Join the boys for this special Thanksgiving extravaganza episode!
The Handheld Side Saddle – A New Way To Reload
I recently found a video from a YouTube channel called Modern Tactical Shooting. The owner and host is a former Green Beret named Jeff Gurwitch, and he does a number of different types of videos. I’ve never watched his channel before, but his History of Shotguns in U.S. Special Forces during GWOT captured my attention. There are lots of lessons learned from the M4 and the GWOT, but there isn’t much info on the GWOT shotgun. The video is great, and I won’t cover the whole thing. However, I will cover an interesting way to reload the shotgun via a handheld side saddle.
You didn’t read that wrong, and I didn’t type it wrong. A handheld side saddle is what I meant to say. Do you know those uber-popular side-saddle shotgun cards? They are held to the gun via velcro and are quite popular these days. Jeff didn’t have those. He cut up a cheap bandolier, folded a portion over, and attached a loop of 550 cord. These fit into M4 mag pouches and allowed Jeff to retrieve them and quickly reload via what I’m calling a handheld side saddle.
It’s an interesting field expedient method to reload, but I wanted to see if it’s a viable option. I didn’t make my own shotgun cards. Instead, I turned to the Esstac shotgun cards. They already have a loop attached and fit perfectly in AR mag pouches.
The Handheld Side Saddle Reload
The idea behind this reload is simple. Use your nondominant hand to retrieve the side saddle. I use my thumb to grab the loop and pull the side saddle from the magazine. The firing hand can keep the gun oriented downrange and or in a workspace high-ready type position. My support hand is bringing the side saddle to my firing hand.
I use the loop to drop the handheld side saddle onto my firing hand thumb. My firing hand thumb can pin the side saddle down and keep it from flopping around. I still have a good firing grip on my gun, and the handheld side saddle is pinned to the gun. I can then use my support hand to retrieve shotgun shells from the loops and load the gun.
It was surprising how quick and easy it was to take rounds from the handheld side saddle and load the magazine tube. This method of reloading was efficient and effective. It was most effective in loading the tube. When it came time to conduct an emergency port reload, the length from the rear of the gun to the port made things a little slow, but not terribly so.
The Handheld Side Saddle Application
What’s the point of the handheld side saddle in 2023? Jeff Gurwitch didn’t have access to the modern side saddle designs from Aridus and Esstac. He made his own, and it made sense back then. Does it still make sense now? For a military member carrying a shotgun, then yeah, it still makes a lot of sense.
It’s unlikely your issued shotgun has a side saddle, and the military tends to frown on doing your own modifications, especially if you are using adhesives or removing bolts from the receiver. Shotgun-specific gear is also rare, so these allow you to make the most use of your stock M4 mag pouches.
The same could be said for some police forces. They may not allow side saddles, or due to how the shotguns are stored, the side saddles may not fit in racks or other storage options. Police forces might also not appreciate officers adding side saddles to their guns. Even if the guns do have side saddles, they might not be detachable or replaceable.
Finally, what about the average Joe? You can add any side saddle you want for your shotgun, so why not? It seems a little less needed in that situation, plus it’s unlikely the average Joe will empty their shotgun in a defensive encounter and be forced to reload. If they are forced to reload, will they have to reload beyond their side saddle? If they do, are they going to be wearing their load-bearing gear?
Reloading On the Go
The handheld side saddle technique isn’t necessarily super useful for the average Joe, but it’s still an effective technique and another tool you can put in the box. I did find it to be really useful for reloading pistol grip-only firearms like the Shockwave, so there is that.
Give it a try, and check out Modern Tactical Shooting. I am in the middle of the MP5 video, and it’s also fantastic. It’s a lot of great GWOT knowledge and first-hand experiences worth listening to.
The Black Friday Post
Ads keep the lights on folks, here they are! Sales!!!
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey!
You there.
Yes you.
Thank you for checking in and reading here with us at GAT Daily. But there’s a lot of stuff to do today. There are games to watch, foods to eat, people to be thankful for.
We here are thankful for all of you, readers. Coming and enjoying our reports, musings, ramblings, and so forth. Thank you from us to you.
Now go away! Close the browser for a moment, grab a hot drink and enjoy. We’ll get back to shopping offers and all the rest tomorrow!
It’s a Gun Rights Thanksgiving
Even with the announcement by the ATF that they are going after solvent trap silencers (as annoying is it was expected) the legal field is looking bright for gun rights.
In Oregon, the infamous Measure 114 was ruled to violate the state constitution. Defenders are crying that the “voter approved” measure that requires permitting, training, and a magazine capacity ban, was… well… voter approved.
That is merely a reminder that popularity and, literacy, competency, or expertise are different things. The law barely won in a solidly blue state but it will be defended and its downfall will be touted as an attack on democracy regardless of the fact that this is exactly how a democratically elected republic with an empowered judiciary is supposed to do things, like check laws constitutionality. If voters think that is wrong they are welcome to amend the state and federal constitutions.
Additionally Maryland also had their licensing scheme tossed. Turns out that you cannot require licensure for a civil right. Weird.
Go, Bruen! Go!
Happy Thanksgiving, folks.
Being Basic: Shootist
This week I’m covering 3 basic shooting drills that give a good basis to check your abilities. *DISCLAIMER* The range videos were intentionally long, uninterrupted shots to ensure the integrity of the targets. Not that the scores were impressive enough to fake. Printable B8 Center Repair Target: https://www.bigtexoutdoors.com/tap-rack-tactical-bill-blowers-b-8-target/ Drill #1: The Test. 10 rounds at 10 yards in 10 seconds https://www.ammoland.com/2016/01/larry-vickers-the-test-gun-training-drill/#axzz51ZiDQ0rS Drill #2: 25 Yard B8. Slow fire. No time standard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM8H8fvaGNk Drill #3: Acceleration. 7 yards. 1 second par time. https://pistol-training.com/drills/acceleration
Thanksgiving Gratitude
With Turkey Day bearing down hard upon us I thought I would share a few thoughts about what I have to be thankful for this year. As always, your mileage may vary, but I hope you still have something to be thankful for.
The key feature of retirement is TIME and for that I am immensely grateful this year.
Now that I am retired I am finding myself with time on my hands and hours to fill. But I have not been bored for a single minute. Well, maybe for a minute — before I looked around the house and saw another project that had been sitting for months waiting to be accomplished, and then off I went again.
I am thankful for those 17 nights of car-camping I did this summer. Because I had the time to do it and enjoy the process without feeling rushed.
I am thankful for another productive garden and canning season which I actually had leisure time to deal with, without cramming it all into corners of the weekends and evenings.
I am thankful for the time to go visit my adult kids in their home environments and do fun things together.
I am thankful for being able to reconnect with old friends that I’ve been too busy for.
I am thankful for crazy hunt-friends who kept their sense of humor when our only “kill” was a kitchen mouse.
I do not have a wild turkey to share with my family for Thanksgiving. Nor do I have fresh venison, though I do have a couple carefully hoarded vacuum-sealed packs of venison left from last year’s little doe, and I’m STILL thankful for that even a year later.
And I do have the memory of the single pellet that I managed to put into a wild duck as a follow-up shot to the shot a friend made. I know this because as she was breasting out the bird and cleaning it for mounting she found one of my hex pellets in the breast (She was shooting spherical pellets). So I’m thankful for the reinforcement that I “can” hit a wild duck on the wing with a 20 ga pawn shop pumpgun.
You can cherish memories even though you can’t eat them. But I DO have scads of garden produce with which to feed my family. Produce that I grew myself from seed. Some of that seed I saved myself from last year’s harvest. I used my time wisely and for that I am thankful.
But here is the downside to having time on my hands. I suddenly feel compelled to do girly projects which I could never manage before. I’m not sure that’s a good thing or not.
Case in point – I cleaned all the dead summer flowers out of a planter I had received as a retirement gift from a coworker and was suddenly seized with a need to re-dress it as a Thanksgiving centerpiece. Am I talented in this direction? Umm, no. But did that stop me from running all over Hobby Lobby trying to find appropriate supplies? Again, no.
This is where the insanity kicks in. So I get home and discover that I probably need some kind of foam to stick stuff in. I had already spent 40 bucks at HL on a tablecloth and various fall greenery, but did I go back and buy florist foam? Of course not. I went outside to the curb and dug through my own garbage in front of the neighbors to retrieve packing foam that had arrived with my air fryer a few days previous. Waste not, want not, amirite? That part of me will never fade away – retired or not. It may even get worse (I am not a hoarder, I am not a hoarder …)
So all of this to say that I have a great deal to be thankful for this holiday season and I hope that you do as well. Remember the Four Rules of Firearm Safety as you hit the deer woods or the range this holiday. Be Safe and Be Thankful. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
ATF issues guidance letter to FFLs on Solvent Traps and Silencers.
Linked here.
OPEN LETTER TO ALL FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly marketed as “solvent traps” and has determined that some of them are “firearm silencers” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA) and as defined in the National Firearms Act
(NFA).
“Solvent traps” are marketed as devices that attach to firearm barrels to catch excess solvent used when cleaning firearms. ATF has not classified any device as a “solvent trap,” because that term does not exist in the relevant Federal statutes or implementing regulations.
However, ATF has classified numerous devices as “firearm silencers,” even though they are marketed as “solvent traps.”
The test for whether an item is a silencer is not the label a manufacturer or retailer applies. Rather, it is the way the statute written by Congress applies to the item.
Both the GCA and NFA regulate “firearm silencers.” The term “firearm muffler or firearm silencer” is defined under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(25) and 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a)(7) as—
any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm,
including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use
in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part
intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.
Some of the devices commonly marketed as solvent traps have been determined to meet the definition of “firearm silencer” because they have the objective design features and characteristics indicating that the device is “for” reducing the report of a portable firearm. Although solvent traps are generally marketed as having an intended use other than as a silencer, e.g., filtering firearm cleaning solvent, that is not determinative under the statute. ATF must consider a device’s objective design features, including the uses of which a part is capable, as part of the inquiry into whether the device is a silencer. See, e.g., Sig Sauer v. Brandon, 826 F.3d 598 (1st Cir. 2016).
For example, holes (or marks indicating where holes should be drilled) that allow the passage of a projectile are clear indicators that the device or component parts may be properly classified as “firearm silencers,” because this allows the propellant gasses to expand and cool. By contrast, a hole serves no purpose in collecting solvent or debris and is actually contrary to the purported use of a “solvent trap.” The presence of indexing marks to drill a hole is not a prerequisite to classification as a “firearm silencer”; it is merely an example of such evidence.
Other such characteristics may include baffles, spacers, ported inner sleeve or tube, expansion chamber, end caps, and dampening material, depending on the particular design of the device. While increasing the effectiveness of a firearm silencer, these same objective design features offer no advantages in collecting or filtering cleaning solvent.
Over the years, many companies involved in marketing such “solvent traps” have asserted that they are permitted to manufacture, transfer, or import these items because they are not yet “complete” and therefore do not qualify as “firearm silencers” under Federal law. However, this assertion is incorrect because a component of a “firearm silencer” need not be fully functional before it is recognized as a “part intended only for use” in assembling or fabricating a “firearm silencer.”
In fact, Congress explicitly chose to regulate a combination of parts intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer and “any part intended only for use” in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer. See 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(25). Accordingly, a silencer part
intended only for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer is, itself, regulated as a “firearm muffler or firearm silencer” under both the GCA and NFA. For example, a silencer end cap falls under the federal definition of a “firearm silencer or firearm muffler” at 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(25) and therefore it is regulated as a silencer under the GCA and NFA even when the silencer end cap is individually sold and transferred and not installed as a component part of a silencer. Therefore, the importation, manufacture, and transfer of such silencer parts must comply with the provisions of the GCA and NFA.
Furthermore, Federal courts have held a device can be a silencer for the purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(25) even if it is not operable in its current state. These courts have held that the Federal statute does not limit the definition of a silencer to “a device that silences, muffles, or
diminishes.” See United States v. Carter, 465 F.3d 658 (6th Cir. 2006); United States v. Rose, 522 F.3d 710 (6th Cir. 2008); United States v. Rogers, 270 F.3d 1076 (7th Cir.2001); United States v. Syverson, 90 F.3d 227 (7th Cir. 1996). This is consistent with Congress’ intention to
regulate all devices “designed and intended” to be used as silencers, not just those devices that are currently in a completed state, such that they will reduce the report of firearms when attached.
The “solvent trap” devices that are silencers cannot be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) by an individual purchaser. Specifically, the NFA, 26 U.S.C. § 5841, mandates that the “manufacturer, importer, or maker shall register each firearm he manufactures, imports, or makes.” Therefore, it is unlawful to manufacture “firearm silencers” for transfer to individuals who have applied to make that same firearm by filing an ATF Form 1. These firearms have not been registered by the manufacturer by the close of the next business day after manufacture in compliance with federal regulation. 27 CFR 479.103. An NFA firearm that has already been made/manufactured in violation of the NFA may not be registered by the current possessor.
Both the GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 922(l), and NFA, 26 U.S.C. § 5844, generally prohibit the importation of “firearm silencers”, except under certain authorized exceptions and with required licensing and registration.
Current possessors of these purported “solvent traps” that are silencers are encouraged to contact ATF for further guidance on how they may divest possession. If you are uncertain whether the device you possess is a “firearm silencer” as defined by the GCA and NFA, please contact your local ATF Field Office. You may consult the Local ATF Office’s webpage for office contact information.
Archon: A New Handgun Series with PTR Industries
I like seeing new guns enter and re-enter the sphere. Some are certainly wild. Others, neat. A few probably should have stayed as ideas. When PTR put the Archon Firearms™ Gen 1 Type B by PTR™ and the Archon Gen 2 Type B by PTR™ semi-automatic pistols on sale this morning (shipping soon) I definitively got the “neat” vibe.
I love the “neat” vibe.
The “neat” vibe is someone trying to do something a little different, but also practical, and the results could be spectacular. The Archon Firearms™ Gen 1 Type B by PTR™ and the Archon Gen 2 Type B by PTR™ (yes, I’m using the full names to help the search engines do their searching, technology folks) seem to be what I like to call public introductory production prototypes.
What is a production prototype? It is the final version of a device that is not intended to be changed again before release.
So… what is a public introductory production prototype? It is the opposite. It is a design that already has new variants planned, but that has versions ready that are commercially viable. Most gun ‘series’ start with what is essentially a introductory production prototype. PTR has two versions of the new handgun ready with optics ready coming next.
Another example in the space was EOTech’s VUDU launch. The 1-6x was essentially a proof of concept that had commercial viability, but the 1-8x and 1-10x optics are superior designs.
From PTR,
The Archon Firearms™ semi-automatic pistols are innovative compact, high‑performance handguns that utilize a low bore axis and patented breech locking system, known as AF-Speedlock®. This inventive design eliminates the need for a tilting barrel allowing for the entire slide of the firearm to be dropped lower into the grip. These two innovative features act together to significantly reduce muzzle rise, allowing for less felt recoil and much faster target re-acquisition.
PTR™ is now offering two models of the Archon Firearms™ semi-automatic pistols the Archon Gen 1 Type B by PTR™ and the Archon Gen 2 Type B by PTR™, with additional models to follow.
Download the specs below.
Find more or order here too.
Enjoy Thanksgiving folks!
Taming the Shockwave Part 1 – The Hand Stop
I’m always looking for a way to improve my control with shotguns. I love shooting shotguns, and they tend to be heavy recoiling. The best recoil mitigation technique you can use is the push/pull technique created by Rob Haught. My efforts typically revolve around making the push/pull more efficient and easier to do. My latest shotgun technique revolver is around trying to mitigate the recoil of stock shotguns or firearms by adding a hand stop. I’ve tried vertical grips, and they work well, but they tend to add a lot of bulk to a fairly lithe weapon.
A hand stop is that device you’ll commonly find on short carbines and subguns. It’s designed to keep your hand from drifting in front of the barrel. I tried the technique before by mounting a hand stop to the bottom of the pump and bracing my hand against the stop leading with my pointer finger. What I got was the bite of recoil, all focused on my pointer finger. It worked, but it hurt.
It really hurt. Recently, it dawned on me: what if I moved the handstop from the bottom of the gun to the side of the gun? On an M-LOK pump, I was able to easily attach a hand stop to the side of the pump. My thought process was that the meaty part of your hand could absorb the recoil better than a single lone finger. I strapped the hand stop up, grabbed some various strength loads, and hit the range.
Hand Stops and Shockwaves
I started with mini-shells. They have fairly low recoil and should give me an idea if this will be more painful with other loads. Prior to firing, I did notice that the gun felt quite stable, and I could push harder against the stop than I normally can with just a good grip on the pump. I helped the rear grip fairly close to my face, ready to accept the punch I might get if it didn’t work.
Mini shells proved not to be a painful problem, so I switched low recoil buckshot and let it fly. Oops, it proved not to be super comfortable, but nowhere near as painful as the original hand stop on the bottom of the pump. It was a solid hit to the meaty part of my hand. The hand stop still made my push-pull more efficient and kept me from getting punched in the face. The gun barely moved upward, and there was a big difference between using the hand stop and not with a Shockwave.
It’s still painful. It’s not great for more than a few rounds. I began to conspire about how to make it a little comfier, which led me to a roll of electrical tape and some packing foam. I cut out thin layers of packing foam and stacked it against the hand stop. I secured the foam with tape and went back out the foam.
Packing Foam and Tape
I grabbed the same low-recoil buckshot and my Shockwave and gave it another try. The foam massively reduced pain and discomfort and made shooting the gun much easier. It wasn’t perfect or without its discomfort. Your wrist and hand are still eating the entire recoil impulse. However, it’s much easier to stretch the gun outwards a bit to control the gun and keep it on target.
I didn’t receive a bloody lip, either. I could quickly and easily put multiple rounds on the target quite quickly with little difficulty. It will tire you out a bit, and your wrist will start to feel the impact. Plus, the foam and tape start to work their way off the hand stop. It’s far from perfect, but it’s a start.
I feel like a better option would be a soft pad thick enough to press against the pump. This helps mitigate hand and wrist pain while adding to the ability to stretch the gun. I’m back to the drawing board, and part 2 of taming the Shockwave might involve some concocted pad design, but you’ll have to wait and see.
Double Stack 1911 9mm: The Groundbreaking TWC from Jacob Grey
Jacob Grey Firearms, an up-and-coming name in firearms innovation, proudly introduces the TWC 9 (Throwback With Capacity), a double-stack 1911 platform handgun built out of billet and designed to set a new standard in the world of handguns. The TWC 9, with its exceptional features and meticulous craftsmanship, promises to deliver an unparalleled shooting experience for discerning handgun enthusiasts.
At the heart of the TWC 9 DS 1911 is a 4.25″ stainless steel bull barrel, meticulously engineered for precision and performance. This barrel ensures both accuracy and durability, making it ideal for any shooting scenario. By utilizing a Nowlin ramp, this barrel ensures repetition, durability, and accuracy. Making it ideal for any shooting scenario you’re faced with.
What truly sets the TWC 9 apart is its fully CNC machined lower grip and upper frame, both crafted from aerospace-grade billet 7075 aluminum. This exceptional material choice not only enhances the pistol’s structural integrity but also reduces weight, providing a comfortable and balanced shooting experience. Utilizing our close tolerance aerospace roots, the TWC 9 fit is tight and smooth resulting in a flat shooting handgun that easily stays on target.
One of the standout features of the TWC 9 is its CRT™ (Controlled Radius Trigger). Crafted from billet aluminum, this trigger is CNC machined as a single monolithic part, ensuring smooth, crisp and consistent 3.5lb trigger pulls, shot after shot.
The TWC slide, another masterpiece of engineering, is machined from stainless steel and treated with a salt bath nitriding process. This not only results in a lustrous and lasting finish but also adds to the handgun’s overall rugged durability.
“Jacob Grey is all about a passion for excellence. This TWC 9 is a throwback to our first love, the 1911. It is the pinnacle of our pursuit of the perfect weapon” said Jacob Brackett, CEO for Jacob Grey Firearms.
Jay Duncan, VP of Marketing for Jacob Grey, commented, “The TWC 9 is the result of extensive research and market landscape analysis to find the sweet spot of quality, value, and features to meet the demands of discerning handgun owners.”
Todd Neice, President of Sales & Marketing “I wanted to utilize our tech and aerospace history and combine it with the Jacob Grey Custom 1911 successes to build a production gun that is priced right and second to none in quality. Once you get your hands on this firearm you will quickly see that we succeeded.”
The TWC 9 effortlessly combines style and function. Designed to be optic-ready for both RMR and RMSc red dot optic mounting, it accommodates the needs of modern shooters who seek accuracy and versatility. The firearm also features an XS Sights tritium front sight, with the rear sight integrated into the optic plate or filler plate, both of which are suppressor height.
Additional enhancements include an integrated flared magazine well for quick and easy reloads, an ambidextrous safety for versatile use, and a full two-piece guide rod system for added reliability. The TWC accepts standard 2011 magazines. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the TWC 9 is its remarkable affordability, with a retail price of just $2,499.99. Jacob Grey is dedicated to providing exceptional value without compromising on quality or performance.
The TWC 9 is a testament to Jacob Grey’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the firearms industry. It embodies the company’s dedication to delivering top-tier handguns that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
Find more information: read about the Jacob Grey Firearms TWC 9 double stack 1911 9mm.
About Jacob Grey Firearms:
Jacob Grey Firearms is a fast-growing brand in the firearms industry, recognized for its precision, innovation, and commitment to quality. With a diverse range of cutting-edge firearms and accessories, Jacob Grey Firearms caters to the needs of both professionals and passionate enthusiasts. As an AS9100-certified manufacturing facility, the company upholds the highest quality standards derived from its aerospace background.
The M13 Aircrew Revolvers – The Colt and S&W Collab
If I had a nickel for every time the US government hired S&W and Colt to produce what was practically the same revolver, I’d have two nickels. It’s not a lot, but it’s odd that it’s happened more than once. In World War 1, both companies produced the Model 1917 revolvers that chambered .45 ACP and were used to supplement the M1911. However, oops, they did it again with the M13 Aircrew revolver.
The M13 Aircrew Revolver – The Air Force is Special
Have you ever noticed that the Air Force is really special when it comes to small arms? They kept the S&W M15 in service until only recently. They have a fancy takedown AR and tend to just have weird guns lying around. That’s not always bad, and it’s primarily how we were able to get the M16 adopted.
In a post-World War 2 world, the Air Force decided pilots needed a new weapon. If they had to eject from their fighter pilots down to a horde of commies, we wanted the American fighting man to be armed. What the Air Force wanted was an ultralight handgun, and it being the 1950s, it seemed simple to just go with a revolver.
By this time, we had the Colt Cobra and the S&W Model 36, but apparently, they were too heavy. The Air Force wanted them to be even lighter. Colt got the initial contract and began producing the first M13 Survival Revolver. The frame and cylinder would be made from aluminum, but the barrel would at least be steel.
The M13 was a typical snub nose revolver with a six-shot cylinder, but it used lighter materials. The total package weighed a mere 11 ounces and had the super sweet Air Force emblem in the grips. Colt called it the Aircrewman.
S&W’s Turn
Colt only produced a very small number of these guns for the Air Force before S&W got the contract. Cotl made less than 2,000 of these revolvers. It’s not totally clear why Colt lost the contract to S&W, but S&W ended up making 40,000 M13 revolvers.
The S&W Model 13 is made from the Model 12. The Model 12 was a lightweight variant of the Model 10. The Model 13 for the Air Force replaced the standard cylinder with the lighter aluminum cylinder. S&W also produced the M13 for the everyday Joe, which was called the Military and Police Airweight.
Problems Arose
Oh boy, well, it turns out the aluminum cylinder was a bad idea. Aluminum is great if it doesn’t have to hold the explosion created by a round being fired. Both the Colt and S&W M13 revolvers began to have problems with the cylinder and frames cracking and splitting. The Ari Force had a genius idea, and it wasn’t accept a revolver that weighs four ounces more.
Instead, they decided to produce a special lowered powered .38 Special load. The new load was called the Caliber .38 Ball, M41 Round. The low-powered round fired a 130-grain round at 725 feet per second. It’s not quite a powerhouse of a round.
Still, the revolvers could accept standard .38 Special, and that could have been a problem. The Air Force ditched the idea entirely, and they destroyed the majority of the M13 revolvers. This makes survivors fairly rare, especially Colt survivors. A recent auction saw a S&W example selling for 4,500 dollars.
So that’s twice I’ve found Colt and S&W making basically the same gun with minor differences for the United States military. Is there a third? If so, I hope to find it!
Gunday Brunch 127: Shotguns
Join Caleb as he goes into a 12 minute unscripted rant about why shotguns are awesome for home defense, and since Jack and Keith aren’t here, they can’t stop him!
SIG’s MCX-Rattler gets the LT Upgrade
The new MCX-Rattler LT: All of the breakthrough features of the original MCX-Rattler now in a more modular, more capable package. Designed to meet the needs of Special Operations forces, the MCX-Rattler LT features fully ambidextrous controls, including an ambidextrous bolt-catch, bolt-release an adjustable gas piston for suppressed and unsuppressed use, and is fitted with the SIG QD suppressor-ready flash hider and a flat-blade trigger for ultimate control.
The MCX-Rattler LT also has either a cold hammer forged 6.75″ or 7.75″ barrel and is now fully compatible with all MCX barrels and handguards making it the ultimate modular package.
Available in 300BLK, 5.56 NATO, as well as 7.62X39 calibers.
I still think the Rattler pistol grip is goofy. It reminds me of a gas station knife, but other than that… neat!
The ambidextrous lowers, the open trigger compatibility, and the ability to drop these uppers on any AR lower at want or need make the SPEAR LT and Rattler LT highly competitive modern rifles in the space.
XS R3D 2.0 Night Sights Now Available for HK Pistols
Fort Worth, Texas (November, 2023) – XS® Sights is now offering its new R3D 2.0 dual-illumination, tritium night sights for HK pistols. Designed to improve speed and accuracy in all light conditions, these second-generation R3D notch and post sights for personal defense are ideal for those looking to upgrade their factory sights.
Available with a high-contrast Orange or Green Glow Dot front sight, the R3D 2.0 is even easier to install than the original models. The two rear tritium dots are bigger and brighter than those in the original R3D and have a PVC ring surrounding the rear sight lamps for a more defined edge. This improves sight picture and further differentiates the front dot from the rear sight lamps. The serrated, blacked out rear sight also reduces glare. When paired with the high-contrast Orange or Green dual-illuminated photoluminescent Glow Dot front sight with tritium vile, the R3D 2.0 provides more visible indexing for precision alignment.
“We have improved the R3D night sights to enhance firearm owners’ shooting experience, and that includes an even easier installation process,” said Addison Monroe, Digital Marketing Manager, XS Sights. “The new EasyPress features in these second-generation sights eliminate the need for filing and hammering and reduce the force needed for installation by up to 50%.”
The R3D 2.0 is also treated with a BlackNitride finish with double the corrosion resistance of the original black oxide surface treatment for increased durability.
Available for the following HK models:
Standard Height: HK VP9, VP9 OR, P30, 45, 45C
Suppressor Height: HK VP9 OR
Retail Price: Standard Height $131.99, Suppressor Height $142.99
All XS sights are backed by a 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. The company also offers a 12-year warranty on all tritium products and a limited lifetime warranty on all other products. For more information, visit www.xssights.com.
About XS Sights
XS Sights is known for making the fastest sights in any light. For more than 25 years, the XS team has created some of the most innovative sights on the market today for pistols, rifles and shotguns. Whether used for personal defense or hunting, these sights are designed and built to be the absolute best for their specific purpose. American Made. Texas Proud. 2A Strong.