Prepping & Survival

Former Delta Operator Tom Spooner Walks Through His Everyday Carry

November 7, 2026

In a sit-down on Shawn Ryan Show, former Delta Force operator Tom Spooner walks through his everyday carry, and the breakdown is less about gear flexing and more about the thinking behind each choice. Spooner covers his blade, his pistol setup, his approach to optics, and the mindset he says matters more than any item on the list.

Key points

  • Blade: Spooner carries a Spartan Blades folder, citing the "man without a knife is a man without a life" philosophy as his reasoning for always having one on him.
  • Everyday pistol: He runs a Staccato CS loaded to 13 rounds rather than the full 16-round capacity, saying he is particular about magazine spring wear, and he keeps a spare mag in the truck rather than on his body.
  • Optics and irons: Spooner admits he still leans on iron sights out of habit despite liking the Trijicon RMR, and he discusses warming up to red dots on pistols after years of distrust following early optic failures.
  • Gifted gear: Mid-interview, Shawn Ryan surprises him with a Sig Sauer P365 Macro Legion in all-metal, which Spooner had actually been eyeing through YouTube reviews before researching micro-compact carry options.
  • Mindset over hardware: Spooner tells Ryan the real work is deciding in advance who and what you're willing to use lethal force for, and he pushes frequent dry-fire practice for anyone who can't get to the range often.

Quick take

The gear list here is useful, but Spooner's real point, as laid out in the Shawn Ryan Show conversation, is that carrying a weapon without a pre-made decision about when to use it is the bigger risk worth addressing first.

Watch the full video: Shawn Ryan Show