American Handgunner articles from January 2007

American Handgunner archives from January 2007

French friend.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... "As the anniversary of 9/11 came, I wanted to let you know I don't forget the tragedy. I was there, watching the TV when I saw all that horror, and cried yesterday again for the innocent victims. I support the USA, and love your country and...

Taffin's truth.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Since Lee French ("Stuffed Taffin?," Nov/Dec 2006) has figured it out, I might as well tell the rest. John has only written two articles in his life and those were both for GUN Sport 40 years ago. He never got paid and they went out of...

Hates us.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I've grown dissatisfied with your flippant attitude when faced with patient, well-reasoned arguments in this never-ending conservative vs. liberal debate continually hashed out in your articles and Speak Out columns. It truly shows where your...

Likes us.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I don't understand J. Waterson Greensboro's complaint (Speak Out, Nov/Dec 2006). What's he talking about you guys "defecating" on your readers? I've read lots of gun magazines, and will concede of some of them their writers are full of...

He hates us too.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Sure, once again you take the high-hog route and bash the only decent shooting sport out there, cowboy shooting. Just because somebody uses light loads to win, doesn't mean it's wrong. If you can't compete with them using full loads then you...

More cowboy stuff.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Thank you for the update on the state of cowboy shooting. I competed 15 yrs ago with a single action from somewhere in Italy, a 20 gauge mule-ear shotgun and a borrowed Marlin with .38 specials in it. My first time out I came in 4th place out...

Misguided readers.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Recently I've noticed several readers seem to be misguided on some issues and need to focus on more important things. First, we should never want a gun company to go out of business due to a poor design. I don't believe the engineers at Smith &...

The .38 WCF: the same only different.(SHOOTING IRON[TM]: THUMB BUSTIN' MUSINGS FROM THE DUKE)
January 1, 2007... Everything changes, but everything has a way of staying the same too--take .40 caliber handguns. That's precisely what the old .38 Winchester Centerfire (WCF) was. Despite the moniker, it fired a bullet of .400" diameter. As introduced in...

Reborn.(SHOOTING IRON[TM]: THUMB BUSTIN' MUSINGS FROM THE DUKE)
January 1, 2007... Whatever you want to call it, the cartridge just darn near died out completely after Colt dropped the SAA in 1941. Winchester had already quit making lever guns for it some years before. Also it's worthy of note that Colt's large frame New...

Easy-reloading.(SHOOTING IRON[TM]: THUMB BUSTIN' MUSINGS FROM THE DUKE)
January 1, 2007... And speaking of reloading, right now I'm feeding two newly-made Colt SAA .38-40s (5 1/2" & 7 1/2" barrels) and a 1908 vintage New Service with 5 1/2" barrel; plus a mess of Colt, Marlin and Winchester long guns. If casting my own bullets I use...

Cops and CCW reform.(COP TALK: OPINION AND FACTS FROM THE MEAN STREETS)
January 1, 2007... In July 2006, an armed citizen called the police to report a man acting strangely in the hamlet of Manley Hot Springs, Alaska, and a lone trooper was dispatched. When he approached, the suspect went for a gun, and the armed citizen who had...

Enlightened self-interest.(COP TALK: OPINION AND FACTS FROM THE MEAN STREETS)
January 1, 2007... Last year, I was one of many who testified at the Wisconsin state house in Madison in favor of shall-issue concealed carry legislation. There were cops from that state who testified against it, including one anti-gun chief and the assistant of...

Wolfbait insurance.(COP TALK: OPINION AND FACTS FROM THE MEAN STREETS)
January 1, 2007... More than once, I've seen a good cop thrown to the wolves by a spineless chief after the officer hurt someone who was politically connected. If a cop is facing possible revenge attacks, and his politically motivated chief suspends him, the...

The ethical side.(COP TALK: OPINION AND FACTS FROM THE MEAN STREETS)
January 1, 2007... Ever wonder why so many police chiefs come out against concealed carry, when groups like the Milwaukee police union come out in favor? Same reason more chiefs than sheriffs support anti-gun agendas. A police chief is appointed by a ranking...

Ron power's inventions.(PISTOLSMITHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP ON PISTOLSMITHING TECHNIQUES)
January 1, 2007... Gunsmiths are some of the worlds' most skilled craftsmen who have talents requiring expert knowledge of metal and wood. They must also invent special tools and techniques used to do special one-of-a-kind jobs for men and women who demand the...

Always thinking.(PISTOLSMITHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP ON PISTOLSMITHING TECHNIQUES)
January 1, 2007... Cowboy shooting exploded into a full-blown national experience in the 1990s and Power Custom was right there making products the pseudo cowboys with minimal gunsmithing talent could install in their sixguns. Fabulous products such as the free...

You can too!(PISTOLSMITHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP ON PISTOLSMITHING TECHNIQUES)
January 1, 2007... Many of these innovative parts from Grand Masters L.L.C. help shooters keep costs down and keep their heavily used guns in perfect working order. A secondary benefit is they support the foundation of the sport with readily available, high...

Spice up your RL 550B.(HANDLOADING: SAGE ADVICE FROM THE HANDLOADING GURU)
January 1, 2007... The RL 550 B has become the workhorse of generations of shooters. A source at Dillon wouldn't say how many they've sold but agreed that "tens of thousands" was not an unreasonable guess. What they've done now is adapted case feeder equipment to...

Even I can do it.(HANDLOADING: SAGE ADVICE FROM THE HANDLOADING GURU)
January 1, 2007... The case feeder can be ordered for either small or large pistol sizes and then there are caliber-specific parts called the "station one locater" and the "case feed adapter." The locater guides the case into the shell plate and serves the same...

Charlie's fast.(HANDLOADING: SAGE ADVICE FROM THE HANDLOADING GURU)
January 1, 2007... Finally I did time my output and when everything was running smoothly it took ten minutes or a little less to churn out 100 rounds. The only limiting factors are the primer supply and the fact you can't put too many empties in the hopper....

Hostage rescue by pistol fire: the Sleigher-Watkins shooting.(The Ayoob Files)
January 1, 2007... Situation: The perpetrator is screaming he'll stab the hostage. He raises his huge knife like an icepick, and... Lesson: Low-grade danger can escalate to homicidal, suddenly and swiftly. Realize you may have to reach in and pull the...

You might be a brain surgeon, but ...(REALITY CHECK[TM]: FIRST-PERSON THOUGHTS ON SURVIVING IN THE REAL WORLD)
January 1, 2007... Since I shoot on a daily basis I see--and hear--some strange things. Some people, wishing to do well, get performance anxiety. Some people know it all, and some know nothing and admit it. As part of this learning process I qualify each lecture...

Ruger's 50th Anniversary: .357 Magnum Blackhawk.(TAFFIN TESTS: THE SIXGUNNER HIMSELF: GUNS, GEAR AND MORE)
January 1, 2007... It was the year of years in the middle of the decade we now call the Fabulous Fifties. That wonderful year nestled in the middle of that wonderful decade was 1955. It's the year Disneyland opened; Dem Bums, the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the New...

Auto-accurate.(WINNING EDGE: SOLID ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION)
January 1, 2007... The S&W Performance Center sells the PPC9 pistol only to bona fide police officers ordering on department letterhead (and no more than one to any officer). I'm not sure what the reason is--probably because PPC is primarily a competitive sport...

Genuine custom.(WINNING EDGE: SOLID ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION)
January 1, 2007... PPC9 pistols are built on the S&W 5906 frame in 9mm. This is a high cap frame and accepts standard 15-round magazines. Slide-to-frame fit is excellent, smooth in operation, but with no perceptible play. A bushing-style match grade barrel is...

Sublime shooters.(WINNING EDGE: SOLID ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION)
January 1, 2007... Both owners of these pistols have been busily experimenting with reloads and so far have not found a recipe to match the accuracy of these Winchester loads. Policy is to use reloads or inexpensive bulk 9mm ammo for practice and save the Ranger...

Better and worse.(HANDGUN HUNTING: TIPS, TECHNIQUES AND POLITICAL-INCORRECTNESS)
January 1, 2007... In some ways 30 years seems no longer than a heartbeat when in actuality a great deal has happened in firearms and ammunition. A bit over 30 years ago I was finishing up at Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant when the war in Vietnam wound down. I...

Any hope?(HANDGUN HUNTING: TIPS, TECHNIQUES AND POLITICAL-INCORRECTNESS)
January 1, 2007... What's next is anyone's guess. More people than ever have the dollars and time to spend them than ever before. A rapidly growing population has curtailed the amount of huntable land. Small game hunting in many areas of the country is...

Hype.(HANDGUN HUNTING: TIPS, TECHNIQUES AND POLITICAL-INCORRECTNESS)
January 1, 2007... There's no doubt there have been major changes in the guns. ammunition and optical sights. Certainly not all have been positive. "Creative Advertising"--the advertising of crap as gold--is more prevalent than ever. Competition for the shooters...

My guns & gear du jour.(GUNCRANK DIARIES[TM]: EXCUSES, ALIBIS, PITHY OBSERVATIONS & GENERAL EPHUS)
January 1, 2007... You guys routinely pack my e-mail box with questions about what guns & gear I like, play with, carry and covet, so we'll take a break and answer about 412 of those, okay? Between two articles--"Rockin' Glocks--Beyond Basic Black" in the...

The $4.95 .45.(GUNCRANK DIARIES[TM]: EXCUSES, ALIBIS, PITHY OBSERVATIONS & GENERAL EPHUS)
January 1, 2007... If e-mails had mass, I couldn't lift your letters asking about a bargain-priced carry-quality 1911A1, specifically, something like "a tricky-tactical high-speed low-drag melty-cornered custom 1911 for under $500" I don't own a rabbit, dudes. No...

The Mudhole model.(GUNCRANK DIARIES[TM]: EXCUSES, ALIBIS, PITHY OBSERVATIONS & GENERAL EPHUS)
January 1, 2007... I've told several 1911 makers I'm not interested in "Lieutenant Colonel at Camp Perry" models, but rather, a Lance Corporal in a Mudhole model. First, that's just my nature--I'm a "service-issue" guy. Second, I live under the rule of "Kidz...

Hydration-gun-toter.(HANDGUN LEATHER: FROM CLASSICS TO CUTTING EDGE IN CARRY METHODS)
January 1, 2007... I know it's called the Handgun Leather Column not the rip-stop nylon, thermoplastic, cordura, anti-microbial polyurethane column; but bear with me for a minute while I 'splain why I'm writing about that stuff. Camelbak has been producing...

Whose bladder?(HANDGUN LEATHER: FROM CLASSICS TO CUTTING EDGE IN CARRY METHODS)
January 1, 2007... I remember the old canteen I had in the Army--technology or hydration devices were not words I would have associated with it. But technology is what we have today in Camelbak's Demon. Their new HydroLink is a positive locking system for reline...

Secret parts.(HANDGUN LEATHER: FROM CLASSICS TO CUTTING EDGE IN CARRY METHODS)
January 1, 2007... The "secret compartment" is hidden at the bottom of the pack with access at the rear of the pack where your lower back meets it. A hook and loop-secured padded flap protects the compartment and provides a secure place for your handgun to ride....

Why a custom sixgun?(THE SIXGUNNER)
January 1, 2007... With all the grand handguns currently offered, why would anyone want to spend the money to build a custom sixgun? An entire book could be written on this subject; in fact it has, The Custom Revolver, by Hamilton Bowen. Hamilton's not only one...

The thinkers.(BETTER SHOOTING)
January 1, 2007... In the early 1990s two outstanding books on practical shooting were published: Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals (1990) by Brian Enos and Shooting from Within (1991) by J. Michael Plaxco. Plaxco was one of action shooting's first...

Cylinder & Slide's loaded high power.
January 1, 2007... It's really fun to tell a good custom gunsmith to "Do whatever you like" because the result is usually a surprise and often a learning experience. That's what happened when we told Bill Laughridge to build us a really tricked-out High Power. He...

Lock 'em or lose 'em: ideas for the storage-impaired.
January 1, 2007... No, this is not a "round-up" of what's new in gun lock ideas. But about once a year we try to remind all of us why we have to maintain some sense of responsibility when it comes to storing our guns. This isn't about government taking your guns...

Springfield's XD .45: a xenophobic's 14 shot dilemma?(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... Xenophobia is the inclination to be fearful of something foreign-made or foreign in nature, either a solid object or even manners or speech. The big "X" could be based either on reality or perception. My Dad never liked Japanese cars--then...

Handgun shot loads: home-brewed is always better.
January 1, 2007... I have a wonderful situation here in Montana: something that every avid shooter would enjoy. Yvonne and I live in a rural setting with enough acreage so I Call have my own rifle and pistol ranges. I even have a 14 foot square, propane-heated,...

Wilson tactical's 'cop tool': the pryer, poker, scraper, cutter alternative!
January 1, 2007... If you've been around folding knives for any length of time, you've broken the tip off of one--or two, or ten. I once had a bit of a part-time home job when I was a cop rebuilding the tips on broken Buck 110 folders. Made enough pocket money to...

Legacy of steel: S&W's engraving shop.
January 1, 2007... The carving and cutting of steel by human hands with handheld tools is always something that has intrigued me. Some people don t understand that the engraving of weapons is probably art in one of its earliest forms. The earliest weapons...

Who needs diamonds?
January 1, 2007... When confronted with yet another special occasion, I rebelled against the jewelry rule, My wife Suzi is a cop, shooter and hunter, end while she dearly loves fine jewelry, you can still turn her eye with a "party" gun, as she says. So Tony...

Art and design in knives.
January 1, 2007... Doctor David Darom smiled at me from behind his grey beard. I was at the Blade Show in Atlanta and had just been stopped dead in my tracks by a stunning series of books about custom knives. I put out my hand and David took it warmly. After...

Gifts for gunners.(2006 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE)
January 1, 2007... Your secret is safe with me, okay? Yeah, yeah, we all know you're supposed to be checkin' out this gift guide to select goodies for your shootin' buddies, but--your eyes have already wandered over a couple of photos, and you're thinkin', Hey!...

Gifts for grunts: goodies for our warriors--who won't be home for Christmas.(2006 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE)
January 1, 2007... Writing Christmas gift guides is a pain in the butt. There's the searching, the finding, the sorting-out; the back-and-forth with suppliers, testing and writing; not entirely unpleasant, but by the time you're done it's minimum-wage work, and...

Gentleman Jerry.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... We were shooting the Winchester World Challenge, the "pre-match" at the recent STI/American Handgunner World Shoot. Our group was slow, and the group behind us included Jerry Miculek, his wife Kay Clark Miculek, Frank Glenn and some more master...

More friends.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Thank you for the incredible magazine you've always published. I look forward to each issue as being a letter of sorts from close friends, on a subject that is close to my heart. Les Bingham Via e-mail What's in a name? In the...

Range rage.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I just left the &*%#@! Gun Range in Houston because, like many gun ranges, they don't realize there are shooters who have taken the time and expense to bring their firearms training to a higher level. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Clint Smith, yet...

Banker Barons.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Thought this may be of interest to Hangunner readers. Today I received the following letter: "Dear Mr. *****, Today, while in the bank, you were noticed wearing at your side a pistol. Unless you have some specific duty or reason to enter...

School Security Corp.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... The horrible murders of school children have the wheels of the gun ban machinery spinning. I sent Wayne LaPierre a suggestion that we create the NRA School Security Corps. There are thousands of decent, lit, retired men and women in our country...

Billy Anders Case.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I doubt anyone will make a mistake of inferring Massad Ayoob is not masterful in what he does. I believe any detective alive will agree the "evidence" displayed by his article (Ayoob Files, Sept/Oct 2006) has impaled his credibility on his own...

Turnbull's USFA.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I took your advice and acquired a Doug Turnbull USFA SAA, a S&W Model 22 Thunder Ranch and Eagle grips. They are all great. The USFA is the best SAA I've seen in years. American Handgunner is by far the best gun magazine published. Pay no...

Zeiss 8X20 victory binocs.(GUNNYSACK)
January 1, 2007... I'm not a bullseye shooter anymore so I don't carry a gun box with a spotting scope every time I go to the range. And sometimes I'm a dunce and forget to load a separate spotting scope and find myself having to trudge 25 or 50 yards to see...

Blade-tech training barrel.(GUNNYSACK)
January 1, 2007... What a great idea! Many of us have gone through training exercises using blue or red plastic guns. They're surely safe but do not have the heft of a real gun nor can you perform any of the manipulations needed for the manual of arms. The...

The Thor Magnum.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Cyclops Solutions Cyclops, an industry leader in specialty lights, expands the line with the new Thor Magnum 15 million candle-power spotlight. This powerful beam helps the serious user spot anything or anyone in the dark. Makes my eyes...

Cool Tac glove.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Hatch Gloves To deal with the problem of Law Enforcement protection equipment causing raising body temps on hot humid days, innovative companies like Hatch Gloves are developing equipment designed to dissipate heat while providing maximum...

Liberator tactical light.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... First Light USA First Light USA proclaims the Liberator the first hands-free tactical light. Now your hands can be freed up to all the things you need to do, like gun handling, control tactics, handcuffing, without having to sacrifice the...

Evolution Series Glock Holster.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Fobus Holsters Fobus introduces the new Evolution (E2) Series Glock Holster. The E2 is the next step in the evolution of holster development. A tension adjustment screw is built in to allow the user to customize the ease of presentation...

The Infidel (MDL. #3300).(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Benchmade Knives Benchmade Knife Company has been manufacturing high-end cutlery with world-class performance since 1987. Benchmade's latest stunner is the Model 3300 Infidel. The Infidel just screams "Jihad this!" and willingly takes on...

Tactical shirt [style #4902].(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Woolrich Elite Series Designed to meet the challenges of varying field conditions and levels of activity, the Elite Long Sleeve Shirt offers a performance edge. This shirt features 100 percent cotton poplin reactive dyed for color...

1911-Special Forces.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Ed Brown Products Ed Brown has a new 1911 called the Special Forces, at a breakthrough price of only $1,995 MSRP. Built for pure performance and extreme use, the Special Forces has everything you need for serious shooting performance. All...

WOLF 7.62 Tokarev cartridge.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... WOLF PERFORMANCE AMMUNITION WOLF Performance Ammunition declares that the WOLF 7.62 Tokarev has arrived. These pistol cartridges are available in FMJ and HP, brass case, boxer primed and fully reloadoble. Each round is 85 grain. The...

Digital Foliage Camo Versipack.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... MAXPEDITION HARD-USE GEAR The first Maxpedition product to debut in American Handgunner back in 2003, the best selling Thermite Versipuck (Model #401) is now available in Digital Foliage Camo (compatible with the Army's ACU pattern) and...

CQC-14 Snubby.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Emerson Knives Here is a brand new multi-purpose knife from Emerson Knives, Inc. The new CQC-14 Snubby is the perfect urban carry knife, featuring a short, stout blade, generously enough under 3" to earn legal carry status in most...

The Stealth Hunter Holster.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... EDGE CUSTOM The Stealth Hunter Holster is o completely adjustable cross-draw shoulder holster that holds on the cylinder only so any length, any caliber, any model revolver, any scope, any red-dot... you get the idea, it all fits. A...

Tac-Pac.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... SECTION 8 TACTICAL, INC. The Tac-Puc from Section 8 Tactical is a modular storage system designed to store tactical batteries und other small parts. It consists of on injection-molded housing with interchangeable EVA foam die cut inserts....

U.S. 45 folder.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... LONE WOLF KNIVES The new Lone Wolf U.S. 45 Tactical folding knife was designed to complement the classic design of the 1911 U.S. 45 ACP pistol. Made of checkered rosewood, the grip though narrowed, is styled to like a 1911 grip and...

Revolver laser system.(SPOTLIGHT)
January 1, 2007... LASERMAX LaserMax expands on already diverse product line with a new laser system specifically designed for revolvers. The first model offered the J-Max is for popular Smith and Wesson J-Frames. Retailing at just $199, the new LaserMax...

Add it up.(INSIDER)
January 1, 2007... 1 License granted to Browning to make Winchester guns. 55% Americans who knew the sun was a star. 823 Number of languages spoken in New Guinea. 176 Languages spoken in the United States. 9 Number of Viagra pills sold every...

Oops!(Correction notice)
January 1, 2007... It seems we really dropped the ball when it came to grip-maker Roy Fishpaw's address and phone number in the last issue. Sorry Roy, but I'll blame it on Taffin, even though it's probably not his fault. The real lo-down is: Roy Fishpaw, 793 Mt....

Only happy news.(INSIDER)
January 1, 2007... It had to happen and frankly, I'm glad to see it. Go to www.happynews.com and you'll only find, well, happy news. It's the brainchild of Byron Reese who always heard people wondering "Why don't they ever publish happy news?" So, he started...

Dick's design.(INSIDER)
January 1, 2007... If you've seen this aggressive, very cool grip for 1911 s you should thank Dick Atkinson, who came up with the idea in the early summer of 2003. They instantly became popular with those who understand such things. Dick initially made...

Forensic firearms book.(INSIDER)
January 1, 2007... Lucien Haag, an old friend and arguably the foremost expert in the field of forensic firearms work, has authored a stunning book and it's something almost anyone who is a student of the gun would find fascinating. Shooting Incident...

In memorium: Jeff Cooper: May 10, 1920-Sep. 25, 2006.(INSIDER)
January 1, 2007... Colonel Cooper passed away with his family at his side, at his house at Gunsite. Our thoughts are with them, Somehow, the term "Icon" just doesn't seem enough to describe this Renaissance man. Handgunner will honor Jeff's memory in the...

Ruger rocks.(INSIDER)
January 1, 2007... The gent in the picture is Sturm, Ruger President Steve Sanetti shooting their new Redhawk Alaskan, now in .44 Magnum. I wanted you to see that this company president actually shoots the guns he makes. I'm finding more and more of this going on...

Step outside-and shoot!(THE INSIDER[TM])
January 1, 2007... We just finished up the fourth annual Shooting Industry Masters match, held at the Del Tone/Luth Gun Club. This isn't just any match, though. Shooting Industry is a sister-publication of Handgunner and is the voice of the shooting industry's...