Knives are excellent backup weapons if you’re carrying a pistol. They also make good primary weapons for an everyday carry if you are unable to carry a pistol. Often when traveling abroad, I have found it exponentially easier to obtain a good knife than a reliable (or affordable) pistol. They are usually cheaper and easier […]
Gear
Gear in the Wild: Spanish soldier inspecting a Brit’s SA80A2 rifle
A Spanish soldier, assigned to Task Force Besmaya, inspects a British SA80A2 rifle before a rifle range at the Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2018. The soldiers learned to use other Coalition partners’ weapons to build camaraderie and build a positive working relationship. The 74 nations and five international organizations that make up the […]
Be prepared for the worst without breaking your budget: Check out this deal for 40% off QuikClot Combat Gauze
Here at the Loadout Room, we’re all about testing the best gear on the market to make sure it’s functional, dependable, and worthwhile when you’re making hard choices about which gear to purchase for your own kit. We know that for many of us, putting a vehicle emergency kit or bug out bag together takes […]
Gear in the Wild: The M1911 in the hands of a Force Recon Marine
A Force Reconnaissance Marine with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads an M1911 .45 caliber pistol in Guam, January 29, 2018, during Visit Board Search and Seizure training. VBSS teaches Marines how to take over ships for searches and counter-piracy operations. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides […]
Stay Connected with The Mic Loop
Sometimes it’s the simple things that work the best. Take for instance the original Mic Loop. Until you’ve needed The Mic Loop you probably won’t understand The Mic Loop. Don’t make that mistake, just get one now and save yourself the problems. Many years ago I initiated a traffic stop on a wanted felon. He […]
Grey Ghost Gear UGF Battle Belt
The current rage in tactical gear at my unit is the battle belt. The current generation of the battle belt has a padded inner belt; the exterior of which is covered in soft sided Velcro. The outer belt has an interior of hook Velcro and an exterior lined in molle. The most popular buckle used […]
T3 Medical Backpack: Designed to the exacting standards of Special Forces medics
In any aspect of life, disorganization breeds chaos.  Having to scramble to find something under austere circumstances only augments that time-honored adage.  The T3 Medical Backpack tries to intuitively lay out the medic’s equipment in hopes that they or their teammates can effectively access and employ life-saving materials without wasting time looking for items. The […]
T3 Gear 3-Day Hydration Pack
Truthfully, I always tend to stick to backpacks by The North Face for every day and operational use, but I was given the T3 Gear 3-Day Hydration Pack to try out and now I don’t know if I’ll ever move away from T3’s backpacks. Through 3 maritime operations, it has held its in a league […]
Tactical Tailor Active Shooter Bag
The Tactical Tailor Active shooter bag and I have been having quite a bit of fun. I’m lucky enough to own a bit of property and have my own personal range. That means I really got to take it out and use it as necessary. Before we get to the shooting review let’s take a […]
Photo of the Day: MSR’s Lightning Explore Snowshoes | Blizzard ready
Winter storm after winter storm has rocked the Midwest this season. Businesses closed, widespread power outages and lengthy school closings. It’s all doom and gloom, right? Not if you have the means to get outside and enjoy all this snow. Unfortunately, Michigan isn’t known for its mountains so skiing is a bit of a bust. […]