Think you’re tough?
Meet Tim.
SHOT 2012.
Hey everyone,
first off sorry for the delay in this. im currently trying to open my own tactical shop (shameless plug) but this blog will have SHOT show 2012 coverage by the end of the day saturday!!!
-tedy
if you run a light on your defensive carbine, make sure to seek professional training for it. Don’t be “that guy” who thinks he can do anything because he saw a couple videos on youtube.
photo from ITTS
Sometimes less than lethal isin’t enough.
Good guys 1. Bad guys 0.
Pocket Dump
- Notebook with leather cover/cheap pen (box of pens stays in the car for replacements.
- Kershaw Blur in Royal Blue. I dont know if they make these things anymore. i havent seen any at the local shops and mine is stamped “May 08”. great knife. partially serrated. assisted opening.
- Remington flashlight. This thing is amazing. its all metal construction and 120 Lumen output along with lockout feature and surefire style tailcap make it a great light to have. Also, did i mention i got it on clearance at Dicks Sporting Goods for 9.98? AND did i mention it runs of AAs?
- Spare 10 round magazine for Springfield XD .45. Loaded with 185 grain hardball ammo for those…sticky (?) situations.
- Springfield XD .45 4”. i wont have my CCW till March. so this is strictly a private property item (as well as the mag) and yes i know its not “operator” enough and its not “tactical response approved” but guess what, i have had ONE jam through the 5000+ rounds ive put through the gun. and that was a defensive load. and ive run 500+ in a day. also, i can shoot pie plates at 90 yards with it. so yeah. next.
- Bic Lighter i dont smoke cigarettes but i sure as hell keep a lighter on me. you never know!
- 5.11 “Outpost” watch. thing is 6 years old and still plugging away.
- Swiss army (victorinox) tri fold wallet. w/ cards, cash, ID, rubbers and my old TF20 patch.
- Keys with Carabiner. Car, House, Parents house, assorted gate locks and the clicker for the house alarm.
there you have it folks.
i actually have a package of quick clot/gauss i stuff in my pocket when im gonna be away from my car and the trauma bag thats inside of it as well.
keep thinking!
My EDC
Batuca Battery case x 2- carries 4 CR123A batteries on one end, which translates to 2 reloads for my light. The other end carries 2 condoms… Never know if I’m gonna stay at my place or with my girl, and it doesn’t hurt to have a couple easily accessible. I like the Batuca because it easily fits into the change pockets on my TAD Force 10 pants/shorts and Levi’s jeans, as well as the internal M4 mag pouch on the cargo pockets of my Vertx pants.
4 Sevens Quark 123^2 Tactical- I’ve only had it for a few weeks, but I really appreciate the qualities of this light. It’s got 7 modes, but only 2 are really accessible; I have it set to Face-Melter at 230 lumens (bezel tightened) and something a bit more general purpose on the second setting at 22 lumens. Considering it’s applicability to tactical/defensive work (momentary/constant on, high lumens) as well as the ability to switch to a more general lumen count, it’s a no-brainer for pocket carry against Surefire in my opinion- especially when price point comes into play.
Boker Subcom- Nice little knife I picked up at a small cutlery shop in SF. It’s great for general cutting use but may be a bit on the short end for a last ditch defensive weapon, but it’s still useful in that regard. I bought it for college carry because of the smaller blade length, but after studying CA knife laws a bit more this may become a backup knife in the near future.
China multitool - one of a two-pack I bought at Cabela’s, standing in for my lost (yet still loved) Leatherman. It’s a multitool. Nothing else needs to be said, though this brand kinda sucks in the regard that the tools tend to fold inwards during use. Still better than nothing.
First Aid/Emergency Kit- carries a small first aid kit for small injuries, in addition to a space blanket for emergency shelter, a small compass, and some firestarting material. Not a comprehensive survival kit but I’m going to school, not the jungles of Vietnam. I’m going to add a little bit of water purification pills to this kit, though.
HTC myTouch- just my cellphone, nothing special at all. It’s a good size and quick to type on, which I like. What I don’t like is the battery life, even with battery-saving measures in place.
Wallet- Perry Ellis wallet I found in my drawer which replaced my toolbaglicious Spec Ops Brand THE Wallet Jr., which was big as hell and in Multicam. This one is slimmer, holds all the same cards, and makes me feel like a big boy.
Nite-Ize S-Biner- House keys, car keys, Gerber Shard, and AMK survival whistle. Good setup, but I want to make it a bit more comprehensive. Planning on running a Nite-Ize Ahhh with integrated bottle opener and adding on a Quark Mini light, Boker Keycom, Leatherman Squirt, and a pea lighter.
There you have it, this site’s first pocket dump. Not as “refined” as many others’ EDC but I’m on a budget and my shit works for me!
- Strider
Vertx Pants
Great piece of clothing, casual appearance with many “tactical” features that you would find on a ideal tactical pant/trouser. Highly recommend these pants for who ever seeking for that type of pants.
Offers
“ low visual profile, and inset cargo pockets give the function of a full battle garment and the appearance business casual.”
“Gusseted crotch, articulated knee & hip, and stretch waistband”
“Concealed zippered security pocket”
more
http://www.wearvertx.com/VertxMensPant.aspx
Official website for their product line is as follows.
“The Vertx Tactical brand is an internal start up of Fechheimer Brothers Company, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. The brand was created as a collaborative effort between Fechheimer, Arc’teryx and federal law enforcement to produce a progressive tactical pant. The combined strength of Fechheimer ‘s 168 years of tailored garment production for law enforcement and military customers, Berkshire Hathaway’s integrity and financial strength, Arc’teryx’s world class design, and the authentic tactical direction of the federal law enforcement operators generated the functionally advanced Vertx Tactical pant.”
http://www.militarymorons.com/gear/garments.4.html
*In depth review on pants by MM
After a bit of research of these pants, and found a store in the bay area that distributed them. I went to go pick up a pair for myself, and when tried on, it was a bit more on the baggy side, as with all “tactical” pants, and was looking for a slim-type leg fitting. Good thing the store I picked them up from also happen to be a uniform store that specializes in alterations and got my legs tapered for my request of a slimmer pant. $12 got it done within 25-30 minutes. Highly recommend business from Peninsula Uniforms in Redwood city, CA. http://www.yelp.com/biz/peninsula-uniforms-redwood-city
-PangBros
If you carry, carry like your life depends on it.
Because someday, it might. Good read. Also, it is important to consider the legal fight that will happen afterwards if you ever have to use your handgun.
-Jonsies
Choosing an EDC light
Due to the boom of the LED and other advancements in lighting technology, flashlights have evolved from clunky, large D-cell Maglites to pocket-sized handhelds capable of multiple times the output, with longer runtime using smaller batteries. As such it is infinite easier to store a light on your person to use when it is needed, and not have to dig through a closet or cabinet to find one.
But what criteria should one consider in an EDC light? Others might have their own set of standards but mine are as follows, in priority:
1. Tactical-level white light (at LEAST 50 lumens) with other modes as necessary
I prefer my lights to be capable of blinding an assailant, and 50 lumens is determined by industry-leader Surefire as the bare minimum for a backup light. The industry standard for a tactical light is 65 lumens; that’s still a little low for lighting up rooms so I like lights that can switch between 100+ lumens and around 20. This allows me to search around my house or car without blinding myself and to blind dudes when necessary.
2. Momentary on tail cap MINIMUM, constant on included PREFERRED
Having a momentary tail cap allows you to control just how long your light is on, which is essential for light use in an adverse environment. Constant on is good as it allows to not worry about having to activate your light in a not-so-adverse environment. Some prefer one type, others prefer the other; I like lights that allow you to use both as necessary. But if you definitely plan to use your light in conjunction with a weapon, momentary on is a must.
3. Pocket-sized with clip
A light big enough to be left somewhere will end up left somewhere. I like slimmer lights with pocket clips to allow me to wear it with a variety of dress and situations- my light is compact enough to carry it to school, while traveling, driving and even at casual/formal events. The pocket clip is a big help as it keeps the light in a consistent place and not in the neverending depths of your pocket.
4. Runs on commonly-available, low-priced batteries
This is number 4 but is acutally the game changer for most. A light won’t run without batteries, plain and simple. Even up to a few years ago, most quality lights ran only on the expensive CR123A camera batteries, ranging anywhere from $2-$5 for a single battery. With the advent of new technology, the common and cheap AA and AAAs can now be used in high-end flashlights. This is light on the wallet and a big help in a situation where the CR123As are hard to find.
Based on the criteria above and what I have handled, here are a few recommendations:
- Surefire G2/6P LED series ($90+)
- Quark Tactical Series ($60-$70)
- Fenix LD20 ($60)
- Fenix E11 ($28)
- Energizer AA Tactical ($15)
- Nebo CSI Edge ($10)
- Strider
