Category Archives: Weapons

Weapons

HK VP9SK

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In my brief on the FN Reflex, I let slip that I owned the HK VP9SK. This pistol has been on the market for some time now (2017). Since I mentioned it, I might as well talk about this one too.

The VP9SK is as the name implies, it’s simply a compact version of the VP9 which has been out since before Trump’s first presidential term. 2014 actually. Back when I was helping run a certain Gun Store and Range, I was able to spend some time with the VP9, and it impressed the hell out of me. It was a good looking piece, with good sights and one of the best striker triggers I had ever felt. In fact, it shot so good for me, I actually won a bullseye contest with it.

I snagged this one when a sweet trade option came to me because I really did like the VP9, and this EDC Friendly Version of that just seemed like a great way to go. The trade offer was straight across and the gun I traded was completely useless to me, so why not?

The ergonomics on it are great, due to the swappable back strap and side plates on the grip… you can make it fit your hand perfectly. Which is a huge advantage. The un-ergo thing for a lot of shooters is the HK Magazine release. Americans prefer buttons… but I’ve run the HK USP as a Duty Pistol and got used to that, so the German Way is not unfamiliar to me.

Firing the HK VP9SK is a pleasure. For one so compact, this little HK feels absolutely plush compared to other pistols in this class. Compared to most Micro Compacts which can feel rather “Snappy”, the VP9SK feels like a Cadillac. The accuracy is very good. And with some practice getting reacquainted with the paddle mag-release, speed reloads and “Tactical” reloads are very easy and quick. Something some of the Micros cause struggles with.

The VP9SK is an interesting pistol… Because the newest HK that just dropped, the CC9, is basically a VP9SK that got into Crossfit and Bicycling and Veganism and won’t let you forget about it. I think the CC9 is a bit late to the Micro Game, and is kind of unneeded because THIS EXISTS and the CC9 doesn’t offer anything over this, save for being slightly skinnier, has the Button mag release, and is made in the USA… and now we’re MAGA Country again, so we’ve got that going for us. Which is nice.

In short, if you are considering a Micro Compact, but don’t quite like the way any of them feel… The VP9SK is probably a great choice for you. But don’t take my word for it. Go find one at your Local Gun Seller, and wrap your hands around it. You’ll be glad you did.

Weapons

FN Reflex

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FN was a little late to the Micro Compact 9mm game when they came out with the Reflex. But don’t hold that against them… Because they built the best one. 11+1 capacity with the flush mag, and 15+1 with the extended mag. This smokes the other competitors in terms of Capacity. It has fantastic sights and trigger that feel like a Single Action. There’s a good reason for that trigger feel… Because it is a Single Action trigger. In fact, regardless of the looks, this gun isn’t a Striker Fired gun at all. There is a Hammer in there. An actual, honest to Thor hammer where the striker system normally lives. Hidden Hammer guns are nothing new… Just really rare in today’s market. Because of this, the trigger pull and reset are a little different than other guns in this class. So that might take a bit to get used to. But once you do, it’s no problem at all. Because even though it’s different… It’s a very good trigger.

In the hand, the Reflex is TINY. But it doesn’t shoot like a tiny gun. It is a bit snappy, but not unpleasantly so. You can add the Pinky Wedge floorplate to the flush magazine so your pinky finger doesn’t dangle. If you want. The extended magazine gives you both a full capacity and a full grip, just like everything else in the Micro Compact Class. Unlike the other Micros, the Grip Texture FN uses, while aggressive, really locks the gun in place while shooting.

FN is well known for making absolute shooting MACHINES. This little guy runs like an Engine. A furious little engine powered by 9mm ammunition and anger. The slide is even easy to operate. A lot of Micros have stiff slides that can be a tad bit difficult to run, but the Reflex is easy. It’s also spookily accurate. I found it easy to keep all of my 15 yard shots in the 10 Ring.

Now, HK just released the CC9, which is a slimmed down VP9SK that had some Cosmetic Surgery to turn it from a Sub-Compact 9 into the desired Micro 9. And I don’t say that like it’s a bad thing… Because the FN Reflex looks like it’s a 509 that had the same operation. (But it’s not)

Full Disclosure. I have the VP9SK and it’s a fantastic EDC option. It’s only a little bit bigger than the Reflex. And it shoots amazingly well, as you would expect with anything from HK. The Reflex does carry better, being a bit smaller and a bit lighter… and it shoots almost as good as the HK. And while being smaller and lighter it has more capacity than the VP9SK, and more than new HK CC9. So if you are thinking about the CC9… get the Reflex.

In short, if you are in the market for Micro 9 as an EDC gun… get the Reflex. It’s the astute choice for those that want their cake, and want to eat it as well. You really don’t sacrifice much at all with the FN Reflex. You can get an Optics Ready version, and there are sub-compact lights that will fit on the rail as well. So it has everything you could want. I have no complaints or criticisms about this piece at all. And that’s a first for me. I’ve been examining ALL of the Micro 9s on the market, and I think FN has made the perfect one.

The only downside to the FN Reflex is the same as any gun choice that Zigs and not Zags… and that’s Holster Selection. There are holsters out there for it, but your options are limited. Luckily, the FN Store has those options in stock for you. If you go to your local gun seller, such as Cabella’s, you will a plethora of holster options for the Glocks, Hellcats, M&Ps, and 365s… and nothing for the Reflex. So if you want to get the Reflex, just go ahead and order the holster online that fits your style and get it on the way before you go pick up your Reflex. Because as soon as you do get the Reflex… You are going to want to carry it immediately.

Uncategorized, Weapons

The Misunderstood Scout

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The most misunderstood rifle IN THE WORLD is the Scout Rifle.

Jeff Cooper came up with the concept of a light weight, general purpose rifle, of midrange caliber that’s capable of handling threats and big game and anything else you need a rifle for. Light weight was the most important aspect of the rifle so that you could throw if over your shoulder on the sling and just have it on you. Understand, at the time, Cooper had spent a lifetime in the Marines, Hunting in Africa, and racing Porsches like a Sir. He was a man out of his own time. A throwback to days gone by. But his Scout Rifle concept was actually just as sound then, as it is now.

It’s the rifle you have on you. The rifle that you grab when the horses are spooked and you don’t know what’s out there. It’s the rifle you can defend your homestead with and put meat on the table with. There is nothing about this that is outdated or old fashioned. People get far too hung up on the Long Eye Relief Scope as part of his concept. The purpose of this, was that the rifle could be brought up from a low ready, and get on target in a snap. At the time, there was no a lot of options in the optics world and there was no such thing as the LPVO scope. If Jeff was still with us, his Scout concept would undoubtedly include an LPVO.

I had dinner with Col Cooper, with my wife and Jeff’s daughter was there as others. It was an amazing meal and Jeff sat at the head of the table like the Duke of Awesomeness. Absolutely Majestic with his walking stick with the head of a silver Water Buffalo. At the time, the Steyr was still brand new and we discussed at some length the whole Scout Concept. Jeff liked the Steyr “Schtire” Scout well enough, but he acknowledged the shortcomings of the S.S as produced. He had some other ideas about the Scout and some things he would liked to have seen that Steyr didn’t do.

One thing, Jeff insisted that a Scout Rifle would have a Sling and if it didn’t have one, it wasn’t really a Scout. A Scout could have just iron sights, if the Shooter was sharp-eyed enough and skilled on the use of Irons. The Caliber could handle the problems you were likely to encounter, and he considered .308 to be a good choice. Because that round is good enough, and is readily available where Ammunition is sold. Wildcats miss the whole point entirely, he said. (Summation, not quotation)

There’s one other detail that everyone misses because it wasn’t talked about, but Jeff strongly recommended, Controlled Round Feed. So a Mauser, Winchester, Ruger type action and not something like the Remington 700 which doesn’t have a Controlled Round Feed. All in all, the rifle, with a loaded magazine and optic needs to be 7 Pounds or Less. Less is preferable. As light as you can get. That way you don’t leave it in the truck when it should be on your shoulder. Because that’s what the Scout is all about.

Weapons

SHOT SHOW 2024

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There’s been some interesting new releases that debuted at SHOT Show 2024, and within the last little while. I’ve not talked about the Industry in awhile so let me knock some rust off here.
Springfield Armory: They are doing great over there and are continuing to crank out rock solid 1911’s. They remain one of my top choices. Huge fan of their Operator, TRP, and Ronin series. They just released a new line called the Garrison, which to me seems just like the Loaded series, but without forward slide serrations. I’m not really a fan of their other 1911’s so much. I don’t need my 1911 to try to look like a ZEV Glock.
Their new Echelon pistol looks great and feels even better in the hand to me. As long as you don’t bother with the Extended Magazines, the guns are running great.
Remington: Following Mossberg now, they just released an 870 with a detachable box magazine. Which I think is a retarded idea that needs to go away.
Industry Wide there is a major flood of Double Stacked 1911’s. So many from all corners… but mostly from Turkey. We’ve never seen so many Double Stacked 1911s. Proof positive that the 1911 design is still as viable and popular as ever. They have a 9mm double stacked 1911 that runs Glock mags now. So, there’s that. Speaking of which…
Glock: They have FINALLY made a commercial version of what everyone has been doing all along, cutting down the frames to make shorter and more concealable grips. But really I found the Glock Model 45 to be just about perfect, once you upgrade the Sights.
Daniel Defense: They purchased the Hudson H9 pistol design and then spent the time, energy, and resources to actually make it work. This is a groovy thing, but the H9 is a pistol that just FEELS SO GOOD in the hand. I have wanted to like them… but now that DD is making them, maybe I can. Word has it that only 1 part is interchangeable between the two versions, so that’s a sign that a LOT of engineering had to be done. Makes me wonder why DD spent the money on Hudson design when they could have probably just done their own from the ground up.
Looks like Mossberg is still making their little pistol to everyone’s dismay. Has anyone actually seen one in a Gun Dealer’s Pistol Case? I haven’t. And I’ve been looking. Dealers response to inquiries have been a universal, “we can get one in if you want it.”
Buck knives released a new knife… the Buckmaster Diver Pro. Looks like a Kingon knife from Star Trek for $899. Which makes me think “WHAT THE FUQQ ARE THEY THINKING?”
Okay, the biggest shocker and smile maker of SHOT 2024 is S&W with their new 1854 Lever Action. I’m interested. Even if it looks exactly like a HENRY. And even if it is over 1200 bucks. Those I trust have reported great reliability and accuracy. Will I buy one? Maybe.

Weapons

Old and New

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Just posting up my new Wallpaper. Just for fun. The Revolver is a classic Peacemaker Replica by Cimmaron… of which I forget the name, but it’s “The Hand of God” from 3:10 to Yuma. The Shotgun is a braced Mossberg Shockwave. One of Many, but this is the only one wearing a brace. The sword is a Cutlass from Cold Steel.

Weapons

Glock Generations

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Of the five generations of Glock pistols, the 5th Gen is easily my standout favorite. I remember the almost mythical nature when they first came out. And my first one was a Gen 2 model 17, that at first struck me as very interesting, but I ended up up selling it, and found my way back to a 1911 pretty quickly, and then to an HK USP, SIGs, and the rest. I came back to Glocks later with the Gen 3’s and spent a lot of time with them… Especially the Model 23’s. And pretty much always removed the finger groove thing, because they are awful. The 4th gen guns were, in my mind, gigantic disappointments. They offered nothing anyone actually asked for, and are nother more than a kneejerk reaction to the success of the Walthers and M&P’s swappable back straps. They did change the recoil springs to make the recoil feel a bit softer, but at the same time kinda messed up the formula because all the sudden some guys were experiencing more malfs than normal. So to me the 4ths are like the Windows VISTA of Glocks. That brings us to the 5th Gens. Where Glock finally did what every single person that raised an eyebrow at Glocks suggested – ditch the damn finger grooves. They cleaned up the recoil springs and triggers, and they didn’t futz around with the magazine wells with lips or cut outs or something that has always ruined a good feeling grip. Glock finally got it right. Now, they could have had this right at Gen 2, by simply listening to their customers and just adding in the frame rails for lights. A Gen 2 + if you will. Done. Simple. But I do like the ambi slid stop and reversible mag releases. They’ve come a long way. And the 5’s are wearing a new DLC finish too… Which looks very nice. My Glock Model 45 is easily my favorite Glock ever. And other than the XS sights, it’s completely stock. Because it didn’t need anything else. No aftermarket triggers, no Dremel work to the frame, nothing. This is a first for me. If you’ve not had a Glock in some time or ever… Take a good look at the 5th Gens.

Weapons

In Defense of Snubs

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The Snubby article Firearms News Magazine‘s page seems to want to sell SIG 365’s. Which is fine. However, it misses some things. Like the reasons to use a Snubby. So please, allow me to illuminate those dark areas of Reason.They are very safe. I don’t know of any case where a Modern Snub Nose Revolver has fired without the Shooter wanting it to be fired. Firing when dropped went out the window when the gun makers ditched putting the firing pin on the hammer. Rossi I think still makes revolvers like that – and I’m not a fan. The new revolvers from S&W, Ruger, Kimber… They simply can’t fire accidentally. Note I didn’t say negligently – if you pull the trigger it will go bang. And that leads to the next reason. Reliability. The gun isn’t going to care if you have premium ammo, cheap ammo, or even no ammo… The action will cycle as designed since it functions mechanically by the trigger and not by recoil. You can fire very light target loads, bird shot loads, and anything up to the heaviest loads… All of them. A recoil-operated semi auto needs ammunition loaded within a specific spectrum of weights and energy in order to cycle properly. Semi Autos also need a bullet shape that will allow it to fit in the magazine and feed reliably from the magazine. Revolvers will work as long as you can fit the cartridge in the cylinder and close the cylinder. In a semi auto, if that round fails, the gun has a stoppage and has to be cleared. In a revolver just pull the trigger again to cycle to the next round.That being said, revolvers can still fail, but the occurrence is far less likely. Size & Weight. The size and shape of a snubby is generally very small and can be carried very easily. These new Subcompact Autos are great, and can even be slimmer. Now, in the Semi’s… You have options of .380, 9mm in these subcompacts, with an occasional .40 cal if you have a Glock 27. For the same size of that .38 Snubby – you could get a .357 Snubby. About the same size and weight (slight differences that don’t make a difference) and then you have the option for all the .357 Magnum loads AND all the .38 Special Loads. Your snubby doesn’t have to be an Airweight, an Ultra Light, a Featherweight… Whatever you want to call it. You can get it in Titanium, Scandium, Polymer, or good old Steel, Stainless or Not. Depending on what you want to load in it, depending on what you like – You can have it your way. Simplicity. A revolver is the casual and classic Jeans and T-Shirt style of carry… It’s never going to look bad, even if it isn’t the popular thing. Mechanically, the manual of arms is as simple as a handgun can get. There’s a latch to open and close the cylinder and there’s a trigger. There’s no slide to manipulate, no slide release lever. And if you get a Hammerless Snubby, you don’t even have a hammer spur to worry about. This makes drawing from deep concealment very easy. Yeah, the felt recoil is sharper the lighter you go in the gun and the hotter you go in the ammo, but you can find loads that balance in a way you like. Another thing I like, is that it’s not spitting brass across the room when you fire it. You can simply dump the empty brass right here where you want them and you don’t need to go around trying to find them all before the police sho… I mean, before you leave the Range. This article says the sights are superior. And that’s generally the case, but you can get good sights on small revolvers too. With standard sights though, I outshot my entire Police Academy Class and took Top Shot using a Snub Nose .38 that I had put bigger grips on. In a class full of Glocks, Berettas, SIG’s and other such pistols… My little S&W Model 10 Snubby did the job. There is no Right or Wrong in what you want to carry if you can carry it concealed and if you can make your hits with it. Sure, the SIG 365 is a cool pistol, as well as the others like it… Hellcats, and the like. They are great. But so are Revolvers. If you can make your hits with it – that’s all that matters, no matter what you pick to carry… It’s not the Plane, it’s the Pilot. My Snubby? A Ruger SP101 in .357 and I use Speed Strips to hold my reloads. It’s accurate as hell and I can make hits with it like folks that don’t know me wouldn’t believe. I load it with 158 grain Semi-Jacketed Hollow Points that cause trauma on a level by which all other calibers are judged by. Only 5 Rounds? I’m confident I can resolve any realistic self defense scenario with this kit. All I’m saying is don’t turn up your nose at a Snub Nose.

Uncategorized, Weapons

CRKT Clever Girl

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I’ve been looking at the Clever Girl for some time.  And I’ve met the designer some time ago at SHOT SHOW, and I liked him right off the bat and consider him to be a fine fellow.  He showed me his design, the Clever Girl, and I did like it then.  But I just couldn’t afford to get one.  And then CRKT came out with their Forged by War series with proceeds going to Veteran Organizations, and blades designed by Veterans.  So I just had to get one of these.  But timing put things on hold until recently.  So as soon as I could… I ordered it.

Okay, so the blade came pretty dang sharp. The belly is nice and thicc, the way I like a Bowie knife… and the tip has a needle-sharp point, like a Bowie. It’s just a clip point.
Note:
All Bowies are Clip Points, but not all Clip Points are Bowies.

Okay, back to the CG. Because of the belly and tip being like a bowie, I am naturally inclined to like it. Which I do. Very much so. The grip is properly grippy but doesn’t snag. And the handle area is generous. Its shape allows the comfortable use in a number of different grip techniques.

Overall the design is a good combination of fine-edged blade and an overall rugged use knife. For under $100, it’s a very good knife and a very good option.

CHANGES I’d Make to the Production Design: There are only two.
1. I would much rather have the grip scales being bolted on rather than riveted.
2. I would much rather have Micarta scales rather than G10.

I will put this blade up against the Cold Steel SRK, and Ka-Bar Marine Ka-Bar knives as being good Field Use knives. With the knowledge that the #1 use of such knives is Food Prep and whittling some fur sticks to get your fire started. This knife will do that just fine. The other purpose of say, blood-letting and sentry-removal type fantasy work – I’d say the Clever Girl could do that JUST FINE. Its sharp point will penetrate any part of the human anatomy with little problem and sever nerve and vein with equal ease.
Two thumbs up. Way up.

Weapons

Budget Semiauto shotgun

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I was asked about the Black Aces Tactical Semi-Auto Shotgun, because TFB did a Video on it. No, I don’t know anything about this shotgun, and like James, I don’t trust it. Because Turkey can be slim shady and not very cash money on the products they export. I’ve seen things. Things I can’t unsee. There is one Turkish budget builder that I don’t instantly puke over, and that’s Stoeger. Mainly because of the ownership and the design which is a trickle-down Benelli. His budget of 500 bucks, that’s just an artificial self-imposed challenge and I’d rather save money for another month or two and splash out for the Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series. It’s 200 bucks more than Jame’s pick, but comes with better sights and an optics mount, and an action that is seriously Tried and True. I used to sell these Great Value Benellis left and right and they were SOLID and RELIABLE. So don’t take a chance on unknown factors. I sold them to guys that shot CASES of shells through them every single weekend. I don’t remember any of them having issues save for one guy that “cleaned it” but didn’t put it back together right. I fixed it within about a minute and it was good to go again. Maybe the Black Aces thing is fine. Maybe it’s not. Here’s the thing though. This is a DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN. That means it CAN NOT be allowed to fail. I’m not rolling dice on that. You don’t need a side saddle… The fanny pack thing is JUST FINE. In fact, I actually dig that as you can carry a LOT of shells instead of wasting time futzing around with elastic loops and velcro. Yeah, having shells on the gun is fine, but having a whole bag of shells on tap is even finer. And putting shells on the stock – that’s stupid. Try firing a shotgun from the weak shoulder with a face full of 12 gauge shells waiting to break your face. You still gotta be able to switch shoulders. I would think that James, having taken a class or two now and running The Gauge now… would have picked up on that. Oh well. He’s still learning.Anyway, don’t worry about the accessories which are not absolutely necessary… get the better gun and take accessories off another gun if you think you have to have them. Also, his choice of light is a good one.

The Stoeger is also just flat out better looking… Which isn’t important, but a nice bonus when you can get it. The larger bolt handle, better feed gate, and higher capacity out of the box. Winner on every metric. This is the Poor Boy’s Benelli for a good reason.

Weapons

this happened

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I’d write or even video a proper review of it, but to do that I’d have to shoot it. And ammo is a hundred freaking bucks a box right now. So… I’ll wait until I get some that’s reasonable. I only have 50 rounds for it at the moment. *sigh*

The is a Peacemaker chambered in .45 Colt, from the movie 3:10 to Yuma. It’s made by Cimarron. And it’s the smoothest SAA Clone I’ve ever seen right out of the box. Bonus: Due to the Cimarron’s use a clever rebounding firing pin… it’s safe to carry with all six, like the Ruger Vaquero and Beretta Stampede.