All posts by coldboremiracle

Eberlestock Just One Pack, the only backpack you need

March 22, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewbackpack, eberlestock, gun transportation, hunting pack, just one, packcoldboremiracle

Introduction

As one who frequently talks about technology and the improvements it brings to our hunting activities, I am always looking for more. And today I am excited to present you with another fantastic addition to my hunting gear lineup. Eberlestock has long provided high quality backpacks, particularly high quality backpacks specifically designed for precision marksmen and hunters. Today I share with you my experience with the Eberlestock Just One Pack, a modular expandable design that promises to get you, all your gear, and your game comfortably back to civilization.

Eberlestock, eberlestock Just one pack, backpack, scabbard — Might be hard to tell, but stowed in the pack is the **Ruger American Gen 2 rifle** and the **ZRO Delta FKS 9 pistol**

I am no stranger to Eberlesrtock packs, both myself and others in my hunting party have been using their products for years. I have always appreciated the robust manufacturing and high quality components they use in their products. I also have a smaller Eberlestock pack that I use as an EDC SBR transport, you can read more about that one here: the Eberlestock Cherry Bomb.

What Sets Eberlestock Apart

There are plenty of great backpack companies out there, and many of them make some great products. But if you’ve handled many of them, it doesn’t take long to figure out what makes Eberlestock packs better.

Eberlestock, just one pack, backpack, rifle scabbard

Materials used in constructing a backpack are very important. We’ve all had packs that are made from thin material that is easily ripped or snagged on thick brush. Eberlestock packs use a thicker material called Microsuede, a plush soft exterior with an almost fleecy feel. This makes them quieter when slipping through thickets, and the tougher underlayer gives them strength against abrasion. Another feather in the cap, is the popular patterns, colors, and camos that you can can get Eberlestock packs in.

Eberlestock, Just One, backpack, — High quality polymer buckles and strong zippers with tethers are normal with Eberlestock

High quality fasteners like buckles and zippers also make the Eberlestock packs stand out. Large and even oversized zippers that last much longer that those used by most manufacturers. Even when dirt, snow, blood, and other contaminants are added, these big zippers still close smoothly and quietly. Strong polymer buckles allow quick and easy connections on Eberlestock packs, they also make it fast to reconfigure your pack, and add or remove things to it.

The Eberlestock Just One

Features

Compatible with Hunt EMOD Packs and Duffels
Made of 500D Cordura (Solid) and Microsuede Finish (Camo)
Hydration System Compatible
Vertical and Horizontal Compression Straps
Floating Top Lid
Integrated Rifle Scabbard
Internal Aluminum Intex No Shelf Frame
Turnover Construction Shoulder Harness
Tri-Glide Pull Forward Hipbelt
Stretch Side Pockets

Specifications

Dimensions: 24”High x 13”Wide x 7.5”Deep
Total Volume Collapsed: 3580c.i. / 58.7L
Total Volume Expanded: 6500c.i. / 106.5L
Center Mesh Compartment Closed: 1080c.i. / 17.7L
Center Mesh Compartment Expanded: 4000c.i. / 65.5L
Weight: 6lb 6oz (Solid Colorways)
Weight: 7lbs (Camo Colorways)

The Eberlestock Just One pack has an incredible host of storage options, you can tell this pack was designed for the backcountry hunter type. Lets go over some of the main features of the pack.

First and most obvious to the untrained eye, you’ll notice the curious scabbard that extends at the bottom of the pack. The scabbard lies at the very base of the pack, riding right against the users back. This keeps the weight of the rifle as close to your center of gravity as possible, and at the same time it keeps your rifle protected from the elements, and perhaps more importantly it keeps your hands free while hiking. Configured to keep the muzzle down, the end of the scabbard is heavily reinforced with tough material to protect your muzzle.

The pack is anchored to a lightweight aluminum frame, to which the front harness of the pack is attached. Thickly padded shoulder straps with full length adjustment buckles located within easy reach at the bottom. The shoulder strap anchor point is also adjustable, allowing you to raise or lower it to adjust your ride height. There is also a thick pad at the waistbelt area to comfortably transfer weight to your hips, the waistbelt itself is also comfortably padded.

The waist buckle system uses a snatch-block-like design which I quite like, tightening the belt is done by pulling the tail from your hips forward, instead of pulling from your belt buckle out. The large padded wings of the waist belt have molle strips to allow you attach accessories like pouches or a holster. There is also an adjustable chest strap to keep the shoulder straps in place.

Eberlestock, eberlestock Just one pack, backpack, spotting scope — the dual vertical storage compartments have room for plenty

Moving to the storage compartments of the Just One Pack, there are two main compartments that open and close vertically using a zipper for closure. The large compartments will fit quite a few things, even a full size spotting scope or a large thermos. And if you are a thermos guy here is your reminder to get your colonoscopy scheduled.

Eberlestock, eberlestock Just one pack, backpack, expansion — The expanded storage compartment of the Eberlestock Just One pack, the mesh is ideal for allowing meat to cool

The two large storage compartments sandwich an even larger meat storage compartment. But in its compact configuration, the mesh material meat compartment is collapsed between the outer vertical storage compartments. And it is held so using another high quality zipper with two wide-band buckle-straps to either secure or compress the load.

Eberlestock, eberlestock Just one pack, backpack

There is another strong molle cover that comes from the bottom, this can either be used as a meat shelf while carrying the pack opened fully or used to compress gear in the closed configuration.

At the top of the pack is a floating lid, that can be extended or compressed depending on how you load the pack. The lid features a couple zipped storage compartments itself, big enough to store a whole days worth of snacks or whatever else you might want. The Just One Pack is compatible with hydration bladder systems, and also has some convenient stretch pockets on either side for things like water bottles.

The spacious lid of the pack has various soft pouches for carrying other items, they are lined with fleece as well to avoid making noise. There’s even a tether inside you can snap your keys to to avoid loosing them.

Setting Up the Just One Pack

There was a few things I wanted to add to the Just One pack, accessories based on my typical backcountry usage. Just so we understand each other I’ll explain most of what I do. I’m a big game hunter, varmint hunter, and anything else I can get my hands on. My favorite way to carry out these practices is in the remote mountain forests and deserts plains of the west. That might include hiking a few miles into alpine canyons in the spring to chase after Marmots, or chasing after elk in their winter grounds in late December. I never go anywhere without a rifle, and I like to have everything I need for a day or so worth of survival with me for these adventures.

For this reason I would add a couple different accessories to the Just one. For example, I almost always carry a suppressed 22 pistol when I’m in the back country. Whether it be for fun or for quickly dispatching close encounters with small game. So I wanted to add a holster to the waist belt. I also wanted to add a hydration bladder, even though I am not a big bladder kind of guy. I usually keep a water bottle or two in my pack, but because it it so easy to do I would try it here today. I would also use the Just One pack in conjunction with my Eberlestock Recon bino harness. Not just because they match, but because it is my favorite bino harness, you can read more about the Recon bino harness here.

Into the Backcountry

My initial experiences with the Eberlestock Just One pack would take place in the cold of winter high in the Rocky Mountains. Carrying all my gear for the day was pretty easy, things like spotting scope and electronic predator call fit nicely in the broad pockets. I noticed that the pockets even have a bit of a stretch factor, to allow more room.

Loading Up

Putting my rifle into the Just One scabbard took a little more effort than I had anticipated. Adjusting the tension of certain straps and buckles certainly helped, and additionally the suppressor on the end of my barrel complicated it some as well. But once I had the rifle, and all my other gear loaded it was time to shoulder the pack.

The first thoughts as I started hiking through the snow, was how comfortable the pack felt. My current load was significantly less than the Just One pack would carry but it was incredibly comfortable. The added weight of a deer or heavy load of elk while welcome would certainly make it more cumbersome. But there is an impressive level of comfort in suffering through such a load.

Adjustments

With all my gear in tow, I found it expedient to adjust the ride of the pack. Setting the waist belt across the hips and cinching it down, and adjusting the shoulder straps for a comfortable ride.

The soft shoulder straps have a mesh covering, which will certainly help breathing when you are hot and sweaty. The same mesh seems to be incorporated to every surface that makes contact with your body. This was a nice feature not only for the breathing I mentioned, but also because it has a low friction feel so clothing doesn’t get captured and pulled as you move.

Shoulder straps are secured by a sternal strap incorporating the typical elastic tensioner. This keeps the shoulder straps from wandering off your shoulders and keeping comfort at a maximum. I also found it was a nice spot to capture my hydration tube and mouthpiece to avoid it swinging around and getting caught in brush.

I was quite happy with the placement of my Condor VT nylon holster, locating it on the belt of the Just One pack kept it out of the way but easily accessible. It was far enough back that it wasn’t getting snagged on brush or interfere with my swinging arms as I hiked, but it was also just a short reach to grab my pistol should I need it. The adjustable nature of the holster also made it nice to fit a variety of my pistols.

Pack Expansion

While I have yet to fill the Eberlestock Just One pack with any meat, I wanted to see how much room it offers. The main storage compartments zip together in the middle, and have two wide straps to secure whatever you load into them.

Once opened up, there is a surprising amount of additional space. Actually my back hurts thinking about how much elk I could fit into the expanded compartment, especially once taken off the bone. One the bonus side, I can think of many times I wish I would have had this pack for hauling meat out.

Eberlestock, eberlestock Just one pack, backpack, scabbard, expansion, capacity

The cunning design of using the mesh material supported by robust nylon straps was a great touch. Its hard enough oftentimes to get game meat cooled down, and once you put it in your backpack it seems to capture whatever heat is left in your meat. Using mesh to line the compartment ensures that air can continue to cool and ventilate your trophy.

Pros and Cons

The pros of the Eberlestock Just One pack are bountiful. As I mentioned earlier, the high quality of Eberlestock products is quite obvious. Strong materials and fasteners make for great durability. The soft padding in all the right areas and the aforementioned mesh contact points provide maximum comfort particularly when loaded heavy. Plenty of storage for a hard day of hunting or a light overnight hunt considering you’ll be bringing most if not all of an animal out with you. All this while also giving you the comfortable option of carrying your rifle in the scabbard for hands free hiking.

There must be some cons to this pack though right? Despite my great satisfaction, there are a couple things that I think I would change having used the pack for a while now. The main one has to do with the Just One pack’s signature feature, though I think its understandable. Whether the scabbard was designed for suppressor or not, it can be challenging to get the rifle in and out of the scabbard with a suppressor installed. Same goes for a bipod.

Browning, x-bolt, x-bolt 2, x-bolt speed, 308 win, Eberlestock, just one, backpack — Some summertime hunting carrying the **Browning X-Bolt 2** in the Just One Pack

The scabbard running right alongside the frame of the pack presents a little challenge of getting the a suppressor over the edges of the bottom of the frame. While it is much easier to get the rifle in and out without a suppressor, I still chose to leave it on vs. removing the suppressor every time I stowed it. The bipod could probably have been left on as well had I loosened up some of the lid straps on the pack. But I don’t like how snaggy Harris bipods can be, so it was easier to just remove it.

This concern isn’t a big deal when you come to terms that it’s simply not going to be a fast operation to stow or remove your rifle from the pack. It is for long-term carrying of your rifle, so don’t plan on pulling out your rifle if you spot a fleeing buck. Removing the pack was necessary for me to get the rifle in or out of the scabbard.

My Conclusion

As these mountains begin to thaw, I am filled with excitement for my spring chucking adventures. The Eberlestock Just One pack will for sure come along, carrying my rifle, extra ammo, enough snacks to keep the kids and I satisfied, and enough gear to spend the day camping in the backcountry comfortably.

And no doubt I will also bring the pack along next fall, to help pack out both deer and elk from the recesses of these same mountains. The Eberlestock Just One pack is optimized for guys like me who might just be carrying a day or two’s worth of varmint gear, or who might be boning out a whole elk to carry back to civilization. If you find yourself in that same kind of place, rest assured that the Just One pack will get you there comfortably.

-CBM

2025 Update:

After a year of hauling gear around in this pack I can say I like it even more. I packed out several quartered deer this past season, and carried camping gear, food, photography equipment and more. I still stand behind my comfort statement, this pack makes heavy hauling in rough country as pleasant as it can be.

Benelli Montefeltro 12 Gauge

March 17, 2025Product review12 gauge, benelli, inertia driven, montefeltrocoldboremiracle

Introduction

Benelli shotguns are famous for their quality and inertia driven operating systems. These popular autoloading shotguns have become a reliable standard on the racks at many gun stores, and with good reason. Today we are going to take an in depth look at one of the many options Benelli offers in their Montefeltro line of shotguns. Our review of the Benelli Montefeltro 12 gauge will take us from the trap range to the duck marsh, so grab your boots.

The Benelli Montefeltro 12 gauge

The Montefeltro design is a walnut stocked semi-automatic shotgun, it of course uses Benelli’s famous inertia driven loading system. This is a significant departure from the normal practice of using gas pressure from each shot to reload the gun. Instead, the inertia system uses captured spring tension coupled to the recoil of the shot to unlock the beech and cycle the action. The system has become incredibly useful and boasts cleaner operation than traditional semi-auto shotguns.

Montefeltro shotguns use a handsome cut of walnut for the furniture, which is very handsome. But perhaps makes you less likely to drag it into a duck blind or john boat. This might explain why the guns enjoy a strong following from upland bird hunters and clay target hunters alike. The glossy high polished finish also gives the Montefeltro shotguns a classy look.

The Montefeltro shotgun models can be had in either 20 or 12 gauge, with barrel lengths from twenty-four inches up to twenty-eight inches long. There are a couple different finish options on the guns as well. The Montefeltro line also uses Benelli’s Crio choke system, this treatment offers a consistently dense shot pattern which should result in more hits according to Benelli. The Montefeltro came with a standard set of Crio chokes to adjust the pattern for your purposes.

Initial Impressions

Because I’m more of a rifle guy than shotgun, it took me the typical few minutes to go over the disassembled Montefeltro and get it together. The glossy finish matched beautifully with the polished chrome bolt-carrier. With the barrel seated, I snugged tight the ratcheting barrel nut making it ready for use.

Running the action of the gun felt just as I’d expected. The smooth slap of the bolt closing was matched by the easy to operate controls. Like most of its competitors, the Montefeltro controls operate in the same fashion which made it easy to become proficient shooting the gun. The finish of the Montefeltro is fantastic, which I have come to expect. And once assembled the fit and function of the gun looked flawless.

I couldn’t wait to get the Montefeltro out and shoot it, sadly it would take a few days. A cold winter day shooting clays with my kids was a great start to feel out the Benelli. Followed by a trip into the muddy wetlands of the Great Salt Lake looking for ducks and geese.

Shooting The Benelli Montefeltro

I grew up shooting cheap pump-guns at ducks, geese and other game birds, so perhaps my taste is a little more Mossy Oak versus Sitka or KUIU. I’ve had many opportunities to shoot fine shotguns though, and the Montefeltro seems in line with other Benelli’s, Franchi’s and Beretta’s. The recoil seems absorbed a bit by the operating system, enough that my daughter who doesn’t care for recoil seemed to enjoy shooting the Montefeltro.

The long barrel of the gun made swinging across flying clays very deliberate, and we quickly found a groove that was busting clays. Following both birds and targets with the bead felt natural like a favorite pair of boots. Comfortable follow up shots came as the smooth recoil impulse didn’t knock you off target much. Speaking of comfort, the Montefeltro has all the classic fit you’d expect. With a perfectly aligned comb and sight rib, as well as familiar operating controls. We tested the gun with both two and three-quarters shells, and three-inch magnum loads in anticipation of the next trip.

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Are Subsonic Cartridges Superior?

March 16, 2025blog300blk, 308 win, 338arc, 8.6blk, silencer, subsonic, supersonic, suppressor, velocitycoldboremiracle

Introduction

More and more often, we are seeing interesting developments when it comes to bullets and ammunition. Today I wanted to discuss an interesting situation regarding velocity of bullets, and how specialty designed slower cartridges are changing the future of shooting. Are subsonic cartridges superior? Well, depending on your purpose they just might be.

The velocity of a bullet when fired from a firearm has a lot to do with its utility and purpose. Most rifle bullets travel at supersonic speeds, that means they travel faster than the speed of sound. Conversely, many handgun bullets travel near or below the speed of sound. For the most part, this has been a result of typical construction limitations for both firearm and ammunition manufacturing. Handguns typically have less room for large powder capacity cartridges, which is why they are typically slower. Which is also why rifles often have much higher velocities, as rifle cartridges often have more room. Additionally, rifles need greater range than most pistol cartridges, which has resulted in their design for more velocity.

typical pistol cartridges (left) with a couple rifle cartridges (right). Even though all these cartridges have similar bullet weights, the velocities are around double from rifle rounds.

What is the Speed of Sound?

The speed of sound is determined by how fast a sound wave travels through air. We have all witnessed curious situations where we see something far off before we hear the sound. That is because the sound takes much longer to get to us than the light reflecting the image to our eyes.

To add another layer of complexity, not all air is the same. The speed of sound is relevant to the current atmosphere the sound is traveling through. Humidity and air pressure can greatly effect air density and therefore the speed of sound will change depending on the atmospheric conditions. For example; warm dry air will result in a higher speed of sound than cold humid air.

Moist air has visible effects as well as invisible effects

Why does this matter? Because bullets also travel through air, and they are also equally effected by atmospheric conditions. As a bullet travels through the air it encounters resistance, and much like a boat traveling through water, once it starts moving fast enough it creates a wave. The pressure wave caused by bullets traveling faster than the speed of sound creates a sonic boom. This is why even when using a suppressor, most rifles are still quite noisy. Because the bullet itself is breaking the sound barrier which is quite loud. The suppressor removes most of the noise caused by the report of the rifle, but the supersonic bullet causes its own noise.

This image shows both the sound waves caused by the bullet, as well as the waves coming from the unsuppressed muzzle

Subsonic bullets, those that travel below the speed of sound do not create the pressure wave or sonic boom. Much like a boat that idles across a lake doesn’t make much of a wave. And if you use a suppressor to remove the report of the firearm, these bullets can be fired pretty quietly. Almost like you see in the movies, just less stupidly.

Why would you want Subsonic vs. Supersonic?

Subsonic shooting with a suppressor can be very fun, and extremely useful if you are a hunter. Shooting a whole pack of coyotes could be doable with marksmanship and such silent shooting. The appeal of this covert shooting ability has enticed many shooters and engineers alike. Which has resulted in various new firearms and ammunition lines that are specifically designed for this purpose. Cartridges like the .300 Blackout and 8.6 Blackout have received a great deal of attention lately as suppressor use has skyrocketed. The use of these cartridges with a suppressor has made super silent shooting a reality, and it has become very addicting to those who practice it.

Culling some pest turkeys in suburbia is better done suppressed and subsonic, this was done with the **TX22** and a **Silencerco suppressor**

It is important to understand the limitations of these specially designed products. There are ammunition lines and even cartridges that are specifically designed for subsonic use. Purpose built subsonic cartridges and bullets tend to have more limitations because of velocity. In order to maintain their speed below the speed of sound there are few ways to add energy other than increasing the size of the bullet. Some folks like those at Discreet Ballistics have designed solid copper expanding bullets, to increase the transfer of energy on impact. Another theory though disputed by some; is that increasing the rotational speed of the bullet can add energy on target. This is achieved by using fast twist barrels like one-in-five, one-in-three or even as fast as one-in-one twist barrels.

The lower velocity of these bullets can greatly alter the effectiveness of them at extended distances. While it can be done, subsonic cartridges are much more susceptible to variations. And those variations are more pronounced as you cover more distance. The anonymity of super quiet shooting can be very valuable, but requires an extra level of understanding to know when and where it can be applied effectively.

This buck fell to a single shot from a subsonic 450 Bushmaster, a **405 grain solid lead-cast bullet** with a flat meplat. The sound of the bullet impacting the deer was much louder than the gun going off. My **Desert Tech MDRX**

Standard Cartridges Too

Standard cartridges can also be down-loaded to subsonic speeds, particularly those that aren’t that fast to begin with. I used to load my 308 down with subsonic 220 grain bullets, and they were fun, and quite useful.

My **Desert Tech SRS** A1 Covert with a 16″ 1:3 twist 8.6 Blackout barrel and **Anechoic suppressor**

I’ve also loaded my 450 Bushmaster down to subsonic speeds and increased the bullet weight significantly for added performance. There is an added benefit to this scenario, a 308 can shoot subsonic bullets much like a 300Blk, but it can shoot much better when loaded with supersonic ammunition. A subsonic 220 grain bullet fired from a 308 chamber vs. a 300Blk chamber will fly the same all else being equal. But say you want to increase your energy on target and distance by changing bullets and powders for supersonic use. A 165 grain bullet fired at supersonic speeds from a 300Blk will be nowhere near as fast as one fired from a 308 chamber, all else being equal.

Its easy to see why the 308 Winchester (top) can achieve much higher velocity than the 300Blk (bottom) when both are shooting supersonic 150 grain bullets

What Not to Do

Many manufacturers have jumped into making firearms chambered for some of these dedicated subsonic cartridges. And that has resulted in a great deal of adoption by folks from every walk of life. It should come as no surprise that some are shooting dedicated subsonic cartridges and ammunition through firearms without a suppressor. While they are perfectly happy doing it, they certainly aren’t getting the bang for their buck. Shooting unsuppressed with subsonic cartridges like the .338 ARC or .300BLK is like wearing flip-flops to go hiking. The greatest asset of these cartridges is shooting silently with a suppressor, so if you aren’t going to use a suppressor, why cut your velocity, energy and range for no gain? Perhaps you might have another reason, but anything you can do with a subsonic .300Blk can be done better and for less with something like a 5.56 or 6ARC. The best advantage of the Blackout is its silent shooting, so if you’re going to shoot loud, you may as well shoot something better.

This fox was far too brave, walking between us in camp in the dark. A subsonic 308 quietly put him out. And later that day, the same rifle (different ammo) was used to shoot a cow elk 200 yards away.

The Right Application

As you might have gathered by now, there is a perfect application for subsonic shooting. A scenario where you need exceptionally quiet shooting, whether that be dispatching pests or something else. For example; a subsonic 22lr is great for taking out rats covertly in the dark. And if you use the slightest bit of imagination you’ll come up with other ideas. It is these specific scenarios where a subsonic cartridge is superior to supersonic options.

Suppressed subsonic 22 pistols are very handy for dispatching pests, this one is another **Taurus TX22** with a **YHM Phantom** suppressor

CMMG Banshee Mk4 300Blk

March 13, 2025Product review, Shooting hardware300blk, banshee, cmmg, mk4coldboremiracle

Introduction

Some folks might tell you that the AR15 market has become somewhat stale, as many manufacturers struggle for attention. Today we are looking at a rifle from CMMG, a company who has done well at making their AR platforms stand out from the rest. Our subject for review is the CMMG Banshee Mk4 chambered in 300 Blackout. This isn’t my first encounter with a Banshee, so I was piqued to see what made this next Banshee scream.

The CMMG Banshee

The Banshee line of rifles and pistols has a breathtaking variety. They are divided into basically two groups, one using a fixed ejector to expel pistol cases and similar, and the other using a traditional bolt-face ejector. Many of the pistol caliber Banshees use pistol magazines, but the Mk4 9mm models use an altered P-Mag to run 9mm cartridges and others.

An incredible assortment of firearms can be had within the Banshee line. Whether it be a .22Lr or the heavy hitting 8.6 Blackout, you can find a model that fits your purposes. And configurations vary widely as well, with both short-barreled rifle and pistol options with and without the bureaucratically incorporated arm brace.

Aside from all the different configurations, CMMG has an interesting color palette as well. With a half dozen or more Cerakote colors you can pick something pretty standard or make a statement yourself. But colors and configurations aren’t the only thing that sets the Banshee apart.

CMMG Banshee Features

The Banshee comes with additional features that put it above other competitors. Some very useful things such as ambidextrous magazine release will be very nice for left-handed shooters. And an enlarged right side mag button also makes it easy to smash when you’re moving quickly. I actually like the 45-degree safety and the semi-low-profile selector, though some of my carbine comrades felt it was too low-profile. CMMG’s own Zeroed charging handle provides a dual locking feature, much like popular aftermarket models.

The lightweight handguard is M-Lok compatible and offers a variety of accessory mounting. The Fastback buttstock is quickly deployed when you want to extend it, more on that later.

The 300 Blackout

The 300 Blackout has become a very popular chambering, particularly in AR pattern rifles. Perhaps the most important draw of the cartridge is its utility in subsonic shooting. Subsonic cartridges operate below the speed of sound, and when suppressed it makes them movie quiet. Because of their low velocity when shooting subsonic, the 300BLK does very well with short barrels. This makes it a great choice for AR pistols and SBR’s like the many you will see in the Banshee lineup.

The model we are looking at today however, uses a full-length sixteen-inch barrel. This is likely due to nanny-state overreach from clowns in government. Using shorter than sixteen-inch barrels in conjunction with a stock is so dangerous it can only be made safe by paying extra money to the aforementioned government clowns.

My personal feelings for the 300 Blackout are pretty simple; the whole point of the cartridge was to shoot heavy bullets at subsonic speeds from a suppressed AR style rifle. Once you deviate from that specific purpose, it seems to lose a lot of its novelty. As shooting the cartridge without a suppressor or in its supersonic configuration, it has few advantages over ballistically superior options.

Prepping the CMMG Banshee for the range

Since the 300 Blackout isn’t what I would consider a long-range cartridge, and few people would, I would set the rifle up for short-range shooting. With a likely maximum shooting distance of two-hundred or less yards, I decided that mounting my Eotech Vudu 1-6 riflescope would be more than enough scope for the Banshee. I mounted it with a cantilevered mount for proper alignment.

cmmg Banshee, banshee, cmmg, 300blk, eotech, vudu, anechoic suppressor,

As I mentioned, this gun would shine only with a suppressor involved. For that duty I grabbed my Anechoic 35 suppressor, despite its different shade of green I knew it would do a great job of diffusing the 300 Blackout gasses quietly. I threaded a 5/8-24 thread-cap into the breech of the suppressor and screwed the assembly onto the muzzle of the Banshee.

All that was left was to grab a few boxes of ammunition, for that I went with some Hornady selections of both super and subsonic. I know I mentioned that sub sonic is king, but there are some people out there who simply must know so I’m duty bound to try some supersonic ammo as well.

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The Anechoic 35 suppressor was a great fit for the rifle, read more about it here.

Read about more CMMG rifles here

Onnais Iron SE Security Safe

March 9, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewgun safe, iron se, onnais, safe, securitycoldboremiracle

Introduction

Firearm security has always been an important subject, but these days it is more than just a safety issue. Our society has become both more sick and litigious, with ambulance chasing lawyers going after gun owners and manufacturers alike. Nobody likes hearing about firearm related accidents or thefts, and the best way to combat these issues is security and education. Today we are going to talk about a security product that makes keeping your handgun both ready and secure. The Onnais Iron SE security safe is a lockbox to keep your handgun safe and secure without giving up readiness.

large handguns like this **Staccato XC** fit snuggly in the Iron SE safe

Having a quick access to your firearm can be a life or death situation, but so can having an unsecured firearm. Products like the Iron SE are made to balance that situation, making it both simple to access your gun, but extremely difficult for the wrong person to gain access.

The Onnais Iron SE Security Safe

The Iron SE safe from Onnais is a steel lock box that uses both a biometric fingerprint to unlock, or a code you can punch in to gain access. It also comes with a hard set of keys that can also be used. The steel box is lined with foam to prevent scratching your firearms, and also has a nice little built-in night light for when its dark.

The electronic parts of the safe are pretty simple, and easily set up using either the included instruction booklet or you can scan a QR code to watch a video on how to do it. Also included is a cable you can use to secure the safe to something to prevent it being moved. There are also holes through the bottom of the box, that allow you to attach the safe to another surface with bolts or something.

security cable allows you to attach the safe to something imobile

The box has a nice durable finish, and is fairly low profile. It would easily tuck under your bed or nightstand. Or anywhere else like a vehicle or tool box.

Security Safe Setup

It literally took me a couple minutes to get the safe programmed and setup to my liking. Following the directions to setup are simple, and there are audible beeps to let you know when you’ve done the process right or wrong. It requires installing four AA batteries inside for operation, but there is also a USB-C jack in the front that you can use to power the safe should the batteries go dead.

Having three ways to get into the safe is a good feeling, using your fingerprint is the fastest with just a beep before the lid slowly springs open. Or you can punch in a 5-15 digit code into the keypad with the same result. And the keys are always a failsafe option should the others fail.

Once set up, I was quite pleased with how easy it is to quickly get into the safe.

Pros and Cons

As someone who has a lot of guns, (an indeterminant amount of guns for any ATF agent reading this) I can really appreciate having a safe like this around. If you have children or untrustworthy adults around, its nice to have the ability to quickly secure and gain access to your pistol. The Iron SE safe gives you the ability to have a pistol in firing condition handy and yet secure. If you are talking about Glock 19 size pistols or smaller, you can even fit multiple pistols in the safe.

the **Ruger RXM** and **PSA Dagger pistols** fit together in the safe

The access and setup are easy enough for even folks without a lot of tech experience, but you’ll need at least one finger. I wouldn’t mind having the larger version of the safe, so there is room for both his and her pistols inside. But perhaps having more than one safe would be better.

If I had to critique anything on the safe, I’d first throw out this caveat. I’ve often heard people say; padlocks only keep honest people honest. And I think that’s the idea behind this safe. Anyone with time and a few tools could break into this box with enough effort. But it is more than enough to keep children or nosey adults out of your business.

All that said, I think for the $66 dollars that you can purchase this safe, its easily a good buy. Well worth the money knowing that your pistol is out of reach to casual passers by. The manufacturer was even kind enough to offer you a discount if you are reading this.

enter code: Thecoldboremiracle at checkout for a discount

Final Thoughts

Part of me wants to get a couple more of these safes, to be able to secure hot pistols wherever I want in my home and office. Easy and secure access to a pistol is a way of life for many people, and this safe makes it even easier. With various ways of access that are all pretty easy, and you can buy it at a very reasonable cost.

-CBM

Dan Wesson Heirloom 1911

March 6, 2025pistols, Product review1911, 45acp, dan wesson, heirloomcoldboremiracle

Preface

We’ve all seen the jokes and meme’s about the Colt 1911 winning multiple world wars. But for all the ribbing, the 1911 continues to be a popular choice for American gun owners well over a hundred years later. One of the companies keeping the 1911 relevant is Dan Wesson, and today we are taking a look at one of their Dan Wesson Heirloom 1911 models.

I’ve never been drawn much to the 1911, but my recent descent into 2011 pistols has made it easier to associate. Dan Wesson has been making great American firearms for decades, but the company was acquired by Czech firearms giant CZ. As was Colt, another American brand also famous for 1911’s. I’m sure I am not alone hoping that CZ’s ownership will only improve these two brands. Let’s get into this pistol.

The 1911 Pistol

With over a hundred years of manufacturing behind it, you might be asking a similar question to mine; How can this be made better after all this time? That’s not a rhetorical question but a literal one. Modern manufacturing and materials certainly can make some great improvements. And yet many modern 1911 pistols like the Heirloom model from Dan Wesson have very similar features and function as their century old ancestors.

The 1911 is a single-action recoil operated single-stack pistol chambered in .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP). The simplicity of the single action makes the operation of the pistol quite reliable, requiring very little time to familiarize oneself. The triggers in 1911’s are often impressive in both feel and break, a natural side-effect to its design. An intuitive safety is incorporated to operate with the thumb, and the famous grip safety adds another layer of security.

An impressively simple and cunning barrel lock design is one of the 1911 features that made it so successful. A hinge-link and locking lugs allow the barrel to securely lock into battery for fire and quickly disengage to reload itself after firing.

Another famous feature and perhaps for different reasons is the 1911’s single stack magazine. One drawback in the eyes of many handgunners is the 8-round capacity, which a hundred and ten years ago was a step up from the typical six-round capacity of most handguns. Despite only carrying eight cartridges, it carries them well and cycles them flawlessly through the gun.

The Dan Wesson Heirloom 1911

Aside from the classic 1911 features, the Dan Wesson Heirloom model appears to bring a great deal of class with it. As it’s name implies, this pistol seems to be built to pass down from one generation to the next.

dan wesson 1911 — the booming sound of the 45 ACP was subdued by my **Safariland Liberator headset**

Smooth lines and high gloss finish polish on this pistol give it a very classy feel. And custom engraving throughout the gun set it apart from your typical 1911. The finish-work on the pistol is fantastic, with polished feed-ramps and perfectly machined barrel bushing for a tight fit and smooth operation.

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fine finish and fit make the Heirloom pistol function smoothly.

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Glock 47 Gen 5 9mm pistol

March 5, 2025pistols, Product review9mm, g47, glock, glock 17, glock 45coldboremiracle

Introduction

We’ve brought you various different Glock pistol reviews over the years, as well as many of the new Glock clones. As a convert to the Glock cult, I often feel like a fresh set of eyes on most of their pistols. And today I bring you a fresh look at the Glock 47 Gen5 9mm pistol.

According to the manufacturer, the G47 was developed for US federal agent use by Customs and Border Protection. But don’t hold that against the gun, it also has great use for other people and patriots alike. The G47 is essentially a modified version of the prolific G17, perhaps one of the most used pistols in the world by law enforcement and other shooters.

The G47 has basic part interchangeability with the G17 and its siblings, the main difference is a shorter pic rail under the front of the slide. I wouldn’t consider this a downside since this is a full size pistol.

The Glock 47

Caliber	9mm Parabellum
Capacity	17 rounds
Barrel Length	4.5 Inches
Weight (unloaded)	25.93 Ounces
Weight (loaded)	34.29 Ounces approx
Trigger Pull Weight	5.8 Pounds
Length	7.95 Inches
Width	1.34 Inches
Height	5.47 Inches

I mentioned the G47 shares much of its features with the G17, to be honest I am not entirely sure why the separation between the two pistols even exists. According to those who know more than me, its to allow agencies to use both the G19 and G47 models without having to hold separate parts and service for both. The interchangeability is what they were after.

the Glock 47 boast front and rear slide serrations for easy manipulation

I really enjoy shooting full size pistols, one of them is a G17 clone, my Shadow Systems DR920. I’ve really enjoyed shooting this pistol over the years, and if the G47 is comparable I was sure to like it as well.

The full-size grip is very nice for shooting, it allows full purchase of the grip and helps manipulate the pistol better. It also allows for the seventeen-round capacity that gives this pistol such a commanding presence. The standard Glock grip texturing is ok in my opinion, and the other Gen 5 frame features are also welcome.

The rounded edges where it matters on the slide make it easier to pocket when you need to. And the optics cut on the rear of the slide is a must have these days, as red dots are taking over the pistol world. The addition of ambidextrous slide release is a breath of fresh air for left-handed shooters.

reloading was quick and smooth with the added **Strike Industries magwell flare**

Setting up the Glock 47

I mentioned I was a Glock convert, so I have a few things that will go with the G47. I would also incorporate one of my Surefire X300 weapon lights, in my humble opinion they are a perfect match for the pistol. In addition to lighting up your target area, they also bring some weight to the front of the pistol which reduces some muzzle rise.

Also while shooting the G47 I would be using one of my Safariland ALS holsters. In my limited experience these are excellent holsters which help you get the most out of your pistol shooting.

For ammunition, I would be using bulk packed 115 grain ammo from Mountain West Lethal Precision. As well as some 115 grain ammunition from PMC.

the Glock 47 uses the shorter recoil spring like the Glock 19

On the Range with the Glock 47

Shooting the Glock 47 was an outdoor adventure, my children and I went into the open country of the nearby mountains. I took several hundred rounds of ammunition of various types, as well as a few different magazine options to see how the G47 functioned.

The plan was to run through all the ammo, and get a good feel for how the gun draws, points, cycles, and reloads. Running through both 17 and 19 round magazines the G47 never skipped a beat. I regret that I was unable to get a red dot mounted during the review. It’s a shame the Glock doesn’t have the optics mounting built into the slide, like so many others have done.

But we still ran the G47 through quite a bit of shooting. I like shooting single rounds loaded in each mag over and over. It helps build muscle memory for reloads, and it also gives each magazine an opportunity to fail locking back the action. All three magazine types used worked great in that aspect.

Drawing and shooting the G47 from my Safariland holster felt natural and smooth. Reinforcing the excellent grip angle and point of aim of the G47, the whole experience was pleasant. This of course came as no surprise since I quite enjoy shooting my G17 clone.

my **Safariland ALS holsters** fit perfectly with the model 47

Shootability

The G47 has the Gen 5 features that many shooters enjoy, the removal of the finger grooves on the grip area make it a little more universal-fitting. The texture on the grip allows good purchase, though I feel like I prefer the more aggressive grip of other brands.

The sights are typical Glock sights, which in my experience are great for getting a quick sight picture. Again, I would have preferred a red dot though. That said, I had no issues hitting what I aimed at.

Adding a slightly flared magwell made it even easier to load magazines, not that it’s hard to hit them without it. The polymer frame makes it easy to drop and insert mags quickly while keeping eyes on the target. I found the grip to be more than adequate as is, but it’s nice to know that you can change the backstrap out to custom fit your hand.

The controls on the G47 are very Glock, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. They are exactly where and what you’d expect, making for smooth reloads and operation. The large grip area gives lots of room to hold on, keeping the gun secure through recoil impulses.

Ergonomics

Glock pistols have almost always seemed a little “no-frills” to me, the huge stippling aftermarket seems to support my theory. That said, the G47 is comfortable to hold on to. The large grip area and beavertail give very adequate hold of the pistol. The undercut trigger guard allows you to keep your fingers mostly together while gripping the gun.

The magazine release seems pretty low profile, staying out of the way while shooting and carrying. But it’s in just the right spot when the time comes to use it. And speaking of controls, the ambidextrous slide release must be great for the lefties out there.

The customizable backstrap is another great feature for those who need it. Adding both the ability to thicken the grip size, as well as add to the beavertail thickness should you desire.

Reliability

You’d expect a pistol from Glock to have legendary reliability. After all, that is what has made Glock the choice of countless law enforcement agencies and militaries. During the course of our shooting, the G47 performed flawlessly. No failures to fire, eject or any other flaws were experienced. The closest thing to a malfunction was when I found myself dropping the slide too early, but this is of course poor operation and not a malfunction.

All three different magazine types we used worked well with the G47. As did most of my G17 accessories. The G47 fit perfectly in my Safariland holsters bought for the G17. This is excellent news for G47 owners because the compatibility with its G17 sibling gives you many options.

Accuracy

With handguns I often feel a little out of place when it comes to accuracy. As a rifle junkie, shooting pistols accurately isn’t exactly my forte. And I’ll admit that using red dots has become something of a crutch for shooting more accurate shots for me. With all that said, I still found it easy to hit my targets with the G47. The sights’ vibrant contrast against the black pistol made them easy to pick up and center on the target. I’ll also mention that the G47’s trigger felt great, and its consistent break also helped shoot more consistently.

a typical pattern fired from the Glock 47 at 10 yards

Value

It seems that the street price for a new G47 hovers around the $630 mark at the point of writing this. That’s honestly a pretty fair price in my opinion. Looking at the plethora of Glock clones out there, the competition has gotten stiff. The G47 seems to function as well and shoot as reliably as my Shadow Systems DR920 which costs around $200 more, though I do prefer the vibe of the SS over the Glock.

And there are also much cheaper options, some better than others. You can get a BCA Grizzly 101 for under $300, which for some people is enough to make the difference. I guess I would say that bottom line, if you just want a gun that shoots those options will do. But if you want Glock perfection, the price of the G47 is fair.

Shop all Glock Pistols at Palmetto

Pros and Cons

Pros

It’s a Glock, it comes with distinguished service
Optics ready
Compatible with G17 accessories
Rounded edges for low snag
Ambidextrous controls

Cons

Requires optics adaptor plate

Final Thoughts

After my time shooting the G47 I can say I feel every bit as positive about the gun as the G17 and its clones. The G47 does much of the heavy lifting in the full-size service pistol market. And for many good reasons as we’ve outlined here. Reliable operation is what these pistols are known for, and this one surely does. Not only are they reliable but they are comfortable, familiar and compatible with most of the ancillary equipment you’ll want to use.

-CBM

CMMG MK3 308 Winchester

February 27, 2025Product review, Shooting hardware308 winchester, AR, ar10, cmmg, mk3, sr25coldboremiracle

Preface

The Mk3 rifle series from CMMG is based on a 308 Winchester sized AR action, allowing for similar cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor as well. Much of the same features of CMMG’s smaller rifles are built into the Mk3 making it familiar and simple to operate. Today we are taking a look at the CMMG Mk3 308 Winchester rifle, to see how it compares to other similar rifles I’ve shot. Based on my experience with other CMMG products I was expecting some great results.

The CMMG MK3

If you go to CMMG’s website, you will find a variety of MK3 rifles from their various lines. There are four different lines that all include MK3 variants, there is the Dissent line of which I am a big fan. The Dissent uses a buffer inside the upper receiver which means you no longer need a buffer tube opening the doors to a bunch of new stock options.

The Banshee line of firearms is mostly pistol and SBR type personal defense firearms, with shorter barrel lengths and appropriate accessories. The Resolute rifles offer rifle lengths and accessories for longer engagements. And lastly the Endeavor line of rifles which feature more of a marksman configuration built for long-range.

There is a MK3 version of all these rifles that you can select based on your needs. The rifle we are testing today is a slightly older MK3 that came out before these more modern lines from CMMG. While still based on the CMMG MK3 receiver set, this rifle features different furniture and handguard.

Outfitting the MK3

I wanted to see what this rifle was capable of, so I put a US Optics TXH 3-18×50 riflescope on it using a Zro Delta cantilever scope mount. With a 3-18 it would do well shooting targets at relatively close distances, and with a max of 18X it would also be suitable for distances at the end of the 308 Winchester’s envelope.

I grabbed a few different types of ammunition to test in the rifle, some PPU 150 grain ball ammo, as well as some 175 grain DTM match. I also grabbed a small tripod with a saddle to support the rifle for precision shooting.

I also wanted to see how the rifle faired as a suppressor host, so I grabbed my YHM R9 suppressor. It has never done me wrong when testing 308 chambered rifles, and now it was time to try it on the MK3.

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Again, CMMG’s current production Mk3s have significantly better features like improved charging handles, triggers, and other controls. I have several new CMMGs that prove the company has stepped up its game significantly. Upgraded handguards and furniture are coupled with handsome Cerakote finishes and M-LOK handguards, while features like CMMG’s muzzle devices also improve the look and performance.