February 2011

February 28, 2011 -- DB380 or NOT?...I noticed in yesterdays advertising flyer from Academy Sports that they have made a drastic reduction in their asking price for the DiamondBack 380 pistol. (Click on the photo for a bigger picture.) It's down now to $229.99, which makes it the lowest price .380 out there, except for the Jimenez 380, which is made of zamak, a zinc alloy. This makes me really curious. I would not normally buy a DB380, because the internet is quite full of negative comments and videos about it. There seems to be a problem with failure to eject, and then the next round coming out of the mag jams up on the paritially ejected casing. (Here's a fair video review.) I have also read horror stories about bad customer service. I wonder if Academy has lowered their price so much to just clear out all of these pistols from their national system of stores. On the other hand, I wonder if there are lots of happy DB380 owners who just don't take time to post on the internet forums. The price is now so low that I am sorely tempted to pick one up today just to try it out for myself. Sometimes the internet noise is just that: NOISE. I think I'll drop in to Academy this morning to take another look. Of course, with a price of $229.99, they might all be gone by now.
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February 27, 2011 -- Gun Catalogs in the Mail...If you are interested in guns you probably read gun magazines. And in the gun magazines are ads. Eventually you will find a little card with ovals on it, and you fill in the ovals next to gun supply catalogs you are interested in, and pretty soon they start coming in the mail. Most gun enthusiasts get a catalog from Cabela's and one from Cheaper-Than-Dirt. Both are fun reads, and educational, too. One that I particularly like is from CDNN Sports. If you ever buy something from CDNN, you get on the list, and the catalogs will start arriving. The CDNN catalog includes pistols, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, magazines, scopes, ear and eye protection, and just about anything else you can think of that has anything to do with guns. And the prices are really very good. For example, CDNN's latest catalog has Kel-Tec P-3ATs for $204.99. Of course you will need to figure in shipping and paying your local FFL to handle the transaction for you. But even so, you might end up with a P-3AT for about $250, and that's not bad. Everything besides guns can be shipped directly to your door. CDNN has 30-round steel AK47 mags, used Eastern Bloc, for $10.99 each. Just about ANY pistol mag you can think of is in the catalog. CDNN also has an online catalog, which you can find HERE.
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February 26, 2011 -- Making Friends with Other Gun Owners...Since I got into guns as a hobby (as well as for self-defense), I have met and made friends with many people that otherwise I would have never met: People who do things that are totally outside the sphere of my every day experience. For example, yesterday it was my privilege to make the acquaintance of a DEA agent, who told me that he had spent the morning "processing marijuana." Well, thank the Lord he's doing what he does; and it's something I could never do. He is one of the fellows who busts up meth labs, makes arrests, etc. He reloads and shoots A LOT. And he's a lucky gun owner, because his wife also likes to shoot, which is not always the situation. He's also an expert with all sorts of guns, and some that I have been particularly interested in myself for several years. He knows more than I do, for sure. If I ever get stuck on a GLOCK question, I'll send him an email. My point in this rambling is that my interest in guns has broadened my range of friends. I also find that my gun-toting friends are almost always wise thinkers about a wide variety of social and political problems. (They even agree with me on most things, so they must be smart!)
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February 25, 2011 -- Viewing a .25 ACP Collection...It was my pleasure on Thursday to have lunch with a friend of mine at his home, and to see part of his gun collection. His area of special expertise is the the hundred-year-old masterpiece by John Moses Browning, the .25 ACP mousegun pistol. (My friend says that in his mind a mousegun has to be .25 caliber. The .22 is a "plinker," and any cartridges larger than .25 are "real cartridges!") In the end, we all have our own definitions, I suppose. Some people consider any gun whose caliber doesn't begin with at least a "4" is a mousegun. Anyway, he graciously showed me quite a few of his little pistols. These guns are truly works of art, and for the most part are antiques, and rare. Our USA federal government forbid their importation after 1964, which was 56 years ago. They are made of solid steel. They are finely machined. The better examples have a remarkably deep and rich bluing, or are stainless steel. One of my friend's guns is a Galesi, and could be the twin of the one in the photo above. (Click on the picture, to see a large photo.) I'm fond of that one, since I saw it in a pawn shop, and let him know about it. It makes me feel good to know that he liked it enough to buy it. I'm also pleased just to know a .25 caliber "expert," so if I have any questions, I have a good resource of information and advice.
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A Comment from Mark..."I too have a fondness for the 25. The 'Baby Browning' and precision small arms' (PSA) version in particular. I actually bought the gun pictured for my fiance, but her's is a different year and marked 'Soc. It.F.lli galesi-brescia-cal.6.35.' Also, I have to say potential accuracy of hers is great, though not really necessary with a weapon of this type. Since he collects, warn him Powder Blast will remove the paint in the safety. I learned that first-hand! But, oh well, it's her carry for outside of town (when I can convince her)."

February 24, 2011 -- Time is Running Out. Time to Stock Up...As you all may have noticed, there is an unusual amount of unrest in the Middle East. Our oil supply is in danger, and oil prices are rising quickly. Gasoline prices are rapidly following oil prices, and we may easily see $4.00 or $5.00 per gallon oil by Summer of this year. I'm not promising, I'm just saying it might happen. Then what? Everything we buy comes to our stores in trucks. The trucks burn fuel. Transportation costs are rising, so the cost of everything we buy must also rise. Do you think food prices inflated a lot over last year? What do you think is going to happen now? Do you think ammunition is expensive? What do you think it will cost by 2012? What about shortages? "When she went there, the cupboard was bare." I highly recommend laying by non-perishable food, and as much water as you can; also ammo, which right now is the poor man's investment silver.
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A Comment from Bob..."Gas prices will go very high but not because of any real shortages as the commodity speculators will manipulate the market based upon fear mongering about shortages, imagined or contrived. Because of the increased cost of transportation the cost of all goods will also increase but I don't think there will be any shortages of food and other goods because of the manipulated rise gas prices, things will just cost more. But having said that, I totally agree that everyone should already have a 6 month supply of food and water and unlimited amounts of ammunition, just in case of general emergencies."

A Comment from Tim..."You are right. It is the wise person that stores up in the good times because the bad times always seem to happen when we least expect them! I have been telling my wife that we need to stock up on food, ammo and things like laundry soap, TP and those other essential items. Unlike Y2K though, we only buy things that we actually use, not things that seem like they would be OK in an emergency, that way little gets wasted. Thanks for the forum to respond. Remember, 2008 hit us without much warning and I feel that it may happen again sooner than what a lot think!"

February 23, 2011 -- Four American Yachting Missionaries Killed by Pirates...I see in the news today that four Americans (two are pictured at the left) who were sailing around the world distributing Bibles were murdered by their pirate captors. By all accounts they were very nice people, and good sailors; but they were certainly unwise to go near Somalia, a well-known pirate nation. As I read the various news reports, I was reminded of Jesus sending out His disciples, and actually giving them a forceful command to go armed. Did you know He did that? Here's the account in the Gospel of Luke: "Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered. He said to them, 'But NOW if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'" (Luke 22:35-36) If you are a missionary going to murderous savages, you had better plan to defend your life. And if God hasn't manifestly called you to go to such places and people, don't go on your own steam. You will just be asking for trouble.
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A Comment from Arthur..."Amen, Brother! The false idea that Christian's are to be unarmed doormats to the rest of the world in a left wing liberal, unbiblical concept. The words of Jesus, as quoted by you, set the record straight. Thanks, Good job."

A comment from Michael..."Is it not time for us, United States, to go after these barbarians and exterminate them? How much longer should we allow these groups to rape, maim & murder our citizens?? They, pirates etc, have started the fight by attacking unarmed peaceful people of our country. Now it is our time to protect ourselves, and rid the world of mad dog savages. 'Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.'"

February 22, 2011 -- Examining Your New Gun...I would like to encourage all of you faithful readers: when you buy a new gun, please don't go shoot it until you have taken apart, and looked for defects, and cleaned and oiled it well. This is a SAFETY issue, and you just can't be too safe with guns. It only takes a few seconds of carelessness to bring on a world of pain and a lifetime of disability, or blindness, and even death. What prompts my observation today: last night I had time to break down my new Sub-2000, and found it to be SLATHERED (that's a good word) in Kel-Tec's version of greasy "cosmoline." The bolt was super grungy and sticky. Kel-Tec intended to make sure this gun did not rust in storage, waiting to be sold to someone like me. And they succeeded. No rust at all. Everything is well preserved. But I wouldn't want to shoot it with all the grease. There were no "foreign bodies" inside the gun, but the barrel really needed a good cleaning. Lots of grunge in there, I guess it was a mixture of burned powder from a test shot, combined with the grease. So, break open your guns; look for stuff that shouldn't be there. Clean it up and oil it properly; all before you shoot it. It's smart to play it safe.
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February 21, 2011 -- Texas poised to pass bill allowing guns on campus...The photo to the left shows Texas Governor Rick Perry. Jim Vertuno writes in an AP article dated 2/20/2011: "AUSTIN, Texas – Texas is preparing to give college students and professors the right to carry guns on campus, adding momentum to a national campaign to open this part of society to firearms. More than half the members of the Texas House have signed on as co-authors of a measure directing universities to allow concealed handguns. The Senate passed a similar bill in 2009 and is expected to do so again. Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who sometimes packs a pistol when he jogs, has said he's in favor of the idea. Texas has become a prime battleground for the issue because of its gun culture and its size, with 38 public universities and more than 500,000 students. It would become the second state, following Utah, to pass such a broad-based law. Colorado gives colleges the option and several have allowed handguns. Supporters of the legislation argue that gun violence on campuses, such as the mass shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Northern Illinois in 2008, show that the best defense against a gunman is students who can shoot back. 'It's strictly a matter of self-defense,' said state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio. 'I don't ever want to see repeated on a Texas college campus what happened at Virginia Tech, where some deranged, suicidal madman goes into a building and is able to pick off totally defenseless kids like sitting ducks.'" I like the way they think down in Texas. If I ever leave Tennessee, that's where I'm going.
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A Comment from Bob..."The Financial Times reported that Texas, a state without personal or corporate income tax, is facing a 25 billion dollar budget deficit. So, it must be comforting for Texans to see that the governor has his priorities straight by arming college students against a catastrophe that has a lottery winning probability of occurrence. Texas, a state where children are armed in order to securely attend school in the year 1811, no, I meant to say 2011 will make a telling footnote in history!! I suspect that clear thinking terrorists (if there are any) will stop plotting anything, and simply watch as we self-destruct from fear-mongering and greed. But I could be wrong."

February 20, 2011 -- Being Your Own Gunsmith...Sooner or later if you mess around with firearms, you will need to become an amateur gunsmith. If you buy a Kel-Tec pistol, you will need to "fluff and buff." If you have any kind of a firearm, you must learn to take it apart and clean it, and put it back together again. Some pistols are a little complicated, for example the Ruger .22 pistol. And there are many variations, from manufacturer to manufacturer, about how to field-strip a pistol. With an SKS rifle you may need to learn to clean or replace a gas valve. Many people who like old military surplus rifles like to put newer synthetic stocks on them, and this involves learning how to take things apart. I had to take apart my new Kel-Tec Sub-2000 today in order to adjust a barrel nut, so the little carbine would lock open securely, and the trigger guard snap back into place. Some guns have springs that will fly across the room, and get lost, if you aren't being careful. I had a little part fly out once, and I searched high and low for it. Finally it turned up in a coffee mug that I had on my desk. I only looked there because I had already looked 100 places, and couldn't think of any other possiblility. I have no doubt that there is a common characteristic for people who like guns: If you like guns, you probably also like to tinker with mechanical things. You probably borrowed your dad's tools, and dismantled things around the house, when you were a kid.
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A Comment from Bob..."Yes, I borrowed my dad's tools, but only when he wasn't around; because while he was a carpenter, auto mechanic and amateur gunsmith, I was not so inclined. Having all thumbs was not the problem; instead it was more like being blessed with paws. My 9mm Hi-point carbine remains unfired because of the complexity of taking that weapon apart for detailed cleaning (there's a video on it-see HERE and HERE). And I lost a tiny screw while taking the finger-extender off of a magazine; and I ended up having to buy a new magazine. Life-time factory warranties are the ticket."

February 19, 2011 -- I'm getting too old for high calibers firearms...A few days ago I was testing my new Kel-Tec P-40 at the local range. Wow! The thing shoots well, BUT it sure is a handful to hang on to! And wow does it ever go BOOOOOOM! I've shot 40S&W from an S&W40VE, a Stoeger Cougar, and a GLOCK 27 and GLOCK 22, but they were all pussycats compared to my little Kel-Tec. I haven't yet tried my P-40 as a P-357 (I have a conversion kit). If that is a bit more mild-mannered, I will keep it. But if the 357 SIG recoils like the 40, I'm afraid I will have to do some trading. I have reached a point where the high calibers take the fun out of shooting. And if it's not fun, why do it? I have traded away my high caliber rifles. Now I have only a .22 and an easy recoiling Yugo SKS. My handgun collection is veering toward .22 and .380. I do have a 9mm Taurus PT-111, which is a very soft shooter. My Kimber .45 is also easy to shoot, I suppose because it is so big and heavy. Shooting should be fun. You should not dread the next pull of the trigger. You should not have to grip the gun with all your strength and concentration. You should not be forced to wear a glove to protect your hand from wear and tear. I don't have arthritis (yet) in my hands. But a lot of people do, and they should still be able to shoot with pleasure and enjoyment. If the big calibers from little guns bother you, trading them away may a good option.
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A Comment from Bob..."I know exactly what you mean about heavy recoil and dreading (a bit) to fire the next round. I have a Bond derringer which is not fun to shoot the higher calibers with; but I also have a Taurus 617 .357 Mag., which shoots .38 Specials wonderfully; however, shooting .357s is a handful and uncomfortable, yet exciting to see a fireball flash after each shot, using some older ammo. For pocket carry, light guns are usually preferred; and for me, I like small calibers to go with that light weight."

A Comment from DJ..."Every firearm and caliber has a place, but a 357 mag or even a 40 cal can give a real pounding. I always get a kick out of people that swear only by large calibers; some would never dare to touch anything under 9mm. As a fellow "mouse gun" enthusiast, there are times when you just want to go the range and have fun. I have never fired a 357 sig, but it is a caliber that I am interested in experiencing."

February 18, 2011 -- Got A New Sub-2000...I've been without a Kel-Tec Sub-2000 for two or three years, since I traded my old one away for a GLOCK 22. I've been wanting another one for a long time, and today one sort of fell into my hands Providentially. I was at Shooter's Depot on Thursday, putting another 80 rounds through the Kahr P380, and trying out my P-40 (Kel-Tec). I was on the range for about an hour. When I got back into the gun store area, of course I looked around to see what they had; and there on the wall was a Kel-Tec Sub-2000 (GLOCK 17 grip). SD had an already great price on it of $320, but I asked "what's your best price?" And they very kindly let me have it for $330 out-the-door, including sales tax and TBI $10 fee. How's that for a bargain! They also told me that they couldn't hang on long to the Sub-2000s that came in, and that they had put that one on the wall only 30 minutes earlier. They also had a Kahr P380 on sale for $399, which tempted me greatly, but it was a used one, and I wasn't sure if Kahr would give free warranty service to a second owner, so I let that pass. My first Sub-2000 had the Beretta grip. Now I've got the GLOCK grip, which I believe is probably more sought after, because you can use 30 round magazines, if you prefer. Personally, I'm happy with GLOCK 17 mags, with 17 rounds ready to go. It came with a California 10-round mag, so I will need to round up some magazines one of these days. Should be easy to find. If you live in Chattanooga, and haven't yet visited Shooter's Depot, you need to check it out.
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A Comment from DJ..."Congrats on the new purchase. I have been after the Glock 40 version specifically, or any other Sub 2000 for a while now. I know you mentioned that you previously owned the Sub 2000. Please share your experience with it. If I see one at the local shop I will probably make the purchase."

From Mousegunner: You can read about my first Sub-2000 HERE. Now I'm working on getting a GLOCK 17 pistol to match my new Sub-2000 carbine. It would be good to have a carbine and pistol capable of using the same magazines.

February 17, 2011 -- Comparing Three 380s at the Range...On Wednesday morning I scooted over to Shooter's Depot in Chattanooga to try out their firing range for the first time. Really nice place, and a good experience. The range master filled me in on the rules, and loaned me some additional ear protection. (He advised me it was good to double up for an indoor range, and he was right!) The range there has six lanes, and I was in number five. There are electrically operated target transports, with markers at three, five and seven yards. I shot at three yards only, because all I really wanted to do today was compare the reliability and functionality of a Kahr P380, Taurus TCP, and Ruger LCP. I wasn't there to hone my marksmanship. At the end of an hour I realized that my raspberry LCP was my favorite, and I will be carrying it in my pocket from now on. (I will be doing a full comparative review sometime next week, and posting on mouseguns.com, with lots of photos and explanations.) A year's membership at Shooter's Depot is only $165.00 (my membership was a gift from a friend). If you buy yourself a membership there, you won't be sorry. Nice people there, too!
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A Comment from Bob..."I look forward to seeing the full range report on those three .380s and to find out why the LCP has become your favorite. For me, having owned two .380s, the Taurus TCP and the Kel-Tec P-3AT, I will enjoy comparing notes. Also, as you know I recently downsized to the Kel-Tec P-.32 and now consider it the best pocket gun ever. Of course I reserve the right to change my mind after my first gunfight..."

February 16, 2011 -- Thinking About Meplats...Is the word "meplat" new to you? If you shoot for very long, and study bullets, you will eventually learn about meplats, though you may forget the word. The meplat is the front part of the bullet. It comes from ancient French bullet terminology in which they called the rear of a bullet the "heel" and the front the "flat." There are many bullets today with a flat front, and that's called a "meplat," but technically (in modern times) "meplat" just means the front of the bullet; so the meplat could be pointy, or rounded, or flat, or a "hollow point." So who cares? Well, I do. I am a big fan of the .380 acp cartridge for mouseguns, and you can easily find a variety of meplats available, and you may wonder which is better? Does it make any difference? The cheap Winchester Valu Pak FMJ .380 bullets have a flat meplat, or "truncated cone" shape. Remington FMJ bullets are "normal" or rounded. Many manufacturers have more expensive hollow point bullets. My belief is this (and many will disagree with me!): As far as .380 is concerned, there are only two things that really matter for self defense: 1) Does the cartridge feed reliably; and 2) Does the bullet penetrate enough. A lot of research has been done, and there are un-ending arguments. What ammo should you buy for your .380 pistol? (or smaller caliber, such as .32 ACP) -- Buy whatever meplat shape (and price) cartridge you like, as long as it is reliable, and as long as it penetrates well. A cheap flat meplat Winchester FMJ is fine, if it feeds reliably. It will penetrate as well as any of the others. With .380 "over-penetration" is less likely than with more powerful calibers. On the other hand, always remember the fourth rule of gun safety: Be aware of what is beside and behind your target! For much more information about meplats, CLICK HERE.
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A Comment from Bob..."I agree that reliability is the most important element with self-defense bullets and that includes going bang and feeding in autos. In a mousegun carried for last resort self-defense the shape or ballistic performance of a flat, round, pointy or hollow bullet is almost immaterial because of the high improbability of ever, ever being in a situation requiring a gun. And if you do win the gunfight entry lottery chances are that things will go bad in so many ways that the kind of ammo you carry won't matter."

February 15, 2011 -- Good News in Today's Newspaper...My local Chattanooga newspaper today had some good gun related news, from both near and far. It seems that across the border in Georgia the legislators have decided to bolster the rights of law-abiding gun owners and permit holders. HB55 would allow owners with permits to carry on college campuses. HB54 would allow carry permit holders to have their guns with them in any place of worship. The frosting on the cake (for me) was that they actually interviewed one of my personal pastor friends, and he told them that it would be unwise for churches to be mandated gun-free zones, as then the people might not be able to protect themselves from armed crazies who might come in to steal or kill. Way to go T. H! Other good news was from Switzerland (the picture today shows a poster on a Swiss street). Liberals in the Swiss government tried to pass some gun control measures, and their efforts were defeated in a nation-wide vote of the citizens. The German language poster reads: "Waffen-monopol fur Verbrecher? Nein!" Which means: "Weapons monopoly for criminals? No!" Way to go, Swiss!
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February 14, 2011 -- King David, Goliath and Firearms...On Sunday I taught the childrens' sermon in our morning worship service; and it was the Old Testament story of David and Goliath. Goliath was a huge Philistine soldier. Ten feet tall, 400 pounds of muscle, armored in brass, carrying a huge spear and large sword. Devastatingly powerful and deadly. How could an unarmored teen-age boy of 14 go against this monster in battle and prevail? Answer: better strategy/tactics, combined with a "long reach" technology. David was using techniques that rendered Goliath's military power ineffective, and which made Goliath vulnerable to an agile and skillful boy with a sling shot. (I'm not discounting God's help here. God was overseeing the situation. But maybe "providential" is a better description than "miraculous.") David had two advantages over Goliath: mobility and range. He was light and unemcumbered, and could quickly move away from Goliath's force. Also, David's sling shot could hit with deadly force at a distance greater than Goliath could reach with his sword and spear. Getting hit in the head with a 1/4 pound rock traveling at 150 miles per hour is lethal. After Goliath collapsed on the ground, David took Goliath's own sword, and beheaded the giant. As we consider firearms in our time, whether in battle, or in self-defense, mobility and reach are still paramount. We need to be able to move away from the deadly force aimed at us; and we need to be both willing and able to reach the adversary with our firepower BEFORE he reaches us. Technology changes, but the principles remain true, even after thousands of years.
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February 13, 2011 -- Rethinking my Interest in the S&W Bodyguard 380...I have been thinking hard about adding another .380 ACP pistol to my collection, and the S&W BG is certainly an interesting gun. When I first saw it, I thought "Wow!" this is really neat!" But, like most of you, I am on a tight gun-money budget. I can't afford to buy every gun that comes along, so I take my time, and think things out. I have handled several BGs since then, and have come to some conclusions. 1) $399 is too high. Even $349 is too high, because you can buy a brand new Kel-Tec P3AT or Taurus TCP for $249, and a Ruger LCP for less than $280. It's true that Rohrbaugh, Seecamp and Kahr are even pricier than the BG, but the BG is still too high. 2) The laser is just not necessary in a mini-380 gun. 380s are not range guns, nor are they meant for shooting bad guys at long distance. They are up-close and personal "get off me"guns. Why pay $100 for a laser that really isn't necessary? 3) The BG is heavier than the other guns, partly because of the laser. 4) It's true that the BG has "real" sights, which are "better" at the range; but again, it's not really a range gun. In fact, the raised sights of the BG may hinder a quick draw from your pocket (that's where I like to carry). The TCP, LCP and P3AT all have tiny little sights that won't snag, period. 5) The BG has too many control buttons and levers on it. A laser button. A big take-down lever button. A slide hold back button. A trigger lock "safety" button. And finally the mag release. Too many buttons! So, I've decided not to buy a BG. I sold my P3AT to a friend a few months back, and I think I will buy myself another one. The P3AT is still the smallest, lightest, cheapest 380 going, with a great track record for both reliability and customer service. It is the most mature product in the miniature 380 field.
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A Comment from Bob..."The Bodyguard was a late comer to the field of pocket .380s, so to distinguish it from the crowd, S&W decided to put some bells and whistles on it. To me the most objectionable thing is the large laser warning label, as it spoils the appearance; and who needs a warning label on a GUN?! To me simplicity rules when it comes to pocket self-defense guns, with the double-action revolvers setting the standards; and Kel-Tec met those standards with the P-3AT. S&W's Bodyguard didn't."

A Comment from "A"..."Well stated and well thought out objections. I agree in all points. It is obvious that those who design these guns never carry them for the purpose stated. They are designed to make money. Period. S&W also confuses the issue by using the same name, in this case 'Bodyguard,' to describe different model products. I have a nifty revolver called Bodyguard. It's confusing to put the same name on an automatic in a different caliber. Go figure. These must be the same people who decided to bore a hole in the side plate of their revolvers for an unneeded key lock. It is obvious that some people are educated beyond their intelligence. Some of these people work at S&W. Keep up your good reporting. Much appreciated."

A Comment from DJ..."As a fellow Mouse Gun enthusiast this is a very interesting take on the BG. I always thought that they were too expensive for what they are. However, I found myself very interested since the recent price drop, saw one today for $362 and I was still hesitant. I appreciate your take and I will look at the BG a bit more before pulling the trigger. Great site!"

February 12, 2011 -- My P-40 357 SIG kit arrived today...Today a very nice package from Merrit Island, Florida arrived in my mail box. Inside the box was a 357 SIG barrel for my Kel-Tec P-40. Also included was a P-40 slide. I really don't need the slide, however I had to buy the slide/barrel kit to get the barrel. (Nothing more than the barrel is needed to change the P-40 into a P-357 SIG.) Anyway, the price was right, and I imagine I can sell the P-40 slide for $40 or $50, which will make the barrel a real bargain. Kel-Tec ceased producing the P-40, and the 357 SIG barrel about a dozen years ago, and they are hard to find. The Kel-Tec 357 SIG barrel is a rare collector's item, so I was glad to locate one as easily and as quickly as I did. I picked up some 357 SIG ammo at Wal-Mart, and hope to go shooting in the middle of next week. I have a lot of guns to try out, so I will definitely be taking a notepad to the range with me.
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A Comment from Bob..."Being able to change calibers with the same gun can be kind of fun and economical too, compared to owning multiple guns. I have 7 barrels for my Bond derringer, and 3 for a Rossi rifle/shotgun combo. The P-40 must be a much heavier pistol than Kel-Tec's current PF-9 and P-11, because they aren't even rated for continued +P ammo use with 9mm; and the .40 and .357 ammo are generally more powerful. I look forward to your range test report."

February 11, 2011 -- Guns and Glenn Beck...Glenn Beck said, "You have a right in this country to own a gun, as long as you are a sane, and responsible citizen; and that's not a right the government gave you, that's a right that God gave you." See the whole video HERE. Beck is not precisely correct: You have a God-given right to self-defense. We have a 2nd Amendment right to have firearms. But that's a small quibble. I guess EVERYONE has heard of Glenn Beck. He's very popular now on Fox TV, and was on the radio even before that. Anyway, after seeing that video, I got to wondering what kind of gun Glenn Beck owns. I Googled all over the place, but could never find out. I did find this statement he made in October of 2008: "You've asked me if you should go out and buy a gun. This is a very personal decision and I struggled for over 2 years trying to make this decision. I never wanted a gun in the house but after discussing it with Tania (and Adam) we decided it was the right decision for our family to have a gun in the home for self-defense. Before we even thought of buying a gun and bringing it into our home, we spent countless hours at various gun shops asking lots of questions. We also reached out to the NRA (which, as you know, is one of the only organizations that I believe in and belong to) and took several courses in shooting and gun safety. If you're willing to make that kind of commitment then, and only then, can you start to consider whether or not you should purchase a gun." My gut feeling is that GB is not really much of a gun guy, but that he is pro-gun as his chosen political stance. He's chosen the right side, and that's good. But I wish he was really interested in guns, and I don't think he is.
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February 10, 2011 -- Get A Grip On It!...Last week I sold my Kel-Tec P-32 to a friend of mine who is waiting for his handgun carry permit to arrive. He was looking for something pocket-size, so I offered him my P-32, and he took it. Yesterday we had breakfast together, and he showed me the P-32, and I was interested to see that he had put this 3M "grip tape" on it. It's not really called grip tape. The real name is "Safety Walk." I think it was designed for putting something grippy/sandy on the edge of a step, that might otherwise be slippery. It comes in one or two inch widths at Ace Hardware Store, and I'm sure you can get it at Home Depot or Lowes, Menards, etc. Anyway, I was amazed at how firm a grip this stuff put on his P-32, so I immediately dropped into Ace and got two feet of it. (It sells by the foot - $1 per foot for the one inch size.) I've noticed that both my Ruger LCP and my Taurus TCP are kind of slick around the "handle," which slows down drawing from my pocket. I'm going to try some of this tape. I have a feeling it's going to help a lot with "presentation."
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A Comment from Bob..."Not as sticky as tape but similarly effective are bicycle inner tube links cut 1 to 2 inches wide and just slipped over the grips. I have used this technique with success on my former TCP .380 and my Bond derringer; but my P-32 has the best no-slip grips right out of the box; and didn't need any improvement (for me). Unless you already have an old bicycle inner tube, you will need to buy one for about $4.00, but you will get enough links out of it to last a life-time."

February 9, 2011 -- Why I Carry a Gun...This has been kicking around the internet for quite a while. I don't know who first authored it, and it has been modified by those who reprint. Here's my version:
Why I Carry A Gun...
I don't carry a gun to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
I don't carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because some people are scary.
I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry a gun because I'm not naive about evil.
I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because it's my 2nd Amendment Right.
I don't carry a gun because I'm angry. I carry a gun so I won't someday hate myself for being unprepared.
I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun in case self-defense is forced on me.
I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy. I carry a gun because, when I die and go to Heaven, I want to BE a cowboy.
I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because adults are willing to take care of themselves and others.
I don't carry a gun because I FEEL inadequate. I carry a gun because, unarmed and facing an armed thug, I AM inadequate.
I don't carry a gun because I love GUNS. I carry a gun because I love LIFE.
Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to fight.
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February 8, 2011 -- You Don't Really Need A Safety...Of course I need to qualify that statement. There ARE internal safeties that are needed to protect your gun from firing if dropped to a hard floor. But I'm really writing today about those "thumb switch" safeties. On SOME handguns you really DO need them, but on MANY you don't. It all depends on the quality of the trigger. The GLOCK trigger, for example, is on the edge of being too light, and too short; and some people actually find a gunsmith to install an after-market thumb-lever safety on their GLOCKs. The 1911 style pistol is another example: it often features a trigger that is tuned to "break like glass" at a pull of only two or three pounds from your trigger finger. Such guns need safeties. With a thumb-switch safety, you can carry your 1911 pistol with a round in the chamber, and "cocked and locked." However, there are a good many semi-auto pistols which don't have thumb-operated switch safeties. They simply aren't needed, because the trigger is designed to be both difficult to pull, and with a large amount of "travel" built into it, before it can actually release, and fire the pistol. People often complain about the SW9VE (Smith and Wesson Sigma), or the Kel-Tec P-11, because of their stout triggers. But with these guns, the tough trigger IS the safety, and you can get used to it. As I said earlier, the GLOCK is on the edge. One of the rules of gun-handling is that you keep your finger totally off the trigger until you mean to shoot. That goes for ANY gun. But if you carry a GLOCK, you must be especially careful.
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February 7, 2011 -- Pink Guns...I suppose I should wait for Valentine's Day to make this observation, but I found this photo (by Oleg Volk) of a neat pink AR, and it started a train of thought. What do YOU think of pink guns? From what I read on the various firearm forums, most of the male population is horrified; but there seem to be a bunch of guys buying pink pistols for their wives and girl friends. There are pink revolvers and pink semi-autos. I've even seen a pink AK-47. I personally have a "raspberry" Ruger LCP, and I don't consider it to be pink, though some people are sure it is. If it takes pink to get your significant other to carry a sidearm, then I say "go for it." If pink leaves you cold and clammy, then just don't carry one yourself. I CAN think of one legitimate objection: that is if your gun looks like a toy, because it is pink or blue or whatever, and you are faced with a bad guy who doesn't take it seriously, that might be a bad situation.
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A Comment from Bob..."Having read numerous issues of the magazine "Women & Guns", I can report not seeing any pink guns and few mouseguns. However, the demographics for this magazine maybe hardcore feminine gun enthusiasts (I don't know). But I suspect pink guns are more for the benefit of macho chauvinists who feel the need to overtly distinguish themselves from the feminine and don't ask-don't tell crowd of gun owners, than for true women gun enthusiasts."

February 6, 2011 -- How Do Revolvers Work?...(Today's observation is again aimed at beginners to the world of firearms.) I admit that I don't know much about revolvers. I don't claim to be an expert with semi-auto pistols, either, but I do have more experience with them. But I like revolvers. I only have one, now (an H&R 676), but will probably add another to my collection one of these days. A few days ago someone emailed me with a question about his revolver, and I was able to be somewhat helpful, because I own the same gun. As I was explaining something to him, I realized that I needed to add some revolver words to my vocabulary, for example: Pawl and ratchet. There are no such things in a semi-auto pistol. Also, semi-auto pistols have ejectors, but only revolvers have "ejector rods." Do you know the difference between a double-action revolver and a single-action revolver? Can you tell which is which by a quick glance at the trigger? Here's a link to an easy article about how revolvers work.
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A Comment from Bob..."A good subject for younger gun owners. For me, being raised in an era of popular cowboy TV shows and reruns of old cowboy movies, I've always harbored a deep love for revolvers. Even the early cop shows (like M Squad) featured mainly revolvers. Today there are few, if any, cowboy shows; and all cops seem to carry Glocks. I remember an episode of Have Gun, Will Travel where Paladin remarks that his six-gun responds to a trigger pull of 1 oz.! The writers got it wrong that time; and no cowboy show ever mentioned that you could only carry 5 rounds in the old six-guns, for fear of accidental discharge, and shooting a hole in your own leg."

February 5, 2011 -- Shooter's Depot in Chattanooga...Shooter's Depot is the newest gun store in Chattanooga, and they are really getting started with a "bang!" Integral to their concept is the firing range attached to the gun store. The range is for members only, you can't just walk up and say "I'd like to shoot by the hour," or some such. People are always doing nice things to me, and last week one of my friends paid for me to have a standard membership (the premier membership is for families). This is great! Now I will find it much easier to do some reviews of guns for mouseguns.com, as well as just having more time and opportunity to practice my shooting skills. Shooter's Depot is sponsoring "Beretta Days" February 25 & 26, and Beretta is bring their mobile showroom to Chattanooga for the first time. There will be over 40 different Beretta guns for examination, and 10 demo guns available to shoot. Beretta reps will be on hand to answer questions. There will be free food from McAlister's Deli, and KZ106 will be there broadcasting live. This should be quite an event! Presently, Shooter's Depot has only handgun lanes, but this Summer they will be adding three lanes for rifles (.22, .223 and 7.62x39). I think my friend reads this web page, so, "Thanks, friend!"
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A Comment from Bob..."I checked out the Shooter's Depot online and it has a really neat site. The carry gun survey didn't list the .32 caliber, so it can't be very popular but I'm sticking with my Kel-Tec P-32. Also, it appears to be in a good location and easy to find. I just go 600 miles south and make a left!" :-)

February 4, 2011 -- Up, Up and Away!..."In my beautiful balloon..." Nope, it was a 1954 Cessna 180. You would never know it was as old as 1954. Recently painted, very clean, and always kept in good condition. It's a great little airplane! The plane in the picture is its twin. We took off from a little private airfield near Dunlap, TN, and flew around for about an hour, just for fun. The weather was clear with very little wind. Outside temperature was 22F. We were cruising at an easy 150 mph, winging through the valleys and "mountains" of the Cumberland Plateau in South Eastern Tennessee, just beautiful. This was my first time in a small single engine plane, and my friend wanted me to have the experience, and I enjoyed it very much. He is careful, and always prepared. "Just in case" there was a crash landing in a remote spot, he carries a bag full of goodies, a tent, two sleeping bags, and a Marlin 45-70 lever-action rifle. (I hear we now have large black panthers roaming this area, as well as black bear.) It's nice to have friends, and God has been kind to let me have a lot of them.
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February 3, 2011 -- Hidden Heat Holsters...Charlie Baxter of Hidden Heat PDA Holsters very kindly sent me one of his PDA style holsters to try out. He sent me the model that fits my Kel-Tec PF9 (that's what he carries, too). As all of you gun carriers know, the search for the perfect holster never comes to an end. We try ankle holsters, shoulder holsters, in the waistband holsters (IWB), outside the waistband holsters (OWB), pancake holsters, paddle holsters and pocket holsters. I'm sure I've omitted a few. Charlie's holster imitates the look of a PDA case, and looks less like a fanny pack. It's made of ballistic nylon, and has belt loops on the back. One feature that seems especially helpful to me is that it is held closed magnetically, instead of with a zipper or velcro. It's very quick to open, and silent, too. Anyway, the concept behind the Hidden Heat PDA holster is misdirection. When people see it, even gun people, they're supposed to think: PDA, or IPod, or Cell phone. To that end it has a little pocket on the side for carrying a ballpoint pen or pencil. I'm going to try mine out for a few weeks, and give a review on the mouseguns holsters page. I also plan to do some more misdirection by attaching some kind of embroidered logo on the side of it: maybe something like an emergency medical patch, to make people think it is a medical kit. Thanks, Charlie!
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A Comment from Bob..."My former Taurus .380 TCP came with a very similar PDA style holster replete with the magnetic clasps; and of course it was much smaller, but still very visible unless you were wearing a jacket, or having your shirt out. Because the holster was visible there would come a time (and perhaps frequently) when you would have to lie to some one about its contents and purpose; whereas a holster in your pocket eliminates that. Bad guys and gun gurus might be weary of such things, too. Invisibility beats disguise most of the time, even with a very nice looking Trojan Horse holster."

A Comment from Charlie..."Bob could sure be right in some instances, and he makes a good point that everyone must carry in the manner that makes them comfortable. But the patent pending PDA Holster has been in prototype and beta testing going on 18 months. It has been worn by off duty LE officers and civilians in about every venue one might imagine. Reports of folks asking questions during that time are practically non-existent. One of our customers is a retired police officer living in California, and he uses the PDA-1 Fat Boy, the largest model we make. The PDA is not a case to carry a pistol upside down and backwards. The PDA is a holster meant to allow deployment of the weapon in a second or less after recognizing the threat. That time is naturally dependent on your individual skills, but I'm an old fat guy and average 1.25 seconds to first shot. Of course I'm biased, but I've retired the big box of cases, bags, fanny packs and the like I've managed to accumulate over the years."

February 2, 2011 -- Friends, Food and Firearms...Yesterday I enjoyed the company of a friend of mine who appreciates good food and interesting guns. We had lunch at a local Chattanooga restaurant, and I will testify that their chicken-corn chowder was really good, especially with just a little bit of black pepper added. My friend knows of my interest in "mouseguns," and he graciously loaned me his little Kahr P380. I've already taken it apart, and taken some photos of it. ASAP I plan to take it to the "range" and see how it shoots. (I'll do a full review as soon as I can.) I chambered a snap-cap, and found that the double-action trigger is really superior, compared to either my Ruger LCP, or the Kel-Tec P-3AT. It is shorter and smoother. (The trigger reminds me very much of the trigger of my Taurus PT111 MilPro, which I like a lot.) Fit and finish on the Kahr are first class, which I expected. My LCP has a nice finish, too. Both look better than the Kel-Tec. As far as reliability and function are concerned, I've never had trouble with either the LCP or the P-3AT, and I'm guessing the Kahr will also function perfectly. So, here's tipping my hat today to friends, food and firearms.
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February 1, 2011 -- Firearms and Revolution in Egypt... Facts about Gun ownership in Egypt: The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Egypt is 1.9 million. The rate of private gun ownership in Egypt is 3.52 firearms per 100 people. In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Egypt ranks at No. 1152. Guns in Egypt are regulated by the Ministry of the Interior. In Egypt, civilians are not allowed to possess long guns. Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted, but applicants for a gun owner's license in Egypt are required to prove to the authorities that they genuinely need a firearm. Egyptian law requires that any possession, sale or transfer of a firearm be recorded and retained in a centralised, official register. Question: If the citizens basically have no firearms, what are the chances that they will every be able to gain a government "by the people, of the the people, and for the people?" What do you think?
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A Comment from Bob..."Egypt seems to be having a revolution without guns, at least for now. The guns may come later, once a strongman emerges from the chaos to take charge. I think the Egyptians are like the Tea Party here, because they know what they don't like but they're not sure what they do like, or how to get it. It would be a stretch to think Egypt will end up with a government 'by the people, of the people, and for the people.' Heck I'm not sure we have that here unless you substitute 'corporation' for people."