Author: Jack Bogart

During OPERATOR EXPO I was glad to learn that SPARROWS Lock picks will be expanding Rock’a Lock’a BANG! BANG! for 2026 Geared towards covert entry specialists and first responders this highly immersive training convention has quickly established itself as a high caliber industry event with impressive instructors, sponsors and media attention. The main event will run Sept 17-20th in Carson city, Nevada in a Massive Maximum security prison. It will feature new material including helicopter infil/exfil training. There will also be an optional range day on September 16th. SUBJECT MATTER: Lock Picking   SERE – including resistance Vehicle extraction with TNT rescue…

The Rossignol Alltrack 130 Elite LV LT is a bold new entrant in the “downhill-first hybrid” category. After a season of test laps at several Colorado ski resorts, I found that this ski boot is designed for aggressive expert skiers who primarily ride lifts but want the freedom to step beyond the boundary rope for short tours or sidecountry adventures. With a 98mm last, 130 flex, and neon pastel colors, it’s unapologetically performance-oriented. The set targets advanced to expert skiers, and it prioritizes precision and responsiveness over gram-counting for long tours. In short: The Rossignol Alltrack 130 Elite LV LT…

By Massad Ayoob Posted in #Guns #History I recently heard someone say that handguns have no place in military combat. History shows us otherwise. For the tanker, artilleryman, radio operator or medic whose hands are too busy at designated tasks to hold a rifle, the pistol makes enormous sense. Behind the lines when unpleasant surprises come, the handgun is just as much an emergency rescue tool as an armed citizen’s carry gun in civilian society. My older daughter owns a .38 Special revolver bought from the heirs of a Navy cook who took it with him to…

Now that the Spyderco Native 5 50th Anniversary knife has been unveiled by Spyderco, I can share all of my shots from the production sample I photographed at the 2026 Amsterdam Meet earlier this year. Mind you, these photos show the production sample and Eric mentioned at the meet that some minor refinements would go into the final production model. I am still upset that my photos didn’t turn out.  Spyderco’s booth is in the corner. The lighting is terrible, and it is crowded. I couldn’t stand in a way to avoid casting a shadow across the knife, which was…

Belleville Boot Flyweight MXG Now Available to US Army and US Air Force Belleville Boot Company, America’s oldest continuously operating military boot manufacturer, proudly announces the American Made Flyweight MXG™ hot weather steel toe boot is now officially available and shipping worldwide. Engineered for maximum protection and comfort in demanding conditions, the MXG’s design is ideal for flight line operations and maintenance personnel. Leveraging Belleville’s proven military craftsmanship with modern performance materials, the MXG weighs in at one of the lightest steel toe boots available, helping to reduce fatigue while maintaining reliability and protection service members expect in the field.…

Ghost X Tactical MPLS Headlamp from Princeton Tec New for 2026 is the Ghost X Tactical MPLS Headlamp from Princeton Tec is compatible with MOLLE as well as helmets thanks to an inculded NVG and ARC rail adapter. I’m really excited about this light. It offers 300 lumens dimmable light and 320 mWr IR output, with an IP68 rating. What’s more, the Ghost Mode switch only allows activation of IR High, IR Low, or IR Strobe settings, so no accidental white light incidents. Light colors include white, red, blue, green and IR. Offered in Black, MultiCam, OD, and Tan as a…

The fight doesn’t end with the last shot. Here’s what you need to do in the moments after a defensive shooting.Most of the conversation in the concealed carry world centers on the fight itself: draw speed, shot placement, threat assessment and the mechanics of stopping a threat. That’s essential training, and none of it should be shortchanged. Nevertheless, there’s another aspect that doesn’t get nearly enough attention:What happens in the minutes after the shooting stops, before the first squad car rolls onto the scene?The gap between the last shot fired and the moment a badge walks through the door can…

I will have my complete Haul post up in the next day or two. For now I wanted to share two of my purchases, one factory, and one custom. Turns out that the Wostenhelm/IXL brand is being brought back by a consortium of folks in the historic knifemaking city of Sheffield, England, We will write more about this development in the not distant future, but it is exciting to see. And the knife itself has a great feel and wonderful fit and finish. The other is a custom from Micheal Coker out of Florida. Beautiful amber stag scales and crisp,…

Last Friday, just as Blade Show 2026 kicked off, GiantMouse launched a Kickstarter for its next folding knife release, the Pontius. It’s a collaboration piece that approaches the core GiantMouse values from a fresh perspective. But a collaboration with who? Chris Pontius, an adventurous soul best known for his time on the television show Jackass – that’s right, he’s that Chris Pontius, also known as Party Boy. Evidently, in addition to being a great dancer and general daredevil, Pontius is a dyed-in-the-wool knife nut: his IG feed consists of a not-insignificant amount of knife appreciation vids, and, in addition to…

Recently, the Mustangs of the 4th Joint Communications Squadron (4JCS), Joint Communications Support Element (Airborne), put their skills, endurance, and determination to the test during their annual Mustang Challenge. So, what is the Mustang Challenge? It is a rigorous competition designed to evaluate Soldier readiness through a demanding series of events that test physical fitness, technical proficiency, military knowledge, and teamwork. Conducted during the Squadron’s two-week U.S. Army Reserve Annual Training period, this year’s challenge consolidated key Army and JCSE training requirements into three intense days of mission-focused competition. The competition began with Weapons Qualification and a Soldier Board, challenging…