation leads to procrastination. In become the weapon. relationships, business and life. This leads to lost opportunities. F.U.C.K. FEAR FORMULA Procrastination leads to fixation. Fear When was the last time you actually got into unchecked is the killer of dreams. Remember a physical altercation? Unless you’re active the “Rocking Chair Test.” duty law enforcement, military, corrections or first responder, you probably can’t remember. I’ve now spent decades studying fear, and I For most of us, thankfully, this isn’t a regular created a counterintuitive system to help make occurrence. fear work for us instead of against us. I wish I had learned how to “lean into fear” decades ago. Now when was the last time you played some It would’ve improved how I taught and coached crazy scenario in your mind worrying about a person, a relationship, a job or an email you sent? Or had an adrenaline dump triggered by a text message, an email, a misunderstanding, an argument, a jerk in line, people talking during a movie, the list goes on. I can’t tell you how many hours of my life I’ve wasted overthinking stuff because of worry. The sudden adrenaline dump is the physiological response, but how we relate to it or interpret it is psychological. Fear is like your personal mugger that robs you of time you can’t replace. Understanding the fear and appreciating its role in your survival has great value. But not every scenario is resolved with two palm strikes to the head. Movement is mental; it only happens after we have reconciled the fear spike. Does that make sense? We make strategic choices when there is greater clarity of mind. Managing fear is the inner battle that must take place before you can deploy the optimal strategy. As a dad, husband, business owner and entrepreneur, I get fear spikes fairly regularly. I used to be very reactive but, over time, have learned to use fear as a signal to look at why I was in a fear loop. It’s an ongoing process. Real- life is like a rollercoaster comprised of micro- confrontations. How we handle them influences the quality of our day...and week...and so on. I created the F.U.C.K. FEAR formula to remind us it’s a process. There isn’t really a state of “no fear,” but if you study it well, it’s all about getting to “know fear” and making it work for you. Here’s the formula: Face it Understand it Control it Know it SKILLSETMAG.COM

It’s a pretty cool acronym. It’s easy to was first vetted by elite military units, SWAT, from doing what you need to do? The root cause say to yourself when you feel fear coming police, airline pilots post 9/11, businessmen is always “fear.” on. The formula is very straightforward, and women, people of all walks of life, and the therefore, easy to use. You can learn more at list goes on. Fear creates doubt, and doubt triggers blauertrainingsystems.com. hesitation. This is the tactical moment for I’m most excited because parents have introspection. If you don’t have the tools to do FEAR AS FUEL finally discovered it. We had a father get his this, you’re left with the psychological feelings teenage daughter off antidepressants using associated with this state. This becomes a As I wrote earlier, I was always afraid. I think I the system. Another mom taught her son how vicious cycle between your physiology and was literally afraid of my shadow—at least it to overcome his fear of swimming (without psychology, where your mind manufacturers felt like that. As a kid, I was afraid of the water. almost drowning him like me!). Some stories I images to support the bad feelings. Unresolved I learned how to swim after my mom threw get literally make my eyes well up. I wish my fear or undefined fear can produce anxiousness me in a lake from a rowboat (they did things parents understood the role fear plays in kids’ and more. True situational awareness is differently in the 1960s). I grew up on skis and lives and taught me how to re-think fear. understanding where you are in your head. skied competitively for years. I was always afraid to lose and to win. I hated competitions. My mind The variables for understanding fear and Tyson and St-Pierre figured out how to prevented me from enjoying the competition. how it changes the conversations in your mind manage fear. They were never macho about I wrestled with our school team, but I don’t are endless. The applications for this are too it. They figured out how to confront it and do remember the competitions because of my many to mention. I believe everything we do what they had to do in spite of its presence fear. I never realized my potential as an athlete runs through a fear loop to determine if this is and with time and practice, they learned to because of fear. Does that sound familiar? good/bad, desirable/less desirable, dangerous/ integrate their relationship with fear into their safe and so on. The ability to use the “fear pre-contest rituals. No one was talking about fear. No one was spike” like a radar blip is what we’re talking teaching fear management. I started studying about here. Is that blip safe or something I need This is what it means to turn fear into fuel. martial arts after getting attacked before to assess? What if you made fear your fuel? What if the starting high school. My goal was purely self- “fear spike” was like a radar blip that you need defense, and without realizing it, I was in the FINAL FEAR EMBRACE to investigate? (Is that an airplane or missile? martial pipeline. I wanted a black belt; I wanted Do I need to take action? Do other people need to progress. I was in the system and going to The science and psychology of fear to know? And so on.) That’s the F.U.C.K. FEAR competitions. And there I was afraid again—not management require training. And my goal is to formula! of my skill, but it was the performance anxiety get enough people talking about this and teach surrounding competition. others how to look at fear differently so that one I promise you when you change your day our children are taught a course in school relationship with fear, you change your mind, All my life, fear prevented me from fully called KNOW FEAR. Imagine how different when you change your mind, you can literally experiencing and enjoying whatever event, the world would be if we taught kids how to change your life. relationship or scenario I was involved in. “Enjoyment” is paramount to getting in the and thoughts, how to demystify Fuck Fear! proverbial flow state, or The Zone, but that challenges, and so on. How would negative voice was always nagging me in the that change lives? That’s how big back of my mind. this is. What’s holding you back It wasn’t until the late ’80s, after teaching for almost a decade and running hundreds of force-on-force scenarios (originally called The Panic Attack Drill) that I developed a system to help my students manage their fear. Today that program is better known as KNOW FEAR. In the ’80s, it was called the Cerebral Self- Defense Program, and it was built on the Cycle of Behavior. Today, the program enjoys a worldwide reputation for its simplicity and effectiveness. It’s been taught in hospitals, to psychologists, to teachers and to parents. For those of you who know my combatives background, it SKILLSETMAG.COM

LAST CALL We want to hear from you! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook! TIME FOR A CHANGE #SKILLSETFAM #SKILLSETMAG By Ben Tirpak SKILLSETMAG.COM MOST OF US BECOME INSTANTLY FRIGHTENED BY THE MERE THOUGHT OF “CHANGE.” Whether due to a move across the country, an unexpected job loss, or that of a loved one, change is something that takes command of our strongest emotion, fear. Change, however, does not have to be a scary thing. It brings along with it new challenges and obstacles for us to overcome. Each one of those challenges itself is an opportunity that allows us to grow into a bigger, stronger, more resilient version of our former selves. Change is constant. Something you can always count on much like death and taxes as the saying goes, no one is immune to it. How we react to the change is the key to our own personal development, as well as to how it affects those around us. This sets in motion a ripple effect, one decision setting up a course of events that will alter our futures forever, for better or worse. How will you handle these unpredictable changes that are headed your way in this “New World?” The amount of misinformation, government policy change, as well as financial uncertainty are changes that will continue to happen without a shadow of a doubt. Will you hide from all the unknown circumstances arriving in your inbox as well as on your you be ready, prepared and willing to stand up and face whatever change the “New World Order” throws at you? Being able to make quick, calculated decisions when change slaps you in the face is a SKILLSET that needs practice and repetition just like anything else. The more change and adversity one faces, the quicker and more precise the decision-making process becomes, overall lessening the fear that comes with unexpected change. Embrace the change, and seize the day. We sincerely hope you enjoyed this premier issue of the changed SKILLSET, and look forward to engaging with you all more over at skillsetmag.com. —#skillsetbenout 128 #SKILLSETMAG

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CUST IY UIL Ballisticmag.com PCC YOUR WAY FOR COMPETITION OR SELF-DEFENSE, GO THE WAY OF THE AERO PRECISION EPC-9 BY JOSEPH MURRAY • ROBERT JORDAN PHOTOS 130 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022

ERO PRECISION is a company that I MAKING CHOICES hold in high regard. I have been mix- ing, matching and building with their Aero Precision’s Enhanced Pistol Caliber AR is a highly versatile and equally cus- components for the better part of four tomizable firearm that, with your careful years. I am thankful to Aero Precision selection of parts, will suit whatever goals for their continued support of the you have. The crux of the EPC AR is its forged EPC-9 receiver set. You can shooting sports, specifically 3-Gun. either get an enhanced set, a normal Aero is well known in the 3-Gun com- set or build the receiver from parts. The munity as one of the go-to brands for dependable main benefit to the enhanced receiver and customizable components for an AR-pattern set is that it is a finely tuned and expertly build. Their intuitive design for their parts, the crafted mounting system for a free-float- dependability of their components and their ing handguard, which only requires eight interchangeability are why I always recommend screws. Aero makes sure that the parts Aero Precision to people who are looking for an of their receiver set are forged the same AR-pattern build. That said, Aero’s effective and to allow for a better cooling and lighter utilitarian nature is why I am so excited to bring carrying firearm. forth a review of their EPC-9 AR-pattern gun. The forged receiver set serves as a strong foundation for the rest of your EPC AR build. The user can choose between four different barrel lengths for their pistol—16-, 11-, 8.3- and 5.5-inch barrels. I chose to use the 8.3-inch barrel. My thought process was that I could see how the gun could perform as a truck, backpack or home-defense gun. The EPC is a worthwhile investment for your defensive needs because it offers a lot of abilities that a conventional pistol does not offer, such as an increased hit proba- bility, longer effective distance, increased terminal ballistics due to a longer barrel, and M-Lok for accessories like lasers and sights. Plus, I have been shooting full-length PCC builds in USPSA for the last four years, so mixing it up seemed like a fun project. Aero Precision also offers a large assortment of handguard styles and lengths to properly suit you and your Ballisticmag.com BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 131

CC Y U W Y PERFORMANCE AERO PRECISION EPC-9 LOAD VELOCITY ACCURACY The EPC-9 worked bliss- Ammo Inc. Streak TMC 124 1,188 1.80 fully with the Federal 1,089 1.10 Premium Punch rounds. Federal Syntech PCC 130 1,327 0.77 The load produced the kind of accuracy that the Federal Punch 124 1,157 1.50 author would normally see in a 16-inch PCC. Hornady Critical Duty Flexlock 135 Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 25 yards. build. I chose the 7.3-inch AR-15 ATLAS dependable and repeatable accurate shots at PARTING PCC POINTERS R-ONE M-Lok Handguard. I have always distance. As you’ll see in the accompanying found M-Lok to be the best fit for me and my performance chart, the accuracy test was very The largest commonality between all PCCs shooting style. encouraging. Groups were impressive for a is that they are finicky at first, and you need gun equipped with a mil-spec, 8-pound trigger to find the magic mix of ammunition and Aero’s utilitarian compatibility allowed me and such a short barrel. magazines for them to work. Given this, I was to add the Magpul BTR Arm Brace to my AR. actually still very pleased with the performance The short length of my build added versatility Inconsistencies in accuracy are common for of the EPC. The break-in process was shorter to my shooting capabilities. It was the shortest firearms with barrels this short, but the EPC’s and easier than I had with the other PCCs that carbine that I own. I was able to store the EPC ability to keep the groups under 2 inches I owned. The Aero EPC was well balanced nicely in my tactical Maxpedition backpack. is extremely impressive. I would love to see and did not feel clunky in my hands while It was as easy to pack and transport as my the performance and accuracy with an Aero shooting it. I have often found some carbines, takedown .22 backpack gun. Precision’s 16-inch EPC. especially PCCs, to be far too heavy or far too light. Luckily, the EPC was extremely portable, The Magpul BTR Arm Brace is intended for I also did some action shooting with the and it did not leave me feeling out of place. use as a stabilizing accessory for non-shoul- pistol to get a good feel for the gun. Fair warn- dered use and is sling compatible. If you ing: At the very start of the action shooting, I I also shot the pistol while doing lateral want to turn this gun into an SBR and add a had a small feeding issue with a very old Gen movements, movements to the rear and traditional buttstock, make sure to stay current 1 Glock magazine. However, once switching forward-advancing movements. During this with the ATF’s newest rules, regulations and to newer magazines I had no issues at all. time, the gun was flat and cycled very evenly. restrictions. Malfunctions are never great, but I will always Despite the short nature of this firearm, my give a brand new gun that is being broken in movements and the recoil of the gun did not HOW’D SHE RUN? some leeway at the beginning of its tenure push the EPC around or off target. as my firearm. I am pleased to also say that After building my EPC AR-pattern gun, I after swapping mags, the gun gave no further Overall, the Aero Precision EPC showed added a Crimson Trace Hardline 4-16 variable issues. At the end of the day, whether you itself to be a gun that is intuitive and workable. optic for an accuracy test. The CT Hardline are getting a full-sized EPC for competition The fun and steady performance of the EPC 4-16 is a great optic for long-range shooting, or a shorter one for self-defense, you should was encouraging, and it made me appreciate and its crystal clear glass allows me to hone be testing the functionality and training the just how utilitarian and effective Aero Precision in and achieve the most accurate results usability of your firearm before it ever sees is. The EPC can truly be whatever PCC that possible. This second-focal-plane optic comes real-world use. The EPC is a reliable gun that you need it to be. My backpack build passed with a great bullet drop compensator reticle works like a charm once you break it in. the test with flying colors. For more informa- and 1/4-MOA click turrets, which will allow for tion, visit aeroprecisionusa.com. 132 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 Ballisticmag.com

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GE E RATCHET OUTTA JAMS Springfield’s new LevAR charging handle might save your six in a gunfight BY ANDY GROSSMAN → I am always interested in stuck cartridges. When deployed, When not in use all the other parts including the innovation in the firearms it serves as a lever that will simply unjamming a lever, button and cam are steel. industry. However, with work that stuck cartridge out of the chamber, the wing The fact that these additional parts innovation comes a certain level of chamber by using several levers on the Springfield are steel adds to the strength doubt that the innovation is a good and a cam, which adds a mechan- LevAR folds neatly of the lever and the camming idea and whether it will function the ical advantage when operating out of the way. mechanism. When you don’t way it is advertised. While there the charging handle. Just depress need the LevAR, it works just like are many new products introduced the button on the right wing of The author found a regular charging handle. The at a regular pace, few are truly the charging handle and fold the the LevAR to work only difference you will notice innovative. Most of the time it is lever from the left to the fully open perfectly in clear- is the added bulk over a normal the same gun or part in a different position. Pull the LevAR, and the ing jams without charging handle. The bulk is not color or caliber. Most companies bolt simply pulls back, causing the having to resort to a bad thing, it just throws you off will advertise their new products as stuck cartridge to fall free. the old method of the first few times you grab a hold innovative and the first of its kind, slamming the butt- of it. The LevAR has an MSRP of but the truth is, there is a lack of So here is the real question. stock down on a $99. It won’t break the bank and actual innovation most of the time. Does the thing work? To my hard surface while will definitely save you time and I’m always a sucker for a product surprise, it works perfectly. When pulling back on the a whole lot of effort at the range, that solves a problem, which is why deployed, the arm of the LevAR charging handle. in a gunfight or during a compe- the LevAR from Springfield Armory doesn’t get in the way of running tition. For more information, visit instantly got my attention. the rifle, and it pulls the bolt back springfield-armory.com. with ease to release the stuck UN-STUCK IT cartridge. If you shoot AR-15s often, I can PERFECT PERFORMANCE almost guarantee you have had a stuck cartridge from some I installed the LevAR in my Zev out-of-spec ammunition. The gun Core Elite Pistol and headed to completely locks up and there the range to test it out. I purposely is no way to pull the charging shot this crappy, reloaded 5.56mm handle back hard enough without that I always had issues with slamming the buttstock against because my goal was to get a jam. something hard while pulling the As planned, after about 75 rounds charging handle to break the downrange I got that jam. The gun cartridge free. In the firearms world, was locked up really well, and I we call this mortaring the rifle, and kind of laughed as I deployed the let’s face it, it’s flat-out scary to do arm of the LevAR. “There is no most of the time. This is unfortu- nately not uncommon, which is why Springfield Armory decided to step up to the plate. The LevAR replaces your existing charging handle on your AR-15-platform rifles and pistols. It is a bit bulkier than a standard charging handle but works the exact same way— other than being able to unstick 134 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 Ballisticmag.com

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›› Canik’s new competition pistol, the Rival, brings top-dollar performance to the table without a top-dollar price. 136 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 Ballisticmag.com

Canik’s new SFx Rival delivers champion-level performance at a budget-friendly price → and performance without the consumer to make the Rival exceptionally fit for having to take out a second mortgage to competition. Like the METE line, the Rival get in the game. The new SFx Rival was has the new modular construction for easy specifically designed to compete in IDPA, and complete disassembly with a simple USPSA and IPSC without any restrictions. punch tool. And with a host of supplied tools and accessories, the SFx Rival has everything The frame also includes the ambidex- you need to hit the ground running for well trous slide stop as well as the double under $700. undercut triggerguard for increased shooter comfort. The Rival wears the same RIVAL TRAITS improved and aggressive grip texturing as the METE line, and it includes Canik’s In many ways, the SFx Rival is very similar holster fit-and-lock system for secure to Canik’s new line of METE pistols, but retention. Sporting the same redesigned a few upgrades have been introduced beavertail, the Rival ships with three backstraps for a custom fit, and it includes • BY GARRETT LUCAS • a magazine well that can be attached to the The Rival ships with a speed- cut holster that gets the shooter rolling as soon as he leaves the gun shop. BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 137

CEH SE 1. A fine, fiber-optic pipe upfront aids in precision Where the SFx Rival begins to part ways Because the METE series already had a great aiming. 2. The Rival includes a slide optics cut with a with the METE line is in the extra features and trigger, I’m not sure how the folks at Canik top plate that includes an adjustable rear sight. accessories that it offers. First, the magazine improved on it but they certainly did. The aver- well that I mentioned is crafted from aluminum age pull before the break measured just 3.68 3. The Rival’s flat-faced, aluminum trigger is a rather than polymer. Also, two aluminum pounds and the trigger offered an extremely significant upgrade over the METE line of pistols. baseplates are included in the kit so the user short reset. It felt like only a couple of millime- can swap out the polymer baseplates on the ters of forward travel before there was a very SPECIFICATIONS two 18-round magazines to add a bit of extra tactile and audible pop on the reset. weight to maximize drop-free reliability. If that’s not enough upgrades for you, Canik Up top, the slide showcases very aggres- includes three different magazine release sive serrations for easy slide manipulation. extensions for the reversible release so the Though prominent and aggressive, the perfect release height can be set just for you. serrations are still very comfortable to engage Canik includes a small took kit as part of the manually. For additional weight savings, the package, and that can be used to change out slide also features cut-outs on top and on the the mag release extensions and install the sides as well a couple of relief cuts on the included adapter plates. bottom of the slide up front. Speaking of that, the Rival comes with These cut-outs, along with a couple up four aluminum optics adapter plates to mate front that provide a hint of the barrel, give up with the most popular optics on the the SFx Rival a wicked, no-prisoners-taken market from Trijicon, Vortex, Leupold, Doctor, aesthetic with its gray Cerakote-over-Nitride Meopta, Shield, Sig Sauer and others. Two finish. And to help dial in your favorite load, the other optional plates are available to order for Rival also includes an adjustable rear sight that the Aimpoint Acro C1 and the C-More STS. can be corrected for windage and elevation, To mount an adapter plate and an optic, it’s and that includes a serrated face to mitigate important to use the screws provided in the glare. The front sight is a fiber-optic post that tool kit supplied by Canik and not the screws comes with both red and green pipes to suit that came with the optic. But the instructions your preference. are very clear and quite detailed for a very easy installation process. Another substantial upgrade is the new 90-degree, diamond-cut aluminum trigger Aside from the race-gun model with the gray finish and gold accents, Canik also that features a flat face offers the Rival in an all-black version that’s and lightened pull. called the Dark Side model. That’s intended for more “tactical” applications, and it ships CANIK SFx RIVAL with a fifth adapter plate that works with the Mecanik M01 red-dot as well as red-dots CALIBER: 9mm from Shield, JPoint and the Leupold Delta BARREL: 5 inches Point Pro. This particular plate also comes with an installed rear OA LENGTH: 8.1 inches sight for co-witnessing with the optic. WEIGHT: 29.5 ounces (empty) GRIPS: Polymer SIGHTS: Fiber-optic, rear adjustable ACTION: Striker-fired, semi-auto FINISH: Rival Grey or Rival Dark Side CAPACITY: 18+1 MSRP: $680 “THE NEW SFX RIVAL WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO COMPETE IN IDPA, USPSA AND IPSC WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS.” 138 BALLISTIC 06¥07 2022 Ballisticmag.com