AuthorMike Searson

Mike “the Mook” Searson is a veteran writer who began his career in firearms at the Camp Pendleton School for Destructive Boys at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire life, writing about guns and knives for numerous publications and consulting with the film industry on weapons while at the same time working as gunsmith and ballistician. Though seemingly a surly curmudgeon shy a few chromosomes at first meeting, Searson is actually far less of a dick and at least a little smarter than most of the Mad Duo’s minions. He is rightfully considered to be not just good company, but actually fit for polite company as well (though he has never forgotten his roots as a rifleman trained to kill people and break things, and if you look closely you’ll see his knuckles are still quite scabbed over from dragging the ground). You can learn more about him on his website or follow him on Twitter, @MikeSearson.

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WTW: Smith & Wesson Model 52

by Mike Searson | Apr 5, 2017 | Musings | Mike the Mook, Weapon Trivia Wednesday

This post anout the Model 52 is made possible by JTF Awesome Team Member Raven ConcealmentWeapon Trivia Wednesday: Smith & Wesson Model 52Mike The MookThis week we take a look at a weapon that's not a weapon in the strictest sense of the word: The Smith &...

YHM Nitro 30: Newest can from Yankee Hill Machine

by Mike Searson | Apr 4, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings

YHM Nitro 30: Newest can from Yankee Hill Machine Mike the Mook There's a lot to consider when you are looking for a silencer. One of the concerns customers often have is versatility as far as being able to use the can on multiple platforms. Yankee Hill Machine (YHM)...

AfterSHOT: PROOF Research, the best rifle barrel, ever?

by Mike Searson | Apr 1, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings | proof research

AfterSHOT: PROOF Research, the best rifle barrel, ever?Mike the MookAt SHOT Show we had a chance to look over PROOF Research's rifle barrels and we learned a few things.They're made from carbon fiber, which makes them amazingly light. Lightweight in a rifle barrel is...

WTW: Colt Model 1878 and the Pistol Caliber Carbine

by Mike Searson | Mar 29, 2017 | Learnin' | Mike the Mook, Weapon Trivia Wednesday

Today's Weapon Trivia Wednesday on the Colt Model 1878 is brought to you in it's entirety by JTF Awesome Team Member ADS Inc Weapon Trivia Wednesday: Colt Model 1878 and the Pistol Caliber Carbine Mike the Mook Colt's Model of 1878 was the firm's second double action...

Hands On with Thunder Beast Arms’ Ultra-7

by Mike Searson | Feb 28, 2017 | | Guns, STFU

Hands On with Thunder Beast Arms' Ultra-7 Mike the Mook This past fall we visited Ray Sanchez, one of the owners of Thunder Beast Arms Corporation (TBAC). He came to a local machine-gun shoot with an array of silencers from .22 lr up to .338 Lapua Magnum, and the...

This is a great place to compare prices and see what’s in stock.

WTW: Stevens Tip-up Rifle in .22 LR

by Mike Searson | Feb 8, 2017 | Learnin' | Long Guns, Mike the Mook, Weapon Trivia Wednesday

Take a look at the Stevens Tip-Up rifle, this rifle has interesting features and was probably considered their fully loaded model in 1894.

WTW: Lefaucheux’s 7mm Pin Fire Revolver

by Mike Searson | Feb 1, 2017 | Learnin' | Mike the Mook, Weapon Trivia Wednesday, Wheelguns

WTW: Lefaucheux's 7mm Pinfire Revolver Mike the Mook We recently came across an interesting revolver with a folding trigger that extends itself when the hammer is cocked. It's a pocket pistol designed for personal defense and chambered in 7mm Pinfire. Pinfire...

WTW: Remington’s Rugged Rolling Block Restoration

by Mike Searson | Jan 25, 2017 | Learnin' | Long Guns, Mike the Mook, Weapon Trivia Wednesday

[This post about the Remington Rolling Block is made possible by JTF Awesome Team Member Raven Concealment] WTW: Remington's Rugged Rolling Block Restoration Mike the Mook The Remington Rolling Block rifle was a breech-loading rifle produced from 1866 to around 1920....

SOG Knives Unveils the Pillar

by Mike Searson | Jan 20, 2017 | Assorted Ramblings | Firelance Media, SHOT Show 2017, SOG Knives

We’ve used the Pillar as a steak knife, vegetable chopper and as a prybar more than once. Check out the Pillar review from Mike Searson.

WTW: Innovation in Iver Johnson’s Safety Automatic

by Mike Searson | Dec 28, 2016 | Musings | Mike the Mook, Weapon Trivia Wednesday

Weapon Trivia Wednesday: Innovation in Iver Johnson's Safety Automatic Mike the Mook When we think of revolvers and innovation we most often think of wheel guns made by Smith & Wesson, Colt or Ruger. Yet one company stood out from these, and made innovations that...