A few weeks ago I added a Ruger 1911 Lightweight Commander to my personal collection. I wanted to go back to a lightweight Commander style 1911 as an EDC for some time, for a variety of reasons… Namely style, accuracy, hard first shot hits… and I’ve always been a 1911 guy and it’s been a few years since I really carried one. I really appreciate the narrow profile of a 1911. So I started my shopping process. I wanted to try something a little different. And I’ve been impressed with the quality and value that Ruger has been churning out lately. So I overlooked my normal Go To brands… and I’m glad I did! Continue reading RUGER 1911 Lightweight Commander .45 UPDATED
Tag Archives: Pistols
Unfiltered Gun Rant
Common Practice is that Semi-Autos and Single Shots are referred to as Pistols on the Form 4473, and Revolvers have their own check box. However, this is quite stupid. The term Pistol can be used for all handguns, and in the past it was quite common for Pistol to be used referring to revolvers.
Arguing that one is not the other and vice versa is like splitting hairs between a Riding Crop and a Driving Whip. The differences do not matter, don‘t even try to make the argument and being a pedantic jackwagon. 
Because no one should even care. Pistol is as generic a term as “Handgun” and can correctly be used interchangeably.
The 4473 is rife with retrograde thinking. Defining pistol or revolver is just one. Rifle or Shotgun also doesn’t matter. If there has to be any split in type, it should be along the Handgun or Long Gun line. And even there, the line is blurry now with Braced Handguns and SBR’s. I could show you different photos of AR-15’s and it would take the Owner of the gun to tell you which is which. So that’s another thing that needs to be deleted. All the SBS/SBR jackassery that is a part of the National Firearms Act… Which was terrible law making back in 1936 and it’s even worse now.
We have laws and ordinances requiring mufflers on a great many things… but on a firearm it’s illegal, unless you pay 200 Dollars for a TAX STAMP. Something you used to be able to buy from a hardware store for 5 bucks now costs you a Grand, plus 200 bucks, and then you have the asinine wait until His Majesty’s Service deems it’s ready to process your paperwork… average is what, 9 months now? This is beyond retarded. The process for doing a background check to buy a Tactical Shotgun is done pretty much instantly, and if you have a CCW Permit, it’s not even required… and if you don’t pass instantly, the background by law has to be done within 7 days or you can by law go ahead and buy the gun.
But to purchase a bloody muffler – you could have a Baby and start a Family before you get approved for a metal tube with some baffles in it. Never mind you could make a suppressor with stuff most guys have in their garages…. but to buy one requires the Federal Government to deem you worthy and you get to pay 200 dollars for the privilege. Thank you, Sir, may I have another!?!
These laws are utterly useless. They prevent no crime, they serve no purpose. They don’t even make the Feds any money as it requires a whole bunch of people to process everything and at the speed in which they get the job done… if it was a private business doing these transactions, they would be out of business. Well, maybe not – they are selling a product that they don’t have to either buy or produce… selling you a Right. Much like the old Catholics selling Indulgences.
Here’s the deal. We either delete the NFA… Or we make the NFA a Checkbox on the 4473 and they get processed like everything else, all at the same time.
Burris Fastfire 3 tops the Kahlan project now.
Louis Quarleno sent me a nice little present for my precious. A Burris Fastfire 3. Tough little Red Dot, very light weight. This one has the shroud to help protect it… Which got painted, of course.
Man, I really want to go shoot this now. Can’t wait till I’m back on my feet to take Kahlan out for a Range Session!
Thank you, Q! You rock to a shockingly high degree!
Is there room at the table for a new Auto Mag?
I got a press release from Laura Burgess Marketing that AUTO MAG is trying to make a come back. First thought was “Wow, that’s cool!” Followed up by the next thought, “They’ll fail again… Because the same conditions that caused them to fail the first time are only worse this time.”
But is that true? What caused the Auto Mag’s failure back in the 80’s?
First, let’s talk about what the Auto Mag was. It’s whole point was to deliver a .44 caliber slug at .44 Magnum power, in an Automatic Pistol. The idea to make the .44 Magnum feed in an Automatic, was to give it a Rimless Case. To do this they used a .308 rifle cartridge, and cut it down to length, and there you go. This actually worked quite well. Unfortunately the ammunition was expensive back in the 80’s and is even more so now.
To handle the .44 Magnum level power in an automatic, the gun needed to be strong. They used a fixed barrel for Revolver like Accuracy… this limited the locking options. And since it needs a more robust locking mechanism, so they used a rotating bolt. We also see this in the Desert Eagle.
The design of the Auto Mag is interesting. It feels better in the hand than the Desert Eagle, more ergonomic. And it’s much better looking. But it’s also a complicated design and manufacturing it is a process that has more steps in it than other pistols…. which makes it a more expensive pistol to make. Back in the 80’s, they didn’t have the CNC milling technology like we have today. Even with that, there is a lot of hand fitting/finishing of the internal parts, and being a large pistol, requires a lot of material. So it’s going to remain an expensive pistol to produce.
Expensive to make. Expensive to shoot. This is not a pistol for everyone. This isn’t just Mercedes Benz level of handgunning… This is Maybach level. This is… Exclusive. Is there room at the SHOT Industry table for something more exclusive and expensive like this?
Absolutely.
Because it’s cool. See, outside of Food, Shelter, and Clothing… Men only spend money on Two Things. Sex and Violence. And the Auto Mag is a combination of both distilled into a handgun that is above the means of the every day common man. Like owning a Porsche 911 Turbo or dating a Super Model. It’s Mid Life Crisis that you can hold in your hands. It is designed to make everyone at the range envy you and want to be you. And unlike the Desert Eagle, it has no history of being gaudy like something a New Orleans Pimp would have. You’ll never see an Auto Mag in Gold Titanium Tiger Stripes. Because it doesn’t need that…. It doesn’t need the Bling. Because it’s one of those few things that are an instant Classic. And there is nothing else like it on the market. Comparing it to a Desert Eagle is like comparing a luxury yacht to a tug boat.
Auto Mag will sell every single gun they make.
But does that mean they will fail again? Because it’s exclusively priced… and ammunition is terribly expensive… Few people will be able to get one. And you don’t want a company to crank out as many as they can produce only to sit in stockpile. For the company to succeed, they will have to stay small… And keep the production tight to keep overhead down. Success or Failure is going to depend on Management, not Marketing. Since they are the only ones making anything like this. It’s their game to win or lose… and that’s going to be an internal struggle, not external.
Suggestions for Auto Mag:
1. Offer a Blued Steel version.
2. Don’t do Distributors… Go Customer & Dealer Direct to maximize your profits for the first 5 years. Or longer.
3. Don’t look at how other gun companies market. Look at how Omega and Breitling Watches markets. Your customers are going to be their customers. You’re going to be exclusive as hell… so be exclusive.
Remington R51 Do-Over
I was asked what I thought about the Remington R51 Re-Release.
Look… I wanted to like the R51. I really did. I think it looks cool, and I like the idea of an all metal single stacked 9mm, that’s not a 1911, Kahr, or SIG P225… just for the sake of variety. I really wanted to like it. But a couple things gave me pause. One, is the Pederson Hesitation Lock system it uses… which is… just not that good. Then Remington made a very limited invitation only special pre-release introduction for certain Gun Media guys with a history of liking everything that comes their way. Okay, that’s fine… They wanted good impressions to get out there. Sure. Every Gun Company wants that. But the warning lights started flashing when shortly there after at the Media Day at the Range, the day before SHOT SHOW that year – The Remington R51 was suspiciously absent.
Warning Klaxons sounded in my head when at the Remington Booth, Remington Employees were physically blocking people from getting to where the R51 was on display. They stood around the display like defensive Musk Ox surrounding their young.
They wanted Dealers to order them… they just didn’t want anyone to actually touch it. But I did. I went around behind them, went behind a counter, and got in to where it was hanging on the wall, behind the Remington People. I could tell from the expressions on their faces when they saw me – that they were pissed.
When I handled the gun… I liked the size and weight just fine. But the action felt like it was broken inside. That hesitation lock felt like it was going to be a Jam Maker. The Grip Safety was awkward as it pivoted backwards from normal, it had sharp edges of the frame exposed when the safety was depressed.
I warned people to avoid being an early adopter of the R51.
Turns out I was right, and all the pistols I had warned people about – all got recalled. The gun was a bigger pile of crap than I had expected it to be.
Now, fast forward and Big Green is releasing the gun again. All the work to rebuild the gun, all the new engineering and testing… should have been done before it was released to begin with. It should have been tested – thoroughly – before it was released. This was Remington’s fault, resting squarely on the shoulders of Remington. But Remington pointed their fingers at Para USA, in Charlotte, NC…. where the R51 was being produced. This wasn’t a quality control issue… this was a DESIGN ISSUE. And guys at Para were saying “This isn’t right”. Turns out that the guys at Para were right as well. Because to fix the gun, Remington didn’t have to tight QC on the production line… they had to re-engineer the bloody handgun. Proving that it was indeed, a design issue.
Maybe the gun is now “fixed”. But the first people to test it and say it’s fine – are some of the first people that said it was good to go the first time. I have a bit of a problem with that. When asked by a friend what my initial thoughts were about the new again R51… my knee-jerk reaction was “I’d rather have a Bersa.”
So my advice is the same as before. Avoid being an Early Adopter of these R51 2.0’s.
Carolina Arms Group’s new Privateer 1911
Carolina Arms Group is located not very far away from me at all. About 45 minutes up I-77 and I’m pulling into their parking lot. So I’ve come to know the owner and I’ve met most everyone working at CAG. CAG has made some very nice 1911’s… and some of the the best 1911’s I’ve ever handled. That was the Trenton Series, a family of 1911’s named after the Battle of Trenton. But now CAG has a new series of pistols. Meet the PRIVATEER.
I’m going to say this… and I don’t say this lightly. In fact, I’ve considered this for some time and I keep coming back to the same conclusion. This is the best 1911 I’ve ever seen. Let me say this again…
THIS IS THE BEST 1911 I HAVE EVER SEEN.
I’ve been into 1911’s since I was 16 and the father of a girlfriend introduced me to them. His name was Dave and he was awesome. I don’t even remember his daughter anymore… but I remember Dave. Dave taught me the Tao of Browning. He taught me how the gun works, inside and out, and how to shoot it.
Dave literally saved my life because of this… because the Army gave me Zero training when they issued me a 1911 and it was a 1911 that I used to save my life when someone was intent on ending it. I’ve always loved the 1911 since those rather exciting days. And I’ve always taken them seriously because of it.
I’ve tested and reviewed some of the best 1911’s on the planet, and have owned 1911’s from the likes of Terry Tussy and other high end custom gunsmiths… And let me tell you… The CAG PRIVATEER 1911 is the finest example of the 1911 Pistol. Period. Saint John Moses Browning himself smiles upon the CAG Privateer and is well pleased.
Differences from the Trenton series have the Privateer using a regular, fine, checkering on the frame and the inclusion of an accessory rail. Up top it’s wearing Tritium Night Sights instead of fiber optics. As all serious use handguns should. The grips are a slim profile, which makes the gun more narrower in the hand, which is great when wearing gloves… and even better when the gun is tight against your side when it’s riding in a holster.
The whole gun, including the barrel, is finished with a gorgeous DLC finish. Diamond Like Coating. The DLC Finish is incredibly strong, resistant, and smooth. The gun looks amazing. The laser engraving really pops and looks clean unlike anything coated in Cerakote or other finishes. The Fit and Finish are – FLAWLESS – to the point that no photo will ever do these guns justice. You have to see these guns in person. You have to feel them in your hands. You have to feel the slide’s action. You have to feel the trigger. You have to feel the difference between these guns and every other 1911 out there.
One day, I’m going to own a CAG Privateer in a Commander length.
Hit Carolina Arms Group on Facebook, and tell them I sent you.
If you want a Carolina Arms Group pistol… See them at Point Blank Range. Or contact PBR and order one.
UPDATE:
I paid a visit to Carolina Arms Group today… The makers of very desirable things. I got a peek at a new model, the Veteran Carry… which is an insanely smooth Bobtail Commander. It’s fantastic. Save your Pennies. And they are going to be rolling out some knives with carbon fiber scales, and matching carbon fiber grips for the pistol. VERY nice. Impressive. Mark threw some laser engraving on my knife… Thanks, Mark! If you guys need anything lasered – contact CAG and talk to them about it. Their laser system is fast and precise… sharpest looking laser work out there.
The new Veteran Carry – that’s the one to get!
#feelthedifference.
Sneak Peek at the new Veteran Carry pistol. It’s not even finished and it’s gorgeous as hell. The Want is strong with this one.
Taking the time to fit it right. By hand.
The little details are the important ones. It has to be perfect.
What goes good with a high quality gun? A high quality blade.
You’ll be able to order a Carolina Arms Group accessory kit with your pistol… Which includes the holster, knife, and matching grips.
I really hate these pistols…
I’m going to catch a lot of flak for this one. Because I know these things have become crazy popular. I know they are ergonomic, have great triggers, and are accurate in a way most Strikers are just not. And I’ve shot them plenty… They do shoot just fine.
But I hate the SIG P320.
Now let me explain why…
SIG P220 Combat
The P220 Combat is designed to meet, and exceed, rigorous military standards. The P220 Combat performs like no other .45ACP available. Each pistol features the military’s Flat Dark Earth finish on its alloy frame and SIG’s Nitron® over a stainless slide. Internal parts and controls are phosphated for extreme corrosion resistance and reduced friction while the threaded barrel is hard chromed and finished in Nitron® which easily passes the military’s accuracy requirements – even after 20,000 rounds. The P220 Combat also passes the military’s 240-hour salt spray corrosion test. Outfitted with a true M1913 Picatinny rail, vertical front strap serrations and SIGLITE® night sights.
I’m going to have to swing back to SIG after today.
I don’t know why I left SIG in the first place. Pretty much I left SIG for Glock because sometimes I go into Retard Mode or something. I should never have left. I love SIG’s and I love .45’s and flirting with smaller guns that don’t even have hammers – a mistake I shall never make again.
We’ve had this lightly used SIG 227 sitting in the gun counter for about 6 months now… I had 15 rounds of .45 Auto PMC Bronze on my desk for about that same period of time.
Well, today I put them to work. HOLY CRAP! The 227 is absolutely one of the nicest shooting .45’s I’ve ever fired. It’s smooth, super soft recoil, and dang is it accurate. That is 15 rounds at 25 feet. No… seriously… 15 rounds. I put 10 rounds in the mag, ran the target to 25 feet, fired 10 rounds, reloaded with the last 5, fired them and brought the target back in. HOLE-LEE-CRAP.
I’m an okay shot – but not this good! That’s the GUN. The only other gun that’s on par with this is the CZ 97B… or $1800+ 1911’s.
This made me just fall in love with SIG’s all over again. So much… There’s a used SIG 220 Carry that I’ve been very tempted about. This might be pushing me over the edge.
Bond Arms Derringers
I was driving to work yesterday, sitting in a traffic jam on I-77 really… and listing to Glenn Beck on the Patriot XM. And I heard an advertisement for Bond Arms Derringers.
Then last night I was with my wife at Cabela’s and she pointed out the Bond Arms and was basically “Oh look, Shiny!”
Here’s the thing about Bond Arms. They do make the best Derringers on the market. They are built with high quality standards, good materials, and with an excellent fit and finish. I’ve never seen a bad one.
But I’ve also never seen one I’d actually carry for Self Defense. They are thick and they are heavy. They are solid chunks of steel weight with two holes drills through them. They are as thick as a Double Whopper With Cheese. And for all that size and weight, you only get two shots. Now, I understand the reason for all that beef… Because you can change barrels and change calibers… tons of options for that. But every option leaves you with just two shots.
Two from a gun with horrible sights and a horrible trigger, that has to be manually cocked. How you get a terrible trigger pull from a Single Action Trigger is beyond me. Combine bad sights and a bad trigger with only 2 shoots and you get something that’s very much Less than Ideal for actual self defense use. Put that in a package that’s so thick and heavy – you will not be carrying it very often.
Bond Arms looks Old School Cool. And they are. Just don’t be buying them for actual self defense use.