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by Major Pandemic - Spread the Pandemic
A blend of entertainment, survival, hunting outdoors and gun reviews. www.majorpandemic.com
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- 3 weeks ago22 min
I Chunk Cut Ported my Canik METE Prime
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comMajor Pandemic - MajorPandemic.com is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for reading Major Pandemic - MajorPandemic.com! This post is public so feel free to share it.Canik METE MC9 Prime Chunk Port Modification: Does a Bigger Port Deliver Less Recoil?By Major Pandemic | MajorPandemic.comChunk ports are becoming one of the hottest trends in the handgun industry, and for good reason. Manufacturers are increasingly experimenting with larger barrel ports and integrated compensator designs to tame muzzle rise, reduce felt recoil, and deliver flatter-shooting pistols.We’ve seen variations of the concept from Springfield Armory with the Echelon and Smith & Wesson with its Performance Center Carry Comp models. Meanwhile, Canik took a somewhat different approach with the METE MC9 Prime, incorporating its distinctive Tri-Port barrel design.The Prime is already an outstanding pistol right out of the box, but after spending time with my Radian-equipped setup and experiencing how much softer it shot, I started wondering just how much more performance I could squeeze out of the factory Prime.That curiosity led me to an experiment: What would happen if I converted the Canik Prime’s three smaller barrel ports into a single larger chunk-style port?Well, I did it. And honestly, the results surprised me.Why Modify an Already Excellent Pistol?First, let’s give Canik some credit. The METE MC9 Prime is an exceptionally well-executed handgun for its price. The fit, finish, ergonomics, and overall shooting experience are impressive. More importantly, my Prime has been remarkably reliable.However, the Prime does have a relatively sharp recoil impulse and a distinctive bark compared with some other compensated pistols.My theory was simple. The factory Tri-Port system uses three relatively small openings to redirect expanding gases. While effective, those ports are fairly conservative compared with the larger chunk-style ports appearing on newer compensated handguns.In theory, a larger opening could allow a greater volume of propellant gases to escape upward, potentially creating more downward counterforce against muzzle rise.Of course, gas dynamics are more complicated than simply assuming bigger is always better. Port geometry, ammunition pressure, barrel length, projectile velocity, and timing all play a role.Nevertheless, I was curious whether the Prime had some untapped potential.The Chunk Port ExperimentI decided to experiment with a spare, replaceable barrel rather than make any permanent changes to the slide or frame.Using my small machine-shop milling equipment, I had the existing barrel port configuration professionally machined into a larger, unified opening. The work was relatively straightforward with the equipment available, although barrel modifications demand proper tooling, careful inspection, and an understanding of the mechanical and safety implications.Importantly, I left the factory slide completely unchanged.This was intentional. The MC9 Prime already has three generous openings in the slide aligned with its barrel ports. I wanted to determine whether those original openings were sufficient to accommodate the altered gas flow without additional slide machining.One concern was whether the larger barrel opening would direct excessive carbon, debris, or hot gases into the interior of the slide.As it turned out, that concern was largely unfounded during my initial testing.First Impressions: It Actually WorksLet me skip to the most important observation.The chunk-ported Canik Prime shoots noticeably softer than my original factory configuration.That was the entire point of this project, and I’m happy to report that the modification delivered a genuine improvement in my shooting experience.The difference wasn’t earth-shattering. This wasn’t a transformation from an uncontrollable pistol into a competition race gun.Instead, it was a meaningful refinement of an already excellent handgun.The muzzle tracked flatter, the recoil impulse felt softer, and follow-up shots seemed easier to manage.What surprised me most was that I genuinely hadn’t expected the difference to be particularly noticeable.After all, the factory Prime already incorporates barrel porting. I figured there might be diminishing returns from increasing the port area.Apparently, there was still some performance left on the table.How Does It Compare With the Radian Setup?This was proba
- 4 weeks ago28 min
Reviewing the Canik MC9 Prime Radian
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comCanik METE MC9 Prime Radian 9mm Review: Less Recoil, Less Muzzle Flip, More ControlMajor Pandemic - MajorPandemic.com is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for reading Major Pandemic - MajorPandemic.com! This post is public so feel free to share it.The micro-compact 9mm market has evolved dramatically over the last several years. What started as a race to produce the smallest, lightest concealed-carry pistol has become a competition to deliver full-size handgun performance in increasingly compact packages. The Canik METE MC9 Prime Radian represents another step in that evolution, combining Canik’s feature-rich MC9 Prime platform with Radian’s compensator technology.The goal is simple: deliver a compact, high-capacity 9mm that offers improved recoil control, reduced muzzle rise, and faster sight recovery without sacrificing the practical advantages of a concealable handgun.The MC9 Prime Platform: A Strong Starting PointThe Canik METE MC9 Prime was already an impressive entry into the compact handgun market. Unlike traditional micro-compacts that compromise ergonomics and shooting comfort to achieve their small dimensions, the Prime takes a more performance-oriented approach.The pistol features an ergonomically designed grip, aggressive texturing, an optics-ready slide, and the crisp striker-fired trigger characteristics that have helped Canik build its reputation.Its 17-round magazine capacity also places it among the more capable handguns in its size category.The Prime’s slightly larger grip and performance-focused design make it more substantial than the smallest concealed-carry pistols, but those dimensions provide meaningful benefits in controllability and shooting comfort.Adding Radian’s compensator technology takes that foundation a step further.Radian Compensator: The Real Story Is Muzzle ControlThe centerpiece of the Radian-equipped MC9 Prime is its compensator system, designed to reduce muzzle rise by redirecting propellant gases during firing.When a conventional pistol fires, the recoil impulse pushes backward against the shooter’s hands while the relationship between the bore axis and grip causes the muzzle to rotate upward.That upward movement is what shooters commonly describe as muzzle flip.The Radian compensator uses escaping propellant gases to generate a counteracting force, helping limit that upward rotation.The important distinction is that reduced muzzle flip is not the same thing as eliminating recoil.The pistol still produces rearward recoil energy. What changes is how the firearm moves during the firing cycle.Reduced muzzle rise can translate into several practical advantages, including less sight movement, quicker recovery between shots, and a more controlled shooting experience.For a compact 9mm, where muzzle movement can be more noticeable than on larger, heavier handguns, those improvements are particularly relevant.Actual effectiveness will depend on ammunition, shooter technique, and the specific configuration. Claims of dramatic recoil reduction should always be evaluated against controlled testing rather than marketing percentages alone.Trigger Performance: One of Canik’s Strongest AdvantagesCanik has consistently focused on delivering good factory triggers, and the MC9 Prime follows that philosophy.A clean break, predictable pull, and positive reset provide a solid foundation for accurate shooting.On a compact handgun, trigger quality matters because the shorter grip and lighter overall weight can make poor trigger control more noticeable.A good trigger helps the shooter disturb the sight picture less while firing, while the compensator helps manage what happens immediately afterward.Together, these characteristics are intended to provide a more refined shooting experience than one might expect from a compact concealed-carry pistol.Ergonomics, Grip, and Shooting ComfortA compensator can only accomplish so much if the shooter cannot maintain a secure grip.The MC9 Prime’s grip geometry and aggressive texturing are important parts of its performance equation.The fuller grip provides more surface area for the shooter’s hands compared with smaller micro-compact designs. Better hand contact generally translates into more consistent control, particularly during rapid strings of fire.The tradeoff is concealability. A longer, fuller grip may be more noticeable under clothing than the shorter grip of a conventional micro-compact.However, that compromise can be worthwhile for shooters wh
- Sep 29, 202631 min
FRT - Forced Reset Triggers Tested - AS Design, Deez Nuts, and Atrius
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comFRT Trigger Testing: Are Forced Reset Triggers Reliable, Practical, or Just a Damn Good Range Toy?Major Pandemic - MajorPandemic.com is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Major Pandemic’s Bunker BarForced reset triggers—better known simply as FRTs—are having a moment.They promise a shooting experience that can produce an incredibly fast cadence while still operating around an individual trigger function for each shot. That sounds great on paper, but I wanted to answer a much more practical question:Are FRTs actually reliable, easy to live with, and worth putting into an AR—or are they mostly an entertaining range toy that requires more patience than most shooters expect?To find out, I tested several different FRT-style systems from Deez Nuts Tactical, AS Designs, and Atreus across multiple AR platforms.And after moving these systems between different rifles, triggers, bolt-carrier groups, buffer configurations and gas systems, I came away with one overwhelmingly clear conclusion:FRTs can be an absolute blast—but they are not necessarily plug-and-play.What Is an FRT Trigger?An FRT, or forced reset trigger, mechanically assists the trigger reset as the firearm cycles.The result is a dramatically faster potential firing cadence than you would normally get from a conventional semi-automatic trigger.That does not automatically mean every rifle equipped with one behaves identically.Far from it.One of the biggest lessons from my testing was that the rifle itself becomes part of the FRT system. Small variations in components, tolerances, gas delivery and cycling characteristics can have a surprisingly large impact on reliability.That means an FRT that runs beautifully in one AR may be troublesome when those same basic components are moved into another.The Three FRT Systems I TestedFor this project, I deliberately chose several different approaches.Deez Nuts Tactical FRTThe Deez Nuts Tactical system represents what I would consider the more traditional or straightforward FRT approach.The design is relatively simple, and the examples I tested appeared well made.That last part matters.There are a lot of FRT-style components available today, and quality can vary considerably. With a mechanism operating at this speed, I don’t believe questionable parts are the place to save a few dollars.The Deez Nuts system was attractive because it provided a comparatively simple entry into the FRT experience without requiring an elaborate build.And simplicity turned out to be valuable.AS Designs FRTThe AS Designs FRT was another system that performed well during my testing.Of the more advanced setups I tried, I generally experienced fewer problems with the AS Designs configuration once the rifle and trigger combination were behaving properly.One reason may simply be that the system narrows the number of variables involved.When you start introducing radically different trigger geometries and highly specialized aftermarket components, you create additional variables that can affect timing and cycling.The AS Designs setup felt comparatively predictable.Atreus FRTThe Atreus system was probably the most interesting of the three.From a design standpoint, it offered some of the flexibility I liked most because it potentially opens the door to a broader selection of aftermarket triggers.That includes some of the lighter, performance-oriented trigger options many shooters already prefer.But that flexibility comes with a tradeoff.In my testing, Atreus also proved to be somewhat more sensitive to the particular rifle in which it was installed.I could get the system running extremely well in some rifles while another specific build simply refused to behave the same way.That experience perfectly illustrates one of the most important things anybody considering an FRT should understand.Every AR Is DifferentAR owners sometimes assume that because two rifles share the same basic pattern, they should behave identically.With FRTs, that assumption can get frustrating very quickly.I tested systems across several different rifles and discovered that a combination that ran beautifully in one firearm did not necessarily produce the same result when transferred into another.In one older, generously gassed AR configuration, virtua
- Sep 6, 202626 min
MDT AAC Premier 10/22 Chassis - Simply the Best 10/22 chassis ever
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comMDT ACC Premier Gen2 10/22 Chassis: Upgrading a LegendWithout question, the Ruger 10/22 is one of my favorite .22s of all time. I have shot the crap out of these rifles over the years, built more of them than I can count, and I keep coming back to the platform for one reason: the 10/22 can become almost anything you want it to be.It can be a cheap backyard plinker, a lightweight field rifle, a suppressor host, a steel-challenge gun, or an absolutely ridiculous precision build.And once you move into that last category, the chassis starts to matter a lot.That brings us to the MDT ACC Premier Gen2 chassis for the Ruger 10/22. This is a chassis I have wanted MDT to build for years, and for PRS-style rimfire, NRL22, NRL22X, bench shooting, or anyone obsessed with squeezing every last bit of accuracy out of a custom 10/22, this is about as serious as it gets.I Have Been Waiting for This OneMy history with MDT goes way back.Around 2009, I was introduced to MDT and its LSS chassis, a compact billet-aluminum system designed to lock an action solidly into place. The results were impressive, and I became a believer pretty quickly.Since then, MDT has grown into one of the biggest names in precision rifle chassis systems.But for years I kept asking one question:Where is the Ruger 10/22 inlet?The concern was understandable. Would people really spend serious money putting a premium precision chassis around a 10/22?My answer was always yes.Anyone deep into custom 10/22s knows these rifles can go far beyond the factory gun sitting on the rack at a sporting-goods store. Add a premium receiver, match barrel, bolt, trigger, optic and competition hardware, and suddenly you have a rifle capable of some truly stupid levels of accuracy.That kind of build deserves a chassis to match.Fixing the 10/22’s Biggest WeaknessThe basic 10/22 action was never designed around the idea of becoming a heavy precision competition rifle.One of its limitations is the way the action mounts into the stock. The system relies heavily on a single primary mounting point, and when you’re chasing tiny groups, any movement in the receiver becomes something you want to eliminate.Over the years, manufacturers have attacked that problem with rear tangs, wedges, tension screws and other solutions.MDT took a different approach.The ACC Premier Gen2 uses a yoke-style system at the rear of the receiver to help lock the action solidly into the chassis.That is the part of this design I really like.Instead of just machining a 10/22-shaped hole into an existing chassis and calling it good, MDT actually addressed one of the fundamental weaknesses of the platform.The result is a receiver that feels properly supported and locked in place.Heavy Is the PointThis is not a lightweight squirrel rifle chassis.And it isn’t supposed to be.The ACC Premier Gen2 is designed around stability. For bench shooting, barricades, bags, bipods and PRS-style competition, weight is often your friend.A heavier rifle moves less. A rigid chassis flexes less. A properly supported action stays consistent.That doesn’t mean adding weight magically makes a rifle more accurate, but if you already have an extremely accurate barreled action, a stable platform helps you take advantage of what that rifle can do.I had already seen this with MDT’s more affordable Oryx chassis, where some of my best 10/22 groups came from a heavy, rigid setup.The ACC Premier Gen2 takes that concept and adds far more adjustability and competition-oriented refinement.For carrying through the woods all day? Probably not.For bench work, NRL22, NRL22X or a ridiculous custom precision build?Absolutely.Built Around the ShooterThe appeal of a premium chassis isn’t simply that it’s a giant piece of aluminum.You’re paying for adjustability, ergonomics, balance and mounting options.Comb height matters.Length of pull matters.Bipod position matters.How the rifle balances on a bag matters.The ACC Premier Gen2 gives you the ability to tune the rifle around the shooter instead of forcing the shooter to adapt to the rifle.Pair it with an ARCA-mounted bipod and you end up with an exceptionally stable platform. M-LOK and other attachment options give you plenty of room to configure the rifle exactly how you want it.That’s the difference between a stock and a true precision chassis.Yes, It Is ExpensiveWe’re talking about roughly an $1,100 chassis.That is a lot of money to wrap around a
- Aug 25, 202617 min
StellAR Arms - Possibly the Best AR I have Owned
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comStellar Arms: The Rare AR That Actually Surprised MeAfter more than 20 years around the firearms industry, I have become pretty difficult to impress.That is not necessarily because the products are bad. The problem is that genuine innovation in the AR market is rare. There are an incredible number of very good rifles available today, but much of what gets marketed as “new” is usually another variation of something we have already seen. Different handguard. Different coating. Different furniture. Maybe a new logo carved into the receiver.Warm it over, change a couple things, and call it innovation.So when something genuinely catches my attention, I pay attention.That is exactly what happened with Stellar Arms.Stumbling Into Something DifferentMy introduction to Stellar was almost accidental.I had previously noticed some of their rifles hanging on the wall at 88 Tactical’s massive facility in Nebraska. Later, while wandering around Lincoln, I remembered the name and decided to look them up.That little detour turned into one of the more interesting discoveries I have made in the AR world in a long time.The first thing that struck me was the level of machining.This was not simply another billet receiver set with some aggressive styling carved into it. Stellar was doing things I had rarely seen executed this well on a production-class AR.The handguard indexes into the upper receiver so precisely that visually it can be difficult to see where one component ends and the other begins. Then an additional locking system ties the assembly together into something approaching the rigidity of a monolithic upper.The mating surfaces were nearly perfect.And coming from somebody who has built a ridiculous number of ARs over the years, that got my attention immediately.Aerospace Manufacturing ShowsThere is a reason these rifles feel different.Stellar’s roots are in aerospace manufacturing.Their previous firearms branding was MASP, operating under the broader aerospace manufacturing operation, and they have been working on these guns for roughly 13 years.That matters.Walk through the manufacturing capability and you begin to understand why the rifles look the way they do. Five-axis machining, advanced machining centers, metal 3D printing and an operation capable of producing extremely complex parts are all part of the equation.This is not a company buying receivers, handguards and controls from half a dozen suppliers and assembling another AR.They manufacture a significant portion of the rifle themselves.Upper receivers.Lower receivers.Handguards.Gas blocks.Muzzle brakes.Selectors.Magazine releases.Magazine catches.End plates.Charging handles.And numerous other components.There are obviously parts sourced from outside manufacturers where it makes sense. Stellar uses B5 furniture, for example, and Elfman Tactical triggers across the lineup. Springs, detents and several smaller components are sourced as well.But even there, the emphasis is clearly on premium components and premium finishes.The result feels less like an assembled rifle and more like a rifle that was engineered as a complete system.Fit and Finish That Shouldn’t Be Remarkable — But IsAnyone who has assembled enough billet ARs knows that “premium” does not automatically mean “everything fits perfectly.”Sometimes it means exactly the opposite.Specialized receivers can introduce tolerance stacking. Upper and lower receivers may need adjustment. Handguards may require some persuasion. Anodizing thickness can change fitment just enough to create problems.With both of the MASP receiver sets I built, none of that happened.Everything went together exactly as it should.That includes an anodized green receiver set where the upper-to-lower fit remained exceptionally tight after finishing.Think about what that means.If two precision-machined components still fit properly after anodizing, the manufacturer accounted for the dimensional change introduced by the coating process.That is the kind of detail you expect from aerospace manufacturing.The receivers even include provisions for a nylon-tipped tensioning screw between the upper and lower.The funny part?You don’t need it.The fit is already that good.The Stellar LineupStellar essentially builds three main production tiers, followed by some extremely high-end custom offerings.The Technician is the entry point at roughly $1,866.
- Jul 31, 202624 min
No crappy plastic holster belt clips - DCC is a better clip for under $15
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comBest Holster Clips: Why Discreet Carry Concepts May Be the Best Upgrade for Your IWB HolsterA great concealed-carry holster can still fail at the worst possible moment if it is attached to your belt with a weak clip.That sounds dramatic until you see someone draw a handgun and watch the entire holster come out with it. It happens during range sessions, defensive training and dry-fire practice. The gun clears the waistband, but the holster remains attached to the firearm because the clip failed to hold onto the belt.The problem is often not the holster itself. It is the cheap plastic belt clip attached to it.Fortunately, replacing a poor holster clip may cost less than $20 and can dramatically improve retention, concealment and everyday comfort.Why Holster Clips MatterThe holster performs two separate retention jobs.First, it must retain the handgun until the shooter deliberately draws it. Second, the holster itself must remain firmly attached to the wearer’s belt or waistband.A holster that holds the handgun securely but pulls free during the draw is still a failed system.Many inexpensive IWB holsters come with a wide, generic polymer clip secured by two screws. These clips are cheap, simple and easy for manufacturers to install. Unfortunately, they are often the weakest part of the holster.Poor holster clips can:* Slide off narrow or slick belts* Flex excessively during the draw* Fail to hook underneath the belt* Catch on clothing or furniture* Break after repeated use* Allow the holster to shift or rotate* Increase printing under clothingA better clip can turn an inexpensive holster into a much more dependable carry system.The Problem With Cheap Plastic Holster ClipsNot every polymer clip is bad. Mission First Tactical, for example, has developed aggressive polymer clips that perform much better than the generic versions found on many entry-level holsters.Polymer also has one legitimate advantage: it is generally easier on clothing and leather belts.However, common plastic clips have several weaknesses.Polymer can be slipperyPlastic naturally tends to slide more easily than properly formed spring steel. When the clip is installed over a narrow, smooth or low-profile belt, it may not have enough bite to resist the upward force of the draw.Plastic clips can breakHolster clips experience repeated flexing every time the holster is installed or removed. They also get hit against chairs, vehicle interiors, counters and other hard surfaces.Over time, polymer clips may crack or snap.Excessive flex reduces retentionSpring steel generally increases resistance as it is flexed farther open. Many polymer clips do not produce the same progressive clamping force.A plastic clip may accommodate a wider range of belt thicknesses, but that flexibility does not always translate into better retention.Large removal tabs catch on everythingMany polymer clips use an oversized outward-facing ramp or lip. This helps the clip slide over the waistband and gives the user a place to lift it during removal.Unfortunately, some manufacturers make that ramp far too large.The result is a protruding catch point that can snag on shirts, furniture, seat belts and other objects.Discreet Carry Concepts Holster ClipsDiscreet Carry Concepts, commonly abbreviated as DCC, produces some of the best spring-steel holster clips currently available.These clips are found on many premium concealed-carry holsters, but they can also be installed on affordable holsters from companies such as We The People, Black Scorpion Gear, CrossBreed and Mission First Tactical.That means you do not necessarily need to spend $100 or more on an entirely new holster.A relatively inexpensive clip upgrade can provide many of the same retention benefits found on considerably more expensive systems.Why DCC Clips Work So WellDCC clips use thin spring steel with substantial downward clamping force. They are also designed with an aggressive lower hook that catches beneath the belt or waistband.Several design details help distinguish them from ordinary clips.Thin profileDCC clips are significantly thinner than many molded polymer clips. The reduced thickness can improve concealment and reduce unnecessary bulk around the waistband.Strong spring tensionThe steel construction provides considerable clamping force once the clip is secured against the holster.This helps the clip remain attached to both traditional gun belts and thinner everyday belts.Aggressive lower hookT
- Jul 11, 202629 min
Modern Spartan Systems - lube & cleaner that is safe, non-toxic and it works even improving accuracy.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comModern Spartan Systems Review: Green Gun Lube, Cleaners, and Suppressor Shield TestedModern Spartan Systems caught my attention because I take firearm lubrication seriously. A good lubricant is not just about making a gun feel slick. It is the heart and soul of keeping a firearm running, protected, corrosion-resistant, and consistent. After testing Modern Spartan Systems products, I came away impressed for a lot of reasons, including several I did not expect.Join - Modern Spartan Systems - The Great Mass Gun Optimization Experiment - modernspartansystems.com/great-experimentModern Spartan Systems is built around a green, safer lubricant technology. Their product line reaches beyond firearms into areas like machine cutting oil, engine oil additives, fishing reel care, and knife lubrication, but the focus here is their firearms lineup: Accuracy Oil, Carbon Destroyer, Carbon Destroyer Double X, Copper Lead Destroyer, Crystal Clear, Nothing Left Behind, Spartan Accuracy Grease, Suppressor Shield, and their shooter kits.What I like right away is that this is not a giant catalog full of random products. They have a focused lineup, and from my testing, the products work extremely well.The core technology is based around bonded lubrication. This is not a typical “slather it on and go” gun oil. With Modern Spartan Systems, the application process matters. The surface needs to be properly cleaned and prepped so the lubricant can bond to the metal. That is where the real benefit starts to show up.The idea is pretty simple: reduce friction, fill microscopic pores and surface imperfections, and create less drag between moving parts. In the bore, that means less drag between the barrel and bullet. Logically, that can help tighten standard deviations from shot to shot, and in my testing, I saw about a 20% improvement in accuracy.That does not make it magic. It makes sense mechanically. A smoother, better-treated surface can help improve consistency. In my before-and-after testing, I saw a rifle that had been shooting around one-inch groups move into the 0.8 to 0.75-inch range. Your results may vary, but the logic is there, and my results backed it up.The first product I would recommend trying is actually Crystal Clear, their lens cleaner. It may be the standout product in the whole lineup because almost everyone can use it. Shooters have scopes, red dots, range glasses, sunglasses, and binoculars. Even non-shooters have sunglasses or prescription glasses.I used Crystal Clear on an old set of sunglasses I kept in my truck. I thought they were scratched up and worn out. After a couple of cleanings, they looked like new sunglasses. It also helped reduce fogging and left an anti-static layer that repels dust. That is a big deal for optics because some cleaners leave behind a static charge that actually attracts dust and makes lenses harder to keep clean.If you test nothing else from Modern Spartan Systems, try Crystal Clear. It is inexpensive, useful, and easy to judge immediately.The firearm cleaning products also performed well. Carbon Destroyer was one of the bigger surprises. I tested it with an ultrasonic cleaner and also with a simple Ziploc bag method. For a bolt carrier group, I let the parts soak, came back later, and saw black and brown carbon fouling pulled out of the parts. It worked shockingly well.The key is dwell time. This is not always a quick spray-and-wipe process, especially the first time. The first deep clean and treatment takes longer because you are stripping the surface down and preparing it for the bonded lubricant. After that, follow-up cleanings become much faster.For the bore, the process continues with Copper Lead Destroyer, then a final clean and dry before applying Accuracy Oil. Accuracy Oil is not a one-pass conventional oil treatment. It needs to be applied as a process because the carrier solution evaporates off and leaves the bonded lubricant behind. The treated surface may look fairly dry afterward, but that is part of how the product works.For moving parts and higher-friction areas, Spartan Accuracy Grease makes sense. I used it on bolt carrier group contact points and also like the idea of using it lightly in a buffer tube. A little grease on the buffer spring can quiet down spring noise dramatically, which is basically the cheap version of buying one of those expensive quiet buffer springs.The Suppressor Shield process is similar. You want the suppressor as clean as possible befo
- Jun 27, 202631 min
The Firearms Industry is Going Broke
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.majorpandemic.comWhy the Firearms Industry Is Struggling: The Post-2020 Gun Sales Hangover No One Wants to Talk AboutSEO Title: Why the Firearms Industry Is Struggling in 2026: Gun Sales, NICS Checks, Inventory Glut & the Post-2020 HangoverMeta Description: The firearms industry is facing one of its toughest downturns in decades as post-2020 demand fades, NICS checks soften, inventory piles up, and manufacturers fight for fewer buyers.Suggested URL Slug: why-firearms-industry-is-struggling-2026Focus Keywords: firearms industry, gun sales, NICS checks, shooting sports industry, firearms market downturn, gun industry sales, firearm manufacturers, gun retailers, suppressor sales, firearms accessoriesThe Firearms Industry Is Not Dead — But It Is Absolutely in TroubleWelcome back to Major Pandemic’s Bunker Bar, where the drinks are cold, the walls are reinforced, and the industry talk is brutally honest.There is no soft way to say this: the firearms industry is struggling right now.Not the Second Amendment. Not gun culture. Not shooting sports as a lifestyle. Those are still alive and well. But the actual business of selling new firearms, moving inventory, keeping manufacturers healthy, and keeping retailers profitable is in one of the roughest spots it has seen in decades.The warning signs are everywhere: slow retail traffic, stacked distributor shelves, manufacturers fighting over the same shrinking demand, and accessory companies wondering where the next wave of customers is supposed to come from.The problem is not that Americans suddenly stopped caring about guns. The problem is that the industry built itself for the boom — and the boom ended.2020 Was the Peak, Not the New NormalThe firearms industry had an unbelievable run in 2020. Between COVID, riots, political uncertainty, personal-security concerns, and first-time buyers flooding the market, gun sales exploded.NICS checks became the easiest public shorthand for that surge. They are not perfect, because a NICS check does not equal one gun sold, and not every firearm purchase requires a new background check. But they are still one of the best indicators of retail firearm demand.The rough trend tells the story:YearEstimated NSSF-Adjusted NICS Checks2019~13.2M2020~21.1M2021~18.5M2022~16.4M2023~15.85M2024~15.24M2025~14.61M2026 est.~14.8M–15.0MThat means the industry is down roughly 25% to 30% from the 2020 boom peak based on NICS-driven demand indicators.That is a massive drop.But here is where the story gets more complicated: the broader shooting sports industry can still look strong in dollars while firearm unit demand is clearly down.The Dollar Numbers Can Be MisleadingSome people look at the shooting sports industry and say, “What are you talking about? The industry is up. The economic impact is huge.”That is partly true — but it depends which number you are looking at.There are really three different things people mix together:* NICS checks — a proxy for firearm transaction volume.* Firearm-related direct sales/output — closer to actual commercial revenue from firearms, ammo, accessories, retail, and related channels.* Total shooting sports economic impact — the broader economic footprint, including jobs, wages, suppliers, taxes, and downstream spending.Those are not the same thing.A cleaner view looks like this:YearNSSF-Adjusted NICSEst. Firearm-Related Direct Sales/OutputTotal Shooting-Sports / Firearm Industry Economic Impact2019~13.2M~$24B est.~$60.0B2020~21.1M$25.5B$63.5B2021~18.5M$28.4B$70.5B2022~16.4M$32.1B$80.7B202315.85M$33.5B$90.1B202415.24M$34.1B$91.7B2025 est.14.61M~$33B–$34B est.~$90B–$92B est.2026 est.~14.8M–15.0M est.~$34B–$35B est.~$91B–$94B est.This is the heart of the confusion.NICS checks are down. Firearm unit demand is down. But total industry dollars are not down the same way because prices are higher, accessories are still selling, suppressors are hot, training is strong, and the total economic-impact number includes far more than guns sold at retail.So yes, the shooting sports industry can look healthy on a macroeconomic chart while many firearm manufacturers and retailers are getting crushed in the real world.The Indu
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