Category Archives: Concealed Carry

New Remington RM380 Pocket Pistol

Yet another new handgun officially launching at the NRA Annual Meeting 2015 is the Remington Arms‘ RM380.  This .380 ACP caliber hammer-fired DAO sub-sub-compact pistol has an aluminum frame with a fiberglass reinforced nylon grip overlay.  It will have a 6+1 capacity and a weight of 12.2 ounces.  The new gun will ship from Remington’s Huntville, Ala. plant with extended grip and flush grip magazines that will release from ambidextrous buttons. Much like the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380, with which it will directly compete, the hammer-fired locked breech RM380 has a multiple-strike capability for stubborn

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New Heckler & Koch P30SK Pistol

Heckler & Koch announced a SubKompact version of their popular P30 pistol at this week’s NRA Annual Meeting.  The new double-stack 9mm handgun is designated the P30SK.  SK, get it? P30SK has dimensions similar to a Glock 26/27.  The HK is 6.42 inches in length, 4.57 inches high, and 1.37 inches wide.  Bullets are launched from a 3.27 inch barrel.  Weight is tallied as 23.99 ounces. The SubKompact can have a DA/SA trigger or HK’s Law Enforcement Modification (LEM) DAO “light strike V1” trigger at a light 5.4 ounce pull.  The DA/SA is available with and without the ambidextrous safety/decocking levers.  Dual slide releases are worn by all versions.

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BLACKHAWK! Debuts New A.R.C. IWB Holster

BLACKHAWK! has a new appendix carry holster debuting at the NRA Annual Meeting, which begins tomorrow.  Here are the details: OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – April 8, 2015 – BLACKHAWK!® announces its new Appendix Reversible Carry (A.R.C.) Inside the Waistband (IWB) Holster for civilian and law enforcement concealed carry. The holster’s design offers concealed carry users and professional operators who prefer the appendix carry position with a versatile and comfortable holster in one model. The new holster will debut at the 2015 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, April 10 to 12 in Nashville, Tennessee. “Comfort is a top priority for someone who uses an appendix carry holster,” said Liam Yarbrough, BLACKHAWK! … Continue reading

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XS Express Sight Set for the Bodyguard 380

Something was missing.  Hmmmm.  What could it be?  Where’s my tritium front sight?  The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 came with many nice features.  A pleasing hydrogen isotope glow in the foreground was not one of them.  Not that I am prejudiced against serrated front ramps, but I need the green. There is presently only one option for low- and no-light front sights for the S&W Bodyguard 380, XS Sight System’s Tritium Express Set.  They come in Big Dot and a smaller Standard Dot.  I chose the latter.  The biggun just comes off as disproportionate on this weapon. I had once installed a set of XS Big Dot Express Sights … Continue reading

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Latest Glock 43 Photographs

These are the official photos of the Glock 43.  There were some Photoshopped versions out there, but these are the legit ones.  Specifications are below.  The G43 is slightly larger than the G42, but it is still more easily concealed carry than a G26/27.  The MSRP for the Glock 43 will be $589.00 according to some online retailers.

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Glock Teases New Release–Maybe a 9mm Single Stack?

Updated:  Someone apparently breached a nondisclosure agreement yesterday and confirmed the existence of the Glock 43.  Glock, in turn, gave the rest of the media a go-ahead to publish their “secret stories.”  Looks like we are getting the skinny 9 after all… Here we go again.  I received a media invite for a Glock event at the NRA 2015 Annual Meeting.  Glock promises exclusive “…Range Time with New Product…” among other perks at the April 20 event in Nashville.  The flyer for the soirée had the silhouette of what looks like a G42, but industry insiders accuse it of being the new Glock 43 single stack 9mm sub-sub-compact. As if … Continue reading

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Taurus Curve at SHOT Show

At SHOT Show 2015, I was able to leave my fingerprints on a Taurus Curve.  No, Taurus Manufacturing did not unveil the new .380 ACP pistol at Industry Day at the Range.  We had to settle for examining the firing pin-less version on the show floor.  Well, if you are going to set it on a peg, I will pick it up. I have to say that as soon as I had the Curve in a shooting grip, my face twisted in an unpleasant way.  Let me preface the next remarks with assurances to you that I have handled many, many handguns in my last 34 adult years.  Holding the … Continue reading

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New CRKT Shizuka noh Ken Folder

James Williams’ history as a U.S. Army officer and martial arts instructor to military and police special units has led him to design a line of knives for Columbia River Knife & Tool.  Personally, I own the Williams/CRKT Hissatsu folder and Heiho.  With these combative blades in mind, I was happy to see yet another new Williams offering on the CRKT table at SHOT Show 2015:  the Shizuka noh Ken. The Shizuka noh Ken is a smaller version of the very popular Otanashi noh Ken, from Williams’ drawing board for SOCOM personnel.  But the 4.6″ bladed OnK is intended to be a large knife.  Shizuka noh Ken dials down the … Continue reading

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New Ruger Handguns at SHOT Show 2015 Industry Day

Sturm, Ruger & Co. had a few changes to existing platforms at SHOT this year.  Their LCR was chambered in 9mm for some increased potency while retaining its mainstream shootability.  To bolster accuracy, the LCP was granted front and rear sights.  To show off this model, one of the Ruger reps said they intentionally made the skeletonized aluminum trigger in anodized “Ruger red.” I found the 9mm LCR to be very controllable.  As always, it is pleasant to fire.  Since it is not nearly as hammering to the hand as its .357 counterpart, I think this 9mm ballistics upgrade from .38 Spl. will be popular.  I thought the 9mm felt … Continue reading

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Ruger Stretches the LCRx to 3 Inches

Sturm, Ruger & Co. has been busy this year in the revolver department.  At January’s SHOT Show, we got to shoot the LCRx, an external hammer version of their polymer/aluminum wheelgun.  Next came the 9mm moon-clipped LCR model introduced in October.  Out of nowhere, Ruger just announced its new 3″ barreled LCRx in .38 Spl. +P. “The newest LCRx is the perfect revolver for backpacking, concealed carry, home defense, or just plinking,” said Chris Killoy, Ruger’s President and Chief Operating Officer.  “The 3″ barrel, adjustable sight, and modest weight create a great all-around gun.” I know Ruger is upscaling an existing platform, which will hold down the production costs, but … Continue reading

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Taurus Curve Gets Spanked by Gun Pundits Everywhere

You may have seen this on the Internet recently.  Taurus USA took the popular lightweight polymer .380 ACP carry pistol in a different direction by introducing “contour” to this familiar formula.  The electronic media descended upon the new Taurus Curve .380 autopistol and treated it like Theseus did the Cretan Bull at Marathon:  One bovine D.O.A. Keyboard pundits are calling this gun a publicity stunt, not a serious self defense firearm.  If you trawl the gunblogs, you will find both sarcasm and derision for this design. From the Curve’s wonky shape to a total lack of iron sights to its holster-less clip of death, not much good is being recorded … Continue reading

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Mil-Spec Monkey/Tactical Tailor Adapt Pack

I am sitting in Denver International Airport as I compose this, fresh out of a crowded TSA maelstrom, and awaiting my flight home.  I came out here several days ago to visit family in the Mile High City.  A new backpack had been sitting in my garage and I thought that a travel trip for its maiden voyage would wring out its versatility.  The carrier in question is a new Mil-Spec Monkey/Tactical Tailor Adapt Pack. The Monkey contracted with Tactical Tailor to build a lightweight, multifunctional backpack for either military, LE, or hard-use civilian demands.  The MSM Adapt Pack can be configured as a traditional two strap backpack, one strap … Continue reading

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Ruger Adds 9mm to LCR Lineup

For you back-up revolver carriers, Sturm, Ruger & Company is introducing a 9mm version of their popular LCR platform.  If you like having a secondary firearm chambered in the same caliber as your on-duty pistol, then this one may be your ideal belly gun. The Ruger LCR has rightly gained a solid following based upon its light weight, smooth cammed trigger pull, and reliable functioning.  A 9mm round ups the foot pounds of energy delivered on target when compared to its .38 Special +P variation, though both still lag behind the .357 Magnum. Sharing the same 400 stainless steel monolithic frame of the .357 model, the 9mm LCR will come … Continue reading

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Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense Review

(Ed. note:  Richard of BlueSheepdog.com and GunsHolstersandGear.com was kind enough to review this ammunition for me.  He is a true gentleman, experienced law enforcement officer and writer, and a really bad joke teller.) Knocking someone through a plate glass window with a single shot from a pistol is the stuff of TV fantasy.  Handgun ammo is just not that powerful.  In fact, pistol calibers are generally considered marginal for stopping a violent attacker when compared to rifle and shotgun loads. Even so, there are definitely differences between handgun ammunition designs that can affect how quickly an attacker is stopped when shot.  Some rounds have built reputations as being effective on … Continue reading

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Raven Concealment Systems ModuLoader

Raven Concealment Systems has come out with a product that made me think, “Duh!”  Raven’s ModuLoader Pocket Shield is perfect for the discreet carry of knives and other like equipment.  There are times that I would prefer to hide my blade, especially when in dress or business casual clothes.  A metal knife clip dragging on the pocket edge of an expensive pair of slacks will not do. I ordered a Pocket Shield primarily for knife carry.  It arrived packaged with a nifty Raven sticker, a short length of small nylon cord, and six Chicago screws for affixing accessories.  I ordered a gray Pocket Shield instead of black, well, just because … Continue reading

Posted in Concealed Carry, Detectives, Firearms, Flashlights, Knives, Off Duty | 2 Comments