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Gun Review: Kahr P45 Gets High Marks

By
Dave Workman
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2
Kahr P45 pistol review
The Kahr P45 has a stainless steel 6-round magazine with a thick polymer base pad.

Gun Digest reviews the Kahr P45 pistol and discovers it's perfect as a concealed carry handgun. Read this Kahr P45 review to find out why.

Chambered for the potent .45 ACP, the Kahr P45 and its variations, the PT45 and CW45, are very good striker-fired handguns. The Kahr P45 has a polymer frame that is textured all around the grip for a firm hold that grips well even in the damp Pacific Northwest, where my co-worker Thomas McKiddie makes his home. He has a Kahr P45 and he raves about it.

Despite having fired a fair number of Kahr semi-automatic pistols over the years, I have never owned one. This is no reflection on my high opinion of these pistols. After all, if I owned every neat pistol I’ve ever shot, there wouldn’t be enough room in my house for me.

Kahr P45 holster
This Kahr P45, owned by the author's friend, rides in a rugged IWB holster, virtually invisible.

Kahr P45: Built for Concealed Carry

Carried in a Shooting Systems rugged nylon holster, the Kahr P45 tucks away under his vest or sweater and is completely undetectable. With six rounds of JHP ammunition in the magazine and another round up the spout, this is a pistol that anybody could develop a serious affection for. Toss in a couple of spare magazines and a good holster, and you’ve got an emergency survival system that is ready to go.

To fit his larger hand, McKiddie added a Pachmayr Grip Glove to the pistol, and when I wrapped my palm around it, the gun felt fine. On the previous day, I sampled a PT45 just down the street from our office at a gun shop, and even without the added band, this pistol frame felt fine. Kahr .45-caliber pistols are very manageable, and I have yet to see one that doesn’t put bullets where they are aimed, provided you do your part.

The Kahr P45 Just Keeps Going and Going

If one wants to test the service life of a Kahr pistol, the best thing to do is visit the local indoor gun range where Kahr pistols are available to rent. In terms of a torture test, nothing else comes close to day after day of use by a variety of shooters. Some may shoot slow and deliberate, others might just empty a magazine to see how fast they can shoot. Under those conditions, magazines fail and pistols fail. I have seen Kahr pistols with thousands of rounds through them, and they keep on shooting. That’s a pretty good track record.

Kahr P45 Specs

The Kahr P45's polymer frame is steel reinforced and the rail-to-rail fit seems very snug. Slightly smaller than my Colt Commander, and noticeably lighter, the Kahr P45 has a 3.54-inch barrel that features polygonal rifling with a 1:16.38-inch right-hand twist. The OAL is 6.07 inches, and it has a locking breech and Browning-style recoil lug.

That polygonal rifling certainly contributes to the Kahr P45's accuracy. Of course, Kahr is not the only manufacturer to use this kind of rifling. It’s what made the H&K P7 a winner and it certainly delivers in Glock pistols.

Kahr’s pistol has a passive striker block, and there is no magazine disconnect, so the user, as with any pistol, must be sure to clear the chamber after pulling the magazine. This is common practice to insure there will not be a negligent discharge.

Kahr P45 Pistol Disassembled
Easily field-stripped for cleaning, the Kahr P45 is a study in simplicity. It was designed by gun people for gun people.

Fitted with drift-adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights, the Kahr P45 is slightly over an inch wide at its widest point, and it weighs 18.5 ounces. The empty stainless steel magazine weighs two ounces—a comfortable weight for a carry piece. Having packed heavier guns for eight to nine hours at a time, had someone handed me a lightweight like the Kahr P45, I’d have been a happy camper.

Kahr P45 Popularity

Kahr pistols have gotten increasingly popular over the years for being compact and lightweight, as well as accurate. Because the Kahr P45 takes a single stack magazine, the grip frame can be narrowed (which accounts for McKiddie’s addition of the Pachmayr Grip Glove). They’re also a bit more affordable than some of the competition, and with a stainless steel slide and barrel, this half-polymer handgun is virtually impervious to changing weather conditions.

With more than 6.2 million Americans legally carrying concealed in all but one state, the demand for good pistols that have plenty of stopping power without the weight of an anchor is steadily increasing. Kahr is certainly helping to answer the demand, having started off with pistols in .380 ACP and 9mm, building a very good reputation along the way.

Now with models in .40 S&W and .45 ACP, Kahr has all the bases covered rather well, and the P45 is right at the top of that heap. It sends a big bullet with lots of frontal mass downrange at a threat-stopping velocity. If that doesn’t take care of business, I don’t know what will.

Big Game Hunting Bullets that Disintegrate?

By
Wayne van Zwoll
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0
DRT Hunting Bullets
Dynamic Research Technologies hunting bullets are designed to disintegrate. This 79-grain tungsten bullet has turned to dust in gelatin.

Percentage of retained weight may appear the reigning measure of expanding bullet performance in game, but the last deer I’ve shot fell to thin-jacketed hunting bullets of ordinary construction. And in Missouri, Dynamic Research Technologies (DRT) is making big game hunting bullets designed to, well, disintegrate into tiny particles.

“We’ve found they kill better than deep-driving softpoints,” says Dustin Worrell, who runs DRT. “In fact, we’ve used them on nilgai.”

Traditions designs still make for effective hunting bullets
Though costly “controlled expansion” bullets nab headlines, traditional designs like this are still deadly.

Hunting the big, tenacious Indian antelope in Texas, the DRT crew clobbered 11 with 79-grain spitzers from their .223s. Locals, who recommend heavy bullets from .30 magnums, were astonished.

The DRT hunting bullets that put those nilgai on the skids had tungsten cores, Worrell concedes.

He said, “But the tungsten is sintered. It doesn’t stay in one piece. It turns to dust during penetration, just like bullets we make with cores of copper and tin alloys. The tungsten adds weight to bullets of ordinary dimensions. Its particles are heavier too, so drive a bit deeper. But we don’t expect exits. By the time a DRT bullet gets halfway through vitals, it’s pretty much the consistency of powder!”

Such bullets date to the 1990s, when Harold Beal explored frangible metal cores at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His goal: deadlier .45 ACP service ammunition.

In 2005, John and Dustin developed machinery to make hunting bullets using Beal’s patents under license. Dustin and company have focused recently on muzzle-loading bullets, which they test on deer on their Missouri whitetail ranch.

His records show deer don’t run as far when struck with DRT hunting bullets as when hit with polymer-tipped hollowpoints. The 170-grain 45-caliber DRT fits an ordinary sabot. A thin (.030) tin cap tops the sintered core at the base of a big nose cavity. Accuracy from a rifle I benched averaged an impressive 2 minutes of angle.

Hunting bullets from Kalahari
Norma’s new Kalahari loads use lead-free bullets designed for quick upset on plains game, deer.

We joined a hunting party headed to the woods with T/C muzzleloading rifles. In three days, we took nine deer with the DRT hunting bullets. I killed a “management buck” and a doe. Hit in the forward ribs, the buck dashed about 30 yards and piled up, dead in mid-stride. The doe lasted a couple of jumps.

“These bullets needn’t plow through the lungs, or even reach them,” said Dustin, as he autopsied a deer on the meat-pole one evening. “We’ve killed deer with .223 bullets that didn’t enter the chest. That burst of energy as the bullet disintegrates imparts shock that ruptures blood vessels in the liver and other vital organs.”

The high velocity of the lightweight .45 DRT bullet no doubt heightens that effect. Have thin-jacketed lead-core bullets of traditional design been too quickly abandoned for hunting bullets that weigh almost as much expended as at the muzzle? Could be.

One of the deadliest deer hunting bullets I’ve ever used is the 165-grain 30-caliber Sierra hollowpoint. It opens violently, but blasts through scapulas.

In elk, it’s better slipped through the ribs than driven to the point of the shoulder. Ditto for softnose classics like Winchester’s Power Point – an overlooked bullet that’s been around since I started hunting 45 years ago. I’ve taken elk with it, handily.

The same goes for Remington’s Core-Lokt. And Hornady and Speer softpoints that get less press than so-called “controlled expansion” bullets.

Hunting bullets from DRT
Explosive 170-grain DRT (left) and deep-driving 265-grain Swift A-Frame .45s each have advocates – and applications.

Honestly, all bullets are designed to expand predictably – that is, in a controlled manner. With materials and engineering, hunting bullet makers manipulate upset. Penetration comes at the expense of wound channel diameter and fast energy release.

Some hunters like exit wounds; I prefer hunting bullets than drives through vitals but balls up just under the off-side hide. For heavy game, I favor softpoints with the moxie to splinter the near shoulder but carry on through the lungs.

I don’t care much how hunting bullets look when I pluck them from an animal, because I’ll not use them again. I do care about the damage inside. Weight retention seems to me over-rated.

The famous Nosler Partition typically loses 40 percent of its weight as the nose breaks apart in tough going. But that shattered nose shreds the vitals as the bullet’s protected heel drives on, commonly exiting.

As the DRT people have found, violence between the ribs is the lethal agent.

NC Village: Concealed Carry Ban a “Mistake”

By
Brian McCombie
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8

 

Kudos to the Pinehurst Village Council in North Carolina for fixing a mistake it made over a month ago when it banned concealed carry from in public parks and on Village greenway trails.

Concealed Carry BanAt a recent meeting, councilors voted to repeal the original concealed carry ban ordinance and to allow the practice in these public places.

“The council is not afraid to say it made a mistake,” Mayor Nancy Fiorillo told The Pilot.

Admittedly, the council had a little help in realizing its mistake. Once the original regulation was made known, many residents voiced their opposition to the concealed carry ban.

“Our inboxes have been flooded,” Fiorillo said.

“Prior to the discussion with the public [on the recent vote], each council member said they erred when voting for the ordinance on July 24,” The Pilot reported.

“It is one of the few votes I wish I had back because it punishes citizens,” council member Mark Parson said.

“I wish I had thought about it and done a little better homework,” fellow council member Doug Lapins said. “I don't see where this (ordinance) does a thing for us as a village.”

Pinehurst resident Rich Foster pointed out there were, “areas on the greenway trails that are isolated and where someone might be accosted by ‘thugs,' and would be much safer if they were allowed to carry a concealed weapon.”

Source

Learn More About Concealed Carry Handguns

Gun Digest Guide to Concealed Carry HandgunsThe Gun Digest Buyer's Guide to Concealed Carry Handguns is the perfect starting point for people ready to take responsibility for their security. Use its in-depth information to select an appropriate concealed carry pistol or revolver for any situation.

Click here to order the Gun Digest Buyer's Guide to Concealed Carry Handguns at a great price.

Deer & Deer Hunting Interview: Paul Ryan Hunter, Outdoorsman

By
Gun Digest Editors
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0

 

Paul Ryan Hunter, Outdoorsman, Vice Presidential Hopeful

Deer & Deer Hunting, sister magazine to Gun Digest, is getting a lot of attention for its interview about Paul Ryan hunting deer. The full Paul Ryan hunter Q&A is available to download from this page on Deer & Deer Hunting.

Paul Ryan Hunting
Paul Ryan deer hunting with a bow. He said he prefers the Mathews Z7 Xtreme compound.

Paul Ryan deer hunting should come as no surprise to anyone from his home state, Wisconsin. The area has a long tradition of hunting deer and other wild game. Growing up in a blue collar Wisconsin family just about guarantees some quality stand time.

“I’m just pretty typical for a Wisconsin guy. I love hunting and fishing,” Ryan said. “Bowhunting is my passion. Studying the strategy, preparing food plots, the strategy of where a dominant buck is living or will be moving and then being in position to get a shot, that’s really exciting. Half of it is getting ready for the shot.”

While none of this is Earth-shattering to the Wisconsinites here at Gun Digest, it's a big development across the major news outlets. They're jumping all over the Paul Ryan deer hunter interview. How this plays out in the polls is yet to be seen, but Gun Digest applauds Deer & Deer Hunting for showing how Paul Ryan hunting is in line with average folks.

Click here to read the Paul Ryan hunter interview with Deer & Deer Hunting.

5 Tips for Surviving a Riot

By
Ben Sobieck
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0

 

In 2008, the Republican National Convention came to St. Paul, Minnesota, the capitol of my home state. Being both a current events junkie and a fan of the overtly political band Rage Against the Machine, I decided to see the group perform one town over in Minneapolis. A friend and I bought tickets ahead of time, ready for a fun night of music.

Then the riots hit.

I wasn't oblivious to the likelihood of energetic protestors. Major political events don't feel complete without a little noise in the street. What I hadn't anticipated was the violence. Smashed windows. Overturned cars. Looted storefronts. Fires. These things define the line between “protest” and “riot.”

By the time of the concert, things had made a full transition. Throw in that Rage Against the Machine is far from being a Republican apologist, and the proverbial tinderbox had been placed. Now it just needed a match. The safe bet was on this concert.

Things were feeling sparky when we hit the Minneapolis Convention Center that September night. A booth of communists (not a joke, these were the real deal) petitioned attendees for donations. Apparently, someone had been unjustly jailed. They let people know it. The booth had me on edge and making a note of the exits.

The crowd's attention turned to the music after things started. People were beyond excitable. This was an arena full of emotions ready to burst. After the last note, I wondered what they'd do with that energy.

But nothing happened. The band urged people to be calm. Coupled with the scores of riot police garrisoning the streets outside, the end of the show was about as eventful as an Easter ham sale.

The situation certainly could've went the other way. Had it done so, the big mistake I made would've been highlighted in full detail. Repeat after me…

1) The Golden Rule of Riots: Don't Go to Places You Know Are Going to Be Trouble

How to Survive a Riot
This officer has to make a decision about whether you're a rioter or just an average Joe. It's an easy call to make if you're not there. [Image via sxc.hu]
If I know a stove is hot, should I touch it? Of course not. The same goes with political riots. Partisan events are announced well ahead of time. It's an unwritten rule that there will be problems on the street level. Unless you're planning on winning your party's nomination for president, stay the heck out of Dodge. The traffic alone is worth the vacation.

If you must be in the area of these events, avoid hotspots. Thankfully, there aren't many, since most protestors are peaceful. The few that do pop up are easy to spot. Just listen for the sirens.

I didn't heed this tip. I knew better. It could've cost me. Don't take the same gamble.

Other tips for surviving a riot include…

2) If You're Near a Riot, Blend In

No, that doesn't mean start breaking windows. It means don't draw attention to yourself. Not to the rioters. Not to police. Those two groups are already paying attention to each other. You need them looking the other way while you make a quick exit.

Remember, the vast majority of people have no interest in being violent. They'll want to get to safety just as much as you do. Sticking with those people should help you escape. There's safety in numbers, especially when they're non-violent.

3) If You're Completely Surrounded by a Riot…

If luck and Point 1 don't work out, this oft-cited article on WikiHow has some good tips should the guy next to you lose his cool. They include sticking to the perimeter of the action, getting a wall behind you and watching for crowd control chemicals (pepper spray, tear gas, etc.).

Those are good, general ideas. But my experience with unruly crowds tells me they don't go further than that. Average folks aren't going to look for a wall. They're going to want to get out of there.

Trust your gut. However you make an exit, do it promptly and without injuring anyone.

4) Don't Be a Hero

Leave the hero work to the people who are willing to take a punch on the job. Get yourself out of there.

Trying to intervene during a fight or looting is just asking for trouble. If the rioters, who are already willing to act violently, don't deal with you, the police will. It's hard to weed out who's who during a chaotic breakdown. That's why police use indiscriminate crowd control methods, such as gas. Takes care of everyone.

5) Be Careful with that Car

You know who doesn't like to be ran over by a car? Everyone. Keep that in mind if you're unfortunate enough to be stuck in a vehicle during a riot.

Driving toward a police line might prompt them to use force to make you stop. Rioters, on the other hand, can't seem to tolerate upright cars. What to do?

This is a judgement call. Don't drive in a way that irks anyone, but be stern enough to let people know “I want to get out of here.”

In any case, the car isn't worth your life. If you need to abandon it, do it without thinking twice.

Worst Case Scenario

A city-wide riot, a la Los Angeles 1992, would be considered the worst case scenario. Faced with nowhere to run and uninhibited violence, no survival tip can prepare you. How you survive is up to your best judgement.

It's not worth getting worked up about, though. As I wrote in this post about gas masks, determine the most likely disaster to hit your area. Adjust survival plans accordingly. Chances are Mother Nature is a greater threat than a city-leveling riot.

Conclusion

I allowed myself a few sprinkles of humor in this article. It's not to make light of riots. They're serious business. But most people reading this won't ever have to use these tips.

That's because most riots, at least in the United States, are predictable. Pay attention. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best way to survive a riot is from miles away in front of a TV. Enjoy the fact you're not there.

Keep the Lights On

From rolling blackouts to hurricanes, floods to tornadoes, power can go out at a moment's notice. If the grid fails, the PowerPot will keep you charging! The PowerPot thermoelectric generator converts any heat source directly into power that charges your USB handheld devices. Get Yours Now

Video: How to Start a Fire with a Bow Drill

By
Gun Digest Editors
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0

 

This video shows how to start a fire using a bow drill. It's a difficult, time-consuming process. But in a pinch, a bow drill is the perfect way to start a fire without modern fire starting tools.

Andy Tran, the instructor, used these items in the video:

Bow Drill: Western Red Cedar
Cordage: 550
Knife: Hawkes Hellion Elite

Ever tried this method? Leave a comment below.

Keep the Lights On

From rolling blackouts to hurricanes, floods to tornadoes, power can go out at a moment's notice. If the grid fails, the PowerPot will keep you charging! The PowerPot thermoelectric generator converts any heat source directly into power that charges your USB handheld devices. Get Yours Now

Amateur Radio Gears Up As Hurricane Isaac Bears Down

By
Corey Graff
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0


On Tuesday, the whole world watched as a strengthening tropical depression raced across the Gulf, picking up steam as it made landfall in Louisiana and other coastal states.

However, not so publicly known is the role played behind the scenes by amateur radio as a backup emergency communications system during such hurricanes.

WX4NHC amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center.When cell phone networks and the Internet go down, old-fashioned ham radio — facilitated by WX4NHC, the amatuer radio station at the National Hurricane Center — keeps emergency communication traffic humming as Hurricane Isaac zeroes in on the Gulf Coast.

From the American Radio Relay League:

08/27/2012

As Tropical Storm Isaac moves over the Gulf of Mexico at a speed of about 14 miles per hour, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) say the storm “poses [a] significant storm surge threat to the Northern Gulf Coast.” As of 11 AM (EDT), Isaac is 250 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida, and about 310 miles from Pilottown, Louisiana, the mouth of the Mississippi River.

According to VoIP Hurricane Net Director of Operations Rob Macedo, KD1CY, both the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC — the Amateur Radio station at the NHC — secured operations at 6:30 PM (EDT) on Sunday, August 26 and will rest on Monday, August 27. “While Isaac is becoming better organized, it remains a tropical storm and is passing through the Florida Keys,” Macedo said. “The new track guidance brings most of Isaac’s effects out over the open Gulf of Mexico for Monday, with the exception of some minimal tropical storm effects along the immediate West Coast of Florida. Latest model guidance and NHC track guidance brings Isaac to the Northern Gulf Coast between Louisiana and Florida on Tuesday into Wednesday, when the next VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC activation is likely to occur.”

To contact WX4NHC with emergency traffic or to listen to the station on High Frequency (HF):

Amateur Radio HF Frequencies – (single sideband mode)

20 meters : 14.325 MHz Hurricane Watch Net (Main frequency during Hurricanes)
40 meters : 7.268 MHz Water Way Net (secondary frequency) Maritime Mobiles Net
80 meters : 3.815 MHz Caribbean Net, (Alternates: 3.950 : North Florida / 3.940 South Florida)

To learn more about WX4NHC click here.

PowerPot

From rolling blackouts to hurricanes, floods to tornadoes, power can go out at a moment's notice. If the grid fails, the PowerPot will keep you charging! The PowerPot thermoelectric generator converts any heat source directly into power that charges your USB handheld devices. Get Yours Now

How to Use Rifle Bipods, Tripods

By
Wayne van Zwoll
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0
Harris Bipod for Rifles
Attached bipods, like this Harris, work best prone; some have extendable legs that work for sitting, too.

Wayne van Zwoll offers an enlightening article on how to use rifle bipods and tripods.

The animals you hunt live amid an abundance of rock, trees, hillocks and other rifle rests. Alas, there’s never a rock or a limb where you need it, when you have little time to fire.

That’s why Cro Magnon man invented a rest for his spear…Well, perhaps the bipod doesn’t go that far back. But it’s been in use a long time. Crossed sticks helped sharpshooters hit at distance before the advent of smokeless powder. Commercial hunters who swept the plains clean of bison used them to deadly effect. By the middle 1880s, the toll was so great that human scavengers would glean three million tons of bones from the prairie.

Gun Sticks
Even with a tripod, add bracing offhand. This rifleman has employed a tripod under his trigger arm.

Military as well as sporting rifles are commonly available with bipods attached. Widely hailed, the Harris bipod has been improved over the years with the addition of extendable legs. New versions also incorporate some latitude for tilt, so you can rotate the rifle slightly to square it up on sloping ground. That’s a useful feature, even if the device has adjustable legs. There may be no time to extend or retract a leg – or you can’t risk doing so for fear of drawing attention. If there’s a bit of “rock” to the bipod base, you can twist the rifle enough to get it reasonably level from the shoulder.

Most bipods for sporting rifles snap into the front QD swivel stud. Some rifles intended for bipod use have two studs, so you can attach a sling to the other. A bipod should be mounted so when flipped to a “carry” position, the legs point forward.

Setting a bipod for a shot, choose a firm but impressionable surface over a hard one. As you pad your rifle on a bench rest, you’ll get better results with bipod legs on soft ground or a jacket, which absorb vibration caused by your pulse and by the shock of firing and bullet travel down the bore. Vibration kicks bullets off course.

At a recent shooting event, I managed consistent hits on pie-plate targets at 500 yards with a Ruger .30-06. The rifle, and Hornady’s M1 Garand load, was partly responsible, as was the Zeiss scope.

But the Harris bipod surely helped. I was careful to plant the legs in gravel, not on nearby concrete or wood. The soft substrate acted like sandbags to suck high-frequency bounce from the rifle.

Gun Tripod
A rifle tripod trumps a bipod, offhand. Grasp the “neck,” finger and thumb alongside the rifle. Lean forward.

While long-legged bipods can be used from the sitting position, most are designed for prone shooting. I keep the legs as low as I can to shoot comfortably. A bipod shouldn’t put you in an uncomfortable position. If it forces your head up, or puts an acute angle in your elbows, it’s too high.

You’re smart, after planting bipod feet, to push into the rifle with your shoulder. Pressure on the bipod legs should seat them more firmly. Some lightweight bipods yield to that pressure. They’re not on my Christmas list.

To assist a bipod, make your left hand into a fist and place it under the stock’s toe, squeezing or relaxing your hand to make slight elevation changes. Another tip: buy or fashion a small sandbag – no larger than a baseball, but brick-shaped, with lightweight filler – to hold under the stock toe. It’s a boon if you must bring the stock a little higher than your fist alone can boost it comfortably.

Bog Pod Rifle Tripod
Bog Pod makes a complete line of bipods and tripods, including hardware-specific, quick-release heads.

The long-legged version of the attached bipod is a pair of shooting sticks. Standard kit for every professional hunter in Africa’s long grass, shooting sticks can be as simple as shaved tree limbs bound by strips of inner tube. More sophisticated versions, with telescoping, quick-locking legs, have proliferated.

Stoney Point has some excellent sticks. I especially like those by Bog Pod, which offer pop-off heads to accommodate rifles, cameras, even binoculars. There’s a squeeze-grip to bring your hardware on target and lock it there with one hand.

As this is written, I’m bound shortly for Africa with a pair of Bog Pod tripods, which offer more stability than bipods and can be – perhaps counter-intuitively – faster to use. The extra leg adds little heft.

If using a bipod offhand or kneeling, keep the legs a bit longer than you think you’ll need. Swing them well forward when you plant them, so they lean toward you. Grasp the juncture, your fingers and thumb up alongside the rifle to steady it. Lean forward into the sticks. You’ll secure the feet in the ground while letting the legs carry your body weight.

Handloads: Will Your Gun Blow Up?

By
Wayne van Zwoll
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5
Wayne van Zwoll Springfield Sporter Rifle
Wayne’s Springfield sporter in .30-06 Improved has a 7-digit serial number, higher than the 800,000 that marked the end of low-carbon, case-hardened receivers in 1917.

When it comes to reloading ammunition, Wayne van Zwoll says handloading cartridges requires special attention.

Firearms come apart when gas pressures from burning powder can’t leave soon enough. Time matters. Pressures can’t build to dangerous levels if you don’t give them time.

On the other hand, you must give pressures time to build to useful levels. The bullet is an obstruction. Its resistance (friction and mass), plus barrel length and the relationship of bore to case capacity determine the appropriate powder and charge. A charge of fast-burning Bullseye powder behind a lightweight bullet in a .45 ACP pistol generates a sharp, quick thrust. It must, because that short bullet is easily dislodged.

Cowboy Action Cartridges
Cowboy Action ammo loaded to mild pressure helps safeguard this pristine, valuable Winchester 53.

As it races through the short bore, a huge space opens instantly behind it. The powder has little time to work before its energy dissipates. Think of a ping-pong paddle in action.

A rifle powder such as 4350 in a bottleneck case like a .270 generates pressure more slowly as it burns. The bore is small, relative to case capacity, and the bullet long. An instant burst of energy from Bullseye wouldn’t give the sustained push needed to overcome bore friction and accelerate the long, slim .270 bullet through a long barrel.

Heavier charges of fast powder would lift pressures to dangerous levels. Bore space behind the bullet wouldn’t increase fast enough to relieve it. Think of that ping pong paddle meeting a baseball. The paddle (or your wrist) would yield before the momentum of the incoming ball could be reversed.

Like handgun ammunition, shotshells use faster powders than those in bottleneck rifle hulls. The heavier the shot load, the slower the powder. Short pressure curves don’t mate well with slow acceleration against high resistance. Also, shotgun barrels and/or actions weren’t designed to bottle stiff pressures. Big bores and straight cases flush pressure out fast.

Rifles of modern steel seldom come apart. Acceptable breech pressures of smokeless centerfire rounds as determined by SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) run from around 42,000 psi for the .30-30 to over 60,000 psi for high-velocity magnums.

Handloading Powder
Powders must match not only cartridges but bullet weights. Choose carefully; handload conservatively.

Several bolt rifles safely digest proof or “blue pill” loads of more than 100,000 psi. Famously, Springfield 1903 receivers to serial number 800,000 (in 1917) were of case-hardened, low-carbon steel, not as strong as subsequent double-heat-treated receivers. These acceded to even stronger nickel-steel receivers at serial number 1,275,767 (in 1927).

Proper charges of proper powders help keep your rifle intact. But careless mixing of cartridges can make even safe loads hazardous. Once a pal inadvertently loaded a .308 round in his .270. The .308 cartridge is shorter, so the bolt closed before the bullet met the smaller neck of the .270 chamber.

When he fired, pressures vaulted as the .308 bullet squirted through the .277 bore. The bolt froze shut. Gas from the ruptured case blew the extractor off and jetted through the magazine well, splitting the stock into three pieces. Fortunately, the Mauser lugs did not fail, and my friend was wearing glasses.

Another way to blow a rifle is to not use any powder at all. Once, having heard only the hammer fall as I triggered a borrowed rifle, I opened the action and ejected a fired case. “Must have forgotten to cycle the lever,” thought I, and chambered another round. But just before I fired, another possibility came to mind. Action open, I looked into the bore. Dark.

The rifle’s owner had failed to add powder to that first case. The primer had driven the bullet inches into the bore. Had I launched another 200-grain softpoint, pressure would have spiked as it collided with the stuck bullet. The Model 71 Winchester would almost certainly have been ruined, with injuries likely.

Smith & Wesson .460 Cartridge
S&W’s powerful .460 generates rifle-like pressures. Don’t stray from recommended charge weights!

Don’t use someone else’s handloads! Pull the bullets; use the components.

You’ve read caveats about firing smokeless loads in Damascus shotgun barrels – those made by wrapping heated bars around a bore mandrel. The rule makes sense, as does the use of black-powder or “smokeless for black” (not full-power smokeless) loads in old double rifles. In truth, some early rifles and Damascus shotguns thrive on modern ammo.

I have it on good report that the actions and barrel thickness of Parker shotguns dating to the early 20th century are such that Parker proofed to higher pressures than generated by modern target loads, even some duck loads!

Still, barrel steels of a century ago don’t match ours today. Breeching that has become loose, or weak cases or oversize or damaged chambers add risk. When in doubt, have the gun examined by people with appropriate equipment and expertise, or stick to mild loads.

Hewing to conservative loads in old guns, and taking care to use the right powders and ammo can keep stock and steel in one functional piece, and you, too.

M1 Garand Bayonet for the Ultimate Survival Gun

By
Scott Wagner
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10
M1 Garand bayonet, not a bad idea for a survival gun.
M1 Garand bayonet, not a bad idea for a survival gun.

Why would someone attach an M1 Garand bayonet to their rifle today? One good reason is covered in this article about survival guns.

History of the M1 Garand Bayonet

For civilian use, little thought has been given to the M1 Garand bayonet, other than interest as collectors’ curiosity. With preparation for civil disaster, the bayonet should no longer be considered a collector piece, but as an essential item in the survival toolbox.

Starting in late WWII, the bayonet changed in form and function. Prior to that time, most military bayonets were almost a type of short sword, with a blade roughly from 10-17 inches in length.

This length gave the soldier maximum reach for thrusting through their opponent when battle was close or ammo was low.

However, this bayonet length, or the spike-style bayonet on the SKS was really not good for a whole lot of other purposes, and it spent most of its time adding weight to a soldier’s belt without maximum utility.

As WWII progressed, and the M1 carbine was in front-line combat service, there arose a cry for a bayonet that would fit it. Due to the short length of the carbine, the old school full-length sword bayonets would unbalance the gun severely.

The M4 bayonet was introduced along with the barrel band bayonet lug. The M4 was much like the Ka-Bar fighting knife that was made for the U.S. Marines.

With a 6.5-inch blade length which could be sharpened on both sides, the bayonet was no longer a little-used burden for a soldier to carry, but a piece of equipment that could be used as a bayonet, fighting knife or tool for prying or opening rations.

Eventually the M5 knife/bayonet was introduced for the M1 Garand, which replaced the “sword blade” bayonets that were previously issued. The M5 used the same blade as the M4 and was equipped with a plastic handle.

The Switch to Knife Bayonets

The advantages of the knife bayonet were not lost on the rest of the armies in the world and many followed suit by switching to knife-style bayonets.

M1 Garand Bayonet as a retention tool
An M1 Garand bayonet works well against someone trying to grab your survival gun.

Use of the bayonet on today’s survival rifles is not for last-ditch bayonet charges. Where the bayonet shines is for use as the ultimate weapon retention device.

There are a many long gun retention techniques taught to law enforcement officers in order for them to safeguard and control their guns (although my method of defense is a pull of the trigger to discourage the attempt) but affixing a bayonet is most likely the best method of retaining control. Even though some long-range accuracy may be degraded, any close-quarter gun grab would be stopped immediately.

In addition, the modern bayonet is of course, a knife and a tough one at that.

If you have a rifle that can accept a bayonet, find a good used one or a new reproduction model, and make it your survival knife to maximize its usefulness. Anything you are carrying for emergency evacuation use should have as many uses as possible for it to earn a space on your body.

Today's Bayonet Legacy

Looking forward from the M1 Garand Bayonet is the newest M-16 bayonet, the M9. There are a number of manufacturers who make the M9, which has more focus as fixed-blade survival knife, since that is the most likely use for this tool in today’s army.

The M9 is an upgraded version of the previous M-16 bayonet, the M7 in that a wire cutter attachment has been added to the scabbard tip in a fashion similar to the design on the AK-47 knife/bayonet, and the handle is hollow for storage of a small amount of survival items.

The M9 makes a very fine stand-alone survival and camping knife even without the rifle to go with it.

Note that the M9 can be added to properly equipped Mossberg 500/590 shotguns as well, which helps address their lower magazine capacity issue. 

Any rifle that can mount a bayonet should have one available for it. If you have one of the Auto-Ordnance M1 carbines, a barrel band bayonet lug can be added to it with little effort.

All in all, the M1 Garand bayonet should be considered a serious option for today's survival guns.

M1 Garand Bayonet Update

U.S. military bayonets of World War II. Shown are the M1905 Bayonet (blued version), M1 Bayonet, M1905E1 Bowie Point Bayonet (cut down version of the M1905), and the M4 Bayonet with leather handle for the M1 Carbine. Photo: Curiosandrelics
U.S. military bayonets of World War II. Shown are the M1905 Bayonet (blued version), M1 Bayonet, M1905E1 Bowie Point Bayonet (cut down version of the M1905), and the M4 Bayonet with leather handle for the M1 Carbine. Photo: Curiosandrelics

M1 Garand Bayonet Identification

The M1 Garand bayonet’s history is as varied as the gun itself and identifying a Garand bayonet would require an entire dissertation unto itself.

The main bayonets used on the big M1 were the M1905, M1, M5 and M5A1. M1905 Bayonets Type I-III sport walnut grips, while the Type IVs have plastic grips. M1s and M5s also carry plastic slabs.

Early M1905 bayonets had blued 16-inch blades, later models were Parkerized. Manufacturers included Wilde Drop Forge & Tool (WT)Utica Cutlery (UC)Union Fork & Hoe (UFH)Pal Blade & Tool (PAL)Oneida (OL)American Fork & Hoe (AFH).

The M1 was similar in appearance to the M1905, only with a shorter 10-inch blade. The M5 variants were 6-inchers.

M1 Garand Bayonet Reproduction

While there are lots of samples of original M1 Garand Bayonets on the used market, there are some companies making reproductions.

For example, Atlanta Cutlery sells a reproduction M1 bayonet, complete with 1942 markings and the flaming bomb cartouche.

Dig Deeper into the M1 Garand:

Be sure to check out the Standard Catalog Of Military Firearms, 9th Edition.

Corey Graff contributed to this article.

Revolver Vs. Auto for CCW?

By
Kevin D. Michalowski
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3

What's best for concealed carry and what starts an argument between gun owners faster than anything else? Try this: Revolver vs. auto. Consider the pros and cons of each when you choose your sidearm.

If you really want to start an argument you can tell your wife you are buying a motorcycle or you tell someone which handgun is best for concealed carry — revolver vs. auto. Being single, I haven't had a good argument in a long time, so maybe it is time to poke the hive by taking a look at the pros and cons of pistols vs revolvers when it comes to CCW guns.

Polymer pistols are lightweight and offer lots of ammo, but are they perfect for you?

First, let's look at the obvious: Ammo capacity. Most, semi-autos win in that category BUT! we need to be aware of something. More often than not, you will not need all those rounds. FBI stats show that most gunfights see between three and six rounds expended. Now, in the unlikely event that you find yourself in an active shooter situation, you will still likely only fire a few rounds during the engagement. So, a revolver would work very well in such a situation as long as you fire accurately. Accuracy should be important with any handgun in a deadly force incident.

While we are on the topic of ammo, yes, reloads are faster with pistols. But with practice you can get pretty fast with a speed-loader for your wheelgun. But speedloaders are bulky and round, not like a slim and sleek magazine for your pistol.  Seems like the edge is going to the pistol so far. But wait…

Looks like reliability is making a late charge for the front. You know that in a defensive pistol pretty much everything is negotiable accept reliability. The defensive pistol must fire every time you squeeze the trigger. Unless, of course, you have fired your six and need to reload. But the old police mantra was very true: Six for sure. The truth is there are precious few things that can go wrong to make a revolver stop firing. Oh, there are things, but when you consider the complicated path each round from an autoloader must endure (fire, unlock, extract, eject, re-chamber, lock fire) the simplicity of a revolver is wonderful.

Of course this is not to say that a revolver is and will be perfectly reliable at all times. Hammer spurs might get hung up if you don't have the right holster. You might bend the crane or ejector rod. I have seen bullets move forward in their cases because

Revolvers are still a perfectly viable option for self-defense.

of high recoil and by the fourth round the mechanism was jammed. So, yes, revolvers can jam, but it is less likely. Along with reliability comes simplicity, or is that vice versa?  Either way: you pick up a revolver, aim at the target and pull the trigger. No levers or locks or anything else to think about. It is truly a point and shoot interface.

So where does that leave us? Ah, overall weight. One can purchase some very lightweight revolvers these days. Some of those guns in .357 Magnum are punishing to shoot, but easy to carry. You know what they say, “If the gun is too heavy to carry, you will leave it home when you need it.” But, then again, there are some pretty lightweight polymer pistols as well. But it is hard to beat a J-frame Airweight revolver for ease of carry.

So, in the end, I guess this argument as become pretty circular. Pistol, revolver… you make the call. Pick out the gun that works best for your needs and keep it with you. Remember the first rule of a gunfight: Have a gun.

Video: This is How Fast a Flash Flood Hits

By
Ben Sobieck
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0

This video of a flash flood, originally posted at OutdoorHub.com, shows a flash flood in Virgin, Utah.

Note the speed of the flash flood as it shoots through the dry stream bed. The sheer volume of water rushing by in the latter minutes shows the power of the flood. That's why it rooted up so much debris, visible at the beginning of the video.

Now imagine being in the path of that flood. Whether on foot, in a vehicle or behind a wall, a flash flood like this one will make itself noticed. The people in this video took a chance by being near this event. Had the flood shifted suddenly, it's not likely anyone would be watching this video.
Not everyone is as willing to make a sacrifice in the name of disaster education. In the event of a flash flood, evacuation is often the safest choice. That's when having a bug-out bag makes all the difference.

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3 Reasons to Not Buy a Gas Mask

By
Ben Sobieck
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5
3 Reasons Not to Buy a Gas Mask
Gas masks aren't as practical as they seem. (Image via sxc.hu)

Gas masks, the emblem of the survivalist, are impractical for preppers in North America and offer a false sense of security to those who buy them.

Israel: Where Gas Masks are Policy

If there's any place on Earth that knows about gas masks in survival situations, it's Israel. The Israeli government has on many occasions issued gas masks to citizens over fears of a chemical attack. Here's an excerpt of an Haaretz article from 2010:

Israel has begun distributing new gas masks to its 7 million citizens to offer protection against a possible chemical attack.

Israel's postal service is handing out the equipment in a process, it says, that will take about three years.

Avi Hochman, CEO & President of the Israel Postal Company stated that they have made the necessary preparations for the task, including a state-of-the art technological and logistical infrastructure.

With speculation about a possible war with Iran, Israel continues to distribute gas masks to this day. This excerpt is from an Aug. 17, 2012,  Reuters article:

Nonetheless, the spin, leaks and anonymous briefings have spread anxiety, with queues building for gas masks at Israeli distribution centers and hedge funds laying bets on a potential spike in oil prices because of the war threat.

That same anxiety prompted gas mask distribution in 1991 during the first Gulf War.

Preppers in North America may have similar concerns about attacks. Buying a gas mask seems to be a logical reaction. However, there are three reasons this is a waste of money.

1. What Chemical or Biological Attacks are You Anticipating?

How much do you really know about chemical weapons?

Gas masks are not one-size-fits-all. Depending on make and model, some work better against certain agents than others. Even then, consider the ever-changing nature of biological and chemical weapons. Yes, there are certain standbys, such as anthrax. But just as the flu changes from year-to-year, so can the technology behind these weapons. Government officials may know about the latest strains, but how much does the average prepper know about these things?

Since civilian gas mask products aren't as robust as flu vaccines, dollars are better spent elsewhere.

2. Gas Masks Have Expiration Dates

Many surplus military stores offer gas masks. However, buyers and sellers may not know the expiration dates of what's being sold. Just like anything else, the components that protect from chemical agents break down over time. That's why it's important to know when the gas mask expires.

Some models come with replaceable filters. See point 1. When compared with other items in a survival kit, these filters have a relatively short shelf life. Further reading about gas mask filters can be found here. Resources are better put toward other items.

3. The United States is a Big Place

Israel's 7.6 million people live in an area about the size of New Jersey, according to the CIA World Factbook. Nearly all of them, 92%, live in urban areas. A chemical attack has a better chance of affecting more people because of these demographics.

By comparison, 82% of the 315 million citizens of the United States are in cities spread out across a much larger area than Israel. Chances are good that even urban preppers won't live in the city where a chemical attack would happen.

The exceptions are New York City and Washington, D.C., where the threat of a large-scale terrorist attack has already been demonstrated. Because the events of Sept. 11, 2001, remain the only such incidents, it stands to reason preppers not living in those areas are less likely to encounter attacks requiring gas masks.

It's also reasonable to assume many preppers do not live in urban environments. The suburbs, exurbs and rural areas provide the space necessary for readiness. How likely is a chemical or biological attack in those places? Terrorists want to inflict maximum damage. They'll most likely choose urban areas.

Conclusion

If the odds don't provide comfort, preppers should ask this question: “What is the most likely disaster to afflict this area?” Adjust survival plans accordingly.

7 First Aid Tips for Survival Kits

By
Gun Digest Editors
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0
First Aid Tips for Survival Kits
Items found in a lightweight trauma first aid kit. When coupled with a pair of tactical or first responder pants, this kit is very portable.

by Brendan Michaels

Tactical pants from Blackhawk!
Tactical pants, like these from Blackhawk!, are the starting point for creating a portable first aid kit. Click the image to check out a pair.

A lightweight trauma first aid kit, carried in the pockets of pants or survival kit, ensures you have the equipment to help you prevail in an unexpected emergency situation.

The items in the lightweight first aid kit detailed in this article were chosen for effectiveness and portability. The equipment is small enough that you don't notice you are carrying it. Use these first aid tips to create your own personalized version. Use it on its own or add it to your survival kit.

First Aid Tip #1: Blackhawk Tactical Pants

The carrying platform of the lightweight first aid kit starts with Blackhawk tactical pants that have two large-capacity cargo pockets with elastic webbing inside of them to secure the items in the kit for fast access and comfortable wear. There are two front pockets on your upper thigh and a hidden side pocket that provides needed storage for extra medical supplies with fast access.

First Aid Tip #2: Hemostatic Agent to Stop Arterial Bleeding

Dr. Maurizio A. Miglietta writes in his article Trauma and Gunshot Wounds: What you need to know to save a life that the five areas where people can bleed enough to cause shock are the chest, abdomen, pelvis, long bones (e.g. femur) and bleeding out at the scene of injury.

First Responder Bag
Blackhawk! also makes an industry-standard first aid bag. It's another option for making a portable first aid kit. Click the image to check one out.

Applying a gauze bandage on the wound along with pressure can stop the bleeding in many cases. Direct pressure on the wound constricts the blood vessels manually, helping to stem blood flow.

When direct pressure does not stop the bleeding or when it is difficult to apply direct pressure to the source of internal bleeding, a hemostatic agent like QuikClot should be used on the wound. QuikClot is a mineral material that absorbs the water in the blood, speeding up the natural blood clotting process by highly concentrating platelet and clotting factor molecules in the blood that remains in the wound.

Clotting is the body’s natural blood-loss mechanism and it works well. Clotting has a tampening effect on the blood flow through the veins. This is important especially when a tourniquet cannot be used or a pressure dressing can not apply enough pressure to an internal chest or pelvis wound.

Trauma bandage
Of any first aid tip, this one is perhaps the most important: Make sure you have a pressure bandage.

 

First Aid Tip #3: Trauma/Pressure Bandage

A typical trauma bandage has a wound pad designed to keep the injury clean of debris and help stop bleeding with an elastic wrap that holds the bandage in place with pressure. The wound pad helps stop the flow of blood, which starts the clotting process. The pressure feature of a trauma bandage uses an elastic wrap to apply pressure on the wound site to help stop severe bleeding by constricting the damaged blood vessels manually.

US Marine First Aid Guide
This First Aid guide details the techniques used by the US Marines. Click the cover to learn more.

Ross Johnson, a combat-experienced 18D Special Forces medic, was taught in his medical training that the magic combo for treating a gunshot wound is packing it with Kerlix gauze and wrapping it with an Ace bandage. In combat, Ross once lost control of an Ace bandage that got away from him and wasted precious time in treating a wounded solider. So he created a new trauma bandage called the Olaes modular bandage to improve upon existing trauma bandage designs.

Ross named his advanced bandage design after the junior Special Forces medic on his team, Staff Sergeant Tony B. Olaes. Olaes was killed in action while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on Sept. 20, 2004, during a combat patrol near the town of Shkin in Afghanistan’s Paktika Province when his vehicle came under fire from enemy forces.

The Olaes modular bandage combines gauze and elastic wrap so in an emergency you only have to pull one item out of your aid bag instead of two. The Olaes modular bandage has three meters of gauze, an elastic wrap, a 5 x 7 inch piece of plastic, and a plastic cup to apply direct pressure to the wound area. The gauze is designed to stay in the dressing pocket or be removed from the dressing pocket depending on the treatment of the wound needed.

The 5 x 7 inch plastic sheet included inside the bandage is important to treat a wound where the bowels are exposed. The plastic can also be used on a chest wound that is feeding air into the chest cavity and collapsing the lung. To treat this, the plastic is tapped down on three sides, with the fourth side open to allow air to escape when the patient breathes. Carry 24 inches of rolled up medical tape in your pocket to secure the plastic on three sides of the chest.

The Olaes bandage uses a plastic cup that places a focused direct pressure on the wound area to help stop bleeding by closing damaged vessels. The plastic cup can also be used to protect a wounded eye against the pressure of a bandage placed over the head. One 4-inch Olaes modular bandage is about the size of a large dinner roll and it is carried comfortably in the right cargo pocket.

A tourniquet for first aid
An example of a tourniquet being applied to a leg.

 

First Aid Tip #4: Tourniquet

A tourniquet can help stop bleeding in an arm or a leg when apressure dressing and QuikClot sponge does not stop it. The tourniquet cuts off blood flow that steals oxygen from getting to the limb and prevents toxins from leaving the limb.

A pop-up tourniquet pouch
Another option is to use a pop-up tourniquet pouch, like this one from Blackhawk!. Load it with a tourniquet (not included) for quick access. Click the image for more information.

This is not good for an extended period of time but if it prevents death through blood loss, the complications can be dealt with at a hospital.

The “SOF Tactical Tourniquet” was designed by Ross. The tourniquet is made out of a wide heavy duty nylon strap that relies on a metal clip to hold the strap in place to avoid slippage that can occur with tourniquets that use a Velcro fastener. The tourniquet has a handle machined from a solid piece of aircraft aluminum with a dual locking mechanism once the handle is twisted to the desired tightness.

The right cargo pocket of the Blackhawk tactical pants holds the SOF Tactical Tourniquet, folded in a ready-to-use configuration.

First Aid Tip #5: Trauma Shears

Trauma shears are an important tool for self aid in order to quickly and safely cut away clothing from bleeding areas so you can assess the wound and treat it before losing too much blood.

Trauma shears are designed to cut through clothing of all types like denim and leather. They can also cut through seat belts and the side of boots.

Paul Howe, a combat Special Forces veteran, believes in self-treating wounds to free up fellow team members to secure the target. Once the area is secure the team will come back to help. In Paul’s book, Leadership and Training for the Fight, he reviews how this medical self-treatment is part of a “fight through” mentality where you do not dwell on dying but instead focus on what you are doing to ensure your survival.

Kevlar gloves
These kevlar gloves, made with leather, are cut resistant. They're another option if you can't find nitrile gloves or want something more durable. Click the image for more information.

The left cargo pocket of the Blackhawk tactical pants hold a pair of 7.5-inch or smaller stainless steel trauma shears held in place by the elastic which ensures the shears do not restrict your leg movement and can be comfortably carried throughout the day without noticing them.

First Aid Tip #6: Medical Gloves

Gloves are needed to safeguard yourself against HIV or other blood-borne pathogens and to protect your patient from infection. In an extreme emergency the gloves can be cut open and taped down as a chest seal.

Nitrile gloves are made of durable synthetic latex that is three times more puncture resistant than rubber. Nitrile has a low resistance to friction making it easy to slide on the gloves. Two pairs of extra large Nitrile gloves are carried securely in the right cargo pocket in an elastic band inside the pocket.

A face shield for CPR
A face shield provides protection for the person administering CPR.

First Aid Tip #7: Laderal Face Shield to Perform CPR

The Laderal Face shield is a non-latex plastic sheet and hydrophobic filter that helps protects you from possible contact with the victim’s face, saliva or blood when performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The Laderal Face shield comes in a package the size of a teabag. It is carried securely in the right cargo pocket in an elastic band inside the pocket.

Conclusion

First Aid TipsThese first aid tips are by no means a comprehensive first aid guide. They offer a good place to start. Before you go out and buy first aid items, become educated in their use first. Applying first aid incorrectly is sometimes worse than doing nothing at all.

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A Look at 1911 Sights

By
Robert Campbell
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2
Novak Sights on a 1911 pistol
This dusty set of sights is mounted on the author’s carry gun. Novak sights are ideal for personal defense use.

The original 1911 sights were embryonic military style sights.They were more than bumps on the slide, but not much more, and they were not ideal for accurate fire. The 1911A1 featured improved sights but until the days of the National Match pistol there was little to choose from.

Custom pistols miths fabricated high-visibility sights of various types and while these were an improvement in some ways, few were practical. Many were so tall and awkward they would not allow the pistol to be holstered in a conventional scabbard.

Among the first practical improvements on the 1911 sights were the old King’s Hardballer sights. There sight sets featured a taller rear sight and a post front sight. Even today, these sights are by no means outdated. They are good choices for combat shooting.

1911 pistol sights
Adjusting a Novak sight for windage isn’t difficult, but use the correct tools.

These sights are very similar to the sights fitted to the Colt Series 80 and the Springfield Mil Spec. I have always thought that Colt missed the boat when they did not add an improved set of sights to the Series 70, but they did update them on the Series 80. These early combat sights are relatively inexpensive and offer abetter sight picture than the GI sights.

However, I have conducted comparison testing between these sights and GI sights and overall the advantage of the improved or mil spec sights is slight. Tests do not lie, and while I perceived the improvement as greater than the tests showed, a thorough all-around program comparing the Springfield GI pistol, a Colt1918, and the Colt Series 80 and Springfield Mil Spec showed little practical improvement when the types were fired by novice shooters.

It is relatively easy to upgrade to some types of 1911 sights while others will require the services of a machinist/gunsmith.While we can upgrade, the superior course is to purchase a handgun with credible sights in the first place. The sights should be chosen for quality, practical accuracy, non-snag construction, and durability.

This is a tall order but one that modern sights fill well. Among the first practical high-visibility sights were the Novak Lo Mount. These sights feature a pyramid-like rear sight that offers an excellent sight picture.

1911 Pistol Kimber Night Sights
Kimber night sights are available as an option and should be ordered on every personal defense pistol from Kimber.

The sight will not catch on clothing during the draw and offers a virtually snag-free contour. The front sight is a bold post that may be from .200″ to .249″ high, depending on the application.

Reducing the vertical profile of a pistol sight is important because the sights rub on all manner of things including the holster and clothing. There are a number of considerations including short range fire, medium range fire, long range fire and snag-free presentation. Testing something as subjective as handgun sights is difficult. It is easy to note that the Novak sights are superior to Mil Spec sights, but to compare the Novak to Kimber sights is more difficult.

This is where subjective opinion arises. The rear sight should have a bold profile that is easily picked up quickly. The pyramid style sights now available offer a good sight picture and do not trap shadows. When all is said and done, the Novak and Kimber style combat sights are at the top of the heap and offer excellent all-around utility.

There are choices in the types as well. Plain black, white three dot and tritium night inserts are the most common types. Novak also offers a gold bead front sight. The gold bead front sight is among the very best choices. This bead gives an excellent all-around sight picture, can be seen in the dark with a minimum of ambivalent light and is immune to oil and solvent.

Surefire X300, 10-8 sights for 1911 pistols
This pistol is well equipped with a Surefire X300, 10-8 sights, Wilson Combat grips and low flash ammunition.

Luminous iron sights are an excellent option, but they are not without drawbacks. For example, during daytime or bright light shooting, tritium sights often reflect sunlight. The same is true of nickel plated sights, but the tritium insert is not as reflective as nickel.

Depending upon how deeply the shock mounted insert is buried in the sight, sunlight may play on the tritium sight. Tritium sights also will work loose. Usually the front sight is the one to take flight. I have only had this happen once, and it was at the 10,000 round mark, but it does happen.

White dot sights on 1911 pistol
An example of white dot sights on a 1911 pistol.

I replaced the sights of this particular pistol with Wilson Combat night sights and continued to bang out 10,000 additional rounds without any further problem. It is a relatively simple matter to replace the tritium insert; this is simply something to be aware of.

I once strongly preferred black sight over white three dot sights. With the coming of age and a loss in visual acuity, I now find the white dot sights work well for me. With unaided vision, blurred sights are a real problem.

Fiber optic sights or white dot sights help a great deal. I can recommend the Novak sights with the fiber optic option, but in the past I have suffered the loss of the fiber optic component with relatively light use of sights of other makes. The Novak is quite robust. Perhaps they did not introduce their version until it was perfected. An elegant option I find useful is the Novak Gold Beadfront sight. All who used this sight appreciated the gold bead. It shows up in most dim conditions and offers an excellent visual aiming point.

There is more to the equation than how the sights look and how well you are able to quickly pick up the sights. Some are too sharp for efficient holster use. The sights need to be snag-free when carried in tight-fitting concealment holsters.

Novak pistol sight
The Novak rear sight will not grab tender skin. That is efficiency by design.

The original Novak Lo Mount is the king of concealment but Wilson Combat sights also do a good job. The sights that absolutely must be avoided are the add on adjustable sights that hang over the rear of the slide.

These are contraindicated for service use and are not my favorites for target use. A proper target sight should be low riding, properly set into a machined dovetail, and rugged enough for duty use. The inexpensive add-ons are not very robust and when they protrude from the rear of the slide you are asking for them to be knocked off on a door jamb. They are good examples of a false economy.

Adjustable sights were once questionable on personal defense handguns. The Colt Gold Cup, as an example, is fastened by a single hollow roll pin. This is no recipe for hard use. Even adding a more satisfactory solid pin is not always enough to properly secure the sight. On the other hand I have a custom mounted Bomar rear sight done by the Action Works of Chino Valley, Arizona.

This is a secure mount with a vault-tough sight. The factory adjustable sight used by Les Baer is similar. Both are dirt tough adjustable sights well worth their price. Bomar unfortunately is out of business, but the Baer sight is at least the equal of the Bomar. Much the same applies to the modern Kimber adjustable sights. The unit mounted on my personal Eclipse has never given the slightest trouble.

Dovetails on Novak sights
These are Novak sights but all Novak sights are not created equal. Note the difference in the dovetails.

An aftermarket sight I have used with good results comes from Caspian. This compact tactical sight offers good adjustment but is low profile and has survived hard use. I think that it is safe to say that modern adjustable sights are available that give every advantage in zeroing the pistol while they are mechanically rugged.

Not all adjustable sights are, not by any means. A combination of a less rugged sight and mounting the sight in the conventional dovetail, resulting in the sight riding over the rear of the slide,is a combination doomed to failure.

It is easy enough to adjust the sight left to right, but I find a distressing number of modern pistols fire low at 16 to 25 yards. Filing the front sight or fitting a taller front sight is needed.

Firing high is addressed by fitting a taller front sight. If your pistol fires to the point of aim as issued, treasure it.

This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to the 1911.

Conspiracy Crowd Fearful of Government Ammo Buys

By
Brian McCombie
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4

 

Should we laugh at how silly it all is, be upset, or write it off as simply more gun ignorance? Hard to say what to make of the new conspiracy theories bouncing around the media of late over ammunition orders by various federal agencies. At issue: Hollow-point handgun ammunition.

As FoxNews.com reported, “The bullet purchases drew widespread attention as the website Infowars.com published several stories on them that were linked off the widely read Drudge Report and other sites. Infowars.com catalogued a string of recent purchases-first by the Department of Homeland Security, then by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and then the Social Security Administration (SSA).”

In early August, for example, SSA posted a solicitation for a bid on ammunition. The agency needed to purchase 174,000 rounds of, “.357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacketed hollow point pistol ammunition.”

People who knew anything about firearms and law enforcement might have figured that SSA has investigators, who are armed, and therefore would need ammunition for their day-to-day work, plus for firearms training. (Turns out, SSA has 295 special agents around the nation, with full law enforcement powers. That is only 589 rounds for each agent, meaning those officers can't even fire 60 rounds a month for training.)

That didn't occur to the good folks at Infowars.com.

As an article on the Infowars.com website proclaimed, “It's not outlandish to suggest that the Social Security Administration is purchasing the bullets as part of preparations for civil unrest. Social Security welfare is estimated to keep around 40 per cent of senior citizens out of poverty. Should the tap run dry in the aftermath of an economic collapse which the Federal Reserve has already told top banks to prepare for, domestic disorder could ensue if people are refused their benefits.”

Infowars.com bills itself as, “the tip of the spear in alternative media – Infowars is on the front lines in the battle to reclaim our rights, dignity and our destiny by exposing the control freaks who seek to turn the globe into a prison planet.”

Uh-huh. But in one area Infowars.com is very similar to the mainstream media: They're both utterly ignorant about anything to do with firearms!

Cartridge Ammunition PosterBe in the Know with this Ammunition Poster

Hang this ammo poster on the wall for a quick reference. It displays 220 life-size cartridges and nine shotshells in full color.

Click here to order this handy ammunition poster for just $10.

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