Category Archives: Firearms

Election Hype Driving the Gun and Accessory Market

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Randall

In late October 2008, things were looking a little bleak for my political party.  It seemed that there was a darkening cloud on the horizon that ultimately spurred me into action.  I ran right out and bought an AR-15. I found a great deal on a new Rock River Arms LAR-15.  It was less than $900.00, out the door.  I was issued a RRA LAR-15 at work and I had been happy with that gun for the previous five years of service.  I co-witnessed an old EOTech Holosight with a new Yankee Hill Machine flip-up rear sight on the top rail of my new rifle.  A sling was affixed and … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

S.L. Variant Revolver Speedloader

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Randall

The Longwitz S.L. Variant Speedloader, which is available from Bobby Mac’s Holsters in the U.S. or Sportshooter.de, is an excellent product for reloading the revolver.  They have a positive hold on the bullets and will not release in a pocket or pouch.  At $30.00 a piece, they are a little pricey, but, hey, how many do you really need? Available for .38/.357 cal. revolvers with 5, 6, and 7 (no, not eight) round cylinders, the S.L. Variant is my speedloader of choice.  Though I like the HKS ones and Safariland Comp

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

AG’s Office Issues Brief on Concealed Firearms Carry

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Randall

Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed an amicus brief with the Florida Supreme Court in the case of Anthony Mackey v. State of Florida.  The Supreme Court will consider the direct conflict between Mackey v. State (Fl 3rd DCA 2012) and Regalado v. State (Fl 4th DCA 2010), which relates to concealed firearms carry.  The AG asks the Supreme Court to uphold the decision by the Third District Court of Appeal of Florida in this matter. The AG brief addresses the authority of a police officer to conduct an investigation of a person carrying a concealed firearm.  In short, on March 6, 2010, Miami Police Officer Alexander May observed … Continue reading →

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

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 →

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Police Technology. Meh.

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Randall

There have been many technological changes in the last quarter century that have made the copper’s job…different.  Not always better, but certainly not the same. When I started out, our duty belts held a .38 cal. revolver (S&W M64), 2 HKS speedloaders, large Motorola MT500 portable radio, handcuffs, and rings for a full-length Monadnock PR-24 sidehandle baton and Mag-Lite.  My agency made the switch to Smith & Wesson 669 9mm semi-automatics pistols in 1987. The firepower on a patrolman’s belt has definitely increased.  We got hi-cap magazines for the S&W autoloader that topped off at 15 rounds.  Forty-six rounds of 9mm sure beat 18 slow-to-reload wheelgun shots.  My issued handgun … Continue reading →

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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

Open Firearms Carry Wastes Officers’ Time

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Randall

I saw this on another blog and it reminded me that there are conservative factions attempting to legalize open carry in Florida. In the densely populated, urban county in which I live, I fear that dwindling police services will have resources drained by these types of calls for service from alarmed citizens. This video is an example of two guys just trying to waste the officers’ time with obstructive discourse. Nice job by the officer. Yeah, we don’t always articulate things perfectly. Just the same, he is courteous and professional in the face of the amateur armed “confrontationalists.” The officer’s function check of what he discovered to be a .22 … Continue reading →

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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

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 →

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H&K MP5: The Best CQB Weapon I’ve Ever Kicked to the Curb

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Randall

I carried a 9mm Heckler & Koch MP5A2 on SWAT operations and patrol from 1990 until 2009.  My gun was #364 and she was my assigned weapon the whole time.  Together, we went on hundreds of callouts, buy-busts, and warrant services over the years. I kept #364 stone stock, except for the Surefire light kit up front.  That’s all the technology I needed for close quarters battle.  I loved the three point sling, the curved thirty round mags, SEF trigger group, and the left-side charging handle.  The adjustable diopter rear sight and front hooded post were simple and fast to employ. I could change those 30 round coupled mags in … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Street, SWAT | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Shotgun for Home Defense

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Randall

If you don’t cruise by the GunBlast.com website occasionally, then you are missing out on the folksy GunBlog-stylings of Jeff, Boge, and Greg Quinn.  In this video, on-air talent Jeff, whose double-pony-tailed beard is his trademark, talks about different shotgun rounds and demonstrates birdshot as a viable home defense load in a shotgun. I am a strong proponent of the shotgun as the most devastating close quarter weapon available.  I have a Remington 870, set up with a Speedfeed III stock, Surefire light, and

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Pistol Wear Trump Card Holster Review

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Randall

In February, I wrote an updated review of the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380.  I featured a Pistol Wear PT-2 concealed holster in the article and I had much positive feedback on it.  I really liked the PT-2, so I decided to try a different Pistol Wear version that is slightly scaled down. The Pistol Wear Trump Card and Sub Compact Trump Card are lightweight concealed carry holsters that can be worn under the arm, inside the waistband, or outside the waistband.  They are designed to be used in support of business attire or causal wear. Much like the PT-One and PT-2, the Trump Card has a breathable elastic belt … Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty | Tagged , , , | 13 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 →

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