Category Archives: Concealed Carry

Vacationing Cop Wears Mil-Spec Monkey Hoodie

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Randall

Mil-Spec Monkey posted my photograph on his Facebook page wearing one of his MSM Hoodies.  Thanks, Monkey!  My wife shot this pic while we were hiking in northern California two weeks ago.  We were on a coastal trail and I had just spotted a gray whale.  Cameras up! Satellite imagery will show that the hoodie’s sleeves bear a Mil-Spec Monkey logo patch and ThinBlueFlorida patch (made by…the Monkey).  My faithful Tactical Tailor Urban Operator Backpack (misnamed for this outing) carries the photo gear, water, snacks, and first aid (including tourniquet and QuikClot combat gauze). What looks like a wallet in the right front jeans pocket is my Smith & Wesson … Continue reading →

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Sticky Holsters for Concealed Carry

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Randall

Mike Christoff started Naples, FL-based Sticky Holsters based upon his 25 years of experience as a police officer in Michigan and in Florida.  Sticky Holsters use a proprietary material as the outer shell of the holster.  I would not characterize it as “sticky” so much as it is “real grabby,” but that would not make for a good company moniker. Sticky Holsters makes 17 different sizes of its signature holster, so finding a fit for your handgun should not be a problem.  The range of sizes travels from the tiny Beretta Bobcat to the FN 5.7.  These are not only meant as pocket holsters (and you would have to be … Continue reading →

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Rob Pincus Introduces New Winchester W Series Ammunition

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Randall

Rob Pincus was once again at SHOT Show Media Day at the Range in the Winchester lane.  He was giving demonstrations of the new Winchester W Train and Defend line of ammunition.  According to their literature: “The W Train & Defend ammunition system is designed to provide threat-stopping power with less recoil to the shooter. The system pairs its range-ready Train rounds with technology-driven Defend rounds, both designed to limit the recoil felt by the shooter. This system provides a perfect solution for new shooters, especially women, who are interested in training to become proficient with their personal defense ammunition.” Both the Winchester Train and Winchester Defend are ballistically matched … Continue reading →

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New Smith & Wesson Performance Center 686 Revolver

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Randall

While I am on revolver kick, Smith & Wesson is releasing a brand new Performance Center version of their Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum.  This 7 shot L-Frame model will have a 2.5″ barrel, bead blasted finish, unfluted cylinder, and custom wood grips.  There is a red ramp front and adjustable rear sight. Other features to the PC 686 are a chrome teardrop-shaped hammer spur, chrome trigger with stop, precision crowned barrel, and a cylinder cut for moon clips.  S&W’s Performance Center has tuned the action. Aaron and I shot this gun at Media Day.  The trigger in double action was silky smooth.  In single action, the hammer dropped with … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, SHOT Show | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

New ERGO Delta Grips for S&W J-Frame Revolvers

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Randall

Overheard at the Show from some GunPressMediaInternetCommandos:  “You gotta check out the new ERGO Delta Grips for the J-Frame.  They are ultra-high-speed-tactical and probably will show up on immediate-action SpecOps outside of CONUS!”  Maybe the word “Delta” fooled them.  Maybe I exaggerate.  Sigh, I checked the map and wandered down to ERGO’s booth in one of the rabbit warren ballrooms off the SHOT Show main hall. I have an affinity for my .38 Special revolvers and in the environment of .327 SmallBlock chambered AR-15’s and the latest in super Cryptoflage-patterned BDU’s, I could have used a bit of Old School Firearm-ery at that moment.  The new Delta Grip by ERGO … Continue reading →

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Shooting the New Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Randall

We got to shoot the new Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 at SHOT Show 2014 Media Day at the Range.  I uploaded the short video above.  Since I have carried a Bodyguard 380 both off duty and as a secondary firearm on duty for the last several years, it was a familiar platform to me.  No one I observed had any failure with the M&P 380’s at the range. In the video, I bobbled the trigger reset after the second shot.  As a weak defense, I will just testify that I had been shooting a lot of very different guns that day.  It is a good reminder, though, that … Continue reading →

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New Remington R51 Pistol

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Randall

Remington Arms Company is introducing the new R51, a modern interpretation of the the Remington Model 51 “pocket pistol” from the turn of the century.  The R51 is intended to be a 9mm Parabellum concealed carry pistol with a single-stacked magazine and 7+1 round capacity.  Its futuristic looking exterior disguises 100-year-old technology—in a good way. The original pistol was designed in 1917 by John Pedersen and incorporated his locking breech block and hesitation-locked action.  Yeah, I’m not sure exactly how those work, either.  But they do provide a low bore axis for the R51’s fixed barrel.  Remington goes on to say the Pedersen action absorbs some of the kick as … Continue reading →

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Shooting the New Glock 42 at SHOT Show 2014 Media Day at the Range

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Randall

As I wrote in Glock Misses Perfection…, I was glad we made it to the Austrian (and USA) gunmaker early at SHOT Show 2014’s Media Day at the Range.  There was so much controversy regarding the release of the Glock 42 in .380 ACP that I haaaad to shoot one.  ASAP. I own several Glocks. A G23, sporting a 22 round stick magazine, Speer GDHP’s, and Streamlight TRL-1S, is my current nightstand pistol.  I carry a Gen 4 G27 daily in my role as a detective sergeant.  I am not necessarily a fanboy.  I own and enjoy a safe full of other maker’s handguns, but I admire the utility of … Continue reading →

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New Taurus View Revolver–Pushing the Limits of Minimalism

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Randall

Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. is pushing the envelope with the new “View” handgun.  Where their large Judge model expanded the continuum in one direction, the View stretches the opposing limit for minimalism in a personal defense revolver.  I was able to handle the View at Taurus’ SHOT Show 2014 booth.  A few thoughts… Sporting a 1.41″ barrel and tiny hand grip, the profile of the View is smaller than even the most stripped down Smith & Wesson J-frame snubbies.  My immediate concern is in the size of the handle.  I have small-to-medium sized hands.  When I gripped the View tightly, I could barely get my ring finger above the very … Continue reading →

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New Glock Model 42 Misses Perfection by 2mm

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Randall

Haters, Haters, Come Out to Play!  Glock has drawn much ire from firearms fans, pundits, and trolls over the company’s decision to manufacture a single stack .380 ACP pistol (9 x 17mm), instead of one chambered for the more powerful 9 x 19mm Parabellum.  That lousy little 2mm of case length, it seems, has raised a hue and cry. The Glock pistol platform is accepted by many as a reliable and durable firearm.  Simple in its lack of external controls, it has developed strong followings in the civilian, Military, and law enforcement markets.  Ah, but the Teutonic stubborness of this Austrian company. For many years, Glockophiles have clamored for everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

New Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Randall

Smith & Wesson has announced a variant of their popular Bodyguard 380.  This will be marketed as the M&P Bodyguard 380, adding to their Military & Police line.  Noticeably absent from this gun is the integral InSight laser.  When I first wrote at BlueSheepdog.com about the LAPD approving the Bodyguard 380 for on and off duty use, back in April of 2011, the Los Angeles Police Department had mandated that both the laser and manual safety be deactivated.  This version solves one of those requests. I am ambivalent about the InSight laser.  I have kept mine functional and I occasionally use it at the range.  The activation buttons’ stiffness can … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Snagmag–A Great Idea for Off Duty Magazine Carry

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Randall

I saw the Snagmag concealed magazine holster on the Internet and I thought, “Perfect!”  I pocket carry a semi-auto handgun while off duty on most days (wheel gun for the rest). Although I have a DeSantis Mag Packer to hold a spare magazine, it situates the mag very low in the pocket and does not allow for other items to reside within.  The clutter will ride atop the mag, making it problematic to extract. The Snagmag is a simple thermoformed plastic holster that has a pocket clip to keep a spare magazine positioned near the mouth of the pocket.  This makes access to the bullet carrier convenient.  Keys and other … Continue reading →

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Mil-Spec Monkey Hoodie RAW

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Randall

The weather was a bit cool last week when I was in NYC.  I wanted to take something warm to wear that would extend below my waist and cover up the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 and holster I had stashed in my right front pants pocket.  I bought a Mil-Spec Monkey Hoodie RAW last November and it was just right for the trip. I met The Monkey a few years back at SHOT Show after I had contracted him to make morale patches for BlueSheepdog, and then more for ThinBlueFlorida.  We were very satisfied with his professionalism and his products.  I didn’t get to talk to him this year, … Continue reading →

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Looking for some NYC advice…

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Randall

Hypothetically speaking, if I was in New York City for a few days (which I am), would I be in trouble if I showed up at La Guardia to check my firearm in luggage and had Speer Gold Dot hollow points in a manufacture’s container? My cousin, who is a Jersey cop, said they got a bulletin telling their guys not to carry hi-cap mags with hollow point bullets into the City, because NYC changed the laws in February to make these mags and bullets illegal with no provisions for LEOSA carry.  I can’t seem to find anything on this online. Of course this is a purely an intellectual exercise, … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Florida Companies, Misc. | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

SCCY CPX-2 Pistol Review

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Randall

One of my buddies loaned his Ruger LCR to a co-worker for off-duty carry.  The co-worker is a newer cop and she was short on funds after having a baby.  It got me thinking that not everyone in the squad room can afford an expensive back-up piece.  Introducing:  SCCY Industries. SCCY Industries, LLC (pronounced “Sky”) makes handguns in Daytona Beach, Florida.  After handling their Generation 2 CPX-1 and CPX-2’s at SHOT Show, I was impressed with the design and quality control of their 9mm polymer pistols.  Fit and finish was above average, especially if you factored in the MSRP:  $319.00 for the CPX-1 and $299.00 for the CPX-2!  It elicited … Continue reading →

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