As 2022 comes to a close and we prepare for the New Year, it’s tradition to take a look back and give thanks for the successes and great triumphs over the course of the year. We’re thankful, of course, as we’ve had a number of great successes and triumphs in terms of stories, podcasts, writers, contributors, and so on. To close out the year and celebrate our many successes and triumphs, I’ve put together a short list of five of our favorite articles of 2022. Join us in ringing in the New Year the best way we know how!
5. “HK SL8: The Civilian Legal G36” by Jim Davis
This one has a special place in my heart. The HK SL8 is one of my all-time favorite rifles, despite its anemic capacity, expensive HK parts, and questionable ergonomics. It’s a friggin’ tack-driver and excels in long-range target shooting and varmint hunting applications. It could also be used as a battle rifle in a pinch, so of course, it has to be on the list.
Jim provides a fantastic overview of the history of the SL8 and its G36 granddaddy. He discusses—in detail—the pros and inherent disappointments of the SL8. While the SL8 boasts incredible accuracy, possibly better than the military G36, it’s not for everyone. But, if you’re an HK fanboy like me and are interested in this weird-looking piece of German engineering, this is a must-read article. I mean, even if you hate the rifle, it’s still a good read. Either way, it comes in at #5 for the year.
4. “Dicken Drill: Proving Long Range Matters” by Kat Ainsworth
The tragedy at the Greenwood Mall in Greenwood, Indiana was an awful day. Three innocent victims lost their lives to yet another coward intent on taking lives. Several others were injured. It was an awful day. However, one brave man, Eli Dicken, became a hero and ended a threat with his concealed pistol.
I add this to the list, not because it’s my favorite topic (I’m still mad as hell at the cowardly shooter), but because it spurred many of us to realize the importance of training for real-life scenarios and becoming proficient with our defensive weapons. I just wish it wouldn’t have taken yet another tragedy to make people realize that importance. But it did. And it created a brand new defensive handgun drill, The Dicken Drill, now used by civilian and law enforcement shooters across the country.
Kat does a phenomenal job of breaking down the actual events, analyzing the possible legalities, and detailing the drill in such a way that even a relatively new shooter could become proficient and ready to respond to a similar situation, though we hope that day never comes. And for that, the Dicken Drill article comes in at #4.
3. “The Top 9 Affordable Guns on the Surplus Market” by Travis Pike
Surplus firearms are a must-have for any gun collection, and with the economy in the tank, the term “affordable” is on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now. In years past, the surplus market was plentiful; the ammo and the guns were super cheap, and it was a buyer’s market with prices between $79 and $300. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case in 2022. The good news is that the surplus market still exists and from time to time, surplus guns can still be found at relatively affordable prices. Sometimes.
In this article, Travis Pike did the legwork of trudging through the market for us and putting together a list of nine dependable and affordable firearms priced below $500 that are likely to appeal to any shooter and any budget.
Travis does a great job of blending facts with humor, telling it like it is without getting lost in the weeds. He covers everything from rifles to pistols and everything in between, all while keeping it short, sweet, and to the point. This post lands at #3 in my book.
2. “High-Capacity Magazines: Do You Need Them?” by Jason Mosher
Do you really need a high-capacity magazine? How many mags are needed with a self-defense rifle? What’s the purpose of high-capacity magazines in the first place? These are all highly-debated questions asked on both sides of the political aisle and within the gun community as a whole. A retired military shooter might argue that high-capacity mags are necessary for the security of a free state, while an active-duty LEO professional might argue against any magazine with a capacity of more than 10 rounds. You might find yourself somewhere in the middle. Truth be told, either stance is okay, given the arguments are well-thought-out and logical.
Mosher takes a deep dive into the world of so-called “high-capacity magazines” and offers four compelling reasons as to why he believes you should invest in high-capacity magazines, including 30, 40, 50, and 100-round magazines. They may not be for everyone, and not all firearms are compatible with high-capacity magazines. However, Mosher provides a detailed description of the pros, cons, and ever-growing supply of high-capacity mags in a way we can all relate to and enjoy. For that, this one comes in at a solid #2.
1. “Sling Bullet Found: What David Used To Take Down Goliath” by Peter Suciu
Earlier this year, a 2,200-year-old Greek sling bullet was discovered near the modern Israeli city of Yavne. The Israel Antiquities Authority stated that the sling bullet found in Yavne’s major archaeological site is 4.4cm (1.7”) long. Pretty cool, eh?
In this article, Peter Suciu provides an in-depth look at what the discovery means in relation to the history of weapons, the sling’s presence in religious texts, and so on. Peter explains that the sling was among the earliest weapons devised after the club and was likely used to hunt for food and defend against predators and enemies. What makes the discovery of the sling bullet of particular interest is that it bears the Greek inscription “Victory for Heracles and Hauron.” This has led historians to believe that it was an attempt at psychological warfare and that the Greek soldier who carried this particular sling bullet may have faced the Jewish Hasmonean troops during the battles that would become part of the story of Hanukkah!
Corroborated with exclusive input from ancient warfare and history experts from the University of Oxford and South Dakota State University, this article is truly a one-of-a-kind and the crown jewel of our year, making it our #1 pick for 2022.
So that’s it. That’s our year in review. Do you agree with our list? What was your favorite article this year? Let us know in the comments below.
Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year to all of you. Catch you in 2023!