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.
The Ruger ReadyDot – An Odd Duck
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”
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
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.
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
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!