Boots, and socks

Quite a few months ago I had a comment on a post asking what type of boots and socks I use. I know in the past I have written about boots, blisters, and foot care ad nauseum. I suffered through a lot of bad blisters over the past couple of years, mostly to poor fitting boots. And I tried everything that was suggested to me by former Infantry guys and then some. Suffered is an understatement.

After wearing Naval steel toe flight boots, Army GI issue boots (23 years worth), reading a lot of boot reviews, talking to other joes, and a number of bad choices, I landed on Rocky boots, S2V type. I have rucked, did some running in them, and with around 500 miles over the last year and change. I, have not had any major foot issues since wearing these bad boys. The only 2 things I have done since the initial purchase was to replace the insoles with the same Rocky branded type that I bought direct from Rocky for around $30. I just wore out the original set out, so they needed replacing. The other was, I just used some GI suede boot cleaner/conditioner to keep the leather pliable.

This is not a sales pitch for Rocky boots, but I highly suggest a consideration if you are shopping for hiking boots.

The stitching is solid (triple stitched) and I have not had any separation of any kind anywhere on the boot so far. The Vibram soles still look like the day I took them out of the box and the laces have held up very well with no wear or rub marks from pulling them though the eyelets. The inside of the soles are made for Air Assault repelling (which is not something I do on my weekends) High Walled I think is the term Rocky uses along with a Cordura patch for abrasion resistance.  Rocky thought these boots out for the person or warrior that will be living in their boots.

The point I am trying to make is, with so many kinds of boots on the market you may have to spend some money, do research to find the kind of boot that is right for you. I think an even bigger issue is you have to walk in them, with weight on your back. Just can’t get around it. You have to walk with a pack on your back.

Boots are like anything else you have to find what works for you. My friend wears Keens, I can’t I need the extra ankle support that Keen’s do not offer me.

Socks, again like the boots above. You just have to try different types out. I have worn cotton white tube socks, GI issue socks, Fox brand socks, and a couple others that I can’t remember the names of. I settled on Bass Pro Red Head Mountain Bear socks. Just can’t beat them in my book. The Red Heads are knee high, a wool blend that washes in a normal laundry cycle and dries quickly.

As long as you are changing your socks you won’t have foot issues. Just a fact.

I normally change my socks every 5 miles or so when I am rucking. Just having dry socks on (winter or summer) not only keeps your feet in good shape, but dry socks are a real moral booster.

What do you do with your wet socks? hang them off the back of your ruck and let them dry as you walk. Simple huh?

That’s my thought’s. Everyone is different, feet sweat more, or less. Need more ankle support, blister easy or less, wear their boots tighter or looser. But, to beat a dead horse, you have to ruck march with a weighted pack.

 

 

 

SAFETY WARNING! Worn Leather Holsters Can Cause Accidental Discharges! : ITS Tactical

Editor-in-chief’s note: We’d like to thank the anonymous individual who came forward with this important information and allowed us to… View Article

Source: SAFETY WARNING! Worn Leather Holsters Can Cause Accidental Discharges! : ITS Tactical

CrossBreed Inside The Waist Band Holster

This is just a short reveiw of my ISW holster from CrossBreed after a couple months of wear. And a few opinions.

I read many, many reviews about multiple ISW holsters before I actually purchased anything. First let me say that carrying concealed is not comfortable, in my opinion, and maybe it isn’t suppose to be. Over the years I have worn my pants, civilian and uniforms fairly loose and low on my hips. When you add the weight of a weapon to your belt your shit falls down. It’s a gravity thing. So I have learned to pull my pants up and cinch my belt(s) down a couple of notches.

The details. First, I love my M&P’s. Not that there is anything wrong with other makes of pistols, I just dig my M&P’s. So don’t mark me as a fan boy of Smith and Wesson, I dig all kinds of weapons.

I carry a M&Pc 9mm 12 +1. The weapon itself comes in at 1.15lbs.

The holster weighs 7.7 oz

The holster and my M&P 9c come in at a combined weight of 2.69 lbs. Not heavy, but not a cell phone hanging off my belt either

I bought and wear rigid dress gun belts. By rigid I mean belts that are designed to carry a holster. Most gun belt manufacturers sew a piece stiff nylon between the layers of leather or web type material. I wear a 511 tactical leather belt and or a HSGI Cobra Riggers Belt on a daily basis.

The holster. I bought the cowhide version with the standard cut. CB also offers a horsehide version and a combat cut is also available, but I didn’t see a need to spend the extra money. After a couple of months the leather has molded nicely to my body, and the clips are solid and do not mar the leather finish on my 5.11 belt.

The CrossBreeds are pre-drilled with multiple holes for the belt clips and allows you to adjust for a higher or deeper carry, or at an angle.

Overall, I am pretty happy with the CB product. It is American made in Springfield Missouri. You can tell by the fit and finish that the folks at CB take pride in their work. It shows in the final product.

I wear concealed all the time where my states law permits, I never talk about carrying in mixed company, and I wear clothing that will cover my weapon.

I will leave you with this: 10 commandments of concealed carry.

Shooting Range

My local (indoor) shooting range has a contest of sorts that I signed up for last month.

Here is how it is broken down. The contest is 10 weeks long. Every week starting on Sunday the range picks 1 firearm, rifle or pistol at random, the distance to target varies also. You purchase and shoot only 10 rounds of the caliber of of the gun being shot that week. points are actually based on the distance between your largest spread in your grouping of shots fired. At the end of the 10 weeks the range is giving away a Glock 42, 43 or a M&P Shield in 40 or 9 mm. 2nd place is $500 of range time and 3rd is $250 of range time.

What a cool concept! First week I shot a 1911 with a very light trigger at 40 ft. So light I threw my 3rd shot and it scared the shit out of me. That put me at 10 7/8″ between my farthest shots. Having never shot a full size 1911 before, I dropped 8 of the 10 shots all in the center of the target. One shot fell just outside the center ring and then my flyer.

Week two: AR-15 @ 75 ft.

Week three: S&W 1911 frame in 9mm @ 30 ft.

Week four: S&W 45 cal revolver @ 30 ft

Week five: Ruger RACE gun in 22 cal @ 40 ft

I have been throwing that one shot every week, but so far have been keeping my farthest space inside 8 inches.

Whether I win something or not, I look at this way, what a cool way to try many different firearms without having to buy them all. I’m supporting my local range, a local business and get to learn something new every week by shooting a different weapon. Cool beans in my book. I’ll let you know where I fall out after the 10 weeks are complete.