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Category Archives: Firearms
New Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380
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
LaserLyte Introduces Laser Can Plinking!
Press release from LaserLyte: COTTONWOOD, AZ (November 2013) – LaserLyte®, innovators in firearms laser technologies, is proud to introduce the innovative and entertaining Laser-Plinking-Can. When hit with a laser from any of the LaserLyte® training cartridges or other laser trainer tools, the cans react by jumping up and falling over just as a real can would. This reaction is all powered by a 9V battery (included) and a spring loaded plunger released by a solenoid. To reset the cans, simply stand them up and depress the plunger. The LaserLyte® laser reactive Laser Plinking Can Set provides hours of training and entertainment indoors or outdoors without the cost of ammunition or … Continue reading
New Firebird Tactical Reactive Targets
I kept seeing flashes and smoke at the west end of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Range at SWAT Round-Up International. At the far north end of vendor row, I got to speak to Andrew Mahwhinney of Firebird Tactical. He showed us some of the cool metal target discs that react when hit by bullets. Firebird Tactical, a division of Firebird Reactive Targets, Ltd., was started to introduce their parent company’s products to the Military and Law Enforcement. SWAT Round-Up International is the U.S. launch of the brand. Firebird Tactical markets 40mm and 65mm-sized targets called either SniperFire Standard or SniperFire Mil-spec. SniperFire Standard targets affix to a backer with … Continue reading
Range Time!
BlueSheepdog Richard and I went to the range yesterday to match fingers to triggers for some R&R. I take any time I can to align the sights and press the bang switch. I brought my SCCY CPX-2 and a new Glock G27 Gen 4, which will be my carry gun in detectives. Richard unpacked a Sig Sauer P290RS, a Bersa BP9CC, and, most intriguing, a Double Tap “two shooter” in .45 ACP/9mm. The photo above, taken expertly by Richard, is of me touching off the ported DoubleTap in .45ACP. Ouch. One round was enough for me, I had to have my hand ready for duty the next night. Richard, sans … Continue reading
Snagmag–A Great Idea for Off Duty Magazine Carry
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
Pennsylvania Capitol Police are Adopting the Tavor
This is just in from IWI and the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police. Harrisburg, PA (August, 2013) – IWI US, Inc., a subsidiary of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), is proud to announce that the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police have chosen to carry the IWI US TAVOR® SAR. The Pennsylvania Capitol Police are a section of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services. They provide law enforcement, security and parking enforcement services to the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at state government buildings in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton. “We are honored that the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police have chosen to be outfitted with the TAVOR® SAR,” Michael Kassnar, Vice President of … Continue reading
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 Laser Batteries
The Insight laser on my Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 fizzled out. I have had the gun for several years now. I function check the laser periodically, like most of my gear, since the Bodyguard is my often carried back-up gun on duty. I turned the laser on and it produced a weak light. Then it shut down entirely. No problem. Or so I thought. I fetched my original S&W box and owner’s manual. There is a tiny Allen wrench in the blue box. I mean it is super small hex key. It is nothing you would normally have on your workbench. The key is specific to adjusting, and also … Continue reading
Poor Judgment Leads to Police Sergeant’s Firing
This is a sample of the target that Sgt. Ron King of the Port Canaveral, FL Police Department wanted to use as a “training aid” during an April 2nd department firearms training. He was fired on Friday. The text of his explanation, which was posted on YouTube, is below. King’s version doesn’t quite jibe when you actually see the target. Skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea? With a crosshair reticle? Come on… Randall “Good Evening, my name is Ron King and I am the focus of some recent media attention based on lies, false information and political agendas. “First, you’ll have to excuse me if I refer to my computer … Continue reading
SCCY CPX-2 Pistol Review
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
Kel-Tec KSG Bullpup Shotgun Review
Finally! I waited two whole years from SHOT Show 2011 to SHOT 2013 to fire a Kel-Tec KSG bullpup shotgun. I really wanted to mount it on my shoulder to check out its maneuverability for room clearing. I wanted to test its ergonomics and controls. Mostly, I wanted to stack up with the boys and run a shoot house while wielding this particular shorty shotty. Well, at least I did get to fire the doggone thing. Cocoa, Florida’s Kel-Tec CNC debuted the KSG (Kel-Tec Shotgun) to the press two years ago. Since then, the KSG’s have been a little hard to come by–much like the KT RFB, which the KSG … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms, Florida Companies, SHOT Show
Tagged bull pup, Bullpup Shotgun, HK MP-5, Kel-Tec CNC, Kel-Tec KSG Shotgun, Police Shotgun, SHOT Show 2013
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RDR Holsters Micro Carry Review
RDR (Rounds Down Range) Holsters is a Hollywood, FL company making Kydex™ holsters and accessory carriers for most major brands of concealed carry handguns. One of our longtime readers here at ThinBlueFlorida, M@ (Matt–get it?), met me at SHOT Show out on the main floor. Funny, we both traveled all the way from Florida just to meet in Nevada. M@, who works for RDR, brought me a RDR Micro Carry holster for my Kahr PM9. Founded by two brothers, RDR is visibly represented by owner Jeff Wilber. Mr. Wilber is very active in the firearms industry. In January 2013, it was announced that Mr. Wilber would be the new Sales … Continue reading
Blueguns by Ring’s Manufacturing
I was lucky to have a lengthy chat with John Ring, the owner of Blueguns, at SHOT Show. He is a very interesting gentleman with an equally engaging story about his Melbourne, Florida company. It seems that Mr. Ring was originally in the business of renting props to Hollywood. Ring and his associates began making rubber guns and other items for movies. As they progressed, the company began making the polyurethane blue guns that we now use in law enforcement training. Mr. Ring said 5 to 10% of their business is still on the big screen. In the photo at the top are four new blue guns for 2013: a … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms, Florida Companies
Tagged Blueguns, Movie Props, Ring's Manufacturing, Training Guns
1 Comment
U.S. Fire Arms ZiP Pistol–Part Deux
I wrote a quick article about the U.S. Fire Arms ZiP pistol back in December. I met with Chris from U.S. Fire Arms at SHOT Show and had a chance to examine and shoot the ZiP. The little gun, which loads .22 cal. long rifle ammunition from a Ruger rotary 10 round magazine, is made mainly for plinking. It was cool and not nearly as ungainly in the hand as it looks in photos. With your middle finger inserted in the hole below the trigger guard and using that for the base of your grip, the ZiP
New Springfield Armory XD-S 9 Pistol
At last year’s SHOT Show, USPSA and IPSC championship shooter Rob Leatham showed me Springfield Armory’s new XD-S, a sub-compact single stack .45 ACP pistol. I shot one and I was impressed with it. For 2013, Mr. Leatham was running around at his normally frenetic pace giving media members a look and trigger time with SA’s new XD-S 9. Mr. Leatham told me the new 9mm semi-auto has the same basic dimensions as the .45 XD-S, except for cartridge capacity, which increases to 7+1 in 9mm. Springfield Armory’s XD and XD-M series have been very popular. The XD-S single stack guns, at only 0.9” in slide width, are just that … Continue reading
N8² Tactical’s Professional Series Holsters
N8² Tactical makes holsters in North Carolina. At SHOT Show 2013, I asked Nate Beard about their name. Nate Beard and Nate Johnson formed the company. “Nate Squared,” get it? I asked Mr. Beard what was new and he showed me their improved Professional IWB concealed carry holster. From the N8² Tactical website: The Nate Squared Tactical Professional holster is the ultimate IWB (inside-the-waistband) holster. It has all the comfort of our Original design, but comes with the following additional features: ADJUSTABLE CANT TUCKABLE EXCELLENT POSITIVE RETENTION The holster is made of polycarbonate, which is an extremely durable thermoplastic. Common uses range from cd’s & dvd’s to bullet resistant glass. We … Continue reading