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By Christopher Nyerges

[Nyerges has been teaching self-reliance and survival skills since 1974.  He is the founder of the School of Self-Reliance.  He is the author of 27 books, including “Urban Survival Guide,” and “How to Survive Anywhere,” which include extensive sections on water. More information at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]

URBAN WATER

Even in the most dire situation where your world is turned upside down, you need water. It is the most essential element for life.  In the event of some urban emergency, water may, or may not, still be flowing through the pipes that feed the city.

Let’s explore where you might get your water in the city, and then we’ll consider a few water purification methods.

WHERE IS THE WATER?

Where do you find water in the urban wilderness?  It’s there, obviously, because all the people couldn’t be there if there wasn’t any.  But the streams and rivers and lakes are all too often cemented over, or in underground tubes.  The water is there, but how do you find it?

GET A MAP

Begin by purchasing a topographical map of wherever you live and examine it for any water features.   On your map of your area, study it for all the places where water might be captured or held. Reservoirs are everywhere, and these are potential sources of water, obviously.  Also, study the area where you live on Google Maps.  Look for water features, fountains, swimming pools, reservoirs.

Take a visit to your local reservoirs and see how easy, or difficult, it might be to extract some water.  If there are several reservoirs near your town, go to several.  It can be very easy to walk right up to these reservoirs, but not always. They may be fenced and locked, and some maybe hidden in plain view.

Reservoirs may or may not be a viable water source, depending on many factors.  Keep in mind that everyone else in town might know about the reservoirs, so only expose yourself if absolutely necessary, and go to the reservoir with friends.  Don’t forget the weight of water – more than 8 pounds a gallon.  Do you have buckets for carrying water?  Can you carry it all the way to your home?

SWIMMING POOLS

Closer to home, there are likely swimming pools in your area.  You can do a google map search of your area, and presto!, you’ll see where every pool is located in  your neighborhood.  These will hold water for some time after a disaster, and the water can be used, even though FEMA does not recommend using pool water because of the chemicals added to the water.  But you should still know where the pools are located and get to know those neighbors.  You can filter and boil any water for consumption, and though that doesn’t make it 100% safe, it will get you through an emergency.  And you need water for bathing and first aid too, so that water is valuable.  And the closer to your home or base of operations the better, because water weighs about 8 pounds a gallon, and that can really add up.

FOUNTAINS

Ornamental fountains  are another good emergency source of water, at least initially.  These can be found in residential areas, public gardens, and even commercial areas.  The more you know about your area the better.  These may or may not be on a map, so you should always be alert to water features in your area, and mark them on your map.

IN AND AROUND THE HOME

Nearly every home has a water heater, and this is from 30 to 40 gallons of usable water. If you are wise,  you drain a little bit of water from the drain of your water heater every few months. This helps get rid of settlement, and actually can extend the life of your water heater.  But if you are like most people, you never do this and so when you turn on your drain to get water, nothing will come out!  The bottom of the water heater is clogged with sediment, and you’ll have to shove a shish-ka-bob skewer, or a wire, up the drain to open it.

Other home sources of water include toilet tanks, ice cubes, and obviously any stored water at the home.

AROUND TOWN

Water features are common in many urban areas, though you’d have to purify it before using it.

There are also water spigots all throughout the urban areas, often hidden in plain sight.  They are often under a ledge, or behind a little door, in business districts –usually a hose spigot that the business owners use to attach a hose and wash the front of their store.  If you know where these are,  you should have a silcock key to turn on the water.

There are also hydrants, and miscellaneous plumbing all throughout the urban areas which you should become familiar with. These might be related to irrigating lawns, and golf courses, or they might be the fixtures that control water going into a building.  Some of these fixtures have points where you can easily access the water, and some do not.  If you cannot determine this, bring a plumber-friend with you to see if you could access the water in an emergency.

Remember, if there is water flowing in the pipes, there is probably a way to access it, though you might need specialized tools.

INTERFACE

Most urban areas have streams, rivers, lakes, and maybe even springs scattered around town.  Study your topographical map to learn where they are.  If you must walk, then all water sources cannot be a long distance from your base of operations because of the weight of the water.

RAIN

Always be ready to take advantage of the rain, and  be sure to put out your rain buckets. In the urban setting, your roof is your “collector,” and all the rain that hits that roof drips down to the gutters, and down to the downspouts. It’s easy to get 30 gallons of rain in a downpour.

The first water from the storm will usually be dirty-looking, full of all manner of debris washing off your roof, leaves, and bird feces.  So if you did not keep your roof clean, let the first half-hour of rain clean your roof and then start collecting for consumption.

How do you process rainwater? Let it settle, and then carefully scoop it out of your bucket, cup by cup, and pour it through a fine cotton cloth.  We typically put a funnel on top of our storage bottles, and lay a cotton cloth into that. The cotton helps to collect any fine debris in the water, and then you should boil it before use.

If your rainwater looks like dark tea, it might still be OK to drink if you really have nothing else, but you might consider using it for something else.

SIDEBARS

PURIFICATION METHODS

So you now have water under adverse conditions.  You can’t be certain that it is potable.  How do you purify it?

FIRE/ HEAT

Fire is your best way to kill all the biological contaminants that might be in your water.  You just need a pot and the ability to get a fire going.

How long must you boil to kill all organisms?  Since everything that gets you sick is dead at 160 to 170 degrees f., your water is good to go once you bring it to a boil. (There are some rare exceptions to this).

THE SUN.  Yes, you can purify your water from the sun, and the water is purified by a combination of the UV rays, and heat.

You can actually fill up quart-sized glass jars and place them into the sun for a low-tech pasteurization.  In general, about  6 hours in full sun was adequate for pasteurization.  In this case, the UV rays sterilized the water.

FILTERS

There are many water filters which you can buy from backpacking stores or on-line.  The “Cadillac” of water filters is the Katadyn, and they have several models.  Another popular water filter is the Sawyer.

SIDEBAR

Extracted from Christopher Nyerges’ “How To Survive Anywhere” book.

  WATER OBSERVATION RULE OF THREE

            According to hydrologist Talal Balaa, always begin with three simple observations:

1.      Does it look good? Is the water cloudy? Are there things in the water?

2.      Does it smell good? Do you detect the odor of chemicals? Do you detect the odor of rotten eggs or vegetation?

3.      Does it taste alright? Taste some with your tongue.  Is there any astringency?  Do you detect anything unpleasant?

If these observations have desirable results, then proceed to the bare-bones seat-of-the-pants method for water purification.

WATER PURIFICATION RULE OF THREE

Again, hydrologist Balaa gives us the following three-step process:

1.      Filter the water through a cloth.

2.      Allow the sediment and particulate matter in the water to settle.

3.      Carefully scoop out the water, and boil it.  If you have no way to boil the water, use chemicals.  If you have no chemicals, use the sun.

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Some time back I wrote an article about the Caracal Enhanced F, a 9mm pistol that was turning heads with its strength and reliability. Now I want to look at what Caracal is doing today, the CMP9 & CMP9K: Hard-use platforms built for real work.

Some guns show up looking tactical. The CMP9 and CMP9K show up ready to work and get dirty. Caracal USA didn’t just drop two new 9mm platforms into the market — they dropped a pair of purpose‑built tools that feel like they were designed by people who’ve actually had to fight with a gun in their hands.
Both models run Caracal’s advanced blowback system, feeding from MP5‑pattern magazines — a detail the release calls out directly: “operate on an advanced blowback system, and feed from widely available MP5-style magazines.” That’s not nostalgia, it’s simple logistics. When you’re burning through mags in training or on a long day of work, compatibility matters more than clever marketing.

The CMP9’s 9‑inch cold hammer‑forged barrel gives you reach and stability. The CMP9K’s 6‑inch tube is built for tight hallways, vehicle doors, and the kind of compressed spaces where you don’t get a second chance. Caracal doesn’t mince words about their durability either — the barrels are “designed for exceptional accuracy and endurance, with the ability to withstand bore obstructions.” That’s the kind of line you only publish when you’ve actually tested it, which sounds exactly like the testing Caracal did with the Enhanced F.  They test hard and stand behind their products 100%. Both guns ride on machined 7075‑T6 aluminum receivers, not polymer experiments. The M‑LOK handguard gives you real estate at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and the 1913 rail on the lower lets you run a brace or stock depending on your mission profile. Controls are fully ambidextrous and AR‑familiar, which means the manual of arms is already burned into your muscle memory.

At just under five pounds, both guns balance fast handling with enough mass to stay flat under rapid strings. Threaded 1/2×28 with a flash hider included — no aftermarket scavenger hunt required.

The CMP9K Isn’t Just a Domestic Toy — It’s a Government‑Issue Tool

The Bahamas didn’t pick the CMP9K because it looked cool in a catalog. They picked it because it works. Caracal’s March 2026 announcement spells it out: the platform delivers “consistent reliability with minimal felt recoil” and “fully ambidextrous AR/M4-style controls, allowing intuitive operation and seamless integration into existing training programs.”
That’s procurement language for: our guys can run this hard, in their extreme environment, and it won’t quit.
Caracal’s leadership doubled down, noting that their “dedication to safety, reliability, and durability has… allowed us the opportunity to compete within tender solicitations and be awarded supply contracts for new modern weapon systems to the Bahamas.” That’s not a small win — that’s a signal that Caracal is becoming a serious player in the Caribbean security landscape.

Why These Guns Matter in 2026

The PCC market is full of range toys and nostalgia pieces. The CMP9 series doesn’t look like either. These guns are built for duty, defense, and real‑world application. They’re modular, ambidextrous, magazine‑common, and engineered to take abuse.  I like the Blowback system feeding from the MP5 magazine, the 7075-T6 receivers and the M-LOK handguards with the 1913 rail on the lower.  Those are traits of toughness and adaptability that don’t chase trends — they chase performance. If you’re looking for a 9mm platform that can handle the same environments you do, the CMP9 and CMP9K deserve a hard look.  And I would LOVE to get my hands on one!

About Caracal USA

Caracal USA is the American manufacturing arm of Caracal International, based in Nampa, Idaho. The company produces “high-quality solutions for the commercial, law enforcement, and defense industries” and continues to expand its footprint with both domestic releases and international government contracts.

Garfield out.

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By: Allan R. Smith

2026 Shot Show was one of the best. Several companies offering their lines of OWB-IWD holsters, but for us one company stood out from the rest.  Mission First Tactical has over 75 years of experience and is an American Company that offers not just holsters, but an array of firearm accessories. 

After getting home from the show MFT was kind enough to send us the Guardian LE/MIL Series OWB holster for a Sig P365 X-Macro. So for the last two months, we have been carrying it everywhere and so far very impressed by the quality and comfortability of the holster.

The MFT Guardian holster features a patented magnetic retention system that uses strong neodymium magnets to secure the firearm without the need for adjustments. The holster’s are American made and fortunately have no stupid latches or adjustments that I hate. 

The Integrated Barrel Stabilizer Insert (IBSI) is engineered to keep your pistol inline and allows the system to work with or without an under barrel mounted weapon light and I found the draw to be consistent every time.

Features include:

• Integrated Barrel Stabilizer Insert (IBSI) to keep the pistol aligned, whether or not you’re running a light
• 15° adjustable cant (7.5° in each direction)
• Mid-height sweat guard to reduce pistol-to-body contact
• Full trigger guard coverage
• Relief cut for slide-mounted optics
• Suppressor-height sight channel for co-witnessing

Each Guardian MHP holster is handmade to precise tolerances using advanced materials and techniques at MFT’s USA facilities.

Approved Weapon Mounted Lights & Lasers:

Streamlight TRL7

Streamlight TRL7A

Streamlight TRL7X

Streamlight TRL-7 HL-X USB

Surefire XC1

Surefire XC2

Surefire XC3

Nightstick TCM-550XL

Inforce Wild 1

Final thoughts:

The belt loops on the Guardian holster took little bit to break in. The holster is super comfortable and the quality is great. Truly believe that MFT is a superior holster company and look forward to trying their other products soon.  

For more information go to www.millionfirsttactical.com

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Description: Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) has shiny stiff green leaves and snowy white five-petaled flowers, which emit a pleasant perfume.  The plant is spiny, and the fruit is an oblong berry with many small seeds. When you cut the fruit, you will see a white sap.

 Uses: The fruits are eaten

Habitats:  Commonly planted as an ornamental

Range: Commonly found in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties, and scattered from S. Texas to Florida.

In South Africa, the natal plum was once a staple food for Zulu and other tribal people. But after the introduction of imported commercial foods in the 1600s, the consumption of this delicious fruit declined.

Native to South Africa, where it is commonly called the Large Num-Num. In Zulu, as well as in the Bantu tribes of Uganda, it is called amatungulu. In Afrikaans the fruit is called Noem-Noem.

Natal plum is widely planted as an ornamental in private yards, around schools, and as hedges.   It’s found growing throughout the West  and throughout the southern states all the way to Florida.  It’s an evergreen that requires very little care and upkeep, which is primarily what professional gardeners are concerned with.

The plant has rather stiff leaves and thorns and hardly seems like it could be a food. The fruits tend to be oblong, to about an inch to an inch and a half long. When you cut a fresh fruit in half, it exudes a white sap, which is alarming to most people because they have heard the old husband’s tale that anything with white sap should be avoided.

According to Specialty Produce, natal plum plants are widely planted for security because of their dense foliage and prominent thorns which makes it difficult for animals and people to walk through a hedge of this. Also, “Natal plums are used globally as an ornamental hedge, valued for their fragrant flowers that evoke the scent of Hawaiian gardenias. One of the most well-known uses of Natal plum trees in the United States can be seen in the landscape of Disneyland. The tree is found in Tomorrowland and is a part of the land’s theme of having all edible plants as decorative elements. The Natal plum tree produces edible fruits that are favored for their vibrant red coloring to enhance the overall environment of the theme park.”

 At one of the Women’s Foraging pot luck gatherings organized by Bat Vardeh in Pasadena, one of her followers brought some natal plum sherbet that she had made in her kitchen.  It had a beautiful color, and the taste and texture were incredible.  Try as I did to get the recipe, I never succeeded, but was told to simply follow any sherbet recipe and substitute the lilly pillies for whatever fruit they ask for.

The ripe fruit is sweet and edible and most people like it.  When ripe, the fruits are a bit tangy, maybe tart.  These fruits have been described as rich with Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. They can be eaten as-is, or turned into pies, jellies, and jams.

According to the North Carolina State Extension, Natal plum is an easy-to-grow, spiny, evergreen, perennial shrub with dense, leathery, green leaves, fragrant, white flowers and showy, edible, red fruits. It has naturalized in Florida, Texas, and parts of Asia and is widely planted as an ornamental in Southern California. The species name, macrocarpa, means large fruit.

Natal plum will do well in full sun or light shade and organic soil in a warm, moist, tropical environment. It is easy to grow and can be sheared or hedged to fit the environment.

NUTRITION

According to the USDA, a cup of raw natal plums contains 93 calories. It contains  2 grams of fat, 0.8 g of protein, and 20 grams of carbohydrate.  Also contains 60 I.U. vitamin A, 57.0 mg vitamin C, and 0.3 mg. of niacin.  The mineral content is as well as 1.97 mg of iron, 16.50 mg of calcium, 390 mg of potassium, 24 mg. of magnesium, and 10.5 mg. of phosphorus.

The fruits are improved when chilled, and could be simmered or cooked in a variety of recipes that call for fruits, especially jellies.

Natal plum has an oblong berry with many small seeds. The green fruit is considered toxic, so don’t eat it.

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When you’re deep in the backcountry or elbow‑deep in a survival task, you don’t need a fantasy blade — you need a tool that does the basics exceptionally well. The SOG Survivor’s Edge Fixed is exactly that: a compact, purpose-built survival knife that favors control, slicing efficiency, and practical utility over flash.

First Impressions
The knife feels immediately confidence‑inspiring. Full tang construction, a rubberized grip that locks into the hand, and SOG’s no‑nonsense survival design language all come together in a package that’s clearly built for real use. Nothing about it is ornamental — everything is functional, even the Paracord wrapping the skeletonized grip.

Specs

Blade Length: 4.75in
Overall length: 9.2in
Blade Steel: 5Cr15MoV stainless (doesn’t corrode over time)
Blade Shape: Clip Point with Gimping along the top
Handle: Ruubberized, textured with Paracord
Sheath: Molded Nylon
Extras: Fire Starter + sharpening rod in sheath (depends on packaging)

Field Performance
– Skinning & Meat Processing
I put this knife through a very real test: pork shoulders.
The blade excels at peeling back outer layers — the slicing geometry and clip point give you the control you need to separate the rind cleanly. It also handled cutting meat away from the bone well. That said, it’s not a boning knife, and it shouldn’t be treated like one. For what it is, the performance is solid and predictable.

– Bushcraft & Camp Tasks
For small- to medium-duty survival chores, the Survivor’s Edge holds its own.
– Cutting branches
– Shaping small stakes
– General camp prep
It performs these tasks well on branches up to about 1.5 inches in diameter. The forward balance helps with controlled chopping, and the steel is easy to touch up with any sharpening stone.

Durability & Grip
The rubberized handle stays planted even when wet or gloved, and the full tang gives you the confidence to lean into tougher cuts. The steel isn’t premium, but it’s corrosion-resistant and easy to maintain — exactly what you want in a survival blade that’s going to get dirty.

What It’s Not
– It’s not a stabber
– It’s not a combat knife
– It’s not a heavy chopper
– It’s not a precision boning knife

The Survivor’s Edge is a slicing knife with a short, controlled blade, built for basic survival tasks, camp chores, and emergency utility. Expect it to slice, peel, carve, and prep — not punch through barriers or baton logs.

Verdict
The SOG Survivor’s Edge Fixed is a practical, reliable survival knife that punches above its price point. It shines in controlled slicing tasks, excels at peeling and processing, and handles small bushcraft chores without complaint. The included fire starter and sharpener make it a smart addition to any go‑bag, glove box, or backcountry kit.
It’s not trying to be a do‑everything blade — and that’s exactly why it works.

Garfield out.

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Learning to Recognize the Common Mallow Plant

(Malva neglecta and M. parviflora)

By Christopher Nyerges

(Nyerges has been teaching ethnobotany since 1974.  He is the author of “Guide to Wild Foods and Useful Plants,” “Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America,” and other books on the uses of wild plants. He can be reached at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com)

Because of our heavy rains of November and December, wild areas and backyard and alleys are full of tall green floral growth, most of which are widely regarded as weeds and are cut down as fast as the weed-whackers can work.

But some (though not all) of these wild weeds are great food, as long as we take the time to learn to accurately recognize them.

One of the conspicuous large weeds currently filling every vacant space is the mallow plant, also known as cheeseweed.

The round mallow leaves.

USES:

Mallow leaves are edible eaten raw, and are commonly used in salads.  The leaves are a bit tough though  chefs have found many ways to bring mallow to the table.  In salads, they are chopped fine (think “taboule”), and they impart a slightly mucilaginous texture. The leaves, with the tough stems removed,  are regularly cooked and eaten like spinach.  They can also be added to soup.

Experimental chefs have found that the  large leaves of the mallow can be used as a replacement for grape leaves in the popular Middle Eastern dolma (“grape leaf”), which is rice and meat rolled into a grape leaf.

During Covid, when many people were at home experimenting with foods, it was discovered that you can successfully  sautee the individual leaf, making “mallow chips.”

As the plant matures, little flat round fruits develop along the stalk.  These fruits can be eaten as-is while still green, having a nutty flavor. The green fruits are also popularly pickled, created a sort of wild caper.

The mature fruits can also be gathered, dried, and then the seeds separated from the chaff and other debris by winnowing the plant through a soft breeze. The seeds can then be simmered in water. They swell up slightly, and they can be seasoned and eaten like rice.

                                                      The mallow flower

NUTRITION

The tasty mallow plant is also good for you.  According to the USDA, 100 grams (½ cup) of the mallow leaf contains 249 milligrams of calcium, 69 milligrams of phosphorus, 2,190 international units of vitamin A, and 35 milligrams of vitamin C. An analysis of the same volume of mallow leaf by Duke and Atchley showed 90 milligrams of calcium, 42 milligrams of phosphorus, 410 milligrams of potassium, and 24 milligrams of vitamin C. This second analysis also revealed 3,315 micrograms of beta carotene.

MEDICINE/NUTRITION:

Herbalist Michael Moore regards mallow as a good  demulcent and emollient. An infusion of its leaves is used for coughs and to soothe the throat.   In Mexico, the raw leaves are chewed to alleviate minor sore throats. According to Daniel Moerman (“Native American Ethnobotany”), the leaves were used externally by Native Americans as a poultice on sores and swellings.

The round flat fruits of mallow, which give it the name “cheeseweed”

IDENTIFYING MALLOW

Mallow leaves  are roundish in outline, palmately divided into 7 to 11 shallow lobes, with a margin of small teeth. Where the long leaf stem meets the base of the leaf blade, you will notice a red spot on the upper surface of the leaf. The leaves are alternate and almost hairless.

The flowers are arranged in close axillary clusters along the branches. The floral parts are five sepals, five rose-colored petals about 1/8 inch long, numerous stamens, and one pistil. Circular flat fruits develop from the flowers. These ¼-inch green fruits split when ripe into up to a dozen nutlets, resembling packaged cheese, thus its common name: cheeseweed.

WHERE FOUND:

Mallow has naturalized here from Europe and Asia. It is almost always found around the disturbed soils of urban areas, and tends to be mostly absent from wilderness areas. Look for this plant in vacant lots and waste areas.  It can be found from California (where it is common), all the way to the East coast.  Mallow is one of the most common urban wild plants. This spreading and highly branched annual reaches to about three feet tall and is seen as mounds of green in the lots.

Ben Herrera examines the leaves of the mallow plant.

HISTORY

This plant is related to the marsh mallow (Althea officinalis), the root of which was boiled to yield a slimy juice. This was whipped into a froth and made into am ages-old medicine for sore throats, bronchial troubles, and coughs. Today, marshmallows have no marshmallow root extract, but are made of eggs, sugar, and other ingredients and sold as candy.

Experiments done by author Euell Gibbons (“Stalking the Healthful Herbs”), common mallow root (Malva parviflora) will not yield as thick and slimy a juice when boiled, but the green fruits (and the roots) can be boiled and the water beaten for an inferior but still useful substitute.

RECIPES:

MALLOW -POTATO DISH

5 C. mallow leaves, torn or cut into bite-size pieces

2 large boiled potatoes

½ pint sour cream

Dill weed

Boil the potatoes until tender. Steam the mallow until tender. It’s easier to cook them separately because the potatoes will take longer to cook.  Dice the potatoes and blend them in a serving dish with the mallow greens.  Mix in the sour cream, and top with the dill before serving. Best if served warm. Serves two or three.

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The AR-15 and the AR-10 look similar on the rack, but they feel different the moment you start running them with intent. One is built for speed and volume. The other is built for reach and authority. Treat them the same, and one of them will remind you, usually through weight, recoil, or missed follow-up shots.

These rifles are tools. The optic you mount on top decides how sharp that tool really is.

Two Rifles, Two Missions

The AR-15, as I’m sure most of you probably know by now, is most commonly chambered in 5.56x45 mm NATO or .223 Remington. It is light, controllable, and forgiving when the pace picks up. Recoil is mild, magazines are lighter, and long training days are easier on the body. This is why the AR-15 dominates training, home defense, and patrol-style roles. It rewards movement and speed.

The AR-10 predates the AR-15 and was the larger original design. Today, the term “AR-10” is often used as a shorthand for a .308-size AR-pattern rifle rather than a single standardized platform. Most are chambered in .308 Winchester or 7.62×51 mm NATO, with 6.5 Creedmoor now common in modern offerings. These rifles hit harder, carry farther, and demand more discipline from the shooter. The extra weight adds up fast, and more recoil punishes sloppy fundamentals.

The difference is not better or worse. It is about what the rifle is expected to do.

Red Dot Optics on the AR-15: Speed Wins Fights

A red dot on an AR-15 makes sense because the rifle itself is built for fast decision-making. A quality red dot gives you rapid target acquisition, both-eyes-open awareness, and minimal bulk. Inside practical distances, it is hard to beat.

Battery life and durability matter more than features. An optic like the Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic, with a rated 30,000 hours of constant-on runtime at a mid-level setting, removes one variable from the equation. Leave it on, confirm zero, and move on to more important problems.

Mount height matters. Absolute or lower-third co-witness heights are common, and the choice should match your irons and natural cheek weld. If you run night vision, make sure the optic supports compatible brightness settings.

For shooters who want more reach without turning the rifle into a science experiment, a flip-to-side magnifier behind the red dot is a proven option. You keep speed up close and gain identification and precision when distance stretches out. The trade is added weight and complexity.

Red Dot Optics on the AR-10: Controlled Speed

Putting a red dot on an AR-10 looks counterintuitive until you spend time in thick terrain or on close-range targets. When shots are inside practical distances, and the rifle already carries weight, a red dot keeps you efficient and composed.

The cartridge does not require a special red dot, but recoil and mass demand a solid mount and proper torque. Cheap mounts fail here. Your zero should be confirmed after hard use, not assumed.

Where the AR-10 excels is the dual-optic approach. A low-power variable optic handles identification and precision at a distance. A secondary red dot, offset or piggybacked, handles close work.

One optic for thinking, one optic for reacting.

LPVOs, Red Dots, and Reality

Low-power variable optics bring flexibility, but they come with tighter eye boxes and more demand on head position compared to red dots. That is the trade. Magnification and identification versus speed and simplicity.

There is no free lunch. Choose based on how the rifle will be used most often, not how it looks on a range bench.

The Bottom Line

The AR-15 paired with a durable red dot remains one of the most practical rifle setups available. It is fast, efficient, and adaptable. The AR-10 requires more deliberate optic choices and rewards shooters who respect its weight and recoil.

Pick the rifle based on the mission. Pick the optic based on how you intend to use that rifle. Then confirm everything under conditions that expose weakness, because theory does not survive recoil, rain, or bad footing.

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When it comes to tactical headgear, HardHeadVeterans (HHV) has positioned itself as a leading manufacturer, offering both bump and ballistic helmets designed for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. As of this year, HHV is also branching out into the safety world, with a rated hard hat made from Kevlar aptly called the Kevy. With so much goodness coming from HHV, I knew it was time to take an in-depth look at the HHV Bump Helmet and the Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet, comparing their features, materials, and performance to help you determine which one best suits your needs.

Proudly Made in Sweetwater, Texas: American Quality You Can Trust

Before we dive deeper, let’s talk about something that truly sets HHV Gen III apart, it is manufactured in Sweetwater, Texas. That’s right, no overseas manipulation, or adversarial hands in the pot. From start to finish, these Gen III helmets are designed, tested, and produced on American soil.

In a market where many companies rely on imported labor, HHV remains committed to supporting American manufacturing as much as possible. That means stricter quality control, rigorous testing, and a level of craftsmanship that you can feel the moment you put one of these helmets on. The next-generation aramid fibers in the Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet are carefully chosen to meet and exceed industry standards, while supporting American business.

Not only does this mean you’re getting a helmet built to last, but you’re also supporting American workers and innovation. HHV’s dedication to local production ensures faster turnaround times, better customer service, and a deep-rooted commitment to the people wearing their gear. To speak to that, once my Gen III was ordered, it shipped that same day,and I don’t just mean a label was printed; it was on a truck. When you’re investing in a helmet for protection, knowing it was made with care and expertise in the USA should give you that extra confidence

HHV Bump Helmet: Lightweight Protection for Training and Impact Resistance

The HHV Bump Helmet is built for those who need a lightweight yet durable helmet for non-ballistic threats. You can find it here.

It features:

• Shell Construction: Made from a polycarbonate blend, offering protection against blunt impacts and debris.
• Padding System: Includes a base impact layer with two sizes of comfort pads, allowing a fully customizable fit.
• NVG Compatibility: Comes with the A3S Shroud, compatible with industry-standard NVG mounts like Wilcox and Norotos.
• Accessory Rail System: Utilizes the Magpul M-LOK system with integrated hook bungees and external hook and loop panels.
• Suspension System: Features the Quick Attach/Detach Magnetic Fidlock system, designed for easy single-handed adjustment, even with gloves.
• Impact Performance: Meets and exceeds EN 1385: 2012 impact requirements with an average blunt impact performance of 83.0 G (third-party tested).
• Modular Design: Compatible with numerous HHV and third-party accessories, including Picatinny rails, communication rail adapters, face shields, and alternate padding and suspension kits.

I’ve had the HHV Bump Helmet as part of my personal kit for over five years, and it’s been through just about everything. I’ve run it at range days, taken it on long hikes and wargaming sessions (fine, it’s more of a LARP in the woods), and even used it during a few training days with Air Force Security Forces units. Through all that, it has held up exceptionally well, proving its durability and reliability time and time again. While it may have a few scratches and dings on the rails from mounting various helmet lights and equipment, the functionality of the system has not failed. Whether I was using it for protection against training rounds or just keeping my head safe from the occasional bump and scrape, it’s been a trusted piece of gear that has never let me down.

The bump helmet is a great choice for training environments, search and rescue operations, and any situation requiring lightweight head protection without ballistic resistance. It’s light enough to forget you’re wearing it, until you take it off and realize how much you enjoy the extra breeze on your dome.

HHV Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet: Advanced Protection with Modular Capability

The Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet is the latest and greatest from HHV, and is designed for those who require protection from ballistic threats while maintaining comfort and modularity. You can find it here.

Key specifications include:

• Shell Construction: Made from next-generation aramid fibers, providing NIJ Level IIIA protection (9mm FMJ, .44 Magnum) and fragmentation resistance with a V50 rating of 2,250 ft/s.
• Padding System: Similar to the bump helmet, it includes a base impact layer and two sizes of comfort pads for a custom fit.
• NVG Compatibility: Features the lightweight A3S Lite Shroud (32 grams), compatible with Wilcox and Norotos NVG mounts.
• Accessory Rail System: Uses the Magpul M-LOK system with integrated hook bungees and external hook and loop panels.
• Suspension System: Upgraded with a ratchet-adjustable Quick Attach/Detach Magnetic Fidlock system, offering single-handed operation.
• Impact and Ballistic Performance:
  • Blunt impact performance averages 64.07 G (third-party tested).
  • Backface deformation (BFD) test results:
    • 9mm @ 1400 ft/s: 8.5mm (crown), 15.3mm (sides), 13.4mm (front), and 8.5mm (rear).
    • Additional testing for .40 S&W and .45 Auto.
  • Environmental and compression tested in extreme conditions (-60°F to +160°F, dry and wet environments).
• Modular Design: Compatible with additional up-armor rifle-rated plates, Picatinny rails, communication rail adapters, ballistic face shields, and alternate padding and suspension kits.
  

  Now, let’s talk about comfort. I’m 6’2, 240, and I fit a Large, for reference, and I fully expected the ballistic helmet to feel like I strapped a brick to my head, but HHV worked some kind of tactical magic here. My wife can attest to the fact that when I grabbed the box off our kitchen table, the first words out of my mouth were “oh, maybe they sent me a bump on accident.” The comfort is absurdly good. The weight, despite what the numbers say, feels way lighter than it should, and once I dialed in the internal pads to my preference, it felt like this thing was custom-molded for my skull. I could wear this thing all day, if, you know, I had a reason to walk around in full kit all day post DD-214.

  Having worn an issued ACH helmet in Iraq that felt like it was made of solid lead, I know the toll a heavy and uncomfortable helmet can take, especially during long operations. Even when I upgraded to a high-cut model back then, it was still a pain to wear for extended periods. The neck strain, the hot spots, and the pressure points were just part of the job, and something that I just assumed went with the territory of dome-protection. But HHV’s Gen 3 Ballistic Helmet? Game. Changer. This thing is so light and comfortable that I actually forgot I was wearing the ballistic model a couple of times. That’s not something I ever thought I’d say about a ballistic helmet, unless I lived out my Warhammer 40k dreams and had a suit of power armor.

  Final Verdict: Which Helmet Should You Choose?

  Whether you prioritize lightweight comfort or ballistic defense, HHV provides a helmet that fits your mission requirements. And if you go with the ballistic helmet, prepare to be pleasantly surprised, it’s true armor, but it sure doesn’t feel like one on your head. Plus, you can wear it knowing it was crafted right here in the heart of the USA, built by those who understand what real protection should feel like. If that doesn’t make you want to ride a bald eagle while blasting Creed out of a red, white, and blue boombox (God bless you Scott Stapp), I’m not sure what will.

• ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
• Ajita Sherer spent eight years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and currently serves as an employee of the DoD, dedicating his career to Combat Rescue. As an engine troop and later a Flying Crew Chief on CSAR C-130Js, he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of SOF missions, often serving as the sole mechanic on aircraft deep in contested environments. Working closely with Air Force Pararescue (PJs), JTACs, and Combat Controllers, as well as Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and our sister country’s Tier 1 units, he provided direct support to some of the military’s most demanding rescue and combat operations. He is most proud of his role in real-world rescue missions in Operation Inherent Resolve, saving lives and delivering trauma care to SOF teams and Marine Task Force Lion. Now an Aerospace Propulsion curriculum developer, Sherer is solely responsible for developing curriculum and training the next generation of engine system maintainers on more than 70% of all Air Force aircraft, to include his former CSAR platforms.

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