Mark Kakkuri

When it comes to defensive handguns, simple is not just good; simple is great. I just want to be able to draw the gun and squeeze the trigger in order to fire. I do not want a bunch of extra controls or features to fuss with.

When is a holster not a holster? I guess I do not know, but these minimal holster systems probably bend the definition a little. At the very least, they are ultrathin, using either minimal or no holster material in places where we are used to a decent amount of plastic, leather or fabric.

This is an exercise in compromise to be sure. Reducing the cutting power of the knife increases its concealability (and vice versa). We’ve got two neck knives, one pocket folder, one ankle rig and one boot knife. Which would you carry and why?

About a year ago, I revealed that I am a Class A nerd when I wrote about my top five keychain tools. Now, I am going to confirm it by providing you with yet another top five keychain tools. I love this stuff, and today, you are going to see some old, new and cheap tools that get toted around with me.

Over time, we have seen numerous materials used for 1911 grip panels, each with pros and cons and each able to tell a story or improve a shooter’s ability to use the gun. Here are my top five materials used in 1911 grips.

So, what’s the right height for an autoloading pocket pistol? Based on my top five picks, anywhere from 3.7 to 4.25 inches.

With the right organizational system and the right bag, all of these fit and travel easily with room left over for a laptop, A/C adaptor, some papers and a book. Sure, it’s a lot of stuff, but that’s how I roll. With that, here are my top five important pieces of gear.

What I want to provide to you today, however, is what I learned about accessories for an AR-15. Some of these things may seem like an obvious need (and they did to me too). But during and after the training, the usefulness of the accessories and the need for them to be integrated into a training regimen became much clearer and more real.

I find it amazing how many modern guns are based on decades-old designs. Let’s look at some modern renditions of old designs. Many examples of new old guns exist, but here are my top five.