The saga of Tactical Penguin, how it all began!

Who would’ve thought that a simple trip to the zoo would have resulted in this…  The saga of Tactical Penguin. Penguins vs. polar bears! Most bizarre things in life tend to happen when you least expect it, this is one of these cases. It was 2012 and my kids were 5 and 7 years old, a perfect age for a trip to Hogle zoo. The polar bear exhibit was freshly rebuilt that same year and word on the street was that it was a world class sight to see so we strapped in and gave the zoo a visit. Everything was going well as we strolled around and saw the elephant enclosure, the gorillas, giraffes and many other wildlife. We took a quick break for some lunch and then continued our journey around the park to the lions, tigers, zebras, and other sav...  Read More

Trijicon Credo

Hunting in certain parts of Utah can be likened to trying to spearfish in a mud puddle... There's deer 30 feet away from you, they know you're there, but you have no idea... You can't see or hear them, and they stealthily dip away through the cedars before you reach them. There are very small clearings, slight opportunities that come and go in a flash, you must be quick and ready at all times or else that opportunity will be gone before you can say "venison".  For years I have hunted the northern wasatch range, never straying too far from home. Up north you can count on classic long range shots with your trusty bolt rifle and a quality magnified optic to cover the distance, one well placed shot was enough to bring down your objective. A...  Read More

18.5 million acres is a LOT of land... Who should control it, state or federal?

As a general rule I don't trust anything that government says or does (I'm sure many of you can relate). Whether it's local, state, or federal they all seem to have their own agenda and it almost never has anything to do with the best interest of the people. The underlying goal of most political ambitions seems to be money. That's why when I started to dive in to this particular topic I figured I would run into a clear motive. Much to my chagrin I have not been able to come to a clear and concise conclusion on whether or not the great state of Utah has ulterior motives in attempting to gain control over 18.5 million acres of (currently) federally controlled land. In August 2024 Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced at a press conference a law...  Read More

Aero Precision SMASHES into the bolt rifle arena with the SOLUS, is it worth it?

"The Aero Precision SOLUS works to provide hunters, competitors, and shooting enthusiasts with a custom shooting experience. The SOLUS line was designed and built around the core belief that equipment should not be the marksman’s limiting factor under any use case." - Aero Precision At the heart of the Solus lineup lies a core principle that’s as steadfast as a cat on a sunny windowsill—it's what inspires the Solus to strut its stuff downrange in a variety of thrilling applications. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or just starting to dip your toes in the world of precision marksmanship, the Solus lineup rolls out the red carpet for you. You can choose from a custom-tailored turnkey system, a barreled action, or a standalone action—b...  Read More

A classy family heirloom with modern upgrades, the Browning Citori

I've been chasing birds for years, whether it’s ducks, geese, doves, pheasant, or grouse. Most of my feathered pursuits have been accompanied by my trusty Browning A5, a workhorse of a gun that has yet to let me down. But on this hunt, I decided to swap the familiar for something more refined—a classic with a fresh twist, the newly upgraded Browning Citori. I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical; it was my first time hunting with an over-under style shotgun. Yet, like a kid trying his dad’s old tuxedo for the first time, I wanted to see if I could pull off something with a little more class. Utah’s public land has been picked clean of pheasants, and management has been, well, essentially nonexistent. However, just over the Idaho border, phea...  Read More

Belly bands... To band or not to band, that is the question

Abs of Steel (or Not!): Why a Belly Band is Your Secret Weapon (Literally) Whether you're rocking a six-pack or fully embracing the dad-bod lifestyle, the belly band holster doesn’t care. It's equal opportunity when it comes to securing your weapon and maybe a snack or two! Tacos, candy bars, or your trusted firearm—all have a place close to your heart (and stomach) with this versatile holster. SHOP BELLY BAND HOLSTERS Now, picture this: You’re on your way to Aunt Edna’s notorious winter solstice soirée. You know, the aunt that busts out her bull horn and anti-gun picket signs every weekend and marches back and forth in front of your local gun shop... It’s not exactly the best place to flaunt your Second Amendment rights. Enter the be...  Read More

4 Best Holographic Sights of 2024, your next holo sight reviewed!

If you're in the market for a holographic sight, get ready to meet the EOTech family – the special forces’ favorite and the ultimate party guest for your rifle. The EXPS2-0 leads the pack with its sleek design and big, clear rectangular window. It's like upgrading from an old tube TV to a flatscreen. The 68 MOA circle with a 1 MOA dot is so precise, it’ll have you landing shots like you're playing darts at a backyard BBQ – if your BBQ happens to be 100 yards away and you're hitting bullseyes with military precision. We review and consider the most popular holographic sights on the market for you so that you can make an informed decision on your next holographic sight. First on the list, the EOTech EXPS 2-0 EOTech is the only option ...  Read More

An affordable EDC option without compromises, the Taurus G3C

Taurus G3C: Is It Your Next EDC BFF? Let’s Find Out! When the topic of concealed-carry pistols comes up, the first question is almost always, “What’s the best gun for everyday carry?” It’s like asking someone their favorite pizza topping—you’ll get a different answer depending on who you ask. Spoiler alert: the "best gun" is usually the one currently holstered by the person answering. But we’re here to talk Taurus G3C. Is it the one for you? Let’s take a closer look at this spicy little number. SHOP FOR TAURUS G3C NOW! So, What Makes the Perfect Concealable Handgun? To put it bluntly, the best concealable handgun is like your ideal date—reliable, easy to handle, and hopefully doesn’t break the bank. You want something that’ll sh...  Read More

The Venerable Steyr SBS action, Should this be your next hunting rifle?

Many outstanding rifle actions have been crafted throughout history, and they continue to be favored by shooters globally. You and I both appreciate fine craftsmanship—perhaps even to the point of being picky—when it comes to rifles. Actions that are not accurate, strong, safe, and dependable simply don’t last in the long run. Every time I’ve had the privilege of shooting with Steyr’s remarkable SBS action, it operates like silk—effortless and flawless. It consistently performs without a hitch, delivering precision every time. Additionally, the Safe Bolt System might just be the most secure bolt action ever engineered, excelling in mechanical trigger safety, jam prevention, and mitigating catastrophic failures. History has seen a wea...  Read More

The First Five Guns Everyone Should Own

Are you new to guns? This is where you should start. We all work long hours, and at times on pretty difficult jobs, either hanging eighty feet in the air installing HVAC ducting, or crunching numbers at your desk, trying not to piss off the Cubical Karen around the corner. Your hard-earned money deserves to be utilized on something that is efficient and effective. Whether it be ammo, optics, that sling that you’ve been putting off buying, or maybe taking the dive on that expensive Surefire light that you’ve been missing. Make sure that when you have that extra coin to throw at firearms, you are taking care of your basic food groups first. New shooters come to me for advice often, and I always break down five specific categorie...  Read More

Is The Ruger American The Perfect Budget Hunting Rifle?

If you start a conversation about budget hunting rifles, the Ruger American will almost certainly come up. The American made rifle has become a staple resident of the bottom shelves at gun stores. Is this for good reason, or does its attraction come strictly from its price tag? Clocking in at $455.99 for the rifle, or $608.99 for the scope package, it certainly does look good for today’s rifle pricing, but for other budget rifles, price can come at the expense of quality. Today we’re going to be reviewing the Ruger American rifle, more specifically the package that comes with a factory installed 3-9x40 Vortex Crossfire II, chambered in the reliable .270 Winchester. To start, this rifle is 100% percent American made. Every screw, b...  Read More