ABOUT THE AUTHOR

About the Author: A combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Dave Merrill is a former urban warfare and foreign weapons instructor for Coalition fighting men. An occasional competitive shooter, he has a strange fascination with Kalashnikovs that might arguably be called a fetish. Merrill started with Breach-Bang-Clear as a writer, went on to become the managing editor, then moved up in the world and repeated that process at RECOIL Magazine. DFM ("Dave Fucking Merrill") loves tacos, is kind of a dick (that's a self-professed description) and a helluva good dad. He’s also one of the smartest gun nerds we know…like, improbably Rain Man level smart when it comes to guns, gear, and the mechanics thereof.

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MNKF: Kershaw Leek 1660

by Dave Merrill | Mar 20, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings

Most of the swag at SHOT Show consists of stickers, t-shirts, patches, and hats. Sooo many hats. There are exceptions, of course; one standout for the 2017 SHOT was a customized Kershaw Leek 1660 from Q LLC. The 1660 features an incredibly smooth assisted open, which...

Stop the Burning with Penicilli – We Mean Armageddon Gear

by Dave Merrill | Mar 16, 2017 | Musings

Silencers come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s an Armageddon Gear suppressor covers for damn near all of the popular ones.

JTT: In Defense of the Walmart Belt

by Dave Merrill | Feb 28, 2017 | Musings

Just The Tip: In Defense of the Walmart Belt Dave Merrill So there I was three beers deep in a Thai brothel at an EAG Shoot House class. Given the nature of shoot houses in general and shoot houses with multiple parties in particular, all the instructors and students...

I Wear this Too Much: Review of the Vertx Phantom LT

by Dave Merrill | Feb 26, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings

The title is accurate. Our only consolation is that he doesn't like Affliction or TapOut shirts. Mad Duo UPDATE [Originally Published Jan 15, 2017] This post is over two years old, and this shirt is still being used. Through today, Sunday 2/26/17 get 30% off...

YWR: Lost in Shangri-La

by Dave Merrill | Feb 24, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings

In today’s Your Weekend Read we bring you a true story of survival in WWII, but probably not in the places you’re thinking. Lost in Shangri-La.

And by special, we mean a lowered price and free shipping.

Review Redux: Dead Bird Assault Glove FR

by Dave Merrill | Feb 18, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings

This article was originally run last year, but with the current Dead Bird shenanigans going on over at US Elite Gear (50% for f@<&'s sake) right now, we figure we'd remind ya. Read on to find out why the Dead Bird Assault Glove FR is the ACOG of gloves. Mad...

YWR: Executive Outcomes

by Dave Merrill | Jan 28, 2017 | Always a Student

Today’s Your Weekend Read is a graphic novel about Executive Outcomes in Sierra Leone between the years of 1995-96. It’s based on a true story.

What is CO WITNESS?

by Dave Merrill | Jan 12, 2017 | Always a Student

Co witness? Cowitness? Co-witness? What does co-witness mean? Lower one-third or eastern left half, or absolutely co-witnessed... Co Witness Explained Language Lessons: Window-Licker's Guide to Sight Cowitness Term: Cowitness Also Known As: Co-Witness...

Review: Tactical Distributors Elite Hoodie 2.0

by Dave Merrill | Jan 10, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings

Review: Tactical Distributors Elite Hoodie 2.0 Dave Merrill I'll start by admitting I wasn't exactly in love with the Tactical Distributors (TD) Elite Hoodie 2.0 when I first saw it. Perhaps it was because it wasn't named after a Chuck Norris character like their...