I have had a Hornady Lock N' Load (LNL) AP press for about 5 years. I saw Hornady's "Ammo Plant" and had to ooh and aah. 'Ammo plant' pretty much describes what it is.  See here: Hornady Ammo Plant

(pic from the Hornady website linked above)

I immediately went to price the components needed to upgrade my LNL to an "Ammo Plant" and found it is more than for me to buy another complete progressive press  (although not an ammo plant). Broke = Bad ooh, ah.

However, looking at bullet feeders I saw that RCBS has a new gravity feed bullet feeder which will retail for about $36! RCBS link and here is a really good REVIEW OF RCBS gravity bullet feed from accurateshooter.com.

(pic from accurateshooter.com link above)

This is great because the Hornady electric bullet feeder retails for $350 by itself! Incidentally, RCBS has their own electric bullet feeder too. The pistol kit is $540! Double oooh and awe!

I am going to order the $36 gravity feeder. Slower than the electric versions? Of course! However, since I put them on one by one now, I think I will be ok. Now, I just need a gravity case feeder!

ETA: doesn't look like the feeder is actually out yet.

I was actually going to write an article about DoubleTap and Buffalo Bore ammo but I was pleased to see that Jeff Quinn of GunBlast.com has just (Jan 2012) written an article on the same topic complete with his on chrono #'s from a variety of platforms! This is awesome since it is the rainy season here and because of the overcast can never seem to get my Chrony to work.

The 10mm PISTOL by Jeff Quinn via GunBlast.com

Anyway it is a great article with up to date ammo info for fans of full power 10mm ammo.

I am a big proponent for using a quality belt  (meaning durable, well-stitched and stiff) for CCW. In fact, I think that belt selection comes second to only the pistol itself (assuming proper, proficient, and safe usage). A holster and a pistol will tear up cheap belts and a non-stiff belt will not hold and distribute the weight of a pistol. It doesn't matter if it is a generic belt from Wal-Mart or a Kenneth Cole from Macy's -- for CCW you need a "gun" belt.

I would rather have a good belt and a $20 holster than a $20 belt with a $200 custom holster.

Traditionally, to me, this has meant a good thick 1.5" width leather belt. There are several good brands and Galco is a personal favorite because of quality, durability  and immediate availability to me locally. I have had the same one worn daily for over 10 years! A little spendy at about $75 but after going through countless "dress" belts, well worth the money.

More recently folks seem to be recommending "instructor belts" made originally and famous by Wilderness. Recently, at a Armorers' Course I felt like a fish out of water being 1 (or 2) there NOT wearing one. That reminds me I need to order some tactical pants too..

I chose a Wilderness because they are reputed high quality (I have seen no complaints about their stitching), they offer exact sizing, and they are made in the U.S.. There are several other brands but they were not any less expensive. I chose 5-stitch since the 3-stitch doesn't seem stiff enough for a pistol. They offer an even stiffer "CSM" model which adds a layer of polycarbon in between the belt layers. I own a similar leather/carbon hybrid belt. It is VERY stiff. I think this has disadvantages too (see # 4 below).

It is basically a nylon-web belt that is double-layered except for the end portion that goes through buckle. This model has 5-stitches that run along the length of the belt to add stiffness. One side has a metal buckle finished in RoGuard  black. The buckle is pointed so that a carabiner can be attached if using with a rappelling rig. The loops through the buckle and back through a "floating lock bar" that is inside the buckle. That lock bar basically pivots back and forth and has one size with teeth so that it grab onto the the belt locking it in place. This allows the belt to be cinched down at any point. The extra belt (after going through the buckle) goes to the side and attaches to the belt via velcro. No more flopping around! (disadvantage below) I didn't do any picture because there a million of them on the web and mine looks like every other one.

To me there are some other advantages to this type of belt:

1. Price: they are available for about $40
2. More impervious to wet weather (hello, Seattle!) and also dry quickly (vs. leather)
3. Incredibly thin and lightweight
4. Stiff (5-stitch) but still able to be rolled up compactly for transport (like in a pack)
5. Buckle design allows infinite adjustment! no more having to choose between the belt hole that is either loose or too tight. This is great for carrying different loads, switching from no CCW to OWB or IWB. You could also use it in a pinch as a cinching strap.
6. Slim buckle with RoGuard finish. You can also use it with a rappelling harness (I haven't done that in years)

I immediately put fullsize S&W M&P pistol in a BladeTech belt holster onto the belt. The pistol hung without any problem and was comfortable.

I then put on one of my heaviest pistols on it to see how it fared -- a S&W 1006 (about 42oz)  also in a Hume OWB leather holster holster. There was noticeable drag in the holster from the heavier pistol (duh). I cinched it tighter to mitigate the extra weight. It carried well although slightly snug. Usable but not a comfortable as a good leather belt. My opinion is that if you are going to carry something heavy a lot you should get the CSM option (or a leather belt).

I had heard that looping the belt through holsters because of its double-thickness might be a problem. Not so. In fact, it was easier to thread through than my super-buff thick Galco belt.

One thing that is odd, at least to leather belt wearers, is that for most people the extra length of belt goes towards your strong side. Depending where you wear your holster this means that the length may run into your holster. In the couple of holsters I tried this was not an issue but I don't carry 3 o'clock. If you do, you will want to get a belt that is measured exactly (each manufacturer has instructions on how to do this) so that you don't get a belt with excessive length. Wilderness offers them in your exact size while others offer them in even sizes and some only S-M-L, etc.

Disadvantages? Not many and questionable importance, but..

1. Slower to put on and take off, and noisy due to velcro
2. I did notice that  if you have a lot of pet hair in your hose it does also seem that the velcro on the belt attracts it.
3. It is not very dressy, I couldn't get away with it at my work, although I am going to try.
4. Extra belt length goes to the strong size
5. Seems like they are "tacti-cool." Function over form for me, but not low key. You can wear a thick leather belt and no one will think anything of it.
6. Thinness makes it harder to do the "one handed pistol rack" if that is desired. It is actually doable with the 5-stitch depending on the pistol but I suspect the CSM is better, but it is hard to beat a good thick leather belt for this.

I will see how well it holds up, but great quality and usability for the price!

ETA 2/19: added post on IWB carry available: HERE

Folks have been asking me about this legislation and its impact on CCW'ers. I think that there may be some misunderstanding on its current status. The following is what I recently posted in a thread from MP-pistol.com forum and I thought interesting enough to post here:

Question:

Hey guys I've been wondering about the concealed carry reciprocity act. If I have a concealed permit from AZ does CA.have to.accept it and what are the California carry laws I've read lots but would like to hear it firsthand from some Californians please and thanks ya

My answer:
Are you asking about HR822 The National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act?
Well, it has passed the House but needs to pass Senate. If there are any differences it must then go to joint committee to have those differences resolved. Of course it must then be signed into law by the Presidnet, and even then how it is interpreted by each state (and in states without firearms preemption local jurisdictions interpretation) will have to be seen. How can it turn out? Look at the FOPA and LEOSA where some jurisdictions like NY DON'T honor the law at all.

So, in a nutshell, while a GREAT move your question is a LONG way from being able to be answered. However, the current version of the legislation is available here:
http://thomas.loc.go...12:H.R.822.EH:/

in the Downloads section thanks to EMT16711!

Thanks to JoshP the 2012 CZUSA and Dan Wesson instructor price list and order form are now available in the "Downloads" section.

Usually Yahoo! News is filled with drivel, so Iwas  surprised today to read the headline:

‘The Debutante Hunters’ Wins the Yahoo!/Sundance 2012 Shorts Competition

LINK

I don't know much about it, but firearms or hunting portrayed by in a positive light (well, I hope so anyway - again I haven't seen it) is a pleasant surprise, especially from Sundance!

...a group of Southern belles who show their good old girl sides while hunting the backwoods, was culled from over 7,000 short films submitted to the festival...

After going on a hunt with her friend Kristy Olson Cuthbert, White knew she had her subject: "This was a world I wanted to explore, where a woman can be feminine, a mother, a daughter, and still be a total badass."

Now, that is truly avant garde!

This came up on a thread about M&Ps on Smith-WessonForum.com (HERE). It reminded me of a conversation I had on Friday with a coworker who carries his Keltec P380 unchambered. I wrote this response and thought I would post it here...

The problems with carrying empty chamber to me are:
1. Requires the use of two hands. I don't know about you but I am usually carrying stuff. Yes, I will drop what I am carrying but those extra seconds could cost..
2. Relies on more precise motor skills than I prefer to have to use under stress. Consider that you may have to do this moving, or taking cover
3. Requires that everything during the charging sequence to work and charge the pistol. If any one thing fails then the pistol is essentially a big rock. For example, what if the bullet fails to chamber, or the slide doesn't completely go into battery? You have essentially a rock in your hands.

This is exacerbated with one handed racking. Not only does your equipment need to support this (flat pistol sights, hard belt or hard holster), but you will need to clear your cover garment and rack the pistol, with the same caveats as (2) and (3) above,  without being able to see what you are doing (do you really want to look away from the assailant?) and you may possibly be in motion.

Definitely not something I want to have to rely on, especially during stress and with an assailant. So, I guess to answer the OP's question, yes I carry chambered. :)

I was disappointed that the actual Glock 4.5# connector (it used to be called the 3.5# connector) is a restricted part from Glock even though it is used in their competition models. This is true even for Glock Certified Armorers and law enforcement (unless they get their chief to sign off!)

Surprisingly, my LGS actually carries the Lone Wolf version in stock! No shipping or wait to get it.

Now, here is a silly disclaimer: This post is strictly for education purposes. You need to be make sure that in your area it is legal to install a lighter connector, use after market parts, shoot a firearm,  or even read this post. I am not endorsing or encouraging it. Additionally, I am not going to tell you how to replace the connector or where to get parts. I will not tell you that original Glock minus connectors are available on line or to get an aftermarket one from lonewolfdist.com and that you can find how to videos on youtube.

So, about 30 seconds after getting home I installed it (that's how long it takes to install). The difference? Actually not much. Not nearly the dramatic 'hair trigger' that some have made it out to be.   However, the trigger initial stacking (not the dead space slack) is reduced. What I am talking about is the point after the take up and you feel the initial resistance to the trigger being pulled back. My stock trigger feels like you have to increase pressure to get past it, whereas this one does not. I like it. I will mention that this is true of my 23, but my much newer 27 doesn't seem to have this stacking.

Trigger reset is supposedly improved, but I couldn't really tell. Personally, I think the whole "trigger reset" is more academic than practical. Even rapid firing I have never been taken back by a pistol's "spongy trigger reset."

A really popular combination is the lighter connector, commonly called the minus (because of the '-' marking) along with the NY trigger spring which makes the take up feel a little heavier. This would be a good combination to give the user an OVERALL trigger pull similar (if not a little heavier take up) to stock with a cleaner break.

For those (like me) who find the stock Glock trigger's "sproing" to throw you a little to the left (it also doesn't help that I am left eye dominate) this may help.

The "Downloads" section is now open with special thanks to EMT16711 with getting us started with the  new Ruger and Kahr forms.

Note:
Some of the 2011 forms will be valid until they are replaced by the manufacturer.