I’ve always been a big fan of short-barreled revolvers. In fact, I think the original S&W M36 Chief’s Special is one of the greatest guns ever designed. (I once owned a S&W Highway Patrolman .357 N-frame that someone had given the “Fitz Special” treatment, with cutaway triggerguard, shortened barrel, rounded grip frame and custom grips. It was every bit as cool as it sounds, and I was the only kid on the block who had one. Ditto my old “Fitzed” Colt Army Special snubbie in .41 Long Colt. Now that was a carry gun, although you didn’t just run down to the WalMart to buy ammo for it.)
How nice it was, then, to bumble across a website devoted entirely to the snubbie! It’s called The Snubnose Files, and you can check it out here. Gun Digest Books also puts out a super-informative guide to pocket handguns — not just revolvers but snubbies, too — titled “Gun Digest Buyer’s Guide to Concealed Carry Handguns.” Written by Jerry Ahern and priced at less than $17, it’s a bargain. See it here.
A story that should streak across the internet but for one key fact – it involved the defensive use of a gun, in this case a BB gun – is the kind of stuff that legends are made from, and so are little heroes.
Published reports say a man identified as 45-year-old Paul F. Newman “came home drunk” to the house where he was renting a room. The 46-year-old mother was in her own room when the enraged suspect reportedly kicked in her door and began choking her.
Enter the woman’s 10-year-old son. He first yelled at Newman. That didn’t work, so he reportedly picked up a wooden board and whacked the drunken man with that. The Bellingham Herald reported that Newman ran outside, apparently believing he was chasing the youngster.
Proof positive that 10-year-olds are smarter than boozers of any age. The kid instead went one notch higher on the force continuum and grabbed his pump-action BB rifle. The mother, meanwhile, locked the door, but Newman tried crawling inside through an open window, the newspaper said. When the mom tried to shut that, Newman grabbed her arm and held on tight.
When the boy appeared with his BB rifle, Newman allegedly threatened to kill him. The youngster wasn’t having any of it and he fired, perhaps as many as four times, and shot Newman in the face. Read more
Del-Ton Incorporated is now shipping its new DTI TRX AR-15 rifle in flat dark earth as well as matte black.
This “loaded,” 16″ semi-automatic rifle offers several distinctive enhancements and ships with a hard case, a 30-round Troy magazine and a cleaning kit:
7075 T6 Aluminum hard coat, anodized MIL-SPEC upper and lower receivers
Troy Industries low profile gas block and A2 flash hider
Troy Battle Ax buttstock of reinforced fiber and Troy 13″ Extreme Hand Guard
Troy DOA/STD rear folding and M4/HK front folding sights
1X9 twist chrome-moly vanadium barrel has a threaded muzzle and mid-length gas system
Chambered in 5.56 X 45 mm with a chrome-lined chamber and bore
Chrome lined carrier interior
“With an MSRP of $1250 and all these enhanced features, this rifle is a great value,” said Tony Autry, president and CEO of Del-Ton Incorporated.
Del-Ton Incorporated is a manufacturer of quality of AR-15 rifles and an online supplier for parts, upgrades, accessories, optics and custom rifle kits. Based in Elizabethtown, N.C., all rifles and components for Del-Ton products are made in the U.S.A. and Del-Ton rifles carry a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser. Visit www.del-ton.com for detailed product information.
It’s hard to imagine an uglier piece of metal and wood than some of the contraptions churned out by H&R. As far as ugly ducklings go, H&R handguns might take the cake.
Harrington & Richardson has been out of the handgun business since the company (then doing business as H&R 1871, Inc.) was acquired by Marlin in 2000. Most people probably didn’t even notice.
H&R handguns weren’t ever anything you’d brag about owning, unless maybe it was one of their USRA single-shot .22 target pistols or maybe a nine-shot top-break Model 999 Sportsman. I’ve owned one of the former and two of the latter, and I never felt ashamed of them. I must admit, however, that most of H&R’s pistols and revolvers look positively clunky and stupid compared to, say, a Colt Police Positive or a S&W M39.
But for pure butt-ugliness, nothing could approach H&R’s .32 Self-Loading Pistol and its Model 925 .38 S&W revolver. Hoo boy! The .32 Self-Loader was a licensed knockoff of the British Webley7.65mm Pocket Auto (and was also available in a scaled-down .25 ACP version), but the Model 925 sprang unassisted from H&R’s fevered corporate brow. Neither was a cheaply-made gun; it’s just that their styling was so impossibly awkward that they look weird even to my jaded eyes, which is saying quite a lot.
I’ve tried to include as much information as possible about these guns in the 2011 Standard Catalog of Firearms (21st Edition), but I haven’t quite been able to give them the coverage they probably deserve. However, when you consider that the book contains info on more than 25,000 different firearms from around the world, it’s a pretty good one-volume reference/value guide for the firearms generalist who buys and trades guns fairly regularly — as I do.
Anyway, these two poor, forlorn H&Rs are my candidates for Ugliest Pistol of All Time. In my experience, both were utterly reliable and acceptably accurate, but let’s face it: they’re about as pretty as the southbound end of a northbound mule.
As we all know, 2011 is the centennial of the most popular handgun in the world, the Model 1911. Just this last weekend, though, as I was shooting my Taurus PT1911 in .38 Super, the question occurred to me: just what makes a 1911 a 1911? The terms “1911” and “1911A1,” of course, are merely military nomenclature for approved design specifications.
Taurus PT1911 .38 Super
One of the most important specs for the 1911 is that it fire the “Cal. .45 Automatic Pistol Ball Cartridge, Model of 1911,” otherwise known as the .45 ACP. This chambering was so central to the design of the Model 1911 — in fact, the cartridge was developed somewhat before the 1911 itself was — that I suppose you could argue that no “1911” that is chambered for anything other than the .45 ACP (.22 LR, 9mm Parabellum, .38 Super, 10mm, .460 Rowland, etc.) can be considered a “true” 1911. For its part, Colt never marked any of its nonmilitary 1911-style guns as “1911s,” preferring the bland “Model O” designation or descriptive names such as “Super 38,” “Ace,” “Commander,” “Combat Commander,” “Delta Elite,” or “Government Model.” Common practice is to lump all 1911-style pistols together as 1911s, and that’s a much better term than “1911 clones,” if you stop and think about it.
But maybe you don’t want to stop and think about it. Neither do I, really. Instead, I’d much rather re-read Pat Sweeney’s new book, “1911: The First 100 Years.” I say “re-read” because I had the very great pleasure of editing this book, which surely ranks as one of Pat’s best. Entertaining, funny, informative — it’s Pat Sweeney at the top of his game. You can order it here.
Anyway, over the next 13 months or so we’re sure to be hearing more about the 1911, whatever you call it.
JACKSONVILLE, Florida –Safariland™, a BAE Systems line of business,announces the debut of the latest offering from the Safariland Training Group,the Female Officer Survival Training Tactics course, which is availableimmediately.
This four-day course, developed by female law enforcement officers, provides female officers the skills to confidently engage and thwart lethalthreatening situations. Highlightsof the course include improved firearms accuracy, advanced gun fighting skills, defensive tactics specific to the female officer,and improving tactical decision-making skills throughscenario-based training.
This program provides an opportunity for female officers to train in a comfortable learning environment at the range, in the gym and in theclassroom. The course will provideeach student with a personalized assessment of her particular skill sets andidentify any areas to focus for development.
“Female officers put their lives on the line every day, just like male police officers, yet theyhave to overcome some inherent challenges,” said Sandy Wall, Safariland’sDirector of Training. “Ourtalented Safariland Training Group female instructors have experienced thesechallenges first hand in their careers and have built this course to offertheir fellow officers options and tactics to help survive the street.”
Safariland Training Group’s chief instructor for the course is Dorcia Meador,a 31-year veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department, who isconsidered by many as one of the best female shooters in the country. She is a four-time women’s NRA champion and holds numerous nationalrecords in police pistol combat competitions, 1500 PPC revolver, and PolicePistol Combat semi-auto. Joining Meador is Lt. Amy Forster of the Vancouver Police Department,who is a recognized expert in ground and hand-to-hand fighting, and BelindaSelvey of the Fort Worth PD, who is an accomplished tactical instructor.
Two suspects are in custody after they tried to rob a retired SBPD officer at gunpoint Wednesday night in South Bend. The retired officer shot at least one of them during the altercation.
Two suspects are in custody after the attempted armed robbery of a retired SBPD officer on Thursday night in South Bend.
It happened just before 8:00 p.m. in the 1000-block of Woodbine Way, south of the airport.
Police say two brothers,18-year-old Presley Brown and 22-year-old Prescott Brown, approached retired Lt. John Collins, a former SBPD officer of 27 years, as he got out of his car after returning home from his current job. Presley Brown allegedly pointed a sawed-off shotgun at Collins and tried to rob him, but an altercation ensued.
Collins then shot at least one of the suspects. One of them jumped into a waiting getaway car and drove to Memorial Hospital where they were both arrested. Presley Brown was the one shot by Collins. He was shot in the arm and foot. Those injuries were non-life threatening.
The other suspect was in the car and after arriving in the parking garage at Memorial Hospital, he fled. It is not known if he was also shot.
Designation as USMC FROG (Flame Resistant Organizational Gear) Glove Leads To Order for 90,000 Pairs
The Wiley X Raptor Combat Glove (Model #U501) has been designated as a USMC FROG (Flame Resistant Organizational Gear) Glove, leading to a substantial order from the United States Marine Corps.
Based on a 12-month agreement that began in October 2011, Wiley X will be providing 90,000 pairs of its state-of-the-art Raptor Combat Gloves to protect the hands of Marines in action around the world.
“As a veteran owned company, we’re proud of this selection and pleased that Wiley X will be protecting the hands of U.S. Marines — as they protect freedom and liberty around the globe,” said Wiley X Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr. “U.S. Marines are well known as the best trained, best equipped fighting force on the planet, and we are pleased to be playing a small role in their safety,” added Freeman. In addition to providing American marines with Mil-Spec hand protection, Wiley X is a leader in ballistic protective eyewear systems for military and law enforcement use.
The Wiley X Raptor Combat Glove is engineered to provide maximum hand protection without sacrificing operational performance. With its Mil-Spec Nomex top and sleeve for both thermal and abrasion protection as well as its goatskin leather, the Wiley X Raptor Combat Glove meets the United States Marine Corps FROG requirements.
The Wiley X Raptor Combat Glove is also constructed to help marines perform at their best, with digital print goatskin leather for increased grip and tactile dexterity. Ergonomically shaped goatskin leather patches on the palm and leather reinforcement on the thumb strengthen high wear areas and increase overall durability.
Wiley X offers the Raptor Combat Glove in Small, Medium, Large, X-Large and XX-Large, providing the ideal size match for a wide range of fighting men and women. In addition, a cuff closure on the forearm provides a custom fit for all wearers. The Wiley X Raptor Combat Glove is custom designed to match a variety of U.S. military uniforms.
The glove will be available to consumers starting in 2012.
The Wiley X Raptor Combat Glove is available through GSA. To learn more about this and other protective products for tactical situations, contact Wiley X, Inc. at 7800 Patterson Pass Road, Livermore, CA 94550 • Telephone: (800) 776-7842 • Or visit online at www.wileyx.com.
Made from durable, glass-filled nylon, these rugged, smooth-feeding magazines are available in ten-round, five-round, and three-round capacities.
“Consumers have made many requests for lower cost Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle magazines,” said Mark Gurney, Ruger’s Long Gun Product Manager. “These new Ruger magazines are durable, easy to load, feed smoothly, and are less than half the price of original equipment steel magazines. The three-round magazine is near flush-fitting and is a great accessory to have when hunting with the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle rifle,” he concluded.
Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle polymer magazines can be readily disassembled and assembled for cleaning. All components are molded from glass-filled nylon (except the stainless steel spring), and the assembled magazines have been function and drop tested at extreme temperatures ranging from -30° F to +140° F. A snap-on dust cover, which not only keeps the internals of the magazine clean, but also allows long-term storage of a loaded magazine without risk of deforming the magazine feed lips, is included with each magazine.
Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle polymer magazines are available now at local firearms retailers, and are also available on ShopRuger.com. The original steel five-round and ten-round steel magazines are also available through the same outlets, and Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifles are still being supplied with one all-steel ten-round magazine.
For more information on the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, and Ruger’s entire line of award winning pistols, rifles, revolvers and shotguns, visit Ruger.com.
The hostage target is a steel representation of the classic paper target where the bad guy is behind the hostage, using that person as a shield. Police have trained for years on paper targets to hit the bad guy, but not hurt the hostage. In IDPA and IPSC matches, there can be a “No-Shoot” target in front of a target that you must engage. It takes skill and a lot of practice to make those critical shots. These new targets give you an opportunity to continuously practice while not having to score or replace a paper target.
The Custom Metal Products hostage target consists of an IDPA torso with a round target showing at the shoulder. The “bad guy” target is hinged on a Grade 8 Bolt on the rear of the torso, and when hit; it flips to the other shoulder, and stays there until you hit it again. The white paint on the “bad guy” and on the torso shows the location of the hit. (In this case, there should not be any hits on the torso)
"We are proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of America’s 100 Best Small Companies," said Ruger CEO Michael Fifer. "We owe a great deal of thanks to our loyal customers and dedicated employees for contributing to our success. Because of our innovative product introductions and continuously improving American manufacturing, we have seen our sales growth and earnings per share improve significantly over the last four years."
The Forbes list of 100 Best Small Companies in America only considers companies that have been publicly traded for at least a year, pull in annual revenue between $5 million and $1 billion, and boast a stock price no lower than $5 per share.
Forbes also factored in the stock performance of each company compared with that of its peers. The rankings are based on earnings growth, sales growth and return on equity in the past 12 months and over five years.
During the past five years, Ruger saw earnings growth of 470%; sales growth of 86%; and annual return on equity increase from 4% to 34%.
Ruger’s award winning products include the LCP™ .380 Auto Pistol, the LCR™ .38 Special +P Revolver, and the SR9c™ Compact 9mm Pistol. All of Ruger’s rugged and reliable firearms are made in America in manufacturing facilities in Newport, NH and Prescott, AZ. For more information on the extensive line of Ruger firearms, visit www.ruger.com.
Recommended gun books for those who carry concealed handguns:
The essence of the issue of armed citizens in public may be the process by which concealed carry permits are issued — or not issued.
California Penal Code 12050 states: “The sheriff … upon proof that the person applying is of good moral character, that good cause exists for the issuance … may issue to that person a license to carry a pistol … capable of being concealed upon that person.”
Let us focus on the words “good cause” and “may issue.” Among the 50 states and commonwealths, California is one of only a handful issuing concealed weapons permits under a “may issue” law. More than 40 states have “shall issue” laws.
The difference is that under “may issue,” the local sheriff or police chief determines what is or is not “good moral character” and “good cause” and may or may not issue a permit. The sheriff or police chief is the gatekeeper for permits. Read more
Just a stone’s throw away from the Sundome, it was a clash between First Amendment rights and Second Amendment freedoms.
“If a person has criminal intent, they’re gonna find another weapon… not just a firearm,” says gun show director Brian Kjemsmo.
“Our community deserves better,” says protester Ed Patton. “All over this country, people are losing their loved ones.”
Smith and Wessons on one side, angry signs on the other. It was Yakima’s turn to enter the gun control fray. At the corner of Nob Hill and Fair Avenue, protesters like Patton had a major beef with 2010’s gun show: the fact that gun collectors can sell firearms to people without a background check. By contrast, licensed businesses must always perform background checks.
The so-called “gun show loophole” is nothing new, but it’s still enough to ignite plenty of bickering. Read more
A Tim Brian custom, with the slide edge bevel lighted to show it off.
Tim and I have this friendly rivalry-complaint going on now for a number of years; Tim is extremely fond of, and is noted for, his Browning Hi-Power treatment of the 1911 slide. Me, I’m not such a fan of it, so when it came time for him to send me a gun to peruse, he made sure that the one he sent was a “BHP slide” gun.
The Hi-Power treatment Tim gives his guns. The more I see, the more I like, but it will still take some time, Tim.
The best way to describe a CT Brian gun is “radical traditional.” He does a very aggressive de-horning to the bottom of the slide, which results in an almost beveled edge.
That and the frenched borders set off a flat, square, perfectly buffed slide flat, with scalloped edges to the cocking serrations.
On top, a detail of the top flat serrations that might pass unnoticed at the first viewing: he does interrupted line patterns in the serrations. The resulting pattern forms three arrows, pointing towards the muzzle, to help direct your eye to the front sight.
A beveled barrel bushing, with a concentric-crowned barrel, allows all the accuracy the tube (and ammo) is capable of. A huge but not competition-sized magazine funnel and a flat mainspring housing with wide side-grooves complete this pistol.
The matter of mainspring housing patterns is a discussion of long standing between customers and gunsmiths.
Every surface, every detail, of this Tim Brian mainspring housing has been planned and attended to.
In the old days, we’d simply cut cross-grooves with a checkering file, using the existing checkering on the mainspring housing and leave the outermost grooves double-wide pyramids.
Now, custom gunsmiths often make their own mainspring housings from scratch (easy enough, with CNC machining stations) and then cut the checkering pattern they want into them. So if you have to have something out of the ordinary, ask.
The grips are smooth, highly-figured, and with an inset CTB medallion. Tim does only full-house custom guns. However, within the full-house build you do have options.
Don’t like the Hi-Power flats? Tim can be talked out of them. Want straight lines, without inset arrows? Again, Tim can be talked out of them. But it seems kind of pointless to go to a guy who does perfect polishing, matte work, borders and grips, and not have him do those things.
This article is an excerpt from a new book by Patrick Sweeney. Click here to get your copy of 1911: The First 100 Years.
Leave it to the People’s Republik of Californicators to tell a kid he can’t display an American Flag on his bike as he rides to school… seems there was some racial tension when some students (are they here legally or are they adding to California’s debt by getting free education without paying taxes? ) displayed the Mexican flag on May 5 and others countered by carrying the Stars and Stripes.
Let’s make this clear… this is the United States of America… we all came here from somewhere else because it is better here. So the flag that flies here should be our flag… the Stars and Stripes… and no other flag. Yes, I’m fine with you being an African-American, Mexican-American or a German-American. Hell, I am a Polish-American… but in the end.. when all is said and done, you are an American. You came here because our way of life is better. Assimilate and continue to make it better.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
