I want to talk about revolvers. First, I don’t have nearly as many revolvers as I do auto loaders and I don’t shoot them as often. But years ago in the military I used to teach military members, mostly pilots, how to shoot, clean, and maintain the Smith and Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece, Revolver Model 15. It is honestly the only revolver I am real familiar with. Even more so than the two revolvers I own! Many people have heard that revolvers are very reliable. That is true. But some say they do not malfunction. This not true. They malfunction often enough to be close to autoloaders in my opinion. They have different problems than auto loaders. Those who say revolvers don’t have malfunctions have never really shot a lot of revolvers. These are some of those problems:
Light primer strikes.
A frozen cylinder from debris under the extractor star or from out of spec primers.
Broken cylinder release latch.
An extractor rod backing itself out preventing the cylinder from opening.
Triggers spontaneously dragging or freezing up for undetermined reasons.
Various user-induced problems like short stroking the trigger or all the different ways you can fumble a reload.
The only easy fix is the light primer strike.
Reliability aside, the capacity of ammo is a big con. Revolvers have 5 or 6 shots, where compact auto loaders can carry 13 to 18 rounds. Reloading in a revolver is a real challenge. It’s easy to mess it up.
I am not dumping on revolvers. It’s not that I don’t like them, but for my purposes, I don’t get a lot of use out them.
Don’t get me wrong, auto-loaders have their fair share of problems. But I feel that most of their problems can be fixed with a tap and rack drill. Revolvers don’t usually have that easy of a fix.
There are some positive aspects to revolvers. Concealed at close distances revolvers may have less problem with clothing or others things stopping its use. With a slide moving around sometimes it’s more difficult to keep the gun ready to shoot. A revolver doesn’t have that problem.
Another advantage a revolver has over a semi-auto is that a revolver has no slide that a shooter must rack before firing. That’s significant for older folks, or folks with weak hands. No one wants to hide in a corner while a marauder roams through his house, trying feverishly to chamber a round in his gun but unable to do so because the slide is too hard to rack. Better to have six shots that will go bang than 17 that won’t.
Reliability is another issue. Put an autoloader in a box, holster, or drawer for a year and then try and use it, you run a risk. With a revolver you don’t have the same issue.
Take an auto-loader to a range and shoot 500 to 800 rounds and you may not have an issue. But with a revolver that is not the case. Auto-loaders also are more tolerant of neglect. I’m not saying you should ever neglect a gun. You should be shooting, handling, and maintaining said gun.
The downsides to a revolver are simple: significantly less firepower and a thicker profile. The first means that you have fewer bullets to shoot at bad guys, and it takes longer to reload. The second means that they can be harder to conceal. That’s pretty much it.
The downsides to semi-auto handguns can be summed up in just a few sentences: They can be harder to operate (racking the slide). If you possess the grey hair and wisdom of years gone by, you might be better served by a revolver but not necessarily.
I know I didn’t help your decision much. I like auto-loaders better because of my experience with them and ammo capacity. But there are some who really prefer a revolver. I say any gun is better than no gun. But you must be proficient with whatever you decide will be your gun. As an instructor I shot expert with a revolver for several years. I still prefer auto-loaders…
You must get your own experience and decide for yourself.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Showing posts with label Guns!. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guns!. Show all posts
Friday, January 17, 2020
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
AK Or AR? The Eternal Question
Are you an AK guy or an AR guy? How many times have you heard that question? My answer is always, “Depends”. Am I going house-to-house in Kabul? Or am I outfitting an Army to overthrow a Marxist regime? Each gun has their good points. Most people have a favorite. Sometimes it depends on your experience. In the military we learned a lot about the AKM, (M for “modernized or upgraded”) which is the real name of the variant most people call “AK-47”. An AK-47 is really an old gun. One that I would love to get a hold of. They are getting increasingly rare. Russia manufactured the original Kalashnikov, a Type 1 AK-47, in 1948. There is a Type 2 AK-47 which is actually an AK-49. By 1956 the AK-49 (named for the year it started development) was being manufactured but not widely. The SKS designed by Simonov, was being used by the military more than the AK’s. In 1959 the SKM was widely distributed. The AK variant is the most-used and copied design in the world. The AKM is the design that most call the “AK-47”. It is encountered more than any other design. All variants were based on the original AK-47 design but the only correct AK-47 is based on one of the three original receiver types.
In 1974 the Soviets were replacing the AK-47’s and AKM’s with their new AK-74 rifle which does not shoot the traditional 7.62 x 39 round, but the newer 5.45 x 39mm round.
So when you hear anti-gunners talk about the dreaded AK-47, you might teach them that those guns are hard to find. An AK variant is what they are talking about. But like clips and magazines, most people don’t know and many don’t care.
The AR-15 is a lightweight, magazine-fed, air cooled rifle with a rotating-lock bolt. It works on what is called direct impingement gas operation or long/short stroke piston operation that fires 5.56 mm/.223-caliber ammunition.
It was first built by ArmaLite as a small arms rifle for the United States armed forces. Because of financial problems, ArmaLite sold the AR-15 design to Colt who made some modifications and the redesigned rifle was adopted as the M16 rifle. This was the main rifle used by US Armed Forces. Colt then started selling the semi-automatic version of the M16 rifle as the Colt AR-15 for civilian sales in 1963 and the term AR-15 has been used to refer to semiautomatic-only versions of the rifle ever since.
I love the AK platform. To me it is an exotic firearm even though it’s one of the most common in the world. They are not favorite, it’s hard for me to give up the good ol’ USA made AR. I’d love to have an AK. I’ve been shot at enough with AK’s it would be nice to point it the other way! I am also not a fan of the 7.62 x 39 round. I don’t mind it to hunt with but for defense I just prefer the 5.56. The .308 is too heavy of a bullet for my taste.
Here are my comparison points. There are many opinions on this particular subject, but this is mine.
Cost
Once upon a time, there was no debate. The AK could be had for far less than an AR, which made it very attractive to new shooters wanting a so-called “assault rifle” on a budget. In fact, many people wanting to get into tactical-style rifles gravitated toward the AK to start with.
But baby, things change.
My first gun show in the 80’s had AKs or SKSs for $299 each, today finding one for that price would be wonderful. A quick look over on Gunbroker shows that many AKs have a price tag of over $1,000. There are a number of reasons for that, and we don’t have the space to go into all of them, but the days of inexpensive AKs are over. While there are a handful that are priced a bit better, the lowest price for an actual 7.62×39 AK was around $800–they’re still pretty pricey.
ARs, however, seem to have a bit of a range in price. Budget AR-15s can be had for around $600+, and the choices are plentiful and from brands ranging from DPMS to Smith & Wesson. The top end for ARs seems to be “how much money you want to put in?” Realistically, you can spend several thousand dollars on an AR if you want to, but that’s up to you.
Ammo: Availability and cost
Once upon a time, this was a big factor that drove a lot of people to the AK over the AR. Back then, there was a whole lot of surplus ammo to be found, and that drove the costs of ammunition for the rifle down. Also, the AR did not have the popularity it enjoys now.
Those days are over. The surplus ammo has pretty much gone away. This means you’re either shooting old stuff you have stocked or you’re spending a lot of money.
Basically, the higher end ammo is really close in price for the two weapons while the lower you go, the bigger the discrepancy. However, at no point is the difference that much for a box of 20. If you buy in bulk, though, you may see more variance.
But if bulk of ammo is a factor for you (like humping 400 rounds several miles) then obviously, the smaller bullet would be lighter. You can carry more. I know this from personal experience.
Weight
The original AK-47 weighs a little over 8.5 lbs, with an empty magazine in the weapon.
By contrast, the stock AR-15 weighs around 6.5 lbs in a similar state.
In other words, you have a two-pound difference. Additionally, the 7.62×39 round of the AK-47 is a heavier round than the 5.56×54 the AR-15 is chambered in. In a fully loaded rifle of each, the difference in weight is even more noticeable. That makes the AR the clear winner on this one.
Now, that said, weight changes as people add stuff to a weapon, and the AR platform is notorious for having a plethora of accessories. So, if you add too much stuff to your rifle, you negate weight savings.
Power
When it comes to discussion on power, there’s a lot to discuss. Frankly, an entire post could be written on this topic.
The general consensus is pretty clear; the 7.62×39 round is a more powerful round than the 5.56 round. That’s not really up for debate. It’s a bigger, beefier round that hits with more punch. Now, that size comes with costs. For example, weight.
The key point to remember here is that 7.62×39 is legal to hunt deer in a lot of places where 5.56/.223 may not be. (Plus the 7.62x39 makes a sweet snap sound going past your ear!)
Accuracy
All the ammo in the world won’t make a hill of beans if you can’t hit what you’re aiming at. All the practice in the world won’t help if your weapon is destined to miss everything anyway.
The AK is notorious for being an inaccurate rifle. Some chalk this up to the ammunition most people get. Others chalk it up to the looser tolerances of the AK platform. It doesn’t matter. The reputation is still there.
Based on my own experiences, it’s there for a reason. The AK will probably hit the guy you’re aiming at if you’re not at extended ranges and do your part correctly. This means you’ll probably hit any game you’re hunting under the same circumstances.
However, hitting your target and putting a living target on the ground are very different things.
The AR, on the other hand, tends to be far more accurate. The 5.56 round and tighter tolerances provide for a platform that has more inherent accuracy than its competitor. Further, the platform can be made even more accurate with aftermarket additions, something that just isn’t available with an AK style rifle.
Reliability
It doesn’t matter what the weapon can do if you can’t trust it to go bang when you pull the trigger, and one of these weapons has a nasty reputation on this front as well.
This time, it’s the AR…sort of.
You see, the similar M-16 rifles were notorious for jamming in Vietnam, and it wasn’t because of the full-auto parts either. Instead, it was a combination of factors that are still the source of some debate, even today.
By contrast, the AK is a notoriously tough rifle that will run no matter what you do to it. You can supposedly bury it in the mud and gunk for a year, pull it out, run a cleaning rod through the barrel to make sure it’s clear, then go to work.
Of course, neither of these reputations are quite accurate. They have their basis in reality. But they’re not quite true.
I’ve had an AK jam, and I’ve never had a jam with an AR. So maybe my experience is a little off. But I’ll also be the first to tell you not to trust the experiences I’ve had. Find out for yourself.
Through the years, I’ve seen very few AKs jam, and most of those were either magazine or ammo issues. Meanwhile, I’ve seen more ARs jam. These are often maintenance issues as well as the obligatory magazine and ammo problems.
Neither are common, however. So, while you can trust your life to an AR, I’m still giving the edge to the AK. Maybe that is just reputation and history.
There you have it. My own lame opinion of the differences between an AK and an AR. Your experience may vary.
In the end, most of what we do is from our experience rather than someone’s blog post, or review, or their own tests. Most of us have an opinion because of our own experiences. I am an AR person. But you may be different.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
In 1974 the Soviets were replacing the AK-47’s and AKM’s with their new AK-74 rifle which does not shoot the traditional 7.62 x 39 round, but the newer 5.45 x 39mm round.
So when you hear anti-gunners talk about the dreaded AK-47, you might teach them that those guns are hard to find. An AK variant is what they are talking about. But like clips and magazines, most people don’t know and many don’t care.
The AR-15 is a lightweight, magazine-fed, air cooled rifle with a rotating-lock bolt. It works on what is called direct impingement gas operation or long/short stroke piston operation that fires 5.56 mm/.223-caliber ammunition.
It was first built by ArmaLite as a small arms rifle for the United States armed forces. Because of financial problems, ArmaLite sold the AR-15 design to Colt who made some modifications and the redesigned rifle was adopted as the M16 rifle. This was the main rifle used by US Armed Forces. Colt then started selling the semi-automatic version of the M16 rifle as the Colt AR-15 for civilian sales in 1963 and the term AR-15 has been used to refer to semiautomatic-only versions of the rifle ever since.
I love the AK platform. To me it is an exotic firearm even though it’s one of the most common in the world. They are not favorite, it’s hard for me to give up the good ol’ USA made AR. I’d love to have an AK. I’ve been shot at enough with AK’s it would be nice to point it the other way! I am also not a fan of the 7.62 x 39 round. I don’t mind it to hunt with but for defense I just prefer the 5.56. The .308 is too heavy of a bullet for my taste.
Here are my comparison points. There are many opinions on this particular subject, but this is mine.
Cost
Once upon a time, there was no debate. The AK could be had for far less than an AR, which made it very attractive to new shooters wanting a so-called “assault rifle” on a budget. In fact, many people wanting to get into tactical-style rifles gravitated toward the AK to start with.
But baby, things change.
My first gun show in the 80’s had AKs or SKSs for $299 each, today finding one for that price would be wonderful. A quick look over on Gunbroker shows that many AKs have a price tag of over $1,000. There are a number of reasons for that, and we don’t have the space to go into all of them, but the days of inexpensive AKs are over. While there are a handful that are priced a bit better, the lowest price for an actual 7.62×39 AK was around $800–they’re still pretty pricey.
ARs, however, seem to have a bit of a range in price. Budget AR-15s can be had for around $600+, and the choices are plentiful and from brands ranging from DPMS to Smith & Wesson. The top end for ARs seems to be “how much money you want to put in?” Realistically, you can spend several thousand dollars on an AR if you want to, but that’s up to you.
Ammo: Availability and cost
Once upon a time, this was a big factor that drove a lot of people to the AK over the AR. Back then, there was a whole lot of surplus ammo to be found, and that drove the costs of ammunition for the rifle down. Also, the AR did not have the popularity it enjoys now.
Those days are over. The surplus ammo has pretty much gone away. This means you’re either shooting old stuff you have stocked or you’re spending a lot of money.
Basically, the higher end ammo is really close in price for the two weapons while the lower you go, the bigger the discrepancy. However, at no point is the difference that much for a box of 20. If you buy in bulk, though, you may see more variance.
But if bulk of ammo is a factor for you (like humping 400 rounds several miles) then obviously, the smaller bullet would be lighter. You can carry more. I know this from personal experience.
Weight
The original AK-47 weighs a little over 8.5 lbs, with an empty magazine in the weapon.
By contrast, the stock AR-15 weighs around 6.5 lbs in a similar state.
In other words, you have a two-pound difference. Additionally, the 7.62×39 round of the AK-47 is a heavier round than the 5.56×54 the AR-15 is chambered in. In a fully loaded rifle of each, the difference in weight is even more noticeable. That makes the AR the clear winner on this one.
Now, that said, weight changes as people add stuff to a weapon, and the AR platform is notorious for having a plethora of accessories. So, if you add too much stuff to your rifle, you negate weight savings.
Power
When it comes to discussion on power, there’s a lot to discuss. Frankly, an entire post could be written on this topic.
The general consensus is pretty clear; the 7.62×39 round is a more powerful round than the 5.56 round. That’s not really up for debate. It’s a bigger, beefier round that hits with more punch. Now, that size comes with costs. For example, weight.
The key point to remember here is that 7.62×39 is legal to hunt deer in a lot of places where 5.56/.223 may not be. (Plus the 7.62x39 makes a sweet snap sound going past your ear!)
Accuracy
All the ammo in the world won’t make a hill of beans if you can’t hit what you’re aiming at. All the practice in the world won’t help if your weapon is destined to miss everything anyway.
The AK is notorious for being an inaccurate rifle. Some chalk this up to the ammunition most people get. Others chalk it up to the looser tolerances of the AK platform. It doesn’t matter. The reputation is still there.
Based on my own experiences, it’s there for a reason. The AK will probably hit the guy you’re aiming at if you’re not at extended ranges and do your part correctly. This means you’ll probably hit any game you’re hunting under the same circumstances.
However, hitting your target and putting a living target on the ground are very different things.
The AR, on the other hand, tends to be far more accurate. The 5.56 round and tighter tolerances provide for a platform that has more inherent accuracy than its competitor. Further, the platform can be made even more accurate with aftermarket additions, something that just isn’t available with an AK style rifle.
Reliability
It doesn’t matter what the weapon can do if you can’t trust it to go bang when you pull the trigger, and one of these weapons has a nasty reputation on this front as well.
This time, it’s the AR…sort of.
You see, the similar M-16 rifles were notorious for jamming in Vietnam, and it wasn’t because of the full-auto parts either. Instead, it was a combination of factors that are still the source of some debate, even today.
By contrast, the AK is a notoriously tough rifle that will run no matter what you do to it. You can supposedly bury it in the mud and gunk for a year, pull it out, run a cleaning rod through the barrel to make sure it’s clear, then go to work.
Of course, neither of these reputations are quite accurate. They have their basis in reality. But they’re not quite true.
I’ve had an AK jam, and I’ve never had a jam with an AR. So maybe my experience is a little off. But I’ll also be the first to tell you not to trust the experiences I’ve had. Find out for yourself.
Through the years, I’ve seen very few AKs jam, and most of those were either magazine or ammo issues. Meanwhile, I’ve seen more ARs jam. These are often maintenance issues as well as the obligatory magazine and ammo problems.
Neither are common, however. So, while you can trust your life to an AR, I’m still giving the edge to the AK. Maybe that is just reputation and history.
There you have it. My own lame opinion of the differences between an AK and an AR. Your experience may vary.
In the end, most of what we do is from our experience rather than someone’s blog post, or review, or their own tests. Most of us have an opinion because of our own experiences. I am an AR person. But you may be different.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Children And Guns
Children and Teens with guns. This can be a horrible combination. I say CAN be. It usually is not just as most adult gun owners don’t become serial killers or mass murderers. Lately I’ve had several conversations about kids and guns. Some have asked at what age they should expose their kids to shooting and safety, and others want to know how to keep their kids safe from gun violence. We are not in the aftermath of a recent mass shooting committed by a young person. There have been some terrible mass shootings by adults. And that is horrible and sad. Some say it is the times we live in and others think it’s the guns fault. I know this for a fact, killing another human being is not easy or normal. Those who do it with a plan have mental problems. They did not see too many violent movies (although that does not help). They gave into hate and evil. But I digress.
Kids and guns can also be a very good combination. When someone asks me I usually tell them what I did with my big bunch of kids. When they were 8 (boys and girls) I would teach them to shoot. If you live in my house you hear about gun safety all the time. It was taught to my children young but they started to handle guns at 8. Mostly .22 rifles and a few pistols. While at the range they would ask occasionally to shoot something more powerful but usually did not like a heavy recoil. As they got older I encouraged them to shoot more powerful handguns and rifles. They all shot what I suggested but usually gravitated toward what they liked. They memorized the safety rules and I quizzed them often. My recently married daughter was being shown some guns and finally burst because her new husband and in-laws were breaking a couple of the rules. They balked at her knowledge a little and so she quoted all four rules to them and said “My Dad would freak if he saw you guys being so unsafe with guns!” She is correct. I would take their guns from them and make them repeat the rules more than once back to me before they point another “safe” weapon at me!
I’ve read the articles from the “experts” who say kids can’t handle guns. They are very wrong. I’m not saying I would give an 8 year old a .22 handgun and say “Keep this in your drawer.” I lock up my guns for several reasons. My kids were taught safety and the mystique of guns was eliminated. Whenever they wanted to see a gun or handle one, they were allowed under my supervision, reminding them of the safety rules. My guns are locked up from adults or kids that don’t live with me. I have been a gun instructor for over 20 years and I fear adults much more than I fear kids. In my experience kids listen and follow well taught rules, but adults have “knowledge” or “experience” with guns. I have removed an Air Force pilot, a Captain, from a shooting range and barred him from return because he knew about guns and had been in one competition. He blatantly would not keep his finger off the trigger and out of the guard. When he started to cover almost everyone on the range I told him he could return to that range and qualify after his commander had counselled with him. I told him when he returned I was the only instructor that could qualify him. Two weeks later I received a letter of apology from him, a call from his squadron commander, and his promise to follow all instructions given him to re-qualify. I’m not a tough guy, but I insist on gun safety.
Kids are usually quite teachable when it comes to gun safety and shooting. They are eager to do it right and to do it well. They like the satisfaction of seeing the results of their work right away in the form of a paper target or the ping of a steel one. They like the competition and the thought of mastering a skill. Adults care too much about they look, or are perceived, to be the most teachable. That’s a generalization of course.
I started shooting at a young age with my Grandfather who taught me to shoot and gun safety. I also spent a lot of time on my Uncles ranch and farm where I learned to drive at 14. Also, every pickup had a rifle in it. So I was around guns a lot and never remember not being around them. That is probably not typical of most kids so I understand some people’s anxiety. But teach kids correct principles and they learn to govern themselves. Just as kitchen knives are dangerous, and hot stoves, and power tools, and prescriptions, and Drain-O, we must teach kids to be safe. There are many dangerous things in this world that can potentially kill a person and we must be safe with them all. Vehicles are the leading killer of people 1-24. Yet we think nothing of getting into a car. But just as we teach kids to look both ways and wear their seat belts we must teach them to leave a gun alone that they come across and how to be safe around one. It’s not that hard. The problem that I see is not with kids but with adults. There is so much misinformation out there and many adults who are ignorant about guns. Every person should learn to swim. I believe every person needs to learn how to be safe with a gun. Even if you never shoot a gun, never own a gun, and don’t think you’ll ever be in contact with a gun, you should learn gun safety. I don’t own a boat, don’t like to swim and haven’t floated down a river since I was a kid but it’s important for me to know how to swim and be safe around water. I’ve seen adults who were deathly afraid of guns. I’ve taught some of them how to shoot. Once you take the mystery out of shooting it’s not too difficult to put your fears to rest. Having a healthy respect for what guns can do is a good thing. Being irrationally afraid of an inanimate object is silly.
I’ve always started kids off with .22 rifles and moved to .22 handguns. Once they know how to be safe, every time, then they can move to other calibers and more power fun. If they are interested. Some kids are just not. I’ve seen some people start off with airsoft or air rifles and that is fine. That is a good way to teach the safety under a less lethal device. Marksmanship can be very satisfying and can build self-esteem and skill. When safety is never lax and always emphasized, kids will learn what they need to be safe even if they never shoot another gun.
When teaching a kid about gun safety make sure you are in a place that is not distracting. As you progress emphasize that guns are not toys and gun education is not learned from video games or T.V. and movies. In fact, most of the time the entertainment industry is wrong about gun handling. I also teach only 4 gun safety rules. The NRA teaches more but I like the simplicity of 4. Always in this order:
1. All guns are always loaded
2. Never point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until your sights are on your target
4. Know your target and what is behind it
I quiz like this: “Billy why do we keep #3?” The answer is “Because of #1”
“Sherrie if I keep #4 then what will happen?” The answer is “There will not be an accident because a bullet went through the target and hurt someone behind.” “Jacob why do we keep #2?” The answer is “Because of #1.” “Jen what is #1 and how does it keep me safe?” The answer is “All guns are loaded and if you treat them that way you will never have an accident.”
Number 2, 3, and 4 support number 1.
This is also how I teach adults also. If you want to give education and information to your children on guns you must do 4 things:
1. Take out the mystique and taboo of guns
I don’t want my kids playing with knives either but they used knives under supervision from a young age starting with a butter knife. Whenever kids show a curiosity or interest in guns I would take one out and remind them again of the safety rules. I would make the gun safe and then let them handle it. They had to clear the weapon, and then practice the safety rules.
2. Emphasize safety
As I have explained above, my kids know those rules forward and backward. I got lots of groans and eye-rolls when I would ask them, but they knew them.
3. Start small
I started with .22’s but insisted, later in their training and when they were older, that they shoot higher caliber guns. Not to force them into something they did not want to do, but so they understood the power and seriousness of what we were doing. Some of them embraced higher powered guns, some of them did not, but they all have some experience with them.
I also started with little bites. I made their first range experience a good one giving them a good foundation in safety, but a fun experience so they would come back. I also made it brief. 20 to 30 minutes or so. They range time got longer later and as they matured and got older. I made sure I taught only a few concepts at a time to not overload them. If you try to teach grip, stance, trigger press, aim, safety, all at once, they may overload.
4. Make it fun
Making the experience fun and enjoyable was very good for them. We spent some good Dad time together. Even if we didn’t shoot that often, I tried to make it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Teaching your kids this skill may save their lives one day. They would know what to do with a gun if ever it was handed to them. And they may find a skill and hobby that will take them to competition, hunting, or a life-long activity.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Kids and guns can also be a very good combination. When someone asks me I usually tell them what I did with my big bunch of kids. When they were 8 (boys and girls) I would teach them to shoot. If you live in my house you hear about gun safety all the time. It was taught to my children young but they started to handle guns at 8. Mostly .22 rifles and a few pistols. While at the range they would ask occasionally to shoot something more powerful but usually did not like a heavy recoil. As they got older I encouraged them to shoot more powerful handguns and rifles. They all shot what I suggested but usually gravitated toward what they liked. They memorized the safety rules and I quizzed them often. My recently married daughter was being shown some guns and finally burst because her new husband and in-laws were breaking a couple of the rules. They balked at her knowledge a little and so she quoted all four rules to them and said “My Dad would freak if he saw you guys being so unsafe with guns!” She is correct. I would take their guns from them and make them repeat the rules more than once back to me before they point another “safe” weapon at me!
I’ve read the articles from the “experts” who say kids can’t handle guns. They are very wrong. I’m not saying I would give an 8 year old a .22 handgun and say “Keep this in your drawer.” I lock up my guns for several reasons. My kids were taught safety and the mystique of guns was eliminated. Whenever they wanted to see a gun or handle one, they were allowed under my supervision, reminding them of the safety rules. My guns are locked up from adults or kids that don’t live with me. I have been a gun instructor for over 20 years and I fear adults much more than I fear kids. In my experience kids listen and follow well taught rules, but adults have “knowledge” or “experience” with guns. I have removed an Air Force pilot, a Captain, from a shooting range and barred him from return because he knew about guns and had been in one competition. He blatantly would not keep his finger off the trigger and out of the guard. When he started to cover almost everyone on the range I told him he could return to that range and qualify after his commander had counselled with him. I told him when he returned I was the only instructor that could qualify him. Two weeks later I received a letter of apology from him, a call from his squadron commander, and his promise to follow all instructions given him to re-qualify. I’m not a tough guy, but I insist on gun safety.
Kids are usually quite teachable when it comes to gun safety and shooting. They are eager to do it right and to do it well. They like the satisfaction of seeing the results of their work right away in the form of a paper target or the ping of a steel one. They like the competition and the thought of mastering a skill. Adults care too much about they look, or are perceived, to be the most teachable. That’s a generalization of course.
I started shooting at a young age with my Grandfather who taught me to shoot and gun safety. I also spent a lot of time on my Uncles ranch and farm where I learned to drive at 14. Also, every pickup had a rifle in it. So I was around guns a lot and never remember not being around them. That is probably not typical of most kids so I understand some people’s anxiety. But teach kids correct principles and they learn to govern themselves. Just as kitchen knives are dangerous, and hot stoves, and power tools, and prescriptions, and Drain-O, we must teach kids to be safe. There are many dangerous things in this world that can potentially kill a person and we must be safe with them all. Vehicles are the leading killer of people 1-24. Yet we think nothing of getting into a car. But just as we teach kids to look both ways and wear their seat belts we must teach them to leave a gun alone that they come across and how to be safe around one. It’s not that hard. The problem that I see is not with kids but with adults. There is so much misinformation out there and many adults who are ignorant about guns. Every person should learn to swim. I believe every person needs to learn how to be safe with a gun. Even if you never shoot a gun, never own a gun, and don’t think you’ll ever be in contact with a gun, you should learn gun safety. I don’t own a boat, don’t like to swim and haven’t floated down a river since I was a kid but it’s important for me to know how to swim and be safe around water. I’ve seen adults who were deathly afraid of guns. I’ve taught some of them how to shoot. Once you take the mystery out of shooting it’s not too difficult to put your fears to rest. Having a healthy respect for what guns can do is a good thing. Being irrationally afraid of an inanimate object is silly.
I’ve always started kids off with .22 rifles and moved to .22 handguns. Once they know how to be safe, every time, then they can move to other calibers and more power fun. If they are interested. Some kids are just not. I’ve seen some people start off with airsoft or air rifles and that is fine. That is a good way to teach the safety under a less lethal device. Marksmanship can be very satisfying and can build self-esteem and skill. When safety is never lax and always emphasized, kids will learn what they need to be safe even if they never shoot another gun.
When teaching a kid about gun safety make sure you are in a place that is not distracting. As you progress emphasize that guns are not toys and gun education is not learned from video games or T.V. and movies. In fact, most of the time the entertainment industry is wrong about gun handling. I also teach only 4 gun safety rules. The NRA teaches more but I like the simplicity of 4. Always in this order:
1. All guns are always loaded
2. Never point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until your sights are on your target
4. Know your target and what is behind it
I quiz like this: “Billy why do we keep #3?” The answer is “Because of #1”
“Sherrie if I keep #4 then what will happen?” The answer is “There will not be an accident because a bullet went through the target and hurt someone behind.” “Jacob why do we keep #2?” The answer is “Because of #1.” “Jen what is #1 and how does it keep me safe?” The answer is “All guns are loaded and if you treat them that way you will never have an accident.”
Number 2, 3, and 4 support number 1.
This is also how I teach adults also. If you want to give education and information to your children on guns you must do 4 things:
1. Take out the mystique and taboo of guns
I don’t want my kids playing with knives either but they used knives under supervision from a young age starting with a butter knife. Whenever kids show a curiosity or interest in guns I would take one out and remind them again of the safety rules. I would make the gun safe and then let them handle it. They had to clear the weapon, and then practice the safety rules.
2. Emphasize safety
As I have explained above, my kids know those rules forward and backward. I got lots of groans and eye-rolls when I would ask them, but they knew them.
3. Start small
I started with .22’s but insisted, later in their training and when they were older, that they shoot higher caliber guns. Not to force them into something they did not want to do, but so they understood the power and seriousness of what we were doing. Some of them embraced higher powered guns, some of them did not, but they all have some experience with them.
I also started with little bites. I made their first range experience a good one giving them a good foundation in safety, but a fun experience so they would come back. I also made it brief. 20 to 30 minutes or so. They range time got longer later and as they matured and got older. I made sure I taught only a few concepts at a time to not overload them. If you try to teach grip, stance, trigger press, aim, safety, all at once, they may overload.
4. Make it fun
Making the experience fun and enjoyable was very good for them. We spent some good Dad time together. Even if we didn’t shoot that often, I tried to make it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Teaching your kids this skill may save their lives one day. They would know what to do with a gun if ever it was handed to them. And they may find a skill and hobby that will take them to competition, hunting, or a life-long activity.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Friday, May 18, 2018
Choosing Your Home Defense Handgun
I just got a text today. It said, “What kind of hand gun do you feel is best for home defense?” Pardon the gun pun, but that’s a “loaded” question.
I assume the person was set on a hand gun rather than a long gun so I’ll only address hand guns. Long guns and shot guns are used in home defense but they are a whole other article.
The best way to pick a gun is to shoot it. Which means you may have to test drive several. I would recommend an auto loader action only because of round count. Revolvers are extremely reliable and if you become very good you can reload with moon clips or ammo strips. I am not, but I do like revolvers for other things. I even carried an S&W Airweight once.
My suggestion for choosing a home defense gun is to start practically. Obviously the gun is for home defense but will it also be used as a carry gun? If so, what size gun are you willing to carry? Consider the gun size. Full size, compact, sub-compact. Each of these have their good and bad points. If you carry then maybe a compact or sub-compact would double as a home defense weapon.
After purpose and action I would choose caliber. This will determine size somewhat. There are many opinions about this question. You’ll hear words like “stopping power” and “recoil”. I seem to be more practical about this. I want quantity. I draw the line with caliber at 9mm. I don’t want something of less caliber. I know that shot placement changes everything. If I can shoot an attacker between the eyes it doesn’t really matter what caliber I use. But I also think that under stress and fear I may not function the same as shooting a paper target at the range. In fact I know my accuracy is affected. I like the ballistics of 9mm. .45 ACP is fine but I don’t like the size, weight, cost, and round count in comparison. So that is my recommendation. But if you have small hands, or can’t control the kick, then maybe something smaller is for you. There is the popular .380 or .25 or even .22 caliber. Any gun is better than no gun in my opinion. Be careful about rounds that will through the attacker and the wall behind them. This is another reason why I don’t want to go higher than a 9mm. But any caliber will go through walls and doors in spite of what the movies show you. Reality is that there is very little in an average home that a bullet will not penetrate. Not a coach, a refrigerator, a bed, or a wall is cover. Rifle rounds are even more powerful.
After caliber I would consider round count. There auto load single or double stack magazines. Double stacks are a bulkier, wider gun. But I love it! I like having the option of 13 rounds in the gun. I do own single stacks and their round count is 8. So there’s my difference. Some people have a problem shooting sub-compacts because they are too small. I’ve learned to compensate but they take getting used to.
Next is reliability and price. I know that you can’t put a price on security. I’m cheap so I can. That’s why I put reliability with price. There are many good, quality, hand guns on the market. I have even shot well with a Hi-Point. I found that shooting accurately has more to do with the shooter than the gun. But reliability is a real consideration. I know I will get flak for this but I don’t want a Glock. Many people swear by them and rightly so. They are extremely reliable. I’ve owned them and sold them. I don’t hate on them but I can’t abide the price! There are many other guns out there that will serve me without breaking my budget. I like Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Taurus, and even Kel-Tec. I don’t have to have a Kimber, nice though they are. That is just me, you have to decide.
Purpose
Size
Action
Caliber
Reliability
Price
Storage ability
Remember an important rule if you planning to have a gun for home defense and concealed carry. It has to be comfortable and not a hassle. If it is a big burden you will leave it at home more than you carry it.
Also remember that defending yourself in confined spaces is difficult at best. Add to that stress darkness and then being sure where your rounds end up (it says on a .22 box that they can go a mile!), you need to have some training. Get to know your gun. Practice often and continue training.
In professional circles defending in a small space is called CQB or close quarters battle. It is not real easy but it is quite possible to learn. But you must get competent training. There are even good videos out there although nothing can replace a good instructor. I don’t think you have to know what a SWAT team knows or an operator, but there are some things to know and to practice. Get to know your house, apartment, or dorm room. Know where things are. Be able to walk through your house in the dark without killing yourself. Arrange room furniture so it will be easy for someone who knows the house, but difficult for someone who does not in the dark. If you can, build a safe room, (a solid door, very secure locks, with some concealment, with a little food and water, a flashlight, a phone, possibly an outside exit) to be able to go to in case of emergency. If the room could double as a safe room for natural disasters that would be even better.
In any case, having a good light on your gun or available for target identification is crucial. I can also help blind an attacker. But knowing how and when to use this is important training too. Once that light is on, the attacker has an idea where you are. Never shoot blindly. In combat that might be considered suppressive fire, but in home defense it is a recipe for disaster. I would rather scare a family member than shoot them. Maybe you left your front door open and a drunk neighbor is in your house. Target identification is mandatory and crucial.
Practicing with your gun is important. One class and shooting once or twice a year won’t cut it. Shooting is a perishable skill.
Defending your home and family is your inalienable right. Doing it right is something you don’t want to get wrong. Choosing the gun that is best for you and your situation is not difficult, but requires some preparation.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
I assume the person was set on a hand gun rather than a long gun so I’ll only address hand guns. Long guns and shot guns are used in home defense but they are a whole other article.
The best way to pick a gun is to shoot it. Which means you may have to test drive several. I would recommend an auto loader action only because of round count. Revolvers are extremely reliable and if you become very good you can reload with moon clips or ammo strips. I am not, but I do like revolvers for other things. I even carried an S&W Airweight once.
My suggestion for choosing a home defense gun is to start practically. Obviously the gun is for home defense but will it also be used as a carry gun? If so, what size gun are you willing to carry? Consider the gun size. Full size, compact, sub-compact. Each of these have their good and bad points. If you carry then maybe a compact or sub-compact would double as a home defense weapon.
After purpose and action I would choose caliber. This will determine size somewhat. There are many opinions about this question. You’ll hear words like “stopping power” and “recoil”. I seem to be more practical about this. I want quantity. I draw the line with caliber at 9mm. I don’t want something of less caliber. I know that shot placement changes everything. If I can shoot an attacker between the eyes it doesn’t really matter what caliber I use. But I also think that under stress and fear I may not function the same as shooting a paper target at the range. In fact I know my accuracy is affected. I like the ballistics of 9mm. .45 ACP is fine but I don’t like the size, weight, cost, and round count in comparison. So that is my recommendation. But if you have small hands, or can’t control the kick, then maybe something smaller is for you. There is the popular .380 or .25 or even .22 caliber. Any gun is better than no gun in my opinion. Be careful about rounds that will through the attacker and the wall behind them. This is another reason why I don’t want to go higher than a 9mm. But any caliber will go through walls and doors in spite of what the movies show you. Reality is that there is very little in an average home that a bullet will not penetrate. Not a coach, a refrigerator, a bed, or a wall is cover. Rifle rounds are even more powerful.
After caliber I would consider round count. There auto load single or double stack magazines. Double stacks are a bulkier, wider gun. But I love it! I like having the option of 13 rounds in the gun. I do own single stacks and their round count is 8. So there’s my difference. Some people have a problem shooting sub-compacts because they are too small. I’ve learned to compensate but they take getting used to.
Next is reliability and price. I know that you can’t put a price on security. I’m cheap so I can. That’s why I put reliability with price. There are many good, quality, hand guns on the market. I have even shot well with a Hi-Point. I found that shooting accurately has more to do with the shooter than the gun. But reliability is a real consideration. I know I will get flak for this but I don’t want a Glock. Many people swear by them and rightly so. They are extremely reliable. I’ve owned them and sold them. I don’t hate on them but I can’t abide the price! There are many other guns out there that will serve me without breaking my budget. I like Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Taurus, and even Kel-Tec. I don’t have to have a Kimber, nice though they are. That is just me, you have to decide.
Purpose
Size
Action
Caliber
Reliability
Price
Storage ability
Remember an important rule if you planning to have a gun for home defense and concealed carry. It has to be comfortable and not a hassle. If it is a big burden you will leave it at home more than you carry it.
Also remember that defending yourself in confined spaces is difficult at best. Add to that stress darkness and then being sure where your rounds end up (it says on a .22 box that they can go a mile!), you need to have some training. Get to know your gun. Practice often and continue training.
In professional circles defending in a small space is called CQB or close quarters battle. It is not real easy but it is quite possible to learn. But you must get competent training. There are even good videos out there although nothing can replace a good instructor. I don’t think you have to know what a SWAT team knows or an operator, but there are some things to know and to practice. Get to know your house, apartment, or dorm room. Know where things are. Be able to walk through your house in the dark without killing yourself. Arrange room furniture so it will be easy for someone who knows the house, but difficult for someone who does not in the dark. If you can, build a safe room, (a solid door, very secure locks, with some concealment, with a little food and water, a flashlight, a phone, possibly an outside exit) to be able to go to in case of emergency. If the room could double as a safe room for natural disasters that would be even better.
In any case, having a good light on your gun or available for target identification is crucial. I can also help blind an attacker. But knowing how and when to use this is important training too. Once that light is on, the attacker has an idea where you are. Never shoot blindly. In combat that might be considered suppressive fire, but in home defense it is a recipe for disaster. I would rather scare a family member than shoot them. Maybe you left your front door open and a drunk neighbor is in your house. Target identification is mandatory and crucial.
Practicing with your gun is important. One class and shooting once or twice a year won’t cut it. Shooting is a perishable skill.
Defending your home and family is your inalienable right. Doing it right is something you don’t want to get wrong. Choosing the gun that is best for you and your situation is not difficult, but requires some preparation.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Background Check Questions: Can You Pass?
I have had the opportunity to go through many background and security checks. In fact, I’m in the middle of a security check right now. I hold a Secret security clearance at the moment but have held a Top Secret clearance in the past. It sounds much more cool than it is. It’s the level of security material that you are able to view and work with and the level at which you are checked. Every 7 years this clearance is redone. But I also have a few concealed carry licenses from different states. Then there’s my commercial driver’s license. That required a background check. Any more, you can’t rent an apartment without a background check! So I feel I’m no stranger to being fingerprinted and someone interviewing my High school teachers. I’m used to it. That does not mean I’m not careful with my personal information, I’m just not worried about the government having it anymore.
So what is the background check associated with buying a gun?
Well let’s start with how you can fail a check.
Anything that makes a person too high-risk to possess lethal firepower, in the eyes of the law. Those includes criminal and mental health history, dishonorable military discharges, unlawful immigration status, an open warrant, a documented history of domestic violence, and drug use.
Felony convictions are the most common reason for the gun background check system to reject an applicant, resulting in 785,984 denials during the 19 years (as of 2017) that NICS has been in operation. More than 178,000 fugitives, 136,000 domestic offenders, and 131,000 unlawful drug users have also been blocked. The bar for denying someone on mental health grounds is very high, requiring that a person has been declared unsound or involuntarily confined to a psychiatric institution by a court or other authority. Fewer than 32,000 people have been denied under this criteria.
The DOJ’s form 4473 Firearms Transaction Record asks these questions:
“1. Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s)?
2. Are you under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year?
3. Have you ever been convicted in any court of a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could have you imprisoned for more than one year, even if you received a shorter sentence including probation?
4. Are you a fugitive from justice?
5. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?
6. Have you ever been adjudicated mentally defective (which includes a determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that you are a danger to yourself or to others or are incompetent to manage your own affairs) or have you ever been committed to a mental institution?
7. Have you been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions?
8. Are you subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening your child or an intimate partner or child of such partner?
9. Have you ever been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence?
10. Have you ever renounced your United States citizenship?
11. Are you an alien illegally in the United States?
12. Are you an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa?
13. Do you have a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license?”
These are the questions
• Proceed: If NICS indicates the seller can proceed, then the sale can continue.
• Canceled or Denied: Should NICS mark the form as “canceled” or “denied,” the seller cannot legally sell the firearm to the buyer. There are some gun dealers who generally provides the customer with contact information for a local lawyer who handles restoration of firearm rights in case the failed background check is erroneous. There have been times police have arrived at a gun shop to arrest the customer who legally cannot purchase a gun.
• Delayed: If the background check elicits a “delayed” response from NICS, the seller cannot complete the transaction for at least three business days. Unless a specific “denied” designation is issued, the seller will be able to complete the transaction with the customer after that period elapses, under federal law.
This is the system to “weed out” undesirables who try and get a gun. To be honest, those that work in gun stores or counters where guns are sold are usually a big help. Any employee can refuse to sell a gun to anyone. So they are our last line of defense. If I were a gun shop owner or a manager, I’d give some training to employees on what to look for and who to not sell to.
Background checks are really nothing to fear. Unless you have some of the problems above. Most people don’t have these issues. But everyone has a past and specific circumstances that may keep them from buying a gun. If you do, talking to a lawyer would be a good advice.
So don’t be afraid, buy a gun!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
So what is the background check associated with buying a gun?
Well let’s start with how you can fail a check.
Anything that makes a person too high-risk to possess lethal firepower, in the eyes of the law. Those includes criminal and mental health history, dishonorable military discharges, unlawful immigration status, an open warrant, a documented history of domestic violence, and drug use.
Felony convictions are the most common reason for the gun background check system to reject an applicant, resulting in 785,984 denials during the 19 years (as of 2017) that NICS has been in operation. More than 178,000 fugitives, 136,000 domestic offenders, and 131,000 unlawful drug users have also been blocked. The bar for denying someone on mental health grounds is very high, requiring that a person has been declared unsound or involuntarily confined to a psychiatric institution by a court or other authority. Fewer than 32,000 people have been denied under this criteria.
The DOJ’s form 4473 Firearms Transaction Record asks these questions:
“1. Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s)?
2. Are you under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year?
3. Have you ever been convicted in any court of a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could have you imprisoned for more than one year, even if you received a shorter sentence including probation?
4. Are you a fugitive from justice?
5. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?
6. Have you ever been adjudicated mentally defective (which includes a determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that you are a danger to yourself or to others or are incompetent to manage your own affairs) or have you ever been committed to a mental institution?
7. Have you been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions?
8. Are you subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening your child or an intimate partner or child of such partner?
9. Have you ever been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence?
10. Have you ever renounced your United States citizenship?
11. Are you an alien illegally in the United States?
12. Are you an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa?
13. Do you have a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license?”
These are the questions
• Proceed: If NICS indicates the seller can proceed, then the sale can continue.
• Canceled or Denied: Should NICS mark the form as “canceled” or “denied,” the seller cannot legally sell the firearm to the buyer. There are some gun dealers who generally provides the customer with contact information for a local lawyer who handles restoration of firearm rights in case the failed background check is erroneous. There have been times police have arrived at a gun shop to arrest the customer who legally cannot purchase a gun.
• Delayed: If the background check elicits a “delayed” response from NICS, the seller cannot complete the transaction for at least three business days. Unless a specific “denied” designation is issued, the seller will be able to complete the transaction with the customer after that period elapses, under federal law.
This is the system to “weed out” undesirables who try and get a gun. To be honest, those that work in gun stores or counters where guns are sold are usually a big help. Any employee can refuse to sell a gun to anyone. So they are our last line of defense. If I were a gun shop owner or a manager, I’d give some training to employees on what to look for and who to not sell to.
Background checks are really nothing to fear. Unless you have some of the problems above. Most people don’t have these issues. But everyone has a past and specific circumstances that may keep them from buying a gun. If you do, talking to a lawyer would be a good advice.
So don’t be afraid, buy a gun!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Gun Collecting Throughout the Country
You may have heard on the news about a southern California man put under 72-hour psychiatric observation when it was found he owned 100 guns and allegedly had (by rough estimate) 100,000 rounds of ammunition stored in his home. The house also featured a secret escape tunnel.
My favorite quote from the dimwit television reporter: “Wow! He has about a quarter million machine gun bullets.” The headline referred to it as a “massive weapons cache”.
By southern California standards someone owning 100,000 rounds would be called “mentally unstable”. Just imagine if he lived elsewhere:
In Arizona , he’d be called “an avid gun collector”.
In Texas , he’d be called “a novice gun collector”.
In Utah , he’d be called “moderately well prepared”, but they’d probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.
In Montana , he’d be called “The neighborhood ‘Go-To’ guy”.
In Idaho , he’d be called “a likely gubernatorial candidate”.
In Wyoming , he’d be called “an eligible bachelor”.
In Wisconsin , he’d be called “a deer hunting buddy”.
And, in Alabama , we just call him “Bubba”.
Here on the LDS Gunsite, we'd call him friend!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
My favorite quote from the dimwit television reporter: “Wow! He has about a quarter million machine gun bullets.” The headline referred to it as a “massive weapons cache”.
By southern California standards someone owning 100,000 rounds would be called “mentally unstable”. Just imagine if he lived elsewhere:
In Arizona , he’d be called “an avid gun collector”.
In Texas , he’d be called “a novice gun collector”.
In Utah , he’d be called “moderately well prepared”, but they’d probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.
In Montana , he’d be called “The neighborhood ‘Go-To’ guy”.
In Idaho , he’d be called “a likely gubernatorial candidate”.
In Wyoming , he’d be called “an eligible bachelor”.
In Wisconsin , he’d be called “a deer hunting buddy”.
And, in Alabama , we just call him “Bubba”.
Here on the LDS Gunsite, we'd call him friend!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Monday, February 26, 2018
Privately Selling Your Guns
I have bought and sold guns for years. I do not possess a Federal Firearms License to sell guns as a dealer or to ship guns. But I have responded to classified ads both on and off line. I’d like to share what I’ve learned. I responded to an ad that read like this:
“Mossberg 500 12 gage pump, 1 owner, only shot about 20 times in the box. $145 Call XXX-XXXX.”
Only to find out that the seller wanted to sell some other gun at a higher price.
First of all I’ve set my own set of ground rules. I only buy from an owner, not a go between. If someone seems a little odd or off I terminate the transaction. I also tell the potential buyer/seller that I require a gun “bill of sale.”
These are the main points of this receipt. It covers questions that are asked on the governments ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record.
Buyer certifies that they are not restricted or forbidden by law to own a firearm and buyer states that he/she:
• Has NEVER been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
• Is NOT a fugitive from justice.
• Is NOT an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.
• Has NEVER been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution.
• Is NOT an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United states or an alien admitted to the United states under a nonimmigrant visa.
• Has NOT been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.
• Having been a citizen of the United states, has NEVER renounced his or her citizenship.
• Is NOT subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner.
• Has NOT been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
• CAN lawfully receive, possess, ship, or transport a firearm.
• Is NOT a person who is under indictment or information for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
I truthfully state that I AM NOT a person who cannot legally buy, receive, and possess firearms and/or ammunition.
I understand the firearm is sold AS-IS and no warranty has been implied or given. Firearm should be inspected by a competent gunsmith prior to using. Seller not responsible for any damages incurred or caused by the use of this firearm.
The form asks for personal info such as name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, or better yet, concealed carry license number. If they have a license, at least I know they went through a background check at one time.
I also give my information too so it’s not just one sided. Then we both sign the form and I keep it in my own files. This somewhat protects me and the other person in the transaction.
If the other person is not interested in this form and filling it out then I don’t do business with them. I’ll walk. In all the time I’ve done this, I’ve only walked once.
I was selling a handgun once and it turned out that one of the buyers that I met was an ATF agent. He told me after I agreed to meet him in the middle of the day in a Walmart parking lot. I informed him about the bill of sale before we met and told him what I’d be driving and that I’d have someone with me in the vehicle. That is my policy. When I got to the parking lot before I could even start the transaction he informed me of who he was. I said, “Do you still want the gun?” He laughed and shook his head and then asked if I was a gun dealer. I told him no. He then said that the way I was selling this gun he would have guessed that I was. I said, “No. I’m just a consciences gun enthusiast.” He said, “Good job, Sir.”
I’ve tried to do this the right way to cover myself. I don’t want one of my guns to be used in a crime. I also want some type of documentation to prove who I bought from or sold to. I would suggest you do the same.
Only by trying to be responsible can we change the view of “gun nuts” to the non-nuts.
Honesty is always the best policy and so I try to be as honest as I can when I sell something, gun or not.
There are many places to sell your guns legally. There are some places on the internet that are making their policy of buying and selling guns and ammo anti-gun. I understand some of them not wanting a liability, but some of these places are just anti-gun. Facebook is one that comes to mind. I’m not saying to break the law. But breaking Companies policies is NOT breaking the law! I’m also not advocating trying to break company policies just to sell your gun. But be aware that our transactions are not wanted out there. Buying and selling guns online is legal as long as the material is not sent through the mail or crossing state lines. I can buy a gun from anyone I am willing to drive to in my state. Make sure your state (or city, county, etc.) is the same. Do not break the law in selling/buying a firearm. Know your local laws and abide by them.
I’ve picked up some needed cash or sweet good gun deals because of private sales. I would really hate if they went away or if I had to pay for a background check. Private sales would probably disappear, which is probably what the non-gun people want. They actually think that criminals sit around putting off their crime until the right gun is put in a classified ad. But, I could be wrong. But I doubt this “loophole” closing would make any difference with gun violence.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
“Mossberg 500 12 gage pump, 1 owner, only shot about 20 times in the box. $145 Call XXX-XXXX.”
Only to find out that the seller wanted to sell some other gun at a higher price.
First of all I’ve set my own set of ground rules. I only buy from an owner, not a go between. If someone seems a little odd or off I terminate the transaction. I also tell the potential buyer/seller that I require a gun “bill of sale.”
These are the main points of this receipt. It covers questions that are asked on the governments ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record.
Buyer certifies that they are not restricted or forbidden by law to own a firearm and buyer states that he/she:
• Has NEVER been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
• Is NOT a fugitive from justice.
• Is NOT an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.
• Has NEVER been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution.
• Is NOT an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United states or an alien admitted to the United states under a nonimmigrant visa.
• Has NOT been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.
• Having been a citizen of the United states, has NEVER renounced his or her citizenship.
• Is NOT subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner.
• Has NOT been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
• CAN lawfully receive, possess, ship, or transport a firearm.
• Is NOT a person who is under indictment or information for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
I truthfully state that I AM NOT a person who cannot legally buy, receive, and possess firearms and/or ammunition.
I understand the firearm is sold AS-IS and no warranty has been implied or given. Firearm should be inspected by a competent gunsmith prior to using. Seller not responsible for any damages incurred or caused by the use of this firearm.
The form asks for personal info such as name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, or better yet, concealed carry license number. If they have a license, at least I know they went through a background check at one time.
I also give my information too so it’s not just one sided. Then we both sign the form and I keep it in my own files. This somewhat protects me and the other person in the transaction.
If the other person is not interested in this form and filling it out then I don’t do business with them. I’ll walk. In all the time I’ve done this, I’ve only walked once.
I was selling a handgun once and it turned out that one of the buyers that I met was an ATF agent. He told me after I agreed to meet him in the middle of the day in a Walmart parking lot. I informed him about the bill of sale before we met and told him what I’d be driving and that I’d have someone with me in the vehicle. That is my policy. When I got to the parking lot before I could even start the transaction he informed me of who he was. I said, “Do you still want the gun?” He laughed and shook his head and then asked if I was a gun dealer. I told him no. He then said that the way I was selling this gun he would have guessed that I was. I said, “No. I’m just a consciences gun enthusiast.” He said, “Good job, Sir.”
I’ve tried to do this the right way to cover myself. I don’t want one of my guns to be used in a crime. I also want some type of documentation to prove who I bought from or sold to. I would suggest you do the same.
Only by trying to be responsible can we change the view of “gun nuts” to the non-nuts.
Honesty is always the best policy and so I try to be as honest as I can when I sell something, gun or not.
There are many places to sell your guns legally. There are some places on the internet that are making their policy of buying and selling guns and ammo anti-gun. I understand some of them not wanting a liability, but some of these places are just anti-gun. Facebook is one that comes to mind. I’m not saying to break the law. But breaking Companies policies is NOT breaking the law! I’m also not advocating trying to break company policies just to sell your gun. But be aware that our transactions are not wanted out there. Buying and selling guns online is legal as long as the material is not sent through the mail or crossing state lines. I can buy a gun from anyone I am willing to drive to in my state. Make sure your state (or city, county, etc.) is the same. Do not break the law in selling/buying a firearm. Know your local laws and abide by them.
I’ve picked up some needed cash or sweet good gun deals because of private sales. I would really hate if they went away or if I had to pay for a background check. Private sales would probably disappear, which is probably what the non-gun people want. They actually think that criminals sit around putting off their crime until the right gun is put in a classified ad. But, I could be wrong. But I doubt this “loophole” closing would make any difference with gun violence.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Friday, September 22, 2017
Saving Water Damaged Guns
These are turbulent times and as we watch disasters unfold we try to anticipate how to be prepared. If you are prepared you won’t fear. So we should strive to be prepared. If you want to be there to help others, you must first be prepared yourself.
I’ve experienced a few disasters in my time. I was in an earthquake in California. I experienced tornados in Arizona and Texas. I also went through a flood. I learned a lot going through these things and hopefully, we can all learn without having to experience them.
A flood can be devastating. Water is one of those most powerful and potentially destructive things on earth. After a flood it takes some time to rebuild lives. So what if you have taken care of everything else and you have guns that went through a flood?
SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) is an association of the nation's leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and tasked with:
1. Creating and publishing industry standards for safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality
2. Coordinating technical data
3. Promoting safe and responsible firearms use
They have put out information of how to deal with guns that have been exposed to a lot of water. They give good and sound information on how to save your guns:
Guidance on Firearms That Have Been Submerged or Exposed To Extensive Amounts of Water
Natural and man-made disasters may result in firearms being exposed to or completely submerged in rain or flood waters. The questions that arise are how best to preserve recovered firearms from further damage and will the firearm ultimately be safe to use again.
There are two distinct concerns regarding firearms that have been exposed to water: parts susceptible to moisture and rust damage such as metal parts, wood stocks and grips, and optics; and, secondly, infiltration of the action, barrel, and safety systems by grit, silt, and other foreign debris.
Traditionally firearms have incorporated wood stocks, grips, and metal parts that are highly susceptible to damage from short-term exposure or total submersion in water. Many firearms now incorporate corrosion-resistant metals and polymer stocks and frames that are less susceptible to damage from rain or flood waters; however, firearms owners should be aware that these newer materials are still susceptible to and/or will propagate moisture damage unless properly attended to.
When a firearm has been exposed or submerged in water, the first and foremost concern is to limit moisture/corrosion damage to the component parts of the firearm.
• The first order of business is safety: insure the firearm is unloaded and always wear safety glasses when disassembling, assembling or otherwise working on the firearm.
• When at all possible remove the stock or grips from the firearm. Whether wood or synthetic, the stock or grips may trap and hold moisture against corrodible metal parts.
• If possible, disassemble the firearm to the extent described in the user’s manual. If unsure of this operation, enlist the services of knowledgeable persons or a qualified gunsmith.
• Dry the metal, synthetic parts, and optics with available dry towels or cloths.
• Be particularly careful when drying off optics, as grit or silt that has been deposited on the lens may scratch the lens. Any optics should then be removed from the firearm at this point and returned to the manufacturer to insure that the hermetic sealing is intact and the lens coating not damaged.
• Very Important Note! Some moisture-displacing lubricants can cause damage to plastic/synthetic parts, aluminum anodized parts, wood finishes, and painted surfaces. Read the directions on the can and be aware of warnings.
• Flood all the metal parts and inside of the barrel with a moisture-displacing lubricant. Firearm-specific moisture-displacing lubricants such as but not limited to Birchwood-Casey Barricade™ (formerly marketed as Sheath™), Hoppes #9 MDL™ , Mil-Tec 1™, and Brownells LP-2™ are very good and available at many gun shops and sporting goods stores. Products such as WD-40™, Liquid Wrench™, CRC™, Blaster Corrosion Stop™, and similar products will do the job and are widely available at home improvement stores, hardware stores, and automotive supply stores. Boeshield T-9™ is an excellent product having been used by the Coast Guard for many years and available at many gun, sporting goods, bicycle, automotive, hardware, and home improvement stores.
• Work the moisture-displacing lubricant into every nook and cranny possible, as well as down the barrel.
• Using dry clothes or rags wipe off the initial application of moisture-displacing lubricant to remove as much contamination as possible. Reapply a second coat of moisture-displacing lubricant.
• Special attention should be paid to wood stocks and grips. Exposure or submersion in water may also result in damage to the wood finish. Wood stocks and grips in particular will hold moisture against metal parts for a long time and if not removed in a timely manner will greatly increase the probability of corrosion of metal parts they remain in contact with. Wood stocks and grips should be allowed to air-dry and not be force dried by exposure to heat. Allowing the wood to naturally air-dry will greatly aid in preventing the stock or grips from cracking or checking.
The above steps will go a long way toward stabilizing the condition of the firearm and limiting the damage caused by exposure to water.
Once the firearm has been thoroughly dried, consideration must be given to having the firearm
inspected and serviced by either the manufacturer, an authorized service center, or a qualified gunsmith for reasons not limited to the following, prior to being put back into service:
• Exposure to or submersion in flood waters may result in the water depositing silt and other
foreign debris in the action and safety mechanisms, which can impede or even disable their
proper function, or which may lead to an obstruction of the barrel which could result in a
catastrophic failure.
• Exposure or submersion in water may cause wood stocks and grips to swell and in some cases
impede or even disable the mechanical function of the action and/or safety mechanisms.
• The moisture-displacing type products referred to as a class of product in this document are
indicated for the intent and purpose of moisture displacement in the situations related
therein. Some products in this class may not be ideally suited for use in conjunction with a
firearm under normal circumstance. Individual products may have unique characteristics that
result in gelling, coagulation, or become so viscus as to prevent or impede the proper function
of any mechanical system within the firearm. It is therefore imperative that the firearm be
serviced by qualified persons prior to being put back into service.
• Depending upon the time the firearm has been submerged and the extent of exposure to sea
salt and industrial and naturally occurring chemical substances that may be in the water
source, it is impossible to ascertain with certainty the extent of the deteriorating effect, if any,
the water may have had on individual component parts without a compete and thorough
inspection and assessment of each individual firearm by qualified persons.
Failure to follow these recommendations can result in property damage, personal injury and death.
Recovering from a flood and hurricane can be overwhelming. But you should have something you can do to recover those guns that you have worked hard to purchase and maintain. SAAMI gives you that option.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
I’ve experienced a few disasters in my time. I was in an earthquake in California. I experienced tornados in Arizona and Texas. I also went through a flood. I learned a lot going through these things and hopefully, we can all learn without having to experience them.
A flood can be devastating. Water is one of those most powerful and potentially destructive things on earth. After a flood it takes some time to rebuild lives. So what if you have taken care of everything else and you have guns that went through a flood?
SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) is an association of the nation's leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and tasked with:
1. Creating and publishing industry standards for safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality
2. Coordinating technical data
3. Promoting safe and responsible firearms use
They have put out information of how to deal with guns that have been exposed to a lot of water. They give good and sound information on how to save your guns:
Guidance on Firearms That Have Been Submerged or Exposed To Extensive Amounts of Water
Natural and man-made disasters may result in firearms being exposed to or completely submerged in rain or flood waters. The questions that arise are how best to preserve recovered firearms from further damage and will the firearm ultimately be safe to use again.
There are two distinct concerns regarding firearms that have been exposed to water: parts susceptible to moisture and rust damage such as metal parts, wood stocks and grips, and optics; and, secondly, infiltration of the action, barrel, and safety systems by grit, silt, and other foreign debris.
Traditionally firearms have incorporated wood stocks, grips, and metal parts that are highly susceptible to damage from short-term exposure or total submersion in water. Many firearms now incorporate corrosion-resistant metals and polymer stocks and frames that are less susceptible to damage from rain or flood waters; however, firearms owners should be aware that these newer materials are still susceptible to and/or will propagate moisture damage unless properly attended to.
When a firearm has been exposed or submerged in water, the first and foremost concern is to limit moisture/corrosion damage to the component parts of the firearm.
• The first order of business is safety: insure the firearm is unloaded and always wear safety glasses when disassembling, assembling or otherwise working on the firearm.
• When at all possible remove the stock or grips from the firearm. Whether wood or synthetic, the stock or grips may trap and hold moisture against corrodible metal parts.
• If possible, disassemble the firearm to the extent described in the user’s manual. If unsure of this operation, enlist the services of knowledgeable persons or a qualified gunsmith.
• Dry the metal, synthetic parts, and optics with available dry towels or cloths.
• Be particularly careful when drying off optics, as grit or silt that has been deposited on the lens may scratch the lens. Any optics should then be removed from the firearm at this point and returned to the manufacturer to insure that the hermetic sealing is intact and the lens coating not damaged.
• Very Important Note! Some moisture-displacing lubricants can cause damage to plastic/synthetic parts, aluminum anodized parts, wood finishes, and painted surfaces. Read the directions on the can and be aware of warnings.
• Flood all the metal parts and inside of the barrel with a moisture-displacing lubricant. Firearm-specific moisture-displacing lubricants such as but not limited to Birchwood-Casey Barricade™ (formerly marketed as Sheath™), Hoppes #9 MDL™ , Mil-Tec 1™, and Brownells LP-2™ are very good and available at many gun shops and sporting goods stores. Products such as WD-40™, Liquid Wrench™, CRC™, Blaster Corrosion Stop™, and similar products will do the job and are widely available at home improvement stores, hardware stores, and automotive supply stores. Boeshield T-9™ is an excellent product having been used by the Coast Guard for many years and available at many gun, sporting goods, bicycle, automotive, hardware, and home improvement stores.
• Work the moisture-displacing lubricant into every nook and cranny possible, as well as down the barrel.
• Using dry clothes or rags wipe off the initial application of moisture-displacing lubricant to remove as much contamination as possible. Reapply a second coat of moisture-displacing lubricant.
• Special attention should be paid to wood stocks and grips. Exposure or submersion in water may also result in damage to the wood finish. Wood stocks and grips in particular will hold moisture against metal parts for a long time and if not removed in a timely manner will greatly increase the probability of corrosion of metal parts they remain in contact with. Wood stocks and grips should be allowed to air-dry and not be force dried by exposure to heat. Allowing the wood to naturally air-dry will greatly aid in preventing the stock or grips from cracking or checking.
The above steps will go a long way toward stabilizing the condition of the firearm and limiting the damage caused by exposure to water.
Once the firearm has been thoroughly dried, consideration must be given to having the firearm
inspected and serviced by either the manufacturer, an authorized service center, or a qualified gunsmith for reasons not limited to the following, prior to being put back into service:
• Exposure to or submersion in flood waters may result in the water depositing silt and other
foreign debris in the action and safety mechanisms, which can impede or even disable their
proper function, or which may lead to an obstruction of the barrel which could result in a
catastrophic failure.
• Exposure or submersion in water may cause wood stocks and grips to swell and in some cases
impede or even disable the mechanical function of the action and/or safety mechanisms.
• The moisture-displacing type products referred to as a class of product in this document are
indicated for the intent and purpose of moisture displacement in the situations related
therein. Some products in this class may not be ideally suited for use in conjunction with a
firearm under normal circumstance. Individual products may have unique characteristics that
result in gelling, coagulation, or become so viscus as to prevent or impede the proper function
of any mechanical system within the firearm. It is therefore imperative that the firearm be
serviced by qualified persons prior to being put back into service.
• Depending upon the time the firearm has been submerged and the extent of exposure to sea
salt and industrial and naturally occurring chemical substances that may be in the water
source, it is impossible to ascertain with certainty the extent of the deteriorating effect, if any,
the water may have had on individual component parts without a compete and thorough
inspection and assessment of each individual firearm by qualified persons.
Failure to follow these recommendations can result in property damage, personal injury and death.
Recovering from a flood and hurricane can be overwhelming. But you should have something you can do to recover those guns that you have worked hard to purchase and maintain. SAAMI gives you that option.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Friday, August 18, 2017
You Carry A Gun?
“You carry a gun?...” What follows this question is what makes me cringe… or laugh. Sometimes what follows is just “Wow!” Sometimes its “Why?” I can tell a lot about someone by their reaction to finding out I carry a gun. First of all, I don’t usually broadcast the fact that I carry. Sometimes it gets out. Sometimes the carry question follows “Oh so you’re a gun instructor…” Sometimes I can’t change the subject or laugh to change the subject or whatever else I’ve tried to use. I just shoot them. I’m kidding of course. Maybe that’s bad taste humor. But often when someone learns I carry a gun all of a sudden they look at me like I’m going to shoot them! Often the next words out of their mouths is silly or downright stupid. Here are some of their responses:
“Only police should have guns.”
I sometimes joke “How do you know I’m not a cop?” But seriously, most law enforcement officers (LEO’s) I know have told me they are glad I carry. Many of them ask questions about shooting when they find out I’m an instructor. Some of them ask if I would give them some help with this or that part of their shooting. I’ve actually never met a LEO that didn’t respect what I do and recognize that they need MY instruction, not the other way around. To be honest, most of their course of fire that they must qualify with is easier than the way I train. I’m not trying to brag, I just spend a lot of time on the range because that’s what I love.
“You don’t need a gun.”
This is true. I don’t. Just as you don’t need to wear seat belts (actually it is the law). You don’t need a fire extinguisher or smoke alarms. I don’t need a first aid kit in my car. I don’t need life insurance. None of these things are really “needed” but if the need does arrive and you don’t have these things, your day can be a bad one. I have needed my gun twice. What would have happened if I hadn’t had it? Do you ever know when you’ll have a fire? But you have alarms and extinguishers in case you need them. “In case” means you have prepared for something bad to happen. I don’t have life insurance because I’m going to die today, but if I did, I’m prepared. So those who say I don’t need a gun are right. Yet I carry one anyway.
“Machine guns should not be in citizens hands.”
This one is kinda crazy to me. I carry a hand gun, not a rifle or a machine anything. Machine guns have been regulated since 1934. To buy a machine gun you must:
1. You need to be eligible to possess firearms in general.
2. You must live in a state where NFA items are permitted and machine guns, specifically, are legal to possess.
3. The machine gun you wish to acquire must have been manufactured on or before May 19, 1986. That is the cutoff date for entries to be made in the NFRTR (National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record), the registry of all NFA items in the United States including machine guns.
4. You must locate a Class III dealer (FFL01+SOT) that sells or can transfer in the machine gun you wish to acquire in your state of residence.
5. You must purchase the machine gun upfront prior to transfer and have it shipped to your Class III dealer. For a full-auto M16, this will be anywhere from $12,000 and up. Typical prices for an M16 hover around $14,000 to $16,000.
6. Once purchased and with your dealer, the dealer will fill out the Form 4 application on your behalf to submission to the BATFE and collect your $200 NFA transfer stamp tax.
7. The application will be submitted. Now you wait 8+ months for the full FBI background check and BATFE processing to complete.
8. Once the Form 4 is processed, it will be returned to the dealer along with the tax stamp which is part of your paperwork. You can then take possession of your military grade fully automatic firearm and take it home.
9. The tax stamp must be kept with the firearm it belongs to at all times! The tax stamp is your only affirmative defense to prove you are not in possession of an illegal machine gun. The tax stamp is proof you paid the transfer tax and legally transferred the machine gun. Ranges that allow Class III will want to see the stamp. If you get pulled over and the gun is discovered/inspected, law enforcement will definitely want to see it too. You may be required to present the firearm for inspection on demand by the BATFE.
10. You may not transport the fully automatic firearm across state lines for any purpose without prior consent of the Federal government. You must request this in advance and provide details on where the firearm is going, when you are leaving and when it will return to its registered location of residence.
11. You cannot leave the presence of your fully automatic firearm. If someone else is shooting it, you must be with it, legally speaking. The one exception to this is if you have formed a legal trust for the purpose of possessing the firearm, in which case all beneficiaries of the trust (usually family or employees) may have access to the firearm.
So I agree, as does the government, machine guns should not be in the average American home. But they are legal. To own one would be great, but they are too expensive and not really worth it to the average person. I know a ranch owner who has several. For a price, you can shoot them. (It’s the Ox Ranch outside of Uvalde Texas. Awesome! http://www.oxhuntingranch.com/activities/hunting-shooting/machine-gun-shooting/)
“You just want to kill someone.”
This person obviously has no idea about the costs of threatening to use lethal force, let alone pulling the trigger. Ignorance must be bliss. When I hear this statement I want to answer “Not someone, but now you…” but I don’t. I also consider this statement as the statement of a coward. I’m not saying I want to shoot anyone, but I’m smart enough to know cowering in my “safe place” will only get me killed.
“I live on the safe side of town so I don’t need a gun for protection.”
I usually hear this from a well-to-do woman and it makes me smile. Does she think criminals don’t have maps that show them where the rich people live? Maybe she thinks criminals can’t drive. The woman is obviously intelligent, but has a profound blind-spot when it comes to personal safety. We didn’t meet inside her gated community, so why does she think she is safe everywhere?
"A gun will just be taken away from you."
This is such a common myth that, if it were true, newspapers and TV shows would be featuring every such incident. In actuality, it is extremely hard to find cases where this has actually happened. I've been looking for years, and I've NEVER found a SINGLE verifiable case where a private citizen (not a cop) and had some defensive firearm training, had a gun taken away from them in an actual defensive situation.
In 75% of the cases where a gun is used in self-defense, it is never fired. That's because the bad guy doesn't want to get shot. And the most likely way for him to get shot is to continue to attack someone with a gun. Reaching for the gun is exactly the kind of attack that will bring a bullet his way, and he knows it!
Don't let this myth, or any of the other dumb things that people say about guns, keep you from learning what you need to defend yourself!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
“Only police should have guns.”
I sometimes joke “How do you know I’m not a cop?” But seriously, most law enforcement officers (LEO’s) I know have told me they are glad I carry. Many of them ask questions about shooting when they find out I’m an instructor. Some of them ask if I would give them some help with this or that part of their shooting. I’ve actually never met a LEO that didn’t respect what I do and recognize that they need MY instruction, not the other way around. To be honest, most of their course of fire that they must qualify with is easier than the way I train. I’m not trying to brag, I just spend a lot of time on the range because that’s what I love.
“You don’t need a gun.”
This is true. I don’t. Just as you don’t need to wear seat belts (actually it is the law). You don’t need a fire extinguisher or smoke alarms. I don’t need a first aid kit in my car. I don’t need life insurance. None of these things are really “needed” but if the need does arrive and you don’t have these things, your day can be a bad one. I have needed my gun twice. What would have happened if I hadn’t had it? Do you ever know when you’ll have a fire? But you have alarms and extinguishers in case you need them. “In case” means you have prepared for something bad to happen. I don’t have life insurance because I’m going to die today, but if I did, I’m prepared. So those who say I don’t need a gun are right. Yet I carry one anyway.
“Machine guns should not be in citizens hands.”
This one is kinda crazy to me. I carry a hand gun, not a rifle or a machine anything. Machine guns have been regulated since 1934. To buy a machine gun you must:
1. You need to be eligible to possess firearms in general.
2. You must live in a state where NFA items are permitted and machine guns, specifically, are legal to possess.
3. The machine gun you wish to acquire must have been manufactured on or before May 19, 1986. That is the cutoff date for entries to be made in the NFRTR (National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record), the registry of all NFA items in the United States including machine guns.
4. You must locate a Class III dealer (FFL01+SOT) that sells or can transfer in the machine gun you wish to acquire in your state of residence.
5. You must purchase the machine gun upfront prior to transfer and have it shipped to your Class III dealer. For a full-auto M16, this will be anywhere from $12,000 and up. Typical prices for an M16 hover around $14,000 to $16,000.
6. Once purchased and with your dealer, the dealer will fill out the Form 4 application on your behalf to submission to the BATFE and collect your $200 NFA transfer stamp tax.
7. The application will be submitted. Now you wait 8+ months for the full FBI background check and BATFE processing to complete.
8. Once the Form 4 is processed, it will be returned to the dealer along with the tax stamp which is part of your paperwork. You can then take possession of your military grade fully automatic firearm and take it home.
9. The tax stamp must be kept with the firearm it belongs to at all times! The tax stamp is your only affirmative defense to prove you are not in possession of an illegal machine gun. The tax stamp is proof you paid the transfer tax and legally transferred the machine gun. Ranges that allow Class III will want to see the stamp. If you get pulled over and the gun is discovered/inspected, law enforcement will definitely want to see it too. You may be required to present the firearm for inspection on demand by the BATFE.
10. You may not transport the fully automatic firearm across state lines for any purpose without prior consent of the Federal government. You must request this in advance and provide details on where the firearm is going, when you are leaving and when it will return to its registered location of residence.
11. You cannot leave the presence of your fully automatic firearm. If someone else is shooting it, you must be with it, legally speaking. The one exception to this is if you have formed a legal trust for the purpose of possessing the firearm, in which case all beneficiaries of the trust (usually family or employees) may have access to the firearm.
So I agree, as does the government, machine guns should not be in the average American home. But they are legal. To own one would be great, but they are too expensive and not really worth it to the average person. I know a ranch owner who has several. For a price, you can shoot them. (It’s the Ox Ranch outside of Uvalde Texas. Awesome! http://www.oxhuntingranch.com/activities/hunting-shooting/machine-gun-shooting/)
“You just want to kill someone.”
This person obviously has no idea about the costs of threatening to use lethal force, let alone pulling the trigger. Ignorance must be bliss. When I hear this statement I want to answer “Not someone, but now you…” but I don’t. I also consider this statement as the statement of a coward. I’m not saying I want to shoot anyone, but I’m smart enough to know cowering in my “safe place” will only get me killed.
“I live on the safe side of town so I don’t need a gun for protection.”
I usually hear this from a well-to-do woman and it makes me smile. Does she think criminals don’t have maps that show them where the rich people live? Maybe she thinks criminals can’t drive. The woman is obviously intelligent, but has a profound blind-spot when it comes to personal safety. We didn’t meet inside her gated community, so why does she think she is safe everywhere?
"A gun will just be taken away from you."
This is such a common myth that, if it were true, newspapers and TV shows would be featuring every such incident. In actuality, it is extremely hard to find cases where this has actually happened. I've been looking for years, and I've NEVER found a SINGLE verifiable case where a private citizen (not a cop) and had some defensive firearm training, had a gun taken away from them in an actual defensive situation.
In 75% of the cases where a gun is used in self-defense, it is never fired. That's because the bad guy doesn't want to get shot. And the most likely way for him to get shot is to continue to attack someone with a gun. Reaching for the gun is exactly the kind of attack that will bring a bullet his way, and he knows it!
Don't let this myth, or any of the other dumb things that people say about guns, keep you from learning what you need to defend yourself!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Friday, August 11, 2017
Not Being A Man Of Blood
There is a story in the Book of Mormon that bears repeating, again and again. It is the story of Moroni, the Nephite Captain, and Zerahemnah, a Lamanite Captain. The Lamanites had a large Army. It was bigger in number than the Nephites. But Moroni was smart and outfitted his army in armor. The Lamanites only had a loincloth. Moroni and his army were also righteous. As the battle went on the Nephites were defeating the Lamanites. At one point they had them surrounded in a valley. They were winning and in the middle of it all, Moroni gave the command to stop, and had his men take a step back. Then he gave this speech:
1 And it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a pace from them. And Moroni said unto Zerahemnah: Behold, Zerahemnah, that we do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.
2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to bring any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause for which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us because of our religion.
3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.
4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.
5 And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us—
6 Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the desires which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us.
7 And now, if ye do not this, behold, ye are in our hands, and I will command my men that they shall fall upon you, and inflict the wounds of death in your bodies, that ye may become extinct; and then we will see who shall have power over this people; yea, we will see who shall be brought into bondage.
Zerahemnah’s response was terse and adamant: “Behold, here are our weapons of war; we will deliver them up unto you, but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children; but take our weapons of war, and suffer that we may depart into the wilderness; otherwise we will retain our swords, and we will perish or conquer”
They finally were put in a position to take an oath and depart.
Zerahemna was not considered a good guy. He hated Nephites. He even appointed ex-Nephite leaders because he knew they were more ruthless. Yet he knew the importance of an oath. He wouldn’t take an oath he would probably break.
Moroni felt the same way.
11 Now I cannot recall the words which I have spoken, therefore as the Lord liveth, ye shall not depart except ye depart with an oath that ye will not return again against us to war. Now as ye are in our hands we will spill your blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed.
He was willing to continue a battle to death rather than let the Lamanites leave without taking an oath to not come back to battle against them.
How are we with oaths? Would we be willing to risk our lives rather than break an oath?
As LDS members we get baptized and make a covenant with God. When we make this covenant it is similar to an oath. A covenant is two sided where an oath is more one sided.
June 1, 2017 marked the 288th anniversary of the first military oath taken. I know that was over a month ago, but it’s been on my mind. I know that I usually talk about this every year but I do that because I find it most important in my own life and my family’s lives.
I would rewrite Moroni’s words for myself.
I do not aspire to be a man of bloodshed. But if bloodshed must be to protect me or my family, “then we will see who shall have power over me and my family; yea, we will see who shall be brought into bondage.”
There comes a time when we must stand up. There comes a time when we must defend. Will we ever be called upon again to fight off tyranny? I do not know. I hope not. Will we have to fight off evil? We already do fight off evil, but it may come to a physical fight. Will you be ready? Will you have training? Will you have the means to defend your family? You cannot depend on anyone or anything else. If you do, you’re lying to yourself. Can the police really save your family from murder and rape? They are good, but not that good. They will clean up after all the evil is gone. They will bring the criminals to justice, but how can they defend your family in their moment of need? You must be there for them. You can’t expect God to do something you have been charged to do. If you have the means to defend, have had the training and have practiced, then Heavenly Father can step in if Devine help is needed. We must depend on God after all we can do.
I know this article is the proverbial “beating the dead horse” but I feel strongly about it and want spread this sentiment. You do not have to be a violent person to desire to defend yourself and your family. When the time to do violence comes, if you have prepared, you will do what needs to be done. But only if prepared. Be prepared.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
1 And it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a pace from them. And Moroni said unto Zerahemnah: Behold, Zerahemnah, that we do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.
2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to bring any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause for which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us because of our religion.
3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.
4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.
5 And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us—
6 Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the desires which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us.
7 And now, if ye do not this, behold, ye are in our hands, and I will command my men that they shall fall upon you, and inflict the wounds of death in your bodies, that ye may become extinct; and then we will see who shall have power over this people; yea, we will see who shall be brought into bondage.
Zerahemnah’s response was terse and adamant: “Behold, here are our weapons of war; we will deliver them up unto you, but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children; but take our weapons of war, and suffer that we may depart into the wilderness; otherwise we will retain our swords, and we will perish or conquer”
They finally were put in a position to take an oath and depart.
Zerahemna was not considered a good guy. He hated Nephites. He even appointed ex-Nephite leaders because he knew they were more ruthless. Yet he knew the importance of an oath. He wouldn’t take an oath he would probably break.
Moroni felt the same way.
11 Now I cannot recall the words which I have spoken, therefore as the Lord liveth, ye shall not depart except ye depart with an oath that ye will not return again against us to war. Now as ye are in our hands we will spill your blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed.
He was willing to continue a battle to death rather than let the Lamanites leave without taking an oath to not come back to battle against them.
How are we with oaths? Would we be willing to risk our lives rather than break an oath?
As LDS members we get baptized and make a covenant with God. When we make this covenant it is similar to an oath. A covenant is two sided where an oath is more one sided.
June 1, 2017 marked the 288th anniversary of the first military oath taken. I know that was over a month ago, but it’s been on my mind. I know that I usually talk about this every year but I do that because I find it most important in my own life and my family’s lives.
I would rewrite Moroni’s words for myself.
I do not aspire to be a man of bloodshed. But if bloodshed must be to protect me or my family, “then we will see who shall have power over me and my family; yea, we will see who shall be brought into bondage.”
There comes a time when we must stand up. There comes a time when we must defend. Will we ever be called upon again to fight off tyranny? I do not know. I hope not. Will we have to fight off evil? We already do fight off evil, but it may come to a physical fight. Will you be ready? Will you have training? Will you have the means to defend your family? You cannot depend on anyone or anything else. If you do, you’re lying to yourself. Can the police really save your family from murder and rape? They are good, but not that good. They will clean up after all the evil is gone. They will bring the criminals to justice, but how can they defend your family in their moment of need? You must be there for them. You can’t expect God to do something you have been charged to do. If you have the means to defend, have had the training and have practiced, then Heavenly Father can step in if Devine help is needed. We must depend on God after all we can do.
I know this article is the proverbial “beating the dead horse” but I feel strongly about it and want spread this sentiment. You do not have to be a violent person to desire to defend yourself and your family. When the time to do violence comes, if you have prepared, you will do what needs to be done. But only if prepared. Be prepared.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Monday, August 7, 2017
Extreme Weapons And The Atomic Bomb
72 years ago day before yesterday, the 6th of August, marks the day the United States used the unthinkable weapon on Japan in 1945 ending the war with Japan. On that day at 8:16 a.m. Japanese time, an American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, drops the world’s first atom bomb, over the city of Hiroshima. Approximately 80,000 people are killed as a direct result of the blast, and another 35,000 are injured. At least another 60,000 would be dead by the end of the year from the effects of the fallout.
U.S. President Harry S. Truman, discouraged by the Japanese response to the Potsdam Conference’s demand for unconditional surrender, made the decision to use the atom bomb to end the war in order to prevent what he predicted would be a much greater loss of life were the United States to invade the Japanese mainland. And so on August 5, while a “conventional” bombing of Japan was underway, “Little Boy,” (the nickname for one of two atom bombs available for use against Japan), was loaded onto Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets’ plane on Tinian Island in the Marianas. Tibbets’ B-29, named the Enola Gay after his mother, left the island at 2:45 a.m. on August 6. Five and a half hours later, “Little Boy” was dropped, exploding 1,900 feet over a hospital and unleashing the equivalent of 12,500 tons of TNT. The bomb had several inscriptions scribbled on its shell, one of which read “Greetings to the Emperor from the men of the Indianapolis” (the ship that transported the bomb to the Marianas).
There were 90,000 buildings in Hiroshima before the bomb was dropped; only 28,000 remained after the bombing. Of the city’s 200 doctors before the explosion; only 20 were left alive or capable of working. There were 1,780 nurses before-only 150 remained who were able to tend to the sick and dying.
This was awesome destruction from a weapon no one could imagine. Ever since several countries have nuclear weapon capabilities.
The United States, Russia, China, India, Israel, France, North Korea, Pakistan, and The United Kingdom are the only countries that have these capabilities.
The debate about whether the bomb should have been used in 1945 has been debated for decades and probably will be for centuries.
I have never ordered men into battle. Often commanders order men to their death even though it meets a certain objective. The estimate of dead, had the war continued, are in the millions. Some say 4 million on the Allied side. Iwo Jima alone had a casualty rate of almost 50,000 from both sides. What would an invasion force face on Japanese soil? They believed their Emperor to be God. How hard would you fight for your God on your home soil? Until the last person? This is only my belief, with my limited knowledge, but I believe in those “million” numbers that have been batted around.
In the Mormon faith we believe the Bible to be the word of God. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, as a second witness of Christ. In the Book of Mormon, 1st Nephi chapter 4 verses 5 through 18. The prophet Nephi is a young man. He is sent to get records that his people, and future generations, would need to learn what God had for them. An evil King would not give him the records and sought his life, and the lives of his brothers. He also stole property they had offered to buy the records. The evil King Noah was delivered into Nephi’s hands and he was told by the Spirit to kill him. Nephi had never killed anyone and he was afraid. He was told 2 more times to kill the evil king. The last time the Spirit said this to him,
Verse 13 “Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.”
Now I’m not saying that President Roosevelt was moved upon by the Spirit to bomb Japan, but I think the same applies. It is better than a few 100 thousand die, rather than millions of those who are only defending themselves from countries that want to destroy or enslave them.
Why do I bring up this controversial event? Because using lethal force has been talked about as being extreme. Killing another human being is extreme. But I’m not sure letting criminals live, kill or hurt me or my family, go to prison, and possibly get out and do it again is the answer. I am not a man of war or violence. I advocate violence in the face of violence. I do not wish to be a man of blood. In Alma 44 we read:
“1 And it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a pace from them. And Moroni said unto Zerahemnah: Behold, Zerahemnah, that we do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.
2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to bring any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause for which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us because of our religion.”
I want to be able to defend myself and my family (as Moroni mentioned in the Title of Liberty
Alma 46: 12 “And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.”) and I may have to use lethal force. I’ve been trained to do this, yet I really hope I’ll never get any use out of that training.
I also believe in the traditional family of Mom, Dad, and kids. I know this is not reality all of the time because of death, divorce, and other circumstances. So this next part is not meant to be exclusive to a man or a father but a head of the household. I’m not trying to be politically correct, just reality based.
The LDS Church’s “The Family: A Proclamation To The World” says”:
“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.”
It also states:
“Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”
If that isn’t a charge to protect your family then I don’t know what is. I believe that protection entails spiritual, emotional, mental, moral, and physical protection. I focus on the physical. That takes in a roof over their heads. Food for their lives, and actual physical protection. If someone, or something, should threaten your family, you should use everything within your means to protect them. If it is a “bug” or sickness, will you try to provide medical attention, medication, clean water, and food and warmth to “kill” that bug. What if that threat were a wild animal? Would you defend them against that? What if that “animal” is a human? Would you protect your family with lethal force? Do you have the means? Do you have the training?
I hope you will do all that you can. Even if that means using “extreme” weapons to protect you and yours. That’s what this blog is all about. Protection.
Just as an atomic bomb was used because we could not see many innocents dying because of a stubborn ideology, I cannot see my family suffering because someone insists on breaking laws or has lost their minds. I’d love to control them as Moroni tried with the Army of Zarahemna. But short of that control is stopping that threat. If pulling my weapon and a verbal “Stop!” makes the threat withdraw, then I got off without having to use lethal force. The day is good. But if, like Moroni, evil cannot be reasoned with, I will “…spill (evil’s) blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed.” Which conditions are to leave in peace and never bother my family again.
Will you be prepared? Will you use extreme weapons in the face of evil to save innocents? I have entered into an oath to protect this country (and my family) from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
A gun is an extreme weapon. It must be used with care and skill. These things cannot just come to you. You must legally purchase a gun and anything else you may need with that. You must seek the training and then practice what you have been taught. Shooting is a perishable skill. If not practiced, you can lose the skill. You must commit to protect your family in any and every way. To do this you must be prepared.
Be safe and train on!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
U.S. President Harry S. Truman, discouraged by the Japanese response to the Potsdam Conference’s demand for unconditional surrender, made the decision to use the atom bomb to end the war in order to prevent what he predicted would be a much greater loss of life were the United States to invade the Japanese mainland. And so on August 5, while a “conventional” bombing of Japan was underway, “Little Boy,” (the nickname for one of two atom bombs available for use against Japan), was loaded onto Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets’ plane on Tinian Island in the Marianas. Tibbets’ B-29, named the Enola Gay after his mother, left the island at 2:45 a.m. on August 6. Five and a half hours later, “Little Boy” was dropped, exploding 1,900 feet over a hospital and unleashing the equivalent of 12,500 tons of TNT. The bomb had several inscriptions scribbled on its shell, one of which read “Greetings to the Emperor from the men of the Indianapolis” (the ship that transported the bomb to the Marianas).
There were 90,000 buildings in Hiroshima before the bomb was dropped; only 28,000 remained after the bombing. Of the city’s 200 doctors before the explosion; only 20 were left alive or capable of working. There were 1,780 nurses before-only 150 remained who were able to tend to the sick and dying.
This was awesome destruction from a weapon no one could imagine. Ever since several countries have nuclear weapon capabilities.
The United States, Russia, China, India, Israel, France, North Korea, Pakistan, and The United Kingdom are the only countries that have these capabilities.
The debate about whether the bomb should have been used in 1945 has been debated for decades and probably will be for centuries.
I have never ordered men into battle. Often commanders order men to their death even though it meets a certain objective. The estimate of dead, had the war continued, are in the millions. Some say 4 million on the Allied side. Iwo Jima alone had a casualty rate of almost 50,000 from both sides. What would an invasion force face on Japanese soil? They believed their Emperor to be God. How hard would you fight for your God on your home soil? Until the last person? This is only my belief, with my limited knowledge, but I believe in those “million” numbers that have been batted around.
In the Mormon faith we believe the Bible to be the word of God. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, as a second witness of Christ. In the Book of Mormon, 1st Nephi chapter 4 verses 5 through 18. The prophet Nephi is a young man. He is sent to get records that his people, and future generations, would need to learn what God had for them. An evil King would not give him the records and sought his life, and the lives of his brothers. He also stole property they had offered to buy the records. The evil King Noah was delivered into Nephi’s hands and he was told by the Spirit to kill him. Nephi had never killed anyone and he was afraid. He was told 2 more times to kill the evil king. The last time the Spirit said this to him,
Verse 13 “Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.”
Now I’m not saying that President Roosevelt was moved upon by the Spirit to bomb Japan, but I think the same applies. It is better than a few 100 thousand die, rather than millions of those who are only defending themselves from countries that want to destroy or enslave them.
Why do I bring up this controversial event? Because using lethal force has been talked about as being extreme. Killing another human being is extreme. But I’m not sure letting criminals live, kill or hurt me or my family, go to prison, and possibly get out and do it again is the answer. I am not a man of war or violence. I advocate violence in the face of violence. I do not wish to be a man of blood. In Alma 44 we read:
“1 And it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a pace from them. And Moroni said unto Zerahemnah: Behold, Zerahemnah, that we do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.
2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to bring any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause for which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us because of our religion.”
I want to be able to defend myself and my family (as Moroni mentioned in the Title of Liberty
Alma 46: 12 “And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.”) and I may have to use lethal force. I’ve been trained to do this, yet I really hope I’ll never get any use out of that training.
I also believe in the traditional family of Mom, Dad, and kids. I know this is not reality all of the time because of death, divorce, and other circumstances. So this next part is not meant to be exclusive to a man or a father but a head of the household. I’m not trying to be politically correct, just reality based.
The LDS Church’s “The Family: A Proclamation To The World” says”:
“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.”
It also states:
“Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”
If that isn’t a charge to protect your family then I don’t know what is. I believe that protection entails spiritual, emotional, mental, moral, and physical protection. I focus on the physical. That takes in a roof over their heads. Food for their lives, and actual physical protection. If someone, or something, should threaten your family, you should use everything within your means to protect them. If it is a “bug” or sickness, will you try to provide medical attention, medication, clean water, and food and warmth to “kill” that bug. What if that threat were a wild animal? Would you defend them against that? What if that “animal” is a human? Would you protect your family with lethal force? Do you have the means? Do you have the training?
I hope you will do all that you can. Even if that means using “extreme” weapons to protect you and yours. That’s what this blog is all about. Protection.
Just as an atomic bomb was used because we could not see many innocents dying because of a stubborn ideology, I cannot see my family suffering because someone insists on breaking laws or has lost their minds. I’d love to control them as Moroni tried with the Army of Zarahemna. But short of that control is stopping that threat. If pulling my weapon and a verbal “Stop!” makes the threat withdraw, then I got off without having to use lethal force. The day is good. But if, like Moroni, evil cannot be reasoned with, I will “…spill (evil’s) blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed.” Which conditions are to leave in peace and never bother my family again.
Will you be prepared? Will you use extreme weapons in the face of evil to save innocents? I have entered into an oath to protect this country (and my family) from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
A gun is an extreme weapon. It must be used with care and skill. These things cannot just come to you. You must legally purchase a gun and anything else you may need with that. You must seek the training and then practice what you have been taught. Shooting is a perishable skill. If not practiced, you can lose the skill. You must commit to protect your family in any and every way. To do this you must be prepared.
Be safe and train on!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
The Unexpected Bang: Negligent Discharge
If you ever had one, you know. If you haven’t had one, you’re due. There’s just about nothing that scares the you-know-what out of you like a negligent discharge.
Simply put, this is any “bang” you didn’t expect.
Such unexpected shots are rightly alarming, and for a host of reasons. The most obvious is their spectacularly, intrinsically unsafe nature: They generally signal errors and oversights, and perhaps technique flaws as well. They also tell you a lot about the shooter who has one in terms of character, or at least that’s our opinion. I’d be concerned by anyone not shocked and shaken when it happens to them. Serious assessment on several levels is the only appropriate response, to say nothing of apology and recompense if possible. At the very least, it ought to be the place where firearms snobbery and arrogance go to die. Think about this, and when you think, act. If you ever have one, make sure you put things in place so you’ll never experience it again!
I’d also suggest prayer, frankly, especially if yours was only embarrassing and expensive. They can be tragically worse, of course, though this is thankfully very rare despite mainstream media hysteria to the contrary (medical mistakes, automobile accidents, poisoning, falls, suffocation, drowning and incineration are all many times more common). All the same, most are preventable, and responsible gun ownership certainly means reducing them to as close to zero as possible, before the well-meaning-but-ignorant reduce them for you, by the taking away your Second Amendment rights.
First, know the rules, and understand how they “interlock” to make true gun safety a reality. I’ve made it a point in teaching that just one rule can do the heavy lifting for all safety concerns if it is applied with sufficient vigor: Never let the muzzle cover anything you aren’t willing to destroy.
Think about this and perhaps you’ll understand. If you never broke this rule, but had multiple NDs, it would only be expensive and embarrassing: It’s all but impossible to seriously injure yourself or anyone else as long as you don’t let that muzzle cover what you really value (I don’t have to actually say “people,” right?). But break this rule in combination with any of the others and things go rapidly, horribly wrong.
An especially dangerous way of thinking where I’ve see this happen, is when people limit the “muzzle cover” notion only to things they can see. Bullets will pierce many objects or travel surprising distances, and it’ll still be your fault if on the other side of whatever (wall, hill, car door, etc.) is something you didn’t want to destroy. Therefore, a loaded firearm gets pointed at a target only, to say nothing of putting your finger on the trigger, and-or firing.
Second is clearing a firearm. Most NDs occur with firearms people thought were empty. Notice how this one becomes trivial, expensive and embarrassing only, if you don’t violate number one above.
I’ve observed that clearing errors can have several sources. The most likely is not knowing how to properly clear a given firearm. This is compounded by the multiplicity of action types because different methods, in mechanical terms, apply. The fallback in all such cases is simple: Ask, or leave it the heck alone.
A myth-lie the anti-gun media loves to perpetuate is “It just went off!” But in all my years, I’ve never seen this happen, nor even been able to verify an incident I’ve heard about. There has always been an explanation, and a mistake has always been made. Got that? Always, and I figure I’ve been within earshot of something well north of 3 million rounds, and several dozen NDs.
This is one of the reasons we urge everyone to compete at some point in their shooting life: Nothing improves the quality and safety of overall gun handling like the repetition of competitive precautions and enforcements. Yet, even the most active of these maintain safety records that are simply unrivaled.
So “It just went off!” never happens!
Third, haste is the enemy. Let me clarify that: Certain things in shooting, both in sport and defensive situations, require speed, but they always have a connection to the target-only state we discussed above. Nothing else can or should be done in a hurry. Simply, give yourself time to think about safety in everything. Be deliberate in your head, not automatic with your hands. I shudder at my own recollected close calls and note that all were the fruit of utterly unnecessary haste.
Like what? Well, how about holstering? A surprising number of self-inflicted injuries stem from this, though modern holsters and competitive rules are driving this tally down. What in the world can be the rush to re-holster, yet you’ll see it frequently. Where this gets dangerous is if trigger discipline and muzzle control haven’t yet matured, and the finger doesn’t leave the trigger as the sights leave a legitimate target. It’s easy to envision how a gun-gear collision of undue force during this act can result in a bullet horrifyingly near your own femoral artery. Life-changing in any event.
A rotten “sister” exists in the draw. The desire to get going quickly is understandable, especially in defense situations and training for them. But remember that touching that trigger can only happen after the muzzle is clear of the holster, parallel to the ground, and on its way to a target. Whether your draw is from the waistband, purse, ankle or wherever, don’t be hunting for the interior of the trigger guard and face of the trigger until this happens. Breaking this one will not end well either, guaranteed.
I watched a ND recently when two students were practicing “punching out” with their guns. Luckily the gun was pointed in the right direction, toward the target, downrange. But the yelp of the student told me it was a ND. The range was hot so it wasn’t dangerous in that it was pointed correct and no one was downrange. The ND was unintentional even though it could have very well been an intentional shot. Like I said, the sound and the red face was a give-away. We stopped, cleared all weapons, re-briefed the rules, and let the violator teach the rest of us why rule 3 was important.
Safety is something that should be serious but can be taught with a little fun. Be serious when you have to (I tell “war stories” of tragedy) but it can be uniquely taught. “Bill why do we keep Rule number 3?” Because of Rule number 1. “Jennifer what is Rule number 4 and why do we keep it?” Because of rule number 1. Being exact is what I strive for. Keeping these rules with exactness (not only the finger out of the guard, but the finger on the frame instead of next to the guard) will keep ND’s from ruining your day. Muscle memory is important in shooting but “rule memory” is imperative. Rule memory is the ultimate goal of shooting. It’s something that will make everything else fall into place.
A reminder:
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
Negligent discharges are the shooters responsibility. Just as every bullet that leaves your gun. Bear that responsibility well. Like situational awareness, you must always be cognizant of your gun and its location, position, and status. ND’s make us all look bad. Gun owners, shooters, and hunters must all be better. We must meet the standard and the standard is high. Every time I see people playing around with guns on You Tube I want to slap these idiots. I love guns and love shooting and having fun with them. But there are limits and a way to do it safely.
Be careful out there. Be safe and enjoy your right.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Simply put, this is any “bang” you didn’t expect.
Such unexpected shots are rightly alarming, and for a host of reasons. The most obvious is their spectacularly, intrinsically unsafe nature: They generally signal errors and oversights, and perhaps technique flaws as well. They also tell you a lot about the shooter who has one in terms of character, or at least that’s our opinion. I’d be concerned by anyone not shocked and shaken when it happens to them. Serious assessment on several levels is the only appropriate response, to say nothing of apology and recompense if possible. At the very least, it ought to be the place where firearms snobbery and arrogance go to die. Think about this, and when you think, act. If you ever have one, make sure you put things in place so you’ll never experience it again!
I’d also suggest prayer, frankly, especially if yours was only embarrassing and expensive. They can be tragically worse, of course, though this is thankfully very rare despite mainstream media hysteria to the contrary (medical mistakes, automobile accidents, poisoning, falls, suffocation, drowning and incineration are all many times more common). All the same, most are preventable, and responsible gun ownership certainly means reducing them to as close to zero as possible, before the well-meaning-but-ignorant reduce them for you, by the taking away your Second Amendment rights.
First, know the rules, and understand how they “interlock” to make true gun safety a reality. I’ve made it a point in teaching that just one rule can do the heavy lifting for all safety concerns if it is applied with sufficient vigor: Never let the muzzle cover anything you aren’t willing to destroy.
Think about this and perhaps you’ll understand. If you never broke this rule, but had multiple NDs, it would only be expensive and embarrassing: It’s all but impossible to seriously injure yourself or anyone else as long as you don’t let that muzzle cover what you really value (I don’t have to actually say “people,” right?). But break this rule in combination with any of the others and things go rapidly, horribly wrong.
An especially dangerous way of thinking where I’ve see this happen, is when people limit the “muzzle cover” notion only to things they can see. Bullets will pierce many objects or travel surprising distances, and it’ll still be your fault if on the other side of whatever (wall, hill, car door, etc.) is something you didn’t want to destroy. Therefore, a loaded firearm gets pointed at a target only, to say nothing of putting your finger on the trigger, and-or firing.
Second is clearing a firearm. Most NDs occur with firearms people thought were empty. Notice how this one becomes trivial, expensive and embarrassing only, if you don’t violate number one above.
I’ve observed that clearing errors can have several sources. The most likely is not knowing how to properly clear a given firearm. This is compounded by the multiplicity of action types because different methods, in mechanical terms, apply. The fallback in all such cases is simple: Ask, or leave it the heck alone.
A myth-lie the anti-gun media loves to perpetuate is “It just went off!” But in all my years, I’ve never seen this happen, nor even been able to verify an incident I’ve heard about. There has always been an explanation, and a mistake has always been made. Got that? Always, and I figure I’ve been within earshot of something well north of 3 million rounds, and several dozen NDs.
This is one of the reasons we urge everyone to compete at some point in their shooting life: Nothing improves the quality and safety of overall gun handling like the repetition of competitive precautions and enforcements. Yet, even the most active of these maintain safety records that are simply unrivaled.
So “It just went off!” never happens!
Third, haste is the enemy. Let me clarify that: Certain things in shooting, both in sport and defensive situations, require speed, but they always have a connection to the target-only state we discussed above. Nothing else can or should be done in a hurry. Simply, give yourself time to think about safety in everything. Be deliberate in your head, not automatic with your hands. I shudder at my own recollected close calls and note that all were the fruit of utterly unnecessary haste.
Like what? Well, how about holstering? A surprising number of self-inflicted injuries stem from this, though modern holsters and competitive rules are driving this tally down. What in the world can be the rush to re-holster, yet you’ll see it frequently. Where this gets dangerous is if trigger discipline and muzzle control haven’t yet matured, and the finger doesn’t leave the trigger as the sights leave a legitimate target. It’s easy to envision how a gun-gear collision of undue force during this act can result in a bullet horrifyingly near your own femoral artery. Life-changing in any event.
A rotten “sister” exists in the draw. The desire to get going quickly is understandable, especially in defense situations and training for them. But remember that touching that trigger can only happen after the muzzle is clear of the holster, parallel to the ground, and on its way to a target. Whether your draw is from the waistband, purse, ankle or wherever, don’t be hunting for the interior of the trigger guard and face of the trigger until this happens. Breaking this one will not end well either, guaranteed.
I watched a ND recently when two students were practicing “punching out” with their guns. Luckily the gun was pointed in the right direction, toward the target, downrange. But the yelp of the student told me it was a ND. The range was hot so it wasn’t dangerous in that it was pointed correct and no one was downrange. The ND was unintentional even though it could have very well been an intentional shot. Like I said, the sound and the red face was a give-away. We stopped, cleared all weapons, re-briefed the rules, and let the violator teach the rest of us why rule 3 was important.
Safety is something that should be serious but can be taught with a little fun. Be serious when you have to (I tell “war stories” of tragedy) but it can be uniquely taught. “Bill why do we keep Rule number 3?” Because of Rule number 1. “Jennifer what is Rule number 4 and why do we keep it?” Because of rule number 1. Being exact is what I strive for. Keeping these rules with exactness (not only the finger out of the guard, but the finger on the frame instead of next to the guard) will keep ND’s from ruining your day. Muscle memory is important in shooting but “rule memory” is imperative. Rule memory is the ultimate goal of shooting. It’s something that will make everything else fall into place.
A reminder:
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
Negligent discharges are the shooters responsibility. Just as every bullet that leaves your gun. Bear that responsibility well. Like situational awareness, you must always be cognizant of your gun and its location, position, and status. ND’s make us all look bad. Gun owners, shooters, and hunters must all be better. We must meet the standard and the standard is high. Every time I see people playing around with guns on You Tube I want to slap these idiots. I love guns and love shooting and having fun with them. But there are limits and a way to do it safely.
Be careful out there. Be safe and enjoy your right.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Shotguns For Home Defense
You wouldn’t know it to look at me, but I really love shotguns. I don’t really own a lot of them. I have a couple Mossberg 500’s, a Remington 870, some odd old Pardner 20 gage but not really a lot for someone who likes them. I also keep a handgun hidden in a strategic place on our bed for home defense. So why not a shotgun? I guess I don’t feel our shotguns would be ideal for home defense. I’m not here to argue what is better for home defense because that’s very personal and depends on skill and experience.
The home-defense load for shotguns has traditionally been 00 buckshot. In a 12-gauge shotgun, this is generally a load of nine .33-caliber balls traveling at nearly 1,250 fps when they leave the muzzle.
Of course, some magnum shotshells increase both the number of pellets and the velocity. The downside of this increased performance is an increase in recoil and recovery time. A person is just not going to shoot their best with a load that really smacks them every time they press the trigger. There is much justification for going the other way when considering buckshot vs. birdshot for home defense.
A real problem for the homeowner who is defending his home and family is over-penetration. Rounds fired inside a house may break through walls and into other rooms that could be occupied by family members. Furthermore, it is quite possible for heavy defensive bullets to completely exit the house, placing neighbors in danger. One thing is for sure: The legal system is going to hold a person responsible for each and every shot he fires, regardless of his good intentions.
I read about an experiment with shot loads and home building materials at my favorite school Gunsite. This is his experience.
A while ago, I participated in an interesting buckshot vs. birdshot experiment. Ed Head, operations manager at Gunsite Academy
We began by firing standard 9 mm and .45 ACP defensive loads. These sailed right through all three walls. A 55-grain bullet from a .223 Rem. round showed improvement because it stopped in the second wall. Then it was time to try the shotgun loads.
First to be launched was a standard 12-gauge police buckshot load, driving nine pellets at approximately 1,250 fps. I thought the buckshot would be contained in the third wall. I was wrong. It penetrated all three walls with ease and sailed into the protective backstop. In an actual home, people in the other rooms would have been in grave danger. A 1-ounce, 12-gauge slug load gave the exact same results.
Our final test was a 12-gauge field load of No. 7 1/2 shot, a 1 1/8-ounce load running at 1,250 fps. This load entered the first layer of sheetrock, making one hole that was about 3 inches in diameter. It exited that wall completely, but merely splattered on the surface of the second wall. People in that second room would likely have been hit with birdshot, but it would probably not have been life threatening.
These simple tests convinced me that, between buckshot vs. birdshot, a standard birdshot load is usually best for a homeowner’s defensive 12-gauge shotgun. In close-range encounters, as found in most home-defense situations, birdshot can be deadly. But, it loses power so fast, over-penetration is much less of a problem. In a home full of children, it would certainly be my first choice.
The advantage of the shotgun is the variety of ammunition available. Choices range from birdshot to duck and goose loads to buckshot, and finally slugs. But remember, you will probably have to fight with what’s in the gun. There likely won’t be time to do a bunch of changing.
The shotgun is not as glamorous as a tacticool AR or a custom-tuned fighting handgun, but it’s a great fight stopper nonetheless. Make the wide variety of shotgun loads work for you by selecting those that will do the job without needlessly endangering those who don’t deserve to be hurt.
Shotguns are great because they are rarely included in bans or considered “military” or “assault” weapons. Law enforcement and military knows different. Used correctly and with the right loads, a shotgun is deadly and more menacing than any “black” scary gun you can build.
You can outfit a shotgun with short barrels (always be legal), folding and pistol grip stocks, and many aftermarket accessories. Remember the importance of a light for home defense.
There is an amazing amount of crazy ammo out there for a shot gun.
Birdshot ranges in size from Shot # 12 through 1, then B, BB, BBB, and T being considered birdshot, but is really buckshot if you ask me.
Buckshot ranges in size from Shot # TT, F, FFF, more common: 4, 3, 1, 0, 00, 000
Crazy loads include:
Dragon’s Breath. Which turns your gun into basically a flame thrower. It releases a 100 ft flame.
Macho Gaucho. This round shoots a bolo. This round has been found to be devastating when it works right. It shoots 2 steel balls connected with a steel cable.
Flares. There are several different colored and style flares that can be shot.
Rubber balls. There are also several sized rubber projectile shotgun rounds.
Bean bags. This is similar to the rubber projectile in that it’s not so lethal. But a bean bag coming at you really fast can be dangerous!
Pepper “spray”. These will blast with pepper spray.
Flechettes. This is a small metal dart. 20 in each round. Used in Viet Nam on snipers.
Drone Catcher. This is a net of cords shot at a drone that is supposed to take it down. Others have shot drones out of the sky and have had some legal problems. This won’t blow up the drone but will down it with a 6 feet wide net of cords. I’m not sure this would relieve anyone from legal problems though.
As you can see, a shot gun is versatile. I do not recommend any of the above crazy rounds. Know that many unconventional rounds are dangerous and unpredictable. Use with extreme caution!
Regular birdshot is still a good idea for home defense. Consider a shotgun.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
The home-defense load for shotguns has traditionally been 00 buckshot. In a 12-gauge shotgun, this is generally a load of nine .33-caliber balls traveling at nearly 1,250 fps when they leave the muzzle.
Of course, some magnum shotshells increase both the number of pellets and the velocity. The downside of this increased performance is an increase in recoil and recovery time. A person is just not going to shoot their best with a load that really smacks them every time they press the trigger. There is much justification for going the other way when considering buckshot vs. birdshot for home defense.
A real problem for the homeowner who is defending his home and family is over-penetration. Rounds fired inside a house may break through walls and into other rooms that could be occupied by family members. Furthermore, it is quite possible for heavy defensive bullets to completely exit the house, placing neighbors in danger. One thing is for sure: The legal system is going to hold a person responsible for each and every shot he fires, regardless of his good intentions.
I read about an experiment with shot loads and home building materials at my favorite school Gunsite. This is his experience.
A while ago, I participated in an interesting buckshot vs. birdshot experiment. Ed Head, operations manager at Gunsite Academy
We began by firing standard 9 mm and .45 ACP defensive loads. These sailed right through all three walls. A 55-grain bullet from a .223 Rem. round showed improvement because it stopped in the second wall. Then it was time to try the shotgun loads.
First to be launched was a standard 12-gauge police buckshot load, driving nine pellets at approximately 1,250 fps. I thought the buckshot would be contained in the third wall. I was wrong. It penetrated all three walls with ease and sailed into the protective backstop. In an actual home, people in the other rooms would have been in grave danger. A 1-ounce, 12-gauge slug load gave the exact same results.
Our final test was a 12-gauge field load of No. 7 1/2 shot, a 1 1/8-ounce load running at 1,250 fps. This load entered the first layer of sheetrock, making one hole that was about 3 inches in diameter. It exited that wall completely, but merely splattered on the surface of the second wall. People in that second room would likely have been hit with birdshot, but it would probably not have been life threatening.
These simple tests convinced me that, between buckshot vs. birdshot, a standard birdshot load is usually best for a homeowner’s defensive 12-gauge shotgun. In close-range encounters, as found in most home-defense situations, birdshot can be deadly. But, it loses power so fast, over-penetration is much less of a problem. In a home full of children, it would certainly be my first choice.
The advantage of the shotgun is the variety of ammunition available. Choices range from birdshot to duck and goose loads to buckshot, and finally slugs. But remember, you will probably have to fight with what’s in the gun. There likely won’t be time to do a bunch of changing.
The shotgun is not as glamorous as a tacticool AR or a custom-tuned fighting handgun, but it’s a great fight stopper nonetheless. Make the wide variety of shotgun loads work for you by selecting those that will do the job without needlessly endangering those who don’t deserve to be hurt.
Shotguns are great because they are rarely included in bans or considered “military” or “assault” weapons. Law enforcement and military knows different. Used correctly and with the right loads, a shotgun is deadly and more menacing than any “black” scary gun you can build.
You can outfit a shotgun with short barrels (always be legal), folding and pistol grip stocks, and many aftermarket accessories. Remember the importance of a light for home defense.
There is an amazing amount of crazy ammo out there for a shot gun.
Birdshot ranges in size from Shot # 12 through 1, then B, BB, BBB, and T being considered birdshot, but is really buckshot if you ask me.
Buckshot ranges in size from Shot # TT, F, FFF, more common: 4, 3, 1, 0, 00, 000
Crazy loads include:
Dragon’s Breath. Which turns your gun into basically a flame thrower. It releases a 100 ft flame.
Macho Gaucho. This round shoots a bolo. This round has been found to be devastating when it works right. It shoots 2 steel balls connected with a steel cable.
Flares. There are several different colored and style flares that can be shot.
Rubber balls. There are also several sized rubber projectile shotgun rounds.
Bean bags. This is similar to the rubber projectile in that it’s not so lethal. But a bean bag coming at you really fast can be dangerous!
Pepper “spray”. These will blast with pepper spray.
Flechettes. This is a small metal dart. 20 in each round. Used in Viet Nam on snipers.
Drone Catcher. This is a net of cords shot at a drone that is supposed to take it down. Others have shot drones out of the sky and have had some legal problems. This won’t blow up the drone but will down it with a 6 feet wide net of cords. I’m not sure this would relieve anyone from legal problems though.
As you can see, a shot gun is versatile. I do not recommend any of the above crazy rounds. Know that many unconventional rounds are dangerous and unpredictable. Use with extreme caution!
Regular birdshot is still a good idea for home defense. Consider a shotgun.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Friday, April 28, 2017
.38 Special: Love/Hate Relationship
As is usual, I go to the range and come back with a story. The other day I went to shoot .357 and .38 Special revolvers. I like to do this about once a month in my training program. I shoot exceptionally well with a wheel gun. But I don’t really like them for EDC (everyday carry). It’s nothing but personal preference.
We flew to visit my in-laws several years ago. I didn’t want to take a gun because I knew my Father in-law would let me borrow something to carry. He has been around guns, shooting, and hunting his entire 70 plus years. He told me I was too modern for him. He knew I was an instructor but what he didn’t know was when I was in the military they were in the process of leaving .38 Special revolvers and moving to the Beretta M9. I taught the use of, and qualification course for, the revolver, M9, M16A2, and M60E3.
First introduced way back in the early 1900s, the world-famous .38 Special is but one of the tools that helped propel America to where we are today. The Special was once the primary law enforcement round used by police. It still has a place today in certain hunting applications, with both revolvers and rifles, and is still used in self-defense over 110 years later.
Something that is little known about the .38 SPC (or SPL), is that it doesn’t actually fire a “38” caliber bullet as you’d think about modern bullet measurements. Rather, the .38 is a “35” caliber bullet, which is why you can fire it through a .357 Magnum revolver. I want to point out here, however, that while you can shoot a thirty-eight through a gun chambered in the .357 Magnum cartridge, you should never shoot a .357 Magnum through a .38 Special chambered gun.
While they share many similarities, the Magnum’s cartridge is loaded to much higher pressures and cannot be fired in a gun only chambered in .38. The Magnum is a bit longer so they might not even fit in your gun. Either way, don’t try it.
Even though the .38 Special is as popular as ever, it lacks terminal ballistics associated with many of the other modern self-defense cartridges on the market. In a world where you and I defend ourselves with a gun, .38 Special is one of the least powerful you would want to use (to include .32 Mag, .380 ACP, and .327).
I can almost hear you thinking, but it has such a huge case! How could such a big round be so “eh” in its performance?
Well, things aren’t always what they would seem. Sure, the case is big. Much bigger than many of the semi-auto self-defense pistols on the market. But, just because it has a big case, doesn’t mean it’s filled all the way to the top with gun powder.
Because the .38s are only rated for 17,000 PSI (which is really low), it can only hold so much powder, safely.
There are essentially two trains of thought for self-defense guns. They are as follows:
1. Big, slow bullets create a bigger wound channel, and, are thus better for self-defense even though they move much slower.
2. Small, faster moving bullets do more damage because they travel further into the body.
There are positives to both. The .38 Special packs a slow moving, medium sized bullet. Generally speaking, they can be found from 110 grains up to 158 grains. They move at lackluster speeds, with most, if not all of them (including the +P rounds) staying below the 1,000 FPS mark.
Many of the more popular thirty-eight loads move much slower than that in the 750 FPS range. Again, in terms of self-defense, this is the lowest you’d want to go. If you don’t believe it, keep in mind a Defensive Gun Use story where a mother stopped a would be attacker in her house to save her kids. She used a .38 Special revolver, and seemingly placed 5 shots on her attacker.
He walked back to his car and drove off before needing medical attention, and lived to tell the tale.
On the other hand, she did stop the attack with the gun. Had she not had it with her, the outcome would have been remarkably different.
I was in a gun store the other day and when some other customers found out I was an instructor they asked the eternal question: “What gun should I buy for home defense?”
I hate this question! First of all it’s loaded one (excuse the pun). It’s a loaded question because a gun for home defense will be different for me than it would be for you. I’m pretty confident in my shooting. Not to boast but I feel I would not miss if ever confronted in my home with a threat. I guess it’s possible, but not probable. But then again I’ve been shooting guns for almost 40 years. I have been a military and civilian instructor, have competed, and have carried a gun for almost 25 years. I’ve had many years of training and when I point a gun at something, I usually hit what I’m aiming at. So for me, an AR with a light and laser sight is a perfect home defense weapon. But if you have little to no experience with a gun, I’d suggest quite a different weapon. This couple did say that the guy had carried a Glock 19 for a year. I asked about their experience, it was as small as their training. I first suggested a home defense course. Then I suggested whichever gun they chose for home defense, to practice at a range at least monthly, or more if they could. Then I suggested a short barreled (at least 16 inches to be legal) shotgun loaded with bird shot. When they asked about the ammo load, I said, “Trust me, that is the load for you.” I’ve personally tested shotgun loads on real world house building materials. Anyway, then they asked about a carry weapon for her. I asked similar questions and then suggested a .38 special or .357 magnum revolver like the Airweight Smith and Wesson, or a quality auto loader in .380 or 9mm.
In my honest opinion, double-action .38 Special revolvers may not be “state-of-the-art” but they are stable in the art. To me, it’s a no brainer. Double-action .38 Special revolvers are easy handguns to train with. Opening one for loading consists of no more than pressing a latch or button and swinging the cylinder out. There’s no trick to getting chambers charged since cartridges can only fit in one direction. I’ve actually seen novices try to load semi-auto magazines with the rounds backwards. Then the cylinder is pushed closed till it clicks in place. That’s all there is to it.
A double-action revolver requires merely pressing the trigger to fire. There’s no safety to remember, and no moving slide to bite hands. Most double actions can also be fired single action, which is an aid when gaining familiarization with the handgun, or weak hands, even if not optimum for a potentially deadly situation.
Then there’s the ammo factor. Some semi-autos can be amazingly finicky about ammo.
Conversely, a .38 Special double-action revolver always works if it’s in good repair. They’re about as foolproof as a handgun can get. Good quality factory ammo ranges from very light full wadcutter loads meant for target shooting, to +P types meant for personal defense. The .38 Special might have a bad rap among those who see nothing less than big bores as effective, but effective only counts if hits are made. Almost anyone can learn to handle a .38 Special with proficiency. That’s not true of big-bore handgun calibers.
So there you have it. My little promotion of the .38 Special/.357 Magnum. Enjoy it because you probably will never see me talking about again. I know I didn’t dis the caliber or type of gun. I would never do that. But it’s just never been my favorite type of gun or caliber. I shoot them to stay proficient and sometimes I do enjoy them. Not the same as a 1911 in my hands, but on occasion I enjoy them. The down side of them to me is lack of number of rounds, non-ease of reloading, even with a speed loader (I’m not Jerry Miculek, ok?) It really comes down to my personal preference. Much to my father-in-law’s non-surprise I love autoloaders.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
We flew to visit my in-laws several years ago. I didn’t want to take a gun because I knew my Father in-law would let me borrow something to carry. He has been around guns, shooting, and hunting his entire 70 plus years. He told me I was too modern for him. He knew I was an instructor but what he didn’t know was when I was in the military they were in the process of leaving .38 Special revolvers and moving to the Beretta M9. I taught the use of, and qualification course for, the revolver, M9, M16A2, and M60E3.
First introduced way back in the early 1900s, the world-famous .38 Special is but one of the tools that helped propel America to where we are today. The Special was once the primary law enforcement round used by police. It still has a place today in certain hunting applications, with both revolvers and rifles, and is still used in self-defense over 110 years later.
Something that is little known about the .38 SPC (or SPL), is that it doesn’t actually fire a “38” caliber bullet as you’d think about modern bullet measurements. Rather, the .38 is a “35” caliber bullet, which is why you can fire it through a .357 Magnum revolver. I want to point out here, however, that while you can shoot a thirty-eight through a gun chambered in the .357 Magnum cartridge, you should never shoot a .357 Magnum through a .38 Special chambered gun.
While they share many similarities, the Magnum’s cartridge is loaded to much higher pressures and cannot be fired in a gun only chambered in .38. The Magnum is a bit longer so they might not even fit in your gun. Either way, don’t try it.
Even though the .38 Special is as popular as ever, it lacks terminal ballistics associated with many of the other modern self-defense cartridges on the market. In a world where you and I defend ourselves with a gun, .38 Special is one of the least powerful you would want to use (to include .32 Mag, .380 ACP, and .327).
I can almost hear you thinking, but it has such a huge case! How could such a big round be so “eh” in its performance?
Well, things aren’t always what they would seem. Sure, the case is big. Much bigger than many of the semi-auto self-defense pistols on the market. But, just because it has a big case, doesn’t mean it’s filled all the way to the top with gun powder.
Because the .38s are only rated for 17,000 PSI (which is really low), it can only hold so much powder, safely.
There are essentially two trains of thought for self-defense guns. They are as follows:
1. Big, slow bullets create a bigger wound channel, and, are thus better for self-defense even though they move much slower.
2. Small, faster moving bullets do more damage because they travel further into the body.
There are positives to both. The .38 Special packs a slow moving, medium sized bullet. Generally speaking, they can be found from 110 grains up to 158 grains. They move at lackluster speeds, with most, if not all of them (including the +P rounds) staying below the 1,000 FPS mark.
Many of the more popular thirty-eight loads move much slower than that in the 750 FPS range. Again, in terms of self-defense, this is the lowest you’d want to go. If you don’t believe it, keep in mind a Defensive Gun Use story where a mother stopped a would be attacker in her house to save her kids. She used a .38 Special revolver, and seemingly placed 5 shots on her attacker.
He walked back to his car and drove off before needing medical attention, and lived to tell the tale.
On the other hand, she did stop the attack with the gun. Had she not had it with her, the outcome would have been remarkably different.
I was in a gun store the other day and when some other customers found out I was an instructor they asked the eternal question: “What gun should I buy for home defense?”
I hate this question! First of all it’s loaded one (excuse the pun). It’s a loaded question because a gun for home defense will be different for me than it would be for you. I’m pretty confident in my shooting. Not to boast but I feel I would not miss if ever confronted in my home with a threat. I guess it’s possible, but not probable. But then again I’ve been shooting guns for almost 40 years. I have been a military and civilian instructor, have competed, and have carried a gun for almost 25 years. I’ve had many years of training and when I point a gun at something, I usually hit what I’m aiming at. So for me, an AR with a light and laser sight is a perfect home defense weapon. But if you have little to no experience with a gun, I’d suggest quite a different weapon. This couple did say that the guy had carried a Glock 19 for a year. I asked about their experience, it was as small as their training. I first suggested a home defense course. Then I suggested whichever gun they chose for home defense, to practice at a range at least monthly, or more if they could. Then I suggested a short barreled (at least 16 inches to be legal) shotgun loaded with bird shot. When they asked about the ammo load, I said, “Trust me, that is the load for you.” I’ve personally tested shotgun loads on real world house building materials. Anyway, then they asked about a carry weapon for her. I asked similar questions and then suggested a .38 special or .357 magnum revolver like the Airweight Smith and Wesson, or a quality auto loader in .380 or 9mm.
In my honest opinion, double-action .38 Special revolvers may not be “state-of-the-art” but they are stable in the art. To me, it’s a no brainer. Double-action .38 Special revolvers are easy handguns to train with. Opening one for loading consists of no more than pressing a latch or button and swinging the cylinder out. There’s no trick to getting chambers charged since cartridges can only fit in one direction. I’ve actually seen novices try to load semi-auto magazines with the rounds backwards. Then the cylinder is pushed closed till it clicks in place. That’s all there is to it.
A double-action revolver requires merely pressing the trigger to fire. There’s no safety to remember, and no moving slide to bite hands. Most double actions can also be fired single action, which is an aid when gaining familiarization with the handgun, or weak hands, even if not optimum for a potentially deadly situation.
Then there’s the ammo factor. Some semi-autos can be amazingly finicky about ammo.
Conversely, a .38 Special double-action revolver always works if it’s in good repair. They’re about as foolproof as a handgun can get. Good quality factory ammo ranges from very light full wadcutter loads meant for target shooting, to +P types meant for personal defense. The .38 Special might have a bad rap among those who see nothing less than big bores as effective, but effective only counts if hits are made. Almost anyone can learn to handle a .38 Special with proficiency. That’s not true of big-bore handgun calibers.
So there you have it. My little promotion of the .38 Special/.357 Magnum. Enjoy it because you probably will never see me talking about again. I know I didn’t dis the caliber or type of gun. I would never do that. But it’s just never been my favorite type of gun or caliber. I shoot them to stay proficient and sometimes I do enjoy them. Not the same as a 1911 in my hands, but on occasion I enjoy them. The down side of them to me is lack of number of rounds, non-ease of reloading, even with a speed loader (I’m not Jerry Miculek, ok?) It really comes down to my personal preference. Much to my father-in-law’s non-surprise I love autoloaders.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Guns Make Us Safe
I wrote a post about reasons to carry a gun. (Reasons To Carry 1/4/2017) The same people who ask why I carry a gun need to hear this as well as anyone who carries, or intends to carry.
There are some facts that not all gun carriers may have heard or they have heard the opposite. So let’s go over them.
A lot of people have defended themselves using concealed weapons. This is the only possible way that people with physical disabilities are able to defend themselves from potential attackers. Stories told about there are more Americans who say no to CCW permits are false.
I’ve been around guns and guns stores my whole long life. Talk to gun store owners, they will give you the truth about gun sales. I’m also an instructor. Although I am not a CCW instructor, I know, and have trained, with many of them. Ask them about their business and if it has improved. They will tell you it has.
66% of the country’s police chiefs have attributed the decreased rate of violent crimes to more people carrying concealed weapons. I also know many law enforcement officers.
Numerous reports tell of civilians with concealed weapons saving the day against mass shootings. One incident in the Appalachian school of law reported two men rushing to their vehicles to get their guns. They were able to prevent a mass murder from happening.
Studies show a decrease in crime rate in States with less restrictive CCW laws. I know what you’re thinking, “Don’t you hate studies?” You would be right, I don’t like studies. I tend to treat them like reality T.V. Reality T.V. isn’t. BUT, if you actually believed studies, there are some that almost seem credible. See how I’m reaching there? I want these studies to be true, I really do. Although, I do think there can be a difference between studies and statistics. Statistics show that rates are going down, but I believe all crime, especially violent crime, is on a downward spiral. That trend is slow and it accounts for changes in technology, focus and training of officers, and other factors. But I do believe arming the masses makes a difference.
A 19 year study shows that crimes involving guns are 10% higher in US states with restrictive concealed carry laws. In Texas, crimes of murder, rape, and assault have dramatically dropped in the first two years after their CCW law passed. Take that study for what it is.
States issuing the most number of concealed weapons permit have surprisingly declining gun related crime rates. Those are statistics.
Reports about police officers disagreement about civilians with concealed weapons have no statistical basis. But can armed civilians prevent violent crimes? Policemen believe so, according to several surveys. If you don’t believe surveys ask the officers themselves. They are the ones out there in the trenches. They see it firsthand. I’ve talked to many officers and most of them believe this.
Sometimes these mass shootings or other violent crimes that happen freak people out. But don’t ignore the many lives that were saved due to the approval of concealed carry in a lot of States. Don’t let some liberal or gun hater tell you different. I think it’s not so much that liberals think that limiting gun ownership really makes us safer, but it’s more that they don’t like guns and the people that like guns. Frankly, I’m not really interested in which it is. Outright banning of guns in the U.S. will only happen when our Constitution doesn’t matter anymore. That may come sooner than we think.
Guns keep us safer. Not because violence is the answer. Violence is only what we can answer violence with. If violence is answered with love, violence will continue to come. This is why good people need to have a capacity for violence. It should not be your default attitude, but one you can choose when needed. Using violence only for defense is your mantra.
Study these things out for yourself. Sift through false surveys and studies. Find good sources and find out for yourself.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
There are some facts that not all gun carriers may have heard or they have heard the opposite. So let’s go over them.
A lot of people have defended themselves using concealed weapons. This is the only possible way that people with physical disabilities are able to defend themselves from potential attackers. Stories told about there are more Americans who say no to CCW permits are false.
I’ve been around guns and guns stores my whole long life. Talk to gun store owners, they will give you the truth about gun sales. I’m also an instructor. Although I am not a CCW instructor, I know, and have trained, with many of them. Ask them about their business and if it has improved. They will tell you it has.
66% of the country’s police chiefs have attributed the decreased rate of violent crimes to more people carrying concealed weapons. I also know many law enforcement officers.
Numerous reports tell of civilians with concealed weapons saving the day against mass shootings. One incident in the Appalachian school of law reported two men rushing to their vehicles to get their guns. They were able to prevent a mass murder from happening.
Studies show a decrease in crime rate in States with less restrictive CCW laws. I know what you’re thinking, “Don’t you hate studies?” You would be right, I don’t like studies. I tend to treat them like reality T.V. Reality T.V. isn’t. BUT, if you actually believed studies, there are some that almost seem credible. See how I’m reaching there? I want these studies to be true, I really do. Although, I do think there can be a difference between studies and statistics. Statistics show that rates are going down, but I believe all crime, especially violent crime, is on a downward spiral. That trend is slow and it accounts for changes in technology, focus and training of officers, and other factors. But I do believe arming the masses makes a difference.
A 19 year study shows that crimes involving guns are 10% higher in US states with restrictive concealed carry laws. In Texas, crimes of murder, rape, and assault have dramatically dropped in the first two years after their CCW law passed. Take that study for what it is.
States issuing the most number of concealed weapons permit have surprisingly declining gun related crime rates. Those are statistics.
Reports about police officers disagreement about civilians with concealed weapons have no statistical basis. But can armed civilians prevent violent crimes? Policemen believe so, according to several surveys. If you don’t believe surveys ask the officers themselves. They are the ones out there in the trenches. They see it firsthand. I’ve talked to many officers and most of them believe this.
Sometimes these mass shootings or other violent crimes that happen freak people out. But don’t ignore the many lives that were saved due to the approval of concealed carry in a lot of States. Don’t let some liberal or gun hater tell you different. I think it’s not so much that liberals think that limiting gun ownership really makes us safer, but it’s more that they don’t like guns and the people that like guns. Frankly, I’m not really interested in which it is. Outright banning of guns in the U.S. will only happen when our Constitution doesn’t matter anymore. That may come sooner than we think.
Guns keep us safer. Not because violence is the answer. Violence is only what we can answer violence with. If violence is answered with love, violence will continue to come. This is why good people need to have a capacity for violence. It should not be your default attitude, but one you can choose when needed. Using violence only for defense is your mantra.
Study these things out for yourself. Sift through false surveys and studies. Find good sources and find out for yourself.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Friday, September 23, 2016
Do It Yourself Gunsmithing
"Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician."
Jeff Cooper
I am a DIYer. I have built my house, shed and chicken coop. I have fixed my lawn mower, my generator, my tiller and numerous cars. I like to save money and fix my guns too. But the Jeff Cooper quote above applies to gunsmith work too. Be careful because guns are dangerous exploding fire sticks!
There’s another quote that applies here, it’s from a Clint Eastwood movie “Magnum Force”:
“A man’s got to know his limitations.”
Harry Callihan
So the questions is, do you feel lucky? Well do ya punk? Sorry, that’s a reference to the movie before Magum. But it is true, you have to know your gunsmith limitations.
Are you attempting to change out a part that has torque values and several springs? Maybe that would be beyond your “limitations” as a gunsmith.
Many modern firearms are simple to work on. Just because it seems simple does not mean fool proof. Make sure you know what you are doing when you work on your firearms, and if you are not sure, get an experts help.
At-home gunsmith projects are great. Working on your own gun creates a deeper familiarity and connection with your firearm. But if you make a mistake, the task can easily turn from a quick fix to an expensive project.
Ask any professional gunsmith, and he or she will tell you countless stories of customers sheepishly walking in with a disassembled gun-in-a-bag. These do-it-yourself projects gone bad end up costing a pretty penny. When the parts are all mixed together, it can end up taking a couple hours for a gunsmith to figure out what springs belong where, resulting in a higher bill.
We all make mistakes. But some are easy to avoid.
Read the Manual
Do your homework. Start by reading your gun's owner's manual. If you don't have one for the gun, many manufacturers have owner's manuals available for free on their website.
There are also many great reference manuals available to aid in the disassembly and assembly process. There are many other good books and manuals for nearly every make and model of firearm. Some are easier to read and understand than others, but many have pictures to help get the job done right, including hints and tips for difficult steps.
Stick to Simple Assignments
Don't jump into a big project first. Start with a simple job, like fixing minor surface rust on a blued finish. This little task can make a huge difference in a gun's appearance and function, and rust can often be cleaned up using steel wool and a healthy dose of gun oil, followed by a bit of cold bluing.
Other projects like refreshing the paint on your sight, mounting a scope or a detailed gun cleaning are great DIY projects. Instructions for detailed gun cleaning, including the disassembly of the component systems of your firearm, are often listed in your owner's manual or reference books. Once you are familiar with this type of work, ease yourself into more complex tasks.
Get Some White Space
A clean work space is important when you are dealing with the small parts of a gun. Having to locate a small spring or pin in a dark, cluttered work space can be a real pain. So, the first thing you have to do is clean and brighten your work bench by painting it white, laying down a clean painter's drop cloth or taping down some white poster board. Also, only keep the tools and parts that you need for the immediate job in the area, and put everything else aside. You can use double-sided tape to secure small screws, pins and other parts to your workspace so they don't disappear, and a rotating reading light puts light where it's needed. I sometimes use a magnetic tray that is used for vehicle mechanic work.
Be Overly Organized
Since, a missing part almost always means a trip to a professional gunsmith, you can never have enough containers to keep your parts from being lost. When disassembling, use one of those clear tackle boxes for parts. By having a compartmentalized box, you can put your parts away in the order they came out, saving you the headaches of figuring out which part belongs where. If you get stuck along the way, you can easily re-trace your steps.
When dealing with captive springs, you can also work inside a two gallon Ziploc bag. This way, if you lose control of a spring, it stays inside the bag, instead flying across the room.
Tools
You've heard it a hundred times and now you'll hear it again: Use the right tool for the right job. Using the wrong size screwdriver can very easily damage screws and the finish on your gun if you slip. You should also have a couple of brass punches for visible areas, and a good hardened-steel punch set for really tight-fitting pins.
There are many good, affordable gunsmith screwdriver kits available on the market. Wheeler and Brownell’s tool sets are what the pros use, and they are a wise investment for the long run.
If you are replacing parts, always compare your new parts to what came out of the gun. Subtle changes in the manufacturing process can mean minor part variances. Check any springs or parts you replace to ensure they are similar in length and diameter.
Remember that if a new part does not fit properly, you should just reinstall the original. A poorly fitted or wrong part can make your gun malfunction and make it dangerous. Most aftermarket parts come with directions, but if you get stuck, call the manufacturer and ask its Technical Service Department how to proceed.
When working on your gun, don't force it when taking something apart or putting it together. Take your time and make sure your parts are lined up properly. If you are frustrated, take a break. Many times, parts will easily come apart or fit back together when you are rested and relaxed.
Often overlooked, a gunsmith's torque driver is a valuable addition to your workbench. With scopes running into the thousands of dollars, no one can afford to kink or dent an expensive scope. Hitting your inch-pounds specifications is critical to properly mounting a scope. A torque driver will also prevent you from stripping your mounting screws, which would need to be drilled out and replaced if damaged.
As Dirty Harry said, know your limitations. Thorough cleaning, fixing loose parts, replacement of worn pins and adding accessories are all fine do-it-yourself firearm projects, but some things are best left to the professionals. Especially working with things like triggers, safeties, or hot-salt bluing. If you are interested in doing more advanced work, be sure to buy some advanced books or take a class. The NRA offers several classes with some of the best gunsmith schools in the country.
Doing something yourself can save money, time, and give you a connection to your gun. Always remember safety is the watch-word. Learn as much as you can and never stop learning.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Jeff Cooper
I am a DIYer. I have built my house, shed and chicken coop. I have fixed my lawn mower, my generator, my tiller and numerous cars. I like to save money and fix my guns too. But the Jeff Cooper quote above applies to gunsmith work too. Be careful because guns are dangerous exploding fire sticks!
There’s another quote that applies here, it’s from a Clint Eastwood movie “Magnum Force”:
“A man’s got to know his limitations.”
Harry Callihan
So the questions is, do you feel lucky? Well do ya punk? Sorry, that’s a reference to the movie before Magum. But it is true, you have to know your gunsmith limitations.
Are you attempting to change out a part that has torque values and several springs? Maybe that would be beyond your “limitations” as a gunsmith.
Many modern firearms are simple to work on. Just because it seems simple does not mean fool proof. Make sure you know what you are doing when you work on your firearms, and if you are not sure, get an experts help.
At-home gunsmith projects are great. Working on your own gun creates a deeper familiarity and connection with your firearm. But if you make a mistake, the task can easily turn from a quick fix to an expensive project.
Ask any professional gunsmith, and he or she will tell you countless stories of customers sheepishly walking in with a disassembled gun-in-a-bag. These do-it-yourself projects gone bad end up costing a pretty penny. When the parts are all mixed together, it can end up taking a couple hours for a gunsmith to figure out what springs belong where, resulting in a higher bill.
We all make mistakes. But some are easy to avoid.
Read the Manual
Do your homework. Start by reading your gun's owner's manual. If you don't have one for the gun, many manufacturers have owner's manuals available for free on their website.
There are also many great reference manuals available to aid in the disassembly and assembly process. There are many other good books and manuals for nearly every make and model of firearm. Some are easier to read and understand than others, but many have pictures to help get the job done right, including hints and tips for difficult steps.
Stick to Simple Assignments
Don't jump into a big project first. Start with a simple job, like fixing minor surface rust on a blued finish. This little task can make a huge difference in a gun's appearance and function, and rust can often be cleaned up using steel wool and a healthy dose of gun oil, followed by a bit of cold bluing.
Other projects like refreshing the paint on your sight, mounting a scope or a detailed gun cleaning are great DIY projects. Instructions for detailed gun cleaning, including the disassembly of the component systems of your firearm, are often listed in your owner's manual or reference books. Once you are familiar with this type of work, ease yourself into more complex tasks.
Get Some White Space
A clean work space is important when you are dealing with the small parts of a gun. Having to locate a small spring or pin in a dark, cluttered work space can be a real pain. So, the first thing you have to do is clean and brighten your work bench by painting it white, laying down a clean painter's drop cloth or taping down some white poster board. Also, only keep the tools and parts that you need for the immediate job in the area, and put everything else aside. You can use double-sided tape to secure small screws, pins and other parts to your workspace so they don't disappear, and a rotating reading light puts light where it's needed. I sometimes use a magnetic tray that is used for vehicle mechanic work.
Be Overly Organized
Since, a missing part almost always means a trip to a professional gunsmith, you can never have enough containers to keep your parts from being lost. When disassembling, use one of those clear tackle boxes for parts. By having a compartmentalized box, you can put your parts away in the order they came out, saving you the headaches of figuring out which part belongs where. If you get stuck along the way, you can easily re-trace your steps.
When dealing with captive springs, you can also work inside a two gallon Ziploc bag. This way, if you lose control of a spring, it stays inside the bag, instead flying across the room.
Tools
You've heard it a hundred times and now you'll hear it again: Use the right tool for the right job. Using the wrong size screwdriver can very easily damage screws and the finish on your gun if you slip. You should also have a couple of brass punches for visible areas, and a good hardened-steel punch set for really tight-fitting pins.
There are many good, affordable gunsmith screwdriver kits available on the market. Wheeler and Brownell’s tool sets are what the pros use, and they are a wise investment for the long run.
If you are replacing parts, always compare your new parts to what came out of the gun. Subtle changes in the manufacturing process can mean minor part variances. Check any springs or parts you replace to ensure they are similar in length and diameter.
Remember that if a new part does not fit properly, you should just reinstall the original. A poorly fitted or wrong part can make your gun malfunction and make it dangerous. Most aftermarket parts come with directions, but if you get stuck, call the manufacturer and ask its Technical Service Department how to proceed.
When working on your gun, don't force it when taking something apart or putting it together. Take your time and make sure your parts are lined up properly. If you are frustrated, take a break. Many times, parts will easily come apart or fit back together when you are rested and relaxed.
Often overlooked, a gunsmith's torque driver is a valuable addition to your workbench. With scopes running into the thousands of dollars, no one can afford to kink or dent an expensive scope. Hitting your inch-pounds specifications is critical to properly mounting a scope. A torque driver will also prevent you from stripping your mounting screws, which would need to be drilled out and replaced if damaged.
As Dirty Harry said, know your limitations. Thorough cleaning, fixing loose parts, replacement of worn pins and adding accessories are all fine do-it-yourself firearm projects, but some things are best left to the professionals. Especially working with things like triggers, safeties, or hot-salt bluing. If you are interested in doing more advanced work, be sure to buy some advanced books or take a class. The NRA offers several classes with some of the best gunsmith schools in the country.
Doing something yourself can save money, time, and give you a connection to your gun. Always remember safety is the watch-word. Learn as much as you can and never stop learning.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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