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If you are like me, your Everyday Carry (EDC) continually evolves based on needs and preferences.

Since the gov-scam lockdowns around covid19/wuflu, I’ve been working from home. Where I have an entire garage full of tools and self-defense tools are plentiful too.

I’ve gone from a kel-tec pf9mm pistol to sig p365 9mm and more recently the p365-380 (10+1 and night sights) in the same size as a glock 42/43 etc.
In fact, the p365-380 is the same size as the p365 9mm, but much lighter.

I’ve had several versions of streamlight protac and more recently switched to the microstream which is about the length of my wallet and fits nicely into my front left pocket with my wallet. Leatherman Rev/Bolster is in the front left pocket using the “pocket clip” too. Even with “skinny pants” it all fits.

I’ve pretty much got everything off my hips. I used to carry a multi-tool, spare mag and flashlight on my left side on my belt.

I love the leatherman clips, but the wave is just a bit too heavy for EDC IMO.
They’ll forever be in my “get home kit” or motorcycle tankbag/bar-bag (Giant Loop zig zag)

When my kids turn 18, they get a Leatherman Wave (if they don’t already have a good multi-tool). I want my kids to have this “tool box” when they go on their mission and off to college. 

Item	Weight
SOG DUO (no longer made)	6.38 OZ
Leatherman titanium charge TTI	8.96 OZ
Leatherman Bolster/Rev	6.00 oz
Leatherman Wave	8.68 OZ
Leatherman SkelTol	5.19 oz
SOG Power Access	6.10 OZ
Sog Power Assist (one of my favs, but kind of big/heavy)

LINKS TO PRODUCTS:

Streamlight MicroStream (Highly recommended and my new EDC light!)

Leatherman bolster (the Rev is very similar) (highly recommended and my new EDC multi-tool) Also, check out similar Leatherman Wingman, and sidekick. Budget leatherman, but I really like the weight and capability of the rev/bolster/wingman/sidekick (they have slight differences, but same form factor.

Leatherman Charge TTI (I love the upgraded blade and belt-cutter/gut-hook!) $190 on Leatherman’s website!

Streamlight protac duel fuel (amazon says I’ve purchased this item 8 times! lots of gifts to my friends)

The cut everything and abuse blade! The workpro box cutter/razor blade. I’ve bought 54 of these! and given them out as gifts. Great amazon box openers!

PROS/CONS

• Leatherman Wave
  • PROS: Durable, pocket clip, lots of tools including eye glasses tools, I really love the file for fingernails or fitting tools in the field
    CONS: Heavier and how many blades do you really need?
• Leatherman TI Charge
  • PROS: I really like the TI look and feel, I LOVE the gut hook or safety seat-belt cutter. I love the high carbon steel blade – sharpened to perfection.
  • CONS: A bit pricy, but I love the upgraded blade and gut hook! I lost one at Lagoon last year, lucky I had a label with my phone number on it. IMO the $190 is well worth it and I’m always on the look for a used Charge TTI on ksl classifieds to add to my collection.
• Leatherman Bolster/Rev/wingman/sidekick
  • PROS: just one blade, light weight, pliers.
  • CONS: I can’t think of any. This is my new FAV EDC multi-tool!
    • Costco doesn’t sell these anymore, but the Rev/Wingman/Sidekick is close enough IMO. Make sure you get a pocket clip!
• SOG DUO
  • PROS: Light weight, and about the right amount of tools. I love sogs mechanical advantage pliers jaws!
  • CONS: Not made any more
• SOG Power Access
  • PROS: Light weight and lots of tools
  • CONS: weak knife blade, but if you carry a dedicated badguy blade or “food blade”, you likely don’t care

I’m going to order and test out the Leatherman Skeltool CX. I think the size/weight/capability is pretty spot on!

Did I mention this AR10 only weights 6.8 lbs?!?!

My Sig MCXs in 5.56 and 300 blackout weight more than this Ruger SFAR 308!

This is BY FAR, the LIGHTEST AR10 I’ve ever seen!

DESCRIPTION: I purchased the Ruger SFAR via instructor discount for about $860. I made my instructor order within a couple of days of its release!

But only took two weeks for it to show up at my FFLs.

I took my Aero Precision and Super Sniper 3-9 scope along with my SFAR to do some quick tests last night.

I was excited to compare the two AR10s.  Which parts are compatible and which parts are not. Compare size/weight/function of both.

Aero Prec ar10/m5 is 1:10 18” barrel and weights about 2.4 lbs MORE than the SFAR 16”

DATE: Oct 5, 2022

SUMMARY: For a less than 200 yard 308, I really really love the SFAR and would choose it at the top of my list in a gun fight! for its weight, capacity and knock down power. It feels like a normal ar15 (size/weight) and hits like a 308, because it IS a 308/7.62×51!  Will it replace my Aero Precision M5? No, unless I can get much much better groups by removing muzzle brake and adding suppressor (or something unknown to me at this time)

Optic I plan to put on my SFAR: https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-slx-3x-microprism-with-red-illuminated-acss-raptor-762-300bo-reticle-yard

PHOTOS:

So, there is a new gun out and you can’t find a place to buy a holster from?

This blog article will show you how you can make your own holster. I’ve done many workshops teaching people how to make holsters. Everyone I’ve ever taught would rather purchase the holster

I’ve made about 500 “Foxy Tuck” holsters over the years. Its kind of a hands on hobby and helps pay for my addictions with firearms.

Over the years I’ve refined the “Foxy Tuck” with continuous improvements.

Shopping LIST:

• .6 kydex for holsters > https://amzn.to/3R5z9kc
• .8 kydex for pouches > https://amzn.to/3dR6DUQ
• Leather – its hard to cut and I have a custom stamp for 4 main sizes. I use Weaver Leather
• Rivet and leather punch set > https://amzn.to/3Ah2T6T
• heat gun > https://amzn.to/3A9TPAo (if you get into this hobby, you’ll want a toaster oven too)
• I made a vacum press, but for your own, you could use a foam press or just leather gloves and form it. Heat kydex until about 350 degrees
• PROTIP: cut with scissors (much safer than bandsaw/jigsaw IMO)
  I use similar to > Kobalt  8-in Serrated Molded Grip Scissors
  Or > https://amzn.to/3c9DQL3
• Chicago Screw, I’d go with 1/4″ > https://amzn.to/3TlRiMy
  

I know there are a lot of view-points out there, but I wanted to make a quick blog post on my EXPERIENCE.

I first tried wolf/steel-cased ammo in my Glock 27 (40 SW) and I had to pound out several stuck cases with a wooden dowel. This was about the year 2006-2007.

I switched to an SA XD 5″ 9mm and it ate about 8000 rounds of wolf 9mm w/o issue. I don’t recall pounding out any stuck cases. The gun would need cleaning more frequently.

2nd, I tried wolf steel cased ammo in my DPMS ar-15 5.56. About every 200 rounds, I’d have to collapse the buttstock, pull the charging handle and slam the stock onto the ground to get a stuck case out. This was about 2008-2009.

I think I put close to 10,000 rounds of wolf ammo through my first ar15 (dpms). Years later, that same ar15 was accurate enough for me and my son to win top shooter in Marksmanship Matter’s rifle class. I think its 1-1.5 MOA rifle, which for a ar15 is good enough for me. I have built many precision rifles that shoot sub-moa, which is a different mission than a 1 moa ar15 IMO.

I found the wolf ammo to be accurate enough to pass scamsight (AKA frontsight) rifle class and get the “distinguished graduate”, which means you score 90% or better on your skills eval. Thus allowing me to go to the precision rifle classes and advanced tactical rifle.

I no longer train at scamsight (because its a scam and dangerous IMO) and train only with Marksmanship Matters (Larry Mudgett) which requires higher standard of ammunition. Which is a good thing IMO.

So, now I use my large wolf ammo supply to sightin (get close to sighted in), function test or just go plinking with family/friends and hold onto my winchester/brass ammo for training.

My sig MPX eats wolf 9mm just fine. No FTE/FTF on it nor my MCX 5.56/223.

Do you own tests. I’ve had bad experiences with remanufactured ammunition and steel cased ammo. Others have had great luck with reman’d ammo. If you use steel cased ammo, be ready to clean your gun more frequently.

For a class, I would pay the extra and get good quality ammo (NEW brass), but for plinking I would be “ok” with steel-cased ammo. I have a shload of 7.62×39 & 5.45×39, but I only shoot those in AK operating systems.

What ammo would you want for the socialist apocalypse?

socialist apocalypse= AKA govscams where power hungry tyrants lie to the people and the people believe the lies and trade freedoms for govscam security AKA murder by the state.

Other than rust, govscams are the biggest threat to our self-defense tools.

I’m going to PASTE a thread by my buddy Doc Gunn

<paste>

Dear Friends:
Is anyone shooting steel-cased ammunition in anything other than Soviet-designed longarms? (AK, SKS.) If so, what is YOUR experience?
******
Previously there was very little reason to do so as any cost savings was minimal. Our simple recommendation was, “Don’t do it.” Poor over-all quality, poor accuracy, bimetal projectiles (mixture including “soft” steel accelerating barrel wear,) powder residue build-up in chambers leading to in increased wear and broken extractors were (and still are) our concerns.
After the first great ammunition shortages following Sandy Hook (2012,) a few people started shooting steel-cased ammunition in AR’s so we tried to learn “the best way to do the wrong thing.” Our recommendation was that if one had to shoot steel cases to throughly clean the chamber after shooting and especially before shooting brass-cased cartridges again. (The more malleable brass expands and binds on the powder residue in the chamber, increasing resistance to extraction and possibly tearing case rims leaving the case in the chamber or breaking extractors.)
In 2019 Lucky Gunner did a 10,000 round TORTURE TEST using 4 different brands (three steel-cased and one brass-cased) of ammunition in identical rifles. .223 TULA cartridges performed SO badly that they stopped it before the end of the test. The wear from bimetal bullets from brands was extreme.* (*Torture test shooting very rapidly with extremely hot barrels.)  Brass-cased cartridges with copper jacketed bullets performed flawlessly with minimal wear. https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/My Take Home lessons from the Lucky Gunner test was to use brass-cased cartridges with copper jacketed bullets. IF one was to shoot steel-cased, bimetal cartridges, plan to use a dedicated extractor for steel, and replacing the barrel of your rifle as it wears out. (Also, not to solely rely upon that rifle for possible defensive use.)
However, this Brownells Smyth-Busters (8/4/20) video revisited the question and essentially confirms that steel-cased ammunition shoots “dirtier,” increases wear on extractors and that bi-metal projectiles increase barrel wear but only under extreme high-fire (torture) conditions. They otherwise conclude that steel-cased ammunition does not harm the firearms. https://youtu.be/HEtx_Epa4FcThe Smyth-Busters also address issues of corrosive ammunition and rough chambers. They add that coatings used on steel cases (polymer or lacquer) are not problematic.They recommend that extractors be changed every 5K cartridges when shooting steel-cased cartridges.
*******
However, the purpose of this message is to ask YOU what experience YOU may have accumulated shooting steel-cased ammunition in handguns and non-Soviet longarms.
Sincerely,
Doc

>>>

Jeff D

The only thing I have used it in is 7.62×39 in a Ruger American Ranch rifle.  I bought it because it was cheap and suppressor ready.  And ammo, at that time, was dirt cheap and available everywhere.  It works fine, as one might expect, in the bolt gun. It’s no pre-64 Model 70, though, and you do have to run it like you mean it. None of what I say below has any application in semi auto rifles but I thought it interesting anyway.

I’ve always assumed that poor accuracy in most AK’s was a combination of sloppy tolerances in the rifle and poor ammo.  So I fired Wolf FMJ, Wolf HP, Silver Bear softpoint and Hornady steel ammo in that Ruger, and all of it grouped at an inch or under for 5 rounds at 100 yds.  I was astounded!  So I tried it again a few days later and same results.  So I guess I can lay the accuracy issues with the AK on the rifle now, not the ammo.  Fired in a decent rifle, the stuff is better than I thought.

>>>

I have fired quite a bit of the Wolf and Tula .223, and a ton of the Tula 9mm.  A friend reports shooting 6-8000 rounds of the Tula 9mm per year at training classes, through Glocks, with no issues. My experience has been the same.
I’ll note that I have found Tula to be a better choice than most reman, such as the horrible Freedom Munitions, and over the past couple of years it’s been more accurate and reliable than WWB for me.
The Russian steel cased revolver ammo should NOT be used unless you like having to use a small mallet to eject the spent “brass”.
Chuck

SUMMARY

 Sig, Ruger, springfield armory and many others did NOT come to shotshow this year. I was really looking forward to seeing the new mcx 277 fury (based on 308/6.5 CM).

I ordered 3 TOPS knives at 40% off. They will ship to my house, but I paid at the show. They gave me two free tshirts, and they are really great guys.

I talked to the ATF about a possible solution to my 3 year wait for my NFA tax stamp. I also was excited to see AAC is BACK in BUSINESS, looks like PSA bought AAC.

PSA’s new 5.7 looks awesome and at the $500 mark, I think I’m going to offload my FN 5.7 with the wonkie safety and get the PSA 5.7 with threaded barrel…no manual safety.

If you like the glock platform, take a look at the PSA dagger, they have fixed several “issues” with the Glock and at $300, its a deal. 

One of the significant accomplishments of shotshow was talking to Barrett about the 18 month wait on a m107 and suppressor I already paid for. They said they are going to talk to the vendor and get mine to me ASAP or near the first. They think its unfair to require FULL amount, especially when they don’t think they’ll ship m107s until 2024! 20% down would be far better!

PRINTSCAN, did a digital fingerprint scan to a FILE, so I can use them in efile nfa forms….for FREE.

BUYS:

• Three tops knives
• Aero prec 308 lower $135
• Action target $125 10” 550 steel target
• Axil g2 elec earbud hearing protection $100, amazon has for $160 https://amzn.to/3fK7owT
• Bigdaddy unlimited $99 for two years

DISCOUNT CODES:

Actiontarget ends Jan 23, 2022 – shotshow2022

Nexbelt, 10% and free ship: ss22

Spyderco 40% off SHOT2022 expires march 31, 2022

Premier body armor 15% off code: SHOTSHOW

Anderson Manf code: SHOTSHOW2022

Geissele unique discount codes – expires feb 28, 2022- I got half dozen codes, so if you want one, contact me.

$100 off skydio 2 discount code: SHOTSHOW expires feb 28, 2022

Bluewater ropes: int_bw 20% off 

Kelty packs and out door 15% off WELCOME

https://gun.deals/content/shot-show-gun-deals

DETAILS

Leatherman was not there, but I wanted a replacement eyeglass screw driver, but I did get two leathermans sharpened at sypderco booth.

Ruger was not there to go bug them about making a 50 BMG. I also wanted to pet their new 45-70 lever gun and see when they might be coming out with a 357 lever/marlin.

I also wanted to ask them about a tour of their prescott facility.

Brownells/Jeff had a good idea about dealing with the 3 year wait. Just send the CAN back to brownells and send to a new FFL and start paperwork over. Better yet, just buy another Hybrid and send it to gunnies!

Jason.bowers@atf.com works with the NFA branch of the ATF and said he could help with my issue.

I also talked to ARC about a motorcycle helmet intercom to radio solution.

Murphy Doors, concealing access to hidden rooms.

I got to hear an explanation of stealth project’s suppressor. 

I got to see John Wick’s 1969 mustang

I got to pet the new FN “high power”. They are asking $1200 ish, with no instructor discounts.

I saw a pressurized water/hydration system for motorcycles

Firearms and suicide prevention, I got a bunch of pamphlets for my CFP classes.

TODO

Send photos of Radio requirements to: sgaraghty@arcmics.com 657.331.4902

Radio ear phone connection Ruben Scheimberg, owner 661.209.0660 ruben@earphoneconnect.com 

Albert Adams, COO, m2 16k discounts aadams@oowinc.com

Silencerco  suggested echo machine to convert my aac to a more modern attachment mechanism. 

1 ⅜ x24 is common in industry

 Quinton Mount quinton.mount@silencerco.com 956.285.9230

Aero prec 15-20% off s.murison@aeroprecisionusa.com 

Brownell’s Ted Somers, director of customer experience, ted.somers@brownells.com 641.623. 8501

Amsoil, gun lube/cleaner and Mike Ellis advice/mentor lubespec1@aol.com 586.781.5092

Axil sportear $100 and they’ll take that off if we order in bulk, but $100 to test out their axil g2, which amazon has for $160

zbachman@murphydoor.com

ESS lcambier@esseyepro.com

DELTON ar15 show specials: (CALL Delton and ask for shotshow special)

rftml16-sxde	FDE full Rifle	$450, normal $750
rftmlw16-1	DT scout rifle w/ Flip Rear sight	$430, normal 680
RKT130	16″ mid lw KIT w/15″ MLOK rail	$320, normal 410
LR100	stripped lower	$50, normal 125

Wileyx roseann@wileyx.com

Both ESS and wileyx have a transition lens, clears when it gets dark. I think the price will come down in years to come.

Phalanx, body armor for vertx bag.

Pet’d a sw ez 380, pretty nice for ladies/purse carry, a bit big for pocket carry.

The M&P 10mm, the stippling is super aggressive, which is great for range holsters, but not so much against your body IWB.

Order https://retro-rifle.com/ shirts

Holosun has a new optic that has 3 reticle > https://holosun.com/index/product/item/cid/27.html

Kelty pro deal.  Kelty.com/pro you can signup for industry discounts

We have 5 kids and I try to make a great memories with each of my kids. When my oldest was 12, he & I made bowie knives together.

Now that my youngest is 12, we made a knife together.

These traditions are fun because each kid can earn a 22 rifle, a 9mm pistol and a ar15 freedom rifle. Helps them learn new skills, have a memory with their family and have a family heirloom to hand down for many generations.

Our build started with a knifekits.com knife kit. Cuz forging is pretty time consuming and both my sons already have experience forging blades.

This is the kit we bought.

https://www.knifekits.com/vcom/drop-point-tactical-combo-knife-kit-diy-blade-blank-wwalnut-scales-p-14801.html

I’m happy with the steel, but wish we’d gotten fancy pins and fancy scales.

PROTIPS:

• put two scales together, then tape onto blade and use the blade hole to drill the two holes onto the scales at the SAME time.
• Let your kid sand early on and keep an eye on them.
• sand the part of the wood scales that are right next to the blade BEFORE gluing.
• Let your kid learn, the main point is learning, not having the perfect knife.

PHOTOS

NEXT….a kydex sheath!

IMO, appleseed is one of THE most important things you can teach your kids!

After seeking & finding God and his healing powers, the rifleman mindset and skill is priority #1!

Rifleman (females too!) are responsible, independent and liberty loving persons.

2022 SUMMARY UPDATE – WHAT you NEED

• You NEED a Level3 Rifle for AppleSeed, do NOT even bother bringing a level1 or level2 rifle. (Details below — CTR F For level on this blog)
  • If you have any doubts if your rifle is level3 (AFTER Reading this entire blog, you may TEXT a picture to Thomas and he’ll assess if it is or is NOT a level3 rifle (text to: eight zero one- eight one zero – nine eight eight nine)
• You NEED to checkout or signup to borrow a level3 rifle on this spreadsheet> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UzVT4edSR4lAGR9Ai0B8cSuGwOzWzsz564clc-ugrO4/edit?usp=sharing
  • smaller youth REALLY need an adjustable stock otherwise they won’t fit the rifle
• You NEED to buy 500 rounds of THE SAME ammo, does NOT need to be “competition match ammo”, but ALL 500 rounds need to be the same make/grain/type of ammo. You need 22 long rifle (LR)
• You NEED to bring a hat, eye and hear protection, even if you signed up for a rifle in the spreadsheet.
• You NEED to read this entire blog and this link > https://appleseedinfo.org/how-to-prepare/
  
  

Post 2021 appleseed lessons learned.

• For youth, they do not need match ammo.
• Most youth will struggle with a bolt action rifle because after each shot you lose your natural point of aim and its difficult to get accurate shots within time limit with a bolt action rifle.
• Often, the stocks can be too long for a youth and they will really struggle. I saw one youth “mag dump” just to get it over with. With current ammo prices, that is wasting $50-60 and creating bad habits. Ensure the stock fits the youth, an adjustable stock is highly preferred so it will fit small or large shooters.
• Those with scopes had an much easier time, 10x easier.
  • The top 3 youth shooters, all had scopes.
  • Ensure you locktight all sighting systems (irons, rails, scopes) – they tend to come loose.
• 22 ammo is super super dirty, clean your rifle daily or if its malfunctioning, clean it as soon as possible.
• 10 rd mags for rugers is king! the 25 rd are too long for prone and other positions.
• If your rifle is not a level3, don’t bother bring your level1 or level2 rifle. Find a level 3 to borrow, or get yours squared away.
• My updated opinion is now the ideal appleseed rifle is an ar15-22, which has all the key features of a successful appleseed rifle.
  • adjustable stock
  • good trigger – 2.5 lbs to 4 lbs
  • good sights – military aperture sights or optic/scope
    • ar15-22 has a long rail for mounting scope forward enough. the ruger has a very short rail and is difficult to get the correct eye relief.
  • USGI ONLY sling, in order to do hasty and loop sling, you MUST have a USGI sling.
• suggested ar15-22. s&w m&p ar15-22, tippman has a m4-22 or a dedicated 22 lr ar15 upper (with a 1:16 twist).

SIGNUP TO BORROW A RIFLE

I have a FEW rifles to lend out to appleseed attendees. Signup form (first come 1st serve) > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UzVT4edSR4lAGR9Ai0B8cSuGwOzWzsz564clc-ugrO4/edit?usp=sharing

If you have a rifle and want to help sponsor a youth by lending them your 22 rifle, so they can attend, please fill out this sheet>
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UzVT4edSR4lAGR9Ai0B8cSuGwOzWzsz564clc-ugrO4/edit?usp=sharing

REQUIREMENTS: https://appleseedinfo.org/how-to-prepare/

The signup sheet is for the rifle, sling and mags. The lender MAY also lend a shooting mat & safety equipment. I would suggest you buy your own safety glasses and other personal items listed in the appleseed link above ^^

BUYING YOUR OWN RIFLE

• Buy new > https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/ruger%20american%20rimfire
  • If you buy online, you’ll need to find a local FFL to ship to. Google it.
  • You can also look at gunnies (cabelas is usually over priced IMO, unless you use your CC points)
• Buy Used > https://utahgunexchange.com/?s=Ruger+22&sa=search&scat=9
  • Thomas has purchased many used guns and almost never bought a lemon. I would avoid any guns the owner “worked on” because they likely messed it up.

Level1 rifle – this will NOT work for an appleseed

Level1 rifle is just about any 22 rifle that works, is safe and functional. Likely has poor sights like most factory sights and a poor trigger.

Level1 could also be a non-bolt action or non-semi-auto. For example, lever guns are super fun and awesome, but a bit difficult to run a lever action in prone position. Or a pump action, easier in prone than lever, but still not as easy as semi or bolt action.

Level1 rifle person would also have non-match ammo and maybe even mixed ammo types. Having mixed ammo is very bad for accuracy and consistency, you’ll sightin with one type of ammo and then your impacts will shift/change when you change ammo.

“The stock/factory 10/22 sights are next to useless for Appleseed.” (Appleseed instructor)

level1 is no sling 🙁

Level2 – semi-auto

A semi-auto advantages are follow up shots are easy, but the downsides is very few come from the factory with good triggers. And a learner might think, I have more shots I’ll just shoot fast. You can’t miss fast enough to win!

If you already own a ruger 10/22 semi auto – you are at level2 IMO.

Level2 rifles will be adequate for almost all learners IMO.

Buy & use MATCH 22 ammo!

Level2 has “some kind of sling”

Level3 – semi-auto 22 with good sights, trigger and USGI sling

https://appleseedinfo.org/pdf/LTR.pdf

My highest recommendation for an appleseed is a Semi-auto 22 LR, TECHSIGHTS, adjustable stock, good trigger and USGI sling.

Bolt Action rifle NOT recommended for appleseed, a bolt action means you have to readjust your natural point of aim (body position) after each shot, which slows you way way down on a timed shooting sequence.

How to make your ruger 10-22 into a level3 > https://libertyfoxdefense.com/ruger-1022-modsrecommendations/

You can get better, but you’ll have a custom stock, custom barrel and the price will be 4-10x and you’ll have slightly better accuracy.

Level3 has a USGI sling (for adjustment and usability)

Articles/References

Ruger 10/22 mods

Freedom Rifle

WHERE TO BUY SLINGS

make sure you get the 1″ sling and NOT the 1 1/4″ sling

1” wide M14/M1 Garand style O.D. cotton loop sling x 48” long

Where to buy techsights:

Tech-sights.com

Thomas has prepaid shipping and often dealer discounts at brownells. If you venmo him and send a link of the items you want, he’ll order it for you.

https://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=tech-sights&ksubmit=y

For example, about $70 instead of $74, plus freeship. We do have to pay scamtax 🙁

Be prepared if things get tough, or even if they don’t!

Meaning, multi-use of preps. RV is great for preps and also great for family adventures.

Same with cooling your house. If things don’t get tough, your AC bill goes down 60% (where I live) and you extend your AC system’s life.

In grid down, a inverter attached to your car can run a whole house fan much much easier than an AC systems watt/amps requirements.

I have a switch I can plug my house into a generator, but you can only store so much gas for the generator, but a battery bank can be top’d off once or twice a day with a car generator (trust me, your car will run a lot longer than your generator).

Whole House Fan Pros

• Pull in cool air during the cool parts of the day
• recycle the air in your home 20+ times an hour – helps with your health!
• cool off attic, so your AC unit doesn’t have to work as hard during the hot parts of the day
• pull cool air from basement to upstairs where it is needed
• In my area, it was 100 degrees all week, but every morning it was 66 degrees. In a few minutes I can pull in and cool my house with much higher volume than an AC unit
• Pet or food smells, you can pull those out in seconds with a whole house fan.

Buy or build?

I was going to buy one from lowes.com (they don’t have them in stores). But after rebates and 15 year warranty, it was less than $200 to install in difference.

The installers had it installed and configured in about 1 hour.

SAVE $75! if you use wholehousefansofutah.com if you say Thomas E from Saratoga Springs referred you. I’ll get $150 and I’ll split that with you, so we each get $75.

https://www.wholehousefansofutah.com/quietcool-stealth-pro-line/

I have about 4000 sq foot house, so I don’t need the biggest unit, but I wanted to be able to have extra buffer for capacity and it was another $100-200 ish to get the biggest one.

TIPS

• cracking a window a couple of inches in the farthest room in the basement, and having the remote near my bed, when I wake up early AM. I can turn the fan on and get a heads start. (w/o getting out of bed in the am)
• Ours came with two remotes. I mounted one to the wall and I keep the other near my bed.
• if you open your 2nd story window before you go to bed and turn off your AC (you don’t need to, but I’m a miser on elec), then you are all set to pull in super cold air in the AM
• think about your garage, and cooling it. I can close the man-door to the outside and the two garage doors, but keep the man-door into the house not latched and the whole house fan will pull the door open in the morning and pull cool air in (again w/o getting out of bed)

FEATURE REQUEST

Automate windows! and timed/scheduled with whole house fan.

• Just 2 windows in far parts of the house would make all the difference. I’d schedule 3am to open 2 windows and then a few minutes later kick the whole house fan on LOW. I can’t hear it from our bedrooms when on low. I’m told they are working on this! I googled around trying to find a window slider that would work.

Where a whole house fan doesn’t make sense IMO

• If you live in very hot climate like AZ
• If you live in very high humidity climates like Florida

When I bought my son a drz400, the seller was ASKING 1900, but I got it for 1600 Nov 2019

2004 DRZ 400E with K3 carb

POU: Sold klr650 because my fav riding is AF canyon and I wanted my son to join me.

Tusk dual sport tires front and back, the tires it came with were cracking…this was one of the first things we upgraded.

Lever guards (within the first 72 hours of ownership). We bought this bike, that night we drove to st george to ride with Everide. Next morning I checked coolant (low) and oil and some other basics to get ready to ride on the rally!

Street legal kit, drz400e is not street legal from factory, so previous owner had street legal kit, but needed a lot of work to fix electrical issues. Previous owner claims mechanic charged him 1100 to fix oil leak and to get it to start (carb rebuild)–which I don’t believe.

Fix electrical, this drz400e 2004 came with tons of electrical problems for lights, signals and brake lights. In hindsight, I should have started over with a tusk street kit and saved myself 10-20 hours.

Armor

• Deval bash plate
• Case savers…that have REALLY saved the cases!

Bar risers

Fork springs upgrade – progressive, later had “impulse power sports fix front/rear suspecion. Rear spring didn’t have any air in it.

Ram X for cell phone

red chile adv hardcore soft rack

led flood light

New rear fender

hour meter installed

Counter shaft seal (the bike had TWO, so I got to redo this and finally figured it out…now it does not leak oil!)

44 tooth rear for road (14 front). 47 rear for trails

Tusk tank bag

Two sets of wheels. One for street and one for trails. The street rear wheel is 50/50 tire.

DOUBLE TAKE MIRROR

4 gallon IMS gas tank

tusk lithium pro battery 

Custom seat, Kirkham upholstery did a really nice job with new foam and new cover.

LED rear turn signals

LED wrap around fork LED front turn signals

Baja designs squadron PRO head light (I tried a cheapo head light from ebay or amazon and I hated it, I LOVE the baja designs pro, it is soooo bright!).

NEXT/WIP

Possible speedometer 

A few years ago we did the foam clothing groupbuy where we learned extreme cold/wet and these close celled insulators advantages.

Wiggy sleeping bag review

I’m 6’5” tall and this is the first sleeping bag that really fits me. My last “tall” sleeping bag would come up to my lower neck. This one comes up to my nose. This one comes up to my nose. I’ve always had to have a coat/jacket on, because my shoulders/neck poke out of the sleeping bag.

I purchased the wiggy on the advice of Fran, who does a lot of motorcycle camping. I was fed-up with being cold while trying to sleep! The wiggy is easily 4x the bulk of my compressed down sleeping bag. 

When I first opened my sleeping bag, my main concern was that it was too large for motorcycle camping!  So, I researched compression bags and called wiggy and they suggested their compression radial bag for $40.  If you are buying this bag at time of checkout, the radial compression bag is $15.

I use a tusk bag that has good compression. I have the medium tusk water proof bag, that has a vent valve and compression straps. I can fit my tent, air mattress, air pillow, beanie and a few other items WITH the large wiggy sleeping bag! So, I’m good to go. I was super concerned about trying to fit this huge sleeping bag into my 20 liter saddle bags. However, the tusk bag is able to compress it really really well.

The material seems rugged, including the zipper. As a matter of fact, I can’t believe you can buy a sleeping bag like this for under $150!

I got the super light, not the ultra light for more warmth. Boat foot and tall and wide.

https://www.wiggys.com/specials/sale-acu-marpat-coyote-brown-sleeping-bags/

Wiggy suggested 2xl and radial for my bag.

https://www.wiggys.com/sleeping-bags/compression-stuff-sacks/

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-dry-duffel-bag-p

This weekend, I should be able to camp in 20 degree weather and have an idea of how this bag will do in extreme weather.