American Handgunner articles from March 2004

American Handgunner archives from March 2004

January/February.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for possibly saving the lives of my wife and I yesterday. I had picked up Handgunner and read Clint Smith's "Reality Check" (Jan/Feb 2004). The column impressed me so much I read it to my wife, who...

Military CCW.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... After reading Ayoob's Cop-talk (Sep/Oct 2003) I had to reply and give you my opinion and facts from the "real streets." Your support for a special, nationwide, law allowing all active or retired law enforcement officials to carry concealed...

Coooger ...?(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... When I saw the Jan./Feb. 2004 cover blurb "Mountain Showdown, .45 vs. Couger," I assumed I would read about this in the Ayoob Files, or maybe find another helpful suggestion from Clint Smith on alternatives to handguns ("... if you're expecting...

Hiding Handgunner.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... You seem to have an attitude I can identify with. Like why do I hide my copy of Handgunner under the bread while waiting in line at the supermarket checkstand? What am I ashamed of? I'm going to slop doing it tomorrow! Also, I really enjoyed...

Reader hates elephants.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I just want to let you know I'm not renewing my subscription when it runs out. I consider myself a pretty far-right conservative, but Mark Hampton's bit about going to Africa to kill an elephant was too much (Jan/Feb 2004). A**holes like that...

Dirty old man?(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... One has to wonder at the possible untowardness of the caption beneath the shooter on page 47 of the Jan/Feb 2004 issue. Commenting on the attractiveness of a young girl makes one wonder about the person who wrote the caption and the editor who...

G'day S&W.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... We had a plaintive call from a guy in Australia who wanted some help re-calibering a M629 to keep it out of the crusher. To make a long story short, that plan wouldn't work so we put in a call to S&W's Custom Shop to try to buy a couple of...

Missing the point.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... In the recent fracus in Iraq, the ETAC for the lead element of 1st brigade 3rd ID (M) was moving through a hostile. They were set-upon by four hostiles firing AK-47s. They were well-defended in their M-113A2 and the ETAC swung his trusty M-2...

Militarization of Mayberry.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Was so pleased to read your response to Sgt. Stout re: shooting past people in range exercises, and this continual and most troubling referral to the "Ninja" as "operators" (Jan/Feb 2004, "Speak Out"). You know as well as I do, in law...

Should you simply buy a kazoo?(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
March 1, 2004... After teaching, and generally administering to many shooters over the years, I've come to some conclusions. I've often pondered the thinking behind people's selections of guns, equipment and, perhaps most importantly of all, the reasons they...

Your real world.(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
March 1, 2004... Education: I know lots of people who have college degrees who work in jobs absolutely not related to their fields of study. Is this bad? Probably not in I that context. But a firearms student should seek training that applies in their real...

Thad Rybka leather minimalist ain't plain.(Handgun leather: from classics to culting in carry methods)
March 1, 2004... He's been dubbed a recluse and a Mountain Man. But the man I've been talking to lately in no way resembles either. Substitute extraordinary leather-maker for Mountain Man and "driven" for recluse and add in extremely articulate, highly...

Pocket holster affair.(Handgun leather: from classics to culting in carry methods)
March 1, 2004... My first introduction to Thad's work was about five years ago through, the editor of this magazine. I had a Colt Pony and carried it daily as a back up. I was using some plastic-vinyl poly-methyl hydrocarbon thing just to keep the trigger...

Don't stare.(Handgun leather: from classics to culting in carry methods)
March 1, 2004... Thad's shop is a primarily a customhouse. For the most part, he resists naming his holsters because each one is different. The exception that proves the rule is the Rhodesian, as the first one made was shipped to Rhodesia. He doesn't use...

Loading the .500 S&W a zillion ideas.(Hand loading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
March 1, 2004... By far the honest topic for handloaders in the coming year is what I to do with the massive .500 S&W Magnum. Early-on Hodgdon published a very comprehensive package of load data with bullets from 275 to 440 grains and with a broad assortment of...

Goodies everywhere.(Hand loading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
March 1, 2004... One thing that is truly amazing is the rapidity with which components and loaded ammo for the .500 have come on line from a number of sources. It seems to be impossible to maintain a current list 'cause every time you turn around somebody new...

Focus on fun.(Hand loading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
March 1, 2004... Perhaps the most important thing to note in this is the speed with which the cartridge is being accepted. I know Buffalo Bore and The Hunting Shack are offering several different loads, and Hornady was the first major to offer ammo in the guise...

Lanyard love.(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipment)
March 1, 2004... In the early part of the 20th Century most service pistols were equipped with a lanyard loop. In the era of the horse-mounted cavalry, the lanyard attached to the sidearm made sense. In the WWI trenches, a lanyard could keep your pistol from...

Evil spirits.(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipment)
March 1, 2004... I know bears rarely cause people problems. The bunny-hugger crowd tell us to shout, scream, blow whistles, or carry OC bear spray. Tell you what, when I bed down in bear country, I snap a wrist lanyard to my pistol when I craw into my sleeping...

Snap links & 5/50 cord.(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipment)
March 1, 2004... Over the years I have searched for the ideal lanyard system. I now use the "Pistol Leash" available from Pistol Leash Unlimited, P.O. Box 819, Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762; (877) 681-6322. They work like a charm and I now have one on each of...

How do you spell accurate? BFR: magnum research's big bore tough-gun.(Taffin tests: the sixgunner himself: guns, gear and more)
March 1, 2004... About 20 years ago, I received a phone call one evening from a man I had never met. I was just getting started in the gun writing business on a regular basis, doing most of my work for two journals--The Sixgunner from Handgun Hunters...

Live the rules.(Better Shooting)
March 1, 2004... The rules are easy to understand. What isn't so easy to understand is why they must be always followed--no exceptions. A grade of 99.99% isn't good enough. Just one mistake can get you or someone else killed. But that's obvious. Everyone...

Dave's hard lesson.(Better Shooting)
March 1, 2004... I wouldn't wish a near-miss on anyone, but maybe sharing the experience will help others understand. A fellow I was shooting with broke Rules 1 and 3. I'm alive today because at least he didn't break Rule 2. Back in the mid-'70s an acquaintance...

Vivid images.(Better Shooting)
March 1, 2004... When I was 13 or so, fixing a fence on the farm, I came across a deer. Evidently it had been hit by a car a day or two previously, and both front legs were terribly smashed. In trying to crawl to cover it had become entangled in barbed wire. I...

"F*** you and your high powered rifle!" The Gary Fadden incident.(The Ayoob files)
March 1, 2004... Situation: A road-rage incident escalates into a deadly pursuit. Lesson: Keep communications as handy as your gun. Bad guys fear resolutely armed people, not weapons. Remember that full auto can stop a fight--but start an indictment. ...

All about gun writing, Part I.(Guncrank diaries: excuses, alibis, pithy observations & general ephus)
March 1, 2004... Okay, we got all that philosophy and flavor and essence crap outta the way in the last issue, so I can get down to your piercing, semi-intelligent questions. First, you ask, "How do you get to be a gunwriter?" The same way you get a busted...

Rusty colts.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
March 1, 2004... Since the advent of Cowboy Action shooting more and more Colt Single Action Army (SAA) revolvers are showing up in gunsmith's shops. In fact, old single actions are beginning to come out of closets, attic chests, and grandpa's house faster than...

Fix-it list.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
March 1, 2004... If you have an old first, second or even third generation Colt here are a few things you can do to achieve your own cursory inspection. If you have a first generation Colt, especially an older model, you can complete your inspection pretty...

Gunsmith tip.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
March 1, 2004... For over a hundred years shooters have been adding a shim between the bottom of the Colt mainspring and the front, inside grip frame in order to reduce the pressure of the spring on the hammer and lighten the trigger pull. In a short period of...

From Super Vel to the .375 JDJ.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
March 1, 2004... In 1961 Lee Jurras and I met and, in addition to becoming lifelong friends, found we had common interests in developing high performance handgun ammunition. Super Vel ammunition was the result and was the first truly high velocity, high...

The contenders arrive.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
March 1, 2004... With the introduction of the T/C Contender I found many accuracy-power advantages with the single shot. That equates to quicker, cleaner more humane kills. About 1977 I invented the .375 JDJ, simply a .444 Marlin necked to lake .375 diameter...

Gads, a factory .375!(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
March 1, 2004... That's now changed. I have reached agreement with Thompson Center and they are now producing their production Contenders and Encores in .375 JDJ caliber. These more readily available, more affordable firearms and, along with factory ammunition...

FAQ: the costs of a shooting?(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
March 1, 2004... When the smoke has cleared and the suspect is down, only Part One of the nightmare is done. Part Two is beginning--and it lasts a whole lot longer. I can tell you it's no trick at all for a trial to exceed $100,000 in legal bills and costs. A...

The hard questions.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
March 1, 2004... How long will it be before I go to trial? Probably longer than you think. Officer Jimmy Hecksel of the Gainesville, FL Police Department shot and killed a man who was trying to run him down on January 30, 2001. It took him 1.46 seconds to fire...

What about me?(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
March 1, 2004... The private citizen lacks the professional support groups available to a cop. However, this doesn't mean things are hopeless. I've seen the Second Amendment Foundation put together defense funds for wrongfully-accused armed citizens, and for...

Eagle grips and Gallagher leather.(The Sixgunner)
March 1, 2004... Eagle offers single action stocks in several materials of interest to those wishing to dress up their favorite single or double action sixgun or semi-automatic. Eagle's line-up includes exotic woods, buffalo horn, and mother of pearl, among...

CZ ST IPSC model: competition Czech style.(Winning edge: solid advice to keep you ahead of the competition)
March 1, 2004... The CZ-75 IPSC is a competition-oriented variation of the famous CZ-75. Its instruction manual says, "These pistol models are designed exclusively lot competition shooting in accordance with world IPSC (International Practical Shooting...

When is a knife a revolver?
March 1, 2004... When I first laid eyes on the SOG SEAL-Revolver, my first thought was, "What the hell? This isn't a revolver--it's a knife!" A locked blade that, with the push of a button (a result of the creativity of Robbie Roberson), turns into a saw and...

Doug Turnbull: raider of the lost arts.
March 1, 2004... Tired old cliches generally strut and fret their hours upon the stage and die from the shear weight of repetition and ridicule. The trigger-pull that "breaks like a glass rod" went down to dusty death a generation ago and there are other...

Fight or fun? Sublime sophisticates--retro Colts by Heinie & Vickers.
March 1, 2004... A bit of semi-sneaky conspiracy went on involving some nefarious characters recently. A trio with the last names of Heinie, Vickers (as in pistolsmiths) and Roberts (as in Colt) got together and, with no small amount of cunning, put together a...

Reach out & touch 'em: 75 yard attack--can you fight back? Can you even see that far?
March 1, 2004... Handguns are generally considered to be short to mid-range tools for resolving problems brought to us by others. Clearly most documented applications of a handgun to defense roles are often at arms length ranges. The handgun--as a tool carried...

Kimber .22 fun gun: 23 ounces of tack-driving accuracy.
March 1, 2004... Many years ago pistol-smith Bob Day had a small quantity of aluminum Government Model frames made by an aftermarket manufacturer, He used them to make a lightweight plinker out of his well known .22 Conversion Unit. He only made a few because...

The M.O.D. edge: masters of defense takes knives to a different level.
March 1, 2004... If the tactical knife industry were a reality show, Masters of Defense would be the of the edge waves. As knife manufacturers go, nobody puts out more aggressive looking tactical knives on a more consistent basis than Masters of Defense. And...

The colt 1911 Gunsite Pistol: re-birth of a classic idea.
March 1, 2004... A little over a year and a half ago, Buz Mills, owner and President of Gunsite Academy, and COL Bob Young, USMC (Ret'd), Vice President and Operations Officer of Gunsite Academy, confided that Gunsite was contemplating having a 1911 pistol...

Gas-gun extraordinaire: Italian sports car design meets the terminator.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... It's not often in this age of injection molded plastic, MIM and CNC pans that a custom pistolsmith actually builds a pistol. Legions take bits and pieces, parts that others make, and file and bend and weld and cut, finally putting together a...

Ammo updates: what's old is new and vice-versa.
March 1, 2004... Every year we eagerly await the announcement of new handgun amino from all of the major makers, but every year there is less and less to report. The reason isn't that nobody's trying--because they surely are--but rather the opportunities for...

Company shooters bust targets, have fun to support step outside program.(First Annual Shooting Industry Masters)
March 1, 2004... The First Annual Shooting Industry Masters was rated an overwhelming success by shooters representing companies from throughout the industry. Created to support the Step Outside program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the...

The Colt new service border patrol revolver: an original 'fightin' sixgun.
March 1, 2004... As I remember, the year was 1949 and I was eight years old. My late stepfather was a U.S. Border Patrol Inspector working out of Chula Vista. One of his partners was a Mexican American. We'll call him Joe. It was a proud day for both men when...

The magic mark: number TRO2000! les baer custom hits the 2000 mark with thunder ranch specials.
March 1, 2004... In the custom and even semi production handgun world, at run of several hundred is newsworthy. Bean counters applaud, new cars are purchased and there is general dancing in the aisles as the milling machines spin down. But this is a...

Esmeralda O'Sheehan: lady gripmaker extraordinaire.
March 1, 2004... Watch out guys, there's a new grip maker in town, and her ability to make beautiful and exotic grips is as enchanting as the lady herself! These are quality grips that are almost as beautiful as the gal who makes them. Esmeralda O'Sheehan,...

$832 gallon polish.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Just finished reading John Connor's column (Nov/Dec 2003) of Handgunner. It reminded of the time when I came in with another addition to my meager collection. My wife asked "Don't you have enough guns?" My response was to ask her if she had...

Guild gun winner.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I want to thank you for the excellent picture you sent me of the American Pistolsmiths Guild 2003 handgun of the year. Based on the photo in the Sept/Oct 2003 issue of the American Handgunner I purchased tickets for the raffle. I was notified...

English jealousy.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Aaagghh, I can't stand it any longer! Who gives a toss if SIG Arms and CZ are going to be making 1911s? I realize this may sound a bit rich coming from someone who lives in a country where handguns are now banned, but in the latest issue of...

Angry liberals.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... When you sarcastically wrote that to be a good liberal, "You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it" ("Insider," Nov/Dec 2003)--you lost me as a long time purchaser of your otherwise...

More thin skin.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I am an American citizen first, a liberal second. I believe in access to quality education, access to quality health care, the right to own guns and the right to vole my conscience. What part do you find worthy of ridicule? If you feel the need...

River wild winery wild game blends.(Gunnysack)
March 1, 2004... River Wild Winery is located in California's central coast region between LA and San Francisco. They have teamed up with Mossy Oak to craft four wine blends designed to compliment trout, turkey, waterfowl and venison. Tiffs is one of those...

Caldwell "over & out" electronic muffs.(Gunnysack)
March 1, 2004... One of the most helpful shooting accessories to come Along in decades are electronic earmuffs. Their benefit is that we can carry on a normal conversation or hear range commands but still preserve our hearing. Among my peers I am better off...

Hogue exotic wood Monogrips.(Gunnysack)
March 1, 2004... You may be familiar with the Hogue Monogrip design since the rubber version is standard on many Smith & Wesson magnum revolvers, but they make some of fancy wood that look great and feel just as good. The "Monogrip" trademark comes from the...

S&W 911 first response knife.(Gunnysack)
March 1, 2004... Glass and seatbelts are two major obstacles facing anyone involved in automobile accidents no matter which side of the mess you happen to be on. By fat the greatest need is found in law enforcement and rescue work but we might need to rescue...

Tarani utility Karambit--master's model by blade-tech: Karambit.com.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Karombit.com is proud to announce the most accurately engineered and mechanically sound folding karambit utility knife available today. Designed by karambit expert Steve Tarani, the Master's Model is a remarkable achievement in the modern...

VisuaLock: VisuaLock.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... VisuaLock, when properly installed, allows you to place a loaded magazine in a semi-auto or piece live rounds in all but one chamber of a revolver. With the VisuaLock installed, there is no way a live round can be introduced into the chamber....

CZ semi-auto: Adco.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Adco is importing the CZ Model TT series in .45, .40 and 9mm. The polymer-framed pistol has an integral-pebbled polymer grip, and an adapter for attaching flashlights and laser sights. The TT may be carried cocked and locked or half-cocked in a...

Taurus Tracker mount: B-square.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Leave it to the "techies" at B-Square to find a need and fill it. Case in point is the new mount they developed for the Taurus Tracker in .17 HMR and the .22 revolver--also fits the Silhouette. The new mount easily attaches to the revolver's...

Micarta and ironwood hunter: Haslinger Custom Knives.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Say what you want about Canadians, there's just no getting around the fed that Canada produces same darned fine knifemakers. Okay, so Tom Haslinger is German bat he lives in Canada and makes some of the mast innovative knives you've ever seen....

Shooting gloves: Galazan.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Galazan introduces the finest brown leather shooting gloves we've seen in many a moon. Designed end developed for the Shooting Sportsman, the Galazan gloves have o cutout far the trigger finger and a Velcro hold-back. Made of soft deer and...

Walther P22 holster: Fobus USA.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... The busy folks at Fobus USA just keep coming up with new offerings all the time. This one is a hoister for the Walther P22. Model # WP22, using their unique passive retention system, secures the pistol while allowing instant presentation...

Biometric handgun storage system: Safety First Devices, Inc.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Safety first Devices, Inc. announces the unique and patented Life Lock[TM] brand handgun security system. Using biometric technology, the Life Lock[TM] Handgun Docking Station provides unparalleled security and fast reliable access when the...

HK USP sights: Heinie Specialty Products.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Heinie Specialty announces the fixed combat style sights for the HK USP Compact, Full Size and Tactical Pistols. As with all Heinie Sights, they are designed to create a faster, more precise sight picture. The sights are CNC machined from...

Model #SMF: Strider Knives.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... When the USMC Special Ops guys went looking for a folding utility knife for their fieldwork, they knew the Strider guys would have just the right piece of equipment. The specs are too numerous to list here but let's just say the Ops guys ore...

The "NOMAD": Al Mar Knives.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Our good friend Gary at Al Mar Knives is a man of few words. He can afford to be since Al Mar has been putting out quality knives for years. The "NOMAD" is the latest offering from Al Mar and was designed by ABS Mastersmith Kirk Rexroat....

CED8000 Shot Timer: Competitive Edge Dynamics USA.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... The CED9000 Shot Timer from Competitive Edge Dynamics is the mast advanced timer on the market today, yet so easy to use. The Timer features the largest backlit LCD display, advanced programming, memory storage/recall, preprogrammed NRA...

New grip extensions: Pearce Grip, Inc.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Pearce Grip now offers extensions for the following firearms: Springfield Armory[R] full size and compact XD series, KelTec[R] model P11, Taurus[R] Model PT111, and Glock[R] and end full size models (fits all Frames except the sub-compact 20...

T'SOB for the S&W 500 revolver: SSK Industries.(Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... SSK introduces the T"SOB base far the S&W 500 that will not fail. T'SOBs installed by SSK have been in service for over 20 years on the hardest kicking firearms in use without a single failure. No wonder they call it a laugh son of a (boy I...

Add it up.(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... 1 Number of former Iraqi dictators found Hiding in a rat hole. Hasta La Vista baby! 150 Number of people who are killed in deer/auto collisions a yearly. 1.5 MILLION Number of deer/auto collisions reported yearly. ...

Cool things I've found.(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... Ultimate Guy-Purse I hate chinzy nylon gear and this isn't chinzy nylon gear. Called the Fatboy Versipack, from Maxpedition, it delivers the kind of "best possible" construction we expect here at Handgunner. There's enough pockets and...

No New 1911s in inventory?(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... We don't think so. A missive we received from a soldier-reader revealed they were issued 325 1911Als from DEPOT in time to take them to Iraq. Of the 325, 25 were packed in a box wrapped in brown Vapor Protective Paper and 300 were sealed in...

Speer's new website.(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... Go to www.speerbullets.com to check out Speer's new site and the update dealer locator, ballistic info and Speer's reloading library.

CZ highlights: stainless steel CZ 75!(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... After a quick trip to the Czech Republic to visit with Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) Handgunner came away with some cool photos. Herewith are a few things we'll never see again. The stainless steel CZ 75 will not be sold in the USA at this time, but it...

Dispatch: Baghdad?(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... According to a military government official, "Attitude toward the American occupation forces has swung from apathy and surface friendliness to active dislike. This is finding expression in the organization of numerous local anti-American...

Handgunner's new logo.(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... If you see this distinctly patriotic logo on a publication, it means it's from the Firearms Marketing Group (American Handgunner, Guns and Shooting Industry) and you know you'll be getting the best in gun info, Ichiro photos and generally cool...

STI buys Lone Star.(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... STI International, Inc. of Georgetown, Texas has recently acquired all of the physical and intellectual assets of what was previously known as Lone Star Armament in Stephenville, Texas. STI has been long noted in the industry for its "2011"...

Time travel.(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... I tried to part with an old friend the other day and couldn't. I realized, as I held my old Single Six revolver, that each gun in my collection has its own story--no matter how modest--a story I'm irrevocably attached to as an integral player....

We told you so department.(The Insider)
March 1, 2004... You read it here first and here's the pictures to prove we were fight. SIG did indeed design a new 1911 version. We handled one at the NASGW show and were impressed with the quality of workmanship, fit, finish and excellent trigger pull....