SecureIt Tacticals' new gun safe offers shooter superior storage and access to their firearms.
When it comes to the firearms industry, SecureIt Tactical has been on the cutting edge for some time now. Only most of the time the company has been out of the limelight.
That has a tendency to happen when you produce weapons storage platforms and not the weapons themselves. But the New York-based company has made its share of waves with its products and armory designs, which are used by militaries and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Recently, however, SecureIt Tactical has moved into the civilian market offering inventive solutions to shooters of every stripe. And its latest gun lockup appears to have plenty going for it.
Superficially, the MILSPEC Safe doesn’t appear to be much more than just another gun vault. But upon opening the door, shooters are met with a much different system for storing their firearms. A system that appears much more logical and organized than many presently available.
What makes the MILSPEC Safe ingenious is SecureIt Tactical’s patented saddle system. The modular system allows the safe’s interior to be modified to match the firearms it stores.
SecureIt Tactical's new MILSPEC gun safe offers shooters straight-line access to their firearms, a vast improvement over gun safes that require the removal of all firearms to access ones situated to the rear.
With the system, a shotgun with a 30-inch barrel can be snugly secured right next to an AR carbine with a 16-inch barrel. As a bonus, the safe comes with storage bins for ammunition or shooting accessories.
The flexibility of the system is only matched by the convenience the vault offers. The MILSPEC Safe is designed for straight-line access to the firearms. This means, even if the safe is filled to capacity – 12 firearms – each gun is accessible without having to move another.
This feature might be worth the price of admission alone, for anyone who’s had to empty a traditional gun safe just to get to a firearm in the very back.
There is also an added layer of protection for optics with the way the safe is laid out. Scopes and optics never come in contact with each other, other guns or the walls of the safe, ensuring they retain their zeros.
Some of the safe’s other features include: Two adjustable shelves, door panel for handgun/accessory storage, 45-minute fireproof rating, auto LED lights, 10,000-plus combination electronic lock.
The MILSPEC Safe is 55 ¾-inches high, 36 ½-inches wide and 18-inches deep. It weighs 935 pounds. It’s MSRP is $2,600.
Perhaps more than any other handgun introduction in 2014, this one caught the attention of concealed carry fans everywhere. In this Glock 42 review, Dick Jones gives his impression.
One of the hottest categories of handguns is that of the subcompact .380 semi-auto. These guns have been so popular there have been off-and-on ammo shortages for .380 ACP throughout recent years. It’s easy to see the reason for their popularity.
Many modern .380s are lightweight, easy to shoot, carry and conceal and they have good reputations for reliability. While no one will ever call it a heavy metal man stopper, recent advances in ammunition have brought the .380 cartridge into unprecedented viability as an extremely reasonable defense round.
This year at SHOT Show, Glock released the long awaited Glock 42 in .380 ACP. I think I can safely say it’s the largest departure from the standard Glock line I’ve seen, and I can’t imagine it shares any parts with anything else Glock makes.
It’s a true subcompact, though one of the largest of the popular .380 subcompacts. It has real sights, not a tiny representation of sights, and the dovetail-mounted sights have the familiar Glock-style white U and dot outlines for low light alignment.
The trigger of the G42 is also standard Glock fare, with the traditional center blade, relatively long first stage and reset. The trigger on my test gun broke cleanly at just over 8 pounds with only a little over-travel, and a little over-travel isn’t a bad thing on a defensive firearm. Magazine capacity is six plus one, about standard for this class of gun, and quite adequate, in my opinion, for a concealed carry gun.
Glock 42 Review
In fast shooting, the little Glock was both mild mannered and accurate enough for a good concealed carry gun. Yamil Sued Photo
The G42 is a full-featured pistol with a proper magazine release, and the slide locks back on the last round. Some subcompact pistols have traded the slide lock for lighter weight, and this probably isn’t a good idea.
While most subcompacts are reliable, malfunctions in semi-auto pistols are inevitable. When they happen, clearing a gun without a slide lock can be challenging in perfect conditions and borderline impossible under stress.
Doing a fast reload worked just like it would with the G42’s big brothers except that everything was smaller. The magazine drops when the button is pressed, and the slide can be dropped with the release or with a pull and release.
I’ve recently reviewed several guns in this class, and I can say without hesitation that the Glock was certainly the easiest to shoot well, and it had the least recoil. It also had the best hand position of the subcompact .380s I’ve shot lately.
Even though the grip is about the same length as some of the other subcompacts, it feels longer. The Glock also clearly has the best sights of any of the guns in this category.
Glock 42 Accuracy?
Internally, the G42 is pure Glock reduced in size. Yamil Sued Photo
The almost full-sized sights certainly were an aid in the excellent accuracy I found in the G42. At 10 yards, standing, my best group was just over an inch, center to center, with six of the 10 shots in a ragged hole less than ½-inch center to center. Most groups were less than 2 inches, but the little Glock is more than up to the job.
While the Glock 42 is larger than most guns in its class, this isn’t really bad news. The tiniest of the subcompact handguns can be difficult to operate, especially for women with low grip strength. The larger size of the G42 allows more purchase of both the gun hand and the slide hand, making it one of the easiest guns in its class to operate. At its widest point, the 42 is only .976 inches, and it weighs less than 14 ounces.
In the process of testing several brands and styles of ammunition, the Glock 42 did experience one malfunction with a full-metal jacket, economy line of ammunition. It was a double feed on the second round from a full magazine.
This happened when I was holding the gun normally, making me suspect the round, but I saw nothing unusual about it. One test I put every defensive semi-auto through is shooting with a limp wrist. I shoot with a very loose hold from both right and left hands. During the limp wrist test, the G42 cycled every time but in one session, the slide failed to lock back on the last round.
This is an excellent little gun that represents a worthwhile compromise in its class by sacrificing some of the lightweight properties and ability to be concealed like similar .380s, but in exchange the shooter gains much more accuracy and manageability.
They’re for defensive use, and they’re often carried for a lifetime without a single use. When you buy a concealed carry gun, you want to carry it, knowing you can rely on it, but never having to use it. I think the little Glock 42 fills that bill nicely.All gun choices involve compromise. Less weight is easier to carry but yields more recoil. More power means a bigger gun and problems hiding it. High magazine capacity means a gun with a much thicker imprint. Concealed carry guns don’t serve the same purpose as service pistols.
Glock 42 Caliber: .380 Capacity: 6 + 1 Magazines: Polymer/steel Barrel: 3¼ in. Sights: Dovetailed rear Frame: Polymer Slide: Steel matte black Length: 5.93 in. Height: 4.13 in. Weight: 13.76 oz. Options: None SRP $475 Website us.glock.com
Women, many of whom are short-waisted, benefit from dropped and offset holsters because carrying the gun lower on the torso moves the grips of the gun out and away from the ribcage and positions the barrel of the gun below the hipbone. Both the ribcage and the hip’s wide crest are areas of considerable holster discomfort.
In addition, lowering the holster alleviates the struggle to draw, which is difficult when you have trouble raising the muzzle above the mouth of the holster. Owing to women’s generally shorter torsos, this is a bigger problem for female shooters than it is for men.
Ask a man of average build to stand next to a woman of identical height, and in most cases the man’s torso will be longer than the woman’s; more of her height comes from her legs. This general characteristic is exaggerated with the petite, short-waisted figure.
When a short-waisted woman draws from a mid- or high-ride holster, the lift required to clear leather (a colloquialism meaning to draw the muzzle above the mouth of the holster) will typically entail lifting her elbow above shoulder height.
On the range, you’ll see all kinds of funny contortions like dropping the hip forward, twisting the torso or elaborately bending the wrist to achieve enough lift to yank the gun out of the holster.
Unfortunately, all these contortions are slower than a straight lift out of the holster, as may be accomplished if the rig fits perfectly on the shooter’s body. In response, the industry brought us the “dropped” element in the dropped and offset holster.
While few holsters will be as comfortable as a dropped and offset design, the comfort comes at a price. First, concealment is severely compromised, by both riding low on the hip and by extending the grips a couple of inches beyond the hip.
Next, attaching the holster to an elongated shank creates a fulcrum, increasing odds that the holster will move up with the gun during the draw, described as “following.” When this happens, the holster feels as though it is stuck on the gun. This is not true of all the dropped and offset rigs, but is a drawback of which to be aware.
Canting the holster severely on the belt, orienting the muzzle either to the front or to the back, eases the drawing problems the dropped and offset design tries to alleviate, but without its inherent lack of concealment as the gun and holster are allowed to snug in close to the body.
Drawing a gun from a deeply angled holster does require some degree of wrist flexibility, as well as top quality holster design for good retention. Still, a canted holster goes a long way toward increasing ease of draw, wearing comfort and concealability. A high-end example of this holster design is Mitch Rosen’s American Rear Guard.
A close inspection of brass cartridges before every reloading is a must. Fine cracks such as the one above on the neck of the case render it useless. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
The brass case is the one component that is reusable in the reloading process. But eventually it will fail. Here is an explanation of the damages to look for and what to do when they're found.
The brass case is the only part of the cartridge that can be reused.
It is made of a material that is malleable; it can be reshaped to proper dimensions, and fired multiple times. But, like all good things in life, sooner or later the usefulness of that brass case will have reached the end.
Question is: How will you know?
There are several tell-tale signs, some are easily identified, and others take a bit more investigation. Here’s the skinny: you absolutely do not want a brass case to fail upon firing. It can be detrimental to your firearm, not to mention your health.
Brass becomes brittle as it is worked and reworked. In a bottle necked cartridge, the case mouth and shoulder gets most of the action inside the resizing die. Usually you will find that when a cartridge has become too brittle to withstand that reworking, it will develop a hairline crack in the case mouth, either at the edge of the case mouth, or just below it.
Cases with a split in the neck cannot be used any further, and should be immediately taken out of commission. The straight walled cases develop their splits at the case mouth, usually when they are sent up into the flaring die. This is the portion of the straight walled case that sees the most action.
Rigorous inspection of your cases, before, during and after loading, will ensure that things stay safe. I hold the cases up to a light source to check for splits, and do my best to keep a good record of how many firings a group of cases has seen.
The neck of the case isn't the only area that needs to be inspected for damage. Cases can break in two after repeated firings, due to the brass flowing forward. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
In bottle necked cases, depending on the pressures and velocities, four or five firings is usually where I become overly suspicious and start to see split necks. Pistols and straight walled rifle cases generally tend to operate at lower velocities and pressures, so their useful life will tend to be a bit longer.
There is a process called annealing, where the case mouth and neck are heated and quenched, which will soften the brass to extend the life of your cases. You’ll often see a rainbow like color on quality brass that has been annealed; Hornady and Norma brass often come annealed from the factory.
There is another place you need to check for danger. The situation we are trying to avoid is referred to as case head separation.
I’ve told you that brass is malleable, and the brass in the case tends to ‘flow’ forward, toward the case mouth, upon repeated firing. The area of the case body about 1/3rd up from the rim tends to become thin as the brass flows forward.
What can happen is terrible: the brass case can actually rip in half in the chamber or the firearm. This can be deadly.
Pressures freak out, receivers can be destroyed, and the shooter can be injured or even worse, killed. I’ve seen case head separation happen quickly when the wrong ammunition is used; say firing a .270 Winchester in a .280 Remington chamber. It can also happen in a chamber that has excessive headspace, as the cases stretch quite a bit due to an oversized chamber dimension.
Here’s how you can check for this problem, and avoid disaster.
If damaged brass is discovered it must be disposed of. A good habit to get into is rendering damaged brass completely, by crushing it. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
First step is to keep your eyes open for a very shiny ring in the area I’ve described. As the brass thins in this area, it makes the brass shine brighter than the rest of the case.
The second method is very, very high-tech. I use a straightened paper clip, with the last ¼” bent at right angles as a “feeler”, and if the brass is thin you’ll feel the case wall change as the brass gets thin. Ok, not so high-tech, but effective. Perhaps there’s a market for matte black “tactical ballistic paper clips”, I might have to get on that…
When I find a case that has seen the end of its days, I crush the mouth closed with a pair of pliers, so that there is no chance of having that case find its way back to active duty, and then discard the case in the recycle bin.
Check your brass, and check them well, and you'll enjoy a lifetime of safe reloading.
Magnum Research continues to expand its catalog of high-end rimfire rifles with the introduction of the MLR Ultra 22LR.
There is little doubt a particular type of firearm comes to mind at the mention of Magnum Research.
The Minnesota-base manufacturer has made its living producing handguns chambered to take down nothing short of feral blue whales. From its famed Desert Eagle to its rifle-caliber Big Frame Revolvers, Magnum Research has created some of the biggest and baddest guns on the market.
The company, however, has taken a much different tracked in recent years, turning its attentions to .22 rifles. And recently, Magnum Research's rimfire rifle catalog grew a little bit larger.
The company once again expanded its Magnum Lite rimfire rifle line, introducing the MLR Ultra 22LR Rifle. And like Magnum Research's high-powered handguns, the space-aged looking semi-automatic rimfire appears to enjoy a good dose of over-engineering.
The most eye-catching aspect of the rifle, away from its unique lines, is its high-tech 18-inch barrel. The modular tension-type barrel utilizes superior quality steel that attaches to a high-strength stainless steel breech.
The particularly interesting aspect of what Mangnum Research calls its ultra barrel is a piece of proprietary engineering Magnum Research has included. The barrel has a patented heat sink strategically located to dissipate the buildup of heat after long shooting strings. This features aids in the barrel retaining its rigidity, thus its accuracy.
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Also lending itself to the rifle's accuracy is the inclusion of a Bentz chamber, a match-grade chamber for semi-autos that puts the bullet closer to the lands upon loading.
The barrel comes cut with a 1:16 twist, a standard rate for most .22LR.
The rifle comes with ambidextrous thumbhole stock design, allowing for fantastic control, whether off the bench or in the field. Its comb is designed for scope use, and the rifle comes with integral Weaver type scope mount base on the receiver.
The .22 has an extended magazine release, allowing for faster reloading. It boasts swivel studs and checkering on the palm swell grip. And it has a 13 5/8-inch length of pull.
Magnum Research's new rimfire rifle is designed to accommodate a suppressor, with muzzle threads of 1/2×28. However, if the device is not something a shooter is interested in, the rifle comes with a thread protector to prevent damage.
The rifle tips the scales at 4 pounds, 8 ounces and has an overall length of 36 5/8 inch. It can utilize Ruger 10/22 trigger groups and rotary magazines. The MSRP on the rifle is $571.
A range test with three popular striker-fired pistols – Glock 17, Smith & Wesson M&P and Springfield XDm – reveals how this design became a winner.
Glock 17 (top), Smith & Wesson M&P (middle) and Springfield XDm (bottom).
Currently, there are three primary striker-fired pistols in contention for the service pistol market. There are other notable guns, but for this comparison, I’m covering the guns with the biggest sales numbers. I chose 9mm as the caliber because, in recent times, 9mm Luger, with the excellent loadings we now have available, has regained popularity with law enforcement agencies as a good combination of manageability and power.
Of the three guns, the Glock was the most compact, the XDm the least, but the differences were fairly minor. All the guns in the test are basic models as would likely be chosen by both civilians and agencies.
First for similarities is the fact that all the guns in the test use a polymer frame. All have nonadjustable rear sights that can be adjusted for wind within a dovetail. All have safety triggers that require complete coverage of the trigger before the gun will fire. All use double-stack, high-capacity magazines with witness holes to allow an external round count.
The Glock and M&P have 17 round capacities, and the XDm holds 19. All three guns have a forward rail for mounting lasers or lights, and all have interchangeable back-straps to fit them better to the user’s hand. All three guns are easy to field strip and clean.
The guns were accuracy tested and several hundred rounds were fired in conducting the tests without a single malfunction. In addition to myself, there were two other testers that helped, Ray Owens, president of my gun club and an NRA rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor, and Mike Byrd, my longtime friend and gunsmith who is a fairly successful action pistol and 3-Gun competitor.
The Glock
Testing the Glock 17.
The Glock certainly deserves first mention because it was the pioneer in the field. The gun tested is the Model 17, the first model in the now extensive Glock product line.
Currently, the latest version is the Generation 4. Other than the recoil spring and extractor designs, the changes in the Glock generations mostly are concerned with ergonomics. While all the guns reviewed have followers, the Glock probably has the most loyal following of any handgun in the group.
Glock considers its design as a safety action, and it is such safety features that propelled the Glock to the forefront of the striker-fired revolution; in fact, those features could be said to have created the popularity of striker-fired pistols. The Glock is affordable, reliable and safe, and these are characteristics that make a good service pistol.
Of course, the Glock pistol also has detractors. Glocks use a different grip angle from almost every other service-type pistol, and this generates a fair amount of controversy. The other issue is the trigger.
Of the three testers who fired these guns, all said the Glock trigger was the worst, and none liked the grip angle in spite of the fact that Ray regularly competes in Glock events. The sights are a white dot on the front and an outlined U at the rear.
One of the testers liked the Glock sight best. The Glock was arguably the hardest of the three to field strip because the takedown tabs must be held down to allow the slide to extend forward.
The S&W M&P
The Smith & Wesson M&P test results speak for themselves.
The Smith & Wesson M&P was introduced in 2005 using a Browning-type locking system. It superseded the Sigma series of pistols with a much better trigger pull and better ergonomics. It’s the only one of the three guns in the test with a manual thumb safety.
While the Glock partially compresses the striker spring on pulling the trigger, the M&P simply rotates it down, which is probably the reason it’s easier to get a better trigger on the Smith.
All the testers felt the M&P had a better feel, even Ray who competes regularly with a Glock. The standard back strap provides a hand-filling grip that doesn’t feel bulky. The M&P was also the winner in the trigger contest, getting two of three votes.
Out of the box, it was crisp and had a good feel. All the testers agreed the M&P had the most controllable recoil, though the best time on six plates at 10 yards went to Mike Byrd, the best shooter in the group, using the XDm. Mike preferred the XDm trigger to the M&P, even though the M&P had a better break. Also, field stripping the gun does not require dry firing the trigger.
The Springfield Armory XDm
The Springfield Armory XDm and I have a lot of history. I’ve shot two Bianchi Cups with my 9mm 5.25 with the only modification being a trigger that Rob Leatham installed. Mine has been as reliable as any gun I’ve ever owned, but this is no distinction in this group of guns, because they all have the reputation for solid reliability.
The XDm has an extra safety feature I really like in the grip safety. For service and duty guns, passive safety systems have proven to have real merit, and the grip safety on the XD is a great idea.
The standard XDm we tested had an excellent trigger, and though it was a reasonable trigger for a service gun, it was the lightest. For some reason, the XD feels tall and a little top heavy. On recoil, Mike and I observed that it seemed to have the most muzzle flip.
I suspect this is because it has the highest center of bore over the grip, but again, it shot the fastest times on the plates. The XDm was the easiest gun to field strip and the only one that didn’t require a pull of the trigger to remove the slide.
I know at least one individual who’s shot his hand disassembling a Glock. (Please, no lamentations that he did the wrong thing, this is obvious, but it is something that happens.) The XDm also has the most substantial frame rails, having what looks like twice the contact area as the other two semi-autos tested.
Can’t Go Wrong
The Glock (right) was surprisingly the hardest to field strip. The Springfield Armory XDm (center) is the only gun in the group that can be disassembled without pulling the trigger. The slide rails on the XDm are impressive compared to the other two guns. Cherie Jones
All these guns are exceptional firearms with the right blend of accuracy, safety and reliability that make a great service pistol. What makes a great service pistol doesn’t make a great competition or target gun, though all these guns can be modified to do well in competition, and they regularly do. It all boils down to what you like, both in brand loyalty and features.
Of the three of us, the M&P came out the winner by a slight margin. We all liked it better, but only a bit better. The Glock is a really good gun, but since all of us involved in the test have a competitive background, I suspect the trigger hurt the Glock most, while the different grip angle didn’t help. I imagine if you shot a Glock more regularly, you would feel much differently about our observations.
The M&P and XDm both had features like a cocking indicator, grip safety on the XDm and ambidextrous slide release and simpler take down on the M&P. They are three wonderful guns and all are perfectly suited to the task they’re designed for. It’s your choice and you can’t choose a bad gun among them.
The Colt LE6920MP USA AR-15 rifle in .223/5.56 is an excellent rifle for woman shooters thanks to its compact size and light recoil. Patrick Hayes Photo
With a nod toward the AR’s patriotic parentage as the platform created for the U.S. military, the Colt LE6920MP USA looks as cool as it shoots.
The open sights on the Colt LE6920MP were great for close, rapid shots. Author Photo
When Modern Shooter editor Doug Howlett asked if I wanted to do a review on a state-of-the-art Colt law enforcement carbine, I jumped at the chance.
The rifle we tested is the LE6920MP-USA series. The USA designation indicates a flag of the United States treatment on the stock, pistol grip and forend. It’s sort of Fourth of July camo, and I think it’s fitting since everything about this gun spells U.S.A.
The new Colt is a collaborative effort between two icons in the world of AR-15s. It’s a joint effort between Colt and Magpul, and includes some of Magpul’s most popular furniture for the AR-15 platform. The running gear is the same as the standard carbines, but the LE6920MP-USA sports Magpul MOE handguards, an MOE carbine stock, an MOE pistol grip, the MOE vertical grip and a Magpul back-up rear sight.
The gas system is the standard gas block with an integral front sight. My test gun had a special patriotic flag finish on the stock, pistol grip and forend, which makes it stand out no matter where it is. It is a sharp looking gun for sure.
Basic running gear is a 16.1-inch chrome-lined 1:7 twist barrel with a 5.56 chamber. Basically, there are three chamber choices for .223/5.56 rifles. The 5.56 chamber is the most forgiving of ammunition and will run almost anything. The .223 chamber is a tighter spec chamber meant for a closer tolerance to allow better accuracy. The 5.56 Wylde chamber in my CRP 18 is a compromise, it’s more forgiving of ammunition but still oriented towards match-level accuracy.
Choosing the 5.56 chamber for the LE6920 makes sense because it’s a multipurpose carbine, and the 5.56 chamber and 1:7 twist barrel will accurately shoot any ammunition you can feed it, from cheap steel case stuff to the best 77-grain match ammunition from companies like Hornady and Black Hills.
The gas system is the standard direct impingement system. This also makes sense because there’s little real need for a piston system, unless you’re shooting full auto and/or using a suppressor. Direct impingement is simple and a piston isn’t the answer to all questions. Our M14s had pistons, and they weren’t a totally trouble-free arrangement.
Fit and finish are quite good with only a slight amount of upper to lower receiver wobble. The controls on the LE6920 operated as they should. The trigger was an average service trigger with a little creep at the beginning and breaking at the standard service rifle level of about 51⁄2 pounds. Trigger reset was crisp and positive. With a 16.1 inch barrel and weighing just 6.9 pounds, this is a fast handling little carbine.
I broke it in at Mike Byrd’s tactical range at B&B Precision Machine Co. not far from my home. There were four shooters present from the level of a Master USPSA to me, and I mainly shoot tactical matches for the experience and to better write about them.
All the guys really liked the little Colt and were favorably impressed. While those guys make me look like a rookie with pistols, I do have a little experience with rifles, and I managed 10 consecutive hits on an 8-inch plate in fairly rapid fire standing with the Magpul flip-up rear and standard front sight.
Colt LE6920MP USA Review: Range Realities
At just 6.9 pounds, the author found the Colt to be a fast-handling carbine. Author Photo
Later, and back on my range, I mounted a Nikon 3-12 M.223 scope for accuracy testing. I didn’t expect spectacular accuracy, because chrome-lined barrels rarely shine in the accuracy department. Chrome lining is intended to enhance reliability, corrosion resistance and barrel life.
Still, the little Colt did an admirable job and stayed under two minutes of angle with the excellent Black Hills 55-grain Barnes TSX load. Certainly this is acceptable accuracy for any law enforcement or civilian carbine.
The AR-15/M16 platform of rifles represents the most successful firearms platform in history. Never before has a military firearm evolved so completely, and in so many directions. While you might not find the AR-15 rifle pretty, you simply can’t argue it doesn’t do everything well.
It is a National Championship level target rifle, a defensive rifle, a hunting rifle and, in the form of the M16 and M4, it’s arguably the best battle rifle ever designed. When I shot that original M16A1, I would have never guessed the platform would ever see the success it’s seen, and that later, I’d be a huge fan of the AR-15.
The patriotic red, white and blue finish on the LE6920MP-USA is fitting in that it represents what’s right with America in a time when many are talking about what’s wrong with America.
Colt is an American company, building sporting, law enforcement and military versions of a successful military rifle designed in America. We’re the only country in the world where the current military rifle, in widespread use around the world, could be adapted and accepted across all aspects of firearms use.
To me, the patriotic finish reminds me that without our precious Second Amendment, this could never happen. I’m sure there will be more collaboration between Colt and Magpul, and I’m excited to see the results.
Colt LE6920MP USA
Caliber 5.56 Nato Action Type Semi-automatic Receiver Aluminum Barrel Chrome-lined, six-groove, 1:7 twist RH Magazine 30-round Magpul Trigger Single stage Sights Magpul flip-up rear and standard gas block integral front Stock Magpul MOE buttstock, Magpul MOE grip and vertical foregrip and MOE handguard Weight 6.57 lbs. Overall Length 35.5 in. extended Accessories N/A MSRP $1,316 Website colt.com
There are plenty of shooting destinations around the country that have the goods to satisfy shooters with wanderlust.
There are jaw-dropping sporting clay courses across the country, well worth the price of entry. Here are some of the top shooting destinations for those shotgunners with wanderlust.
Owenton, Kentucky Home of the 2009 U.S. Open (of sporting clays) and spread across 2,500 wooded acres, the sporting clays course at Elk Creek has become a must-shoot for serious enthusiasts. Forty-five updated and paved stations spread over 35 shooting fields actually create three separate courses. Each can be shot as 50- or 100-target rounds. A fleet of like-new carts are charged and ready to transport you to each station and a well-outfitted pro shop is there for anybody looking to buy or rent a shotgun or any other essential item. Accredited instructors are on hand to offer lessons to anybody in need of a few pointers.
Norwood, N.C. At the heart of scenic Fork Farm and Stables, is a center called The Ordinary, which is anything but ordinary. Named after John Colson’s Ordinary, believed to be the first licensed tavern in North Carolina history (around 1701) and that once sat on this very site, the facility is at the heart of the Fork Farm and Stable’s outdoor and shooting programs. Home to the International Wing Shooting School, there is a 12-field, 24-station sporting clays course; a seven-field, seven-station sub-gauge course; covered five-stand to keep shooting when the elements turn nasty; and a six-trap, 60-foot tower and flurry, which can be set to throw an endless variety of presentations. The course, designed by British designer and IWSS director John Higgins, is set upon 1,600 wooded acres wedged between the Pee Dee and Rocky Rivers.
Dover Furnace is a picture-perfect shooting destination. At the heart of the facility is a giant 35-foot stone iron ore furnace built in 1881
Dover Plains, NY When Beretta wanted to introduce the media to their new high-dollar competition over-under, the DT-11, just a couple of years ago, one of the venues they chose to showcase their new model was at Dover Furnace Shooting Grounds. Located in the southeastern corner of Dutchess County, a short 90-minute drive north from Midtown Manhattan, the unique grounds are billed as the largest public shooting facility of its kind in the Northeast with 2,000 acres inside its property lines. At the center of the facility is a giant 35-foot stone iron ore furnace built in 1881 and which lends its name to the facility. Dover Furnace boasts 22 sporting clays stations, 4 FITASC fields, trap, skeet and 5-stand stations, and for those shooters not satisfied with clay targets, real upland bird hunting as well. Featuring the latest in technology, shooters can use a long-range wireless key system that allows for prepaird or pay-as-you-shoot options.
Okeechobee, FL Quail Creek began as the private destination of Ft. Lauderdale developer Whit Hudson, who sought a place for him and his friends to gather and hunt quail. A 2,500-acre tract in Okeechobee fit the bill so Hudson bought it, hired Fred Fanizzi and his wife, Maria, to run the place, and in 2001, seeking to help the land pay for itself, started selling quail hunts. Within the year, the team realized they needed a sporting clays course where hunters could warm up before a hunt and the legendary plantation was on its way. Quail Creek offers shooters two Marty Fischer-designed 14-station courses that can be shot in either 50- or 100-shot rounds. The Red Course is a little more forgiving, while the Blue Course delivers longer shots and faster targets.
Albany, GA Earning Orvis’ coveted Shooting Lodge of the Year in 2005 and living up to it every year since, Wynfield Plantation is one of only a small number of lodges in North America that the sporting company endorses. The easy going atmosphere and relatively flat, pine forests will appeal to the genteel sportsman looking for a kind, but true Georgia quail hunting environment. With an emphasis on hunting, Wynfield kennels approximately 85 dogs and also helps sportsmen train their own. Whether combining it with a quail hunt or one of the sumptuous country cooked meals served in the main lodge, the plantation offers a beautifully designed 10-stand sporting clays course that will get you in top shooting form for a real hunt. Shot as a 50- or 100-target round, the course offers plenty of passing and crossing shots as well as ones representing fleeting rabbits and incoming teal.
Not only a shooting destination for national-level 3-Gun and pistol competitions in 2014, Rockcastle also boasts a scenic and challenging clays course.
Glen Rose, TX Like the Lone Star state where it is set, the list of offerings at Rough Creek Lodge and Ranch are big. Boasting on its website as many as 79 activities to enjoy while there, at the top of that list has to be their 10-station sporting clays course that can shoot like an 11-, 12- or 13-station course. Shot presentations are routinely changed up to keep the course challenging for repeat visitors with shots over open plains, creeks and woodlands. There are also 5-stand, wobble/trap and a rifle range, as well as hunting opportunities for upland birds, whitetail deer, wild turkeys, elk, predators and exotic game.
Park City, KY With so many shooting activities going on at Rockcastle—in 2014 it will serve as home to the NRA World Action Pistol Championships the annual Brownells Rockcastle Pro-Am 3-Gun Championship—its easy to forget the facility is also a dynamite destination for sporting clays enthusiasts. The 15-station course, designed by renowned designer Bill McGuire, has targets that are reset every two weeks to keep the action exciting and new. The facility also offers 5-Stand that overlooks the property’s scenic Cattail pond to warm up before hitting the clays course. A fully equipped pro shop provides everything you would need for a day of shooting. Rockcastle is part of the 2,000-acre Park Mammoth Resort in Park City, Ken.
In Part 1 on this topic, I suggested that keeping a good eye on your environment and getting your hand on the gun early — what I call the “Good Ready” — was preferable for armed citizens over trying to depend on a quick draw in a life-threatening situation. That raised a few hackles.
I made three points:
Practicing quick draw with a loaded piece is one of the most dangerous activities in gun training.
Some holsters do not stand up well to the 200 replications it typically takes to get a fast presentation seared into muscle memory.
When startled with a sudden threat, adrenalin makes fumbles more likely.
After 30 years coaching and training on the range, I’m sticking with these observations.
However, a few additional points are warranted. A good shooting school can teach almost anybody to dramatically increase their speed of presentation while maintaining control of the gun.
This training breaks the draw down into steps that concentrate on grip, clearing the holster (and concealing garments), a “rock” into position for contact distance or a “push” into a two-handed shooting platform for aimed fire.
Brand name holster manufacturers make highly durable products. A quality holster should stand up well to repetitive draw training and an emergency.
Practicing fast draw with a loaded gun is very dangerous unless closely supervised. So is replacing the gun in the holster if you have your finger inside the trigger guard. Which activity is most risky? To my knowledge no data supports either contention. It doesn’t matter. Both are risky.
Unless you are Robocop, if you are confronted with a lethal threat your brain will flood your body with adrenal secretions that cause the “flight-fright-freeze” response. What we need to pay more attention to are the inevitable physical effects of sudden dramatic increase in respiratory and cardiac rates, tightening of major muscle groups and reduction in fine motor skills.
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These effects dramatically degrade handgun manipulation skills from what we are used to at the range or competition course — places where paper, metal plates and bowling pins don’t wear prison tats and carry knives or crowbars.
I am aware of no data that quantifies the number of assaults that are so sudden that they preclude getting the hand on the gun while it is still in concealment.
They happen, as do clear prior indications of impending threat. My point is that for the average CCW holder who is not likely to practice much, let alone get professional training, it is far more important to concentrate on threat identification and getting a good grip on the gun than to depend on fast draw to get you out of a jam.
Reality check: If your assailant is within twenty feet of you and initiates a sudden unsuspected lethal attack, your draw will probably end up in a grapple (as every rookie cop learns in defensive tactics class at the academy).
So work on a smooth presentation, but no matter what be ready — good and ready.
Editor’s Note: Feel like commenting on this story or have a question for Joseph Terry about concealed carry not covered here? Log in and post your question in the comments below.
The Spanish Mauser, firing 7x57mm cartridges, was used with great effect by the Spanish in the Spanish-American War. It was among the first of a number of late 19th- early 20th-Century conflicts the 7mm Mauser cartridge proved its worth.
If Paul Mauser had not developed this cartridge in 1892, and had Spain not adopted it as their military cartridge a year later, we might not have developed and then adopted the .30-06 in 1906.
At the time of the Spanish-American conflict in 1898, the US Army was armed with the .30-40 Krag cartridge loaded with a 220 grain round-nose bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2000 fps. The rifle for it by Krag-Jorgensen had to be loaded a single cartridge at a time, whereas the Spanish troops were armed with Mauser 93, which was loaded from a clip, a much faster method.
At the major battle of the campaign, about 6,500 U.S. soldiers attacked around 750 Spanish defenders in and around San Juan Hill. While the US forces prevailed, they did so at a very high price. About twice the number of defenders were casualties on the US side. Later assessments by US military authorities of the battle results concluded that the reason for the substantial casualties suffered by the US forces was that they were out-gunned by the Spanish defenders and their Model 93 Mauser rifles chambered for the 7×57mm cartridge.
Not long after this finding, the US came out with the .30-03 cartridge and the 1903 Springfield rifle modified soon thereafter to the .30-06 cartridge. Not only was the 7×57 cartridge a proven military round, it was quickly loaded in civilian guise for the sporting market.
Germany found a ready market for their cartridge and Mauser actions in England. Sport hunters quickly learned that the cartridge was a great hunting round. It was an efficient killer of game while delivering very modest recoil to the shooter.
The old firm of John Rigby produced a goodly number of their fine rifles for the 7×57, which they chose to call the .275 Rigby. Perhaps its best known proponent was W.D.M. “Karamojo” Bell. John “Pondoro” Taylor reports in his landmark book on African Rifles and Cartridges, that Bell killed 1,011 elephants during his career, “practically all of which he shot with his Rigby-Mauser of this caliber” (.275 Rigby). Jim Corbett of The Man-Eaters Kumaon fame, used a .275 Rigby as his #2 rifle. With it, he shot all manners of tigers and leopards in India.
It's popularity as a sporting cartridge didn't take long to cross the Atlantic. Most major US rifle manufacturers, sooner or later, chambered rifles in for the cartridge. One of the rarer pre-64 Model 70 chamberings was for the 7×57.
Outdoor writer icon Jack O'Connor was an early fan of the cartridge. Both he and his wife Eleanor were big fans, but it was Eleanor's favorite and most used rifle. It was a custom job that Jack had built for himself. Metalsmith Tom Burgess did all the metalwork and Russell Leonard crafted the stock. Eleanor tried the rifle and after having the stock shortened a bit, decided that it had to be hers. She used it for the vast majority of her hunting from then on. She used it to take a 44-1/4 inch Dall ram that won a Boone & Crockett medal in 1963. She took it to Mozambique in 1962 and shot seventeen animals with nineteen shots.
Jack wrote in his book, The Hunting Rifle, “The only animal that took more that one shot was a kudu bull that didn't know when it was dead.”
Jack finally got his own 7×57 chambered rifle a few years later, in 1957, when he contacted Winchester and inquired about a Model 70 in 7×57. The Winchester folks told him that they had exactly one 7mm barrel left and they'd do up a rifle for him. He sent it to Al Biesen who shortened the barrel to 22”, stocked it in a nice stick of French walnut, and mounted a Weaver K4 scope in Redfield mounts. He used it on quite a few hunts after that, including taking it to Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Two 7x57mm cartridges (left) next to 7.5×55 Swiss / GP11 (mid), .308 Winchester and .223 Remington (right).
The C.I.P established maximum pressure for the cartridge is 56,5565 psi. The SAAMI maximum average pressure is set at 51,000 psi, in deference to the older Mauser still around in that chambering. A modern rifle in that cartridge should be perfectly safe at 60,000 psi. I wouldn't hesitate to load cartridges at that pressure level for use in my semi-custom Ruger rifle, or in a custom rifle on a pre-64 Model 70 action that I once owned but stupidly let get away from me.
The 7×57 has been around for a long time, but even so, the one-rifle North American hunter could do far worse than the little 7mm as his/her choice of cartridge provided, the big bears weren't on the menu. It leaves little to be desired on the table. It is difficult to argue with success and one look at Eleanor O'Connor's track record with it should be sufficient.
Range Systems' Dura-Steel Targets offer shooters a durable and mobile option in steel targets.
Steel targets are a blast, but many can have a major drawback – their immobility.
In many circumstances, larger gong and silhouette targets are impractical to lug around and are better off being permanently planted. But each year, there are more and more manufacturers coming out with more and more mobile metal target options.
Range Systems is among the most recent entrants into the easier to maneuver metal-target market. The Minnesota manufacturer just released its Dura-Steel Target system, giving shooters a convenient and affordable option in steel targets.
The Dura-Steel system is nearly as simple as hanging up a paper target.
Basically, it is a steel silhouette that attaches to a metal tripod. All a shooter needs to get rocking is a wrench to attach the target to the base. From there it’s trigger time.
The system is designed for quick and easy user interface. But it also has a few well thought out wrinkles that have the potential to extend the target’s life and increase its safety.
Along these lines, perhaps the most important design feature is the 20-degree forward tilt of the Tri-Pod Target Stand. Situating the silhouette at the angle helps the bullet splatter (breaks apart) when it hits the target.
This is an important feature, since it reduces the potential for a ricochet and injury. It also extends the lifetime of the silhouette by reducing the direct energy it absorbs and prevents cratering on the surface.
The tripod is also designed to keep solid footing, no matter where it’s set up. It achieves this stability through the extra-large radius of its legs. And it has a pocket to hold an optional hostage head target, adding to its usefulness as a defensive-shooting accessory.
The silhouettes are constructed to last, made of 3/8 inch of rugged AR500 steel. The material is typically used in steel targets, but also in mining and other high-ware applications. Dura-Steel’s silhouettes are capable of handling calibers up to .762 at 100 yards.
There are five different target head silhouettes available: E-Target, M9, IPSC 2/3 IPSC and Q-Target. The targets are reversible, extending their life. And they come unpainted, to make them more cost effective.
The Dura-Steel Tripod Target Stand has an MSRP of $150, while the silhouettes MSRPs range from $75 to $150.
Ruger has continued its devotion to small, lightweight pistols with the addition of the striker-fired LC9s.
When it comes to producing reliable petite pistols, one company has ruled the roost.
Ruger has found smaller is better when it comes to semi-automatic handguns with its .380 LCP and 9mm LC9 developing dedicated followings. And the Connecticut/Arizona manufacturer doesn’t appear it plans to stray from that formula anytime soon.
Ruger reiterated its devotion to the diminutive pistol market on July 29 with the release of the LC9s (which we'll do a full gun review of in the August 28 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine).
From the outside, the new handgun appears to be a slightly refined clone of its predecessor. However, get under the slide of the LC9s and it’s a whole different ball game.
The pistol is a striker-fired version of the LC9, an alteration that has the potential to hit the sweet spot with shooters. What the switch from the double-action, hammer-fire operation of the earlier version means is a crisper and shorter trigger pull.
The LC9s trigger pull is nearly 1 pound less than and .2 inches shorter than its predecessor, according to the handgun's spec sheet. It also incorporates a blade safety on the trigger, a popular feature found on most striker-fired pistols.
Ruger, however, has retained the thumb safety on its new pistol – a feature common to the entire Lightweight Compact Pistol line. It also has included a number of other safety features, such as a magazine disconnect, inert magazine for safe disassembly and a visual inspection port that allows for visual confirmation of a loaded or empty chamber.
Ruger has kept the proportions of the LC9s identical to the earlier version of the gun, making it ideal for regular carry. The pistol has a 3.12-inch barrel and is 6 inches in length, 4.5 inches in height and .9 inches in width.
The LC9s is also lightweight tipping the scales at 17.2 ounces unloaded. As a comparison, Ruger’s standard-sized 9mm – SR9 – comes in nearly 10-ounces heavier.
Further bolstering the LC9s’ carry cred is its capacity, which is 7+1. But, where some might find a bone to pick with Ruger is the pistol only comes with one 7-round magazine.
The LC9s is a petite pistol, but one Ruger has made more controllable with the option of a finger grip extension floorplate that can be added to the magazine.
The handgun boasts a through-hardened alloy steel slide, blued to prevent corrosion. It has a one-piece, glass-filled nylon grip frame with aggressive checkering.
The LC9s also features a 3-dot sight with a fixed front and windage-adjustable rear.
The one aspect of the new gun – actually any small handgun – shooters will have to deal with is recoil and muzzle flip. As light and small as the LC9s is, both of these have the potential of being pronounced.
Plenty of range time and continued practice should help shooters overcome these aforementioned aspects. But for safe measure, Ruger offers a finger grip extension floorplate that can be added to the magazine to increase comfort and grip.
The LC9s is compatible with all accessory designed for previous models of Ruger’s Lightweight Compact Pistol line. And the handgun isn’t only light on the beltline, but also the wallet with an MSRP of $449.
The great thing about reloading is the ability to build a round to meet the situation. A .45 Colt can become a perfect plinking revolver with a light load. The same gun can halt a rouge bear if the powder and bullet weight are pumped up. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
As a reloader, you are able to control the ballistic parameters of the ammunition for your firearm. Whether it is a pistol or rifle, the ability to vary the bullet weight and velocity of your firearm makes each and every one of them much more flexible than most people would think.
There are oodles of great factory loadings available today, and it is better than it has ever been, but we handloaders have the wide world of bullet choices and powder selections at our fingertips.
Take a long look at your favorite rifle, and odds are that you can find a pretty wide choice of projectiles, that can serve in a multitude of different hunting situations. Let’s look at a few examples.
The classic .300 Winchester Magnum can use a selection of .308” diameter bullets that weigh between 110 and 250 grains. That’s quite a wide range, and each weight has its place in the hunting field.
Winchester’s .300 has earned a very good reputation with 180 grain bullets moving along at around 2,950 feet per second and that load is one I use often, especially when the possibility of a long shot exists, like moose across a Quebec lake, or kudu in the karoo of South Africa. Many elk hunters grab this configuration of ammunition, and with good effect.
My rifle loves the 180 grain Swift Scirocco II, handloaded with Reloder 19 to 2,960fps. But, you really don’t need that velocity or the heavy bullet all the time.
Let’s assume you have a .300 Winchester that you absolutely love (which I do!), and want to use it for pronghorn antelope on the Great Plains.
A fast, flat shooting 150 grain bullet will fit the bill perfectly. At 3,150 fps, you should be able to hit those goats out as far as you’d ethically shoot them, and a bonded core spitzer bullet will kill quickly without making a bloody mess.
If you want to take that same rifle deer hunting, a 165 grain bullet loaded to just under 3,000 fps will make a very effective whitetail load, regardless of the distance.
Sometimes, a specialty hunt will pop up that may force you to get creative; bear hunting over bait is one example that comes quickly to mind. The shot will usually be under 75 yards, yet you want something beefy because bears have claws and teeth after all. In these situations, I subscribe to the Elmer Keith “slow and heavy” school of thought.
I took a box of 220 grain Hornady round-nose bullets, and used IMR 4064 to reduce the velocity to 2,425 fps, similar to the older .30-’06 Springfield loads. Group size hangs around minute-of-angle, and these big heavy bullets will really thump a bruin.
As a matter of fact, that particular load has worked very well on whitetail deer as well. My eleven point buck from 2011 fell as if he were pole-axed. He weighed 180 pounds on the hoof.
The plains of Africa can present a diverse selection of game, from the diminutive Steenbok to the moose-sized eland, and you have to carry a load that can cover all the bases. I brought the 200 grain Swift A-Frame, loaded to 2,700 fps in my .300 Winchester and it worked out very well.
The .300 is just one example, and the same could apply to a .30-06, .280 Remington or .270 Winchester. Learn about the different types of bullets available in your favorite caliber, and utilize the different weights and construction available.
Pistols can benefit from the same mentality. My Ruger Blackhawk in .45 (Long) Colt is a very strong revolver, and that cartridge can be stoked up to bark!
The big 300 grain Hornady XTP bullets can be pushed to around 1,300 fps, which is a wonderful insurance policy while hiking in my native Adirondacks or Catskills. The same revolver likes to play cowboy with me though, and when you roll up some 250 grain hard-cast lead Falcon Bullets at a velocity of 850 fps, you can shoot all afternoon at paper hombres.
Lighter bullets like Rainier Ballistics’ 180 grain flat point, which are usually reserved for the .45ACP, can be loaded in the Colt case in either a high velocity situation or in a reduced velocity scenario, depending on the application, or your mood.
The larger caliber safari guns can be rather intimidating to a shooter who doesn’t have a ton of experience with them. The heavy recoil they produce, being a side effect of the big bullets and powder charges, can pose a problem.
Firearms, such as the .300 Winchester, are eminently flexible. Given the sheer amount of components that can be used with the caliber, reloaders can tailor the cartridge to nearly any need. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
Reducing their velocity for practice is a wise idea. Drop the velocity by 150 or 200 fps and that recoil drops off quite a bit, making the rifle much more manageable. The classic .416 Rigby launches its 400 grain bullets at 2,400fps, with rather severe recoil. Drop the muzzle velocity to 2,200 fps and you can immediately feel the recoil drop off, yet you still have a potent big game loading.
The most popular chambering in safari rifles is undoubtedly the .375 Holland and Holland Magnum. The 300 grain bullets that made the cartridge so popular are loaded to 2,550 fps in most factory loadings. These bullets are wonderful for buffalo, elephant and brown bear, but that .375 can be used for much more than the big nasties.
Barnes makes a great 235 grain TSX bullet; it’s a solid copper hollowpoint that can be pushed over 2,800 fps. This makes a great long range elk and moose load. It also works well on black bear, and gives you more time afield with your favorite .375.
So, look at the possibilities for your favorite rifle, and don’t be afraid to use you reloading bench to make sure you have the perfect load for the hunting trip you’re planning. There are tons of great bullets and powders out there, and that’s something we reloaders should be very grateful for.
Enjoy the improved accuracy of hand-tuned ammunition, and gather the necessary information needed to get started with the reloading process. You’ll benefit from this reloading guide if:
You want to learn how to reload rifle and pistol ammo
You need to know the necessary tools required for reloading
You’d like to learn the benefits of reloading ammo
Shotgun suppressors, for the most part, have been oddities.
Noise reducing devices for smoothbores have existed for some time, but have been out of reach for most of the general shooting public. What has made the accessory rare is the fact that historically it's been a custom accessory.
If a shooter wanted to dampen the report of a 12-gauge, well they’d have to find a smithy willing to whip a can together for their gun.
SilencerCo isn’t keeping quite it wants to change this trend with the Utah-based company recently unveiling a shotgun silencer for the masses.
The Salvo 12 is being billed as the only commercially-viable shotgun suppressor on the market. Of course, it being a suppressor the device still demands a pretty penny.
SilencerCo placed a $1,400 MSRP on the Salvo, putting it at the high end of the suppressor market. There is also the additional $200 tax stamp that must be paid since the device is a NFA regulated accessory – a piece of legislation some are trying to change.
If monetary constraints don't stand in the way, the Salvo appears to have a number of features that should appeal to shooters. Perhaps the most intriguing is the flexibility of the device.
The Salvo is configurable, with removable sections that allow shooters to adjust its length and noise suppression. At its full 12 inches, the device dampens a shotgun’s report to 132 decibels at the ear; at its minimum 6 inches, it suppresses the report to 140 dB.
The noise reduction the aluminum and stainless steel constructed device provides is between 10 and 20 decibels quieter than a un-suppressed 12-guage. This, SilencerCo touts, puts the suppressed levels of a 12-guage report at or below the 140 dB peak sound pressure OSHA sets as the maximum for exposure to impact noises.
SilencerCo recently unveiled the Salvo 12, which it touts as the first commercially-viable shotgun suppressor. Photo: SilencerCo.
The Salvo functions with most modern 12-gauge shotguns, as long as they are pre-threaded to accept a removable choke. On this point the company notes, “Due to differences in shotgun manufacturer and choke preference, it is important that you select the correct adapter,” when you purchase the suppressor.
The Salvo is a logical step in the world of suppressors. Demand for the device has increase with a majority of states allowing the accessory for hunting.
There also appears to be a potential for urban applications for the device. Reducing the noise of a shotgun could open up the possibility of sporting clay ranges where municipal ordnances once made their construction impossible.
Whatever the ultimate fate of the Salvo is, one thing is appears clear – the suppressor world is just opening up.
Leather holsters, like this Galco Concealable Exotic, give the wearer many advantages including comfort and a lifetime of durable use. But even the best examples still need to be properly broken in when new.
Often, a new leather holster is stiff and tight. This means it will be hard to draw your handgun from the rig, and it also may be hard to fully seat your weapon in the rig initially.
Many leather rigs have adjustment screws, useful for adjusting to your gun both initially and when leather shrinks from heat, moisture, sweat, and humidity. Getting your gun stuck in your holster can be embarrassing to say the least, and fatal at worst.
If your leather holster does not have adjustment screws and is too tight to draw from effectively, the solution is to break in the holster with your unloaded handgun.
Also known as “working” the holster, this means pushing your unloaded handgun all the way into the holster, moving it around, and then drawing it out. This should be done 10 to 15 times. If the holster is really tight, then you need to carry out a simple break-in procedure called “blocking.”
This involves putting your unloaded handgun inside a plastic bag, such as the bag the holster came in, and then pushing the bagged, unloaded handgun all the way into the holster. You move it around as much as you can and then draw it and reinsert it 10 to 12 times.
You then leave the bagged, unloaded gun in the holster for a couple hours. When you withdraw the unloaded gun from the holster and the bag, re-insert it and withdraw it again, you should find that the gun moves more easily into and out of the holster.
Excerpted from the book Armed, by Bruce N Eimer, Ph.D.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
