Also by Scott Smith

Streamlight's Sidewinder is like the right angle light made famous by the military but with numerous improvements.

The Trijicon RedDot Sight is designed to be mounted on several of the company's ACOGs, but is also designed to be mounted on a handgun. I know there will be numerous guffaws at the idea of a red-dot sight on a duty handgun. But naysayers were also quick to dismiss the use of red-dot sights on duty ARs a decade ago. Now they're not a novelty but the norm.

This year Danner introduces the Striker II DXTVent boot. It's built to take the rigors of duty, but still keep your feet "cool" and comfortable on the hottest of days.

Propper's Defender line of outerwear can be used separately or alone, depending on your needs. One great piece is the Delta waist-length jacket.

From its aggressive outsole to its waterproof heavy-duty 1,200-denier nylon upper, this boot is built to tackle the worst conditions a call-out can throw your way.

For 2008 Spyderco Knives introduces the Tenacious. With a foundation of 8Cr13Mov stainless steel, this knife is designed to be durable and dependable.

Ranger Joe's Phenix Gear Modular vest is one solution to the high cost of tactical vests.

One of the best ways to buy a firearm for personal use is to buy one that was previously owned. Don't laugh. Most of the handguns I purchased when I was in my twenties and thirties were pre-owned, and they are still putting rounds down range.

There was a temptation to slug this article with the headline "Pimp Your Handgun." After all, it's catchy and it's trendy…There's only one thing wrong with it, it's dead wrong.

The Ranger Green knife from Kershaw's sister company Zero Tolerance is a no-nonsense, hard-use knife built for duty use and made to stand up to and survive the harshest environments.

This jacket not only offers you a number of ways to wear it, it's also packed with features. To vent body heat and reduce condensation in the jacket, there are armpit zippers for ventilation.

Overall, the 5.11 Tactical Aggressor is a great jacket. It fits well, has plenty of shoulder room, doesn't bind when you draw a handgun or shoulder a long gun, and it's long enough to conceal a handgun.

The PT1911, like other handguns in the Taurus line, sports a lot of really nice "custom" features, it is made from high-quality components and, best of all, it's affordably priced at around $703. Here's my up close and personal look at this gun.

Elbeco's Meridian jacket was created with one goal in mind: versatility. It's kind of like that old Certs commercial with the tagline "Two mints in one." The Meridian is many jackets in one.

Go to the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, and you will quickly realize that there are a multitude of companies making long guns. The following is a brief guide to help you discover what's available in the patrol rifle and carbine market.

If your agency is in the market for new tactical uniforms, check out Atlanco/Tru-Spec Tactical Response Uniforms or "TRU." Tru-Spec gear is high quality and affordably priced. I know several soldiers who have worn the Tru-Spec ACUs, and they have found them to hold up better than the Army issue.