Overview
By all indications, the May issue of S.W.A.T. is indeed on sale on newsstands everywhere … right now. What’s in store? A solid S.W.A.T. lineup of hard-hitting coverage, of course! Plus a sweepstakes for a Smith & Wesson M&P15MOE and some precious Hornady ammo. No purchase required, just enter to win. Here’s a preview of what’s happening:

Columns
The Briefing Room
Ya Gotta Love ‘Em
by Denny Hansen

Street Smarts
Active Shooter
by Brent T. Wheat

Against All Odds
Saving Lives with Technology
by Jeff Randall

Frontline Debriefs
Legal Representation
by Scott Reitz

Enemy at the Gate
Bullets and Beans
by Stewart Rhodes

Training & Tactics
Storm on the Horizon
by Louis Awerbuck

Departments
Mail Room:
Letters from our Readers
Staff

Lawful Carry:
Safariland 6280 Holster
Flint Hansen

Long Guns:
AR-15 Accessories Bonanza
Leroy Thompson

Offbeat:
Forster Power Case Trimmer
Denny Hansen

The Cutting Edge:
Kershaw Shallot
Eugene Nielsen

Gear Locker:
New Products and Accessories
Staff

 
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Features
SHOOT ‘n’ SAVE
SURE THING CONVERSION

Like many of us, I had a Ruger 10/22 sitting in my safe gathering dust. And lately, like everyone else on the shooting planet, I have seen ammo prices drastically cut into my available training budget. After seeing the TAPCO Fusion stock, an idea slowly formed. One call to Midway USA, one action screw, and about $90 later, I had a rimfire trainer for my Noveske N4 and work carbines.
by Ethan Johns

AFTERMATH!
Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network

It would be a great help if those of us who choose to carry for self-defense could have an attorney who is not only well-versed in self-defense law, but who also has access to expert witnesses, in our back pockets. The truth of the matter is that most of us cannot afford such a retainer. That presupposes that we even know such an attorney. So who would you call? Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network, LLC to the rescue!
by Allen Norris

BALLISTIC SHIELD!
Proven Techniques and Tactics

A ballistic shield is a handheld shield used to defeat handguns while providing protection to those behind the shield operator. The author discusses ways ballistic shields can and should be used, in scenarios including active shooter, barricaded gunmen, containment team outside of a structure, deputy/officer down rescue, covering windows or other openings in a structure on warrant service, and stairwells.
by Jim Polan

THE KRINKOV
Little Bundle of Firepower

My latest and greatest addition to my growing AK family is a Krinkov-style AK chambered in 5.45x39mm. For me, the Krink is the culmination of my AK quest, due to its compact size, reliability, firepower and affordable ammunition.
by Todd Burgreen

DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Considerations for Concealed Carry

How you carry a concealed weapon and the clothing you wear are just as important as any other tactical consideration. To carry concealed, without anyone knowing you’re armed, and still be able to respond to a violent attack, there are four areas you need to consider: carry method, clothing, practice and mindset.
by Tiger McKee

LOCKED AND CHECKED
Seating the Magazine

Any magazine-fed weapon requires that the magazine be firmly and properly affixed into the magazine well. The M16 system is ergonomic and efficient, but it is not perfect—and neither is any other gun. There are two separate components at play here: mechanical and procedural. The mechanical solutions are straightforward, so the author considers the procedural issues in detail.
by Patrick A. Rogers

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FOR THE PEOPLE
Crawl, Walk, Run with TigerSwan

The author attended the Carbine/Pistol Course at TigerSwan, Inc. The two principals of TigerSwan, Jim Reese and Brian Searcy, are veterans of the Army’s most elite Special Operations unit. Searcy, a retired Sergeant Major and top ranked competitive shooter, describes TigerSwan as a risk mitigation crisis management company, “Providing solutions to uncertainty.” TigerSwan also has a strong core competency in firearms and tactical training.
by Victor Wong

COLT’S 1903 POCKET HAMMERLESS
Original “Compact” Pistol

Colt’s Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless was another product of firearms design genius John M. Browning. Colt’s 1903 Pocket model is a highly prized collector’s piece in today’s marketplace. More importantly for shooters, it is one heck of a carry gun and fun to shoot. Collectors have divided Colt’s Model “M” Pocket Pistol into five different types, which the author discusses.
by Steve Malloy

AMERICA’S ARMED AIRLINE PILOTS
Federal Flight Deck Officers

Federal Flight Deck Officers are unique counterterrorism assets of the Department of Homeland Security. Of approximately 75 federal law enforcement agencies in the United States, FFDOs rank among the five largest and are continuously growing. As a division attached to the Transportation Security Administration's Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service, FFDOs are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and covertly blend into our nation's air transportation system. The author shares his insider knowledge of these armed airline pilots.
by Leon Laylagian

HANDLING UNFAMILIAR HANDGUNS
Make Safe to Stay Safe

What is someone to do if he or she isn't gunny and encounters a situation where an unfamiliar handgun must be made safe? Or more problematic still, must be used in a life or death situation? Here are some basic facts that might enable you to avoid an accidental or negligent discharge at the least and, in dire circumstances, allow you to utilize an unfamiliar handgun in order to save your life or the life of an innocent.
by Jerry Ahern