Overview

In S.W.A.T.'s March 2010 issue:

  • Inside the Jungla Commandos anti-narco squads, part 2!
  • Make sure you're prepared for the rigors of carrying a concealed self defense firearm.
  • Is the Century International arms Sterling Sporter a worthy heir to the STEN?
  • Are some politicians and media pundits using our desire for civility to trick us into silencing ourselves?
  • The Kahr Arms P380: sometimes great things come in small packages.
  • Two perspectives on the disparity between military training and civilian training courses, by Denny Hansen and Marine Paul Gardner.
  • Equal Opportunity Self Defense – Be prepared to defend yourself against any legitimate threat, even minors or "harmless" old men.



Columns
The Briefing Room
Warriors At Risk
by Denny Hansen

Street Smarts
Equal Opportunity Lethal Force
by Brent T. Wheat

Against All Odds
A.R.S. Dog Tag Survival Knife
by Jeff Randall

Frontline Debriefs
Perfect Storms
by Scott Reitz

Enemy at the Gate
Civility or Servility?
by Claire Wolfe

Training & Tactics
Don't Rush to Judgment
by Louis Awerbuck


Departments
Mail Room:
Letters from our Readers
Staff

Lawful Carry:
Field Holsters
Flint Hansen

Long Guns:
Aimpoint Micro T-1
Leroy Thompson

Offbeat:
GG&G XDS Bipod
Jeff Prather

The Cutting Edge:
TOPS Knives Survival Neck Wallet
Reuben Bolieu

Gear Locker:
New Products and Accessories
Staff

  
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Features

WHITE POWDER WAR
Jungla Commandos Hit Narco-Terror Lab, Part 2
Take a journey into the jungle as S.W.A.T. takes an inside look at Colombia's efforts to stem cocaine production and trafficking. From training and equipment behind the operators, to the jungle drug labs targetted by them, we take you behind the scenes, offering a gritty—and sometimes grim—view of the conflict.
by Jeff Randall

LITTLE BROTHER
Chiappa Firearms Model 1911-22
The venerable 1911 has given rise to a host of different-caliber conversion kits and clones. Among them, Chiappa's 1911-22 is a reliable, accurate alternative for cheap training compared to its .45ACP cousins. Other than its lack of a functioning grip safety, for those who might want a perfect 1911 clone, this little powerhouse serves well for training on a budget.
by Denny Hansen

AL TARMIYAH FIREFIGHT!
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Recalling the firefight in which he was wounded, veteran Paul Gardner steps through the events of that day. With the advantage of hindsight after attending a Trident Concepts Combative Carbine 1 course by Jeff Gonzalez, mistakes are highlighted and presented as a lesson for others.
by Paul Gardner

BLAST FROM THE PAST
Century International Arms Sterling Sporter
Some will be attracted to the Century International arms Sterling Sporter for its proven potential as a weapon, while others will find it the closest opportunity they will get to owning a working replica of a STEN. Despite the legally motivated limitations on barrel length and restriction to semi-auto fire, this 9mm carbine proves itself worthy as a lighter, more maneuverable close- to mid-range weapon.
by Todd Burgreen

NEWEST MINI POWERHOUSE
Kahr Arms Model P380 Subcompact
Kahr's P380, a subcompact geared towards concealed carry, offers 6+1 rounds of .380 ACP in a striker-fired polymer-framed package. Join Walt Rauch as he disects one in detail, then takes it to the range.
by Walt Rauch

CARRYING A HANDGUN
Separate Facts from Fallacies
Carrying a handgun for self defense is a serious task requiring a great deal of preparation to be effective. Obtaining a firearm, holster, and ammo is only the tip of the iceberg. Patrick Rogers breaks down the hardware and psychology you need to be prepared to successfully defend yourself.
by Patrick A. Rogers

SCHOOL SPIRIT
Storm Mountain Team Tactics Course
Taking a break from the usual fare of individual-oriented firearms training courses, Todd Burgreen takes us on a tour of the Storm Mountain Team Tactics Course. Combining live fire drills, a shoot house, and force-on-force training in a 2-story empty structure, this course emphasizes the difficulty of remaining together as a team while under fire.
by Todd Burgreen

BIG-BORE GLOCK
Guncrafter Industries .50 GI Conversion
When faced with the question of which Glock to buy, most shooters ponder the pros and cons of 9mm, .40, and .45. S.W.A.T. takes a walk on the unconventional side with Erick Gelhous, who reviews the Glock .50 GI conversion. With .50GI JFP 300 grain ammo listed at 700fps, and 275gr JHP at 875fps, this is not your average handgun. But how well did it perform? Read all about it.
by Erick Gelhaus