Category Archives: Firearms

TruGlo’s Tritium Brite-Site for Duty Use

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Randall

Friends don’t let friends go on duty with stock Glock sights. Look around and you’ll see the friendless ones.  For goodness sake, get those plastic things off your pistol!  Tell your co-workers.  Mine were switched out steel tritium night sights posthaste. I have nothing against the “dot and U” Glock sight picture.  I have shot quite well with the plastic and paint atop a Tenifer slide.  However, my issues are twofold.  First, there is zero durability in a standard set of Glock sights.  They cannot take the abuses of police duty use, period. Our guns get banged around miserably in uniform, and just somewhat less so in plainclothes.  A handgun … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms | Tagged | 4 Comments

New Heckler & Koch VP9

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Randall

Heckler & Koch pro shooter, Air Force veteran, and sheriff’s deputy John Rasmussen gives us a quick tour of the upcoming H&K VP9 9mm pistol. Randall

Posted in Firearms | 4 Comments

New Diamondback Firearms DB FS Nine Pistol

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Randall

Back at the 2012 SHOT Show, I got to interview Diamondback Firearms founder and CEO Brad Thomas.  I had been examining a prototype for the DB RTS tactical shotgun (that was eventually displaced in their line-up by the DB15 AR-15-style rifle).  During our conversation, Mr. Thomas told me about their plans to develop a full-sized pistol.  We are finally getting a look at it. The new DB pistol is a striker-fired 15+1 handgun chambered in 9mm.  In dimensions, it is roughly equivalent to a Glock 17 pistol.  DB FS Nine’s take down levers and its trigger safety are visually similar to the Austrian maker’s gun.  From Diamondback’s website: “This new … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged | 3 Comments

Smart Gun Technology Skirts Common Sense and Second Amendment Rights

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Randall

Armatix GmbH of Germany is selling a new .22 cal. handgun that is slaved to a radio frequency identification (RFID) wristwatch.  The pairing makes the gun active when the watch is within ten inches of the firearm and deactivates the gun when the watch does not have the proper PIN entered or is more than ten inches away from the pistol.  I am skeptical on several fronts. Other than having to shell out nearly $2,000.00 for the Armatix Smart System ($1,399-gun,$399-watch, add taxes), I can think of a number of defensive scenarios in which this “smart” alternative would be ill-advised stupid.  I am addressing the shortcomings of this product from … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Politics | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Florida Companies | Tagged , | 5 Comments

New Double Tap P-Flex Grip

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Randall

That ↑ minimizes this ouch ↓ The P-Flex is $25.00 from Double Tap. Randall

Posted in Firearms | Tagged , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, SHOT Show | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Slide Fire Turns an AR-15 Upside Down!

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Randall

At SHOT Show 2014’s Media Day at the Range, Slide Fire showed off a fixed mounted upside down semi-automatic AR-15 that mechanically bump-fired to shoot in “full auto.”  Watching it chatter elicited much joy from the assembled press, who did not fail to gather when the demonstration dinner bell was rung. There were many remarks from those around me who said that they had thought that Slide Fire was a flash in the pan.  There was surprise at the growing popularity of the product line, which kinda turns a semi-automatic rifle or shotgun (AR’s, AK’s, 10-22’s, Saiga’s, etc) into a fully automatic firing weapon.  This is done with a modified … 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 →

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

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 →

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

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 →

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

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