Issue 14 Preview – Pen-Ultimate Defense Michael Janich Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. A Practical Approach to Tactical Pens It seems everyone and their mother has a tactical pen these days. Giving folding knives a run for their money in the everyday-carry department, tactical pens have grown in popularity for a variety of reasons. These writing implements are slim, lightweight, and affordable — not to mention great for striking, applying wristlocks, and eliciting pain compliance. And don’t forget their original mission: Quality pens are great for, well, writing. But carrying a tactical pen doesn’t automatically mean you’ll know how to use it effectively…or at all. Just as you would if you carried a folding blade or a handgun, you need to learn and practice how to handle and employ a tactical pen for a variety of situations. In these pages, we examine this topic, giving you a practical look at how a pen can be a mighty tool in the hands of a prepared warrior. Reality of CQB According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), “approximately half of all robberies, about a quarter of all assaults, and roughly a twelfth of all rapes/sexual assaults involve an armed assailant.” Their statistics also reveal that of the roughly 9-million violent victimizations that occur in the United States annually, 66 percent are committed by unarmed attackers and about 16 percent involve the use of a non-firearm, contact-distance weapon. If you think about that from the perspective of your personal-defense training, statistically, you are far more likely to be attacked at contact distance than you are to be involved in a stereotypical “distance” gunfight. In fact, that same BJS study confirmed that firearms are used in only one in 10 violent victimizations. To the gun-centric crowd, that may seem to be good news. If you carry a firearm and are aware enough to get it into play before you start getting hit or stabbed, statistically, you’ll probably have the superior weapon. However, if your attacker is slick and manages to get close to you before launching his attack, you’ll need other up-close options. Also, if you take the “only have a hammer” approach, you may find yourself wrestling for control of your gun or trying to justify shooting an unarmed man. More importantly, if you travel, go to school, or you work or live in a non-permissive environment where concealed carry isn’t permitted, your gun-fu won’t do you any good. For the rest of this article, subscribe here: RECOIL Issue 14 Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
