I went and got the SR22P two days ago as soon as I put it in my hand I fell in love. Its interchangeable grip fits right in my hand and feels great. With this gun only weighing 17.5 ounces I was shooting one handed all day there was no aching in my wrist. Just Great! So as small as the SR22P is I bet your saying there is no way this gun has any good features. Well you’re wrong… With a three dot sight system a front sight and back sight both adjustable for windage and elevation. It has a reversible blade that lets you select two white dots or a solid black blade. It also has two different interchangeable rubberized grips which allow you to switch from a slim to wide palm with no tools required. There is an underside picatinny rail with multiple cross slots for mounting of most popular accessories. The aluminum slide has serrations on the front and back for better grip a slide manipulation. That’s not it, also has a stainless steel replaceable barrel, safety/decocking lever on both sides of the gun and a magazine release lever on both sides to make it easy for releasing with both hands. How does all that sound, plus when you buy the SR22P (by the way at a very good price) I paid only $300 for mine, you get two 10 round magazines, two finger grip extension floorplates and a very nice soft case.

So to find out what the pistol might do I spent a day at the range. I brought a different variety of ammo ranging from standard-velocity, high-velocity, hollow points and federal target all functioned very well. I’m a Ruger fan anyway I like all kinds of Ruger guns but this one had a great touch to it and was a nice smooth running gun. I was standing 25 yards away shooting at my target that was 5x5 I had a 3 inch average for all rounds fired. Some loads that the gun liked better where coming in at about a 2 ½ inch range that’s very impressive. My wife stopped by, so I wanted to see if just anyone could use this gun. She was shooting 80%-90% at 25 yards on the 5x5 target, again that’s impressive. With a little adjusting the SR22 pistol was shooting wonderful so another gun built by Ruger that runs great…

When I finally got home I was ready to see how hard it would be to disassemble this gun. I found out, it takes no time at all or any tools so you can do this anywhere. Remove the magazine, clear the chamber and place the slide forward. Rotate the takedown lever fully downwards, pull the slide to the rear, lift up on the rear of the slide and remove it from the front end of the barrel. Pull the full-length guide rod and recoil spring from the gun, that’s it your done.

After this day of fun, I would recommend this gun for anybody beginners, intermediate, experts and just plain old home safety. The light weight gun is great for any size person, easy to hold and with low recoil/noise smooth to shoot. With the safety features and of course your gun lock, you should have no trouble keeping this gun in safe keeping. So always remember your gun laws and safety tips, and have fun shooting this great gun.

This is a crossword puzzle and word search book designed for the firearms enthusiast. It uses terms and names relating to firearms, their use and development, in a wide array of The Shooters Crossword Puzzle & Word Search Bookcomprehensive entries. Each crossword puzzle has correlated word searches included to help solve it. So, whether you use the term firearm, gun, or weapon; whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced puzzle solver; whether you are an expert marksman or a beginning novice; the subject matter contained here is sure to provide fun, educational, and challenging entertainment.

This book is only possible thanks to the thousands, if not millions, of people involved in firearms and the industry. That means YOU. Every effort was made to include and acknowledge as many manufacturers, production companies, organizations, and gun affiliations as possible. If you were not included in this edition, please accept this sincerest apology for the oversight… it’s a huge industry! (Thank Goodness!)

Reviews

Whatever word you choose to use, whether it is “firearm,” “gun,” “weapon,” “armament,” “pistol,” or “rifle,” you are referring to an INANIMATE TOOL! And like any other tool, firearms require proper training to be used correctly. If you dislike firearms, this book is NOT for you as it, and its contents, strongly support firearm-gun-weapon-armament-rifle-pistol enthusiasts and the Second Amendment of The United States Constitution.   

"The Shooters Crossword Puzzle and Word Search Book represents a unique method for locking important marksmanship terminology and concepts into the minds of shooters of all ages and disciplines. Whether law enforcement, sport shooter, military, or retail supplier, this fun and enjoyable Shooter Crossword Puzzle and Word Search Book will serve as a valuable learning and reference tool. I encourage you to add this valuable resource to your shooters library today."
Robert S. Walters, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)

“I am anti-gun and against war, but an avid crossword puzzle aficionado. The advent of this publication has placed firearms into the crossword puzzle arena- and quite thoroughly I may add.”
Politician, Washington D.C.

“Never have I seen an individual approach a project with more enthusiasm and a relentless pursuit of accuracy and facts then Caroline when she took on this monumental task of putting together such a comprehensive collection of firearm oriented crossword puzzles.”
Wade Irwin; 2nd Battalion, 503 Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade

“This book contains the essentials of shooting, crossword puzzles on the subject, and word searches. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in firearms.”
Bernard Stollman; Entertainment Attorney, Brooklyn, NY

“The most impressive collection of weapon terminology under one title.”
Wilson Chaplain; Firearms Specialist, Virginia Beach, VA

Sample Crossword Puzzle

Armed Response “Fundamentals of Defensive Shooting”

By David Kenik and Ralph Mroz

What is the biggest problem regarding gun safety facing gun owners today? It is the fact that many if not most do not practice or try to get additional training material. Many of our students buy a gun, practice before the CCW class and then never touch the pistol again. Then they wonder why they panic in a crisis. We stress training, training, continuing education and more training.

I have been an NRA Instructor for years and feel that I learn from every class I teach, or each time I go to the range to test equipment.  I will admit that one of my own faults is that I do not get to practice shooting skills as much as I should.  Being a Black Belt does help with close quarter drills and the tactical applications of using your hands or alternate weapons for defense. David Kenik has written Armed Response and the book is a great resource. It covers many of the issues that are not covered in most CCW courses.

This video developed by David Kenik and Ralph Mroz was very helpful because they covered the basics and many more advanced techniques. I will be showing some portions of this video in my CCW classes as Ralph Mroz is a very professional presenter and covers the topics smoothly and professionally. The advantage for showing parts of this DVD in my CCW class would be to help with consistency, and to let the students know that there are additional materials that are available at very reasonable prices.

If every student would purchase these videos and watch them, it would make me feel better that the students are trying to continue the learning process. If people are serious about protecting their family, this video series is a small price to pay for the amount of information covered. There are enough safety tips that it just might save their lives. Paying an instructor to cover all of these topics would be astronomical and they would not be able to replay the DVD for the parts that additional practice.

The some of the topics covered included: “Gun Safety on the Street”; “Handgun Fundamentals”;  “Reloading”; “Magazine Management”; “Different Carry Positions”; “Tactical Draw”; “Malfunction Clearing Skills”; “Sighted and Non-Sighted Firing”; “One-Handed Manipulations and Shooting”; “Accuracy”; and “Stopping Power”.

The first topics of Gun Safety were well done. Ralph goes through the normal gun safety rules and describes what the street rules for safety would be.  One of the best examples is the rule to always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. This is one of the most important rules of gun safety, but they have added; “touch the trigger finger to the pistol on the slide”. Practicing this addition to the rule will allow the subconscious and the muscle memory to retain when the finger is off the trigger. If the finger is just held off the trigger, you would not get in the habit or remember to do the same thing every time.  

Many instructors say that you fight as you train, and you should train as you would want to fight. Adding this simple but effective tip has the potential to save lives. This would help stop people from pulling their sidearm and putting their finger right on the trigger, therefore opening the possibility to accidently discharge the firearm before the target was acquired. The missed bullet could be into the concealed carry person’s leg, or an innocent bystander. This also applies to re-holstering the sidearm.

They also cover the fact that a safe shot on the range is so much easier to determine…it is down range and into the embankment. In the street there are so many additional factors that need to be taken into consideration.  Just acquiring your target, the bad guy, may not be that easy. You may have an innocent bystander behind the bad guy. Moving to the right or left may eliminate the problem with the target acquisition. Practicing shooting on the move is covered in the other video “Tactics and Techniques for Defensive Shooting”.

The Speed Load and Tactical Load was very interesting and had some key take away issues. All reloads should be “Speed Loads”.  The reason is because the speed load drops the magazine and quickly reloads the firearm. The tactical reload is a little more cumbersome and is usually used when there is a “lull” in the firefight. The shooter would drop the magazine from the firearm even with live rounds still in the magazine, and fill the handgun with the full magazine. The next step would be to drop the partially spent magazine into your pocket. They contend that most shootings are under 5 shots and if you have time to do a tactical load, you may want to drop the magazine as you would in a speed load and scan the area around you. If you verify that the area is secure, then pick up your additional magazine and place in your pocket. I liked the idea of practicing only one kind of reload in a crisis. 

I also liked some of the recommendations for magazine management. Keep your practice magazines separate from your magazines that you carry every day.  They also recommended changing the springs at least once a year, and marking or labeling the magazines. This will help you keep the practice magazines from getting mixed up with the carry magazines.

We have several churches in that have had a lot of students come through our CCW classes. Some of the churches take it even more seriously by having practices in the church to help with how to move to acquire targets while minimizing innocents being hurt.  In fact our last course had a lot of students from my own church. We had a “blast” and I am thrilled that more people are taking the necessary steps to protect our families and churches.  The entire series would be excellent for church members to purchase before they go to the range for key safety tips, and shooting drills.

As a Concealed Carry Instructor I will be recommending these to my students for continued education regarding CCW issues.  These will be made available to them at the time of the class. We have found that people who are serious about protecting their families want to learn from the pros. I would like to personally thank David Kenik for contacting us about Armed Response “Tactics and Techniques for Defensive Shooting”.  I have enjoyed talking with him, and I am very grateful for what David and Ralph are doing for the shooting community.

We will be covering other videos from David and Ralph as well. You can purchase this video, as well as all of the other videos at Armed Response.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range – Clark.

Kimber Ultra Carry

Carryconcealed.net headed to the range to try out the Kimber Ultra Carry .45 ACP. It is a compact 1911 with a 3 inch barrel and 7 +1 carry capacity.  One of our CCW class students had just purchased it as his primary carry pistol. Mike owns a restaurant and has been concerned about safety and security at home and at the restaurant.  We invited his wife and other CCW students to come out and have a practice session at the range while testing the Ultra Carry.  Mike lives a city that is ranked 2^nd in the United States for restaurant robberies and he does not want to become a statistic.

While Mike has shot guns all of his life, he has not shot in many years and needed the practice. I was pleasantly surprised how well he was able to place close groups at 7, 10 and 15 yards. We also worked with his wife to help get her used to the pistol even though she did not go through the CCW class. It is recommended that everyone in the house practice with the firearms and understand gun safety.  She was able to shoot the pistol, but she wants to look for a smaller caliber and possibly a revolver.

Mike picked the Kimber because of the Kimber brand name and the fact that he wanted a larger caliber defense pistol.  The duties of a restaurant owner required that the handgun be easily concealed as not to upset patrons, and let the bad guys know that he was able to defend himself.

Pictured on the left is a close up of the target that MIke was shooting. Notice the nice grouping and the head shots done in rapid fire drill. I enjoyed shooting the Kimber and found that it was almost identical to my Springfield Arms Micro Compact. We compared sizes and styles to find that there were very few differences. The Springfield Arms Micro Compact has a larger beaver tail, and mine has night sights. My Micro Compact is 6 +1 and I have to be careful not to mix the shorter magazine in with my full sized 1911 magazines as they will NOT work in the full size 1911 handgun. One advantage to using a Micro .45 as a primary side arm is that you can leave full sized magazines in your truck or in strategic parts of your home or place of business.

Shooting a Micro .45 does give a little more recoil, and is tougher to get tight groups at a longer distance. The advantage is that it is easier to conceal, and felt easier to bring on target in close quarter drills than a full sized 1911. The Carryconcealed.net team gives the Kimber Ultra Carry a 5 out of 5 stars as a concealed handgun. It would make an excellent primary as well as a backup sidearm should you require one. Especially if you are already carrying a full sized 1911.

Stats:

Total length: 6.8 Inches

Stainless Steel Slide

3 inch barrel

Low profile sights

Trigger pull (as tested) 5.1 lbs.

Anyone looking to defend themselves, should take a serious look at the Kimber family of products. If you are looking to conceal a larger caliber handgun, the Kimber Ultra Carry is an outstanding value. MIke is pictured on the left with his wife. She did not have any problem with the kick, but she said that she would like to shop for a lower caliber handgun. We worked with her shooting other pistols to help see what kind she liked.

Happy Trails and Keep the Lead Down Range – Clark

Springfield Arms XD Sub-Compact 40 S&W.

I have been asked my many students and friends over the years what guns I recommend, and that starts the questions. What are you going to defend? Where are you going to carry? How much have you shot in your life? Are you able to pull the trigger and take a life in order to defend your family?

Gun selection is very personal, and I recommend that you take the time and pay for an instructor to take you to the range to try out different types of guns before you buy one. Then get to the range with the instructor to practice. Just taking the CCW class does not mean that you are able to defend your family.

Many of my recommendations have been for the Springfield Arms XD family of pistols. I do not personally carry them, but I do carry the Springfield Arms 1911 family of handguns.  Those that have purchased the XD family have all been pleased, including my dentist. When you pull the trigger it goes boom, and it is easy to aim.

We went to the range to test the Springfield and work with a CCW student. Jeff has delayed buying a pistol for years, but joined the current rush considering the political climate. He took the course and filled out the paper work the day after the class. While this is not normal, it shows you that he was serious about getting his permit. He also was wondering how to carry a pistol on his Harley. This brings up other questions of what type of holster and where you are going to carry your CCW. Jeff’s wife and other students also liked shooting the pistol and it was not too tough for the women to pull the action back to load a round. Jeff is pictured on the left working with his wife.

I enjoyed shooting the XD 40 S&W, and found that the sights were very easy to quickly acquire and the ability to shoot tight groups was very easy. The trigger pull at 6.1 lbs was smooth each and every time. The “Square” feel to the pistol feels like a Glock, but has additional safety features that the Glock does not have. Do not get me wrong, Glocks’ are great firearms, but I also judge equipment by the company that manufactures the equipment. Springfield Arms has been good to work with over the years, but sometimes you cannot even get a return phone call from Glock. Pictured on the left is Jeff and Mike, another student, in a "Shoot Off" between the Kimber Ultra Carry and the Springfield XD. They were both able to shoot tight groups, and we had to declare it a tie between the two pistols.

Stats shot at the range:

Caliber 40S&W

Magazines: 1-9 Round Compact and 1-12 with the grip extension

Sights: Dovetail front and rear steel.

Trigger Pull: 6.1 lbs.

Total Length: 6.25 inches

California legal model is: XD9822SP06.

Do not rule out the XD in the 9mm rounds. The stats are almost the same except the caliber and the amount of rounds. The compact is 1 -10 and the magazine with the extension is 1 -16. If you cannot get out of trouble in 16 or 17 shots, you are in some deep doo doo.  The California legal model is: XD9821SP06.

The Carryconcealed.net team gives the Springfield Arms XD 40S&W a 5 out of 5 for a concealed carry weapon. It was easy for new shooters, and experienced shooters admired the workmanship.

Happy Trails and Keep the Lead Down Range – Clark

Armed Response “Tactics and Techniques for Defensive Shooting” Video by David Kenik and Ralph Mroz.

Carrying a concealed weapon is a great responsibility. As Spiderman’s Uncle said: “With great power comes great responsibility”.  We always recommend that people follow the laws of their state, get training and the proper permits. The biggest problem with concealed carry permit holders that we see is that they do not practice or look for additional training materials.

David Kenik contacted us and asked us to review Armed Response “Tactics and Techniques for Defensive Shooting”. This was a great honor as I have been recommending his book “Armed Response” for my CCW students. The book is a great resource and covers many of the issues that are not covered in some CCW courses. Pictured on the right is Ralph Mroz talking about "Pieing Cover". This is a tactic that is used to look around cover objects while maintaining maximum coverage for your protection.

We sat down over the Holidays and watched it. I then had to watch it again by myself and take notes. It was a training video that was presented in a format that was interesting and informative. Family members that did not know much about CCW and experienced CCW permit holders found the information useful. Everyone found different takeaway points, but we all learned from the video.

The topics covered included defense for your home, car and public places. Ralph Mroz also goes into great detail the basics of carrying a concealed weapon. They include carrying a cell phone, what to do after a shooting, backup weapons, de-escalation, close quarters, where to shoot, multiple targets (gangs), why a hand gun rather than a shot gun for home defense, cover and concealment, and holding a person at gun point. These are not all of the topics, but some of the key issues that are demonstrated as well as discussed.

Five of the key takeaways that I found were mind set, backup weapons, multiple adversaries, what to do after an incident, and most important; de-escalation issues. First when Ralph was talking about the “mind set for carrying a firearm” is something that many people do not consider before they start carrying a handgun for protection. In the video he states that just because you have a gun does not mean that you have the ability or desire to shoot someone in defense of you or your loved ones. You may not even have the skills that are required even if you have the mental mind set required.

The second issue regarding the discussion of backup weapons was right on target. Ralph states that a back up firearm can be a smaller version of your primary firearm, or a small revolver carried on your weak side. This allows for either hand to be able to access a firearm in case of injury or circumstances. The advantage for carrying a smaller revolver for a back up is the reliability of the revolvers, and if you need to arm someone else in your party a revolver is much easier to use. I personally use a couple of backup firearms such as the Tarus 357 2 inch barrel, Springfield Arms Micro compact, or the Bond Arms Snake Slayer 45 Longcolt or 410. We did note that you need to check with your state laws regarding backup weapons. Some States only allow you to carry the pistol that you have associated with the CCW permit. They may not allow a backup firearm.

Third is something you hope to never face, and that is multiple adversaries. I found this interesting and needed in this day of gangs. They point out that you should shoot each adversary once and then scan back to see if you are still in danger. Focusing on one target with multipule shots might leave you open for getting shot from one of the other adversaries.

Fourth, they bring up some great points about after the incident occurs. If you have just been in a life or death situation and your adrenaline is still kicked in, you may not be able to get the facts correct when you are trying to tell the Police what happened. Be brief in your explanations to the Police, warn them of any danger in the area such as other assailants, or guns that the bad guys have dropped, and shut up. They also recommend already having an Atty picked out and do not talk to the Police in great detail until you have time to calm down and have your Atty present. Co-operation with the Police in the aftermath is critical. You may be treated as a bad guy and handcuffed until the Police can figure out the details. If they tell you to drop your gun – DROP IT! Obey all instructions from the Police.

Fifth is probably one of the most critical parts of carrying a concealed weapon. De-escalation. They tell you that the best gun fight is the one that you do not have to be in. Avoidance of an armed response is the best solution and it should only be used only as a last resort.  

As a Concealed Carry Instructor I will be recommending these to my students for continued education regarding CCW issues.  These will be made available to them at the time of the class. We have found that people that are serious about protecting their families want to learn from the pros. I would like to personally thank David Kenik for contacting us about Armed Response “Tactics and Techniques for Defensive Shooting”.  I have enjoyed talking with him, and I am very grateful for what David and Ralph are doing for the shooting community.

We will be covering other videos from David and Ralph this week as well. You can purchase the video at Armed Response.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range – Clark.

Many of our students are from local churches. They have found that their Bible Covers work as a great external holster. They suggested getting Bible Covers with two pouches. One for the Bible, and one for the small handgun. With a small frame semi-automatic and your Bible in the cover, you cannot tell that there is a hand gun in the cover.

There are several major concerns for carrying a legally concealed handgun. The first is if your state allows CCW permit holders to carry in churches. Arkansas is an example of a state that does not allow CCW permit holders to carry within the church. The second is that it is a hand held cover and you cannot ever let it get out of your hands. If you set it down and walk away, you may find yourself in some legal trouble by leaving a firearm unattended. The third is that you must be more "Situationally Aware". We tried drawing from the second zippered pouch at the range, and found that there is not any easy way to get a fast draw. It should be considered as a deep concealed method of carrying.

We found our Bible Cover at BibleCovers.com. We selected the Leather Multipocket Cover X-Large, and have been carrying to church for several months. While it does not have a specific holster pouch, the second pocket holds small frame auto's very nicely. It also holds 2 to 3 additional magazines with out adding too much bulk. It has been very comfortable not worrying about what holster to ensure concealment in Church, and nobody has ever given the Bible Cover a second glance. I make sure that it does not ever leave my hand, and I am grateful for the other church goers to suggest a comfortable way to be prepared even at Church.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range. - Clark  

Several months ago we posted the article on the Bond Arms “Texas Defender”. We got a call from Gordon Bond of Bond Arms several weeks ago. He was very pleased with the reference business that he had gotten from Carryconcealed.net. Gordon then asked us to test out the new Snake Slayer and let him know what we thought. Not only did he send one in, he had Carryconcealed.net engraved in the barrel. I will have to tell you that that was one of the coolest gestures anyone has ever done for me. Having my company name engraved on the barrel was a very classy gesture from a great company. Let me tell you that when working with gun manufactures, the attitude of the company starts at the top. We have been very privileged to work with the Bond Arms company and all of their employees reflect the positive attitude of the Bonds. Knowing that your life is on the line, and that the CCW gun you pick is backed by people who care plays a large part of my decison to carry a particular brand of handgun.

When I was picking up the Snakeslayer at the local FFL, the owner had indicated that they had been selling a ton of them to outdoors men. One even picked one up for a backup side arm while fishing in bear country shortly before I picked mine up. The flexibility of the Snakeslayer being able to shoot .45 Long Colt,.410 Shotshells or slugs is very important when considering this well made derringer for a backup or a companion in the back woods.

Bond Arms as a company has taken the derringer to a new level by adding the accessories that add to the flexibility of the handgun and bring the Snakeslayer from the backwoods to the serious concealed carry individuals. The driving holster has a Velcro flap that folds through the belt and back over the holster for a secure fit on the hip. The position is great for drivers and the holster held on the left side or cross draw is great for the driver, as the seat belt does not interfere with the draw.  While going through the tests and wearing the Snakeslayer I used the shoulder rig, driving rig and strong side holster. We also used a leg holster that was designed for a small revolver and worked great. We are getting the specification to Gordon to help with some of the future accessories offered by Bond Arms.

As a long time 1911 carrier in a shoulder rig, and strong side holster, the lighter weight of the Snakeslayer was a nice change, while still carrying a handgun with enough stopping power.

Snakeslayer Specifications as tested

Barrel:	3 1/2 "
Weight:	22 oz.
Length:	5 1/2 "
Stocks:	Extended Custom Rosewood
Sights:	Bladefront and Fixed Rear
Features:	• 3 1/2" barrel • Interchangeable Barrels • Automatic Extractor ••••(EXCEPT FOR 9mm,40S&W,10mm and .45 ACP) • Rebounding Hammer • Retracting Firing Pins • Crossbolt Safety • Spring-Loaded Cammed Locking Lever ••••(for a tighter barrel/frame fit and Rapid loading and unloading) • Trigger guard • Stainless Steel with Satin Polish Finish
Calibers:	.410/45LC with 3" chambers

Shooting Tips for the Bond Arms Derringer

While going through the testing, and talking with Gordon Bond, we found several tips that will help shorten your learning curve with the Bond Arms Derringers. The trigger actually pulls back and down. If the trigger is pulled straight back, the trigger pull is about 11 to 12 pounds. If the shooters pulls down and back in the same motion the trigger pull drops to 3.5 to 4 pounds. This is significant with the short barrel of the Snakeslayer. That helps keep the barrel from being pulled down and lowering the shot.

The second major trick is to cycle the Derringer to ensure that the bottom barrel fires first. The lower barrel has the recoil that fires directly back into the shooters palm. You can tell which barrel the Derringer is going to fire by looking at the hammer and the moving portion of the hammer. In your right hand make sure the Derringer is unloaded and pull the hammer back. The moving hammer selector will be above the rounded portion of the back of the heel if the upper barrel will shoot first. If it is shooting the lower barrel first it will be below the curve. Because the Derringer is a solid handgun the recoil is lessened. When shooting the second or top barrel, place the Wing or Blade about the distance between your knuckles and your elbow lower than your target. This is because the top barrel has a little difference in how the kick handles. Using this technique we were able to get consistent groups using .410 slugs as well as .45 Long Colt hollow points. When using 3 inch .410 shot shells it does not matter as anything in front of your target zone is hit.

 We had fun testing the Snakeslayer at the United States Shooting Academy. Bret Kennedy, Director of Marketing, came over to see how our testing was going. We took the opportunity to put Bret right on the line and see what he thought about the Bond Arms Derringer. His first comment was “Wow”. Bret’s second comment was this was an outstanding backup handgun. He would know about guns being the Marketing Director for a 7 million dollar shooting facility. Kyle, one of our Active Duty Marine Testers was also on hand and was shocked to see that there was not one square inch that was not hit when the B27 target was shot from 15 feet. Pictured on the left you can see the holes in the B27 target. Kyle noted that because the Bond Arms Derringer was so well made and solid that the recoil was not noticed, and using the shot shells made hitting the target “Fisher Price Easy”.

 The workmanship of the Snakeslayer is typical of the Bond Arms derringers. It is by far the best derringer on the market today. It is easy to use and has such great engineering that the gun will last several lifetimes. This is the one gun that every outdoorsman with a CCW permit should own. It is flexible enough that every serious CCW permit holder should have as a back up or as a primary handgun when discretion with power is required.

Bond Arms Newest Member To The Family Bond Arms is not stopping with the Snakeslayer. They have just announced the Ranger. The Ranger is a must own, way cool, package that includes the Ranger with the star handles and a “Driving” holster. This has to be one of the best anti-car jacking defense guns manufactured. It would compare with the Taurus Judge. The main difference would be the size. The judge is a great “anti-car jacking” gun, but it is significantly larger. We have found that there is a correlation between the size of the gun and whether or not it is carried. A large cool gun that is too big to carry does not do any good when it is left at home.

The Bottom Line

Bond Arms has taken the Derringer to the next level. It really is “Anytime Anywhere” as a solid back up CCW handgun, or a discrete handgun with attitude. When you order a Bond Arms Derringer, do not forget the holsters. The holsters are quality and complete the total CCW package for those with legal CCW Permits.

Happy Trails and Keep the Lead Down Range. Clark - Carryconcealed.net

About Bond Arms

BOND ARMS, INC. is located in Granbury, Texas and manufactures the award-winning Bond Arms derringer –The company tag line is "the finest in double barrel protection."

Ed McGivern lived from 1874 to 1957 and was from Lewistown, Montana. He is a world renowned shooter. He owns a Guinness world record for five shots into a target smaller than a half-dollar in under a half a second.  Ed also was a supporter of long distance shooting with the 357 revolver at ranges up to 600 yards. My Son and I have practiced at the 100 range with 1911’s and have had good luck. It is more like lobbing than target practice. I could not even imagine hitting a target at 600 yards with a 357 magnum pistol.

• He could break six simultaneously hand thrown clay pigeons (standard trap targets) in the air before they hit the ground.
• He could hit a tin can hand thrown 20 ft. in the air six times before it hit the ground.
• He could shoot-drive a tack or nail into wood.
• He could shoot the spots out of playing cards, or even split a playing card edge on.
• He could shoot a dime on the fly.

I am a 1911 fan and for many years have carried semi-automatics rather than revolvers.  After many years, I finally looked at revolvers for backups and primary carry when a smaller frame is required for discretion.   I have settled on several models like the Taurus 357 snub nose, or the Smith and Wesson Airweight .38. I have 3 or 4 great holsters that allow for very discreet carry.  If you are going to carry a gun, we believe that you must practice with the handgun while drawing from the holster, purse, or method of carry.  

I was looking for training materials and found Ed McGiverns book. Ed has detailed information of learning the quick draw, practice drills, law enforcement drills, long range pistol shooting, hip shooting and trigger control.

“When any person can develop and consistently maintain perfect trigger control, perfect scores will usually be the result, for the reason that under such conditions there necessarily must be a regular and consistently uniform result. Perfect trigger control means squeezing the trigger very carefully and properly at all times, while the holding is exactly right and when correct alignment of the sights assures the shooter that the gun is in a perfect position in relation to the object, …”

There are good teaching items in the book for any CCW instructor looking for some tips to teach their students, and there is a lot of information for the general gun enthusiast. While I still prefer my 1911, I have become more of a revolver fan in the last few years. When you’re selecting a pistol that best fits your needs, do not forget to look at the revolver. Ask your local instructor for his opinion and even get him or her on the range to help show you the differences.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range – Clark.

The BELTSTER was introduced in 1996 is called the "Ultimate Daily-Carry Concealment Rig". This is the only belt-integrated system. We were interested in giving this CCW system a try and called Scott Key at Bandera Gunleather and ordered one in for testing. Scott was very knowledgeable about the sizing and how to measure an exact fit. After receiving the system we went to the range and also tried it out durring normal daily wear and tear.

The holster is sown into the belt and the additional magazine holder slides on. For our test we had the 1 ¾ burgundy belt with the additional magazine pouch. We tested the holster with 4 or 5 1911 configurations. The picture is showing the Springfield Arms Micro Compact .45. One of the patrons at the gun club commented that it made the 1911 look like a Walker, Texas Ranger rig. They were very quick to comment that the belt looked like Walker would wear it, not that I looked like him.

Strengths: 1: The belt allowed for a quick smooth draw; 2: The wide belt held the 1911’s close to the hip and were easy to conceal even with a T-shirt; 3: Mag pouch was very comfortable and matched to give the rich appearance of a quality holster system; 4: The belt was sized so well that the fit kept the gun in position even during daily chores.

Weakness: The only real weakness that we found that it was so comfortable, that it is easy to forget that you have it on your hip. CCW Permit holders need to make sure that if they do wear the BELTSTER at home or around the office that you do not forget to cover the gun when going out in public. For Detectives or for those authorized to wear in the open they would not need to worry about this issue.

Bandera Gunleather has other products and based upon this evaluation, we will be buying the other products. Top quality hand crafted products are something to be proud. Bandera has a real winner with this product and we will be recommending it to all of our CCW Permit students. For our reviewers they gave it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Bandera Gunleather

PO Box 1689

Bandera, Texas 78003

830 612 3909

http://www.banderagunleather.com/

BELTSER: $75

Additional Mag Pouch $45

Other products include: Egg Panckake, Speed Scabbard, Blackhawk Field, IWB –Colt & Rugers SAs

CovertCarrier is the GOLD STANDARD for Total Weapons Concealment. This is the tag line for the company and after trying two of them out, we might just agree.

When visiting with Jim Wakefield about his products I was only kind of excited about trying out the CovertCarrier products. He had described how he had started the business and was having fun selling the attachments that help small and medium frame firearms be able to "disappear" on legal CCW Permit holders. Well being in the business I was getting more interested. We talked about how the CovertCarrier is a device that allows a metal clip to extend over the handle and allow the firearm to be worn inside the waistband. After hearing how excited he was about his products, I caught the bug and really wanted to try them out.

We tried the products on the Beretta Bobcat .22LR and the Kahr K9 9mm. I have carried both firearms for years and have had good luck with both. The Beretta Bobcat is very picky about the ammunition and performs flawlessly when used with the CCI Stinger .22 Long rifle rounds. If the low cost bulk ammunition is used, it does not function every time getting jams often. The Kahr K9 has night sights and is very light.

Kahr K9:

The installation on the Kahr K9 was about as easy as it gets. Even with out reading the directions, the sleeve fit on the to the handle nice and snug. It allowed for a very tight fit and the actual clip did not cause any problems with holding or even firing the handgun. After wearing the K9 in shorts, sweats, formal pants and even in a sports coat I was very impressed. I have a safe in my office that holds most of my conceal guns at the ready. This allows me to have the holsters in a pile next to the safe and the handguns locked up. During the testing of these products it was odd pulling the K9 out and not reaching for the holster to go with it. It started to become a time saver to just grab the K9 and run out the door.

My wife looked at it and even commented that it would help her keep the K9 at the top of her purse with out having to use a holster or a purse designed for CCW Permit Holders. Her other comment was that she was pleased that I was taking less time "Accessorising " when we would go out. When visiting with Jim Wakefield about this type of option, he recommended that people carry on their person and not in purses or bags. He stated that they can be left some where or even taken from you in a scuffle.

We went to the range to shoot the K9 and see if  the CovertCarrier would impede or cause a problem. After the tests we were very pleased. The CovertCarrier could be felt on the palm of the hand, but did not cause any problems when shooting. To validate this we even asked on of the members at the Oil Capitol Gun Club that we had not met before. Ron Lambeth was there shooting his four 1911 .45’s. He was interested in what we were doing, so we let him shoot the K9 with the CovertCarrier. He was very impressed and I almost did not get the handgun back. He was trying to buy it with the CovertCarrier. Ron said that it was light and he did not even notice the CovertCarrier when shooting. Watching him hit the center mass every time let me know that he knew what he was doing. He had been a member at the club for over 15 years.

So if a complete stranger, who appears to be an expert, wants to buy the handgun after shooting with the CovertCarrier; that  just about sums it up for us.

Beretta Bobcat:

This is very cool upgrade. The entire panel on the handle lifts off and is replaced with the new CovertCarrier panel. It was an easy install and we were able to accomplish this very easily. The only problem is that the new panel looks new. The Bobcat that we have has been used for many years. It is one of the handguns that is used by our family often when discretion matters. Even though our motto is to use the highest caliber handgun you can safely control; it is better to have a .22 than nothing at all.

Pictured below is the old panel taken off with the new CovertCarrier panel on the side. Two screws and it was re-mounted in about 5 min. The picture on the right shows the panel installed and ready for action.

During the shooting portion of our testing with the Bobcat, it did not cause any issues at all. We did not even really notice the extended clip when shooting. We even did several rapid fire drills to check to see if we it would make a difference. None of the testers noticed. It was like the CovertCarier "Holster" was not even there. This allowed the Bobcat to be carried with out the additional width of a holster.

When you are trying to be discrete, even the width of the holster may make a difference.

Models supported:

BERETTA Panel Replacements fit the following handguns:

1.) Tomcat

2,) Bobcat

3.) 21a 

NAA Panel Replacements fit the following handguns:

1.) NAA Guardian 25

2.) NAA ACP 32

3.) NAA Guardian 32

4.) NAA Guardian 380

A) Small Sleeve Applications:

• Accutec Colt 32, 380 Gov. & Mustang Davis Intratec Jennings Kel-Tec P32, P-3AT & PF-9 Raven Rohrbaugh R-9 Seecamp 25, 32 and 380 S&W model 61 Taurus tip ups Walther PP

B) Large Sleeve Applications:

• AMT: Back-up 9mm & 45 Bersa Thunder 32, 380 CC, Thunder 380 Cobra: Patriot Glock: 26, 27, 33, 36, 38, 39 (Baby Glocks and Slim Line Models) H&K: PSP, P7, P7M8, P7K3 Kahr: CW 9, PM 9, MK 9, CW 40, PM 40 & K-40 or 45 Kel-tec: P-11, P-39, P40, Makarov 9MM SIG: 232/380 S&W CS9/9mm Skyy 380, 9MM Taurus: Millenium PT 145, PT 140, PT 111 and Millenium Pro 45 Walther: P 22, PPK, or PPK S

While we only tried two of the CovertCarriers products we had to give these two a 5 out of 5 stars. This product is a great tool for anyone that truly carries every day. We are looking forward to trying the other larger frame products as well.

This type of product will change how you plan on carrying the firearm. As many people are casual in shorts and can not figure out a way to hide a handgun. This was the perfect answer. Please look at the directions and the suggestions for wear in the instructions and they will help you figure out where you can wear your firearm. Pictured on the left is before the "Bloused Effect". Pictured right below is the actual "Bloused Effect". It hides the CCW very nicely.

If you have any of the models listed, this is a product you need to try. They may be the GOLD STANDARD for Total Weapons Concealment, but I would call them the "Elimination of Accesorising for CCW" because you do not need to waist (Pun) time looking for the right holster.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range. Clark –Carryconcealed.net

Covert Carrier can be reached at: Covertcarrier.com

Corporate Information:

When looking for the perfect holster, don’t forget to look in luggage! While shopping at Bass Pro with my son we stumbled upon the Bob Timberlake pile of luggage, gun carrier and Toiletry Kit. Look close in the picture as you can see the Springfield Arms 1911 in the mesh. The kit has the following specifications: (1) adjustable handle loop for hanging or carrying; (2) large main compartment that expands; (3) three separate compartments that fold out; (4) heavy-duty 22-ounce waxed cotton canvas and (5) internal elastic straps. The detentions are 12"x7"4", and it has a rich feel. All right all that being said it is one of the best gun bags that I have found. It holds several 1911 .45’s and several smaller back up 357’s and .38 derringers at the same time. The entire bag has been put into easy compartments for toiletries. This translates into great pockets for keeping your gun equipment in separate pockets. The kit was $39.99 and is a great gift for any person with a CCW permit, and travels. - Clark

 Henry Repeating Arms U.S. Survival .22

The U.S. Survival .22 has a very interesting past and is on of the "Cool" guns to own. The AR 7 was the original design by Eugene Stoner. This was issued in the US Air Force for use in the large life rafts for extended water disasters. The entire gun weighs in at a whopping 2.5 lbs. The barrel, receiver and two magazines fit into a watertight compartment in the stock. It uses the .22 LR caliber bullet and has an 8 round magazine capacity. There are larger capacity magazines available, and they will be on a future list of items to try. This has been a steady companion on many camping trips with my family for years. The rifle and the .22 rounds are very light and ensure you will not be uncomfortable when  it is tossed into the backpack for the day. Because it is watertight it will also work on canoes, boating or other camping trips. (Ever been tent camping in the rain?) Do not discount the fact that it is a .22. It is very accurate from 25 to 50 yards. In an emergancy the rifle could bring down small game. We all have seen reports this year of people in survival situations, and wondered how we would perform in a simular circumstance.  We would not recommend using this when facing larger predators, it would be better to have a larger caliber defense tool. We as a family have tried the black and silver finish. I personally like the black because it looks "cool" but the silver is easier to find in a backpack.

Specifications: 2.5 lbs.; ABS Plastic Stock; Semi-automatic; two 8 round magazines come with the gun; and it comes in three different finishes. We have used the low cost .22 rounds and have been pleased with performance. Some .22 Semi-automatic rifles that we have used are more prone to jamming. Pictured above we are at the 100 yard range testing. Great patterns at 25 and OK patterns at 50 yards was very impressive. Our 100 yard shooting verified that this would be a close, small game rifle. There is a spot for a scope and we will update this after testing with scope and a case for the scope. This is a 5 out of 5 stars for a gun to throw into a backpack, car or boat.

When using for defence and survival, use the more expencive CCI Stinger bullets rather than the "bulk" .22 rounds. We have had a few jams,  but the cheaper ones are ok for "plinking".

When my father saw that we had picked one up for camping, he had to have one. So when you go to your local shop to order or pick one up be prepared to buy 2. Overall this is a great "Must Have" "Cool" gun for any outdoors family.  - Clark

http://www.henryrepeating.com/h002_survival.cfm

This is a question that we get over and over. First you can not use it as a CCW handgun, and with out a doubt the best home defense is a dog and a 12 Ga. We however did not want to stop there, but rather wanted to check out why people are asking about the AK-47.

The AK-47 or just AK is officially called the "Avtomatt Kalashnikov". Mikhail Kalashnikov was a tank commander in the Red Army in WWII and sketched the design that would later become the single most manufactured gun in the history of man. It is reported that over 100 million AK’s have been manufactured.

Kalashnikov has been quoted as saying;" I am proud of my invention, but I am sad that it is used by terrorists."

We all have seen pictures of the jihadist shooting the AK with the distinctively curved magazine in the air. The shape is one of the most recognizable figures in the world. In fact if it were a brand, it I bet that it would be in the top 10 of the most recognized items in the world. This brings up a large point. There is a stereo type of people who use this rifle. We do not think of the good armies of the world that use them, we only paint pictures of the bad guys and what they have done to innocent women and children. So if you were to step out of your house with an AK on your shoulder, the odds of you being recognized as a local police reservist is zero. The odds are that people will think that you are a terrorist and up to no good.

The truth of the matter is that many law abiding Americans had chosen to protect themselves with the AK-47. It is not a matter of identifying with the terrorists, but rather a situation of economics. At almost any gun dealer that sells AK’s, they range in price from $295.00 to $1000 and the average going price is around $425.00. This includes two thirty round magazines and a bayonet. If you wanted to protect your self with an American made rifle that would be comparable would start around the $800 range for the base rifle and you would end up paying up to $2000 for the features that you would want. So for the good and patient shopper you could get three or four AK’s and ammunition for the price of one AR-15. Both the American made counter part and the AK would be semi-automatic as we did not get into the economics of the fully auto versions.

Even with a semi-auto that fires the 762x39 round we were able to put 200 rounds down range in less than 3 min. The "practical" rate of fire for the semi-automatic would be around the 40 to 50 rounds per minute. This would allow for aiming and not "spraying’. We could have put a lot more lead down range if we were wanting to put down "cover fire". The AK cycled as fast as we could pull the trigger, and one of the only factors that slowed us down was the heat coming off of the rifle. Now how accurate we were was very disappointing. The rifle was very inaccurate and we had to really slow down and work to get any kind of pattern on paper. A pattern is defined as a design like a smilie or a straight line. One of our Carryconcealed.net testers is a United States Marine and he was able to get tighter groups when concentrating on slow but accurate shots. Some of his groups were no larger than a 50-cent piece. The amount of heat was staggering. He was also able to compare this to the M4 as well as the M16. Both were more accurate, but had more jamming issues when dirty.

The 762x39 round is quite impressive on its own. It is very powerful and also fairly affordable. The average load travels at 2,300 feet per second and has an estimated range of 300 yards. Pictured above is testing at the 100 yard range. We did not hit many on the targets, but had fun. We have not been able to find many brass rounds in the affordable areas, but we have found plenty of the steel cases that can not be reloaded. These are not always the best rounds, and you have to really clean your firearm after shooting, but they help make "Plinking" more affordable.

While this is not a gun the CCW community would carry with a permit, it is one that people are asking us about for home defense. I would personally recommend a combination of a dog, a 1911 .45 caliber handgun and a shotgun. But for those that want a little more firepower and can not afford the AR-15, the AK would be a good defense gun. The ultimate goal of any sane gun owner is not to get into a gunfight, but rather just have them available as a defense tool if the occasion should ever arise. We have seen what happened in Louisiana when the police illegally picked guns up from law-abiding citizens. The neighborhoods that were able to keep their guns, and work together as a community were able to survive. This may happen to any neighborhood in the country. In that case I would want some one in the neighborhood that was a law abiding upstanding citizen to have one, and be there to help our elderly and weak from being victims when the law enforcement agencies could not be there to help. Pictured above is our Marine tester changing a magazine during the range tests. We found that even semi-autos can pump a lot of lead down range, as it would cycle as fast as your finger would pull the trigger. Does everyone need one….I do not think so, as most people do not practice and would only shoot themselves or me. Don’t’ get me wrong, I would like to have one as they are fun and affordable to shoot at the range. Clark – Carryconcealed.net

Update: After writing this article I was reading in the paper and saw that 3 armed men broke into a house and were stoped with a home owner with an AK47. They were not charged and were able to defend themselves. "Sentinel, Orlando, Fl."

Additional Resources.

Read for more information: AK-47 by Larry Kahaner "The Weapon That Changed The Face Of War". It is a good book for anyone that has questions about the history and the impact that has forever changed the world.

Another good forum with the difference between 223 for the AR-15 and the 762x39 is:

Outdoorsbestforum

A good manual to disassemble the AK-47 is available from Gun-Guides. It is titled "AK-47 AKM & All Variants". Gun-Guides.com

I had the pleasure today of shooting my Taurus PT-111 Millennium Pro, a compact 9mm (Taurus calls it a "medium" frame) with a capacity of 12+1. This is my usual carry weapon, so I'm familiar with it; I only wish I could shoot more often and get tighter groups, but the cost of doing so is constant and consistent practice, and that means a lot more than I can afford in ammo costs.

The grip is comfortable at approximately 5" in circumference, and the trigger, mag release, and safety are all within relatively easy reach. (The mag release is perhaps a bit too easy to reach-In the past, I have released it while squeezing the grip a bit too tightly, but not this trip.) The sights are Heinie "Straight 8"s which took a little getting used to and required a bit of tweaking to get a bit closer to POA, and the short barrel doesn't make that any easier.

I set my target at seven yards for self-defense distance practice and loaded two mags and one in the pipe. I emptied the first mag to center mass of a half-silhouette target, and the second into (mostly) the head, then reloaded another 25 WWB 115gr. FMJ rounds, firing them rapidly to the upper portion of the 8 and 9 rings. I had only one malfunction in my test, a double-stack in my third set.

I'm not displeased with the accuracy, and I place the responsibility for any lack thereof on myself, not on any failing of the weapon or sights. There is a fair amount of felt recoil for a 9mm, but nothing uncontrollable or even difficult to accustom oneself to, and follow up shots are not at all difficult to deliver.

At just over a pound in weight, the 6 1/8 inch length and 5 1/8 inch height of the PT-111 tends to almost disappear in my IWB holster with a good belt and a loose-fitting polo shirt and jeans. It's only 1 1/8 inch wide, too, with a double-stacked mag. This is the first gun I've carried on a regular basis, but I can't imagine something being much more comfortable unless it was a mouse gun in pocket carry.

The Taurus PT-111 is also a remarkably simple gun to clean, having only the frame, the slide, the barrel, mainspring, and lock pin when disassembled. A good dose of Gunscrubber does very nicely and a bit of oil keeps it in good working order. Any further disassembly is suggested to be referred to a qualified gunsmith, which I am not. (As it happens, this is the gun used for the example at http://www.kaptain.us/guns/clean.html, although mine is of the third generation)

I enjoyed the opportunity to shoot for my own skill as well as for whatever benefit may be derived from this review.

Good luck and good shooting!

Cogito, ergo porto.

Blessings,
St. Michael

Carryconcealed.net Forum Moderator and Contributor

Taurus: http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=18&category=Pistol

Carryconcealed.net names this "The Original Homeland Defense".

45 Colt/.410 Shot Shell(rifled)
.357 MAG/.38 Spl
.357 MAX
.45 ACP
.45 Colt, Only
.45 Glock Auto
.44 Special
44-40 Winchester
.40 S&W
10 mm
9 mm Lugar
32 H & R Mag
.22 Long Rifle

• Interchangeable Barrels
••••Rebounding Hammer
• Retracting Firing Pins
• Crossbolt Safety
• Spring-Loaded Cammed Locking Lever
••••for a tighter barrel/frame fit and Rapid loading and unloading)
• Stainless Steel with Satin Polish Finish

Barrel: 3’

Weight: 19 oz.

Length: 5’

Stocks: Custom Laminated Black Ash or Rosewood

Sights: Bladefront and Fixed Rear

About Bond Arms:

BOND ARMS, INC. is located in Granbury, Texas and manufactures the award-winning Bond Arms derringer –The company tag line is "the finest in double barrel protection."

This 6-time CASS (Cowboy Action Shooting Society) world champion was originally organized under the name Texas Armory. The company became incorporated as Bond Arms in 1995 and was licensed by the BATF as a firearms manufacturer and dealer.

The company is owned by Greg Bond. Greg is a mechanical engineer and journeyman tool and die maker with 28 years manufacturing experience. He designed the product, built and tested prototypes and designed and built most of the tooling needed to begin manufacturing.

http://www.bondarms.com/

Jeff Quin of Gunblast.com was nice enough to give us permission to post this article. We have ours on order and after our law enforcement and review team tests it we will add their comments later. Jeff did a good review on this product.

Here Comes the Judge! Taurus .45/410 Revolver

by Jeff Quinn

photography by Jeff Quinn & Boge Quinn

Taurus has introduced a handgun that may just be the ideal trail gun for those of us who live, work, and play among timber rattlers, cottonmouths, copperheads, and diamondbacks. It should also prove just as useful for our Western friends who must contend with the sidewinder and the Western version of the diamondback. I don’t know which I hate more, as all are ornery when cornered, but the cottonmouth is the only snake that I have ever had personally come after me. Most snakes will slither off if they can, except for maybe the copperhead, who just lies there quietly grinning and waiting for your approach. At least the rattlers will sound off and give you a chance to soil yourself just before he sinks those fangs into your flesh. However, in my experience, the cottonmouth is downright mean.

There are those in our society who look with disdain and loathing upon those of us who kill poisonous snakes - mostly they live in nice apartments or suburban subdivisions. If they are really well-heeled they call them "estates". However, those of us who live in the Southern woods (forests, for you snake-loving high society types), for about eight months out of the year, we must keep a careful eye out for poisonous snakes as we walk amongst the chiggers, ticks, and poison oak.

I do not kill non-poisonous snakes such as black snakes and chicken snakes, for they provide a service and do no harm, unless you happen to step on one at night, at which point they might cause you to hurt yourself trying to hop around on one toe without touching the ground, which should probably be an Olympic sport in itself. However, if I find a poisonous snake around my house, I will do all that I can to kill it. I have two young grandchildren that play around here, and a snakebite could easily kill one of them, or even kill their dear old Grandpa, and I just will not risk it. Now, if some short-haired, Volvo-driving, apartment-dwelling, cappuccino-drinking, Nancy Pelosi fan club chick wants to send hateful email, let the games begin. However, I really don’t think that those women read Gunblast, so hopefully, I am safe.

I always carry a handgun, unless I am flying what was once termed the "friendly skies". When out deeper in the woods or down by the creek, I carry one loaded with shot loads if I am wandering around there during the itching season. This new Taurus is chambered for the .410 shotshell, and packs a pretty good payload of shot to reliably dispatch crawling vermin. For the vermin that walk upright on their hind legs, it also chambers and fires the .45 Colt cartridge, making this a very versatile handgun. Taurus calls this five-shot revolver "The Judge", which seems appropriate, even if the name will most likely offend the type of person referenced in the preceding paragraph. It weighs in at just under 36 ounces, and packs rather comfortably holstered on the hip or across the chest in one of Rob Leahy’s Grizzly Tuff holsters, with the latter preferred if any riding or wading is anticipated.

Patterning the .410 shotshells proved that this revolver is, as I expected, a close range proposition, which is just fine. Any farther than twelve feet away, the pattern opens rather quickly. The number 7-½ shot at that range is pretty sparse. I would have liked to have some number 9 shotshells for testing, but none was to be found. Anyway, the 7-½ penetrates better, and at normal "A SNAKE!!!" range, it does just fine. The spread is wide enough to assure a good hit, and the pattern tight enough to assure a quick kill.

I also tried some number 4 shot at closer range, and it is with larger shot such as this that The Judge becomes better suited for solving social disputes of the most unfriendly kind. I see this as an ideal weapon to keep on the car seat to quickly resolve an attempted car-jacking. When a punk jerks the car door open, a face full of number four shot should rapidly dissuade the social misfit from wanting anything to do with your car, and should also render him unable to pass the eye exam for a driver’s license for the rest of his miserable life. If this seems cruel, so be it. If someone sneaks into a parking lot and hot-wires a car, that is one thing, but if he tries to forcibly take an occupied vehicle at a traffic light, he can learn to read Braille in prison as far as I’m concerned.

I tested the penetration of the number four shot loads on some aluminum bottles (no, I did not empty them. I found them that way) and some tough cured country ham hocks. The shot completely penetrated both the lightweight bottles and the tough meat, and would surely do the same on a close range snake or small game for the pot. Anything farther than about twelve feet, and the cylinder needs to be stoked with the .45 Colt loads.

I really had no high expectations of accuracy using the .45 Colt ammo, considering the long cylinder and fixed sights with the fiber optic bead front. I was, however, very pleasantly surprised at the practical accuracy of the weapon, especially at combat ranges. After shooting the gun offhand, I wished that I had ordered an insert for my Ransom Rest to see just how accurate the gun would be without the handicap of the shooter influencing the outcome. At any rate, the Judge is not meant to be a paper-punching target revolver, but rather a practical and versatile fighting weapon. At seven yards, the five shot cylinder would place the bullets right at point of aim, and grouped tightly together. The double action trigger pull was smooth, and measured nine and one-half pounds. The single action pull measured a crisp four and three-quarters pounds, and in either mode, the Judge was a delight to shoot. Recoil was easily controlled, and the Taurus Ribber grips took any bite out of the Judge’s bark. The grip is very comfortable, and the backstrap well-padded. The Judge has the "Taurus Security System" key lock, for those who like to use it. The test gun wears a three inch barrel, but longer barrels are offered. However, I think that the three inch is the better choice for social work. It is just a lot handier. The Judge also can be purchased with either two and one-half or three inch chambers, the test gun being the former. You also have a choice of blued or stainless steel. The test gun was very well finished, with no visible flaws, and functioned perfectly with all ammo tested. The barrel/cylinder gap measured .006 inch. The ejector rod is fully shrouded, and cylinder lockup was tight. The color casehardened hammer and trigger contrast nicely with the deep blue-black finish. The Judge has a nice, business-like appearance.

I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Judge, with both shotshells and solid bullet .45 Colt ammo. It offers a lot of versatility in snake country, and can be carried for urban defense loaded with shotshells, heavy .45 Colt hollowpoints, or a combination of both. A number four shot load followed by four hollowpoints might be just about ideal for social work.

For the location of a Taurus dealer near you, click on the DEALER LOCATOR icon at: www.lipseys.com.

Check out the entire line of Taurus products at: www.taurususa.com.

To order a Grizzly Tuff holster, go to: www.simplyrugged.com.

Jeff Quinn - Gunblast.com "The On-line Magazine".

This is an excellent handgun. While many of us are not fans of the 22LR for CCW it is better to carry 22LR than to complain about a heavy handgun and not carry anything. I purchased this North American Arms handgun after having trouble hiding the larger 9mm and 45 caliber pistols in the summer. This little 22LR is very easy to wear and is light at only 5oz it is about the same weight as a pocketknife. While testing on the range you notice some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages: (1) Lightweight means that you are more likely to carry at all times; (2) Short barrel helps with a very loud shooting experience. Even if you miss your target the bad guys are going to know you have a gun; and (3) The MSRP is around $215.

Disadvantages: (1) Reloading on this handgun is not easy, as the cylinder must be removed to add additional rounds. If you need to reload this is not the carry gun for you; and (2) a well placed 22LR shot can be very deadly, but the short barrel does make accuracy difficult.

Overall rating is 4.5 stars out of 5. The quality of the handgun is very good, and the price is right. I believe that North American Arms has a real winner here. For just a few more dollars you can move to the 22Magnum which will help with the stopping power.

Way to go North American Arms. -Clark

http://www.naaminis.com/magnum.html

Personal Protection With The Power Of The SWAT Red Dot

Everyone has seen movies of SWAT teams kicking in doors and shooting the bad guys with the "Red Dot". The "Red Dot" means you are about to be shot so stop what ever you are doing and give up. We tested the Smith & Wesson 637 with the Crimson Trace Laser Sighting System. Blake from Colorado is shown putting the S&W 637 through its paces. The model tested had the following specifications:

• .38 S&W Special +P Rated
• Non-Reflective Finish For Discrete Personal Carry
• Crimson Trace^® Laser Sighting System
• Light Weight Airweight Package
• "Bodyguard" Frame

The Crimson Trace^® Laser Sighting System is built into the handle and has the official Smith and Wesson logo. It is not an after market add on to this pistol. It has a very clean and professional feel to the gun. The "Red Dot" activation is on the front of the handle easily activated by a left or right handed person. Out of the box the "Red Dot’ on our test model was 6 inches to the right and one inch too high at the 25 yard mark. This is easily changed with the two adjustment points on the handle using the tool provided in the box. Do not loose the tool, as it is very difficult to find one to match.

During our testing session we found that the red dot was very helpful in getting a good idea where your targeting, but getting the "Red Dot’ to activate and locate the target required some practice. If you do purchase any laser sighting system, practice at the range with and without the system. Practicing at home with the laser and an empty gun would also be recommend. During these practice sessions treat the gun as if it were loaded and make sure family members are behind you or out of the house. The "Red Dot" may be able to get you out of a situation with out firing the gun if the bad guys see the dot and change their behavior prior to getting shot. However, do not rely totally on the laser system, as you may not have time to turn it on or you may worry too much about activating the laser rather than shooting. Total familiarity with your home defense tool will help in any situation. Pictured is one of our female students after practicing with a lot of other pistols, and deciding on the 637.

The lightweight of the Smith and Wesson Airweight will help when you decide to carry this on a daily basis. While it is easy to carry the lightweight may cause more recoil. For women they may not want to use .38 +P loads to help with reducing recoil. Simple hollow point defense loads would work better for anyone wanting stopping power with the reduced recoil.

Retail Price: $774

Model: 637
Caliber: .38
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 1 7/8"
Front Sight: Integral Front
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Crimson Trace Laser Grips
Frame: Small - Chiefs Special Style
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 6 3/8"
Material: Alloy
Weight Empty: 15 oz.

The reviewers gave the Smith & Wesson Model 637 5 out of 5 stars on the total package of the light weight .38 and the integration of the Crimson Trace^® Laser Sighting System. We recommend that the use of laser systems in personal defense is a 3 out of 5 stars. This is due to the fact that the ‘Red Dot" may be able to get you out of a situation with out firing a shot, but most people will not practice enough to be proficient with the laser sighting system and it may be a detriment in a gun fight.

Clark - Carryconcealed.net

Pictured on the right is Scott, a reserver police officer, is one of our Carrryconcealed.net testers. We tested the Uberti 1873 Cattleman Hombre .45 caliber Revolver using the 250-grain Winchester branded ammunition. The Uberti is available on sale at Bass Pro Shops for $269.99. If you do not have a lot of money and you want some stopping power, this is the equalizer for you. If you just want to have a reproduction of the old west and shoot it occasionally, this is a bargain. There are cowboy action holsters that are more expensive than this handgun.

The 1873 Cattleman is a large part of the American Wild West. It will hold six shots and must be loaded one bullet at a time through the cover at the back of the cylinder that lifts up. Uberti added a safety to this handgun and we are not really sure that it should be called a safety. The slide rod that holds the cylinder into the handgun frame is pushed in further and therefore blocking the firing pin from coming down. This is cumbersome and should also not be trusted if your life depended on it. Just making sure that there was an empty chamber under the hammer is safer than trusting this safety feature.

The model tested was the Matte Blue, 4 ¾ inch barrel, .45 Long Colt, Single Action, Walnut Grip with a MSRP of $325. So the Bass Pro price of $269 is a good price.

Our testers were able to get good groupings at 5, and 10 yards and with practice we were improving the 15 yard tests. The 25-yard was very tough and we needed to practice to get on the paper. Pictured on the right is the Batmasterson 45. Sgt Striker helped us with this test on the range. If this is being used in a close quarter defense mode it has the stopping power, but has some limitations. The Single Action may be a problem for most people that are not familiar with the process of pulling the hammer back every time the gun needs to be shot. This will take practice and most people going through our classes admit they do not practice enough. Reloading would be a slow process as you can only load one shell at a time through the cover at the back of the cylinder.  We were using the defense rounds during this portion of the test and good tight patterns were easily achieved. The word "patterns" was correctly used here because he was shooting a smiley face. Scott was also able to hit constant 10 ring shots. He felt the gun had less kick than he expected.

The advantages to this reproduction is the price and the nock down power of the .45 Long Colt round. If you do not have a lot of money and need a hand gun for the open range, this would be a good choice. If you only had enough money for one gun, we would recommend a shotgun. Like us, if you wanted to play in the Cowboy Shooting sports, this is a good starter pistol. Happy trails, and keep the lead down range - Clark - Carryconcealed.net

The Carryconcealed.net team went to the range to test out the Taurus 605B2. This is a medium frame 357 with a 2 inch barrel. Even with its small size it packs a powerful punch. We were testing it on the range and we had people stop shooting to see what kind of "Cannon" we were shooting. Because the barrel is so short the gunpowder does not have enough time to burn and you get a great "Flame Thrower" effect. Accompanying the "Flame Thrower" is the concussion. Part of the shooting range would fall down every time we shot the more powerful rounds. Because this is a 357 you can shoot lighter 38 loads if you do not need the power provided by the 357 loads. If you miss the bad guy with the bullet the flames will singe them into honesty. Blake is one of our Concealedcarry.net testers and he liked the performance of the 605 and was able to place tight groups at the 15 and 20-yard marks.

The model we tested had the hammer. There are advantages to having the concealed hammer and there also advantages to the model with the hammer.

The Concealed Hammer: This will not get caught on clothes when pulling for defense. The trigger pull will be constant every time so that when in an emergency the gun will perform the same every time.

The Exposed Hammer: This has the opportunity to get hung on clothes, but has some advantages. One advantage is the ability to pull the hammer back for a lighter trigger pull. We were able to get tighter groups when using the hammer back and could hit targets further out.

The product comes in Stainless or Blue Steel and the product is built to the Taurus Zero Tolerance standards. They have built this as if their lives depended on the handgun. It is also available with a concealed hammer and comes with the Unlimited Lifetime Repair Policy. The 605 also comes with the TSS or Taurus Security System. The key allows the owner to lock the gun and help maintain control of who can shoot the gun. At Carryconcealed.net we try to encourage the CCW community to be responsible and lock the guns when not being carried for protection. The Key for the gun is different enough that it would be easy to find on a key ring, but it then means that you can not leave the keys and the gun around. One solution is to use a combination trigger lock and use the TSS system when you can not afford the additional room that the combination trigger lock takes up.

One great safety feature of the 605 is the Transfer Bar. This is a blocking device that stops the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the back. One of Concealedcarry.net’s testers stated that he would feel safe carrying this handgun with all of the 5 rounds in the cylinder. There is the normal feeling to not put a round under the firing pin just incase it was dropped. We will leave that decision up to you and we will also see about getting a response from Taurus on this question. After they respond, we will update the article.

Rounds Tested:

We tested several different rounds to include the 357 Premium Handgun Cartridges, 180 Grain, Cast Lead Flat Point; and 357 Magnum Gold Dot Centerfire 125-Grain Hollow Point. We also ran some 38 rounds through the 605. We found that the pistol handled anything we could throw at it. We are also going to use the .38 and 357 in tests in ExtreemeShock ammunition later this month. We are seeing information that would support that there are rounds available that do not have the large amounts of gunpowder, but yet have significant stopping power. The ExtreemShock rounds we will be testing would be 124 and even 85 grain. In the shot on the right you can see the additional gun powder burning giving the "Flame Thrower" effect.

Model Tested: 605B2

Caliber: 357

5 Round

Barrel length 2 Inch

Double Action or Single Action with pulling the hammer back.

Rubber Grips

Blue

24 oz

Small Frame

Fixed Rear sight.

Full hammer pull           - 9 lbs

Cocked hammer pull    -  3 lbs

MSRP $391 – These are available and we have seen them for even as low as $263. However they are a bargain at $391.

The bottom line – Our testers gave it a 5 out of 5 for performance in a 357 magnum and 4 out of 5 for a CCW pistol. This is due to the external hammer and the possibility of getting it stuck on clothes. I was out voted on this point, as I actually prefer the hammer. Clark –Carryconcealed.net

Carryconcealed.net team tests the Colt Government Delta Elite 10mm and one tester liked the additional sopping power especially considering "opium enriched terrorists".

We headed off to the range to test the Colt Delta Elite 10mm and compare it to other handguns. In our testing we used CCI Blazer 200 grain 10mm TMJ (Total Metal Jacket) and the Winchester 10mm Super X 175-Grain Hollow Point. The Winchester 10mm defense round is about .75 cents per round and the CCI Blazer 200 grain is around .35 cents in lots of 1000. This compares to a .45 defense round Carbon 185 Grain +p at $1.02 per round and .34 cents for the CCI Blazer 230 grain FMJ. We were surprised to find the ammunition right in line with the .45 caliber ammunition as we had heard that it was much more expensive.

One our Carryconcealed.net testers did not have any problems with the additional kick that the 10mm round produces. Kyle, a USMC Marine loved the performance and was able to produce tight groups at ranges of 5, 10 and 25 yards. None of the testers felt that the additional kick the 10mm provided was unmanageable or would stop us from carrying the Delta. In fact our Marine tester said that he would rather have the additional stopping power to help put down opium enriched terrorist. The Delta Elite Government model tested with fixed sights, 5.03 inch barrel length and a weight of 2.44 lbs. with magazine and no bullets. Average muzzle velocity is for the 10mm round is recorded at 1329 ft/s

There are several urban legends that are out there regarding the 10mm round and the problems with the Colt 10mm offerings. The word on the street is that the rounds are expensive, the frames on the Delta can crack and the springs need to be checked under constant wear and tear. The frame cracking and spring wear is due to the additional power of the 10mm on the redesigned 1911 frame. As we were shopping for ammunition we found that the rounds were not as bad as the legends led us to believe, but this does not take into consideration the great deals that you can get on .45 ACP every once and a while. These deals are usually in a divorce sale. We found several good forums that had discussions regarding both. One forum on Nodakoutdoors.com posts that the 10mm can drop a grizzly and has another link to a 10mm site claiming to have shot a black bear in self-defense. The bear was dropped with two rounds to the head. While the bear was only 6 foot and 5 or 6 hundred pounds, it is still a bear. The form also has postings of Alaskan Guides carrying the Glock 20, which is chambered for the 10mm.

The Delta Elite is a 1911 frame and fit into every one of our holsters. As a CCW gun this is one that would be difficult to hide (as is most large frame 1911) but you would be glad to have it in a situation with a wild animal or as our Marine tester stated the "opium enriched terrorist". With all of the gang violence and tough guys out there that are willing to rob, rape or steal things from good people, this may be one of the best home defense guns we have tested. Our Carryconcealed.net team gives this a 5 out of 5 for a home defense tool and 4 out of 5 for an all around CCW gun. The 4 stars is only due to the difficulty in hiding a full sized 1911. Anyone that practices with .45 ACP regularly should be able to use the Colt Delta Elite Government 10mm handgun with confidence. If the .45 is too much for you to handle, it would be better to have well placed shots from a .38.

The bottom line: While Colt does not manufacture the Delta any more, if you can buy one at a reasonable price it would be worth the money. You may want to stock up on 10 mm ammunition, as it may not be readily available in the future. Clark –Carryconcealed.net

The Carryconcealed.net team took a look at this question. The Ruger 22 Mark III Bull Barrel is only one in the line of Mark III pistols from Ruger. Let me be the first to say that these are some of the finest handguns out on the market. The Mark III is designed to "feel" like a 1911 .45. The grip and weight are a close feel to my personal favorite Springfield Arms 1911. This allows shooters to practice the basics like breath control, and sight alignment on .22 ammunition rather than the more costly .45 caliber shells. This comes in a 4 ½ and a 5 ½ barrel and we tested the 5 ½ model. Pictured on the right is some of our students. Notice the first student on the left. She is using the Ruger and is not having any problems producing tight groups durring her CCW class.

The sights are adjustable and have been designed for a quick and accurate target acquisition. The design also includes the cylindrical bolt construction for permanent alignment giving the shooter a higher degree of accuracy. Ruger also included a magazine disconnect which prevents accidental firing when the magazine is removed. Another neat feature is the chamber-loaded indicator. When people use semi-automatics and get careless because they forget that just because the magazine is out does not mean that it is unloaded. This model also comes standard with holes drilled and tapped for Weaver-Type scope base adapter. We did not test it with the scope and was pleased with the accuracy just using the open adjustable sights.

In our CCW classes we use this for students that do not have a semi-auto and need to borrow one for the class. As it is a .22LR there is no kick and it functions flawlessly. We have talked to other CCW trainers and they also use Ruger Mark III pistols in their classes when students need to borrow one for their classes. We tested the pistol at an indoor range and at 25 and 50-yard outdoor ranges. It is simply amazing how accurate the pistol shoots. We were able to hit all 10 ring shots at the indoor range and at the 25-yard outdoor range. At the 50-yard we were able to hit center mass shots but could not get consistent groups. Pictured is Scott, one of Carryconcealed.net’s law enforcement contributors. The target shows that at 25 feet in an indoor range center mass and head shots are very easy to achieve. Our students that have used the pistol in classes and other tests on the out door range verify this.

This brings up the question that we have been asked. Is the Mark III a good CCW pistol? Because it is a .22LR pistol it does not have a very good rating for "Stopping Power". The accuracy of the pistol is unbelievable and when used for defense multiple shots to the center mass would be possible. This could be a problem as you may have to answer to a over zealous district attorney why so many rounds were used in self-defense. The 4 1/2and 5 1/2-inch barrels and the shape of the handgun are like trying to hide a full sized 1911 .45.

For a CCW gun the Mark III would only get a score of 2 Stars.

For a target or training tool the Mark III gets a 5 out of 5 Stars.

The bottom line: We recommend this gun for anyone that teaches CCW Classes or any body that wants one of the finest "plinking" and training handguns on the market. This would also be an excellent handgun to throw into a survival bag. We have used the term "BOB" or "Break Out Bag". If you need to leave your home due to a natural disaster, this would be a good one to bring as you can carry more .22 ammunition and the pistol would be able to bring down small game to help feed your family in an emergency. If you are a CCW permit holder you could keep it in a car while traveling or camping for same reason. We all have seen people get stuck in the wilderness and lost loved ones. The Mark III might be the difference you need to stay alive.

Specifications of model tested.

Caliber: .22 LR

Capacity: 10 Rounds

Finish: Blued

Grip: Black Synthetic

Barrel Length: 5 1/2" Groove: 6 Twist: 1:16"

RH Overall Length: 9 1/2"

Weight: 35 oz

California Approved: Yes

Massachusetts Approved: Yes

Sights: Adjustable

Loaded chamber indicator, magazine disconnect, and internal lock.

Suggested Retail Price: $ 307.00

Drilled and tapped for Weaver-style scope adapter (included).

Check out all of the other Mark III models. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/

Happy Trails and Keep the Lead Down Range - Clark