Two of the coolest autos around. Both are ultra quality lightweight tactical autos featuring excellent blade steel, fast deployment, solid lock up, good ergonomics, and have that intangible cool factor making them so much fun to handle. Good luck finding the Microtech Amphibian auto as I think it’s bye bye. The ProTech TR3 is still available and remains one of my favorite, best-executed and tough tactical autos: great steel,solid lockup after lightning fast deployment, good handle, and light weight. Both are outstanding automatic choices for tactical knives.
Sometimes you just want an auto. And maybe you want a STRONG, well-balanced tactical auto that will never let you down. Then maybe you’re ready to spring for a Benchmade AutoPresidio (Auto Axis) Model 5000. No it isn’t cheap at around 0 (at least for mine) but quality autos never are. But at any price you will be hard pressed to find a stronger better made tactical auto. With its 7000 series sculpted aluminum scales over skeletonized SS liners, you will have all the strength you could reasonably expect from a folding knife. Couple with its reasonably fast deployment, Ft Knox lockup, reliable Axis lock, a perfect carry clip (all in black), and a nicely shaped drop point 154CM blade, the 5000 is an exciting auto. It is a little heavier at 5.6 oz but if that’s not a factor for you then it definitely is a wise choice and one that should last a lifetime. (These colored models were limited editions. 2008 AutoPresidios generally come in satin or black finished blades.) 15 US 1244 (2-4): “Switchblade knives can be shipped by common carrier, that sale, transportation or distribution, possession or introduction into interstate commerce of switchblade knives is authorized if it is pursuant to a contract with the armed forces or any member or employee thereof acting in the performance of his or her duty may possess switchblade knives and may have them shipped and sold to him or her.”
PART 3 of 3: The Ruger Mini-14 is everything that Ruger says it is: light, fast handling, and durable. Right or wrong, Ruger has always marketed the Mini-14 as ranch and varmint rifle. However it also is a viable, high-value defensive rifle choice that makes a lot of sense and thousands of good people have purchased a Mini-14 with that exact use in mind. Nutnfancy has had a lot of trigger time behind Minis and can attest to their durability, reliability, and indeed impressive handling characteristics. For those users wanting customization, the Mini-14 can be outfitted with folding stocks (Butler Creek folder being the best) barrel shrouds, flash suppressors (older Minis), normal capacity magazines, and optics. In recent years the Mini-14 was finally improved by Ruger: thicker, more accurate barrel, an improved synthetic stock, and improved iron peep sights. Nicely done. The Mini-14 represents a good value in tactical carbines that can serve well in the defensive/offensive role as needed by law enforcement, select military users, and good ole civilian sheepdogs. But it has some definite downsides that a potential buyer should consider. First, its touted lightweight will be worsened by the fitment of optics using the heavy steel Ruger rings (included). And the normal capacity. quality magazines for the Mini-14 (like promag brand and Ruger factory mags) are usually made of steel and will add even more weight to your loadout (compared to AR-15 alternatives). Other downsides …
