Category Archives: Concealed Carry

High Noon Holsters Side Effect Review

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Randall

High Noon Holsters is a West Central Florida maker of custom cowhide and horsehide gun holsters.  I saw the High Noon Holsters Side Effect hanging on a rack in the LGS.  I needed a good concealed carry holster for my Glock 27, so I sprung for it. As a bit of background, about ten years ago I met High Noon’s owner Justin.  He was making his holsters out of the garage of his Florida home at that time.  He was a super nice guy who had worked for one of the larger holster companies.  Justin decided to go off on his own to produce holsters of his design and manufacture.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Florida Companies, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

DeSantis Mag-Packer Pocket Magazine Carrier Review

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Randall

Last night I went for a casual dinner with my wife.  I wear either jeans or slacks when we go out.  Not wanting to feel like I am equipped with a duty belt, I pocket carried my Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380.  Inexpensive, functional pocket holsters are available from makers such as Galco, Uncle Mike’s, and DeSantis.  But how to bring along more bullets… DeSantis Holster and Leather Goods of Amityville, NY, makes the Mag-Packer carrier, which solves the reload dilemma when you are dressed to tactically relax (heh, heh, heh). I was in the bad habit of dropping a spare magazine or revolver speed strip into my support side … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Crimson Trace Lasergrip LG-405’s For Your BUG Revolver

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Randall

Most cops are not gun guys or gals.  I know from talking to them.  I was showing my unloaded Smith & Wesson 442 Centennial Airweight back-up gun to a co-worker, when a few others happened into the office. “How does it turn on? ”  “Is it accurate?”  “Are they expensive?”  I felt like I was showing them a Ray Gun from 1950’s science fiction.  “Careful, lads, it’ll blast a hole clean through that wall!” I run Crimson Trace Lasergrips on my Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers.  My choice is the LG-405, which has slightly shorted hind quarters when compared to the longer gripped LG-305.  The smaller butt on the 405 … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Rob Pincus on “Irresponsible Open Carry Activism” and the Second Amendment

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Randall

Rob Pincus is a former law enforcement officer, SWAT member, and world-renowned firearms and personal defense trainer.  Below was his response to what he sees as a threat to open carry and gun rights, in general.  I agree with his viewpoint. He asked Grant Cunningham to post this on his blog, and Mr. Cunningham gave me the go-ahead to reprint here.  I think it relevant,  in light of the obnoxious behavior by the wanna-be activists against Oregon cops that went viral last week… Irresponsible Open Carry Activism Jeopardizes The RKBA Guns should be carried for personal defense, not Activism. The best way to do that 99% of the time is … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Defensive Tactics, Legal, Media | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Galco Stow-N-Go Holster Review

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Randall

Galco International began making gun leather as the Famous Jackass Leather Company in Chicago circa 1969.  Probably their most known product is the Original Jackass Rig shoulder holster worn by Don Johnson in the Miami Vice TV show of the 1980’s. I was in college in 1984 when Sonny Crockett was running around Metro Dade toting his signature 10mm Auto Bren Ten in that Jackass Rig.  It looked pretty cool then, but years down the road as a detective I tried a shoulder holster only to find that it is not exactly practical here in the tropical South. I do have a Galco holster that I wear in civvies, though.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

GAP Enterprises Glock Finger Rest Extension Review

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Randall

I love my Glock 27.  It is that OD color that looks greenish or brownish, depending on the lighting conditions.  Like many owners, I’m fond of its short grip for concealed carry, but wish I could get a better hold on the G27 when the trigger is depressed.  Enter the GAP. GAP Enterprises, Inc. makes a finger rest that replaces the standard floor plate on a Glock magazine.  Called the GAP Finger Rest Extension, it adds 1/2″ of tough polymer resin material to act as a stop for the ring finger at the front lip of the magazine. The peaked design of the GAP maintains a small footprint at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Benchmade Knives 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger Review

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Randall

Push daggers speak to me of power.  No pretty pass cuts or fancy foil grips, just gritty jabs and slashing blows thrown in a clench.  Boxing with a blade. Benchmade Knife Company’s 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger was made with input from customers of the law enforcement sort.  This is a purely defensive knife.  CBK stands for concealed backup knife.  And there you have it:  all business. With full tang construction of 440C stainless steel and a chisel ground blade, this knife was purpose-built for toughness.  The 2.5” blade is double-edged, spear point in shape, and given a Rockwell Hardness of 58-60.  Blade and handle are subdued with Benchmade’s BK1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Blackhawk! Blades Kalista and Kalista II Knife Review

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Randall

Back when he was working for Blackhawk! Products Group, Michael Janich designed a number of tactical knives such as the Be-Wharned, Tatang, and the Kalista.  Janich left Blackhawk! in late 2009 to become Spyderco’s Special Projects Manager. Janich brings a vast amount of expertise to the personal defense game, and this is especially true in knife combatives.  His grasp of blade training and implementation seems to directly influence the construction and dimensions of his knife designs.  Further, Janich’s base of knowledge affects the performance of his knives in the hand. One of Janich’s contributions to Blackhawk!’s fixed blade line-up is the Kalista.  Roughly, a Kalista would be a practitioner of … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Knives | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Police Back-Up Revolver

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Randall

Predominantly, I carry a back-up revolver on duty.  I have tried auto-pistols in calibers ranging from .380 ACP up to .40 S&W cal.  None of them quite fit my criteria is several ways. Of the autos I own or have tested, the .380’s always seemed too small (in the hand) and a .40 was too much gun (a brick on the ankle).  I want something concealed carry size, but one on which I can find sure purchase.  Grip size and carry considerations are at the forefront of my personal selection process. Besides these, I am concerned about the functioning of a semi-automatic in a truly close quarters fight.  Revolvers fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Street | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Flying With Your Firearm

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Randall

For the last several years I have been traveling by domestic airline with a handgun declared in my checked baggage.  I initially thought the process would be a hassle, but I discovered that it is not as difficult as I had anticipated.  As a certified law enforcement officer, you should always have access to a firearm. Your authority to carry a concealed firearm as a “qualified law enforcement officer” or “qualified retired law enforcement officer” in any jurisdiction in the United States of America is granted via the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act or LEOSA.  Click on the link if you are not thoroughly versed in its regulations, which you … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Off Duty, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

L. A. Police Gear Jumbo Bail Out Bag Review

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Randall

L. A. Police Gear (LAPG) is an on-line retailer catering to the law enforcement crowd.  I have been buying equipment from them for years.  LAPG has a product line of their very own that includes BDU pants, polo shirts, hats, backpacks, gear bags, and novelty items (think tactical ballistic nylon MOLLE-bearing Christmas stocking!). A prime attribute to LAPG brand products is the economical price point.  When I went looking for a new front seat equipment holder, I chose LAPG’s Jumbo Bail Out Bag. Back in the late 1980’s, I bought a small briefcase style piece of luggage to contain the everyday flotsam of gear that washes aboard the passenger compartment … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Street, Tactical Bags | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Smith & Wesson Announces New M&P Shield Pistol

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Randall

This week, Smith & Wesson unveiled their new M&P Shield semi-automatic pistol.  Made to compete in the single-stack concealed carry arena, the Shield is a slimmed down version of their popular striker-fired polymer pistol offerings.  By my calculations it is .25″ thinner than an M&P9, weighs 2.7 ounces less, and is .6″ shorter on the slide topline.  It is available in 9mm or .40 S&W cal. I think with the law enforcement popularity of the full-sized M&P guns, the Shield will be a nice compliment to those who want a smaller version of their everyday duty pistol for secondary weapon or off-duty carry.  It is a training advantage to carry … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Diamondback DB9 Long Term Test and Review

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Randall

In January of 2011, I was walking through the static vendor booths at SHOT Show’s Media Day at the Range and saw a familiar pistol that somehow looked off-kilter. It was a stretched Diamondback Firearms DB380 pistol.  No.  It was something new. Diamondback Firearms makes striker-fired polymer framed pistols and (soon) shotguns AR -15’s in Cocoa, Florida.  After successfully marketing a micro-compact .380 ACP pistol, the company began producing a 9mm version.  This was the gun I saw on the table. I handled the unloaded gun in the booth.  It looked very promising, however, for its diminutive size, I worried about how it would actually handle in the hand when … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Florida Companies, Off Duty, Officer Safety, SHOT Show, Street | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

New Charter Arms Pitbull .40 S&W Revolver Review

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Randall

…Updated below… BlueSheepdog Richard and I went to the range a couple of months ago to get some trigger time with a mixed bag of pistols and revolvers.  One of the wheelguns he brought was the unique Charter Arms Pitbull.  The Pitbull is a .40 S&W cal. revolver, which was formerly called the CARR, for Charter Arms Rimless Revolver. The Pitbull was made to fire a rimless auto-pistol cartridge without the use of full or half moon clips.  Integral to their design is a dual coil spring loaded extractor, which engages the case rim and ejects the spent rounds. Originally, Charter Arms’ idea was to provide a revolver that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, SHOT Show, Street | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Maxpedition Falcon II Backpack–Concealed Carry Review

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Randall

While vacationing, my wife and I regularly take long day hikes.  You may know I am a stalwart supporter of LEO’s carrying a firearm at all times, so the backpack I wear has to have good concealment and easy access for a handgun.  The Maxpedition Falcon II satisfies both attributes and more. Many backpacks and slingbags have adequate cargo space and useful features, but I went looking for a carry-all that could give me good ingress into a handgun compartment while the pack was worn on my back with both straps shouldered.  In other words, a quick draw without having to doff the bag. Years ago, I purchased a Maxpedition … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Off Duty, Tactical Bags | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments