Wednesday Wisdom: 12 August 2026

Medal of Honor: John Edward Kilmer

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against North Korean forces. With his company engaged in defending a vitally important hill position well forward of the main line of resistance during an assault by large concentrations of hostile troops, Hospital Corpsman Kilmer repeatedly braved intense enemy mortar, artillery, and sniper fire to move from one position to another, administering aid to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. Painfully wounded himself when struck by mortar fragments while moving to the aid of a casualty, he persisted in his efforts and inched his way to the side of the stricken Marine through a hail of enemy shells falling around him.

 ____________________

The Stevens 520 Shotgun: An Underrated Gem

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the idea of a pump-action weapon wasn’t protected by a patent. Winchester went to court to prove that against claims made by the rights owner of the Spencer shotgun. However, lots of different aspects of shotguns were patented. This meant you had to be creative, and the Stevens Model 520 was nothing if not creative.

 ____________________

What 5.56 Ammo Does the FBI Use? 

In June 2026, The Kinetic Group (TKG) — parent company of both Federal Premium and Remington Ammunition — was awarded one of the largest law enforcement ammunition contracts in the company’s history valued at $77.4 million. The FBI selected TKG as the sole supplier across all four requested rifle ammunition categories, with delivery expected to begin in 2026.

 ____________________

The FBI Says this is the Best AR-15 Barrel Length

While we’re on the 5.56, veteran FBI ballistician Robert explains why muzzle energy alone tells you very little, why the FBI prefers expanding projectiles over traditional fragmenting ammunition, and how every bullet has an optimal performance window. Depending on the ammunition and intended distance, a longer barrel can even drive a projectile too fast and produce worse terminal performance at close range. We also get direct answers on the practical differences between 7.5-, 11.5-, 14.5-, 16-, 18-, and 20-inch AR-15 barrels. For law enforcement and home defense, Robert identifies an 11.5-inch barrel with a 1:7 twist and a properly selected 64- to 75-grain bonded projectile as the practical sweet spot. This is not internet theory. It is a detailed discussion of actual projectile testing, terminal-ballistics standards, and the variables that determine whether a 5.56 round performs as designed. (opens to a video)

 ____________________

Backcountry Silence: Divide Gun’s MTN Lite Ti Titanium Suppressor

Part of the beauty of this new era of expanding silencer ownership is the fact that many companies have been able to specialize their designs to do one thing very well. On that note, Divide Gun Company has launched a new titanium suppressor built for hunters and long-range shooters who want to cut weight without giving up sound suppression.

The Salmon, Idaho-based manufacturer introduced the MTN Lite Ti suppressor in July 2026. It’s machined from 6Al-4V titanium in small batches at Divide’s Idaho facility. The company uses a tubeless, welded design to reduce weight while keeping the structure rated for centerfire rifle use.

 ____________________

How To Avoid ATF’s Homemade Silencer Entanglements

The easiest way to avoid AFT entanglements in making a silencer at home is to not do it.  If you must, a former ATF official reached out recently with a strong warning: The ATF is asking for information that could very easily be used against anyone who tries to make a homemade silencer lawfully. If you answer certain questions on a digital Form 1, you may regret it--your honesty could lead to your imprisonment.

The former ATF official said on the electronic ATF Form 1, which you need to complete to make a homemade silencer, there is an electronic documentation box, which states: “Please submit the following descriptive information: Pictures of the parts that you will use to make the silencer (the pictures should be clear and allow the identification of the parts photographed). Failure to upload additional documentation could lead to the Form 1 being Disapproved.” This, the former ATF official said, is a classic example of the ATF’s NFA Division, “not having a clue about what the law says, which they’re supposed to enforce.” The federal definition of a silencer at 18 USC 921(a)(24) not only includes completed silencers, but also includes “any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.” Therefore, any photos of silencer parts that someone submits to ATF can be legally seen as pictures of silencers--for which the applicant does not yet have authorization to possess.

 ____________________

Beretta M9 vs. Girsan Regard: Two Takes on an Icon

 

A comparison between the Beretta M9 and the Girsan Regard. You can spot a Beretta M9 from across the room. That open-top slide, the long nose, the classic “service pistol” shape-it’s a look. The open-top slide can help with feeding and clearing, and it’s a big reason the M9 doesn’t look like every other modern pistol. The Girsan Regard is basically saying, “Cool--let’s do that, but cheaper… and with a few extras.” 

 ____________________

Terminator Anyone? OpenAI Finds Evidence Other AI Agents Escaped Containment as It Widens Hacking Probe

OpenAI has discovered other instances in which autonomous agents have escaped containment. The new breakouts were uncovered during the company's publicly announced investigation into how one of its agents escaped what was meant to be a ‌contained testing environment in July 2026. Anthropic, an OpenAI rival company disclosed that its models were also responsible for a series of break-ins that led to breaches at three other ‌companies dating back to April 2026. In August 2026, Facebook owner Meta announced that one of its AI models was able to connect to the internet and hack into another organization's systems during testing.

 ____________________

Miyamoto Musashi 宮本 武蔵

The Go Rin no Sho is an important and useful work for the martial artist or anyone engaged in conflict, but value it for what it is and recognize what it is not. It is not a moral or ethical guide. That's the caveat--there are useful things in the book, things of value and ways to think, feel, and see.

 ____________________

NITECORE NPL25 GL Weapon Light and Green Laser

 

Some of us have the need to hang a full-size weapon light (think SureFire X300, Streamlight TLR-1 or similar) on a compact or a duty-size pistol. Most of us, however, don’t. In my opinion, a laser is a better choice and a light/laser combo is the best choice. 

 ____________________

How Car Doors, Glass, and Barriers Affect Ammunition

 

  

Cars show up in defensive scenarios more than most people think about. You might be in one, next to one, or using one as cover. And the way ammunition behaves after passing through automotive materials is nothing like how it behaves in open air or bare gel. Steel panels, tempered glass, laminated windshields, and interior components all change bullet trajectory, expansion, and penetration in ways that matter if you carry a firearm.

 ____________________

Miranda – The Case that Changed Policing

“You have the right to remain silent,” a phrase recited across the United States by police officers when making an arrest. June 13, 2026, marked the 60th anniversary of the historic ruling that fundamentally changed policing practices nationwide by establishing what we now refer to as Miranda Rights. The Phoenix Police Department conducted the original investigation that led to this pivotal case.

 ____________________

If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.