The SIG Sauer P320 is starting to show up in gun stores with a little more frequency. The P320 Carry is rumored to be on the way as well. I will have a review up with mine pretty soon. Stay tuned.
Author Archives: Jerry Jones
BEWARE- Not All Camouflage Paints Are The Same.
I like painted guns. I like to use my guns. A good combination? Depends on the paint. Continue reading
Practice with Back Up Guns
I think that most all police officers, and some armed citizens to a point, are carrying back up guns as a norm. Back in the day, most carried Walther PPK’s and Smith and Wesson J-frames as a back up gun. When the Glock 26/27 debuted, the world was set on its ear. The compatibility alone made sense for the agencies that issued the G17/22 to add the “baby” Glocks as back ups. Continue reading
3000 Rounds Later- The Smith and Wesson VTAC 2
A couple of years ago, I purchased a Smith and Wesson VTAC M&P15 from a coworker. It became one of my favorite rifles pretty quickly. The rifle was spec’d by Kyle Lamb, head dude in charge over at Viking Tactics and is street ready.
A few months ago, I walked into my local gun shop and they had a VTAC 2 in stock. I handled the rifle, and after some internal debate, I became the new owner of the VTAC 2. Continue reading
Stock in, Stock out.
Every so often certain techniques seem to swap around in the shooting community. Almost like this week the Surgeon General says that salt is good for you, where last week salt was bad for you. The whole stock in or stock fully extended thing seems to follow it pretty closely. Continue reading
Review- VG6 Precision Gamma Muzzle Brake
I am a new guy when it comes to muzzle brakes. I’ve spent my career shooting “whatever” came on the end of the rifle. And that “whatever” has always came in the form of a good old fashion A2 flash hider. Continue reading
Sight Radius- What role does it really play in a defensive pistol?
Recently, I’ve been shooting some drills from concealment with various pistols from the Glock 9mm family. My thinking over the years on a defensive pistol is that it should be one that fits a couple of simple criteria: a pistol that is reliable, and one that you’ll carry every day. For some, a Ruger LCP fits the bill. A Ruger in the pocket always beats a custom M1911 in the car when it comes down to needing it now. However, I’ve always advocated carrying the most gun that you can comfortably carry. Some will say there is an “average” gun fight (IE 1-3 feet, 1-3 Seconds, 1-3 rounds fired). I feel that there is no such thing as “average” and if I can perform these tasks at 25 yards at speed, the close in stuff is a chip shot. However, merely banging away at contact distance doesn’t equate to hitting stuff at distance if it becomes a lifesaving requirement. But, that is a conversation for another day. Continue reading
The Police Patrol Rifle-K.I.S.S
At a recent LE patrol rifle qualification, I stood behind the line, and observed something I guess I’ve known for a while now. The basic patrol officer hangs way too much crap on their patrol rifles, and most of the time, all this stuff they hang on it, doesn’t equate to better accuracy down range.
Hear what I am saying prior to sharpening those pitchforks, and lighting the torches.
Patrol is the backbone of policing in the United States. They are the true first responders. No call is the same, no situation is the same. They have to be prepared for just about everything at any time. I get that. And things such as a good sling, a white light, and a QUALITY Red Dot sight are helpful. Continue reading
The FNH SCAR- 16
In late 2004, FN Herstal won the contract from the United States Special Operations Command for a new, modular, and adaptable rifle system. The FNH entry was called the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). The new rifle system offering was rumored to be slated for several different calibers, including 6.8 SPC. To date, the FNH SCAR is only available in factory form in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm. The FNH SCAR saw service with the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in the two variants, the SCAR MK16 (5.56), commonly referred to as the SCAR-L for Light, and the MK17 (7.62), commonly referred to as the SCAR-H for Heavy. In 2010, SOCOM announced that it was cancelling the MK16 program. The initial claim was that the MK16 did not do anything better than the current M4 offerings. To my knowledge, a couple of units still field the 5.56 SCAR-L in the 10.5 inch CQC variant. The SCAR family of rifles operate off of a short stroke piston system. The SCAR family of rifles are also completely ambidextrous, a bonus for left handed shooters who often are at the whim of right hand designs. Continue reading
The Modified Glock
Glocks tend to run great out of the box. They are reliable, and accurate. I have a friend who shoots a lot of 3 gun and IDPA with a completely stock Glock 17 with the plastic sights, and does it well. Some folks like to simply change out of the plastic “filler” sights that come stock, for aftermarket sights such as 10-8’s.
I like my Glocks a bit more modified. Above is a brand new Gen4 G19 that is a recent acquisition. The gun shot great out of the box, but there are changes that I like to make for my own benefit. Continue reading
Safariland QLS Hits The Two Year Mark- Review
A couple of years ago, I really wanted to get my holster away from my body a bit more, particularly when wearing a heavy winter coat. I found that a lot of times, my front sight would snag on the coat pocket on the way up.
So, I did my research and chose to go with the Safariland Quick Locking System versus a simple stand off. At the time, I didn’t realize how beneficial that would be.
I do not have a take home car due to not living in the county that I work, so I have a 10 minute commute to work each day. When I purchased my new Toyota 4Runner, I noticed that the holster was wearing on the leather. So, I started taking the holster and pistol off when in my own vehicle. Thus it has saved on the wear and tear on the leather. Extra added bonus, to say the least.
Some of my coworkers have been hesitant about the connection systems, but I have had zero problems from it. One of the neat features is that you can have multiple attach points and use the same holster in many functions, IE a belt attachment, a drop leg attachment, etc.
I have found this piece of gear to be very durable. The locking mechanism is as strong two years later, as it was the first day I attached it to this holster. I’ve encountered zero problems with it, and have nothing but praise for the system in the context I use it.
Check it out at www.safariland.com.
Hogue S&W Centennial and Polymer Bodyguard Rubber TAMER™ Grips
At the NRA Show, Pat Hogue, of Hogue Inc., dropped by the Apex Tactical/OpSpec Training Booth to chat. Pat noticed Scott Folk’s Smith and Wesson 342 sitting in the cabinet sporting the Hogue pink rubber grips. Pat went over to his booth and returned with his new Hogue S&W Centennial and Polymer Bodyguard Rubber TAMER™ Grips. Pat installed the grips and showed the latest features. It was pretty ingenious.
Finding and deciding on the grips for a Smith and Wesson J Frame isn’t always easy. Hogue has always been a good choice, and at times has been OEM for Smith and Wesson. The new TAMER grips improved on Hogue’s long winning design in a few areas. The first, and most noticeable was the molded plastic “butt cap” that was added to bottom portion of the grips. The first thing that this allows for is a smooth, snag free draw that is not being hampered by the rubber grabbing on a cover garment.
The next thing was the ability to take a round from the gun when you unload (an inert round in this case as we were inside the show), and remove the grips without other tools. Pretty slick.
The rest of the attributes the new grips bring to the table carry over from the classic Hogue design. While a little large for ankle concealment, this style Hogue makes shooting hotter +P loadings a lot more fun. Some of the small bikini grips are just no fun after the first 15 rounds or so.
Lastly, when buying from Hogue, you’re buying from a family company that stands behind their product. There is peace of mind in that alone.
More information can be found at www.getgrip.com.
Picture of the Day – The SIG P228
There was a time in law enforcement that the SIG Sauer P228 was the quintessential Fed gun. It was issued or authorized by many Federal agencies such as the FBI, and USSS. The P228 was a great handgun to carry for plain clothes assignment, as it has great balance, and could be shot very well. In modern days of plastic handgun, the P228 still has class. It truly is the benchmark of the classic SIG line.
Spot Shooting- Aim Small, Hit Small
One of the concepts I embraced many years ago was the idea that shooters aim into a larger area on any given target than what they need. Although, the phrase “Aim Small, Miss Small” is a bit cliche, it applies to high speed marksmanship. A shooter who accepts what many are taught in the academy of “Center the sights in the middle of Center Mass and you’ll do OK” are setting themselves up for nothing short of disaster when stress enters into the equation. When you accept a broad target area, it tends to also give the shooter a corona of inaccuracy that is emotionally comforting to them as Linus was about his blanket. Continue reading
Tips for Successful Force on Force Training
Force on Force is some of the most important training out there in my opinion. For those who carry a gun for defense or for work, it is the closest thing to the real thing going if done correctly. It also vets what we think will work in square range drills, against what happens against the living and breathing who shoot back. Continue reading