Gun Digest Editor Kevin Michalowski takes an in-depth look at the Streamlight TLR-1, a tactical flashlight.
Learn more about how to use tactical flashlights in the Own the Night book.
Firearm Auction News: The Highest-Grossing Gun Auction in History
Editor’s Note: Click here for instant firearms values and gun prices.
An Associated Press story circulated about in early March about booming gun sales in Texas. Some people fear that if Obama gets reelected, guns might become scarce. And for the past few years, gun sales have increased across the board but what about the market for vintage firearms?
As it turns out, sales of collectible guns are booming right along with the sales of AR-15s and polymer pistols.
This month James D. Julia’s Spring Firearms and Knife Auction brought in nearly $18 million in sales making it the highest-grossing firearms auction ever held in history. Tom O’Hara, a writer for Antique Trader (a sister publication to Gun Digest in the F+W Media group) was there to witness the bidding during the two-day auction.
Here are some highlights of the event:
–A Colt 1919 B.A.R. Commercial 30-06 automatic rifle went for $43,700.
–A historic Sauer double rifle presented to Hermann Goering by the City of Suhl, Germany, in 1934 sold for $115,000.
–A rare Colt engraved service model Ace pistol sold for $103,500. It was estimated to go for $40,000-$50,000.
–A 20 ga. Parker Grade 3 hammer/lifter shotgun, sold for $32,200.
–An L.C. Smith 20-gauge Monogram Grade went for $51,750.
–A Purdey best over-and-under 20-gauge single trigger game gun sold for just under $60,000.
–The highest selling lot of the sporting arms was an Alfred Lancaster .450 double rifle made for the Maharaja of Bulrampore. The gun made in 1871 was fitted with a complete butt stock and fore stock made from rhinoceros horn. It sold for $138,000.
–One lot was an original crate of unissued Winchester Model 94 Saddle Ring Carbines that were discovered in a warehouse. It sold for $218,500 after an intense bidding war.
So it seems that the world of vintage firearms is humming along quite well when compared to the rest of the firearms marketplace. People love brand-new guns that come fresh out of the box with new packing oil, but a lot of people love old guns that come with a history and the wabi-sabi aesthetic of gunmetal polished by time and use.
Read the rest of O’Hara’s report at Antique Trader.
Let there be light!
Bad things typically happen in low or reduced light. So, in addition to your fully functional concealed carry handgun and your super-slick concealed carry holster, you should seriously consider carrying a light with you and using it often. I stumbled across a nice one recently. The Coast HP7 cranks out 251 lumens with a 5-hour run time and is powered by four AAA batteries. When using the 58-lumen, low mode (which is great for reading ID cards) you get 10 hours of run time.
A couple other features I like are the focusing bezel, which allows you to go from a spotlight that reaches out 640 feet to a wide flood light with just the touch of your finger. And, if you wish, you can lock the bezel in place. I also like the indexing grooves on the tail cap switch. Though the functionality is a bit confusing. The switch works well. Press it partially to blip the light and press until it clicks for constant-on. BUT, the switch is also how you move from high beam to low and vice versa. And this happens EVERY time you hit the switch. So blip the light and you get a high-beam sweep, release the switch and blip it again and you are on low power. Release and blip again and you go back to high power. This is no serious problem and it is simple enough to overcome. This system is way better than some manufacturer's silly ideas about light controls. Remember, when you are under stress you want things simple. This is simple.
The light is well built with o-rings and a stout aluminum tube, but some CCW holders might find it a little big for every day carry. It is a little over an inch in diameter. It certainly fills your hand. I, on the other hand, am considering it as a duty light for my police work. The light comes with a tough nylon sheath and a lanyard. While I do have concerns about anything tied to my body that a bad guy could get hold of, this lanyard is set up to allow you to loop the cord over your four fingers, not your wrist. So if you need to do something with your hand you can let the light dangle, but if someone grabs it, you aren't going to stay attached to the light if you don't want to.
I have found the light on-line for between $46 and $74, so shop around. It is a good light ready to work for you. And the reality is, if you think you need a gun, you
will certainly need a light, too.
Recommended gun books for those who carry concealed handguns:
The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry
The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery
Effective Handgun Defense, A Comprehensive Guide to Concealed Carry
Find more resources atgundigeststore.com/tactical
Kimber Opposes New York Firearm Microstamping Legislation
From Kimber:
Yonkers, NY — March 21, 2012 — Kimber Mfg., Inc., one of America’s leading firearms manufacturing companies located in Yonkers, has announced strong opposition to both the proposed microstamping legislation and its inclusion in the budget (AB 9055C) under consideration by the New York State General Assembly. In addition to the Governor’s office, Kimber has contacted the Mayor of Yonkers and a number of elected representatives regarding this issue.
Microstamping is a patented concept which purportedly allows a manufacturer to laser-engrave a firearm’s make, model and serial number on the firing pin and/or breech face of each firearm. These markings are then thought to be transferred to each shell casing when fired.
Independent studies of microstamping technology have been unable to substantiate its efficacy. In fact, studies have shown that the technology is flawed and requires additional testing, analysis and evaluation. Furthermore, Kimber is unaware of any study or findings that show microstamping
technology to be an effective means of reducing criminal misuse of firearms.
In the event microstamping becomes law, it would increase manufacturing costs here in New York and force Kimber to reconsider its current expansion which will add approximately 150 professional and skilled jobs in 2012. Additionally, it would likely compromise Kimber’s ability to maintain the same number of full-benefit manufacturing jobs in the state. As a result, both Yonkers and the State of New York would receive lower tax revenues and experience an increase in requests for unemployment assistance.
“Kimber supports further testing and evaluation of both the technology and its efficacy regarding the reduction of the criminal misuse of firearms,” says Kimber COO Ralph E. Karanian. “Absent definitive findings on both issues, microstamping legislation yields little more than a false sense of achievement for our elected officials; likely costs New York good manufacturing jobs and tax revenues, and distracts from the pursuit of truly effective solutions.”
Johnston County, North Carolina: Where 1 in 25 Have Concealed Carry Permits
Johnston County, located near the center of North Carolina, has seen an impressive surge in concealed carry permits, based on statistics from the Johnston County Sheriff's Office.
“Last April the total number of concealed carry permits issued for Johnston County was 4,500, and as of January 2012 that number has risen to more than 6,600,” The Selma News reported. “If the trend continues, by April 2012, there could be as many as 7,400 concealed carry permits issued, which would be an increase of roughly 64 percent from the previous year.”
Factoring in data from the U.S. Census, this meant that, “approximately one out of every 25 people [here] have a concealed carry permit.”
Handgun ownership has become increasingly popular here, too. As The Selma News noted, “A substantial amount of gun purchase permits (4,513) were issued last year in Johnston County. This is an average of roughly 376 purchase permits a month. The highest month was last February with 558 purchase permits issued and the lowest was last June with 228. However, in January of this year the county issued 616 purchase permits.”
The Science of Recoil
Launching a bullet sends a surge of energy in the opposite direction. We feel it as recoil. Boost bullet speed or weight, and recoil increases. Adding weight to a rifle reduces felt recoil because the mass absorbs the thrust.
But shooting position also affects what you feel. If your body is free to “give” under recoil, it will hurt less. Stock dimensions matter too. A low, sharp comb can bang you mercilessly. A short length of pull gives the rifle a running start. A grip and forend that afford your hands little purchase let the rifle come back fast. A small, hard buttplate focuses and accentuates the thrust.
Uncomfortable recoil makes you flinch. Flinching makes you miss. No matter how big and tough you are, lively recoil gets your attention. If you’re thinking about recoil or anticipating the rifle’s kick, how can you focus on smooth execution of a shot? You can’t.
Muzzle brakes mitigate recoil by bleeding gas through ports to the side as the bullet exits. But the noise and blast of a braked rifle can affect you as severely as the recoil. Without adequate ear protection, you’ll sacrifice your hearing to muzzle brakes. At the range, ear-plugs and muffs (I use both) make brakes practical. In the field, you’ll want to pick up slight noises. Solution: install a brake for routine practice, then replace it with a cap to cover the muzzle threads when you hunt. You’ll probably not notice recoil when firing one shot at game.
Because felt recoil varies from rifle to rifle, and load to load, ranking cartridges by recoil energy is pointless. But you can easily determine the recoil thrust of your pet loads in your rifle:
KE=MV2/GC, where M is the rifle’s mass and V is its velocity. GC is a gravitational constant for earth: 64.32. V= bullet weight (grs.)/7000 x bullet velocity (fps) + powder weight (grs.)/7000 x gas velocity (fps)/M.
Powder and gas figure in because as “ejecta” they contribute to recoil. Gas speed varies, but Art Alphin, in his A-Square loading manual, suggests 5200 fps as an average. The “7000” denominators convert grains to pounds so units make sense in the end.
For a 180-grain bullet fired with a 70-grain powder charge at 3000 fps from an 8 ½-pound .300 Magnum, the numbers line up like this:
180/7000 x 3000 + 70/7000 x 5200 = 8.5 x V. Simplified: (77.143 + 52)/8.5 = V = 15.19 fps.
The final formula: 8.5(15.19)2/64.32 = 30.49 ft.-lbs. of recoil.
If math either bores you or triggers high-school nightmares, you can scrounge recoil figures from tables, available from a variety of sources for common rifles and cartridges.
Some loads are unconscionably brutal. The .378 Weatherby hammers you with 90 ft.-lbs. that feel like a whack from a splitting maul. Lightweight rifles can be vicious, even with proper stocking. My 7 ½-pound .458 leaves cheek and clavicle begging for mercy. A 9-pound .30-06 delivers a civil 19 ft.-lbs. of recoil with a 180-grain bullet. A 7-pound ’06 hits you with 25 – about as much as a 150-grain load in a 9-pound .300 Winchester.
To shoot well, use a rifle that doesn’t beat you up. There’s no glory in fighting recoil, or missing because you flinch.
The Model 1917: A Great Old Revolver
One of the best double-action sixguns ever produced, the Model 1917 is a big-bore gem. Whether a Colt or Smith & Wesson, it's still a good idea.
Just for you nostalgia buffs and collectors, we’re going to take a look at the Model 1917, for no other reason than the fact that it was, and remains, one of the best big-bore double- action revolvers ever produced in a caliber that just makes sense.
Back in the day, Colt had a heavy-framed revolver called the New Service, chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge. It was adopted by the U.S. Army as the M1909, replacing the service revolvers chambered in .38 caliber that did not perform up to snuff during the Philippine campaign. The military found that those big, slow-moving .45-caliber bullets took people out of the fight with a little more authority than the relatively weaker .38 Colt cartridge.
Then came the Model 1911 semi-auto, and the landscape began changing slowly. Even with this new pistol, there was a shortage of sidearms for the military and the solution was to approach Colt and Smith & Wesson to adapt their big revolvers to chamber the .45 ACP cartridge. The Colt New Service and the S&W Second Model .44 Hand Ejector platforms were up to the task, and they generically became the M1917. It was a good move because it was inevitable that the United States would enter the war in Europe, and soldiers needed sidearms that got the job done.
Smith & Wesson shortened the cylinder on their gun and when it was designed, a shoulder was built into the chamber to allow the use of the .45 ACP cartridge without a half-moon clip. The downside of that was that the rimless cartridges did not eject well. Still, these revolvers saw action during WWI. Colt subsequently followed suit, but the Peters ammunition company helped things out by producing the .45 Auto Rim cartridge for these guns starting in 1920.
After the war ended, demand for these revolvers did not wane. Various histories of the large double-action sixgun say S&W continued producing their version of the M1917 until the company introduced the Model 1950 Target model.
When I was a teenager, I hunted a couple of times with a guy who had one of the big Colts chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge, and it was a real shooter. He had killed a black bear with that gun. The S&W versions are more common in my part of the country, as I see more of them for sale at gun shows, and those in good condition can fetch some decent prices.
As a side note, watch any number of older Westerns and you might spot one of these big revolvers on the hip of some extra, or even one of the heroes in shooting scenes, because most folks wouldn’t know the difference. All they wanted to see in a Western was a lot of guys on horses wearing big hats and lots of shooting and gunsmoke, and a double-action .45 with the right blanks can produce just as much blue-gray smoke as a single-action.
I once viewed the final gunfight in Shane in slow motion and spotted Alan Ladd shooting a nickel-finished 1917 Colt with a longer barrel, and faking the fanning, and as Jack Palance’s bad guy fell backwards, it looked like another 1917 in his right hand.
Considering that reloading one of these double-action revolvers was quicker than an old single-action, it is no surprise that many genuine Westerners switched over from their thumb busters to the newer wheelguns with their swing-out cylinders and retracting hammers that allowed all six chambers to be loaded.
Nostalgia for the 1917 continues today, which brings us around to my pal, Bill Burris, and his purchase of one of these guns. He scored a real gem, with a 5-inch tapered barrel, that classic rounded front blade sight and the V-notch at the rear, where the Colt models had a square notch and a kind of shark fin front blade sight. The gun appears to have the original blue finish and it is unexpectedly well preserved, with smooth hardwood grip panels and a lanyard ring at the butt. His revolver does not appear to have had much use, and since he planned to use this gun in some Wild Bunch competitions, he asked me to knock out a holster. I was only too happy to oblige.
The M1917 certainly has earned its keep over the years. Many of these guns were back in service during WWII, and because they used the same ammunition as the Model 1911, keeping them loaded never was a problem. Ditto today, as half-moon and full moon clips can be found in abundance at gun shows or on-line, and it might be said that these clips were the original “speed loaders” for revolvers.
It would be interesting to find out the history of Bill’s revolver, or any of the Model 1917s one finds at gun shows or gathering dust in gun shops or museums. What stories they could tell.
Civilians: Get a Military Colt M4
Readers of this blog (both of you) know there is no shortage of AR-style carbines on the market these days. Yeah, and what else is new?
Well, while all ARs might look alike upon first blush, it's actually been a matter of “close but no cigar” if you wanted a genuine Colt M4 like those used by the military. Until now.
That's because, for the first time since the introduction of the iconic and standard-setting M4 in the 1990s, Colt Defense is offering a new rifle — they call it the LESOCOM — to law enforcement and civilian shooters like you and me. And son of a gun if this thing isn't as close in configuration to the M4A1 military carbine as anything you've ever seen. The Colt LESOCOM rifle is ideal for any law enforcement officer, marksman or hunter looking for a firearm that is most similar to what is used by the military.
The only thing it's missing is a light dusting of desert tan Krylon spray paint, and that part's up to you.
What differentiates the LESOCOM from the M4A1 platform currently used by the United States Armed Forces, you ask?
Basically, the LESOCOM’s longer barrel length and semi-automatic fire controls. And that's not too darn much.
The barrel is 16.1 inches long, and has a rifling twist of 1/7 RH. With the stock extended, this M4 carbine has an overall length of 35 inches. The LESOCOM is chambered for .223 Remington (5.56×45 NATO) and comes with two 30-round Colt magazines.
Standard on the Colt LESOCOM is a Matech rear back-up iron sight for acquiring distances out to 600 meters, effectively. Also included on the LESOCOM is a Knights Armament Rail System, capable of accommodating the user’s preferred optics and accessories at the three, six, nine and 12 o’clock positions.
The Colt LESOCOM features an M4 buttstock, pistol grip and flash suppressor. For left-handed shooters, an ambidextrous fire control selector is standard on all LESOCOM rifles.
Visit Colt to learn more. Click Here.
A Look at the U.S. Army .45 Model 1917 Revolver
Get acquainted with the Smith & Wesson Model 1917 — a timeless revolver for any admirer of military guns.
Revolvers aren’t the first thing that come to mind when I think about military guns. Standing in the shadow of the 1911, M1 Garand or M16 that’s understandable. But it's hard to miss a firearm like the Smith & Wesson Model 1917 Army revolver, with its classic-looking roundish front blade and western-styled grip.
It was a hell-raisin’ handgun for sure, one to be reckoned with, chambered like it was to take care of business. It shot the man-stoppers, the big .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim. The U.S. was gearing up for World War I.
Reflecting back on the inadequacies of the .38 used with marginal effect in the Philippines, the military adapted relatively quickly and went after a .45 caliber sidearm.
No military gun collection would be complete without the Smith & Wesson Model 1917, which — along with Colt’s New Service .45-ACP — both became known to the Army brass and countless soldiers simply as the M1917.
There is a lot for gun collectors to like about it. If ink spilled in firearms literature is any indication, much found right here at Gun Digest, then this is a significant gun indeed. It has a rich, well-documented history spanning two world wars.
According to the Standard Catalog of Firearms, there were about 163,000 Hand Ejector Models produced for the Army between 1917-1919; 5050 Target Model variations; 1,200 Commercial variations; and an additional 25,000 under Brazilian contract.
One might also locate the more commercialized version, the 1917 Postwar Model, of which 10,000 were produced in the 1930s, and were still being sold into the ‘50s. Prices of this 5 ½-inch barreled N-frame double action start at around $175 for poor grade and go on up into the neighborhood of $700 for a New-in-Box (NIB) Hand Ejector, or $1200 or more for a really nice .455 Mark II Hand Ejector First Model.
This was a sidearm born of necessity. The U.S. needed to fill a shortage of handguns as involvement in the First World War loomed. Thus it made perfect sense for Smith & Wesson to tool up for a .45 ACP revolver — one that could use ammo already being produced for the new 1911s interchangeably.
“Smith & Wesson’s Model 1917 revolver can perhaps best be described as an expedient that actually worked,” wrote Tom Osborne in Smith & Wessons of the Great War, from Gun Digest 2011. “Procuring revolvers to supplement the semiauto pistols seemed a reasonable solution to the handgun deficit.”
Smith & Wesson engineers developed “half-moon” clips to eject the .45 ACP rimless cartridges. Colt later took advantage of the innovation for the same purpose.
And while the M1917 does indeed have a fascinating history for people tuned into such things, I don’t believe people buy guns because they have an intriguing story. Sometimes we just like the way a gun looks, and I dare say this is one sixgun that has very nice lines. Like most all Smiths, it's reported to be a dandy shooter, too.
Whether you call it a collecting strategy or a rationalization, we gun lovers, like coin collectors, are masters at inventing excuses to search out and buy a new ‘arm. For instance, the M1917 could be the basis of a very neat revolver collection. A Smith & Wesson collection. Or just a collection of various M1917s, and other caliber hand ejectors of that era. For me, I envision this as an ideal gun to compliment a Springfield Model 1903 rifle making a great World War I era gun collection.
No matter how or why this little revolver trips your trigger, we’ve got lots of resources to learn more about it. Dave Workman reflects upon the gun’s contemporary use for hunting and Wild Bunch competition in The Model 1917: A Great Old Revolver. And further research can be done on this classic piece by picking up a copy of Classic Combat Handguns, in which Lee Arten talks about shooting his M1917 in Too Many 45s? Of course, be sure you have an up-to-date copy of the Standard Catalog of Firearms. There is a lengthy section on the M1917, with historical reference and values.
“Over nine decades have passed since peace was declared on that first Armistice Day, November 11th 1918,” concludes Osborne. “Virtually all those who fought in the ‘War to End All Wars’ are now gone. But these … revolvers and others like them remain as an unforgotten link to that time and those men.”
Concealed Carry Pants: Comfort Is All About the Pants
When using an IWB CCW holster, you need a larger pair of concealed carry pants.
A great concealed carry handgun is useless if you don't carry it. A concealed carry holster gives you no advantage if it appears as a bulging protrusion under you clothing. That may be why the popularity of Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holsters continues to grow. But, there is something you should take notice of when considering an IWB holster: your pants.
Tucking a concealed carry pistol inside your pants will make the waistband, or belt, a bit tighter. In some cases your pants will need to be an entire size larger. For me, I need to go from a 36-inch waist to a 38 when I carry with an IWB holster. That sometimes means using a different belt, but I do have some pants my kids are fond of calling “fat guy” pants that work well, too. My fat-guy pants have elastic in the waistband that allows for enough stretch to insert the holstered pistol comfortably.
This is a great reason to get a couple different types of holsters, or one holster, like the Galco Doubletime, that you can convert from IWB to standard belt holster riding outside the waistband. The goal of course is to keep the same gun in the same location every time you carry. If you reach to your right hip, that gun is there and ready for action.
IWB holsters offer many advantages. They provide better concealment. They keep the pistol closer to your body. They can be worn without a jacket for vest as a concealment garment. But they have their disadvantages, too. I prefer to wear an undershirt when I carry IWB just to keep the gun off my skin. Gaining access to a pistol tucked in an IWB can be a bit slower than other holsters and there is the aforementioned pants and belt size issue. Do you have enough closet space and room in your budget to buy pants that are holster-specific? This is just another little thing to think of when you carry a fighting handgun.
Gun Review: Kimber Solo Carry
Weighing just 17 ounces and with a barrel length of only 2.7 inches, the new Kimber Solo Carry puts the power of a 9mm cartridge in a micro-compact size usually reserved for smaller calibers. This pistol is easy to carry and conceal.
A manual ambidextrous thumb safety, checkered slide release and ambidextrous magazine release button promote safe and intuitive operation. The smooth single-action striker-fired trigger sets a new standard for small pistols. The slides and barrels are cut from stainless steel, making Solo pistols built to last. Their frames are machined from the finest aluminum and wear KimPro® II, a premium finish that is self-lubricating and resistant to salt and moisture. No other small pistol can begin to compare.
The Solo trigger is a single action striker-fired design with an even and smooth pull that breaks clean at 7 pounds. Frame and slide edges are rounded and blended so they do not snag on clothing or holsters. Slide serrations are deep for a secure grip and the magazine well is beveled for quick and positive loading. Solo sights are steel and securely mounted in dovetails machined into the slide for additional durability.
The Kimber legacy of offering the finest production firearms available continues with the new Solo Carry. What sets the Solo apart is quality, dependability and 1911 ergonomics that ensure comfortable shooting regardless of hand size. In every respect, Solo pistols are in a class by themselves.
Solo pistols establish a new, higher standard of small pistol dependability and performance. Their suggested retail price is just $747.
Specs
Caliber – 9mm
Height (90° to barrel) – 3.9 inches
Weight (with empty magazine) – 17 ounces
Length – 5.5 inches
Magazine capacity – 6 rounds
Extended magazine capacity (optional) – 8 rounds
Barrel Length – 2.7 inches
Twist rate (left hand) – 1:10
MSRP – $747
How to Customize a Glock for $200
Here's how to customize a Glock, and keep the tab under the magic $200 mark, with a few tips anyone can do at home.
In 2010, the Glock 19 was Glock’s best selling gun, commercially. Now in its fourth generation and still widely regarded for its reliability and durability the midsize 19 remains a very popular choice for concealed carry, target shooting at the range, and home defense. The differences between the four generations of Glock 19s include grip patterns, finger grooves in the stock, the addition of a tactical rail, and for 2011, interchangeable backstraps for a “perfect” fit. Beyond that, not much has changed over the years.
Glocks, like any other gun, can show wear and tear over time, especially with heavy use. Tenifer slides show holster wear and night sites grow dim. In fact, that’s exactly what was happening with a friend’s Gen2 Glock 19. The pistol was starting to look a bit tired. Rather than shelling out $500 or more for a new gun or going through the hassle of selling it, I convinced my friend to see what we could do to upgrade the Glock, spending around $200 to turn it into a custom carry pistol.
This particular Glock 19 rides every day in a Fobus paddle holster as my friend makes deliveries and runs errands for a local firm. Because he has little kids, my friend doesn’t chamber a round until he leaves for work each morning and he unloads the 19 each night when he returns home. So the gun is in and out of the holster at least a couple times every day. As such, the slide shows signs typical signs of wear. At around 15 years old, the factory night sites have lost much of their usable glow.
With a $200 limit, here’s what we had done to the Gen 2 Glock 19:
The first upgrade — refinishing the slide in DiamondKote — would be purely cosmetic. At the recommendation of a local gunsmith, I sent the Glock’s slide and barrel to Mike Boglarsky at M&R Arms Specialties (www.mrarms.com) in Mt. Clemens, Mich. M&R offers a multitude of color options, from matte black to gold to purple. Being somewhat traditional but wanting to jazz up the Glock a bit, I was leaning toward the silver until Mike told me that he could also do a titanium color. Relying solely on Mike’s advice, I gave him the go-ahead.
Mike says he can apply color treatments to the Glock’s polymer frame as well, which I respectfully declined. In a couple days, Mike called to let me know the slide and barrel were ready for pickup. It looks great and the subtle but classy titanium color is a great match for the Glock’s dark polymer frame. Cost: $57 + shipping from M&R Arms
The second upgrade — replacing the old night sights — would be a much more functional change and a must-have on a carry or defense gun. I selected Truglo’s Brite Site TFO, a combination Tritium and fiber optic sight that offers a bright green dot for a front sight and slightly less bright (although very visible) yellow dots for the rear sight. Never having sighted a gun through bi-colored night sites, I worried that the green and yellow dots would be gimmicky or confusing. Thankfully, neither is true. The Truglo sights are easily seen in bright daylight or in darkness. The brighter green front sight is easy to acquire and the yellow dots in the rear sight are easy to align. Cost: $97 from CheaperThanDirt.com
The third upgrade — adding a Clipdraw — would also enhance the functionality of the gun, at least in how my friend will use it on a daily basis. Since his daily routine requires a lot of driving and errands in Michigan’s four seasons, he decided to try carrying inside the waistband with a Clipdraw installed—a setup that would allow easy “holstering” and removal of the Glock as needed. A simple but well-designed piece of black powder-coated metal, the Clipdraw attaches to the Glock securely and holds it inside the waistband securely, keeping it steady but allowing some movement to accommodate sitting and standing with a concealed weapon. Moreover the Clipdraw keeps the Glock at just the right height, allowing the user to get fingers around the stock when drawing.
Cost: $25.95 from Clipdraw.com
The fourth upgrade—adding a Lone Wolf Carry Package Trigger Kit—would provide a heavier, revolver-like feel to the trigger, smoothing out the overall stroke and providing an additional measure of safety to protect against an accidental discharge. Lone Wolf’s Carry Package Trigger Kit is simply the combination of an 8-pound trigger spring (the “New York 1” or NY1) coupled with a 3.5-pound connector. Cost: $17.50 from Lone Wolf Distributors
With a total of $197.45 in upgrades (not counting tax or shipping), a working but very tired looking Gen2 Glock 19 became a good-looking custom carry gun that looks practically new and provides even greater functionality. My friend is happy with the changes—he even said they’re “perfect.”
Beyond the $200 Threshold: DC Holster
For those who prefer to holster their weapon in an actual holster that covers the trigger, consider a holster made by Greg Purcell of DC Holsters. A locksmith by trade who carries a concealed pistol, Greg found that the constant bending and moving that his work required made carrying pistol downright uncomfortable and unworkable. As such, Greg decided to design his own tuckable holster out of Kydex and leather. Word spread and a secondary business was born.
I tried the DC holster using my friend’s Glock 19 and found it to be one of the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. The best spot for it on me was at the four o’clock position. The Glock slid in easily and snapped in securely, the molded Kydex taking a firm hold on the Glock’s triggerguard. The leather helped distribute the weight across an area greater than just the point at which the belt clip attaches to my belt, adding to the comfort. Regardless of the temperature or setting, the leather never felt hot, never caused me to sweat, and generally held the Glock 19 in place very well. I could even carry the Glock 19 with the Clipdraw installed.
I did have to warm up and reform the Kydex that was directly over the front sight as it was rubbing against the sight when unholstering the Glock. This procedure took about 30 seconds with an automatic lighter and a metal rod to re-form the heated Kydex. Other than that minor fix and breaking the $200 threshold, the DC Holster was a perfect match for the Glock 19.
Cost: $65.50 shipped
“America’s Strongest Cop” Competition Champions America’s Finest
From America's Strongest Presents, Inc.:
Unique Strength Competition Debuts in May and Showcases the Muscle of American Law Enforcement, While Raising Money for Special Olympics
America’s Strongest Cop, a national competition testing the physical strength and cardio abilities of full-time law enforcement officers, will debut in May of this year with a series of regional competitions, culminating in a finals event to crown America’s strongest law enforcement professionals. America’s Strongest Cop has designated the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics (LETR), the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics, as the charitable beneficiary of the competition, and will donate $10 from each participant’s entrance fee to Special Olympics. Additional fundraising events for Special Olympics may occur at certain regional competitions.
For some, the competition provides a platform to compete and win the title of America’s Strongest Cop. For others, America’s Strongest Cop serves not only as a fun and motivating platform for law enforcement professionals to compete, represent their departments and stake their claim to this unique national title, but also to champion the indelible spirit of our first responders and the daily sacrifices they make while cloaked in anonymity. For all, the competition serves as a motivating platform to get healthy and fit by following the successful diet, exercise and time-management principles developed by official spokesman and America’s most decorated competitive strongman, Derek Poundstone.
Poundstone has been America’s most decorated Strongman over the past four decades. But what is most impressive is that he’s done so while maintaining his full-time position as a working Patrolman for the Naugatuck, Conn. Police Department. Poundstone personifies the sacrifice and commitment that American law enforcement and America’s Strongest Cop are all about. In addition to his dual role as full time patrolman and strongman, Poundstone hosts “Poundstone Power Radio,” an internationally syndicated program on Sirius XM satellite radio. In February 2011, he was appointed as a Global Ambassador for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics. Poundstone is also heralded as an expert in the time management and fitness arenas and has served as a columnist for Muscle & Fitness magazine.
“I consider it a great honor to be a part of a program that celebrates our first responders’ dedication to protecting and serving our local communities,” stated Poundstone. “I’m thrilled that we’ve created a platform to provide a fun and competitive challenge for my law enforcement brothers and sisters who put their lives on the line every day, while also supporting my colleagues who participate in LETR and their amazing fundraising efforts on behalf of Special Olympics.”
America’s Strongest Cop will feature multiple fitness events, including three individual lifts and a police-themed obstacle course that will test cardio ability and endurance. Participants can train for all events at any local gym and no special equipment is required. Competitors will be grouped by weight class, age and gender, and must be full-time sworn officers for a local, state or federal agency. Individuals can compete alone, or join an 8-person team. Teams will perform a tug-of-war, truck pull and a farmer carry. The competition, which kicks off in May, will host events through August in the following cities:
| Date | Location | Venue |
| May 18-20 | Cleveland, Ohio | IxCenter |
| June 1-3 | Baltimore, Md. | Baltimore Convention Center |
| June 15-17 | Edison, NJ | NJ Expo Center |
| June 29-July 1 | Orlando, FL | Marriott World Center |
| July 6-8 | Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Convention Center |
| July 13-15July 27-29 | Dallas, TXLos Angeles, Calif. | Gaylord CenterLA Live |
| Aug. 10-12 | Chicago, Ill. | Navy Pier |
Participants can register now at www.AmericasStrongestCop.com. The entrance fee includes commemorative event apparel, an instructional training video hosted by Poundstone and a reserved slot in the regional competition of choice for the first 7,500 registrants. In addition, Special Olympics will receive $10 for each entrance fee paid.
America’s Strongest Cop has designated the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics as its official charity. The LETR, which is now in its 31st year, has raised more than $410 million for Special Olympics. The LETR was founded by Chief Richard LaMunyon in Wichita, KS in 1981, and now boasts an impressive 85,000 active law enforcement volunteers, who collectively raised $42.6 million for Special Olympics in 2011.
“Special Olympics is proud to be the official charity of the America’s Strongest Cop competition. The commitment and dedication that law enforcement has for Special Olympics is incredible. Through participation in ASC, officers will be showcasing their abilities as well as supporting Special Olympics in a unique and fun way,” said Michael Teem, Executive Director of the LETR for Special Olympics. “We are excited to have such a compelling platform to activate the energies of law enforcement officers in our ongoing fund-raising efforts.”
Video: World’s Only 7.62mm Caliber LMG with Semi-Auto Mode
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) is set to launch its new Light Machine Gun (LMG), the NEGEV NG7, at DefExpo India 2012 later this month. The NEGEV NG7 is the only 7.62mm caliber LMG in service today with semi-automatic mode.
The NEGEV NG7 is also the only 7.62 with single bullet firing capability. In automatic mode, its rate of fire is over 700 bullets per minute. Weighing less than 8 kg, it can be fired from a variety of mounts, including special mounts on helicopters, land vehicles and naval vessels.
Features include a gas regulator for additional power in harsh conditions, tritium night sights, picattiny rails for optical and other devices, and four safety mechanisms to minimize unwanted fire. The NEGEV NG7 is drum or belt-chain fed, and fires from an open bolt position.
More Combat Firearms Information
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Classic Guns: High Standard .22 Pistols
In a recent column, Gun Digest the Magazine contributor Walt Hampton wrote, “A gun with proper care can last several lifetimes and during those years as it is passed between family members or friends and is touched or used by various people it becomes woven into the fabric of our lives. This is the one reason I encourage every ‘gun person’ I know to jot down their recollections so they may be passed on to other hunters that may follow them, that may one day use that gun for their own pleasure.”
Matthew Hranek is a professional photographer that shoots for numerous glossy magazines and he spends his time on a farm in upstate New York. He’s a hunter, angler and cook and has good taste in vintage goods. He recently posted some photos of a High Standard Field King .22 pistol. Mixed in with his father’s things was a handwritten note on shooting advice that ended with three underlined words: Practice Practice Practice.
I have some affection for old High Standard .22 pistols. It was the first handgun I ever fired, and it was the first handgun I ever used to take a game animal (a wounded raccoon fighting off a pair of black and tan coonhounds). It was my father’s gun and I remember holding it with great fascination and awe. He traded it off somewhere for something and now it’s only a memory.
Author Gil Hebard evaluates, analyzes and tests High Standard .22 match pistols in the 1966 edition of Gun Digest.
Here are a few outtakes from the article:
“Parlay a good trigger and sight with an accurate barrel and functional reliability and you have the requisites for a good target gun. Add the refinements found in the Supermatic and it becomes crystal clear why this model has enjoyed such widespread popularity among target shooters.”
“The Military model I have been testing has over 4000 rounds through it (Remington ammo) and malfunction #1 has yet to make its appearance. High Standard claims to have one with over 10,000 rounds and no malfunctions! Now I don't want to leave the impression that if you purchase a Hi-Standard Military, you can expect complete alibi-free shooting. Dirty guns, broken parts, damaged magazines, and faulty ammunition can, among other things, cause malfunctions. Also, no autoloader by any manufacturer can be considered to be so perfectly designed and manufactured that it will perform its basic function of feeding, firing, and ejecting 100% of the time. But High Standard comes close to this optimum and their target pistols have been (and are) impressive by their functional reliability.”
“The accuracy of the various Hi-Standard models hardly needs confirmation. They have proven themselves over the years with little if any change in interior barrel design.”
“In my opinion this accuracy is excellent, perhaps even phenomenal, considering that these barrels are mass produced.”
The section on High Standard semi-auto pistols in the 2012 Standard Catalog of Firearms categorizes the various by models by letter names (like Model C), lever name models (like the Supermatic), the 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107 series models; and the SH series which was the final design produced by High Standard.
Prices for a High Standard range from $250 to $1,000, all depending on the exact model and the condition of the pistol. The Model S is a non-production model made from 1939 to 1940. Only 14 are registered with the BATF and one of those could fetch around $5,200 to $3,900.
Two notes:
–You will sometimes see High Standard spelled as Hi-Standard. The company name is spelled as High Standard but on some models, Hi-Standard is engraved on the slide.
–There are two companies. There is the old High Standard company that was based in Connecticut and closed its doors in 1984. The new High Standard Manufacturing Company opened in Houston in 1993 and acquired the assets and trademarks of the old company. They continue to make fine .22 pistols among other firearms.
The handwritten note that Hranek found is what Hampton was getting at in his column. “Write down your memories of your guns,” he wrote. “Somewhere along the line someone will thank you for it.”
Recently I’ve had my eye on a certain .22 semi-auto pistol. When I get around to purchasing it I will be also purchasing a pocket-sized bound notebook and wherever the gun goes, the journal will go. It’s the thoughts that count, but they don’t count if they are not noted and passed along.
Training For The Real Deal
Do you have a training scar? Watch some videos of officer-involved shootings and you will see police officers fight their way to the 7-yard-line, square up to the target and, sadly, in some cases, die there.
The reality is that gunfights are dynamic. Can you access your concealed carry handgun from a compromised position? Does your concealed carry holster work well enough to keep your firearm in place, but accessible if you are NOT standing still, on level ground, shooting at a stationary target? You will fight like you train. And you should never fight standing still, directly in front of your opponent. When faced with a threat you must: Move, Draw, Engage.
Get to cover. Stay at your cover. Only break cover if you are moving to better cover. Don't stand still and trade shots. When you are training, set up drills that require you to move to cover before you fire. Shoot from many different positions. Draw from the holster, don't engage from the low ready position. You will need to use all your skills in a fight. So use them all in training.
Marksmanship is only part of the equation. Tactics, mindset and physical ability are also key element in surviving a deadly force incident. Work to hone them all.
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