I was wondering when these would come out. Back in the day, I had the opportunity to work on a the 3rd COSCOM commander’s GO M9 pistol when his driver came by our shop in Wiesbaden with the replacement grooved slide and large head hammer pin ‘solution’ to the slides breaking.
We tried, but we never could figure out a way to keep it.
Category: Gun Schtuff
Personally, Dad & I run Federal 147 gr Hydra-Shok +p+ that we laid in large stock of when it was still available. Sadly, Federal doesn’t make it anymore. So, I’d go with something close to 125gr jhp +p for social work.
What’s the Best 38 Special Ammo for Self-Defense?
When the question of self-defense with a .38 Special comes up, the first thing we must acknowledge is that any gun is better than no gun. This is partly because no one wants to get shot with any gun, and partly because any gun can serve as a deterrent to violent action, even if it’s never fired. But of course, the question most folks want answered is if a .38 Special is enough gun to stop a violent attack should they actually have to use it.
THE .44 RUSSIAN
BORN IN THE USA, PERFECTED BY THE BEAR
WRITTEN BY JOHN TAFFIN
In 1870 the United States Military purchased 1,000 Smith & Wesson .44 American revolvers. However, they were not satisfied with this first cartridge-firing big-bore revolver and did not order any more. The Russians also ordered Smith & Wesson Americans and, as with the United States Military, were also not satisfied. However, instead of abandoning this new .44 sixgun they set about to improve it.
What? Speak louder, I can’t hear for the ringing in my ears.
Actually, this is a good deal. The more suppressors are ‘main streamed’ in the military, the more people will want them when they leave the service, and the more they will hate them being restricted under the NFA.
The Marine Corps plans on fielding suppressors to infantry squads starting this year
Marine grunts in close combat formations will start receiving suppressors for their small arms at the end of this year, Task & Purpose has learned.
Marine Corps Systems Command on Thursday announced its intent to award a single-source contract to Knight’s Armament Company for 5.56 small arms suppressors for use on the Corps’ arsenal of M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, M4 carbines, and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle Weapons.
In an email to Task & Purpose, MARCORSYSCOM confirmed that the Corps plans on fielding those suppressors to close combat units starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. [that starts this October 1 ed.]
“Our intent is to posture our Marines with capability now in order to improve the lethality of our Marine Corps Close Combat Forces,” MARCORSYSCOM spokesman Many Pacheco said.
The FGC-9 design is a homemade, semi-auto, 3D printed, polymer 9mm handgun/carbine. Average cost is about $600 in parts and tooling.
THE .38 SPECIAL AND .44 SPECIAL
Special loads for special leverguns –JOHN TAFFIN
It seems everyone is always talking about .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum leverguns but what about .38 Special and .44 Special loads in leverguns which were chambered thus originally?
Both of these leverguns, Uberti Model 1866 (top) and Marlin Cowboy Comp are chambered in .38 Special with the former still available.
A Brit who, with ingenuity, legally makes a rifle into …..this.
My interest in this article by a person with just enough education about guns to be dangerous has nothing to do with the fact that Dad has one of the S&W Miculek model 25 revolvers………really.
Shootout: Are Semi-Automatics Or Revolvers the Better Gun for Self Defense?
Here’s What You Need To Remember: A handgun is a dangerous weapon designed to kill people. That said, it is also merely a tool, and there are some situations in which it is the only tool that can effectively respond to a dangerous situation. One of the most valuable skills a handgun owner can possess is the ability to think clearly in a stressful situation and refrain from using force.
Glock still makes the Gen3 version, simply due to the fact that it’s the latest one that is allowed to be sold to the general public on California’s ‘safety roster’.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Goes 20,000 Rounds
When Springfield Armory launched its innovative Hellcat micro-compact pistol in 2019, the company took steps to highlight the durability of this dedicated defensive pistol. In the same year, one Springfield Armory Hellcat, Serial No. AT234795, was fired 10,000 times with no parts breakage and minimal cleaning. Now, that same gun did it again, going 20,000 rounds with no gun-related issues. Continue reading “”
Data on the Number of Guns Americans Purchased in June Is Here and…Wowza
The data on how many Americans purchased firearms and went through federal background checks in June has arrived.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, June 2020 saw the highest number of gun purchases since the FBI started keeping track 20 years ago. Further, this year’s June number increased over June 2019 by 135.7 percent. According to the unadjusted number from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, 3,909,502 background checks were conducted.
“These figures represent the highest June on record since the FBI began conducting instant background checks more than 20 years ago. The sharp increase in Americans buying firearms in June continues a trend we saw start in the spring. Civil unrest, rioting, looting and calls to defund police are unquestionably motivating factors of why this trend is increasing. Americans are right to be concerned for their personal safety. It’s entirely reasonable that law-abiding citizens are exercising their Constitutional right to purchase a firearm to protect themselves,” NSSF Director of Public Affairs Mark Olivia released in a statement.
UZI does it.
A student assigned to the U. S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School who is in the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course fires an Uzi submachine gun during weapons training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina May 12, 2020. The Soldiers were trainined to employ, maintain and engage targets with select U.S. and foreign pistols, rifles, shotguns, submachine and machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars and in the utilization of observed fire procedures. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens)
NRA Foundation Auctions Firearms for Father’s Day
The NRA Foundation will be running their 2020 Father’s Day Online Auction, featuring 50 firearms, through June 22. The money raised through it will benefit a number of programs and is crucial in the fight this November, as freedom will be on the ballot.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, for example, has made no secret of his desire to lead a crusade against the Second Amendment and events like this allow the NRA to continue its fight against anti-gun politicians seeking to curtail your constitutional rights.
“Your participation helps The NRA Foundation protect our Second Amendment freedoms with activities that promote safe and responsible firearms ownership, and invest in the next generation of America’s leaders. And that’s what this is all about, right? Protecting the future of freedom so our children and grandchildren can have the same rights we enjoy, and keep the shooting sports alive and well,” said Sarah Engeset, director of volunteer fundraising.
The 2020 Father’s Day Online Auction features an impressive array of firearms, including the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ, the 2020 Colt Python, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave and many more. Second Amendment-supporting participants who bid on these firearms know their money is going toward the fight to protect their rights to keep and bear arms, especially with the threat that is looming on the ballot in November.
For decades, the NRA Foundation has served the needs of freedom-loving Americans across the country. To participate in the auction, visit NRAFDAD.givesmart.com or text NRAFDAD to 76278 to register. To learn more about the programs, services, events and more offered by the NRA Foundation, please visit NRAFoundation.org.
BLUF: AR 15 pistols & the like are legal.
[Missouri Conservation] Commission updates definition of handguns for deer hunting
he Missouri Conservation Commission approved an updated definition of a pistol/handgun from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for the Wildlife Code of Missouri at its May 28 meeting in Jefferson City.
The change provides a formal definition of handguns used for hunting during the alternative-methods portion of the fall deer-hunting season.
‘You can’t stop the signal..’
Winnipeg Police Seize AR15 and Glock with 3D Printed Receivers
Changing Your Carry Depending on Your Environment
Change. We’re in the middle of it. Millions of people have purchased their first guns over the last few months. Riots, looting, theft, attacks, murders. We see it daily on the news. Smart people know, or have just realized, that the police can’t be everywhere, and it highly unlikely they will be close when you are attacked.
You are your own first responder. Are you prepared?
Trainers across the country are being flooded with calls asking for private lessons. That’s good.
Let me explain something that’s not obvious to new gun owners, but which can make a big difference in your ability to have a self-defense handgun with you. It requires change. Specifically, it means you have to change your handgun as conditions change.
I’ve been carrying a pistol since about 1976. Big guns and small guns, big calibers and small calibers, double stack and single stack, short barrels and longish barrels, revolvers and autoloaders. Why so many types?
There is no one handgun that works for every situation.
You have many types of footwear so that you can have the right function for each activity. Tennis shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, hunting boots, rubber boots, slippers, etc.
Once you get into carrying you quickly realize the need for various sizes of handguns.
Let me give examples of what I have carried, using just one gun manufacturer. I have carried Springfield Armory pistols for many years. I recently bought the XDm 4.5-inch barrel model in 10mm. Why? Because sometimes I’m in the woods where bears, mountain lions, and wolves live. I really like the idea of having 15 rounds in the magazine of special (deep-penetrating) 10mm ammo with me. It’s a full-size pistol, and it is not light weight when fully loaded. That’s okay because I use a good gun belt and a good holster to handle the weight.
But that’s not what I would carry in most concealed carry situations. For that, I often have opted for two Springfields. The XDs single stack is a dream. Slim, great trigger, and you can get a 10-round mag. Honestly, it’s just hard to go wrong there. I can conceal it when wearing almost anything, especially when I use a tuckable holster. I’ll admit, though, that I like the idea of more ammo, so I have more often carried my XDm 3.8 Compact (now discontinued). The logical replacement for that pistol is the even smaller Hellcat in 9mm, and I’d use the 13-round mag as standard. It’s incredibly small and easy to carry.
When I’m going to spend several days at a shooting school, I’ll opt for a full-size 9mm. Easier to shoot. Ammo is fairly inexpensive. I would go for the XD-M Elite 4.5 and a bag full of magazines.
Now, if you are into style, you might just want to add a sweet 1911 to the mix. Every serious handgunner needs at least one, and after the first magazine of ammo, you’ll fall in love with the trigger. If I could have only one 1911 from the Springfield line, I just might go for the new Ronin Operator in 9mm.
You match the gun to the situation. Where are you carrying? What kind of clothes? Open carry or concealed carry? Just a cover garment or deep concealment? What’s your body type? Pocket carry?
Experienced gun folks know we must change guns from time to time. This example was just using one brand. You can mix and match, of course. You might want to have a revolver in the mix. Just don’t get locked into the idea that now you have “the” gun you need.
Oh, and put serious time and money (!) into the best training you can afford. A shiny new gun will never replace the vital skills you get from serious instruction.
Be safe. Be kind. Stay dangerous. ~ Tom
Tom Gresham
Meet The USAF AR Style Survival Gun – the GAU-5A
While in the skies above, pilots in modern military aircraft often have no shortage of weapons literally at their fingertips, but a pilot who finds himself on the ground behind enemy lines is worse than a bird with clipped wings. During the First and Second World Wars, the best a pilot could have in the way of a personal defense weapon or survival gun was a sidearm. Later, during the early stages of the Cold War, the United States Air Force relied on what were some rather odd survival weapons. Let’s take a look at the various survival rifles over the years, leading up to the GAU-5A.
Survival Guns Over the Years
M4 Survival Rifle
These included the M4 Survival Rifle, a .22 caliber bolt-action rifle that was developed by Harrington & Richardson from their commercial M265 sporting rifle. It featured a sheet metal frame with a telescoping wire buttstock. It was, simply put, “better than nothing,” but it was mainly intended as a survival gun to allow a downed aircrew to forage wild game for food rather than to deal with a hostile enemy.
M6 Air Crew Survival Weapon
The M6 Air Crew Survival Weapon was another weapon that was developed by the Ithaca Gun Company and the Springfield Armory as rifle/shotgun designed for pilots who flew over the Arctic and other uninhabited areas. Again, it was more for foraging than defending, which prompted the Air Force to explore other options.
AR-5 and AR-7 Explorer
From that came the AR-5, a bolt action takedown rifle that was still chambered for the .22 Hornet cartridge, and that led to the ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer, a semi-automatic firearm in .22 Long Rifle caliber that was developed by Eugene Stoner. Introduced in 1959 it is still in use today as an aircrew as well as civilian survival gun. While a generally reliable firearm – so much so that it has been adopted around the world, including by the Israeli Air Force — the AR-7 was lacking in stopping power.
GAU-5/A
Hence the Air Force turned to another of Stoner’s designs – namely the AR-15 platform that was adopted by the U.S. military as the M-16. The Air Force had been the first branch of the service to adopt the AR-15. They soon decided to adopt a carbine version with a 10.5-inch barrel and 4-inch flash hider. The Air Force, unlike the Army or Marines, had no naming convention for small arms and simply put the weapon in its aircraft gun category. Thus was born the GAU-5/A. It became the standard issue weapon for Security Police dog handlers and other specialized personnel. GA was meant to denote an automatic gun while U was for “unit” hence: “Gun, Automatic, Unit.”
Where it gets confusing is that the U.S. Army adopted a nearly identical version of the weapon, which Colt –then the sole maker of the CAR-15 line of military firearms – called the XM177E1. Both versions select fire with semi- and full-automatic fire modes and each was officially classified by Colt as submachine guns. This was despite the fact that these still were chambered in the .223 Remington cartridge rather than a pistol cartridge that is typically used in submachine guns
GUU-5/P
The Air Force’s GAU-5 was updated as the GUU-5/P, which featured a longer 14.5-inch barrel with a 1-in-12 twist. Otherwise, the firearm kept the modular design that had made the CAR-15s popular with the military.
Model 608 CAR-15 Survival Rifle
During the Vietnam War, the Air Force also developed the Model 608 CAR-15 Survival Rifle, which was meant for use by downed aircrews. This model, which resembled the Colt Commando, also featured a 10-inch barrel. Its modular design allowed it to be broken down into two subassemblies and stowed in a seat pack.
GAU-5A
In recent years the Air Force has again considered the benefits of a modular takedown weapon. This has included the GAU-5A. The new version is a modified M-4 carbine, the same type that is currently used by the U.S. Army and United States Marine Corps, as well as Air Force security personnel. This version is a modified “takedown”. It can break into two major pieces for storage within an aircraft that includes the ACES II ejection seat.
These new versions were designed by the Air Force Gunsmith Shop, which was first formed in 1958 to repair and refurbish small arms for the Air Force. The crafty Airmen at the Gunsmith Shop have made numerous modifications to the M4. One modification was replacing the standard 14.5-inch barrel with a 12.5-inch to reduce the overall length. This was done in part to ensure that it can fit in the aforementioned ejection seat. That is no ordinary barrel but rather the specialized Cry Havoc Tactical Quick Release Barrel (QRB) kit, which allows the gun to neatly break into two pieces.
The weapon weighs less than seven pounds and can be put together in just about 30 seconds. That might still be more time than most pilots would like to spend on the ground in hostile territory. Still, it will give those flyers some much-appreciated firepower.
Unlike the original survival weapons that were primarily only good for foraging, the GAU-5A fires the high-velocity 5.56mm round. So it can take down large game. More importantly, it can take down any enemy soldier who finds a pilot with the unfortunate luck of being shot down.
To date, the Air Force’s Gunsmith Shop has built and shipped out some 2,700 of the new weapons. The cost to develop the system was around $2.6 million. So the GAU-5A price tag is less than $1,000 or what a reasonably decent civilian AR-15 would cost.
This Historic Colt 1911 Pistol Carried at Iwo Jima Is About to Go Up for Auction
Rock Island Auction Company will soon be taking bids for the 1911 Colt .45 automatic pistol, and other kit, carried by a decorated Marine combat photographer during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
Following the recent 75th anniversary of Iwo Jima — a brutal battle that stretched from February 19 to March 26, 1945 — the Rock Island, Illinois, auction house will hold its Premier Firearms Auction #79, featuring 2,500 lots of firearms and related items June 5-7.
One of the lots, number 1516, will feature items such as the sidearm, pistol belt rig and rare Iwo Jima battle map that belonged to Marine Sgt. Arthur J. Kiely Jr., who passed away in 2005, according to a recent news release from the auction company.
Kiely joined the Marine Corps in 1943 and served as a combat photographer, taking pictures under heavy enemy fire on island engagements such as Iwo, the release states.
Kiely’s Colt 1911 was originally shipped to the Marine Corps in 1917 and features “85% of its original blue finish showing a mixed brown and gray patina on the grip straps and trigger guard, bright edge wear, and mild spotting and handling marks overall,” according to the auction’s website.
The pistol’s refinished grips have some “dents and tool marks on the screws” and the “modified, refinished replacement trigger sticks a bit,” the website states.
Lessons Learned From Col. Jeff Cooper
In Col. Jeff Cooper’s armory, sitting with the legend himself, I suffered a negligent discharge—with words, not bullets.
It was bad enough that I committed a grievous English error, because I had been reading Cooper’s books since the late 60s, riding my Schwinn Varsity a couple of miles from my house to the library in Clovis, Calif. When I bought my first pistol in 1987, it was a Colt 1911 in .45 ACP, just like the colonel carried.
In 1992, working as a TV reporter, I somehow convinced my station to do a story about Gunsite Academy. Bill Jeans, rangemaster at the time, ushered me into the inner sanctum.
Cooper was equally renowned for his precision with language, and he did not tolerate incompetence. In the armory, I asked him about his personal philosophy of self-defense.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. It took almost two agonizing seconds—I timed it because I still have the video—for him to speak.
“I am not sure of that sentence, ‘A personal philosophy…’ What’s an impersonal philosophy?”
At that moment, I felt as tall as a .22 Long Rifle cartridge. But like all hard lessons, it stuck. Words are like ammo. Don’t spray and pray.
I continued to learn from the colonel. I bought a used Tikka Scout, a .308 Win. with a Leupold 2.5X scope in front of the action. In his book, “To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth,” Cooper praises this setup: “This forward mount, properly used and understood, is the fastest sighting arrangement available to the rifleman.”
In 2017, on my friend’s ranch in central California, I went pig hunting with Col. Craig Boddington. I had been reading his articles for years, and I’d also watched him on TV. I didn’t want to screw up in front of him or my friend, Anthony Lombardo, even though Tony is used to it. So, of course, I missed shot after shot.
In the Jeep, I got pretty lonely in the back when the discussion focused on my rifle. There were two skeptics in the front seats who had me outgunned.
Other shooters disagree with the scout concept, or have abandoned the idea, including the veteran hunter who sold me his Tikka. But an unconventional scope mount wasn’t causing me to jerk the trigger. Surprise Break, I heard Cooper whisper. Surprise Break.
Then I saw three pigs. Not trophies, but we were hunting for meat anyway. I picked the largest of the trio. My handload—45.5 grains of Varget under a Nosler 150-grain E-Tip—staggered the big one. Boddington held off until I connected, then joined me with his .270 Winchester as we cleaned up.
“Great shooting, partner!” Boddington is so polite that I think he was just being kind, but I gratefully accepted the compliment.
I also have a forward-mounted scope on a 30-40 Krag that once belonged to my beloved Uncle Harry. Like the Tikka, this rifle isn’t a true Scout. But Col. Cooper shared my admiration for the Krag, and I hope he would approve. When we rescue vintage guns from the back of our safes, we honor the past. The true innovators, such as Jeff Cooper, live on.
My video of the colonel’s interview includes his famous mindset lecture. I shared it with some Gunsite grads. Wyoming’s Ed Cassidy said it best: “I miss him every day.”