Guns

LifeCard 22 WMR: The Pros and Cons of Trailblazer’s Unique Pistol

Published

1 year ago

November 29, 2022

When it comes to concealed carry, it’s all about keeping your gun hidden. This is why the pistol market has seen such an increase in smaller, more concealable handguns in the past few years. Trailblazer Firearms joined the fray back in 2014 with the idea of designing the smallest, most innovative pistol anyone has ever seen. Now, a few years later, we have the LifeCard pistol, which started life in .22 LR but is now available in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) as well.

Lifecard 22 WMR

To put it simply, the LifeCard is a single-barrel, single-shot handgun that folds up to about the dimensions of a credit card and is just about half an inch thick while weighing 7 ounces. The entire gun is made of metal. The barrel, bolt and trigger are made from pre-hardened 4140-steel, and the frame and handle from billet aluminum. The steel has a very attractive black, corrosion-resistant Isonite finish, and the aluminum is anodized. The gun’s overall design is extremely clean and subdued until you flip the latch to open it. The handle also lets you store three additional rounds of ammunition.

A small sliding latch allows you to unlock the handle and unfold the gun for use. The process is fairly simple, but it can a bit difficult for anyone with normal-sized hands to operate quickly. To load the gun, you engage another sliding latch and pull the barrel upward. You load the round directly into the barrel, then simply close the barrel. To fire the gun, you pull a very small hammer into the fully cocked position and pull the trigger.

The Good

It’s very obvious right away that the LifeCard is a niche firearm, or the result of a “someone could, so they did” situation. The gun definitely has some pros, however. It is extremely lightweight and concealable. It is also completely ambidextrous—really the perfect recipe for a carry gun. There are literally no excuses not to have it on your person daily. It fits in any pocket, or even undergarments, comfortably and discreetly. Trailblazer says it actually designed the thing to be able to fit inside your favorite breath mint tin. The size is definitely the main strength of the LifeCard.

Having a little more power with the .22 WMR, compared to the earlier .22 LR version, is also a bit of an advantage. It’s always a good thing when you can increase a weapon’s knockdown power without adding to its size.

It also has that head-turning “tacti-cool” factor built in. Everyone who sees the gun is immediately intrigued by it. And let’s not forget to mention the super-sweet lanyard hole for those of us who want to wear the LifeCard as a 7-ounce piece of jewelry or keychain.

The Bad

Let’s start with the elephant in the very small room. The LifeCard is a single-shot .22 WMR handgun. Sure, you could definitely stop a threat with a .22 WMR round. However, you only get one chance to do it with this pistol. The process of firing that single round is just that, a process. Assuming you already have your single round of .22 WMR loaded into the barrel, you now have to pull the LifeCard out of your pocket, purse, holster, bra, pack of cigarettes or maybe even that hard-to-open mint container. Your nervous hands then have to figure out which side the barrel is on and make sure you are sliding the correct latch to open the gun. Then you need to grab the tiny little hammer and pull it back to set the trigger in the firing position.

If this process wasn’t enough, you now have to attempt to point this tiny little thing with no sights and only a 2.5-inch barrel at your target. Really, the lack of sights is kind of null and void, though, because this thing was designed for extremely close combat and a large human-sized target. With that being said, if the bad guy was close enough that I needed to pull this gun, I might already have crossed the point of engaging in hand-to-hand combat, and you really need two hands to deploy the LifeCard properly.

The Ugly

While the gun is quite appealing a concealed-carry piece due to its folding design, which really makes it look nothing like a pistol, the LifeCard’s overall size, when fully deployed, is comparable to something like the Ruger LCP, the Kahr P380 or even the KelTec P-3AT.

Those three guns aren’t really that much larger while being ready to fire upon drawing and holding at least six times as much ammo in a much more powerful and more reliable centerfire cartridge. The price point on the Trailblazer LifeCard actually comes in higher than some of those other options as well. With the same $399, you could get a more powerful pistol in the same size bracket as well as a holster and ammo to go with it.

Range Time

With the good, the bad and the ugly out of the way, let’s talk about the pistol’s actual capabilities. It’s easy to fold and unfold the LifeCard at the range, when you’re not under any stress. Everyone that handled the gun could easily work the latches, hammer and trigger without any issues. It does take a slight amount of training to understand their functions, but the LifeCard is still pretty simple to operate overall.

Loading the LifeCard is equally easy in such a setting. Simply open the gun and then pull the latch to release the barrel. The barrel breaks open, and after you load a round, practically falls back into place. Prepping the gun to fire simply requires pulling the hammer back, and anyone can do this with a small amount of effort. Everyone who tried it on the range was able to pull the hammer back and squeeze the trigger.

Firing the gun is quite interesting in itself. The recoil isn’t as bad as you might think. It’s not painful or uncomfortable at all. The odd rectangular grip isn’t exactly ergonomic by any means, but it works just fine. The LifeCard is pretty fun to shoot, too, and it definitely produced some good laughs at the range. It throws a giant ring of fire toward the target, which seemed to draw a whole lot of attention at a public range. And reloading the gun is as simple as breaking the barrel open, pulling out the empty case and loading a fresh round

A Unique Solution

What about accuracy? Well, it’s tough to be accurate with the LifeCard. It kind of reminded me of playing catch with my 5-year-old. One round would go high, the next shot would go low, and how the hell did that round hit the floor when I was aiming for the target’s center-mass? But, in its defense, the LifeCard isn’t really meant to be accurate.

The LifeCard is a very entertaining and definitely unique firearm. I probably wouldn’t carry it as a my primary firearm, but I do think it would make an acceptable backup to my EDC firearm. Considering its size when it’s folded up, it can easily be concealed in plain sight. It would take a lot of practice to deploy it efficiently in a stressful defensive situation, but I believe it can be perfected—although never with the speed of just drawing a firearm from a holster.

The LifeCard’s usefulness will certainly be up to each user to determine. For some people, it will remain a gimmick. To others, it may be a solution. Regardless, it’s a very unique and innovative design that, as Trailblazer Firearms puts it, might just “be the last gun you’ll leave behind.”

For more information, visit trailblazerfirearms.com.

Trailblazer Lifecard Specifications

Caliber: .22 WMR
Barrel: 2.5 inches
Overall Length: 3.38 inches (closed)
Overall Weight: 7 ounces
Grip: Aluminum
Sights: None
Action: Break
Finish: Matte black
Overall Capacity: 1 (with 3 rounds in grip)
MSRP: $399

Guns

The Nighthawk TRS Comp Pistol

Published

10 months ago

February 8, 2023

Jessica Alba

The new TRS Comp pistol from Nighthawk Custom is a full-sized, government frame 9mm double stack built around a match grade barrel and a monolithic slide. It’s built to compete and starts at $4,599.

The TRS Comp comes standard with a recon rail under the barrel and a dimpled rear cocking design that offers ample traction when racking the slide. It also sports unique dimpled frame and slide textures that match the grip pattern.

Integrated Compensator

The TRS Comp is Nighthawk Custom’s first full-size pistol designed around a double stack frame. It features a 17+1 capacity and incorporates Nighthawk’s Fire Hawk compensator, which boasts a precision-designed port that reduces muzzle flip for quicker follow up shots.

This model also features a unique dimpling texture found throughout the slide and grip, which provides ample grip while being snag-free during holstering. The TRS Comp uses a 14K gold bead front sight that does an excellent job catching light, coupled with a Heinie Ledge Black rear sight for quick target acquisition.

The pistol also features Nighthawk Customs’ Interchangeable Optic System (IOS), which is a dedicated dovetail machined onto the slide and allows for optic mounting with adapters. This system allows for an interchangeable series of sight options to quickly switch rear sights in a matter of seconds.

Interchangeable Optic System

Nighthawk Custom’s Interchangeable Optic System allows a user to switch from a plate with a traditional rear sight to a red-dot optic in seconds. This feature is especially beneficial for concealed-carry practitioners who want to train with a red-dot but still carry a traditional rear sight.

Nighthawk’s unique IOS system involves milling the top rear section of their slide to interface with an interchangeable series of sight options, including a Trijicon RMR and other red-dot sights. This low-profile system also incorporates a suppressor-height rear sight as a backup to the optic’s front sight.

The TRS Comp features a match grade 5.00′′ barrel on a government sized frame with a monolithic slide, a full-length dust cover and an integrated single-port compensator. This combination reduces muzzle flip and delivers faster follow-up shots on the range, a must-have for competitive shooters.

The TRS Comp is finished in black nitride for a sleek, durable look. The lightweight aluminum trigger possesses a serrated flat face and a gold bead front sight does an excellent job catching light, providing quick target acquisition. A Heinie Ledge Black rear sight completes the package.

Match Grade Barrel

One of the most important features of any match pistol is a properly fitted barrel. A true match grade barrel will have zero play in the muzzle or at the hood, and it should glide into battery smoothly without any drag or snag on the slide.

This is achieved by carefully fitting the barrel to all of the chamber hood contact surfaces and the lower locking lug. Once this is done it will have a true target fit and shoot groups that rival a 1911 handgun.

The TRS Comp is the first Nighthawk Custom model to be designed around a double stack frame, offering 17+1 capacity and using their integrated compensator, the fire hawk. The compensator has a precision port that reduces muzzle flip and helps shooters stay on target for follow up shots.

Unique Dimpled Texture

The TRS Comp is the newest addition to Nighthawk’s line up. It is a high-end double stack 1911 that packs a 17+1 punch, as well as a lot of style and class. It also happens to be the most accurate and durable gun in its caliber. It also comes in a variety of colors and finishes, from matte black to high-shine chromium. Its crown jewel is the aforementioned patented integrated compensator, which may be the best thing to happen to your sidearm in years. It is a real head turner, especially for those who don’t usually opt for the sexy gun. The aforementioned gizmo is accompanied by a precision designed port in the rear of the slide that reduces muzzle flip without sacrificing a hefty amount of power. The aforementioned gizmo features a matching name badge aft of the slide, as well as a match-grade 5″ barrel and a full-length dust cover with accompanying nifty-fun accessory rail.

Guns

AGP Arms PC Charger Brace

Published

10 months ago

February 8, 2023

Jessica Alba

The PC Charger is a pistol chambered in 9mm, and it can take Glock magazines. It is very popular and has become more of a sought-after gun than the original carbine.

Many owners of the PC Charger equip it with a brace to give it stability. This makes it a lot more shootable.

Ruger PC Charger

Ruger’s PC Charger is a pistol-caliber carbine (PCC) that combines the fun and utility of an AR style pistol with the reliability and accuracy of a high capacity AR. Designed to take both Ruger Security 9 and Glock magazines, the PC Charger is a highly customizable weapon that makes a great range gun or home defense tool.

Adding a brace to the PC Charger increases its stability and makes it more shootable. The brace can be attached to the MIL STD 1913 rail on the back of the pistol.

The SB Tactical FS1913 Brace is one of the best PC Charger braces available today. It is made of a polymer material that offers quick deployment and a lightweight profile.

This brace is perfect for a shooter who is new to pistol braces, and is looking for a compact and inexpensive option. It is also a good choice for people who are already familiar with the design and use of a buffer tube.

AGP Arms

The AGP Arms brace kit for the Ruger PC Charger is the best way to upgrade the standard stock and barrel. The brace is the logical extension of AGP’s acclaimed pistol grip Gen 2 stock and handguard, allowing users to customize their pc charger to their own specifications. The brace is the brainchild of a dedicated team of military and law enforcement personnel, many of whom have been in the trenches for longer than most of us will ever know. Featuring a modern twist on a classic design, the brace is an understated delight. Its most prominent feature is a cleverly engineered gearbox that enables the user to rotate the entire gun by hand, and then lock it into place using a single pin. The aforementioned pin is mounted in the rear of the gun, where it is tucked under a protective cover for safekeeping. In keeping with the aforementioned design, the brace is also anodized black for a look you can be proud of.

SB Tactical

SB Tactical is the inventor of pistol stabilizing braces. They were started in 2012 by Army veteran Alex Bosco after he designed a brace for his disabled friend so he could continue to shoot.

SB Tactical was the first to introduce adjustable pistol stabilizing braces. This was a big win for the industry and gun owners alike.

After getting pre approval from the ATF, they began selling pistol braces for AR/AK style firearms, CZ Scorpions, H&K MP5 designs, 1913 rails, and more.

The SBA3 is one of the best pistol braces on the market and offers 5-position adjustable adjustment, ambidextrous QD sling attachment points, and a Velcro strap to connect to your arm for one-handed shooting.

The SBA4 is another great choice and offers a sturdy M4-style strut, 5-position adjustable, and an integral QD sling socket. This is an excellent option for a Ruger PC Charger gun with a Glock drum, but it also works well on any pistol without a buffer tube.

Midwest Industries

Midwest Industries is a family owned and operated company that manufactures quality parts, uppers, lowers, rails, barrels, furniture and muzzle devices for AR platforms and many other firearms. They also have a number of innovative products and services that make them a great choice for those looking to upgrade their firearms.

Probably the most useful item that they manufacture is their Combat Rail Handguard in hard coat anodized 6061 aluminum. It features eight functional M-LOK slots and two anti-rotation sling swivels. Its hefty price tag might be a turn off, but its high performance and robust construction is well worth the outlay.

What you might not have known is that they also make the pc charger brace aka the FS1913. Basically the same as the name aforementioned but a lot more durable and the brace actually folds to a compact size for easy transport. They even include a nice looking sling with an integrated bottle opener to boot.

Guns

Mini Mamba – A YouTube Star With a Net Worth of $1-5 Million

Published

10 months ago

February 8, 2023

Jessica Alba

Mini Mamba is a famous YouTube Star who has earned a fortune as a professional. He has a net worth of $1-5 Million at the age of 11 years old.

Mambas are venomous snakes of the family Elapidae, which also includes coral snakes and cobras. They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Black mamba

Black mambas are venomous snakes that are found in Africa. They can grow to up to 14 feet in length and are one of the longest venomous snakes in the world.

They are very fast and aggressive, and their venom is particularly deadly for humans. It takes only about 20 minutes for a bite from a black mamba to kill a person.

They live in grassland, savanna and rocky slopes of southern and eastern Africa. They are primarily diurnal and prey on small rodents. They have excellent vision and a highly developed sense of smell.

Green mamba

Green mambas are found in coastal areas of eastern Africa including Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa. These snakes are venomous, which makes them extremely dangerous to humans.

They are a diurnal species, which means they are active during the day. They also spend a great deal of time in the trees and rainforests of western Africa, where they live amongst the forest canopy and thickets.

This snake preys on birds, lizards and small mammals. Its venom isn’t as powerful as the venom of the black mamba or the red mamba, but it can still kill.

Green mambas breed during the rainy season. Females lay eggs, which hatch in about 10-12 weeks. Males seek out and compete for females by following a scent trail or by wrestling or dancing. These combats aren’t biting, but rather a way for the two snakes to establish dominance over each other.

Red mamba

The red mamba is a species of snake that lives in Africa. It is related to the black mamba and can be found in various countries throughout the continent.

It is a medium-sized snake that can grow to be 2 m long. They are mainly found in tree hollows and termite mounds.

They are very venomous and kill their prey quickly. Their venom is highly toxic and can affect the breathing, heart and muscle function of the victim.

They can also paralyze their prey, which they then swallow. They feed primarily on birds and small mammals.

Yellow mamba

The mamba is an African snake. There are four species: black mamba, green mamba, red mamba and yellow mamba.

The Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps), formerly known as the white-mouthed mamba, is a venomous snake that lives in coastal regions of East Africa. It is found from Kenya south through Tanzania, Malawi, and eastern Zambia.

The eastern green mamba is a shy snake that avoids humans when possible and only strikes if provoked or cornered. Its habitat is fragmented in parts of its range and it is listed as Vulnerable by South Africa due to habitat destruction and deforestation.

Blue mamba

Mambas are notorious for their speed and aggression, and they come in a wide variety of species. They are a common sight in Africa’s rainforests, and all have deadly venom.

Of the four types of mambas, the most venomous and dangerous is the black mamba. Known for its lightning-fast speed, erratic behavior, and painful bite, it can strike multiple times in a matter of seconds.

Its venom is highly neurotoxic and cardiotoxic, with fasciculins present to paralyze the muscles of a bite victim. The venom can kill a victim within hours of a bite.