Have you ever considered the vast energy required to move projectiles at high velocity, with such sudden acceleration? Or what happens to that energy once the projectile leaves the barrel? Depending on the firearm’s setup and the ammunition selected, the volume of gas released from the business end can be quite substantial. A muzzle brake designed to redirect that energy is common, but these are usually added only with consideration of aid to the shooter: mitigating felt recoil and reducing barrel movement. Anyone who has fired
Damage potential from gas pressure vented under the handguard or just the nature of KeyMod?
high round counts with too long of a handguard, or been on a firing line next to some jerk turning money into noise from a large gun with a muzzle brake, gets a totally different experience. A fairly unpleasant one, at that. Blasts from a muzzle brake can be a physically sickening annoyance to fellow shooters catching that wave in the face, or even destroy rail systems that extend too far. It may quickly prove to be an expensive mistake.
But, despite this being is an issue of legitimate concern, sometimes it can still be all fun and games. Matt on Demolition Ranch takes us out to the range to show us what kind of force comes from the rapidly escaping gas of a rifle’s muzzle brake.
Armed with his new skeletonized AR-10 style .308 from F1 Firearms complete with a rose-gold bolt carrier and spiral-fluted stainless barrel, he uses all that accuracy potential to illustrate how much blast leaves the muzzle brake via sacrificial destruction of several heads of lettuce, a couple rolls of paper towels, cans of soda, and whatever else he can scrounge out of his pantry.
And then he moves to a .50cal, and things get really messy.
Trampas Swanson of Swanson Media Group takes the SOG Q1 and Q2 runs them through their paces as daily EDC Items.
Over recent years, the market has been flooded with a wide range of “multi-tools”. This is due to an increased demand in “all-in-one” products for the growing public with the trend to streamline their lifestyles and yes, even their tools. A general rule of survival, even in the “urban jungle”, is to carry items that serve at least three functions or it is just perceived as added bulk to your daily carry. Products range from bottle openers to lasers but all similar in shape and size. Truth be told, the multiple purpose tool platform has rarely changed from its Swiss Army knife roots starting in 1891. Over the years, various manufacturers have only added bulk and reduced user friendliness in the process. Earlier this year, SOG Tools debuted their take on the multi-purpose tool in the form of what they titled the “Q” series at the industry only SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas, Nevada. This new series of tools takes the platform in a new and different direction by simplifying and slimming down the traditional form by putting it into a small baton. While only the pre-production models were on display at the show, I arranged to get a sample of the first two batons in the four-part series once they were released.
A few months later after a pair of push backs on the actual production release, the SOG Q1 and Q2 batons arrived at the Swanson Media Group office for review. Each baton comes in a clear plastic box similar to a new cell phone accessory with only the baton and a one page instruction guide. Each baton was roughly shaped like a medium size highlighter in a very attractive black and matte grey anodized finish. Both offered a SOG branded metal clip to hold the baton upright in a pocket or backpack.
Q1 Specs
Closed: 5.6”
Weight:2.4 oz.
Features: Replaceable pressurized ball point pen
Flat screwdriver
Bottle opener
Scissors
MSRP: $54.00
Q2 Specs
Closed:6.3”
Weight:3 oz.
Features:Straight edge blade
75 Lumen LED flashlight
Bottle opener
Flat screw driver
MSRP:$67.00
I have been carrying both the Q1 and Q2 batons regularly for over a month in my range pack and daily “go” bag with mostly positive results. Let’s take a look at some quick “pros and cons” have found during my time with these SOG tools.
Pros
I liked that the batons are slim and easy to slip into my pocket or even clip into an outside Molle loop on one of my bags if I need to quickly store them. There was no noticeable bulk and did not flop around in my gear like a traditional multi-tool would.
The Q1’s replicable pressurized pen came in handy when needed because I habitually do not carry an ink pen in my kit although I am always finding myself in need of one. The fact I can easily find inexpensive replacement cartridges for the pen is a huge plus.
The Q2’s straight blade arrived out of the box razor sharp and ready for real world use. I have used the blade regularly without having to re-sharpen it yet.
The Q2’s 75 lumen LED light is bright, easy to use and holds up to having been accidently dropped several times on tile, hardwood and concrete. It’s tough, bright and very user friendly. Changing out the battery is fast and easy. The use of a very common AAA battery is a huge plus because it doesn’t involve a trip to a specialty store to replace.
With the Q1, the scissors feature a few years ago would not have very much use other than being the only allowed cutting device to fit TSA standards. However, at this point in my life, I am a father for two young daughters who are constantly buying clothes, toys and other items in need of having tags, strings and wire holders cut off in a hurry before the world ends. My formerly lease favorite multi-tool feature has now become one of my most used. While a straight knife blade could do the same task, the scissors offer a quick and safe way to cut small items while having small children hovering about in the zone a straight knife may swing once finally cutting through.
Cons
As with any product, there were things not very useful for my daily duties such as the bottle opener. Again, looking at social trends, the world is moving away from traditional bottles without twist-off tops which made the bottle opener feature on both the Q1 and Q2 an archaic item for my needs.
The flat head screw driver on the end of this opener tool was also not much use as the world is predominantly full of Phillips head screws if not individually licensed proprietary patterns. This space on each baton would be much better suited by eliminating two items for one decent sized Phillips head driver.
While I liked the Q2’s straight blade, I did end up poking myself in the finger with it a couple of times when I first learned out to fold the baton to expose it. The end of the blade is very close to the top of the baton where the hand naturally wants to apply pressure to fold it. There is a definite self-correcting learning curve built in for most end users.
Final Thoughts
Coming away from the SHOT SHOW, I was concerned about the MRSP of the Q series ranging from $54 to over $100 with the Q4. The product offers a limited number of features for the price of some full-size tools. After spending time with the Q1 and Q2, I clearly see where the value lies. Both batons reviewed were very well-made, light-weight, easy to use and very durable. SOG has built a great reputation for quality products in the industry and the Q series looks to be yet another hit for this respected company. If you are looking for easy to carry daily items that meet the needs of urban survival, I urge you to check out the Q series from SOG for yourself and find out which is right for you.
GAT Editor running a 'Break Contact' drill at a Teufelshund Tactical/HSP MP5 Operators Course
Day 1
The Teufelshund Tactical MP5/UMP Operators Course started at 9:30. A later start but it gave me it gave me time to load my gear and grab essential coffee. Read the precourse write up here
TLDR crowd head to the end, the quick version is there.
I rolled into the Spectacle Lake Outdoor Club at 9:00 a.m. The quiet club tucked away in Albion, MI was easy to find just a few minutes off I-94. The range had been isolated for our exclusive use for the weekend. Only one other student was there at the time, Bob. I’d spoken to Bob through email and he’d helpfully brought one of the two missing pieces I needed to complete the course… A small section of M-LOK rail to mount an HSP WML.
Thank you, Bob.
Over the next 30 minutes I shook hands with and spoke to James and his Assistant Instructor, Ben. I spoke to Bob some more as he’d trained with James and Ben on several prior occasions and repeat customers speak volumes. The whole of the motley crew of students wandered in over the next 30 minutes and we took our seats.
On went PowerPoint.
The first course objective to tackle was confirmation of zero. Our first short stint inside the classroom covered the MP5, it’s history of development, a brief introduction to its mechanics, and the most relevant current topic how the sights worked and adjusted.
Distracting fact: That’s a select-fire MP5 SD at the front of the classroom… yes I kept staring at it.
Fun Fact: The MP5 sights are all 25 meter apertures unlike the H&K rifle drum sights which range 1, 2, 3, and 400m
Safety is paramount in a training environment but certain courses can go into minutia and lose student interest, which is dangerous. James and Ben delivered a spot on safety brief, both succinct and informative.
Safety Rules
Medical
Range Procedures, Orientation, Administrative Extras
The 5 rules of firearm safety. Everyone has their own flavor of phrasing they use to describe these but the meaning is the same. They apply at all times. Don’t violate the rules and you never have an accident or incident with a gun. Every negligent discharge or accidental shooting can be traced to a failure to follow these rules.
TREAT every firearm/weapon as if it is loaded.
NEVER point a weapon at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
KEEP your weapon on safe (if applicable) until you intend to fire.
KEEP your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.
KNOW your target’s foreground and background.
Medical brief. Ben was our on sight medic and Bob was the backup, they would evaluate and treat or evacuate any injury as necessary. General directions for the class amounted to follow any given commands, give the medic space, and if communicating with EMS do not use the phrase “there’s been a shooting”. That point is relevant anytime you are out training with firearms. Injury’s aren’t shootings to EMS, they are training accidents. Method of injury may be gunshot wound but if you give emergency dispatchers “shooting” the cops are coming first with guns and not the ambulance or helicopter you need to transport the injured.
Lastly we covered specifics for the 50 meter range and our individual actions. We had the club isolated so we would not be competing for space or conflicting with any traffic. We would be training on a “hot” range, meaning weapons would remain loaded and holstered or slung as appropriate. “Big Kid” rules, we were expected to maintain our ammo readiness and be safety conscious without our hands being held. Violations, depending on severity, would result in a verbal reminder to termination of your participation in training.
Time to zero
My BZO was set a little low
I’ve trained in ranges set like this before and so I quickly stole target 1 on the left side of the range (all brass travels right). We started zeroing with 5 rounds at 5 meters. Moved to 10 meters, 15 meters, and then 25 meters. Notice the rounds walking up closer to center as distance increases, illustrating sight height over bore (the round once fired travels up through or to the sight plane before beginning to drop as it travels further down range). We wanted center hits at 25 meters and I was a little low from my last quick zero.
BZO walk back drill on the SMGs, Hold over illustration for close quarters shooting
With a practical demonstration and application of sight height over bore by each of us with our guns we adjusted our sights and put down the carbines for the rest of the day. We would be shooting pistol all day and night.
First back to the classroom.
Sight Pictures are sight/weapon specific, different sights have different integral holds
We had a hour discussion on grip, stance, sight picture (my Sig is a cover sight picture) and some basics in body mechanics and how to tie all of them together for better results in speed and accuracy. After rehydrating indoors we went back to the line.
James Williamson of Teufelshund Tactical demonstrating
Many pistol and carbine drills shooters do on their own are very low round count and while that helps with ammo conservation more rounds equal more reps. By contrast the first drill we shot was 75 rounds to complete.
My first target next to Bob’s
“Feel Eyes Finger” is a paced drill shot very close to the target at progressing individual dots. Each line of the drill is 15 rounds, slowly decreasing the number of pistol presentations while increasing the number of shots fired per presentation to identify and correct the small errors and inconsistencies in your grip and sight picture (Eyes and Finger) and teach you what feels correct for the most accurate results. Building accuracy starts close and takes repetitions. This type of shooting doesn’t look high speed low drag on Instagram, instead it produces measurable results and allows an effective drill selection for deliberate focused training.
I still have a habit of pushing slightly left and down during trigger press. No my sights weren’t off.. No yours aren’t either.
We shot the drill again using a stress sight picture and compared results. A stress sight (some might call it a flash sight picture) is where you’re focusing on the target instead of the sights and just bisecting your line of sight with your properly held pistol, done correctly you will hit the target where you are looking (aim small miss small?). You’re trusting your body to aim the pistol where your eyes are focusing, it works surprisingly well and its stupid fast with target transitions. You do suffer some accuracy loss but the emulation with a stress/fight body alarm response makes this a realistic fighting use of your sights. Even better you can practice it to refine it.
In one drill and one variant repetition we had 150 rounds into the targets, more than most people will practice in a month was shot in about 20 minutes.
Next we shot eyes closed… No seriously.
Using an adapted for handgun NPA drill (Natural Point of Aim) we fired 5 round groups for consistency without eyesight. The goal is every round breaking the line. Vertical stringing is more acceptable than horizontal.
It’s difficult and counter intuitive but after a few attempts the top group was my result. Relying entirely on feel, body mechanics, and proper positioning to keep the pistol on target and rounds consistently grouped was new. But hearkening back to my basic rifle marksmanship from 2007 this drill is identical in fundamental consistency.
Joe from Dakota Tactical putting their B&T USW through its paces. It’s both pistol and subgun DA/SA
We had some fun too, the Dakota Tactical USW served as sidearm and SMG in a uniquely awesome combination. After several hundred rounds working various fundamentals it was getting dark.
No problem there. We grabbed handheld and pistol mounted flashlights and went right back to the line. Firing drills one handed and practicing target illumination while minimizing our signature. Quick flashes to find the target and solid light only while firing, lights off before the guns came off target. We shot most of the daytime drills in the dark to illuminate the environmental and difficulty increases shooting in poor or no light, and to remind us that more than likely if we need to shoot it’ll be in the dark.
Welcome to We Like Shooting’s Double Tap, Episode 23, Tonight we’ll roast more training, we’ll answer your questions on Dear WLS, we’ll talk about NOT GUNS, and revisit past gear on gear chat revisited. We’ll also watch our resident movie critic review another WLS video! All this and more on tonights Double Tap
For the first time since the current shall issue CPL change in 2001 Michigan’s number of active Concealed Pistol Licenses has dropped month to month. Just slightly though…
In July 2017 there were 617,873 licenses active according to the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners, that number dropped to 616,941 as of August 1st. A down shift of only 932 licensees but still the first decrease in 16 years.
Why?
Well it’s evidence of several factors both in Michigan and across the firearms community nationally.
It appears that the number of licenses expiring without being renewed have exceed the number of new licenses. 9,072 licenses expired in the month of July that were not renewed. The number of licenses pending, suspended, revoked, or surrendered has not significantly increased.
I have double checked these numbers with the Michigan State Police statistics to ensure I was not in error.
It believe this is the result of a combination of factors including interest in first time CPLs beginning to plateau, the normal summer downtown in new applicants, a less threatening political situation, and questions surrounding pending constitutional carry legislation
-Brady Schickinger, MCRGO
The first is the saturation of licenses in Michigan. The adult population of age to carry is about 6.9 million and about 9% of them have licenses. Nationally the average is about 6% so Michigan is half again over the average, granted states like New York and California are heavily tipped in the other direction but from observing the overall trend Michigan is sitting at a kind of CPL homeostasis where new applicants and renewals are pacing or below, not exceeding, the license expiration rate. For the foreseeable future unless a factor is introduced to influence the licensing rate we’re probably going to see Michigan stay at about 9% and nationally see things level out as well.
Secondly Michigan is looking into Constitutional Carry. The prospect of carrying without need for a license has people holding off on dropping the $105 on the application, plus the time and effort of the process itself, and the approximately equal cost of the 8 hour class to certify. This along with the saturation of current licenses has slowed interest and is consistent with residents of other constitutional carry states, most individuals are where they want to be and a large shift will take an significant outside influence.
It is worth noting there is a mountain of confusion surrounding the proposed constitutional carry legislation. I speak daily with misinformed people who ask about it. Many have the mistaken belief it is already law. Others believe the current licensed and unlicensed rules will be the same and that is not true, as it stands unlicensed rules will match open carry rules with changes that also allow carry in and operating vehicles. There is no NICS exemption for unlicensed carriers. There is no reciprocity for unlicensed carriers even in other constitutional carry states as those laws are structured largely to cover state residents and not visitors. But this will become relevant if constitutional carry is passed and signed by the gun shy Michigan Governor, not a done deal.
Thirdly we have the Trump Slump. Gun sales and sales in associated industries to the gun industry have slowed significantly and in no small part due to the gun owners feeling safe since the election. Trump came on hard as a 2A champion and despite nearly zero pro gun positive momentum, largely due to a myriad other political concerns, we have a great deal of confidence as a second amendment community there will be no legal regression at the federal level either. We aren’t getting our non NFA silencers tomorrow but they aren’t going anywhere . Momentum in individual states, with the exception of the hardcore anti-gun strongholds, is trending positive still with more and more states dumping largely valueless regulations that had some feel good wording one at a time.
What does this mean for us?
Michigan CPL holders, like the industry as a whole are just coasting at the moment. Summer is always a slow time but we have a great many segments of the market that are well stocked and sales due to fear of limiting access have largely vanished.
Good news for you, it is definitely a buyers market.
According to a study done by the World Health Organization one person dies every 100 seconds in an armed conflict somewhere in America. That means in the time it took you to shower and drink your first cup of coffee this morning 20 people died. In the time it takes you to read this article another 6 will be killed. If you look at all the criminal cases roughly 40 percent of all murders go unsolved. Law enforcement just does not have all the resources they need to solve all murders. There are some who think they have a great idea to assist law enforcement in lowering the number of unsolved murders.
HR 3458 is the brainchild of U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown, D-Md.
HR 3458 will prohibit any FFL from manufacturing, selling, or transferring any semi-automatic firearm that does not micro stamp the casing. At face value micro stamping a casing sounds like an awesome idea. Empty casings left at a crime scene should lead law enforcement officials to the gun that fired them, thus reducing the number of murders that go unsolved. California has had a similar law on the books since 2007 and so far the only result is a reduction in the number of handguns available at stores. Currently no manufacturer mass produces a firearm that utilizes micro stamping technology.
Besides the lack of firearms on the market capable of microstamping, due to technological inviability, I see several other problems with this legislation.
The first being that HR 3458 does not apply to revolvers, it should apply to all firearms or none. HR 3458 is a form of backdoor gun control that limits what you can purchase. Secondly most states do not have a gun registry so tracking a dropped casing to a specific gun becomes more difficult. Sure they could get the records from the gun stores as to who bought a gun with serial number ###-####, but this would just create a mountain of paperwork. Several states and even Canada have dropped firearm records databases because they served no useful purpose in crime solving or prevention and only drained away money.
In 2016 over 27 million background checks were performed by licensed dealers for firearm purchases. Think about the mountain of paperwork an investigator would have to manually read through. Now imagine the paperwork generated from all firearms sold in just the past 10 years. The federal government requires FFL dealers performing the background checks to keep the 4473 forms from purchases indefinitely. Most FFL dealers do not have these forms digitally categorized so the completed 4473’s sit in boxes piled up in cold storage. Investigators would have to pour through every form just to find the purchaser of the firearm in question. After searching through every document they may find the name and address of the original purchaser for the firearm in question. Possessing the name and address of the original purchaser does not mean they found the shooter, just the first buyer.
Americans buy and sell guns every day, in states where there is no registration the trail stops at the original purchaser. Imagine sitting down with your family after a long day at work and the police show up at your door with an arrest warrant for you. You are handcuffed and escorted in a police cruiser to the police station interrogation room while your family and neighbors watch the excitement from their front porches. At the police department you’re not treated like the person you are but more like a scumbag criminal. Detectives ask you numerous questions, about a shooting, about the victim, and why you did it just because you are their number one suspect. At this point things get very costly for you. Friends, family and neighbors start talking about you being the shooter. Coworkers, maybe even your boss start to question if they should believe you or the reports on the news. You and your family definitely need to consult and hire not one but maybe several attorneys just to prove that you sold that gun years ago.
How about in states where there is firearm registration? What if the person you sold your firearm to never registered it? Did you keep the seller’s copy of the registration? How do you prove you sold it if you lost or threw out your copy? Law enforcement officers will get a warrant to search your house. What will they find? That warrant may possibly lead them to find ammunition from the same gun and manufacturer that was used at the scene. See where I am getting at? Were supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but the reality is most people have already made up their minds and it is up to you to prove innocence.
Perhaps the biggest problem with the bill is the fact that criminals don’t buy guns at FFL dealers. Criminals typically don’t follow rules or laws, and they defiantly don’t register the guns they use to commit a crime. What is stopping the shooter from filing off the micro stamp, or scooping up your brass from a shooting range and leaving them at the scene instead of the ones they fired? Now you have the cops showing up at your door with spent casings from your gun that you did not clean after you last shot it. The gun is in your house, now they have matching casings, the gun, and the one person whose fingerprints are all over the gun and ammunition. In fact the ammo is the same ammo that you still have loaded into your gun.
I am all for giving law enforcement better tools to help make our streets safer, however I think HR 3458 is a terrible idea based on a flawed ideology that criminals follow the rules. If HR 3458 passes and becomes law not only will guns become harder to get but it will lead innocent gun owners being locked up because an overzealous prosecutor, judge, jury or officer failed to believe your story over an easily thwarted nonviable technology.
Across the country the right to carry firearms for defense on campus is being restored to otherwise legally armed students. This environment creates its own set of considerations for how to bear and conceal a firearm: tight hallways, small desks, need for other school specific equipment, sudden surges in local foot traffic, a broad range of climates (in and out of doors, throughout multiple seasons), and frequent short range travel. Balancing the needs of access and concealment, especially given the density of people frequently in these locales who frown upon firearm ownership in general, let alone one carried daily in public, requires careful contemplation. In his article from Loadoutroom.com, Rick Dembroski shares insights on these concerns.
Have you thought about Campus Carry options? Unfortunately in our day and age shootings at public venues like shopping malls, markets and schools are becoming all too common. In this time of steady unrest and the possibility of violence some colleges and school districts are allowing their staff to take steps to legally arm themselves while on campus. This rise in conceal carry weapons permit holders in particular has actually brought up a very important topic of conversation. What is the best way to CCW and blend in at a school or college campus and not stand out like a sore thumb? That was the inspiration for this article that we have aptly named The Arms Guides recommendation for the “Perfect Campus Carry Set Up”
There are some out there that will say just use an inside the waist band holster or open carry and be done with it. In some climates and especially office or corporate cultures this isn’t exactly easy. When making this article we tried to use a broad-based approach that would work well in warm climates like on the beach while wearing shorts and no jacket, and in the office or campus setting where the culture might be more conservative or reserved. We put together this simple set up that in composed of four components that we feel will provide the user the most flexibility, while still offering first-rate protection from attackers.
Image:Vertx.Com
Component One: Vertx Gamut or Gamut Plus Backpack
We chose to list two backpacks here because they are similar in many regards with the exception of the Gamut Plus being slighter larger at 35 liters than the regular Gamut model which is listed at 28 liters capacity. The backpacks don’t scream out “tacticool” and are not covered in webbing and don’t come in the normal Coyote Tan, Olive Drab or some other color that doesn’t blend in with most of society. The Vertx bags come in muted colors that at first glance looks like any other normal plain backpack, they are designed to blend not stand out in the crowd. At first glance they appear to look like 99% of other backpacks that are on campus or in a corporate setting , but with a little bit of a twist in the form of a secret, that only the wearer will know about.
The Gamut line of backpacks features a full length concealed compartment that is designed to be used in conjunction with the Vertx Tactigami holsters and accessories to allow the user to discreetly carry a handgun, holster and spare magazine while not changing the capacity of the backpack or causing the gun to change the profile of the pack. I have been using this pack for over a month and have taken it on several cross-country trips and so far the pack is amazing. Aside from the secret squirrel firearms compartment the backpack features all of the normal backpack features such as a sternum strap, waist belt, and a wide array of both internal and external pouches that are all secured with a heavy-duty zipper.
The pack also features an internal pouch that comfortably holds my 15” Apple MacBook Pro. The pouch runs the full length of the pack and features a soft tight woven cloth material that helps reduce scratching the surface of anything placed in it. The attributes of the pouch are nice but the fact it’s there in the first place is nice because it not only holds a lap top secure with no scratching or abrasive surfaces but allows a spot to hold our next component in the Perfect Campus Carry Set Up.
Image:Angel Armor
Notice the size of the plate in relation to the average backpack
Component Two: Ally One by Angel Armor
In a combat environment heavy ballistic plate is part of the normal load out, but in an office or school campus setting it is ridiculous to think that it’s a viable option. Enter the Ally One special purpose armor plate by Angel Armor. The Ally One is 0.23” thick and weights 0.85 lbs. The 9”x12” plate is rated to Level IIIA for threat protection and has been proven to stop a wide range of 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and even .44 Magnum handgun rounds. It designed to be inserted in backpacks, briefcases and laptop bags. The plate is waterproof and rated for multiple strikes of the listed handgun calibers.
Some people might think this is just being paranoid but when you realistically analyze the risk vs reward factor it begins to makes more sense. A 9” x 12” piece of Level IIIA armor is slightly larger than the size of a sheet of paper, so if you think use that as a simple reference you can get a better idea on how much of your chest and lung cavity the Ally One can protect. Now on a full size adult it’s one thing but when that piece of Ally One is placed over a child or a smaller adult it begins to cover more surface area. Insert the piece of Ally One and you turn your backpack, laptop bag or briefcase into a short-term Captain America shield. It will defiantly improve you chances at being able to survive in the event that handguns rounds do strike you in an event. The goal of the Alley One is to be able to survive and break contact and get you or your loved ones to cover and safety. We will be doing a full review of the Ally One in the near future, where we put some very hot .357 and .44 magnum bear loads into it in order to really stress the panel out. Angel Armor has sent the site some research and development videos and I have no doubt the Ally One will be able to withstand anything I can throw at it.
Image:The Arms Guide
Component Three: CZ P-10C Striker Fired Handgun
The CZ-P10C is a no brainer for my campus carry set up, the newest pistol from CZ also happens to be the company’s first striker fired pistol. The size, weight and capacity of the P-10C makes it a serious contender to take a bite out of the market share that has been ruled by Glock for decades. The trigger alone on the pistol is enough to make me forget about a Glock 19 or my Smith & Wesson M&P. I have been fortunate enough to be in the middle of a test and evaluation period with a CZ-P10C so I have had a chance to exercise the pistol a bit. To date I have run just over 700 rounds of 115 full metal jacket through the gun with zero issues. This next session I plan on feeding it a steady diet of a several popular brands of hollow point ammunition.
We have posted a recent First Look article about the CZ P-10C and have linked it and the other products in the Perfect Campus Carry Set Up article at the bottom for easy reference. The 4.5 lb trigger with short reset is the centerpiece of the CZ-P10C and its a feature that I can go on about for days. Most striker fired triggers have much to be desired in terms of feel and length of pull. I’m not sure what the staff at CZ did to make this trigger and pistol feel so good and operate so reliably but they are to be congratulated for making such a great product. The pistol does come standard with two magazines that contain what is now a standard 15 rounds of ammunition. In the campus carry set up we are assuming that you will only need two magazines, the one in the gun and possibly a back up magazine. The goal of the Perfect Campus Carry Set Up is to break contact and protection of yourself and possibly people around you it’s not to assault through an objective.
Image:Rick Dembroski
Wildhedgehog Tactical EDC kit. Worth its weight in gold
Component Four: First Aid Kit
When we say first aid kit we are not talking about a Combat Life Saver Kit, or a full Emergency Medical Technician Kit. We are talking about something small like the Wild Hedgehog Tactical EDC Pocket Trauma Kit or one of their Get Home Alive Kits. These kits are designed by professionals to be small, lightweight and not contain material or gear that won’t be needed. We here at the website suggest you shop around and find the kit that matches your skill and comfort level. I would suggest though that any kit you purchase have the basics of band aids, medical tape, a tourniquet and some sort of trauma wound dressing. You never know when you might have to help respond to emergency situations that don’t involve an active shooter or violent situation.
I know the list above may sound like you are prepping for some long over night excursion instead of a trip to work or to class. It’s really not a lot of weight or gear when you stop to think about it in terms of risk versus enhanced safety of yourself and those around you. The Ally One is lightweight and small first aid kits like the ones we listed above will take up minimal space and add greatly to your survivability in the case of chaos or emergencies. Most importantly PRACTICE, you can have all the gear in the world and if you don’t know how to use it, it is just dead weight.
Way back in January Magpul Industries announced a 300blk version of the popular PMAG. This was great news for the 300blk crowd. Finally a magazine dedicated solely to my round of choice. According to Magpul Industries the PMAG® 30 AR 300 B GEN M3™ is supposed to handle all the various bullet weights and deliver the same functional reliability we have come to expect from their magazines. Well it has been several months since the announcement and I have finally got my hands on a couple of the new 300B mags. I immediately opened the packages. I just could not wait to get my hands on them, not even to get home first. The 300B is supposed to have a “visual and tactile feel” to help prevent accidentally shooting a 300blk round in a rifle chambered for 5.56.
At first glance I did not notice any difference. I had to put them side by side before noticing the 300B mags had a more open block texture on the side compared to the 5.56 PMAG. Once you know what the visual differences are it is easy to identify the 300B vs the 5.56 mags. However for me the difference in texture and feel alone may not be enough to stop me from accidentally inserting the wrong mag into my rifle. Maybe my hands lack the sensitivity needed for me to go only by stock feel. This is not a deal breaker as I normally add grip tape to positively identify my 300blk mags by touch. Your experience may vary.
First thing I did when I got home from the store was dismantle the magazines so I could compare the internals of the 300B with the internals from a 5.56 PMAG. At quick glance they looked identical other than the color of the followers. The follower in the new PMAG is black where the 5.56 follower is grey. The spring is the same length and appears to be the same thickness and strength.
However, looking at the magazines from a top view there is a change to the internal magazine rails that guide the follower up and down.
The guide rails on the 300B mags are made slightly smaller which appear to put less side load and drag on the bullets as they feed upward, allowing for a more natural stack. Assembly and disassembly are exactly the same as the Gen 3 5.56PMAG.
I received an unexpected surprise while loading the mags for the first time. The rounds went in so easily they put me in to a euphoric state. I felt as one with the universe, calmness settled over me.
True Enlightenment was reached.
Honestly they were actually a joy to load. I won’t be needing my Maglula LULA Loader for these. I loaded 30 rounds of American Eagle 150gr 300blk in the mag and it fit perfectly. No rattles or play, I did not have to hit the back of the mag on my hand to keep the rounds lined up properly feeding.
I wanted to get a fair comparison so I brought my 5.56 PMAG with me out to the range and loaded them with the same 300blk ammo from American Eagle. I started with the 300B mags first, they had no problem inserting properly on a closed bolt. For the first few rounds I fired one round at a time and progressed to a rapid magazine dump. No failures, the firearm cycled perfectly and locked back after the final round. I loaded the 5.56 Pmag and proceeded to fire at the same rate, again no failures, cycled perfectly and locked back after the last round.
I personally have never had an issue with any Magpul PMAGs and the new 300blk mags did not disappoint. Magpul’s 300blk PMAG worked as promised. The 300B PMAG feeds quickly, and flawlessly. Loading is a breeze. Other than adding something to assist me with the tactile identification I see myself having no issues with the magazines in the future. Now I have to ask myself, “Do they function well enough to justify replacing the mags I currently use in my rifle?”
I’m certainly not giving up these new mags but whether you replace your entire stock of mags or not for 300 Blackout is up to you.
The Glock 43 has been on the market for a couple of years now and, as Glocks tend to do, has proven itself as a capable defensive tool. Many people rely on the 43 as a backup gun or as a deeper concealment option and with good reason. Here Jacki Billings runs through her impressions of the 43 in its performance, concealablity, and aesthetics.
Glock’s entry into the 9mm single stack universe came in the form of the Glock 43. Boasting similar features to its larger siblings, the G43 meshed Glock’s functionality with a slim profile offering shooters a compact, concealable package.
My interest with the G43 came at the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meeting in Nashville in 2015. Glock’s 43 announcement dropped right before NRAAM creating fervor among the Glock masses. Glock, of course, had them on hand at a press event and I gained my first opportunity with this 9mm. After firing just two mags, I knew it warranted a second look and a solid review.
And almost two years later, the G43 arrived at my FFL begging to be put through the wringer.
Aesthetics
The Glock 43 is a single stack, 9mm design that features a 6+1 capacity. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
I lovingly refer to the G43 as my “mini-Glock.” Featuring much of the same aesthetics as its full-size compadres, the real difference in the G43 is its notably smaller size. Weighing just under 18 ounces unloaded, the G43 stands 4.45-inches tall with an overall length of 6.26-inches. Width hovers right at one inch while shooters get a 3.39-inch barrel.
All these number boil down to a simple fact – the G43 is compact and this is where she really shines. Slipping into a thigh rig, inside-the-waistband and even ankle holster with ease, the G43’s stature plays well if you need a faithful gun companion without the bulk or bulge of a full-size firearm.
Factory sights from Glock leave a lot to be desired and prevent quick sighting in low-light conditions. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
The sights are standard Glock configuration with a front white dot and a rear u-shaped sight. I’ve never been a fan of the Glock standard, finding them difficult to quickly acquire in low-light conditions. I recommend swapping them out for something that is more luminescent in softer light.
While we’re on the topic of swapping parts out, let’s talk about that trigger. It’s no big secret that the Glock trigger isn’t loved by all and unfortunately the G43 makes no improvements on the old design. It’s no better than its predecessors but it’s also not any worse than any other stock Glock.
Perhaps because of this legacy, that squishy, uneven press is no deal breaker. Trigger kits are abundant and easy enough fix — but it’s a consideration if you’re looking for a turn-key gun. (That is unless you’re willing to make do with mush to save some bucks.)
The magazine release on the model 43 is responsive, allowing for quick reloads. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Where the Glock excels, besides the obvious, is the slide and magazine release. Serrations on the rear are perfect for gripping and ripping, while the slide itself moves freely on the rails. There’s no tugging and no frustration, which is helpful when working with students or shooters who struggle with slide technique or suffer from weaker hand muscles.
The mag release on the Glock also deserves a little attention as it is by far one of the best releases in the biz. An often overlooked feature, this one small button makes a world of difference when placed just perfectly and fine-tuned for smooth release. Glock understands that importance and outfitted the G43 with the perfect release.
The button rests in a sweet spot between the grip and trigger that allows shooters to depress with the thumb of the dominant hand without compromising shooting grip. It’s intuitive and efficient, two attributes that contribute to a faster reload. In addition, mags fly out with ease under subtle pressure. This allows shooters to focus attention on inserting a new mag, instead of wrestling with an empty one.
Glock’s slides are smooth as butter and the G43 is no different, gliding on its rails. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Rounding out the notable features on the G43 is the grip texture. I found it to be less abrasive than Smith & Wesson’s Shield, but not as comfortable as Springfield’s XD line. The texture certainly gives sweaty hands some grip on the frame, but after a day of shooting my hands were a little red and raw. A rubber grip accessory over the top would have made my days at the range less painful. Of course, this is not a necessity.
Capacity conundrum
Though the G43 boasts a compact size that’s perfect for concealment, there’s one major trade-off for its petite figure. The underwhelming capacity of a mere 6+1 has many experts still questioning Glock’s thinking. With competitors packing at least seven rounds, if not more in their single-stack designs, it’s curious that Glock chose six as it’s definitive capacity.
The Glock 43 next to Ruger’s LC9s. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
On the range, reloading is frequent and a majority of my time was spent loading bullets. While it’s always recommended to carry an extra magazine, the G43’s measly 6+1 demands it. Who wants to try to win a gunfight with only six rounds?
Despite this mind-boggling limitation, the G43 succeeded in eating up any ammo I offered it. It’s an admirable quality that has ensured Glock’s reign at the top. From Sig Sauer V-Crown to gritty cheap brass, the G43 didn’t slow down or stop on the range. If I’m stuck shooting just six shots at a time, at least I’m confident that I’m not going to be stopping to clear malfunctions.
Home on the range
The G43’s compact design lends itself to concealed carry… (Photo: Jacki Billings)
The 9mm is a snappy round and, packed into a compact frame such as the G43, shooters will feel the recoil. The slimmed down width of the grip doesn’t help disperse that jarring force, so wrists take that impact. Recoil isn’t as bad as the Ruger LC9s, which is unpleasant to shoot for long periods and, with proper grip technique, the recoil will be hardly noticeable for the average shooter. Gun enthusiasts suffering from arthritis or weaker wrists may find the G43 more difficult to manage than its larger sized brethren.
As demonstrated by its concealment in Crossbreed’s Modular Belly Band holster carried in the appendix position. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Despite some pop, Glock’s 43 is a workhorse on the range. I put this gun through its paces, slow-firing and then rapid firing and not once did she let me down. Rain, shine, cool temperatures and hotter days, the G43 continued to spit fire despite conditions. She also suffered no failures or malfunctions.
As stated, I’m not a fan of Glock’s factory sights, but there is no doubt that they did the job, allowing me to I hit steel targets at 15 yards with little issue. Groups on paper were decent even after a full day of shooting on the range.
Final thoughts
While I found the G43 to be extremely concealable and a decent option for those sporting smaller hands, it doesn’t negate the fact that there are other single-stack 9mm fish in the sea…and at a lower price.
The G43 fit perfectly in the author’s smaller hands but may prove problematic for shooter’s with meatier paws. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
That being said, the 43 is a Glock and that name carries an expectation (and rightly so). If you’re looking for a gun that just works, Glock is it — reliable and functional on the range, it’s a pleasure to own and use simply because it’s so efficient. That said, any shooter in the market for an ultra-compact Glock in 9mm to add to their arsenal will find the 43 fits the bill perfectly.
Sig has responded to the drop test concern on the P320 pistol series with the following statement and upgrade package on a voluntary basis available next Monday 8/14/2017.
Original post below
SIG SAUER Issues Voluntary Upgrade of P320 Pistol P320 pistol meets requirements for industry and government safety standards;
performance enhancements optimize function, safety, and reliability.
Newington, NH (August 8, 2017) – The P320 meets U.S. standards for safety, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Sporting Arms Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (SAAMI®), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), as well as rigorous testing protocols for global military and law enforcement agencies.
The design of the SIG SAUER P320 overcomes the most significant safety concern in striker-fired pistols today: the practice of pressing the trigger for disassembly. This can be performed with a round in the chamber which has resulted in numerous incidents of property damage, physical injury, and death. The disassembly process of the P320, however, uses a take-down lever rather than pressing the trigger, eliminating the possibility of discharge during the disassembly process.
Recent events indicate that dropping the P320 beyond U.S. standards for safety may cause an unintentional discharge. As a result of input from law enforcement, government and military customers, SIG has developed a number of enhancements in function, reliability, and overall safety including drop performance. SIG SAUER is offering these enhancements to its customers. Details of this program will be available atsigsauer.comon Monday, August 14, 2017
The M17 variant of the P320, selected by the U.S. government as the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS), is not affected by the Voluntary Upgrade.“SIG SAUER is committed to our approach on innovation, optimization, and performance, ensuring we produce the finest possible products,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER. “Durability, reliability and safety, as well as end-user confidence in the SIG SAUER brand are the priorities for our team.”For more information on SIG SAUER, please visit us atsigsauer.com.
Andrew Tuohy who originally started Vuurwapenblog is now the leading mad scientist at Omaha Outdoors. They regular post test footage and their in house evaluations of different OO products.
Tuohy has always struck me as a more dispassionate observer than most with a meticulous scientific methodology.
Find whole article here but in short the P320 pistols they tested (4) passed the standardized drop test criteria. It was on an accidental drop that the firing was first observed and the drop was at a non standard angle. They repeated the test at the observed angle at could consistently get the pistols to fire. One gun with a lower mass trigger (not lighter trigger pull weight) had fewer issues leading to the conclusion that the falling mass at that angle actually can fire the gun.
Sig Sauer has stated the P320 pistols do not have a drop safe issue (and by standardized testing they are correct) and state in their manual that ANY dropped pistol can fire (also correct mechanically)
This could be especially troubling as the P320 is slated for widespread adoption in with US Military and several LE Organizations.
What do you think? Isolated quirk or design change needed?
Personally I never had an issue with my P320, but I never dropped it.
Daniel Defense is arguably one of the most successful turn of the century firearms manufacturers. Since their founding in 2000 they’ve become a leader in the vast AR15 community with top tier rifles and components, doubling their year over year output three separate times in less than two decades.
It was one of their components, the RIS, that originally put them on the national and international radar. Both USSOCOM and the UK Ministry of Defense picked up the RIS, making Daniel Defense one of the lead integrating designers pushing military small arms component upgrades. While the M4’s might still be Colt’s and FN’s, the RIS and RIS II’s free-floating the barrels on them are all DD.
The M4V1 wears the RIS II with a classic fixed front sight gas block.
It was DD’s ability to design a solid rail system capable of keeping existing inventoried components (barrel assemblies) that paved that successful road. They didn’t go to the DoD and SOCOM with a necessity to modify any existing system, just plug their RIS components into place. Daniel did the same for the UK, working with Germany’s H&K to put the RIS on the SA80/L85A2’s to keep them current with the evolving rail systems.
What does this mean for civilian consumers?
Quite simply Daniel Defense was not about chasing DoD contracts. They built up their DDM4 line, and now the DD5 line, with the consumer market in mind. Civilians, Law Enforcement, and the Military would all benefit from their efforts towards superior components and firearms these last 17 years.
I’ve had the privilege to use a wide variety of the Daniel Defense product line and it would be quite the essay to post the full reviews on each, so here is a synopsis of each for brevity.
The M4A1 series of military rifles are a combined system of components, the M4A1 from DD is their house blend of the same (minus full-auto, for we are buying civilian side).
The RIS II covers the proper M4 length and profile 14.5″ 1:7 barrel and 7″ carbine gas system. For legality, the anodized stainless steel DD Flash Suppressor is permanently affixed to the barrel making the operating length over 16″ to comply with NFA regulations. The barrel features cold hammer forged (CHF) rifling and chrome lining over the chrome moly vanadium steel. This process and material choice, while expensive, produces barrels with exceptional durability and service life, keeping accuracy high and maintenance low.
This flagship carbine is finished out with mil-spec phosphate for the barrel and gas system, and their mil-spec+ cerakote for the RIS and receivers. The 6 position butt stock is on a mil-spec extension and both the stock and pistol grip are of Daniel Defense design, color matched to the rifle.
Internally, the bolt and carrier are all proper steels with chrome lining, the trigger is a forged mil-spec, and the buffer is the preferred H weight. Carrier is properly staked and sealed.
Add your choice of sighting systems and the rifle is completely mission ready. Prairie dogs, 3 Gun silhouettes, and bad guys beware.
Firing the DD M4A1 feels like what I wanted my M4 to be: it’s light. The longer railed RIS trumps the KAC Carbine RAS as more mobile and maneuverable. I’ve come to greatly appreciate longer handguard systems on rifles because of that control increase. I can tailor fit any of my force multiplicative or rifle mounted mission essential equipment to the gun with far more flexibility than a standard M4 carbine.
Daniel Defense rifles have an almost ethereal quality too. They’re generally so well balanced they feel much lighter than they are and lighter than competing systems. You can counter this spooky feature by bolting many many accessories to the rails at all possible locations.. or take advantage of the sleek svelte characteristics for a faster rifle.
You feel just how well that weight and balance you’ve put together help or hinder you the minute you start shooting target transitions.
The DD M4A1 delivers everything a flagship carbine should.
Taking everything we like about the M4A1, Daniel Defense has also produced their version of the military MK18. This is a 10.3″ barreled version of the M4A1 in USSOCOM inventory and the DD produced version mirrors their M4 in a similar manner. The compact little carbine/SBR can be deployed inside close confines and vehicles with much greater ease, retaining mobility in tight spaces better than longer rifles.
The MK18’s RIS still gives it more mounting space than the military M4A1, and like the military MK18 models, DD has properly spec’d the barrel and gas system inside that handguard to pressure and cycle the action around the altered dwell time.
I’ve used two seperate MK18’s, one a factory complete SBR and the other an SBR I built using a complete factory upper. The increased ease of mobility, especially around and inside a vehicle, is something that absolutely has to be experienced and the MK18 delivers while losing next to nothing on accuracy or effectiveness (slight increase muzzle blast, which is entertaining). Lower velocity out of SBR’s can result in quicker than typical bullet drop but simple awareness can correct for that on longer distance shots. Inside 300 meters (to say nothing of the more likely fighting distances of 50 meters or less) the MK18 is every bit the effective carbine its larger siblings are.
It’s NFA though so plan your purchase accordingly.
The V11 series is the Daniel Defense model I’ve shot the most variations of. Pulling the trigger extensively on the V11, the V11 LW, and the Pro has given me a well formed perspective on the Keymod clad line-up (for M-LOK see the V7)
The V11’s sport a 15″ freefloat keymod handguards over 16″ CHF barrels on mid-length gas systems (keeping that optimal pressure and dwell time) but otherwise keep the M4A1 and MK18 internals.
Oh and there’s Kryptek
The keymod streamlines the already quick rifle a step further over the RIS systems without losing any of the modular attachment capability. The V11 is light. The V11 LW is lighter, the SLW with its 14.5″ barrel is lightest…
and then there’s the Pro Series.
Built with the 3 gun field in mind, the Pro Series V11 received an 18″ S2W profile barrel, a DD muzzle climb mitigator (compensator), a Vltor/BCM Mod 4 Gunfighter charging handle, and a Geissele Automatics Super Dynamic 3 Gun flat faced trigger on top of its standard array of features.
Across 7 total rifles, one M4A1, two MK18’s, and 4 V11’s (one Pro, one LW, and two standard), I have a couple thousand rounds through DD rifles and I’ve had zero stoppage. The various owners, all friends of mine and avid shooters, have in their combined experience few enough stoppages to count on one hand using everything from TulAmmo to M855 to 77gr match loads.
Anecdotes aside, hard use sources like Battlefield Las Vegas who put astronomically high round counts through guns on full-auto consistently use Daniel Defense rifles and replace worn components with DD parts. Bolts are lasting 20,000 rounds and beyond before failure and their barrels are holding acceptable accuracy for better intervals under the high volume abuse of recreational machine gunfire. A hard used rifle may see 20,000 rounds of practice, competition, and courses in a year. These BLV rifles can see that in 30 days.
Speaking of those parts they’re available for your and my use too.
I watched the old, round-headed bear making his way through the fire-scarred timber. He moved slow and deliberate, with his back hips swaying to keep up with the movement of his massive frame. I swallowed hard, thinking for sure the bear would hear my last strains to keep my heart rate and blood pressure under control. Before I knew it, the bear was standing just 20 yards in front of me. When the hulking bruin provided a broadside view, my TenPoint Nitro RDX spit an arrow through its vital before he could even blink.
The bear only went 50 yards before piling up along a scenic stretch of the remote river. It was like a dream come true. Creating adventure often means traveling ridiculous distances, and headeding into unknown territory and conditions. It took me four days to get to my bear hunting location, which included highway travel, commercial airlines, an expedited ride in a passenger van on one of North America’s roughest roads, followed by a boat ride to the remote Cree River Lodge. I hadn’t unpacked all my gear before I was down on the beach flinging arrows at the target butt with my TenPoint. My crossbow was dead-on and ready to hunt, just as I had prepared it at home.
Two days of scouting with good friend Jason Petersen, ensured we had a spot picked out for our June hunt. Jet boats and winding wilderness rivers made for an incredible setting. The bear we harvested had likely never seen a human before, and paid little attention to our presence. Being around apex predators, you must maintain confidence in your equipment and know how it performs.
It wasn’t by accident I had a TenPoint crossbow for my hunt. The adage, “you get what you pay for” certainly holds true for top performing archery equipment. With all my travels, rough conditions, and potential danger, I wanted a crossbow I could trust to perform. Not just at the range, or under ideal conditions, but when you put on your adventure gear and hunt Rambo-style.
I regularly check all the components of my crossbow before each use. Screws are always tight, cams, limbs, and strings aligned, and I get repeatable results that every hunter should expect. Quality components, superior engineering, and a family that built crossbows so they could succeed at hunting themselves, is why TenPoints work.
Go to an archery shop and compare the fit and feel of several bows, and it will quickly become apparent why TenPoint stands out. There are economically-priced bows to choose from, but you will see the corners that have been cut to get there.
Any of the TenPoint, Horton, or Wicked Ridge bows are work horses. You can shoot them repeatedly, take them on the roughest hunts, and they will treat you the same every time you cock the string and pull the trigger.
Draw weights and arrow speed are balanced to maximize use and performance. Don’t confuse extreme speed with best products. The best advice you can receive when looking for a new crossbow is to shoot as many as you can. It will quickly become apparent that there is a benchmark in the industry and you will be comparing everything else to your TenPoint.
As a guy who carries a Sig Sauer P226 daily I agree with Travis here…
From Travis Pike
When I was first issued my concealed carry permit I went with what I thought was the wise route in weapon selection. I had read from many others that most new concealed carriers carried a gun much too large.
So I went with small, and affordable and ended up with a Bersa 380. It was a great little gun for the price, and it was easy to carry. From there I eventually moved to a Glock 26 and then to a Walther PPS. They were all compact guns that were small, lightweight, and easy to carry. They were also limited in capacity, had a short sight radius, and often grips too small to fully fill the hand.
Over time I began trending a bit larger with my concealed carry handgun, going to a SIG P250 compact (Roughly Glock 19 sized) whenever possible. From there I finally settled on the CZ P09. The CZ P09 is a full sized 9mm handgun that holds 19 in the magazine and comes with an optional plus 2 extension for 21 total rounds.
The P09 has a 4.54-inch barrel, has an overall length of 8.1 inches and is 1.46 inches wide. It’s by no means a small gun, but I feel incredibly comfortable carrying it. Guns are supposed to be comforting, not comfortable right? Well, luckily they can be both.
Why a Full Sized Gun?
First and foremost a larger gun is easier to shoot than a smaller gun. The larger grips are more comfortable, the longer sight radius makes the gun easier to shoot accurately, and I have significantly more rounds on tap. The differences and ergonomic advantages were reason enough to go full sized for me.
With my Walther PPS, I can hit a 21 inch (Tall) popper only about 50% of the time. With my CZ P09, I can hit that same popper more than 90% of the time. I can even consistently hit the target shooting somewhat rapidly. With the Walther PPS its fire, realign sights, get back on target and finally fire again. With the P09 it’s fire, follow through, and fire again.
Regarding rapid fire, the CZ P09 is much easier to squeeze off round rapidly and accurately. This includes double taps, failure to stop drills, and just dropping rounds. The larger grip, heavier weight, and longer barrel reduces recoil and makes rapid shots just a bit easier.
In terms of ammo capacity, I use 7 round mags with the PPS, and I’d have to carry three of them to make one P09 magazine. Is there a need for that ammunition in a civilian self-defense scenario? Probably not. Maybe it’s just the former machine gunner in me, but I’ve never thought having too much ammunition was a bad thing. I certainly don’t want to die for lack of ammo.
The longer barrel also gives me a hair more velocity with similar loads. The faster the bullet the better penetration I’ll get through barriers and thick clothing.
Many are right to point out the likelihood of needing that much ammunition is superbly small. That’s true, but the likelihood of me ever needing my gun as a law abiding citizen is also quite small, but I don’t leave home without it. I won’t be the one guy who needed it and didn’t have it.
A full sized gun narrows the threat gap when faced with an opponent armed with a long gun. That’s another long shot, but as we’ve seen it’s possible. The same goes for multiple opponents. Unlikely scenarios but I’m already planning for the unlikely by carrying a gun, and every single listed scenario has happened in the past and can happen again.
How to Carry a Full Sized Handgun
Part of the biggest reason I began carrying a large gun is I learned how to carry a large gun. I learned that choice of belt and holster made a massive difference in my ability to carry a full sized gun. I learned to spend a little money to get a high quality holster.
I also purchased several gun belts that were rigid and strong enough to bear the weight of the CZ P09. This keeps the belt from sagging or rotating in any direction. This extra support ensures the gun remains concealed and doesn’t sag below the cover garment. This also makes carrying the gun a lot more comfortable when it comes to day to day carry.
The combination of a high-quality holster and belt makes carrying the gun comfortable. Even if it’s large and in charge carrying it can be comfortable. It certainly took some time and money to experiment with what worked but wearing the gun day after day changed the way I carried.
My current combination is the HTC Vantage and the HTC gun belt. The Vantage is an excellent holster and allows me to carry my CZ P09 and a Streamlight TLR 1 concealed and away from prying eyes.
But What About Printing?
What about it? I find the only people that actually notice a gun is printing is the person carrying the gun. People are too wrapped up in what they are doing to stop and look at my waist to determine if I’m carrying a gun or not. It simply doesn’t happen and I typically conceal my gun under nothing more than a T shirt.
Let’s say someone observant sees that I’m printing?
So what?
If I’m not breaking the law and even if they notice what does that change? On the off chance they notice it’s pretty difficult to tell If I’m actually packing or I have, for instance, an insulin pump. Printing isn’t something that keeps me up at night.
Admittedly I’m a big dude so I can carry a larger gun a bit easier than most (As a littler dude its pretty freakin’ easy too –Keith). However, even a small person could carry a decently sized firearm with a bit of dedication and practice. A Glock 19 gives you 15 rounds of 9mm and is still easy to carry, the same goes for the SIG P229. Combine those compact guns with a good IWB holster and gun belt and you’d be surprised at just how easy it is to carry a decent sized fighting handgun.
The Little Fellas
I still have my Walther PPS and still carry it on occasion. In some situations, it is impossible to carry a full sized gun. When I go a run I take the PPS, when I’m having to dress up I take the PPS. There will always be reasons to have a little gun, but when I can go big, I go big.
Carrying it isn’t always comfortable (like in movie theater seats) but it’s always comforting.
RISE Armament Debuts New
Trigger GroupThe RA-434 High-Performance Trigger uniquely combines smoothness and speed.BROKEN ARROW, Okla. – Building on the popularity of its industry-leading AR triggers, RISE Armament is proud to introduce the RA-434 High-Performance Trigger.
The accuracy-enhancing RA-434 High-Performance Trigger (HPT) uniquely combines smoothness and speed for a tremendous upgrade in performance.
The first of its kind, the RA-434 is a premium trigger available at a mid-range cost.
“Customers have been drawn to the extreme value of our triggers, so when designing the RA-434, we set out to continue to deliver quality and performance for a great price,” said Matt Torres, president of RISE Armament.
Ultra smooth to the break with a crisp, clean release, the RA-434 HPT helps rifle owners shoot more accurately with less effort. It boasts a quick reset and low overtravel for enhanced speed.
The RA-434 HPT has a straight trigger blade—available in black or silver—for enhanced control and a lighter-feeling pull weight. “We’ve had numerous requests for a straight trigger, so we’re excited to offer this option,” Torres said.
The single-stage trigger has a 3.5-pound pull and a skeletonized hammer. The RA-434 HPT also has a drop safety feature, and it fits most .223/5.56 and .308 AR-style platforms.
Like all RISE products, the RA-434 HPT is manufactured and assembled in RISE’s Oklahoma-based facility according to stringent AS9100 aerospace requirements, and it is backed by RISE Armament’s lifetime guarantee. It is precision CNC machined from high-grade, heat-treated tool steel and aluminum. Each trigger group is contained in a black hardcoat anodized aluminum housing. Its self-contained design makes it easy to install with no fine-tuning needed.
The RA-434 HPT is immediately available and retails for $169.
About RISE Armament
Headquartered in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, RISE Armament designs and manufactures industry-leading firearms, parts, and accessories. All RISE products are manufactured according to strict AS9100-certified procedures for enhanced quality control. For more information, visitwww.risearmament.com.
The bear only went 50 yards before piling up along a scenic stretch of the remote river. It was like a dream come true. Creating adventure often means traveling ridiculous distances, and headeding into unknown territory and conditions. It took me four days to get to my bear hunting location, which included highway travel, commercial airlines, an expedited ride in a passenger van on one of North America’s roughest roads, followed by a boat ride to the remote Cree River Lodge. I hadn’t unpacked all my gear before I was down on the beach flinging arrows at the target butt with my TenPoint. My crossbow was dead-on and ready to hunt, just as I had prepared it at home.
Let’s say someone observant sees that I’m printing?
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. – Building on the popularity of its industry-leading AR triggers, RISE Armament is proud to introduce the RA-434 High-Performance Trigger.