Category Archives: Weapons

Weapons

HK’s new VP9CC

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It feels like H&K is getting desperate to break the ice in the Concealed Carry Market. A place where they really never cared to be in all that much . They just released the VP9CC, a subcompact micro 9mm pistol that comes with a flush magazine and an extended capacity magazine.

If this sounds like deja vu, it’s because they had just previously released the CC9 last year, which is a subcompact micro 9mm pistol that comes with a flush magazine and an extended capacity magazine.

And before that they had the VP9SK, which is a subcompact 9mm which comes with a flush magazine and an extended capacity magazine…

All three pistols are different enough from each other that all three will require their own holsters and most likely magazines, given the fact that the CC9 uses a push-button magazine release and the others use the flappy paddle release. The SK has interchangeable backstraps, like the other two, but it also has interchangeable side panels so you can customize that grip feel to fit your hand better. And while the VP9SK and CC both say “VP9”, the slides are very different. To be honest, the VP9CC isn’t nearly as good looking as the SK. But that’s just me.

I find the strategy of competing against each other for the same market share to be a curious route to take. When other companies do it, it’s usually because the different offerings are offering something different. This seems like each team is looking over the shoulders of the other teams and copying their homework with slight edits so they don’t look like blatant xerox copies.

I’ve got the VP9SK, and not only do I carry it regularly… but it’s on my hip as I type this. It’s riding in an excellent Vedder hybrid type rig and is super comfortable. Going to one of the others doesn’t feel like any advantage. It’s like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, S24, S25, and, and now the S26… Supposedly, they are updates, but they leave me with no enthusiasm or rational justification to make a switch.

Now… there is something else that just dropped that does have me raise one wizardly eyebrow… but that’s a different topic for a different time…

Weapons

The Unloved SIG 224

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Back in the days before the SIG 365, SIG wanted to make a dedicated CCW gun that could wear big boy pants. They took the 229/228 and said, “We can make this smaller”. And they did. They called it the P224. And it was fantastic.

The 224 was available in 3 calibers. 9mm of course, and also .40 and .357 SIG. Making for a very versatile platform. I know police officers that carried a 224 as a Backup Gun for a good long while. The 224’s only sin was that of bad timing. As the 224 was scrambling for traction in the Market, Consumer Tastes shifted to Polymer framed guns for reduced weight. Also, the 224 never got the full production numbers to really get them out into the market. It was almost like an Experimental piece. Today it’s a Collector Piece. And one that I would very much like to acquire myself, if anyone is willing to make a trade. For the DA/SA Decocker version… not the DAO version.

Weapons

HK USP

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When the HK USP came out, I was an early adopter. So much so that holsters were hard to find. I did patrol work at the time and I needed a Low Ride – Jacket Slot rig. And at the time, no such rig existed for the USP. So I had to use a holster from one company, and the drop shank from another manufacturer (Safariland) and fit them together. It worked perfectly for about 8 months before a commercial offering was available. The USP was a total pussycat to shoot, and extremely accurate. The trigger wasn’t the best, but it was perfectly adequate due to it being very consistent. After I relocated about 2800 miles away, I sold the pistol to my eventual great regret. I’ve never replaced it with another one… and I probably never will… But I would like to, one day.

Weapons

Harpoon or Flatout?

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The Becker BK 18 Becker Harpoon vs the Kronos Knives Flat Out. Similar quality in the blade steel. Similar pricing currently. The BK 18 is about an inch larger. But I hated – HATED – the coating. So I had to remove the scales, use a stripper, and then scrape the coating all off the blade. The plastic scales were atrocious, so 35 bucks for micarta replacements. After all that… I’m happy with the knife, and it feels good in the hand.

The Kronos came out of the box in a condition that I like, and it feels good in the hand too. Both blades have a good belly, and a sharp tip. But both also needed just a bit of stone work to have a hair shaving edge. Being smaller doesn’t hamper this knife at all. It has that “Just Right” feeling in the hand, no matter how you grip it. The BK 18 came with a standard KaBar type scabbard, made of nylon and injection molded plastic. It works just fine, but only allows tip down carry with a belt through the loop, low like a cowboy. If you like you could fashion other methods, but I’ve not done that yet. The Kronos comes with a Kydex sheath that is way too tight and drawing the knife is far too difficult, and there is no thumbshelf or such to help push out from that deathgrip. But it does come with the BladeTech attachment that allows you to carry it however you like. Being slightly smaller, it carries very well horizontally.

Both knives are winners, but I do like the Becker’s sheath better, simply because it doesn’t fight me. But the Kronos is just begging for a leather sheath. Maybe in a saddle brown, with a distressed finish.

Weapons

Kronos Flatout

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PSA’s line of knives, “KRONOS KNIVES” have hit another home run, with the knife they call the “Flatout”.

Blade Length: 3.8”
Blade Material: 1095 High Carbon Steel 58-59 HRC
Blade Finish: Acid-etched and Rock-Tumbled
Blade Thickness: 0.156″
Handle Material: G10
Handle Color: Black
Overall Length: 8.25”
Sheath: Kydex 
Knife Weight: 5.3 oz
Country of Origin: USA

I’ll write a proper review of it when I get the chance to put it to some use for awhile.

Weapons

Kronos Crossfade

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For those unaware, Palmetto State Armory has an in-house Knife Brand… Kronos Knives. Now, I’ve bought a few to give away as gifts… But today something different happened. A friend sent one of them to me! I’m absolutely delighted with this blade, called the Crossfade.

From the Website:
Introducing the Crossfade by Kronos Knives, a premium fixed blade knife designed for performance and durability. With an overall length of 7.3″, a 3.75″ drop point blade made from 154CM steel, and a stone-washed finish, this knife ensures superior sharpness and strength with a hardness of 60-61HRC. The black canvas Micarta handle offers a secure, ergonomic grip, while the flat grind enhances cutting efficiency. Weighing just 3.5 oz, it comes with a versatile Kydex sheath for universal carry. Proudly crafted in the USA, the semi-custom Crossfade knife is perfect for both outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.

The knife is rather small in overall size, so it carries well horizontally on the belt. I think I like it up front. I’ll get to know the knife a little more before I update this with more of a review.

Weapons

Rock Island Arsenal

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New horse in the Stable: I was given a Gift this evening, and it is very appreciated. I will enjoy this! This is a Rock Island M1911, Double Stack. 14+1 rounds of God’s Caliber .45 Auto.

It’s essentially a GI 1911, but “Dummy Thicc”. Slide is heavy, but smooth. The trigger is heavy, but very crisp. The gun is all steel, heavy, but well-balanced when loaded. It’s not tricked out in any way… It’s just refreshingly honest about what it is, and what it isn’t. I like that. R.I.A. has fancier guns, with more expensive finishes, but they are not actually made any better. The slide is tight, but there is no binding and no play. The barrel is fit tight as well, with no play in the bushing or breach at all. In manipulating the slide, there are no hang-ups in the action at all. Inside, the machining is exceptionally well done. Every bit as fine as in a Kimber that would cost roughly 4 times as much. This is even better than my previous R.I.A. 1911 that went about 1400 rounds without a failure, amongst numerous shooters who wanted to try it out. Only difference is that this one is machined better, the muzzle is target crowned slightly, and it uses Para P14 magazines. Remember Para? Yeah, before STI/Staccato, Para Ordinance pioneered the Thicc 1911 style. And I bet a Para holster would fit it perfectly.
I’ll report more on this when I get it out to shoot.

Weapons

James Bond should…

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James Bond should be rocking the FN REFLEX. It’s about the same size as the Walther PPK, holds more ammo, lighter, and in a more potent caliber… Much more potent than James’ .32 caliber Walther.

I’ve carried mine for about a year now, as my main Concealed Carry weapon, and I’ve shot it enough to solidify my opinion of it. It’s a Winner. The gun is reliable, accurate, not difficult to shoot, and thanks to the good sights and great trigger, not difficult to shoot well with. I’ve had no problems with it using 115 grain range ammo and 124 grain and 147 grain defensive loads. Currently loaded with 124 grain Sierra JHPs, it groups well without a hint of issue. Using a Vedder IWB hybrid type rig, it conceals extremely well. Like I said… It’s become my main CCW piece. The alternate carry gun I use is my HK VP9SK, which is also excellent, but doesn’t hide as well. And since I travel into less than permissive environments, printing would cause unwanted drama, legal or not. As winter approaches, I’ll carry it more and other larger guns for fun and variety… But everywhere else, the little Reflex is my Go-To.

Weapons

The SCAR is Dead

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FN has confirmed the rumors that had been going around that the SCAR series of rifles has been discontinued. This comes as a shock to many, since the SCAR has been so iconic for so long!

But here’s the deal… As popular as it is in video games and works of fiction, the reality is that the rifle just isn’t worth the price of admission. The SCAR 17 is about 4 grand. Add a good optic and now you’re at 5.2 grand. Add in an appropriate number of spare mags, and you’re at 5.5 grand. A case of good ammo, and you’re now sitting on a 6 Grand Kit. Not including Lights, Lasers, Slings, Case, or any other piece of kit you want to attach to the gun, assuming you don’t already have them already that you can transfer over from whatever Peasant Class rifle you’re migrating from. For 6 Grand, you can buy a whole lot of other gun, and a good used motorcycle to go with them. And what does this really get you? A .30 cal semi-auto rifle with average accuracy and a lot of snobbery.

Look, I like the SCAR series. I love them. But they are at least twice the price they should be. The design is very clever. It’s well engineered… But it isn’t the Excalibur of Rifles some folks make it out to be, and other folks fantasize about it being… it just isn’t. I could spend all day giving you other options for launching .308, or the 5.56 if that’s the version you fancy… But I won’t, because I don’t have that kind of time. But there are tons of options that will cost you about half or even less that are going to be just as reliable, just as accurate or BETTER, and take standard/common magazines that you can get in abundance for a fraction of FN’s cost. Seriously, I found a .308 Magpul mag for only 12 bucks locally. Of course, I snagged it. You’re never going to find that for the FN. Ever. Well, maybe now you might, with the platform being tossed to the side.

There is no word on a SCAR replacement. The fact FN has refered to the series being the “LEGACY SCAR”, makes one think that there is a SCAR 2.0 in the works. But rumor has it that there is no such thing in the pipeline. Another rumor has it that FN is going to release civilian versions of their military guns… But this is not substantiated and indicators point to that being just wishful thinking. The other rumor is that FN is washing its hands of the civilian rifle market. And that is probably the most sensible approach for FN right now.

Anyone else remember FN’s outstanding bolt action rifles? Yeah, I miss those… those were great.

Weapons

What about walther?

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I was asked my opinion on Walthers. I don’t own a Walther at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I’ve got anything against them. Far from. It just means my Gun Budget is too low.

Walther’s PDP has quietly and not so quietly become the Gun Guy’s If you know, you know gun. My Mom even has one. Lots of my friends have one, and those that don’t, many are saying they too want one. The PDP is now coming in a number of different variants, and each one is an outstanding pistol. Universally, they come with stellar ergonomics, great sights, and what is considered to be one of the very best triggers in the market – if not the best trigger on the market. The accuracy is right up there, and the reliability has proven to be exceptional.

The PDP is an evolution of the Walther P99, a gun that Walther put all its chips into and it paid off. BIG TIME. Before the P99, Walther was in serious trouble. I even said at the time that they were “Struggling to find relevance.” They had no presence in the US Market except for their skinny Importation deal with S&W, which gave S&W permission to make their own version of the P99 for a while.

Then Walther got SERIOUS. There was a PDQ pistol and some effort was made there… and then they finally developed the PDP and they really hit on something. The PDP has been developed with more focused engineering than almost any other pistol on the market… and it shows. Do this… Go to your Local Gun Store – your LGS – and examine a PDP first hand. Hold it. Ask to dry fire it just once… and while you do that… Watch those sights very carefully as the trigger breaks. Notice how the sights don’t even twitch? Not even slightly? That’s what I look for in a handgun – right there. HK, CZ, Echelon, and few others can match.

What’s the downside to the Walther PDP? Well, being out of the Market’s Mainstream means you’re going to have a lot fewer options for Holsters. Most LGSs won’t even have a holster for the PDP in stock, and if they do, it probably won’t be a good one. Pricing has the PDP at the more expensive end of factory production duty guns… right next to HK, if not more, depending on the version of PDP you’re looking at. And that’s another happy little problem… Picking which version of the PDP. And that’s a personal question nobody else can help you with. The last Downside to the PDP, is that if you take it to the range… Everyone there is going to want to try it. Whatever you do… don’t rent one at the Range and actually shoot one. Because if you do, you will end up buying one. It becomes fate to do so… and admittedly, I am destined to do so myself.