Overland Expert Q&A: Clay and Rachelle Croft of XOverland

Written by

Overland travel, or overlanding, is a topic that has seen a surge in interest lately. It relates to many of the preparedness skills we're passionate about — land navigation, communications, vehicle recovery, water purification, and so on — while also being a fun activity for the whole family. You can pack up your vehicle and head out to explore the wilderness for a weekend, developing preparedness experience and getting to know your surrounding environment better. Like hunting and camping, overlanding is both a hobby and a means of developing skills that could apply to real emergencies. This realization motivated us to start our 4Runner project and learn more about overlanding.

While reading about the topic, we came across XOverland (a.k.a. Expedition Overland or XO), a team that has built nearly two dozen vehicles and tested them on a variety of challenging adventures around the world. We spoke with the founders, Clay and Rachelle Croft, about lessons learned on their travels from the desert roads of Baja California to the icy trails of Scandinavia. Read on for some of their insights on trucks, gear, and valuable skills.

Our Interview with the XOverland Founders

Above: Clay and Rachelle with one of their three sons. The whole family usually goes on these expeditions, including their canine mascot Piper.

Tell us about how you first got into overlanding. Was there one specific moment that sparked your interest, or was it more of a gradual process?

Clay: When I was younger, I fostered the love of the backcountry through years spent mountaineering. When I got married and had children, I started to take small adventures from my truck. After that, two things happened. I found the series Long Way Round and thought to myself, “How cool would it be to travel around the world doing that?” At the same time, I came across Overland Journal and realized there was a whole lifestyle of traveling by vehicle throughout the world. I was hooked.

Rachelle: I learned about overlanding from Clay and Long Way Round, which we watched together. We’d go out on day drives in the truck and started making memories.

Overlanding is a complex term that shares elements with off-roading, camping, RVing, and various survival skill sets. How would you define overlanding?

We spent a lot of time talking about this recently and wrote a blog post on our site about it. Here’s XOverland’s definition of overlanding:

“Overlanding describes self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal. Typically, but not exclusively, accommodated by mechanized off-highway capable transport (from bicycles to trucks) where the principal form of lodging is camping; often lasting for extended lengths of time (months to years) and often spanning international boundaries.”

How did your family hobby evolve into a full-time job with a larger cast and crew?

Cinematography was my job, Overlanding was my passion, and I somehow found a way to incorporate the two. We saw an opportunity where the two overlapped, so we went for it and never looked back.

We enjoy the way your cinematography helps us feel like we’re with you on your journeys, but we know it must take a lot of work behind the scenes. What are some of the challenges of filming your own adventures?

The challenge is being present in the moment while having the presence of mind to recognize where you are in the story of the journey.

You’ve called your vehicles other members of the cast. How many have you built, and how has each build influenced the next?

As Expedition Overland, we have built twenty-three trucks of various degrees of complexity. We use each one as a forging process to improve the next. Earlier trucks did the job, but were often inefficient or had too much redundancy within the fleet, or lacked proper organization.

In your opinion, what makes a great platform for an overland vehicle? What characteristics do you look for when purchasing a new rig?

A great platform includes the following: 4WD, high reliability, and the ability to maximize livability for your offroad desires.

Is it still possible to get into overlanding with a vehicle that’s not a purpose-built off-roader — for example, a two-wheel-drive truck or an all-wheel-drive crossover SUV? What are the pros and cons of starting with such a vehicle?

Absolutely. People have traveled around the world in a British taxicab and had an amazing experience while doing it. It all depends on the type of travel you’re interested in and the destinations that are on your list. If a Crossover SUV will take you to the places you want to go to in the world, then you should go on the adventure.

If you could only choose five modifications to get started on a new overland vehicle, what would they be?

Clay: Tires, Suspension, Refrigerator, Live-In Camper, and a Long Range Fuel Tank.

Rachelle: Tires, Suspension, Refrigerator, Rooftop Tent, and a Bumper.

What are a few items you’d recommend everyone carry in their vehicle, whether they’re hitting the trails or just commuting to work?

Med kit suitable for the family, a “get home” bag, and a self defense item. I personally like my Sig P365 Spectre for my everyday carry. I also really love my Shield Arms SA-15 300 BLK pistol with integrated folding brace and SureFire Suppressor, Surefire Mini Scout Weapon Light, and Vortex Red Dot.

We all know that quality gear can make adventures easier, but experience and skills are what matter most in the end. What skill sets — such as vehicle recovery or repair, land navigation, route planning, medical, and so on — have you found most useful while overlanding, and why?

Medical training, first and foremost, is the most important skill we utilize. More often, you will have the opportunity to help other people instead of yourself.

The next skill we at XOverland use the most is recovery. Driving is the most dangerous thing we do on a daily basis and having recovery skills at the ever-ready has proven essential many times.

Third, overland travel logistics are extremely useful when overlanding. Overland travel logistics include things like (but not limited to): when to get food, when to get fuel, how far to go, should you drive at night, what do the borders look like, etc.

Another essential skill is self-defense. Take a self-defense class; you’ll be better prepared in everything you do.

What’s one especially challenging situation you’ve encountered on your journeys, and what lesson did it teach you for the future?

The most challenging thing we’ve done thus far was attempting to fly across the USA in powered paragliders. It taught me to really evaluate my physical capabilities and my actual skill set in a real way. I got my butt kicked due to overestimation of my physical and mental capabilities, which forced me to audit myself. It revealed an overconfidence in my skill sets in which I've had to re-calibrate to a more realistic adventurer.

Our magazine focuses on general emergency preparedness, whether it relates to everyday carry items, your vehicle, your home, or even travel abroad. Has experience with overlanding translated to improved preparedness in other aspects of your life? How so?

Being in a state of self reliance for an extended period of time will forge anyone to be better — which translates to all other aspects of life. These areas can only be truly measured in experience, not just training alone. You just have to go out and do it.

What’s one piece of overlanding advice you’d give to anyone who’s just getting started?

Rachelle: Take what you have in your driveway. Start by doing smaller trips. You don’t have to have “all the things” before you go. Embrace the problem solving opportunities along the way.

Clay: Begin your travels today, but be smart about it. Make the travel the priority, then the equipment – because the travel will eventually dictate the equipment. Enjoy the process! It’s fun the whole way, from beginner to advanced.

Watch XOverland's Nordic Series Expedition

XOverland's latest adventure video series is now available for streaming through Overlander Network. The team traveled through mountainous terrain in Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland in their custom Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, and Tundra. Check out the trailer below:

For more information about the Croft family's latest overland adventures and vehicle builds, go to xoverland.com.

Related Posts

Letter from the Editor: All Restraints Are Temporary…

Written by

Note: This editor's letter is from our latest publication, Recoil Offgrid Issue 54. If you'd like to purchase a copy of our magazine or subscribe, go to offgridweb.com/subscription.

The title of this editor’s letter is actually a quote from our good friend and contributor, Ed Calderon. The full version goes something like this: “All restraints are temporary. You either get released from them, escape from them, or the coroner removes them from your lifeless corpse.”
It’s a rather grim outlook, but one we feel adequately captures the grave perils of being taken or held against your will. While kidnapping per se is not an immediate threat to most people, there are a number of situations that could lead to you being trapped or taken hostage, on a short- or long-term basis. These include abductions related to sex trafficking and restraints applied by an abusive spouse or angry ex. Even though it’s a statistically unlikely scenario, it’s probably one of the scariest and most severe survival situations you could wind up in. This is why many military units go through rigorous multi-week survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) training programs.

So, we’ve decided to take this issue to examine how to evade danger — whether it’s before or after you’ve been actively held hostage. Our What If? column examines an escape-from-captivity scenario in extra depth, with security specialist Mel Ward providing a veritable treatise on how to prepare for, and deal with, such a situation. Patrick McCarthy’s training column, The Final Weapon, covers lockpicking skills and tools. Dean Freeman has contributed an article on facial recognition technology, and how to preserve your privacy in an age of constant surveillance. In a similar vein, our longtime friend and contributor Freddy Osuna of Greenside Training has recently begun teaching an entire class on camouflage and concealment techniques. Patrick Diedrich brings us the scoop on that. We also have a surprisingly thorough, if not a little stomach-turning, article on the viability of eating canned dog food to survive, in the event nothing else is available.

Elsewhere in the issue, Mr. McCarthy brings us a very thorough introduction to selecting, mounting, and employing a Low-Power Variable Optic (LPVO) on a general-purpose carbine. If you’ve been thinking about upping your optic game from a red dot to a 1-4, -6, or -8x scope, read this first! Joe Alton also gives us some information about common cold weather injuries, since many of you will still have snow in your yards when you read this.

We hope you find this look into escape and evasion informative and thought-provoking. We also hope you never need to use anything you read here. Stay safe and stay ready.

Mystery Ranch x Dior Collab: Yes, It’s Actually Happening

Written by

Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. Until today, if you had told us that famed tactical and outdoor gear manufacturer Mystery Ranch would be announcing a collaboration with fashion brand Dior, we would have told you that April Fool's Day is still more than a month away. But, much to our surprise, that's exactly what's happening. “This is not a drill,” says a post published on the official Mystery Ranch Facebook and Instagram accounts. “What many would think of as an unlikely collab, we see it differently.” Without further ado, let's take a look at the “unlikely” items included in the Mystery Ranch x Dior collab gear line.

Mystery Ranch x Dior

Mystery Ranch owner Dana Gleason explains, “This collaboration is a testament to two companies that care deeply about their crafts and the communities they serve. Working with companies like Dior is the ultimate recognition that we are doing what we set out to do: To design and build great packs and bags specific to the mission. The Dior collection is a thing of beauty. Mission accomplished.” The press release continues:

Combining the formal with the informal, the practical with the purely aesthetic, and the outdoor culture with the demands of luxury, the creative exchange born of this unique collaboration gives life to the bags inspired by Monsieur Dior's love of nature.

The Dior by Mystery Ranch product line includes five items. Each is available in two colorways — beige or black Cordura nylon — and embroidered with “a leather crest including the seal of the two Houses.”

  • Dior by Mystery Ranch Gallagator Backpack – $4,000
  • Dior by Mystery Ranch Saddle Bag – $3,400
  • Dior by Mystery Ranch Belt Bag – $2,350
  • Dior by Mystery Ranch Zipped Wallet – $600

The backpack and belt pouch feature Mystery Ranch's signature Y-shaped 3-zip design, which Dior notes “ is the hallmark of Mystery Ranch, Ltd. and is licensed to Christian Dior Couture.”

As baffled as we are by this announcement, it's not the first time we've seen “tactical” gear cross over into the fashion world. Prada makes an Arctic Camo chest rig, and there are countless other big brands catering to the cyberpunk-style tactical fashion movement with vests and faux plate carriers. For more photos and information on the Mystery Ranch x Dior collab, go to Dior.com.

Review: Juggernaut Case Smartphone Ecosystem

Written by

While there’s something to be said about the ability to survive a crisis without any assistance from electronic devices, the reality is that most people will not immediately default to bushcraft or primitive survival methods when disaster strikes. Thankfully, whether it’s supply shortages, rolling blackouts, riots, or natural disasters, very few modern disasters include an absolute shutdown of cellular, Wi-Fi, or power grid infrastructure. In past articles, we’ve highlighted apps and techniques that allow you to use a smartphone for everything from secure communication to navigation to a beacon for help. But, just like shooting, emergency smartphone use requires two-prong planning that covers both software and hardware solutions. One of the most comprehensive hardware solutions we’ve come across for this purpose is Juggernaut Case.

Juggernaut has a long history of providing case and mounting solutions to military and first responders. Organizations ranging from Tier 1 Special Operations units to Federal law enforcement and municipal first responders rely on Juggernaut to not only protect the phones themselves — sometimes referred to as EUDs or end-user devices in military parlance — but also to integrate that immense processing power into other systems, from vehicles to body armor. This allows everyone from EMTs to Navy SEALs to stay connected even under the most demanding, most austere conditions.

Above: The Juggernaut Case IMPCT (left) is designed to be more sleek and EDC-friendly than the rugged military-spec SLEEV (right). Both are made in the USA.

Fortunately, their products are also available to civilians who can leverage Juggernaut’s technology, which is literally battlefield-tested, to maximize our phones’ utility into a wide array of preparedness applications. We were able to test and experiment with a variety of cases and mounts for this article, and what we found was a cohesive, near-seamless ecosystem of phone-mounting hardware.

Juggernaut Cases and Capabilities

Above: Juggernaut offers multiple case options that can integrate with their line of cable adapters and mounts.

We tested two of Juggernaut’s cases: the SLEEV and the IMPCT. The form factor and design principles were similar for both cases, but the SLEEV is the beefier of the two, with hinged ports on either end. The top port, used to load and unload the phone from the case, snaps closed with a molded-in clamp. The bottom port, used to access your charging/data port, actually screws closed to completely seal the bottom of the phone. The IMPCT has two small bumpers that can be fully removed. The IMPCT is also top-loading, and the bottom rubber bumper can be completely removed. For daily carry, we left this piece off for easy access to our charging/data port throughout the day, but some users may prefer to keep it in place for extra protection from dust and debris.

It should be noted that all Juggernaut cases are open-faced. There’s no glass or polymer screen protector built into the case. The open-face design also ensures maximum use of touchscreen functions. But the cases are designed to fit very snugly, so if you use a peel-and-stick screen protector, you may have to remove it just to slide your phone into the case. Both case models are fully compatible with the entire spectrum of mounting options, which we’ll cover below.

Juggernaut offers cases for a wide range of phone makes/models; they offer several sizes of case. Their webstore offers an easy-to-follow sizing chart on almost every individual product page, as well as a shop-by-model filter function. We used a Samsung S21 for the entirety of this article, which uses a medium-sized case and medium sized mounts. All of the in-mount photos seen here were taken with the IMPCT case, since it’s the smaller of the two cases and the most likely to be chosen for daily use and pocket carry.

We also had the opportunity to test Juggernaut’s IMPCT Cable, which is a replacement bottom bumper than includes a hard-wired USB cable and gasketed USB-C port for connection to the phone. Simply remove the soft rubber bumper that comes with the IMPCT case and replace it with the IMPCT Cable. Since the cable is fixed to the bumper, this piece isn’t something you’d leave on your phone all the time. But if you plan to attach the phone to a vehicle mount for long trips, a battery pack for extended charging, or a USB solar charging panel, it’s a nice-to-have addition. The SLEEV also has a line of screw-in cables that can be ordered for that case, should you be using it. Both versions can be ordered with USB or 6-pin “Mighty Mouse” adapters on the long end, or “unterminated” to hard-wire the cable into a vehicle or other platform for permanent attachment.

Belt Clip

Available in both vertical and horizontal carry configurations, the belt Clip Mount is exactly what you’d expect — a molded-plastic clip, with built-in bracket, that can be hooked onto your belt, seatbelt, or other straps for true EDC. This makes your Juggernaut case just as convenient for daily use as it is for disaster use. While it may look like the dozens of other belt-clip cell phone holsters you can buy off Amazon, this is only the casual-carry component of an entire hard-use mount ecosystem.

Tek-Lok Belt Mount

This is the next step up from the belt clip, consisting of a dedicated phone bracket attached to a Tek-Lok mount. While this Belt Mount is absolutely viable in an everyday use role, we find it a little overbuilt for that task. So, we added it to our Arbor Arms SALT battle belt. Whether you use a battle belt for range training, classes, or a waist-mounted bugout rig, the Juggernaut Tek-Lok, with it’s included spacers, can be fit to almost any larger belt system like 1.75- or 2-inch rigger’s belts. Since many battle belts now include cutout channels to weave the inner belt through a padded MOLLE sleeve, you don’t have to worry about hard-attaching this mount to MOLLE channels. If you’re OK with the extra bulk, this makes the Tek-Lok Belt Mount ideal for bouncing between a daily wear belt and a battle belt as circumstances require.

Above: The Tek- Lok Belt Mount works great for larger, thicker battle belts like this Arbor Arms SALT belt system.

Forearm Mount

The Forearm Mount allows you to use your smartphone like a digital “leader’s board.” First made popular by professional football players, who used them to keep a cheat sheet of plays right on their arm, these elastic sleeves were soon “weaponized” by military and law enforcement tactical teams who used them to keep everything from radio frequencies to maps of the battlefield within literal arms’ reach. Juggernaut’s solution is a little more elegant, featuring an armband made of Cordura, nylon webbing, and performance fabric that cinches down by use of the Boa “click” system, which sizes to fit and then locks down at the desired snugness. The sleeve is equipped with the now-familiar phone bracket to keep your phone visible and accessible all times. If you don’t have a PALS-equipped plate carrier or chest rig to mount your phone to, this is a good fallback solution that also works when you don’t need or want other tactical gear on your person. If you don’t mind carrying the extra bulk on your arm, this mount can stand in for the PALS mount, Pack Adapter, or belt mounts discussed elsewhere in this article. Combined with your favorite ballistic calculator app, this setup works well as a digital, adaptable version of the traditional sniper’s armband.

PALS Mount

Above: PALS mount on an Arbor Arms CAS Plate Carrier.

The PALS Mount was specifically designed for military use on MOLLE or PALS plate carriers. This allows Special Operations Forces to keep their phone accessible for hands-free use of navigation or situational awareness software like ATAK. It also allows your smartphone to be integrated into a “dual-comms” radio system, like those offered by Silynx or Safariland. We attached it to an Arbor Arms CAS, or Communicator Armor System. This is a full-blown “assaulter’s” plate carrier with specific features built-in to accommodate the extensive integration of the aforementioned military-style communications equipment.

There’s also a version of the PALS mount (not shown here) that includes inductive-charging capability. If you wear an armor system as part of your job and need auxiliary power to keep your phone running, you can wear a battery pack mounted on your plate carrier and hook the included cable directly into your powered PALS mount for extended mission use.

PALS Pack Platform

This is actually a two-part system that requires the PALS mount discussed above as well as the Pack Platform adapter. For this setup, Juggernaut teamed up with Mystery Ranch to create a nylon panel-and-strap system that lets you use a PALS mount with a hiking pack for hiking and backpacking use where armor isn’t required. We attached it to a Stone Glacier Avail pack, the author’s go-to weekend hiking pack. The Pack Adapter uses split-buckle sliders to attach to a pack’s shoulder straps and functions much like a sternum strap commonly found on many modern hiking packs. Just like with a PALS mount attached to a plate carrier, the Pack Adapter keeps your phone mounted high on the chest for using navigation programs like OnX or CivTAK. In a less-urgent use case, we use the Pack Platform to be able to scroll through our Amazon Music or Spotify playlists on long road marches for physical conditioning.

Vehicle Mount

Web Editor Patrick McCarthy covered the Vehicle Mount in-depth as part of his DIY overlanding truck build series in Issue 52. In case you missed that, the Vehicle Mount works in conjunction with a RAM ball mount, so you can swivel and adjust your screen position. Whether you’re navigating with OnX Off Road, Google Maps, or just making hands-free phone calls, the vehicle mount is a convenient way to use your Juggernaut ecosystem on the road. Just unclip your phone from your belt, pack, or plate carrier, and snap it into the vehicle mount before you get behind the wheel.

Like the PALS mount, there’s a powered version of the Vehicle Mount (pictured here) with a built-in USB cable that allows induction charging when plugged into your vehicle’s on-board USB port.

Multi-Mount

Above: The Multi Mount is a versatile mounting solution limited only by your imagination.

As the name implies, the Multi-Mount is a general-purpose mount whose use case is limited only by your imagination. Consisting of a molded plastic phone bracket with a long Velcro strap, the Multi-Mount can be wrapped around anything that’ll hold the weight of your phone. Branches, roll cages, PVC pipe, and anything of similar size is all fair game. The reverse side of the Velcro strap is coated with a grippy, semi-sticky coating that’ll adhere to itself as well as whatever you’re attaching to. Need to use your phone’s flashlight while fixing a pipe under the sink? Want to attach your phone to a tent pole for hands-free use at a campsite or hasty rally point? What about just wrapping it around a tree branch to film a quick bushcraft video for social media? These kinds of miscellaneous uses are where the Multi-Mount thrives and, if you’re going to invest in Juggernaut’s mount system, we recommend picking one of these up and keeping it handy for situations not covered by the more purpose-driven mounts we’ve already covered.

Above: The Multi Mount is capable of all kinds of unconventional use cases, such as setting up an impromptu trail cam.

Conclusion

While we’ve covered most of the available mount options, this list isn’t comprehensive. There are other niche mounts for everything from mountain bike handlebars to skydiving and Military Free Fall parachute rigs. By the time you read this, Juggernaut will already be shipping their next generation line of phone cases, which includes three models — the ENDVR, ADVNTR, and OPRTR — scaled for how severe your living/working conditions will be. We’ve been assured by Juggernaut that the new line of cases will not only include a wider array of phone models but also be backward-compatible with the existing mounting footprint. So, if you already have one or more of the mounts listed here, they’ll still be usable with the new cases, sizing notwithstanding if you change devices. They also have a line of tablet cases, with some corresponding mount options.
If you’re looking for case and mounting solutions for your portable electronic device that will stand up to daily wear-and-tear as well as in extremis survival situations, we’d be hard-pressed to recommend a better starting point than Juggernaut Cases.

SOURCES

Outlast on Netflix: New TV Show Blends “Alone” with “Lord of the Flies”

Written by

Like us, many of you have watched and enjoyed the popular survival TV series Alone. However, as the name implies, Alone is about isolated contestants overcoming their environment and their own inner demons — loneliness, self-doubt, and fear. It's an interesting premise, but unless you're unlucky enough to end up stranded on a deserted island, most real-life survival scenarios are likely to involve other people. Forming a cohesive group and working together to survive is difficult under ideal circumstances, to say nothing of doing it in one of the most inhospitable places in the United States — the cold Alaskan wilderness. This complex challenge serves as the foundation for a new Netflix TV series called Outlast, which splits 16 contestants into teams to see who can claim a million-dollar cash prize.

The Premise & Rules of Outlast

Netflix says Outlast is “a new competition series in which 16 lone-wolves try to outlast the Alaskan wilderness with only one rule: They have to be part of a team to win.” All 16 of the contestants will apparently be dropped off on Chicagof Island, a 2,000-square-mile land mass with more than 740 miles of rugged coastline. Fun fact: Chicagof Island has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth. The competition starts during the fall, so freezing rain and snow are all but inevitable.

The 16 contestants are split up into four different teams, and each team is instructed to set up camp a short distance from one another. From that point on, the contestants must work together to be the last team standing. However, players can change teams at any time, a factor that is likely to cause shaky alliances and bitter rivalries to naturally form — hence the comparison to Lord of the Flies. Thankfully, Netflix notes that there will be no Survivor-style voting off the island — the only way for a contestant to leave is to give up or be medically evacuated.

Outlast Premiere Date

Season 1 of Outlast will consist of eight 45-minute episodes. It premieres on the streaming service on March 10th, 2023. For more information, go to Netflix.com.

Watch the Trailer

While you're waiting for the premiere, you can check out the trailer for Outlast below:

Gear Up: New Survival Gear for February 2023

Written by

Welcome back to our dive into the world of gear! In this edition of Gear Up, we explore the latest innovations and reliable classics that are key to staying prepared for any challenge. From cutting-edge technology to time-tested tools, our focus is on equipping you with insights and information that keep you one step ahead wherever the journey of life may take you. Whether you're bracing for the unknown or fine-tuning your preparedness kit, join us as we unpack the must-haves for this month.

CRKT Provoke

NOTES
Creator Joe Caswell and Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT), a company renowned for high quality blades, has released a futuristic spin on a centuries-old tool. Like many blades whose origins derive from Asian culture, the karambit was used to harvest grains, such as rice. Should the need arise, it could be conscripted into martial service. Flash-forward to modern times, and we have the Provoke, engineered to take up the least amount of space, and then quickly deploy into its functional position. The ability to transform makes this knife a great option for EDC applications, since it can be attached to places that cause conventional knife profiles to become unwieldy. Made from D2, a high carbon, high chromium steel, the blade is extremely durable and resistant to corrosion. Combine that with its custom Boltaron sheath, and you have a lethal combination of durability and versatility.

BLADE LENGTH
2.41 inches

MSRP
$200

URL
crkt.com

Grayman Brief Hip Pocket Brief

PAGES
20

MSRP
$19

URL
graymanbriefing.com

NOTES
Ever contemplate how time is spent in between the activities that fill your daily life? Standing in lines, riding on some form of transportation from point to point, or lulls during work can consume hours each day. This is time that could be frittered away engaging in nonsense (thank you, smartphones), or it could be used learning something useful and potentially lifesaving. Military folks might remember spending their downtime doing something called “hip-pocket training,” when someone who had some knowledge to pass along gave everyone a short class on whatever that knowledge was. Grayman Brief does just that and has put together a handy book loaded with quick tidbits of advice that can help you maintain your everyday situational awareness. Each page covers a topic to get you thinking outside the box and attempts to cue you in on your own potential physical security shortcomings. Forty short training sessions are included in a booklet no larger than a wallet and can be used for your own personal use or shared with anyone who is interested.

Stone Glacier Chilkoot 32° Quilt

R-RATING
32°

MSRP
$425

URL
stoneglacier.com

NOTES
Sleeping outside, without modern climate control, is tricky business. One-size-fits-all sleep systems can be cumbersome and have a loft distribution that’s less than ideal for staying warm. Conversely, form-fitting sleep systems may overheat the user or lose its heat retention simply by rolling the wrong direction. Stone Glacier addresses both of these concerns with its Chilkoot 32° Quilt. Engineered for backcountry autumn hunting, the quilt is lightweight for its temperature rating and compresses to a size ideal for most rucksacks. The unique feature about this particular sleeping system is its absence of a zipper, instead utilizing cinch straps that allow the user to adjust both warmth and ventilation, depending on how fickle the fall weather is. This opening is meant to face an appropriately R-rated sleeping mat, which also means that no matter how much you toss and turn in your sleep, you’ll have all of the Chilkoot’s insulation right where it needs to be.

GRAYL 16.9 fl. oz. UltraPress

EDITIONS
Nature, Covert

MSRP
$90

URL
grayl.com

NOTES
Water is the most important supplement a human body requires to stay healthy, and being active in the outdoors can quickly work up thirst. There are a couple options to slake that thirst: carry the extra weight of several liters of water or filter water from natural sources. Most savvy outdoor enthusiasts choose the latter. In the case of filtering, much time is spent digging around in a pack for tubes and filters, getting it set up, then pumping, or physically sucking the water through the filter. GRAYL eliminates many of these steps with their UltraPress water purifier bottle. Simply find the clearest source of water nearby, fill the outer reservoir, then press the inner filter sleeve down to the bottom. In approximately 10 seconds, you’ll have 16.9 ounces of water that has been filtered of 99.99 percent of viruses, 99.9999 percent of bacteria, and 99.9 percent of protozoan cysts, ready to drink. Each filter is capable of 300 presses, which comes out to nearly 150 liters of clean drinking water throughout its life cycle.

Streamlight Pocket Mate USB

COLORS
Blue, Pink, Red, Silver

MSRP
$24

URL
streamlight.com

NOTES
Illumination in the dark is a wonderful thing, especially for those times you weren’t expecting to need it. Hand torches of innumerable size and lumen output are all over the place, but they take up a ton of room, and most folks don’t want to carry one in their pocket all day just for the off chance they might need it. Most phones have a dedicated light, but trying to point a phone light with your hands full of anything else is a recipe for a cracked screen. Having a dedicated light that’s small enough to become a part of your EDC offers many advantages, and the Pocket Mate fits this bill. Clip it easily to a key ring, zipper pull tab, or D-ring, and you have a light source that ranges from a subtle 45 lumens to as bright as 325. Weather-resistant, impact tested to 1 meter, and a run time up to 1 hour, the Pocket Mate is an affordable source of reliable illumination. Being able to charge via USB is another plus, since it eliminates the need to crack it open and replace specialty batteries.

Wiley X Paladin Gloves

COLORS
Coyote Brown, Foliage Green

MSRP
$105

URL
wileyx.com

NOTES
Finding gloves to keep your mitts warm and dry is easy. Doing this while offering protection from physical damage and maintaining agile dexterity is not. This is where Wiley X comes in with their Paladin glove. Padded knuckles and reinforced goatskin guard your hands against potential impacts, abrasions, and cuts. Lightweight DRIFIRE fleece insulation wicks away moisture and keeps things dry, an important feature when operating in colder weather. Nomex on the back of the hands provides further ventilation and makes the Paladin gloves flame-resistant. These gloves strike a Goldilocks balance between warmth and agility, perfect for field work or a cool weather shooter.

Q30 Innovations Q-Collar

SIZES
11-18

MSRP
$199

URL
q30.com

NOTES
Much attention has been given in recent years to athletes and servicemen and women suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). The effects of TBI can vary widely, ranging from recurring headaches to life-changing cognitive impairments. Sufferers from head injuries may end up spending a fortune in medical bills to treat the symptoms. So when Q30 Innovations released their Q-Collar product, it offered an affordable way to mitigate the effects of head trauma. Using the Q-Collar is simple: measure your neck size, purchase the corresponding collar, and wear it. While it's worn, it prevents the rapid movement of blood in the brain during a sudden impact to the head, reducing the physiological stress that would normally occur. There’s enough data to back up the collar’s effectiveness, and it’s cleared by the FDA. Athletes competing in high impact sports, shooters, or anyone who may be subjected to explosive atmospheric pressure would benefit from wearing this.

Salewa Rapace Gore-Tex

FUNCTION
Alpine Hiking

MSRP
$300

URL
salewa.com

NOTES
Salewa is an international mountaineering company with a history that goes way back to the 1950s and a philosophy inspired by the Dolomites. The Rapace boots reflect this industry-leading vision by offering features that any climber or hiker will appreciate. For starters, the boots come with durable climbing laces, Vibram soles, and Gore-Tex lining. Since no two feet are the same, they also come with a Multi-Fit-Footbed (MFF) liner that can be altered to achieve the perfect fit. Salewa also uses the 3F System, which connects the insole with the toes and heels with steel cables that provides support exactly where it's needed during a climb. The lugs are designed to grip rock and skree like a bona fide mountain goat. Top it all off with abrasion- resistant outer material and you have a boot that was made for exploring the high places of the world.

Sitka Jetstream Jacket

COLORS
Blaze Orange, Deep Lichen, Eclipse, Elevated II, Granite, Mud, Optifade Open Country, Optifade Subalpine, Sitka Black, Waterfowl Marsh, Waterfowl Timber

MSRP
$379

URL
sitkagear.com

NOTES
Famous guidebook author Alfred Wainwright famously said, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” This is especially true when something as simple as the wind can drive a comfortably cool day into harmful windchill territory. To combat this, Sitka has released the Jetstream, a jacket that features a 100-percent windproof Gore-Windproof technology. It isn’t a hard plastic shell either, but a soft, rain-resistant polyester fiber. Micro-grid fleece keeps the inner jacket toasty, and armpit vents can open wide to expel any uncomfortable excess heat. The Jetstream is a lightweight jacket, weighing in at 26 ounces, making it ideal for being physically active when the temperature outside begins to drop. It also comes in enough colors to suit the needs of both hunters and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Corvus Survival Carrion

BLADE LENGTH
2.6 inches

MSRP
$275

URL
corvussurvival.com

NOTES
Developed and engineered by Corvus Survival’s legendary Jerry Saunders, the Carrion is a blade with the primitive scavenger in mind. Forged from 80CrV2, aka Swedish Saw Steel, the blade is easy to maintain and resistant to the elements, and the Scandi grind makes quick work of a robust variety of cutting tasks. An ambidextrous Kydex sheath allows the blade to be drawn and stowed from either direction. The Carrion’s size and shape lends to its strength and versatility, capable of bone-breaking cuts or slicing through a woody stem with finesse. The Carrion has even proven itself capable of shredding through the exterior of a car door. The primary ways to handle the blade are with a 3.5-finger forward grip or a four-finger reverse grip. Its handle is wrapped in specially treated hemp, making it easy to manipulate in tight spots and further adding to its primal aura. Handmade under the skillful eyes of a formidable bladesmith, the Carrion is built to endure.

Uncharted Supply Co The Seventy2 Pro Survival System

COLORS
Black, Olive, Orange, Red

MSRP
$589

URL
unchartedsupplyco.com

NOTES
Preparedness organizations, such as the Red Cross and FEMA, have published lists of items they recommend every household should have on hand in case of an emergency. They’re not referring to the often-contemplated SHTF scenario either. These emergency experts want the average citizen to be able to fend for themselves in much more common situations. Wildly fluctuating weather patterns and a less than adequate energy infrastructure has humanity across the globe scrambling for life-saving gear. To meet this rising chaos, Uncharted Supply Co has put together a pack that literally has it all. Nestled within the durable, 36L waterproof backpack is everything needed to support two or more people until the utilities come back online or help arrives. Food, medicine, shelter, clean water, warmth, power for devices, and even clean air, it's all packed ergonomically and efficiently into The Seventy2 Pro Survival System. High-quality items, all collected and packed, eliminate the need to hunt for gear from a multitude of sources and makes being prepared a simple endeavor.

Wazoo Cache Beanie

COLOR
Charcoal Grey

MSRP
$90

URL
wazoogear.com

NOTES
Wazoo has been changing the way people think about EDC, survival, and overall preparedness for a while now, especially when it comes to their Cache gear, clothing, and accessories that hold micro-sized gear that will keep you alive when it counts. Not to be outfoxed by winter weather, the Cache Beanie is here to keep your noggin toasty and hold on to those vital pieces of kit. This watchman's-style beanie is made from 100-percent Italian Merino wool, by the talented Wazoo team in Colorado. The fleece inside panel also doubles as a pocket, perfect for stashing a few fire plugs, cash, cards, or anything else you deem useful. One of the coolest aspects of Wazoo gear is that nothing is designed haphazardly. Everything has a reason, or a purpose for being there, including include the Wickett & Craig leather tab, which can be removed and used for other purposes and even has some common unit conversions on the back.

Read More

Subscribe to Recoil Offgrid's free newsletter for more content like this.

Secure Messaging Apps: Signal, Keybase, Threema, & More

Written by

“Is this line secure?” — Well, for most of us, the answer to that has traditionally been “no” — at least outside of work. However, in recent years, there has been a proliferation of encrypted communications applications available for computers and mobile phones. These applications take advantage of the adoption of digital, packet-based communication standards for cellular systems (i.e., LTE) or wired/wireless internet connection to provide a plethora of communications functions. Thanks to secure messaging apps such as Signal, users can send secure text messages, share files, or even have voice or video calls — all encrypted and, ostensibly, impervious to eavesdropping from unwanted third parties. Big promises, right? However, not all apps are created equal.

Above: Cell phones are not just a modern convenience, but a powerful tool for communication in a variety of scenarios.

In this article, I’ll explore criteria for evaluating a “secure” communications app, describe a few of my favorites, and briefly cover findings discussed in a leaked FBI assessment regarding the challenges posed by many popular encrypted chat apps to law enforcement and the intelligence community.

What Makes a Good Secure Messaging App?

There are many factors that go into a selection of an application for communications security (COMSEC). Some of these relate directly to the security and safety of the app itself, but some are more general.

The first, most general requirement is if it’s something that you can easily get other people to adopt. It takes two (or more) to communicate, after all, and if no one else is on the platform you select, or the barrier to entry is too high, then you’re not going to have too many people to talk to. This may or may not be a major issue for some people, however, if you’re protecting some communications more heavily than others then those ones stand out as more important and worthy of dedicated resources to attack. A good user experience (UX) and cross-platform support go a long way toward fueling adoption, especially among the less technically inclined people in your life.

The second requirement is that the application needs to provide end-to-end encryption. This means that every conversation needs to be encrypted the entire time data is transiting between two devices, such that not even the provider of the service is able to decrypt the transmission in order to read your messages or listen in on your calls.

Third, the application should utilize well-known and vetted cryptographic libraries. Ideally, the application itself should be open source to allow for independent, third-party vetting. Additionally, the application-level protocols used by the platform should be well-documented and described so that independent security researchers have the best opportunity to assess the strength and correctness of the system in question.

What Should Be Avoided

Above: Tech-savvy malicious actors can use messaging signatures to map out your entire personal “network” of friends and family, without even reading messages themselves.

Applications you’ll want to avoid will have anti-features such as:

  • Exchanges between users are not end-to-end encrypted.
  • Call content, and not just signaling, go through a centralized service.
  • The application provides both encrypted and unencrypted chat capabilities and the unencrypted chats are the default.
  • The application is provided, owned, or funded by a corporation or other entity that you deem untrustworthy.

So, What’s the Deal With Encryption Anyway?

Encryption is like ballistics — it’s weaponized math. Depending on the particular function that needs to be provided, encryption schemes such as AES, RSA, ECDSA, DH/ECDH, etc. utilize properties about numbers and their relationship to each other, as well as various transforms and operations to secure digital communications. Foundationally, we’re provided with the following core functions:

  • Confidentiality (keeping secret things secret), which is what most people associate with the concept of encryption.
  • Integrity (ensuring that data isn’t tampered with, and that we know if it is).
  • Authentication (everyone and everything is who they say they are).
  • Non-repudiation (we should have a high degree of certainty who the sender of a message is and they can’t claim it wasn’t them beyond a shadow of a doubt).
  • You use encryption every day whether you know it or not. Any time you browse to a web page with “HTTPS” in the title, you are leveraging multiple encryption schemes:
  • The server provides an RSA certificate containing its public key to prove its identity.
  • An AES key is generated and shared to secure the connection.
  • The key is securely exchanged via Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral (ECDHE).
  • SHA256 is used to provide integrity checking for the packets to ensure that nothing has been tampered with or broken in transiting.

Cryptosystems such as PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) or the open-source clone GPG (GNU Privacy Guard) make you do most of the work by hand. Systems like HTTPS make it all automatic. Encrypted chat apps will use a similar process to HTTPS in order to provide the same level of protection. Most of the time you shouldn’t ever have to think about it.

Above: Law enforcement, military, and intelligence services have all come to rely on secure messaging to coordinate operations and share critical information.

My Top Secure Messaging Apps

I’m a cyber security professional who works in the world of FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) 140 and Common Criteria certifications. These certification schemes essentially help to ensure that products that provide or use cryptography do it in a manner approved as good enough for the U.S. government and military, and that products meet certain minimum-security standards. That’s a long way of saying that I think about this sort of thing for a living, and that’s not something that I can just switch off for my daily life. Given that, here are my top choices for secure communications applications and why.

Signal

Above: Signal uses safety numbers to verify that you’re talking to the person you think you are. These are meant to be verified in person or through a secure side channel. Most people fail to do this, however. Changing phones will cause your safety numbers to be regenerated. Signal, and other apps, also allow you to set data retention for your chats. In this group chat, all our messages and shared media are deleted after one week.

If you know of any highly regarded secure chat app, it’s likely Signal. It’s been around since about 2014, and I’ve used it since then. It’s endorsed by Edward Snowden (for what that’s worth) and has fairly wide adoption. I have my wife, my parents, my sister, and most of my friends all using it. It allows me to have secure voice and video calls from my Android phone to family and friends who use Apple products, with quality almost as good as Apple’s FaceTime.

So, how does Signal stack up against our criteria? Well, as I’ve already mentioned, it’s easy to get other people to use it so that I’m not just securely talking to myself. The development is open source, and the cryptographic libraries used are well vetted and tested. The Signal Protocol is well described and has been thoroughly vetted for design weakness. People are always trying to break Signal but, despite some misleading headlines, there haven’t been any major wide-spread successes. In terms of the end-to-end encryption of data-in-transit, Signal is a rock. Additionally, Signal can be installed directly (on an Android device) without having to go through an app store.

One of the major benefits to Signal is that their servers really only keep basic information about when a user is online or not, nothing else. This lack of metadata, combined with strong end-to-end encryption, make it a great system. Signal does have a few down-sides that I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, however.

First, user identity is strongly correlated with phone numbers. And traditionally, new signal users are announced to existing signal users who have that phone number in phone contacts. This has been a source of contention between the Signal developers and members of the security community on one side and privacy advocates on the other. From the perspective of the privacy advocates, some people, such as women in abusive relationships, who may be attempting to install Signal in order to communicate without their partner’s knowledge, are put in danger by the fact that if the abuser has Signal, he’d be alerted when the woman sets it up and attempts to hide it. If you fall into that category, then beware.

Above: Android will allow you to use Signal as the default message app. All your Signal messages and regular SMS will be handled similarly. When sending unencrypted SMS in Signal, the text input will notify you of this fact.

The second issue with Signal isn’t so much with Signal as it is with users. Signal will generate a privacy number when two users begin communicating. Deleting and reinstalling Signal, or, more commonly, getting a new phone will result in a new privacy number. Users are meant to verify privacy numbers in person or through some otherwise-trusted, out-of-band method, in order to establish identity. In practice, almost no one does this, leaving them open to potential spoofing attacks. Like I said, this isn’t really Signal’s fault because they’re providing the mechanism, but most people don’t use it most of the time. I’m guilty myself.

Keybase

Keybase is very different from Signal and isn’t really an alternative to it, so much as it is an alternative to systems like Slack or Telegram. I’ve used Keybase since it was launched, and I really liked it for reasons around establishment of identity with PGP that are too nerdy and in-the-weeds to get into here.

It makes the list because I believe that Keybase is an excellent choice for providing secure messaging and file sharing when working with a group. It allows you to set up teams, then create multiple different chat topic channels for that team. It provides secure file storage (personal and team) and allows you to share files. Unlike Signal, it doesn’t provide voice or video calls, however, it does provide for shared voice memos. Like Signal and other apps, you can set certain messages to “explode” or adjust your retention policy, so that even if an endpoint is compromised, highly sensitive messages may have been automatically deleted after a certain time period and become unrecoverable.

Drawbacks to Keybase include many associated with all social media, that is public user profiles and the opportunity for OSINT analysts to perform network analysis to discover who is associated with whom and identify a COG (center of gravity) for a given network based on the strength of associations. This is a matter of managing your group’s OPSEC to not be publicly following each other, if that’s part of your security concern.

The user experience is pretty good, and it’s multi-platform. File sharing is a chore with the mobile app, and this works much better from a desktop, but it supports all major platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux) and devices (Android, iOS) so adoption isn’t difficult. It’s a much better option than, say, Slack, for organizing a mutual assistance group (MAG) or similar organization, and providing a primary means of communication while mitigating censorship found on other platforms.

Threema

Above: Swiss-based Threema supports everything Signal does, while addressing some of the privacy issues associated with Signal’s use of phone numbers. However, it’s a commercial product rather than a project maintained by a nonprofit organization.

Threema was recently popularized in The Terminal List and provides similar features to Signal, but with some of the privacy concerns addressed. Unlike Signal, Threema isn’t free. You need to purchase a license that costs 4.99 in your choice of currency (USD, CHF, EUR). Licenses are not transferrable between platforms, which means that if you have both Android and iOS, and also want to use it on a desktop you’re in for three licenses. The license can be bought directly through Threema, or via the platform’s official app store (e.g, Google Play).

A price of $4.99 isn’t a lot (compared to the current price of a gallon of gas), but it does provide an additional hurdle that I think is slowing adoption. Of course, Threema is a for-profit company, unlike Signal or Keybase. Threema is available for corporate and government customers and is approved for use by the Swiss military. This means there’s a different business model.

One of Threema’s claims to fame is the decoupling of the phone number from the user ID. A new “Threema ID” is generated when the client is registered, and this is the identity of the user. If one takes steps, such as purchasing a Visa gift card with cash and using that to register Threema directly, rather than through the App Store, this can help provide an additional layer of anonymity that Signal does not.

The Threema source code is open source and has been subjected to multiple audits. They also have a detailed paper describing how the security functionality of the system works, all of which speaks in their favor.

All in all, the major debit against Threema is the cost, which may cause some people to balk at it. It’s also less well known than Signal, so getting people to adopt it and easily start integrating into their daily lives is going to be a bigger lift. And remember, if you don’t have anyone else to talk to, then your communications tool doesn’t really matter. I expect that the name recognition from the Amazon Prime release of their Terminal List adaptation will see this begin to change.

What to Avoid

Above: It’s common for apps to use a server for call establishment and registration of users, while sending actual call content directly between peers. When using end-to-end encryption, Alice and Bob are secure from attempts to eavesdrop on their conversation. A wiretap will only record encrypted data and the attacker would have to have knowledge of the key to read the data. When everything goes through the server, then neither an attacker nor the server operator can read the call content — only the endpoints.

SMS and Platform-specific Apps
SMS (Short Message System) is your basic text messages. These are not at all secure, are entirely visible to the carrier, and should have no expectation of privacy. This should be well understood by most people in the world at this point.

The commercial response to this initially were systems like BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) and then iMessage. Both of these provide a lot more security than SMS but have several flaws. First, they’re platform dependent. You could only exchange “secure” messages with other BlackBerry or iPhone users. Secondly, these tools weren’t designed with end-to-end encryption from the start. BBM is dead, but iMessage continues to exist as the default messaging/SMS app for iPhone users.

To avoid issues around the iCloud ecosystem (ask Hunter Biden for more information on this), it’s best to avoid using iMessage.

Apps Owned by Hostile “Big Tech” Organizations
WhatsApp was hugely popular when it was released. It provided a great way for people all over the world to exchange pretty well-protected messages with each other without having to worry about international text or call charges. It was a game changer. Heck, WhatsApp has even adopted the Signal protocol to secure end-to-end encryption, so from a network perspective, WhatsApp and Signal have the same protections.

However, in 2020/2021, we started seeing lots of complaints (some valid, some less so) regarding the behavior of WhatsApp, which is now owned by Facebook/Meta. Allegations of censorship from the app itself, plans to install content filters to look for “child exploitation material” (because perverts are often used to justify draconian attacks on free speech), etc. all drew major criticism. Many WhatsApp users fled to Signal.

Similarly, Telegram, which has become popular for providing both encrypted and unencrypted chat services, including open groups, became popular as platforms like Twitter and Facebook became censoring content heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election. However, Telegram, like many other platforms, bowed to pressure after the January 6, 2021, incident at the U.S. Capitol and began purging accounts and groups that were disfavored politically.

Control of the endpoint software by entities willing to enforce a political ideology that’s anti-freedom means that, ultimately, that software isn’t trustworthy. Platforms that provide centralized, insecure chat forums, while handy for quickly organizing groups of strangers by sharing a link to join, can quickly be taken away and no information shared or posted to those platforms is private in any way.

Conclusion

There are many options out there for applications that claim to provide secure or encrypted communications. Not all are created equal. Open source, well-vetted, systems that provide detailed explanations of their inner workings are always going to be preferred to closed-source apps beholden to big-tech oligarchs who don’t value your individual freedoms. Fortunately, applications like Signal, Keybase, and Threema exist that provide that peace of mind. Personally, most of my non-email communication goes through either Signal or Keybase and I push everyone that I communicate with regularly to adopt Signal. Ultimately, which one(s) works best for you is going to depend on who you’re trying to communicate with and for what purpose.

Review: PWS MK116 MOD 2-M Ambidextrous AR-15

Written by

What's the big deal with ambi AR-15s? Whether you’re right-handed or left-handed, short of a catastrophic injury or amputation, you’ll never be fully dependent on one hand. This is why many experienced shooters no longer use the terms “strong side” and “weak side,” instead favoring dominant/non-dominant or strong hand/support hand. Your “weak” side can’t be weak, because it’s essential for recoil management, reloads, and other critical tasks. Just as you wouldn’t type an essay or cook a meal with one hand tied behind your back, you shouldn’t put all the workload on your dominant hand while using a firearm.

By using dominant/non-dominant or strong/support terms, it’s easier to remember to work on maximizing the effectiveness of both hands. In other words, we’re trying to become ambidextrous, even if we still naturally favor one side. This allows us to shoot from either shoulder and make the most of available cover, and also streamlines two-handed weapon manipulations. Achieving ambidexterity mostly requires practice, but selecting a weapon that’s set up for ambidextrous use is also an important piece of the puzzle.

Above: The PWS MK116 MOD 2-M features fully ambidextrous controls, including a left-side mag release.

This is why many firearm manufacturers have moved towards ambidextrous designs in recent years — aside from basic mil-spec models, it’s rare to see an AR-15 without at least an ambi safety selector or ambi charging handle these days. However, fully ambidextrous ARs are still relatively rare.

To be considered fully ambidextrous, the following controls should be easily operable by the left or right hand:

  • Safety selector
  • Charging handle
  • Mag release
  • Bolt release
  • Bolt catch/hold-open

The last item is especially uncommon in ambi form, but quite useful for quick malfunction clearance or “unload and show clear” requirements between competition stages or training drills.

The PWS MK116 MOD 2-M

Over the last 14 years, Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) has made a name for itself by manufacturing premium ARs with its signature long-stroke piston system. For those who may be wondering what a long-stroke piston is, we’ll point back to Editor Iain Harrison’s summary from Issue 13: unlike the short-stroke pistons found in rifles such as the SIG MCX, FN SCAR, and Heckler & Koch MR556, “the long-stroke piston and op rod are attached to the bolt carrier in much the same way as an AK platform. While this long-stroke system usually results in a touch more felt recoil due to increased reciprocating mass, there are benefits to be had in terms of fewer parts to fail.” Current PWS models also feature an adjustable gas regulator that allows the user to tune the system for suppressed or unsuppressed use.

The PWS MOD 2-M is the company’s flagship AR line. Until recently, the MOD 2-M featured a forged lower with an ambi safety selector, mag release, and bolt release. The lower also features a flared magwell, integral trigger guard, and subtle contours that make it clear it isn’t a standard mil-spec component. The forged upper features similar contours, no forward assist, and a Radian Raptor ambi charging handle. Another distinctive feature of the MOD 2-M is its PicLok handguard, which has sections of Picatinny rail with recessed, threaded slots that also accept M-LOK accessories.

In June 2022, PWS rolled out an update for the MOD 2-M family of rifles. This centered around a forged lower receiver which was redesigned to accommodate a new bolt catch/bolt release lever with double-sided paddles on the left and right. This addition makes it a true fully ambidextrous rifle, allowing the user to easily hold the bolt or send it forward using one finger on the dominant hand.

After checking out this updated MOD 2-M design at our CANCON 2022 event in Georgia, I knew I wanted to spend some more time with it. I already own a few billet receiver sets with ambi controls (ADM and Ascend Armory) but those receivers can be quite expensive and aesthetically flashy. The more-utilitarian forged lower is appealing, especially as part of a complete package with PWS’s long-stroke system, so I selected a PWS MK116 MOD 2-M. To break that name down, MOD 2-M is the family, MK1 means it’s an AR-15 platform (MK2 is AR-10), and the 16 obviously corresponds to barrel length.

Accessories

I set up my PWS MK116 MOD 2-M with an Atibal XRD red dot sight, which offers 40,000 hours of battery life and a motion-activated function to maximize longevity. The XRD uses an Aimpoint Micro footprint, which allowed me to attach it to a taller ADM 1.93-inch Lightweight mount. I find the heads-up shooting position with this mount more comfortable, and it also enables easier use for passive aiming under night vision. The quick-detach function allows fast removal of the dot so I can access the Geissele backup iron sights I installed.

For low-light use, I wanted a weapon-mounted light that would integrate smoothly into the PicLok handguard, but I decided to go a little outside the box. This HRT Tactical AWLS light produces 1,700 lumens and 90,000 candela from an 18650 rechargeable battery. The most distinctive feature is its Valhalla Tactical ODA tailcap, a joystick-like activator that can be pushed in any direction for momentary mode, or clicked in for constant-on. The included MLOK screws are threaded directly into the PicLok handguard to secure the light. Although the pictured sample is a pre-production prototype, the HRT Tactical AWLS is now in full-production and available for purchase.

Finally, I added a BCM MLOK Vertical Grip to match the BCM pistol grip and buttstock PWS provided, and I installed a pair of Walker Defense Research NILE silicon carbide MLOK rail panels for extra grip. This MOD 2-M already came with some of my favorite AR add-ons — Radian Raptor charging handle, Radian Talon safety selector, and PWS’s own QD-socket-equipped Ratchet Lock Castle Nut and End Plate — so I had no need to swap out those parts. I did, however, disassemble the Talon selector and reinstall it in 45-degree configuration rather than the 90-degree configuration PWS chose.

Above: The included Radian Talon safety selector can be set to 45 degrees (pictured) or the more traditional 90 degrees.

At the Range

Above: The MK116's recoil impulse felt smooth with 55gr M193 ammo. This photo shows the standard lower-1/3 mount on the red dot, rather than the 1.93 ADM mount we upgraded to later.

I loaded up the included Lancer L5-AWM mag with some 55-grain training ammo, flicked the 45-degree safety, and started shooting. After many years behind direct-impingement (DI) ARs, PWS’s long-stroke system feels noticeably different. The recoil impulse is smooth, more like a steady push than a sudden punch. Rapid strings of fire feel manageable.

Above: A cutout in the top rail behind the front sight provides access to the gas regulator, which can be adjusted using the included tool or the tip of a bullet.

The piston system should also keep the gun cleaner than a DI gun; this appeared to be the case after my time on the range — the BCG wasn’t coated in nearly as much crud as I’d normally expect. Another advantage of a piston-driven AR is its ability to accommodate a suppressor without the unpleasant gas blowback and dramatically increased fouling/carbon buildup typically seen on suppressed DI guns. With this in mind, PWS’s built-in gas regulator has three positions:

  1. Position 1 – Unsuppressed
  2. Position 2 – Suppressed with lighter loads and/or suppressors with lower backpressure
  3. Position 3 – Suppressed with heavier loads and/or suppressors with higher backpressure

I plan to install a suppressor on this rifle in the future, but for now I evaluated it unsuppressed. The PWS FSC 556 muzzle device is primarily designed as a compensator, so it does a nice job of moderating recoil, but it also offers plenty of flash reduction for low-light/no-light shooting.

As for the ambi controls, I found them intuitive and easy to use. The left-side mag release is similar in size, shape, and placement to the right-side button, only ¾-inch lower on the receiver for clearance. The bolt release/catch is also similar on both sides of the rifle, but positioned slightly further back on the right side to clear the ejection port cover. All of these controls are raised and textured enough to be found and manipulated easily with gloves on. Granted, users with smaller hands may have some trouble with stretching an index finger to press the right-side bolt release, but I had no such issue with my oversized catcher’s mitts.

Overall, the PWS MK116 MOD 2-M feels like a top-shelf production AR, and I have no doubt it’d hold up to duty use. Subjectively, I think it looks great as well — not too plain or too flashy. Although I did add an optic and a few accessories for personal preference, I didn’t feel the need to start upgrading internal parts, controls, or furniture — it’s good to go right out of the box. One possible exception is the PTFE-coated Mil-Spec Enhanced trigger; while smooth and precise, its 6-pound pull weight is definitely heavier than what I’m used to. Short of a suppressor, that’s the only upgrade I’m planning on.

PWS MK116 MOD 2-M Specifications

Overall Length: 33 inches

Barrel Length: 16.1 inches

Caliber: .223 Wylde

Capacity: 30+1

Weight: 8.2 pounds (with accessories, unloaded)

MSRP: $2,050

URL: primaryweapons.com

Accessories:

  • Atibal XRD red dot sight ($150)
  • ADM Micro T1/T2 Lightweight Mount ($130)
  • Geissele Folding BUIS ($200)
  • HRT Tactical AWLS ($295)
  • BCM Vertical Grip Mod 3 ($21)
  • Walker Defense Research NILE 3-Slot MLOK Panels ($39)

Price as Configured: $2,885

Bag Drop: Red Oxx Search and Rescue Duffel Bag

Written by

For my early hurricane deployments as an Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Structures Specialist, I used to just sling multiple bags over my shoulders — wear one backpack normally, the other reversed over my chest, and maybe a third slung on one shoulder. This gets old fast if you’re having to transfer between different vehicles or walk on foot any distance at all. I’m not exactly known as a minimalist packer. As an engineer, I love redundancy and fully subscribe to the “two is one, one is none” mantra of having backups for backups. But the end result of carrying multiple overstuffed bags ended up looking ridiculous and made it tough to move with purpose and efficiency. So I ended up just purchasing one giant bag, the Sherpa Jr. by Red Oxx Manufacturing, which would serve as a “mothership” to my smaller bags and keep my bulky gear all in one place.

No more clipping boots or helmets to the outside of a smaller pack because they won’t fit inside — the Sherpa Jr. is like a black hole that sucks up all sorts of bulky gear. It streamlines my movement because I only have one bag to carry. It’s one enormous, impossible-to-miss or misplace bag. The dimensions on this mother are 27 by 15 by 15 inches. That’s over 6,000 cubic inches, and it’s not even the biggest bag Red Oxx offers. In this case though, I feel like this size is about the maximum practical for anything I do. If I had a bigger bag, I’d be tempted to stuff that one too, but it’d end up being too heavy to lift or carry without throwing out my back.

I used to have a gear room full of black packs to the point where it was hard to tell them apart. Nowadays, when I buy a pack I look for any other color than black. One of the things I love about Red Oxx Manufacturing is how I can order any of their bags in one of 13 colors, including an obnoxious (in a good way) bright blaze orange or a gorgeous bright blue (they call the color Mariner). In this case, I bought the Sherpa Jr. in a limited-edition lime green color, so that I could find my gear easily even when it was thrown into the back of a tractor trailer with similar bags strewn all around it.

I own seven other bags from Red Oxx. Nothing they make is inexpensive (the Sherpa Jr. is $335), but the build quality is just levels above what I’m used to seeing from similar items manufactured in overseas factories in Vietnam or Bangladesh. Red Oxx’s factory is in Billings, Montana, and is owned by veterans with a background in parachute rigging, so they know more than a little bit about building gear you can rely upon.

Red Oxx Sherpa Jr. Expedition Series

MSRP
$335

URL
www.redoxx.com

Baby Packs

I’ve covered the contents of my smaller 5.11 RUSH72 in Issue 52 of RECOIL OFFGRID and 5.11 RUSH12 pack in Issue 48. I’m able to have these packs fully loaded and then just drop them into the Sherpa Jr., although sometimes I’ll leave those packs empty and just load the items separately until I have a better idea of what the mission profile will look like.

Bulky Protective Gear

New for this hurricane season, I’ve been able to transition to the lighter and much more comfortable SAR Tactical Helmet made by Team Wendy. It’s amazing how much less cranky I am when I don’t have any pressure points boring into my head. I also bring a ridiculously heavy pair of Honeywell Technical Rescue Boots, which provide me the quiet comfort of knowing that, even if I go down in a helicopter crash and my body is converted to charcoal briquet status, my feet will still be pink, soft, and intact inside the boot’s protective shell. It’s the little things that count.

“New” Drone Technology

Most people are surprised when I tell them that in terms of advanced technology to locate and rescue victims, what we used at the Surfside (Champlain Tower) condominium collapse in Miami in 2021 was mostly the same technology that my predecessors used following the Sept. 11 attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. My primary surveying equipment to monitor the stability of the building was a decades-old, manually controlled Total Station, which didn’t even know how to talk to a computer. In contrast, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) engineers, sent to the collapse because of the large proportion of Jewish residents inside the building and community, had more advanced technology and techniques than anyone else.

I use a drone on a weekly basis for my “day job” as a structural engineer, and was ready to bring it down to Surfside, but was told that they had plenty of drones there, I’d be able see whatever I needed with a radio call. So naturally, I never had access to a drone while I was there. Like my friends in the military can probably relate to, close air support never seems to be there when you need it most. So now I bring my DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Drone with its onboard thermal camera for every deployment, and I stuff the huge heavy box into my Red Oxx Sherpa Jr. bag and just deal with the extra weight, because I’m never going to have that particular problem again.

Making Room For Mental Health

I’ve always found it helpful to tuck in some completely unnecessary personal items, but my psychologist friend Dr. Meg Fitzpatrick, PsyD NCSP, helped me verbalize it and put a name to it for the first time. She first suggested a Mental Health Go Bag to tuck into my other kit. This is mostly just stuff that’s going to make me feel better and — critically — do my best to truly unplug during the few off-hours that we get. Mine includes delicious food that won’t spoil and refuels my body, often a box of Honey Stinger Nut + Seed Bars.

I’ll also add packets of instant micro-ground coffee, so I can feel human again with a caffeine boost even if I have nothing more than a lukewarm bottle of water to mix it with. Besides that, I throw in my new Sitka Ambient Hoody that weighs practically nothing but is still toasty warm. Unlike the rest of my issued gear, which are mostly cotton blends, it dries quickly when wet.

I top these off with little sample sizes of something that smells really good. The catch is that it needs to be a new smell and also a smell that I’m comfortable leaving behind and never smelling again after the deployment, to avoid unnecessary triggering. Of course, there are some triggers you’ll never get away from, but it’s nice to be able to at least minimize them going forward.

I hope this Red Oxx duffel gives you some good packing ideas for your own adventures. Finding good gear is like finding good friends, especially as you get older. It’s few and far between, but once you get it you’ve got it for life.

About the Author

Andrew Schrader is a licensed professional engineer, commercial pilot and Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) specialist. He has been deployed by the State of Florida for four separate hurricane events, as well as the Surfside (Champlain Towers) condominium in 2021. He is the lead Structures Specialist for the State of Florida’s US&R Task Force. Find him on Instagram at @reconresponse.

Review: POF Tombstone Lever Action PCC

Written by

Editor's Note: This review of the new POF Tombstone lever action rifle was originally published by our sister publication RECOIL. For more in-depth gun reviews and news, go to RECOILweb.com.

Ever since Frank DeSomma founded POF-USA over 20 years ago, the company has marched to the beat of its own drummer. They started with the AR platform, becoming well-known for their line of piston-driven guns amongst a sea of direct-impingement guns. Moreover, not only did POF incorporate a gas piston design, they developed additional unique features to enhance function and reliability, such as their dual-extraction fluted chamber, oversized heat sink barrel nut, and roller cam pin in the bolt carrier. For its next magic trick, POF squeezed a .308 into a .223-sized package with its short-stroke gas-piston Revolution rifle — many of its parts are interchangeable with an AR-15, and the barrel extension, bolt assembly, upper, and lower receiver are exactly the same size.

Since then, they’ve released various iterations and refinements on their AR-platform guns, in both gas-piston and direct-impingement flavors. And in 2022, the company introduced the Phoenix 9mm subgun. The next gun in POF’s pipeline is a bit of a departure from the others. You probably wouldn’t be surprised that they’ve been developing a manually operated firearm. And you might expect that they’d build a bolt gun next, as have many other manufacturers. Not POF.

Above: POF’s new Tombstone lever action PCC is ready for the O.K. Corral, with 20 rounds of 9mm on tap and modern construction and tactical amenities.

Jeremy Selting, their vice president of sales and marketing, told us that POF “decided to take a step back and say, ‘What hasn’t been done before, and how can POF-USA do it first?’ While lever guns have been around for over 100 years, we spun it around and used AR technology with some of the receiver components, added a modular rail, and best of all, had a detachable 20-round magazine in one of the most accessible ammunition types available in 9mm.”

Additionally, a lever gun is legal in ban states and international markets that restrict semi-auto weapons.

Lever Me Timbers

Lever-action operating systems feature a cocking handle with a pivot in front of the trigger; the handle typically incorporates a trigger guard and a loop for the shooter’s hand. When you rotate the lever forward, links in the action retract the bolt and extract the spent case. At full extension, the hammer will be cocked, and as you pull the lever back home, a fresh round is fed and pushed into the chamber.

While early examples of guns with lever-operated actions appeared in the late 17th century and early 18th century, it was the 1860 Henry rifle that first saw widespread use and may pop into most people’s minds.

Meanwhile, the Spencer rifle was the first repeating long gun adopted by the military, and both lever-action rifles made their presence known on Civil War battlefields. The effectiveness of their magazine capacity and rate of fire led to the widely known phrase, “It’s a rifle that you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long.”

Above: The side plates come off for maintenance, providing a nice view of the lever-action mechanism. The lever engages a toggle link and other connecting links to move the bolt and firing pin back and forth.

The next significant lever-action evolution was the Winchester 1873, based on the Henry rifle and improved with a steel receiver, wood forearm, and tubular magazine with, importantly, a loading gate. Indeed, the Winchester is the most iconic lever action rifle, the “gun that won the West” featured in countless Westerns.

You could say the lever gun was the modern sporting rifle of its age.

In fact, there’s been a resurgence in popularity of lever guns in recent years, with more modern materials and tactical features being added, as well as hard-hitting big-bore models (see RECOIL Issue 39) getting a boost from a dinosaur-hunting appearance in Jurassic World. Still, they’re largely traditional in design, not that different from their progenitors.

POF Tombstone

POF’s new Tombstone is a lever-action rifle with a 16-inch barrel chambered in 9x19mm. Unlike all the tube-fed guns on the market, it feeds from a detachable box magazine, the 20-rounder that POF developed for its Phoenix subgun. It’s a proprietary polymer design that looks like a curved MP5 mag; it’s a double column but tapers down to a single feed point like a pistol, which POF says works better for a manual action.

Working from tip to tail, the 4150 steel, 1:10 twist, fluted barrel is topped off with a muzzle brake secured with a lock nut. On the other end of the barrel, it’s fastened with a barrel nut.

The AR-ish handguard includes the cantilevered top rail, which attaches to the top of the receiver, as well as M-LOK slots at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock on the forend. At the muzzle end, there’s a short piece of Pic rail on the top and the bottom, like an underbite. The top piece includes an integral blade front sight with a white stripe.

At the aft end, above the receiver, is an XS ghost ring rear sight, adjustable for elevation and windage via set screws on either side.

Above: The Tombstone handles nicely and points very naturally.

Made of 7075-T6 aluminum, the receiver has a slightly flared magwell; combined with the tapered single-feed magazines, this makes it easy to insert fresh mags. However, the magwell is farther forward from fire control than shooters may be accustomed to with other platforms, so it takes some reps to get used to it.

There are mag releases on both sides, just like POF’s ambidextrous AR receivers — button on the right and lever on the left. If you have fingers like E.T., you might be able to reach them on your strong side. Otherwise, we found it most effective to perform mag changes like with many other subguns — grab a fresh mag with your support hand, push the mag release on the off-side with your thumb to eject the old one, then insert the new mag.

The angular-shaped lever shrouds the trigger; shooters with huge gloved meat hooks might feel a bit claustrophobic in the trigger guard. The cross-bolt safety is reversible, and the hammer has a half-cock position.

Above: The crossbolt safety is reversible. Note the AR-derived ambidextrous magazine release lever.

POF mates the Tombstone with Magpul’s excellent SGA 870 shotgun stock, contouring the lever to fit perfectly. As a result, you can tap into Magpul’s various colors and accessories, such as cheek risers, QD sockets, and spacers, as desired.

Field-stripping the gun for cleaning and maintenance involves a Torx driver, small parts, and some finesse, so we’d classify it more as a bench-stripping procedure that you’d rather not do in the field. After clearing the gun and ensuring it’s safe and unloaded, remove the side plates — reminiscent of those sweet old Winchesters.

Keep the rifle oriented vertically as if you were on target, or else small parts may fall out of the gun, and possibly to be lost forever in your cluttered garage.

We used Midwest Industries’ PCC vise block; while it’s designed for Glock-compatible lowers, the large-frame side worked fine to hold the Tombstone. A single Torx screw secures the side plates; once you remove them, take a close look at the connecting links, toggle link, and pins. Be sure to take a picture if you need a reference when reassembling the gun.

Remove the links and pins, as well as the pin connecting the links to the bolt. Lower the lever, push in the firing pin, and remove the firing pin retaining pin. Now you can pull the firing pin out of the rear of the receiver; push down on the hammer to clear it. Slide the bolt out to the rear and angle it downward to remove it from the receiver. Reassembly is the reverse of the above.

A Fistful of Ammo

The Tombstone is very nimble, at just 5.5 pounds, and with the traditional buttstock, it points very naturally, as any skeet or trap shooters out there will understand. It mounts quickly, right on target, and snaps effortlessly from target to target.

So while the integral XS ghost ring sights are nice, this is 2023, and the Tombstone begs for an optic. A reflex sight would be a perfect match for the spritely rifle, so we mounted Atibal’s CRD red dot sight — not only does it have a roomy window, its angular housing matched the Tombstone’s aesthetics. Call us slaves to fashion. The dot is bright, has 40,000 hours of battery life, and it came with a Pic rail adapter for its RMR footprint.

Above: The Atibal CRD red-dot sight has a roomy window, bright center dot, and 40,000 hours of battery life.

Additionally, any serious rifle should have a weapon-mounted light. In keeping with the slim, lightweight theme, we fitted it with SureFire’s Micro Scout Light Pro. Powered by a single AAA battery, it’s tiny, but still puts out 300 lumens (1,045 candela). Plus, its slick, pivoting, integrated low-profile mount sucks it right up against the handguard. Another great match for the Tombstone.

Above: SureFire’s diminutive, AAA-powered Micro Scout Light Pro is a perfect match for the nimble Tombstone, offering 300 lumens and a sleek, low profile mount.

There’s not a lot more fixed Pic rail real estate for other accessories, but there are plenty of M-LOK slots for more goodies. The muzzle is threaded ½-28; we had planned to attach JK Armament’s new micro-sized CCX suppressor. It would’ve been another perfect match for the Tombstone, but alas, we missed our tight publication window.

At the bench, we put the rifle on bags to chronograph and group some loads. Sellier & Bellot 115-grain FMJ clocked at an average of 1,361 fps but delivered the largest groups at over 4 MOA. Ranger SXT 147-grain HP and Winchester white box 115-grain FMJ turned in groups of 2 to 2.5 MOA and muzzle velocities of 1,096 and 1,409 fps, respectively.

Norma’s 124-grain FMJ and 108-grain MHP dialed it up a notch, with best groups of 2.1 and 1.6 MOA, at 1,237 and 1,480 fps, respectively. Finally, lowly aluminum-cased CCI Blazer 115-grain FMJ drilled out an impressive 1 MOA group, with average velocities of 1,336 fps.

The trigger breaks cleanly at 3 pounds, though it has quite a bit of overtravel. However, it’s not a big deal as this is a lever-action rifle; it’s not like you’ll be working the reset.

The Tombstone handles exceedingly well; it presents on target quickly and is maneuverable in tight spaces like hallways.

The lever is smooth, and there’s even a magnet on the bottom of the receiver to ensure it pulls up and stays tight when you bring it home. It’s a blast to work the lever furiously, like an Earp, ringing steel all around you.

Speaking of working the lever, be sure to rack it with authority. As a manually operated weapon, this ensures reliable extraction and ejection. At our first range session, we experienced several nose-up and nose-down feeding issues — these turned out to be due to a bad magazine. But with new mags in hand, we discovered one other thing to be aware of. With certain ammo, the last round in the mag would sometimes bind in the chamber if you didn’t close the action quickly.

Above: The Tombstone uses the same proprietary polymer 20-round magazines as POF’s Phoenix subgun. They feature a single-feed design, typically seen in pistol mags.

It varied by ammo type; for example, on one hand, you could work the action gingerly like a frightened newspaper journalist, and S&B would feed all day long. On the other hand, the last round of Norma MHP had to be slammed home to ensure it fed.

The rest of the magazine would feed fine for us, so if that last round does bind, take it as a signal to reload (there’s no last-round-bolt-hold-open on lever guns). In any case, best practice is to always work the lever as quickly and efficiently as you can, and to be sure to test your desired loads, paying attention to the last round in the magazine, for any mission critical duties like home defense.

The Magnificent Nine

The Tombstone isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK. The price alone takes it out of mass-market consideration. Fundamentally, some may scoff at the concept of a lever-action gun in 9mm; if we had to choose, we’d take a semi-auto over a lever-action too. In fact, POF would happily supply you with one of their Phoenix semi-auto 9mm guns to fill that role.

But if you’re behind enemy lines in a ban-state or otherwise need a manually operated PCC — or if you simply want a unique, nimble, and accurate carbine that you can rack and clack to your heart’s content while consuming your stash of 9mm — POF’s Tombstone is a funky, modern interpretation of the gun that won the west.

POF-USA Tombstone Specs

  • Caliber: 9x19mm
  • Capacity: 20
  • Barrel length: 16 inches
  • Overall length: 35.6 inches
  • Weight: 5.5 pounds
  • MSRP: $1,962

Accessories

  • Atibal CRD red dot sight: $315
  • SureFire Micro Scout Light Pro: $299
  • Price as TESTED: $2,576