If you are in the market for a new multi-tool, check out the Gerber 600. I’ve got one and it’s pretty good. Here’s a little video review of it — more of a run-down of it’s details, really.

Interested? You can pick one up at BDR Gear: Gerber Multi-Plier 600

Here’s a little slide show video I put together of my scope base project:

Rifle: Marlin 336

Hardware: Weaver two-piece scope base for Marlin 336

Tools: 2 flat head screwdrivers – one tiny, one regular

Maxpedition gear is now available at BDR Gear. Here’s the page with all the current products: Maxpedition Gear. Based on all of the reports and reviews I’ve seen so far, the Maxpedition line is top notch. I’m talking gear suited for both every day use and while working in hostile conditions.

I’ve been carrying all of my daily gear around in a messenger bag, but after seen the Maxpedition gear, I think I’m going to have to upgrade. Even though it’s big, I’m going to go for the Maxpedition Colossus Versipack. That should have plenty of room to carry my gear…and then some.

Sure, I’ll have a man-purse, also known as a “murse,” but who cares? I usually have to wear something with cargo pockets every day, just so I can fit all of my gear. If I start carrying around a gear bag everywhere, then that means less junk for my pockets. And that means two things: 1) I’ll be more comfortable while carrying my gear around, and 2) I’ll have more style choices when choosing my pants.

On top of all that, this bag will probably make a really good get home bag. Well, I guess that’s what it will end up being if I use it as an EDC (every day carry) bag.

When I get it, I’ll take some pictures and write up a review. I might even get adventurous and video the review for you. In the mean time, head over there and take a look. Who knows… you might find something you’ve gotta have.

Guns are expensive. That’s the plain and simple truth. A quality firearm will cost you anywhere from $500 to $3000. Not exactly pocket change, I know. A lot of people I know don’t own any guns at all because they feel that they just don’t have the money to afford one.

Whether you are looking for a hunting tool, a defensive weapon, or just something that will give you hours of fun at the range, you don’t have to save paycheck after paycheck to get it. What you can do is buy the Maverick Model 88 Field. I bought one almost two years ago, and it’s a great little shotgun. Maverick is an offshoot of Mossberg, and the 88 is basically a bare bones version of the Mossberg 500. Barrels and chokes are interchangeable. Brand new, after taxes, I spent less that $160 on mine.

I know what you’re thinking… “What a cheap gun!” Well, cheap as far as money is concerned. Sure, there aren’t any bells or whistles on this shotgun, but thing works. It’s simple, and it works. I took a 200 lbs. buck with it last season, so I know it’s effective. This hunting season, I’ll be using it on squirrel, dove, deer, and duck. Based on its past performance, I am confident that it will get the job done.

The Maverick 88 is a 12 gauge shotgun, with a smooth-bore barrel that comes with a modified choke Accu-Choke installed. It is chambered to take 2 ¾” or 3” shells. The stock is black synthetic, which feels nice and keeps the gun light. I’ve taken a few pictures so you can see what it looks like. Now, I don’t have a proper photography studio setup, so the pics are kind of amateurish. I’ll get better with time. Anyway…

Here is the shotgun (most of it, anyway).

The barrel has standard ribbing to which you can attach clip-on sighting systems.

The integral recoil pad makes this a breeze to shoot. That pad will come in handy on a long day of shooting squirrels or doves.

If you don’t have much money to spend on a firearm, take a serious look at a Maverick Model 88 Field. It’s inexpensive, durable, and gets the job done. Head to your local gun shop and take a look at one.

If you don’t have one already, you should probably add an M-65 Field Jacket to your wardrobe. It’s tough, versatile, and does an excellent job of protecting you from all but the harshest cold weather.

Being a military jacket, it was designed to protect soldiers from the elements while allowing them to move freely in combat. So here is a jacket that does it’s job as a jacket, but doesn’t confine you or restrict movement — something that is very important if you are out in the wilderness trying to build a shelter in a storm.

If you don’t already have a great jacket for your Bug Out Bag, you should really consider one of these. Not only do they handle rain and wind well, they have a removable quilted liner. This extends its usability to most of the year. If you just need something to keep the wind or a light rain off of you, but it’s not cold, take out the liner and put it in your pack. If it’s cold, button in the liner and you’re good to go. Throw on a wool sweater underneath that and you can be comfy in a some really cold places.

Strength, usability, and pure function are offered by the M-65 Field Jacket. Get one and add it to your emergency supplies.

There is no tool more essential to your survival than a knife. In my opinion, it is the greatest and most useful invention of man, surpassing even the wheel. After all, man could not make the wheel without something to cut the stone. Nor could he skin his game so that his family would have shelter and clothing. The uses of knives throughout history are numerous. I would even go so far as to say that pretty much all households across the globe have a knife.

In a survival or outdoor situation, a knife’s usefulness is vast. Need a small section of rope to tie something down? Cut your rope into manageable lengths. What if you are caught in a storm and need to fashion some shelter? A knife can cut small branches and cord so you can make a crude shelter. If you need food, a knife can be lashed to a pole, creating a spear, which is an historically-proven hunting weapon.

CRKT makes some great pocket knives. I recommend that you carry one around all day long (be sure to check local and state laws, of course, as I will not be responsible for you breaking them). Think of the knife as just part of what you put in your pockets: Keys, cell phone, etc.

The particular knife pictured above is one tough little pocket knife. CRKT has come up with a safety for their liner lock knives, which basically turns them into fixed blades. You don’t have to worry about accidentally slipping and unlocking the blade, closing it on your fingers. To close the knife, you must make two deliberate — and quite awkward at first — movements.

The blade is sharp, the steel is tough, and the knife is light. After carrying one of these CRKT blades around for over about a year, I would have to see that the only reason not to have one would be if you just don’t like the way it looks.

Blades are a handy thing to have around, and you never know when you might need one.

This week’s featured gear is the Springfield XD Service Pistol. If you don’t have one, go run out and buy one, because I really think that you’ll be pleased with the purchase. I have owned a Springfield XD 9 Service for over a year, and it is one magnificent pistol.

It’s light, tough, has a good capacity for ammunition, and is really easy to shoot. Just point it and you should hit your target. The ergonomics are such that pointing it is very natural, whether you shoot with both hands, one hand, or use your weak hand.

One thing that really stood out to me, and ultimately made the purchasing decision for me, was the narrow grip. It just felt so comfortable in my hand. Despite having a standard-sized double stack magazine, the pistol’s grip is quite narrow. That means that people like me, who don’t have large hands, will be able to comfortably hold the XD.

The XD has three different barrel lengths, but I can only speak for one of them. I have the service model, which comes with a 4 inch barrel. Some of the other features of this fine weapon are: Polymer frame and grip, 16 round magazine, trigger safety, grip safety, chamber-loaded indicator, accessory rail, and a few different color choices (I got the OD frame with black slide).

I wish I had more time and money to put into practicing with my XD, because it’s such a joy to shoot. If you’re in the market for a high-quality pistol, I would encourage you to check out the XD. There are different sizes and calibers available, so I’m sure you can find something you like.