So I got a side gig writing for RECOIL telling tales from the gun retail world!
Category: gun stuff
Gun Rants Episode 1
I’m going to make live videos a regular thing I do, because I really enjoy the interactive environment it creates with viewers.
The Gun Nuts Handgun Evaluation Protocol
As I wrap up a year of testing 1911s and get back to testing all manner of guns, I realized I needed a replacement for the 10-8 Performance 1911 Test. The 10-8 Performance Test is designed to test the extraction and primary function of the 1911 to ensure it’s suitable for duty. I was specifically cautioned by the dudes at 10-8 that it wasn’t for modern semi-autos, so I wanted to come up with my own protocol for “modern” defensive pistols. I debuted the test today in this video about the new PX4 Storm Compact Carry:
Capitalism
I’m never going to be one of those people who gets up on a drum and preaches that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, because as bad as things are, they could be a lot worse.
That being said, I did just buy a set of plates and a plate carrier. I mean…it’s not a bad idea to have one, right? Especially if you’re going to take a carbine class and maybe you don’t trust the guy loading his rifle to not have an ND into your upper spine?
The 4 Rules of Gun Safety: Rule 4
Here’s our final video in the series on the four rules of gun safety. Today we look at Rule 4.
Buy this sweet G-Shock so we can use the money to make more videos!
The 4 Rules of Gun Safety: Rule 3
Now we’re at Rule 3 in the 4 Rules: Never point your weapon at something you’re not willing to destroy. Pretty easy, right? Today we’ll see what happens when we apply a little critical thinking to it.
Hey, if you want to support our videos and other content, consider donating to us on Patreon. It’s an easy way to show your appreciation and it helps me move the channel and blog away from the advertising model.
If you prefer a more capitalistic approach, there’s always Amazon. You can buy neat stuff like this SOG fixed blade for $30 bucks and some of the money helps keep the site up and running.
No one is coming to save you
I am exhausted of writing about terrorist attacks, but they keep happening. And they continue to be relevant to our local self-defense situations here in the states. The most attack in Turkey focused on something that we’ve known forever is a soft target: the unsecure area of airports.
“But Caleb” you’ll say, “we can’t carry into airports!” Yeah, I know. That’s a real tricky situation right there, although I’d also be the first to tell you that a 9mm isn’t going to be a whole lot of help against someone clacking off a vest with no warning. However, that’s not the point.
Small 1911’s and Reliability
Earlier this week I started a long-term review of a Dan Wesson ECO, which is a 3.5 inch Officer’s sized 1911. Lest anyone think its reliability will be a gimme, I offer the following video from Rob Pincus. I don’t know Rob, and I don’t agree with everything he writes, but based off my personal experience he is correct.
Yes, the gun in the video is a Kimber, but that is irrelevant. Small 1911’s are generally finicky. In fact, I fully expect the ECO will fail at some point. And if it does, I have a couple of things in my bag of tricks that might help reliability.
Did you see the challenge at the end of the video? I don’t know if Rob is still offering this, but if the ECO kicks ass, maybe I could take him up on the offer – not likely.
In the end, I hope the ECO stuns me with utter reliability, but if it fails, I will not be shocked in any way. It is the nature of the beast.
So… do you have a small 1911 that has been flawless? Let us know. Please include the total cumulative round count, as well as the maximum round count you shot in one session.
And for those that care, I finally got around to buying some ammo so testing will start tomorrow!
Search Engine Q&A
Sometimes I like to go through the incoming search terms that have brought people to the blog and wonder “how in the hell did that get them there?” Other times, I like to find questions and answer them. This is the latter, so I’m going to cherry pick a few search terms and hopefully answer them. If you’re the person who searched the blog for “plus size women’s concealed carry clothes that won’t print” you’re probably going to be disappointed, but for the other people? This should be fun.
Killing Bambi with a 9mm (Or Why A Head-Shot Might Not Stop The Attack)
Click bait title right? Obviously I don’t mean using a 9mm to hunt Mr. Buck; but, I recently had to dispatch a gravely wounded deer with my CCW and in doing so I came away with some insight worth sharing.
First a quick yarn about how the events unfolded.
I was on my way to work in pretty heavy fog, when out of nowhere a deer jumped in front of the car ahead of me and tried to wrestle. As expected the car won. Amazingly the driver didn’t stop, instead they kept going (how do I know they didn’t have insurance…) even though their headlight and portions of their bumper where now occupying the road. Normally I wouldn’t have stopped either, but the deer came to rest directly in front of the bus entrance to my son’s elementary school. It was early in the morning and the buses hadn’t started running, but I knew if I didn’t move the carcass no one would. I didn’t want school buses dodging a deer in morning school traffic, nor did I want small kids to start their school day witnessing bloody gore.
Continue reading “Killing Bambi with a 9mm (Or Why A Head-Shot Might Not Stop The Attack)”