Firearms General (235)
You know you live in a state with a high tax rate when a major manufacturer comes out with a "tax relief" rebate to cover your tax and the max reimbursement rate of 8% doesn't cover what you pay. We pay about 10% here in the Pacific Northwest. Oh well, still a good deal if you are looking at getting a Browning...I would love a Citori but don't have the $ at the moment. Oddly, Buckmarks which I would consider getting in the near future, are excluded.
It is great that we generally wear more concealing clothes and can move away from a summer (small) gun to a bigger or fullsize, but I see but see little on how to carry when you have to actually spend time outside.
Traditional holster logic doesn't really work. OWB, IWB works fine for when you are just going out to your car or smoking in the parking lot, but it is not the same when you are out for hours (or longer).
You still have to access the pistol if you need it. Not so easy under your multiple layers of clothing and winter jacket. Yeah, I can conceal my 1006 or a fullsize 1911 under my winter coat, but can I get to it without unzipping 3 jackets or spend 5 minutes of fishing through clothing layers to get to it?
Here is what has and hasn't worked for me:
IWB - clearly inside the waist isn't really going to work very well.
OWB (outside belt holster) - this might work if you can put the pistol only under your winter coat. I have considered getting a "duty belt" or a Wilderness to supplement my regular belt. You could wear it over all of your layers.
It would be great if you had a patrol jacket, like 5.11's, where there are actually snaps for quick access to a sidearm. I don't own any of these...yet.
shoulder holster - actually resizing this to go over all of the layers of clothes and under your main coat works pretty good. You still have to unzip it for access it, but is fairly comfortable. You don't have to worry about printing since you already look like a marshmellow.
ankle holster - depends on the type of pants and weather. Trekking around outside (at least around here) even if there is no snow usually results in wet pants and wet backup pistol. Not so easy to access when dressed like the Micheli-man...
man bag - I will be darned but I have found that increasing the strap size of my Maxpedition to fit over everything including the winter coat works REALLY well. Still gives very quick access to the pistol and quick carry of other things like a flashlight (since it gets dark befor 5pm now).
jacket pockets - my ski jacket had pretty good front pockets that were perfect for a mini-Glock or J-frame. My current favorite jacket is a Columbia 3-in-1 that has cavernous zippered hand pockets. I suspect mini-Glocks will work and possibly bigger.
If you have any ideas, I have missed let me know. Keep in mind that for me it has to be concealed so drop or offset holsters won't work.
Ah, silly former Mayor Nickels. I blog about this because I specifically wrote the former Mayor's office explaining that I would not violate his (illegal) ordinance banning firearms (even legal state licensed concealed pistol holders) and I therefore would not visit Seattle.
The irony was, I explained, that I was a law abiding citizen and would follow even his illegal law. On the other hand he was a political leader passing laws that he knew was illegal -- the city ban of firearms was illegal by violating state preemption. The city was even told this by the Attorney General).
Seattle had already lost their court case about this but amazingly still decided to appeal it! Well, the appeals court has ruled what we already knew - a handgun ban CLEARLY is in violation of the RCW. The STATE preempts the entire field of firearms. DUH!
What a waste of tax payer money!
It may still be a long time before I set foot in Seattle or spend any money there, but if I do at least I will be able to legally carry my pistol without worrying about a renegade mayor's illegal gun bans.
Wisconsin (WI) CCW reciprocity list now available!
Written by reg mathuszFolks have been wondering about the CCW reciprocity provision of the new CCW laws. The list is now available! Interestingly, some of the states which WI will honor do not have the 4 hour mandatory training for WI residents that was approved as "emergency" rules (and now the actual law). Non-residents will be able to CCW without the training requirement while WI residents will have to to take it.
Sorry, WI residents can only CCW with a WI CCW license!
This list is current as of 10/18/11:
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
**Wisconsin residents must have a Wisconsin concealed carry license**
Also note the new CCW laws do not take effect until Nov 1, 2011!
This is from: http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/ConcealedCarry/ConcealedCarry.asp
I saw no non-resident restriction, and it is interesting to see Utah on the list, but NOT Florida.
Finally--Big brand ammo for use against zombies! (seriously)
Written by reg mathuszJust in time for Halloween, Christmas (good gift?), return of AMC's "Walking Dead" and TEOTWAWKI?
For those that haven't seen Hornady's new Z-MAX (Zombie Max) ammo (website also has a cool video of someone shooting zombies which I am attaching here).
The website says:
Hornady® Zombie Max™ ammunition is NOT a toy (IT IS LIVE AMMUNITION), but is intended only to be used on…ZOMBIES, also known as the living dead, undead, etc. No human being, plant, animal, vegetable or mineral should ever be shot with Hornady® Zombie Max™ ammunition. Again, we repeat, Hornady® Zombie Max™ ammunition is for use on ZOMBIES ONLY, and that's not a nickname, phrase or cute way of referring to anybody, place or thing. When we say Zombies, we mean…ZOMBIES!
VIDEO:
zombie-max-web
Here are a couple of screen shots...
and the specs...
Looks like Critical Defense with a different plug.
Glock Gen4 in a Comp-Tac CTAC and new connector
Written by reg mathuszSo, I am still in the market for a Gen4 Glock 23 to match my Gen3 model 23 and 27. I have a pretty good assortment of holsters and the ability to use the same ones is somewhat important.
One of my favorites is the CompTac CTAC. Boy, that thing is thin! However, on their website it says that the CTAC will not fit Gen4's due to the dust cover. Surprised, I took my CTAC down to my local shop and had them stuff a Gen4 23 into it. It fit! YAY! Just thought I would share. If it is a concern stick it in and see if it fits.
Now, since I am talking Gen4's I thought I would point out that all of the current ones are coming with a(nother) revised recoil spring assembly and a new connector (people are calling it the . (dot) connector. Supposedly, it gives the pistols the feel of a broken in Gen3. YAY! I was a little put off by the first Gen4 triggers.
For current owners with pre-change pistols, supposedly Glock is being very good about sending replacement parts under warranty. Kudos to them!
Yeah, I know, buy a Gen4 already! Got to get some winter tires first.
I keep hearing rumors about transponders (like RFID) in pistols. But here is an interesting note in the new Walther PPQ manual:
Definitely being sold in Europe though. hmm...
Ok, non-believers (some people still don't believe they exist) here is a pic of WVSP's new S&W 4566TSW Melonite w/ Rail! It is from this smith-wessonforum thread.
The sku for the new pistol is 108263. So, if you are interested please contact S&W or possibly special run distributors (like Lew Horton) and let them know (I did). If they run them, I will buy one!
Just peeking at the Walther PPQ - wow, that's an extended slide lock
Written by reg mathuszI am told that the new PPQ has a Tenifer treated slide. Interesting, no? I thought I would look them up.
I am unfamiliar with the new Walther PPQ. I do know that it is the successor to the P99 and I know there were a lot of fans who swore by the P99. However, I did have the opportunity to shoot a P99 previously. Personally, I didn't see anything remarkable about it, although I didn't find anything wrong with it either. I am told that I would have preferred the later P99QA.
However, in my unscientific initial preview of the PPQ, I am astounded by the physical length and positioning of the slide lock/release! (click on the pic to see a larger version)
Holy cow that is long!!! And it is presumably on both sides. And wow, does it have enough slide serrations?
Some folks don't like the big square trigger guard, but I do. Definitely would work with gloved hands. Anyway, I know these are aesthetics and personal preference, but I thought I would share in case you hadn't seen one, or noticed the super-long slide lock.
Sig Sauer P6 feed ramp issue - date corrected by SIG
Written by reg mathuszI have researched the P6 feed ramp issue and found the following post on SIGforum ...
"Dear Mr. xxxxxxx,We checked our drawings and found out that we change the angle of the barrel ramp on the 14th of June 1989 from 52 degrees to 54 degrees.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
With best regards,Ralf Vanicek
Produktmanager SIG SAUERJ.P. Sauer & Sohn GmbH
gegr. 1751
Sauerstrasse 2-6
D 24340 Eckernförde"
More...
Forgot to post, I got my Maxpedition Universal Holster and it works great with my Versipak Fat Boy. However, it is a no go with the 5.11 Vest.
The Vest has a couple of narrow strips of velcro on each side. Weird. I searched my stuff for the kit that came with the 5.11 holster and double mag pouch. I found a very thin (flimsy) square panel of material. Ok, that work to attach to the strips in the Vest. I tried to attach my new holster to it, no go -- the weight of any of my pistols causes the square to severely slouch. Not secure at all. In my "kit" I found another square of material that is very stiff, that attaches to the other square, but unfortunately is the wrong velcro side for my new holster to attach.
If I can find a square panel of velcro (don't know what else to call it) that has each type on each side, it might work but seems like more fuss than it is worth.
The holster however does work great in the Versipak to secure small pistols. In fact, my Glock 27 and S&W M&P 9c fits great no resizing or moving required.
Travelling by car to CA ... some thoughts on bringing a firearm/ 12 hrs in a car with a pistol strapped to my ankle
Written by reg mathuszSo I just drove straight through to California. 12 hour drive-my wife and I alternated driving all night/morning.
I am licensed to CCW for the majority of the trip until the CA border. So I will be darned if I am going to travel across multiple states because one state is ridiculously restricted. I will meet their requirements for that portion of the trip.
Just before the border my 9 shot pistol (Glock 27) - I didn't want to bring a CA restricted/banned mag since I dont know what the ramifications are - is unloaded, separated from the magazines, locked in a hard case, which is then locked in the trunk. My trunk has a "pass thru" so it is in its own lock box so there no question of it being "secure" (CA definition).
Anyway, I had my Glock 27 strapped to my ankle in a Renegade Leather Holster (great holster by the way). 12 hours? Not a good idea. Not comfortable, in fact hurt my back. As a matter of fact when the little Glock got packed up from hurting itself (per CA law) my back felt better! Definitely not carrying on the ankle back. Good thing I brought my Maxpedition Versipack bag.
I am a big proponent of shoulder holsters for driving but not when it is 95 degrees out. People at gas stations and rest stops look at you funny for wearing a cover garment. Still, if you have AC it is an option. I will have to get one for my Glock 23 and see how comfortable it is. Oh, and I guess, some 10 round mags for it too.
Just something that I posted on S&W forum in response to carrying a full size M&P:
I have a 9c and 9fs. I carry them in a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe. Obviously the 9c is easier to conceal. However, as of late since summer hasn't been too hot (mid 80's) I have been carrying FS to see how hard it is to hide.
So, my conclusion is that it can be done, however like others have said, it really does depend on your build, clothes (loose shirt is required), and the grip is the main problem to overcome.
For me, it works fine as long as I don't have to bend over significantly or I am not sitting in chair with an open back like in a restaurant (I am worried about printing), otherwise concealment is fine.
The looseness of the shirt is a big change for me. I am used to OWB with a cover garment, but it is a little warm for that. I found that most of my t-shirts, while far from tight, are a little too snug for the full size grip. Now, the 9c? In the same holster it hides easily with everything but tight shirts and I don't have to worry about bending over or sitting.
Botach seems to get a mixed bag of reviews. They recently have moved to free shipping to be more competitive.
They also regularly run specials. Some are blah, but others are very good. The VERY good ones seem to sell out very quick (within the first hour). Oh well, guess you have to read your email pretty quick.
Anyway, they were sold out of the sale item that I wanted when I noticed that they had a couple of items on clearance. These were pretty small items (two of them) but I wanted to get them before they were gone. I ordered them figuring that I would probably have to add a couple items to make a minimum order.
Much to my surprise there was no minimum order! They not only took my $10 order but had it to my door in 2 days!
Kudos to Botach, that is great customer service!
