For most of us - a flashlight is an important part of our our EDC (Everyday Carry). There are a million great uses for one- whether its illuminating darkened entryways, using it offensively to temporarily blind a potential threat and possibly get that rare extra second to draw your weapon, to finding your missing your keys on a dark movie theater floor (the latter probably happens the most often). A Flashlight is a useful and indispensable tool. Like everything - you get what you pay for - so make sure you invest in something that is going to stand up to the abuse you put it through and perform up to the level you expect it to. So if shit hits the fan - and you have to draw your weapon and your flashlight out at the same time - do you hold them both together? Well - you could get a weapon mounted flashlight - which do have their advantages. However - if you are exploring a the infamous bump in the night scenario and your flashlight is mounted to your weapon - you are now pointing your weapon where ever there is light. Which is a great thing when it's pointed at the bad guys - but not such a great thing for Jr when you catch him sneaking in after hours. So how do you hold both? While there is not a right or a wrong way - there are some holds that are going to work better/ feel more comfortable to you. So try them all out and see which is most comfortable to you. Check out the video below from the guys at Polenar Tactical on a couple of the different hand holds. Most of us here at Forged From Freedom - prefer the "Harries Hold".
Red dot sights are more available than ever. Ranging for the simplest/ cheapest to more complex / much more expensive models and options for dozens and dozens of manufactures. For the most part - red dot sights are easier to use. Once dialed in you pop the red (or green) dot on your target - and you are good to go. Easy as that. So does the ease of new technology rule over the often thought antiquated iron sights?
In my humble opinion (and I think I speak for everybody here at Forged From Freedom) - absolutely not! Don't get me wrong, red dot sights are great! I've owned several and shoot with one now - but I always have a pair of iron sights/ flip up sights on my rifles. If my red dot breaks, battery dies, smashes against an enemy's head - I'll need a backup and I'll need to know how to use it. Traditional sights - teach us great fundamentals that can be used and improved upon over and over. So which one should you use? Why not both?
Check out Reid Hendrichs of Valor Ridge discussion on which one is best and why.
Imagine this... While sound asleep - you wake up to the dreaded "bump in the night" ... you sit up, evaluate the situation, and decide the proper action is to find out the source of the noise. Which weapon do you chose? Your pistol? Your rifle? Your shotgun? Just about everybody has their own opinions of what they prefer to use - and situational factors (over penetration of walls in family members in nearby rooms - or States where semi-automatic rifles might be prohibited - thank goodness my state isn't one of those.) Either way - each of us should have some training (if you don't have any - GET SOME) on their chosen weapon platform. If you are on the fence about what weapon to chose - check out Mike Lamb of Stoic Ventures' choice of the shotgun in the video below. Whether you agree or not - Mike makes some great arguments for why the shotgun should be considered for home defense.
For most of us, next to our chosen caliber and configuration of firearm(s), a pocket knife is almost a no brainer when it comes to our EDC (Every Day Carry) kit. There are a ton of reasons they are useful! From simple tasks such as opening boxes and prepping food - to defending ourselves as a last ditch effort. For those of you don't cary a knife as part of your EDC - shame on you! Stop what you're doing - and start doing your research on a good quality knife!
Yes I said QUALITY people! Buy once, cry once. Nothing like a knife that won't/ doesn't hold its edge or a lock mechanism that fails when you are making that hard/ deep cut. My personal knife of choice - is an Emerson Commander - while it isn't the cheapest knife (they start at well over $200) I never have to worry about it breaking or losing it's edge. Now - do you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a knife for your EDC? Of course not - they are some great options for well under $100. Just make sure you do your homework and make sure your chosen knife is of good quality and can hold up to the tasks you need it for.
Check out Brett McKay of Art of Manliness - give a couple reasons why every manly man should carry a knife!
I have a confession to make - I am a semi-automatic snob. Always have been, and probably always will be. I have a working knowledge of revolvers and could use one to defend myself or others - if push came to shove. But with that said, I've never been a big fan of them. The limited ammo capacity has always been a put off - and like most younger guys - I've had most of my shooting experiences with polymer framed - striker fired pistols. Hell, I've carried one every single day for the last decade. Hey - plastic fantastic right?!!
But after a colleague here at Forged From Freedom, who happens to be a wheel gun guy, told me I wasn't getting the full shooting experience by avoiding revolvers- I had to seriously consider his words. Was I truly missing out? Do I need seriously need to take a harder look at something so steeped in antiquity? Well - truthfully - yes. As much as it pains me to admit - as a true believer in the second amendment - and a self pro-claimed "good guy" I feel it is my duty to be able to defend myself and those around me with WHATEVER firearm I can get my hands on - and do so as proficiently and efficiently as possible.
So - I'm fixin' to purchase a revolver and share my experiences with all of you. (Just don't tell my wife I'm buying a new gun.) Now after shooting and carrying it - will I change my mind and carry a revolver as my new EDC weapon? Probably not. But never one to shy away from a challenge - we will go down that rabbit hole together. I better start studying up.
For most of us, next to our chosen caliber and configuration of firearm(s), a pocket knife is almost a no brainer when it comes to our EDC (Every Day Carry) kit. There are a ton of reasons they are useful! From simple tasks such as opening boxes and prepping food - to defending ourselves as a last ditch effort. For those of you don't cary a knife as part of your EDC - shame on you! Stop what you're doing - and start doing your research on a good quality knife! 
