Double Stack 1911 9mm: The Groundbreaking TWC from Jacob Grey

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November 20, 2023

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.

TWC double stack 1911 9mm on a white background.

“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

By

Travis Pike

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November 20, 2023

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.

The Colt M13 featured fancy grips (Old Colt)

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 version is a little less rare (Legacy Collectibles)

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

By

Keith Finch

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November 19, 2023

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

By

Keith Finch

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November 17, 2023

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

By

Keith Finch

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November 17, 2023

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.

The Ruger ReadyDot – An Odd Duck

By

Travis Pike

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November 17, 2023

Red dots on handguns are quickly becoming the norm. These days, if your handgun isn’t optic cut, it feels dated. Even revolvers these days are coming optics ready. It’s no surprise that firearm companies are producing their own optics, and the Ruger Ready Dot is one of the first to come out from a major manufacturer. The ReadyDot has a rather interesting design and a fairly low price point. At 100 bucks, it’s one of the more affordable designs on the market.

Price is one thing, but what about design? The Ruger ReadyDot was a bit of a surprise because it is completely battery-free and powered by a fiber optic that absorbs light. More than that, it’s adjustment-free. The optic automatically adjusts to varying lighting conditions and cannot be zeroed. It’s pre-zeroed at the factory to sit in the center of the screen.

That alone was controversial but intriguing enough for me to check it out. Ruger sent me a ReadyDot, and I plopped it on my SIG P322 for testing. The ReadyDot uses the RMSc footprint and was designed mostly for the Ruger MAX-9 handgun. The red dot is a rather massive 15 MOA, making it the largest dot I’m aware of.

Sighting In With the Ruger Ready Dot

One of the benefits of being the most minimalist dot on the market is the fact it sits super low. Low enough to cowtiness to standard height sights, which is nice. Typically, I’d go over zero, but that’s not a thing with this dot. So, let’s talk about what you see through the optic. Most red dots have a blueish tint to them or sometimes a purple tint. The ReadyDot has a very dark blue tint to it.

The darker tint helps reflect more red light from the emitter to make the dot appear brighter without the need for more power. The fiber optics sits on top of the optic is easy to see under a translucent cover. The dot is quite large, very large, as you’d imagine. With an optic that you can’t zero, the big dot makes it more likely you’ll hit something the dot lays on.

The brightness self-adjusts and does so rather quickly. In dim environments, it is still visible, but only barely. When you flick the lights on or step outside, the dot fires up and gets fairly large and bright. The dot is very easy to see and fairly crisp and nice looking.

At the Range

So how well does a dot you can’t zero work? Surprisingly better than I expected. Within 15 yards, it’s easy to get some lead on target with little difficulty. The big dot covers such a large portion of the target that it’s tough to miss. Big dots are easy to see, and they really stand out when you present the handgun.

I used a 10-inch gong as my target at five, ten, and fifteen yards. Against a timer, I was able to land subsecond shots on target from a low ready with no accuracy issues. I did a failure to stop the drill on another steel target over and over and was ringing steel the entire time.

When I put the dot on paper, it falls apart. My of my shots were hitting high and right. A nice tight group at the top edge of the dot. A little high at 15 yards isn’t terrible. If we extend the range to 25 yards, it becomes more of a problem. At 25 yards, the dot is bigger than my six-inch gong. This makes it pretty tough to hit a target you can’t see.

Bad guys aren’t as small as 6-inch gongs, and with a center mass aim, I would be able to put lead in a bad guy if need be, even at 25 yards. I hit a full-sized steel IPSC target over and over with that center mass hold. The ReadyDot is made for close-range shooting, and in that realm, it works.

The Problem With the ReadyDot

Red dots are beneficial for a few reasons. They are faster, which is preserved with the ReadyDot. Another is it extends your range because the reticle is smaller than the target. A 15 MOA dot is still roughly the size of a front sight. You lose that benefit with the ReadyDot. It’s a close-range tool, and that’s it. It sucks in low light, and is impossible to use if you’re in low light like some shade, and your target is not.

The Benefits of the ReadyDot

The ReadyDot is beneficial for folks new to red dots. Its MSRP is 100 bucks, but I’ve seen it for as low as 65 dollars. It allows you to learn the basics of red dot use without investing super heavily into a red dot. This is a great tool for the gun owner who only sees their gun as a defensive tool and doesn’t necessarily enjoy shooting or training. It’s still faster and easier to use than iron sights. Ruger wisely pairs these with the MAX-9, and that’s probably the best way to do it.

Being Ready

The ReadyDot wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but it’s far from perfect. It has a niche purpose, and I think Ruger is smart to do package deals with their MAX-9 series. For a new shooter or shooter not interested in anything other than self-defense, it’s not a bad tool. It’s not for me, but it serves as a great introduction to red dot sights.

What Qualifies as “Grandma’s Gun”

By

Keith Finch

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November 16, 2023

Firearms Easy to Use for the Elderly, Injured, or Infirm

For those of us blessed with reasonably good health, firearms handling comes easy. We can hold a rifle or shotgun with both hands and into our shoulders. We can work the slides and cylinders of modern handguns. A trigger press is easily managed. Recoil is just something the gun does.

But that isn’t the case for everyone.

For those people in their 60’s, 70’s, or older even, for those with injuries that limit their strength or their range of motion, and for those permanently handicapped in any physical way that limits what they can lift, squeeze, or the dexterity with which they can operate a button, lever, or switch, all of our common mobility means nothing.

Those physically disadvantaged also mean for more physical vulnerability. You or I, in our health and strength, have reasonable odds of surviving and repelling a physical assault with just our physical assets. They do not. These people may rely more heavily on a firearm than ever before in their lives and that we can currently imagine for their safety from attack. A male looking to get in an altercation with me risks far more than a woman in her 70’s, unless that grandmother happens to have a defense tool she can use.

The ‘Grandma Gun’ is that type of tool. A firearm built with advantages for those with physical disadvantages. Slides are easier to move, buttons are larger, recoil is less, but the effect against an aggressive person or animal will still be enough.

Here are some examples of “Grandma Guns”

Shield 380 EZ

One of the best examples of a Grandma Gun is Smith & Wesson’s 380 EZ. Built with extra safety features along the lines of a 1911, the Performance Center 380 EZ shown above also exhibits low recoil, acceptable capacity, bright sights, and an easy to operate slide. For weakened eyes, hands, wrists, and even the inability to use one or the other hand the pistol is built to give advantage back to the user.

Ruger LCR/LCRx .22LR/.22WMR

The older generation grew up with revolvers and good revolver options still exist in spades. The LCR and LCRx from Ruger are examples of the modern craft. They are available in a variety of calibers, however .22LR with some .22 Punch inside or .22 WMR may serve the role as a just right amount of response while being able to be handled by someone too physically infirm for a full powered firearm system. The sight options and comfort of the grip also lend themselves to to this use case.

Where this won’t serve is if they cannot pull the double action trigger on their own. Fitment is crucial, especially with someone with limitations. They cannot improvise, adapt, and overcome the way of able-bodied individuals.

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7

This gun was a wildcard breakout, review here, the 5.7×28 round quite literally punches above its weight with 40gr JHP rounds doing some more serious work without disruptive recoil. The M&P 5.7 exhibits many of the same easy handling characteristics of the EZ line, however it adds ammunition and performance. 22 rounds in the gun! Optics ready for k footprint options. Extremely low recoil. Extremely accurate. Light and predictable trigger. Low pressure and easy to work slide, magazine catch/release, and slide stop.

The hardest thing about the M&P 5.7 is loading the magazine, and a loader is provided to assist. 22 rounds that can be rapidly and accurately sent where they need to go without abusing the sender. It’s a wildcat, but with the surge in popularity of the round it is a strong contender and worth seeing if it’ll serve.

Mossberg 500 Bantam

A low recoiling pump action .410 with PDX1 or 00 buck is miles ahead of a sharp stick as a home defense long gun. At only 6lbs it isn’t super heavy and with 6 shots and a simple pump it will operate easily too. The shorter 13″ LOP is more favorable for smaller frames too. If smaller is need the 505 and 510 also exist as smaller still. The 510 limits capacity to 2+1 but it is small and PDX1 is a very significant shot per shot round.

The Blackfoot 2.0 From Montana Knife Company

By

Travis Pike

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November 16, 2023

There is something to be said about the handiness of a small fixed-blade knife. The tiny nature of these tools makes them extremely handy in the field, but they also won’t weigh your belt down and turn ounces into pounds. Fixed blades are more durable than any folder, and small fixed blades are excellent bushcraft tools. Knives like the Montana Knife Company Blackfoot 2.0 are the perfect example of what a small fixed should be.

The Blackfoot 2 packs a 3.5-inch blade and an overall length of 7.75 inches. The knife only weighs 3.6 ounces, making it quite light for packing in and out. MKC uses 52100 ball-bearing steel, which isn’t your typical knife steel. It’s a very rugged and strong steel that can get quite sharp. It can rust, so take care of your knife. The handles are made from G10, which offers a comfy but firm set of handles.

As you’d expect from a premium bladesmith, the Blackfoot is a full-tang knife. The grips are just scales that are bolted on. You can pry, twist, and work hard with the Blackfoot, and you won’t run into any problems.

Demands of the Blackfoot 2.0

The Blackfoot 2.0 aims to be the toughest little knife you’ve ever owned. It’s no chopper designed to clear a campground, but it’s light, handy, and perfect for everyday tasks. The blade has a nice big belly for deep cuts. A drop point blade makes it quite versatile for a very wide variety of tasks.

The Blackfoot 2.0 delivers a working knife. It’s perfect for skinning games and butchering animals. Since it’s bow season in Florida, I’m waiting patiently for the right whitetail to break down with this thing. Until then, it’s chopped up chicken into bite-sized, taco-appropriate pieces very quickly. That curved belly allows the blade to glide through meat very efficiently. The thin nature of the blade allows it to slide between bones and remove meat without leaving much behind.

The blade comes from MKC insanely sharp, impressively so. It saddens me because I doubt I’ll ever be capable of getting it this sharp again. That’s on me and my lack of knife-sharpening skills. I’ll probably just get it professionally sharpened when the time comes, which doesn’t seem soon. It’s remained quite sharp over the last few months.

In the Hand

The shape of the Blackfoot’s grip is curved just right to lock your hand between the rear of the knife and the blade. The slight inward humps keep the knife positioned between your pinky and pointer finger. Your pointer is positioned perfectly to work with your thumb to help steer the knife for clean and stable cuts. It’s a comfy grip, and your hand doesn’t fight with an unnatural shape. This keeps your hand comfortable and prevents fatigue.

The Blackfoot comes with an awesome kydex sheath. It’s lightweight and well-made. The sheath comes with a belt mount, and the belt mount can be manipulated to mount the knife at nearly any angle. It’s made in America, too, which is a nice touch from another made-in-America company.

Slice and Dice

MKC makes some excellent knives. They are a small business making excellent tools for hard-working people. As you’d imagine, this isn’t the 30-dollar knife you order on Amazon. It’s a premium knife with a rightfully premium price tag.

Overall, you can see the care and attention to detail that went into the Blackfoot. It’s very well made and thought out. It feels like every curve and sweep was well-planned and executed properly. The Blackfoot is an excellent bushcraft knife and is a solid option for hunters, fishermen, and hikers who need something small and tough.

Gunfight Timer: Micro-Drills for Defensive Shooting.

By

The Suited Shootist

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November 15, 2023

Target Barn sent me a shot timer, so I decided to take advantage of the Stay at Home order and get in some dry practice. There’s a lot of things you can use the timer for a lot more than just flexing on the ‘Gram. I give a brief overview and familiarization of the Pocket Pro II, and talk about a couple exercises you can do to improve your shooting. Drills start @ 4:43: https://youtu.be/XgpKLtvvTDI?t=283 Try it out for yourself! Here’s the “unboxing” video: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-2o16EJiDd/?igshid=893jnsyv26vb

I Remember When These Were $499

By

Keith Finch

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November 15, 2023

My first rifle was an Arsenal SGL-20, a green 7.62x39mm AK. While I wanted a decked out M16A4 or M4A1 type clone from Colt or BCM at the time, I was a poor PFC reservist. So $629 was more my speed.

That got me onto the path of enjoying com-bloc firearms at affordable prices. The one I kept trying and failing to save for (I was terrible with money in my youth and didn’t make much of it) was the PSL 54. This despite the fact that they were available for $499 on the shelf of my LGS and I remember seeing $449 at an online location where you wouldn’t get to pick it but it would arrive. They weren’t even charging extra for the 4x PSO-1 Optics at the time.

Oh what a mistake…

The PSL 54 followed the classic Kalashnikov problem solving method of “make the AK do it” that resulted in the RPK and PKM. The Dragunov is actually as different a rifle from the AK as the M14 is from the M1 Garand, but the PSL is just a stretched AK/RPK made to feed 7.62x54r.

If it isn’t broke, do not fix it. If it doesn’t do the thing, modify at little as possible and as simply as possible to do the thing.

The PSL and its aged but still full power rifle cartridge has seen worldwide conflict as a DMR-ish rifle. It certainly isn’t how the west builds a DMR but for the conscript and merc-volunteer types of Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East it is a step up from the iron sight AKs that users would adjust the sights on to turn up the ‘power’ of the gun. A little training and users can be effective to the 800 yards or so of a competent 7.62 NATO user.

It isn’t really accurate enough to be a solid marksman rifle, especially with the most widely available surplus ball ammo, and its capacity is half that of battle rifles. So it inhabits this weird niche of looking pretty cool with moderate, but sub-par, practical efficacy… like the M14. Better than a sharp stick, but modern solutions abound.

So if you are chasing an aesthetic or a vibe for fun, these are fun. They were super attractive when 7.62x54r surplus was everywhere too. I do regret not snagging one, although given my purchase and sell history at the time I would likely have not held onto it as I ought.

Anywho, PSL 54 readers. Give the 9-Hole crew their like too, don’t forget!

Veterans Day Weekend Legal Wins – Braces and Frames

By

Keith Finch

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November 14, 2023

5thdistrictcourt — Image via St Clair Record

In back to back progress making court wins rolling into the Veterans Day weekend, both the ATFs pistol brace rule and their receiver/frame rule were given harsh judgements by US Judges.

First, US District Court Judge Mathew Kacsmaryk enjoined the whole of the nation from enforcement of the pistol stabilizing brace rule.

“Public safety concerns must be addressed in ways that are lawful. This rule is not,” Kacsmaryk stated.

Previous decisions only covered the specifically named plaintiffs, FPC members and Maxim Defense customers specifically. The rule has not been thrown out, it has been barred from enforcement pending further decisions.

Then the Fifth Curcuit ruled that the ATF lacked the authority to adopt a final rule as sweeping as the one they implemented in April of 2022.

Circuit Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt authored the majority opinion for the three-judge panel. Engelhardt found that the final rule constitutes unlawful agency action because it “flouts clear statutory text and exceeds the legislatively-imposed limits on agency authority in the name of public policy.” Thus, Engelhardt ruled that the final rule is “limitless” and the Gun Control Act (GCA) does not allow the final rule.

The ATF essentially made up additional authority and definitions to try and get the jobs the administration was placing upon it done instead of firmly relying on Congress to amend the law as is its duty and then the ATF enforcing clearly enumerated law.

While none of these settles either case in finality, they are more procedural victories and continue the momentum established by Bruen in clearing out bad firearms laws from the legal quagmire.

Still to come is a US Supreme Court decision on the grounds of misdemeanors of domestic violence and firearms rights. As law and policy stands now, domestic violence misdemeanors remove firearms rights permanently from a person. But this is not a penalty for any other misdemeanor level offense. Certainly domestic violence is a serious threat, as is any form of violence, but if the offense given and convicted of is not above the misdemeanor level does it warrant the permanent removal of the right to bear arms?

Per ATF,

A “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” is an offense that:

Is a misdemeanor under federal, state, or tribal law;
Has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon; and
Was committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, or by a person who has a current or recent former dating relationship with the victim.

The term “dating relationship” means a relationship between individuals who have or have recently had a continuing serious relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.

Whether a relationship constitutes a “dating relationship” shall be determined based on consideration of:

the length of the relationship;
the nature of the relationship; and
the frequency and type of interaction between the individuals involved in the relationship.

A casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization in a business or social context does not constitute a “dating relationship.”

However, a person is not considered to have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence unless:

The person was represented by counsel in the case, or knowingly and intelligently waived the right of counsel in the case; and
In the case of a prosecution for which a person was entitled to a jury case was tried, either –
- The case was tried by a jury, or
- The person knowingly and intelligently waived the right to have the case tried by a jury, by guilty plea or otherwise.

In addition, a conviction would not be disabling if it has been expunged or set aside, or is an offense for which the person has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored (if the law of the jurisdiction in which the proceedings were held provides for the loss of civil rights upon conviction for such an offense) unless the pardon, expunction, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms, and the person is not otherwise prohibited by the law of the jurisdiction in which the proceedings were held from receiving or possessing firearms.

In the case of a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an individual in a dating relationship; a conviction would not be disabling if it has been expunged or set aside, or is an offense for which the person has been pardoned or has had firearms rights restored unless the expungement, pardon, or restoration of rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms. If the person has no more than one such conviction, and is not otherwise prohibited, the person shall not be disqualified from shipping, transport, possession, receipt, or purchase of a firearm if 5 years have elapsed from the later of the judgment of conviction or the completion of the person’s custodial or supervisory sentence, if any, and the person has not subsequently been convicted of another such offense, a misdemeanor under Federal, State, Tribal, or local law which has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, or any other offense that would disqualify the person. NICS shall be updated to reflect the status of the person

Restoration after 5 years, as described above, is not available for a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.

[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(33); 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(37); 27 CFR 478.11]

Michigan, as an example, has two domestic violence levels and both with a misdemeanor level to them. Domestic Assault and Aggravated Domestic Assault are principally separated by the

Does a misdemeanor domestic assault, first offense, that does not have to involve battery or injury and could be punished by a $500 fine alone or 93 days in jail and the $500 fine, does that offense also require the permanent injunction of someone’s right to acquire and defend themselves with a lawfully possessed firearm?

Does the direct penalty for the misdemeanor offense also necessitate and society benefit from the prohibition of arms from those convicted?

That is the question, and the answer is very likely that the law is mostly about politicians being able to pat themselves on the back and “keep guns out of the wrong hands” than it is demonstrably beneficial to public safety.

Knights SR-47 – The Forgotten Knight’s Rifle

By

Travis Pike

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November 14, 2023

In the early 2000s, the gun forums were kicking around quite hard, and the typical arguments were raging. Glock vs. 1911, 45 ACP vs. 9mm, and, of course, AR-15 vs. AKM. The two titans of rifle design and the arguments revolving around them were an ample example of fact and fuddlore mixed together. Knight’s Armory decided to hell with that argument. We’ll just make an AR-47, well, it’s actually the SR-47.

To be fair, Knight’s Armament didn’t decide to make it and certainly wasn’t interested in solving internet arguments. The SR-47 came to be at the behest of SOCOM. Production began in 2001, you know, the year the Global War on Terrorism started. It was a wild time in weapon development, and the idea behind the SR-47 was fairly simple. Design an AR-based platform that could use AK magazines and the 7.62x39mm ammunition.

Delta Force is known to use off weapons (Dalton Fury)

SOCOM was seeing the likelihood of a war with stretched-out supply lines. Special operations forces would alone out in Indian country with whatever they could carry on their backs. The idea behind the SR-47 was simple. Give troops a platform they are familiar with, but allow them to use enemy ammunition and magazines. If we couldn’t supply our forces with bullets and mags, then they could make use of host nation and enemy sources. Thus, they needed an AR platform that could use AK magazines and ammo.

Enter the SR-47

LMT, Robinson, and Knight’s all entered the contest, and the SR-47 seemingly won. At least, it was taken the furthest. As you can likely predict, the project never got too far off the ground. The SR-47 rifle isn’t an AR-15 or an AR-10. It’s something in between. The lower and upper are reportedly proprietary and larger than the standard AR-15 in size. Today, we see something similar with the CMMG MK47 (aka the Mutant.)

It was a challenging process to make the rifle work. The AK 47 magazine wasn’t exactly going to fit into the magazine well of an AR. The curved nature and the rear tab ensured your magwell would be interesting. Clearly, the SR-47 uses a fairly unique magwell, and it shows in the few photos of the SR-47 that exist. Interestingly enough, Knights found a way to use the standard push button magazine release of the M4 with the AK mag. I could be wrong, but that’s the way it looks, according to photos.

The SR-47 used a standard M4 length 14.5-inch barrel, weighed 7.7 pounds, and featured M4-style collapsing stock. The rifle featured a flat top upper, as well as a KAC quad rail. The magazine release and safety appear to be ambidextrous, which is a nice touch. For 2001, this was a high-tech rifle. As we all know, the Eastern Bloc wasn’t big on following specs when it came to AK magazines, so I’d be curious to see how well it fits a variety of AK mags.

The SR-47 In Action

Knight’s delivered six rifles to SOCOM, who then tested them with the SEALs. How the tests were conducted, and if any ever went overseas, is lost to time. We don’t know the results of the test, and I’d imagine the rifles performed without issue. Knight’s makes great stuff, and I’m sure the SR-47 lived up to their reputation.

It seemed like SOCOM wasn’t interested in pursuing the project. I’d assume that the military discovered they wouldn’t have too many issues with stretched-out supply lines. SOCOM-oriented troops weren’t having issues obtaining ammunition for their running gunfights, and the idea of teams working far away and out of range for supply runs didn’t manifest.

Thus, the SR-47 faded away. The six who went to SOCOM seemingly remained with SOCOM, and Knight’s Armament kept one in their famed museum. That was the end of the SR-47, which is sad because it might be a hit today.

How Pant Rise Affects Your Carry Setup

By

The Suited Shootist

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November 13, 2023

Today I talk about making sure that your wardrobe doesn’t interfere with your carry setup. Jeff Mau at Tenicor ( https://www.instagram.com/tenicorusa/ ) and Spencer Keepers over at http://keepersconcealment.com have touched on this subject, so definitely go check them out and follow them as well. Most dudes aren’t familiar with the concept that pants have different “rise” (the distance between the waist and the crotch). This measurement can either facilitate or hinder your EDC. Also, if like me you have a bit of a “successful lifestyle body”, you might fall into the trap of wearing their pants too low on the hips instead of at your natural waist. Given that we’re all hold up and eating our anxiety, you might find this info useful over the next few weeks. In case you’re wondering, the products featured in this video are: – Holster = Keeper from Keepers Concealment – Belt = Slide Belt Black: https://amzn.to/2O8iDlF Slide Belt Brown: https://amzn.to/34jjdmq Slide Belt Walnut: https://amzn.to/2DeHkGJ (I’ve done a review of these on my blog. https://thesuitedshootist.home.blog/2019/11/24/slidebelt-v-kore-essentials/ )

The Cobalt Kinetics Muzzle Device: 2.75 inches

By

Anna Martinez

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November 13, 2023

If you’re thinking about building a 13.7 inch barreled rifle for close range rifle work such as competitions or training, this is the article for you.

First, let’s do some quick math. If I have a 13.7 inch barrel, what do I need to permanently attach to make an overall length of 16 inches? Good work, at least a 2.3 inch muzzle device. Which as you may know, there isn’t a crazy large amount of these on the market.

Note: I did find a list of over 2.3″ devices that a company graciously compiled back in 2021. Thank you bexararms.net.

Add Cobalt Kinetics to that list. The RCB-KM Deadair Keymo muzzle device eats recoil and allows for a deadair silencer to be attached. It is also 2.75″ long allowing for a 13.7 inch barrel to reach an overall length of 16 inches.

gun build, vltor a5, cobalt kinetics muzzle — This is a 13.7 inch build, now with the Cobalt Kinetics muzzle device it reaches an overall length of 16 inches. Notice the VLTOR A5 buffer system. Pair this with the muzzle device and there is virtually no recoil.

The Muzzle Device

COBALT KINETICS RCB-KM DEAD AIR KEYMO®
Price: $107.76

Length: 2.75″
Weight: 6.2 oz
Material: 4140 Steel
Coating: Nitride
RC Hardness: 32-34 RC
Tread pitch: 1/2X28 tpi & 5/8X28 tpi
Calibers: 5.56 X 45mm (NATO) & .30 Cal

Installation

It was pretty easy to install. Shims did come with the device and each shim size was nicely labeled and separated out.

The RCB-KM deadair muzzle device has flats that will accept an armorers wrench for easy install. This is a midwest industries armorers wrench.

Now pin and welding, that’s a different story.

To make an overall barrel length of 16 inches from a 13.7 inch barrel, there will need to be a permanent modification done, i.e. a pin and welded muzzle device to the barrel. There are a few things to take into account when getting a pin and weld done.

You don’t have to use your “local gunsmith”. There are a multitude of companies that you can purchase a pin and weld service online from that are very very good. Simply box up your upper in a non firearm looking box and send it off to the company. Easy and legal. One of these being Dwilsonmfg.
If the pin and weld is done poorly or without the proper tools it can damage your muzzle device and your barrel. The drill bit should just barely go into the barrel. Poor pin and welds will go too deep into the barrel damaging the barrel.
The weld is important. If the weld is done poorly it will be hard to remove the device if you ever want to replace it.
A hand drill is not a proper tool if you’re paying for a service. The drilling should be done with a mill.

The Recoil Build

The goal of a 13.7 inch rifle is to be able to move quickly from target to target whether that is running or just shifting the gun. To do this, not only does the length and weight matter, but also the recoil system. The RCB-KM eats recoil. Now pair that with a Vltor A5 recoil system and you have a very flat shooting gun. This allows for faster follow up shots and finding your sight picture faster.

Uses

So where do these shorter builds shine? Well, in matches that involve quick target engagements and even in some long range gas gun matches.

2gun: Many local clubs will run 2 gun matches. Often a non-sanctioned club match, these matches involve close range engagements with both a pistol and a rifle. There may be some 200-300 yard engagements however many are running red dots on their rifles so the vast majority of the engagements are inside 25 yds. Speed is the goal here.
RPGI night matches: These day-night matches directed by RPGI have blown up. With a two on paper scoring scheme and fast close range targets, a shorter carbine fits the bill. Don’t forget the white light! Keep an eye out for these matches. It’s not shocking that 150 shooters want to show up to a match that has physical challenges, 7 stages in the day, and then 7 more at night. NVG or white light is allowed.
Precision Gas Gun Matches: Yes, even a short gun can do work at long range gas gun matches. There are a few options for shooting long range matches such as under Quantified Performance or within the IWI Gas Gun Challenge.

rpgi night match shooter — This picture was taken at the last RPGI day nite match in West Virginia. Small carbines are great to run at these matches. This shooter was using night vision

Guns 101 – The Manual Safety and Revolvers – What’s The Deal

By

Travis Pike

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November 13, 2023

Have you ever read a book and had the writer describe a character flicking the safety off of a revolver? Maybe it’s been a piece of dialogue in a terrible action flick. Or maybe they pull the revolver, and you hear the click of the safety disengaging, and you know it’s a safety because your wife can’t watch TV without subtitles. If you’re new to guns, you might not realize that the vast majority of revolvers have no form of manual safety.

In fact, in the modern era, most handguns these days don’t have a manual safety, but revolvers especially lack safeties and practically always have. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a revolver with a safety. It just means it’s going to be fairly hard to do so. That being said, let’s explore the idea of a manual safety on a revolver, highlight some actual examples, and why revolvers, by and large, don’t have manual safeties.

The Safety You Can’t See

First and foremost, almost all modern revolvers do have a safety device. If you don’t look, you can’t see it, and it’s a transfer bar system. Modern revolvers have something called a transfer bar. A transfer bar removes the firing pin from the hammer and places it on the frame of the gun. Between the hammer and the firing pin sits something known as a transfer bar.

If you look at your revolver, the hammer can’t quite reach the firing pin. It needs an extension. The transfer bar is that extension. When the trigger is pulled, the trigger presses the transfer bar upwards, and the hammer strikes the transfer bar, which then strikes the firing pin and fires the gun.

If the trigger is not pulled, the gun cannot fire. This safety prevents the weapon from firing unless the trigger is pulled. This makes them drop safe and much safer than revolvers of old. Carriers of guns like the Colt Single Action Army used to keep the hammer down on an empty chamber before the transfer bar existed. In the vast majority of modern revolvers, the transfer bar system is a safety device.

With that said, I have seen some replicas of older revolvers, like the Colt SAA, that lack the transfer bar, so keep that in mind.

Some Revolvers Have a Manual Safety

Some revolvers do have external safeties. The only current production revolver I know of that has an external safety is the Heritage Manufacturing Rough Rider revolver. These ber cheap rimfire revolvers are popular first guns, and there can be an argument that new, especially young, shooters can benefit from a manual safety. These are certainly not defensive revolvers.

S&W released a revolver called the Centennial in the 1950s. The Centennial, oddly enough, has a grip safety. This was the first and last time we saw S&W use a grip safety on their revolvers. It seemed like an odd design choice and was one that was quickly let go.

Way back in 1895, Webley-Fosbery released a semi-auto revolver known as the Weblet-Fosbery Self-Cocking Automatic Revolver. It was a recoil-operated revolver that automatically cocked the gun to single action with every shot. Because it self-cocked and had a single action trigger, it was fit with a manual thumb safety.

Why Don’t Modern Revolvers Have Safeties?

Why don’t we see modern defensive revolvers with safeties, especially a manual safety devices? Mainly because they aren’t needed. A modern defensive revolver is a double action design, and the long heavy trigger pull is a safety device unto itself.

If you are capable of following the four rules of firearm safety, a revolver with a manual safety seems silly. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire. Make sure your revolver has a transfer bar. Use a holster that covers the entire trigger of the revolver. Boom, if you can do that, you don’t need a manual safety.