Guns

Best weapon for home defense? The BOT wins again

/ hsoi / 4 Comments

This is why I love “The Box O’ Truth” website. Old_Painless does a lot of “put up or shut up” to really see how things work, how things will behave, and puts myths to the test. No, it’s not the most scientific of things, but he goes in with an open mind, willing to be surprised and have his stances changed if the evidence presents itself. It’s certainly better than a lot of people who just go on myth, on hearsay, and other Internet chest thumping “I read it on some forum so it must be true”.

The latest article? Educational Zone #143 – What is the best weapon for home defense?

I’ve written before about home defense tools and referred to the BOT for supporting evidence. Old_Painless doesn’t use this article as a way to spout his opinion, but rather to report on numerous FACTS about home defense weapons, specifically choosing between a handgun, a shotgun, or a carbine (rifle).

He talks about each weapon platform, the advantages and disadvantages they have. Plus he busts some common myths. He’s pretty sound throughout most of the article, and you’d do well to read it. I’m not going to reprint it here, go click and read.

I did want to comment on a few points.

* Pistol advantage of them being convenient. This is true and really the main (only?) reason for a handgun (vs. a long gun). He states how this convenience factor is good because you can carry them on your person. Very true. And that you can conceal them out in public. Also true. But that concealment isn’t a big factor in home defense. Strictly speaking, that’s true. But one consideration implied here is that because you can carry them on your person — you should. Even if you’re not licensed to carry them in public, you can carry them on your person in your home (tho check your local laws). Why do this? Because the most useful tool is the one you have when you need it. You cannot know when someone will bust down your door. Not everyone is able to have a gun spaced every 3 feet in their house. For most people, getting to a dedicated home defense gun will take some time, or maybe some planning and money to ensure enough are laid around the house in accessible places. Tho of course, if you have kids, that accessibility may have to be limited and that could also increase cost. All those precious seconds to get to the shotgun could be costly. But if you have the gun on your hip, you have it right here, right now, no time wasted.

A little story. A few days ago I was home alone. Sasha (our Kuvasz) was downstairs barking at something outside. She came up to my office and parked it in a way to say “Dad, there’s something down there”. I said “OK girl, let’s go check it out”. I let her go down the hallway in front of me. Usually she does not stop at the top of the stairs, but this time she stopped — and started barking. This was peculiar behavior. My immediate reaction? I drew my gun to a retention ready position. An instant later, my brain processed that the alarm wasn’t going off so no one should be in the house. Still, I kept my gun drawn and away we investigated. Turned out to be nothing of consequence, but still… I was set into a high degree of condition orange and didn’t have any time wasted going back to fetch my AR-15. Don’t just think of a handgun as a concealment piece. It’s a tool you can carry thus you should carry. A tool is only useful if you have it when you need it.

* Shotguns – ammo. Yes, the Federal FLITECONTROL is the only stuff worthy of consideration. See my investigation of shotgun ammo. Tom Givens prefers the 8 pellet 00 buck. I’ve been using 9 pellet but will probably switch to 8 once I run out of my supply.

If you can, get the low recoil version. If it’s not labeled as such, look at the velocity. The regular loads will be something like 1300-ish fps, and the low recoil is something like 1145 fps.

Oh, and perhaps a controversial stance but, while I personally prefer a pump action, it’s a more complex manual of arms. If you are selecting this weapon for someone who may not be willing to train that much, you might want to consider a semi-auto shotgun. They generally generate less recoil than a pump. Plus, the manual of arms is generally simpler: point and click, and click again, and click again. Sure if they malfunction it’s a bigger mess, but hopefully if you’re entrusting your life to this gun you’ve done the work to ensure it’s reliable and can feed through with a high degree of confidence. If you can get the low-recoil buck to work with it, great, but it may not cycle… so yes, you better do a lot of testing beforehand.

* Shotguns – reloading. After taking Rangemaster’s Defensive Shotgun course, you realize a big part of working a shotgun is reloading. Practice it. A lot. Get dummy rounds.

* “4. Myth – You should use the firearm you are most comfortable with.”

I’ll agree with his general premise here, because while we’re all most comfortable with a little .22, that’s not the most effective stopper thus you ought to get more comfortable with better systems.

But that said, we should accept that not everyone can work a big rifle or shotgun. Some little arthritic elderly woman may only be able to handle a little .22 pistol. If that’s all she can do, just make sure she gets a heck of a lot of practice with it. So sometimes “comfort” matters.

Really tho, that’s more a matter of ability than comfort. Old_Painless’ point is to not use “comfort” as an excuse, because getting seriously injured or killed will be much more uncomfortable.

Anyways, it’s a good article. Presents the facts well. Alas, I’m sure the myths and misinformation will still float around. But please, do your part to be informed and stop the spread of bad information opinion.

Suppressors for hunting? Yes, please!

/ hsoi / 3 Comments

Texas Park and Wildlife Department is considering a rule change regarding hunting, specifically with suppressors.

Here’s the text from the agenda:

         The proposed amendment to §65.11, concerning Lawful Means, would allow the use of firearm silencers to hunt alligators, game animals and game birds. Under current rule, the use of sound-suppressing devices to hunt alligators, game animals or game birds is unlawful. The department has determined that there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit the use of firearm silencers for the take of alligators, game animals or game birds, and therefore proposes to eliminate the current prohibition. The department notes that if the proposed is adopted, it will not relieve any person of the obligation to otherwise comply with any applicable state, federal, or local law governing the possession or use of firearm silencers. The proposed amendment also alters §65.11(3) to include additional counties to the applicability of the provisions governing the use of crossbows. This change is necessary to ensure consistency with the changes to §65.42 discussed elsewhere in this preamble.

Yes please!

Why? Well, first consider their own wording: “The department has determined there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit the use….”  So on the one hand, I like this because they see no sound reason to keep a rule around, so they’re going to discard it. This is how things should work! Simplification. Enhancing freedom. Enabling choice. Plus, it also frees up the department and those bound to enforce the rules from work that serves no gain, thus enabling them to focus on work that matters.

Here’s an article with more reasons for suppressors.

But to me, this hits closer to home.

On this last deer hunting trip, Daughter got her ears rung pretty bad. Yes I know, I should have had hearing protection on her — I do know better, but I often don’t while hunting so I can hear what’s going on around me. Plus, the muzzle is out the blind window and due to the structure of things it usually works out ok. But this past one? Not so much. I regret it and do feel awful for it. But this is the trade-off that we have to deal with: to hear the game, but then to not hear the gunshot. I do have electronic muffs, but while they work great for me on the range, I find in the woods, not so much. Different dynamic.

But if we could have suppressors? What a world of difference it would make!

I can legally own a suppressor here in Texas, but I can’t use it for deer or game hunting. I could use it to take exotic deer, I have gone on hog hunts with suppressed rifles. And so why if we can take those with it, why can’t we take game animals? What’s the difference? Apparently none, and it’s great to see TPWD recognizing that and moving on the item.

So what to do?

Well, right now we wait. TPWD will have their meeting on January 25, 2012. After that we’ll know more about how to proceed. It will be a matter of public comment, and you’ll want to be sure to add your comment in favor of suppressor use.

Ending the rumor

/ hsoi / 5 Comments

There’s been word spreading around the gun community about gun thefts by putting red dots on tires of cars at shooting-related events (e.g. at the range), then thieves tracking and later breaking into the car to steal the firearms.

When I first heard the rumor, I was curious because it was reportedly happening nearby (San Antonio), but skeptical. I figured we could look into it tho to see if there was any credibility to it. I mean, if the local sheriff met with folks, certainly that’d be on record wouldn’t it? Certainly there’d be hundreds of people who listened to the sheriff that could back this up, right?

Alas, we found nothing.

Finally, a credible response, dispelling the rumor.

I figure tho like most rumors spreading on the Internet, this one is going to continue to float around for many many years. Please work to help dispel it.

QOTD

/ hsoi

Their “political currency” is the tragedy of their victim “heroes”. Ours is the enabling of self reliance and determination. There is no common ground upon which to compromise or even talk.

I don’t quite agree with some about the “just don’t engage them” stance; some nuts are just tougher to crack. But I do agree with Joe… mostly, because while there may be no common ground now, there may be in the future or just that we have yet to discover what the common ground is. But it does take two to tango, and if they refuse to listen to reason, if they refuse reasonable discussion, then in their ignorant stew they will remain.

When was the last time…

/ hsoi

… you maintained your carry gear?

Tim relayed this story to me:

I went shooting last Thursday [with a friend]. His gun was having multiple malfunctions and when I checked it it was pretty much dry. That was his carry gun and that’s scary!

Yes, that is. This is the tool you rest your life upon. You want it to work when you need it.

I recall a couple of years ago, a friend came over to my house. When he racked the slide on his carry gun to unload it, I cringed from the sound of everything grinding — the gun was so dry.

So when was the last time you oiled your gun?

If it’s a carry gun, it doesn’t need to be sopping wet, but it needs something. Consider treating your parts with Militec-1 if the liquids could be an issue for you. Moving parts, where metal meets metal, thus friction and grind occurs, you need lubrication.

How about your holster? All the screws tight? Blue Loctite applied to the threads?

Flashlight have good batteries?

Spare magazine in good shape?

How about your springs? any spring anywhere in the whole of the system. How are they looking?

Like any tool, be it a hammer, your car, a knife, a gun, whatever. Everything lasts longer and performs better with a little maintenance. Doesn’t take much time, but the payoff is well worth it.

PBR’s Customer Brass Program

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

No, not Pabst Blue Ribbon – Parabellum Research.

They are a small company in Buda, Texas (just south of Austin) crafting ammunition. From their website:

One of the driving forces behind the creation of PBR was the disappointment we had with the quality of practice ammunition being sold by some small manufacturers. It doesn’t take many jammed cartridges or inconsistent firings to make you start to wonder if those “cheap” rounds really represent a savings at all. Having had our semi-automatic handguns reduced to single-shot pistols frustrated us and we decided to do something about it.

In addition, we also recognized that many people don’t want to stand in front of a press for hours on end to “save” money by loading ammunition themselves. In many cases this is a false economy for anyone who puts a realistic value on their time. So, we decided to use our combined 25 years of ammunition loading and engineering experience to create a company that can produce a viable and affordable practice round that is still top quality. Remember, time spent pulling a handle on a press is time that could be used to pull a trigger and more time is one thing you can’t buy.

I have heard of them before, but have never tried their ammo, mostly because I reload my own. That said, I appreciate what they’re doing because I like reloading for the higher quality and cost savings. But it is true, it’s only cost savings if you have time to spend.

Rog posted on Facebook tho that perked my interest: the Customer Brass Program.

Basically, you send them your new or once-fired brass, and they’ll load it up for you. The cost savings? No Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax. Plus brass is generally the most expensive component, and so you’re not having to pay for that component.

Prices seem reasonable, if the prices listed on their website are in fact the price you pay. Hard to say exactly what the final cost is as there are some other factors they have to take into account. Plus there’s always shipping, but if you’re in the area I would imagine you could drop off and pick up (don’t know for sure).

Nevertheless, this seems like a neat solution. They offer numerous calibers, and if in fact it can keep your costs down, that’s a win.

Tune Up Your Gun Handling

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

Karl Rehn’s latest article, “Tune Up Your Gun Handling” is now available at the USCCA website and also their print magazine.

It’s a great article showing various gun safety violations. I’m sure you’ve seen them, and you may have committed them yourself. It’s an opportunity to learn about them, then take a step back, swallow pride, and let’s all work to improve our gun handling.

What you do with a gun when you’re NOT shooting it is more important than what you do when you shoot.

Why am I making this so hard?

/ hsoi

I went to the local indoor range today to do a little more investigation with the M&P.

Last time I had determined everything was hitting low, but it was difficult to get a good feel for things because my eyes were hating it. So today I went and started at 25 yards. Bench rest. Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P. Let’s see how my chosen carry ammo performs. The intent is to figure out what size/height sights I need to get my point of impact to be the same as my point of aim at 25 yards. Dawson Precision has this nice diagram and equation to help figure it out. Just what sights should I order….

On the whole I’d say things came in about 4.5″ low. My eyes still hated it, but groups were in the 3-4″ range and likely could be better under better conditions with a better shooter.

Due to that, I opted to try again at 10 yards. It should give me a reasonable similar number when I do the sight height math, and help me control the eyes factor.  Here things were about 2″ low and mabye 1.5″ groups.

Doing the math, things came out about the same, but nothing really meshed with products Dawson sells.

And then it hit me.

This is all hinged upon the rear sight height remaining the same.

That will not be the case. I will be changing the rear sight too.

*sigh*

So none of this matters. All this work for nothing. I could have just ordered a set of sights and been done with or. Or rather, at least get the rear sight I knew I wanted, then start to adapt the front sight from there. This is the sound of me banging my head into the desk for being stupid. *sigh*

Oh well.

I want a Dawson Charger rear sight. So looking at all the ones they have, this is the model. Plain (well, serrated) black; no tritium, no dots, no fiber, no nothing. 0.125″ width notch. They say to pair with a specific front sight, but I can’t find that (maybe some old stock number?). But at least it needs to be a 0.180″ high sight. I do want a fiber there, so I’m using this model. Red fiber, 0.180″ tall, 0.100″ wide.

I’m going to phone Dawson to put in the order, so I can ensure I get the right stuff.

I’ll get these, get them installed, then try yet again to see how the POA vs. POI is, and if I THEN need to get a new front, then I will.

I’ve been dry firing this gun every day and am very anxious and eager to get it dialed in and on my hip in regular rotation. I put another 50 rounds of Gold Dot through it today, and then another 50 of the 124 grain American Eagle. Boy… that AE fluctuates a lot. I’d have some rounds that would jar me, others that felt like a mouse fart. The way the vents were blowing air behind me, every time I’d shoot an AE round there’d be this cloud of smoke in my field of vision… ugly stuff. I should have shot some of my reloads for comparison.

On reloads, make sure you have one first

/ hsoi / 1 Comment

I was reading this article over at the USCCA website. The article itself is fine but secondary to the one thing that stood out to me. This picture and its caption:

It’s a picture of legendary instructor Ken Hackathorn performing a reload. The picture could come across contrary to the caption, but the picture is but a moment in time. The caption is really what you need to pay attention to:

Note he has the fresh magazine before he dumps the one in the gun.

This is so critical when reloading, at least in the context I care most about: self-defense.

First, you do carry a reload, right? If you do not, you should. In part it’s there because you may need more ammo. But it’s also there because the magazine is a fairly good point of failure in a semi-automatic handgun, and what are you going to do if that magazine fails in the middle of a fight for your life? Having a reload can help you remedy the situation and stay in the fight.

Second, there are many ways to reload a gun, but there’s really only one that matters in a gunfight: the speed reload. That is, you press the magazine release button on the gun, let the magazine drop out of the gun onto the ground (it doesn’t matter if it’s full, partially full, or empty), and insert a new magazine and keep going. This is the fastest way to get the gun back into action, and every moment matters. While looking for something else the other day, I came across an old article by Todd Louis Green about the “Tactical Reload” and his reasons against it.  There is a place for all the styles of reloading, but that’s another discussion for another time.

Now, in doing this reloading, order of execution is important. All too often people realize they need to reload and the first thing they do is hit the magazine release button. Sometime after that, they go for their spare magazine. Can you see a possible problem here? What if you don’t have the spare magazine? It could have fallen out. You may have already reloaded (yes, in the heat of the fight you won’t be able to keep track of all things). Chances are good that the magazine you dropped from the gun was a partially full magazine. So now you have a magazine on the ground, no magazine in your hand, and if you’re lucky, one shot left in the gun. Not good.

Because you may have a partially loaded gun when you choose to reload, don’t empty that gun until you KNOW you can reload it. For those wondering why you’d reload a gun that’s (partially) loaded, if there was a lull I’d like to get my gun topped off. I won’t know how many rounds I fired and thus have left. I don’t know if there might be a second fight (yes it can and does happen). Having a full tank serves me better. I can speed reload, minimize my downtime, and then once there’s enough time I can bend down and recover the partial magazine (if needed).

So when it’s time to reload, FIRST go for the magazine, confirm it’s there, THEN you can drop the existing magazine and continue with the reload. There’s really no time lost in doing things in this order. Or even if there is any time lost, you’ll lose a lot more time off your life if you ever find yourself standing around with a gun you just unloaded in the middle of the fight. The fractions of a second “saved” aren’t worth it.

Hot Shots

/ hsoi

A new show on NBC Sports Outdoors called Hot Shots.

There’s a lot of shooting sports and gun-related TV shows, and a lot of it I just don’t care for. I like shooting, I don’t care about drama, especially “reality” drama. But this “Hot Shots” show seemed, from the advertisements, to be fairly drama-free. The impression I received was it was going to follow some of the top names in shooting sports as they do their thing. Any drama is just what comes up in life, perhaps with narration and bed music to add some drama, but no “reality” drama. Thus, the show seemed like it might be worth watching. And hey… Jerry Miculek? Any chance to see him shoot I’ll take.

So I watched the premiere episode. I enjoyed it. Sure there was drama, but it was “life drama” not “reality drama”.

I did find it interesting there wasn’t much background biography given on the guys. A little bit, but I wondered if you didn’t already know who these guys were, would the casual viewer really know who they were watching? As well, not a lot of explanation of things. For instance, this episode had a lot about the Steel Challenge, and they didn’t talk much about it to help those that didn’t know understand just what it was.

But as I think about it, I think it’s a fine balance being struck. It needs to cater to viewers that know what’s going on as well as those that do not. As someone who has some idea what’s going on, I appreciate they didn’t waste a lot of time explaining things. But they did explain enough, I think, to at least provide context. I’d like to see if future episodes add to the exposition and explanation to help viewers put it all into perspective.

Lots of shooting, not a lot of filler, but what non-shooting stuff there was cool towards showing all that these guys have to do… behind the scenes, if you will.

I enjoyed it. Good entertainment. I’ll watch again.