Category Archives: Firearms

New Crimson Trace Products for 2013

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Randall

One of the first booths we hit at SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range was Crimson Trace Corporation.  CTC’s Media Relations Manager Iain Harrison showed us a few of their new-for-2013 products.  It was so cold, my pen did not write, but the lasers fired up just fine. Green laser!  There I said it.  Crimson Trace, ironically, is now in the green laser business.  Several models are now available, with more variation in the manufacturing pipeline.  CTC’s green lasers will come in trigger guard, rail-mounted, backstrap-mounted, and grip replacement systems. Mr. Harrison showed us a currently available CMR-203, which fits pistols wearing M1913/Picatinny or Weaver rails.  Ours was … Continue reading →

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New Ruger LC380 Review

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Randall

Sturm, Ruger & Co. trucked out their new LC380 to SHOT Show Media Day.  Since Ruger’s designated patch of real estate was at the very north end of the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club, we did not get to them until late in the afternoon.  Some vendors were already packing up, what with the still chill temperatures and lashing wind.  Aaron and I were hanging tough. When we stepped up to the table of guns, I bluntly asked the Ruger rep what they were thinking by making the LC380.  I had an answer in mind, but I wanted to see what he would articulate.  He told us that their thought … Continue reading →

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TrackingPoint Update from SHOT Show 2013

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Randall

I was able to see the TrackingPoint Precision Guided Firearm in action firsthand at the SHOT Show Media Day. On the long range, I watched as a novice shooter got behind the Surgeon rifle and Networked Tracking Scope, then hit a 962 yard shot on his first attempt…uh, Wow! TrackingPoint had an iPad streaming live video next to the .338 Lapua rifle. Bystanders were able to watch on the screen as the shooter “tagged” the distant piece of steel and then let the microprocessors work the dope. The Guided Trigger will only allow a shot to be fired when the scope and tagged target are optically aligned. The rifle operator … Continue reading →

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DDupleks Kaviar 26L Frangible Shotgun Ammunition

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Randall

The Latvian gentlemen from DDupleks Ammunition were demonstrating their Kaviar 26L frangible shotgun “slug” at SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range.  The 12 gauge round is designed to dump its energy into the immediate target without over-penetration.  The DDuplexs rep shot a water jug at 15 yards with the Kaviar.  A Kel-Tec KSG was used for the test. This is from the DDupleks website: Combined material shotgun slug for training and LE purposes. Slug expands and fragments only after hitting the target and provides energy transfer immediately without

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New Kahr CW380 Review

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Randall

At SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range, I was able to shoot five small handguns that are new to the market for 2013.  My first was the latest “budget” offering from Kahr Arms, the CW380, designated the CW3833. I may have said “budget,” but the Kahr CW380 still has all the important functional features that have made their pistols popular with shooters and ’carryers.  The 10.2 ounce micro-sized CW380 has a polymer frame with 4140 steel inserts, matte finished 416R stainless slide with bar-dot sights, “Safe Cam” DAO firing system, and quality fit and finish. The C-series of Kahr handguns finds its lower price point by using conventional … Continue reading →

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SHOT Show 2013 Small Gun Round-Up

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Randall

At the SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range, I was able to shoot a number of new small handguns meant for concealed carry self defense. The latest offerings from Kahr, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, and Ruger were loaded, locked, and let loose. In the photos, you will notice the dusty guns. It was very windy and fine sand mixed with the usual post-firing gunk. As I have said before, these guns are shot by literally hundreds of media members during this single day of firearms torture. All the guns I used functioned perfectly as designed.

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Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement Kodra Sidekick Ankle Holster Review

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Randall

I’ll get this out right up front:  I am not a big fan of the ankle holster for handgun carry.  Okay, moving on.  I have been asked about a good choice in ankle holsters for on duty wear.  I favor the Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement Kodra Sidekick Ankle Holster for a durable and inexpensive way to leg-mount your firearm. Kodra is a ballistic nylon material, akin to Cordura (a brand name), that has good abrasion resistance and a softer texture than other standard nylon materials.  Uncle Mike’s uses this to construct a wearer-friendly holster at a low price point. The Uncle Mike’s Sidekick ankle holster has a strap that loops … Continue reading →

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MagPod Magazine Monopod Mount

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Randall

MagPod is a simple idea.  Here is MagPod’s take: Designed specifically for PMAG Replaces standard floorplate, no tools required Lightweight (weighs less than 1 ounce) and compact Always ready to use, nothing to deploy Optimized footprint virtually eliminates see-saw motion when using the magazine as a monopod Overmolded Santoprene basepad for improved traction on hard/slick surfaces Stippled side panels provide sure gripping surface for reloads PATENT PENDING/AVAILABLE MID-2013 If you have ever gotten down into a prone shooting position with an AR-15,  you know that, sans-bipod, resting the base of the magazine on the ground makes sense to steady the weapon.  In the photo below, metal mag floorplates meet cement. … Continue reading →

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U.S. Fire Arms ZiP Pistol

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Randall

The U.S. Fire Arms ZiP pistol blurs the line between toy and real gun. We recently received a safety BOLO for this odd looking .22 cal. LR handgun. It uses Ruger 10/22 magazines. The ZiP can certainly be mistaken for a futuristic toy gun. I wouldn’t want to get hit with 10 CCI Stingers out of this thing, though! The largely polymer ZiP has a 5.25″ barrel and is 7.5″ long overall. The action is single action, striker fired. Its reported weight is just under 16 ounces. The ZiP pistol can also be configured as a short-barreled rifle with the add-on stock. They call the modification a BattleZiP Survival SBR … Continue reading →

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Another Vote for the Ruger LCP

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Randall

I was minding my own business at my desk the other day, when I overheard one of our twenty-year veteran sergeants say this to an officer:  “I have lots of guns…Glocks, 1911’s…but off-duty I carry that little LCP. It fits in my pocket and I know that everywhere I go, I’m always armed.”  He went on to add that he carries it in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Another vote for the Ruger LCP goes out from one of our seasoned SWAT guys who also pocket carries.  His rides in an Uncle Mike’s product. Both of these guys are state-certified law enforcement firearms instructors and long time officers.  Say what … Continue reading →

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UTAS UTS-15 Bullpup Shotgun Review

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Randall

On SWAT training days, you see some strange weaponry brought out to the range.  This is an UTAS UTS-15 military and police combat shotgun.  It has a 15 round capacity of 2 3/4″ 12 gauge shotgun shells, feeding from two 7 round tubular magazines above the 20.5″ barrel.  Overall length of the gun is 28.3″ and its weight is a light 6.9 pounds. UTAS (pronounced YOO-tash) is a Turkish firearms company that prides itself on innovative design.  That is apparent in the UTS-15’s build.  UTS-15 is a pump-action, bullpup shotgun. The receiver is 100% fiber reinforced injection molded polymer.  In fact, 80% of the gun is polymer. Between photos one … Continue reading →

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Vendors Row at SRI

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Randall

Half a day is not enough time to spend checking out the vendors at the SWAT Round-Up International.  I arrived at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office firearms range with two of my agency’s assistant team leaders.  Even during years we don’t attend, we try to make it over to the outdoor vendor row under the range roof.  In our line of work, it is important to stay abreast of new products and technologies–it can save lives.  The emphasis for this trip was to look at both vehicle and personal armor options and at replacement guns for the aging HK MP5’s in our arsenal. I’m always surprised at how close the … Continue reading →

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New Kel-Tec CL-43 Flashlight

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Randall

This is an image of the new Kel-Tec CL-43 flashlight that is a handheld aluminum-bodied, LED offering from the Cocoa, Florida gunmaker. The CL-43 boasts 420 lumens from a Cree XP-G LED emitter, running off three CR123 batteries. A rearward clicking button at the midpoint of the light switches the light-emitting diode on and off. I was aghast when I saw this photo. Kel-Tec says, “The switch is operated like the trigger of a gun…” Sympathetic reflex activity in the dominant hand could easily lead to a negligent discharge in this grip. I see what they are trying to accomplish from an ergonomic standpoint, but under stress I believe this … Continue reading →

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New ArmaLaser TR1 Touch-Reflex Laser Sight Review

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Randall

Gainesville, FL-based ArmaLaser, Inc., is best known for their Small Block laser sighting system which features a “touch activated” switching system.  If you have not seen the video where they drop their gun-mounted laser 100 times from 10 feet onto concrete, I have included it below.  Yeah, the laser still worked. A couple of months ago, I saw a gun magazine ad for a new ArmaLaser product in the works for the Kel-Tec P3AT/P32 series:  the TR1 Touch-Reflex Laser.  I liked its sleek look.  Although the Small Block has its own touch activated switch and rugged construction, I can’t seem to get past its chunky profile.  I’m shallow. ArmaLaser’s new … Continue reading →

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Testing National Police Ammunition’s Simulated Duty Round

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Randall

National Police Ammunition is an ATF licensed South Florida manufacturer of law enforcement ammunition.  NPA specializes in lead-free, frangible ammo and has developed the SDR, or Simulated Duty Round, for police applications. The SDR is designed to mimic the performance of police duty rounds and be an accurate, reliable, and cost effective alternative.  NPA lists some of the following advantages: • Proprietary loading techniques prevents projectiles breaking when chambered which is common with frangible ammunition • Power factor equivalency “Felt” recoil • Line of Sight = Point of Impact • Fully Frangible non jacketed projectile • Reduced ricochet • Available with lead-free, heavy metal free primers (standard primers also available) … Continue reading →

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