Ruger is rolling out a new version of the LC9, the “LC9s”.
The “S” of course, means “Striker”. It is said that this has a very good trigger pull. If that’s the case, and it really does have a good trigger pull… well then. That changes things in regards to my opinion of the LC9. The S model would then be a pistol well worth considering. Let me tell you why.
Please make THIS:
Work with THIS:
That is all, thank you.
I can admit it when I’m wrong. I can change my opinion when new information comes to light. And I can change my opinion when something I once thought a disgusting abomination proves to be actually useful. Well, in this case, that Something is the Mossberg 464 SPX. When I first saw it in photos I thought it was a joke. When I first saw it in person at SHOT Show, I was horrified.
But over time, the Mossy 464 series has grown on me. And the SPX version has even become less offensive to my Lever Sensibilities. Now I’m at the point that not only to I actually like them… But I actually really WANT ONE.
Here’s what I like about the 464 SPX from O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
1. It has good sights and not Buckhorns… No one likes Buckhorns, not even guys who know how to use them. And these work in lower light conditions.
2. The stock adjusts to fit different sized shooters, or the same shooter through all four seasons.
3. The muzzle end is threaded. This means you can take off the flash hider and put on a muzzle brake, or a suppressor… Or a thread protector and have nothing on it. You have options.
4. It’s a Mossberg… so while it’s not a Japanese made Winchester, or a questionably made Marlin, or Brazilian or Italian made whatever… It’s a solid, hardworking US Made rifle that’s going to get the job done.
5. The safety is actually in a logical place for a Lever Action.
6. These things actually shoot very well.
Ugly? Indeed… But it works. And that makes it rather attractive to me. I think if I had one I’d get the gun Cerakoted for improved corrosion resistance, put a sling on it and cover the rails… Maybe change the stock to a lighter unit. But that’s less important. I’d put a Battlecomp on it first chance I got. And then I’d call it good.
Updated: Okay, you guys know I am not one to leave well enough alone. I’ve been looking at the 464 series of rifles and there seems to be some holes in the line that could be filled.
The 16″ barreled SPX loses a round of capacity and a chunk of velocity from the standard 464 rifle with the 20″ barrel. I think it would be nice to offer a 20″ SPX and let it take advantage of that extra oomph and extra round. That’s one thing. The other thing, is the they have a nice weather proof marine finish… but with a not so weather proof wood stock. How about a Marine Finished SPX? And how about a Marine Finished 464 with a regular furniture, but in a sturdy synthetic? I know I’d like that. I’d also like a Trapper version of the 464. Traditional, but in 16″. Okay, we’ve got this ball rolling… Where is a .45-70 gun? That’s right… I’m looking for a Guide Gun Alternative here. The 464PH, Professional Hunter, make it like the Marlin’s SBL… top rail, big loop… Do the same config in .30-30 as well. And while we’re talking calibers… Let’s look at a .44 Mag version of the SPX and Trapper.
We’ve been playing this game off and on for a long time now.
But what the hell? Let’s play…
They Army is wanting something fresh. Which means the Good Old Boys are not in the running… The SIG’s, the Colt, the normal choices are out. They want something new. But the Army is all about having that Manual Safety. That leaves something from HK, one of the FNH FNX pistols, or the Beretta PX4 Storm. I’m betting on the Storm. Okay – just a couple years ago, the US Army threw down a contract with Beretta that’s basically good for five years. So we’re looking at at least another 3 years of Beretta M9’s. Then late last year, the US Army dropped 49 million dollars on holsters for the Beretta M9. And now they want to shake that tree? Doesn’t make sense. But the Military never let that stop them before. Making sense is for Civilian Contractors – not the Actual Military. But since there are contracts in place, it kind of makes sense that the replacement will be a Beretta.
The Px4 Storm would be a great sidearm for the Military. The safety and trigger are the exact same that they are used to, so no new training issues. The Storm’s action does a great job of reducing felt recoil. Accuracy and Reliability are top notch. Mostly likely though the M9’s replacement could be an M9A1… which all those new holsters will already fit. But really this isn’t so much about the pistol, but the cartridge.
Basically the Army is looking at more powerful rounds. .357 SIG, .40 Cal, and .45 are the likely candidates of course. I’m not sure the US Army wants to go back to the .45 because they Army loves higher capacity and going back to .45 Auto would show they made a big freaking mistake going away from it. Even though we have a history of using .45, dumping it, going back to it, then dumping it again… Picking something else would break that cycle of abuse.
Realistically this means .40 cal or .357 SIG. Either way, I’m fine with these choices. But if I had my druthers, it would be the .40. Between these two. Of course, I’d love it if we went to 10mm. But that’s just not happening because 10mm is never going to get the recognition that it deserves. Because of The Prophesy. It’s written.
I like the heavier bullet weights with the .40. But on the battlefield the higher velocity and greater accuracy will give the .357 SIG the edge. .357 SIG just makes it easier to hit the target when it’s at unknown distances. The Sig round also gives us better barrier penetration.
The downside of cost is not a consideration for the US Military. But the requirement of more frequent spring swaps will be. The military is not used to replacing parts at regular round count intervals. But this is something that they can get used to doing.
So a Px4 Storm or an M9A1 chambered in .357 SIG would be a likely and logical replacement to the 9mm M9.
I know I’ve been packing a Glock 23 for years… but lately I’ve been doing that less and less. Really it’s been relegated to Car Gun Status now, so I always have it close when I’m out and about. But what I carry on my person – that’s changed.
More and more my Go To pistol has been my Beretta 92FS, and I’ve been carrying my 1911 a LOT more. As I type this post, it’s the 1911 that’s sitting by my left hand. Don’t laugh at my desk… I know it’s cluttered, but then again, so is my mind. So it all works out. That’s my beloved GI… which had a light issue with cracking grip panels. That was the worst thing that could have happened, because dang it… now I’m thinking about changing other parts. Like a Beaver Tail and a Commander style hammer… and if I am doing that – I might as well change the sear and trigger… You guys know the drill. The grips were the lid to a bloody Pandora’s Box of tweaks. Why? Why the hell did I do that? I could have got some double diamond checkered wood grips and have been fine. But no… I asked my friends for some regular old black plastics… thought I’d cheap out… not thinking about how they fecking changed the whole dynamic of the pistol and it’s in my head that I could change other things.
And now I’m looking at the Beretta 92FS and thinking… “You know, Wilson Combat is now making Beretta parts.” They have a slick short reach trigger… No… NO!
No… I’m not going to mess with my Beretta. That’s become the Go To Gun. My Almost EDC. I’m not doing that.
But the 1911… Well… that’s different.
I’m thinking why not have some fun with it? I can detail strip it blindfolded, and that sentimental GI memento cherry has been popped with the black grips. Why not?
But you know what I really want to do to it? Have a Color Case Hardened Finish done to it. Kinda like this:
Deep polished blued levers and safety, but the slide and frame – Color Cased. That is just sexy to me. I don’t know.
What do you guys think?
I have a lot of favorite knives, but most are from only a few sources. I’m set in my ways… so mostly I like the Plain and Plain Edged versions of these knives instead of Serrated or Coated if those are options. And some are no longer in production . I also favor larger knives as a bigger blade makes work easier. The Spyderco Native is probably the smallest of the knives on this list outside of the Spikes. Why I like the Spikes so much? I’ve no idea – I just do.
Is there a knife on this list that you like too? Or is there a knife on this list that you just hate? Let me know.
Fixed Blades:
Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie*
Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion*
Ka-Bar Becker BK11 Necker*
Ka-Bar “Big Brother”.
Ka-Bar “Warthog”.
Buck Omni Hunter 12pt*
Cold Steel Recon Tanto
Cold Steel SRK
Cold Steel Trail Master
Cold Steel Marauder
Cold Steel Scottish Spike
Cold Steel Tokyo Spike
Spyderco Warrior (Formerly known as the REKAT Hobbit Warrior**)
Ontario Marine Raider
Folding Blades:
Buck 110
Buck 110 Paperstone*
Spyderco Native*
Spyderco Native Stainless**
Spyderco Endura
Spyderco Police*
Spyderco Ulize
Spyderco Chinook*
Cold Steel AK-47*
Cold Steel Voyager
Cold Steel Recon Clip Point
Cold Steel Vaquero Grande*
Cold Steel Espada XL G-10*
Cold Steel Talwar XL G-10*
Benchmade AFCK***
Benchmade Rift Osbourne
Benchmade Bedlam*
Benchmade Onslaught
Benchmade Mini-Onslaught*
Kershaw Knockout*
Kershaw Blur
Hawks:
Anything Designed by RMJ Tactical
*Especially Favorited
** Unicorn Knife – Always wanted, never been able to snag.
*** Wish they would bring back!
Last couple weeks I’ve been stopping in at a lot of gun shops. And there is something I’ve been seeing that I’ve not ever seen before. Lots of Kel Tecs in stock. KSG’s and RFB’s. The Unicorns.
Something is going on at Kel Tec… They are kicking ass.
So I finally made it to the Blade Show. It was fun and I saw many wonderfully crafted bits of sharp metal. I was tempted greatly to buy many of the wonderfully crafted bits of sharp metal.
A couple of the blades I really liked were from Fremont Knives in Wyoming. The one they call the Farson Blade, I found most interesting and think it would be very useful. They also have it in a hatchet style tool. Of course this is too light to be used like some camp hatchets… But damn if that wouldn’t be awesome for use as a cleaver. These would be put to great use in the Ogre’s Grilling While Armed Echo Laboratory.
Now, the coolest stuff that resonated with me, was Zombie Tools.
ZT was holding court in style in the lounge, chilling and drinking cold ones, and talking blades with whoever wanted to talk. They have a wicked Gladius type blade that I love, their axe, (which they call the Traumahawk – shit, I love their names) the cleavers… Gotta have me the Rat Bastard… Freaking everything they make is just badass to the bone. Finally meeting them face to face was the highlight.
