2011 Christmas Lights- Thank You Troops and Veterans!

Firearms Manuals

This link popped up on a forum and it appears this dude has done a lot of work.

So, if you have a gun you need the manual for, click here and get it. They're in PDF, so you need Adobe Reader. And if you have one he doesn't have, share if you can.

Every question and answer on a gun forum

Select a Gun for Self Defense

Hollow Points

Hollow point ammunition. To many people, this is a threatening term. Thanks to the media and politicians who don't have a good grasp of physics, many people are lead to believe regularly that hollow point rounds are "cop killer" bullets and should be made completely illegal. In many US states, they are illegal. Because they can apparently penetrate a bullet resistant vest.

Not true. The hollow point round was not designed to penetrate vests. Hollow point rounds are used every day by millions of gun owners as self defense ammo... because it is a safer option.

What is a hollow point?

A hollow point round has a hole in the center of it instead of the round or flat projectile. The reason for this hole is to cause the round to expand, opening up like a mushroom. What this expansion does is as follows:

1. Yes, it does cause a large wound channel. This stops an attacker faster.
2. Envision two cars, one with a flat front and a sports car with a pointed front. Which one moves faster? The pointed front cuts through the air while the flat front is pushing against it. The spreading of the hollow point slows the round down. The theory behind this is that will help cut down velocity that causes a round nosed bullet to keep going. It prevents over penetration (helps to stop the round from coming out the back and hitting someone else) or continuing through a wall. 

So what bothers so many people about them?

Because of misunderstandings and twisting of facts, people have been lead to believe that this spreading bullet makes it easier to penetrate a bullet resistant vest. The truth is, a round with a pointed end is far more likely to go through a vest as opposed to one that spreads. Bullet resistant vests are made of fibers designed to resist bullets. A pointed end is more likely to break apart these fibers. Most handguns do not have pointed ammo. But many hunting rifles do. And a vest is not usually designed to hold up to something as large as a .308 deer rifle. But because hollow points open up and become larger, people assume this causes more damage to a vest.

Many ammo companies have designed a self defense round that acts much like a hollow point, but without the scary hole. Federal Ammunition makes a round called an expanding full metal jacket. It looks like any other inexpensive round you may use to practice with, but the round opens and mushrooms just like a hollow point. And recently Hornady released a round called Critical Defense, which is a round with a polymer in the hole. It does the same thing as a hollow point, but the actual hole is missing. These rounds are not illegal in many states that outlaw hollow points. I didn't say it made sense.

Can't I just use the rounds I bought for a few dollars at Walmart? They're still bullets!

Of course you can. The full metal jacket rounds you got will work in a defense situation. But the problem you face with them is over penetration. A full metal jacket round is far more likely to go through walls, and is far more likely to come out the back of an attacker, at which point you have no control over where that round goes. And you are still responsible for where it goes.

But the media is usually correct when it talks about these cop killer bullets. Look at the Black Talons!

"In early 1992 Winchester introduced the "Black Talon", a newly designed hollow-point handgun bullet which used a specially designed, reverse tapered jacket. The jacket was cut at the hollow to intentionally weaken it, and these cuts allowed the jacket to open into six petals upon impact. The thick jacket material kept the tips of the jacket from bending as easily as a normal thickness jacket. The slits that weakened the jacket left triangular shapes in the tip of the jacket, and these triangular sections of jacket would end up pointing out after expansion, leading to the "Talon" name. The bullets were coated with a black colored, paint-like lubricant called "Lubalox," and loaded into nickel-plated brass cases, which made them visually stand out from other ammunition. While actual performance of the Black Talon rounds was not significantly better than any other comparable high performance hollow-point ammunition, the reverse taper jacket did provide reliable expansion under a wide range of conditions, and many police departments adopted the round.^[10]

Winchester's "Black Talon" product name was eventually used against them. After a high profile shooting at 101 California Street, San Francisco in 1993, media response against Winchester was swift. "This bullet kills you better", says one report; "its six razorlike claws unfold on impact, expanding to nearly three times the bullet's diameter".^[11][12] A concern was raised by the American College of Emergency Physicians that the sharp edges of the jacket could penetrate surgical gloves, increasing the risk of blood-borne infections being transmitted to medical personnel treating the gunshot wound. While possible, there are no recorded cases of such an infection occurring in relation to the Black Talon bullets.^[13]

Winchester responded to the media criticism of the Black Talon line by removing it from the civilian market and only selling it to law enforcement distributors, and it has since been discontinued entirely."

From: Black Talon

Women and Guns

One of the questions that was always asked of me as a female behind the gun counter was "What's a good gun for a woman?"

And as a woman behind the counter in a gun shop, I never knew the answer to that question. It actually always rubbed me the wrong way. Why?

Because what's a good gun for a man? The one he shoots best with and the one that fits his hand best, right?

So why is it different for a woman? Why do we assume there is a "best gun for a woman" if there isn't a "best gun for a man?"

The other favorite of mine is when the question is asked not to me but by one customer to another, and the one being asked says a revolver because "she doesn't have to think about anything, it's idiot proof."

And the idiot married you, huh?

A revolver is, in my opinion, a good choice for anyone of any gender because in a moment of need, unless the ammo is bad, a revolver will go bang. At 3:00 in the morning when you've just been shocked awake, or when the adrenaline has kicked in, you don't have to worry about what limp wristing the gun is going to do to your gun. A revolver really doesn't mind if you limp wrist it.

But like it is for a man, the right gun for a woman depends on the woman. What does she shoot best and what feels best in her hand? What features does she want? What is her experience? Is she range shooting with it or just tossing it in a bed side table drawer? If she's range shooting, does she plan to compete? Does she feel more confident with a long gun? If she wants a long gun, does she want a shotgun or rifle? Does she plan to also hunt with this long gun? Is she planning to compete with it? The list of questions are endless. And there is something to suit every woman.

When a guy has tried to explain to me that this is not, in fact, the case and that women can't handle the guns men can, I not only use myself as an example but a favorite former customer of mine. We'll call her "Jane" for her own privacy. Jane is about 5' tall and 100 lbs. soaking wet. She's also a little fireball. What is Jane's favorite range gun? A Desert Eagle in 50AE. And yes, she shoots it very well. I use Jane as an example after I answer their questions about what I carry (a 1911 in .45ACP is my weapon of choice) and they make the statement, "Well, you're different."

Why am I different? Why am I suddenly abnormal for a female but wasn't when you asked? I wasn't raised with guns. Truth be told, I've been shooting just a hair over 9 years now. Yes, I am almost 6' tall and have large hands for a female, but if you use that as your reasoning, what about Jane? I still have long nails and wear make up, and get pedicures when I have extra money. So how am I different from Jane or any other woman?

Jane and I have one thing in common... and right now, more and more woman are beginning to rise up and share this trait as well. We aren't afraid. We see guns for what they are and we're at least willing to try. I've met guns that I admitted I couldn't handle. It has happened. But I've never met a gun I didn't at least give a chance. I've shot rifles designed to take down an elephant in one shot (and wouldn't mind shooting them again). I've shot Magnum Research's BFR chambered in 45-70 (and will admit I only took one shot before deciding this was not a fun gun for me). I've shot the Smith & Wesson 500 magnum... and enjoyed it!

My advice is as follows:

Men: don't underestimate your women. If they want a gun, don't pick it out for them. Help them choose one, but don't bring one home for them and say this is what women should have. Let her decide that for herself. She is perfectly capable of making the choice on her own, and in the same fashion you did.

If your woman doesn't want a gun, drop it. Some people are not comfortable with guns, and their reasons are their own. If she supports your sport, consider yourself blessed and consider her a keeper. If she doesn't, that's your problem. But if she does not personally want a gun, do not force one on her. It will do neither of you any good in the long run.

Women: Don't let anyone force anything on you that you don't want. But if you do want a gun, take a stand. Don't have your man get it for you. Don't be scared of anything that doesn't have a 2 as the first number in the caliber. Don't underestimate your own ability to shoot and learn to use the gun well. Try everything you can. When you reach a caliber you can't handle, drop back one. Then from the ones you could handle, figure out which one felt best and which one you shot best. If it happens to have a 2 as the first number in the caliber, great! What matters is your comfort level and what you shoot best. A .45 won't be of any use to you if you can't hold onto it and if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with it! A 1911 isn't the gun for you if you can't pull the slide back to chamber a round. And a Glock isn't your gun if have an issue reaching the trigger. Your gun is your gun. It should fit you and your needs, not what someone else said fits you and your needs. If it's a 22 painted pink, so be it. As long as it fits you!

I tell this to a lot of new shooters, especially women. It took me 8 months to pick out my first gun. In those 8 months, I handled and shot as many guns as I could get my hands on. In the end, I left with a gun that has never been matched in fit or feel. I shot it well and I shot it often. I was comfortable with that gun, and it was an extension of my hand. I've bought many guns since then, and have gotten good and comfortable with all of them. But it took me a long time to figure out what felt right and know what "feeling right" actually meant. The right gun will "sing" to you. You'll know what I mean when it happens.

The Best Defense is a Good Offense……

The Best Defense is a Good Offense……

High Speed Video of Pistols Underwater

Too Much Money, Not Enough Brains

BTW, asshat... the bipod's got a button at the top back.

Let's Talk About Your Gun's Safety

I spent a good portion of time working in a gun store. Long enough to hear every argument on either side of the usefulness of manual safeties and which were best to have on your gun and which ones needed to be scrapped. I've heard them all.

So... what is my take on the manual safety? I don't have one. No, really! I think the best safety for you - or lack there of - is what ever makes you the most comfortable. If you prefer not having a manual safety, great! A manual safety is a must? Great! The important thing is that you are comfortable with your gun. I have guns with safeties and guns without. I don't see a plus or minus to either one for myself. Guns with safeties... I make sure to practice getting that safety off and making it second nature. But a safety or lack there of has never influenced a purchase for me.

If you have a strong preference either way, stick to it. Like I said, you must be comfortable with the gun regardless of what everyone else says.

Now. For those who prefer a safety, please keep reading.

The one thing I cannot stress enough about ANY safety on ANY gun is this... a safety is a mechanical device that CAN fail! Why am I saying this? Because safety or no, you MUST keep the basic rules of firearms safety in mind. Let's discuss...

1. All guns are always loaded. - This means... you assume the gun is loaded, all the time. If you always treat a gun as if it is ready to go off, you can help avoid "accidents" down the line.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. Basically... don't point the gun at anything you don't want to kill. This means... DON'T POINT THE GUN AT ANYONE, EVER, FOR ANY REASON! Unless they are doing you harm and deadly force is required, your muzzle should not be pointed at that person. Even if the gun is unloaded. Even if the safety is on. I hear this all the time as a sales person when someone corrects someone from pointing a gun at my chest. "But it isn't loaded." or "But the safety is on!" Get in the habit of never pointing the gun at anyone and the time the unloaded gun IS loaded, you won't put one in someone's chest by mistake.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. I correct people on this all the time. A lot of people will inspect a firearm they want to buy and keep their finger on the trigger the entire time. I watch them roll the gun around for inspection, work the slide, etc., all with their finger on the trigger. This is something else you need to correct and be aware of. Until you wish to fire a projectile, your finger should not be on the trigger guard. Train your finger to go up along the side of the frame. In a moment of need - like when you hear a noise in the middle of the night - it reminds you to assess the target and not make a mistake. Again... safety is on, gun is unloaded, I DON'T CARE! Keep your finger off the trigger. Every time. It eventually becomes second nature and helps "accidents" decline. My line to remind people of this? Keep your booger hook off the bang switch. Makes them laugh, but they never forget it, either.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it. Don't shoot first and ask questions later. At 3:00 in the morning when you've been startled awake by a noise, you need to take a moment to breath and assess the situation. Is the dark silhouetted figure in the kitchen your spouse who got up to get a glass of water or an intruder? If it is an intruder, what's behind him? Is your child hiding behind the counter right behind him? Be aware, bullets can go through someone and into someone else. Many hunters have experienced shooting a deer and taking out the one behind it as well. One shot, two kills. This can happen with people, too, even if you carry the best hollow point ammo known to man. So be darn sure of what's behind your attacker and where your bullet may go. There is a lawyer attached to every bullet. One of my favorite quotes, and people laugh when I use it. But they remember it. If you shoot the bad guy and kill the old lady behind him, too, you are going to be charged with her death. Remember that.

So I bring this up for good reason. As I said in some of the descriptions above, I have people on a daily basis who point guns at my chest or put the safety on and point it at a friend and begin pulling the trigger. When I tell them to stop... they answer, "But the safety is on!"

Safeties fail. It does happen. You should never have that much faith in any object that is man made. It's like slamming into the back of a car and telling the cop, "But I hit the brakes!"

Safeties are great and for many people they are comfort. They do assist in stopping accidents. But the main safety on a gun is your own brain. Even with the safety on, imagine it is off and loaded. All the time. Using your head and treating a gun as what it is - a deadly weapon - can prevent tragedy.