Category Archives: Firearms

Florida Open Carry Bills in the Legislature

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Randall

Imagine you are working road patrol in your uniform and marked squad car at the scene of an urban disturbance when you see a man walking up behind you on a crowded sidewalk.  As he moves closer, you see he has a 9mm handgun in plain view, tucked into his waistband over his shirt.  You make eye contact, but, despite your unease, you cannot stop and ask him about the pistol because that would be against the law.  Does this make sense? Under 2015 Senate Bill 300, and its companion, House Bill 163, open carry of firearms would be legal in Florida if the person possesses a state-issued concealed carry … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Legal, Media, Officer Safety | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Reconsidering a Carry Gun

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Randall

A co-worker has been literally salivating (his desk is a wet mess) over the idea of buying a new Glock 43.  Although he was gravitating toward the .380 ACP Glock 42, the later introduction of a similar frame size chambered in 9mm made up his mind for him. Detectives at our agency are issued the .40 cal. Glock 27.  My buddy likes the idea of the Glock-format pistol in a smaller package for off-duty carry.  Good so far.  He excitedly texted me one weekend that he had put a hundred bullets through a G43 at another department’s range and he was “totally sold” on the gun.  The dude is fixated. … Continue reading →

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

A Few Long Range Pistol Shots

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Randall

Wednesday was the annual SWAT Qualification Day and I made time to attend.  Although I am retired from the Team, they graciously let me join them.  After the physical requirements and marksmanship quals were completed, we had additional ammunition for shooting drills. The 100-yard range was open and a few of the guys were testing out some pricey long guns brought by a SWAT medic.  These included an FN SCAR and an FN FS2000.  While the shooters hammered away at distant silhouette paper targets, I decided to give them some friendly competition–with my handgun. On an adjacent shooting bench, I ceremoniously unlimbered my Sig P226 and rested it on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, SWAT | Tagged , | 4 Comments

When Less Is Definitely Not More

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Randall

I borrowed a fellow sergeant’s marked Tahoe for the execution of a search warrant last week.  As I was checking out the rig, I saw these impromptu labels on his gun rack.  Guess I can’t argue with that. Randall  

Posted in Firearms, Humor | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

9/11 Back-Up Gun

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Randall

This is NYPD Ofc. Walter Weaver’s Smith & Wesson model 640 back-up firearm that was uncovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terror attacks.  Ofc. Weaver was last seen on the sixth floor of the North Tower on that day helping survivors. The NRA Museums’ Facebook page displayed this photo montage today.  Ofc. Weaver’s service and sacrifice are not forgotten. Randall

Posted in Firearms, Misc. | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Smith & Wesson Centennial Revolvers Revisited

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Randall

Does the pervasive plastic pistol have you feeling a bit listless and melancholy lately?  Striker-fired boredom setting in?  Well, perk up your life with a Smith & Wesson Centennial revolver!  Sometimes going “retro” can get you caught in a new frame of mind that will liven your dreary modern existence. The quintessential J-frame revolver by Smith & Wesson has been around since its birth in 1950 as the Chief’s Special or, later, the Model 36.  Designed as a small, concealable handgun with moderate power from its .38 S&W Special chambering, the platform has morphed into many versions during its 60-plus years. In Smith & Wesson-ese, the “Centennial” model, introduced in … Continue reading →

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

G2 Research R.I.P. Expanding Bullets

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Randall

Bullet technology is becoming more inventive with each primer strike.  These new projectiles from G2 Research may be more art than science, but they definitely push the marketing envelope.  The press release I received in my Inbox proclaimed, “Flying Hole Saw Defense Round.”  Uh-huh. G2’s www.G2Rammo.com Radically Invasive Projectile (R.I.P.) means just that, RIP!  In fact, firing this bullet downrange is like firing a hole saw at a target. The key to the R.I.P. round’s devastating effect is its exclusive bullet construction that causes the round to fragment into several separate controlled copper fragments thus causing more bleeding, trauma and pain all designed to stop an attacker quickly. The fragments … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty, Technology | Leave a comment

New Hogue Automatic Retention Holster

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Randall

Hogue, Inc. is introducing a new feature on their line of holsters.  It is called the Automatic Retention System.  The retention is released by the thumb during the drawing of the handgun.  When reinserted, the gun is passively locked in at the trigger guard. This type of holster provides a positive hold on the firearm, but avoids a competitor’s perceived problem by having the release at the thumb and not a finger.  Not that I have a problem with the trigger finger release on the issued holster I have carried in plainclothes for eight years.  My patrol holster has a thumb release. Read Hogue’s ARS press release here:

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty | 2 Comments

Swab-its Creates News Website

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Randall

Super Brush LLC manufactures the Swab-its® brand foam products, which are superior, lint-free swabs and applicators specifically tailored for precision gun cleaning.  I wrote about them here.  Swab-its now has its own website devoted to firearms articles, gun safety, shooting tips, and other useful information at www.swabitsnews.com. Among the engaging articles in the inaugural edition are “Carry Concealed Tips” by gunwriter Jorge Amselle, “Succeeding with the Fundamentals” by shooting instructors Michelle and Chris Cerino, “Knife Sharpening” by outdoorsman Tom Claycomb III, and “To Magnify or Not to Magnify” by writer Sal Palma. Mosey on over and check it out.  You might find an article about the history of Smith & … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Knives, Media, Misc. | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Civilian Version of the FN M249 SAW?

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Randall

How much is that SAW-y in the window?  FN Herstal USA will be producing a civilian version of the U.S. Military’s M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), according to news from the NRA Annual Meeting 2015.  Also in the works from FN are two Military Collector versions of the M-4 and M16.  Here is the presser: (McLean, VA – April 10, 2015) FNH USA is excited to announce that three new products, including a brand-new product line, will be making their first appearance on the FNH USA Booth #2324 at the 2015 NRA Annual Meetings in Nashville, TN. Expected to be released in the Fall of 2015 are the mil-spec FN … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms | Tagged , | 5 Comments

New Remington RM380 Pocket Pistol

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Randall

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

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

New Heckler & Koch P30SK Pistol

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Randall

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.

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Randall

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 →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms | Leave a comment

XS Express Sight Set for the Bodyguard 380

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Randall

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 →

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

Larry Vickers Recreates Collateral Shooting Techniques

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Randall

As a profession, law enforcement sometimes fails to teach practical shooting drills in favor of square range target practice.  Yes, I know, Collateral was a just movie.  But the essence of the action here is a Controlled Pair from the holster on suspect one, followed by a Failure Drill, a.k.a. the Mozambique Drill, to suspect two.  If you have not depressed a trigger on either of these techniques thus far in 2015, you are not keeping your shooting skills honed. I was with a small group of sergeants who had rifle qualifications a few weeks ago.  Our instructor for the evolution is a reserve Tier One soldier with combat tours … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Officer Safety, Tactics | 1 Comment