Watch this episode of First Person Defender to learn life-saving tips on how to draw a firearm and defend against a parking lot kidnapping attempt.
I found this episode particularly engaging because it simulates a scenario we can all relate to: Leaving the grocery store with a kid in tow and a handful of groceries. I picked up at least 3 three good tips from this episode:
Stay alert. There's a lot happening in a parking lot.
Maintain distance. Move. Don't let anyone within your comfort zone.
Shield children, angle, then draw – shout commands.
To learn more about personal defense I highly recommend these new resources:
Which would you rather have: six shots of .38 Special or 10 shots of 9mm Parabellum +P?
Reliability
In those preceding years, the other pistols had in many cases been manufactured to a less demanding standard. They had been made when precision meant hand fitting, and everyone expected pistols to be somewhat less reliable than revolvers. Soon the “hand-fit vs. reliability” debate would sputter out, but until then, Glock was first. The level of reliability that Glocks demonstrate can be approached and matched by other pistols, but there is a definite advantage in being first.
Durability
Here Glock has a definite advantage. The polymer frame shrugs off impacts that would dent or crack other frames made of aluminum or steel. Unless you’re willing to make your handgun excessively bulky (and thus solid) it won’t be as durable. And that heavy, who’d want it?
Weight
The Glock’s big Glock advantage is its weight. Or lack thereof, really. The standard G-17 tips the scales empty at a feathery 22 ounces. Comparable pistols come in 25 to 30 percent heavier, and revolvers must be quite compact to beat the Glock. Big revolvers can’t do it; small or airweight can; but they all lack capacity.
The Glock’s frame curve is relatively high, positioning your hand higher behind the gun and lessening its leverage during recoil. The backstrap curve of a custom 1911 still isn’t as high as a Glock’s.
Grip Shape
The advantageous shape of the Glock grip stems from two things; the polymer design and the European search for a “natural pointing angle” between grip and bore. The polymer design of the Glock frame means that there is no need for grips. And the deletion of grips also means no grip screws, no bushings for same and no need to worry about them coming loose.
Low Bore
The Glock … rails are so small they hardly add anything to the parts stack height up to the bore. There is no hammer, so the hammer pivot isn’t in the way of lowering the bore. The barrel locks into the ejection port of the slide, so the thickness of steel above the barrel is no more than that needed for structural integrity. And the firing pin height is only what is needed for the tail to reach down to the cruciform of the trigger bar.
Low Felt Recoil
Low felt recoil results from the combination of the flex of the polymer frame, the grip angle and the hand-filling grip that doesn’t have joints where the (non-existent) grips meet the frame, and the low bore line. The low bore aids low felt recoil, as the cycling parts do not have as much leverage when they bottom out against the frame. Also, the flex of the polymer frame changes the nature of the impact between slide and frame.
Maintainability
On a Glock, you can practically teach your dog to swap extractors. You can swap parts yourself, once you’ve had about 10 minutes of coaching. You can replace worn or broken ones, or replace lost ones that you dropped on the last cleaning. About the only things that might require extra tools or some training would be installing new sights or fitting a new, non-Glock-made barrel.
Capacity
For its size, the Glock holds more rounds than any other pistol. For a brief time during the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, all pistols held a maximum of 10 rounds, at least those with magazines made at the time. Since the sunsetting of that egregious law we are back to full-capacity magazines. When the G-17 came to be, the top capacity pistols were the traditional Browning Hi-Power at 13 rounds and the S&W M‑59 at 15.
Simplicity of Use
For training, less time spent learning the “knobs and buttons” meant that more time could be spent learning sight alignment and trigger control. Students issued Glocks posted higher qualification scores with less time and shooting than those issued revolvers or other pistols.
They Look Cool
The Glock design exudes a businesslike air unlike any other firearm. Yes, it is irrational to attach an emotional state to an object, but as emotional creatures that is what we humans do. And just to make sure you know where I stand on the issue (firmly in the middle) it is my personal feeling that a Glock has all of the warmth, charm, personality and character of an industrial tool.
For more than two decades, Tiger McKee has devoted himself to the art and science of tactical shooting, and in training others in these tactics. All the hard work has paid off. McKee owns and operates the Shootrite Firearms Academy in Langston, Ala., one of the premier shooting schools in the South, where he’s helped train everyone from Joe Gun Owner to members of elite SWAT Teams. McKee, 53, is also the author of The Book of Two Guns, a training manual for practitioners of the 1911 handgun and the AR carbine, as well as a recent contributor to the pages of Gun Digest. In his “spare” time, McKee, designed his own AR, the Katana, a lean carbine stripped of all the “heavy stuff” he saw built onto so many of the new rifles.
Many people hear “tactical shooting,” and assume it only refers to law enforcement or the military. Can your average citizen benefit from training that falls under that heading?
Definitely. The skills we train people on are the same across the board. The applications may differ—if you’re an armed citizen, for example, you don’t need to learn SWAT tactics. Knowing how to operate your firearm fully, including dealing with malfunctions, marksmanship, how to move while shooting, and communicating during situations—these are the fundamentals we teach, whether you are an armed citizen, law enforcement or Special Forces.
Like my prime mentor, Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch, always says, it’s fundamentals that win fights. And it’s really difficult to acquire new skills in the middle of a fight! So you need training beforehand.
How did shooting and training become such big parts of your life?
I cannot remember not shooting. Both my grandfathers were lawmen, and my father was in the military. (Note, McKee’s father retired as a colonel in the U.S. Army’s Special Forces.) So I grew up shooting. When we all got together, family gatherings and those sorts of things, we’d target shoot together.
What was the journey like, from plinking with the family to tactical shooting instructor?
It’s not really something that I planned. I’ve been involved in shooting and martial arts since I was young, so I guess I always had a “self-defense” mindset. I began teaching family and friends various things about shooting. Then, in my 20s, I became an NRA-certified instructor and it sort of went from there.
Who did you take classes with?
A number of people, including Colonel Jeff Cooper and Clint Smith. Cooper was teaching at the NRA’s Whittington Center in Raton, N.M., then, and I took a couple classes with him. That was great. He’s pretty much the father of all the things we are doing now in the tactical shooting world.
Then you took classes with Clint Smith?
Correct. Clint is my major mentor. I took several classes with him at Thunder Ranch when it was still in Texas, and then in 1997 Clint hired me to teach some classes—defensive handgun, carbine, precision rifle. That was a great break for me. I learned so much just watching how Clint conducted himself. He’s very professional and incredibly knowledgeable. I taught there for several years, and various other schools, too.
So when did you know you wanted shooting instruction to be your life’s work?
I think I knew it when I was taking classes with Colonel Cooper. He encouraged me on that, too.
So, in the 1990’s, you were full-time into shooting and teaching?
No, sir. I had a lot of different jobs and work in there, too. I owned a shop that did custom builds for cars and motorcycles. And for a while, I was part owner of a nightclub. Odds and ends. Nothing major, just making ends meet.
When did you open Shootrite Firearms Academy?
It was in 1994. But it was very much a part-time thing. Between these odd jobs and teaching classes for people like Clint, I’d hold classes at Shootrite. As things went forward, I started to get better known, and Clint would refer students to me—he helped me a great deal.
The Book of Two Guns—did you write it as a way to establish your instructor credentials?
Not at all. It began as my notebook from the shooting classes I took. I’d make notes and draw diagrams, write down ideas that came to mind, questions I wanted answered. One day, I left it at the common room at Thunder Ranch when I was teaching there, and one of the instructors saw it and showed it to Clint.
Clint read it over, and he said to me, “You need to publish this. And you need to do it in the exact form this is in, with your handwritten notes and your own diagrams.” Well, Clint’s a very smart guy, very successful. So when he tells me something, I listen. I self-published the book, and it turned out to be pretty successful. Clint was right!
And several years ago, you designed an AR, too, the Katana.
That was something else that really wasn’t planned. I never intended the Katana as a product for sale. I was seeing all these AR rifles with heavy rails and bull barrels, and I felt there should be a rifle that was true to Eugene Stoner’s original concept of a light-weight, slim AR carbine. A writer I knew wanted to do an article on the build. I built the rifle, and he did the article, and then I was using the Katana in my classes. Well, students kept asking me, where could they get one like it? And people who read that article, they were contacting me, too. Where could they buy one?
So, I hooked up with Red Jacket Firearms [of the Sons of Guns television show], and we put out the Katana together for several years. I’ve been working with a different gun maker now, M.H.T. Defense of Wedowee, Ala., and we’ll be coming out with the Katana and a couple of different model options later this year.
Someone who loves to shoot and teach and wants to break into tactical shooting as a career—any advice?
I’d tell someone that, first of all, it’s a really hard business. These days, it seems people are opening up new shooting schools every week. If you want to make a living at this, you’re going to have to make a name for yourself and distinguish yourself from all the other guys out there. That’s going to take a lot of long hours.
And there’s so much for you to learn. You should never teach anything you’re not completely knowledgeable of—Clint Smith always stressed that to me. So that’s more of those long hours.
But, for all that, it’s a very satisfying career. The things you’re teaching people, if they actually have to use them one day? You have taught your students life saving skills. It’s such a good feeling to know you are truly helping people.
I don’t like guns. At least that’s what I thought, as I reflected back on how my mother never let my father bring his gun into the house.
I remember talking to my dad about getting a little Derringer. He was adamantly against it. Small guns can be wrestled away and used against the owner, he said. Instead, he advocated for a gun that was effective with one shot.
Several years have passed since I first thought about owning a gun. Recently, I have a renewed interest in learning to use one. I want my daughter to be educated on firearm safety and use—I want her to be smart and prepared.
Do Any Gun Ranges Cater to Beginners?
I did some research and read some good reviews about the Sandy Springs Gun Club and Range, just north of Atlanta. When I called about their membership, the woman who answered discussed my options. She mentioned that Thursday was set aside for women—and there were no range fees.
I’m not going to say that I felt immediately at ease or unafraid, but it was important to me that a well-spoken woman had all the answers to my questions, and she understood my apprehension.
“Make sure you let the person at the desk know you need some help,” she said, adding that it’s standard to assist guests.
I’ve since learned the range is owned by two sisters, Cara Workman and Robyn Workman Marzullo. I had the pleasure of meeting Robyn during my visit.
“If you can load a washing machine, you can load a gun,” Robyn said with a smile. She was right.
Behind the Gun: First Impressions
My daughter and I attended Ladies Day and were impressed by how professional and courteous the staff was—and that they were armed.
I was met by Brandie Huth, director of marketing and Casey Retterer, director of training. Retterer provided us with safety information about the gun, the club, and how each range is segmented—all completely state-of-the-art.
He set aside a Browning Buck Mark 22 for our first experience. Then he took us to the side and gave us the four cardinal rules of gun safety:
A gun is always loaded. Casey does not want there to be any mistakes or confusion and he doesn’t believe in simply, “treating a gun as if it’s loaded.”
Never cross the muzzle of a gun over anything you are not willing to destroy. Again, Casey’s safety-first training kept us feeling at ease.
Always keep your finger on the side unless you have made the conscious decision to shoot. Even after we went into the range, he impressed upon us to wait until your aim is set before putting a finger on the trigger.
Always be aware of your target, the foreground and the background. Being aware and knowing what is happening in that space is critical.
Once on the range, Casey showed us how to load the .22, pull back the slide and get the first shell into the chamber. I was surprised how easy it was to focus and not get distracted by the other shooters on the range. After a while, fear was set aside as we learned more about the pistol. There was only one person in the other lane so the noise was minimal and we were wearing ear protection.
The pistol was easy to handle, easy to load and had very little recoil. The target was only about 5 yards away, but I didn’t seem to be hitting the circle very well. My daughter, however, was a sharpshooter right out of the gate.
“I love it,” my daughter exclaimed, as we left. And with our first range session being a success, we wasted no time. We were already making plans to return and try other handguns.
Gun Digestthe Magazine is the source for firearms news, pricing and guns for sale. With a subscription toGun Digestthe Magazine, readers benefit from in-depth editorial expert advice, show reviews, how-to instructions and Second Amendment issues.
Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Overzealous Range Safety Officer?
I was wrong. I realize that. And I admit it.
Yes, I had technically, though unintentionally, just broken a rule.
It was a slow Sunday afternoon and for most of the shooting session with my wife and her father, we had been the only ones on the private access range. When I was done shooting, I dropped the empty mag from my .45 and locked the slide open, checking once and then again that the firearm was clear. It was.
Keeping the firearm pointed safely toward the floor, I turned, took the two steps to the cart where my case was lying open and still pointed down, closed the slide and laid it inside. That's where I messed up.
A moment later, a large guy was tapping on my shoulder, identifying himself as an RSO (a Range Safety Officer) and explaining the scope of his authority. He told me they had cameras rolling at all times at the range and he could go back, look at the video and write me up for any infraction of the rules and bring me before the board. He didn't realize my father-in-law was the member, and I was simply a guest. I still wasn't sure of what I had done.
I'm sure veteran public indoor range users reading this are probably shaking their heads. They know where I messed up. That's right, I hadn't cased my gun inside the station.
It's a common rule at many public indoor ranges, which are often crowded, and must ensure firearms are always pointed in a safe direction-near universally downrange. It makes perfect sense, and I should've known as much, though I admittedly do most of my shooting on private property, at less crowded outdoor ranges with more space or at events where, while safety remains a priority, shooters are often switching between multiple firearms, either to actually shoot or to take photographs. In most of these situations, shooters aren't dealing with cased personal guns, but shooting firearms taken from a single table or area behind the line. The times I have shot at more crowded public venues, the only place I had to put stuff was inside the station, so casing and uncasing my handgun in the station was inevitable.
I honestly had never thought about it beyond that. I follow basic safe firearm handling practices by ensuring my gun is unloaded when not on the line and pointed in a safe direction at all times. The RSO's wife had been watching through an observation window at the rear of the range and alerted her husband. The dude chided me, noting in that moment I laid the gun in the case, it was technically pointed to the rear of the range. I politely listened. I hadn't cased the gun inside the station, so I made no arguments. I let the guy finish, thanked him for pointing out my mistake and finished cleaning up. We again spoke before I left and enjoyed a cordial conversation. He wasn't a bad guy.
But Are We Cutting Off Our Nose to Spite Our Face?
While you won't see this guy on the marketing materials for your local gun club, he's the reason many shooters don't want to join or renew, at least one study suggests.
As I thought about it later though, had I been checking out the range as a prospective member, the incident might have put me off a little. My treatment hadn't left me feeling very welcome. I didn't mind the guy calling me out, but he could've done so by simply informing me of what I had done wrong and pointing out why it was an important rule to follow. I would've left feeling appreciative and better informed, not feeling like some reckless lug.
You can never be too safe, but spend any time at a range and it's a good bet we've all run into that overzealous RSO who treats his responsibility like he's running the Gestapo. It's a put off for sure and the type of intimidating behavior cited as a top reason in a Southwick Associates survey of why three out of four shooters don't belong to or frequent ranges.
More importantly, it's a teachable moment lost when a person is made to feel foolish, and quite possibly a chance squandered to make that shooter a safer, supportive member of the shooting community.
Has This Happened to You?
What do you think? Safety officers are tasked with keeping the range safe for everyone. It's a huge responsibility. But does this responsibility always demand gruff action regardless of the infraction or can the response be dialed down to match the situation? Have you had a similar encounter either as a shooter or as an RSO? If so, how was the situation handled? We'd love to get your thoughts. Share them on our Facebook page or leave comments below. Some of the best comments will be shared on the Community Page of an upcoming issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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World War II U.S. Singer Manufacturing Company Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic pistol was the highlight of the auction estimated at $9500-$15,000. Final sales price: $40,250.
Rock Island Auction Company’s summer Regional Firearms Auction exceeded expectations by surmounting the high estimate by nearly $200,000 — posting $4.7 million dollars in sales. “Our Regional sales have truly become ‘must participate' sales within the gun collecting community” said Patrick Hogan, President and Owner of Rock Island Auction Company. “Nowhere else in the world is there the quantity, quality, and diversity of firearms up for auction with virtually no reserves.
“We had a 99% sell through rate this past weekend” added Hogan. The sale contained nearly 6000 firearms and 2680 lots.
“The beauty of our regional sales stem from their overwhelming variety; everything from original Henry rifles, genuine Civil War carbines and muskets, World War II firearms and militaria, to large ammunition lots, knives and edged weapons, gun cleaning supplies to modern new in the box shotguns, rifles and pistols” said Laurence Thomson auctioneer and RIAC’s Executive Director of Operations. “The reason for such success is our ability to cater to this diverse clientele which extends from collectors, dealers, investment buyers to general firearms enthusiast and history buffs” added Thomson.
World War II arms were among the most popular. “[O]ver the past couple of years World War II firearms have really taken off,” said Jessica Tanghe RIAC’s Executive Director of Client Services. In fact, the rare and desirable World War II U.S. Singer Manufacturing Company Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic pistol was the highlight of the auction. Originally estimated at $9500-$15,000, following fierce bidding the pistol commanded an impressive $40,250.
This Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action rifle in 50 Express Caliber was valued at $4500-7500 but achieved an impressive $8625.
Other notable results included a U.S. Union Switch & Signal Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic pistol estimated $900-1300 which brought $4025. A U.S. Ithaca Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic pistol estimated $800-1300 went out the door for $2875. German Military firearms enjoyed comparable success as a Mauser “S/42” Code 1936 Dated Luger pistol with 1936 Dated Holster estimated at $1300-1900 brought $3162.
A World War II K98 Mauser Sniper rifle with ZF41 Sniper Scope Mount, with an estimated $1400-2250 value, sold for $2587.
World War II items were only the beginning of this sensational weekend. As always, Colts and Winchester outperformed their expectations yet again. A New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action rifle estimated at $7500-12,000 went for $23,000. A Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action rifle in 50 Express Caliber (estimated $4500-7500) achieved an impressive $8625. Meanwhile, an engraved antique Colt Single Action Army revolver estimated at $4000-6000 brought $6325.
Over the duration of the weekend Hogan estimates over 700 people registered to bid live while untold thousands submitted absentee bids via online, sealed, and telephone bidding. That massive number of bidders equates to nearly 16,000 individual bids on 2680 lots, meaning each item had on average 6 individual parties.
Other highlights include a Winchester Factory Custom Shop Engraved Model 21 Shotgun with Three Gauge (20/28/410), Three Barrel Set estimated $12,000-18,000 which brought $20,700. A Rare Smith & Wesson Lever Action Magazine pistol estimated between $6000-8000 went out the door for $9775. A Cased Pair of Joseph Manton London Percussion pistols estimated from $2000-3000 achieved a staggering $8050.
For more information regarding this sale or interest in selling with Rock Island Auction Company, call 800-238-8022 or visit www.rockislandauction.com. Rock Island Auction’s next auction is a Premiere Firearms Auction scheduled for September 13th, 14th & 15th, 2013.
Gun Digestthe Magazine is the source for firearms news, pricing and guns for sale. With a subscription toGun Digestthe Magazine, readers benefit from in-depth editorial expert advice, show reviews, how-to instructions and Second Amendment issues.
Gun Digestthe Magazine is the source for firearms news, pricing and guns for sale. With a subscription toGun Digestthe Magazine, readers benefit from in-depth editorial expert advice, show reviews, how-to instructions and Second Amendment issues.
Doug Howlett, Editor-in-Chief of Gun Digest the Magazine.
A note from Doug Howlett, Editor-in-Chief of Gun Digest the Magazine…
As firearms enthusiasts, each of us has a primary reason that brings us to the shooting table. For many it's self-defense. For others it's competition or to simply have fun. For a lot of souls for whom I am grateful—our nation's soldiers and law enforcement officers—it's professional. For millions of sportsmen, including myself, it's primarily hunting. Certainly, to hunt, has been my main impetus for being a firearms owner, but I have to confess, over the years, while my passion for the chase has not waned, my desire to shoot and write about and share information on a variety of guns with applications far beyond hunting has exploded. And It's been a glorious personal evolution, one that has opened my eyes and mind to so many incredible experiences and brought me in contact with some super talented and fascinating people.
What truly excites me, however, is the opportunity to interact with the readers of Gun Digestthe Magazine and the visitors to gundigest.com, for in today's media world, each of us can play a part. This is certainly true in the shooting media, where the experiences and knowledge of many enthusiasts out there can sometimes rival that of a number of experts. Even if it doesn't, a particular experience can be shared with others to help all of us become better, safer shooters.
5 Reasons to Love the Newly Designed Gun Digest the Magazine
Have you checked out the new look for Gun Digest the Magazine that was rolled out in early 2013? Here are five reasons you should:
1. We've gone glossy and now look like a real magazine, not just some give-away tabloid at the local Quick Mart advertising happy hour specials and offering coupons to the local water park.
2. We've upped the coverage on hardware by providing more reviews on the latest guns, as well as spotlighting a broader range of shooting products and accessories. Our most recent issue hitting mailboxes this week focuses on tactical rifles with reviews on Del-Ton's DTI Evolution AR-15 style rifle, one that I personally got to shoot and am trying to get permission from the wife to buy (only if she gets to shoot it she says) and the ArmaLite AR-30A1 , one long-range tack-driving son of a gun. Issues in the coming months will feature coverage that will focus on shotguns, semi-auto handguns, hunting rifles and more. More gear coverage means you're more informed of what's available to make your shooting time more fun and productive.
3. We've got mad skills. Or at least our writers do and they want to share them with you. A number of Gun Digest contributors are firearms trainers and experts and they are happy to share that expertise with you. Want to learn to shoot better, read Gun Digest.
4. The pages are also filled with more great coverage and profiles on interesting shooters and experts, cool places to shoot, gun show event listings and even classifieds listing guns, accessories and other items for sale make Gun Digest one of the most unique and full-service firearms publications on the newsstand-or even better, arriving right in your mailbox. Tired of getting nothing but bills in your mailbox? Subscribe to Gun Digest and get that instead. We put out a new issue darn near every other week!
5. We don't just want you to read Gun Digest, we want you to be a part of it, too. Got a gun you've shot recently that you liked (or didn't)? Tell us what you thought and why. Same goes for ammo, gear, shooting ranges you've visited, you name it. Some of the best ways to learn more about shooting is from fellow shooters and Gun Digest welcomes your advice and insight in its pages.
P.S. – Check out the offer below on a digital subscription to the magazine and let us know what else you want to see. Your comments could be highlighted on our website or even in the magazine. We'd love to hear from you. Again, we can be reached at [email protected].
Get your issues faster! When you order a digital subscription, you'll get Gun Digest earlier than anyone else! Subscribe today, and you'll get a PDF of each issue delivered directly to your email inbox 24 times a year, offering fully searchable text, live links to tools and websites, go-anywhere convenience and earlier delivery than the print version.Plus, at only $29.98, you'll save a whopping 77% off the newsstand price. Order now and get a great deal, added convenience—and you'll save a few trees in the process.
In his introduction to the new Gun Digest Book of Centerfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly, gunsmith Kevin Muramatsu outlines his general tips for preparing to take apart a rifle. They are:
Make sure the gun is completely unloaded
Always wear safety glasses
Use a big, flat, well-lit space for the disassembly work
Have the factory user manual available for your gun
In addition to having a copy of the Gun Digest Book of Centerfire Rifles Assembly/Disassembly, get a copy of the Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings.
You'll also want good tools. Here are Muramatsu's top 10 recommendations for general centerfire rifle disassembly.
1. Instrument Screwdrivers
The tiniest of these fine German instrument screwdrivers from Brownells is too small for most gun work, but you’ll see the rest of them used frequently throughout the book. There are many tight places where these will come in handy.
2. Standard Screwdrivers
When a larger screwdriver is needed, this set from Brownells covers a wide range of blade sizes and also has Phillips- and Allen-type inserts. The tips are held in place by a strong magnet, yet are easily changed. These tips are very hard. With enough force you might manage to break one, but they’ll never bend.
3. Bent Sharpnosed Pliers
You should have at least one good pair of bent sharpnosed pliers. These, from Brownells, have a box joint and smooth inner faces to help prevent marring.
4. Parallel Jaw Pliers
For heavier gripping, these Bernard parallel-jaw pliers from Brownells have smooth-faced jaw-pieces of unhardened steel to prevent marring of parts.
5. Gunsmiths' Hammer
For situations where a non-marring rap is needed, this hammer from Brownells is ideal. It is shown with nylon faces on the head, but other faces of plastic and brass are also available. All are easily replaceable.
6. Metal Gunsmithing Hammers
For drifting out pins, these small all-metal hammers from B-Square are the best I’ve seen. Two sizes (weights) are available and they’re well worth the modest cost.
7. Sharpnosed Forceps
For situations where reach and accessibility are beyond the capabilities of sharpnosed pliers, a pair of large sharp-nosed forceps (tweezers) will be invaluable.
8. Nylon Drift Punch
One of the most-used tools is this nylon tipped drift punch, shown with an optional brass tip in place on the handle. It has a steel pin inside the nylon tip for strength. From Brownells, and absolutely essential.
9. Drift Punch Set
A good set of drift punches will prevent a lot of marred pins. These, from Brownells, are made by Mayhew. The tapered punches at the right are for starting pins, the others for pushing them through. Two sizes are available-4 inches or 6 inches.
10. Roll Pin Punches
These punches by Mayhew are designed specifically for roll pins and have a projection at the center of the tip to fit the hollow center of a roll pin, driving it out without deformation of the ends. From Brownells.
The Sig 516 Patrol Rifle comes in a standard black model, but is also available in Flat Dark Earth (FDE) and a black/Olive Drab (OD) Green version. Beyond the colors, each model boasts many of the same features.
The Sig Sauer Difference
The Sig Sauer 516 Patrol Rifle is not intended necessarily for military or law enforcement use, but can be if the inside is changed.; it’s a semi-auto, yet it is extremely accurate; and it will dust coyotes. The 516 is not just another AR. It has some really cool improvements over the typical AR-style rifle. One of the most notable improvements is it’s gas piston operated. Conventional AR rifles channel gas down a tube to the bolt—specifically to the carrier shoe, which is attached to the bolt carrier. This is where the gas stops, expending its energy to the spring-loaded carrier pushing it backward into the stock. This, along with the blowback action of the cartridge, extracts the spent case.
This system has and still performs extremely well, but the gasses transferred to the bolt area carry dirt and fouling along with it, which can be left on the bolt carrier. This fouling needs to be removed during routine maintenance in order to ensure continued smooth operation. The gas piston system, however, and this has been around for years, keeps the gas up front on the gas block part of the rifle. The energy is then transferred to the bolt carrier via a solid rod that runs along the same path the gas tube ran. This keeps the fouling in the gas piston chamber, which means it doesn’t have to be cleaned as often. It still needs maintenance periodically though. I have shot about 600 rounds through the 516, and there is not a speck of fouling around the bolt or carrier area.
The gas-piston Sig 516 Patrol AR is one sweet shooter.
The rifle comes with MagPul’s adjustable stock and pistol grip, which is a nice addition to an AR. The adjustability makes it fit a variety of different sized shooters and makes storing the firearm when not in use a little easier. It also comes with a four-rail forearm for attaching a white light or whatever tool for the purpose intended. The carbine barrel is topped off with a flash hider.
The rifle has a more robust lower than your granddaddy’s AR with heavy squared off lines like the area that houses the front pivot detent spring and area around the bolt release/lock. Also there is a left side magazine release making this function ambidextrous. Inside the frame is thicker with quite a bit more metal on the sides and back area for improved durability.
Have you ever been aggravated with your AR when the upper and lower start to wear a little making for a less than tight fit? Companies have come up with expandable pins for the rear upper as well as the little red rubber Accu Wedge, which all help in this area. Sig had a better idea: they put a spring-loaded adjustable detent in the lower right under the rear locking pin tab that keeps constant spring tension on the upper. As the unit wears, it can be adjusted to keep the tension as it should. The end result is no more rattling upper and lowers.
The rifle comes with flip-up adjustable iron sights, but Sig’s semi-mini red dot sight—a nice light sight for fast action shooting—can also be had. I topped this one with a Leupold Mark 4 MRT scope, a 1.5×5 illuminated reticle scope that can be used in close quarters, as well as handle long shots all in one sight. I was planning to use the gun for 3-Gun competition and the MRT helps with those close and long-range rifle shots in the same stage. Guess what? It will be a light and quick handling rifle for dusting coyotes in the fall and winter, too.
I’ve been shooting the full floated carbine at longer range targets and found it to be accurate out to 400 yards. Shooting at an 8- and 10-inch gong, one homemade and one of MGM Target’s flash gongs, if I do my job, the rifle does its. I have used several different types of ammo in the rifle, and it seems to digest it all well. I started out with Federal 55-grain FMJ, shot some Silver Bear 62-grain HPBT and had great luck with American Eagle 62-grain FMJ. It seemed to like the heavier bullet. I kind of do, too.
The rifle is quick to work around obstacles like barricades and windows making it a nice 3-Gun choice, and of course it would make a great close combat or home defense weapon. The shorter carbine barrel is better for retention during searches and working barricade stages and still accurate enough for the long shots.
How much difference can a laser grip make on the S&W J-Frame revolver? This itty-bitty group was fired at 25 yards using the laser as a sight. There are some folks who can do this with the factory sights on a J-Frame, but you probably have enough fingers to count all of them.
In 1994, Crimson Trace started offering a laser conversion for Glock handguns. It designed this laser to address all the things its inventor’s didn’t like about the handgun lasers currently available, namely it needed to have holster compatibility, had to be absent exposed wires, and had to include precision adjustments. It also needed to be reliable and, well, not ugly, and with minimal bulk. By working with the available space inside the Glock’s frame, Crimson Trace created a laser that mounted to the vertical portion of the trigger guard, with all the wires and the batteries internally housed.
It was, literally, an ingenious creation. This conversion got people’s attention. No longer did a handgun-mounted laser have to turn a handgun into the hunchback of Notre Dame. You simply sent your Glock to Crimson Trace, and one week later the company returned it with the integral laser conversion. Cost? $595. Now, almost 20 years later, there are still about 1,400 of these Crimson Trace-converted Glocks in use and Crimson Trace still services those units.
About a year after the first Crimson Trace Glock laser introduction, the company introduced the laser grip. At that time, most handguns had grip panels, and it was the obvious choice for aftermarket laser attachment, particularly on steel-framed handguns. The first laser grips were for the Beretta 92, the 1911, and the Ruger Mark II. Cost? $395.
A Sound Concept Ready for Primetime
Modern laser grips, like the Crimson Trace Master Series, are available in configurations other than rubber. Now, if you like wood grips, you can have them with a laser.
In 1997, things changed with Crimson Trace’s introduction of the laser grip for the S&W J-Frame revolver. The J-Frame was (and is) a very popular handgun for personal protection, because of its small size. For the same reason, and for its reliability, it was also a popular backup gun for police officers. I carried a J-Frame on my ankle for about half my police career. As popular as it was, most found it hard to shoot with any precision. This was because of its almost non-existent sights and the gun’s short sight radius. But now, all of a sudden, with the Crimson Trace laser grip, shooters and old gun writers found they could actually hit stuff with a J-Frame—out as far as 100 yards!
The J-Frame laser grip quickly became a top seller for Crimson Trace, and it finally gave gun writers the confirmation they needed to finally start talking positively about handgun-mounted lasers. The rest, as they say, is history. Lasers for handguns have, today, become the hottest selling aftermarket accessory, and there is hardly a handgun for which you cannot purchase a laser.
Crimson Trace, however, is not leading the handgun laser market because of the quality of their products—don’t get me wrong, the company does offer high-quality stuff—but, more importantly, due to the instinctive/instant activation their products offer. With a Crimson Trace laser grip or Laser Guard, all you have to do to activate the laser is grip the handgun normally. A button, either integral to the grip or extending on an arm from the front of the trigger guard (in the case of the Laser Guard) causes the laser to come on. You don’t have to think about activating the laser, you just need to grip the handgun.
Editor's Note: There's never been a better time to get a laser sight than right now. Buy the Crimson Trace Rail Master now for just $129.99 and get Handgun Training for Personal Defense—a 240-page training book on concealed carry, lights and lasers—FREE!
In his new book, Handgun Training for Personal Protection, firearms trainer Richard Mann admits that acquiring a good tactical light was one of the first investments he made after becoming a police officer.
It's easy to see why. Good flashlights are a game changer for concealed carry or armed duty and should be a part of your everyday carry kit (EDC). Today's tactical lights are powerful enough to provide total illumination of an area, your target and your handgun's sights. They can virtually blind an attacker momentarily, providing a split-second advantage.
But what is the best flashlight technique to use while deploying your handgun for self-defense? That depends on the situation. Here are Richard Mann's 4 techniques to know and practice.
With the FBI Technique, the light is held away from and in front of your body. This is a good thing. However, when shooting with this technique, you only have one hand on the gun.
The FBI Technique
Thinking bad guys might shoot at your light because they think that’s where you are, the FBI developed this technique to protect its agents from incoming bullets directed at the light. With the FBI technique, you hold the flashlight away from your body, out to the side and up in your non-shooting hand as you search for and engage targets. This is a tactically sound method for searching, but once you start shooting, your muzzle blast will give away the center of your location. This sort of negates the need to hold the flashlight away from your body and negatively impacts your ability to shoot accurately because you are shooting with one hand. Also, by having an arm extended away from your body, you unbalance your shooting platform.
The neck index method should probably be your default flashlight position once you decide to draw your handgun, since it mimics placing your support hand at center body.
Neck Index
The neck index technique lets you transition from looking to shooting. Let’s say you are using the FBI technique to search and see a threat. You can pull the light to the neck index method as you start weapon presentation. If you need to shoot fast, you can shoot with one hand while using the neck index technique. If time allows, you can transition to one of the two-handed flashlight techniques. With the light indexed at your neck, it’s similar to your support hand being at the center of your body as it’s supposed to be during normal weapon presentation. Pull your non-shooting hand, which holds the flashlight, up to your chin with the bright end orientated toward the threat. If you have hard-to-see sights on your handgun, this method will help illuminate the sights. But, it will also illuminate some of you. Regardless, it lets you get a lot of lumens directed toward the bad guy fast.
The Harries Technique.
The Harries Technique
With the Harries technique, you lock your wrists or the backsides of your hands together. To employ, slip your non-shooting hand, which is holding the flashlight, under your shooting arm and then lower the elbow of your non-shooting hand by rotating your non-shooting arm at the shoulder. This applies pressure against the backside of your shooting hand and makes for a relatively stable shooting platform. The downside is assuming the position in a hurry. It takes some time to prefect this position without muzzling your support hand as you present the weapon. Ideally, you should fully present the weapon to the target with your strong hand. Then slip your support hand with the flashlight under your shooting arm. You could start by assuming the neck index position with the flashlight illuminating the threat. After the handgun has been pointed towards the threat, then transition to the Harries Technique.
The Surefire flashlight technique allows for the more stable two handed grip but takes practice to master.
Surefire Technique
To perform the Surefire technique, you’ll need a small-bodied flashlight with an activation button on the end of the tailpiece and, ideally, a rubber grommet positioned just a few inches forward from the end of the light. Hold the flashlight like a syringe, between the index and the middle finger of your shooting hand with the activation switch placed against your palm. Grip the handgun as when using a normal two-handed grip, but only using the bottom two fingers of your non-shooting hand as part of that grip. Your index finger, middle finger, and thumb are used to hold and orientate the light. To activate the light, squeeze it like a syringe pushing the activation button with your palm. The trick is learning to orientate the light with the handgun. Most commonly, shooters tend to point the light toward the ground. This is not all that bad. Generally there will be enough light reflected off the ground or ambient light from the beam to light up the target.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
Handgun Training for Personal Protection
