Backup & CCW Gun Selection

“What is the best backup or CCW gun?”  Ask a 100 people and you may get 100 answers.  There are so many factors to consider when selecting a backup or CCW gun that needs to be addressed, in this blog we will look at some of the factors that should be considered.

Comfort:

RULE #1: IF THE GUN DOES NOT FEEL GOOD IN YOUR HANDS, DON’T BUY IT.  A fancy name, high price tag, raving reviews in your favorite gun magazine, and your friend recommendation does not mean anything to you as an individual.  What is good for one person may not be good for another, so make sure the gun in comfortable for you.  One way this has been addressed is the use of replaceable back straps.  Smith and Wesson, Glock 4^th Generation handguns, and Springfield XDs are a few that supply their handgun with multiple inserts for the grip.  This gives you the choice of a small, medium, or large grip.  By doing this they can tap into a wide range of shooters no matter what their hand size is.  When it comes to revolvers you can purchase after market grips to meet your needs.  The better it feels in your hand, the better you will shoot.  Many ranges have rentals and this is a great way to get your hands on several different guns and try them out before you invest your hard earned money into a firearm.  The other, less expensive option is to gather your friends for a day of shooting at the range and try out their guns.

Proficiency:

What is your skill level?  This is a question you need to consider beyond standing at a static (stationary) range and punching holes in a bulls eye target.  Fine motor skills go down the drain when the you know what hits the fan and you as well as your target are moving, so the “keep it simple stupid” rule should be factored in when selecting your backup or CCW firearm.  There are two factors to consider, the first is the fact that if you are going to your backup gun, things have taken a critical turn and your backup gun is your last option because your primary failed or you have lost control of it.  The F.B.I. states that from 1994 to 2003 there were a total of 52 officer killed with their own firearms after being overpowered, this amounts to 8% based on the timeframe studied.  This of course goes back to weapon retention skills which also needs to be on your list of “must have training”.  My basic answer to the right gun is the use of a revolver, very simple mechanically (no cycling issues), enough rounds to eliminate the threat at close distances, and a great option factoring in the loss of fine motor skills.  For the new CCW permit holder, this again is a great option for the same reasons listed above.  For my L.E. friends, you may opt to have your backup or CCW gun functionality to be the same as your primary weapon, and this is hard to argue.  For my CCW and L.E. friends (especially my L.E. friends) you should be able to operate any gun you carry without thinking about it.  I have carried a Glock 22 for almost 15 years on duty, off duty I carry the Glock 23.  I have trained extensively with my duty gun and there is no transition to off duty for me based on my CCW gun selection.

Size:

Size does matter…..the size of the handgun you wish to carry and the size of your body when you consider a CCW gun.  Will a Desert Eagle .50 take care of the problem, I should hope so, but can you effectively carry that gun for several hours a day and conceal it in an effective manor?  Probably not would be the answer to the question, but I am sure somebody will try.  Small guns serve a purpose, for instance I prefer a Ruger LCP over my Glock 23 if I am going jogging or on a bike ride.  It is much easier to conceal a “pocket pistol” when wearing light clothing such as shorts or if you are on a bicycle bending over and not having your medium to large frame gun sticking out for the whole world to see.  There are pros and cons to small and large handguns, the best thing you can do when limitations are there is to select the best ammunition possible for a given situations.  For more information on ammunition selection check out the “Proper Handgun Ammo Selection” write up I did, this can be found at http://gunsgearandmore.blogspot.com/2011/09/proper-handgun-ammo-selection.html   

Ammunition Capacity:

My one point should help to clear things up here, the average shootout occurs with 3-5 rounds being fired, that is both parties involved, not each shooter.  If I was going into a war zone or society took a major dump then maybe I would feel the need to have 17+ rounds of ammo.  Reality is that the more ammo you carry, the heavier the gun will be, and the 5 shot revolver should do you just fine.  If you select a gun with fewer round capacity, proper ammunition selection only becomes more critical.  Basic rule of thumb, if you carry a pistol you should carry an extra magazine and if you carry a revolver you should carry additional ammunition in a speed loader.    

        

Closing Points:

I have shot just about every handgun out there, most I like, some I didn’t.  My choice may not work well for somebody else, so I leave the selection to you the reader.  I am 6’5” at 300 lb. so I can conceal just about anything, but if you are 5’4” and weigh 125 you may have a problem concealing a full frame gun.  Small hands, large hands, petite or full frame person, people come in various sizes and shapes and all this needs to be considered.  This is why there are so many options that you must consider because what works for me may not work for you. 

               

Suggestions:

The following are some of my personal favorites for backup or CCW, these may not work for you but they may be worth your time to check out.

Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special +P.This is a great gun that is so light, you will almost forget you have it on.  This is a great option for an ankle carry gun.  Due to the ultra low weight, this will have more recoil, but the trade off is worth it. Link to S&W 642

The Ruger SP101 chambered in .357 Magnum, "solid" is the word the describes this revolver.  Personally I am more accurate with this than the S&W 642 and it fits my hands better, which is why I prefer this one.  

Link to Ruger SP101

Taurus Model 85 is a light weight, cost effective option chambered in .38 Special.  Porting is available for this model which will reduce felt recoil.  One benefit of the Taurus line is the transferable lifetime warranty.  In this picture you will also see an example of the after market Crimson Trace Laser Grips.  Link toTaurus Model 85

Sig Sauer 250 chambered in .40 S&W or 9 mm.  A Sig for around $350 that brings you the quality that Sig is known for.  The model 250 is a double action only pistol, it has a smooth pull, but I am not fond of the long trigger pull.  Still a great gun, and this one feels great in my hand.  You can purchase the lower frame in other sizes to fit almost any hand.  Link to Sig Sauer 250

Glock 23 chambered in .40 S&W is my carry choice, the main reason for this is because I carry a Glock 22 every day and this is identical to what I am used to, so if needed I don't have to alter the way I do things.  The new 4th Generation Glocks do give you the option to change the back strap for various hands.  The only alteration I have done it installed True Glo TFO (Tritium/Fiber Optic) sights.  Not the best looking gun, but I look at Glocks as the "AK" of handguns.  Link to Glock 23

Smith & Wesson M&P Compact is available in 9 mm, .357 Sig., .45 A.C.P., and .40 S&W, so if you are looking for variety in a specific model you have found it.  I found this pistol to be very accurate and reliable.  I have carried this in compact and full size and can say that S&W did a great job on this weapon.  Interchangeable back straps will fit almost any hand and with the extended mag plate pictured above, this feels really comfortable and manageable when shooting.  I added Crimson Trace Laser Grips and Trijicon Night Sights to mine, what more could you need?  Link to the Smith & Wesson M&P series of pistols

For me the first time I picked up a Springfield XD subcompact I thought this was the "ugly stepchild".  When I picked it up it fit the hand great, shot smooth, and was very accurate.  This model comes in 9 mm and .40 S&W.  I am still not a big fan of the XD series, but I can say I have shot all size XD's made, they all shoot good and performed flawlessly.  I have several friend that own various models of the XD, it works well for them and when it comes to selecting a firearm for YOUR use, MY opinion does not matter.  This comes down to personnel preference and nothing else.  Link to Springfield Armory XD Sub-Compact

The first time I picked up the Cold Defender, it fit like a glove.  The lightweight .45 ACP has all the "bells and whistles" you would want in at 1911 and is a great carry gun.  The 1911 series is not on the top of my list of carry guns, but it is hard to dispute the longevity of the 1911.  This is just one of many 1911 manufacturers that produce a compact 1911, and all the "big names" make something similar to the Defender.  Link to Cold Defender

In Closing:

I hope I stressed enough to you that when it comes to selection of a backup or CCW weapon that it is more important for you to find what works for you.  Sure, take advice from your friends or local gun shop, but make sure you are getting what will work for you and you are not being pushed into buying something that has been collecting dust at a gun shop that they want to get rid of. Take a drive down the road and count how many different automobiles you see.....different things that fit the needs of other individuals.  The same holds true when buying a gun, you are the individual, your life will depend on it, and you need to feel comfortable with what you purchase.  I hope this helps you think of what you need to look for in selecting a firearm.

Stay safe, stay alert, practice, and survive.
Till next time,
Jack

9/11 Remembered, 10 Years Later

There are millions of stories of how that fateful day, 9/11/01 impacted lives, some directly, some indirectly.....this is mine.

Before 9/11/01, this is how we remember the New York skylight.

 It was 11 September 2001 and I had just gotten up and was getting my daily news brief as I was packing my bags to head out of town to visit my father.  By the time I had turned the news on all the stations were just starting to report that a plane had hit World Trade Center Tower 1.  I did not have a good feeling about this from the beginning, and I remember telling myself that this was no accident.  I called my father to tell him what had occurred and to turn on the news.  I told him that I had finished packing and would be leaving shortly and we talked about what we would have for dinner that night but decided to figure it out later.  I hung up the phone and as I was putting my boots on the second plane impacted World Trade Center Tower 2.

At 0903 United Airlines Flight 175 impacts Tower 2

This is one of the most dramatic images of the second impact.

I called my dad back and told him that I would probably be called into work and would not be able to make it to see him, and within 30 seconds of this call with my dad I was called into work.  This was the start of many long days, increased checkpoint activity, counseling fellow workers and the one thing that really struck home………seeing  two F-16’s outfitted with missiles in a low flight pattern fly directly over me.  This resulting in these planes circling the capitol of the state I lived in, from my location I was on the outskirts of the pilots patrol area and could clearly see directly above me each time they circled around, this continued for several hours with the constant rumble of the fighter engines.

Some of thing things I observed on t.v. were the people in the windows waiting for help that could not come.

One of the most disturbing things I will remember however is not the fall of the buildings, but seeing people jump from the towers.  To actually see a person fall instead of a building solidified the human toll.  Having the choice of a slow death by fire, many decided to jump.

Two people decided to jump together.

This was a brother, a son, a husband or a father.

Many of these images not only brought feelings of hurt, but also rage toward the ones that carried out this attack.  Then what we were afraid would happen, did. We then watched the second tower fall which engulfed the city in a cloud from the disintegrated building remains, only seconds before one of the tallest buildings in the world.

This is a satellite image of the debris cloud that could be viewed from space.

Many more stories came out after this occurred, some of the most troubling were from the first responders that were in the 1st floor and were able to get out.  One interview I seen detailed one firefighters account of hearing something outside the window, as he turned to see what this was it was not debris, but it was the people that had jumped, impacting the ground.  He described this by saying that when they hit, they just exploded, I will never forget this.  I could not imagine actually being there and seeing this first hand.  We watched and hoped more people would be found alive as the days passed, but the flag draped bodies were brought up and there was no happy ending for the people in the building on this day, in this life.
This of course resulted in a war in the middle east, many soldiers have died since.  I wear a black memorial bracelet with the name Cpl. Kevin William Prince, he died in Iraq from an IED.  I put this on every day, this reminds me of the soldiers that died, and based on why he was there, this reminds me of 9/11.  I am happy to explain this to people when they ask, "What is that black bracelet for?".  Hollywood is also a constant reminder of 9/11, the Twin Towers was a popular backdrop to so many movies, this is another reminder that comes up when we least expect it.  One minute you are watching an old movie, and the next you think to yourself "wow, there they are" and I find myself pointing this out to my wife, or telling my children about what happened.  We need to tell the next generation, this is history, and we can't ever let this fade.
So, for all of those that went to work on the morning of 9/11/01 in New York and the Pentagon and found there place in eternity, we remember you today.  The the victims of Flight 93 that went down in Pennsylvania, we remember you.  For all the family left behind, our prayers for strength to make it through today is with you.  For all of the soldiers that have fallen because you fought when we as a nation were hit, we remember you.  For all the ones that still stand ready, Military, Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, and the countless other first responders that would proudly enter a "hell on earth" to try to save others, we remember you today as well.  Your life has been impacted, and you are ready for the call.

Provers 27:1 "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."

I hope you enjoyed my views and information about 9/11, was able to reflect, and maybe even learn something.  I guess this is the "More" part of the "Guns, Gear, and More" blog, I felt it fitting to add this to my site.  It is important to remember that not all Muslims are murders, but I would debate the "peacefulness" of the religion.  I would offer three of over 100 examples from the "holy quran":
Quran (2:216) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not."  Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time.
Quran (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority".  This speaks directly of polytheists, yet it also includes Christians, since they believe in the Trinity (ie. what Muhammad incorrectly believed to be 'joining companions to Allah').
Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"

I have a simple answer that can be summed up with my last picture:

Hope you enjoyed the post today, long live America, God bless you all, and stay safe out there.
Jack.

Magpul MBUS & Yankee Hill Machine and Tool Backup Sights

The most common question when talking about any tactical rifle is "what kind of optics do you have on it".  With the technology of optics and the benefits of the speed you gain in a CQB setting good optics on a battle rifle is almost as common as a 30 round magazine, and just as important.  Now consider this, what happens if your optics fail?  Your batteries die, micro electronic failure, or an impact to the glass and you loose your dot or hologram......what is your backup?  I have actually seen L.E. and military weapons with optics only, uh....have you forgot about Murphy's Law?  When the crap hits the fan, what can go wrong may go wrong and you need to have a plan, a backup plan, i.e. backup sights.  If you only rely on optics and you loose this, you are providing inaccurate suppressive fire at longer distances, at best.
This brings me to the basics, the use of the tried and true sights.  Remember those, the post in the front and the peep sight in the rear?  There are so many of options out there, but in this post we will look at the two that I am familiar with, the Magpul MBUS sights, and the Yankee Hill Machine and Tool (YHM) front and rear flip sights.
First the YHM sights, the first word that comes to mind with these sights is "solid".  With all steel construction, you know they will be durable. 

As you can see in the above images, these are well built sights.  One thing that I really like about the YHM front sight is that you can change the front post to an after market post such as a tritium front post sight.  I had these installed on a Bushmaster Modular rifle and these worked very well.  With the automatic deploy system, they will spring in place with the push of a button.  The release for the sight to go into battery is located on one side, which is the only down side I see if you are one that likes things to be ambidextrous.  If you are right handed the placement of the release is perfect, however if you are left handed this may seem awkward.  There is little to no play with the sights deployed or folded.  Just remember to put a little lock tight on when you mount them to keep the vibration from loosening the sights over time.  A set of the YHM sights for your rifle will cost you about $200-$225.
To see the full product line of YHM products, here is the link for you.http://yhm.net/

Now we will look at the Magpul MBUS sights. These are the current sights I have on a Sig 556, they look sleek and modern. 
Some of the features I really like is the very low profile of  the MBUS sights when folded:

 True ambidextrous releases are located on both sides of the front and rear sights:

You can see in this picture the aperture adjustment for the rear sight.

Here is a close up of the MBUS front sight.

Some people don't like the "plastic sight" look, but unless you mount this directly to a railed gas block you will not have an issue.  Due to the direct high heat a railed gas block puts off, this can damage the sight. 
The Gen 2 MBUS sights come in 4 different colors: Black, Flat Dark Earth, OD Green, and Foliage, so no matter how you want to outfit your rifle, Magpul has the color for you.  Magpul thought ahead and put thread lock on the mounting bolts for you, so you don't have to look around the house or garage for that one tube you used and misplaced years ago.  A front and rear set of the MBUS sights will cost you about $100.  If you are looking for some cost savings, color options, and a modern look, then the MBUS may be the sight for you.

With all that said, both the YHM and Magpul MBUS backup sight will work for you when/if you need them.  Both fit the mil-spec 1913 Picatinny rail, both have quick deploy release, both have windage and elevations adjustment, now the rest is up to you.

Thanks again for stopping by,
Jack

Proper Handgun Ammo Selection

“Jack, what type of handgun ammo is the best out there?”  This is a question I have heard and addressed so many times, I do not believe I could actually count.  There are several types of bullets on the market that all perform differently, but they do perform as they are designed.  I will cover these various types and with the proper information, this will serve as a reference to help you select the right ammunition for the purpose you need at a given time.

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Lead core bullet covered in copper, this is the least expensive round you can purchase for a given caliber.  This round is best suited for target practice, most cost effective for recreational shooting, however I would not suggest this for self-defense.  When the FMJ round hits organic tissue it will enter on one side, and then it will exit on the other side.  This creates the least damage (permanent wound channel) to tissue and will not stop an aggressive attack consistently which is what you are looking  for in a defensive setting.  You need to consider liability, YOU MUST ACCOUNT FOR EVERY ROUND YOU FIRE.  If you do shoot the bad guy and the bullet continues until it goes thru 3 of the walls in your house and hits one of your children, spouse or your neighbor, you then could be charged with involuntary manslaughter, not to mention you will have to live with yourself for what occurred.  This is why the FMJ round is NOT the best selection for self defense, now we will look at the Hollow Point (H.P.) round.  Below you can view a cut away section of a full metal jacket round.

Hollow Point (H.P.):  The most common self defense round you will find is the hollow point bullet.  Simple explanation for this name can be seen when you look at the tip of the copper coated round, you will see a recessed cavity leading into the lead center core of the round, i.e. a “hollow point”.  By design, when this round impacts organic tissue the pressure that is created by this small air pocket forces the bullet to “mushroom” and expand.  This round is designed to enter at point of aim, mushroom inside the target, and most importantly, stop inside the target.  When the round does as it is designed, it will create a large wound channel and by coming to a quick stop inside the target it will transfer all of the energy to the target.  This instant transfer of energy to organic tissue is called “foot pounds of energy” (f.p.e.) and this is what is commonly called “stopping power”.  The higher the f.p.e. a round delivers to the target, the faster you can stop the aggressive actions of an adversary.  You want to have a round that stops an attacker as fast as possible, it will only take that person a split second to pull the trigger to shoot you or another innocent person, or just one swipe of a knife to cut your femoral or carotid artery which can kill you faster than a bullet.  For my L.E., Security Professionals, and law abiding citizen friends out there, there is but one rule: YOU WILL GO HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY.  Proper selection of a defensive round can be the difference between life and death.  Below you can view a hollow point round before and after impact.

  

Frangible Ammunition:  The next round we will discuss is the frangible round.  There are many types of frangible style rounds on the market today, some contain a core made from a hardened type of clear epoxy with steel shot like the Magsafe round.  Others such as Extreme Shock are made of Tungsten-NyTrilium which is a bullet formed from a substance with the consistency of talcum powder, then compressed to form a solid round.  Upon impact to organic tissue it returns to its original state creating up to 5,000 separate, tiny wound channels.  These are by far the most expensive types of rounds you can get, they generally offer a higher level stopping power.  There are benefits of this type of round when it comes to liability, and there is also a down side to this as well, we will now look at the pros of this round.  These rounds will dump 100% of its energy into whatever it impacts, so if you miss your target, it will break apart in drywall, sheetrock, and ricochet is minimal at the round will disintegrate upon impact.  This is a great round to use in an urban setting , your house, or apartment.  Now for the cons, first is the price, these types of rounds can cost over $20 for only 8 rounds.  The ability of these rounds to go through a car windshield, plywood, or light concealment is not good as they will break apart.  For this reason this is not a good choice for L.E. to carry as an “everyday carry” ammunition.  On the other hand, if your department allows, it would make a great round if you are an entry team serving warrants and you find yourself “knocking down doors”.  Below is a cut away view of the Mag Safe round.

It is important to remember, there is no magic bullet, all bullets have their limitations.  It is up to you to get the knowledge you need to select the ammunition that will work for you.  Below are some links that will take you to factory sites so you can research the specific data for the caliber you of gun you use.

Hornady: hornadyle.com/products/indexf89a.html?sID=34

Federal: http://www.federalpremium.com/products/handgun.aspx

Speer: http://le.atk.com/general/federalproducts/pistol/default.aspx

Winchester: http://www.winchester.com/Products/le/handgun-ammunition/Pages/default.aspx

Remington: http://www.remington.com/product-families/ammunition/handgun/home-defense.aspx

Mag Safe: http://magsafeonline.com/magnum_performance.html

Extreme Shock: http://www.extremeshockusa.com/cgistore/store.cgi?page=/new/product_info.html&setup=1&cart_id=1409912.512

Corbon: http://corbon.com/Law-Enforcement.html

"Anyone can understand shooting to protect themselves. You give me five minutes and I’ll make anyone on this planet mad enough to shoot me. The real question is, will they have that much time in a fight? You need to make that decision before you start to fight-only your life depends on it."—Clint Smith

With all this information, this will give you a great start on the road to a successful selection of the ammo you need, for the situation you prepare for.
Stay safe, practice, and prepare.
Jack

Welcome to "Guns, Gear, and More"

Welcome to the "Guns, Gear, and More" blog spot.  This blog will focus on Security, Law Enforcement, and the everyday law abiding citizen.  Topics will include guns of many types geared toward defense and competition,  Future reviews and topics will cover accessories for your guns, and more.  Topics will be self- defense, CCW, ammo selection, some hunting, and just about anything else that goes bang.  As I update my blog, I will provide links via Facebook.
Hope you enjoy, and if you have an idea you would like for me to address, don't hesitate to send me a message and I may take your idea and run with it.
Future reviews will cover:
1) Eotech Weapon Sights
2) Electronic Sight Magnifiers
3) Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle
4) Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition


See you soon,
Jack